What do you think? Real? Or fish stories?

Kay

Lately there hasn’t been a lot of news to post etc, which is a good thing because it’s leaving me LOTS of time to write. So instead of me on video making an idiot out of myself I thought I’d post short snippets of what I’m working on. Just SHORT ones. And these are subject to change/revision so just because you read them this way now, doesn’t mean they’ll be this way in print. Just warning you.

So something from my latest…

“Quinn came to see her again,” Morgan said with a smile, one no doubt meant as payback for Jolie’s negativity earlier.

“Again?” Tasha grinned from ear-to-ear. “He’s become quite the gourmet coffee drinker. Who would’ve thunk it?”

“Don’t,” Jolie ordered. “Quinn is… Ian and Emma’s friend. There is absolutely nothing going on between us and there never will be.”

“Uh-oh. Famous last words,” Morgan said.

“Mmmhmm,” Tasha added with more than a little attitude in the sound. “Totally.”

“Will you two stop?” Jolie said, becoming more than a little exasperated. “I’m not in the market for a man and I don’t know if I ever will be. Look at you two. Obviously men are more trouble than they’re worth.”

**** End Snippet

It’s bright and sunny outside for a change, not to mention WARM. I hope you’re getting some of this beautiful weather wherever you are. Get out and enjoy it!

Kay

(And if you have any comments on the cover, please let me know!)

Kay

Welcome to spring in Southern Ohio. But so long as the skies are blue and there are no tornadoes in sight, I’m good. Trust me.

How’s things in your neck of the woods? Are you battling snowdrifts or rain? Dreaming of sunshine?

Kay

I’m finally getting my groove back after the horrible loss of my work and theft last November 3. It’s taken a while. Sorry. With the holidays and dealing with the insurance company etc, time just disappears. I’m going to try to do a bit better on the blogging front, at least when it comes to checking in.

Since I talked to you last I’ve joined a couple challenges. That’s the biggest thing kicking my butt back into gear. The first week of January I joined something called Club 25 as well as the 250K Challenge. Both are writing related and basically it boils down to me writing-A LOT-to meet the goals. So far so good. I’m making some great progress.

A tip for those of you who write and are struggling. Track your words DAILY. Yeah, maybe some days will have a big whopping 0 but when you see 3K or 5K? Those days will carry you through.

Also, join with some friends and create your own challenge. Whether it’s racking up words or exercising or whatever, track it. It really does help motivate you when you know you’re being held accountable.

As to the work I lost with the theft of my laptop. I prayed for a Christmas miracle that didn’t happen so now I’m trying to take a different approach. I put the loss out of my mind as much as I could the last couple months and have been working on other things because I’d get so upset each time I thought of the mistakes I made in not keeping my files current, etc. But, now I’m at the stage of WANTING to work on it. Not because I have to but because I WANT to. The story HAS to be told, or RETOLD as the case may be. And since there have been plenty of times when I’ve rewritten a story from scratch due to one book issue or another, I’m going to focus on rewriting those words in the same way. The first draft? Crap. They’re all crap. Ask any writer. It’s the second and third and all the drafts that come after the first one that really matters. So, here I am. Almost ready to tackle that challenge and hit the ground running as soon as I finish my current projects.

What have you been doing?

Kay

How is everyone? Is winter getting to you as much as it is me? I hate it. It’s snowing and icy now and all I want is a hot beach and a cool drink with the sound of the crashing surf in my ears. Wouldn’t that be nice?

If you’re looking for something to read be sure to check out the excerpts for SECRETS OF A SUMMER NIGHT and BLIND MAN’S BLUFF.

Kay

Sorry I haven’t been here for a while. Life has thrown me several curve balls of late. One of them was having my car broken into and my laptop stolen from a shopping center. I’d like to say I had everything on it backed-up and up-to-date but… That wasn’t true. So, because of my rush to meet a deadline, go on a trip, come home and hit the ground running… I’m now trying to make up work I lost. I’m torn between anger at the person responsible for stealing MY hard-earned belongings and that of my daughter’s, and anger with myself for not having my files current. When I titled this Live & Learn, I meant it. As the cop told me:

1) Never leave anything of value in your car (where you’re supposed to leave it when you’re traveling and shopping, I have no idea.

2) It’s that time of year in a bad economy.

And my own bit of advice: BACK UP THOSE FILES!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and if I don’t make it back here before Christmas, I wish you and your family a happy, joyous, wonderful Christmas.

And if you’re reading this and YOU are the person who stole my laptop, please, do the right thing and at least return the files, no questions asked. I have bills and mortgages and kids to support, too.

Kay

Also, check out the new contest!

Kay

But, I promised an update, didn’t I? Like I said, I have been busy, and writing when I could. So here’s a look at what’s coming up from me. Note: Updating the website is on the list, but until then…

September/October – I’m going to an awesome, fantastic week-long writing/publishing workshop in which I will learn how to do some awesome, fantastic things when it comes to writing/publishing.

October: BLIND MAN’S BLUFF will be released in electronic and print format. (No preorders yet but I’ll be sure to remind you here when it’s available. ) And, yeah, I know. Finally something new!

But wait, there’s more!

Also planned for October: Print versions of THE CRASH BEFORE CHRISTMAS and RETURN TO EDEN will be available! I’ve had so many requests for print versions, so due to popular demand, you’ll get them–soon! I hope you’ll add them to your collection and make them annual Fall and Holiday reads.

In the meantime, I’m writing/finishing a two-book series that literally popped out of nowhere after I finished BLIND MAN’S BLUFF. Long story short: I began writing one of the stories as a fun short story or novella, but IT had different ideas and became a full-fledged novel. Then, halfway through writing it, I realized I had another entire story, from start to finish, right there in front of me, one that had to be written first. (Yeah, I realize how crazy that sounds but when an entire book appears in your head, you don’t fight it!) So, I stopped writing what is now book 2, and began writing the first, using the backstory information I’d already established.

I finished the rough draft of book 1 today, and hope to have the rough draft of book 2 (which is 1/2 complete), finished before I go to the workshop, then it’s time for tweaking and polishing before they’re both sent to the editor.

No firm release date yet, but I believe they will be available in Spring 2013.

And last but far, far from least–more stories will follow BLIND MAN’S BLUFF. Yup. I have a series planned there as well so hold on for the ride. I LOVE these characters. And the heroes?

So, even though I’ve been hibernating from blogosphere and dealing with the summer rush, I have been working. And if it isn’t too forward of me, I’d like to ask a favor in advance. WHEN these books are released, please help me spread the word. Book Buzz is key and if you like the stories, chatting about them in cyberspace, to your book clubs, hair stylist, etc would be a wonderful thing.

That’s my news. Next on tap is to get my newsletter out announcing my contest winner, and posting a new contest on my page. Be sure to check back, okay? My apologies for the time-lapse between posts. There just aren’t enough hours in the day and October is quickly approaching!

Best always,

Kay

Yes, I’m that mom.

I love my children. I cherish them. But I want to strangle them at times. LOL Summers in the middle of nowhere are BORING and there isn’t enough to do to keep them entertained. They were bored before the first DAY of summer vacation was over, and now? Oh, my.

*I’m* the one climbing the walls–and dancing in the aisles–waiting on school to begin again so that my writing routine can go back to normal. Does this make me a bad mom?

How are you doing with summer vacation? Are you ready for school to start or are you wishing time would slow down?

Kay