Posted by: Author | May 25, 2010

Still here

Have three more chapters on revisions to Runaway before I send it to Deb Werksman.  I hope all this tinkering hasn’t mucked up a perfectly good story. Of course, Patience Smith said I should ramp up the romance factor so I tried to do that on this run through (I should say walk through as I’ve added 12,000 words so far).  Patience also said she liked my sassy heroine and my premise.  Let’s hope Ms. Werksman feels the same- and that the romance is romantic enough this time around.  I mean, really, who wouldn’t feel romantic about the guy that was my inspiration for the hero?  He could just stand there and I’d feel all warm and fuzzy.  Wouldn’t you?

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Posted by: Author | May 22, 2010

A debt of gratitude

I have two friends going through my manuscript Runaway in an effort to help me get it ready to submit again. I was (still am) a bit daunted as I want to get my word count up to be out of category and into single title.  I think the story was fine at category length but once it got turned down there, where was I gonna go?  So many more options with single title.  So, have added 2700 words so far today- and they aren’t junk words either- not just filler.  I actually added around 1000 words to the beginning and have revamped that.  I owe Darlene and Margo a debt of gratitude for volunteering to help me in this way.  Thanks, guys!

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Posted by: Author | May 21, 2010

Friday Facts- May 21, 2010

NYMPHAEUM-   Today’s subject is the nymphaeum of the ancient world.  As I  have said on this blog before, I took Latin for four years and as a result of that, became enamoured of the ancient world. I have written a manuscript called Solo Honeymoon wherein the hero is an Italian Count. I really wanted to set a love scene  in a nymphaeum, but didn’ t manage to work it in. Still debating adding that to my “pond” scene. 

Anyway, a nymphaeum is really just what it sounds like- it is a sanctuary/natural grotto consecrated to water nymphs.  They were bulit around natural springs. They had statues and paintings inside. Sometimes weddings were held in these places. There have been over twenty found in Rome. There are nymphaeum in Turkey, Jordan, and Greece as well.

So, if you set a story in any of these places, a good love scene could be created in such a wonderful setting.   I can see using these in all genres. Contemporary lovers happen upon one; a vampire hiding in one for a paranormal; a medievel story could be set in one; in a fantasy, a fight between two opposing forces; and I can even see chick lit- as in a high maintenance tourist breaking a heel (or a nail).  See what a multi-use thing a nymphaeum can be to a writer?

Hope you enjoyed today’s Friday Fact.

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Posted by: Author | May 20, 2010

She’s BAAAAACK!

Last year a pair of mourning doves made a nest under one of the columns on the front porch of my office.  They had two sets of nestlings before the end of the spring. They just about drove me batty with their cooing. It really is a mournful sound.  The mama bird sat on the nest for weeks and didn’t seem to move a muscle.  Have no idea how she could do that without leg cramps. Made me hurt just to watch her.  I was missing them this year though. There have been lots of other bird couples around this spring but not my friends.  I had heard that doves come back to their same nesting place from year to year.  So, I was glad to see her yesterday. She announced her presence with a coo.

Now, for the bad part:  The male has not gathered one twig for a nest. She’s sitting up there with no home.  What if she lays the eggs now? Will they fall nine or ten feet and splat on the porch?  Will one hit a client in the head? AND where is the male?  Did he die and leave her a widow? Did they get a divorce?  What’s up with him? I can almost hear her singing,  I Need a Hero.   Shh- if you really try, you can hear her.

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Posted by: Author | May 19, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

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Posted by: Author | May 18, 2010

Congrats to my real identity

My real identity has sold a short story today.  This is like being bi-polar, I guess.  I am publishing this story under my real name because I’ve already sold stories to this same editor and have  made a name for myself with that audience.  So, the dual identities will continue to exist side by side.

 The ratings of the stories sold under my real name are PG. The editor prefers it that way and my real persona can write those with no issue with the legal life.  The stories I write as Jillian are quite a bit more R rated.  Thus the need for the nom de plume.  But I can get along with pretty much anyone so this is all right.

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Posted by: Author | May 17, 2010

Submitted and Agent/Editor Appts

I actually submitted my novella, Solo Honeymoon, last night.  I know, I know. I said it stresses me out too much to do this but I have bitten that bullet again and I’m determined not to let it bother me –  I am in a fret-free zone.  This bullet is very phallic, isn’t it?  I need to get my mind out of the gutter and get back to work!

This morning was the day for the PRO members of RWA to sign up for conference agent and editor appointments for the national conference in July.  I’m happy to say that I got the appointments that I wanted.  So far, this has been a good day.

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Posted by: Author | May 14, 2010

Friday Facts

I am starting a new weekly feature called “Friday Facts”-  I plan to blog  information that fiction writers can use for research. These will be tidbits of info about food, travel, cars, quotes, etc.  I have a vast store of arcane facts in  my head and thought I might put some of them down once a week – try to exorcise them out of me, so to speak.   I have a new page added to this blog where I will have these posts.

Today I met one of my friends from high school who has been in town this week because her mom  is in the hospital.  It was wonderful to get to actually sit down with her for the first time in ages and ages.  She lives in Pennsylvania now and doesn’t get here as often as she (and I) wish she did. There are some people we meet in life that we just “click” with and I am happy to say that the “click” Lisa and I share is still there. She’s one of the neatest people I know.  I posted a pic of me in high school about a week ago that she took as we were going to Orlando for a Latin trip.  Here is one of us together from today: 

We were at the Tuscan Oven, a Pensacola restaurant that opened a few years ago that I love. It has the absolute best pizza EVAH!  It is made in a wood fired beehive shaped oven from Tuscany.  I recommend it if you are in the mood for some fabulous food.  If you ever write a story with a character from Pensacola, they have to visit this place as it is a particular favorite of the locals.  Here is the web site:  http://www.thetuscanoven.com

The best items on the menu are the Friazos (Ice cream dessert), Abbondanza pizza (All meat pizza), the Tuscan sandwich, and the caprese salad.  One of these would be a good choice for your hero/heroine to order.  So, there is  your fun fact today on researching a yummy place to eat in Pensacola, Fl.

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Posted by: Author | May 13, 2010

Edits, Edits, Edits with a side of Iron Man

Working on editing Solo Honeymoon the last few nights.  I have added 800 words so far and am on Chapter Four in the typing of the changes. I printed it and edited from the paper copy because I can catch more errors that way. The whole thing is edited now but it is a long, tedious process to type in all the changes.  Thus, I am only on Ch 4.  I can’t work on it tonight because I’m going to see Iron Man with two friends.  I adore Robert Downey, Jr.  Not thrilled about Mickey Rourke.  I bet the man hasn’t washed his hair since 1975.  Ugh!  I have a real issue with greasy hair.  Revolting!

Here is the inspiration for the hero of Solo Honeymoon: Dario

And here is Robert Downey, Jr. 

I refuse to put Mickey Rourke on my blog!  Until he washes his hair, anyway.

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Posted by: Author | May 12, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

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