MAY 2008

This past week I did some things that were long overdue, like spending quality time working in the yard. And wow. The aches and pains I felt afterward really brought home just how much time I've spent sitting at my computer over the winter. Writing can be so absorbing, I tend to forget I need to get up and move once in a while. :~) 

Even though I've spent a lot of productive time at the keyboard, I've managed to do a few other things too. I almost became the newsletter editor for my writing chapter. I did become the secretary for my property owners association. And oh, I gave blood to save a vampire! It was a nationwide campaign to push CBS into announcing a second season for my favorite TV drama - Moonlight. Believe it or not, I actually want to write a piece of fan fiction for the show. I've never done that before. Still, I'm trying my best to resist, because I want to finish Emerald Fire first. But it's sooo tempting...




APRIL 2008

Spring has arrived and with it a new energy for writing. Things can move slow in this business. It takes a lot of time and energy to write your book, and there's nothing too quick about the submission process either! The upside is...there are days when you are really in sync with the words. These are the times you love being a writer. And lately, I've really loved it. These past few weeks I've been in the zone. And to my utter amazement, I'll proofread something a few days after writing it and think...Wow! Did I write that? To quote my favorite vampire on Moonlight..."it's a giant thrill ride that never ends!" Not only that, I'm also making online friends in the writing community, which is fabulous. Other people like me, that don't freak out when you ask a question like...If I had a yacht and wanted to commit insurance fraud, how does one go about finding a reliable pirate to do the job?




MARCH 2008

Check out my cool new banner! I wish I was talented enough to make something this fabulous, but I had to farm out that kind of creativity. Rae Monet stepped up and did a wonderful job. 

She does more than banners though - check out her website...  www.RaeMonetinc.com


So, in the spirit of research I went to see the movie Fool’s Gold. After all, romantic adventure is my genre, be it movies or books, so I was naturally curious. First thing I noticed was the hero, played by the dashing Matthew McConaughey, was named Finnegan. Which just so happens to be my story hero’s name in Emerald Fire. Well, this time, I don’t care. I had it first and I’m keeping it. Too bad I didn’t have that kind of moxie when Leonardo DiCaprio came out with the movie Blood Diamond. It’s because of him that my first book is now titled Diamond Legacy!

Both are good movies, however, and well worth seeing. And I fervently hope my books live up to their cinematic counterparts. Which, of course, they do and I don’t know why I even worry. Both Diamond Legacy and Emerald Fire positively scream blockbuster! It’s only a matter of time.

FEBRUARY 2008

I’m happy to report that Emerald Fire is roughed out! Well, with a couple of minor exceptions. A few details still need clarifying and I'm working on that now, but the needed outline to get the story rolling is finally in place. My inner plot demon can now give it a rest and let the fun creative side get to work. You know, the wanderer in me thinks it would be more exciting to jump into the mist and see where the story takes you. But the analytical side forces the issue and I've got to work out a map or the words refuse to flow. Downright rotten is what that is!

Meanwhile, Diamond Legacy is progressing. I've sent out a requested full manuscript and am also waiting on word from three other queries. The business has a lot of hurry up and wait, but that's okay, it allows time to work on other projects. Like updating the website! Or attending a writers retreat at the end of this month and I'm sooo looking forward to that. Spending the weekend with other writers, the workshops, the food, it's all so very motivating and keeps a body in front of the computer whipping out the word count. That's a good thing, especially since that pesky groundhog has predicted six more weeks of winter!

JANUARY 2008

It’s a new year and I’m excited to get started! January is a bit like those first early morning moments just before the sun crests the horizon – fresh, ripe with possibility, and the expectation that good things are waiting. It’s my favorite time of the morning, even if I don't like getting up that early unless I have to! The same goes for January, it's good despite the winter cold. The first month is a great time to ponder where you’ve been and where you want to go. And I do that because I like possibility, I like setting goals, and I really like anticipating success.

I’m taking that feeling to heart this year and plan on making 2008 the year of writing achievement! Writing time takes priority. And I’ve made a head start by sending out queries and entering two contests, and I fully intend to lock myself in my office and not come out until that rough draft of Emerald Fire is complete. Only...I have a day job, and a husband that likes to eat dinner, and Friday nights I absolutely, positively must watch the captivating vampire TV show, Moonlight. Other than that, I’m determined. So, I guess I’ve got to go…

DECEMBER 2007

One month is all it takes to start thinking you’re a Pro with a website. Then something happens to bring reality crashing back and you realize there’s still much to learn. Getting onto the first page of Google nearly proved my undoing. But I triumphed. Sort of. Never underestimate the importance of putting your keywords in a coherent sentence rather than a list of single words strung together with a comma!

Meanwhile, Emerald Fire is progressing. Plotting is well in hand and third time’s the charm for writing chapter one. The problem is, I haven’t been able to land on the exact nature of the treasure the characters are after. But if I was a betting girl, I’d say that by the time I’m several chapters in I’ll have a revelation! At least, I hope so. Keep those fingers crossed.

Happy Holidays!




NOVEMBER 07

Time to launch! My website finally goes live. That's a big deal for me because before I started building this site I had no experience what-so-ever. With so much to learn I did a lot of playing around before settling on the design, the pages, the content. There's so many decisions!. Since this is my first effort, I'm sure things will change as I go along, but for now I'm happy with the results. Though I have to say, the thought of being out on the World Wide Web is a little intimidating. Maybe I'll get used to it in time.




OCTOBER 07

Ever notice how time flies? Well, this month is zipping past with record speed. Still, it's been a productive one. I've been working hard on plotting EMERALD FIRE. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something wouldn't cooperate. So I've made change after change, penned several scenes, started chapter one over, and generally squirreled around. But plotlines are hatching and it's all in the name of progress!

Also, I entered DIAMOND LEGACY in a writing contest and found out I didn't final. So now I'm waiting to receive the entries back and crossing my fingers that I'll receive good feedback. Sure, it's a little disappointing, but all a learning curve and part of the initiation of being a writer. Take something positive from every step made and keep moving forward. Doesn't that sound like a motivational quote? :~)

Happy Halloween!

SEPTEMBER 07

Boarded a plane for Maine, the perfect latitude to work on research for EMERALD FIRE. Why, you ask? I'll tell you. Finnegan Gray, the story hero, is a Marine Recovery Specialist (aka - yacht bounty hunter) and also owns a scrap-heap of a boat building shop in the northeast. One he's working to turn into a viable business. So what's a land-locked writer to do? Head somewhere coastal to soak up the feel of shipyards, boats, fishing, and all things nautical.

And what a fabulous trip it was! We drove the Maine coast, took in every lighthouse, harbor, and hidden cove between Portland and Bar Harbor. We sailed out for a whale watching cruise, ate lots of seafood, and scrutinized as many yachts as I could find. We also found ourselves up close and personal with a moose, but that's another story. I'd say the trip was a great success - I have yards of research material, got a strong vibe for maritime life (which really wasn't hard as I'm a native Floridian) and a perfectly lovely taste of New England. Now I'm all fired up about the writing and lucky to be armed with fabulous visual material. It's a win, win!