An Open Statement

(Or . . . Judgmental People Suck)

To the two supposed "ladies" in line at the Dollar General:

Yes, the house and yard you were openly discussing and passing judgment on in public belong to me. Yes, right now, they look pretty sucky.

Major construction tends to do that.

I'm sorry improving our home and suffering through the subsequent mess offends your sensibilities. Try living in it.

God willing, we should be finished in one to two months. Yes, that long. Because we both work (I, by the way, have two careers). I also am attending graduate school and am actively involved in coaching Literary while planning the talent show at school. Did I mention we're doing the work on the house ourselves?

So, thank you so much for sharing your opinion on my "trashy" lifestyle with everyone in earshot in Dollar General today.

By the way, that handsome guy behind you? My husband, who makes a pretty good roofer, painter, drywall installer, father and spouse. He's also a much nicer person than I am, obviously, because he chose not to confront you.

If it had been me on the other hand, I'd have thanked you nicely for taking such an interest in my personal affairs and apologized in person.

Then waited while you slithered back under your rock.

Have a nice day.

Sincerely,
Linda

Whoo-hoo!

Elisabeth sold! She just inked a three-book deal with Dorchester.

Go congratulate her!

I Am So Tired!

Here's the accomplishment list for the weekend (but not pictures, alas!):

1) All fascia (sp?) is hung.

2) Drip edge installed.

3) All roof repairs made.

4) Wet, icky, stinky junk out of the room that flooded.

5) Tar paper on roof. Shingling to commence as soon as rain is gone tomorrow.

6) Final paper submitted to EDUC 6671.

7) Portfolio artifacts and rationale statements submitted as directed.

8) Quiz and first discussion post for EDUC 6625 out of the way.

Edits, you say? Print galleys? Grading of tons and tons of student note cards?

I'm working on it.

What are you up to?

Quick Stuff

Am I the only person in America who doesn't watch American Idol?

Feels like it some days. :-)

Oh, and the first part of Forever with You, a Hearts of the South novella, is up at my yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Linda_Winfree. I'll post part two next week and the final part the week thereafter.

Added a HOTM piece to the Cutting Room Floor file as well. :-)

Happy Friday!

Thursday Thirteen -- Research Papers I'm Looking Forward to Reading

I could probably list more than thirteen -- my kids picked great topics this year. But here are thirteen, from the 100+ I'll read between February and April that I'm particularly looking forward to . . .

1) Comparative politics -- The kid whose writing this one is a great writer and has a nice, comedic tone. It will be a hoot.

2) The existence of ghosts -- Again, a good writer willing to look at both sides of the issue. His level of excitement over this topic will make it an interesting read.

3) Archery -- The kid writing it is a hoot. I've already seen part of it and even in rough form, it's great.

4) Abortion -- A topic I see every year. It gets old. But the student writing this one is doing great research and it'll be interesting to see what she comes up with.

5) Global warming -- two papers. Two kids. Two very different takes. Should be interesting.

6) Cryptozoology -- I've never seen this topic done before. The kid writing it is smart, funny, a good writer. It'll be a good one.

7) Photography -- I bet I can take better photos after reading this one. ;-)

8) Geishas -- Great writer with a topic she's passionate about. Can't wait.

9) The Columbine shootings -- I've not seen this topic before either. The kid writing this one is doing great research. It'll be good.

10) The Dave Matthews Band -- 'nuff said. :-D

11) Spirituality -- a really, really strongly opinionated writer. Should be interesting.

12) Heavy Metal Music -- I'll learn something I didn't know from reading it. Guaranteed.

13) Comparative Religions -- She's taking a neat angle with this paper. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

What was your most interesting high school writing assignment?

Look! Progress!

There is new siding on the back of the house. You will notice we have not yet cut out for doors and windows . . .

Hey, it's better than the exposed pink insulation!

Show And Tell

So I've been bemoaning the renovations from hell for, what? Months? Well, this weekend has been the "Hey, let's rip off the siding and replace it so we can finish the roofing" weekend. Wait, that's what it was supposed to be.

Then we found the electrical issues. The scary ones. The ones the DH doesn't want to explain to me (Uh, yeah, honey. I'm college-educated. I know a shorted-out wire that singes the insulation isn't a good thing. Keep trying to hide that.).

So then there's the floor joists that have to be rebuilt because, you know, that's what the batting boards attach to, and you know, the siding attaches to those boards.

So . . . the siding has to be up before the shingles can go on. And, you know what? Plastic doesn't always stop water. Hence, the waterfall in my office during a mega-thunderstorm Saturday night.

But . . . there is progress. We have more than 1/2 of the siding hung now. About a month and we should be through most of the major stuff.

Here's pics of the during, taken yesterday. Connie's reaction when I sent them to her Blackberry:

"What. Happened?"

I think she thought we'd fallen victim to the FOUR tornados that came through south of us Sunday night. It kinda looks like it.

I'll post after pics tomorrow, when we're finished with the rear siding.

New Reviews

I've never had Romance Junkies reviews before, so I was excited to learn I recently had TWO reviews there. Couldn't resist sharing.

Hold On to Me and His Ordinary Life were recently reviewed by Romance Junkies. Both books received 5 Blue Ribbon Reviews.

Jenn, the reviewer, said this in part about Hold On to Me: “a welcome addition to Ms. Winfree's HEARTS OF THE SOUTH series...as engaging and gritty as its predecessors and has a depth that is undeniable…Tick' s ability to forgive and his innate sexiness are hard to resist and when Caitlin finally surrenders the sex is explosive and caring in one brilliantly written love story.”

Jenn also reviewed His Ordinary Life and had this to say on Del and Barb’s story: “…an amazing look at the power of love and the journey of discovering who we really are and what we want out of life…a moving and emotional read that should not be missed.”

You can read both reviews in full at the following links:

http://www.romancej%20unkiesreviews.%20com/artman/%20publish/contempo%20rary/Hold_%20On_to_Me.%20shtml

http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/contemporary/His_Ordinary_Life.shtml

Sunday Check In

The closet in the master bedroom is finished! Whoo! Hey, after months and months and months of renovations from hell, I'll take my successes where I can get them.

Paper #7 is turned in. One more to go in this class. I'm just about 1/5 through with my master's degree.

Trying to finish A Life Unlived (Mad and Ash's book). Will let you know how that goes. ;-)

6 Unimportant Things

Carol, my sadistic CP who thinks I don't have enough to do, tagged me. ;-) Oh, my God, now I have to think.

Six Unimportant Things About Me:

1) I didn't have to change my monogram when I got married.

2) I only eat ketchup on French fries.

3) My new pet peeve (and don't hate me . . .) is those author posts to lists that say things like "I have a problem!" in the subject line and then the body is a plea to come join them at such and such blog to weigh in. Don't ask me why it bothers me. It just does.

4) I can read Middle English. My students are usually not impressed.

5) At school, my nickname is the Evil English Overlord.

6) I can't stand clutter. Hence, why the renovations from hell are killing me.

Here's the deal . . . if you stumble by . . . consider yourself tagged. :-D

Kids. I Don't Get 'Em.

I have two, affectionately known as Monster #1 and Monster #2.

Monster #2 loves this cartoon:



I, however, do not understand the appeal of said cartoon.

Does anyone else get it?


It has to be the most annoying cartoon EVER. And we've seen some pretty annoying cartoons around this place, let me tell you!

Monster #1? Has started playing tennis. Loves tennis. Talks it, reads it, is teaching me to play.

Watched him play his first tournament today. Oh. My. God. It's a good thing tennis is a quiet sport and I was far, far away on the balcony, hence why I wasn't in the position to yell at him to be serious on the court. Y'all, I always swore I wouldn't be one of those crazy sports parents. But when the kid is good and likes the game and could play better but is too busy being goofy on the court . . .?!

But. He's having a good time. He's being active. That's the important thing. Right?

Now . . . about that weird Chowder cat-kid-thingee . . .

This Is Why . . .

Every year, I plan out my units for my American Lit class. I look at the Romanticism unit and think, "I'm not teaching the Scarlet Letter this time. It's too hard, the kids fuss . . . we can read some short stories from the period instead."

Guess what I end up teaching? Every. Single. Year.

Yep.

The Scarlet Letter.

Halfway through, I want to pull out my hair, wondering why I bother. But chapters seventeen and eighteen? Sigh. The kids clue in. Things smooth out. And oh my, we get a glimpse of Hawthorne as a romantic writer. Not a Romanticist (hey, he is -- he's probably THE writer of the American Romantic movement . . .okay, okay, I know. People are going to come out of the woodwork and take me to task for that . . . but it's Hawthorne, people.) But a romance writer.

Now, don't pick up the Scarlet Letter expecting the happy ending found in today's romances. It doesn't have one. It has what I would call a satisfying denouement, but Hester and Dimmesdale do not live happily ever after. But when they are reunited after seven years apart? Oh. My. Goodness. The sparks do fly and Hester's passionate nature, repressed for those years, comes out in full force:

The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne:

""

That . . . Hawthorne's incredible heroine, the way her love -- though buried -- never dies, her growth throughout the book . . . that is why I come back to the book year after year.

What about you? Any favorite classics which involve a love story? Do share!

Tired . . .

It's been a long busy weekend. The tally:

1) Attended Monster #1's tennis tournament.
2) Served as judge's hostess for school's Little Miss/Mr. pageant. So much fun!
3) Watched two videos for grad course, took quiz (100!), did discussion posts.
4) Wrote my paper for grad course for the week.
5) Laundry. Laundry. Laundry.
6) Helped DH with repairs to in preparation for new roof! Whoo!
7) Graded for 11th American Lit and 12th British Lit.
8) Updated Teacherease. Grades due tomorrow.

No wonder I don't feel refreshed and ready to go to school tomorrow.

Oh, my God. What am I going to TEACH tomorrow?!

Thursday Thirteen -- Favorite Foods

For some weird reason, I'm food obsessed lately. I'm not over-eating -- actually, I'm eating what I normall do -- but I'm obsessing about food.

So . . . to that end . . . thirteen of my favorite foods, no particular order:

1) Big Dawg fries with pepper and ranch dipping sauce
2) White Cheddar Cheezits
3) Camembert baked in pastry (with honey and fruit)
4) Birthday cake with ice cream
5) Cheeseburgers
6) Chicken salad on Wheat Thins
7) Cheddar cheese, walnuts and grapes
8) Frito Scoops with ranch dip
9) Muffins: orange cranberry, lemon poppy seed
10) A bagel with cream cheese
11) Chili
12) Crab Rangoons
13) Spaghetti Bolognese

Now I'm hungry. . .

Today's Post . . .

...Is at the Samhain Blog.

http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/2008/02/06/a-poolhouse-conversation-what-is-sexy

Come Join In!

Weirdness and Goodness

Today was a weird day. All my kids wanted to do was kvetch.

"I hate Macbeth."

"Why do we have to write thesis statements?"

"Are we watching that stupid movie?"

And on and on and on. Plus, the kids who are normally really well-behaved? I tossed FOUR of them out of two different classes. I can't remember the last time I had to throw anyone out and FOUR in one day?

Oh, man.

By fourth period, this sign was posted on my door:

Abandon all hope, ye who enter! CAUTION: Both Ms. Winfree's patience and sense of humor have left the building for the day. Act accordingly or face the consequences. (And they won't be pleasant.)

I have goodness on one level to share, but it's not mine to share, so . . . I must wait.

But, there is public goodness -- Moira Rogers has TWO new contracts. I predicted this. Go forth and offer congratulations.

I'm good like that. ;-)

Cover Goodness!

I'm in love:

What do you think?!

Me=Horrible Blogger

I haven't posted in a MONTH.

So maybe me=busy. Yeah, that works as an excuse. ;-)

This is what I've been up to:

1) Edits on Anything But Mine. (You should see the cover -- I cannot WAIT to show it off.)
2) Getting Monster #1 to and from tennis. However, we have missed the ortho this month. Sigh. Must reschedule.
3) Revisions on Memories of Us.
4) Working on the first draft of A Life Unlived (Madeline & Ash's story).
5) Teaching research.
6) Teaching Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and The Scarlet Letter. That's a lot of teacher reading.
7) Keeping my grades up-to-date in Teacherease.
8) Gearing up to coach Literary.
9) Gearing up for the talent show, the student government's big spring fundraiser.
10) Panicking because Literary competition and the talent show are scheduled for the same day.
11) Going to a really cool teacher conference.
12) Being stressed over house renovations from hell (I think I'm going to post pics so you'll understand why . . .)
13) Filing my taxes.

Hey, that could have been a Thursday Thirteen! We'll make it a February Fourteen by adding:

14) Suffering from a cold.

I'll try to be here more often, I swear. Soon to come: a new online read and excerpts from Anything But Mine . . .

So . . . did you miss me?

Goals? What Goals?

If you look, they're all over the Internet right now: 2008 writer goals. Well, if you're looking for vast writerly goals, you won't find them here. Do I have them? Sure, although they're more like targets. I'm in awe of writers who set goals and do spreadsheets and do tracking software and challenges and stuff.

I'm just not one of them.

Instead, I'm a JDI kind of girl.

My students will tell you that "JDI!" means "Just DO it!" I say it when they're experiencing disequillibrium about something new (like that word? It's a fancy educational term for "whining.").

"But, Ms. Winfree, I can't write an eight to ten page research paper!"

"JDI."

So what is my JDI plan for the year? I don't know. Basically, it goes like this:

1) Make sure all grad school assignments are in on time, completed to the best of my ability. Gotta maintain that 4.0.

2) Make all publisher deadlines on edits, print galleys, etc. Gotta keep those contracts.

3) Keep on teaching, grading, making parent contact, etc. Need a contract for next year! Not meeting professional expectations kinda puts a damper on that.

4) Run. Daily. 20 minutes. If I get 30 minutes, great. If it's five days out of seven, it's all good.

5) Write. Daily. I target 1000 words a day, which gives me a couple of rough draft manuscripts in a year.

6) Get on the agent-hunt merry-go-round again. Don't know what I'm thinking. I think Joan just wants me with her.

Oh, wait. Those look like goals. Naaaah. That's just what I'm going to do.

Untitled: Ash & Mad

Today: 0/85,000 Words (0%)
Total: 72,692/85,000 Words (85.52%)

Generated with the Progress Bar Generator.

Okay, If Kate Can...

So can I.

First of all, I'm also over at Romance Worth Killing For today.

So what skill does Kate have that I want to emulate? Well, about a year before I sold, Kate read some of A Formal Feeling and made the prediction I'd sell.

Well...

So here's my prediction: Expect good things from Moira Rogers (otherwise known as Bree and Donna). Don't believe me? Go check out their free read from November. These ladies have talent!

Courtesy of Kate Rothwell

Get the Linda Winfree Habit.

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Thirteen Random Snippets I Like from HOLD ON TO ME

1) Caitlin Falconetti stood before him in all her Bureau glory, and he was dirty, wet, and smelled of dead chicken.

2) “You’re a sick bastard.”
“Yeah, I know.” Cookie heaved an unrepentant sigh as they reached the water’s edge.

3) “Now tell me you don’t want me.”

4) “Right. You never noticed the guy tripping all over himself when you’re around.”
She pinned him with a withering look. He was on a fishing expedition, but if he thought she’d fall for the oldest interrogation trick in the book, she had news for him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.”
“If you don’t shut up about it, Cook, I’m going to kick your ass. Right here, right now.”
“Stop.” He picked up a toothpick and began cleaning under his thumbnail. “You’re turning me on.”

5) Holy hell, let her do whatever she wanted. He was too damned tired to care anymore.

6) “Think.” Cookie thumped him on the forehead.

7) “I was being facetious, Falconetti. You don’t have to take everything so damned literally.”
“Gee, I’m sorry, Reed. I didn’t realize you actually possessed a sense of humor.”

8) Absolute glee flowed through his sister’s words. “Maybe you want to go church with us, too. I think the sermon is on the sins of the flesh. You can repent.”
“Tori.” He ground his teeth. “I haven’t done anything to repent for. Nothing happened.”

9) “Do you realize what you’re doing to your lungs? Could you even pass a physical training run right now?”
He laughed. “I’ll have you know I conduct our training runs every week.”
“Standing on the track with a stop watch does not count.”

10) Tick muttered a curse. “If I shoot him…”
“I’ll swear it was justified.” Caitlin tried to smile.

11) "If you say love and forever, or anything else along those lines, I’ll puke, Lamar. Seriously.”

12) “Yeah, I know, but it’s fun to push your buttons. You’re awful cute when you’re jealous, Falconetti. Makes those Irish-green eyes of yours glitter like crazy. I’ll bet you can turn on the mean real quick.”

13) "Hell, boy, her shoes cost more than your last set of tires.”

I Am . . .

. . . the worst blogger ever, lately. I'll get better, I promise.

I've finished my first graduate course -- whoo-hoo! The last time I checked, I had an A. Might better check to see if final grades are posted.

First round of edits on Anything But Mine are turned in.

I'm working on Madeline and Ash's book, although I should be working on the novella I want to submit for Samhain's psychic-themed anthology. Maybe when my Alphie gets here . . .

Need to be grading journals and senior projects. Blech. I want to write.

What are you up to?

Go Check It Out!

Pics from my booksigning up at Romance Worth Killing For.

Contest

I am coming back with a "real" post later today. I promise. :-)

But first, go check out Kate's blog for a contest in which you could win a copy of your choice from my backlist.

Where To Find Me Today

At Lucy Monroe's Blog.

HOLD ON TO ME Now Available!

She keeps a secret buried in the past. He wants the truth—now. But an unknown killer could destroy their future.

Hold On to Me by Linda Winfree
Book Three in the Hearts of the South series.

For FBI profiler Caitlin Falconetti, immersing herself in her job is the only way to quell the memories of a vicious, near-fatal attack and what it cost her, including the only man she ever loved. Better to let him think she simply rejected him, rather than reveal a painful secret that she's certain would have destroyed his feelings for her.

Investigator Lamar “Tick” Calvert is determined to clean out the corruption-riddled sheriff’s department in his hometown. While he understands Caitlin's drive to excel at her job, that doesn’t mean he's happy about the prospect of working with his former lover, the one woman he tried and failed to hold onto.

A rash of unsolved murders, including a politician's daughter, brings them together to find the murderer before another woman dies. Daily contact re-ignites the lingering attraction between them, but Caitlin won't risk opening herself and revealing her secret. She plans to complete the killer's profile, make an arrest and get out of town for good.

Tick plans to solve this case, too, but now that Caitlin's back in his life, he also plans to finally dig up the truth about why she left him.

But there's an added complication—the killer isn't done, and Caitlin could be the next target.

For purchase information and an excerpt, click HERE.

I Am Alive.

I stepped into this wicked timewarp or something.

Anyway . . . Hold On to Me releases NEXT WEEK!

I am not ready for this. I'm excited, but ready.

Okay, so blogging over at Lucy Monroe's Tuesday. Chatting at the Samhain Cafe tomorrow afternoon.

And I'll update the word meter soon, Carol. I'm at 35,856, 'kay?

Frustrated

I really, really, really want to hurl the keyboard through the window.

Self-restraint is a good thing.

I will not be defeated by these {insert ugly words here} revisions.

Someone send chocolate.

Today's Post . . .

. . . is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Chapter Four of The Beginning is up at my newsletter group. Happy reading!

Free Read: Chapter Three of THE BEGINNING (Prequel to HOLD ON TO ME) Now Available!

Chapter Three of The Beginning, the prequel to my December release Hold On to Me, available exclusively to my newsletter group, is now live!

To subscribe, send a blank email to Linda_Winfree- subscribe @ yahoogroups. com without spaces. If you join before December 1, you'll be eligible for to win a gift basket full of Southern goodies and a signed copy of my debut novel What Mattered Most.

I'm including a snippet of The Beginning for your reading pleasure.

The Beginning
A Prequel to Hold On to Me
Coming December 11, 2007 from Samhain Publishing

CHAPTER THREE

“Caitlin. Get up.” Vince’s voice, terse and angry, somewhere over her head. She tugged the duvet higher. Strong hands wrested it away and flung it toward the end of the bed. “Now.”

“What do you want?” Her eyes feeling heavy and swollen, she sat up to glower at her brother. The familiar room, still holding remnants from her college days, seemed blurry, her mind fuzzed with the artificial sleep. Hell, she knew she’d been right in refusing to use the sleep aids to start with.

But at least the nightmares had stayed away.

He turned his back and crossed to snap the drapes open. Brilliant sunlight, probably bouncing off the Gulf, flooded the room. She recoiled, head pounding. Oh, the aftereffects of the sleeping pill were worse than any tequila-induced hangover she’d ever suffered after letting her cousin Lanie drag her about Houston’s hotspots.

Vince faced her, hands resting at his waist. “You will get out of that bed, Angel Face. You’re going to shower and get dressed. You will go downstairs and eat brunch with Troupe. The old man is frantic with worry over you. Then you should make a point to go see Lanie.”

Go see Lanie? No. Didn’t he get how much that would hurt?

His high-handedness grated, much as it always did. “Go screw yourself, Vinnie.”

“Get. Up.” Face hardening, he leaned forward. “Do as you’re told.”

Who did he think he was? Without giving him another look, she reached for the duvet again. He snatched it free once more. “Caitlin. Now.”

She was angry now, the hot, slow slide of her Falconetti temper, which she’d spent years learning to freeze over and control, burning through her veins, making her ears buzz. “You can’t make me do anything, Vincent.”

“Wrong, sister mine.” He towered over her, his face a little pale under his tan. “You have exactly thirty seconds to get up and get in the shower. I expect you downstairs with Troupe in twenty minutes. And I expect you to start living your goddamn life again.”

**

To read more, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Linda_Winfree

Contest Winners

Hi, all,

I'm drawing late due some some connection issues, but the two winners in my "Tell Me What Book You'd Like" contest are . . .

Heather Rosman and Sara W.!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Also, remember that if you join my Yahoo newsletter group before December 1st, you're automatically entered for a gift basket drawing, including some great Southern goodies and a signed copy of What Mattered Most.

Linda Winfree -- Sultry Southern Romantic Suspense
HIS ORDINARY LIFE -- Available Now, Samhain Publishing
HOLD ON TO ME -- December 2007, Samhain Publishing
lindawinfree.blogspot.com

Contest

I'm going to leave this open 9:00 PM EST Saturday, November 10. Okay, here's the deal:

1) Visit my author page at Samhain (http://www.samhainpublishing.com/authors/linda-winfree).
2) Peruse the blurbs and/or excerpts for my current releases (What Mattered Most, Truth and Consequences and His Ordinary Life).
3) Drop me an email with SAMHAIN CONTEST in the subject line to linda_winfree at yahoo dot com (you know what to do). In the email, tell me which title you would like if your name is drawn, along with 1-2 sentences telling me why you're interested in this particular title.
4) Saturday night, I'll draw for two winners and announce them at the Samhain Cafe as well as my blog.

Linda Winfree -- Sultry Southern Romantic Suspense
HIS ORDINARY LIFE -- Available Now, Samhain Publishing
HOLD ON TO ME -- December 2007, Samhain Publishing
lindawinfree.blogspot.com

Free Read: Chapter Two of THE BEGINNING (Prequel to HOLD ON TO ME) Now Available!

Chapter Two of The Beginning, the prequel to my December release Hold On to Me, available exclusively to my newsletter group, is now live!

To subscribe, send a blank email to Linda_Winfree- subscribe @ yahoogroups. com without spaces. If you join before December 1, you'll be eligible for to win a gift basket full of Southern goodies and a signed copy of my debut novel What Mattered Most.

I'm including a snippet of The Beginning for your reading pleasure.

The Beginning
A Prequel to Hold On to Me
Coming December 11, 2007 from Samhain Publishing

CHAPTER TWO

It was done.

She’d done it, he was gone, it was over.

There was nothing left.

On a chilly wind, night sounds drifted up from the courtyard. Caitlin Falconetti pulled her robe more closely about her. A hard knot tightened her throat, but really, no tears remained. There was simply…nothing.

She’d brought her things out to the balcony of the apartment she shared with Gina Bocaccio, her partner from the FBI, hoping to work, avoiding sleep, avoiding what waited for her when she closed her eyes. However, she couldn’t concentrate, could only keep reliving that final meeting in vivid, sickening detail. He’d looked like she’d kicked him, once the realization of what she was saying, what she was doing, finally sank in.

Her palms stung and she rubbed a finger over one of the raw half-moons there, where she’d curled her nails so tightly into her skin that one of them had drawn blood. She was grateful for the minor pain. It was bearable.

Somehow, she’d grown accustomed to empty. Empty had been when she was six, the year her mother died and her father had sent her to boarding school. Empty had been afterward, when the periodic visits with her grandparents hadn’t been enough, when she’d cried over returning to school, begging to be allowed to live with them, only to have her pleas smoothed over. Empty had been never quite being able to please her brother, never quite feeling that Vince’s love and approval were hers, sound and secure.

Empty had even been those months after Fuller’s vicious act, filled with loss and pain and grief.

Empty had been waiting for him to come home, trying to put what had happened into words.

She could live with empty. It just was, and she could go on from there.

With him gone and everything finally over...that was different, nothing.

But from nothing, she didn’t see anywhere to go.

**

To read more, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Linda_Winfree

Oy.

You Are Running on 89% Adrenaline

Your Adrenaline Level: Very Dangerous Life is passing you by so quickly, you hardly can notice what's going on. You definitely need to slow down before you crash hard!

Are You Running on Adrenaline?

Where to Find Me Today . . .

Or rather, where to find my heroes.

They're in the Basement over at Romance Worth Killing For and the Samhain blog.

Help Sumter Regional Win an MRI

Not sure if y'all remember, but back in March, we had tornados move through here. I posted about running late at night from the one bearing down on the town where I live. Anyway, the town of Americus north of us was almost decimated -- and their hospital took a direct hit. Below, I'm posting an email detailing how we can help Sumter Regional Hospital win a new MRI. The video is incredible -- it includes footage from the security cameras and you can watch the tornado move by as it slams into the hospital.

It only takes two minutes. Please help!

This was sent to me by a friend. Please read and consider participating:

Dear Friends & Family,

So many of you have asked of ways that you can help Sumter Regional Hospital and Americus , Ga. This is an easy way to help our community and would be such a Godsend for our hospital. Siemens is having a contest to give away a one million dollar MRI machine to a hospital in America . The hospital must come up with a video to present their need and it is a vote of popular opinion. There are many videos already submitted. Many are silly, a few are business-like, but none are as touching as the story of the tornado that ripped apart our town on March 1 st. You can submit one vote in a 24 hour period from each email account. After watching the video, the vote button will turn to an orange shade color; that is when you are allowed to cast.

Please visit winanmri.com and place your vote for the video entitled "Blown Away" by Sumter Regional Hospital every day until the end of the year.

We have a huge deficit between monies owed to us by the insurance company and the amount it is going to take to rebuild our hospital. If you forward this to everyone in your email address book, this message could reach so many people.

Once you reach the site, just click on Sumter Regional Hospital in the drop down, watch the video (about two minutes) then click on the orange VOTE button once it lights up. You can vote once a day.

Free Read: Chapter One of THE BEGINNING (Prequel to HOLD ON TO ME) Now Available!

Over the next six weeks, I'll be posting a chapter weekly of The Beginning, the prequel to my December release Hold On to Me, exclusively to my newsletter group.

To subscribe, send a blank email to Linda_Winfree- subscribe @ yahoogroups. com without spaces. If you join before December 1, you'll be eligible for to win a gift basket full of Southern goodies and a signed copy of my debut novel What Mattered Most.

I'm including a snippet of The Beginning for your reading pleasure.

Happy Halloween, everyone, and I hope you enjoy this little treat!

The Beginning
A Prequel to Hold On to Me
Coming December 11, 2007 from Samhain Publishing

CHAPTER ONE

She wanted him gone? Fine. He was gone.

Jaw clenched, fighting off an intense nicotine jones, Tick Calvert rested his chin on his fist and watched the Atlanta skyline as the plane banked for final approach. Her voice, her words, pounded in his head, echoing as they had for days. He’d done everything he could possibly do to change her mind.

But you could only kick a dog so many times before it got the message it wasn’t wanted anymore.

As of yesterday, he definitely had gotten her message, loud and clear. Now it was time to move on. Maybe being home again would help him figure out a way to do that.

The landing came off without a hitch and with his FBI credentials, he made it through security with relative ease. With only his carryon, he didn’t have to worry about looking for luggage and strode toward the rental car kiosks.

“Where are you going?” The familiar female voice, filled with teasing fondness and a hint of laughter, had him spinning around.

“Tori.” He barely had time to say her name, warmth and affection spurting through him, before his baby sister launched herself at him. His carryon hit the floor, and he wrapped both arms around her, giving in to the impulse to swing her around in his embrace. His eyes burned. Lord, he’d missed her.

Once he’d set her on her feet, she plopped a kiss on his cheek and pulled back, wrinkling her nose. “You smell like cigarettes. And you look like hell.”

“Don’t curse.” The correction came automatically and she rolled her eyes. He studied her, unable to resist a wide grin. Her dark hair was longer than he remembered, pulled into a sleek ponytail, and her eyes, the same dark brown as his own, sparkled up at him with a familiar impish light. “What are you doing here?”

He’d intended to surprise his mother and the rest of his family by turning up a day early.

She reached up to tweak his nose. “Stanton ratted you out. I couldn’t wait to see you and there really wasn’t any reason to let you rent a car if I could drive you home, so here I am.”

He leaned down for his bag and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad to see you.”

Her even white teeth flashed in a grin. “Same here.”

They walked toward the bank of glass doors and she nudged his side. “Mama doesn’t know you’re here, though. I can’t wait to see her face when we turn up this evening.”

The idea warmed him further, driving out some of the chill he’d carried with him since that final confrontation yesterday afternoon. Holy hell, he was ready to be home, to be surrounded by his family and all things familiar.

He needed that. Needed it to get Mississippi out of his head. Needed it to get her out of his head.

To read more, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Linda_Winfree.

Wow!

I was chatting over at Joyfully Reviewed tonight -- they're having their Contemporary Bash today.

Guess who was there?

Lucy Monroe!

Yes, I gushed. Just a tad, mind you.

I mean, come one . . . Lucy Monroe!

And I picked up two more subscribers for my newsletter.

Could one ask for more?

Today's Post . . .

...is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Newsletter and Contest Info

Hey, y'all. I'm finally home from the first day back teaching after fall break. 5:30 came early this morning and getting back into the swing of it was hard . . .

I wanted to share a little information first about my newsletter group. I've recently begun sending out a monthly newsletter. It includes news (of course) about my books, trivia tidbits, a monthly recipe, reviews and contest information.

In the files section of the group, you'll find The Cutting Room Floor (scenes that didn't make it into the final versions of my books). Coming soon will be a series of online reads available only to my newsletter subscribers (the first one kicks off October 31 -- a nice Halloween treat!).

Also, by subscribing, you're automatically entered for the contest celebrating the print release of my debut book, What Mattered Most. On December 1, I'll draw from all subscribers for a goodie basket including a signed copy of What Mattered Most and some Southern surprises.

Interested? Send a blank email to Linda_Winfree-subscribe at yahoogroups.com (you know what to do!).

Linda Winfree -- Sultry Southern Romantic Suspense
HIS ORDINARY LIFE -- Available now, Samhain Publishing
HOLD ON TO ME -- December 2007, Samhain Publishing
http://www.lindawinfree.com/

Stuff

I've discovered it doesn't take much for me to get spoiled. A little thing like fall break, and I'm so wanting to sleep late daily now . . .

Unfortunately, the Monsters like to eat and I must work, so it's back to rising at 5:30 tomorrow. This means I will not be up editing at 1:00 A.M. tonight, too.

On round three of edits of Hold On to Me. Have I mentioned I love this book?

As for my goals . . .

1) Wrote my news release. Need to tweak and mail.
2) Created my postcards and bookcards. Need to order.
3) Wrote chapter two of Ash-Mad's book. Sent to CP for initial feedback.
4) Wrote first scene or so of Unseen, beginning to get a feel for the characters.
5) Sent out my newsletter for October.

Need to finish making notes on senior project rough drafts papers.

Oh! And my official transcripts finally cleared at the financial aid office. Now I can get my paperwork processed . . .

Karin Tabke's new first line contest is up and running. I see some friends over there!

Goals

I wrote like the proverbial demon yesterday. 17 pages. 6000 words. I love scene skeletons -- makes the writing go so much easier!

Goals for today:

1) more words on Ash/Mad's book
2) First scene for Unseen
3) Master the whole Vistaprint thing and place an order
4) Write my press release draft and email to Wayne for feedback

Then tomorrow, it's back to school.

What are you up to today?

Cookin' with Gas

For some reason, I'm bogging down in the last 2-3 scenes on Facing It. I know what's supposed to happen, but I'm having trouble getting through the scenes. I think I'm going to let it marinate a few days then come back to it. Sometimes that jogs my brain loose.

In the meantime, I'm working on chapter one of my next Hearts of the South book, Ash and Maddie's story. She's been a difficult character to figure out. I think I'm finally getting a handle on her though.

If you look at the sidebar, you'll see I actually have three WIP's. One is the novella I'm planning to sub for a Samhain anthology. I've never actually written a novella before, but I'm excited about this idea. Trying to get the plot straight in my head before I begin actually writing.

So in the meantime, Unseen is simmering. Facing It is marinating. And my as-yet untitled Ash/Maddie story is on the front burner.

See? I can cook even if I don't have a real kitchen right now.

Whoo! Cover Art!

I can show it off now:

Truth And Consequences: A Recommended Read!

This one made my day (and nearly made me cry):

http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2455&Itemid=36

If You Have Children . . .

. . . put them to bed on time.

Updates

I'm supposed to have revised cover art for Hold On To Me tomorrow! Whoo!

My website should be going live shortly, too.

I managed to get most of my makeup work graded and entered in Teacherease. (Grades due Thursday.)

I've logged into my tech readiness orientation and started reading.

I wrote the suspense climax for Facing It yesterday.

Carol and I have been brainstorming on my next two projects. She's priceless.

What's new with you?

Buried Alive

I think I'm overwhelmed. Well, not overwhelmed, but maybe over-extended. I have a system for getting everything accomplished, but . . . my to-do list is scaring me right now. We have a fall break coming up and I'm hoping to get lots done then (like scrubbing the bathroom).

I am approximately three plot points away from finishing Facing It. I love this part of the book. The flipside is, once I finish it, I have to start something new. That means being on page one, with like 0% of the project finished. Honestly, I hate that part of the book, when it stretches before me like the first day of a school year.

Although, there are worse things -- like being four years into the renovations from hell and still not being exactly sure when the house will be finished. (I really should post some pictures.)

So . . . things to do today:

1) Add to Facing It (would like at least 1000 words)
2) Need to design and order postcards for What Mattered Most.
3) Grading. Must. Update. Teacherease.
4) Laundry.
5) Begin orientation course for my grad degree.

I'm sure there's stuff I'm forgetting. Need to do some post-Homecoming stuff, but I'm simply not in the mood. I think I'll delegate that to the SGA kids.

What are you up to today?

Whoo!

MARY SOLD!

Go congratulate her!

Stuff and Nonsense

So I've shifted pretty seamlessly back into Facing It, despite the fact I literally dropped it mid-scene. I wrote approximately 900 words yesterday. I'm close to 80% of the way to my targeted word count. This is a good thing.

I got my acceptance letter for NSU yesterday. Now, if Walden will let me in . . . I'll be good. Nothing against NSU, but I really want to start grad school this semester and if I go with them, it will be January before I can begin.

I'm guilty of having a really bad attitude right now. However, I am making a conscious attempt not to infect others with it. Hence, why I'm quiet and keeping to myself. Not sure what my deal is. Just . . . dissatisfied. It's weird.

I'm grading tonight. Must. Update. Teacherease. Must. Update. Teacherease. That's my mantra.

Found this list while working with some old files earlier today. It's my "soundtrack" list for several of my manuscripts:

Hold On To Me:

"Red Dirt Road" -- Brooks and Dunn
"Songs About Rain" -- Gary Allan (this is THE song for this book)
"(Baby, You Can) Hold On to Me" -- John Michael Montgomery, I think

His Ordinary Life

"Remember When" -- Alan Jackson
"There Goes My Life" -- Kenny Chesney
"Best I Ever Had" -- Gary Allan

Memories of Us:

"Making Memories of Us" (duh) -- Keith Urban
"Goodbye Time" -- Blake Shelton
"Who You'd Be Today" -- Kenny Chesney

A Formal Feeling:

"Live Like You Were Dying" -- Tim McGraw
"Come a Little Closer, Baby" -- Dierks Bentley
"Must Be Doing Something Right" -- Billy Currington (?)
"As Good As I Once Was" -- Toby Keith

For Facing It, I seem to be stuck on "Baby, You Save Me" by Kenny Chesney.

Sigh. I want an Ipod for Christmas . . .

New Review: HIS ORDINARY LIFE

Found this today. Tried to read it at work, and the Romance Studio obviously triggers the web filter for "sexual content." So now, the tech department will think I'm trying to read porn. G-reat!

But, Karen H. had this to say, in part, about His Ordinary Life:

“His Ordinary Life is a superbly written, emotionally charged and complicated story. . .The reader is sucked right in and carried along for the full experience of this roller coaster ride of guilt, redemption, love, growth and the test of a family’s strength under pressure . . . a story that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.” – Karen H., The Romance Studio

You can read the entire review here: http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/hisordinarylifewinfree.htm

Shifting Gears

Whew! Homecoming is over, baby! And I survived.

Edits of Hold On To Me are gone to the editor goddess. (It's up on the coming soon pages, btw -- I'm thrilled beyond belief. If you know me and this book, you know why.)

Now, I have to shift gears. In the classroom, it's time to hit the ground running. Homecoming and student government have pulled me away too much from teaching. Since HOTM is off for its next round of edits at the editor goddess's hands, I need to try to finish Facing It and start on the novella project I want to submit to Samhain's psychic anthology. I'm loving my idea for that; I just need to get the particulars nailed down.

Did I mention I'm trying to get into the October session of grad school, too? I seem to have lost my mind. If anyone finds it, please return it.

Warning: English Teacher/Writer Rant Ahead

You might want to look away.

Ahem!

People! The verb "may" is present tense. It's an auxialiary verb . . . and did I mention it's present tense?!

The inflected past tense form is "might."

That's right: "may" is present, immediate, happening now. "Might" is past tense, done been done as one of my most-beloved students is wont to say.

So what does that mean and why does anyone care?

Well, if you're writing in the past tense. And oh, it seems like 90+% of romantic fiction is in the past tense (present tense is pretty darn hard to maintain for an extended period, kinda like the second person) you cannot have sentences like, "It may have been a while . . ." or "He may not need . . ." Those are unnecessary tense shifts.

That. Is. Bad.

Might, people, if you're writing in the past tense. Might!

Thank you. You may return to your regularly scheduled blog-hopping now.

Ten Years

I started writing for real in 1997. Okay, basically, I started with a kernel of an idea that would later become Hold On To Me.

So . . . that's probably why I can't turn loose of this story. I've never been able to. I'm editing now, after rewriting multiple times . . . but it's truly the "story of my heart," the one you hear writers talking about.

Ten years is a long damn time to carry people and their lives around with you.

Which is probably why I'm thrilled to finally see it up on the coming soon list at Samhain.

Look!

You can also order What Mattered Most from Target now too!

How cool is that?

Stuff

Just realized I haven't blogged in FIVE days. Five!

I've been fighting off a cold all week -- finally feel better. Edits on HOTM are going well -- they're due Oct. 1 and I'm on p. 290 out of 317. I'm adding a short sequel scene at this point, but it looks like I still have time to go through the whole book one more time and tweak.

I'm still ill over how rude some of my SGA kids were in our meeting yesterday. I expect a lot from them, and rude behavior is NOT one of those expectations. One thing I will do before Monday is lay out some basic ground rules for what is expected when a heated discussion is taking place. I'm starting with everyone stays seated during meetings.

I have a package at the post office. Have no idea what it is . . . haven't ordered anything. Will let you know what it is . . . hope it's something cool!

LOOK!

This was at the post office today. Pics are a little blurry because we took them with the DH's cell phone.

Me and my books:

Sigh.

I screamed in the post office. I screamed in Connie's classroom. I pretty muched screamed in the front office at school, while showing them off.

They're REAL!

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

First Review, a.k.a Del Got Giggled

Rating: 85

“His Ordinary Life has plenty of realistic emotional upheavals and poignant character development … well-written romantic drama with some suspense but mostly plenty of internal turmoil … Fans of such stories may enjoy this one. I know I did.” – Mrs. Giggles

Click here to read the review in its entirety: http://www.mrsgiggles.com/ebooks/winfree_ordinary.html

You Could Not . . .

Pay me to go back and do high school all over again.

Just an idle thought.

Head over to Romance Worth Killing For tonight . . . I posted an excerpt from His Ordinary Life for reading enjoyment. It's part of my world domination plan . . . I want everyone to fall in love with the two oldest Calvert brothers.

Contest Winners

Just made my DH draw from the lucky St. Augustine hat. And the winners are . . .

1) The $5.00 MBAM gift certificate: Sunflower (Amelia)
2) Ebook of What Mattered Most: Loretta Wilson
3) Ebook of Truth and Consequences: Beth Reimer

Oh, and by the way . . . His Ordinary Life is now available!

Just a Few More Hours . . .

Until His Ordinary Life releases!

Sunday Morning Musings

It's Sunday morning, I was able to sleep past nine o'clock (that can be rare on weekends in this house), and I have coffee. I'm good.

The DH fixed my dryer yesterday, so I can tackle the mountain of laundry, thank heavens! Grades are due tomorrow, so I'll probably be grading notebook tests today, entering and exporting. I need to make a Septemer calendar for my students, but they might end up with a weekly one instead.

Homecoming is staring me in the face -- two weeks until Homecoming Week. It's a very good thing I didn't make plans to go to M&M in Atlanta, as the dance is that Friday night. It's not like I can skip it, either. I have a fantastic student government president this year and that's made planning for HC much easier. At this point, we have a theme, a venue for the dance, a DJ, a list of things to do and committees. I feel like I have more of a handle on it this year than I did last year, when we held the first one (we're a really new high school -- we didn't have alumni until last year so we could have a Homecoming.).

One Act is looming, too. I've started auditions, but with kids adding and dropping at practices, I still don't know how many actual actors I might have so I haven't even chosen a play yet.

And I'm haunting my email, looking for my HOTM edits from Anne the Editor Goddess.

In terms of story progress, I'm at 63,752 words, exactly 75% of my targeted 85K. I have seven plot points to go, so I'm not sure if that will take 22K or if I'll end up at around 80K. Either way, this rough draft will need serious marination before I go back and revise, edit and polish. In the meantime, I'm trying to think my way through Ash's book. I know the story of the romance. I know the suspense story. Now, I just need to figure out where the darn book begins. I can't get a handle on the opening scene/event, which is really unusal for me.

Need to write today, too. Fell short yesterday and only wrote 700 words. It was like drawing blood, finally gave up and went to bed (I was wiped out). Feel more refreshed this morning, hoping that will make a difference.

Hey, quick question for you . . . do free reads by an author make a difference in whether or not you buy his or her books?

Big Team, Little Me

Monster #1 ran in his first cross country meet today. I was so proud of him! He's definitely not the fastest runner on the team, but he completed the race, even though I knew it was hard on him.

I was also proud of our entire team, especially the varsity runners. When I reached the finish line area so I could watch Monster #1 come in (if you've never watched cross country before, you go to areas along the track as the run progresses so you can cheer them on), I saw groups of our older kids running the final, grueling yards with the middle school stragglers. They were encouraging them, making sure those kids would finish.

It was fabulous and gave me chills.

So kudos to our coaches and our kids, who have given new life to the "Big Team, Little Me" motto.

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For!

Two New Reviews and My Contest

What Mattered Most, my first novel from Samhain, received Five Lips from Tara Renee at Two Lips Reviews. In part, Tara said, "I could not put this book down and I know that anyone who reads it will find it as magnificent as I do." You can read the rest of her comments here: http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2142&Itemid=36.

Sandra Paquet at Gotta Write Network also recently reviewed John and Lanie's story and awarded it five out of five "ever afters". Here's part of what she had to say: "An emotionally charged plot, tortured characters who live and breathe on the page - what more could you want?" You can find her review here: http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/ReviewsBySandra2.html (you have to scroll down to each review).

You can find the blurb and excerpt for What Mattered Most here: http://www.samhainpublishing.com/romance/what-mattered-most.

Here's the contest deal:

The three prizes I'm giving away:

1) A $5.00 Samhain gift certificate (MBAM)
2) Ebook version of your choice -- What Mattered Most
3) Ebook version of your choice -- Truth and Consequences

How to Enter:

Read through the two excerpts from His Ordinary Life found at my Yahoo group (in the files section) as well as the excerpt at the Samhain website. Find the answers to THREE of the contest questions below. Copy the questions you're answering into a blank email and provide the correct answer for each question. Send to linda_winfree at yahoo dot com (you know what to do) with SAMHAIN CONTEST in the subject line.

Contest runs through Monday night (9/10/07), 9:00 PM EST. At that time, I'll draw a winner for each prize from those providing the correct answers and post the winners here at the Samhain Cafe as well as at my blog, lindawinfree.blogspot.com.

The Questions:

1) Where does Del have a scar? (Excerpt 2)
2) How many children do Barb and Del have? (Excerpt 1 or 2)
3) What did Del drive before the Porsche? (Excerpt 1)
4) What is Del's brother's name? (Excerpt 1)
5) In the Samhain website excerpt, what memory sends Del after Barbara for one more try?

Remeber, the questions and excerpts are posted in the files section of my newsletter group at Yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linda_winfree).

Word Count

For Tuesday, 9/4: 1362.

Total on Facing It: 60,363

71% of my projected word count. I love the last third or so of a book. I like moving toward the climax. Writing the ending, not so much. Climax and resolution? Definitely.

I'm running a contest this week -- will post those details later today.

Smokin'

Is the only word. I'm probably jinxing it, but I wrote approximately 6000 words on Facing It in the last day or so.

I'm 69.4% finished with the MS. Yes, I need to update my word meter. No, I'm not doing it tonight. Too fiddly.

What are you up to tonight?

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Too Good Not To Use

Front page of the local paper: our local city council meeting ended early because the mayor shouted and cursed at one of the council members before storming out (gee, second time this has happened, I think).

Like I'm not using that scenario in a book!

I already have tension between my sheriff's department and the county commission in the Hearts of the South books. Imagine a county commission meeting that deteriorates into a brawl and the sheriff and chief investigator having to break it up . . .

It Should Be Illegal

To be this wiped out on Monday! I think it's because I was sick last night -- my second vertigo attack in a week. That is not good. I don't get them that often, but two in a week? That worries me. Usually, I might have one every two-three months. Maybe my blood sugar was off or something?

Anyway, I'm reading Gatsby. Sigh. Have I ever mentioned how Fitzgerald was a huge, flippin' genius? Oh, only once or twice? Ad nauseum, maybe?

He was, though. I told the DH earlier tonight I'm really not qualified to teach Gatsby. I've read it so often that every time I come back to it, I see something I didn't see before in terms of the language, the structure, the style . . . and I'm just awed. How do I help relay that to a group of eleventh graders? Yeah, yeah, I know, most of them could care less. I get that. But . . . gosh, I wish they could see it. Or appreciate it for what it is.

I'll quit rhapsodizing and go read now.

I *Heart* MC!

Look what she brought me!

How cool is that?!

Augh!

I am attempting to set up an author MySpace page.

I am not a happy camper. I love Bebo, which is very user-friendly.

MySpace? Not so much.

But I am trying.

Here's what I've accomplished.

Today . . .

Is Friday, thank heavens.

And I'm posting over at Romance Worth Killing For.

Too Much?

Interesting post over at Romancing the Blog on books with an overload of sex.

I can relate. Recently read a book by a favorite author that suffered from sex-scene overload. I knew going in it was a "hot" book, but because I'd read other works by this writer, I expected a story to go with all the hubba-hubba-lovin'.

I was grossly disappointed. Really.

Because although the hero and heroine had the potential to be real, interesting people, the author sacrificed that to an array of sex scenes that really didn't further the plot. So when I reached the end of the book, and there was happiness all around, I didn't believe it. The book could have been so much better.

Maybe it's because I like the relationship stuff more than the sex stuff -- I want, as Betty Womack put it to me once, paraphrased her -- the stomach-tingling emotion. I want to get wound up in the growing relationship, the ups-and-downs, the final pay-off.

Don't get me wrong. I like reading hot sometimes. And I can write hot, too. If Tick and Caitlin don't kill my reputation as a prudish English teacher, Tom and Celia will for sure. But even when Tom and Celia are spending pages and pages in his bedroom, there's a reason. It ties into conflict and plot.

Not to mention their relationship-building.

So what about you? Have you read a book with too much sex and too little relationship? Which authors strike the right balance?

Still Feels Like Summer

I'm having trouble transitioning to the idea of school this year for some reason. Oh, I love my job, y'all know that. But there's something off so far this year and I'm not sure what it is.

Mary F. is listing what she's looking forward to this year but I can't relate at this point.

I think it's the six classes, the hundred-plus students and the triple-digit heat. It still feels like summer when I had a less-than-refreshing summer break to begin with. So I'm teaching and I'm doing my best job, because, well, that's what I do, but my true enthusiasms isn't there yet.

I'm hoping it will be soon. There are positives -- my kids are great, I didn't have to change classrooms, etc. But inside I'm a tad blah. It'll pass.

I'm off to write and cook a late lunch. Talk later, y'all.

Ch-ch-changes

Last week, Elisabeth blogged at Romance Worth Killing For about her youngest's transition into a "real" bed and her struggles with that.

I can relate. This year, Monster #1 started middle school. You wouldn't think there'd be a huge change there -- it's a small school with all grade levels on one campus -- so basically the kids move from one set of classrooms to the next as they shift from elementary to middle school to high school.

But it's different. Boy, is it different.

There's a lot more homework. We've had some ten o'clock nights (and even one eleven o'clock night). The flip side of that is that Monster #1 seems more motivated and organized, more responsible. He's always been a good student, but I also knew he was a little lazy on a lot of levels -- school was easy. He could coast. With our middle school faculty? Not so much.

There's also been a shift in our homelife with this transition. I'll be the first to admit our scheduling tended to revolve around my schedule: school events, teaching, writing/editing, etc. But with Monster #1 involved in extracurriculars now (he does two. He wants to add a third, but I'm not so sure about that yet), we're having to adjust our routines to accommodate that.

Finally, the biggest change is probably that I'm learning to let him go, a little bit at a time. He doesn't need my help quite as much anymore, although I'm aware he still needs me. Through this transition, I'm seeing glimpses of what the shift to high school and later to college and independence will be like. It's a little scary. It's a little exciting.

But I don't think I'd change a thing.

Stuff and Nonsense

Today's post is at Romance Worth Killing For.

My very first author interview is over at Cat Marster's blog.

Go check them out.

Snippet

Yes, yes, I know. I've been scarce the last week.

Blame it on school starting back, final edits and an absolutely overwhelming heatwave that makes you feel like doing absolutely nothing.

So anyway . . . I'm picking excerpts for promo from His Ordinary Life and I'm loving reading through it again. I love Del (Almost as much as I love Tick). Sigh . . .

So I was reading and I found this little bit of brotherly dialogue that I love, love, love, and thought I'd share it here.

***

“Couple years and you’re gonna need a shotgun to keep the boys away from those two.”

Startled, Del glanced at Tick, standing just inside the glass doors next to the bleachers. Damn, he moved quiet. Their father had moved the same way. His brother was in his investigator’s uniform of khakis and department polo shirt, and Del’s gaze skittered over the 10mm handgun at Tick’s waist. His stomach pitched, and he swallowed. “Yeah, I know.”

Not that he would ever have a shotgun in the house with his children, or any gun, period. Too much could happen.

Tick leaned an elbow on the top seat, his gaze on Anna, now kicking a pad held by her instructor. “Actually, Anna could probably fend them off on her own.”

Del chuckled. “Looks awful fierce, doesn’t she?”

“She is awful fierce. My understanding is that one of Beau Ingler’s boys told her karate was for sissies after church Wednesday night, and your little girl showed him different. Put his nose in the dirt and hurt his pride.” Tick glanced at the other end of the stands, where Blake sat working on his geometry homework, headphones covering his ears, head bobbing. “Have any more luck there?”

“No. His stubborn streak is showing.” He’d tried talking to the boy, once on the drive between the high school and middle school and again while the girls changed for classes. Blake’s responses had been no more than terse grunts and monosyllables.

“Gee. Wonder where he gets that from.” Wry humor lurked in Tick’s weary voice.

“Runs in the family. What are you doing here, anyway?”

“Just got off duty. Knew the girls would be here, thought I’d run across you.”

“You found me.”

Tick pulled his cigarettes from his pocket and tilted his head toward the door. “Want to step outside?”

Del pushed to his feet and followed him. “I thought you quit.”

“I did.” On the sidewalk, Tick tapped out a cigarette and lit it. “For about a week. Listen, I thought you’d want a heads-up. We had some incidents last night—a stolen mailbox, toilet paper in the youth minister’s yard, petroleum jelly on the pay phones downtown, that sort of thing. Kid stuff. No leads, but…”

“Yeah.” Del cast a dark look through the window at the back of Blake’s head. “I’ll try to talk to him again. Anyway, he’s grounded until further notice, so even if he was involved, he won’t be in the foreseeable future.”

“How are you going to ensure that? What’s to keep him from sneaking out again?”

Because I told him not to and he wants to live. He swallowed the words. Tick’s even voice echoed the doubts that had circulated in Del’s mind since he’d laid down the restriction. He was in a damned-whatever-he-did situation—come down too hard and alienate the kid further, do too little and watch the kid sink. It didn’t help that these days he felt like a visitor in his son’s life.

He pushed his hair back from his forehead and shrugged. “I guess I’ll camp out on the couch at ho—” He cleared his throat. “…at Barbara’s for a few nights until he gets the message.”

One of Tick’s eyebrows angled upward, his expression one of supreme amusement. “Does Barbara know that yet?”

“No.”

“Can I be around when you tell her?”

“No.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I’m glad you get so much amusement out of my problems.” The words emerged on a snarl and Del cringed. Sweet Jesus help him, he sounded like Blake.

Tick stepped back, hands lifted in a gesture of surrender. “Sheesh, Del. I was kidding. Chill out, brother.”

“Do I make fun of your problems?”

Tick’s face closed, the polite mask of his law enforcement training slipping into place. “What problems?”

The ones that have you looking like a damn ghost. “According to Tori, you’re nursing a broken heart.”

“And Tori watches too many of those flippin’ old romance movies.”

“So you’re not pining for someone, huh?”

“No.” With a savage twist of his wrist, Tick flicked his cigarette butt into a nearby ash can. “I’m not pining for anyone. Listen, I’ve got to go, but if you need any help with Blake—”

“I can handle it.”

Tick nodded, a shadow of disbelief in his eyes. “I’ll see you, then.”

“Later.”

He watched his brother walk back to the dusty pickup he’d driven for almost ten years. Tick’s normally fluid gate seemed jerky, the whole line of his body tight with a deep tension. Worry nagged at Del’s gut. Maybe Tick wasn’t pining, but one thing was for sure—his health wasn’t up to par.

***

What's not to love?

Sven's Sunday Check-In

Didn’t write Thurs/Fri because going back to work after the summer off was harder than I thought it would be! But I added those words to Sat. and Sun., so still made my goal for the week.

I’m at 45,540. 8848 words for the week. Average of 1264 per day. I’m over 50% of the way to my estimated word count.

It’s HARD some days b/c I seem to bog down in the writing, but there’s something about having committed myself to those words — forces me to push through, because I’m competitive, damn it, and I refuse to give in!

45,540 / 85,000 (53.6%)

Tidbits

I'm tired, but the house is CLEAN.

I have 800 words to write.

I also have to get up and go to work in the morning.

Sigh . . . I'm thinking of popping over and going on a Maya Banks glom at Samhain. Not that I need to be reading Beowulf or anything . . .

I could make that my reward for writing those 800 words . . .

Hanging On, Barely

Okay, I'm struggling with the writing tonight. I'm halfway in to my 1200 words and they are not coming.

It doesn't help that everyone's agenda around here tonight has obviously included interrupting me and making me crazy.

The temptation to say, "Hey, quit, just add 100 words to every other day this week and call it good" is hanging around, whispering to me. Only I know what the rest of this week is going to be like and what if I can't get my 1200 tomorrow? Or Wednesday? Only then it would be 1300 and I'd be in a bigger hole.

So 600 measly words. In an hour. I can do that.

Maybe.

Perhaps.

I hope.

Sunday Check In

I've been a lazy blogger this week, but a productive writer.

Total word count for challenge: 36,491

Total written this week: 11,453

Average per day this week: 1636

Also completed print galleys on Nov. release and third round of edits on another book (it’s off to the FLE!).

Loving that this is making writing daily a habit. I need that.

36,491 / 85,000 (42.9%)

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Oh, and btw, I'm at 30K plus on the WIP! Whoo-hoo!

Sunday Check In

25,277 / 85,000 (29.7%)

That's my progress for 14 days of the 70 Days of Sweat. So after 20% of the sweaty days, I have almost 30% of my book written (if it doesn't go long -- I'm beginning to wonder if it might be a 95-100K book, but we'll see).

Today, I sorted out some of my plot issues. I don't have a complete synopsis yet and I'm working on the arc of the second romance -- I have two separate romances circulating about the suspense plot in this manuscript. I've never done this before but I'm really enjoying it.

You should pop over and read Larissa's post on rejection. I've tried to explain to people before how I'm thankful now that I didn't sell earlier because I wasn't ready and a) I'd have been miserable in the long run and b) I'd have screwed it up royally, but somehow I doubt I was as articulate in my explanation as Larissa is.

On the TTD list for the week:

1) HOL edits to Anne

2) WMM print galleys turned in

3) teach a four-hour writing instruction workshop

4) teach two one-hour drama workshops

5) make my 1200 daily

6) work on unit plans :-)

Only ten more days of summer vacation. Sob! Whatever will I do when I have to go to bed at a decent hour and get up at 5:30?!

New Review: WHAT MATTERED MOST

Hey, found this today, couldn't resist sharing! This is a review from Coffee Time Romance for What Mattered Most that I had not seen before. It's a five cup review, too! Whoo-hoo:

Cherokee, the reviewer, wrote in part:

"What Mattered Most is a highly charged tension grabber that locks onto the reader and does not let go until the conclusion...a roller coaster ride of events...The character of John alone held me captive in this unique story."

About time John O'Reilly, the anti-hero, made up for getting me kicked out of that critique group! I was glad to see someone loved him. ;-)

You can read the entire review here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Whatmatteredmost.html.

Goddess Worship

Not a huge Nora-book fan (I've read one or two). She's clearly an incredible writer, just doesn't pull me in for some reason.

I guess it's like mine and Wayne's agreement to disagree over T.S. Eliot. A matter of taste.

As a person, she is also clearly a class act: articulate, intelligent, wryly funny. I like that.

So we'll make it official: Nora Roberts is a goddess. ;-)

Pet Peeves Over Coffee

Okay, I have a handful of spelling demons -- words I cannot spell correctly without looking up:

1) occurred (I never can remember if it's one "r" or two)

2) occasional ( I want to add an extra '"s")

3) committed (I can't remember if it's one or two "t's")

Because I know that people have spelling demons (and many schools didn't teach spelling for many years), I'm pretty forgiving of spelling mistakes in my students' papers, etc., although I do make them get a dictionary and fix them.

But.

I hate spelling errors in something that is for public reading.

Like a letter going out from my school to parents. I saw one come in over the fax line while I was in the office the other day. I wanted to grab it and take a red pen to it, or retype it, or something before it went out to hundreds of people.

What set me off this morning was a blog post by a multi-published author. Yes, yes, I know, blogs are informal forms of communication. But mispelling "lightning" and "losing"?

By the way, "lightning" is the correct spelling for that "large-scale, high-tension natural electric discharge in the atmosphere." "Lightening" is when something is growing lighter or brighter. They are not interchangeable.

"Losing" -- participial form of "lose" meaning unable to find or maintain or keep something. "Loosing"? Means to set free or let loose.

Why did this set me off? Because I cannot tell you the number of times I see those two spelling errors. And not in student papers. The local newspaper. Excerpts posted by authors. Blogs posted by authors.

See where I'm going? If you're going to write at a professional level, you have to learn how to spell, how to use similar-spelling and/or similar-sounding words correctly (affect vs. effect, anyone?), how to use a dictionary for those words that are your personal spelling demons. Because, as we all know, spellcheck will not catch words spelled correctly but used incorrectly.

I'm not saying your writing has to be perfect (there's a reason I won't assign a grade higher than 95 to a piece of writing in my classroom), but but what we put out there as authors should be darn close.

Rant finished. Going for coffee now.

Where I've Been

Nowhere, actually. A limb took out my phone line and hence knocked out my ability to get online. It's fixed, obviously.

Except now the A/C is on the blink. Did I mention it was 100 here today?

So I'm tired, hot and grumpy. 1200 words behind on 70 Days of Sweat, too. So I have to write 2400 words tonight. I have no idea what scenes those words will consist of.

Augh.

Augh.

Augh.

It's too hot for exclamation points.

The Worst Part of Drafting

I'm in that lovely part of drafting where it all looks like crap. Later, it will probably transform itself, but right now, it's c-r-a-p. I hate when I lose my objectivity about the writing.


I taught the first part of a writing instruction workshop today, and it's hard to explain how you do what you do when you're teaching. I teach pretty instinctively, now that I've got some experience on me -- and reproducing that verbally for someone else to take notes on is difficult.


I had a writing friend refer to me as an "instinctive writer" once upon a time and I kind of filed the description away. But more and more I understand what she meant -- I know what I do when I write, but darn if I can tell someone else how or why I do it.

So right now, it's all crap. Later, it won't be. Don't ask me how. Or why.

Because darn if I can explain it. :-)

{Doubt Demon pipes in: "What if it is all crap? Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!"}

It's All About Focus And Drive

This is where things get dicey. I'm doing well with 70 Days of Sweat. I have 14,403 words on Facing It, compared to 0 (yes, that's ZERO) eight days ago. The story is going well, I think.

Here's my TTD list for the next two and a half weeks:

1) HOL edits #2 -- due to Anne the Editor Goddess by July 28 (that's 13 days).
2) WMM print galleys -- due by July 27 (12 days)
3) I'm teaching a ten-hour writing instruction workshop in three installments over the next three weeks. First four hours is tomorrow.
4) I'm holding six one-hour drama workshops over the next three weeks. That starts this week, too.
5) I need to clear our master bedroom and its closet in preparation for our renovation work scheduled for August.
6) I need to finesse my unit plans and get monthly calendars ready for my classes for Aug. & Sept. before preplanning begins.
7) I have to stick to my 1200 words daily for 70 Days of Sweat.

It's doable, but I have to stay focused. I've started running again, too, and that's helping. It keeps me on track, somehow.

It looks like 9:30 to 11:00 is going to be my prime writing time. The key is I have to stay offline. There are too many distractions otherwise.

I know it looks like a lot, but it is possible for me to pull all this off and still have some me-time. It's all about focus and wanting it and discipline. It's the same concept that applies to my classroom and my coaching.

It's also about prioritizing. You'll notice 70 days of sweat got the number seven spot. It's not because it's not important, but you'll notice edits got the #1 spot on my playlist. This is the deal -- I have professional obligations to meet at both Samhain and the school where I teach. Those obligations come before the new book. I think I can do it all, but the deadlines and the teaching prep have to come first. Hence why, although I could easily continue with the chapter of Facing It I'm working on, I have the edits file open and I'll spend the next hour or so working on that. I'll take a break and come back to the edits this evening, then maybe I'll get to add another couple of thousand words to Facing It.

Now, I need to find a way to work some promo time in there. That's the kicker. The darn promo!

Today's Post . . .

Is at Romance Worth Killing For.

Got up early to go to Connie's. Definitely worth waking up at 8:00 after going to bed at 12:46 and being awakened repeatedly by Leroy the Demonic Kitty.

But . . . note to self: Don't ever let Connie give me directions anywhere again.

Caution: Soapbox Ahead

Okay, so I end up with over a hundred emails today, and most of them deal with a discussion of the new RWA board decision. (This me: "RWA controversy? Oh. Yadda yadda yadda again, huh?" I don't give my money to RWA simply because $75 is a lot of money for a magazine subscription, since I live in the middle of BFE and any local chapter is at least four hours away. Oh, there is one two hours away, but you try getting any info on it out of RWA's main office. I don't think it really exists. Anyway, me + RWA = yadda yadda yadda.)

{At this point, Connie is reading this, thinking, "What's RWA?"}

So I'm not at Nationals and my publisher bascially is no longer recognized (read Angie the Editor Goddess's classy response here).

But I digress.

Because Kate Rothwell, goddess that she is, nailed the issue today.

I do not need RWA to validate me as an author. I do not need the President of the RWA board telling me that I don't need to "settle" for less than $1000 for my work. H-ello, I wasn't aware I had done so, simply because I went with a small press. I'm looking at clearing over four figures well before the year ends for my writing (not that it's anyone's business but mine).

But listen!

The amount of money I make does not validate me as an author.

RWA does not validate me as an author.

My editor, as dearly as I love her, does not validate me as an author.

Having an agent, which I did once upon a time, does not validate me as an author.

Being multi-contracted does not validate me as an author.

Many of those things are nice. Do I like hearing that my editor loves something I wrote? Yep. Did having two agents asking to sign me within days of one another make me feel good? Sure. Is the royalty check neat? Heck, yeah. What about that multi-contracted status? Yeppers. All fine and dandy and as far as the IRS is concerned, it makes me a "professional writer."

Did I think at one time I needed all that to be validated as a writer? Damn sure did.

I was deluded.

Because this is the key.

Your agent doesn't validate you.

Your editor doesn't validate you.

RWA doesn't validate you.

You validate yourself. And if you spend your time worried about how others view your publisher, your published status, which agent you're with, blah, blah, blah, yadda yadda yadda, then you're not focused on what's important.

The writing.

Because that's what ultimately validates you as an author. What you produce.

Know what I produced this week? 10, 251 words of a book I hope is going to be the best I've written yet.

{Okay, Connie, I'm off my soapbox now. I'll see you tomorrow!}

[PS to Kate: You should come over here. We could get into a knock-down, drag-out about something . . . oh, say, my state vs. yours, or dark chocolate vs. milk, or oh! whipped cream in coffee vs. not . . . we'll start a kerfuffle and work up some promo traffic for both of us.]

[Wait a minute! Kate! My named-for-a-bloodsucking-parasite hero vs. your tesslerat hero! That's it, baby! C'mon. You know you want to.]

Emerging

Still making progress on Facing It. I wrote my three pages by hand last night because we were having a rocking thunderstorm.

Worked in my classroom a little this week (my bulletin boards are up and I cleaned out my filing cabinets). I have to do this BEFORE preplanning because I can't get anything done when there are other teachers around. I'm weird that way. I consider it my duty to aggravate Connie and Mary and keep them from getting anything done.

I'm planning for the school year. And last night, I nailed down the plans for the drama workshop I'm giving before school starts. I think it will be fun.

I've been walking/running again. Can't let Monster #1 be able to run/walk farther than I can! I feel better. I've missed my excercise.

House is a pit. Must. Clean. Today.

Did I mention I have a writing instruction workshop to teach Monday and all I've done is make my copies? I'm doomed . . .

Progress Report

9 pages, 3715 words on Facing It.

4 apges, 1246 words on In Dreams.

Total: 13 pages, 4961 words total.

I just have to keep this up for 69 days.

Have I mentioned if I pull this off, my students are going to be in trouble? Because if I can do this, there's nothing they can't do if they put their minds to it. I think I'll borrow Sven for my classroom. A big "Sven Says Sweat" poster for the door.