Rita

Jeeze! The waters haven't even receded from Katrina and we're hit with Rita. These hurricanes are starting to give women a bad name.

Rita managed to hit my hometown and I'm still awaiting word on my many and numerous relatives that I hope (most sensibly) fled the area. Luckily, my parents retired last year and moved to Texas. After this weekend, I'm pretty sure my mom won't be griping about the heat here anymore--there are worse things and she just avoided one of them.

I'll check back in with more information on the family tree. Please, anyone that can contribute - time, money, goods, services - do so. People are going to need a lot of help and the federal government and insurance never seem to be enough.

Thanks to all of those who are helping already! Louisiana and its residents appreciate you.

Jana

FIRST SALE!!!!!!

The big news is in - RUMBLE ON THE BAYOU has sold to Dorchester Publishing and will be a Fall 2006 release.

Needless to say, I am thrilled that someone actually "gets" my quirky, out-of-the-box, bayou romance. I spent an entire day calling everyone I knew and telling them. Of course, my husband's boss asked if he would still be retaining his employment there and I had to laugh. People SO don't understand how hard it is to make a living writing. It simply takes years and years of hard work - or one winning lotto ticket book, but how many people does that really happen to?

I'm working frantically on a chick lit mystery and a new romance proposal. Pray for me. I think that one remaining brain cell is rapidly slipping away.

Of course, the bad part about selling is the publicity photo which has prompted my current diet. I started officially on Monday and am hating life more and more each day. Why does one simply FEEL better while consuming beer and pizza. (big sigh) Oh well, I'll keep yall updated on my progress - both on the writing AND the weight loss.

Now - off to do some accounting. Day jobs.....................

Katrina

I know it's taken me a while to get around to this - and me being from Louisiana and all that may seem a bit strange, but what does one really say about the total destruction of a metropolis? The people, the history, the culture rewritten and changed forever. Even as a writer, I lack the words to describe this tragedy.

Thank God, none of my family was in the surrounding areas, so it's not hit me directly, but word is still coming in from old co-workers and friends of my parents, who until just last year lived right across the Mississippi River from Downtown New Orleans. The friends are, thankfully, all right, but their lives are changed permanently.

And of course the questions set in - Why does this happen? Why wasn't there an emergency evacuation plan?

All good questions, but pointless now.

So we do what we can. We pick up the pieces and with everyone helping in whatever way they can afford, New Orleans will rise again. A changed city, perhaps, but we can also pray a safer one.

Here are links to two great places to give for anyone who hasn't found a slot yet.

The first is collecting for Habitat for Humanity and romance writing's sweetheart, Nora Roberts, has agreed to match (at a minimum) what her fellow writers donate. Let's meet her challenge to give head on. The link for donations is http://adwoff.com/adwoffcares.htm

In addition to the people who are struggling through Katrina, our four-legged friends have been left stranded also. If you would like to help and receive current updates on their condition and needs, try this link http://animalhelp.com

Thanks everyone for your help and your prayers! The results may not be immediate, but it all makes a difference.

Jana