Posted by: Author | September 4, 2010

Chapter Meeting

Today was our Gulf Coast Chapter RWA meeting and our program was the history of medicine and contraceptives. We also learned about poisons and herbs. It was awesome- we even had props- licorice, herbs, ginger cookies, herbal tea, fennel seeds, etc.  Learned some cool stuff- one was very important to my own health- chamomile tea is bad for you if you are allergic to ragweed.  UH, HELLO?? DUH moment for me.  Never even put that together. So, out goes the chamomile. Banished from Chantalville.  AND fennel is good to sprinkle on pet food for flea control so Miss Dixie, demon cat extraordinare, will be getting some fennel tossed on the kibble.

Poisons- yep, found out about a few things that I plan to use to off a couple of characters- some items you might not know about if you want a poison-filled Christmas dinner.  Can’t tell you what they are though due to liability issues.

Anyway, amazing presentation by 2 of our members- and two of my Southern Sizzler blog mates, Rita and Runere.

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Posted by: Author | September 3, 2010

Friday Facts- September 3, 2010-Equus Quagga

equus_quagga_boehmi

Since I got so much flak for last Friday’s fact, thought I’d go a little easier this week.  This is a zebra, also called Equus Quagga- that is the name of the species of this animal. The genus is equus. Equus is Latin for horse. 

This one in particular is of one of the non-extinct types. There are several different species of zebras and some are extinct.  They have been over-hunted for their pelts and for food in many parts of  Africa.  They can still be found in plentiful numbers on preserves.  It’s a shame, really, that they aren’t more populous in the wild.

I have an affinity for zebras. They are my favorite of the animal kingdom. There is a beauty and serenity about them that appeal to me. Even when they are in flight, they are graceful and poetic (at least they are in my mind).

And of course, there is always the play and the movie called Equus– which I’ve seen both, but that’s another story for another day. 

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Posted by: Author | September 2, 2010

Talkie Thursday

Since it was Wordless Wednesday yesterday, I couldn’t pass on the word about the new romance magazine that went live with its first issue yesterday.  I have a story in it called One Night in Costa Rica.   They touted it as an Adventure Romance and here is the blurb:  “Marilee, competitive surfer, is abducted by drug smugglers.  It just might be the best night of her life.”

Check it out here: http://www.romancestoriesmagazine.com/ and you can look at my ugly mug here:  http://www.romancestoriesmagazine.com/#/meet-our-authors/4543541547

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Posted by: Author | September 1, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

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Posted by: Author | August 31, 2010

Baby’s Gotta Get a Web Site

I’ve been waiting to activate a website under this pen name  until I needed it.  Turns out, that day has come.  I got an email this morning from the acquisitions editor at Siren Book Strand that they want to publish my book entitled Solo Honeymoon.  As you can guess, I’m over the moon about that. This is different than the anthologies I’ve been in because my name will be on it ALONE!   Well, not the name I was born with but one I chose for myself. Still pretty amazing.

The release date will be January 2011.  I’m pretty psyched about it-  I just hope they don’t change their minds.   And just for fun, I’ve re-posted the pics of the model I chose for inspiration for Dario, the hero of this story.

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Posted by: Author | August 30, 2010

“Deadly Fear”

Just finished reading Deadly Fear, written  by Cynthia Eden.  This book is awesome and I’m not just saying that because I happen to know the author. Cynthia has built a large fan base with her paranormal work (of which I’ve read a few) but  think she’s taking a big step forward with this romantic suspense stuff.  She’s always had an element of suspense/thrill in her stories but I  have to say, this is the best I’ve seen of her work.  I think the whole series will be worth a read.

This book has it all. A good, strong plot about a serial killer, a hot FBI agent hero and most important, a heroine with a spine of steel as well as a vulnerability.  This is a great read and even if you aren’t a die hard fan of romance, the  story itself is strong enough to carry the book without the romantic element.  Read this one if you like thrillers, police procedurals, or romance.  It’s all in there.

So, I think I’m going to have to break into Cynthia’s computer next time I’m at her house to steal a sneak peek at the second book in the series because I don’t think I can wait til February 2011 to get Deadly Heat.  Good job, Cynthia. 

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Posted by: Author | August 28, 2010

Calling it done for the 3rd time

This manuscript with a working title of Runaway is done yet again.  I thought the story was complete 2 other times and each time I was asked to make it longer, I did.  First time, I added 15,000 words in 4 days.  This time I added over 17,000 in 6 days. I can’t see where I can add one more.  It is at 87,500+ right now. I was asked to get it to 88,000- 90,000 and I’m calling this close enough. 

#2 son says I’m an underachiever  since I can’t make 90,000, but I say I’ve made it longer without sacrificing tightmess and I’m done.  Don’t want to muck it up – I am  a Hemingway kind of writer and can’t channel an inner Faulkner that doesn’t reside in my psyche.

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Posted by: Author | August 28, 2010

Word Count

I am over 84,000 and closing in on 85,000 words at this moment on the story I’m editing and now the doubts have set in- is it good enough? Really good enough or should I shove it under the bed and let my kids find it when I’m dead?? 

Keeping on-did three chapters today and have two chapters to go. Will pick it up tomorrow and work my way to the last scene in New Orleans at the St. Louis Cemetery #2.

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Posted by: Author | August 27, 2010

Busybodies

Twice in my blog lifetime (once on this one and once on my other one), I’ve gotten rather nasty comments about what I have posted. Once was on a book I read and didn’t care for.  It was not what I expected when I bought it and I blogged about my disappointment. The book was billed as a thriller and it was a really slow read. My definition of a thriller differs from theirs, for sure.  The other time was on a Friday Fact here on this blog. I am careful to research when I post. In the day job, I research as a great part of what I do.  I know not to use Wikipedia as it can be edited by anyone.  I use sites related to universitys usually.  Sites I feel I can trust.

I find it interesting that people can get so whipped up over things on a blog.  If you don’t like the content of a blog, move on. Ignore the person. Just say no.  Don’t read it if it causes you stress.  You’re not required to read it.

When I started blogging, I knew I wasn’t going to make everyone happy. Never intended to try.  I stand by my right to blog on what I  want to and I stand by the right of anyone to not like what I say.  I don’t have to allow comments on this blog. AND I’m not going to allow ones that are rants.  Don’t have to.  So, if you want to rant at  me, go ahead, but I’m not letting your venom have a public forum on my blog.

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Posted in Random thoughts

Posted by: Author | August 27, 2010

Friday Facts- August 27, 2010- Synesthesia

EDITED TO ADD:  I researched this condition on several psychological websites before I posted. None of the sites were Wikipedia (whose entries can be edited by any member) and I believe the sites I looked at were reliable. One of them was even the official site for the organization that has a conference in Nashville.  I am not a psychologist nor do I claim to have any expertise in psychology. This blog is not a scientific endeavor.  The Friday Facts herein are to serve as a tool for fellow writers to use as a stepping stone for ideas. I always encourage people to do their own research. I believe I have relied on expert information. If anyone reading this disagrees with the research I’ve done, I apologize but I stand by the research I did of this condition.  Feel free to do your own  and form your own opinions.

Synesthesia is a psychological condition. It is when two senses act together. The root of the word is Greek- Syn means together and aisthesis means perception. People with this condition usually see words or numbers in colors.  Different words are different colors. Numbers can also be perceived as colors.  Most people with this condition are women, left handed and of normal intelligence.  It is an  involuntary thing and is usually inherited on the mother’s side (if you wondered what that side of the family that is, it is the enate side). The people with this condition are called synesthetes.  A lot of them are artists.

There are various kinds of synesthesia.  The one that has been discussed in my household relates to musical notes and sounds. I live with a teenage musician and he is the one that told me about this condition.  It is a very interesting phenomenon.  I learned something new. I like that.   Eddie Van Halen and Pharrell Williams are synesthetes as was Franz Liszt.  Vladimir Nabokov was, too. 

There is even an organization of synthetes. They have a convention and everything. How cool is that?  This year, they meet in Nashville  in October. 

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