I broke through my internal barriers.

My latest WIP has a blackmailer as a villian and a more active story-line than I'm used to writing. The first draft is done and boy is it rough. Time to make it sparkle, add in those layers.

Writers write don't they?

I have found a new avenue for procrastinating: self-editing. I wasn't sure my latest WIP was going where I wanted it to so I went back and edited the seven chapters I had written. I still was stuck. So my lovely and talented CP told me to sit my butt in the chair and just write. Yes, it may be crap, but I'm getting the story down and I feel much better for it.

To quote Nora Roberts: "I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank one."

Desert Rose Conference

I just attended my first romance writers conference. It was the Desert Rose Conference in lovely Scottsdale, Arizona. My pitch to an editor was my first ever and although she didn't like a part of my book, she asked me to fix it and then submit the story. I learned a lot from the workshops and got to meet a few of my favorite authors.

I am now re-energized and ready to work. The positive atmosphere of the conference and the Desert Rose chapter inspired me to be a better light for my own chapter and other suthors.

I've got a website!

My website is finally published. Due to money constraints it is pretty basic so far. My dream website would be one that looks similar to Michelle Willingham's or Nicole Cornick's websites.

I'm currently waiting to hear from The Wild Rose press on a project and finishing a novella that i want to pitch to Carina Press. I have another book in my head that is clamoring to come out so I may have to jot down some notes to keep the voices in my head quiet until I get to them..

End of Christmas Break.

Sorry, I call it Christmas not Winter Break. My two boys are gone today and it so quiet in my house other than the noise of my typing...

I've got to work on my website. It is pitiful but I've got to get it uploaded so publishers know I am serious about writing and promoting myself.

There's Another Angel in Heaven Tonight.

Little Andy this is for you with all my love:

There's another angel in heaven tonight.
He tried and he tried but he couldn't win the fight,
the cancer took his body but his spirit will never die.
There's another angel in heaven tonight.

The Lord will be with him all through this night,
and grandma will help him find his way.
Throught the stillness they'll travel toward that great light,
and the Lord will be with him all through this night.

There's another Angel in heaven tonight.
Such a perfect young man it doesn't seem right.
We'll always remember our sweet, smiling boy,
There's another angel in heaven tonight.

God Bless the newest angel in heaven tonight.

New beginning to my book.

I have decided to punch up the beginning of my book so this is the new start to Chapter 1:

Carolyn was exhausted. She felt as if she never wanted to dance again. Looking up from contemplating her aching feet she noticed all eyes in the carriage were on her.

“Did I miss something?” She asked four eager faces.

“We are waiting to hear the account of the first meeting with your beloved.” Matilda was the first to speak.

Catherine observed, “You avoided each other most of the evening.”

“I was very concerned with your mood after you spoke with him.” Althea added.

Carolyn looked at Uncle William, waiting for his input.

“You did seem rather tense.” He smiled apologetically.

Carolyn pondered how much to tell them. “If you must know, he accused me of befriending Lucy to get his attention.”

There was a chorus of “No.”

“Yes. And then he was rather forward.”

“Forward?” Matilda asked with interest.

“He, he …, well he looked me over quite thoroughly and told me I had ‘more to offer than all the others.’” Carolyn mumbled something, pulled the curtain back from the window beside her, and fixed her eyes on the passing scenery. “He is arrogant and quite full of himself. Not husband material at all.”

Since she was looking out the window Carolyn missed the speculative looks being exchanged by her companions.