Stagnance

We all feel it at times, right?
As if we aren't moving forward? or backward? or even sideways?

There are LOTS of areas of my life that feel kind of stagnant right now. Thankfully, my relationship with my hubby isn't one of them. Haha. Nope, this isn't a posting rant about a relationship. Yay, me. :D

Just over a year ago, I dropped out of one of my online writing forums for various reasons that all lead to me realizing I needed to write for myself. Still in need of a support group, I found my new critique group at Passionate Critters and spent the last year writing and gaining confidence. Writing takes more than discipline and knowledge, it takes that confidence. Being back on track now, confident in my own writing, with another manuscript under my belt, maybe it's time to shake things up again.

See, there's no brass ring. Success isn't reaching some point so that we can retire, happy with the thought that we know all there is to know. Oh, no.

There's always something more...
So, what do I do now?
Well, I've reacquainted myself with the online writing forum. It's fun to get back in there and share the life. Share experiences.
I'm going to take a few classes in the winter semester at my local community college. I'm thinking criminology... and maybe a creative writing class... there are so many I have highlighted. I also have a University in my town, so I've had crazy thoughts about getting that degree in English that I never completed on my last run through the higher education mill. Wish me luck.
Last but not least, I might join a mentoring program through the writing forum I belong to.

If you're reading this and you agree with me, wanna take a class with me? Wouldn't that be fun? We could carpool. [you know who I'm talking about ;-)]

Women's Literature

I'm going to read a book by Jennifer Weiner.



I know. Shocking, isn't it? I took the recommendation from Kerri Sparling. I'll have more on that later.


For now, Monday Reviews [will it stick? I don't know.] I just woke and wanted to talk about the book I read last week. My first EVER Allison Brennan book. A women I have all kinds of RESPECT for, just by knowing her from being a part of the same writing organization.

Whoa, cool but wrong Brennan. [something tells me that Brennan shaves an awful lot of herself ;)]

That's better.

Sudden Death was a great introduction to books-by-Allison. Intense, fast-paced, smart. That's how I would describe Sudden Death.

What I really loved about this book was the sympathy I felt for the villain. Well, one of the villains. :D I believe, and I'm learning, that it takes real skill to create emotion like this for a guy who is torturing the good guys.

The more I read the news and hear about the bad stuff, the easier it is to forget that sometimes, it's not all black and white...

Now, on to the basics. Great job on characterization. Loved the way, i could relate to the hero and his cronies. The priest, especially. Torn loyalties there. I get that alot... not because I'm a priest, but because I'm always struggling to stay on the straight and narrow. Though the story isn't about the priest, he played a big role. Wanting to protect his brothers, yet needing to cooperate with the law. The hero, of course, was big, strong, alpha male. I know the time space makes the story a tad unbelievable, but Allison sets him up for the change... you know? Like he's ready to make that leap to commitment, he just needs a catalyst.

Enter: Megan Elliot. The book cover says, By-the-book Elliot. I guess I like that about her. If anything, I considered her self-doubt a little over played, but I still can't say it wasn't true to her character. Love, loved, loved the ending....

Allison worked in the clues, never leaving me behind. You know, some books are about the race. The adventure. Staying one step ahead of the bad guy. Brennan solved me a mystery, and I appreciate that, too. Clues were laid, and I followed them to the end.

...there is one scene I got a little queazy over, so if you have a weaker stomach, try the Weiner book. :D

I should ASK

When I was growing up, my mom would move all the furniture in one room, all by herself. Sometimes twice in one task in order to get the desired effect. Maybe this is why I almost never ask for help. Carrying laundry baskets, moving furniture, changing diapers, emptying the seasonal bins... I do all! Not to be bragging, because it's not a brag, and it's not exclusive, either. Matt does his share of the same tasks.

This morning, I carried a bin sized load of laundry downstairs to the washer and dryer. A few seconds later Matt pops his head down and says, "If you want help carrying the laundry basket--"

"I'll ask," I said. Funny thing is, I thought to ask, but didn't. I mean, I'm going down anyway, right? On the other hand, how can my hubby serve me, honor me if I don't give him a chance? So, remember ladies, sometimes we can be strong and independent, and sometimes, strength means giving up our indepence, too.

Harlequin shakes things up at RWA

Most of my readers are writers, so you most likely have heard the news... Harlequin has opened its doors as a Vanity Press. What does this mean?

It means that a writer can now pay to get published under the name Harlequin Horizons. Not only that, but Harlequin will also earn 50% off the net sales on any book published through this subsidiary branch of the Harlequin Enterprise. Is this a sign of the times? Hasn't Harlequin been featured in national media as 'going strong' even as the economy plummets?

It makes me wonder if HQ is worse off than they claim.
...and here's a thought. If HQ stumbles, will ePublishing fill in where it leaves off?

Well, I for one, am not interested in paying $600 to have my books in print, only to make half of what the book is worth when it sells... Sells, because I marketed it. Ick. Thankfully, I wasn't looking at Harlequin to publish my stuff anyway. So, nothing's changed for me in that regard. I'm still going the agent route... and to NY! Huh, I wonder if Harlequin is considered NY publishing? Was it ever? Will it be now?

My world isn't so small that I think this will have an effect on the greater publishing industry, but in the romance world... it's big NEWS!

If I had a million Dollars Game

You remember that song by Bare Naked Ladies? If I had a million dollars I'd buy you a monkey? Well somehow it got stuck in my head the other day and hasn't gone away. And it's left me wondering what five things I would want if I had a million dollars. OK, more like a say, ten million (accounting for inflation since that song came out), but for reasons of cleverness in this blog post title, if I had a million dollars I would ...


Have a library like this ...




In a house like this ... [yes, there's a housekeeper]




And drive this car ...




Vacation here ...




With style like this ...




Now it's your turn. Pick five things you would have/do if you had unlimited funds. Trust me, I know we'd all do something good with that money (I'd set up funds for couples wishing to adopt), but this is a purely selfish post. So be selfish and on your blog, post five pictures of what you would do with a million dollars. Be sure to put a link to your blog in the comments so I can see what you all would really want!

Oops, I did it again

I've been soooo good about keeping my check book balanced! Then, a snafu and I'm muck deep in NSF fees. :P How? How does this happen when I think I'm being so good?!?!?! I am officially a pain in my hubby's side over this... He has no sympathy, of course, but he does accept my apology and forgive me, so I guess I'm lucky to have him. :P Argh! To be perfect would be nice.

Alas, I am not.

So, onto a new week and a new start.

I have no sympathy for myself this week either. I've done almost NO writing. I have an entire story plotted and I'm not doing anything about it. Why?

I don't know.

Sitting at the computer just isn't that fun right now. And that is the worst mindset to have!! What if I was on deadline? Would I be saying that? Does this attitude show my seriousness about a career?! No. It doesn't.

So, tonight, I think I will force myself to sit and do at least an hour of work at the computer. No excuses... no distractions...

I hope everyone is doing well.
We are all hanging in there around here and the weather is helping us actually enjoy this time. We have so many blessings, so many things to be thankful for.
Take care.
With love,
Bethanne

Memories

I had a pleasant memory today. A good one, from before Diabetes. I've thought of it off and on throughout the years and a friend's post about candy on Facebook today resurrected it.

When I was a kid, three little girls could walk... at least 6 blocks to 7-Eleven. Gosh, it might have even been more like ten or fifteen! [The world was definitely bigger then.] We had our stash of cash, and came back to Mary's house with good gobs of candy. I remember the Runts especially. I don't know why. After sorting it all, and rationing it, we took off to do something else.

Whatever we were doing in those days...a quick trip to Richmond Park, a run through the sprinkler, a walk around the block to my house. On our return, we found Mary's brother eating our CANDY!

The memory sets a glaring light on how different my world is today. Forget Diabetes, how different the world is for my children. Where is the freedom of childhood for my children? It doesn't exist like it did before. Do I move to a smaller town? Do I search for the past?

My memories of life on the West side are so dear to me. Friends from those days are still my friends today and will be my friends tomorrow, too. When I write my stories, I pull from those memories. I pull from the emotions those memories evoke, because they are heartfelt and reminiscent of innocence. Deep down, I think the memories are why my stories so often feature reunions, old friendships and lost love. [No, I'm not pining over lost love. :P]

So, tell me. What is your favorite childhood memory?
...and have a great week!
With Love,
Bethanne