Happy New Year to all of you. May the best of your past be the worst of your future.
12.31.2011
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year to all of you. May the best of your past be the worst of your future.
11.04.2011
Devastating Loss
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
8.29.2011
Life Style Change
I've also come to the conclusion that this weight that I keep carrying around isn't going anywhere unless I kick it out. This sucks.
I've decided to make a "life style change". I can't call it a diet, I cheat on diets, so it's a "life-style change". I need to health myself up. I was thinking about it and if I lose weight it'll drop my blood pressure and help with my stress level. Doing one thing will accomplish multiple items. WHO KNEW?????
Wish me luck. My lack of will power has made the Guinness Book of World Records.
8.18.2011
The Kind of Author I Want To Be
That's the kind of author I want to be, where my reader's love my books and read them over and over again. When I was reading Key of Light I couldn't wait to get back to it and when I finished it I missed the characters in between books. I actually put off reading new books so that I could read this series. Is that normal?
There are other authors that I feel this way about. J.R. Ward is one of them, I've re-read the entire BDB series with the exception of Phury's book. I've re-read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I plan on re-reading Stephanie Bond's Carlotta Wren series (LOVE THEM ALL) and I have read my Jennifer Crusie books so many times that I've had to replace them. Lisa Kleypas, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Toni McGee Causey, I could just go on and on, but I won't.
What is it that these writers have that makes their stories so incredible and real that I want to read them over and over again? This is the kind of author I want to be. Any ideas on how to get there? (No smart comments about finishing a book either. Just sayin'.)
6.24.2011
Stories Keep Coming . . .
I was at work the other day, cuz I have to do that instead of write, and the song Candle In The Wind came on my player, you know, the one by Elton John, anyway, for those of you who don't know, I am a huge Marilyn Monroe fan. I'm not sure fan is the right word. She intrigues me. Everything about her life and death. I find her fascinating. So, while this song is playing I'm thinking about all the things that I have learned about her from the many many different books that I have read. How the public perceived her, how other actors perceived her and then how she perceived herself.
Wouldn't ya know it, a story came to mind. It's a story about an actress who has finally popped into the Hollywood scene. She's blonde, has a beauty mark, curves that would wreck a Ferrari and a type-casting problem. She's played the stupid high school girl, a porn star and the bimbo more times that she can recall. Her agent assures her better roles are right around the corner. She's thinking about switching agents.
Her adoring fans are numerous but there's one in particular who stands out. He's stalking her. The serious worry began when the creepy deliveries to her home started. Her agent has hired her a bodyguard until this gets worked out.
The bodyguard is a hard body retired SEAL. (I think) He's sure the actress is an idiot and can't believe he's been stuck babysitting her. Sure she's nice to look at but he prefers women who can think without smoke coming out of their ears.
The actress thinks her bodyguard is a thug who couldn't think his way out of a paper bag. She's pretty sure her agent was scraping the bottom of the barrel for this loser.
These two are stuck with each other 24/7 until this whole mess gets resolved. What could possibly go wrong?
That's it. Thanks for letting me share. One day this might be a complete story. Think it will be before I retire?
4.18.2011
The Death of a Series
How many people were sad to see these series end? I know I was. I'm considering re-reading the Harry Potter books this year. I'll probably skip the first two, just because they weren't my favorites. Prisoner of Azakaban and Order of the Phoenix are my favorites with Deathly Hallows running a very close second.
So I'm curious, has a favorite series of yours ever ended? Did you write a letter? How often do you re-read the series? Inquiring minds and all that . . .
Happy Monday!
3.11.2011
The Way I imagine my characters
In Megan's Story, Megan was easy. I just knew she was Jessica Stroup. I had a harder time deciding who Cole Turner was, but eventually found Logan Marshall-Green.
I have several stories sitting on the back burner. One is a YA that isn't romance but fiction. The two young girls in this story are based on real people so finding pictures of them aren't easy because I see clearly in my head who they really are. So I'm looking around for what I think could represent these girls. I've come up with a young Drew Barrymore and a young Ashley Greene. These are subject to change.
The other story I have sitting on the back burner with a pretty clear plot doesn't have a title or even a working title, but I have a picture for the hero already picked out, though I don't think any of you will be surprised. It's Taylor Kitsch. The heroine in this story has a face but not a thought out character profile. I really like Sophia Bush. I think she's gorgeous. Didn't you all love her in John Tucker Must Die?
So this is how the character development starts out. Since I'm still reasonably new at this I'm learning as I go. Here's what I've learned so far. These photos are great guidelines but mean absolutely nothing. Maura & Michael started out as my characters. The people I was writing about, and while they physical characteristics haven't necessarily changed, the way I see them in my head while I write has. I no longer see them as the characters. The more I write, the more they separate from my original picture and are metamorphosing into something all their own.
So my question for all of you who write, does this happen to you? Do you pick photos for your characters or do you just work with what's in your head?
By the way, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!
2.18.2011
The Goodness of People
The news media has done their best to try to scare the crap out of our nation. How many "feel good" stories do you hear in an hour on the news? I believe I counted one this morning. If you visit the www.azfamily.com website (our local news station) the links that you are first subjected to are as follows:
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Man arrested after allegedly breaking into Scottsdale church
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5.1 earthquake in Baja felt in Yuma
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U.S. Marine stationed in Yuma reported missing
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Chandler police investigate gang-related shooting
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PD: Man arrested after assaulting woman at Tempe restaurant
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Napolitano nixes Senate bid
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Rabid javelina attacks dog in Yavapai County
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Over 200 rifles intercepted in latest gun-running ring bust
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Urn containing loved one's ashes stolen during burglary
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Authorities shut down violent 'rip crew' in Southern Arizona
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Man accused of shining laser light at police chopper may go to jail
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Man found with images of child pornography
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Stifle the Desktop Cleanup Wizard
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Flight attendants picket demanding 'big change' from US Airways
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Paradise Valley home goes up in flames
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Lawyer arrested for DUI after hitting 2 pedestrians in Phoenix
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Bill to ban photo-enforcement cameras making its way through committee
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Man arrested for fatal shooting in Phoenix yard
SO in order to do my part, I have the following story to share with all of you.
Two Wednesdays ago I drove to pick up my friend for Zumba at the community center. I was chatting with her on the way to get her on my blue tooth. When I arrived at her house, I hung up, stuck the blue tooth in my purse, and off we went to Zumba.
The next morning I couldn't find my blue tooth. I knew it couldn't have gone far because I just had it the night before. When I couldn't find it in my purse I knew I didn't to dig out under the seats in my car. This took me a couple of days. I still couldn't find it. I asked my family if they had seen it laying around the house I emptied out my purse and looked through the car one more time just in case I missed it. I finally realized it was gone. It could be any where. Especially if it fell out of my purse. I could have dropped it in a parking lot somewhere. I just knew it was gone.
A few days later I thought I should probably call the community center. Maybe it had fallen out of my purse during Zumba. I tried to call the community center but they were closed. I'd have to try again tomorrow.
It took me over a week to finally get around to calling the community center again, I had no hope that they would have it. It had been over two weeks since my last Zumba class and really, what were the odds that a Good Samaritan found it and had turned it in? Someone was enjoying my handy dandy blue tooth.
This morning at 7:45 I called the community center while I was thinking about it, so I could rule out that they had it and plan on having to get a new one. A very nice lady answered the phone. I told her my story about losing my blue tooth two weeks ago and she put me on hold to go look in the back. She came back on the phone and told me that she had one. She'd had it for about two weeks and I was welcome to come up after 8:00 and see if it was mine. The clouds parted, the angels began to sing and I told her I would be there in 15 minutes.
Now, there was a chance that the blue tooth she had wasn't mine. Some other poor soul had lost their blue tooth also, but the fact that she had even one was a good sign. Someone, even if it wasn't me, was going to get their blue tooth back. The world has some good people in it after all.
Turns out it was my blue tooth. Thank goodness. I really didn't want to have to replace it. I would love to thank the person who found my blue tooth and turned it in instead of taking home as their own. Since I have no idea who this person is, thank you, to anyone who has ever turned something in to the lost and found instead of keeping it. You are an awesome human being and you deserve a big huge THANK YOU!
I think we all need reminders every once in a while that not all news is bad.
2.15.2011
The Problem with Reading A Series. . .
One of my favorite things about this series is that the books take place one right after the other. The first six books all take place within a two month period. IT'S SO AWESOME! Stephanie Plum has two sexy men in her life. Bobbie Faye has two sexy men in her life. Carlotta Wren has three, count them THREE sexy men in her life. There is one of them that I don't particularly care for, but I'm not going to discuss that here.
The problem with reading a series is that eventually you catch up. Eventually you're waiting for the next book release. The problem with reading this series? There isn't a next release date. According to the Stephanie Bond web page, Books 7 and 8 haven't been scheduled for a release date yet. Apparently her publisher is busy trying to sell the books for a TV pilot so has decided to leave all of us readers out in the cold. Very nice.
I have a problem with this for two reasons. You may or may not agree, but they're mine so you don't have to. First, Woman's Murder Club, the TV series. Anyone watch this series? No? That's cuz it SUCKED. ABC took a GREAT series of books and twisted it into a really awful television series. The damage that they could do to these fabulous Stephanie Bond books really worries me. Second, why are the readers being punished? If you missed it earlier in the blog, these books are consecutive. There is no time lapse of weeks or months in between these books. The end of the sixth book left us all hanging. Wondering what was going to happen next and we don't get to find out.
Having said all of that, these are amazing books. If you love Stephanie Plum, Bobbie Faye, witty dialogue and fabulous characters, these books are for you. Just read slowly.
1.23.2011
Favorite Characteristics
Being an avid reader there are lots of books that I will read at least once a year. Jennifer Crusie authors a lot of those books. This being the case, I have begun to pick up on something. A lot of her female characters have similar features. Examples are:
Minerva Dobbs from Bet Me - "...her hair cut in short loose curls that glinted in the sun..."
Nina Askew from Anyone But You - "...her short dark curls were rumpled..."
Sophie Dempsey from Welcome to Temptation - "...all that dark curly hair..."
Maddie Faraday from Tell Me Lies - "...all dark curls and warm curves..."
Tess Newhart from Strange Bedpersons - "...but she ran her fingers through her short red curls..."
Tilda Goodnight from Faking It - "...Davy stared at her dark loopy curls..."
Dennie Banks from Trust Me on This - "...Dennie Banks shoved her dark curls from her face..."
Agnes Crandall from Agnes and the Hitman - "...dark curls bouncing..."
Andie Miller from Maybe This Time - "...all those crazy curls yanked back..."
Are you seeing where I'm headed with this? I would have never noticed except that I listened to Maybe This Time, Agnes and the Hitman and Welcome to Temptation all pretty recently and close together. Then I started remember all her other books (that I love) and all her heroines have curly hair. I thought they all might be dark, but there are a few redheads thrown in the mix.
Is this one of those rules that only a published author can break? Is it a rule at all? Do we really care?
Have you ever noticed anything like this about one of your favorite authors? Please share.
Happy Monday and all that jazz.
1.13.2011
What Color Are You?
Your heart-felt communication style creates peace and harmony in the workplace. You know how to bring out the best in others. As a Blue personality you are gifted with tremendous people skills.You're a heart felt communicator who has a strong need to make a difference in the lives of other people. This strength is immediately noticeable in the way you make connections and bring out the best in those you encounter. People usually feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence.
You love to build self-esteem and make others feel good about who they are. You can easily motivate and inspire people to make changes in their lives and reach their potential. This natural talent makes you excel a counselor, teacher, social worker and journalist, but the list is far greater in the book.
Okay, so those of you who know me are laughing. I can hear you. It's okay. I don't know that "tremendous people skills" is really a quality I possess and I have yet to meet anyone who thinks I am responsible for "peace and harmony" in the workplace; *giggle* however, I do feel that I bring out the best in my friends, at least in comparison.
My other color that I scored high in is Orange:
ORANGE - Where's the Action
You are courageous. You act on a moment's notice. You see life as a roll of the dice, a game of chance. You need stimulation, freedom, and excitement. You are a natural leader, troubleshooter, and performer.You value action, resourcefulness, and courage. You are generous, charming, and impulsive. You show affection through physical contact.
Hmmmm, this sounds more like me, but maybe that's just wishful thinking.
Want to know what color you are? You can click on this link and it will take you to the website where you too can know your color, then you can come back here and learn what it is about you that makes you that color.
1.08.2011
Back on the Write Track (Get it???)
My very first attempt at writing was when I was a kid. Maybe eight years old. I started writing a story called Bingo. It was of course, about a dog. I don't remember if I finished it. Odds are not in my favor. All of my witing as a teenager was poetry. Angst driven poetry. I will admit, I'm a bit of a drama queen. I know you're all shocked and surprised. [insert sarcasm here]
About seven years ago I started to get serious about writing. I was reading Jenny Crusie and Janet Evanovich and thinking that not all writing had to be Nora Roberts and Karen Robards. I was impressed. Not that I don't love Roberts and Robards, I do, but this was just different. Published authors were writing witty dialogue, fun and funny characters with outlandish dilemmas and hitting the best seller list.
I had never given writing a serious chance because I knew I wasn't capable of writing like Sandra Brown, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts or Karen Robards. I knew that kind of writing just wasn't in me, but now. Wow, a whole new world of opportunities was opened up for me and I knew I needed to give this a try.
I immediately started searching Google for articles on writing. I found character questionnaires, blogs on "how to", web pages from publishers, blogs from agents, and a million helpful hints. I was quite overwhelmed. So I took a step back and pulled only what really interested me. How do you get started?
I'd had an idea a month before while taking a shower, all the best ideas come in the shower, about a woman whose mother had been married and divorced a dozen times. In this woman's opinion, not only did her mother have lousy taste in men, but all men were cheaters. Period. No discussion. Her past relationships had only driven this point home for her.
Then there was my hero. I'm so in love with him myself I'm finding it hard to find a reason why our heroine wouldn't want to be with him. He's strong, handsome, successful and married. Sort of. His wife is a cheater. He walked in on her riding some stranger in their bed and had enough. He packed his bags and moved out and started the divorce proceedings. Here's the catch. The wife's mother is dying of cancer. Our hero loves this woman. She was like a mother to him after his own mother passed away when he was just a boy. He would do anything to see that her last days are peaceful or as peaceful as possible. So when the wife comes to him and asks him to play along as if they're still married for the sake of the mother, he agrees.
I was jumping up and down knowing that I was bloody BRILLIANT. Who in their right mind would not want to read this story? I mean really! I sat down that same day and started filling out my character questionnaire sheets. I didn't even finish before the first scene came to me and the writing began.
During this process I joined a group of other writers who I let read my BRILLIANT idea. They told me it wouldn't work. They told me that the hero couldn't be married. A publisher would NEVER buy it. Maybe a published author could get away with it, but not me. I was crushed. I put my idea away and tried to figure out how to make it work. How could my story still work with this snag? It couldn't. I couldn't figure it out, so I put them away.
I started working on other things and then life got in the way and I stopped writing all together.
Recently I've become phone friends with Nichol. She's great. We chat about books, writing, kids. Stuff. She has inspired me to get back to writing. She told me, in not so many words, that it didn't matter what other people thought about my story line. If I liked it I needed to finish it.
Wow. No one who knows me well would ever think that what someone else thought would be so important to me. I'd let these other people's opinion influence my own decision. I'd given up on a story because of what a small group of people thought. Holy crap! Since when do I care what other people think??? It's not like I thought my very first attempt at writing was going to hit the best seller list. Hell, I didn't even think it would make it out of my house. You could actually HEAR reality crashing in around me.
So, I'm back to writing my story. I love this story and I'm going to write it the way that I see it. I don't care if a publisher will ever publish it. This is for me. I need to finish this book.
Thank you Nichol. You are the best!
1.07.2011
Addictions are a Bitch
When I discovered Lisa Kleypas historicals I started searching them out. I have read the entire Hathaway series and am working through the Wallflower series. I somehow wound up reading the series from newest to oldest, but whatever.
Janet Evanovich, found her by accident. Started at one and worked my way up to eight before I was current. They are now making a movie One For the Money due out this summer.
Jennifer Crusie, introduced to me by a friend, Fast Women was my first book and I've read every single book by her that I could get my hands on. Even the ones that weren't so good. Not that there are many.
James Patterson & Maxine Paetro, love the Women's Murder Club books. I was so excited when they announced that there was going to be a television series. Then they announced the cast. Anyone else read these books? Angie Harmon was cast as Lindsay Boxer. Rob Estes was cast as her captain/ex-husband. Who is that??? Lindsay Boxer isn't divorced. Is she? Did I miss that in the books? Claire's husband was in a wheelchair. Was that in the books? I'm seriously asking. I don't remember that. The show was so awful that it didn't survive a whole season, only 13 episodes. They took a great series of books and messed it up so they could put it on TV where it bombed. In my opinion it would have had more viewers if they'd just written it as it was.
Stephanie Bond. She is my new addiction. She writes the Body Mover series. The series starts out as follows:
Okay, so Carlotta Wren’s life hasn’t turned out as she’d planned. She didn’t plan for her parents to skip bail for a white collar crime, leaving her to raise her younger brother. She didn’t plan on having the silver spoon ripped out of her mouth and forgoing college to work retail. She didn’t plan on her blue blood fiancĂ© dumping her like last year’s designer bag. And she didn’t plan for, ten years later, to still be single (with no prospects), working at Neiman Marcus, with no idea where her fugitive parents are. But she’s coping, sort of. Until…
…her lovable brother is arrested and his loan sharks come calling.
…the hunky cop who arrested her brother reopens her parents’ case.
…her brother becomes a body mover, transporting corpses from crime scenes.
…her former fiancĂ©’s wife (a good customer) is murdered, fingering Carlotta.
…her brother’s sexy boss pulls her into the bizarre world of body moving.
Suddenly Carlotta realizes that she has to bag a murderer to keep her own well-dressed body from being next on the list!
I loved the first book and quickly moved on to the second and third installments and have the fourth lined up and the fifth and sixth on hold. Coming close to the end of the series I headed over to her website to find out when the seventh book was coming out. Imagine my surprise to find out that no other books are pending. Her publisher hasn't purchased any additional books for this series, but they are considering a television series. *groan* See the above reference to the WMC as a TV series. ACK! I hope that they do something spectacular with these books if they are going to make it into a series. These are awesome books. If you love Bobbie Faye or Stephanie Plum you're going to love Carlotta Wren.
Have you ever had a favorite book turned into a movie or television series that just sucked? If so, which one and why didn't you like it?
One of my favorite books is The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. If you've read the book and haven't seen the movie yet, DON'T. One of my other favorite books is The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. If you haven't seen the movie you are missing out. The movie rocks!