Gotta Write

Anyone ever see Singing in the Rain? (there's your earworm for the day).

I am seldom without direction as a writer. Stories pop into my head all the time, inspiration from the most inane things.

Because of the stresses of my day job, and because of the additional personal stressors this year, I chose to set the writing aside until after deadline season. We have to chose our battles, and while writing generally relieves some of that stress for me, there were just too many other things on my plate.

This week is the second of the three major deadlines, and the most demanding of them. While we have one more big push, these past couple of months without something new to write have made me antsy. The new release shows up in stores on Monday, and I'm VERY excited about that. I had so much fun writing COOKIE THERAPY... so much so that now I'm wondering if I continue with Hoffman Grove, or one of my friends suggested I write another of the Mist books - there's a redhead convention coming to Chicago this year which might make for a fun perspective.

Or do I start a new series?

Whenever I finish a book, I tend to fall back to EPITAPH, which I still haven't been able to get quite right. I finally gave up on that one when I started COOKIE THERAPY, figuring I'm never going to get it right. I've been toying with starting that one over from scratch instead of trying to "fix" it. I still like the premise, but I think it was the heroine that didn't agree with me.

So the ideas abound, and I'm hoping to dig into something next week, after we get past the end of this month and THIS deadline. I've even toyed with moving into a new genre, but I often feel the stories write themselves, so not sure how in control of that I truly am.

Any suggestions for what you'd like to read next from me?

A walk with the Lord

This has been a busy week for me. It is with mixed emotions that I tell you I lost my mother this week. For those of us left behind, we will miss her nurturing and guidance. For my mother, she held her hand out when the Lord called her home and stepped into his loving embrace.

Forgive my brevity this week. This is time to spend with family and friends and those who knew and loved my mother, and perhaps more importantly, to shore up my father as he learns to go on alone after 65 years with the same woman by his side.

Peace.

Being Sick in Fiction

Guess who promises to get a flu shot next year? And not only did I get it, I shared.

We all know men are babies and women are troopers (how's that for a broad, sweeping generalization?) In my house, my DH is very attentive. "Can I get you anything?" "Do you need anything?" and in turn, he is not one of those big babies generally speaking. My DH is a caveman when he gets sick. He goes to his bed and doesn't come out until he's better. This can be alarming considering he doesn't answer the phone, doesn't speak. But it beats him whining and having me wait hand and foot. Not that I don't get that opportunity also. Today, for instance, as he's on the mend, I'm working feverishly at the day job (we're on deadline, in case I forgot to mention it), and suddenly he needs things. A glass of something cold to drink. Breakfast. Jello. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to take care of him, but for a man who usually refuses to allow any assistance of any kind, his timing is a bit off. Now when he wants something, so does everyone else and now I'm juggling to keep up! (am I whining? Stop that right now!)

Does it bother you to read about sick people in novels? I've read a couple of stories lately where the heroine was ill and the hero, great guy that he is, stood by her, held her hair back while she tossed her cookies, and generally hung around to make sure she lived through it. In the one story, the heroine had bad sushi and got food poisoning. In the other, she was seasick. It rather endeared the hero to me that he would take care of the heroine, but I'm seeing a trend that I really don't need to see. On the other hand, it does bring to mind the differences in how men and women react to getting sick. Does it create a better characterization for you to see how caring/thoughtful characters can be? Or is that one level of characterization you can do without?

While I have your attention, don't forget to tell all your friends about COOKIE THERAPY. Release day is April 4. Check the sidebar for a chance to win a copy at Goodreads. And if you don't want to forget to buy it, you can always preorder!

Back to my deadline ....

Sisterly Love

I'm finally reading Kristan Higgins' book IF YOU ONLY KNEW, which I got for Christmas. It's a touching display of sisterly love and struggles (I'm only halfway, so not ready to provide a review, although I love her writing).

The timing is perfect, as I'd like to take this opportunity to share some love with my sisters. There are four of us, and as much as we may have fought or hated each other growing up (as siblings will), I am eternally grateful to have them in my life as an adult. Having grown up together, we know more about each other than anyone else ever will, and those bonds pull tight whenever one of us needs support. We're there for each other, even when we're miles apart.

I'm using this very public forum to especially thank two of my sisters, who have done so much during a very difficult time for all of us, taking time out of their days, time off of work, away from busy schedules. It helps so much to be able to share the burden, and they are shouldering the lion's share. My sister "miles away" provides knowledge and expertise, which helps even when she can't be close.

I am thankful for my family. Love you all.

Thank you for indulging me today.

I'm So Excited!

I'm really pleased with the new release. Drum roll please... it will be hitting stores April 4! Stop by the web page for more information.

In the meantime, thought I'd tempt you with another little snippet (its available for pre-order in case you want to buy it now - so that you don't forget when it goes live!)

In spite of the grime that threatened to choke Elizabeth, the apartment had possibilities, like her. It needed someone who would love it. 

She sputtered. As if anyone would ever love her. Her own mother didn’t love her. Elizabeth was definitely a fixer-upper, if anyone was willing to spend the time. She might be beyond hope, but she could transform this apartment.