An Open Letter To Pets

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain
your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food.
Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a
claim for its becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically
pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because
I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about
this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your
comfort, however.. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they
sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched
out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails
straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize
space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some
miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not
necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under
the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door
I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline
attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog
or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the
front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who
are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't smoke or drink,
(7) don't want to wear your clothes,
(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ...

Love/Hate Relationships

At this time in my life, I don't work out like I should. (I sit in a chair all day. I really need to move more.) I'm well aware of that. However, there have been other times in my life when I probably worked out more than I needed to.

Unfortunately, you can't "save up" extra exercising.

So at some point today, I will be dragging myself upstairs to our home gym and spending some quality time on the elliptical. I may even get crazy and lift some weights. I know I'll feel great when it's over, but until then...

I wish I could hire someone to work out for me. The Wii fit makes it look so easy. Maybe I should buy that. Anyone have that? Is exercising more fun with the Wii? I know, I'm stalling now.

Must go sweat. What exercising do you do?

Head Hopping, Or Why Some Books Make Me Crazy

More and more I think being a writer can ruin the reader experience. Like most writers, I don't just read any more. I read and edit. And I'm not talking about my own work.

I rewrite sentences in my head, wonder about word choices, marvel at a deft turn of a phrase. If you're a writer, you're probably nodding your head because you do this too.

The thing that trips me up is shifting POV. Otherwise known as head hopping. Nothing ruins a book faster for me than going from one POV to another with every other paragraph. It is my ultimate pet peeve.

Does head hopping bother you or can you forgive it? If so, under what circumstances?

The Right Gift

I'm at Fictionistas today talking about the hard people to shop for. Who's yours? Come tell me here.

A slightly different Monday

Hotrod is having his knee scoped today. Not sure how long he'll be out of commission recovery-wise, but I'm sure it will involve me making at least one trip to Steak-n-Shake for medicinal purposes.

In other news, the fabulous Roxanne St. Claire is celebrating a birthday today! If you don't follow her on Twitter, you should. Find her here: http://twitter.com/roxannestclaire

Have a great Monday!

Caturday!

Another victim of Too Much Turkey syndrome.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm taking a few days off from blogging to concentrate on writing and spending time with family, so let me take this opportunity to say Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for all my blog readers and wish you a wonderful, safe holiday.

Black Friday

I'm over at the Fictionistas today talking about Black Friday. Do you shop on that day or not? Come spill!

Monday. Do. Not. Want.

I can't believe it's Monday already. I have so much to do! I need today to be twice as long. Or I need to work twice as fast (not so sure that's going to happen.)

There's a hair appt to get to that never happened on Friday as scheduled, a final Thanksgiving grocery store run, many many pages to be written, galleys to be dealt with, etc. etc.

Must get to work! What's on your schedule today?

Caturday!

Reading books in bed...er, making books into a bed.

Just saying

After this statement by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers about the Harlequin debacle, I will be joining today. I was a little unsure whether I should or not, after all, how many writer's organizations can one person belong to? But they stepped up in a big way and I heartily approve.

This part especially:

SFWA does not believe that changing the name of the imprint, or in some other way attempting to disguise the relationship to Harlequin, changes the intention, and calls on Harlequin to do the right thing by immediately discontinuing this imprint and returning to doing business as an advance and royalty paying publisher.

Genius. Bravo!

I'm over at the Samhellion!

Come check out my post on the top Viking myths over at the Samhellion today! (That's the Samhain blog, if you weren't sure.)

So I got up at 4 AM

Yep. 4 AM. I threw on some flip flops and a sweatshirt and headed outside. All three cats came with me, because why pass up an opportunity to see what the human is doing at such a strange hour.

They quickly took up all available seating.

I hung out for about half an hour but all I saw were two very faint streaks. There are just too many lights in this area to make for good meteor shower viewing, but there were some pretty bright stars. I thought for sure I'd see more than I did. Kind of a bummer, really.

Did you get up to watch the Leonids last night?

I have an addiction

I'm over at the Fictionistas today talking about addictions. Come share yours! (And see what mine is if you haven't figured it out yet.)

Yep. It's Monday.

The Monday's just don't stop coming, do they? Guess we'll just have to suck it up and accept it.

My week is busy, mostly because it's the last week I'll have this month to myself so I really need to write a serious amount of pages. I don't want to feel guilty about taking time away from the writing when my parents are visiting for Thanksgiving.

I also need to get my hair done. If you saw my roots, you'd agree. Buy a new set of sheets for one of the guest rooms. Make sure the house is clean. And lastly, I need to start a separate bank account for all my writing related stuff. Truth is, I kinda hate leaving the house. I'm not agoraphobic or anything, I just get into a rhythm and disrupting it makes me cranky. So does being hungry, but that's another story for another time.

What's your week look like?

Caturday!

Going green. Ur doin it wrong.

Best. Contest. Evah.

Let the count-down begin! Rhonda Stapleton's Stupid Cupid releases on December 22nd, just in time for Christmas! She's kicking off her Stupid Cupid book launch contest! Here's what's up for grabs:

--a copy of Stupid Cupid, signed by the author

--a $30 bookstore gift card to the store of your choice

--a $30 iTunes gift card

--a $30 Starbucks gift card

That's a $100 value!

So, what do you have to do to enter this incredible contest? Simple--write Rhonda a horrible love poem. The more purple-prosed and nauseating, the better. Visit her blog for more details and be sure to spread the word! ALL DETAILS AVAILABLE HERE!

Have you seen Inkheart?

Besides writing 3000 words yesterday, I watched Inkheart. Have you seen this movie yet? It is kind of a kid's movie, but I've been wanting to see it. I'm glad I did. I love movies that revolve around books. In this movie, the silvertongues have the power to speak books into reality by reading them. Great concept! I must read the books this movie was based on now.


The scenery alone is worth watching for - check out that beautiful house on Italy's Lake Como in the opening shot of the trailer. Also, Brendan Fraiser and Helen Mirren. Enough said. Inkheart is slightly reminiscent of The Princess Bride so if you liked that, you'd probably like Inkheart. Have you seen it? What did you think of it?

Dude! I'm on sale!

25% Rebate at All Romance and OmniLit on All Samhain Publishing, Ltd. Titles!

This Thanksgiving Season we're giving something to you.

From November 10-November 24 readers will be receiving a 25% eBook Bucks rebate on all Samhain titles.

What are you waiting for? Hop on over to AllRomance.com or OmniLit.com and receive bucks back today...on us!

So go buy ALL FIRED UP!

Thanksgiving Fun

I'm over at Fictionistas today sharing a goofy but fun Thanksgiving game. I dare you not to try it!

Eating Lunch With Christina Dodd Can Be Dangerous...

The writer's retreat I went to this weekend was fabulous and full of wonderful authors (CL Wilson, Karen Rose, Roxanne St. Claire, Lara Santiago, Kathy Carmichael, Julie Leto, Connie Brockway and Christina Dodd, to name a few.) We had a wonderful time and even got some writing done! Grand Central Publishing editor Amy Pierpont was also in the house and gave some great insight into what editors like and dislike when looking at "cold" pages.

The weekend ended with a casual lunch and I don't want to name too many names, but let's just say that if you ever eat lunch next to Christina Dodd, you may get wet. (Although she was generous enough to give me a bite of her pea salad.) Watching her and Connie Brockway go back and forth was quite a treat. They should have their own show. So long as Connie didn't nap instead. ;o)

TARA is a great chapter. If you ever get the chance to attend their retreat, take it!

Caturday! Sort of.

This lizard comes to the bird feeder outside my office window almost every day to indulge in some seeds. He's quite attractive for a lizard. I'm partial to that shade of green, I guess. Anyway, the cats enjoy his visits although he pretends not to notice their slobbering.

One Of My Favorite Things

I'm off to a writer's retreat put on by one of my chapters, the Tampa Area Romance Authors (TARA). I've been before and I already know it's going to be awesome. TARA is a great chapter and I'm happy to be a part of it.

Have a great weekend and get some writing done! You know I will. I'm on a roll and I want to keep cranking those pages out.

All Up In My Grill

I have to go to the worst place on earth today. The dentist. I'm due for a cleaning. And also they're sorely behind on yelling at me for not flossing enough. Good times. *sigh* After the amount of work I've had done on my teeth (palate expansion, braces, permanent retainers) spending more time in the dentist's chair is so not on my list of things I'm dying to do.

Would it be wrong to wear my fang caps? At least I could amuse myself... I plan on treating myself to a pedicure afterwards. I think that's only fair.

What are you up to today?

Vrrrroooom, Vrrrrooooom!

I'm currently writing Flesh And Blood, book 2 of my urban fantasy series that's coming out from Orbit in the summer of 2011. In this book, I'm introducing an awesome new character, Thomas Red Creek. And in my mind, this is his bike. A crazy cool V-Rod with the ability to blend into a dark night or a lonely stretch of asphalt. I can just picture him standing next to it, hair blowing in the warm evening breeze of Paradise City...

What does your hero drive and how does it match his personality?

Quit Poken Me. Or Don't, Actually...

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about the hottest new gadget to hit the social networking scene.

Come check it out!

You NaNo People Frighten Me

As I've started before, in my mind NaNo and binge drinking both seem like they're a sure fire way to kill of some brain cells. I don't participate, nor do I have any earthly desire to do so. But for those of you who are, enjoy the stress!

In other news, I wrote 2000 words yesterday. That's a monster writing day for me and I'm hoping I can repeat it a few more times. Like today.

What's on your To Do list today?

Caturday!

Edits? What edits?

Can I get a woohoo?

You may remember I mentioned starting Nutrisystem some weeks back? Well, today I've officially hit my first 10 pounds lost. Now that's how you start a Friday, my friends!

Any good news of your own you'd like to share?

Pick Your Poison

One of the most asked questions that writers get has to be are you a plotter or a pantser? If you haven't been asked that yet, wait a minute and you will be.

What I'm curious about is this: besides your general approach to writing, what do you prefer - fresh writing or revisions?

I'm wondering if there's a correlation between the two. Do plotters like fresh writing better and pantsers favor revising?

So - who are you (plotter/pantser) and what do you prefer (fresh writing/revisions)?

That's Just...Bananas

I'm not much of a ranter - not on my blog anyway - but yesterday, I saw something at the grocery store that almost made me confront the person doing it.

A woman was putting her bananas in a produce bag. That boggles my mind. I don't understand it on any level. Don't bananas come with their own heavy-duty, all purpose packaging? If she puts one of those bananas into someone's lunch box, does she first wrap it plastic wrap?

I do my (small) part to be green, but I'm not fanatical. Yet this act of wastefulness stirred a bit of righteous indignation in me.

Am I missing something? Why would anyone do this? It's not the first time I've seen it either, but yesterday it really pushed my buttons. Under what circumstances would bananas need their own protective produce bag?

Movies with bite

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about my favorite vampire movies. Come on over and share yours.

The Joy of Writing

Have you ever felt like you've lost the joy of writing? That sitting in front of your keyboard and putting words on the page is a chore? You're not alone. A lot of writers feel this at times - not just unpublished writers either. It can happen at any stage of your career.

Here are a few things I learned this weekend about renewing your joy.

1. Have a plan - without a plan, you lose focus and without focus, you can get lost. That can suck the joy out of just about anything. Instead of telling yourself you need to finish your book by the end of the year, work out a words-per-day goal. Come up with a plan that's manageable instead of seemingly insurmountable.

2. Resolve conflicts - Unresolved conflict can suck the joy out of your life and your work. Do you feel like the time you spend writing should be spent with your family? Work out a schedule with them so that they understand your hour after dinner writing isn't time away from them as much as it is time pursuing your dream. Whatever conflict is bringing you down, resolve it.

3. Nourish your spirit - When's the last time you read a book, watched a movie or took a walk without feeling like you should have been writing instead? Stop feeling guilty about nourishing your creative spirit! Time away from your manuscript isn't wasted when you're doing something that refills the creative well. Make time in your writing schedule to read. It's truly one of the most inspirational things a writer can do.

What other ways can you think of to renew your joy? I'd love to hear what you do to keep yourself a happy, healthy writer.

Caturday!

Why it takes me so long to get ready in the morning.
PS. Look closely. The shower is already running.

I need a longer week

I was woken up by the sound of duct tape this morning. *sigh* I really don't want to go into it, but let's just say that duct tape can be very loud.

I can't believe it's Friday. I have SO much to do. I need a few more weekdays. Of course, if the week were 9 days long, I'd probably still need more time. What I need to do is manage the time I have better. I just suck at it.

Any time management tips for me this Friday? Not that, you know, I'm actually going to use them or anything...

Guest Interview by Marley Gibson

Interview with Cecil “Cec” Murphey

by Marley Gibson

Co-authors of Christmas Miracles, coming October 13^th from St. Martin’s Press

I am extremely privileged to have the opportunity today to talk to my friend and co-author, Cecil “Cec” Murphey, and to chat about our upcoming book, Christmas Miracles.

Marley: Cec, thanks for spending some time with me today.

Cec: Marley, it's great that you could take time away from important things like making a living to spend a little time with me.

Marley: I’m so jazzed about our Christmas Miracles book that’s coming out soon. I’ve had a lot of questions from folks wanting to know how we met, what brought us together, etc. So, I thought we’d do a back and forth on how it all came to be. Of course, I have to give props to our amazing agent and friend, Deidre Knight, for bringing us together. For those of you who don’t know, Cec co-authored the runaway New York Times bestselling hit 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper.

Cec: I have to say thanks to Deidre Knight as well. Between Deidre and my assistant, Twila Belk, I've been able to sell quite a few books. 90 Minutes in Heaven has been my big book. I'm also proud of a book I wrote in 1990 called Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. The book has never been out of print and has hit close to four million in sales. Early this year, Cuba Gooding Jr. starred in the made-for-TV film version.

Marley: That’s amazing! You are truly prophetic and definitely “the man behind the words.” Now, people ask how we teamed up. Sadly, there was a personal tragedy that brought Cec and me together as friends.

Cec: True. In early 2007, our house burned and our son-in-law died. Aside from the grief over Alan, we lost everything. Deidre and Jan, my-then-assistant, sent the word out of our tragedy without telling me. I'm immensely grateful for every gift people sent, but I probably wouldn't have admitted I needed help and wouldn't have asked. They taught me how much we need other people.

Marley: Deidre put out a call to other clients of The Knight Agency, to help Cec and his family out in any way in their time of need. At the time, my company was moving and we were cleaning house. We had a ton of office supplies that we were either going to throw away or give to some of the charities the company worked with. I got my boss’ permission to send a large care package to Cec…full of office supplies for him to re-stock his writer’s office. You name it…post-its, staples, paper clips, pens, pencils, markers, white out, ruler, scissors, paper, notebooks, notepads, envelopes, a laptop case, tape, glue, folders, binder clips…etc. A veritable potpourri of office delights. I was hoping that it would help Cec have a sense of getting his office back so he could keep working.

Cec: Marley's gift was the most unexpected I received. We hadn't met, although Deidre Knight had spoken of her many times and kept telling me she was wonderful. I wonder if you can imagine what it was like for me to open that box from someone I didn't know. I saw all those practical things for my office and yelled for my wife. I felt as if I were reading a first-grade book. "Look! Look and see! Oh, look!" I was overwhelmed by the gift and even more to receive it from a stranger. Those supplies were the most practical gift anyone could have given me. I'm still using black paper clips and red folders from Marley.

Marley: Awww…thanks, Cec! I didn’t have to think twice about doing it. Writing is such a solitary “sport,” but the writing community always astounds me with how they help their own. Not long after that, over plates of spinach and Gouda omelets, Deidre introduced me to Cec in person and I was thrilled to finally meet the man behind the words. Deidre knew we needed to work on a project together and thus began our brainstorming. What did you think of that first meeting, Cec, and cooking up the idea to work together?

Cec: Deidre and I had already spoken about a Christmas book and I had some idea about what it should contain, but nothing had come together. One day Deidre told me that Marley was coming to visit her and she wanted us to work together on a Christmas project. Marley and I talked before we ate and again during the meal. Everything felt right to me. I knew my strengths and Marley knew hers (and Deidre knew both of us). Everything clicked. Marley, a far better networker than I am, immediately sent out the word for submissions. Within days she had almost four times more than we could use. (She read every one of them!)

Marley: I was truly impressed with the submissions we received and it was hard narrowing it down to the ones we chose for the book. We’re fortunate to have such a go-getter agent in Deidre Knight. Cec, can you share how the whole idea of Christmas Miracles came about and what you thought of the project originally?

Cec: For me, it actually started while I was on the rapid-rail train from the Atlanta airport when I listened to teens talk about Christmas and it was mostly about gifts. I had the idea then, but nothing really came together. Months later when Deidre I and had a meeting, she brought up the idea of a compilation and mentioned my working with Marley. I've been Deidre Knight's client since 1997 and I've learned to listen carefully when she comes up with an idea. I said yes before she gave me all the information.

Marley: That’s the truth about Deidre! Getting back to those submissions, Iwant to say we got more than two hundred submissions for Christmas Miracles. So many wonderful stories to read through and select for the book. It was a challenge to pick and choose which ones were right for the book, but I loved every minute of it. After I chose the entries that would go into the book, Cec toiled long hours editing the works for a unified voice. What was the biggest challenge you found in the editing process, Cec?

Cec: I've been a ghostwriter and collaborator for twenty-plus years and this was a switch to give the book a unified voice—which was mine. It would have been easier to stay with each writer's voice, but the book—like many compilations—would have been uneven in tone and quality. When I discussed this via email with our delightful editor, Rose Hilliard, she was (to my surprise) familiar with my work. She told me she liked the warm tone of my writing and that I don't waste words. "That's the voice we want," she said. It still wasn't easy, but it was an exciting challenge. After Marley and I agreed on the stories and gave them that unified voice, our editor pulled six contributions. Although different, Rose felt they were too similar to other stories.

Marley: Can you give our readers a preview of the book? A favorite story perhaps…or one that moved you to tears? (I have to say the little boy who wished for nothing but to be able to read a book all the way through because of his stutter had me bawling when I read the submission.)

Cec: That's not fair! I liked them all. The one that touched me most, however, is the last story in the book, "Sean's Question." We had almost finished the book and I was teaching at a conference in Florida. I felt we needed one strong story at the end. Despite all the good ones, I didn't feel fully satisfied to conclude the book. On the last day of the conference, I met a conferee named Sara Zinn for a consultation. As we talked, I mentioned Christmas Miracles and that I still needed one more story. "I have a Christmas story," she said and told me about Sean. As I listened, tears filled my eyes—but, being the macho type I am, I was sure it was an allergy. Sara wrote the story, and it became the one I sought.

Marley: Oh yes…that one is an emotional one all right. It was meant to be in the book because of how you met at the conference. Now, you and I have both had challenges in our lives that others might have found too much to take, but we are both very strong in our faith and our relationship with God. How do you think Christmas Miracles is going to help others feel closer to God and experience His miracles in their own lives?

Cec: Awareness and appreciation are the two things I want readers to grasp. Awareness means for them to realize that they're never totally alone in life. Those unexpected, out-of-the-ordinary events remind us of that. Appreciation means to be thankful for what we already have. Too often, and especially at Christmas, we focus on what we'd like or what is supposed to make us happy. Christmas Miracles gently reminds readers of both.

Marley: In this day and age when our country is fighting two wars, unemployment is high, and a lot of people have a lack of hope and faith for their future, what do you want readers of the book to take away from Christmas Miracles and how can the stories in our book help provide comfort to those struggling?

Cec: I want readers to see that miracles do happen—sometimes simple, unexpected blessings or those that involve the supernatural (as in one of Marley's stories). I call myself a serious Christian. For me, the world's greatest miracle began with the birth of Jesus. Regardless of a person's religion, this book encourages readers to think about life during the Christmas season and see that life as more than gifts and celebrations. It's also a reminder that God loves us and hears our needy cries.

Marley: Beautifully put, Cec, and I couldn’t agree with you more. Can we share what’s next after Christmas Miracles? J

Cec: Why it's the Cec and Marley show, of course. Because of our go-getter agent and our enthusiastic editor, we've already received thumbs up for The Christmas Spirit. This will be stories of people who express the true spirit of Christmas by acts of love and kindness, for release in the fall of 2011.

Marley: And I can’t wait to start working on that project! Thank you so much for your time, Cec, and answering my questions. It was a privilege and honor to work with you and I look forward to our future projects together. You’ve helped me along during a trying time and I appreciate your friendship and support.

Cec: I liked this project because Marley had to send out the word, collect submissions, read them, and discard the weaker ones. I get to see only the better-written stories. (Don't tell her that I have the better job.) Although I mentioned only one story, all of those in the book touched me because of the poignancy of their situations and the miraculous answers. I won't say the stories increased my faith, but they increased my appreciation for the delightful mix of human need and divine intervention.

Marley: Thanks again, Cec! God Bless! And to our readers, please be sure to pick up a copy of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, out October 13, 2009 from St. Martin’s Press. It’s a great stocking stuffer or gift basket filler. We hope you, too, will discover your own Christmas Miracles in your life.

Home!

I'm home from my trip to Maryland to visit family, but I came home with a lovely head cold. Seems like every time I fly, I get sick. Ugh.

I do not have, as Hotrod likes to call it, the R2D2 virus. I'm just stuffed up and feeling icky.

The upside of that is I'll be working from bed today.

Have a great day and stay healthy!

Family roadtrip

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking family roadtrips. Come share your memories!

Monday comes too often

Actually, I've reverted to diet Pepsi, but you get the idea. I'm still hanging out with family in MD, which is awesome, but Monday is still Monday.

Today my brother and I are dropping his kids off at school, running some errands, putting a bed together, then going to visit my grandfather at the assisted living facility he lives at. He defines cantankerous, so it should be fun. You never know what he's going to say. Like the time he threatened to punch out someone's lights.

What's on your Monday plate?

Just a quick hi

I'm still in Maryland, hanging out with the rents and my brother. Weather has been yucky - cold and rainy, but that's okay because the company is good.

Been reading, writing (not as much as I should but hope to work on that some more today), chatting, shopping - you know, the usual.

Anyway, have a good day and get some writing done!

Traveling Day

I'll be on a plane shortly and away for several days, but try to behave yourself, all right?

If you're good, I might bring you presents.

Are brains really that tasty?

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about the zombie craze that seems to be taking over YA fiction. What do you think? Are zombies the new black? Come chat and tell me!

Work Day

I can't believe it's Monday already! I leave for Maryland on Wednesday to hang out with my family for a few days and I have so much to do before then.

My two biggies are finishing my edits and finishing judging the contest entries I was assigned for my chapter's contest.

What's on your plate today?

Caturday

Would this be sleeping in? Or sleeping under?

Sexist Candy or Tasty Treat?

Mars is introducing a new candy bar aimed at women, Fling.

Here's the description:

We created FLING™ Chocolate to celebrate the female spirit – the unapologetically feminine playful, naughty, flirtatious, and alluring nature that brings shimmer into the world.

FLING™ Chocolate is a sweet, light truffle on a subtle crisp layer enrobed in shimmering chocolate that's as glamorous as you are. At under 85 calories per chocolate stick, it's slim, but not skinny. Indulgent but not greedy. Naughty but nice.

So let yourself go! Have FLING™ Chocolate in private, or wave it all around town; in the office, the bedroom, or the great outdoors. It's also a way of living. FLING™ Chocolate women are spontaneous – and when we find something good, we share it.

The FLING™ Chocolate community has started in California, but you can be a part of it no matter where you are. The FLING™ Chocolate spirit is universal. So go ahead and be naughty…but not that naughty™.

Is it just me or does that come off rather condescending? And shimmering chocolate? What's the chocolate made of? Vampires that sparkle? I don't know, it's all such overkill, don't you think? We get it. It's a low calorie chocolate bar, but why all the sexual innuendo? And really, it's a way of living? Um, if chocolate is your way of living, that's probably why you need a low calorie candy bar in the first place. I'm not impressed. What do you think?

Help a writer out

But it's not because I'm cold, it's because my desk chair isn't as comfortable as I'd like. In fact, for a chair that was rated as a "6 hour" chair, it's sadly lacking in comfort.

So. If you have any recommendations for a great desk chair or any sort of alternative, I'm listening. The gang over at RD has given me a few ideas but I'm open to more.

What kind of chair do you have? Do you like it?

Which Bunco Babe Are You?

Which Bunco Babe Are You?

This was so much fun, I had to share! Plus, I can't wait for this book. The first one was such a great read.

To celebrate the upcoming release of Maria Geraci's new novel, Bunco Babes Gone Wild, she's running a contest. Take the Which Bunco Babe Are You? quiz, follow the directions below and enter to win a chance at an autographed copy of her book and a $50 gift certificate to Borders. Deadline is November 1. Good Luck!

Links:

Website: http://www.mariageraci.com/

Quiz: http://www.mariageraci.com/quiz. html

Have you ever played bunco? I went to Maria's bunco party at RT this year and learned how and man, was it a blast!

Here kitty, kitty...

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about my signature style. Can you guess what that might include? What's yours?

I think I just read the best romcom book ever.

Instead of working on my edits Sunday afternoon after church like I was supposed to, I read. Because I had no choice. See, I started reading Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins and well, there was no putting it down. I mean, my beloved Cowboys played and I barely watched them. (Not that that game was worth watching, btw. C'mon, Romo, get it together or I may burn your jersey in effigy.)

It's rare a book makes me laugh out loud. I'm a tough audience, because while I frequently crack myself up (and let's be honest, everyone around me), others don't do it quite so often. This book however had some scenes that were gems. The seven stolen spoons? That one is priceless.

I sent to HQ to buy the digital backlist of Ms. Higgins (HQN), but they were sold out of Fools Rush In. Um, how do you sell out of an ebook? Harlequin, get with it. You lost a sale because of that nonsense.

Anyway, I can't recommend this book enough. The writing, the characters, the voice. It's a perfect 10. Do yourself a favor and buy it if you haven't read it yet. You won't be disappointed.

Caturday!

Omniscient cat knows you're not working on your edits. But you should be.

The Weight of Reality

Once upon a time, I was an unpublished writer amongst a rather large peer group of the very same. We would sometimes hear the few published writers in our midst complain about deadlines or edits or juggling publishers and we would look at each other in disbelief, each able to read the others' minds: We wish we had those problems. Authors should stop complaining and be happy they have a contract. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Let me say that the view from the other side is slightly different. And I'm not complaining, I just want to share, so that maybe there can be a greater understanding of things on the "greener" side.

I don't want to shock you, but being published isn't all rainbows and kittens. It comes with a new set of responsibilities and demands. Yes, I know, those of you who are unpublished are already thinking, yeah, demands I'd love to have.

And some day, you very well may have them. But until that day, here's a little insight. When the realization hits you that you are not only contractually obligated to produce, but that what you produce must find favor with your editor, you will feel a great weight upon your shoulders.

That realization is daunting. The greener grass will temporarily brown a little. And you'll think back to when you were unpublished and wished for this, and you'll come to another realization.

You're the same person. With the same ambitions. And you can do this.

And then you'll stop eating chocolate and get back to work, because this is a business and you're a professional and that's what professionals do. Get it? Good. Go write.

How about that.

I just realized today is the first day of October.

Apparently, I've been living under a rock. And by rock, I mean deadline.

Happy October, y'all!