Make Mine Supers (12)

I don't know that I've ever been first. :)

The kiddos are back in school today. The dh is still home from work (his 7 day stretch) and sick. *sigh* I've learned the meaning of patience this week. LOL Poor guy. *snort*

Ronda, did you like Bride Wars? I liked it, but I hate it when they put the funniest scenes on ads and then the rest of the movie is just kind of ... blah. It's a great friendship movie tho.

Better run. Time for the bus.

 Kay

We have pretty snow today -- normally that would be an oxymoron for me, but it is sort of slow and fluffy stuff, a little warmer, no wind. I am actually fine with it being clouded over -- in winter, the sun is too bright and harsh against the snow. This will be a nice day for a walk -- hopefully people are back to work and kids in school, so the snowmobile percentage will be low. I hate that we have to share our walking path with snowmobilers, some are considerate, but many go by way too fast, but it's the price of a multi-use trail.

 I haven't seen one single movie trailer that has intrugued me -- I think movies have really become pretty lame overall, especially for the money it costs to go see one, but TV has picked up considerably in quality. New season of Burn Notice starts this week and I am happy about that!

 Have a good day everyone,

Sam

A nice, tidy new thread...which we will clutter up within a few weeks. <G>

Holly, I swear, we have Energizer Bunny snow...it keeps going, and going, and going... Frankly, I'm over it, and it needs to stop. <G>

Rae, teens and sex...well...heat of the moment, hormones, and let's face it, if done right it feels good... It's hard to overcome that. At our house we keep a "stash" of condoms.  The boys know where they're kept, and that they're supposed to take what they need. We don't "keep count" - we just check from time to time to see if the supply needs replenishing. Of course, my teens are 17 & 18 now. (Okay, the 18 year old is a Marine now, and out of the house, and he can buy his own now. <G>) We've talked about sex, and that I don't condone them just "hookingup" - but they're going to do what they're going to do at this point. I just want to make sure they're as protected as possible. <sigh> 

Okay, I have to go register for the DC RWA conference so I can be sure my roommate (Hi, Holly!) is allowed to book a hotel room.  The RWA room police are in top form, and I don't put it past them to hold up our hotel room reservation until they're sure I've paid the registration fee -- which is hitting pretty expensive this year, IMHO.

Well, I hadn't decided to go yet; the price is a little steep but I might need the deduction for the following year and this is my one big business trip of the year so I think I've decided to go. And I confess, I freaking love National. Of course, I hang out with the coolest people when I'm there (my fellow dancing queens, of course!) and Amy and I have way too much fun snarking to give it up completely. So, now I have to break it to the dh that I decided to go. Teehee...

And my RITA books arrived! So excited. I've never been a judge before so I'm delving into this job with gusto. I've already got the order I will read them and tonight I start! Can you tell I'm stoked to be a part of the process??

Line edits are due soon so I have to do that and I've been mulling over my next proposal. I'm really digging the hero. Of course, he's hot, a little alpha for his own good but with a soft smooshy underside that he doesn't want anyone to know about. This is my favorite part of the process: when the characters are new and fresh and jabbering away in my head. And they don't stop until I relent and finally put something on paper, which I did last night. Unfortunately, I'm not sleeping well right now so it's hard to tell if the voices in my head are my characters are just a result of extreme fatigue!

Snow. *sigh* So envious. I want some. Roll a snowball for me.

Alright, gotta get to work. I've let it pile up again.

Kim

I just signed up for Nationals and booked my hotel room.  Now for the flight....I'm pretty excited.  Can't wait to see my Super sisters there!

Manitoba, affectionately called the Deep Freeze, has warmed up some. It's only 20F for today and was for the last couple of days. But it won't last, we're told.

What to do when a publisher in France asks if I can send them an ms with sled dogs, wolves and northern lights? Drop everything, I guess

Vieve, who'll be busy for a while

I come out from lurkdom only to go back into it.  Life has just been very busy for me lately.  Finally catching a breath.  I thought of going to the conference but just can't swing it this year.  Interesting to see how it works since I just joined last May.  I am hoping to get to Nashville.  Husbands hours are cut for now and with everything so iffy every where I can't justify going this year.  I will have to live through all of you that are going.  Maybe by the next one I will be published.

Hope you are all having a good night.

Sue

Kay, hugs on the sick DH.  Maybe you could check him in to a hospital for a few days. *g*

Sam, I'm the opposite...a very easy one to persuade with movie trailers.  I see quite a few that I wouldn't mind seeing.  Maybe not so many that I'm burning to see though, now that I think about it.  And the few I do go to, they don't always live up to their trailer or what I'd imagined them to be, so maybe we're not so different in opinion after all.  I just get sucked in by trailers.

Rae, very interesting about the purity ring.  Awesome that your son was honest and open with you! 

Susan, your stance on sons and sex is honestly refreshing.  I have no idea how we'll handle it when the time comes but I like your ideas.  Also agree with you about IRS vs. business trip.  Hands down, DC!

Kim, YAAAAAY!!!!  So glad you've decided to join us in DC!  And um, me, snark?  I'm the nicest girl around.  OH wait, this loop has Holly and Ellen on it.  I'm the third nicest.

Jeannie, can't wait to see you, too!  (And Holly and Susan...now I'm getting all excited!)  I need to go register.  My roommie (aka Kay!) is probably waiting on me so our room reservation can go through.  Grrr.  Not sure I like the way they're handling the hotel this year.

Vieve, congrats!  Darn right you drop everything!  Good luck with your new story. :)

Sue, sorry we won't see you at national...you too, Jody.  Hope to see you both in 2010.

Now I must go write 4 more pages and register.  Maybe not in that order.

Amy

Sam, I do get "pretty snow."  LOL  The movie I want to see most right now is Frost/Nixon.  Although, I'll probably wait for the DVD.

 Rae, I'm glad your son broke up with the girlfriend.  And glad your family resolved the ring issue in a way that works for you.  It's a big issue.  We've always been very open here and so far, it's worked!  Fingers crossed it continues! <g>

 Susan, I don't have to shovel this morning!!  What will I do for exercise??!  LOL  And yes, we have a room at RWA!  I can't wait to go!  Roadtrips with Susan are always...interesting!  LOL  And man, the conversations!   

 Deb, You don't really have to do anything with it.  It pops up when there's something new here.  I love the little pop-up waiting for me on the computer!

 Kim, I love National, too.  I'm generally exhausted by the time I ooze back into the car (or onto the plane) on Sunday, but still it's so worth it!

 YAY Jeannie!  Did you find a flight?  

Marcie, Hugs.  Hope you're feeling better this morning!  And really,  it's just a fun way to see what's new on eHarlequin.  New online stories.  New sales.  A quiz.  Just fun.

Vieve, Stay warm!

 Sue and Jody...Hope to see you both in Nashville!

Amy, YAY you're coming, too!!  This is going to be soooo much fun!

 Ellen, I hope things turn around...we'd love to have you in DC, too!  Just think how many people you know now!

I spent yesterday in front of the tv, watching everything going on in DC, so today, it's back to work.

Holly 

Went to post on Jamie Sobrato's thread for her new Blaze -- I am fascinated, as a Blaze author who would love to write for Supers, about the commonalities and crossovers between the lines, and what attracts us to Supers, and I think maybe it's time we had a few Super authors writing for Blaze, too! What do you say, ladies? Up to the challenge? *G*

I started a new book yesterday, and made the mistake of thinking that I could just sit down and write -- I had done that with one similar to it last year, and it worked out -- I was able to do a 200 page draft in 10 days, and then I spent 6 months refining it, but I think this one won't go that way. Three false starts tell me that I need to think more, maybe work on a synopsis to get some of the threads straight, figure things out.

The phrase from yesterday's inauguration speech that is sticking with me is "leave childish things behind" -- it just really struck me how much impatience, whining, moaning, throwing tantrums, etc there is when things don't go our (people in general, but writers, too) way.

I think this applies to writing, too, or at least, I'm taking it to heart -- it's so easy to get discouraged and feel bratty if things aren't "easy" or don't go our way (rejections, edits, ideas, etc) but when are they ever easy, and when does easy ever lead to anything worthwhile? Sometimes we stomp our foot because we don't get things our way, but really, maybe time to leave childish things behind. So, no moaning about the new idea not just appearing magically before my eyes, but back to work on it. That's the job. :)

On that grown up note, off to work I go. ;)

Sam

Sam, those are profound words for early on a Wednesday morning. 

"When does easy ever lead to anything worthwhile?"

Sam Hunter

Going to repeat that to myself regularly.  Thanks for the reminder!

We're off to the optometrist this morning to see about signing up our boy for vision therapy (thank you again, Ellen!)  Will cost a small fortune but fortunately we have parents who are very willing to help.  I hope it does him some good.

Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Amy

Take me out of bold right now, young lady! LOL I'm far from the first to come up with that sentiment, Our new Prez just reminded me. ;) I wonder if he's awake yet -- big night last night -- her dress was gorgeous, and politics aside, I am just in awe of them as a couple. I love watching them together.

A vet like Colin Farrell? Whoa. I would get more pets. ;)

Sam

Oh Ellen - the world would be so sad without pancakes.  I would be sad without pancakes.  Now the broccoli - can I cover it with melted Cheez Whiz?  Egg whites - nope, they need their yolks to be happy.   You crack me up.

Ooh a vet like Colin Farrell - I gotta admit - I can only understand the real one when he talks in movies.  I love the Irish lilt tho.

I won't be going to Nationals.  I checked pricing and too high for my little ol' self.  Maybe next year and I can drive there.  With that said - I am expecting blogs/posts/pictures to make me feel as if I'm there.  And jealous that I'm not.

Has anyone seen "The Real Housewives of Orange County"?  Talk about catty-ness.

Happy Wednesday! 

Everyone enjoy what's left of Wed. which is truly a wonderful, often underrated. day of the week.

Right on.

Jeannie

If you don't mind a travel rec: the San Diego zoo was okay, we enjoyed some of it, though like most zoos, whether you see a lot of the animals depends a lot on the time of day and a lot of other factors -- but we went to the Wild Animal Park as well, and THAT was awesome. Loved it. I think the Wild Animal Park might be close to Seaworld, as well...

Anyway, just a suggestion. ;)

Sam

I loved watching the Inauguration Day footage.  I'm glad things went so well. I was worried about the sheer volume of people in DC. I live withing commuting distance of DC and traffic was horrendous, but it sounds like things went mostly OK.  Nice to see people behave!!  We were LOL when we were coming home from Target last night -- passed by the mall and "restaurant row" there, and there had to have been at least 30 buses full of Inauguration visitors! Glad we decided to eat at home!!

As for nationals, it's so close, I'll be stupid if I don't go. But it's SO expensive! I've already told DH I want to go, so we'll see. I wasn't expecting to spend over a thousand dollars on dental work (WITH insurance, EEK!) so I just don't know....  I really want to meet everyone!

Hi all,

Can I just say you're all cracked? Friday? Saturday? These are the good days. The next thing I know someone here is going to be extolling the virtues of paying taxes or getting your driver's license renewed or snakes or, I don't know, anything that normal people complain about. Like Wednesdays. Sheesh. Cracked, I tell you. 

You know what's one of my favorite things? The Craig Ferguson show. I don't watch it on TV, but I check out his website every once in a while. If love him. I love him especially when he interviews Lauren Graham. I bet if I asked Craig, he would know what the good days of the week are.

Susan--thanks for your thoughts about the prequel length. I'm excited to get it posted! Let us know if your radio interview is online somewhere!

Marcie, my girl, I knew I could count on you to halt the slide toward responsible behavior! Say yes to pancakes! If we both wind up going to RWA in 2010, maybe we can hit the breakfast buffet together.

Kim--have a great time in San Diego. My kids are really wishing to travel somewhere on a plane. I've been wondering how my folks would feel about some unaccompanied minors showing up in Florida during their winter break next year. The kids would be 13 and 10 and my folks are there for a whole month--they should welcome a little company, right? Your trip plans sound great!!!

My 6th grader had a couple of friends over on Sunday night. The boys who came were so delightful. They spent the first little while playing Rock Band. So sweet to hear their tenor voices!  Then they plugged in the real electric guitar and gigged a little using that, the keyboard, and the cello. Hilarious. Finally, they ended the night making battles with the Playmobil guys.

I love this age. You can literally watch them reach out toward their teenage selves and then pull back for another dose of childhood. 

Big engagement party for brother-in-law #3 coming up this weekend. Another step along the road to an actual wedding! Yay! My sons are walking their grandmother down the aisle on the big day. I can't wait to get pictures of them in tuxes.

Take care,

Writer Ellen 

P.S. Jodie--looking forward to meeting you! Deb--wah! Reconsider, reconsider! (But good luck with the wedding.)

Susan, I'll see you this afternoon...should be fun.  And no, I'm not dressing up!  LOL

 Kay, DC was my first conference, too.  I sold my first book in March, my second in June and decided that I really wanted to go.  All the rooms had sold out, but a friend introduced me to three lovely ladies who wanted to cut cost by adding another roommate. So, I slept with a perfect stranger!  It was a marvelous, marvelous time!  So, I'm looking at this one as my anniversary.  I can't believe it's been nine years already!  Good luck with your syn!

Sam, I write a very, very light love scene.  My first one for Harlequin, as a matter of fact, I had to rewrite because my editor didn't feel the heroine had a "good time."  LOL  So, I always make sure heroines have a good time, but the scenes are still light.  Anyway, after that I'd tease her about wanting me to write for Temptation...and I'd do it when she was there so she'd roll her eyes at me.  It was a real schtick.  Well, one day, I switched it up and said I was going to write for Blaze...while we were talking with one of the senior editors.  She didn't just roll her eyes, she put a finger down her throat and mock gagged.  Geesh.  The support! I don't see Blaze in my future! LOL  (PS, Just to be clear, my editor is fantastic and was just teasing me back!)

 Amy, I just assume when the site publishes me twice that I was exceptionally brilliant.  When it doesn't put up a post, I TELL everyone I was exceptionally brilliant!  LOL

Dear Wednesday Jeannie, I won't mock your day of choice.  Embrace you Wednesday!  I will try to really appreciate it in the future! <g>  And glad you got the less expensive price!!

Ellen, My inner-geek was so thrilled by Obama's science line!  And embrace your inner Wednesday...and Monday!  LOL

Marcie, No pancakes makes for a sad world!

Kim, YAY on the vacation plans...and it being bought and paid for!  My dh and I just bought our airline tickets for our cruise, and rented a car.  We have never rented a car before.  But this time, it saved us money, even though it will sit in a parking lot while we cruise!

Oh, Jodie, I so hope you come to National!! 

Deb, Yes, watching someone in Erie play on your computer would be...well, eerie!  LOL 

EllenToo, Even though Susan's dh can't fix the Mac, Macs are supposed to be great because they pick up so few viruses online.  My new laptop is on its way!!! I'm so jazzed.  My son's computer died, so I bought him one, too!

Okay, busy, busy day here!!  Susan, see you after lunch!

Holly 

I won't make fun of Wednesday (or Thursday), Jeannie. But, sorry, I'm with Ellen. I think weekends are the more embraceable days.  

Good morning, guys! I'm--tired (yes, I'm whining. Get over it! <G>) I couldn't sleep at all last night and now that everyone is gone and the house is mine again, instead of working all I want to do is SLEEP.

Ellen, 9 pages? Um... have I ever mentioned how long my synops are? (and that's AFTER I cut them down?) Sheesh! I'd soooo love to condense to 9 pages. (Well, I'm sure Wanda would love it if I could condense to 9 pages, anyway! ) In a way, tho, 9 pages to me just means more work when I sit down to write later. My long synops have a little bit of everything in them from  plot to emotion etc I want to make sure I focus on when I write the story. They're basically a very mini, very short rough draft. (And yes, LONG)  

Jodie, hope you can make it to nationals. We'd love to see you!

Jeannie, hold up on the tiara thing. While tiaras are VERY okay with me (I'm a girl who likes a tiara, what can I say?) there was mention of changing themes this year. We need to take a vote, I guess. Although...the tiara thing is an eharlequin "thing" if you will... what do you guys think???

My web guy is swamped at work (ie, my web guy is my brother-in-law who works CHEAP) and unable to work on my video trailer for HER BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER. So, my dh and I have been working on creating one ourselves with the new Mac. It still needs tweaking etc, but I gotta tell you, it was way easier than I thought it would be. Granted it's not going to win any web awards, but I think it gets the point across and is a fun watch. 

Speaking of sex... <G> HER BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER is probably the sexiest book I've written because the heroine has issues with trust and control. They sort of take shape when she and the hero get together.  Hmmmm..... <G>

I was reading a book (titleless/authorless <G>) and have to say, the book was a hoot and quite funny--until I got to the love scenes. Why? Because the author went from being quite humorous and almost slap-stick (but it worked) to very clinical in her descriptions. Very clinical. I felt like I was in health ed. It definitely drew me out of the story. It would've been a much better read, IMHO, if she'd kept the humor and let the characters have at it instead of going there. *shrug*

 Better go attempt to wake up. 

Kay 

Hi Tasha--sorry we'll miss you this summer, but congratulations on your progress toward your new career plans! What kind of degree do you need to be a guidance counselor? I'm asking because I've got a friend who's looking for a job and I think he'd be great at that. I think he has just a regular liberal arts undergrad degree--no education component.

Eek. I can't remember what else I read and I have to run to work. I'll be back to catch up on my lunch hour!

Happy Thursday! (Yes, I admit to a certain fondness for Thursday but I think that's tied to my irresponsible collegiate years so I probably shouldn't admit it. ) 

Writer Ellen 

Victoria and I had an email chat about synopsis length the other day.  She said for the second book in a multibook proposal I could send a "short" synopsis.

10 pages.

<G>  I told her that was NOT a short synopsis.  Short is up to 5 pages.  10 pages, not so short.  Not IMHO. <G>

And exactly how do you pluralize synopsis?  Synopsises?  Synopsi? (Like octopus, octopi?) Synopsizes?

Is pluralize a word? 

LOL.  Okay, okay, I'm going to salt the driveway and work on my synopsis-s. <G>

Sam, 10 pages PER BOOK for the multibook proposal.  Not altogether. 

Just in case you were confused.  Because I am.  LOL.

You did mean 10 pages altogether, right?

And I'm with you on how much changes during the writing.  I do love having a roadmap, but the delightful parts, the surprises, the best stuff...that happens during the writing of the actual book.  (It's MAGIC. <G> Shhhh!  Don't tell the Muggles. <G>)

Thanks for asking, guys. The dh is mobile--as of yesterday afternoon. Seven (yes, SEVEN) days off and he spent every last one of them on the couch whining and complaining and generally driving me nuts. ACK! I'm with Susan's mom--give me sick kids any day over a sick man. Had that been one of us we would've still be plugging along doing dishes, laundry etc because we knew it wouldn't get done otherwise. *sigh*

Tasha, forgot to congratulate you on your new job direction. Good luck! I admire anyone willing to take on troubled kids etc.

Kim, yay on the vacation! Whoot! Good for you. I don't know what we're doing this year, if anything.

LOST--um, yeah. Sawyer shirtless. It's ALLLLLLL good. <G> When we were in Hawaii I PRAYED to see him when we were out and about. It was said that he drives his son to school every day in his Ferrari (sp?) and drops him off on the way to filming. Um.... I wanna parent-teacher conference with HIM. <G>

Kay 

Buzzing through quickly before I go to work...

I'm guest blogging in two places today and giving away a book at each one, if anyone's interested.  The first is at Novel Thoughts, where I'm discussing kids in romances.  The second is at Magical Musings, and that's more about writing in general and why we do it.  Hope you'll stop by and say hello!

Tasha, very sad that you won't be at national...I think you should blow off the end of your classes to be with us.  *g*  (Oops, my id got out of control there.  *stuffing it back to the bottom*)  Best wishes on your new endeavor!  I think you'd make a wonderful counselor.)

Kim, congrats on the vacation booking.  I'm very jealous!!  My mom and I went to San Diego for almost 24 hours after national and I loved the parts I saw.  We went to old town for dinner and we toured the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier.  Way cool but then I love things like that.  I want to go to the zoo so badly!  I was there when I was 9 but um that was eons ago.

Good luck on the radio show, Holly and Susan.  Let us know if we can tune in somewhere later!

Amy

whoa - coming out of the baby cave to say hello!! I wish I could say I've even been lurking...but unless lurking actually means potty training and breastfeeding AT THE SAME TIME -- then sadly, I haven't even been lurking.

I made a bold move to get out into the world and registered for Nationals! Hooray! Hooray sleep! Hooray grown ups! Hooray clothing without baby puke all over them!  I hope everyone is great and surviving winter as best they can.

Molly

Tasha? You still around here? How are you???