Christmas and all it’s surrounding celebrations

are behind us. While we didn’t do anything really elaborate, we were busy. There was a stretch of several days that I didn’t get any where near enough sleep to suit me. From making tamales with the family until after 2am, then getting up the next morning to open gifts. I cooked for only 9 this year, but it went well. The day after Christmas we had a wedding and stayed out till nearly midnight only to get up before 5 to go spend time with my mom, sister and her kids.

It was a blast and totally worth it but it left me exhausted. I’ve thought about my story but haven’t had time to open it up or do any work in days. The old man has to work on New Years, so our celebrations will be laid back probably a movie marathon. (I’m thinking maybe the Jurassic Park movies, including Jurassic World!)

How was your Christmas? And what are you planning for New Year Eve?


We’re down to less than a week

from Christmas. Am I ready? No. but I am far closer than I was a week ago. I’ve got everything planned out so things should go at least mostly smoothly. Things never go entirely smoothly, but I’m okay with mostly. I’ve got to finish moving furniture… wrap the last of the gifts… start the roast thawing for dinner the big day. There’s more but that’s the big stuff. I also have to work in some writing/rewriting if I can.

What are your holiday plans and are you ready?


How did it get to be almost Christmas already?

The last thing I know, NaNo was just starting. It seems like I blink and not only is NaNo over (and won) but Christmas is less than two weeks away (do I have to put up a tree?) I swear, every time I blink another week has gone by.


General Updates

As I get ready to head out to teach another session of Creating Cool Characters for our NaNo Prep classes at the library I feel the need to drop in with a quick up date.

We’re still on release week for Wicked After Dark. We’ve had a ton of help and right now we’re even featured on Free Kindle Books and Tips. So far, I’ve managed to get as high as #46 on Amazons bestselling Paranormal Romance Authors list, and let me tell you, I’m so excited I can’t sit still.


I did it!

The first draft is done, before my deadline too! Now I’m focusing on NaNoWriMo Prep. I’m once again a NaNo ML so I’m planning for my book and giving a series of classes to help others to be ready for NaNo. Oh, and research. Research is my friend these days. I’m looking at doing something totally different for NaNo this year so I’m trying to get all my research done ahead of time, or at least gathered and ready to check when I run across a question.

Are you planning on doing NaNo this year?


Things aren’t going as quickly

as I would like. Not because the story isn’t working or my characters aren’t talking to me, but because my life is too busy. I have too much going on to spend as much time working with the friends who live inside my head as I would like.

Too many kids, too many sporting events, too many weddings and family reunions. Well, at least too many to get the story out as quickly as I would like. Not that I would trade any of it (well, maybe the sports crap in the heat) but I’d like more time to get my writing done too.


Lots going on here.

I had 3 kids start school this week and my last one starts on Monday. While I’m happy to have them back in school, it’s a pain too. The shopping, the running, the back and forth. On top of that, this week has been our hottest yet this summer. I spent half an hour outside the girls school yesterday in 114 degree heat. This hasn’t helped with either my mood or my creativity.


My Dilemma……

I’ll admit I may have a bit of an obsession with checking my review numbers on Goodreads. and I’m not talking a small one. I KNOW the number of total reviews and when a new one shows up I am compelled to check every book listing till I figure out where it is. If it’s not showing yet and I can’t find it, it makes me crazy.

I know this is not good. I know I should just be able to not care.. (I don’t check Amazon, B&N, or any other site this way, just GR.) I can delay the obsession a little by not opening GR until there’s a reason, like needing to rate a book I’ve read, but once I’m in I can’t resist checking my numbers and hunting down new reviews. I don’t have to respond or comment on them, but I HAVE to check them.

Any suggestions to keep me away?


Teasers

I’ve been making up teasers for some of my books. Feel free to offer your opinions! Change teaser

Fight teaser

Escape teaser FREE

JP Teaser

RN promo

Choosing Happiness (1)

Do you like them?


And summer begins….

At least summer break. The kids are out of school, and my extra has gone to spend some time with her sisters. The old man is gone for a couple weeks with the military and I’m hoping to get lots done in between trips to the swimming pool and getting the trailer ready for our next trip.

I’ve got a list of projects to work on and an announcement coming soon. Stay tuned!