Muggy Monday

It's humid here in Texas - been raining. Guess we're bringing in April, but hey, the flowers like it.

Today's my post over at Killer Fiction, so check it out and have a great day!

Writers & Pets

One thing I have discovered as I meet writers is that almost all of us have pets. In fact, a lot of writers are huge animal lovers. I'm not exactly sure why that is, but it's definitely more than a trend.


I have my own personal baby, and that's my Sheltie, Bogey. Bogey is the perfect dog - he stays in the house all day while I'm at work and doesn't bother a thing. He likes to play - God we play ball and play ball and play ball....well, you get the idea. But that's a good thing because I've been walking him every day and that way we both get some much needed exercise.

So today I thought I'd share some Bogey pics with you, so you can see my "child."



This is Bogey doing one of his favorite things - playing in the sprinkler.




This is Bogey in one of his preferred sleeping positions. You gotta love a dog who's that comfortable perched on the back of the couch.
This is Bogey as a baby - is it any wonder I had to have him??????

Description

As a writer you're always looking for the best descriptive terms - the ones that bring a powerful image into the mind of your reader. Well, yesterday someone sent me this link to a call played on a radio station. What does this have to do with description - well, this guy has some of the best description I've ever heard - and it's damned funny to make it even better. If you can listen to this and don't have a clear mental image of what happened, then you have no imagination at all.

So check it out - and fair warning - you should NOT be consuming liquids while listening!

Kickin' Off the Week

Good morning, everyone! I hope you had a great Easter!

Today's my post over at Killer Fiction, so check it out. I'm talking about things you should never see in church.

Have a great day!

Critique Groups

Since I've been writing (and especially after I sold), I got a lot of questions from other writers about critique groups/partners. Until recently I wasn't a member of a "group" per se in that the group didn't meet regularly and discuss/plot/critique. My critiquing up to that point had been by email or phone call - especially since a couple of the people I critique with are in another states.

I've been asked what makes a good critique partner/group and when to know you need a new group, etc.

To me the answer is easy - a good critique partner/group takes the time to learn your style and voice and doesn't try to change it with their advice. The group should NEVER tell you how to write your book - EVER! They should instead tell you where your technique went faulty or was missing altogether - where your plot fell apart - inconsistencies in your story - when they don't have a connection to a main character - when they are confused by the story.

Most importantly, and the thing that is often missed by cp's is that they should tell you what you're doing RIGHT and encourage you to do more of it. Every missed opportunity for your voice to shine is a missed opportunity to wow an editor or an agent.

Granted, these are only a few of the things you should be thinking about when selecting or continuing with a group or partner, but your career is on the line here - thinking you might hurt someone's feeling should be the very last reason you continue with a group or partner that's no forwarding your career.

Leroy

Today's my post over at Killer Fiction, so check it out. I talk about the reason I made my journey from corporate training to technical writing. ie Leroy

Have a great day!

Vacation

I've been doing a lot of decorating at the new house - painting the walls lovely shades of turquoise and placing my seashell decor everywhere. It looks very serene and pretty and I'm loving it. And the reason I love it so much is because I am a beach junkie. There is simply nothing I find more relaxing than sitting on a beach with a beer and a book. In fact, I can stay there all day.

My family used to vacation to Destin a lot - which has beautiful beaches. I've always wanted to go to Hawaii and maybe now someday I will.

What about you? What's your favorite vacation spot?

Monday Already

Jeez, is it Monday already????? Busy weekend - had girl's night Friday night which was fab - we ate Mexican, then headed back to the bachlorette pad for wine, cookies and this absolutely sinful homemade candy (my thighs salute you, Cari). Saturday morning we had a leisurely breakfast then went shopping where we tried to work off some of the candy.

Sunday I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, grocery shopped and organized the garage. Very exciting!

Today's my post day at Killer Fiction, so hop over there and leave a comment on your favorite tv series.

Have a great day!

Weird Weather Redux

Well, just when you thought it was safe to plant flowers, it snowed again in Dallas. That's twice in one week. What in the world???????

In other news, the Ghost-in-Law edits are going fine and I'm really pleased with what I have so far. I've sent the first third out to my critique partners and can't wait to see what they think.

Also, I got an offer for foreign rights for UNLUCKY. So looks like it will be published in Dutch along with RUMBLE. I wonder what they'll do with the covers.

I've got a big weekend planned - girl's night tonight with my cp's, then shopping tomorrow and I'm still painting - fun, fun, fun!

Well, must run and write some technical documentation - I'm knee deep in a training guide for accounting software - riveting text. :)

Have a great weekend!

Weird Weather

Okay, so we all know Texas has weird weather sometime - but come on. On Sunday I was wearing capris and a t-shirt and it was in the 70's, then it snowed Monday night. Now even for Texas that's a little weird. And did I mention that people in Texas can NOT drive in snowy/icy weather. They think appropriate driving means hitting their brakes when they're ON the bridge - jeez.

This weekend was a busy one for me. I painted on Saturday and my living room is looking fabulous. It's a light shade of turquoise and looks great with all my light furniture and the seashell decorations. It's very serene and pretty. Then my parents came over on Sunday and my dad installed a couple of ceiling fans for me and raised a couple of light fixtures so that you don't have to be 3 foot 2 to walk underneath them - what are builders thinking???????

As part of the separation of property, I took one dog and one cat with me, so no more six animals to take care of, but I've got the Sheltie and he's living the life of Riley now. He gets to stay inside with the run of the house all day and I have to say that he's been great! Not a single thing bothered and no accidents. He's such a wonderful dog. Plus he gets treats and walks and to play ball every single day - on weekends, more than once or even twice. For anyone who lives alone and feels lonely, my advice is to get a dog. He's the best company. Always happy, never complaining, easy to please.

I got back into my writing last week and since I'd been off for so long, I had to go back to the beginning and start re-reading/editing what I had already written. I'm happy to say that I REALLY like what I have. I think this book is going to be one of my funniest yet and can't wait to see how it ends. Sounds kinda strange for the author to be saying that, huh, but the reality is, I tend to come up with better twists and ideas as I write than I ever could when producing a synopsis. Thank God my fabulous editor knows it will all work out in the end. :) I love ya, Leah!

Oh, well, I must run and get some work done. My new schedule seems to include rising at 4-4:30 am and falling asleep on the couch around 7-8 pm. But hey, that way everything is done before I go to work so no down side really.

Have a great day everyone!

Back from Beyond

Hi everyone! I'm finally back. I posted at Killer Fiction today, explaining my absence, so hop over there and check it out.

Thanks so much for all my regulars who sent me personal emails. They were definitely appreciated!