One of the best things I love about today is spending time doing fun stuff with my family.

Here in AZ, we have our state fair in October. Me and the kids spent a whole Saturday there (don’t ask how much $$, LOL).

Last night, we went out for dinner – mom didn’t have to cook, always great – and then to a local haunted house. Dark, scary, people dressed up jumping out and yelling they’re going to eat you. The kids pretty much huddled around me for most of the trip, until the very end…

Then, my 12 year old son saw the zombies.

There were only three of them, really.

The passage was tight, too narrow to get by in the pack huddle.

So what does the kidlet do?

He pushes past poor mom, throwing me to the zombies to save himself.

I’m not sure if I’m proud of his survival instinct, or amused at his embracing of the saying: “You don’t have to ourtun the Zombie, you only have to run faster than the other guy.”

: )

Happy holiday everyone.

PS. Anyone up for Nano (National Novel Writing Month) this year? If so, come be my buddy (higleyb) and we can write like crazy people together.

It’s October already. Not that you could tell here – it’s still in the 100′s.

I remember summer vacation, and school starting for me and the kids in early August.

The rest is all a big blur.

I’ve been so busy, I’ve barely had time to breathe. No writing, a heck of a little blogging.

Still have about 3 weeks to go.

Crap. Then it’ll be Halloween, November, the Holidays.

It’s come too soon.

So you tell me, where did the time go?

It’s too hot to do anything.

The best part (insert major sarcasm) was the AC going out twice – once due to a bad part, the other due to issues with our power breaker box.

Luckily, none of us crashed during the burning, but it got pretty close.

And, I know it’s hard for the weather men to figure out what’s going to happen, but it really chaffes me when they promise us cooler temperatures, storms and rain and then we get nadda.

Yes, we live in the desert, but we do occasionally (rarely) get the whole water from the sky thing. (Rarely).

So here is my summerly rant. Heat, go far, far away.

Rain, come on and do your best.

Fired up Dragon Mama, out for now.

He said, one of the remarkably great things King can do is to write a novel with 150 characters and yet, he always keeps them straight in the reader’s mind.

As i was continuing to read the massive Under the Dome (hard cover, talk about heavy), it suddenly occurred to me there’s another side to that.

Sure, there might be 150 characters in the novel. Yes, Stephen King reminds me of them just in time to make sure I remember who everyone is.

But in addition, I think one of the great things he does lies in Suspense.

Not every character is important as the handful who’ll determine the ending. Heck, in a King novel, I expect most of ‘em to die eventually.

What King does in his greatness, is by having the few who will be the ‘saviors’ of the story, then adding in clues and hints to OTHER characters.

We, the readers, know this information.

We know those ‘saviors’ need that information.

And yet, it’s the secondary characters who find it out.

As a reader, I’m shouting, “Go tell such-and-such, he needs to know.”

But they don’t listen. These characters don’t realize the importance of the event like readers do.

And that, by Stephen King, is suspense.

I know what the main characters need to know. I know who has that information. But as a reader, I can’t make the right people talk to each other while there’s still time.

And this is why King is one hell of a master of the craft. If even a little rubs off on me while I’m reading, it is a blessing.

from Changeling Press WET: Ocean Music

Two selkies, one woman, hot island nights.

Erotic Paranormal Romance (M/M/F) Gay, bisexual and menage romance

Renowned African-American violinist Lilly is swept to sea during a freakish storm, only to be rescued by two playful seals. She wakes on an island with two handsome men she’s drawn to in ways she’s never felt before. Slowly, she comes to realize the island holds many secrets, including the fact her two lovers are, by night, creatures of the sea. And though the island seems a refuge, an old evil lurks in the shadows, waiting to snatch the trio’s happiness away. Lilly, Chris and Brian must protect each other and overcome the evil not just to survive, but to claim the love they’ve found together.

As a goodie for Release day, I’m giving away a free e-copy to one winner, chosen on Tuesday, 8/30. Just answer one question in the comments and you’ll be entered into the drawing.

(As always, my drawings work by me putting names in a hat

Question:

What do you like best about M/M/F bisexual and menage romances?

Arriving August 26th from Changeling Press is my newest baby

Isn’t it gorgous : )

WET: Ocean Music

Two selkies, one woman, hot island nights.

Renowned African-American violinist Lilly is swept to sea during a freakish storm, only to be rescued by two playful seals. She wakes on an island with two handsome men she’s drawn to in ways she’s never felt before. Slowly, she comes to realize the island holds many secrets, including the fact her two lovers are, by night, creatures of the sea. And though the island seems a refuge, an old evil lurks in the shadows, waiting to snatch the trio’s happiness away. Lilly, Chris and Brian must protect each other and overcome the evil not just to survive, but to claim the love they’ve found together.

This whole teaching thing is kicking my butt. It’s just so much time (plus all day in the classroom on my feet

I promise to get back to real posts come November, until then, here’s my wisdom for today.

Zzzzzzzz.

Have a great week,

Snarky – who’s too tired to snark

Isn’t it gorgous : )

WET: Ocean Music

Two selkies, one woman, hot island nights.

Renowned African-American violinist Lilly is swept to sea during a freakish storm, only to be rescued by two playful seals. She wakes on an island with two handsome men she’s drawn to in ways she’s never felt before. Slowly, she comes to realize the island holds many secrets, including the fact her two lovers are, by night, creatures of the sea. And though the island seems a refuge, an old evil lurks in the shadows, waiting to snatch the trio’s happiness away. Lilly, Chris and Brian must protect each other and overcome the evil not just to survive, but to claim the love they’ve found together.

Thanks to Amber for letting me blog with her! 

I don’t know about everyone else but I like a fast paced read and a fast paced movie. I tend to skip over a lot of introspection. I have also been known to fast forward through slow parts of movies to get to the action. But that’s only if there is an inordinate amount of introspection or slow sections. Just like having a book or movie move too slowly, having them move too quickly isn’t good either. You need those breaks. Those moments where the characters (and the readers or audience) can catch their breath, reflect on what’s happened and make more decisions.

I don’t know if anyone here has seen the movie Salt. It’s a typical action movie. But it was all action. There were no breaks, no breathers. And I felt because of that there was no really getting to know the character. It was fast paced but could have used some slower moments to balance it out. 

There are wrong times and right times to slow the pace. I read a book once that had a murder investigation in progress. We’re in the hero’s point of view and he starts reflecting (for more than a page and a half) about why he became a cop. At that point the reader didn’t need to know all the little details.

I tend to write fast paced novels. One thing I have to remember is to slow the pace once in a while. There are a lot of techniques you can use to slow the pace (or increase the pace) and I’ll probably use at least one of each throughout the book. The important thing to remember is to have a good balance. You don’t want to put your readers to sleep. But you also don’t want them to be so on the edge of their seat that they fall off. 

So, what about you? Do you like a fast read? Or prefer a slower read so you can really get to know the characters?

I talk more in depth about pacing in my workshop Is That Hollywood Calling? – How Thinking Like a Screenwriter Can Improve Your Novel. Comment here to be entered to win a lecture packet. If you don’t win, don’t worry! There’s still time to register for the class at:   http://www.writersonlineclasses.com/?page_id=592 
Cindy
http://www.cindycarroll.com/blog

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCindyCarroll

(Xposted at The Romance Studio)

So, I sat down to write my blog post about 3 hours ago. Then, I was interrupted by our second annual rainfall here in Arizona. LOL 

So, I have a novel I wrote a few years ago. It’s been updated and polished recently (but of course, it needs another pass, LOL).

Agents and editors really like it. Except…

It’s a *Paranormal* *Historical* *Romance*.

Say that 3 times fast.

While agents and editors like the book, they don’t think there’s a market for it.

O.o

So, after a few months of hard thinking, I’ve decided to find the guts and Indie publish later this year. This means cover art, a copy editor, self editing (and my lovely wonderful crit group, LOL). Plus, I know there have been Mama’s here who’ve not only done it, but ROCKED it

I think it will be a good step for me.

I still have a lot to learn, and I know it’s not going to be super easy.

But I’m willing to put in the time and the work.

Q4U:

Would you Indie Publish? Why, or why not?

Love ya’ll

Agents and editors really like it. Except…

It’s a *Paranormal* *Historical* *Romance*.

Say that 3 times fast.

While agents and editors like the book, they don’t think there’s a market for it.

O.o

So, after a few months of hard thinking, I’ve decided to find the guts and Indie publish later this year. This means cover art, a copy editor, self editing (and my lovely wonderful group, LOL)

But, I think it will be a good step for me.

I still have a lot to learn, and I know it’s not going to be super easy.

But I’m willing to put in the time and the work.

Q4U:

Would you Indie Publish? Why, or why not?

Love ya’ll

 Today we have with us Kathy Lane, talented author of the Bloodsworn series. Her next book, Bloodsworn II: Linked by Blood will be available this Friday, July 15th. Woot and Congrats.

So, tell us about yourself.

What is a typical day for you like writing-wise?

I have a day job, so I’m usually tired when I get home. After eating and winding down for an hour, I shut myself in the den for a couple of hours. Literally. If I don’t close the door my cat, Vinnie, comes in and sits in the spare chair and stares at me. When that doesn’t get my attention, he pulls out the big guns. Try coming up with snappy dialogue with a cat patting your leg with his paw. And no, Vinnie isn’t de-clawed.

 What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?

I cried. Then I called my mother, my son, my other son, my niece, my brother, my best friend, my second cousin twice removed… You get the picture.

 What would you do with $1 million dollars (tax-free, of course)?

Definitely quit the day job so I can write full time. That’s my dream. Toss in some traveling (first class, of course) and I’d be happy.

 If you could be any animal, what would it be (real or magical)? Why?

I think river otters are cool animals. They just seem like they haven’t a care in the world. I’d love to be able to swim and hold my breath under water like they do. Of course, they’re not much of a predator, and since I am, maybe a dragon would be better. Red and black, please, with glittering scales and sparkling wings. Kind of like my friend, Sizzle, here.

 What’s your favorite color? Do you decorate your space and/or dress in this color often?

Vivid red. Not sure why except that it grabs my attention. My favorite car was red and I’m determined that my next vehicle will be red, too. Surprisingly, I don’t wear a lot of red. Black is far more forgiving. I do, however have red sheets, pillows, and several red kitchen appliances.

 If you could time-travel, where would you go and why?

Don’t think it would be the past. Not unless I can take my A/C and microwave with me. I’m far too addicted to the modern comforts. Might be interesting to go to the future to see what other gadgets mankind comes up with.

 Why are manhole covers round?

Because the holes they cover are round. Yeah, I know. Too much logic and not enough writer imagination. But really, round hole, square cover…ain’t gonna fit folks. No telling what might crawl out of those creepy sewers. *shiver*

 Do you have any upcoming news you’d like to share?

I have a Bloodsworn novella coming out in a couple of months. I’m currently working on Book III of the Bloodsworn trilogy and hope to have it out in 2012.

 And for the Fast Five:

 Coffee or Chocolate? Chocolate

 Jewelry: Precious gems or gold? Gold

 Beach or Mountains? Mountains

 Early Morning or Late Night? Early morning

 Fruit or Veggies? Fruit

 And last, but not least, where can we find you on the internet:

 My website is www.kyrlane.com

 Latest Book: Bloodsworn II: Linked by Blood

Release Date:  July 15^th, 2011

Buy Link(s):

Wild Rose Press

Amazon

 BIO: Kathy Lane was born and raised in central Florida. She grew up running wild through orange groves and swamps, tagging after her older brothers when possible or creating her own imaginary adventures. Writing fiction has always been a passion for her, so it’s a mystery how she ended up working as an accountant. When her sons grew up and moved out, she filled her empty nest with a computer and began writing again. She is a member of RWA and her local chapter, Tampa Area Romance Authors. Kathy Still lives in Florida where she gets frequent visits from her two sons, Joe and Jon, and her wonderful niece, Darelle.

This Thursday (Yup, only 3 days away *squee*) the Evil Dwarves are heading out of the desert and going up the mountain to this beautiful cabin in the forest.

Our First Annual Write-In weekend.

From Thursday to Sunday, we’re going to hang out, chill… and get a TON of writing done. Woot!

Isn’t it gorgeous? LOL.

I don’t know why it’s taking o long to adjust to this new schedule, but I’m still trying. The nights have gotten later, too. It’s hard to get the kids to settle down and go to bed when the sun’s still up at 8:30pm LOL.

So, I’m going to leave you with some inspiration I found to help me

• Annie Dillard. “Writing sentences is difficult whatever their subject. It is no less difficult to write sentences in a recipe than sentences in Moby Dick. So you might as well write Moby Dick.” No matter what, write.
• Agatha Christie. Let your mind go while keeping your hands busy. “The best time for planning a book is when you’re doing the dishes.”
• Jack London. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” Sometimes you need to actively seek your sources of inspiration.

Considering I finally managed to write almost 2000 words tonight, maybe these quotes have something to them.

Have fun and write well!

Dragon Mama

Remember, If you want to join in, Place your goal & how you’ll be tracking in the comments. Then, on Mondays, come back and let us know if you achieved it each day.

***I’ll be updating through the day as the dwarves check in.
Snarky – Daily Goal: 1500 words  - 5/7 this week, and growing : )

Sunny – Goal: 1 hour   - TBD

Quirky – Goal: 1/2 hour or 3 pages - TBD

Wicked – Goal: 1 hour    - 6 hours, WOOT! Plus, a ton of time making a pretty new website. Check it out!

www.jamigray.com

Eerie – Goal: 1 hour    - TBD

Smokey – Goal: 1 hour    - 7 hours on brainstorming a new story. I think it’s gonna rock, hon

Hippy – 1 1/2 hours    -  Back in the writing saddle with 3+ hours. Go you!

And again, CONGRATS to Wicked on the awesome news : ) www.jamigray.com

I’m still waiting for the vacation part to begin, LOL. Between the kids activities, I’m running all day long and dropping in to bed extra early and extra exhausted. Sheesh. Where’s the vacation?

Usually, summer gets here and it does actually feel like a vacation. But not yet this year.

In fact, shame on me, but I’ve barely gotten any writing done the last two weeks.

The good news? I finished up all my finals and ended up with a 4.0 GPA this semester. WOOT!

So, what are your plans for the summer?

Welcome to the weekly dwarf roundup. We’re tracking our progress toward predefined goals. See our other “Motivating Mondays” posts for the whole story

Remember, If you want to join in, Place your goal & how you’ll be tracking in the comments. Then, on Mondays, come back and let us know if you achieved it each day.

***I’ll be updating through the day as the dwarves check in.
Snarky – Daily Goal: 1500 words  - Week 1: We’ll count homework (for the last time, WOOT!) and writing, which makes 5/7

Sunny – Goal: 1 hour   - Week 1: TBD

Quirky – Goal: 1/2 hour or 3 pages - Week 1: Another one who needs a nudge with the whip. Thinking, planning and comicon-ing does not word count make, LOL.  But, since you’re learning about the craft, we’ll let it slide… for now.

Wicked – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Woot! on vacation (lucky) and still managed 5/7. You go girlie.

Eerie – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: 6/7. Rockin it in the swamp.

Smokey – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: TBD

Hippy – 1 1/2 hours    - Week 1:  Is about to be whipped into shape. Only 1/2 hour for the whole week. Tsk, tsk.

Welcome to the weekly dwarf roundup. We’re tracking our progress toward predefined goals. See our other “Motivating Mondays” posts for the whole story

Remember, If you want to join in, Place your goal & how you’ll be tracking in the comments. Then, on Mondays, come back and let us know if you achieved it each day.

***I’ll be updating through the day as the dwarves check in.
Snarky – Daily Goal: 1500 words  - Week 1: Um… Yeah. Hey, I got all but one of my finals done. And that’ll be finished up tomorrow

Sunny – Goal: 1 hour   - Week 1: WOOT!!! 10 hours last week. You rock!

Quirky – Goal: 1/2 hour or 3 pages - Week 1: 8 pages and 3 hours.

Wicked – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: 4 of 7, and life is starting to return to normal. Well, as normal as us writerly types get, right

Eerie – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: 5 hours over 3 days. You go Eerie, and I’m not talking about running away from zombies in the swamp.

Smokey – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: I know smokey got some done. Well, where’s the numbers???

Hippy – 1 1/2 hours    - Week 1: Still on high from writing ‘The End’, got 1 hour in last week.

The kids activities are slimmed down, so not only are they home during the day, we’re not rushing in the evenings to get everyone somewhere

Days will be spent reading or lounging at the pool.

Evenings will be my time to write.

And this summer, my crit group is finally going to do it. We’ve talked about it for years, but this July it’s gonna happen.

Three full days, up the mountain, cool weather, nature. No kids, no distractions.

Just writing

We’ve already put down the deposit and everything.

So, happy summer to ya’ll and enjoy. I hope your summer is great, but loungy. And for all you mom’s, take some time for yourself. We always tend to put us last – if anywhere on the long list. Take the time to recharge, and maybe reconnect with your muse.

~ Dragon Mama

Please welcome our guest today, JE Taylor.

Hunting Season

Available Now

What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?

JET: I did a happy dance – or as much as I could at my office.  Then I called everyone I knew starting with my husband. 

 If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your hero’s? Heroine’s?

JET: For Ty Aris / Chris Ryan – I’ve considered the following:  Alex O’laughlin (with the longer hair like in Moonlight), Jared Padalecki, and Paul Walker depending on my mood and which book we are talking about. 

 What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?

JET: Reading, walking the beach, hanging by the campfire.

 What would you do with $1 million dollars (tax-free, of course)?

JET: Pay off all our debts – put enough away for kids college and reconsider the day job. 

 If you could be any animal, what would it be (real or magical)? Why?

JET: Wolf – I’ve always love wolves. 

 What’s your favorite color? Do you decorate your space and/or dress in this color often?

JET: Blue – yes and yes.

 If you could time-travel, where would you go and why?

JET: To the future so I could get the mega-millions winning number and play it when I got back. 

 Why are manhole covers round?

JET: Because some of the more rotund workers that have to go up and down would get stuck in a triangle shaped manhole cover.

 Do you have any upcoming news you’d like to share?

JET:  My latest book Hunting Season is now out on the virtual shelves.  

 The Fast Five:

 Coffee or Chocolate?

JET:  Chocolate – hands down.  I don’t drink coffee. 

 Jewelry: Precious gems or gold?

JET:  Diamonds baby.  Diamonds trump gold.

 Beach or Mountains?

JET:  Beach. 

 Early Morning or Late Night?

JET: Both

 Fruit or Veggies?

JET: Fruit

 And last, but not least, where can we find you on the internet:

Website: http://www.JETaylor75.com

Blog: http://jetaylor75.blogspot.com

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jetaylor75

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JETaylor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JETaylor75

Hunting Season

Available Now

 BIO:

J.E. Taylor is a writer, an editor, a manuscript formatter, a mother, a wife and a business analyst, not necessarily in that order. She first sat down to seriously write in February of 2007 after her daughter asked:
“Mom, if you could do anything, what would you do?”
From that moment on, she hasn’t looked back and now her writing resume includes six+ published novels along with several short stories on the virtual shelves including a few within eXcessica anthologies.
Ms. Taylor also moonlights as an Assistant Editor of Allegory, an online venue for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, and lends a hand in formatting manuscripts for eXcessica as well as offering her services judging writing contests for various RWA chapters.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children and during the summer months enjoys her weekends on the shore in southern Maine.

Remember, If you want to join in, Place your goal & how you’ll be tracking in the comments. Then, on Mondays, come back and let us know if you achieved it each day.

***I’ll be updating through the day as the dwarves check in.
Snarky – Daily Goal: 1500 words  - Week 1: I got my 7 if you include editing Dragos 4 and getting it to the editor for release later this month. This week I take 5 of 6 final exams and then, done baby, with all but 1 class. I need to do a few more assignments for that class, and then I’ll be taking the final next week. Then, I’ll be able to count my writing fiction, rather than most of it being school. Bleh.

Sunny – Goal: 1 hour   - Week 1: Going for 3 hours this week. Movin’ up in the world, darlin. Glad things are getting back to normal… um… just in time for the kids to get out of school for the summer. LOL. Love you.

Quirky – Goal: 1/2 hour or 3 pages - Week 1: The lucky dog out of the AZ heat. He got a few hours in, part of it is the outline of the Great Novel. Almost ready to write ‘The End’, which is one of the best feelings ever

Wicked – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Mrs. Wicked is rockin’ it at 5 hours this week. Glad life’s getting back to normal for you, too. Of course, I second my comment I made to Sunny… and yeah, to myself too ~

Eerie – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Who snuck in to report just under the wire, LOL. Even though he was dragged away from the swamp last week, he got in a fantastic 6 hours. Woot!

Smokey – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Checkin in at 4 hours this week ~ And even blogged. You go Chef

Hippy – 1 1/2 hours    - Week 1:  1 hour, but hey, if you didn’t know Hippy’s book #2 is out. Say Yeah!

I wear many hats.

Mom, full-time student, author, wife, woman, friend.

Sometimes, it feels like a bit much.

But then, I get a sweet smile from my 5 year old, or a playful smirk from the 14 year old. My friends make me laugh ~ or share great news that makes me bursting with happiness for them.

And, the semester comes to a close (all though, I’m going to have to work my ass off the next few weeks to get everything done : )

Sometimes, the story idea I’ve been struggling with for weeks (I’m almost out of hair) finally comes together perfectly and I figure out the characters and a basic plot to start writing.

Or, I hear from someone who *gasp* loved my book and can’t wait to read more. I mean, as an author, there’s no better feeling than hearing someone – a complete stranger – tell you they liked your story.

That’s why I do this after all. To share the stories of my heart with others.

So yeah, I’m #AmWriting my ass off.

And thankfully, I can usually find some semblance of balance between all those darn hats.

So happy writing, ya’ll. And know, even when it feels like you’re slogging through the words, it’s all worth it in the end : )

~ Dragon Mama

Remember, If you want to join in, Place your goal & how you’ll be tracking in the comments. Then, on Mondays, come back and let us know if you achieved it each day.

***I’ll be updating through the day as the dwarves check in.
Snarky – Daily Goal: 1500 words  - Week 1: Well, I’ve been working on brainstorming and Angels – cause I got an Agent request – WOOT! Now, to get it all polished up and sent in

Sunny – Goal: 1 hour   - Week 1: TBA

Quirky – Goal: 1/2 hour or 3 pages - Week 1: TBA

Wicked – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Who may I add, Also got an Agent Request We rock! Wicked is at 3.5 hours this week. Life’s getting back to normal… a bit

Eerie – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Woot! 6 hours. You tell those zombies to leave you alone this week.

Smokey – Goal: 1 hour    - Week 1: Who cooked marvelous home-made pizza’s this past Satuday? Yup, you know it. He rocks, and let me tell ya, this man should be a super chef.

Hippy – 1 1/2 hours    - Week 1: One hour, but he still rocks for writing those special words “The End”