Monday, February 19, 2007

Random musings

First, I just checked the Preditors and Editors Poll results and I'm really excited to see that Celestial Dragon tied for 13th place. Wow. I'm still smiling.

I spent hours yesterday trying to create mailing labels and postcards to announce my first solo booksigning. I can't wait to hold my first print book. Celestial Dragon went on sell Friday for the print version. But - I think I already blogged about that. Anywho - getting things ready for my first big event is making me crazy. In a good way, of course.

I also spent hours getting my tax information ready for the tax guy. I took him three years worth of writing expenses. He'd originally told me it was best to save my expenses for when I had income to claim against those expenses. Today, he told me we could apply all of 2006 expenses, but that it would be better to spread the other expenses out over the next few years. Sounded good to me, so yeah, have at it, Mr. Tax Guy. All of that is beyond my comprehension anyway.

The rest of my weekend was spent staring at html code. Ick. I don't know how the webguys do it all day. I'm webmistress for my RWA chapter and while I can handle simple stuff, some of it is beyond me. Needless to say, I'm learning a lot in the process of having to maintain our website. Mike from ktf-designs built the site and he's been very patient with me as I delve into new areas of web design.

But with all of that and spending three hours with the family on Saturday, I still wrote a full chapter on a new project. Whoop! It's all good.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Golden Rose!

Hey everyone! Its time for the annual Golden Rose awards. We've got a great shot at winning this year but we need your help! Please take a few minutes to head over to http://goldenrose.loveromancesandmore.com/ you'll find the rules and the voting/nomination ballots. Simply fill in the title of the book and the authors name in the correct category.

There a lot to choose from!

Here is the list:

Best historical:
Holding out for a Hero by Phyllis Campbell
Sarah's Brass Token by Ciara Gold
In Your Arms by Rebecca Goings
Best Contemporary
10 Ways to Melt a Man's Heart
Best Paranormal
The B*E*A*S*T Within by Rebecca Goings
Best Romantic Suspense
The B*E*A*S*T Within by Rebecca Goings
Best Novella
Do Overs by Donica Covey
Dear Micah by Donica Covey
Best Inspirational
Do Overs by Donica Covey
Dear Micah by Donica Covey
Best Scifi/time travel/fantasy
Celestial Dragon by Ciara Gold
Best Cover Art
The B*E*A*S*T Within

If you choose to vote please make sure to include not only the title but also the authors name or else the vote will be invalid.We thank you all for your constant support and we'll be back with more news later!

Hugz!
The Mavens

Friday, February 09, 2007

The Fine Art of Two-stepping

We went dancing last night at the local country western dance hall. We try to go at least once a month. Last night was a hoot. We saw all sorts of dancing. So - I thought I'd comment on the art of two-stepping.

Okay, first of all for those of you that don't dance country, with the two-step, you step twice slow, then twice fast, so - 1, 2 slow, 1, 2, fast. A really good two-stepper doesn't lift his feet, but slides. So perhaps, slide, slide slow, slide, slide fast. That's much better than the bunny hopper. Oh yeah, the hopper is hard to follow. Hop, hop, slow, hop hop fast. i had to dance with a hopper once and yep, only once. Hee hee. My husband is a great slider.

Now then, there's the hitcher. This is a very uncomfortable move for me because I'm a slider, but heck, I've seen some great hitchers. So what's a hitcher. So glad you asked. A hitcher moves like this: 1, 2, slow, hitch. He hitches his hip up and holds his toe to the ground for the count of the fast 1, 2. It's kind fun to watch them hitch that hip.

Last night we saw it all; hitchers, sliders, two-steppers (thems that don't slide) and hoppers. We also so an unusual combination that made us both smile a lot. An older couple, older meaning about 20 years older than us, danced almost every dance. They were having a grand time, but he was dancing and trying to lead with a two-step, while she waltzed most of the night and dang if they didn't manage make it all the way around the floor without tripping. I love to see older folks having fun and dancing. I picture myself in their shoes when I'm their age.

That's my goal, to keep dancing even when I'm 100.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Have you signed up for your newsletter yet?

If you haven’t you don’t know what you are missing! This month, the month of romance and love, the newsletter is filled with all things romance. There’s even a romance contest! If you haven’t joined up yet, get yourself on over to the sign up and join today. Then you too can enter the contest!

For me this month shows to be extremely busy. I’ve got a self-imposed deadline for Betraying Chase. At the beginning of the month there was a birthday party for my daughter, then there is a short stay with my best friend, Valentine’s Day, a trip to Arkansas, my birthday, girl’s night out with best friend and dear friend from high school. Girl’s day out with my mom, aunts, cousins and Nanny.

All this while trying to get 187 pages written to complete Chase and Brandy’s story. Then there is the next book on my schedule to work on. If only I could keep one voice channeled and get that book done!

I have always followed a specific pattern in my writing. I write from beginning to end, following as the voices dictate. Today I strayed from my normal path. I began writing a clip of a scene that I know has to go into the book, but the timing in the manuscript isn’t ready for it yet. Clear as mud? LOL So I’m trying to get over my personal issues with writing out of sequence while keeping the flow going. It may not sound like it but it really is a big deal for me.

I’m very curious here. If you were to write a romance novel, what kind would it be? Would it be a paranormal filled with shifters, ghosts, witches and the supernatural? Would it be an inspirational? Science fiction? Comedy? Historical? Intrigue/thriller? Plain contemporary? Inquiring minds want to know. Is your choice of genre for writing the same as what you read? Please leave a comment and share which genre you would write.

I look forward to reading your comments!
Huggles,
Donica