The Novelty Girls

(Minds out of the gutter, people… yes, I know it’s nice in there… :P)

I was talking to a writer friend of mine this afternoon, and she was quite upset when she discovered a bored coworker had googled her—finding her writing website where she had several snippets from her work-in-progress. As long as I’ve known her, she’s been overly sensitive to real life people finding out about her “writing life.” Funny thing is, this isn’t even her explicit work; that’s all under a pseudonym.

It’s always struck me as odd, but then, I’m the person who will talk frankly about her sexual preferences on her LJ (or to pretty much anyone who asks). So maybe I’m not the best one to judge. I have erotic and non-erotic work published, and my freakin’ mother has bought and read pretty much anything as soon as it hit e-print. If somebody finds out what I write, I could seriously care less.

But at the same time, I know people who go so far as to use an entirely different name online to prevent anybody in their real life from finding out what they write. Now, this makes a lot of sense when it’s for work-related reasons (though I’m not entirely sure it’s legal to discriminate based on non-work activities, but that fight is usually more trouble than it’s worth), but other times… it makes none to me.

Where do you fall on the scale?

It feels like I’m at a carnival. I’ve been waiting in line for a long time. Finally, after shuffling forward, listening to the couple in front of me talking about the latest Britney incident and the mother behind me sounding frazzled as she tries to keep her kids still…I am at the front of the line.

I’m thanking the powers that be that I didnt eat any more of that caramel corn because nerves have now closed my throat and my stomach is a new sanctuary for butterflies. Am I sure I wanted to go on this ride? I might be too short. As I stutter out excuses I feel a supportive shove behind me (most likely Crystal and the rest of my do eet girls) and I know that I better just take that leap.

As I strap in, checking the safety strap way more than I need to, I remind myself that I love rollercoasters. Everything about them. The adrenaline rush, the danger, the twists and turns. I love it all. I recall that each and everytime I was as terrified as I am now-but I survived-and when it was over I wanted to go again.

I’m about to start a promo blitz-a purple explosion with several other Ellora’s Cave authors. Scavenger Hunts, Interviews, Vibrators…just general mayhem. Looking forward to experiencing this aspect of writing. And my fellow amethyst companions are all people I totally admire. Red Garnier, Christine D’Abo….The Feisty.

My release on the 15th is only 17 days away-not that I’m counting. Now if you’ll excuse me…I have to go faint a little.

This week is all about taking movies to the sci-fi max in ways you’ve never before imagined (and probably never wanted to).

The Shrekinator

The Avianator

The GodVader

If it were me, I’d have made this an adult film and had that sword coming from…never mind.

Alien Ghost–coming back for love. Awww.

I’m taking a plotting class this month and using it to thoroughly plot out the YA novel I want to begin writing somewhere around mid-February to the beginning of March. I need to finish a couple of other projects first though before I start on it, because its the only thing I want to work on when I begin writing it. The different assignments I get each week have helped me really delve into who my main character is and the conflicts he has to go through to reach his end goal.

I’m a panster, so I really don’t get into my characters heads this much or into the story this much until I’m actually writing it. So, let’s just say I’ve figured out that it just might be something to being a plotter and not a panster. I’ve really enjoyed the process and hopefully, I’ll be able to keep it up.

So I’m 32 weeks pregnant, and I’m really tired of literally peeing in a cup….however, for the sake of some of our more squeamish readers (and Crystal) I’m going to use it as a (somewhat disgusting) metaphor.

This morning I had to pee in a cup. This morning, I’d also slept for the first time in over a month. So…my bladder was quite full. Needless to say ‘hitting the target’ and ‘not overflowing’ were key obstacles. (I’m going to put the very necessary visual of HANDWASHING out right here, so y’all have it in your heads before this gets too icky.)

I’m finding the same thing lately with my inspiration. It tends to build up when I’m not paying attention, until I’m full beyond the point of ‘normal’. And then, when I sit down to work with it…whatever vessel (story) I’m trying to put it into is almost not big enough to take it. Or I don’t have enough time! But the ideas keep going, and it all comes out…

Only to be flushed down the drain.

I’m a little afraid of that right now. That all these brilliant ideas are swirling around the toilet bowl, on their way to idea-septic. Gone forever.

On the other hand, maybe they’re just as valuable as the pee I flushed…not really worth keeping around anyway
Yes, folks, this is the glamourous life of a (pregnant) writer. Wake up, pee in a cup, and find some metaphorical way to rant about it so it relates to my work.

I’ve been a tad anxious, about my coming releases and such. My mother actually reminded me of this poem by William Henley. I read it and felt like getting up and conquering something-so I thought I would share it with you.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
for my unconquerable soul.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

I’ve been sitting at home practically all day today pondering what to post about. I missed my post last Saturday because I went to a retreat. Today…I’m just blank. So, I’ll give you a myriad of musings going on in my mind right now.

1. I have two stories I’m trying to complete right now. The first, a sequel to my Private Jane book that came out over a year ago. The second, a short for the new Wicked line at Cobblestone Press. Which, makes me think about the contest Cobb ran and wondering how many entries they got.

2. I’m going to California at the end of the month on school business to give a presentation with some other co-workers and we really need to sit down and finalize it and the Power Point.

3. I need to work on my national board stuff. I won’t go in to too much detail but I’m seeking National Board Teacher Certification and it’s a lot of writing, which could be a little overwhelming if I wasn’t used to writing a lot. But, the deadline is little over two months to go and I still have 2 more long entries to write. In case you didn’t know….I’m a real procrastinator. Go figure.

4. I need to text message my girlfriends to see if any of them are interested in having a girl’s night out tomorrow night since we don’t have to go to work on Monday.

5. I’m behind on my writing goals…which really sucks. But, I’m still getting a little writing in at least every other day, which is better than nothing.

6. I have two books coming out next month, which is really exciting. Real happy about that.

7. I really need to clean my house.

8. I really need to wash the mountains of clothes getting higher and higher in the hallway.

9. Right now I’m watching The Day After Tomorrow on DVD and I have The Transformers on standby because there’s nothing else on TV and I’m not sleepy yet. But, I did take a nap today, so that’s probably the reason why.

10. I need to buy more ink for my printer.

OK…I guess that’s enough. I could go on, but I won’t. Do you ever get like this? Too much information jumbling around in your head that you don’t know what to do with? I guess writers are like that. I guess it’s the reason we come up with more stories to write. Like while I was in the shower a little while ago I was working out a new story in my head. See….I told you I could go on and on.

I hope you had a great Saturday!

Out now:

It’s 1899– the Civil War still rages, shifters and vampires are commonplace, and Calista Nichols is just trying to get her family by. When her sister discovers a cure for the shifters and vampires, she’s kidnapped by a Rebel faction. Calista has no choice but to accept the local Alpha’s help in getting her back.

But Kane Dupree has much more in mind than just helping out his lover. He has to reveal the secrets of his past and convince her to accept him as her mate. Can she take her place in his world? Or will his secrets drive them further apart?

This title contains explicit language and graphic sex.

Buy it here!

Congratulations, Lori. This year has been full of changes for you, including the Dreaded Day Job. I’m thrilled to see a new release from you: Proof you really CAN have it all

What if. The bread and butter of a writer’s life, eh? (Hey! I’ve been hanging around Dayna so long now I’m speaking Canadian lol. :)) Crystal and I chatted about what if and history the other day. It was an interesting discussion that I won’t bore y’all with here, but it’s been on mind since. I have a book coming out tomorrow that took what if and history went to town. In the world I built the plague didn’t just kill off half or more of Europe. It created new species–shifters and vampires. Since I took that much liberty with history, I just kept right on going. The what ifs were too intriguing, ya know? So it’s 1899, the Civil War never really ended, and steam is the technology of the day. I really loved writing this because all the rules went out the window except the ones I made. But I’m at a total loss as to how to promo it. I’m certain I’ll get emails or reviews or whatever lambasting my lack of historical knowledge lol. But the whole point of the story is what could have been, not what was.

So I’m trying to figure out how to promo it and I have two questions. Are you interested in reading or writing alternative history? And how would you approach promoting it? I’m wondering if I should put a yes I do know this isn’t history as you know it disclaimer on my website lol.

I know I usually do the funny post of the week, but I just got the new Jason Aldean CD and I’m gonna do a fangirl thang today. Let me share the wonder of one of my fave new-ish country singers.

This one’s called Johnny Cash.

Okay, and I have to throw this in here because I freaking love this viedo. So cute.

Nothin’ Better To Do by Leann Rimes