Since I already talked about what I accomplished writing-wise in my April Wrap-up, I’ll talk about some other things.

Last year, I looked at my collection of writing books and realized I had wasted a lot of money because I hadn’t cracked the spine on some of them. I decided what I needed was company to work through one. I chose Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, formed a yahoo group, and invited my writer friends at Rose’s Colored Glasses. Every week there was a reading assignment and the questions at the end of the chapter. We wrapped up the book in March. Sure some folks dropped by the wayside, but some of us kept reading. Maybe I could have finished the book a heck of a lot faster, but I the point is I actually did finish it!

So, I opened a new challenge in April. I formed a yahoo group, sent out invitations and we’ve begun working through Robert Ray’s and Bret Norris’s The Weekend Novelist. The book describes a methodical way to write a novel one weekend at a time. I have a project set aside for that effort. A novel I’ve been too intimidated to write. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Our online critique group is still going strong. And I love to hear when someone who ran a project through it sells. That happened this week. Would love to mention her name and the book, but maybe she wants to keep her resources a secret.

This next week might not be so super-productive. I have a pre-op appointment on Monday in Little Rock, which messes with the rhythm of my writing day. Have to be able to roll out of bed and start, but I will be up super early to make that appointment. Then on Thursday, I’m having a lump removed. Nothing wierd or dangerous, just something that’s causing my shoulder to hurt. So Monday and Thursday are pretty much hosed. I’ll be looking for sprinting company to keep my butt in the chair all the other days.

This week will also see the release of the print anthology Captive Souls, which includes my story Stone’s Embrace. So be looking for it!

I spent 14 years on active duty in the Army and another 7 in the Guard. I know the kind of mischief soldiers get into when they get bored. This video was made by a group of very bored soldiers in Afghanistan. Keep watching, it gets funnier. Don’t you know Lady Gaga has to be smiling too?

This is something I like to do for me. I figure if I put my accomplishments and failures out there, it will give me a kick in the butt to do better as I move forward.

Guess we’ll see how well I do. 🙄

Psst! The name of the FIRST KNIGHT winner is at the bottom of this posting!

First thanks to everyone for all the support you gave me yesterday. And special thanks to those of you who went out and bought the book. Several of you wrote me later to tell me how much you loved it! That always makes the labor worthwhile!

I saw a really long list of conversation prompts called “Just 4 Things” in an email sometime back and liked the concept so much, I thought it would be fun to use them here—only we will only do three of the questions at at time to get to know each other better. If you’d like to play, post a comment and your answer to these prompts. My answers will be in the comment section too.

1. Four jobs you’ve had in your life:

2. Four jobs you wish you had:

3. Four movies you can watch over and over again:

Okay back to the book release and the winner of the contest. If you read the story, I’d appreciate you posting a review, or just “starring” it on the EC website. Help another reader figure out whether the story is something they’d like. And by random number generator the winner of the handmade, beaded bookmark and the signed book (any book I have in stock) is…Paula! Paula, email me with your choice of story and your snail mail address. Congrats!

Just a quick rundown.

I finished Four Sworn this week and submitted it to my editor at Samhain. Just 16k, but packed with naughtiness. I started to revise another proposal that my agent liked but thought the heroine might not seem redeemable. Then I read it again, liked it just the way it was and shipped it to one of my editors to see what she thought. If she shares his opinion, I’ll listen. If you’ve read me, you know I like taking the person who seems like someone you can’t forgive and making him or her someone you want to cheer for by the end. Or at least make their sins understandable. I’ve read too many trite “mistaken” sins that weren’t really sins and I want to read the grittier, truer version of that premise. Maybe a reader or two does too.

This week, the goal is to get the openings of a couple of new stories started and finish the synopsis for the second big book. I’ve pretty much taken care of the large goals I set for myself for April, so I can slack off a bit.

Today, I’ll be covered up with family again so no writing is happening. But pool’s open! Wheeee!

The winner of the Amazon.com GC is listed at the bottom of this posting!

But first, let’s review your choices for the next installment of Bad Moon Rising. The most votes were cast for Mason bringing DiDi dinner, which they will eat at the end of the dock. Then he will invite her to dance. They’ll share a romantic moment. The next scene will be with DiDi at the Stop ‘n’ Go where she will meet a woman who’ll explain what The Prowl is all about. Now, I just have to figure it out for myself. If you have any suggestions, remember, this is your story, I’m not supposed to be thinking too hard about the plot. You are!

I’m not planning on getting any writing done this weekend. It’s family time. I’ll be in Hot Springs with my daughter’s family today. I’m hoping the weather improves. Last night, I ran out into a hail storm with a thin straw hat on my head to protect me from ice missiles while I moved my car into the garage.

So, while I’m gone, here’s a question for your to ponder…

What is something that most people consider a modern convenience that you, quite frankly, consider a pain in the neck?

The winner of the Cat Tails contest (by random number generator) is…Terri! Terri, email me!

You still have time to enter to win an Amazon.com GC!
Cast your vote in yesterday’s poll!

I took the bubble wrap (thermal blanket) off the pool yesterday afternoon and went for it. 74 degrees and everything was nipple-y! But I’ll do it again today. I missed my daily water adventures (diving for live and dead critters).

Did manage to quick-plot the next big book. It’s complicated. Too many main characters. But I’ll go ahead and write the synopsis today and submit it. Once I begin writing, the focus will (hopefully) settle out. Also brainstormed a short novella with my BFF Sasha White. That one will be short and UNcomplicated. Need some of those. Then I spent the rest of the day, setting up files for May projects and getting them on my desktop so I can hop from one to the other when I get bored with work on the big thing.

Restarted my diet on Monday. After I quit smoking all those lovely curves I discovered last winter under the pudding disappeared as I packed on 15 freaking pounds. Why does the weight pack on so fast and disappear so slowly?