The End is Near!

I can see it. THE END!!!

Like a Boss!

So, no time to talk. I'll leave you with my G+ post:

What's Up Wednesday 10/02/13

 

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a weekly blog hop by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. Be sure to visit Jaime's blog to add your post to the link list!

What I'm Reading

I've been staying with Contemporary Romance this week.  I finished two books in the new series: The Science of Temptation. 
The Theory of Attraction and The Seduction Hypothesis by Delphine Dryden.  They were fun erotic romances with nontraditional characters.  Mix in a little Big Bang Theory with BDSM and you get the picture.  I love that the male love interest was a social awkward dominant...you have to read to understand.  The second one was set a Con.  I love me some nerds :)

Right now I'm reading Rebound Girl by Tamara Morgan. Again another story with nontraditional leads.  The Female protagonist is independent to a fault (comes of arrogant and bitchy at times) and the Male love interest is a nice guy...a really nice guy (he teaches kindergarten!!!).  I'm enjoying the book.  Morgan has really great timing and a lot of humor.  I already have the next book Derby Girl ready to read.

ABSOLUTLY LOVE THE COVER!!!

   What I'm Writing

Novel: I've been keeping up with my word count so that's great but I don't think I'm going to make my mid October deadline.  I've decided to add a bunch to the story and change some of the charcters.  While I'm NOT doing that now, just making notes, the ending isn't going to match up with the start of the novel, so I'm going to have to go back to the start add at least two chapters and fiddle with the time line a tad.  So, while I might have an ending by the Middle of October....It won't be a finished first draft :(

What Else I've Been Up To

Work.  Work has be a huge time suck on me right now.  I've been spending my days arguing with some insurance companies...enough to send me on a murderous spree.  Luckily I have lots of liquor at home to keep me in check!!!

What Inspires Me Right Now

My son!!!

 

 This was part of his testing for his first degree black belt.  One of the skills he had to do was a flying side kick.  He worked really hard to be ready for his test and passed!!!  He is all kinds of awesome!

I've been swamped and don't have much else to say.

So that's what's been up with me this week.  How has your week been?

 

What's Up Wednesday 9/18/13

 

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a weekly blog hop by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. Be sure to visit Jaime's blog to add your post to the link list!

What I'm Reading

I've moved on to a fun contemporary romance Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd.  I was looking for something light and not very complicated as I'm in the middle of doing a Critique of my writing group.  So far Dodd hasn't disappointed.  While it's not turning out to be my favorite of her work, I'm still enjoying it.

Next on my list is Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan. It was highly recommended to me by a friend, so I'm looking forward to reading it.

With the kids we've been listening to the Welcome to Night Vale pod cast. (I know it's not reading, but audiobooks/podcast are just as valued to me.)  The show is well done, and my kids love it.  Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but we enjoy the strange and absurd in our house. It's a little like NPR meets the Twilight Zone.

 What I'm Writing

Blogging:  Google+ now lets you embed post and I'm going to fiddle with this a bit with my blog. I'm not sure how it will work, so we'll see.

Novel: I've started back in my nightly write-ins with a friend.  Having a detailed outline for the chapter I'm working on has helped keep my word count up. I've always worked with an outline, but it's be fairly general...just plot points.  I've started to detail each chapter before I sit down to start writing, and it seems to be helping. 

Every morning I sit down and story board my chapters.  Than at night I work off that.  I have had to change some things, because as I write something new comes up or a scene runs long, but I'm flexible.  Just moving forward has me thrilled.

 
What Else I've Been Up To

Not a whole lot else has been going on.  Between keeping thing sane at my business, raising kids and writing...I've not done much else this week.  October is just around the corner and than we're into the holidays.

I did have this talk with my daughter:

(see embedded posts from G+)

What Inspires Me Right Now

I've read a lot of articles recently about human space flight to Mars.  The thought really has my creative processes spinning.

Even with a BioChem background I've never had the urge to write Science Fiction, but the recent news stories about Mars One, the one way trip to establish a Mars colony, has me rethinking that.

 

As the Guardian points out, though, the first few permanent Mars colonists will face more than just a freezing, dust-ridden environment. They're also likely to careen over the edge of psychological instability as everyone back home watches.  -Shaunacy Ferro

 Wow.  So now as I'm finishing up Lotus Petals, I'm struck with a load of ideas involving a pioneering crew establishing a colony on an inhospitable planet. There is so much human drama and psychology that a writer can tap into.  Maybe...  Maybe I'm ready to try my hand at a space story.  

 

So that's what's been up with me this week.  How has your week been?

 

What's up Wednesday 09/11/13

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a weekly blog hop by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. Be sure to visit Jaime's blog to add your post to the link list!

What I'm Reading

Bonds of Hope showed up on my kindle last night J so of course I started it. I had just finished with listening to the audio of World War Z and was preparing to start with my writing… but my new book was calling to me.

I started it, but I am putting down my foot (figuratively).  I’ve told myself I’m only reading during bed time.  I really have to get back on a regular writing schedule if I’m going to finish my draft.

What I'm Writing

Blogging:  Trying hard to catch up on my blogging, and I think I’m making some head way.  I have a couple guest blog requests that I think I might have to put on the back burner for now if I’m going to stay on task.

Novel: So after making my bold declaration last week (I will finish my first draft by October…) I haven’t written a thing.  I crammed to finish my critique for my writing group and then fell into reading.  “Just one more book” I kept telling myself.  Well tonight is our weekly write-in and I’m determined to get some work done.  I have about 8 chapters left to write and if I’m going to pump that out in 6 or so weeks I have to really sit down each night and hit my 1000 words a night goal.  I don’t think it’s outside my ability… with a little help from my friends. (I’m think of you Kate!!)

 

What Else I've Been Up To

This weekend we had a wedding.  It’s always fun to see people in love start their lives together. Outside of that we’ve had the normal family drama. 

This month has been big for family stress.  I’ve had to deal with the In-laws totally enable the brother-in-law and his continued worthlessness (and I don’t use that word lightly).  It’s frustrating and infuriating.  I could easily overlook it, except this all revolves around our family business. 

Hubby is preparing to start Grad school; a big part of the stresser for the family issues.  We’re still not sure if Grad school is going to require him to go down to part time, and if so we need to make up his salary by increasing mine.

What Inspires Me Right Now

0_o

I think that’s my issue.  I’ve been really uninspired this last week.  Work stress has encouraged me to hid in my books at night.  I’ve stayed off the social media sites and even off my nightly hangout with my writing buddies.

I need to find my spark again. Maybe I need a swift kick to get me going again.

 

So that's what's been up with me this week.  How has your week been?

 

What's up Wednesday 09/04/13

What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join us, you will find the link widget at the bottom of Jaime’s post. We really hope you will take part!

Wow is it really Wednesday already?!?!  Holiday weekends have a way of really making the week short.

What I'm Reading

I guiltily abandoned my reading list this week (didn't finish the Zombies Fallout or start Kitty Norville's new adventure) in exchange for several books in  Wicked Lovers series by Shayla Black.  Now that I've finished book 6 (just a few minutes ago).  I have book 7 on my kindle now, but I need to get serious about finishing up my critique for my writing group. I still have almost half the book to get through by Friday.  The Little Prince is still on this list with my Daughter and now that we've finished Ender's Game my Son and I have started The Knife of Never Letting Go.  September looks to be another busy reading month as several of my favorite authors have books coming out.

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that my list never seems to go down.

What I'm Writing

Blogging: My review deficit is getting worse.  I think I'm going to bunch the series together instead of giving them each a review to get me caught up.

Other Writing: Started on first round edits for the Anthology I'm working on.  Working with other Authors is a lot like herding cats!!  I'm happy, so far with the stories turned in and thing this will be an interesting Erotic/Romantic Anthology. 

Novel: Still trying to push through to the ending of my Modern Fantasy novel, but I'm feeling less inspired. I've come up with plot outlines for two new novels in the last week. *sigh* I'm committed to finishing, and have decided to put myself on a deadline (since it worked so well with the anthology.) I'm going to put my book inline for editing for October.  That will mean I NEED to have a first round draft done by then.  There I said it out loud...

What Else I've Been Up To

My domestic spree didn't last long. However, I did manage to get new blinds up in the master bedroom before my strange cleaning and handy man spree fizzled. Work has really been beating me down, but everyone is back from vacation now, and I've finished some projects.  Here's to hoping the short week gives me time to catch my breath!

What Inspires Me Right Now

G+ has snared my attention the past few weeks. I've found some really great sites and interesting articles that have really spiked those creative juices.  If you're not active on Google+, I encourage you to follow me. I try and pass along great content.

Some highlights from my G+ feed:

Found a kick ass kickstarter to help fund!

Lilith Dark is not your typical pink lovin' princess type. She's an adventure seeking, beastie slaying kid with attitude!


Ordered some lovely minimalist Fan Art for my upstairs loft:

 

I've also encouraged all my followers to join in the campaign to make Revenge Porn illegal.

  

The excitement over the upcoming Under The Skin.  The upcoming movie is based on a book of the same name that is a dark Science Fiction by Michel Faber:

 

 

So that's what's been up with me this week.  How has your week been?

What's up Wednesday

What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join us, you will find the link widget at the bottom of Jaime’s post. We really hope you will take part!

What I'm Reading

I've got a few on my reading list this week. I've just started Zombie Fallout, but I'll probably put aside for Kitty in the Underworld. I'm going to start The Little Prince with my Daughter and we are just finishing up Ender's Game in anticipation of the movie.

Wow... that's a lot to read.

What I'm Writing

Blogging: So I'm about 5 books behind on my reviews. So look for some more post soon :) I also have a feminist rant that I've been writing for a few days about Feminism, Erotica, and Sex. Once I'm sure I've got some good content and something more substantial (not just a rant) I'll post.

Other Writing: I've finished my first draft of the Anthology story I've been working on. It was a real stretch for me since I'm not an erotica writer, but the project is for a good cause (all proceeds are going to charity) and since the project was my idea I thought I should at least try and write a story for inclusion. I'll have to see if my story makes the final cut. (even I'm not immune to the editing room floor)

Novel: With my short finished I'm back to my novel. Last week I only managed to rearrange some chapters and add some detail, but I still haven't been able to move the story forward. BUT last night inspiration struck in the middle of the night (doesn't it always?!?!) and I got up re-outlined my plot and have a better idea of how to wrap this baby up.

What Else I've Been Up To

I've been very domestic this last week, cleaning out the pantry and organizing the closets. I'm not sure what that's a sign of... I bought a chainsaw, to dismantle the play structure in the back yard, but I imagine it will be useful for that zombie apocalypse too!

I've also been making a larger effort to be social. I've been hanging out with my new tribe of writers that I've found in my small Midwest town, and I've also managed to socialize with some non-writer types.  (oddly enough we spent dinner talking about what we were reading...)

What Inspires Me Right Now

Ted Talks. Right now I'm on a bender.  Here's a link to some great ones: 20 Talks That Could Change Your Life.

There are several talks I'd love to do blog post on. Here's one of my Favorite: