Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Back Again!
Wow, it's been a very long time since I've not blogged! Sorry about that, but I've been busy with the DJ. Cannot mess with the job that pays the bills.
Anyway, I'm happy to report that I've sent my cover art request for Pleasure Trap to my editor, and I can't wait to see what they come up with. I'm always amazed by artists, because I've no artistic bone in my body except for writing. I also suck at the piano, though my mom made me study it for about six years, which I did so half-heartedly. She should've sent my brother instead. He's got more musical bones in his body than me!
Now, am busy writing what was originally a contemporary but is now rapidly becoming a paranormal/fantasy. Hmmm, hope it doesn't morph again. I can't say anymore, because I'm weird that way. I don't even let anyone see my WIP until I'm done with the first draft. So, hope I'll have more news soon!
Anyway, I'm happy to report that I've sent my cover art request for Pleasure Trap to my editor, and I can't wait to see what they come up with. I'm always amazed by artists, because I've no artistic bone in my body except for writing. I also suck at the piano, though my mom made me study it for about six years, which I did so half-heartedly. She should've sent my brother instead. He's got more musical bones in his body than me!
Now, am busy writing what was originally a contemporary but is now rapidly becoming a paranormal/fantasy. Hmmm, hope it doesn't morph again. I can't say anymore, because I'm weird that way. I don't even let anyone see my WIP until I'm done with the first draft. So, hope I'll have more news soon!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Time for Everything
I realize I'm hard on myself.
After a tiring 5-day work week, the only reason I allowed myself to have a long dinner with family and friends last night is because I know I'm going to have a three-day weekend (I'm on leave on Monday) in which to devote to my writing.
My *real* life is pathetic. I wonder how my family can stand me.
I have to remind myself constantly that my family and friends are more important than anything else. When all else fails--being laid off from jobs, etc--they're the ones who are going to be there, standing by my side and supporting me. And, because they're important, I need to treasure every moment I can spend with them.
Work-wise, my time from 9am to 6pm is for the company that I worked at, but other than that, the time is mine to manage. Writing is good, because it brings in extra income that's so badly needed nowadays, but there's a time for everything. I need to learn to spend time wisely, because once gone, I can never get it back.
Okay, I'm off to spend the day with my family. :)
After a tiring 5-day work week, the only reason I allowed myself to have a long dinner with family and friends last night is because I know I'm going to have a three-day weekend (I'm on leave on Monday) in which to devote to my writing.
My *real* life is pathetic. I wonder how my family can stand me.
I have to remind myself constantly that my family and friends are more important than anything else. When all else fails--being laid off from jobs, etc--they're the ones who are going to be there, standing by my side and supporting me. And, because they're important, I need to treasure every moment I can spend with them.
Work-wise, my time from 9am to 6pm is for the company that I worked at, but other than that, the time is mine to manage. Writing is good, because it brings in extra income that's so badly needed nowadays, but there's a time for everything. I need to learn to spend time wisely, because once gone, I can never get it back.
Okay, I'm off to spend the day with my family. :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Series Writing
Many a post has been devoted to this topic. This has made the rounds of authors' chat loop as well. As with any topic, there are various opinions, and here are my own.
As a rule, I have nothing against series, except that they drain my pockets. Yup, I'm one of those who can't resist reading the entire series. I also can't start in the middle. I *must* read the books in sequential order, except for the occasional series when I just can't find the first book or two, then I have no choice but to read what I have.
My love affair with series books go way back to when I was in the position to save money from my allowance. I now had the means to buy any book I want, instead of having to plead, beg, cry, grovel at my parents' feet. My first few series, if I remember right, are Anne McCaffrey's Pern books, Piers Anthony's Xanth books and the Delaney family books written by a collaboration of Iris Johansen, Fayrene Preston and Kay Hooper.
Except for the Delaney books, which consisted of 13 books in all (or maybe 14, including that Christmas anthology), I slogged on with Pern and Xanth, even when the books have lost their appeal until I finally gave up. Yes. I stopped reading. Why?
Because either the books have degenerated into silliness or I outgrew Xanth. With Pern, I gave it up when I realized it's the same storyline all over again, just that the characters' names were different.
So what kind of series would work for me?
I think it has to be both the plot and the characters. Engaging, unique characters who can lay claim to a fresh story, and not something that has been rehashed in previous books.
Hmmm.
Believe it or not, I've paused here awhile as I think of a series that has caught my attention throughout the several or so books, but I haven't been able to. Oh yes, there's Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series. Several of Judith McNaught's historical books, where the characters are found in the same setting.
What other series can you recommend? What series has you hooked from book 1 to the last? I'm interested to know, as I would like to beef up by TBR pile. *wink*
As a rule, I have nothing against series, except that they drain my pockets. Yup, I'm one of those who can't resist reading the entire series. I also can't start in the middle. I *must* read the books in sequential order, except for the occasional series when I just can't find the first book or two, then I have no choice but to read what I have.
My love affair with series books go way back to when I was in the position to save money from my allowance. I now had the means to buy any book I want, instead of having to plead, beg, cry, grovel at my parents' feet. My first few series, if I remember right, are Anne McCaffrey's Pern books, Piers Anthony's Xanth books and the Delaney family books written by a collaboration of Iris Johansen, Fayrene Preston and Kay Hooper.
Except for the Delaney books, which consisted of 13 books in all (or maybe 14, including that Christmas anthology), I slogged on with Pern and Xanth, even when the books have lost their appeal until I finally gave up. Yes. I stopped reading. Why?
Because either the books have degenerated into silliness or I outgrew Xanth. With Pern, I gave it up when I realized it's the same storyline all over again, just that the characters' names were different.
So what kind of series would work for me?
I think it has to be both the plot and the characters. Engaging, unique characters who can lay claim to a fresh story, and not something that has been rehashed in previous books.
Hmmm.
Believe it or not, I've paused here awhile as I think of a series that has caught my attention throughout the several or so books, but I haven't been able to. Oh yes, there's Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series. Several of Judith McNaught's historical books, where the characters are found in the same setting.
What other series can you recommend? What series has you hooked from book 1 to the last? I'm interested to know, as I would like to beef up by TBR pile. *wink*
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Movie Review: The Proposal
I love love love Sandra Bullock. Some people hate her, some don't care at all, but ever since she charmed me in While You Were Sleeping, I'm a Sandra Bullock fan. Both her and Bill Pullman, actually.
So it was that I went to watch The Proposal. Aside from which, I love the premise of a boss and secretary/assistant match up.
If you like romantic comedy, don't miss this one. The movie was very funny. I couldn't stop laughing in so many places. It's totally worth the money I forked out for it.
However, I believe (and friends agree) the romance angle was lacking in development. Though it was believable for me that Margaret (Sandra Bullock) would eventually have feelings for her assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), it didn't seem so the other way around. There was one point wherein Andrew told Margaret, "You're a very beautiful woman". So is that supposed to signify that Andrew was finally seeing Margaret as a woman and not a boss?
The idea tickled me though. I think it would be fun to write about an older woman younger man match up. Let me just put the brain in gear...
So it was that I went to watch The Proposal. Aside from which, I love the premise of a boss and secretary/assistant match up.
If you like romantic comedy, don't miss this one. The movie was very funny. I couldn't stop laughing in so many places. It's totally worth the money I forked out for it.
However, I believe (and friends agree) the romance angle was lacking in development. Though it was believable for me that Margaret (Sandra Bullock) would eventually have feelings for her assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), it didn't seem so the other way around. There was one point wherein Andrew told Margaret, "You're a very beautiful woman". So is that supposed to signify that Andrew was finally seeing Margaret as a woman and not a boss?
The idea tickled me though. I think it would be fun to write about an older woman younger man match up. Let me just put the brain in gear...
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