Wednesday, January 30, 2008

I'm a Star!


You are The Star


Hope, expectation, Bright promises.


The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised


The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.



Well if I'm a star, I'm a very tired star. I'm working on edits for an April release and dang, what was I thinking? The first half of the book was awesome if I do say so myself, but toward the end, I made the hero into a heel. A very handsome heel, but even pretty feet smell. LOL. So - yup, I've been burning the midnight oil to rewrite the last part of the book and it's going better than I expected, well, except for my lack of sleep. I stayed up until 3:45AM Saturday, then 11:00PM Sunday, but on Monday, I wrote until 2:00 AM. I didn't even know it was that late, but my body felt it the next day when I had to get up at 6:00AM. Tonight? I'm going to bed earlier, but I soooo want to finish it.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Feeling Behind

I'm just now getting around to posting. This whole week I've felt like I've been one step behind. Mainly due in part to contest month at school. We entered 59 pieces of work in a very big, upcoming competition that will happen in February. What does that mean for me? Lot's of work. I have to mat each piece and make sure all the paperwork is attached. So yeah. It's hard to write when the focus is elsewhere.

On a brighter note, I think my orphan train contribution might be getting bumped up a bit. Whoop! That would be truly awesome. I'll let you know as soon as I know.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Dreaming BIG!



SHOW ME THE MONEY!

We've heard this many times...especially if you're a romance writer. On Karen A Fox's website, she talks about the different publishers and what an author can expect to be paid in advance for our first book. I have three stories that I could get published right away, and two more that I have half-way written. So let's say I could sell five books this year. (remember, I'm dreaming big here!)

If I sold my historical Courting Disaster (still need to figure out another title!) to AVON, I would get an advance of $3,500.

If I sold my historical Spanish Eyes to Harlequin Historicals, I'd get an advance of $5,000.

If I sold my contemporary Down & Dirty to Silhouette Desire, I'd get an advance of $4,000.

If I sold my historical paranormal Night Secrets to TOR, I'd get an advance of $8,000.

And finally, if I geared one of my other stories for Harlequin American, I'd get an advance of $4,000.

NOW...what if I could sell all these books in ONE YEAR (yes, I'm still dreaming big)? I'd get $24,500 just in advances. Yes, that's very sweet, isn't it?

I know writing books isn't supposed to be all about how much money an author can make, but I've been with small presses for four years now, and I really would like to make money from my books since I really haven't so far.

So..will 2008 be my lucky year? We shall find out....


~Phyllis~

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Feeling Lazy


This is the first breath of air I've had in a long time. Yeah, I know. If that were true, I'd be dead. So - no, I'm not being literal. (pinching myself to see if I'm alive.)

My last contracted work is finished. In other words, I have nothing contracted after Once Jilted comes out in June. That's both a wonderful feeling and a scary feeling. Wonderful because it's been sorta stressful writing to the clock. But scary because -WHAAA, I have nothing else contracted. Egads. I best set about getting some queries written at the very least.

I'm not really worried. I've started work on a sequel to Celestial Dragon and A Noble Sacrifice. I just don't want to feel pressured into finishing it by a certain date. So - I plan to write 10 chapters of the Dragon King before seeking a contract.

But that's not all! (Sounds like an info-mercial, doesn't it? Hee hee) I'm also working on a few other projects as well. I just now feel the freedom to work at my own pace. That's really a nice feeling to have.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Like a Tall Glass of Water in a Hot, Dry Desert



Now that the holidays are over and a lot of the stress is gone, I've finally been able to concentrate on what I most love to do - writing. You would not believe how long I've been absent from writing new material. When I finished TOMB, my book for Cobblestone Press, I pretty much couldn't write anything else after that. What, with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, it was nigh impossible.

No matter how many times I sat down at the computer, I just couldn't get anything to come, nothing inspired me, and all I could think about was shopping for gifties or throwing parties or going to parties and family coming to visit and food to cook and bake... It was insane!

But now, I think Becka's got her groove back. It's taken awhile to warm up to the book I'm currently writing, ONCE A DREAMER. But I've been brainstorming and coming up with some great ideas, and I'm about 5K into it. Sure, 5K isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. But considering my long, drawn-out dry spell, it's better than nothing.

Now, instead of putting my writing off and trying not to think about it, I'm constantly thinking about this book and how I can write it to the best of my abilities. I really love it so far, and I can't wait until I'm in the thick of it. The hardest part for me in writing any book is the beginning. Once I get past this "hump" there'll be no holding back.

It's about dang time!

~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Monday, January 14, 2008

Goodbye my friend

I was going to post something intelligent and profound today. But when I woke and logged on I received some very sad news. A friend of mine’s husband passed away. He’d been battling cancer and he lost the battle at 1:30 yesterday morning. My heart aches for her. I can’t help b ut cry over the loss.

The strange thing is I’ve never met her in person. Several years ago, I joined eHarlequin and I found a place where I fit. A place called the Bat Cave. These were like minded individuals who were pursuing the illusive publishing contract, people who had the same twisted take on life as I do…okay no one is as twisted as me, but they’re pretty darn close. The support, friendship and strength this group gave me helped me through some of the darkest moments of my life and I like to think I’ve offered my help when others have needed it.

When Valerie’s husband became ill we all shared grief, worry and well wishes with her. When he was in hospital cards, letters and tiny tokens of affection were sent to them. When he was so ill he couldn’t eat, she shared her grief with us and we sent her our love.

Valkyrie, my fiend, I send all my fwaps for you and the loss of Croc Hunter. I’ll be winging my support across the continents and hope that my wings wrap you in comfort. Unhugz.

Donica

Thursday, January 10, 2008

2008-T13-2


What’s your sign

Have you ever seen a sign that you felt was what fit into your life in some way? Here are a list of signs that mavens would five finger discount IF A)They were the fingering type, B)Actually could find them

Ciara Gold:
1. I think everyone wants to find and collect one with their name on it. That’s a given.
2. I’d love to find one that says: Muse Street, that way when my Muse decides to vacation, I’ll know where to find her.
3. Stargate – I love the series, but having a street named after it would be super cool.

Phyllis
4. I’m a big fan of Moonlight, so that would be a great sign!!
5. I always collect anything that has my name – or the names of my two daughters, Chrystal & Heather. Now I can collect something with my grandson’s name, Xavier.
6. Maybe “Marie’s World” would be good since my husband always says I’m always in “my” world.

Donica’s Answers:
7. A sign that says Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates
8. A sign for highway exit 18 A off of interstate 64 that says “Bat Cave” I have Halloween and bat things all over my office AND I’m in a writers group called “The Bat Cave”
9. Beware of Bear
10. There is a highway KY here and right on the junction is a place called The Lubrication Station. I’d love to have that highway sign and the sign from the station.

Becka’s Answers:
11. A sign in San Diego that has a man, woman and child running. It’s a Illegal immigrant warning sign
12. A sign in a place called Fu_ _ing (pronounced fooking?) It has the word and then a slash through it so it’s “No (fooking)”
13. A sign that has a burglar with a car and then an open trunk lid with a dollar sign. The caption reads Hide your Valuables.




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


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


Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Christmas Chuckle

Well, I could tell you all about my 5 angel review for Eliza's Copper Penny or the various polls where I have work you can vote for, but ... I'd rather tell you a story, cuz I'm in a story-telling mood.

My daughter is quite the character and doesn't like change. Our usual Christmas tradition involves going to Christmas Eve services, opening gifts on Christmas Eve, opening stockings the following morning followed by Christmast brunch, then Christmas Turkey dinner late afternoon. This year, plans changed for one reason or another, but mainly because my daughter had to work Christmas Eve. She was very upset that we weren't opening gifts that night, that instead we were opening them Christmas morning. "But Mom, let's at least open our stockings." I hadn't even gotten their stockings ready. "Really Mom, I'll ask Santa. I'm sure he'll say it's okay." I just frowned at her. She left only to come back a little later. "Let's call Santa. What's his number?" Mind you, this is my sixteen-year-old. I'm like, no, let's just be patient and wait until tomorrow.

She sulked off, but came into the kitchen later and started to beg again. "I really think we should call Santa. He'll tell you it's fine to give us our stockings early."
Me? I'm frowning, but she has me at the breaking point. "Fine. Call him."

Her eyes light up. "Really? What the number?"

I arch a brow and give her one of "those" looks. "I don't know. Try 1-800-Northpole."

She dials. Her eyes widen. "Mom! Some lady answered and said, 'Hello, sexy man, what's your pleasure tonight."

My mouth gaped. "Hang up. Hang up, quick." Lord only knows how much that call is going to cost me. Of course, no one expected that to be a live number. I still don't know if she was pulling my leg or a real person answered the phone. I do know Santa left the stockings that night.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Writing Goals

Writing Goals



New Year’s Writing Goals (Anything and everything but lose weight)
1. Interview at least 7 folks per issue for the new community Magazine.
2. Rework my Fantasy and start the query process again
3. Do a better job of promoting, so folks know I have great stories to read.
4. Write sequel to A Noble Sacrifice, (Cari’s Story)

Marie’s Answers
1. Write at least 5 pages a day – or one chapter a week.
2. Send out a query to a big publisher at least one a month until contracted.
3. Finish at least three of my stories that have previously been started.
4. Work with critique groups once a week.

Donica’s Answers
1. Write a total of 6 books this year
2. Sell those books
3. Branch out more in the promotions aspects of writing


Becka’s Answers
1. Spend less time on IM and more time working on manuscripts.
2. Send a query to Silhouette Desire and see if I can get my foot in the door at Harlequin.
3. I actually want to do less promo, as I feel I burned out on it in 2007. I was doing so much promo via chats, guest blogging, blogging in general, keeping up on my author loop, networking on sites such as MySpace and FaceBook, that I feel as if my writing really suffered for it. Therefore, I aim to pencil in my promo around my writing, not pencil in my writing around my promo.



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

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Polls

The polls are up! Everyone gets very excited this time of year because there are so many review sites and other sites who offer awards to their favorite authors/books. I'm no different. I get a real rush when I see that someone has nominated one of my books for something. Imediately afterwards, there's a feeding frenzy while authors let their readers know. Yep, it's time to vote.

I'm no different. Some awards require reader input. Votes. And the campaigning begins. LOL. Well, I won't campaign. Like everyone else, I believe I've written a dang good story, but at the same time, I want honest votes. So - here's my campaign. I don't care who you vote for, but just vote. The more readers who vote, the more valid the results.

Below are a list of links where you can peruse the nominations and cast your vote.

Ciara Gold

Long and Short Reviews and no, I'm not on this one as I didn't submit anything for them to review.

Love Romances Cafe and again, I'm not up for anything at this site but you'll see some familiar names. Just click on the poll section once you visit the loop.

Eliza's Copper PennyBut now, I am up at Editors and Preditors along with a lot of familiar names and faces. You can find A Noble Sacrifice under the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels and Eliza's Copper Penny is under Book/e-book cover artwork. I love this cover. It's very striking.


Last year, Sarah's Brass Token was nominated for a CAPA. Wow. But this year, The Romance Studio didn't review one of my books. Bummer. But that's okay. I'm still estatic with the Eppie nomination for A Noble Sacrifice.

So regardless of your favorites, just go out and VOTE!

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful New Year.