This is kind of a test, to se if it works. I had a stroke 19 months ago and am working on getting my sight back. I have to relearn a lot already, so just testing this out first!

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Going to get caught up on that, though things will be different.  See, 14 months ago, I had a stroke. I was blind for 10 days and I am still working on my vision. My right side needs some work too...So that is my focus right now. Bonus? I did not die like my favorite author Janet Chapman, amd no, I have no idea why sir died. But I have a lot of work to do brfore I write again, though that is the goal.

I will probably screw up a lot. I find that random things piss me off or make me happy. And I cannot read reply's yet, but I'm trying. No telling how long it will take for me to write again, and yes, that is the goal, but I'm working on it!

Crazy Days

Attended what has to be the best writers' retreat EVER! Ate like a queen. Critiqued some wonderful manuscripts. Then left my laptop at our lakefront condo. Ack. Am in the process of retrieving the laptop, but what a pain.

Discovered I have 2 books debuting in December. An essay in a book by Gloria Gaynor is on pre-order at Amazon. It's called How We Survived. Marvelous cover, and comes with a CD. And my first novel with Harlequin Escape, in Australia, debuts December 1st! This one is RILEY'S BILLIONAIRE.

This Indian Summer has been fantastic. While I'm not looking forward to nasty weather, I always seem to writ more during colder months. Win-win, right?

More later. Enjoy Life!
Sunny

Visit Jami Gold's Cool Site For Writers

Jami Gold, a paranormal writer, has some worksheets that kick butt.
http://jamigold.com/for-writers/worksheets-for-writers/

Wish I'd thought of her branding idea: Beach Reads With Bite.

But then my heroes don't bite. 

Take a look at some of these worksheets Jami lists: 

• Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat Beat Sheet (plot arc oriented)
• Larry Brooks’s Story Engineering Beat Sheet (plot arc oriented)
• Master Beat Sheet Combining Save the Cat and Story Engineering (plot arc oriented)
• Michael Hauge’s Six Stage Plot Structure (character arc oriented)
• Jami Gold’s Romance Beat Sheet (romance arc oriented)
• Jami Gold’s Elements of a Good Scene Checklist
• Jami Gold’s Elements of a Good Scene Worksheet

* With the exception of the Save the Cat Beat Sheet, which was developed by Elizabeth Davis.

(Click each image to view larger version.)

Thank you, DeAnn Sicard for sending me to Jami's site!

Life Lessons

There was a time, when... 

I didn't like my circumstances, so I tried "correcting" my surroundings. That only got me so far, so I attempted changing others. When that didn't work, I tried making over myself. All that did was point out things that were still out of my control. So I complained to God, who asked what my plan would be.

He's still laughing.

Now I'm studying Buddhism. Maybe there are more answers within than without. I'm open to learning and receiving. Maybe an epiphany or two is in order, but they won't be much good without action. Just sucks that in order to gain the peace I need, I'll have to give up what drives me crazy. 

Riting & Reeling

I'm reeling because of the heartbreaking devastation in Oklahoma City and the pain from saying goodbye to a wonderful old pet. Riting/writing because it is what I do and it helps me sort things out. I'm not able to write about either OKC or Chewy at this point, but someday I might. For now, I'm concentrating on women's fiction and fleshing out the most screwed up protagonist ever.

I used to be a plotter, use a detailed outline as a roadmap. I could veer off a bit, but I always knew precisely where I was going and how to reach my destination. This character has turned me into a total pantster, and she surprises me every day. Now I get why so many writers prefer this method. It's exciting, challenging, and absolutely maddening. I often wonder why I chose this path, because now not only is my character bonkers--she's driving ME nuts.

What appeals is the adventure. Maybe her journey reflects my own somehow. I know for sure every time she emotes, I feel like I've dropped my pants in public.

Sunny with a chance of ass-kicking

Friend Bubbles made breakfast this morning. What the Aussies call Egg & Toast Soldiers, we say 3-minute boiled egg and toast strips. So coffee, conversation, and healthy breakfast...it was a pleasant way to begin the day. Good thing, because the following hour has sucked.

I'm without a ride and not feeling great anyway, so not attending a monthly writers' meeting this afternoon. One dog has to be put down when schedules can be coordinated and he can be taken to the vet. The other dog won't stop barking. Cat is blissfully unaware dog is barking more because she's obnoxious than because he's present. Son is upset about the noise. My stomach is churning because I'm letting his grouchiness affect my breakfast. 

Couldn't write yesterday because of drill and shop vac noise and DIL asking where her textbooks are so she could resell them. Dryer won't dry. There are bees in the basement, so can't wash clothes anyway. 

If I had orange juice I'd make screwdrivers. This is bullshit.