Oh, Wait -- It Gets Better!

Not only did I sign up for 70 Days of Sweat (Thanks, Steph & Larissa! I needed more insanity in my life!), but I've let the DH help talk me into working on the ghost book.

And I'm going to attempt three pages daily on TWO SEPARATE BOOKS. Six pages, app. 2500 words total per day. I've so lost it.

Plus, they're not even the books I signed up for over at Alison's blog. Well, one is. I don't know yet. I can't decide. I have choices. So here's what's up:

1) The Southern ghost book, working title In Dreams.

plus . . .

2) Chandler Co. book #7: working title Facing It.

or

3) Chandler Co. book #8: working title Afterburn.

or

4) Cold case book, working title Cold Case #1 (because I have no working title, LOL).

I have lost my ever-lovin' mind for sure. And I've committed because I even put up word meters!

I'm thinking ghost book and Facing It because I have characters & plot ideas for the latter.

Has Anyone Seen My Mind?

I seem to have lost it.

After shelving SWM, otherwise known as the "book with no plot," I've signed up for 70 Days of Sweat.

I'm blaming it on Steph. And Larissa.

Starting tomorrow, I have to write 3 pages a day on a book I haven't finished the research on.

Will keep you updated.

Augh!

Yes, the sound of true writerly frustration, when you realize the book you've been working on is probably heading for the shelf.

I hate wasting time! And I feel like I have. I love Angie and Fish. I do. But. The books not doing it for me.

I think working on HOL and HOTM the last month has ruined me. HOL has a tight suspense plot, and HOTM has a meaty murder mystery. Next I'll be working on ABM, another "big" plot. Angie and Fish? Not so much. I enjoy the big stuff and I think that's why I'm just not feeling the love with Stay With Me right now. I have the synopsis, I can make the page count daily, but it's kinda like eating a Happy Meal burger when I want to be tearing into a thick juicy steak.

So I have two choices:

1) Keep going on SWM. Finish it before school starts.

2) Shelve it until a later time (maybe Christmas vacation?) and work on Chris's book, which is a big plot, and/or the non-Chandler County book, the first in a cold-case trilogy idea I have. It's a big plot, too.

I hate not finishing something I've started but I don't want to be frustrated later either.

So I have thinking to do. Great. Just wonderful. (Ignore me while I pout here a second.)

Pondering a promo contest too. More on that soon.

Progress Report

Okay, here we go:

Day 1 (Monday): 5.5 pages, 2267 words

Day 2 (Tuesday, today): 5 pages, 2001 words.

Total so far: 10.5 pages, 4268 words.

I may come back and write some later, but I've found that after I finish that push, I'm really ready to sit and read for school. (Re-reading Kelly Gallagher's Deeper Reading and working on plans for the school year.)

Right now, I'd love a nap. Somehow, I don't think it's going to happen . . .

Target

I hate to even articulate this, because that's normally the kiss of death for me, but . . .

If I write 2000 words a day for the rest of July, I can finish Stay With Me before school starts. Then I'd have August until December to work on either Troy Lee or Chris's book.

2000 words is approximately 5 manuscript pages in Samhain house style. So, I need to write an average of five pages daily until July 31. That doesn't sound too bad. And I have the book plotted already -- synopsis and all.

If I can keep Leroy "Hello, I want to be your new Muse" Kitty off my keyboard. He's a PITA to be so little.

How about you? Do you set goals or just take the writing as it comes? And how does that work for you?

Sunday Morning Fun

Stole this one from Steph:

Mingle² - Online Dating

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

death (3x) knife (2x) murder (1x)

What about Romance Worth Killing For?

Mingle² - Online Dating

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

dead (2x) hurt (1x)

I failed this one!

63%

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

Things to Do

I woke up at 6:00. (That should be illegal during the summer, btw.) Actually, it would be more accurate to say someone woke me up at 5:58 after I'd been up after midnight with his spawn who couldn't go to sleep.

But I'm up and moving: laundry in the washer, bathroom soaking under Scrubbing Bubbles, living room dusted, kitchen counters cleaned. I need to wash dishes and sweep.

Then I need to accomplish this:

1) revised synopsis for HOL
2) revised synopsis for HOTM
3) send HOL, HOTM and said revised synopses to Anne the Editor Goddess
4) make drama workshop plans
5) layout the writing instruction workshop I'm teaching this month
6) start ch. 4 of Stay With Me
7) Give in and find another stupid LMN movie to watch!

Ooh, I watched the hour-long Haunting Evidence special on Court TV last night. They were profiling the Natalee Hollaway case. I'm normally very skeptical but I tend to believe John and Carla are authentic. Watching Carla's readings on the beach there was spooky and heart-rending.

Then when I couldn't sleep after that, I got half-sucked into a LMN movie with Patty Duke. I love Patty!

Well, I guess I should go do those dishes.

Wonder what's on LMN later?

Oh, Give Me A Break!

No more Lifetime Movie Network for me!

I like LMN for a little break every now and then. But oh, my God, at the TSTL women in those movies.

Today's candidate? Well, she's smart enough to fake her death to get away from her abusive husband (recycled Julia Roberts, anyone?). But, she leaves behind her "How to Change Your Identity" pamphlet so hubby can find it when he packs up her office.

He's a resourceful guy. He tracks her down. Even has himself a fairly decent alibi.

So after the heroine (yeah, maybe) sees ex-hubby on the street and comes home to realize someone has broken the window by her door, she leaves the door open, picks up a knife and walks through the house (Don't know about you -- but I'd be calling the cops). When she gets upstairs, she shrugs, lays the knife aside and gets in the shower! The door is still open downstairs.

I think she deserves that vat of acid the hubby is preparing for her in the old barn.

To make matters worse, she's dating a guy who's awful cute and supportive once she reveals her true identity, but he's no Mensa candidate either. He ends up in the ex's clutches, and when he has the opportunity to warn her on the phone (because hey, a true hero wouldn't mind dying to save her!), he does what the maniacal killer hubby asks him to do. Because, you know, the crazy guy of course is going to let him go if he cooperates.

Oh, and AFTER crazy guy kills her best friend (which the local police rule an accidental death, you know, because obviously she was trying to dust the ceiling fan and fell over the stair railing . . . never mind that half-prepared food in the kitchen. Guess she got a cleaning urge. Let's go get a donut, boys.) . . . Ms. "I-Can-Fake-My-Death-But-Thank-God-Breathing-Doesn't-Require-Thinking" sprints downstairs and throws open the front door . . . without looking to see who's there!

Three guesses who it is . . . and it ain't the pretty boy new love interest.

Somehow, they put their two brain cells together to overcome the maniac and put him in the vat of acid. We get a nice little epilogue scene of the two of them together . . . with cute guy rubbing her very pregnant belly.

Oh. My. God. They reproduced!

And I wasted an hour and a half of my life watching this, unable to look away. I guess TSTL is a contagious disease?

Another Little Step . . .

I have print galleys for What Mattered Most! How cool is that?

Random Musings

Yes, I've been scarce -- buried in promo for TAC and edits/revisions on HOL.

Received this as part of an email from a former student yesterday:

Oh, and I have a funny story. I was sitting in my church service on sunday when i realized that the pastor was just giving a persuasive speech. not only did i out of the blue think of random usage of english in evryday life, but i realized that i wouldn't give my pastor that great of grade were i grading him. you've ruined me ms winfree.

I love it! That from one of my favorite students ever. I laughed but it makes me sad that I won't get to teach him next year (he's one of the ones I looped with for 3-4 years. Wayne gets to teach him next year, darn it.).

I'm enjoying watching Carol's new manuscript unfold as she works on it. She's probably tired of hearing me say, "Write faster." I want to read MORE, NOW!

I was over at eharlequin getting my online read fix (I love their little serials) earlier this week and realized they now offer e-books. Hmmm, being able to satisfy a Harlequin Presents glom urge without having to go to the bookstore or wait for shipping? Instant gratification?! Oh, joy! I'm really thinking I may ask the DH to buy me a handheld reader for Christmas this year. That's what's really sucked me into the whole electronic book thing -- being able to download and read instantly.

Also, I finally went to see the baby this week. She is so tiny! I had forgotten how small newborns were. Although, I think my Monsters were bigger than she is. She's a petite baby. Very beautiful, and Pam is a great mom already.

On the writing front, I have ten pages to go on editing HOL, then I'll give it another go-over. I'm so sick of my repeated words and phrases. My characters like to: smile (they're a happy bunch), slant looks, lift eyebrows, have all physical reactions in their gut/stomach/abdomen, and just get on my nerves. I also really like the word "again." I'm trying to avoid all this stuff in the new WIP. Update on Fish: he's still stuck in the middle of a bad situation. Hasn't moved in a week. To make things worse, Troy Lee is trying to horn in and get me to write his book next. I'm trying to think through that plot, and I kinda/sorta think it might need to go before Fish's book. Had a plot idea there I'm not so sure about -- trying to steer my thoughts away from that particular aspect. Will have to see what happens.

So what have you been up to this week?

Truth And Consequences: Book One of Hearts of the South

Is now available!

For undercover FBI agent Jason Harding, coming face to face with the grown-up version of his adolescent dreams is a nightmare. Kathleen Palmer sees him as a despicably corrupt small-town law officer and a murder suspect. Trapped in a web of his own making, he must see his mission through to the end and bring down the crooked cops who’ve run Haynes County for decades. To do so, he must betray the only family he’s ever known and fight his growing love for Kathleen, a relationship that could get one, or both of them, killed.

Determined to uncover the truth, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Kathleen struggles with her attraction to the one person who’s awakened her since she buried her heart and emotions in her son’s tiny grave. Listening to her heart could destroy all she has left in life – her career and reputation. When the truth about Jason’s identity surfaces, they both face unimaginable consequences: Jason may lose his life and Kathleen the man she loves.

You can find more information, including an excerpt, HERE.

One Day to Go!

Truth and Consequences releases tomorrow! Can you tell I'm excited?

Want to know what people who've already read it have to say?

Sharon thinks I have a secret need to bash people in the head (and she liked the book, basically). Go read her review at writeminded. She's got a cool contest going on there today as well.

Kate got a sneak peek, too. You can read her review here.

I'll be doing the list mom thing at the Samhain Cafe this afternoon. Come on over!

Funeral Etiquette

Elisabeth asked in the comments on the post below about Southern funeral etiquette. I will be the first one to admit southwest Georgia is still its own little corner of the world (my sister remarked on this while we were driving to my aunt's funeral Saturday), so some of these traditions and expectations might hold true only for this area.

Okay. The SOWEGA Girl's Guide to Funeral Do's and Don'ts (Connie, if you're out there reading, feel free to join in and correct me):

1) The family will "receive" at one central location. For example, when my grandmother died, the family gathered at my mother's house and received visitors from a few hours after her death until after the funeral. Except for the funeral itself, someone remains at the house to receive, as visitors will drop in throughout the days before the funeral, without notice.

2) A wave of visitors will descend on the home, bearing food. The food-bearers are usually friends and extended family members. (Immediate and close family do not provide food.) All visitors are offered food from the array.

3) Usually, a viewing (or visitation) will be held at the funeral home the night before the actual funeral service. Flowers, etc. sent by friends & family are on display.

4) The immediate family usually caravans from a central location (often the home where they have been receiving visitors) to the funeral home or church where the funeral will be held. This is done with a police escort. If a graveside service is following the church/funeral home service, all attendees will fall in line behind the family vehicles. You drive with your lights on. Again, this is done with a police escort at the front of the line, and other deputies will be dispatched to close intersections and direct traffic.

5) It is the gravest of etiquette errors to pass a funeral procession in either direction. Other drivers pull to the side of the road and stop. Although rare, you will still see men exit these vehicles and stand with hat over heart (especially if the man in question knows the family in any way.)

6) Black is no longer a necessity for funeral attendance, although the immediate family often wears black or gray.

7) During the service, all funeral attendees rise as the family enters and is seated last. They are also the first to leave after the coffin is removed by the pallbearers (everyone standing for the coffin removal and family's exit).

8) After an internment (graveside) service (often a church service AND a graveside service are held), it is bad form to leave without speaking to the family, who remain seated.

9) If the deceased was a member of a church, often the ladies of the church will provide a meal for the family following the funeral. (This is ready for them when they return home.)

10) Expect a Bible Belt sermon during the service. You will be reminded that the deceased hasbeen called home to Jesus and you should make your own preparations to do so before your time of call.

11) Expect the visitation, service and internment to be a celebration of the deceased's life and accomplishments.

Is this similar to the funeral expectations in your area? Or completely different? Inquiring minds want to know.

Snippets

Monster #2, upon calling his grandma and learning she still isn't home: "Man! Grandma's still at Uncle Buck's. Why?"

Me: "Because Uncle Buck is Grandma's brother and his wife passed away. If you were grown up and Monster #1's wife died, where would you be?"

Monster #2: "At Monster #1's house."

Me: "Why?"

Monster #2 thinks a moment. I'm expecting to hear something like "because he's my brother and I love him."

Monster #2, throwing up his hands: "I don't know. I'm not a big person yet."

***

Question -- What are the funeral traditions and rules of etiquette where you live? I'm genuinely curious. The "what's expected" is pretty strong here -- there are ways of doing things and ways you just don't do.

Progress Notes and Promo Worries

Well, Fish isn't out of his bad situation, but at least he's moving forward. It's slow-going though, both on the page (it's a weather-related scene) and off (I'm swamped this weekend, having to grab writing time where I can). I'd like to knock out the rest of ch. 3 this weekend.

Next week belongs to Del. Now that HOTM rewrites are done (if I'd quit fiddling with it at the sentence level), I need to finisn my edits on HOL and get both manuscripts back to Anne the Editor Goddess. Then I could have some Fish-and-Angie-only time, I think, and maybe finish the rough draft of the MS before school starts.

Carol had a great post about building characters at her blog yesterday. I'm trying to think about her points as I work with Fish in this scene, but I think his anxiety is getting in the way of his noticing much out of the ordinary.

I'm worrying about promo. I know I don't do enough, partly because I don't know what I'm doing and partly because my time is limited. I need suggestions, people! What works for you? I really need a promo plan that I can accomplish in 30-60 minutes daily. Ideas?

Thursday Thirteen

Okay, to prove I do watch movies sometimes . . . here are thirteen movies I've seen more than once (some are NOT by choice):

1) The Outsiders -- Let's say I was in middle school, obsessed, and leave it at that.

2) The Mummy -- It's the DH's favorite film of all time.

3) Top Gun -- I was in high school. We loved Tom Cruise. We were young and stupid.

4) Undercover Blues -- I adore this movie. I wish I could write books like this movie!

5) Open Range -- ditto. The love story in this film! Sigh...

6) To Kill a Mockingbird -- Gregory Peck. Need I say more?

7) True Lies -- I love Jamie Lee Curtis in this film. Tom Arnold is hilarious. I wish I LOOKED like Jamie Lee in this film...

8) The Wizard of Oz -- we watched it every year when I was a kid

9) Gone With the Wind -- yes, I've sat through all five hours, multiple times. I'm done, though.

10) Clamback -- Elvis! And Bill Bixby! And karate! It was great. I love it. So does Monster #2.

11) National Treasure -- Hello, Nicolas Cage. Kids love it, DH loves it, I get subjected to it.

12) The Great Gatsby -- I show the Robert Redford version every year. I love young Sam Waterston in it. It's fun to watch the kids react to it as well (they're predicatble -- the boys all go "Man!" when Jordan is on screen the first time, everyone hates Mia Farrow, they laugh uproariously at the scene where she cries over the shirts, and they gross out when the mistress cuts her hand and sucks the blood off her fingers so deliberately)

13) The Crucible -- Again, I show it when I teach the play. I love Daniel Day Lewis in this film. The kids are always outraged by the damned if you do, damned if you don't ending. And I have a girl or two cry every year over the ending.

Checking In

I've been terribly grumpy for the last week or so. I'm trying to get over it, for poor Carol's sake at least. ;-)

The next few days are going to be horribly busy. If I can just make it to Monday . . . I'll be good. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to work a little bit of writing time into the chaos of those days (I really need to get Fish out of the mess I left him in).

Picked up my materials for British Literature yesterday. Have I mentioned I've never taught Brit Lit before? At least it's a senior course, and these lovelies (whom I've taught for four years now) have all passed the graduation test and there's no EOCT, so there isn't the pressure involved like with my American Lit class. So right now, I'm getting ready to read Beowulf and figure out how to have some fun with that.

And I get to teach Hamlet and Macbeth! I think I may order Othello as well. I love that play. Iago is so . . . deliciously evil.

I'm blogging over at RWKF today, too. Go hence and check out my review of "Learning Charity" by Summer Devon.

Okay, Brace Yourself...

Because this is shocking. This is way out of the ordinary.

Last night . . .

I watched an entire movie, beginning to end, in one sitting.

Whoa.

Actually, it was pretty good, although I thought the DH would stroke out when he realized I expected him to sit through two hours of the Lifetime Movie Network.

For the most part, the characters carried the film more than the plot. Kelly Rowan played a woman married to a religious-fanatic bigamist who intended to marry her twelve-year-old daughter to a chosen husband. She takes her children and runs.

The movie had its predictable moments -- the sixteen-year-old daughter who does something TSTL in an act of rebellion, what happens to said daughter, the heroine committing one majorly TSTL act.

But there was a hint of romance between the mother and the local cop, the developing friendship between the heroine and a new coworker was good.

There were hints of reality -- the way social services performed was realistic.

But.

There were also some things that had to have been thrown in plot-wise that left me shaking my head -- two definite screw-ups in terms of the way law enforcement works with social services in many states. I realize they were there in order to make the plot work, but they bugged me nonetheless. Because if I can make a book plot around the foibles of how the real world of law enforcement works, the shortcuts aren't needed.

Do you sometimes find that writing makes you approach movie or tv viewing differently?

Tired . . . So Tired . . .

I'm exhausted. Not sure why. It wouldn't have anything to do with rewriting a 90K book in less than two weeks or doing an all-day promo over at the Samhain Cafe today.

BF Pam came home from the hospital today. I have not seen the baby yet, so I'm dying to visit. However, I don't want to intrude -- I know how those first few days are.

I made really great progress on Stay With Me yesterday -- I'm almost finished with chapter three and I left Fish in a bad place. It won't kill him, even if he thinks it will.

I have some reading to do this week . . . also, I have some school planning to start on. You know how people make those comments about teachers having the summer off with nothing to do? (Like the people who assume I have nothing better to do than watch their kids because I'm home with mine? Yeah. Those people.) It's not true. I'm usually busier in the summer than I am during the school year -- in-depth planning, catching up on writing, working around the house.

How's your day been?

Another World

Yep, that's where I live. Here's why:

I've never seen The Sopranos.

I've never watched a James Bond movie or the Star Wars trilogies.

I've never read a Nora. (Well, I tried, once. Maybe it was the one I picked up?)

I don't really watch movies. The last movie I watched in its entirety was Ghost Rider and only because (a) DH and the Monsters made me go and (b) it had Nicolas Cage in it.

I don't own an I-Pod. Or any other sort of MP3 player.

I don't have wireless (but, oh, I wish I did).

Do you live in a different world?

***

BTW, I'm serving as "list mom" with Lauren Dane over at the Samhain Cafe today. Come join us.

Stuff and Nonsense

Emily Grace made her appearance today! 6 lb. 13 oz, and mother and daughter are doing fine. Congrats to parents Pam and Jaye!

I wrote the last sentence on the rewrite of HOTM. Well, okay, I have to layer the new last chapter so it's not actually the last sentence I'll write, but it's the final sentence in the book. Basically, I'm finished.

My book splurge from Harlequin came yesterday. I ordered Steph's books, intending to let them be my reward when I finished HOTM. I couldn't wait. I devoured both of them. Loved, loved, loved Coming Undone.

I also ended up ordering a handful of Harlequin Presents. I used to devour the things when I was a teenager (we had a neighbor who gave them to Daddy, who gave them to me, probably not even realizing what he was doing . . . someone I don't think it's what my strict dad wanted his sheltered teenage daughter to read . . . but, oh, I loved them!). So I get an urge to read them every once in a while. I bought Lucy Monroe's because Sharon is always raving about her.

And oh, my, Lucy Monroe is a writing goddess! I read the darn thing in a an hour then went back and read it again. Maybe I'll write a review . . . but the plotting was good, the emotions were great, the characters believable . . . and I'll definitely be buying more Lucy Monroe books!

What have you been up to while I was buried in rewrites?

The Secret is Out . . .

I've been having to keep this to myself all weekend. Everyone who knows me would assure you I have a hard time keeing good news quiet (you should have seen me trying to set up a surprise baby shower for BF Pam).

Read more here:

Samhain/Kensington Announce New Partnership

I'm very excited about the news and the possibilities.

Heading over to the Basement now.

Oh! And Samhain is hosting a Best First Line contest, a la Karin Tabke. Go hence and check out the really good lines!

What The . . .?

Fish tries the door to the Basement again. "It's locked."

"What? Are you sure?" Del reaches by him, tries the knob himself. Definitely locked. He rubs a hand down his thigh before a slow grin spreads over his face. He laughs, claps Fish on the shoulder. "Looks like we're off the hook for the weekend, Sargeant."

Fish frowns. "What are you talking about?"

"She's torturing Tick." Evil brotherly glee lights Del's dark eyes. "Wonder what's going on in there, anyway?"

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

I *Heart* Summer

Why?

I can sleep late.

I'm in full writing mode. I really can't get into this closely into the writing during the school year because I'm pulled in too many different directions.

So, how am I progressing?

1) I have two and one third chapters (approximately 13K) on Stay With Me.

2) I've edited/revised the first three chapters of His Ordinary Life and send them to Anne the Editor Goddess for her feedback.

3) I've reworked the backstory on Hold On To Me, revised chapter one, working on chapter two.

That means I'm spending my days with Tick again.

That's not such a hardship. He's edgier with the rewrites, has a touch of hard anger on him that roughens him a bit. I like him a little on the dark side.

Today's Post . . .

A review of Amie Stuart's Hands On, is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Kate Rothwell's Pimpin' Book Contest

Okay, let me just tell you how much I love Kate. I cannot even remember on which list I first met her (it's been a while), but I love her. She's funny, articulate, helpful, and a darn good writer to boot.

Second, you have to understand that I'm still trying to figure out the whole promo deal. I'm learning, but I don't think I'm that good at it yet.

But, I love Kate's new contest idea. Here's the deal, straight from Kate's blog:

1. Get a free book by Kate and or Summer and write and post something about it ("I loved/hated this book by Kate and/or Summer. You should/shouldn't buy it and read it because_____. Don't ask me to send my copy, because this one happens to be an ebook and we don't share our ebooks.")

Be put in a drawing pool for a THIRTY DOLLAR GIFT CERTICATE. You have to write something that indicates you at least looked at the thing, for heaven's sake. Also I reserve the right to lift really good comments from your great reviews and the right to use author calming visualizations if you post how and why you loathed the book. Either way you'll be entered in the contest--and the winner is picked by random drawing.

AND/OR

2. Post this offer on your site or blog. Send me a link to your post and be put into yet another drawing pool for another THIRTY DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE. Do both and be put in both pools.

You can find out about the books for review at her blog plost here.

I love this. I wish I'd thought of it first!

Standing on the Edge

I'm trying something new and a tad scary . . . working on more than one project at a time. I've edited one work while writing another before, but what I'm attempting this summer is bigger than that. Here's what's on the agenda:

1) First draft of Stay With Me.
2) First round edits (with conflict revisions) of His Ordinary Life
3) Rewrite of Hold On To Me (suspense plot remains the same, rewriting the backstory, which changes everything.)

Today is day one of this adventure. My plan thus far is to work daily on writing the draft of Stay With Me. If I can knock out a few pages every day, I'll be happy. I've discovered that the only way I'll be able to really tackle the conflict revisions for HOL is to work with a hard copy and picture-frame it. At the time, I'm letting HOTM marinate, and I'm thinking through the changes to scenes and characters I need to do on that. At some point, I know I'll be juggling both HOL and HOTM -- I think that's the scariest part.

We won't discuss the two to three other story ideas floating around my head . . .

Sigh, More of the Same . . .

Our weather forecast:

Tonight:Partly Cloudy/Smoke 63
Tomorrow:Partly Cloudy/Smoke 88
Tom.Night:Partly Cloudy/Smoke 65

The smoke thing is getting old. Maybe the clouds will bring some much-needed rain, though.

Sunday Morning Musings

Jennifer wins one of the two downloads of What Mattered Most I was giving away this week! Jennifer, I'll be emailing you shortly.

***


School is out! I have two days of post-planning and the summer is mine, all mine! Well, kinda sorta all mine. I'll be chauffering Monsters to cross-country practice and tennis lessons, the library and art lessons. I have edits and rewrites to accomplish this summer, and I'd like to finish the WIP (that's my pie-in-the-sky goal, since I'm basically rewriting Hold On To Me). I want to get complete our renovation of the master bath and bedroom as well. (My pie-in-the-sky wish there? All major interior renovations finished by August. I can keep dreaming, believe me.)

But there should be time for relaxing with my morning coffee on the porch (once we stop waking up to the incredible haze of smoke from wildfires), drifting lazily on a float in the pool and reading for fun!

What do your summer plans look like?

Huh.

Not sure if this is me or not.

Snagged from Lydia:







Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?
this quiz was made by Lori Fury

Today's Post . . .

And excerpt for the "School's Out" contest is over at Romance Worth Killing For!

Remember, commenting on excerpts here or at RWKF enters you to win one of two downloads of my current release, What Mattered Most.

We Interrupt Our Regular Program for This Special Announcement . . .

Whoo-hoo! I'm getting to read Amie Stuart's new release Hands On before it hits the stores. Look for a review here soon!

Also, I'll be posting more excerpts here tomorrow, as well as over at Romance Worth Killing For. Joan had a neat post over there today on memorable characters. Go hence and check it out.

New Excerpt 1: WHAT MATTERED MOST

As part of my "School's Out" promotion, I'll be posting excerpts throughout the next three days. Saturday, I'll draw to give away two downloads of What Mattered Most. To be entered, all you have to do is leave a comment on any excerpt post!

***

She looked for answers during the remainder of dinner, but didn’t find any. Listening to the men talk about hot rods, she poked at her food. She wanted the evening over, but didn’t want Caitlin to go either.

The inevitable couldn’t be postponed, though. Finally, with Dennis claiming exhaustion, Caitlin stood to hug Lanie. “You don’t have to walk us out. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Sure.” Unease gathered in her stomach, but Lanie forced a smile. As John walked them to the door, she rose and began stacking plates.

“I’ll get those.” Laughter tinged John’s voice, and she startled, unaware until he spoke that he’d returned to the room. She was suddenly, achingly aware of being alone with him.

“What is so funny?” she snapped.

He set the plates on the counter and returned for a pair of goblets. “Your cousin and your boss. He’s still hot for her, and she has no clue.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t catch it?” He shot a glance over his shoulder at her, a grin quirking at his mouth. “Hell, Lanie, she accidentally nudged his leg under the table. I thought he’d come out of his skin.”

“And you would notice that.”

He lifted the platters. “Actually, I was thinking how much I missed having you tease me under
the table. How much I miss you, period.”

His words left her speechless. In the bassinet, the baby stirred with a soft cough. Lanie watched John lean over him, adjusting the blanket. The affection on his face was all too real, everything she’d dreamed of seeing on his face when he looked at their son. The emotion, the conversation, the enforced closeness was all too much.

The anger snapped to life. “What are you doing?”

He straightened to look at her. Wariness took over his navy gaze. “What do you mean?”

Lanie waved a hand at the table, the living room, the bassinet. “This. Cooking. The whole perfect-daddy thing. The desk sergeant’s job. What are you doing?”

He swallowed, the muscles in his throat moving in a convulsive thrust. “Honey, I—”

“Don’t you dare call me that.” When he reached for her, she shoved him away, the exhausting effort barely moving him. She flung out her hands again, and the jerky motion toppled a goblet. Water flowed across the table, but neither of them moved. “Do you think my letting you stay changes anything?”

He stared at her, his face pale and gaunt, and she hated him for staying, for not leaving when he’d had the chance to go with Beth. She leaned closer, teeth clenched to prevent her from screaming at him, her voice a raw whisper instead. “It doesn’t matter what you do. Nothing changes what you did.”

Water dribbled onto the floor, a muffled splatter rising as it hit the carpet. He shook his head. “Don’t you think I know that? I’m trying to show you—”

“No.” She shook her head, pain shooting along the incision, digging deep into her senses.

“I know I hurt you. I’m sorry.”

“Hurt me?” The anger flared, drowning the pain, drowning everything but the overwhelming urge to strike back. “You ruined my life. You ruined everything! I wish I’d never met you, that I’d never gotten…”

The awful words died in her throat, and she stared at him, his blue eyes blazing in his pale face. He swallowed again. “I’m sorry for a lot of things, Lanie, but I can’t be sorry about that baby. Not about having him.”

She backed away, shaking her head. Why was he saying this now? Why not when it would have mattered? She forced a whisper past numb lips. “I hate you, O’Reilly.”

Instead of fleeing as she wanted, she took the stairs with maddening slowness, feeling his gaze on her the whole way. In the bedroom, she remembered the sleeping baby and restrained the urge to slam the door. The empty closet mocked her, and she fought the racking sobs attacking her body. Curled up on the bed, she wrapped her arms around a pillow and stared out at the waves.

Light glittered along a silver pool on her nightstand. Reaching out, she tangled her fingers in the silver chain and lifted the infinity pendant. It dangled from her hand, light reflecting along the links and the stylized swoop. She wrapped her hand around the pendant and drew it close, the edges cutting into her palm.

***

A Little This, A Little That

Two more days with students (actually, one and a half -- they get out at noon Friday). Two days of post planning.

Everything is graded. EOCT scores are in. I was really pleased with my 11th grade American Lit classes' perfomance, not so much with my 9th Lit/Comp.

I'm actually getting to attend the Monsters' Honor's Day today -- I've always had an exam to administer before, so this is a nice change. Then I have to get to work in the afternoon on getting my grades finalized and exported and wrap up my own information for high school Honor's Day.

I'm having separation anxiety about my juniors leaving and becoming seniors. I have taught these kids for four years (some for three), and I'm very attached to them. I don't know what I'll do next year, when they go to Wayne's World down the deck and I'm not seeing them every day! I will miss them terribly.

Smoke is blowing over from the wildfires -- woke up this morning and the house smelled of smoke. It's playing havoc with the DH and Monster #2's allergies, too. Not fun. We need a nice rain, but the weather people say it's not in our future anytime soon. My grass is dying!

Ah, well, I'm off to work on credit recovery plans. Hope you're having a great day!

Where I Wish I Was . . .

But, I'm at school. And I seriously doubt I'll get a summer getaway.

Only three more days. I've given my only exam today (everything else I teach is an end-of-course-test class, so it's just a matter of waiting for test scores to show up. Today's exam is graded and imported, so I just need test scores . . .

I'm chatting tonight over at Loves Romance and More. Would love to have you come and join me!

I had a neat conversation with Monster #1 on the way to town yesterday afternoon (I'm finding he opens up more when Monster #2, a.k.a. The Mouth, is not around.). He's been studying global warming in science and is all into ways to reduce it. So he's decided his summer reads will revolve around alternative forms of energy.

While reading to Monster #2 last night (we read s-c-a-r-y books, as he puts it), I asked what he was going to read about this summer. "The Civil War." You know, I'm a fiction kind of girl. How did I produce kids who are definitely in the nonfiction camp? Not that I'm complaining -- I was pleasantly surprised at their science and social studies standardized test scores.

I'm making my summer reading list. It's getting long, too. I can't wait!

Four More Days!

I can't wait.

Summer is beckoning . . .

I have the first two books I'm going to read (actually, I've started one): biographies on Walt Whitman.

I would like to have plans for the summer, but alas, I don't think it's going to happen.

Do you? Have summer plans, that is?

Today's Post . . .

. . . albeit a short one, is at Romance Worth Killing For.

I have my FLE (final line edits) back on TAC. Hoping to get those done and back to Anne the Editor Goddess by Sunday night. Nothing too major, but it is amazing what slips through multiple rounds of CP viewing, a read by an agent (my former one), three rounds of extensive edits by the aforementioned Editor Goddess, not to mention the umpteen million times I've read the darn thing.

And like I said, nothing too major, but I want my work out there as perfect as possible.

For one, it's my reputation, and I don't like to be known as sloppy at anything.

For another, there's that whole misguided perception bouncing around the blogosphere that basically all books appearing in electronic form have not been well-edited.

I beg to differ.

Anne the Editor Goddess has soundly kicked my metaphorical butt on this book, she's in the process of doing the same on my future releases, and I love her for it. I'm learning so much, and I can see how working with her is making my new writing stronger.

I am very excited about TAC coming out next month. It's one of my favorite manuscripts, plus I feel it's a stronger book than WMM. Also, it's the first book in my Hearts of the South series, and I have to admit I have big dreams for that series.



On a side note, summer vacation is mere days away! My mind is turning from school and assignments and grading to . . . books. I know. I teach English; my mind is always on books. But summer stretches before me, the time when I get to read for me. Oh, I'll read for school and I'll be working on assignments and such, but I am looking forward to sitting under the gazebo and reading. I just received my royalty check for April, and I'm thinking I could splurge and purchase a stack of books just for summer reading.

Any suggestions on must-read titles?

Just Wondering . . .

Actually, I'm being nosy, but how much money do you spend on books per month, average? I have to admit the dollar amount I spend is probably low. I tend to utilize the library a lot (hey, I'm poor, okay? My growing Monsters eat gargantuan amounts of groceries!).

But recently I've discovered some people spend a lot of money on books.

Like hundreds of dollars a month. Even before I had children, I might spend a fifty to sixty dollars a month on books. Now, I'm doing good if I get to buy 1-2 books a month (again, I read more than that . . . but I have to borrow right now).

Did you get that? Hundreds of dollars.

I so want to be able to do that. Can you imagine?

While I'm wishing, I really want a masters in English. I know, I know, I need one in education. But I want one in English. Or even better, I'd love to be able to take a year's sabbatical and do an MFA in creative writing. (Yes, Wayne, I know . . . I could go to Oxford. Scroll back and look at that line about the Monsters eating gargantuan amounts of food. I have to clothe them and send them to college in a few years. No Oxford for me!)

Oh, and being here would be nice:



I'm grading poetry anthologies, with the fabulous array of American poetry my kids find every year, and it tends to make me wistful for something I can't name. I know what I write has value . . . I believe all written work has value. But there's something ephemeral that I want, that I think might always be out of my grasp, and I see it in the poetry of Frost and Angelou and Collins and Ginsberg and Olds and countless others . . .

I don't see it in my work, not yet, and I'm afraid I won't ever see it there.

But it's something to think about.

Something to wonder about.

And something to work toward.

Testing Season

Otherwise known as "teacher hell."

Actually, it's probably not as bad as it seems. The kids have already taken my end-of-course tests, and the computers didn't die. No, that happened to the science department today -- the entire server for the state went down . . . while the kids were in the middle of high-stakes testing. I understand that was really fun.

However, I am out of my room most of the day because testing is going on in my room. No biggee -- I've floated before, so moving to another room or even several other rooms doesn't bother me.

But not being at my desk during planning?

Oh.

My.

Heavens.

I can't get anything done.

We won't discuss the number of emails I have to return. I am officially 1/3 through grading poetry anthologies. I actually enjoy grading those -- it's a nice way to get re-introduced to poets I love and poets I've never discovered.

I've avoided the urge to call in this week (I was feeling horrible Sunday, but it's gotten better as the week's gone on). I hardly ever call in -- it's too hard to get a sub. I have over forty sick days banked! I could take off the last eight days of school and still have a month of days left! (Not that I would do that. But it's tempting some days.)

Now I have to go wade through my inbox and return emails! Later, gators!

No Longer AWOL

I didn't realize I hadn't posted in a week. I even missed my day to blog at RWKF! I'm blaming that oversight on being unwell.

Only this week and next week left of the school year. I've got to get cracking on edits for HOL so I can spend the summer rewriting HOTM. Yes, I know you already know that. I'm just reminding myself!

The sad thing? I haven't posted in a week . . . and I have nothing new to say.

Maybe tomorrow.

What's new with you?

What Does Your Email Heading Say About YOU?

Two email subject lines from my inbox:

1) poetry problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2) Help.

I typed them as they are in my email. They are both from students with questions about their 11th grade poetry anthologies.

What can you tell me about each kid?

Hey, let's make it a contest . . . person with the closest profile of BOTH kids gets a free download of What Mattered Most. If I have more than one right, I'll enter all correct profiles in a drawing for the same.

I Feel Accomplished!

One, student government pulled off an awesome talent show Friday night. Nothing major went wrong. Considering this was the first "big" event I'd supervised, I was thrilled. Plus, we made mega bucks to go toward paying for the graduation dinner we sponsor and homecoming next year.

Two, I've completed my edits on TAC. Now, I'm just doing a final read-through, looking for my favorite words: smiling, grinning, hands, etc.

Three, I'm halfway through chapter two of the WIP.

Now, if I could just shake this darn summer cold . . .

Q. How Scary Can a Month Be?

A. Just look at my planner for the month of May. Oh. My. Heavens.

Since graduation is so near, found this little quiz dealie over at Blogthings:

You Passed High School with an D

You have the brains of a high school graduate... at least!

Could You Pass High School?

It was the math, I swear!

And I guess this one means I'm not cut out to be a pirate . . .

You Aren't Cutthroat

You definitely have ambitions and drive, but you also have integrity. You'll get where you want to in life, and you'll do it the right way. For you, the ends never justify the means.

Are You Cutthroat?

Goals

I'm finally sitting down to work on edits.

Tick is not helping. He knows I'm going to be majorly reworking HOTM this summer based on a conversation I had with My Wonderful and Fabulous Editor, and he's hanging around, popping scenes into my head, just making a pest of himself, which is what he does best.

Fish is upset. He's trapped on p. 23, in the middle of ch. 2, in a liplock with Angie. As Carol said, they're going to need Chapstick.

Del? Waiting patiently although his edits will come before Tick's. I have to finish Jason's first, though.

So here are my goals for May/June/July:

1) Get TAC edits to Anne by Monday or Tuesday of this week
2) Begin first-round edits on HOL, get them out by middle of May
3) Continue making progress on Stay With Me, my WIP. I'd like to finish it this summer and begin another book.
4) Rewrite HOTM. It's not revising. It's flippin' rewriting. But it will make the book stronger and I'm looking forward to it, actually. I'm weird that way.

What do you have on your plate for the summer?

The Good Things and Other Musings

I have good news -- my editor emailed me yesterday to let me know she wants to buy the submissions I had with her. This means I've officially sold six manuscripts and will be scheduled for releases probably into 2009/2010.

I'm hoping that having regular print releases combined with my electronic releases will lead to a solid base of readership. I've been pleased with the sales of What Mattered Most and I hope Truth and Consequences does as well or better when it releases in June. The print release of WMM is set for November, solidly between the electronic releases of His Ordinary Life and Hold On To Me. My print release of TAC should then fall in early 2008, when Anything But Mine should be releasing electronically.

On another note, I'm loving my new editor (not that I didn't love the old one!). She loves my work but pushes me to make it even better and I'm learning so much from her. I can already see the reflection of that in my new WIP. It feels stronger line-by-line, if that makes sense. And she believes in working ahead, which so works for me!

Another good thing in my life? My friend and CP, Carol. Like me, she loves to brainstorm, and she has a way of clarifying things for me. We talked last night for over an hour, mostly about revisions I need to make to HOTM. The changes are pretty hefty and I was afraid of them, but talking with her helped me see how to make the revisions and keep what I like most about the story. Anyway, I emailed my proposed changes off to said beloved editor last night, so we'll see if she likes them.

My plans for the weekend:

1) write two news articles for National Charter School Week (ack!)
2) finish up edits on TAC and send to editor
3) clean my pit of a house
4) hopefully spend time with best friend Pam.

I'll let you know what I get done!

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For. I'm rambling about poetic syntax, sentence beginnings and a miniworkshop!

Scarce

But not gone to RT, sigh.

Grades are due tomorrow. Double sigh. (On the bright side, all research papers are graded, baby!)

Edits need to be on the turnaround to my editor, um, soon.

In the meantime, here's a couple of fun things from Blogthings:

You Are A Realist

When it comes to romance, you tend to take a realistic approach. You believe that love takes time, and it's something you have to work hard for. A bit cynical, over the top romance tends to get under your skin. Your heart is difficult to win ... but it's totally worth it.

Are You Romantic or Realistic?

Pretty ironic, don't you think?

You Are 64% Grown Up, 36% Kid

Congratulations, you are definitely quite emotionally mature. Although you have your moments of moodiness, you're usually stable and level headed.

How Emotionally Mature Are You?

After this week? My students would probably disagree. As LP would say, it's Ms. Winfree's "grumpy season."

Okay, one more . . .

You Are 20% Impulsive

You're mature, thoughtful, and very disciplined. Sometimes you do forget to have fun. And people tend to think you're too serious. So lighten up a little! A spontaneous weekend won't ruin your life plans.

Are You Impulsive?

Definitely sounds like me . . .

Y'all have a good week if I don't pop back in before the weekend!

Escapism

I should be editing. Or grading research papers (I'm almost finished with those! Whoo-hoo!).

I could clean the bathroom. Or work on the WIP.

I'm not.

I'm looking up recipes for the spring luncheon I'm throwing with a friend next month. I'm perusing the menu at the Spot of Tea, just in case I do manage a getaway over the summer. (I'm really hoping we can make that happen -- I so want to see the Pompeii exhibit.) I'm over at Blogthings, taking quiz after quiz after quiz. (It's as addictive as Bebo, I'm finding).

Oh, wait! I can go play webboggle!

What do you do when you're really looking for a little escape?

***

Your Quirk Factor: 43%

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it. Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

How Quirky Are You?

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need. You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law. While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top. You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

Sigh . . .

I'm avoiding my edits. I don't know why, except I'm tired, and just not ready to start tonight.

Just call me Scarlet . . . "Tomorrow is another day . . ."

Today's Post . . .

. . . is on "character snapshots" and is over at Romance Worth Killing For.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things You'll Never See Me Write 1. Sappy poetry 2. The word "nubbin" in a love scene 3. The word "nubbin" in any scene 4. Short stories (Tried it. I stink at them almost as bad as I do at poetry.) 5. Romantic comedy (it's a talent I don't have) 6. My kids' names as major characters 7. Fantasy 8. Time Travel 9. The next Great American Novel 10. A Mary Sue story 11. Dangling modifiers 12. Manroot 13. Throbbing member Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Joan Swan

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Stuff and Nonsense

Received my second set of edits on Truth and Consequences today. Not too bad. I'm always nervous to open the file. I think my poor editor thinks I'm psychotic the way I ask if it's okay to open them.

I'm supposed to be grading tonight, but darn! I left the key for my papers at school, and I didn't bring home any research papers. What shall I do?

Fish would probably love for me to get him out of the incredibly uncomfortable situation I left him at the beginning of ch. 2 of the WIP. Hey, he let his mouth get him into it, so I figure it won't hurt him to suffer a bit. Besides, I have edits. Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

Tons going on at school -- gearing up for student government's spring project, my poetry anthologies going on in my junior classes, state testing this week. Testing is exhausting. I can't really do anything but watch the kids, and I get bored easily. I do a lot of mental plotting. Makes the writing easier when I do get back to it.

Saw this over at Steph's. (Did you know she's afraid of butterflies?) Decided to steal it.

You Should Get An Asian Inspired Tattoo

Mysterious and expressive You like to show off, but you also like to keep some allure

What Tattoo Should You Get?

Found this while I was at blogthings. This is crazy-accurate:

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere. You're the type of person who goes along to get along. And you're definitely afraid of rocking the boat. Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart. You'll put up with a situation that you don't like in fear of changing it. Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

Not very flattering, is it?

By the way, I'm setting up an author page at bebo. You can find me here.

It's Official

I have lost my mind! I'm entering the fray once more, after a year or so of absence.

I'm blaming it on the mind-numbing experience of administering the CRCT . . . to seventh graders! There is a reason I teach high school. It's the one year I taught six and seventh grade language arts.

More to come on my bout with temporary insanity . . .

Pondering . . .

I must be crazy (although I couldn't do this until after I finished grading research papers), but I'm thinking offering a kind of mini-workshop on syntax, diction and studying other authors' work for craft.

What do you think?

Anyone interested?

Rain and Watches and Warnings, Oh My!

A summary of my Saturday night fun:

Throughout the day, monitor weather.com and local television website to watch as the storm front approaches.

6:30 PM: Call mom. Ask if the Monsters can spend the night at her house (those midnight "escape the tornado" runs tend to freak little Monster out).

7:00 PM: Feed Monsters hot dogs, begin watching local television statement. Try not to let Monster #2 see the weather forecast.

7:30 PM: Make sure Monsters are bathed and ready to go to grandma's house.

8:00 PM: Drop Monsters off at grandparents' home. Come home to continue monitoring weather.com and local television weather.

8:30 PM: Still monitoring.

9:00 PM: Weather radio is now squawking on a regular basis. Begin haranguing DH about whether or not we should spend the night at grandparents' home as well. Gather flashlights, candles, etc.

9:30 PM: First tornado warning of the night, for two nearby counties. Get out atlas, try to figure out where the storm will go. Get nervous.

10:00 PM: Still listening to local channel, which has gone all-weather, all-the-time. Call sister, as she is in direct path of major storm cell. Pack bags with 2-3 days of clothing for Monsters, place in DH's truck, just in case.

10:15 PM: Still trying to decide if DH and I are staying or going. Storm seems to be moving northeast, so it looks like we'll miss the worst of it.

10:30 PM: More tornado warnings for counties around us.

11:00 PM: Lost satellite, miss most of The Riches. Continue watching local weather reports with bunny ears. The meteoroligist, new to area, can't pronounce names of local counties. He's a little gleeful about our deadly "imbedded" tornadoes. Nice.

11:30 PM: Doze off on couch, with weather radio near.

12:00 AM: Weather radio goes off.

12:15 AM: Fall asleep again. It's now raining, with lots of wind and lightning.

12:30 AM: See 12:00 AM.

1:00 AM: See 12:00 AM

Try to sleep as weather radio continues to go off every 15-30 minutes.

Storm system finally moves through and all watches expire at 6:00 AM.

11:00 AM: Need a nap.

Sorry, Minnie Driver, I Love You . . .

But after catching up (sort of) on the new series (thanks, Amie!), The Riches, I can't stand Driver's character Dahlia (Dahling) aka Cherine. I suspect it's because I can't relate to her and therefore find her less-than-sympathetic.

However, I love George Izzard's Wayne/Doug. Okay, he's lying, thieving slime, but he's lying, thieving slime who loves his wife, his kids, reads, and is seeking something better.

Dahlia? Oh, good Lord. Let's see:

Drug addict.

Whiner.

Selfish.

I can't see her as a good parent, although there's obvious affection between Dahlia and the cross-dressing ten-year-old. I feel like it's me, me, me with her -- she wants to go back to the family of Irish travellers although it's obvious the pond-scum cousin running the show would marry her teenage daughter off to the guy who has to be the worst stereotype of inbreeding Southerners ever. In the pilot episode, when Wayne and the daughter are going to stay in the dead couple's house and Dahlia is walking out . . . part of me was seriously hoping she'd stay gone.

Yes, Wayne's scum, but he's redeemable scum. I haven't seen much capable of redemption in Dahlia yet. I'm going to hang around and watch, see if I can figure out what Wayne sees in Dahling.

So are you watching The Riches? What's your take on the characters?

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Tired, Tired, Tired

It's been a busy week, and it's only Wednesday.

I have blog post thoughts for Thursday and maybe Friday -- the leadership seminar I took some students to Tuesday (the speaker was fabulous) and how I wish you could pour knowledge into kids sometimes.

But since I'm tired . . . I stole this from Amie:

Linda Winfree -- [noun]: A person who makes a living suing celebrities 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Cherie J.!

Please email me again and let me know which type of download you prefer. :-) The great Yahoo monster must have eaten your email (I even checked my spam folder -- no luck). The addy is linda_winfree at yahoo dot com (and if it's not too much trouble, copy to lwinfree at bellsouth dot net).

I'm sorry for the delay!

Spring Break Contest Winners . . .

Are Kim W. and Cherie!

Drop me an email at linda_winfree at yahoo dot com, let me know what type of download you prefer, and I'll get your copy of What Mattered Most right out to you!

The End of Spring Break . . . Sigh

I have to actually get up and go to work tomorrow. Actually, work starts today. Here's my TTD list:

1) finish laundry
2) read/mark up last six research papers
3) complete TAC edits, send to Anne
4) put together my poetry anthology packet to copy for the 11th graders tomorrow a.m.
5) make a weekly plan for both of my 9th grade classes
6) DH's FAFSA stuff
7) If I have time, get through the Angie/Cait conversation in Stay With Me.

What are you up to today?

***
Don't forget I'm wrapping up my Spring Break contest tonight at 8:00 EST -- I'll be drawing two names from this week's commenters for a download of What Mattered Most.

The Last Word

In case you haven't noticed, I'm prone to flights of whimsy. For the past few weeks, I've been involved in Karin Tabke's First Line Contest. I'm out, but my friend Elisabeth is still in (her lines are fabulous, too).

Anyway, I got to thinking about the last lines of books. So I dug through my files and here are the last lines on my manuscripts:

What Mattered Most: “I love you, O’Reilly.”

Truth and Consequences: “I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted, right here.”

His Ordinary Life: Smiling up at him, Barbara nodded.

Hold On To Me: “All the time in the world, precious, but right now, I want to hold on to you, just for a while longer.”

A Formal Feeling: And so was he.

Anything But Mine: Together.

Memories of Us: “That’s what I love about you most.”

Hmmm. Somehow, final lines don't seem to have the impact first lines do. Maybe last paragraphs would be better. What do you think?

Do you have any favorite last lines from books you love?

Cover for TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES!

I'll get it up on the sidebar tomorrow, but my cover art (by the talented Anne Cain) is up on the Coming Soon page at Samhain. Check it out here:

http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/truth-and-consequences

Chortling With Glee

I'm plotting.

No, not that kind of plotting.

Evil, getting-even-with-someone kind of plotting.

See, my DH is about to start working on a degree. An all-online degree. This means he'll be on his computer quite often.

Now I can be the one who says, "Are you on that computer again?"

Or even better, come in and distract him while he's trying to work.

Who say's payback is a witch with a capital B? Nah. Payback is sweet, baby!

Today's Post . ..

. . . is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Reseach Paper Topics I've Read This Week 1…. NASCAR 2. Alzheimers 3. Autism 4. Sounds Engineers 5. Heavy Metal Music 6. Colors 7. Paranormal Ability 8. Evolution vs. Creationism 9. STDs & AIDS 10. The history of Tennis 11. Dreams 12. Farm Chemicals and the Environment 13. Breast Cancer Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Memo to Sgt. Adam (Fish) Williams

Fine. Whatever. I have edits to finish. Research papers to grade.

Here's a key to the Basement. Go hang out with the rest of them.

***

Note to self: Ask Steph about the best way to handle insistent military heroes.

Memorandum

To: Linda Winfree, author

From: Sgt. Adam "Fish" Williams

Subject: Going Away

***

No.

Excuse me. Make that: "No, ma'am!"

Attention, Angie and Fish!

Go away.

Get out of my head.

Yes, I know he's being sent to Fallujah. I know all about your hidden feelings. I know he's ready to force the subject.

But I have edits to finish.

I have another book lined up to write, and I can't see y'all being a whole book. Do you, really?

So . . . be quiet and go away for a little while, 'kay?

'kay.

Spring Break, Day 1

Ah, seven days of freedom. Well, sort of. Here's my TTD list for this week:

1) Complete edits on Truth and Consequences.
2) Update the two blogs daily.
3) Take Monster #2 for quarterly checkup.
4) Help DH with his college admissions paperwork (including the yucky federal aid stuff)
5) Actually write past page two on the WIP.
6) Make conference/revision notes on 35 rough draft research papers.
7) Grade eleven final draft research papers.
8) Force, er, supervise the Monsters as they clean their rooms.
9) Get my poetry unit plans for both 9th and 11th lit written and ready to copy for students by Monday.
10) Relax.

I have a book (inspirational romantic suspense set in Russia) a friend gave me that I wanted to read this week, but it may end up waiting for summer. I also have Jane Eyre lying around. I wanted to read it so I could compare it to Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea.

Currently (meaing right this second), I'm working on my edits to TAC. I've already been out in the garden this morning, setting out canna lilies to go with my daylilies. I'm going to add some ferns, too, when I make it over to my mom's to pick up the one she told me I could have to set out.

***

Remember, I'm giving away two copies of What Mattered Most this week -- all you have to do to be entered in the drawing is leave a comment here or at the Hearts of the South blog.

Spring Break Contest

With two ways to win!

Since I'm not getting away for spring break this week, I thought a neat way to have a little fun would be to give away two copies of What Mattered Most. So here's the plan:

1) All this week, I'll be posting here and at the Hearts of the South blog daily.
2) Visit either blog and leave a comment.
3) At the end of the week, I'll drop the names of all commenters in the basket and draw for two free downloads of What Mattered Most Friday night.
4) I'll post the winners Saturday morning here.

So drop by often. Here, I'll be talking about my June 2007 release Truth and Consequences, as I'll be working on edits for that book, and my WIP, Afterburn. Over at the Hearts of the South blog, the characters will be in control, and who knows what that could mean . . .

See you soon!

It's a Good Thing . . .

I love my dog because she is B-A-D bad.

Her newest trick?

When no one will play ball with her, she runs out to my new flower bed, digs, prances through it and generally just acts like an evil idiot until someone comes out to give her attention.

Why do I think she's smarter than I am? Sigh.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Songs That Inspired My Books 1…. "Wonderful Tonight" 2. "Walk the Line" 3. "Ring of Fire" 4. "Hold On To Me" 5. "Songs About Rain" 6. "Memories of Us" 7. "Anything But Mine" 8. "Goodbye Time" 9. "Look at You, Girl" 10. "Your Man" 11. "Baby, You Save Me" 12. "Can't Do It Today" 13. "Kerosene" And because I have more than thirteen: 14. "Before He Cheats" 15. "Settle for a Slow Down" 16. "Addiction" 17. "Made a Man Out of Me" 18. "Must Be Doing Something Right" Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Just Call Me . . .

Grumpy. Or Eeyore.

It was so shaping up to be a good week, too.

So . . . y'all tell me the good stuff going on in your lives and I won't bore you with the details of my day!

Good News!

Elisabeth and Mary both finaled in the Golden Heart! Whoo-hoo! Gina Welborn finaled as well. And Allison Brennan finaled in the RITA!

For updates on RITA and GH finalists, check in here.

And you know what? Since Samhain is now RWA recognized . . . I can enter the RITA next year! Double whoo-hoo!

What's More Important?

Over at Romance Worth Killing For today, Joan is blogging about personality masks, and in the comments, there's a cool conversation going on about optimism vs. pessimism. The whole conversation about whether your optimistic or pessimistic traits are inborn or learned got me thinking about a new angle.

As a confirmed realist, I'm discovered that much of the world frowns on those who are not vibrantly optimistic. Sorry, although I don't see the glass as half-empty with a hole in it, I don't see it as half-full, either. It's just a glass and it isn't full. Only half-so.

See? Realism. ;-)

Anyway, I am not an optimist.

I am, however, full of perseverance. My grandmother called it hard-headedness. I was not allowed to have the word "can't" in my vocabulary. She had two favorite sayings: "Can't never could" and "Can't's not a word. He fell off the fence and broke his neck." So whenever I said I couldn't do something, I had to keep trying until I could.

She wasn't much of an optimist, either. She'd lived what could only be described as a hard life and believed her reward would come not on this earth, but in Heaven. I think that the kind of hardships she endured tend to reinforce the realistic traits in people. Sometimes it's hard to look on the bright side when you're so low there's nothing to look forward to.

However, she had perseverance. She had stick-to-it-tiveness, that quality that has one getting up and keeping on after being knocked down, putting one foot before the other when things are not good.

I know in my experience that trait has been far more valuable than seeing a glass as half-full. That's what got me through college when I'd been told repeatedly I'd never finish. That's what got me through teaching several years at a really tough school when the principal told me I wouldn't last six months. That's what got me through rejection after rejection when I started writing seriously.

It's what will get me through everything that lies before me.

What do you think? Optimism or perseverance?

What?!

Ever had someone say something that was just so unbelievable all you could do was stare?

I've had a couple of those moments today. You know the ones I'm talking about, the ones where you wonder you look at the person and wonder where the body snatcher's pod is? I call them excuse-me-while-I-pick-my-jaw-up-off-the-ground moments. The first was when someone made some comments about himself/herself that are completely at odds with how that person normally behaves. Definite body snatcher moment. The other involved one of those fabulous teaching moments when you've gone over every possible angle of an assignment and a kid looks at you and says, "Now what are we supposed to do?"

At that point, you know the kid wasn't listening. Maybe this cool article explains why. It's not that I'd ever be a boring teacher who rambles on and on and . . .

Where was I?

Oh, yes, did you know it's possible to be too poor to file bankruptcy?

Or that it's possible to be almost impossibly smart? These guys prove it. I can't get my mind wrapped around what they did (heck, I can't understand half the terminology, but it's a neat article.)

Oh, and dealing with stress? I'm doomed. Although I felt really sorry for the poor juvenile mouse that had to experience all the stress. Maybe it can go live with Larissa. But doesn't the description of how the poor young rat was treated sound like high school?

Yes, I'm definitely rambling. Is your mind wandering yet?

A Recommended Read!

What Mattered Most has been named a Recommended Read by Joyfully Reviewed!

You can read Melissa's review (which almost made me cry from joy) here.

Today's Post . . .

. . . is at Romance Worth Killing For, where I'm talking about characters that push the boundaries.

A-musing

Sorry I've been scarce. It's been a busy week. I did get a couple of really nice surpises today. One I can't share until tomorrow (I can't wait!).

The other was a visit from one of my favorite former students, one who loaned me his name for a vital character in What Mattered Most. I was so happy to see him! I promised him one of my author print copies when it's released.

I have to write another line, too. At some point, I have to get my butt in gear.

You know what we need around here? A contest. Hmmm. Let me think upon it. I'll be back.

Countdown . . .

Fifteen school days until spring break! Not that I'm going anywhere, but a whole week off! I can't wait. I'm already making a TTD list.

I really wish every once in a while that I was one of those people who knew how to do nothing.

What about you . . . any special plans for spring?

Today's Post . . .

. . . Is at Romance Worth Killing For!

I Get By . . .

With a little help from my friends. I did the meltdown thing today, which I'd sworn I wasn't going to do -- stiff upper lip and all that, you know -- and Mary let me vent and cry in her office (she has the best comfy couch for that -- must be the perk of being a school counselor). I absolutely love Mary -- she's funny and smart and passionate about teaching. She doesn't let me make excuses and she pushes me to be the best I can be (she has this thing about my developing leadership skills. I keep trying to tell her I have them and just choose not to use them, LOL.).

And I can say almost anything to her and she doesn't judge me. Instead, she merely mirrors my words back to me and helps me dig through all the mess. She's a problem-solver, which I try to be as well, and rather than just kick solutions around, she helps me find one.

I love that about my friend Mary. I couldn't get by without her.

***

Only sixteen more school days until spring break! And I don't have to teach tomorrow -- it's Region Literary! Once I get through tomorrow, my life will be slightly more sane, until testing kicks off later in the month.

I'm teaching a couple of seniors this semester and they're keeping a countdown until school lets out. I think the magic number is something like 51. Wow, this semester will be over before we know it . . .

Why Plot?

Because if I didn't, I'd go insane during the writing process. I have to know what's coming next -- it's the whole obsessive-compulsive personality trait, I think. Afterburn is making me crazy with how slowly the plot is unfolding in my head. I do believe school stress is getting in the way. I hate to see what happens if I actually take on the second job I'm looking for . . . but one must do what one must do, right?

I was thinking about plotting today, while I was teaching (well, covering) a class for a colleague who was in a meeting. It was an English class and the kids were researching, so I didn't have much trouble with it. But I know I function much better when I've worked out a lesson plan ahead of time -- everything from assessment to what the kids need to know and do to what standards I'm addressing and how I'm going to approach the lesson.

Writing a book? Same principle. I need to know where I'm going, where the turning points in my plot are. Does the book often turn out differently than my plan? All the time, but I think that's normal. I still end up in the same place, just with a slightly different route.

I can't imagine writing without a map, though.

What about you? Plotting or no plotting? And why?

Firsts

What Mattered Most has its first "official" review -- 5 Hearts from The Romance Studio.

Snippets from the review:

"I absolutely loved this book. . . the tension and suspense were perfect and had me immediately engrossed in this tale of love, choice and discovery. . . John’s character was perfect—God, I wish more men like that existed! . . . I had a rough time putting it down to sleep and eat! . . . I will be certain to pick up any Linda Winfree books I come across."

Wow! I cannot tell you how excited I was to read that!

Click here to read the complete review!

In my Google-surfing, I've come across a little reader buzz about the book -- another exciting first! In some ways, the reader response has been more exciting than actually selling the book. There's just something about knowing people are reading your book and being affected by the world and characters you created. I get chills. I found this over at author Jade James's blog (I love her blog design):

"Oh and I just read this wonderful book by a new author for me. She is a refreshing voice and I'm so glad I bought it on a spontaneous splurge. :-) It's LINDA WINFREE What Mattered Most, and the book starts off with a bang. Lots of suspense-and emotion. Yeah, I was crying while reading, it's that good."

Also, Bev left me a fantastic reader review over at My Bookstore and More, which just made my day!

A big thank you to everyone who's read . . . and is talking about . . . my debut release!

Hearts of the South . . .

. . . the dedicated blog for my upcoming Hearts of the South series is LIVE!

Stuff and Nonsense

I'm at number six on the best-selling list at My Bookstore and More! Whoo-hoo!

Over at Romance Worth Killing For, we're cross-blogging with Romance Unleashed. Interesting stuff, as we take a look at writing advice gone bad.

I made it to the next round of Karin Tabke's first line contest! I'm beginning to get better glimpses of Troy Lee and Angel's story. I think.

I've become obsessive about searching for reviews. Haven't found any yet.

Had a really interesting conversation with a colleage today at lunch. She's reading What Mattered Most. I'll have to drop back later and tell y'all about it.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

I'm still tired. I think it's from being up most of Thursday night. I did take a nap while I was getting my hair highlighted yesterday. I'm just sluggish, though.

What Mattered Most cracked the top ten list over at My Bookstore and More, which is very cool. I should be receiving edits soon on Truth and Consequences. I really need to concentrate on getting my website up and running again, so my excerpts are out there, but I've had more pressing things going on lately. Soon, I promise.

Only three more weeks until the graduation test for my juniors. Only four more weeks until spring break. And only twelve weeks left in this school year!

The DH is still on his job search. He has a job, of course, but is looking for something that would allow him more time at home. (I must admit it was very nice having him here Thursday night with the tornado bearing down on us!) He has some prospects that would work very nicely for us, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. (See, hope can be a method!)

As you've noticed by now, I'm rambling, rambling, rambling in a less-than-Faulkner-ish stream of consciousness. That's what my mind is like this weekend, all over the place. I should be more focused tomorrow, once I'm back in teacher mode.

Now if I could just get into writer mode and get past sentence number seven on Afterburn. The plot idea is still too vague, and despite knowing I should really be busting my butt on that manuscript, I can't seem to focus enough discipline to sit and work on it. Maybe after the graduation test is behind us . . .

Maybe once DH's job search is behind us . . .

And maybe I'd better take that advice I'm always dumping on the juniors and freshmen and just do it!

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

I'm giving away a copy of What Mattered Most. Come visit.

Life's Passion

I love teaching. Not 'I like teaching,' but I love teaching. It has its days, when I want to quit and run away to the beach, but most days . . . most days are good.

I love the kids I teach, too. I'm blessed with smart kids. Kids who really do want to learn (even if they're too cool to admit it some days). Kids who work hard and try harder and sometimes just blow my mind with how they pick up some really difficult ideas.

Like my juniors and transcendentalism. Now, granted, they didn't want to study the philosophy of a bunch of old dead guys in American history. And they really didn't want to write transcendental connection essays for me.

But.

They did it. They grumbled and tried to get me to move tomorrow's deadline to Monday (ha!), but they did it. So during the last week or so, I've read sixty-odd essays linking Thoreau and Emerson to more modern authors. Sounds grueling, but I probably enjoyed those well-written and thoughtful short essays more than anything I've graded all year. They were thinking, and it showed in the writing. They were learning, and it showed in the thinking.

Darn, my kids are smart.

I'm going to miss them come May, when they get ready to travel down the deck to Wayne's World.

***

{PS: I know you lurk. You've given yourselves away the last week or so. Go ahead and admit you've enjoyed transcendentalism just a little bit. Leave me a comment telling me what you got out of the unit. The best comment (or comments) just might be worth bonus points or a homework pass. Oh, and by the way, I say you're smart even when you're not listening.}