I’m working on the second of the Tulane books while I await final word from my editor about the first. How’s it going?

 I’m glad you asked. <G>

Every book has a little of each author’s personality in it. It’s a given considering how close we are to the work. But it seems as though this book is the one in which my heroine is going to have a lot of my personality in it. Scary stuff. LOL You see, my heroine is a wee bit overweight, and shy, and wanting to break out of her shell but not sure she has the nerve. Sound familiar? It does to me. And to a lot of people I know. Which is why she’s proving to be so much fun. And the hero– oh my. Nick is such a hot hunk but troubled with his own problems and secrets.  Interesting, no?

But back to the heroine. The gift each romance gives to women is the escape of becoming them. Being someone else for a little while and identifying with them on some levels. Well, in this book I identify a lot. I really do get to *be* my character because we’re a lot alike in a lot of ways, and by the end of the book, I’ll also get to *be* the heroine in a way I’d never be able to do/say/be in real life. Fun, fun, fun. Ah, the magic of fiction, yes?

Now… to get the rough draft written before I get slammed with line edits. ACK!

 Kay

I’ve grown soft. There, I’ve said it. School is back in session here and with it came the eye-opening (even if it requires a crow bar) act of waking up early. And I mean EARLY. I used to do this when I worked for corporate America. I used to get up this early when I was in college and high school. So WHY is it so hard to do now? LOL I think I’ve spent more time moaning and groaning about the act than my kids have.  At least it means I get to my desk sooner. That’s good, right?

Now… if only I can keep my eyes open to write.

It’s real. Seriously. Deadline house is a horrible affliction. Just ask any author. Thank goodness I’m not alone in that my family doesn’t think twice at the amount of take-out numbers I’ve memorized, that popcorn can and has been dinner when required, and my hair that needs cut, colored and fixed, well, we won’t go there right now.

I finished my revisions on Friday, spent yesterday playing with the fam before they head back to school this week (thank you, God! ) and after a wonderful sermon this morning, I decided that the best way to spend my day of rest is to—not rest. How can I when the floor can practically walk by itself? My dust bunnies have spawned by several generations, laundry is stacked up in the bathroom and there isn’t a bowl to be found. Did I mention the stinky dog?

So, while a load washes, dries, the dishes are doing their thing in the dish washer and the dog dries (while laying on me–*sigh*–can we say stinky author?) I thought I’d pop in and let you know that as of tomorrow I’ll be hard at work on the next Tulanes of Tennessee story. I’m still no mail on the loops so if you need me, please email me directly at kay@kaystockham.com. I miss you guys!

Kay – facing the house again

With having to get the fam ready for school, the last of summer trips, shopping etc, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say I finished the revisions for ANOTHER MAN’S BABY, but I did! WHOO-HOO! Color me happy.

 Wanna celebrate with me? Pour yourself your favorite drink and raise your glass!

 Kay

LOL I admit to being a wee bit of a perfectionist. Okay, a LOT. But, I finally finished the first round of self-imposed revisions and I like this story soooo much better!

 It was hard to know what to do. It wasn’t the story so much as an element IN the story. But since then and now I’ve received a new editor and we had a GREAT chat on the phone regarding the revisions and I got to work. But, was I going in the right direction? It’s hard to tell sometimes. Editors want a great story, but how you get there is up to you.

Well, yesterday I finished the major changes (ie., taking out the element/thread that didn’t work and reworking the chapters etc) and now I’m sooo much happier with it.  I’m not done yet, though. I’m one of those writers who works in stages and I don’t get it right the first time.  Which means I have to go back now and layer in all the little details that make a story rich and touching and timeless.

Sorry I haven’t posted for a while, but until I get this done my concentration is all on/about the story.  I hope you’re having a great summer and staying out of the heat. We’ve been in triple digits all week now and suffocating from the high, high humidity. Thank goodness for air conditioning, huh?

 OH! Almost forgot, I received the cover for A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER. It is GORGEOUS! I love it. Oh, and the heroine’s hair! LOL I’m so envious of her hair. *sigh* My web guy is on vacation (insert grumble here ) but as soon as he gets back I’ll send him the cover and an excerpt to post. Also—DON’T FORGET to sign up for the contest! I’ve had a few emails stating that there’s been some trouble posting to the contest page so if you’re one of them, please try again or let me know by emailing me at kay@kaystockham.com. Some people are getting in, some not. So sorry for the inconvenience.

 All the best!

 Kay