I Finished!

I did it! I did it! I. DID. IT!!!

Yes, I finished the first draft of Ghostly Interlude. I still have a scene to fix (mainly the love scene—haha!), but the ending is written. The first draft is written! I’m so freakin’ happy I can hardly contain myself.

Last night the hubby and I went to see Cheap Trick and Peter Frampton in concert. Wow. That was one long concert. Started at 7pm (promptly, too!) with Cheap Trick. They played for almost 90 minutes. A short intermission to change the stage and then Peter Frampton came out and finished up around 10:30pm.

Probably just as well we didn’t walk. We would have gotten home really late. But the threat of rain kept us in our car. Of course, the rain never came. Turned out to be a lovely night.

I was impressed with the Rose Music Center. It opened new this year and I don’t believe there’s a bad seat in the house. I’ll definitely return to see another concert. I really like how it’s close to home!

Well, I don’t have much else in me to blog about. Feels like all I did this weekend was eat and write. Okay, and went to a concert. Still a very productive weekend. Writing-wise!

So… What are you jumping for joy about? There’s gotta be SOMETHING!

Have a great day!

Stacy

The Ending is in Sight!!

That’s right! Yesterday I woke up with the ending of my book playing around in my head.

Yes! Hallelujah!

Before I headed to the fitness center, I made sure to write it all down (because that brain of mine can be a cruel organ, you know?).

I tell you, though, I was beginning to worry. Okay, maybe not beginning. I was way past beginning. I was worrying! Of course, I do this every time. I’ve always come through in the past, so I don’t know why I didn’t think I wouldn’t this time. But then, I think that all the time, too.

Don’t try to understand that, you’ll just give yourself a headache! J

I see me writing THE END very soon. And I just can’t tell you how WONDERFUL that day will be. This is the longest I’ve ever written a first draft. The LONGEST! Made me wonder if I’d lost the touch. So glad I didn’t. It just got sidetracked there for awhile.

*****

I had a blast at Kings Island on Wednesday. Weather was great. Company was great. Crowds were low (they usually are on Wednesdays). Couldn’t ask for a better day.

Hubby didn’t want to ride all the roller coasters I wanted to, but he didn’t have a problem waiting, either, so I took advantage of his hospitality and finally rode one I’ve been wanting to ride since the ride opened: Firehawk. On this roller coaster you ride lying on your back for part and then hang staring at the ground for the other part. Oh, and this ride loops and twists. I think this was the first roller coaster I was actually afraid. I mean, there’s not THAT much holding me in the seat, and then to have ALL my weight (which I’m not a tiny person) on that restraint gave me a bit of a pause. Still, I survived and now I no longer have to wonder about that ride. I also don’t plan on riding it again.

Okay, maybe if I lost 50 pounds, I will. Haha! J

This Sunday the hubby and I will be going to our first, and most likely our only, concert of the year. I’ll let you know on Monday how Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick are. I hope they’re entertaining. Sometimes that doesn’t happen. Sometimes it’s amazing. The last time I was amazed was when we went to see Peter Noonan (of Herman Hermits). That man was crazy (in a fun, demented way).

So… What was the last concert you went to that left you amazed?

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

No Wednesday Reads, but My Sunny Vampire is FREE

I would LOVE to say I finished my current reading project—because that book is, like, SUPER good—but I’m behaving and concentrating on my writing instead, so no books to report this week.

I noticed on Monday that the digital version of My Sunny Vampire is FREE on Amazon, B&N, and Kobo, so if you don’t have a copy yet, now would be a good time to get it because it won’t be any cheaper (duh!). Links are located on the book tab above.

I didn’t know MSV was going to be free and I don’t know how long the sale will last. The book is currently ranked in the 50s (on Amazon) for free downloads in the paranormal romance category. Not too shabby, I guess. I hope it generates sales for Bite Me (or even more reviews for MSV—sadly, it lacks many of those), but only time will tell.

Out of all the non-writing projects I had planned for Monday, I completed all but decorating the Christmas tree. It’s assembled, so I’m not a total slouch. And I would decorate it today except our old couch will be removed (finally—yay) and I won’t be able to put the chairs in the family room by myself (yeah, I go to the gym, but I’m not THAT strong). So, it’s best to leave the tree bare for now. Less chance of breaking an ornament. Looks like I’ll be decorating tomorrow.

In the meantime, I’m writing on the breakfast table. Something I don’t normally do. If I end up being more productive there, I might have to re-think my writing process.

Yesterday I managed to finally add some words to Ghostly Interlude. I’d been nervous getting back to it since I hadn’t touched it in a month. Nervous for no reason, it seemed. It felt good to write. Hope to get even more words added today. I’ve decided to kind of skim over the difficult scenes and write on. And when I say difficult, I mean I have a slight IDEA of what the scene should entail, but I’m still trying to figure out my character’s back story, so until I get a firm grasp on that, the scene is only a note. Hopefully, I don’t get myself into a mess doing this, but it’s better than staring at a blank page. Plus, I want to write. Writing always helps me figure out my characters, especially when they’re talking on the page.

So… How’s your week going so far? Good, I hope!

Stacy

I’ve Set a Goal. Can I Succeed?

I certainly HOPE I succeed. My goal is to finish the first draft of Ghostly Interlude by Thanksgiving. That means writing about 2000 words a day, M-F (weekends and my cruise week off).

Can I do it? I should. My first book was written that quickly and I had a day job back then. I just have to “vomit” the words out and not worry about it being perfect. I also have to stay away from blogging and Facebook until I’ve reached my daily goal. THAT will be the challenge. I was doing that stuff BEFORE I write. My reasoning was to get it out of the way. But I’m realizing now that that’s garbage. So I gotta stay away until AFTER. It’s the only way I’ll get the job done. And I sooooo want to get the job done.

My reward for accomplishing this goal? Getting to watch “American Horror Story.” I’ve got the first two seasons on DVD. Never seen the show, but it sure looks interesting.

In other news… I’m finally getting ready to send out a newsletter. If you want to be on the mailing list, you can sign up for it on the side bar. I have no idea how well I’ll do (or what I’ll put on it), but I DO know that I’ll only work on it either AFTER I’ve reached my writing goal or on the weekend. Because, man, getting that stuff ready is really time consuming! Mainly because I’m learning as I go.

Update on my exercise routine: I’ve done really well the last couple of weeks going to the gym. Made it four days each week. Haven’t lost any weight, but I’m hoping I’m gaining muscle. Muscle eats more calories and takes up less space than fat. Plus, there’s this whole wanting-to-get-in-shape thing. The gym is killing me, but breaking up the exercise routine (legs on one day, arms on another), is really working out well. I’m walking at least 30 minutes before the weights (and getting my reading done during that time), which means I’m working out for about an hour a day. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can stick with it. I am motivated, though. Got a cruise in October (and again in December) and I’d like to be able to not look as fat. I know… I’m asking a lot! J

So…what did you do this weekend? Or did it go by in a blur?

Stacy

To Blog or Not

I can’t tell if I need a break from blogging or if being on Facebook has just drained me dry! At least my stint ends tomorrow. We’ll see how I feel after that.

In good news, I started working on my WIP again. I still need to make that a priority and I will. Soon.

Have a good weekend.

Stacy

 

My First Retreat

First off… Sorry, no pictures. I never even pulled the camera out. Frankly, that’s not a surprise where I’m concerned. I guess if other people took pictures, I might have done it, but they didn’t so I didn’t.

I had fun! Just being around other writers, talking about writing (and publishing), was pretty cool. There were some newbie writers as well as published ones. I’m still amazed I’m part of the published ones. I still don’t feel all that experienced with only 5 years of writing behind me.

I managed to get over 900 words added to Book 7 AND edited 78 pages of Bite Me. Shocked me! I also got some critique comments for Book 7 (told me what I needed to pay attention to) and I critiqued three other first chapters. I also found new authors I want to try out (and support). Overall, pretty productive.

Know what else it was? Exhausting! You’d think not, huh? But the beds weren’t the greatest and when staying up Saturday night until 1:30 talking (I crashed about an hour before the majority), waking up at 7:15, staying for lunch (at a nearby restaurant), then driving home for nearly 2 hours, took its toll. I guess if the bed was more comfortable, I would have slept longer, but it wasn’t, so I didn’t.

The place was pretty and it did warm up a bit on Saturday (after the rain left). I stayed in and worked, though (hard to write on my laptop with the sun blaring on the screen--can’t see anything--and my battery only lasts about an hour anyway). But having only two bathrooms with 15 women (one had to cancel) did make it difficult at times. Not something I would recommend for anything longer than a weekend! Heck, I don’t think I could survive there longer than a weekend. It might look pretty, but it wasn’t always comfortable.

Would I do it again, though? You betcha!

So… The Penguins head to Game 6 tonight. In Columbus. And they’re up 3-2 (best out of 7). I’d like to be there and watch them win the first round (I’m thinking positive, here), but not at their prices. Guess I’ll just have to suffer with watching it on TV. Go Pens!!!

Hope your Monday isn’t a drag!

Stacy

 

Four Questions About My Writing

As you can see, I survived the week. I’m so glad I don’t have another job. I think I would have had to take a vacation to recover, if I didn’t just up and die, that is. I guess there’s a reason we have the saying: When it rains, it pours. And while I’m still in the editing cave, at least it’s quieter. I can stand to have some more quiet.

Now on with my post. I’ve been tagged in a Blog Hop by Jennette Marie Powell. I know her through my Cincinnati RWA Chapter and I’ve read all her books and loved them. If you like aliens or time travel romances, check her out.

I have four questions to answer regarding my writing. Hopefully you’re interested to read further! Let’s see how I do.

1. WHAT AM I WORKING ON? Well…I’ll skip those I’m editing for my publisher and talk about the ones that aren’t sold (yet!). I’ve finished the first draft of my next vampire romance, BLIND TEMPTATION, which I’m in the middle of revising. It’s about a vampire who is forced to attend driver’s ed (or lose her position on the Committee). Her love interest is her teacher, who is blind. Yeah, I know. A blind driver’s ed teacher? Believe it or not, I think I make it work! The vampire was turned at the age of 17 and the teacher is 39. Yep, age difference here (physically--emotionally, she’s centuries older!), and she’s kind of glad he can’t see her (thus, the title). I can’t wait to get back to it so I can then submit this one.

I’m also writing the first draft of my next ghost romance, GHOSTLY INTERLUDE, which is about a woman who is being possessed. Her love interest is the private investigator she hires (who was featured in GHOSTLY LIAISON). She doesn’t know she’s being possessed; she thinks someone is drugging her (this is why she hires the PI). He thinks she might have a split personality. I’ve barely gotten started on it, so I don’t know much more than that, but look forward to getting back to the story (because, you know, everything stops when you’re working for your publisher!). I do have this writers’ retreat coming up soon, so hopefully I’ll be able to add LOTS of words to this one!

2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE? I really hate this question. I mean, how does anyone’s work differ? It’s my work, so it’s different. Anyway…regarding the romance genre, my characters usually start out liking each other. I’m not fond of those stories where they start out disliking (or hating) one another. I’m all about the love. While the characters do have enough emotional conflict of their own, I basically have them work together to fight an outside conflict before they can reach their happy ever after. As for the paranormal part? Well, I strive for realism. Is that different? I don’t know. I haven’t read every paranormal romance book out there. Give me time!

3. WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO? I love paranormal/supernatural stories. Heck, I lived on horror books for years before I wrote. But I always felt they missed something. Turned out to be romance! While I don’t write horror, I get a little gritty with my characters. They certainly get beat up a lot! Who knew I’d have such fun torturing them!

4. HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK? Hmmm… I write. Not enough? Well…for BLIND TEMPATION I came up with the idea of having a blind character (like Auggie on Covert Affairs). Then I came up with a vampire forced to take driver’s ed. I started writing from that. As for GHOSTLY INTERLUDE… I was given a prompt on another blog and came up with a beginning to a story. Didn’t know which story. Vampire or ghost? Well, turned out to be ghost and I already had the perfect man for my damsel in distress. I started writing from that.

And what am I writing when I’m writing? Sometimes it’s just dialogue. I have my characters talk. You’d be surprised at how much I learn just from that. Of course, it makes for a very thin first draft (or a lengthy outline), but once the story is in place, I go back and “beef” it up by adding descriptions and emotional content. So far the process is working. I haven’t NOT finished a book yet. Can I pat myself on the back for that?

This is the part where I’m supposed to tag up to three other authors. Unfortunately, I haven’t had any takers, so this arm of the blog hop will die with me.

So…did you read to the end? Did you find this interesting? Are you anxiously awaiting me to finish these stories so you can go out and buy them? Huh? Huh? You can be honest! J

Have a great Monday!!

Stacy

 

Spring Brings a New Writing Project (and Baseball!)

Well, the writing bug has hit again and I’ve started Book 7, in which I’ve tentatively entitled GHOSTLY INTERLUDE (this one follows a character introduced in GHOSTLY LIAISON). It’s about a woman who is being possessed by a ghost, but doesn’t realize it, and the man she hires to help her. I know, thin, but that’s about all I know about it now. Hello! Pantser here!

I posted what I thought would be the beginning of the story HERE (an opening I wrote on the spur of the moment for a fun assignment) and sure enough, it is! Well, there were some minor changes, but for the most part, that’s the beginning of my book. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Just because I’m writing, doesn’t mean I’m not editing. Book 6 (BLIND TEMPTATION), is nowhere near finished, but I find I can only edit for so long and then I’m really zoned out. That’s why I started the new project. Apparently the writing side of my brain doesn’t have that zoning-out kind of problem! Whew!

I find it interesting that I’m starting another book now (so close to April). I began writing the last four books in April. Heck, the first book I ever wrote was 5 years ago in April! I’m beginning to think it has something to do with spring! J

Now my only choice each day is whether to write first and then edit or edit first and then write. Yesterday I wrote first. Didn’t get much editing in, but then I don’t do all that much writing/editing on the weekend as it is (especially when I remember I want to write a post for my blog--oops!). But I’m thinking I better edit first. I really want BLIND finished so I can give it to another reader.

 

And then there are these two other projects that will take precedence over everything--you know, those that Lyrical/Kensington will be publishing (hee hee). Still haven’t heard from my editor, but then the contracts were just delivered on Friday (USPS isn’t exactly speedy, even with priority mail!). I expect it won’t be long before I’m knee deep into those edits.

Busy, busy, huh? But I’m loving it!

I’m going to my first Dayton Dragons baseball game of the season this week! Yay! Yes, it really IS spring! I just hope I don’t freeze out there. Even though the temp’s supposed to be in the sixties, that’s still not exactly toasty warm, you know? I’ll just make sure to take a blanket (or three).

So…What event tells YOU it’s spring?

Stacy