Make Mine Supers (10)

My son just told me I lack creativity and my title stinks. He suggested "The Boyfriend's Back for More Kisses."

He's also just asked, "Why do men take their shirts off when they're making out?"

Following on from the age-appropriate question--anyone want to know how old he is? Maybe I need to put my reading material in a brown wrapper.

Heh.

Writer Ellen

P.S. Now he wants to know what the men do if they are seriously bulgy or have no muscles. I think my TBR stack is warping him in some significant ways. Sigh.

P.P.S. A second title suggestion is "The Magical Key to the Treasure Chest." He thinks that sounds more interesting.

P.P.P.S. Sorry this is the first post. I should have thought of something significant to say.

Maybe I need to put my reading material in a brown wrapper.

I think maybe it's too late.

LOL Ellen, you crack me up! I'm with EllenT, I think it's too late. <G> LOL on the cover question--I recently received that from my son as well. Kind of along the lines of "Mom, why are YOU reading books like this?" <G>

I'm in the home stretch of draft #2. Yeehaw! <G> Better not celebrate too soon, tho. I still have to retype a a huge portion of it. *sigh*

 Kay

Ellen, I can hardly wait for that stage with my boys.  Not.  My best story with them and my books is that when the younger one was in preschool and it was mom's day, they had to answer kind of a questionnaire about moms.  One of the questions was what does your mom do?  (I think for a job, not sure of the wording.)  My son's proud answer:  Writes loooove books.

Kay, congrats on getting through draft #2!  Told you you'll get there.   (Couldn't resist saying that.)

Sam, congrats on your good writing day too!  Sorry about the aches and pains.  I somehow twisted my back out so badly that I can see in the mirror that one of my hips juts out.  It's so nasty.  Anyway I went to the chiropractor today and he fixed me up but I'm still sore.

Chelle, if you're out there, you won one of the drawings at WM so go check it out when you can!

I'm off to soak in a very hot bath and read Cop On Loan. :)

Amy

Jeannie, I like the way you write cops. :)  And dogs and cats too...love the pet names!

Amy

Thanks for giggling along with me, everyone.

Christyne-hugs on the baseball frustration!

Sam and Amy--hope your aches and pains are better soon!

Kay--congrats on the good writing day!

Holly--have a great day! I'm driving my car to work today. It feels so indulgent not to take the bus. That's how pathetic my life is--I'm excited about parking on campus. Sigh.

Hi Jeannie and Ellen Too and all my other Super friends!

Writer Ellen

Okay, that was better.  I'm hoping my first post today was just a glitch...sorry it's such a mess, everyone!

 Holly 

Kay, 

I'm glad they know, but I'm sorry that you had something they HAD to know.  Hugs.

Holly 

So, last evening as I was leaving work after an exhausting day, I popped into my editor's office to let her know what loose ends I needed to tie up in the morning and she reminds me that I have an early deadline for one of my front page stories...like 7 a.m. early. Problem? I hadn't written the darn thing yet. I had planned to write it today, thinking I had until noon to get it finished. OOPS. So, at 10 p.m. last night, eyes burning, jaw cracking from each powerful yawn, I wrote this very involved story regarding this one family's struggle with autism and the Autism Walk the mother has put together for the local area. Then I had to put together a newsletter bulletin for my RWA chapter. And then strip the bed because my sweet DD peed on my bed.

Needless to say...I'm a little brainfried still.

 I've wanted to chime in on the maturity debate when it comes to reading romance. I agree with what everyone has said before me. I was reading romance at a very young age and by the time I reached my mid teens (17-18) I was reading books that were quite racy and I was still a virgin so I really didn't know if I what I was reading was completely ridiculous or on par with how things are really done when the lights were off but I loved them anyway!

I think I read Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins when I was 15...(not a romance!) and my mom was appalled when she realized I'd read it! 

Back to work...*sigh*

Kim 

So...after last evening's conversation and my son's detailed perusal of the cover of a book on my nightstand, he wore aftershave to school today.

(We're using the term "wore" loosely here. I believe it's possible words such as saturate or soak or how much of the bottle did you dump on yourself??@#! would be more appropriate.)

I feel really bad for his teacher. It was impossible to de-scent him before he left the house. Sigh.

Obviously this is all hilarious (to me, if not to his teacher) but I also feel like I should discuss with him the fact that the people on the covers of books are being paid to be on the covers because one of their skills is "looking good in pictures." Then we'll need to discuss the idea that not everyone has that skill but that doesn't have much to do with real life love and happiness. (I'm a clear example of this fact. )

Finally, I'll get my husband to show him how to apply aftershave so that if the impulse seizes him again, he'll know how to exercise moderation.

Boys. Hmph.

Hugs, Kay, on your troubles in the neighborhood and Kim with your sleep deprivation!

Betty--I'm not brave enough to let either of my kids read my writing. I do love sharing romance novels with my mom, though, and we started that while I was in my teens, for sure!

Writer Ellen

P.S. Ironically, my older son was wearing eye makeup last night. He wasn't even part of the cover model conversation! I left my makeup case out and the allure of the tiny eye shadow palette was too much for him. Who are these people I'm raising? Hmmm. Maybe we're also using the word "raising" a bit loosely.

Weighing in also on the maturity/reading/romance/sex discussion -- I was reading Presents at 12. I loved the juicy bits, even though I was a "good girl" through my teens (well, okay, mostly good. LOL).

And frankly, whether it's a Super, a Blaze or whatnot, I'd rather a young woman (or man) read about sex in the context of romance, rather than in sexy magazines or porno websites where there is no relationship, love, or character growth in place. Frankly, as long as it's a Harlequin, I think parents are on safe ground. All Harlequin books, regardless of line, model healthy, loving relationships.

I believe even the ultra sexy romance can be of value to teens, who are curious, and who might learn from characters who make mistakes, grow, and find love -- and all of those characters are in their late 20s and 30s. Many of the books discuss the mistakes characters made in their youth, and the prices they paid. For kids who might need a second chance, they see our heroes and heroines get them. And third chances, too.

That said, I think romance can balance out a lot of what else they see in the world -- again, even in a Blaze, which is very explicit, they might relate to the hipper heroine, but they will see the mistakes, the emotional prices, the growth, and the romance. Personally, I think they are fantastic books for upper teens to read and discuss with their parents.

Maybe reading romance will make them hopeful for something wonderful in their lives. Our books show how men *should* treat women, how they can share their feelings, what a real hero is like, how women can rely on themselves, enjoy healthy sex lives, build careers, be successful, etc and that's not a bad thing. It kinds of turns the old saw of romance "raising unrealistic expectations" on its head -- they *should* have those high expectations, and they shouldn't settle for less.

Sam 

Hey go check out my blog on my website. I'm giving away a free book, one of the many I received from RWA, so you know it's good! I can't resist talking a little about this subject.

Kim

Sam said: "I'd rather a young woman (or man) read about sex in the context of romance, rather than in sexy magazines or porno websites where there is no relationship, love, or character growth in place"

This is such a great statement I had to point it out. So very, very true. Thanks for chiming in, Sam.

Rae, sorry about dd's upset. ((hugs))

I'm going to do my best to stay OFF the internet tomorrow and begin that whole rekeying thing. *sigh* Times like these are when I really, really want an assistant. <G>

OH! Before I forget, I'm going to be in Kingsport, TN, this weekend for the Kingsport Women's Expo if anyone is close enough to come see me. I had a great time last year and am looking forward to the event.

G'night!

Kay

just a quick pop in. Weather is terrific, Williamsburg is, as always, a blast (sometimes literally, LOL!) and my DD  had a great day today (her 9th birthday).  I'm getting a clearer head (woo hoo!) and some story ideas (double woo hoo!) and some great character "pictures" in my head from all the people watching I'm doing. Wish I could take photos...oh, wait! I probably could, LOL -- I think the camera is an extension of my hand these days!  I can hear my DH now.  "Why did you take a pic of this guy?" Ummmmm...reasearch?

Anyway, catch up with y'all later! Huzzah!

Don't beat yourself up, Amy. We do the best we can. Period.

Vieve, so sorry about the soggy toes.  Darn, I hope we get some of that rain this winter.

Caron, so glad you had a nice T-day--even without the pie. I wound up with apple, not pumpkin, but it was delicious.

Sam, that was so well said. I agree completely.

Kim's blog is really interesting. Check it out, and if you have time, you can view my mute video on my blog. I HAVE to buy a camera with audio. This is silly. Sigh. But you can see how close you can stand to the water going over the edge of the falls.

Manana,

Deb

I have paragraphs today!!

 No idea what was up yesterday, but it's gone today!

 Holly 

Ellen, you're right, there -- I certainly didn't want the traditional Presents hero from the 70s and 80s in my life. Maybe I should amend that to contemps in our current times. *G* Though I do think reading romance can educate/illuminate people on the nature of romantic relationships, and what they *can* be -- it's not all fantasy.

Christyne, yes... Bosox are known for coming up from behind, but this is that old familiar feeling. ;) I'm actually happier that the Phillies are winning, since I didn't want to see Manny get that kudo. Also, congrats on the revs -- I'm waiting on mine... incoming...

Amy, I think kids in glasses are so cute. Love guys in glasses, too.

Hey, Carpm! Hey Deb and Holly! Holly, I have been strugglingg a little, too, but things loosened up a little last night, and hope it keeps going today.

Rae, hang in there, and Kay, have a great time!

Hi Vieve -- I'm kind of hoping for a little rain, just so I have an excuse to stay inside and write. I do love this sunny fall weather, though.

Did anyone see My Own Worst Enemy? It was *awesome*!

Jodie, you sound like you're having fun. People do get attached to the digital cameras these days -- it's changed how pictures are taken. Our local store has gotten rid of their traditional film kiosk because no one uses it anymore (except for us). We have a digital, too, but that's mostly mine -- dh prefers his 35mm with his fancy lenses. It is way bulkier to carry around, though.

Anyway... off to do it. :)

Sam

Thank you Holly - Have a great day.

Carpm and AMy, hi!  I'm Anan--and I'm not even going to worry about the fact that I can't type my own name any more!

I'm with the reading doesn't make you do stuff you wouldn't normally do camp.  I won't even list all the stuff I read before I was in my teens.  My uncle and grandpa used to buy "lots" at auctions, and often a backhoe would come with a pile of books that they dumped in my uncle's barn-converted-into-a workshop, and my cousin and I pulled out the books we wanted to read.  I love history and I was particularly fond of anything to do with French history when I was ten.  You know, a cursory glance of the Marquis de Sade looks like French history when you're ten.  Naturally, I couldn't put it down, but I also didn't mention it to anyone parental. Darryl and I might not have had the run of the auction books if I'd announced my find.  But I was also quite a boring, responsible teen.

I never like to spread my sad stories on here, but this has become a happy story.  Our kitty has had some health issues this week, and he's coming home today after surgery to remove 24 bladder stones.  Poor little guy.  We were so lucky to find the perfect vet.  He studied this disease as his senior thesis because he lost his own gray Maine Coon to it in his first week of veterinary school.  He loves our kitty who reminds him of his own fella and he's an expert on fixing him up.  So--we're dancing around here today!    And being extremely grateful to a doctor who's so passionate about animals.

And on the same theme, I'd love to echo Ellen's wish that teachers like Jeannie and Ronda had been in my children's schools.

Kay, I'm so anxious about your possible break-in issues.  Glad you've talked to the police and you have a good security system.  And I wish I could come to the Expo.  Next year, I'd love to see you there!

Not to fly tangent-to-tangent, but Jerry Maguire is on TV right now.  I really don't get the Tom Cruise of the past few years, but this is one of the most perfect romantic movies.  Talk about character change.  Even now, when I don't get Tom Cruise, this movie makes me forget I'm a writer.  (How many movies can you say that about?)

I've gone completely blank, but hugs to all who need them, and yays where appropriate, too.

All the best,

Anan

stories...

What's the Women's Expo, Kay?

Wtg, getting the revisions in, Christyne. Early, though? How is that even possible??

Jodie, that's great! Continue to enjoy, and good luck with the ideas and images.

AMy, amazing that the glassses made such a difference to your son right away! No self-smacking, girl. No parent can think of everything and do everything immediately.

Me, too, Jeannie, the dark, brooding stranger hero. And me, too, Shelley, the exotic locations.

Anan, you're serious? Backhoes of books? Shelves, armloads, piles, I've heard of...but backhoes? I love the picture of you and your brother sorting through hills of deposited books. And your poor cat! So many stones in such a little being. I'm so glad he's recovering.

What's My Own Worst Enemy Sam?

Holly, I can't imagine living where there are chestnuts! Talk about exotic locations....Do you pick them and roast them? We tried roasting chesnuts on the open fire one Christmas and were very disappointed with the result. The experience was song-worthy, but the finished product definitely wasn't. Maybe we just did it wrong.

I'll admit I don't watch baseball, except for short periods to be sociable. Not sure dh really appreciates my efforts to keep him company because I say things like, "Is he scratching himself? Why doesn't the cameraman turn away?" and "Oh, that's a pretty uniform."

Wow, Deb, that video was wonderful. I've never had such a view of the Falls' power before. Enjoyed the preceding Toronto travelogue, too. (Megan is so young!)

Caron

Thanks for all your kind thoughts about Kitty.  He's such a sweetie. He jumped onto the couch, so he must be feeling pretty well.  The girl and I gathered around him to work and do homework respectively.  The house feels full again!

Jeannie, I'm concerned for those Sox!

Sam, I did watch and enjoy My Own Worst Enemy.  Carpm, there's a kind of a spoilerish twist I don't want to reveal--just in case, but it's Christian Slater, looking pretty yummy in an action role!  I've also been watching the Mentalist, which I lobe more and more with each viewing. They're doing amazing characterization for the hero.

AMy and Jeannie, I totally thought my girl was trying for a fashion statement when she said she couldn't see the board in class in third grade.  Suffice to say that when I asked the doctor if she needed to wear the glasses outside, he said, "Not unless you mind that she won't see a ball thrown her way until it hits her."  Talk about a bad mom!

Carpm, I didn't explain well.  The auction lots might be made up of a bunch of stuff that included the backhoe and the books.  Sadly, I fear the books would have been considered undesirable--unlike the backhoe. I loved when folks were trying to get rid of their books at the auctions. The piles were often larger than the bucket of a backhoe!

ROnda, that's just awful about your son's teacher. Sometimes it seems as if the children get lost in the shuffle.  I'll bet you're also wishing you had teachers like you and Jeannie in your child's school!  Hmm, I hadn't thought of replacing Tom Cruise in that role.  Wasn't Cuba Gooding amazing?

Oh--and, ROnda, in my tech writing days, I had to autocorrect gorup to group.  Do you know how many software functions are goruped? 

While we were picking up our sweet Kitty, I managed to DVR an old fave of my family's, THE MAD MISS MANTON, with Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. It's one of the screwball mystery/comedies, and I'm going to treat myself to watching before bed!

Night, all!

Anan

More of my training class today. Fingers crossed it's at least a little bit interesting!

Sam--I've always loved Christian Slater. I can't allow myself to watch any TV but I was tempted by that one. I'll be happy if he has a success. Pump Up the Volume was one of my favorite movies when I was an angsty youth.

Shelley--I would love to do Nano some year. It sounds like such an intense experience. Maybe when my kids are a little older. Have fun with yours!

Anna--glad your kitty is doing well. I had the same misconception that Carpm did--I thought the backhoe was filled with books. I was torn between "so many books, yay!" and "but wouldn't they be dirty?" Glad to know this wasn't the case.

Jeannie--I love how you throw these tidbits about your teenage rebellion out there for us. Valley of the Dolls? What prompted that choice?

Caron--my Borders never got the September Supers but I just ordered Her Favorite Husband last night. I'm having a read-a-thon after I turn my book in!

Ronda--hugs on your school issues. It can be so frustrating but you're doing what he needs! (I had more to say but I decided this wasn't the place. It's an emotional issue for me so I know how difficult it can be until you get things resolved.) Take care, friend!

Holly--I'm glad your cake was good! I'm a dreadful cook and my family has learned to either shift for themselves or not ask too many questions. A cake served in crumb format would be something I'd produce.

I've thought of writing a cookbook called "The Bad Ideas of a Very Bad Cook." I always think I can save time or steps or skip ingredients or otherwise streamline the cooking experience and it always backfires.

Happy Thursday!

Writer Ellen

That's right -- meant to send hugs and support your aggravation. It seems completely unreasonable that she can't make accomodations in the meanwhile, until you have test results. OTOH, maybe when he gets test results and you have paperwork, he can do the tests retroactively? Maybe she's sticking to a school policy that dictates she can't make accomodations w/out paperwork? Still, it doesn't sound to me like she's handling it well at all. Hope it gets better...

Sam 

Had to pop in to say the school/placement mandates thing is the most ridiculous thing I've heard for a while.  What a SHAME.  Ronda, you could always go for private testing, or maybe that's what you have in the works.  In the meantime, 6 weeks of  second grade (or 3rd?) is such a long time to let a child try to tread water!  I'm so sorry you're having to deal with the hoops, Ronda. 

It's COLD here today!  At least in our house.  It's only 53 outside and I think almost the same inside.  Going to have to turn the heat on, otherwise tomorrow I'm not getting out of bed.

Anan, so glad to hear they were able to do something for your sweet kitty. 

Ellen, I probably typed some of what you were wise enough to delete.  *sigh*  At any rate, I'm afraid I wouldn't buy your cookbook.  Well, I would, but only to support a friend.  I'm a recipe follower to an extreme.  But not a cook if I can help it.  That's the hubby's job lately.  (Yes, I'm spoiled.)

Jeannie, I finished Cop On Loan last night, stayed up late to do it.  Thanks for such an enjoyable read!  I saw a Great Dane on the way home from kickboxing last night and thought I should maybe adopt one.  Then I luckily remembered I'm allergic to dogs and have a small house already infested with 4 cats, so that plan's on hold.  Loved the way you finally got Tony and Jasmine together.

Holly, good luck finishing your book.

Shelley, big congrats on finishing your synopsis.  That's a chore worth celebrating!

Thanks for the reassurances about my son and his glasses and not realizing he had a problem till now.  The thing is, my mom and I have discussed vision problems several times in the past.  And I always came back to, he's been checked by the pediatrician and the school.  And he's a really smart kid.  Wouldn't he tell us if he couldn't see?  Not so much, I guess, if they don't realize it's not normal.   But he read again last night, much faster than he used to, which makes me so happy.  Now if we could just find a way to get him to remember to bring his homework home and keep his desk clean.

Amy