What is there to say other than I rarely write them.

I remember an English class, I believe in junior high, where we were discussing some classic, probably Shakespeare. The symbolism was hard at first for everyone. I eventually tuned out. Metaphors, similes were foreign to me, and back then I had a habit of shutting down when I didn’t understand something.

That has changed, but since I went through the rest of school, and life, not using them in speech or my fiction, it’s almost as if I don’t know they exist. It’s not natural for me to even think of adding one during my writing, and yet my work sorely lacks them. Back to school? Guess so!

Today I spent the day talking with Crys, who’s a complete laugh and great friend, dealing with Diva issues, reading up on and ordering books from MIRA, and reading Crys’ latest ms. I won’t discuss that, and I’m only on chapter 4, but so far it rocks. I’m getting so wrapped up in it. Luckily I’m only reading and not critting.

So, I ordered two books from MIRA, Trapped by Chris Jordan and The Dollmaker by Amanda Stevens, and I also ordered their monthly deal and will receive two free books. I never paid MIRA any attention before. I stopped reading Harlequin and Silhouette years ago. Their books are a bit lite for me. Not light as in funny but lite as in fluffy. Their dark suspense isn’t gritty or meaty enough for me. The reason I never seriously considered writing for them. The only thing is that while they are Lifetime movies in print, I can’t say I write the dark, gritty material I love to read.

We’ll see!

I actually figured out how to upgrade to the newest version of WP.

Last time, I downloaded it and did something wonky, and all of my categories disappeared but were there. Seriously! I saw the boxes but the print was invisible, and I couldn’t change it. After a couple of fatal error messages when I tried to change the theme, I started from scratch–hence my first post.

This time I followed explicit directions and everything seems fine.

I’m at a point in TOD’s outline where I’m “stuck”. I have the first act outlined and a couple of scenes throughout the rest, but that’s all. I’m thinking of not pushing it and just writing the first 7 chapters and deal with the rest when I get to it.

Crys and I were discussing productivity. It’s what we’ll be working on for the Mentor Program. For the past 3 years, all I’ve heard is: write and don’t edit. So I have. It works, but I end up with either a lot of holes or the need for major revisions. There’s nothing wrong with that, but every ms? I don’t think so. During our conversation, we talked about my going back and editing the work from the day before, as long as I get my daily quota for the day first. This way, the editing process won’t be so long.

I’m really liking this idea. Now I just have to implement it. More of that tomorrow!

Yes, today I baked approximately 169 cookies.  That’s insane, isn’t it?

I had no reason other than we wanted cookies. :)  I stopped buying prepackaged kind because of the trans fats and ingredients that you really shouldn’t eat.  So, I purchased a bunch of new baking items (cause my cocoa was a good 7 years old–probably 10) earlier this month, but I hate making cookies.  The mixing, the dropping…  I have an apt. sized oven, so I can only bake one tray at a time, and I have only a hand mixer.

So when I want cookies, you can bet they’re only getting made once every month or two (if you’re lucky).  I also wanted a variety, lol.  I made oatmeal coconut, peanut butter chocolate chip and chocolate chip toffee.  I also made a chuck roast with potatoes, carrots and onions and Cheddar-Parmesan Bread, in the bread maker.  A huge cooking day.  Started at noon and finished eating dessert at 6:30.

My greatest question is how long do homemade cookies last before they go bad?  I have a feeling it will be longer than my kids allow these to stay in the house.

The results are in for RD’s Best First Page contest.  The five finalists were judged by Lucienne Driver, an agent at Spectrum Literary Agency.  This is what she said about my entry, Vows, Voices & Voodoo.

3- Vows, Voices & Voodoo: Good writing. Intriguing. A few things stopped me a little: I think there’s too much time between the POV character’s groan and when people are gawking at her. I had to look back to remind myself what she’d done to call the attention. Also, is the full message Obsession. Lust? It’s scanty, but doesn’t seem encrypted as it says at the end of the fourth paragraph. I’d read on. (This was very, very close to the first and second place winners.)

It’s rather “funny” though, because the feedback is awesome (all feedback is, even if it’s not positive) yet I’m not happy.  I’m not sad or upset, just not…anything.  Strange, huh?  I am very glad to know I am on the right track however.

Thank you Divas and Lucienne!

THE LOTUS BLOSSOM CHRONICLES
an anthology with Simone Harlow
Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Parker Publishing, LLC; First edition (March 17, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600430341
ISBN-13: 978-1600430343

In Jax Cassidy’s
SIREN’S SEDUCTION …

Niko Chow craves solitude. Only fate won’t leave him in peace. After losing his wife and unborn child in a car crash, he slips into the dark world of alcoholism. His desire to overcome his addiction leads him to a promise made to a dying friend and into the arms of a seductive chanteuse. Donovan Matthews ignites a passion within him he has long denied. The more time he spends with her, the more Niko finds her spitfire determination and generous heart as sensuous and exotic as the Lotus Blossoms that bloom in his garden. Can she end his internal war and help heal his aching soul?

In Simone Harlow’s
CONCUBINE …

In the new world order, New Africa bounty hunter Nyssa Farris has only one goal…to get her daughter back from the woman who snatched her out of her arms as a baby. But to do that, she must break her one rule: never hunt a slave. Once a pleasure slave to a king, Nyssa understands how the loss of freedom can scar a person’s soul, and for her daughter she will pay the price.

Prince Asad Kuba is a man on the run. Escaped from the wicked queen, he will do anything to stay out of her clutches. He doesn’t expect a beautiful, determined woman to capture him, bed him, and take him back in chains.

Two people on a collision course will change nations.
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You Are Buffy the Vampire Slayer

“We saved the world. I say we have to party.”

What Superheroine Are You?

I saw this on Crystal’s blog, and just had to take it. I LOVE Buffy, so it’s no surprise. What fun!