“I don’t say we all ought to misbehave, but we ought
to look as if we could.” Orson Welles

Eh-hem… If you’re reading this at midnight, then your New Year’s was as uneventful as mine. Then again, maybe you were thinking, as I was, that you’d better get a head start!

:mrgreen:Cheers!~ DD

Sometimes when I have my head down writing, I feel like my feet are caught in quicksand, and the harder I kick, the deeper I sink. But it’s just the feeling I get when I’m stuck in my latest work-in-progress. I forget everything else I’ve done.

That’s why I like taking a snapshot of what I’ve accomplished throughout the year to remind myself of everything I’ve done before I set the course for the next year’s wild-assed race.

In 2008, I’ve seen fourteen stories published, including my second Avon book, SEDUCED BY DARKNESS, in March (which has been nominated for a “best” award by Romantic Times magazine) and my first single title with Kensington, DOWN IN TEXAS, in November, along with a couple of Kensington novellas, an Avon novella, etc.

This year, I’ve written:
* 2 and 2/3 single title books
* 5 novellas
* 5 short stories
* 2 full proposals
All for a total of around 425,000 words written this year.

That’s an incredible number of words. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I hadn’t made the decision to become a full-time writer. Fans gave me the courage to try. So, thanks so much for your encouragement (letters, blog comments, and purchases alike!). You are what keeps me going!

On January first, I’ll give you a look at what I’m planning to work on in the New Year, as well as provide you the schedule for my upcoming releases as I know it now!

For any of you writers out there—don’t forget to sign up for the plotting bootcamp that’s starting on January 5th.

Tell me! Is there anything about this man’s body that isn’t perfectly proportioned? I found this photo at a luscious site called Just Beautiful Men. Follow the link for the perfect way to start your work week.

First, let me do my promo thing.

Today’s my monthly play date with Ellora’s Cave’s Chat loop. If you want to join in on the fun be sure to sign up. This is what you should expect:

About that live chat—if you can’t make the all-day marathon party, I’ll be at Fallen Angel’s Chat room at 11:00 AM CST for an hour. I’d love to see you there.

So here’s an update regarding what I’ve been working on in December.

1) I finished up edits and resubmitted Saddled to Samhain.

2) I revised a short novella that’s part of a Diamond State Romance Authors’ effort. I entitled my story, A Natural Man.

3) I finished a proposal for an urban fantasy novel and sent it to my agent. I’ll let you know what happens with it, but I won’t say any more than I had to do a lot of research into witchcraft for that particular work. Some of it was pretty interesting and you may see related posts from time to time about everything I’m still learning.

4) Lastly, I continue to plow through the fourth Dark Realm book. I have about 130 pages to go, so I’m on that tricky downhill slope.

On January first, I’ll give you a look at what I’m planning to work on in the New Year, as well as provide you my release schedule as I know it!

For any of you writers out there—don’t forget to sign up for the plotting bootcamp that’s starting on January 5th. If you need more information, take a look at my December 22nd posting.

Here’s hoping something sexy is waiting for you under the tree! ~DD

Because I’m buried in familial duties at the moment, I’ve been a slacker. My daughter has problems with her pregnancy and may deliver sooner than we all thought. The four-year-old had her tonsils and adenoids removed yesterday and is making sure that everyone feels as miserable as she does.

So, I’m leaving you with a question to answer. I’ll tell you my answer tomorrow. Bet you can guess what kinds of questions I get.

Let’s see…

Saddled, with some revisions, was contracted last week by Samhain, and I have a tentative March date for release. Woohoo!

Still haven’t heard from Ellora’s Cave about when Jane’s Wild Weekend will be released or if Lockdown will be accepted, but they don’t move very fast.

In the meantime, I’m making progress on the next Dark Realm story. And yesterday, I finished a three-chapter proposal for a dark urban fantasy set in Memphis that I hope will excite an editor somewhere. I sent it to my agent for a first look. We’ll see.

So, what’s next? More Dark Realm-4. Lots of nasty sex and violence going on there. And I’m putting together a proposal for a cowboy story I want to pitch at Harlequin Blaze. I didn’t like the start I made on that work, so I’m re-dreaming the opening scene. Sometimes these things take a little time.

In the meantime, Christmas is looming and I only have one gift bought. Might try to do the online thing since I hate leaving my “mole-hole” when I have so much work to do. Send me good vibes for the works I have floating and the ones I hope to complete by the end of the month! *smooches* ~DD