Archive for May, 2007



Saturday, May 19th, 2007
TV Finales

SPOILERS AHEAD

Oh My God!!!
Did you watch NUMB3RS?
They made Colby a traitor! I Love Colby. How could they do that to me??

I have to say, out of all the season finales I’ve atched in the last week or two this is the only one that sort of surprised me. I mean, as soon as they mentioned the Jannus list I knew one of them would be one it, but Colby? Okay,okay, moving past my heartache. There was one other season finale that sort of surprised me. Does anyone here watch Close To Home? The prosecuter’s office and crimes in surburban areas and such? (David James Elliot?) Yup, Last season they killed off Annabeth’s husband, (which sucked cuz I love Christian Kane, mind you they brought in Jon Seda…*smile*) and then this year they kill off another player. Mind you, there is a new sexy love interest, and I think the way they killed Maureen was good storytelling.

Navy NCIS season finale is yet to come, and I’m super excited about that one. They usually k nwo how to wrap upa season in style.

What about you? Anything that’s upset you, or thrilled you?

Thursday, May 17th, 2007
Why?

When people ask me what I write, I tell them, usually. I don’t always tell all of my customers ( Day job is a part-time bartender. ) mostly because they’re men, and they’re drinking, and sometimes I just don’t feel like dealing with the inevitable questions. So basically, the regulars all know I write, and what (some have even read my books) But when others ask what I write I just say fiction/short stories.

I’ll tell some of them that it’s erotica but not many because, really, it’s none of their business. Anyway, I was having a great conversation with one woman the other night about goals and motivation and stuff. My writing came up and I was open about the fact that the stories I had published were erotica. She asked me, “Do you write erotica so you can pretend to be someone else?”

My answer was, “No, that’s why I write romance.”

It brought to mind the fact that the only man I’ve ever received flowers from is my Dad. That I’ve never actually been on a dinner date, or a movie date, or a picnic, or any of those other things that are supposed to be ‘common dating rituals’.

Is this true for most of the single women today? Is this normal? Is romance still alive and well out there and I’m just not seeing it, or is it dying a slow death that will only live on in novels? And Why do you read romance/ erotic romance?

Another quandry I’ve been mulling over…recently one of my co-workers picked up Lush the other day. When I asked her if she liked it, she said “Yeah, but I can’t help rolling my eyes when I read teh sex scenes.” and giggled.

I asked if it was too explicit, or if it was because she knew I wrote it? (I have one freind who loves erotic romance, but she won’t read mine because it makes her blush to know *I* wrote it. LOL ) Anyway, this lady looked at me and shook her head with a small smile and said it wasn’t the explicitness, or that I write it, but that “sex just isn’t like that in real life.”

The wierd thing, I’m single and I find that sex can and often is as good as what I write, but I’ve yet to experience the romance. She’s been in a long term relationship and is getting married next month, and she thinks sex is never as good as in a book, but she’s had the romance.

What do you think of that? Is it the just a coincidence, or a personality thing? I don’t know if I could marry a guy who didn’t, or couldn’t, rock my world every now and then, no matter how much he romanced me. Maybe writing these stories has skewered my expectations?

Tuesday, May 15th, 2007
An 88!

Kink got an 88 from Mrs.Giggles! Whoo Hooo!

Saskia Walker’s story is pure delicious fantasy while Sasha White’s story may be too real, too starkly far apart from the happily-ever-after fantasy of an absolute love that never encounters any bumps for the rest of everyone’s lives, and too ambiguous for some readers. These two stories are very different but I adore both. It’s hard for me to say which one I like more because apart from the sensuality level of these stories, they are as similar as apples are to oranges. But who says I have to pick only one story?

Why am I so excited? Because while Kink has had many reviews, the ones where the reader “gets” both stories are few. It’s great that most readers really love at leat one of the stories, but it’sa thrill to read the review from the notoriously tough Mrs.G and see that she enjoyed both stories!

Read the full review

Monday, May 14th, 2007
Huh.

I didn’t get as much writing as I’d like done this past weekend. In fact, I only got about 500 words. Why? Because I am stillso very undecided about what my next step is. I’m a big believe in instincts and ‘There’s no such thing as a coincidence.’ and I can’t shake the feeling that the next step I take in my career is crucial. Maybe because I know my own patience is running out.

Y’see, I know my own personality, and I’m pretty clear on what my capabilities are.
1) I figure I can do anything if I set my mind to it.

2) I don’t have a lot of patience.

So, while I love writing, (and yes, I do admit it is a love/hate relationship at times. LOL ) if I can not support myself doing it, I need to find something else. It’s that simple. I am, Ugh, hitting middle age soon, and I’m single, and I have no security as far as pension or retirement savings and such. Being a bartender for 20 years doesn’t really help you out with that.

See the dilemma?

Now, Being single with no kids, it doesn’t take a lot to support myself. In fact, I’ve never in my life made enough to be above the “poverty line” according to tax Canada. (Yes, that includes this past year of non stop writing and sales too) Do I feel poor? Not at all. I’m comfortable. :) But I have no savings or anything, and I need to start thinking a bit more responsably finacially. This means I can’t keep putting time, money and effort into a career that won’t support me.

So, I’m looking at my next sale/deal/offer to tell me if this career can do that. Yes, I know it takes years and years for authors to build a readership and build a solid career. And no, I don’t think the 4 years I’ve been doing this is that long. But, I’m not exactly a patient person.

For the last 6 months I’ve been trying to figure out my next step. Remember when I asked what y’all would like to see form me next? Sci- Fi, suspense, paranormal? Well I have the direction I want to write …now I just need to see if the editors out there think I’m a sustainable author. And yes, that does include my erotica/erotic romance stories. I do plan to continue those, always. However, my own short attention span means I need to do more than just those. :)

The conclusion. I did a lot of thinking this weekend, and not much writing. LOL Now I need to write my butt off (I wish I COULD write my butt off, seriously, more fun than the treadmill) and send out some proposals and see what the publishing world thinks of them. Cross your fingers and toes for me. Please?

Saturday, May 12th, 2007
The Weekend

It’s Mothers Day this weekend, and I’m having dinner with my family tonight. My mom prefers fro Motheres Day that we just go to her house and order in Chinese Food. She likes the comfort of her home, so she can smoke, and she loves to have her kids back in her house and under her roof. Plus, she loves chinese food for days, so we order a ton and she has leftovers.

After Dinner at Mom’s, I’m heading off to a friends Stagette (sp?). Should be fun.

Then tomorrow is ignore the internet, ignore the phone, and ignore everything and bang out a story day. :) I’ve been slack fro a bit, and it’s time to get back into writing. My hours are increasing at work, and I’m trying to keep up with my gym schedule, but also increase my writing time. Some people might cringe at that, but honestly, I’m looking forward to it. I like to be busy and I don’t really feel like working on my social life right now. Oh, and I also took over caretaker responsabilities in my Condo building, so once a week all day cleaning and such will replace a day at the gym. LOL I sort of like that.

So, coming up to write I have ROGUE HEART, which is due to release in November from Samhain books. And ASK EVE for Berkley Heat (a single title that should be released late 2008) and a short story for the next Alluring Tales anthology.

But… have no fear, comeing up in books stores is still TROUBLE, SEXY DEVIL and WICKED. all single titles books from me.

Now, I have a question for you. WHne I talk abtou writing and my stories, do you prefer to hear about what I’m working on at the time, or what is coming soon or in stores now?

Just curious.

Thursday, May 10th, 2007
Must read…

Okay everyone, I know you’re probably sick of me spouting off about Lush reviews, but I absolutely have to send you to read the one Alyssa did.

I was uhmmm, okay yes, I was procrastinating on my story and surfing the net, checking in on some blogs that I’ve not been to in a while because of RT and my own “avoid the computer” stint in April, and I missed this very unique and awesome review. I love the way she took me through her whole reading experience.

Here’s how it starts:
Before opening the book: Love the cover. Wish I had hair like that. LOL!

“The Principles of Lust”

Page 3: The prologue for “The Principles of Lust.” Whew! This one jumps right in to the erotic. That’s Sasha for you. I like the heroine’s unusual occupation: opening an erotic gallery.

Page 7: Teal (interesting name) knows what she wants. I like that, and I like the fact that she’s not a repressed woman who is all show. That’s an all-too-common scenario in romance novels.

Page 13: I definitely want to know more about Zack. Like Teal, I’m curious about why he backs away when he so obviously wants her.

Page 14: Enter another woman . . . uh oh. The word “Master” makes me stop reading. This is apparently a hot button for me. I read on to the end of the chapter, but the scenario doesn’t do much for me. I set the book aside.

“Sexual Healing”

Before reading: OK, I’m skipping ahead to this story.

Page 179: Another heroine with an interesting occupation, this time a massage therapist. The story gets off to a sensual start. I’m intrigued . . .

READ THE REST of Alyssa’s experience

Thursday, May 10th, 2007
Guest HNT

One of my favorite bloggers has offered to be my first Guest HNT!!
Seriously, I love this couple…check out their Blissfully Wed blog.

him

Happy HNT!

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
Grinning like an idiot.

Paperback Writer is offering a chance to win a copy of Lush. Yup, she read it, and she liked it!!

This thrills me because I became a huge fan of PBW’s by starting with her Jessica Hall stories. Then I moved into the Lynn Viehl/Darkyn Novels,(which I really enjoy.) I’ve read one of the SL Viehl sci-fi Star-Doc books, but not all. I did like it, but I can’t read as fast as this woman can write! It’s always wonderful when someone you respect and admire says something complimentary of your own work. So I have to share what PBW says about my writing.

What I enjoy about Sasha White’s storytelling is the combination of playfulness and soulfulness. This book, like all her work, is both fun and touching. Very few writers in this category can pull off something like that; Sasha White is already an expert at it.

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
Tagged

By Erin. ( who is doing a wonderful thing for Breast Cancer research, so go check out her site, and help her out!)

Bonnie Edwards, also Tagged me with it!! Check out her 8 right here

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here are my answers ~

1. I’m single/

2. I love my cat.

3. I hate my cat.

4. I’m a good cook, and I enjoy cooking for others.

5. I donate extra books to the library.

6. I love the HGTV show Restaurant Makeover

7. I miss living in the mountains.

8. Sometimes I wonder what my purpose is in life.

I’m not tagging anyone. But I’d love it if some of you do this, and come back and tell me so I can go read.

Tuesday, May 8th, 2007
Keeping Busy

I feel like I’m keeping busy, yet at the same time I feel like I’m not really acomplishing anything. So to make myself feel better I wrote a “Have done” List for the last two days.

~ Watched a couple of rented movies
~ Cleaned Condo.
~ Cleaned Condo Building (Yes, I’ve temporarily taken on the caretaker responsabilities)
~ Worked out.
~ Did my taxes.

Ahhhh! That’s why I though I hadn’t done anything! I blocked out the taxes thing.

One other thing I did was forget to call my man on Monday night. Don’t get excited, by ‘my man’ I mean, y’know, the lover that is just a lover but not a boyfriend. He’d called and wanted to get together on Monday night since he’s moving away soon, and I said, “Sure, I’ll talk to you on Monday and we’ll make a plan.”

Then I forgot. Yup, I was crawling into bed all by my lonesome when I remembered. And what really hit me about that? It didn’t really bother me that I might’ve lost my chance to say goodbye.

That’s bad isn’t it? This is a guy I’ve been ’seeing’ for about 2 years, and I have no feelings -either way- about never seeing him again.

I really wonder sometimes if I’m even capable of falling in love.