Expiration Dates

I'm over at Fictionistas talking about things that have expiration dates and things that should. Come throw your 2 cents in!

Ugh, Monday.

Actually, it's quite possible my brains have all been sucked out. See, I knew today was going to be one of those days when I woke up with about eight mosquito bites. Seriously, I look like I have the pox.

But I have to go grocery shopping since we're pretty much out of lunch-making supplies (yes, I pack Hotrod a lunch every day) and I need stuff to make cookies for Hotrod's company July 4th picnic. (Packed lunch, cookies to take to a special event...anyone else see a grade school parallel?)

Other than that, there are two things I plan on doing today. Working out and writing. And ignoring the internet. Okay, that's three, but it's Monday and you can't expect me to work numbers after playing pin cushion to the insect population last night.

What are you doing on this *fine* day?

Caturday!

Can't...take...the...smell...

Launching A Star Contest now open!

At long last, the 2009 Launching A Star writers contest is open. As you may know, I've worked on this contest for the last few years and it's one of the best things my chapter does. This contest rocks! We always have agent/editor requests and several times those requests have resulted in someone signing with an agent or making that first sale. This is the official info, so feel free to share it wherever you like:

The countdown for the 2009 Launching A Star contest has begun! You won’t want to miss your chance to enter this terrific contest where last year’s acquiring editors and agents requested an amazing 10 manuscripts, resulting in at least two sales. This year, we’ve added new categories – Romantic Suspense, Inspirational and Novellas – in our efforts to bring you the most value for your contest dollars.

To enter, submit the first chapter (25 page max) of your romance in any of our nine categories. All first round judges (2 per entry, one trained, one published in romance) will provide constructive comments on every entry. Two industry professionals (one agent and one editor) will judge each category in the final round. Complete details and entry forms are available on the STAR Chapter website: www.authorsofromance.com

But hurry! You must send your entry in no later than September 5^th.

Launching a Star 2009

Sponsor: SpacecoasT Authors of Romance Chapter (STAR)

Fee: $25-$30, SASE

Please Note: The deadlines listed in RWR are incorrect. The correct deadlines are:

Deadline: Post-marked by September 5th, Received by September 12^th

E-deadline (for non-US residents only): Emailed by September 5^th, received by September 6^th.

Eligibility: Unpublished or not PAN Eligible

Enter: The first 25 pages. No synopsis.

First round judges: One trained; one published.

Final round judges: One editor and one agent for each category

Single Title – Editor Selina McLenmore, Grand Central;

Agent Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency

Romantic Suspense – Editor Sara Goodman, St. Martin’s;

Agent Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media

Inspirational – Editor Natalie Hanemann, Thomas Nelson;

Agent Rachelle Gardner, WordServe Agency

Historical – Editor Talia Platz, NAL; Agent Elizabeth

Pomada, Larsen-Pomada Agency

General Paranormal: Editor Heather Osborne, TOR; Agent

Laurie McLean, Larsen-Pomada Agency

Fantasy/Futuristic: Editor Meredith Giordan, Berkley/Jove;

Agent Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency

Series Contemp: Editor Susan Litman, Harlequin Special

Edition; Agent Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Agency

Young Adult: Editor Kristen Daly, HarperCollins; Agent

Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency

Novellas: Editor Angela James, Samhain; Agent Roberta

Brown, Brown Literary Agency

Prizes: Star named in honor of overall contest winner; Engraved paperweights (just like that star up there) for all First Place in category; Certificates for all finalists.

For More Information: www.authorsofromance.com

Back at work

One of my big goals today is to make some headway on my novella. Yesterday turned out to be a bust writing-wise. (I got a lot of other stuff done, though. Including cleaning out and reorganizing some of my drawers.)

I don't know why the novella is giving me such fits. I like the story and the characters, I just can't seem to fit the right amount of story into those few pages. I'm so used to writing long that wrapping my head around this length is proving really difficult.

It's just a mini-version of a novel, so why can't I get it?

Any suggestions? Links to articles that might help me? I'm game for anything.

Busy, busy, busy

My busy level has gone through the roof lately. I feel like I've been surgically attached to my computer.

Today I'm taking a break from the pc for a bit. Although I'll be checking things periodically, I don't plan to sit in front of it all day.

In fact, I might do something really radical and write long-hand for awhile. I'm just crazy like that.

What are you doing today?

Have you ever?

I'm over at the Fictionistas today, talking about doing things for charity. Come on over and tell me what you've done.

A Call To Action

If you haven't heard the news about RWA's stoneage stance on digital publishing, it might be because you're not a member of RWA.

If you've been following the conversations going on online, here's one more to add to it: Samhain executive editor, Angela James issues a Call To Action on the ESPAN blog. Not only is she fair and articulate, but she's my editor. Does an author proud, really. *sniff*

Here's Kassia Krozser's (of Booksquare and Quartet Press) take on things: Time for a Change

You may have also heard about the RWA Change group. We're not a pitchfork-wielding bunch of hooligans, we're mostly RWA members-in-good-standing who value RWA and want to save RWA from becoming obsolete by helping to educate members about digital publishing, pushing for more inclusive publisher and published author standards and to somehow once and for all eliminate the no-man's land between the GH and the RITA that epubbed authors fall into. You can join the group yourself right here.

I'm a member, because I believe that there is a chance we can change RWA and I'd rather be part of the change than just give up on an organization that has the potential to be a great tool for advocacy and education.

What do you think?

Caturday!

Mmm...squirrel on a stick is my favorite...

RWA President Pershing Responds

Remember Monday's fabulous post by Deidre Knight on the ESPAN blog? This one here.

Well, today RWA president Diane Pershing has responded. You can read that here.

I'm guessing a lot of people who were on the fence about leaving just got a big push off that fence.

Gettin' back on it

There are three things I want to do today. Notice I said want. Not need. Not have to. Want. That's very different from the To Do list of laundry, dishes and other chores awaiting me.

1. Read - I have two books in progress and plan on finishing both today so that I can start Maria Geraci's Bunco Babes Tell All.

2. Write - I have a shifter (of sorts) novella that's about halfway done. I really want to finish it and get it submitted. I don't like having unfinished stuff hanging over my head. Will I finish it today? No, but I want to get started on it again.

3. Bead - I've gotten some incredible beads in the last few days. Peacock pearls so fat and shiny they look like candy. Rondelles of misty green prehnite. Faceted sterling silver beads. I want to create!

What's on your Want List for today?

Just like grandma used to make

I was talking to my friend, Louisa, yesterday about recipes, which made me think of one of my all time favorites, my Grandma B's rice pudding.

When I think of her, I think of several dishes: the rice pudding, this Italian beef she used to make, her pies (crusts were amazing), and these lekvar cookies that I tried for years to duplicate. For some reason, that recipe wasn't in her recipe box or any of her cookbooks, all of which I inherited when she passed.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her. She was a great woman and I actually credit her with my gift of storytelling, but that's another tale for another day.

Is there a dish you make that reminds you of someone special?

Food Rocks

You've only got one meal left to eat. What will it be?

Come tell me over at Fictionistas!

An agent's response to RWA's Epub stance

If you've read the most recent letter from RWA's president, Diane Pershing, in the June edition of the RWR and it left you steaming, you should probably read THIS incredible essay on the subject by super agent Deidre Knight. Read it even if you haven't read Pershing's letter, but you're just upset over RWA's treatment of epublishers and epublished authors.

Feel free to spread the link to this amazing post far and wide.

Caturday!

Sometimes the things in your inbox aren't all that pleasant...

Freaky Friday

Have you seen these commercials?


The fact that the landscape is played by people really freaks me out. Not sure why, it just does. What you do think? Freaky or cool?

Maybe RWA Isn't Right For Me

I'm starting to wonder. After all, President Diane Pershing says RWA's "purpose will be thoroughly diluted if members are not truly focused on writing romances as a career choice."

I'm not truly focused on writing romances and haven't been for at least a year and a half. Maybe two. Especially since my writing has gone more in the direction of urban fantasy and YA.

Does that mean I'm diluting RWA? I guess my 3 years as chapter vice president (2 different chapters), 3 years as webmaster (2 different chapters), 2 years as contest category coordinator and current status as chapter president (ESPAN) aren't worth as much as I thought.

And to think I was mulling over a run for the national board. But, ya know, I'd hate to dilute it or anything...

I'm sweating, but I don't like it

I'm back to working out and counting calories. Not my favorite combination of things, say like shopping and sipping a chocolate milkshake, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do if she doesn't want to end up in a bigger size. I find that no matter what diet or change of eating I try, limiting calories and exercise are my surefire solution.

And of course, Nationals are coming up and don't we all try to trim down for that? So, I need to stop blogging and get my booty on the elliptical. Hopefully in a few weeks there will be less of it to haul up there.

Are you working out? What kind of exercise are you doing?

What did you call me?

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about nicknames I've had. Come share yours!

Disposable Clothes? Yes, Thank You.

Since clothes aren't really disposable (not in this economy anyway), we'll just have to keep sorting them, washing them, folding them, and putting them away.

Which leads me to this all important Monday question:

How do you sort your laundry?

I ask because I think I'm doing it wrong. I do whites, darks and colors. But I also do handwashables, which are then sub-sorted into whites, darks and colors. Is that about what you do? I know, this is such a strange question, but I think I'm making more work for myself than necessary.

So...what do you think? Too much?

Caturday!

Doorstop: yer doin it right, ackshually.

At long last...it's Friday!

I don't know why I'm so excited about today being Friday. It's not that much different than yesterday really. Except Land Of The Lost comes out today and I'm really hopped up to see that, having had a LOTL lunch box as a kid and all.

Other than that, I really need to clean this house before it ends up on some reality tv show. Tragic. I'm surprised we can walk given the tumbleweeds of cat hair rolling by.

Sigh.

When will they invent a house that cleans itself?

Home, But Worn Out

Actually, I traveled too hard. I got home late (and the flight was full of crying babies and kids so excited about going to Disney they couldn't stop kicking the back of my seat) and I'm struggling to catch up today.

Why don't I have an assistant to write these blogs for me? At least then you wouldn't be reading about how tired I am and how much work I have to do.

I'm sure my assistant would be much more interesting. Too bad for you I don't have one.

Tomorrow will be better, I'm sure.

Headed Home

Today's my last day in Maryland. I've had tons of fun and it's been a great visit, but it's time to go home and get back to work. Plus, I miss my kitties!

In other news, my nephew's crayfish molted. That was pretty interesting. The crayfish then proceeded to eat his own exoskeleton. Kinda gross, but to a five-year-old, wicked exciting. Kids really dig the strange and unusual.

I Like Being A Girl

I'm over at Fictionistas talking about being a girl. Come chat!

Idiot #23599099

I'm not entirely sure that's Kanye West's official idiot number, but I don't think specifics really matter after reading this statement he made:

"Sometimes people write novels and they just be so wordy and so self-absorbed. I am not a fan of books. I would never want a book's autograph. I am a proud non-reader of books."

After reading that quote, I'm not sure he could read a book if he wanted to. But the real kicker is he's now published a book he wants YOU to buy. Yeah, that's gonna happen. You can read more about that maddness here.

Also, if someone could explain to me how you get a book's autograph, I'd be ever so grateful.

This concludes your Monday idiot report.