RWA Pics!

Here are some pics from RWA, mostly from the parties. lol

Kresley Cole, Me, Roxanne St. Claire. Kresley and Rocki were headed to the Pocket party, I was on my way to the Diva Dinner, followed by the Knight Agency shindig. Notice my Farrah hair. Stylish, no?

Barbara Vey and I at the Diva Dinner. She is a VERY fun dinner guest, I must say. Did you catch her drive-by video of the Diva Dinner?
The pagoda entrance to Chinatown. I believe I ended up here three times, for delicious Dim Sum, lunch at the Empress of China, one of the oldest restaurants in Chinatown, and some serious shopping. This place rocks.
The Harlequin party! See that artificial tree in the upper corner? There were four of those in total and later on that night, one actually toppled over. No one was hurt (that I know of) but it made for a few very entertaining minutes. And the woman in black in the background standing on the chair? That's the wonderful and charming Tracy Farrell, who has no problem getting her groove on.
Another Harlequin party shot: Roxanne St. Claire, Marley Gibson, Louisa Edwards and moi. We danced until we were sweaty. It was fab!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Check out RITA winner Melissa Marr and I on the Fictionistas today!

PS. The link should work now - thanks, Eva!

Home

So. Freakin'. Tired.

Will post more later. Maybe.

Zzzzz.........

Headed Home

We're finally heading home today. It's been a long week. I miss Hotrod and I miss my kitty cats. All and all, conference has been a mixed bag. I'm happy to have seen my friends, had some good chats with my fab agent, shopped and sightsee'd like a champ, and best of all, gotten an amazing amount of writing done. However, it seemed really long to me this year. Many of the folks I spoke to said they felt unconnected to the whole event, as I did for much of it. Not sure exactly why that was.

Anyway, I'll be happy to get home. Stay tuned for pics later this week.

TGIS

Thank God it's Saturday, because I am ready to come home. Which isn't to say I'm not having fun at conference, rather, I'm having too much fun at conference. (Okay, plus, I'm missing Hotrod a smidge. Love that man.)

Yesterday, we did a day trip to Fisherman's Wharf. It was...very touristy. Having lived in Ocean City, MD, I can sum it up by saying it was like strolling the boardwalk. Without the boards. The trolley ride to and from worked my last nerve due to the overcrowding of said vehicle. Sue me, but I don't like having random strangers' body parts pressed up against me. (It was bad. And this from a girl who lived in NYC and routinely rode the subway.)

When we got back, I did a little writing, but I was headed for a workshop at 4:30 about making your own book trailers. I'm sure it was a fine workshop, but I left after a few minutes when I figured out it wasn't anything I didn't already know.

Then I got ready for a night of publisher parties. First up was the Berkley party. It was a cocktails, cheese & crackers and cold shrimp kind of affair. Lots of very nicely dressed folks, including the effervescent PC Cast, who I didn't get to say hi to until the next party, which was St. Martin's. There I met her lovely daughter, Kristin, and her brother, whose name I can't remember - probably because I was too distracted by his handsome face. He's hero material, I can tell you that.

The food at the SMP party was delish and later on, editor Rose Hilliard and I determined (with help from agent Sha-Shanna Crichton and my BFF and newly purchased SMP author, Louisa Edwards and my other BFF, Marley Gibson) that our shades of blonde are fairly close.

From there, we hit the pinnacle of publisher parties, the Harlequin shin-dig. Things were well underway when we arrived, and we quickly joined in the festivities by shaking our money-makers out on the dance floor with executive editor, Tracy Farrell, Jane from Dear Author and Roxanne St. Claire. Also making an appearance were my fellow Fictionistas, Amanda Brice and Rhonda Stapleton, who boogied like there was no tomorrow. Great fun was had by all, I can assure you. Despite one of the massive fake trees toppling over half-way through the night.

Anyway, I have pics but again, no way to download them so you'll have to wait until Monday-ish. Today I'm going to write, hit a workshop or two, then prep for the RITA's and Golden Hearts. And maybe nap. I'm worn out!

Thursday Wrap-Up

Thursday started off with a good workout. The gym here is really nice. Then my roomie, Lara Santiago, and I went down to the Opening Session featuring a motivational speaker who also played the piano. She was very talented, but I can't remember her name. In all honesty, there was a touch of cheesiness, but I imagine most motivational speakers to be like that.

After that, we came back to the room and did some brainstorming until lunch. I was a bad conference attendee and skipped out on the keynote to head back to the room. I'm glad I did, though - I wrote 3 more pages on my new book and did a seriously awesome amount of research for it that led me in a great new direction.

I finally dragged myself away from the computer to attend a workshop given by my agent, Elaine Spencer, and my friend and agency sistah, Marley Gibson. I sat with Kwana, who took100 pictures. lol

Then it was back to the room for a quick transformation into Party Going Barbie for the night's events: The Diva Dinner and the Knight Agency party.

My special guest at the Diva Dinner (held at Buca Di Beppo, where the meatballs really are as big as your head. Almost.) was the lovely and always entertaining Barbara Vey. Check out her blog today for some more Diva Dinner exploits, including a video (I think).

Then Crystal Jordan, Louisa Edwards, Kate Pearce and I hoofed it to the Knight Agency. Harlequin executive editor Tracy Farrell looked like the world's most gentle vampire slayer. Love her! The party further cemented my love for all things Knight. I *heart* my agency more than words. The love, friendship, support and talent they supply really can't be duplicated.

Sorry I don't have pics of any of this, but I didn't bring my cord for my camera. I'll take care of that when I get home. Today, a few of us are headed to Fisherman's Wharf. Afterwards, I'm hoping for some more writing before hitting a few workshops. Tonight brings the publisher parties, so stay tuned for that madness tomorrow. Oh - no workout today. I walked too much in four inch heels last night. The tootsies need a break.

More Conference Stuff

Yesterday saw another trip to Chinatown for a few forgotten things, some interesting bakery goodies (chocolate-covered winter melon mooncake anyone?) and a side trip to Macy's for Louisa, where we met the very interesting Vera. Best. Saleswoman. Evah.

Then, believe it or not, I actually wrote. Sure, it was just three pages, but still! I should get big credit for writing at conference. After that, Louisa and I took a stroll through the Literacy Signing to say hi to some of our friends. Both Roxanne St. Claire and Lara Santiago sold out. I'm sure some others did too, those are the only ones that I know of for sure. We took a little break to change into some Chinatown silks before heading off to the RWA Online party. Fun was had by everyone but I had to leave while the fun was still happening as I am not yet truly adjusted to the time difference.

Today things kick off in earnest and I hope to actually attend a workshop or two before this evening's festivities: the Romance Divas dinner followed by the TKA party.

Okay, off to the gym. I've worked out every day I've been here and today will not be the exception.

Conference Update

Not much conferencing going on as of yet, but we had a fun day in Chinatown yesterday. Ate dim sum, laughed alot, you know the drill. There's some fab shopping to be had outside of Chinatown, too. I bought THE most delicious Juicy Couture sunglasses. So me. Hopefully someone will snap a good pic of me in them and I'll post it.

I actually hope to do some writing today. Shocking, I know.

More later.

Off To Nationals!

Hey gang, I'm off to the airport. Can't wait to see some of you in San Fran!

Talk To Me!

I have to give a short presentation on setting at my chapter meeting tomorrow. Help me! What should I talk about? How important is setting to the stories you write? How do you choose your setting?

I've always believed that setting is really another character. Do you think that too? Are there any settings that turn you off? Make you want to read a book?

Help me!

Project Meh

Normally, I would talk about Project Runway today but you know what? I found the whole episode to be rather uninspired and not exactly blogworthy for me today. Sad, I know. I expect so much out of that show. I will say that having the models go out and buy the fabric was stupid. The dresses would have been incredible if the designers had been able to do that job themselves. Instead, the dresses were, IMO, boring and too much the same. Whatever.

Instead, I'm going to give you another pic of the mouth-watering David Boreanaz (throwing James Marsters in there doesn't hurt either) and tell you how I will probably waste away the afternoon watching Angel on Hulu. I'm about halfway through season 3 of Buffy and kinda over it. All that angst over how they can't be together and Buffy's cold shouldering of Angel are getting to me. Makes me want to slay Buffy just a smidge, so I'm moving on. For now.

I'm also getting my nails done for Nationals today. Exciting stuff, I know. And at some point, I may actually write. I've got a new, slightly "not me" idea careening around in my head and I'm anxious to see what it looks like on the page. Is it crap? Is it fabulous? I'm not sure yet.

How long does it take you to decide if a new idea is working?

Say Hello To My Newest Obsession

You're welcome.

My Broken Heart

I'm blogging at Fictionistas today about my recently broken heart. Come share!

Don't Be Jealous

I know you're going to wish you could live my fabulous life, but try to contain yourselves.

Monday To Do:
1. Scrub toilets
2. Mop floors
3. Dust
4. Fold laundry

If I have the time, I might even do some dishes and clean the kitchen. The fun never ends.

What are you up to today?

Yay! Part III Is Here!

If you haven't watched this yet, hurry up! It all disappears on Sunday. And as of today, you can watch all three parts. No uncomfortable waiting necessary.

Odds-n-Ends

Today's post is a mish-mash, so bear with me.

*Saw the gator again last night. Got a few pics, too, but I took them on Hotrod's camera and I have no idea how to download them so that will have to wait for his cooperation.

*Decided to start working out again yesterday as I am tired of feeling like a lump. Being fluffy holds no appeal for me, but my love of food is at an all time high. Unfortunately.

*Gena Showalter is talking about her first sale at Dear Author. Go check it out.

*Lastly, I've been doing some shopping for Nationals, even though I said I wouldn't. I haven't spent much though. I've stuck mainly to the clearance and sale racks. Got some cute stuff yesterday, including two really sweet pairs of shoes. You know, because I really needed shoes. I could only find a pic of the flats. They're not quite that bright in person and have sort of a shantung silk look to them. Plus, bonus, they're really comfy.

Project Wack-a-doodle

Season 5 (and the last season that will be on Bravo) of Project Runway got off to a bang last night with what looks to be some of the most interesting designers yet. (An aside: Bravo has done little to no promotion for this season - perhaps because they lost the series to another network? Can you say sore loser?)

As always, there is one designer who sticks in my craw. Maybe because he's too...girlicious? Ugh. That is so not a catch phrase that will catch on. The tanorexic Blayne is way too in love with himself if you ask me. Where is Christian when you need someone called a hot tranny mess, I ask you?

The winner of this first challenge was Kelli - awesome chick with a full sleeve tat on one arm. She used vacuum cleaner bags that she dyed herself with ink, coffee and bleach to make the skirt and some burned coffee filters for the bodice. Other elements of the dress contained parts of a spiral-bound notebook and thumbtacks. She pretty much rocks like a rockstar and is my early favorite.

The loser was Jerry, whose outfit looked like it might be worn by a serial killer escaped from a nut house butcher shop. Wow. Scariest use of a tablecloth and shower curtain ever. He did not, as Tim Gunn would say, make it work.

I'm so glad this madness is back on TV. I has a happy!

You're In, You're Out. You're In, You're Out. You're In...

We recently installed a pet door panel (and by we, I mean Hotrod) in one of our sets of sliding doors. This was done in hopes that we would no longer be forced to get out of bed because of the crying/meowing/wrestling/carrying on that occurs when the hellions want out at 3 AM. (And so you know, this only gets them onto the fully screened lanai, not the actual great outdoors.)

So far, this door has been met with a great deal of "meh." I thought Sam had figured it out, and I think he has for the most part, he still occassionally goes to the slider and cries. Max has learned to come in, but can't get that the door will also let him out. *sigh* And Scooter, the cat who taught himself to flush the toilet so he could watch the water go down, doesn't seem to get the door at all.

Anyone have any ideas how I might speed up this learning curve? I'd love some training ideas.

Phrased Out

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about words and phrases that do/do not belong in conversation - come add your ideas!

Hot Mess Monday

So the Twilight movie, based on the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers, has finally hit the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Um...is it just me or is that pic of Edward just completely sad? I mean, in the book he's this fabulous, mind-blowingly handsome, sparkly dude. In that pic, he's more like some kind of dull, mind-eating zombie. (And I get the feeling that I could snap him like a twig.)

I hope he doesn't look like that in the movie, or you're going to have theaters full of rioting teenage girls. Or do teenage girls think pale and wasted is hot?

Bumpy Things Report

After many days of nothing, I spotted the gator again last night. I said I thought he 5-6 feet before, but I take that back. I think he's 6-6.5 easily. He was swimming with most of his body showing, so it was easier to tell. I got a really good look at his face with the binoculars, too, and now...I kinda feel sorry for him.

He looks like he's usually the last one the other gators pick for dodgeball. He's got about a 5 inch scar that runs from the corner of his eye down the side of his neck. And his jaw isn't right. Like it's deformed or was damaged in a fight. It's all twisted to the right and lopsided. On the left side, you can plainly see several of the teeth from his bottom jaw. Straight on, it gives him a kind of sad expression.

I know he's a gator and a decent size one, so he's obviously doing all right for himself, but I have a soft heart toward any kind of animal and I hate to see them suffer, you know?

Anyway, have a good weekend!

50 Books In A Year

I'm in the midst of number 28 right now, so I'm well on track to read 50 books this year, however I have to say I thought it would be easier. I figured I read that many anyway. I thought reading 50 books would be a piece of cake. It hasn't been. There have been a handful that I've read half-way through only to quit because they were so bad. You don't get credit for those. Then there are some like New Moon and Lover Enshrined that are long enough they ought to count for two. Anyway, I'm on track, which is cool because I hate to attempt a thing like that and fail.

How many books do you think you've read this year? Are you keeping track?

Which of these authors will you be?

From Slunch, a group blog of publicists, comes a list of author archetypes you do NOT want to be on (at least, I don't think you want to be on this list - personally, I'm making notes for the future):

1) The Space Case: Although well-intended they forget about interviews (even after being reminded the night before) and if they do remember they have an event, they’ll show up late. The net result causing mild ulcers every time you get a phone call from a reporter or bookseller who doesn't know how to get a hold of him/her. Solution- Never let them out of your sight.

2) The Overeager: Not to be confused with the Gem (see below). While thankful and willing, wants to do too much and constantly floods your inbox with unfeasible ideas. “Hey, how about we send Oprah my signed tiger woods golf club along with a copy of the book?” ummmm, dude, your book is about child rearing and Oprah is friends with Tiger. I’m sure she can get his club any time she wants. Solution- Ignore the majority of their emails and never reply immediately to anything they send you.

3) The Gem: Thankful for any and everything you get them, they are an eager beaver willing to do anything and everything you ask them. At times, you feel pity for getting them on WOR’s Joey Reynolds show and making them stay up till 3am, but hey, its a national booking. Solution- Thank God.

4) The Two Face: Will deal with you politely, then complain to their agent and get their agent to do the dirty work for them. Oh sure, you’re all smiles now, but that venom dripping from your agent’s surgically reinforced lips tells me a different tale. Solution- Document everything and share this ammo with the editor and your boss so you have peeps in your corner fighting for you. Take author off your Christmas card list.

5) The Ego: A prima donna that comes in 2 levels, unjustified and justified. The Unjustified Ego is the first time author who thinks they should be the center of your attention and laments their lack of coverage loudly. The Justified Ego is the New York Times bestselling author who's sales make up your paycheck and who can actually get you fired if you screw up. Solution: Bitch about the Unjustified Ego to their editor and they’ll whip em into shape. As for the Justified Ego, do your damndest to do anything and everything you can for them.

6) The Recluse: Impossible to get to do any media whatsoever and you can only communicate with them through their agent. Solution- None.

7) The Waste: Sadly, The Waste has no presence whatsoever, looks ugly, and can't hold a conversation no matter how brilliant they sound in print so you can't get them any publicity outside of an email Q&A. Solution- None.

8) The Neurotic: Constantly worries about their performance, compares themselves to other authors and are self deprecating to a fault and detriment of their publication. Bonus points if #8 is also an Unjustified Ego. Solution- Prozac, counseling.

9) The Amazon Author Crack Addict: All of the above obsessively check their amazon.com ranking.

ARCS I Really Need

I'm hoping Roxanne St. Claire and C.L. Wilson have their Google alerts up and working because I really need ARCs of their next books and I'm hoping this post will go a long way in that direction. Like, really need these fabulous books. Willing to beg, in fact. Not that I think that should be necessary. I'm a fabulous person who deserves to read these before everyone else. LOL

First up would be Roxanne St. Claire's Now You Die, available August 26th. This is the one that concludes the mini-series trilogy within her Bullet Catcher series (first of the trilogy - First You Run, second - Then You Hide). This is Lucy's story - the creator of the Bullet Catchers. Hot, sexy, serious action, plus buff men with guns. 'Nuff said. WANT!

Then there's C.L. Wilson's King Of Sword And Sky, third in her Tairen Soul series, releasing September 30th. This is fantasy romance like nothing you've ever read. Lush, rich, emotive and all with a slight patina that makes each brand new story seem like a tangle of well-loved myth and legend revisited. Good stuff. WANT!

Now ladies, concerning those ARCs...you know how to find me. I'll be waiting. (Plus I promise to buy the book once it's actually released. I always do anyway!)

You ate what?

I'm blogging at Fictionistas today about the crazy food concoctions born out of college life and no money. Come tell me about your strange combos at Fictionistas!

WOOHOO!!!

One of my BFF's, Louisa Edwards, has SOLD! Here's the PW report:

Rose Hilliard at St. Martin's Press preempted world rights to four
books by editor-turned- author Louisa Edwards via Deidre Knight. Set
amid the New York restaurant scene, the first book in the series is
called Can't Stand the Heat and is slated to launch in fall 2009, with
subsequent titles to appear every six months. Knight is a romance
author as well as agent, and Edwards was her first editor at NAL. When
Edwards left New York publishing, Knight briefly worked with Hilliard,
who subsequently left for SMP.

Now go give her some love in person here.

Happy Fourth!!!

Have fun, be safe, eat too much and think patriotic thoughts!
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Would you wear this?

Would you wear this dress? Answer first, then highlight the following for crazy secret this dress hides: It's made of condoms.

Now, would you still wear it? Does it change the way you feel about it? Why or why not?

Taking It Slow

It's been raining a lot here lately. Heavy, drowning rains accompanied by lightning and wake-the-dead thunder. The kind of storms that cause your electricity to flicker and your hair to stand on end.

Fun, fun stuff.

So the pool is rather full and the cats seem less than enthusiastic about trying the new cat door Hotrod installed for them so they can go out on the lanai anytime they want without one of us having to get up and open the slider for them.

As for me, I'm going to veg on the couch and read the last few pages of Roxanne St. Claire's Then You Hide. Are you reading this series? It's THE AWESOME. Seriously, get out there and treat yourself to some hot, hot Bullet Catchers today.

She works hard for the money

I'm at Fictionistas today, talking about summer jobs and stupid tourists. Come chat!

Monday Needs This

Put The Big Red Button on your site

Caturday!

I've got a chapter meeting today (gun seminar!) then maybe later, a movie. What are you up to?

Freaky Friday

Happy Friday! Here is my gift to you:
Just stare at that for awhile. Later, when you've begun more festive Friday night activities, feel free to come back and stare it some more.

You're welcome.

What time is it?

I watched Shear Genius (check out the ever witty Kwana for a recap) last night, because as most of you know, reality TV is my crack. However, I was beat and ended up falling sleep on the couch. Which I hate, because it really screws up my whole sleep rhythm thing. As a result I am sucking down coffee in an attempt to wake my inner writer up. And, okay, my outer writer isn't exactly chipper, either.

My main goals today are writing and errands. What are you up to?

In other writing-related news, have you heard about this crap? Talk about publishers to avoid. My heart goes out to the author involved.

For some hardcore cuteness, do yourself a favor and visit the ferret cam. Baby ferret, y'all!

Could It Be This Easy?

I gotta try this. If you give it a shot, let me know how it works.

I wish I'd known then...

What I know now about fashion! Come check out my post at the Fictionistas today and talk 80's fashion with me!

Writing and More Pretty Bumpy Things

Gator Update: The past two mornings we've seen a new gator in the canal. This one is probably in the 5-6 foot range and likes to hang out right in front of our house a lot. This morning I think he was looking for a section of bank to sun himself on. At one point he came out about half-way, but the bank was too steep and he slid in. Hotrod took some pics and a video. I'll see if I can get it from him and post it here. (I didn't take the pic here, but that's exactly what he looked like floatin' around.)

Writing Update: The writing is going well, the story is coming in big chunks, like watching a movie - does this happen to you? The characters are giving me lines, helping me build the story. It's awesome. I'm looking forward to getting a big number of pages done this week: 50. Can I do it? Yes, but I'm going to have to keep my head down.

Movie Update: Due to a massive storm, we only got to see The Hulk on Saturday. It was really good tho. Today we're headed out for a late matinée of Indy.

I Doan Wanna Work...

Yes, I know it's Caturday, and there are a million cute cat pictures I could post, but I thought I would express myself in a graph instead. Because it's my blog and I can do whatever the blueberry I want to. Commence graph:



And by bang on the drum, I mean watch movies. We're headed to the Rave for a mini-marathon of action packed goodness. The Hulk and Indiana Jones, baby!

What are your Saturday plans?

Keeping Up With The Bloggers

I currently use Google Reader to keep up with my favorite blogs and it does a nice job, but there are a few blogs it just won't pick up for some reason. Regardless, I really like that I can preview and read the blogs without leaving my iGoogle home page and then if I want to comment, simply click a button to take me there.

What sort of blog roll do you use, if you use one? Do you use one? If not, why not?

Speaking of blogs I read, check out Kwana's blog to read some questions and answers with our lovely agent, Elaine Spencer, from the most amazing agency on the face of the earth - The Knight Agency. Seriously, it won't be long before they take over the world. Get to know Elaine now before she's crowned Princess of the Universe. (Because of course, Deidre would be Queen.)

And lastly, speaking of agents, check out Nathan Bransford's interview with the Fictionistas - he's actually up for Hottest Man in Publishing. lol - Oh, and he's a really great YA agent to boot.

Me, Contemplating Death

Here's me, Hotrod (behind me), Hotrod's brother and next to me, Hotrod's sister's hubby. We're about to face certain death on a roller coaster called Stormrider at Hershey Park. It blasts you off from 0 to 72 miles an hour in 2 seconds. This pic was snapped about .5 seconds into that.

I don't look like I was having fun, but I was. Actually, I think I was trying to figure out if I should have cotton candy or a turkey leg next. That roller coaster was one of the fastest I've ever ridden. There was literally no time to think about what was happening until it was over. That's also when you took your next breath. Seriously. Fast. (It also left bruises on me. I'm not kidding. It was fast and mercilessly bumpy.)

What's the best coaster you've ever ridden?

My Lolcats

moar funny pictures

Go vote for Scooter and Max's bad behavior here!

Home, Hallelujah!

My Hershey Park adventure with Hotrod's family was...an adventure. I'll have more on that tomorrow, but you can chime in on some of it here.

The Stickiest Place On Earth

If Disney is the happiest, Hershey must be the stickiest. I'm soon to find out as we're headed that way this weekend for a family gathering with Hotrod's side.

Personally, I plan to go into a sugar coma (also known as self-medicating) and have wild, hallucinogenic dreams about giant chocolate...bars. What? You thought I was going to say something else? Perv.

Once I get back, I'll be in serious diet mode in prep for Nationals, which will be here before you know it. Have a great weekend, y'all! Think of me if you eat any chocolate, m'kay?

Pretty Bumpy Things

The phone rang at 1:48 AM. I was awake on the first ring, but the phone's on Hotrod's side and he could sleep through an amputation. He eventually managed to get the phone out of it's cradle, at which time he stared at it blankly until I grabbed it. After the third ring and before I could answer it, it went silent.

I checked the caller ID. Out Of Area. Which basically means I have no idea who called at that horrid hour. My heart, which was already pounding because, let's face it, a phone call at that hour usually means someone's dead, in jail or both, now turned black with anger and the desire to make someone dead or in jail.

There are two things that make me cranky. Hunger. Lack of sleep. Take notes.

So I was all prepared to be in a poopy mood this morning when lo and behold, Hotrod calls me outside. At first, I just see the two sandhill cranes he's been feeding, then he points out into the water. We have a gator in our canal! Very exciting stuff, I assure you. And he's kind of cute, just a little fellow maybe 2 1/2 - 3 feet long. He's swimming along and we're taking pictures (well, Babe was) and then what do I spot...another one! Two gators! Coolness squared.

The day has been saved.

Waterstorming

Some people brainstorm. I waterstorm. See, I get my best ideas when I'm either in the shower or in the pool. Yesterday, I was in both. A huge piece of my new YA came to me while I was floating and I couldn't believe I'd overlooked it. This might change everything - or at least make it a much more interesting book. I also had some secondary ideas of things to layer in. All good stuff. I'm excited!

Where do your best ideas come from? What do you do when you need to generate some new thoughts on a piece?

My Addictions, Come Read About Them

Today I'm confessing one of my deepest, darkest addictions over at The Fictionistas and how I want more, even though it's bad for me. And I'm not talking about shoes.

Go ahead and click through. You know you want to.

To Do's

It's Monday. With a new week come new responsibilities. (That sounds much more awake than I actually am.)

1. Write new prologue for old book. (Last year's GH finalist.) Incorporate original prologue as flashback or nightmare.
2. Incorporate beta reader ideas into old book, increase sexual tension in a few areas.
3. Deal with chapter stuff: website, June meeting info
4. Blog about multiple free workshops going on at Romance Divas (How To Write A Novella, Pitching 101, Brillant After Burnout).
5. Laundry

Babe is here through the end of the week, so on Tuesday we're headed to Disney. Then Jax is coming down on Wednesday for a writing day. Friday, Hotrod and I are headed out of town for the weekend. Busy, busy, busy. Maybe I should get one of these to help me remember everything:What are you doing this week?

Ladies Who Lunch

We had a lovely lunch yesterday with lots of fun, frivolity and food. The guests included: Me (of course), Babe (of course), Jax, Roxanne St. Claire, Lara Santiago, Carrie Hensley and Carolyn O'Neil.

A blurry pic of all of us.

Babe and Jax

Carrie and Lara

Babe and Rocki, posing with First You Run, which features a Tasmanian hero!

Maximum fun was had by all and will be repeated tonight with a few more guests at the poolside party at my house!

Girls Day Out

Yesterday, Babe and I and Lara Santiago went to see the Sex And The City movie. It was fairly entertaining, but it did not make me cry like it did some of my other friends who had already seen it. I think Babe and Lara liked it, too.

Afterwards we went to Panera Bread for some lunch and girl talk. Babe also snagged the world's largest straw.

Today we're having more lunch and girl talk, this time including such fabulous girls as Roxanne St. Claire and Jax. Of course, what happens at lunch, stays at lunch.

Be jealous.

Y'all Come Back Now, Y'Hear?

Yesterday I took Babe to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. I thought it would a interesting way to start the day and a perfect example of good ole Southern overeating.

After perusing the store and purchasing some Pop Rocks for her kids, we headed to our table and quickly decided on the Sunrise Sampler. This breakfast basically features one of everything except pancakes: biscuits with sawmill gravy, grits (which Babe originally thought was ground up animal intestines), two eggs anyway, a piece each of sausage, ham and bacon, hash brown casserole and fried apples. Mmmm....fat and animal products.

Despite Babe's disbelief at the amount of food (she said "wow" like four times), we both did decent damage to the breakfast, leaving behind a biscuit each and a fair amount of gravy (and grits on Babe's part) then went back out to the store where Babe made a few more purchases.

After that, we headed to the ubiquitous Vietnamese nail salon for a little girl time. Babe was amazed at what a great job they did for so little money. Once we were purtied up, I took her to the local Ross discount store where she proceeded to - I kid you not - outshop me. She had to buy a new suitcase to accommodate her purchases. We made another stop at Walmart for some necessities (mostly fruit and cheap t-shirts) then headed home to eat watermelon while floating in the pool.

I think she likes it here. More adventures tomorrow.

Your web or mine?

I'm blogging at Fictionistas today about the trouble that Spiderman caused me as a teenager. It involves a marriage proposal. Seriously.

You Devil, You!

I have a very special guest visiting me this week - my friend and critique partner, Babe King! What makes the visit so special is that she's from Tasmania, the island state of Australia.

In other words, a long way away.

We've known each other for about four years, but this is the first time we've met face to face. Very cool. I'm going to do my best to introduce her to a bunch of my writing friends while she's here, show her some Floridian sights, do the tourist thing...you know.

Speaking of Tasmania...have you read Roxanne St. Claire's First You Run? It's got a yummy Tassie hero. Just saying.