MJ is starting our Month of the Hero with this week's trait, Responsibility. Check out her post about Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Don't forget, if you comment, you'll be entered in this week's drawing for a $25 Amazon gift certificate! Comments will be accepted anywhere the full blog post appears (such as eHarlequin or Facebook, etc.).
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Check out MJ's March release from Carina Press.
Friend her on Facebook.
Follow her on Twitter.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
In Over My Head
Yesterday was a pretty productive day, culminating in a meeting to revise and finalize the Policy and Procedure manual for my local writer's group, something that's been in the works since 2003.
Unfortunately, none of my productivity was the stuff on my list. And the same thing happened today! I spent hours darting (figuratively) here and there, getting ready for The Month of the Hero. And I'm still doing it! I stopped writing this post to go set up that page at my website, then created a few more bit.ly links, then posted on Twitter, then took a deep breath and came back here.
I still have to set up my posts for the week and schedule them to go. They're written, but need some additions and tweaking. I also have mail to prep to send, some revisions on three chapters to enter and print so I can mail them tomorrow, a contract to finish reading so I can mail that tomorrow, too, a checkbook to update, an insurance policy to review and file, and the aforementioned P&P manual to proof, since our overachieving committee chair already made the 26 pages of changes we discussed over 3 hours last night. OY!
I have a synopsis to finish by the end of the week, some phone calls to make, and my annual mammogram tomorrow. Oh, and the Carina marketing plan to complete for my March 28th release!
I'm a little worried about my ability to get that all done. I mean, it's already 5:22 p.m.!
What's your go-to defense for drowning in "must get done NOW"s?
Unfortunately, none of my productivity was the stuff on my list. And the same thing happened today! I spent hours darting (figuratively) here and there, getting ready for The Month of the Hero. And I'm still doing it! I stopped writing this post to go set up that page at my website, then created a few more bit.ly links, then posted on Twitter, then took a deep breath and came back here.
I still have to set up my posts for the week and schedule them to go. They're written, but need some additions and tweaking. I also have mail to prep to send, some revisions on three chapters to enter and print so I can mail them tomorrow, a contract to finish reading so I can mail that tomorrow, too, a checkbook to update, an insurance policy to review and file, and the aforementioned P&P manual to proof, since our overachieving committee chair already made the 26 pages of changes we discussed over 3 hours last night. OY!
I have a synopsis to finish by the end of the week, some phone calls to make, and my annual mammogram tomorrow. Oh, and the Carina marketing plan to complete for my March 28th release!
I'm a little worried about my ability to get that all done. I mean, it's already 5:22 p.m.!
What's your go-to defense for drowning in "must get done NOW"s?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Supernatural Love
Trish did a fantastic recap on Supernatural Sisters last night, but after watching the show twice (J won't watch with me and Number One, so I always watch it a second time with him) and reading the recap and the comments, I have so much to say about the episode, it needs a full post. :)
First, let's go deep:
First, let's go deep:
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Poll Testing
I'm trying this out in preparation for the gigantic hero showdown at the end of March, where you all get to vote for your favorite heroes, from the ones we discuss in The Month of the Hero, starting Monday. So feel free to lie, just to give me results to test! :)
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Big Event! And Big News!
Okay, anyway...! Starting next week, we are launching a HUGE event! It's the Month of Heroes, and every day, either she or I will be talking about a heroic trait and some of the characters who embody it. Next week, we start with Responsibility and talk about 5
For every comment that you post here or there*, you get an entry into a drawing for a gift certificate at the end of EVERY week! We'll encourage you to post your own suggestions, and we'll have a huge showdown in the final week, between her heroes, my heroes, and the ones you suggest.
*All comments posted on Facebook Notes, Goodreads, eHarlequin, etc.—in other words, wherever this blog or MJ Fredrick's blog appear—will be counted in the drawings for that week.
~~~~~~~~~~
I sold another book to Carina Press! Behind the Scenes is another romantic adventure. Kennedy Smythe runs a high-level security company hired to work on an old friend's movie set. Rogan St. James is the star of the film, and a target. Which makes him off limits in all kinds of ways.
I don't have a release date for Behind the Scenes yet, but you can bet your bippy I'll keep you posted on that. :)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Kane-etic Weekend
I hate country music.
I hate crowds.
I hate cigarette smoke.
So why was I enduring all three for nearly 4 hours last night?
For this:
I hate crowds.
I hate cigarette smoke.
So why was I enduring all three for nearly 4 hours last night?
For this:
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Smiling Awards
I so don't deserve this award.
Not the least of which because I'm not funny. But I suppose the thought of me drinking a stinkbug can make someone smile, so I humbly accept this cute award and pass it along.
First, to Jody Wallace, who needs to share with her cat, as both are equally hilarious, and Meankitty will shred me if I don't say so.
And also to Shannon Stacey, because her outlook on life is so wonderfully wry.
Check them out!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Gender Busting
I recently learned about this site called The Gender Genie, where you can plug in some of your writing and it analyzes words like "if" and "around" to determine the writer's gender.
I was curious, because I often write from a male point of view in my books. I tested the first chapter of Hummingbird, a romantic adventure, and the analysis came out almost perfectly even, though the scale tipped in favor of female. That chapter is all in the male POV. So not as good as I'd like, but gratifying. A chapter in the heroine's POV was skewed way female. Another scene in a different guy's POV was also way female, and that bothered me, so I tested my blog posts.
The analysis works best on longer text, so I started with this one, and it guessed me male! I thought maybe it was skewed because I was recapping a show about guys, so I tried one of mine. This post had an even higher male score!
Part of me wants to say the algorithm is flawed, because come on. "When" is feminine and "who" is masculine? Who says? Part of me thinks it's because I'm more like a guy than a woman. You know, the whole hate-shopping, want-to-fix-more-than-listen stuff.
What do you think?
I was curious, because I often write from a male point of view in my books. I tested the first chapter of Hummingbird, a romantic adventure, and the analysis came out almost perfectly even, though the scale tipped in favor of female. That chapter is all in the male POV. So not as good as I'd like, but gratifying. A chapter in the heroine's POV was skewed way female. Another scene in a different guy's POV was also way female, and that bothered me, so I tested my blog posts.
The analysis works best on longer text, so I started with this one, and it guessed me male! I thought maybe it was skewed because I was recapping a show about guys, so I tried one of mine. This post had an even higher male score!
Part of me wants to say the algorithm is flawed, because come on. "When" is feminine and "who" is masculine? Who says? Part of me thinks it's because I'm more like a guy than a woman. You know, the whole hate-shopping, want-to-fix-more-than-listen stuff.
What do you think?
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Gab Wagon: How to Derail a Saturday
The Gab Wagon: How to Derail a Saturday: "1. Intend to sleep in due to going to bed at 1:30 a.m., but have to use the bathroom at 7:30. Come back to bed groggy and without vision enh..."
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Fight or Flight Up for Preorder
Wheee! Fight or Flight up on Amazon!
And Barnes and Noble!
Release date 3/28/11, even though Amazon lists it as March 28, 2001. LOL
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Stinkbug Nightmare
Woke up early this morning (too early, when I went to bed at 1:30!) to go to the bathroom. Came back, sat on the edge of the bed. Picked up my water glass, put my mouth on the rim, and tipped it to drink. Something brushed the bridge of my nose. It felt like a hair. Which was really weird. Dim in the room, and my eyesight sucks bigtime, so squinted at glass.
At the stinkbug walking along the edge of my glass.
As stinkbug horror stories go, I can never top Vicki Smith's. But the thought of what could have happened if the bug hadn't been on the other side of the glass will haunt me for the rest of my life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My grandfather called me this morning by accident. He said whenever he's always screwing up with technology. What's funny is that he told the phone to "Call Mary" and it called me instead. I'm 37 1/2 years younger than him, and *I* don't bother with voice recognition! LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My recap of "Unforgiven" is up now on Supernatural Sisters Head over and let me know if you loved it as much as I did!
Plus...I just watched "Like a Virgin" again. The actress who played the sister of the woman taken out of the airplane looks like Amy Grabow, who played Becky in "Skin" in season 1. I can't find anything confirming this. Anyone else see it?
At the stinkbug walking along the edge of my glass.
As stinkbug horror stories go, I can never top Vicki Smith's. But the thought of what could have happened if the bug hadn't been on the other side of the glass will haunt me for the rest of my life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My grandfather called me this morning by accident. He said whenever he's always screwing up with technology. What's funny is that he told the phone to "Call Mary" and it called me instead. I'm 37 1/2 years younger than him, and *I* don't bother with voice recognition! LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My recap of "Unforgiven" is up now on Supernatural Sisters Head over and let me know if you loved it as much as I did!
Plus...I just watched "Like a Virgin" again. The actress who played the sister of the woman taken out of the airplane looks like Amy Grabow, who played Becky in "Skin" in season 1. I can't find anything confirming this. Anyone else see it?
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
The Year of Methodology Trials
I finished another book yesterday. Yay, me! But that means I have...let's see...that one, and that one, and that one, and that one--four first draft novels. Which means this year will be The Year of Revision, uncontested.
A lot of my potential revising time is time when a computer isn't available. So I've decided to do something I've never done before. Work in hard copy! *gasp*
A lot of my potential revising time is time when a computer isn't available. So I've decided to do something I've never done before. Work in hard copy! *gasp*
Monday, February 07, 2011
The Gab Wagon: The Economy Hits the Super Bowl
The Gab Wagon: The Economy Hits the Super Bowl: "In some ways, it didn't show. The Super Bowl was, as always, packed with fans, despite the $900 ticket prices. Thousands more braved the un-..."
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Pushing Spring
I'm not one to want to hurry through the seasons. Sure, I hate March in particular and by the time winter and summer are waning, I'm more than ready for spring and fall. But generally, I like the seasons and try to enjoy them while they're here.
Not this year. I'm sick of writing massive checks for oil every two weeks, and getting up super early to drive slowly to work while my kids sleep in because school was canceled (and get to work only to have 90% of my patients not show up, anyway).
So you know what? Let's fast forward a little bit. To May. May 1st, to be exact, and the start of Brenda Novak's 2011 Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research.
This year, I'm participating! I don't mean just drooling over stuff that has bids way above what I can afford, or buying tickets for the incredible raffles, or bidding on a bunch of stuff I CAN afford (assuming I don't win it all...).
First, I'm offering a Proofreading/Polishing of a Partial Manuscript. If you're a writer and proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure are the bane of your existence, you might want to check it out.
Not a writer? That's cool! Carina Press authors are offering up a boatload of stuff. An entire page of stuff, in fact. In addition to first-chapter critiques by a multitude of authors, we're donating a NOOK Color and a Kindle, both loaded with e-books. There will be a breakfast with Carina authors attention the RWA National conference this June, too.
It's not too early to head over and start browsing. There are TONS of awesome items, no matter what you like.
Not this year. I'm sick of writing massive checks for oil every two weeks, and getting up super early to drive slowly to work while my kids sleep in because school was canceled (and get to work only to have 90% of my patients not show up, anyway).
So you know what? Let's fast forward a little bit. To May. May 1st, to be exact, and the start of Brenda Novak's 2011 Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research.
This year, I'm participating! I don't mean just drooling over stuff that has bids way above what I can afford, or buying tickets for the incredible raffles, or bidding on a bunch of stuff I CAN afford (assuming I don't win it all...).
First, I'm offering a Proofreading/Polishing of a Partial Manuscript. If you're a writer and proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure are the bane of your existence, you might want to check it out.
Not a writer? That's cool! Carina Press authors are offering up a boatload of stuff. An entire page of stuff, in fact. In addition to first-chapter critiques by a multitude of authors, we're donating a NOOK Color and a Kindle, both loaded with e-books. There will be a breakfast with Carina authors attention the RWA National conference this June, too.
It's not too early to head over and start browsing. There are TONS of awesome items, no matter what you like.
Monday, January 31, 2011
January Progress
Since the month is ending today, I decided to compare my monthly totals to last year. 2010 didn't feel like my most productive year overall, so I was curious to see if I was off to a better start. And yay! I am!
Nitty Gritty
This month, I wrote 3541 words of nonfiction and 32,058 words of fiction.
Last year, I wrote 1232 words of nonfiction and 19,311 words of fiction.
Last year's nonfiction was all client work. This year I included blog posts I've been preparing for the March Madness promotion I'm doing with MJ Fredrick. So you kind of have to shrug off the difference there.
But the fiction? That I'm proud of. In 2010, I wrote pretty steadily on Full Fusion, the paranormal YA adventure I'd started during NaNo, but it took pushing hard on a retreat the final weekend to get it done. This year, I not only finished my second YA (featuring ghosts!), I worked steadily on an adult romantic adventure, too. That one's almost done.
I like writing first drafts. They're so easy to quantify. If I meet my goals and finish Entanglement this week as well as my synopsis for Hummingbird, my next project will be revision, and that doesn't lend itself to comparisons. Sure, I can do X number of pages per day, but might not increase the word count. Might decrease it.
Which is fine, of course. The important thing is the quality of the book that comes out at the end. Wish me luck that I 2011 is the year of quality as well as quantity. :)
Nitty Gritty
This month, I wrote 3541 words of nonfiction and 32,058 words of fiction.
Last year, I wrote 1232 words of nonfiction and 19,311 words of fiction.
Last year's nonfiction was all client work. This year I included blog posts I've been preparing for the March Madness promotion I'm doing with MJ Fredrick. So you kind of have to shrug off the difference there.
But the fiction? That I'm proud of. In 2010, I wrote pretty steadily on Full Fusion, the paranormal YA adventure I'd started during NaNo, but it took pushing hard on a retreat the final weekend to get it done. This year, I not only finished my second YA (featuring ghosts!), I worked steadily on an adult romantic adventure, too. That one's almost done.
I like writing first drafts. They're so easy to quantify. If I meet my goals and finish Entanglement this week as well as my synopsis for Hummingbird, my next project will be revision, and that doesn't lend itself to comparisons. Sure, I can do X number of pages per day, but might not increase the word count. Might decrease it.
Which is fine, of course. The important thing is the quality of the book that comes out at the end. Wish me luck that I 2011 is the year of quality as well as quantity. :)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I've Loved Thursdays Since 1992
My first full-time job out of college was for a call center, and Thursdays were the slowest days for inbound calls. It meant I could get a ton of my other work done, which took a lot of pressure off and was very satisfying.
Thursdays were Must See TV for years, with the comedy block that started with Friends. I wasn't watching much TV during those years, but that was TV night with my husband, shared time that meant a lot.
Then Thursdays were BS days, when none of us had to work and we could get together for the whole day, hang out and vent about life and industry and share experiences and everything.
They were also Supernatural nights. My SPN-watching friends and I would be excited all day, watch the show live, and hook up online afterward to talk about the show.
My chapter's annual retreat always starts on Thursday.
My employer is closed on Thursday, so even though I always have tons of work and errands and stuff, I'm "off" that day. Today! :)
Times change. Some of my BS friends have to work Thursdays, so we can't get together any more. SPN has moved to Friday. But after nearly 20 years of reasons for Thursday to be a favorite, I have a feeling it always will be.
What's your favorite day of the week and why?
Thursdays were Must See TV for years, with the comedy block that started with Friends. I wasn't watching much TV during those years, but that was TV night with my husband, shared time that meant a lot.
Then Thursdays were BS days, when none of us had to work and we could get together for the whole day, hang out and vent about life and industry and share experiences and everything.
They were also Supernatural nights. My SPN-watching friends and I would be excited all day, watch the show live, and hook up online afterward to talk about the show.
My chapter's annual retreat always starts on Thursday.
My employer is closed on Thursday, so even though I always have tons of work and errands and stuff, I'm "off" that day. Today! :)
Times change. Some of my BS friends have to work Thursdays, so we can't get together any more. SPN has moved to Friday. But after nearly 20 years of reasons for Thursday to be a favorite, I have a feeling it always will be.
What's your favorite day of the week and why?
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Peek Into My Brain
How on earth do some people find something to say on a blog every single day? Especially super busy, super stressed people? I can barely think of something every week lately.
When you don't read blogs for 3 weeks, they pile up. Duh. And when you read "I can't believe it's Wednesday" and get excited, then realize it's really Monday, you're just way behind, well, that's sad.
I don't find as many stinkbugs as Vicki, but I have found one every couple of days for the last few weeks. My question: It's been 20 degrees or colder since before Christmas. Where the hell are they coming from?
I miss Doctor Who. And Supernatural. But that's coming back this week, and I have to wait wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too long for Doctor Who. And Torchwood.
I'm loving this:
It heats water so blazing fast, I've used it for a few weeks and it still delights me every time. :)
Two hours later and that's all I've come up with. :( I'm so boring.
When you don't read blogs for 3 weeks, they pile up. Duh. And when you read "I can't believe it's Wednesday" and get excited, then realize it's really Monday, you're just way behind, well, that's sad.
I don't find as many stinkbugs as Vicki, but I have found one every couple of days for the last few weeks. My question: It's been 20 degrees or colder since before Christmas. Where the hell are they coming from?
I miss Doctor Who. And Supernatural. But that's coming back this week, and I have to wait wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too long for Doctor Who. And Torchwood.
I'm loving this:
It heats water so blazing fast, I've used it for a few weeks and it still delights me every time. :)
Two hours later and that's all I've come up with. :( I'm so boring.
The Gab Wagon: Satisfied Relief
The Gab Wagon: Satisfied Relief: "I just finished a book! I know, this is a blog of writers, so no big deal, right? Happens all the time. But it hasn't happened for me in almost..."
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Stupid HTML
I really hate when I screw up my HTML, and then forget to check it and let it stay screwed up.
This question makes a lot more sense with the strikethroughs, no?
I have a whole page on my own website dedicated to myobsessions passions. They include Harry Potter, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the New England Patriots (but we're not talking about them this week). What are your own obsessions passions?
This question makes a lot more sense with the strikethroughs, no?
I have a whole page on my own website dedicated to my
Interview with Susan Gourley
I want to welcome Susan Gourley, fantasy and fantasy romance author!
Sue, you have two romance series (The Chronicles of Solonia and The Tigers of Salubria, under Susan Kelley) and a fantasy series (The Futhark Chronicles, under Susan Gourley). You're also a teacher and mother of four VERY active kids. How on earth do you do it all?
Well, the kids are a little older now. The youngest earned her driver's license a few weeks ago. That frees up lots of my time. I usually write in the evenings and on weekends. The first book of The Tigers of Salubria is available now, and the second one is coming out in March. Promotion is the biggest drain on my writing time but it has to be done.
The second book in The Futhark Chronicles came out January 1st. Tell us a little about it.
Beyond the Gate takes up the tale of Cage Stone and Sabelline Shelton moments after the first book, The Keepers of Sulbreth, ended. As the duo travels into the cave system where they must reset the magical seals keeping the demon invasion from Futhark, they discover their mission has been complicated by unexpected obstacles and the ignorance of the people who trained them. Cage will discover things about his past he would rather have never known, and Sabelline faces a decision that could save the world but destroy her. The kingdom of Futhark, in the meantime, is rocked by a civil war when the king is at his most vulnerable. Only Cage suspects it is all connected by an evil stalking Futhark beyond any they could have imagined.
I have a whole page on my own website dedicated to myobsessions passions. They include Harry Potter, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the New England Patriots (but we're not talking about them this week). What are your own obsessions passions?
I wouldn't think of mentioning the Pats. (Thank you!) I really don't obsess about things. Despite the large role of athletics in my family, I'm not a fan of professional sports. I like various shows, books, music, but I don't obsess over them. Even my hobbies are extremely varied. There are so many things I like, reading, writing, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, baking, hiking, and many more. I love what I'm doing when I'm doing and only wish for more hours in the day so I could do more.
You build really amazing worlds in your storytelling. How do they come about? Do you figure out details as you go, or develop the world before you start writing?
I'm actually doing a class on that later and I've blogged on it a number of times. I do general details before I start and add more as I need them. The most important thing in a fantasy world is to know how the magic works. The magic influences nearly everything else—government, commerce, medical care, weapons, society and class distinctions. Geography can also be a big factor. I always draw a map before I start even though I'm not much of an artist.
What's next for you?
I have another fantasy romance coming out from New Concepts Publishing in March and am working on the next one in that series. Beyond the Mountain, Book #3 in the Futhark series, is due out in early 2012. I also have a second fantasy series I'm determined to find a publisher for this year.
Thanks for having me, Natalie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have no doubt you'll find that publisher, Sue! Keep those awesome books coming! :)
Sue's been doing a blog tour this month, so you can find out more about her here, here, here, here, and here! Check out yesterday's post for her website, Facebook, and Goodreads links.
Thanks for guesting, Sue!
Sue, you have two romance series (The Chronicles of Solonia and The Tigers of Salubria, under Susan Kelley) and a fantasy series (The Futhark Chronicles, under Susan Gourley). You're also a teacher and mother of four VERY active kids. How on earth do you do it all?
Well, the kids are a little older now. The youngest earned her driver's license a few weeks ago. That frees up lots of my time. I usually write in the evenings and on weekends. The first book of The Tigers of Salubria is available now, and the second one is coming out in March. Promotion is the biggest drain on my writing time but it has to be done.
The second book in The Futhark Chronicles came out January 1st. Tell us a little about it.
Beyond the Gate takes up the tale of Cage Stone and Sabelline Shelton moments after the first book, The Keepers of Sulbreth, ended. As the duo travels into the cave system where they must reset the magical seals keeping the demon invasion from Futhark, they discover their mission has been complicated by unexpected obstacles and the ignorance of the people who trained them. Cage will discover things about his past he would rather have never known, and Sabelline faces a decision that could save the world but destroy her. The kingdom of Futhark, in the meantime, is rocked by a civil war when the king is at his most vulnerable. Only Cage suspects it is all connected by an evil stalking Futhark beyond any they could have imagined.
I have a whole page on my own website dedicated to my
I wouldn't think of mentioning the Pats. (Thank you!) I really don't obsess about things. Despite the large role of athletics in my family, I'm not a fan of professional sports. I like various shows, books, music, but I don't obsess over them. Even my hobbies are extremely varied. There are so many things I like, reading, writing, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, baking, hiking, and many more. I love what I'm doing when I'm doing and only wish for more hours in the day so I could do more.
You build really amazing worlds in your storytelling. How do they come about? Do you figure out details as you go, or develop the world before you start writing?
I'm actually doing a class on that later and I've blogged on it a number of times. I do general details before I start and add more as I need them. The most important thing in a fantasy world is to know how the magic works. The magic influences nearly everything else—government, commerce, medical care, weapons, society and class distinctions. Geography can also be a big factor. I always draw a map before I start even though I'm not much of an artist.
What's next for you?
I have another fantasy romance coming out from New Concepts Publishing in March and am working on the next one in that series. Beyond the Mountain, Book #3 in the Futhark series, is due out in early 2012. I also have a second fantasy series I'm determined to find a publisher for this year.
Thanks for having me, Natalie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have no doubt you'll find that publisher, Sue! Keep those awesome books coming! :)
Sue's been doing a blog tour this month, so you can find out more about her here, here, here, here, and here! Check out yesterday's post for her website, Facebook, and Goodreads links.
Thanks for guesting, Sue!
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