Sasha White

I don’t have many friends. I can count the number of people I consider close friends on one hand.

I’m not telling you this so you can feel sorry for me. Don’t! Because the friends that I do have. . . are the best in the world.

I’ve traveled around a lot my whole life. I have friends that tease me about having gypsy blood because my itchy feet make it easily believable that I’ll never settle. You’d think that with the life I’ve lead, all the moving and traveling that it would be hard to maintain friendships. But it’s not. Because the people I consider true friends won’t let me leave them behind, when I leave a destination behind.

We keep in touch via the Internet and the phone, and occasional visits to wherever we can hook up. I haven’t seen a couple of them for a few years. Yet, I know they love me, and think of me, and would be there in a heartbeat if I needed them. And they know the same of me.

To me, being a true friend doesn’t mean you have to talk to each other every day, every week, or even every month. You don’t need to know every detail of what’s going on in each other’s life. It just means that you love and accept each other for who you are, and that you’re there when needed.

These thoughts were brought to the forefront today when I read fellow writer Larissa Ione’s blog. I’ve never met Larissa, haven’t even chatted with her much other than to visit her website regularly. But I understand, and sympathize with how she’s feeling right now. Today, my thoughts and prayers will be with her and her own.

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Some woman with the email address “pottymouth” is the winner of the draw for a copy of Down & Dirty Volume 2!

It sorta suits huh? :P

Thanks to all that entered…and have no doubt, there WILL be more giveaways so keep checking in!
:hehe:

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Well, it’s 4 a.m and I’m about to go to bed. Since I didn’t get anything accomplished today with the roofers here I came straight to my computer when I got home from work. I’ve managed to get a bit done too! :D

Nothing new on my novella, but I have another submission ready to go out to a magazine (all I need is an envelope) so I feel better.

Things seem to be happening for alot of people around me so I have two choices in how to deal with the situation.
1) Let myself get down. Feel sorry for myself because I feel as if I’m treading water with my own goals.
2) Get motivated by their success’ and push forward knowing that my turn will come as long as I don’t give up.

Well, after testing out option number 1 for a brief period this afternoon, I’ve decided option 2 is the one for me. I can only be down for so long, it’s not in me to begrudge others that I know work so hard…but I can be inspired.

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I’m just getting rid of the double post! LOL That’s what hhappens when I post at 4 a.m :hehe:

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UGH!!! It’s 8 a.m and there are workmen stomping around all over my head! And I’m not kidding! They are doing some roofing on my condo. I understand this. I know we need it. But I really wish they’d (the building management) sent out some sort of notice as to when it was going to happen. I woulda spent the night somewhere else. Even though I only worked a short shift last night, I am still a night person. So going to bed at 5 a.m and waking up to stomping all over my head (literally as I am on the top floor) three hours later is not a good way to start my day.

Vent over.

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to give away a copy of Down & Dirty 2. I said you have until the end of the month to sign up for the updates, (That’s how you enter your name into the draw), and now it’s nearing. I’ll be doing the draw on Friday the 29th so if you want a free copy, be sure to get signed today! No more procrastinating. ;)

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I only have to work a short shift tonite. It’ll be a nice change from closing the restaurant at 1 in the morning. That means I get to visit a friend, and do some writing before I go to bed. And still be in bed at a half decent hour.

This means alot to me right now. My newly motivated self has a lot of plans. Not just writing plans, but plans to get back in shape again.

I tend to get really into one aspect of my life and forget about others. I’m trying to break that habit. I don’t want to have to work out every day in order to be in shape, and I don’t want to get mad at myself if I don’t write for one or two days. Right now I just want to find a balance. A way to fit my working, writing, and working out time so that I can accomplish all that I want to. And of course, it would be nice if I could fit some social time in there! :hehe:

I can do it! I will do it! I can do anything when I set my mind to it!! :D

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Critiquing is a delicate thing, both giving and receiving one.

This weekend I finished editing the first half of The Devil Inside. I’m happy with the way it’s shaping up. I added 4 pages to what I had just by fleshing out some of the conflict. I hope. (I’ll see if I succeeded when I hear back from my critique partner.)

I also took a look at another writers work this weekend. I sometimes find critiquing a very good way to do something writing oriented, without actually writing. In other words, it’s a good way to procrastinate, and get myself inspired at the same time.

What I offer when critiquing someone’s work is my honesty as a reader. I believe there is space in the publishing world for all of us that want to work hard at carving out a home. And in order to do that, we have to present our best. I want my cp’s to be honest to the point of bluntness if they see something in my stories that doesn’t work, and I offer the same in return. After all, I would rather hear it from them, than an editor that won’t give me a second chance to submit the same piece.

I just read what is given me and voice an opinion. Much like a movie critic. I concentrate on flow, and pace, and plot holes. Those are things that I can do with confidence. I can say, “I find this part confusing and had to reread it.” or “Ok, I admit it…I skimmed here because things were too slow.”

I don’t lie, and I say what I think. I try to offer suggestions to improve on what I don’t like. And I make sure that I am equally honest about what I do like. The honesty I give is valued because my cp’s know that what I say is always in an effort to make things the best they can be, without changing them, or forcing my voice/vision onto their work.

It’s always a relief when I hear back after my comments and learn that the writer has not taken offense. I just offered my first critique to a new colleague Sylvia and was happy when she replied with “It’s a challenge to offer your honest opinion without trampling a person and you did it well.”

And she sent me the rest of the story. :D That’s a good thing, cuz I think the hero is yummy and I want more!

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“Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them.”

This is on the calendar right next to my computer. After I took a look at the Tally I put up the other day I realized I needed to put more effort into getting what I want out of life. No one is going to hand things to me, and they shouldn’t. I think that if a person has to work hard for what they want, they’ll value it that much more when they get it.

Then again, very often I see people get what they want just by asking, and not by actually working for it. Maybe I should try that.

Dear Universe,
I would dearly love to have a successful writing career that would include several bestsellers, large advances, and critical acclaim for being a fabulous storyteller.

Thanks,
Sasha

What do you think? Will it work?

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Working on:
The Devil Inside~ A novella, erotic romance. Halfway finished.
Road Trip~A collaborative effort with Sylvia Day. It will be two Erotic novella’s, seperate, yet intertwined stories, to make a 100,000 word package. Just started.
Gypsy Heart~ A novel. Edit and rewrite. Needs at least another 20,000 words

Out There:
Shift Change~ An erotic short story that has been with Black Lace since Jan.
The White Room~ A small collection of erotic short stories submitted to Ghede Books, EC’s new erotica website. Should hear back soon.

Hmmmm. It sorta looks like I need to get my ass in gear and stop “working on” things, and get some more actually OUT THERE huh?

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