Great Trip

It's been a great week. I flew to San Antonio and had a great time at CDM's birthday party. There were lots of people, cake, a clown, a pinata and lots of gifts for her 1st birthday. She's totally adorable and absolutely the cutest kid on earth. LOL

On Monday we got in the car and drove from San Antonio to Nashville, TN; about 1000 miles. We had to stop over in AR to sleep because we just couldn't bring ourselves to drive any longer. We got home Tuesday evening and went to bed early. I was exhausted!

And Surprise! Surprise! Yesterday afternoon JAM came home from Iraq for his 2 week leave. I'm so excited. I've got the entire family here and I'm loving every minute of it. And we're going to have another small party for CDM on Saturday for those here who couldn't be in San Antonio for the big party. It's gonna be great.

I'm Off

To San Antonio tomorrow morning. I can't wait. I love to fly and I made sure to get a window seat. And I get to see KAM and CDM. We're going down to the Riverwalk and check out all the shops and I really want to see the Alamo, too. This will be the first trip I've every taken on my own and I'm a little nervous, but excited at the same time. And when we get back here on Monday JAM should be in from Iraq or at least very close. I'll have a houseful again and I can't wait!!

Reflections

Ok. Fast Draft is over. I didn't write as much as I was supposed to, but I at least wrote something and I'm farther along now than I was. So, all in all, it was a good experience. NaNoWriMo is next month and I think I'll participate in that, too. With all this "help" surely I'll be able to get finished with a first draft by the end of the year. That's my goal.

On another note, my middle child turned 18 yesterday. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and I'm feeling a bit blue, but I know it's time to let go, at least a little bit. I can't let go completely, of course, becuase he's still my baby and always will be. But he's growing up, just like the oldest did, and just like the youngest is going to do when she turns 18 next year. I'm beginning to feel the empty next syndrome thing even though they haven't moved out yet. But I know I'll be fine and so will they.

JAM, the oldest, is coming home from Iraq for a 2 week visit next week. And I'm going to San Antonio this weekend for his daughter's 1st birthday and to bring my daughter-in-law & grand daughter back here to stay. I'm so excited. I can't wait to get my hands on CDM. She's growing up so fast, just like her father, uncle & aunt did, and I want to experience as much of her life as I can. I know eventually they'll be stationed somewhere else and I won't get to see them so this little bit of time will be all I have. At least until one of the other kids gives me grandkids (which I hope is a long time coming, mind you!).

I may be feeling a little blue, but at the same time I'm looking forward to just being me again. For so long I've been "mom". I'll still be "mom" of course and now I'll also be "mammaw" but to be just me will be a welcome change. I won't be making decisions based on what the kids need or want. I'll finally be able to base a decision on what I want for a change. So, maybe empty nest won't be as bad as I thought.

Fast Draft

I'm taking a class over at RWA Online called Fast Draft given by Candace Haven. The idea is to write the first draft of your novel in 14 days by doing whatever is necessary to make time to write. Usually you'll do 20 pages per day for a total of 280 pages by the end of the 2 weeks. That's a solid first draft for any stand alone novel.

According to the rules you can't whine about not having time or this got in the way and I couldn't make my goal today. And You can't go back and edit what you've written; you simply keep going and leave everything, even inconsistencies alone. That's the hardest part for me. But for the past 2 days I've been doing it.

I did 5 pages the first day and 18 the next. Not quite my goal, but much more than I've ever done before. And I'm so excited about it. I might actually finish a manuscript. I can't wait until I type THE END!!

Fantasy Romance Workshop

Please join us at Romance Divas THIS WEEKEND!Friday October 10th and Saturday October 11th, we will be joined by some huge names in fantasy and fantasy-romance for a workshop on what the difference really is between the two genres.

Weekend Warrior

I love Army Wives. And I totally love General Michael Holden who is the base commander played by Brian McNamara. He's great to look at but the thing that makes him shine is who he is and how he presents himself. Now that's the stuff of romance novels.

Writing Update

Well, it's that time again. Time to update the writing I haven't been working on. Well, actually I'm researching still (always) and I'm working on the characters since I don't feel that I know them as well as I should. And I'm also working on a short story for a contest that's due in December. Too bad all the research books I'm reading don't have the magic formula for actually doing the writing and keeping my butt in the chair until I'm finished. Maybe I'll try the Fast Draft workshop that's starting next week online.

Time Flies By

I’ve been feeling very nostalgic in the past year. Perhaps it’s that I’m turning 40 on my next birthday or perhaps it’s because I just miss “the good old days”, but I think about my past a lot. There are a lot of things I wish I’d done different. I wish I’d gone to college like I spent my entire childhood looking forward to. But I chose to get married and give up college to be with my husband. As it turns out the only thing good about that decision was my kids. They are the one thing in my life that I’m glad I have. No matter what happens they will always be the light of my life.
They’re growing up now and I feel the empty nest syndrome coming on full force. JAM is already married with a 1 yr old daughter for me to spoil. JWM will turn 18 in three weeks and will surely choose to move out not long after. And baby HNM will soon be 17. The time flies by so quickly and when you look back you can’t see where on earth it went. I miss being the center of their world, but at least I know they will always be the center of mine.

Tigress by the Tail

Lance is a Wizard. He’s not a great wizard, but he’s all right. Descended from a long line of wizards, his brothers taunt him for being slow to learn. And as the youngest, it’s his due course to accept such teasing. Life is good, and normal. For a wizard that is.

Cassie is a Shifter. A tigress to be exact. Raised by her father after her mother’s death she’s as well adjusted as any shifter can be, and still live in the human world, hiding who and what she is.

Bliss comes to a screeching halt the night Satanists kidnap Cassie and her best friend to use as sacrifices to bring forth their Dark Lord. When Cassie literally collides into Lance, she begs him to help them escape their captors, despite the dangers. The couple work together to save the life of Cassie’s friend, only to discover a shocking passion driving them closer together at a time when both should be devastated. But when Lance overhears Cassie’s father threaten his life, he heads for the hills. Cassie follows, determined to clear up the confusion. But evil is still afoot and Cassie is taken by a secret government organization dedicated to the eradication of all things magick. Is Lance willing to put his life on the line for a woman he believes is out to kill him? Especially when he realizes the organization that’s taken her, is the one he works for?

Unlike the worlds most shapeshifter authors envision in books, the beast that reigns in today's city streets are the kind which walk on two legs 24/7. They aren't half man and half "beast" but instead are all man.

Humans rule this world and Tigers, Lions, and all the other big cats must share their limited space. They have no choice. The end result, often, is a cat who's been used, abused, neglected and often destroyed due to our ignorance and negligence. It is up to organizations like Big Cat Rescue to pick up the pieces, and that's where you and I come in.

For the month of October, Teresa D'Amario will donate 40% of all author proceeds for Tigress by the Tail to Big Cat Rescue. Help these wonderful, powerful and sleek animals.

So what exactly is Big Cat Rescue? Big Cat rescue is one of the few organizations within the continental United States which takes in cats from a variety of sources - zoos, retired performers, abandoned pets, or even abused animals from other organizations. This video does a great job of "telling it like it is".

And how will our donation be used? I felt it was best to simply include the statement from their website:

Florida law requires that all charities soliciting donations disclose their registration number and the percentage of your donation that goes to the cause and the amount that goes to the solicitor. Our registration number is CH-11409 and non-program expenses are funded from tour income, so 100% of your donations go directly to save the cats. We are a 501 c 3 charity as determined by the IRS Federal ID#59-3330495. Our 990s are available online at GuideStar.org with a complete breakdown of how your donations are spent.

Wow! 100% of our donation goes to the care of the cats. You can't get better than that, can you?For the month of October, 2008, helping these awesome creatures can't be any easier! Buy a copy of Tigress By the Tail from any number of book stores including Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Let's give back a little and For the cat's sakes, Let's MAKE A DIFFERENCE!And for your viewing pleasure, let's take a look at what these great beasts look like when happy and healthy. This video was compiled by Berith, a young 17 yr old girl in Europe who is also concerned about these beautiful creatures.

NEW RELEASE!!!!

Beauty and the BeastsbyAva Rose Johnson

They don't just want her for the full moon...they want her forever

For centuries the Kingdom of Drayzlake has been divided between the humans and the wolves. But when a wolf crosses the Divide and bites the humans’ princess, all hell breaks loose. With wolven blood now running in her veins, Princess Abigail is forced to mate with a wolf every full moon. What she doesn’t realize is that she is mating with two wolves rather than one. Caine and Stavros are identical twins and soon-to-be Alphas of their pack. And they’re tired of taking turns.
So on one moonlit night after another vigorous mating session, Abigail finds herself kidnapped to the wolves’ quarters. Trapped in their fort she can’t deny the two beasts who desire her so, and locked between their powerful bodies she can hardly remember her own name. But it soon becomes clear that these sexual games are as dangerous as they are delicious. Because Caine and Stavros don’t just want her for the full moon…
Read an Excerpt/Buy

Internet vs Writer

Surfing the internet and writing do not mix. No matter how hard I try when I sit down at my computer, which just happens to be hooked up to the internet, nothing gets written because I 'm so busy surfing. And not for research purposes. There are so many different games to play or maybe I'll just google myself. But NOTHING GETS WRITTEN. I am way too easily distracted. So see my previous post where I've written a letter of apology to my manuscript. I wonder what would happen if I googled....?

Writing Prompt

Most of us set a New Year's resolution that this was going to be the year we finished our manuscript, but once again, we neglected it. Write an apology letter to your manuscript explaining what happened and how you plan to make it up to the manuscript by December 31.

Dear “A Knight’s Peace”,

Here it is the middle of October and I still have not finished with you. I know I promised I would be done this year, but so many things have happened that I just haven’t been able to get around to it.

The laundry always needed washing when I started that first sentence. And God forbid the floors needed mopping before I opened that research book. I’ve also noticed that each time I took you and the laptop to the park there were so many interesting people to watch that I just couldn’t concentrate on you. I am so sorry for neglecting you.

But I swear I’m going to get you finished. I have about 2 months left. Surely I can write 100,000 words by then.

I really do want to finish you,
Charlotte

Farewell

We lost a great man today. Paul Newman passed away at the age of 83. So, in honor of him, and since it's Weekend Warrior day here on My Writer's Attic, here are a couple of pics of Paul. A great actor, an awesome entrepreneur, and a Good Man!


Beautiful Blue Eyes



Man, he's hot!!

I Want to be an Historical Romance Novel Heroine

Why? Because they very seldom bathe and still smell like roses (or at least they never smell sweaty or horsey or unwashed). They never shave their legs but when the hero runs his hands up their thighs he doesn't notice how long the hair has gotten. And they never brush their teeth yet the hero doesn't complain about bad breath.

When you read (or write) an historical romance novel it's naturally focused on the relationship between the hero and heroine. Of course most writers research pretty much every aspect of the time period they're writing about which includes the daily habits of people. For instance, in the 14th century, where my current WIP is set, most people did not bathe every day and sometimes not even once a month, yet I would never dwell on this in my novel. It would detract from the essence of the story. And, let's face it, no one wants to read about a hero who smells like an unwashed horse and a heroine who has six inch leg hair and breath so foul a dog would turn away.

So, if you ask me, an Historical Romance Novel Heroine is the way to go. You get the most romantic guy on earth and he loves you even though the hair on your legs is longer than the hair on his head and he thinks your kisses are sweet as honey even though you have a snaggle tooth smile. What more could a girl ask for?

Making a Scene

I found a new book on the craft last weekend. It's called "Making a Scene" and it breaks down the structure of different types of scenes. According to this book each scene is a mini story in itself and should answer the same questions (or leave questions in the readers mind to be answered later) as the chapter or overall novel. So far it's good and it might even help. And that is the extent of my writing update for this week. Too bad there's not a magic formula for BIC!!

Isn't is strange

how sometimes when you try to remember something from your past you can't, but when you aren't trying at all the weirdest memories come out from hiding in the dark recesses of your mind? It happens to me a lot. I'll be going about my business, just thinking of nothing in particular when Wham! a rogue memory will just pop out of nowhere and nearly knock me for a loop. Those can sometimes be the best kind of memories. Something you haven't thought about in years, mostly a good memory, and it helps you work through whatever happens to be bothering you at the time. Yeah, memory lane can be a good road to trod.

NEW RELEASE!!!!

The Rapture
Missy Lyons
Price $2
September, 2008
ISBN 978-1-60659-030-0

The lure of a demon lover is difficult to resist, and impossible to leave, because sex is highly addictive. Sex with a demon is known as the rapture, since it brings absolute pleasure so intense that it is almost painful. But is the price worth gambling your life and your freedom?

Now available exclusively at Phaze Books
http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=The...act_match=exact
You can read more at Missy Lyon's webiste www.missylyons.com

Gas Shortage

Gas stations are still backing up for miles and running out of fuel within a day of filling their tanks. I spent all day Friday watching the live webcam focused on the station across the street from the newspaper. It was controlled chaos. An attendant was directing traffic into one side and another attendant let them out the other side. It went on for hours and was still going the next morning. The line moved fairly quickly though so that was a good thing, but some people still had to wait an hour or more. No one can figure out why it's only happening in Nashville, though. I found gas in Bellevue on Sunday and filled up but I've still decided to ride the bus at least a couple days a week for awhile so that I can save what I have. It's always a good thing to save money...

Monday Writing Prompt

You and a friend have just finished a lovely meal at your favorite restaurant. But things take a turn when you notice that the waiter has scribbled an unexpected—and startling—message on your bill. Write this scene.

"I'll get the bill this time," I said, reaching for the bill the waiter lay on the table between us.

"Are you sure? I think you got it last time." Tam reached for the bill but pulled her hand away when she saw what was written on the bottom.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

I looked down at the bill and noticed a sticky note that said, "I'm you're husband's son. Call me at 555-1234."

"Oh, my God. What on earth?" I looked toward the cash register but the waiter was gone. When I looked back at Tam her face had turned the color of a winter sky.

"What's going on, Tam? Who was that?" I asked.

"Why are you asking me? Ed doesn't have a son." She reached for her purse and I saw her hands were shaking. "Maybe Nick has a son you don't know anything about," she said.

"Well, I doubt it. Nick told me years ago about an abortion, but that certainly isn't his son. Besides you look like you've seen a ghost." I pulled the sticky note from the bill and handed it to Tam.

"I don't want that. I'm telling you Ed does not have any children. He would have told me." She stood up and headed toward the door.

I put the note in my pocket and paid for our meal. When I got to the car Tam had calmed down and smiled at me as she got in the passenger seat. I let the subject drop and we made plans for next week as I let her out at her driveway.

When I got home I pulled the note from my pocket and dialed the number. "Hello," a young man answered.

I hesitated but finally said, "Uhm. Yes. You left a note on my table at Bledsoe's tonight. What's going on?"

"My father is Ed McMillan. Are you his wife?"

"No. I'm her friend. What are you trying to pull. Ed doesn't have any children," I said.

"Yes, ma'am he does. I'm the product of an experiment he and his wife conducted a few years ago in Washington. He was the sperm donor and she was the scientist on the project. When the backer found out what they'd done they tried to abort me but it was too late. I was found by a custodian and she raised me as her own."

I realized I was holding my breath and let it out slowly. "That's impossible. Tam isn't a scientist. She's a clothing designer. You must be mistaken." Or crazy, I thought.

"I'm not mistaken. Or crazy either. My mother told me all about it. Ask your friend." He hung up and I called Tam right away. I couldn't believe what this guy was telling me.

"Tam, the guy at the restaurant? He just gave me the strangest story," I said.

"I told you to forget about that guy, Char. He's obviously some weirdo," she answered.

"Well, that's probably true. But I couldn't help myself. I was too curious to let it drop." I laughed and said, "He says he's the product of some experiment and that Ed is his father. And you're a scientist who thought up the project. How ridiculous is that?"

"Like I said, he's some weirdo. Now just forget about it, Char." Tam's voice had gone ice cold. I couldn't believe my best friend would lie to me but there was definitely something strange going on.

"Ok. Ok. I just thought you should know in case he goes to the media with it," I said. "Well, good night, Tam. I'll see you next week." I hung up the phone and went to bed.

The headline in the morning paper caught my attention. Local Waiter Found dead; Top Designer Accused of Murder.

Publisher's Weekly

I was supposed to post today about Industry News but I've been extremely busy and haven't had a chance to check my Publisher's Weekly for this week. So I'm going to post a link to the website instead. Click here to visit Publisher's Weekly.