Tattoos

This post reminds me of a former co-worker that once stated, "I would never get a tattoo. My body is a temple." My reply, "So is mine, and I choose to decorate it."

I laughed when I saw this picture and immediately thought of my boys. I'm a tattooed Momma, though most never see them unless I am in a bathing suit or tank top. It's not that I hide them on purpose, I just got them for me so the need to "share" them is not as great as the addiction of getting them.

I have a close friend who is finally getting her tattoo covered and added too; it's beautiful and so elegant...if that is a word to use with tattooing! I have six, one of which is my first son's name on my arm. In lieu of my youngest son asking "Where's my name?" I have plans to get his added. Unfortunately to do so would mean re-doing my first son's name so it is not faded next to the second one. So much goes into planning and prepping before actually getting a tattoo for me!

One suggestion my husband came up with is covering the one on my back with a larger piece consisting of a Momma Bear and two Baby Bears surrounded by flowers that extend from my lower back and up one side. I'm fairly artistic so I could draw up a general idea for the tattoo artist to embellish. It's just the thought of getting one that will take hours if not days of sitting to complete. I'll come up with a solution, but not until I'm at my goal weight in another 3 weeks. That way I will be happy to post the after pictures sporting my newest "decoration".

A "Novel" Idea

In the midst of editing my soon to be complete manuscript I had a novel idea...make it into a series! I was pretty sure of myself when I started this book. Pretty sure I could finish it on time, pretty sure I knew what I wanted the ending to be, and pretty sure I'd have time to actually write it. Ha! Now that I've basically completed the major portion of it I'm having second thoughts about keeping it a single title. I really think it's good enough to be a series. Even if the characters are so pronounced that they deserve a second book, is it wise to shoot for more than one before it's even been submitted/accepted?

I love the characters and their wit, the setting, and the overall humor is too much to keep in one book. I crack up when I go over my notes to make sure I hit the two main characters' conflict. What if the story is meant to go on?

So my big question is this: How do you know if your book should be single title or if it should be part of a series?

Writing Goals for 2009

I am a member of the best RWA chapter on the planet, Space Coast Authors of Romance. The group is full of fantastic writers and fun new friends. One of the things that has become tradition is making a list of goals for the following year and sending them to one of our successful chapter members to hold. At the end of the year, our annual Christmas party, we recap those goals to see how many we achieved--not to mention, we receive a neat little prize for accomplishing at least one of them.

My writing goals for 2009 are:

1. make my list of goals and submit them! (done)
2. enter at least 3 writing contests (1 down, 2 to go!)
3. complete my current WIP by March (ahead of schedule on this one!)
4. submit my manuscript
5. judge a contest
6. become PRO if not PAN qualified
7. finish my office (writing in the nursery is getting old)
8. make writing time a priority
9. ask for help when i don't know what to do next with my writing
10. accomplish ALL of these goals!

I'm off to a good start and will keep these posted as a list on my sidebar for a constant reminder of my goals. Do you write? If so what are your goals for 2009?

First Page Review

I've posted the first page of the first chapter of my book BACK HOME. It's a paranormal romance with a hint of suspense and a lot of humor. Read it, review it, rip it apart, or rave about it. Comment when you're done to let me know if I've got you hooked or if I need more bait to reel you in! I'm very excited about this book in whole so any tidbits now will only make it better. THANKS!

CLICK HERE TO READ IT!

In The Moment

I'm living in the moment! You know, that moment where your current WIP takes a turn for the better? The kind of moment that fuses two ideas into one. My moment is about to reach the end. No, not the end, but THE END! As in I am one scene away from finishing!!!

It all started on Friday, and short of a brief paintball hiatus yesterday I have been nonstop rearranging, adding to, and deleting. The Romantic suspense with paranormal element has been turned into a Romantic Paradramedy...is there such a genre? It's funnier now, and quicker, more intense on the romance, obvious paranormal element from the first page (problem in my last Deep Dish), and not as long as I had expected originally. It works.

I plan on polishing the last scene then editing the rest of this week. I may reach my goal yet of having a submission and reply by my birthday!

Here's to all of you working "in the moment", whatever moment that may be for you!