Answering some questions...

I'm putting myself in the hot seat. LOL. I thought since we're between holidays that it would be fun to answer some questions readers have sent me. These won't be in order but here goes.

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Did you always want to write? Actually I was a crazed reader. Seriously. I have always loved books to almost an obsession. For me books took me to other places, sometimes other worlds, and no matter what was going on in my reality... books offered me hours of pure enjoyment, taking me away on a mini vacation, and let me peer into other lives. Books are amazing to me like that. At 9 years old I was given an adult library card (thank you MOM) so I wasn't stuck in the children's section which I had pretty much read thru. I discovered wonderful authors like John Saul, Richard Laymon, Agatha Christie, V.C Andrews, and Stephen King. I had a real thing for horror novels and mystery/murder type of books and then I hit about 12 - I found romance. I was hooked! I started writing my first book after I read this horrible book with the plot from nowhere and the main guy lead was... well, the only passion he inspired in me was wanting to crush his boy parts. LOL. He was horrible, rude, a jerk, mean, and the female lead was sucking it up which made me want to give her a reality check in the worst way. LOL. So... I wrote my own book with people I liked and wanted to get to know and focused on a...plot. LOL.

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Is Ral's Woman the first book you ever wrote and if not what was? Is it available somewhere? I wrote my first book in the early 90's. I think it was 92' or 93'. It was kind of a horror novel with romance, I actually wrote 4 books in a series of it, and it needs massive work to ever see the light of day. LOL. The only place it's available is on my bookshelf bound in a notebook and on my back up files. I tried to get an agent after I wrote 3 of them, was promptly rejected with reason (did I mention they need massive work???). At that stage in my life things got really hectic the way life does and while I continued to write in my free time, writing many more books, I never tried to get published. I take that very seriously and I didn't have the time I knew it deserved. I always dreamed of one day getting my books out there, becoming an author, but I wanted to do it when I knew I had the resources to commit to it 100 percent. That happened this year. My youngest child was starting school, I knew I'd have the time and energy to throw myself into giving it my best, and that's when I wrote Ral's Woman. I wrote it to submit to Ellorascave. I am a HUGE fan of their books, their authors, and I think ebooks are the coolest thing ever. Think about it. You are sitting in a dentist's office or doctor's office, they are running late (like they are every time) and you're faced with a bunch of months out of date magazines you have no interest in to start with. We've all flipped those pages wishing we'd remembered to bring a book. With ebooks... you can just buy and download them where you're sitting, read them right there, and WOW isn't that cool? From your home you can buy, download the book in seconds to read right away, without ever having to leave your house or go book hunting at book stores that may or may not have the book you want in stock (man... it's happened to me a lot and I hate that... then they offer to order it for you... and it can take forever!!!) GO EBOOKS!!! I'm a cheerleader!!! LOL.

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What other kinds of books do you write? That is a tough one. LOL. I have a wild imagination, I was always a daydreamer, and I can think up a lot of scenarios. As you know I write about aliens. If you looked on my works in progress page (WIP) on my website you'll see a Cyborg story there, a werewolf story, and a contemporary western. I write whatever story pops into my head and won't let go. I don't ever want to limit myself to saying I only write... (insert here) because that wouldn't be accurate.

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Where do you get your ideas from? You might laugh but I have the weirdest dreams ever and I'm one of those people who can recall most of their dreams vividly. Sometimes it's a 'what if' kind of thing and there I go. My Cyborg story was all over a picture of fantasy art I saw on the Internet. I saw it, thought how beautiful the male was, how intense the passion was between him and the female standing against him, and BOOM! I was typing it out. One drawn picture was worth over 59,000 words to me. LOL. I've written a book over a song, over watching strangers and thinking... I wonder what their lives are like... and what if... and there I go. A book. LOL.

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What's are the good and bad things about getting a book out there? It is great and scary to have a book come out. On release day I was freaking out. It suddenly hits you that it's out there for anyone to read, and this isn't just your family and friends reading what you write to give you feedback. LOL. Be it that first boyfriend who it ended badly with that you NEVER wish to run into, your high school nemesis, or your Aunt Prude who will frown deeply at you and lecture you FOREVER about writing about sex. LOL. Book reviews, the idea of them, gives you the shakes. What if they hate it? What if they tear you apart? LOL. Praying starts at that point, at least for me, that they at least like it a little. As a writer... I put pieces of myself in the characters of my books. I couldn't step into their skin without taking bits of me in there too. I am exposing tiny parts of myself when I write and it's a terrifying aspect of writing. It's also exhilarating knowing that the people you created, your babies I guess you could say, are out there to meet other people. It's mind blowing in the best way when people take the time to write you to say things like they loved your book, loved a character, want you to write more, and ask you questions (LOL) because they are interested in knowing about a stranger who wrote a book they loved... it's humbling, wonderful, and touching. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to do it again!

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(Wiping my forehead) That wasn't so bad. LOL. It was fun. I hope everyone has a great weekend and December is just days away so time to prepare for Christmas!

This is going to be a slow, easy week. LOL.

The kids only have school for 3 days this week and of course Thursday is Thanksgiving!!! I am not cooking this year. We are going to my in-laws in Palm Desert.

It's about an hour and a half ride each way and the worst thing about it is hoping that none of the younger kids get car sick (oh, I could tell you nightmare stories...LOL). Usually though the trip is all good.
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I submitted something to my editors this week, finished my WIP that I'm editing, and have been working on another WIP. When I wasn't writing or editing I was playing with stock photos I buy to get my next book trailer ready. As soon as I get the book cover and the release date, it will be ready to go so I even got that done way ahead of schedule (yeah, I know most people wait to get those things first but I love to plan ahead and don't drag my feet on things...I jump in, get it done, and then I don't have to worry about it later). That means that I have done everything I wanted to do, I'm way ahead of my schedule, and that leaves me with a lot of free time this week. LOL. Maybe I'll watch some movies or do a ton of reading because I have a long list of books I want to read. I guess I could do heavy house cleaning but... where's the fun in that??? I deserve to relax a little.

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I'll be writing too this week. I always write every day. That's like breathing to me. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and I hope everyone has a slow, easy week too. I know this is the calm before the Christmas storm and that's how I feel when December hits. The kids go nuts because Santa is coming to town, I have to decorate the house, and everything gets crazy!!! LOL.

It's my other half's birthday today!

Today is my husband's birthday!!!! We're going to watch movies like Star Trek the new movie, I'm going to go get his favorite take out, and we're going to spend the day together cuddled on the couch! This is how we spend our birthdays and I think it's the best way EVER!!! LOL.

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I know we'll probably watch Wolverine too. We wanted to see that one in theaters but with small kids, no one wants to watch all of them at once so our movie dates consist of renting or buying DVD's at home. LOL. It's fun though and I actually enjoy it more. We can pause if one of us needs a quick break, we can eat anything we want, and I can curl up on his lap at home.

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I hope everyone has a great weekend!

What I'm thankful for this year

I love this time of year even though it kind of drives me nuts. It's a hectic time. I'm trying to get everything done for Christmas and with four kids... it can get pretty wild. I shop all year round and I'm usually totally done with my shopping by now but this year I've fallen a little behind so WOW is this going to be frantic doing some last month shopping so I'm thankful for Internet stores.
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I have a ton to be thankful for this year. I lost 30 pounds which wasn't easy but I really did it. Of course I need to lose more - 25 pounds would be nice - but I'm super happy to have lost that 30 AND I kept it off. LOL. I had 4 kids, I had some health issues after the birth of my 4th, and I just put on a lot of weight that I wasn't well enough to get off. I've always been a smaller person than I am now but for 7 years... not so much. I want to lose the remaining weight, I want to wear my old clothes and I'd love to just feel smaller again. LOL. I drink a lot of coffee (McD's and I have a love affair going on with their Carmel and vanilla iced coffees), I cut back on chocolate and other junk, and I took up exercising. It has worked and I'm hoping to say that I have lost a total of 40 pounds my Christmas. That's my goal for finishing off this year.
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No one in my family has really had a rough year which is rare and I'm grateful. Those who did have bouts with illness or bad luck have survived, gotten better, or are hanging in there strongly which I am thankful for. I've been to way too many funerals in my lifetime but this year...knock on wood... not a single one. I'm super thankful for that. The economy has been rough on everyone I know, has touched everyone including my family but I'm thankful that it has drawn everyone together rather than apart. I've helped neighbors and friends and they have helped me. I'm thankful for the wonderful people that I know, have met or have talked to this year.
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I went from full time housewife/mother/taxi driver/maid...and the list goes on to add new titles. Published author, contracted author who will be a multi-published author soon and I'm really thankful for that. I've been writing for a lot of years for the love of telling stories but to get them out there, to make a career out of it... wow am I thankful for that. How cool is that? I get to daydream, write it all down, and get paid if people like what I fantasize about. That... is... awesome! Of course I've learned it's not all fun and giggles. Edits are rough, reviews are terrifying concepts, and I've learned there are a lot of things I had no clue about until Ral's Woman came out. I used to imagine the lives of authors. Man was I off. LOL! (I do wish for an assistant so if there are any fairies out there out of work that want paid in chocolate bars... CALL ME!) LOL!
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I need to write a lot more than I did before, it's harder to keep up with the house and the kids than it ever was before and alright is TWO WORDS I've discovered along with a thousand other things I'm still learning and will continue to need to learn. LOL. I'm thankful for it all though and wouldn't change anything because as hectic as it gets... I LOVE IT!
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I'm thankful for all the new friends I've made this year who make my life a happier place. I never expected Ral's Woman to get the kind of welcome it did and it still floors me, humbles me and makes me teary eyed because I've gotten such warm and wonderful responses from people who read it and let me know by taking the time to write to me or leave comments on various places across the Internet. I read every one (I'm pretty sure I didn't miss anything...LOL) and I am so thankful for that.
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Last but certainly not least...I'm so thankful for my children and my husband. I've got four beautiful, wonderful kids who are all different and terrific in their own ways and I have a husband who supports me in every way. He's warm, loving, funny and keeps me smiling always. I can honestly say that every night when I curl up to him I know I'm home, where I belong and truly loved by someone I truly love. It doesn't get any better than that.
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I hope everyone takes the time to stop and look at the wonderful things in their lives.

Whooo Hooo... another WIP DOWN!

No, the hubby didn't have to use those to get me to finish my latest Work in Progress but it would have been fun if he had. LOL. I just liked the photo and sometimes I felt handcuffed to my desk. I kept re-writing the ending and NEVER thought I was going to get it right so I had that nice happy glow feeling but I got it! The bad news? I killed another MP3 player. SIGH. I did. I listen to music when I write, edit, or just breathe... and I have gone thru 2 of them this year. Now make that 3. I guess I should be a tester for them on how long they can really last, how many countless hours they can play and be recharged before they just wear out. I'm getting smarter though, buying them at big lots when they are on sale so I don't spend a fortune since I have a black thumb on electronics that play music.

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In Celebration... I'm going to do some reading before I dive into some major self edits before submitting a contemporary western next week. Then after that... I'll start all the clean-up on my WIP I finished tonight and then submit it next month. The WIP I just finished is the fourth book to my Zorn Warriors series. Oh, that's right!!! I got my series title. There it is. ZORN WARRIORS. How cool is that???

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What am I going to read? Nalini Singh's latest - Blaze of Memory. I love this series and every time one of her books comes out... there I go to snatch a copy up. LOL. I've had it since it came out, got it immediately but haven't had time to sit and read. I'm also really excited because Sarah McCarty's Wild Instincts is coming out in December. I read the first single author anthology Running Wild and loved it so can't wait to buy the next one. There are so many great books out, so many coming out. LOL. So many great books, so little time these days, so when I get the time to read... it's doubly excitement time.

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I hope everyone has a great weekend!

How becoming published changed my life. LOL.

The biggest thing that changed is that now when I'm typing away at my computer I can honestly say... "I'm working!" LOL. This means something because before when I was writing... not all people could understand why I loved to write, how I could spend that much time at it, and didn't 'get it'. Now... they can at least respect it and know that what I do translates into something they consider 'a good use of my time'. I've always considered it so but some people just don't think like I do. LOL

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There are some people that I can't tell what I do. A great aunt that I've been assured would 'not take it right' but mostly I tell everyone what I do. I don't hide it and I freely talk about it. I'd take out a local ad if I could, I'm so proud, but that's just me. I'm a really honest and open person about everything. I get some great reactions of excitement for me, a lot of eyebrow raising until I whip out a picture of Ral's Woman cover and then they try to not get drool on it while they ask me a ton of questions. I had business cards made up and I've handed out quite a few of them for potential sales. LOL.

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Of course then there's the bad reactions but they have been few. I had the husband of someone I know ask me totally inappropriate questions while he gave me looks that I'd consider 'leering'. Not the most comfortable conversation. I have also fielded a lot of 'publishing' questions by people who want to write everything from bio books to cook books. I refer them to the Internet for research. LOL. To date I've had about half a dozen people ask me if I'd write something with them so they could 'piggy back' into publishing. I told them I'm a newbie, no big name author, and sorry but that wouldn't work out for them. I have to give them credit though for asking and thinking of that concept. I even had a few people eye me strangely because I'm a mother of 4. They asked me if I should be writing children's books instead. ( Um... I'm not the magic mushroom or land of the smiling flowers type...LOL... but I respect children's authors, having read so many books in my lifetime but it's not my thing.)

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On a personal note I finally got some respect from some family members who didn't 'get' me writing. It went from 'eye rolling' to 'WOW!' I have some good and loyal friends who have been reading what I write for years who took out a collective sigh of relief because they have pestered me for years to 'try to get published, damn it!' It wasn't that I didn't want to get my books out there, it's just that life was extremely full ( 4 kids = not a lot of free time) but this year my youngest started kindergarten so now I have free time! My husband/hero has always supported me, always understood how I love to write, and was behind me every step of the way. He's really proud of me but then, he always was. Now he's just got bragging rights that his wife writes novels. LOL. He really gets a kick out of the fact of what I write. Totally a man thing and it amuses me to no end. He earns the 'research' credit I gave him in the dedication of Ral's Woman. He's always willing to help me out with any scene I want to write. What a guy! That's another way that this has changed my life for the better (WINK). LOL!

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There is a lot to learn once you get your edits. WOW. I'm learning all the time and you'll see a difference in my writing because I'm finding out what I do wrong. As an example, I was writing short sentences. I am learning to expand them. I can see the difference and editors are amazing people who teach us writers a lot. I've also learned that fellow authors are really wonderful people, very supportive, and very friendly. I am learning a lot from them as well. I even got a new best friend since Ral's Woman that I met in a group so Way Cool!

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I feel blessed all around and it's all been a great experience. On another personal growing experience... I learned how to make a website which I NEVER thought I could do. I am addicted to making 'cool' pictures (LOOK UP - That's about 6 pictures combined!) which is a lot of fun. Now if I could only learn how to put phone numbers into my cell phone or text.... LOL.

Night Moves by V.J. Devereaux!

Introducing V.J. Devereaux's first book, Night Moves, and it's available at http://www.ellorascave.com/!!!



Here's the great blurb:

With her unglamorous job, crappy hours and limited choices, Rafaela finds herself reduced to internet dating. She just wants to meet a man she considers even remotely interesting. Or satisfying.

Her latest match-up is tall, dark and handsome Michael. He and his cousin and companion, Nico—gorgeous must be a family trait—are vampires. They’re getting tired of constantly hunting for a good meal and good sex. Too many complications. Too much danger of discovery.

They have decided to offer one woman—the right woman—an interesting proposition. An offer that just might fulfill all of Rafaela’s wildest fantasies.

This one is a hot book!!! Here's the link to go directly to the site to read the first chapter. This is definately one I'm buying.



http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7784-50-night-moves.aspx

Life and a trip to the ER

Today I was writing, finishing up my WIP, Berrr's Vow, on that last chapter, and my 3 younger kids were playing in the back bedroom. I heard a loud thump sound, not unusual, and then the screams started. I get up from my chair and I'm already moving when my 10 year old daughter starts hysterically screaming "He's bleeding, oh my God, there's blood" (maybe not in that order but that's what she was screaming) so I go from a quick walk into a mad dash down the hallway.

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My only son has just turned 5 last month. When he was 2 he decided climbing on a chair was a good idea and then he kind of jumped and hit the edge of a coffee table, knocking himself out cold, a HUGE lump instantly forming, and damn near gave me a heart attack at the age of 36 while I held him so he didn't move at all as he woke up while I was on the phone with 911 waiting for the ambulance. He had a concussion but was fine. He's always getting hurt, always jumping, bumping into things, and tonight was no different. He didn't need stitches, they decided to glue the skin together where he split it open. Head wounds really bleed. So... at 39... he damn near gave me another heart attack while I tried to stop the bleeding while trying to calm 2 very hysterical little girls who love their brother, my oldest daughter was a real trooper cleaning blood off of him while I applied pressure to his wound and she called their dad to see how close to home he was to tell him to step on it because her little brother got hurt and all the while my little guy keeps saying "why does this always happen to me?" (Damn is he cute even while bleeding, big tears falling, and trying to kick me because me applying pressure hurts)

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Me telling him to stop jumping off of stuff.... well, I'm sure we'll see that ER room again because that's just how it is with my son. LOL. Girls are so much easier in that regard for the most part. I have 3 of them and only had to rush one of them to the ER. It was because she was sick, not because she got hurt playing super hero. LOL. And men are so different from women. My husband was really calm about it, eyeing my son's head and giving me that 'do you really think it's that bad because it doesn't look bad to me' male look. (I swear men would tape anything or yank out a staple gun if they could rather than go see a doctor for a deep cut) YES! I'm a mother, he bled a lot, and it looked like stitches to me because I was holding it shut when I was trying to stop the bleeding and it was deep! Okay, not stitches but glue. They glue now on kids unless it's a really bad one that glue won't hold. LOL. I asked the doctor if I was right in bringing him in for it because the 'male look' (he denied giving me) from my husband had me wondering if I'd overreacted because I got it to stop bleeding after a minute of applying pressure and the Doc said he had needed to come in! There, male look. LOL! I gave him back the female "I told you so" look. LOL. There's marriage for you. You know each others looks.

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Now life is back to normal. Everyone is sleeping safely tucked in their beds and the world is right again. My son has a 'neat' story to tell tomorrow to his classmates and man is he excited to get to tell the kids that under that bandage next to his eye the skin is glued together. LOL. I'm sure his sisters will be telling that story to their classmates as well. I know I'm telling it on my blog. LOL.