You might as well ignore this post. It doesn't say anything worth reading. I just needed to clarify my thoughts about some boring personal stuff.
Went to the chiropractor. I'm feeling MUCH much better. But as one of my resolutions, I need to get in all round better health. So I'm moving the healthrider out of James' temporary room and into the office so that I will actually use it to strengthen my upper body (which I was told to do by the chiro because of the upper back/shoulder problem -- not use the healthrider specifically, but he said it would work well for the strengthening I need). I am also using a bit of the check to buy myself a new bicycle that actually fits so I can ride it to and from work most of the time. The first three months I was down here I probably only drove my truck 5 times altogether -- but the last couple of months I've been driving everywhere. No surprise, my weight started creeping back up as I got less and less exercise. There seems to be a magic point in my weight where all of the sudden I start having health problems, and I've crept back to that point. SO, it's gotta go.
Got a lot of work done at work yesterday while the boss was out of town. I'm caught up and glad of it. Next up. Writing.
I am a bit of a workaholic. Not COMPLETELY (although my son would say I come pretty damned close). But like many women (hell many people, why be sexist?) I can't really relax unless I know the big things are done. Now everybody has their own "big thing" triggers. Mine don't make sense to a lot of folks. But I haven't been able to relax at all no matter how many fun things get thrown my way, because my "big stuff" is staring at the back of my skull making me feel restless and guilty. I want to start out the new year with things being DONE so I can RELAX for a few days. I'm willing to work hard to accomplish that.
I want my house clean again.
I want there not to be piles of dirty laundry.
I want my office organized the way I want it and things NOT TO MOVE OR BE ADDED.
I want to balance my checkbook and figure out where the money is going to go.
I WANT TO WRITE!!!!!!!!!!
I've been too depressed and stressed to take care of those things and others. I need to get control of my life again so that I don't lose everything I've been making for myself because I'm too sick, tired, deoressed and scattered to take care of things.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Change of Plans
Be flexible. It's one of my goals. See, I have... shall we say... CONTROL ISSUES. (And yes, those were in caps for a good reason). I try really hard to be flexible, but it's SO not my best thing. But you can't control everything and it is stupid to try. Change can be good. (It can also be a pain in the ass, but that's another story for another blog).
So anyway, the beginning of this blog is about change for the new year. I've gotten some bad habits that I need to break, and some good ones I need to reinforce. One of the things I want to do is finish up some of the unfinished stuff that has backlogged on my desk. Since Cathy has asked me pretty please not to work on a Sazi book until the agent and the publisher ok the direction we're talking about going I'm dropping back to a mystery I started a while back. I like mysteries. Besides, working in an "ordinary" world means that I don't have to try to wrestle out the magical theory and laws of what can and can't occur. So I won't need as much heavy duty discussion time. We also had it pretty much plotted out, so that's OK too. (Assuming I can find my notes). And it would be a good way to make use of the short story anthology of mysteries Cathy and I will be in in April. So, that's the plan today. Tomorrow, who knows, it may change.
***OH, GOOD NEWS!! THE CHECK ARRIVED!**** And yeah, it went by way of Colorado. I'm going to be sending some reminder e-mails to get all address changes to all departments. But hey, I can take care of a lot of things with this, including starting a savings account for when James heads back up to Denver.
I haven't written in this blog about world events much. I don't really feel I know enough about things (limited world view, etc.) to really post my opinions. (If you don't have an informed opinion, keep it to yourself until you GET the information). But I wanted to say how sad I am for all the victims of the tsunami. A 9.0 Richter earthquake is just... awesome. I keep thinking, wow, would it have been WORSE in the atmosphere? I don't know my science very well, but someone told me that enough sediment was sent up from the ocean's bottom to equal a mountain the size of (she couldn't remember) Fuji or Kilamanjaro (sp.). That kind of dust would change the climate worldwide had it gotten into the air. I was told the earth actually shuddered on its axis. The scope of this is just beyond my ken. Water three stories high traveling at approximately (someone told me, so again second hand information, but it sounds about right if you have a 9.0) *500* miles an hour!
So many people lost, such terrible destruction. I'm so sorry. And all I can do is donate to worthy relief causes and pray. Not enough. Not nearly enough.
So anyway, the beginning of this blog is about change for the new year. I've gotten some bad habits that I need to break, and some good ones I need to reinforce. One of the things I want to do is finish up some of the unfinished stuff that has backlogged on my desk. Since Cathy has asked me pretty please not to work on a Sazi book until the agent and the publisher ok the direction we're talking about going I'm dropping back to a mystery I started a while back. I like mysteries. Besides, working in an "ordinary" world means that I don't have to try to wrestle out the magical theory and laws of what can and can't occur. So I won't need as much heavy duty discussion time. We also had it pretty much plotted out, so that's OK too. (Assuming I can find my notes). And it would be a good way to make use of the short story anthology of mysteries Cathy and I will be in in April. So, that's the plan today. Tomorrow, who knows, it may change.
***OH, GOOD NEWS!! THE CHECK ARRIVED!**** And yeah, it went by way of Colorado. I'm going to be sending some reminder e-mails to get all address changes to all departments. But hey, I can take care of a lot of things with this, including starting a savings account for when James heads back up to Denver.
I haven't written in this blog about world events much. I don't really feel I know enough about things (limited world view, etc.) to really post my opinions. (If you don't have an informed opinion, keep it to yourself until you GET the information). But I wanted to say how sad I am for all the victims of the tsunami. A 9.0 Richter earthquake is just... awesome. I keep thinking, wow, would it have been WORSE in the atmosphere? I don't know my science very well, but someone told me that enough sediment was sent up from the ocean's bottom to equal a mountain the size of (she couldn't remember) Fuji or Kilamanjaro (sp.). That kind of dust would change the climate worldwide had it gotten into the air. I was told the earth actually shuddered on its axis. The scope of this is just beyond my ken. Water three stories high traveling at approximately (someone told me, so again second hand information, but it sounds about right if you have a 9.0) *500* miles an hour!
So many people lost, such terrible destruction. I'm so sorry. And all I can do is donate to worthy relief causes and pray. Not enough. Not nearly enough.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Stuff
Getting ready for the new year. I have Friday off. I HOPE to get a lot of things done, but my son has social stuff in mind. We'll see if a compromise can be reached. I have to go to the post office today to mail out stuff that I was going to mail earlier but the holidays got in the way. (Things like... bookplates :D)
My resolutions for the new year are to be grumpy less often, to help James get set up in Denver when he heads back there in a couple of months, to WRITE a lot (as in finish at least two of the half-finished mss. I've got laying around, and get healthier again. We're scheduled to be at two different conferences this year (RT and RWA) so I will need to prepare myself for those. Cathy's giving a lecture at RT and we're on an author panel at RWA. I've never been on an author panel. I have no CLUE what I'm supposed to do. For someone who isn't particularly fond of crowds I'm going to be spending some time in them. The only thing that makes the thought of it less daunting is the male cover model competition. (What, you expected me to say the comradarie of other authors? Surely you know me better than that by now! ;) )
Gotta run! Hope everybody has a great day! I'll pop in if we get any more news.
My resolutions for the new year are to be grumpy less often, to help James get set up in Denver when he heads back there in a couple of months, to WRITE a lot (as in finish at least two of the half-finished mss. I've got laying around, and get healthier again. We're scheduled to be at two different conferences this year (RT and RWA) so I will need to prepare myself for those. Cathy's giving a lecture at RT and we're on an author panel at RWA. I've never been on an author panel. I have no CLUE what I'm supposed to do. For someone who isn't particularly fond of crowds I'm going to be spending some time in them. The only thing that makes the thought of it less daunting is the male cover model competition. (What, you expected me to say the comradarie of other authors? Surely you know me better than that by now! ;) )
Gotta run! Hope everybody has a great day! I'll pop in if we get any more news.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Greetings and Salutations
Bon jour mes amis. Como tallez vous? Je suis tres bien.
OK enough of the French already. I don't remember very much. When I was in junior high and took French I was TRES bad at it. The teacher required that once the door was closed we could only speak in French. My French vocabulary is VERY limited (and my spelling is worse) and consists mostly of the following:
Ouvre le porte, sil vous plait. ("Open the door please!")
Bon chance. ("Good luck." Spoken by my teacher specifically to me in advance of every quiz -- does that tell you something?)
C'est tres domage. ("Too bad" -- spoken to me when handing back every quiz).
Anyway, I am doing OK today. Not spectacular (I hurt), but we got an encouraging e-mail, our ranking on all of the lists seems to be doing well, we're getting good feedback from readers and more good reviews. So I am concentrating on the happy stuff!
I wish I was multi-lingual. I am good at any number of things (and yes, I know, that sounds egotistical, but everybody's good at any number of things. It's human nature). One of those things is NOT languages. I try, I REALLY try. But I am just SOOOOOO bad at it. Sigh. I want our books to be around the world. I want to visit everywhere the books are. (OK, so maybe Iraq and Antarctica AREN'T on the preferred travel destinations right now, but you get the idea.) It would be so cool to go to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada,... and see people every place I go that I've spoken to on line. Don't know that it's going to happen, but it would be seriously cool. People are people, wherever they're from. Love and heartache are both universal.
If the books do take off, I want to do good things with the money I earn. Granted, first things I would do are: (1) Pay everything off I owe, including buying my house outright; (2) set up a trust fund for my son; (3) set up a trust fund for other family members. Then I want to take a percentage of my money to travel, but a bigger percentage to go to various charities. There are so many things people can do to help if they just do it -- but it's so EASY to just keep spending on things you don't even need. I saw a special that was the equivalent of the old show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" where this entertainer had 20 or 30 watches at thousands (even tens of thousands in some cases) of dollars each! What a flipping waste! You only have a watch on one wrist for crying out loud. If you're REALLY fashion conscious, one with a black band, one with a brown band, one gold, one silver. Poof. Four watches. Five max (what the heck, one diamond encrusted). The rest of the oh, $100,000.00 could go to say.... Habitat for Humanity, The International Red Cross. Now I'm not picking on this guy (which is why he is remaining nameless). I mean, he works HARD for that money. But a collection of cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, a dozen or so mansions? He's single, with no children, and travels constantly. I realize its his money but I can't help thinking, "what a waste!".
Yolanda, Jim, you are hereby authorized, if I ever do get that wealthy (don't hold your breath) to kick me right square in the ass if I get that extravagant and don't share!
Gotta run!
Cie
OK enough of the French already. I don't remember very much. When I was in junior high and took French I was TRES bad at it. The teacher required that once the door was closed we could only speak in French. My French vocabulary is VERY limited (and my spelling is worse) and consists mostly of the following:
Ouvre le porte, sil vous plait. ("Open the door please!")
Bon chance. ("Good luck." Spoken by my teacher specifically to me in advance of every quiz -- does that tell you something?)
C'est tres domage. ("Too bad" -- spoken to me when handing back every quiz).
Anyway, I am doing OK today. Not spectacular (I hurt), but we got an encouraging e-mail, our ranking on all of the lists seems to be doing well, we're getting good feedback from readers and more good reviews. So I am concentrating on the happy stuff!
I wish I was multi-lingual. I am good at any number of things (and yes, I know, that sounds egotistical, but everybody's good at any number of things. It's human nature). One of those things is NOT languages. I try, I REALLY try. But I am just SOOOOOO bad at it. Sigh. I want our books to be around the world. I want to visit everywhere the books are. (OK, so maybe Iraq and Antarctica AREN'T on the preferred travel destinations right now, but you get the idea.) It would be so cool to go to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada,... and see people every place I go that I've spoken to on line. Don't know that it's going to happen, but it would be seriously cool. People are people, wherever they're from. Love and heartache are both universal.
If the books do take off, I want to do good things with the money I earn. Granted, first things I would do are: (1) Pay everything off I owe, including buying my house outright; (2) set up a trust fund for my son; (3) set up a trust fund for other family members. Then I want to take a percentage of my money to travel, but a bigger percentage to go to various charities. There are so many things people can do to help if they just do it -- but it's so EASY to just keep spending on things you don't even need. I saw a special that was the equivalent of the old show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" where this entertainer had 20 or 30 watches at thousands (even tens of thousands in some cases) of dollars each! What a flipping waste! You only have a watch on one wrist for crying out loud. If you're REALLY fashion conscious, one with a black band, one with a brown band, one gold, one silver. Poof. Four watches. Five max (what the heck, one diamond encrusted). The rest of the oh, $100,000.00 could go to say.... Habitat for Humanity, The International Red Cross. Now I'm not picking on this guy (which is why he is remaining nameless). I mean, he works HARD for that money. But a collection of cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, a dozen or so mansions? He's single, with no children, and travels constantly. I realize its his money but I can't help thinking, "what a waste!".
Yolanda, Jim, you are hereby authorized, if I ever do get that wealthy (don't hold your breath) to kick me right square in the ass if I get that extravagant and don't share!
Gotta run!
Cie
Monday, December 27, 2004
Good Morning
Good morning all.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas day was great for me. Spent lots of quality time with my son.
************** UPDATE/COOL NEWS********************
Just found out that Moon's Web (Hunter's sequel) is available for preorder now from Amazon.com. TOO COOL. Cathy's going to post the info on the website.
*******************************************************
We now return to our regularly scheduled post -- already in progress.
I am a grumpbucket today (yesterday too). I'm trying to get over it, but bear with me if I seem crabby. Little things are getting to me.
OK I just deleted a whole long bitch session because you really probably don't want to read it. But the good news is, this attitude is going to be a wonderful help in my getting into Catherine's head. Cat is grieving and part of that process is frustrated anger. Today is a REALLY good day for me to write that part. Then maybe I won't do something stupid that will hurt someone's feelings unnecessarily.
Anyway, I'll be writing the Agent's assistant today to see where the check got sent. It hasn't arrived. REALLY hope they didn't forget to forward my new address and contact information to bookkeeping, but I'm thinking my check may be in Colorado. Lord knows how long it would take them to forward it down here -- assuming the forwarding order hasn't expired. UGH! (Okay, deep breath. Calm, calm, I will NOT be a grump. I will NOT be a grump...)
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas day was great for me. Spent lots of quality time with my son.
************** UPDATE/COOL NEWS********************
Just found out that Moon's Web (Hunter's sequel) is available for preorder now from Amazon.com. TOO COOL. Cathy's going to post the info on the website.
*******************************************************
We now return to our regularly scheduled post -- already in progress.
I am a grumpbucket today (yesterday too). I'm trying to get over it, but bear with me if I seem crabby. Little things are getting to me.
OK I just deleted a whole long bitch session because you really probably don't want to read it. But the good news is, this attitude is going to be a wonderful help in my getting into Catherine's head. Cat is grieving and part of that process is frustrated anger. Today is a REALLY good day for me to write that part. Then maybe I won't do something stupid that will hurt someone's feelings unnecessarily.
Anyway, I'll be writing the Agent's assistant today to see where the check got sent. It hasn't arrived. REALLY hope they didn't forget to forward my new address and contact information to bookkeeping, but I'm thinking my check may be in Colorado. Lord knows how long it would take them to forward it down here -- assuming the forwarding order hasn't expired. UGH! (Okay, deep breath. Calm, calm, I will NOT be a grump. I will NOT be a grump...)
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Let's See -- Some Answers
Hi Guys! Hope you're all happy and well. I figured I'd answer a couple of questions.
Yolanda -- The website for the Horror Writers Assoc. is: http://www.horror.org/. It has all kinds of information, and an e-mail address where people actually respond to your question. Hope you've checked into the RWA Online. They are such cool people!
Jim -- Moon's Web should be able to stand on its own merits. I really don't think you need to read the first one first. (However, I have to admit I encourage everybody to read everything just... well just CAUSE). Seriously, they can drop into the second book without missing step in my opinion. But just in case (aw darn) you'll get a peek at the first couple chapters when we get the new website up. (And who knows, we may do a charity thing for an ARC [Advance Review Copy] like we did last time.)
Anyway, wishing everybody happy holidays. I'm off to get cat food for Algonquin. (Onyx's "wife/mate" our female cat)
OOOOHHH I almost forgot!!! We're up for a Lambda Literary Award, in romance. They apparently acknowledge the best portrayals of gay, lesbian and bi-sexuals in writing. I guess Linda's having her own influence. (BIG grin). I think that's really cool because, honestly, we WANT to be fair to all of our characters and be open-minded and not be judgmental. If they thought enough of us to give us a nod, it means we did a good job. WHOO HOO!
Anyway, be safe, be happy (and Jim, be sure to use your sunscreen. Actually, you too Yolanda. It's summer down there, isn't it?).
Best wishes.
Cie
Yolanda -- The website for the Horror Writers Assoc. is: http://www.horror.org/. It has all kinds of information, and an e-mail address where people actually respond to your question. Hope you've checked into the RWA Online. They are such cool people!
Jim -- Moon's Web should be able to stand on its own merits. I really don't think you need to read the first one first. (However, I have to admit I encourage everybody to read everything just... well just CAUSE). Seriously, they can drop into the second book without missing step in my opinion. But just in case (aw darn) you'll get a peek at the first couple chapters when we get the new website up. (And who knows, we may do a charity thing for an ARC [Advance Review Copy] like we did last time.)
Anyway, wishing everybody happy holidays. I'm off to get cat food for Algonquin. (Onyx's "wife/mate" our female cat)
OOOOHHH I almost forgot!!! We're up for a Lambda Literary Award, in romance. They apparently acknowledge the best portrayals of gay, lesbian and bi-sexuals in writing. I guess Linda's having her own influence. (BIG grin). I think that's really cool because, honestly, we WANT to be fair to all of our characters and be open-minded and not be judgmental. If they thought enough of us to give us a nod, it means we did a good job. WHOO HOO!
Anyway, be safe, be happy (and Jim, be sure to use your sunscreen. Actually, you too Yolanda. It's summer down there, isn't it?).
Best wishes.
Cie
Saturday, December 25, 2004
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Happy holidays to all! Stopped by to say "Hi!"
First, thanks to everybody. We got a holiday "present" from our readers -- today we reached the best ranking yet on Barnes & Noble.com. WHOO HOO!!!
Family presents arrived on schedule (except for the ones in Ohio -- but that WASN'T my fault!).
My aunt Camilla is in the hospital. Her appendix ruptured last night. But they think she's going to be fine.
Got lots of great presents. Today will be spent watching some of the movies, and baking cookies to go in the new cats cookie jar my Mom and Dad gave me. Of course it's traditional to wear clothes you were given, so the beautiful shirts will get their chance.
This can't be too long of a post -- I have to drive to the next town over for church. We have a church in my denomination here, but the priest is very rigid in his beliefs and they really don't mesh with mine. I end up coming away furious for a week -- which sort of defeats the purpose. So I go to the next town over, where they have a priest who is a really mellow, happy and more laid-back kind of guy.
Hi to everyone. Thanks to all who have bought the book. Special thanks to the folks who stop by the blog regularly and "chat" with me. I hope Santa gave you all EXACTLY what you want.
Saw a great sign on a lit billboard the other day. Santa -- Define "Good."
Merry Christmas!
Cie
First, thanks to everybody. We got a holiday "present" from our readers -- today we reached the best ranking yet on Barnes & Noble.com. WHOO HOO!!!
Family presents arrived on schedule (except for the ones in Ohio -- but that WASN'T my fault!).
My aunt Camilla is in the hospital. Her appendix ruptured last night. But they think she's going to be fine.
Got lots of great presents. Today will be spent watching some of the movies, and baking cookies to go in the new cats cookie jar my Mom and Dad gave me. Of course it's traditional to wear clothes you were given, so the beautiful shirts will get their chance.
This can't be too long of a post -- I have to drive to the next town over for church. We have a church in my denomination here, but the priest is very rigid in his beliefs and they really don't mesh with mine. I end up coming away furious for a week -- which sort of defeats the purpose. So I go to the next town over, where they have a priest who is a really mellow, happy and more laid-back kind of guy.
Hi to everyone. Thanks to all who have bought the book. Special thanks to the folks who stop by the blog regularly and "chat" with me. I hope Santa gave you all EXACTLY what you want.
Saw a great sign on a lit billboard the other day. Santa -- Define "Good."
Merry Christmas!
Cie
Friday, December 24, 2004
Sometimes you need your daily iron(y)
Hi Guys!
Sometimes you need your daily dose of iron(y). Yesterday was a GREAT day. We got the e-mail from the publishing house (see previous post), Cathy got her payment for "on publication" and a box of books from UPS. I rushed home hoping that my payment and books would have arrived as well. WELL, kinda sorta. Cathy got the right check, but a box of the wrong books. I got the right books but, you guessed it, no check. I took her over half of my books. She e-mailed Anna to ask what the heck they want her to do with the box of somebody else's. (Apparently a 2002 bestseller).
I'm HOPING that my check arrives today. If it doesn't, I'll get by. But BOY that sure would be a nice Christmas present. Still, I gotta laugh. We each got half.
On a completely different subject: I'm thinking of joining the Horror Writers' Association. The authors involved are very cool and reputable, and I would like to branch out in that direction. I sent an e-mail inquiring as to whether or not we qualify. We'll have to see.
Oh, and for TODAY's irony: I got my Christmas shopping done. I mailed everything on "the last day that we can guarantee they'll get it by Christmas if you send it priority." (Now understand, I'm known for giving NEW YEAR's presents not Christmas presents, so this was a pretty big deal). Three packages. Two to Illinois, one to Ohio. So now there's this HUGE snowstorm, cuts power all over Ohio, and (you guessed it) the mail isn't going to be getting through on time. My sister and I both decided it was hilarious. (Then again, she may just be looking for something to find funny since her power has been off for a day and a half and will probably still be off until Sunday. But hey, on the good news front, they ran into a friend of theirs who had a spare generator, so they could use it to run the sump pump and get rid of the seven or eight inches of frigid water that had gotten into their basement!) I'm just glad everybody's ok.
Anyway, I'm wishing everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If you celebrate other holidays, Merry (insert name of your particular holiday here)! Best wishes to all, and thanks for coming by! (come back soon!)
Cie
Sometimes you need your daily dose of iron(y). Yesterday was a GREAT day. We got the e-mail from the publishing house (see previous post), Cathy got her payment for "on publication" and a box of books from UPS. I rushed home hoping that my payment and books would have arrived as well. WELL, kinda sorta. Cathy got the right check, but a box of the wrong books. I got the right books but, you guessed it, no check. I took her over half of my books. She e-mailed Anna to ask what the heck they want her to do with the box of somebody else's. (Apparently a 2002 bestseller).
I'm HOPING that my check arrives today. If it doesn't, I'll get by. But BOY that sure would be a nice Christmas present. Still, I gotta laugh. We each got half.
On a completely different subject: I'm thinking of joining the Horror Writers' Association. The authors involved are very cool and reputable, and I would like to branch out in that direction. I sent an e-mail inquiring as to whether or not we qualify. We'll have to see.
Oh, and for TODAY's irony: I got my Christmas shopping done. I mailed everything on "the last day that we can guarantee they'll get it by Christmas if you send it priority." (Now understand, I'm known for giving NEW YEAR's presents not Christmas presents, so this was a pretty big deal). Three packages. Two to Illinois, one to Ohio. So now there's this HUGE snowstorm, cuts power all over Ohio, and (you guessed it) the mail isn't going to be getting through on time. My sister and I both decided it was hilarious. (Then again, she may just be looking for something to find funny since her power has been off for a day and a half and will probably still be off until Sunday. But hey, on the good news front, they ran into a friend of theirs who had a spare generator, so they could use it to run the sump pump and get rid of the seven or eight inches of frigid water that had gotten into their basement!) I'm just glad everybody's ok.
Anyway, I'm wishing everyone a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If you celebrate other holidays, Merry (insert name of your particular holiday here)! Best wishes to all, and thanks for coming by! (come back soon!)
Cie
Thursday, December 23, 2004
HAPPY DANCE!!!!
Whoo hoo. Cie is happy dancing again! We got an e-mail from our editor at Tor that said that our sales rate is *very high.* In fact, the top brass even noticed. When your sales are high enough to impress your New York publisher you get to do the happy dance!
Now, I may be nuts (Aw, who am I kidding, I AM nuts, but MAYBE not about this) but I have this weird idea in my brain that if you impress the big wigs then maybe they'll be REALLY INCLINED to look favorably at your next set of books? Teehee. And that maybe, just maybe, that royalty check in October is going to look REALLY GOOD. (Cie resumes the happy dance).
Now, I may be nuts (Aw, who am I kidding, I AM nuts, but MAYBE not about this) but I have this weird idea in my brain that if you impress the big wigs then maybe they'll be REALLY INCLINED to look favorably at your next set of books? Teehee. And that maybe, just maybe, that royalty check in October is going to look REALLY GOOD. (Cie resumes the happy dance).
OHHHH my aching head. :)
The only problem with throwing parties is the inevitable overindulgence. (Wicked grin)
Hi guys! Thanks to everyone who stopped by yesterday for the party. I feel much better now.
Hope everybody is ready for the holidays because they've arrived. I'm actually feeling kind of festive after yesterday's silliness. This is good because my mood has been all over the place lately.
Cathy and I are going to be talking to the agent (for sure) and editor (possibly) about the future direction of the Sazi books. We'll see what we find out. I'm hopeful. In the meantime I'm going ahead and getting started writing just to get "back in the saddle." When I'm angry, frustrated and/or depressed I have a really hard time writing, so some of the things in my personal life have kind of gotten in the way of my creativity. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm past it.
One of the things that we're hoping to do is set two separate Sazi books in approximately the same time frame. THAT is tricky. I can't have Lucas HERE if at the same time she has him THERE. I mean, he's good, but he ain't THAT good. But we'll both be working in the same world again, which means much richer discussions and less crankiness for all parties. (Oh hell, I'll be honest. I'M generally the one that gets cranky. Don't mean to. But I just DO.)
So we're moving forward in a good direction. (I think). I just hope that the agent and publisher agree. (Keeping toes crossed. Fingers are for typing.)
ANYWAY, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and are not TOO hung over from all the virtual champagne. ;)
Cie
Hi guys! Thanks to everyone who stopped by yesterday for the party. I feel much better now.
Hope everybody is ready for the holidays because they've arrived. I'm actually feeling kind of festive after yesterday's silliness. This is good because my mood has been all over the place lately.
Cathy and I are going to be talking to the agent (for sure) and editor (possibly) about the future direction of the Sazi books. We'll see what we find out. I'm hopeful. In the meantime I'm going ahead and getting started writing just to get "back in the saddle." When I'm angry, frustrated and/or depressed I have a really hard time writing, so some of the things in my personal life have kind of gotten in the way of my creativity. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm past it.
One of the things that we're hoping to do is set two separate Sazi books in approximately the same time frame. THAT is tricky. I can't have Lucas HERE if at the same time she has him THERE. I mean, he's good, but he ain't THAT good. But we'll both be working in the same world again, which means much richer discussions and less crankiness for all parties. (Oh hell, I'll be honest. I'M generally the one that gets cranky. Don't mean to. But I just DO.)
So we're moving forward in a good direction. (I think). I just hope that the agent and publisher agree. (Keeping toes crossed. Fingers are for typing.)
ANYWAY, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and are not TOO hung over from all the virtual champagne. ;)
Cie
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
I GET to be happy!
I would LOVE for everybody to be having the kind of wonderful luck Cathy and I are. I know it probably isn't going to happen. But I would LOVE it. But there were times when things were really going well for others in my life and my life well... um.... shall we say "sucked big scum covered pond rocks?" I am so incredibly excited about the good things going on with regard to the writing! I mean, I've been putting together stories since I was what.... six? We didn't get our first book published until 2002. That's quite the wait. So I want to dance on the clouds a little. I'm so happy it almost doesn't seem possible that this is all real. Unfortunately, there are a lot of folks who are having a hard time now. I don't want to be tacky, or rub people's noses in it, but I really want to ENJOY the good times (they're always so damned fleeting). Have you ever tried to "celebrate quietly?" Doesn't work. SO, I am hereby nominating those of you who read this post fellow partygoers. Please put on your virtual paper hat and get out your kazoo while I flip on the stereo and crank it up. Somebody get the glasses. Somebody else pop the virtual champagne.
Any suggestions as to tunes? Right now I've got Kiss "Smashes, Thrashes and Hits" but I'm open to suggestions.
Cie
Have moved on to a punk CD my son made for me with my favorite songs from several different bands. Not Christmasy, but definitely lively and making me happy!
Looking for music suggestions..... until then AC/DC
Any suggestions as to tunes? Right now I've got Kiss "Smashes, Thrashes and Hits" but I'm open to suggestions.
Cie
Have moved on to a punk CD my son made for me with my favorite songs from several different bands. Not Christmasy, but definitely lively and making me happy!
Looking for music suggestions..... until then AC/DC
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
WHOOO HOOO
HUNTER'S MOON was nominated for a Romantic Times award in the category of Best Contemporary Paranormal! WHOOOEEEE!!!!
Happy Holidays
Greetings and happy holidays. It's been a tough year for nearly everyone I know for some reason or another. Still, life is very, very good. I got all the packages packed. They're shipping today. They may or may not arrive in time for Christmas, but I just couldn't manage it any faster. I'd HOPED that our author copies of the books would arrive so I could send some to people with the Christmas stuff, but they haven't, so I can't. Ah well. Still, it is frustrating.
It felt really good to be writing yesterday. I've been having a hard time getting into the groove. I think a big chunk of it is physical exhaustion, and another chunk is depression over losing Onyx. But every day it gets a little better.
Currently listening to a CD of Christmas music by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Lots of electric guitar. I'm not good with traditional Christmas music, but this actually does it for me.
Best wishes to everyone.
Cie
It felt really good to be writing yesterday. I've been having a hard time getting into the groove. I think a big chunk of it is physical exhaustion, and another chunk is depression over losing Onyx. But every day it gets a little better.
Currently listening to a CD of Christmas music by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Lots of electric guitar. I'm not good with traditional Christmas music, but this actually does it for me.
Best wishes to everyone.
Cie
Monday, December 20, 2004
Cathy Suggested This
Hi Guys! Cathy suggested I post the address and telephone info on the Waldenbooks since they have lots of copies and I had suggested people could order from them. I would direct you to Hastings' too, but as of yesterday they supposedly only had 3 left and none of them were on the shelves (which meant they were probably in the check-out line [GRIN]). SO, yes, please support Hastings, but if you want autographed copies RIGHT NOW you can get 'em at:
Waldenbooks Sunset Mall, San Angelo, TX 76901 (325) 949-7040
Toodles.
Cie
Waldenbooks Sunset Mall, San Angelo, TX 76901 (325) 949-7040
Toodles.
Cie
Guten Monday Morgen
Yeah, I know, I probably got the German completely wrong. But hey, I'm in a good mood.
Got all the Christmas shopping done (have to pack and ship today). Got the signings done. (Which, while they will be seriously cool when there are people out there who actually know the series and like the book, are a little tough when you're an unknown.)
Sales are going well. Buzz appears to be good. Meeting seriously cool people online (Yes, that would be you Jim and Yolanda -- among others ;)) Got a plan of action ironed out with Cathy over the weekend (hope to run it by the agent soon). Son is doing well. Part of what was bothering my health was a minor infection. Now that that is clearing up, I'm feeling a little bit better. Still having some of the other symptoms, but any improvement is much appreciated.
The new website will look really cool when we can get it up. Right now it's on delay because Cathy has two articles and a bunch of contest entries due, and I don't have the software available at my day job to do it. So I have to be patient which, as you probably guessed, is not my best thing. There's an old Queen song that sums me up pretty well. "I want it all. I want it all. I want it all. And I want it NOW!" (big grin).
Ah well. Such is life. I'm off to write. Wish me luck.
Have a great day.
Cie
Got all the Christmas shopping done (have to pack and ship today). Got the signings done. (Which, while they will be seriously cool when there are people out there who actually know the series and like the book, are a little tough when you're an unknown.)
Sales are going well. Buzz appears to be good. Meeting seriously cool people online (Yes, that would be you Jim and Yolanda -- among others ;)) Got a plan of action ironed out with Cathy over the weekend (hope to run it by the agent soon). Son is doing well. Part of what was bothering my health was a minor infection. Now that that is clearing up, I'm feeling a little bit better. Still having some of the other symptoms, but any improvement is much appreciated.
The new website will look really cool when we can get it up. Right now it's on delay because Cathy has two articles and a bunch of contest entries due, and I don't have the software available at my day job to do it. So I have to be patient which, as you probably guessed, is not my best thing. There's an old Queen song that sums me up pretty well. "I want it all. I want it all. I want it all. And I want it NOW!" (big grin).
Ah well. Such is life. I'm off to write. Wish me luck.
Have a great day.
Cie
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys! I appreciate the moral support. (Heck my morals can use all the support they can get. ;) )
Cathy and I did get a chance to talk on the trip. In fact, we're very much on the same page and managed to map out both a plan and almost another complete book plot. VERY cool. Apparently I worry too much over all the wrong things. (Then again, we already knew that).
The signing went really well. (Thanks again Jimbo!). The folks at Waldenbooks were great. If anybody is in the area and needs books, we autographed all the copies they have in stock, so you can get your copy there. OR, if you're not in the area, you can look up Waldenbooks at Sunset Mall in San Angelo, TX on the web version of the telephone book and order a copy by phone. If you already have -- Happy reading. I REALLY hope you like it! If you have any questions about things that aren't spoilers we'll be happy to talk to you about it here or in our "guestbook."
I'm so glad you guys decided to come along for the ride! THANKS!
Cie
Cathy and I did get a chance to talk on the trip. In fact, we're very much on the same page and managed to map out both a plan and almost another complete book plot. VERY cool. Apparently I worry too much over all the wrong things. (Then again, we already knew that).
The signing went really well. (Thanks again Jimbo!). The folks at Waldenbooks were great. If anybody is in the area and needs books, we autographed all the copies they have in stock, so you can get your copy there. OR, if you're not in the area, you can look up Waldenbooks at Sunset Mall in San Angelo, TX on the web version of the telephone book and order a copy by phone. If you already have -- Happy reading. I REALLY hope you like it! If you have any questions about things that aren't spoilers we'll be happy to talk to you about it here or in our "guestbook."
I'm so glad you guys decided to come along for the ride! THANKS!
Cie
Here we go...
Hi Guys!
Getting ready for another signing. It's about an hour away by car, which will give Cathy and I time to discuss some of the career decisions coming up. Could be a lively trip. We both have very strong opinions -- and they don't always mesh. BUT the good news is that we work well together and when we do finally hash things out it works out better than either individual plan would have (at least I think so).
One thing I worry about (and Cathy constantly tells me I'm silly -- but hey, I'll admit it, I'm insecure) is that we won't get a chance to expand the Sazi world to include viewpoints from more and different characters. If everything comes from Tony's viewpoint Cathy will do all the primary writing. That would have me being left out of the loop in my own world which would hurt. A lot. I want us to be marketable and successful, but I do believe there's room for huge growth. BUT I trust Cathy. I don't think she'll let that happen. We just have to find the right way to move forward and our agent will help us to do it right.
Gotta go curl my hair. Wish me luck.
Getting ready for another signing. It's about an hour away by car, which will give Cathy and I time to discuss some of the career decisions coming up. Could be a lively trip. We both have very strong opinions -- and they don't always mesh. BUT the good news is that we work well together and when we do finally hash things out it works out better than either individual plan would have (at least I think so).
One thing I worry about (and Cathy constantly tells me I'm silly -- but hey, I'll admit it, I'm insecure) is that we won't get a chance to expand the Sazi world to include viewpoints from more and different characters. If everything comes from Tony's viewpoint Cathy will do all the primary writing. That would have me being left out of the loop in my own world which would hurt. A lot. I want us to be marketable and successful, but I do believe there's room for huge growth. BUT I trust Cathy. I don't think she'll let that happen. We just have to find the right way to move forward and our agent will help us to do it right.
Gotta go curl my hair. Wish me luck.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Thanks Everybody
I want to thank everybody for the condolences. The support is appreciated. Hi Yolanda! So cool that you're actually getting to read our book in Australia. I LOVE the thought that people all over the world are getting to see our work. Just so cool! And I love the internet, where I can actually "meet" and talk to people from different places and cultures.
Cathy googled us and found a couple of discussion boards talking about the book. We joined in and chatted with folks. It's not only fun, but a great way to find out what people like, and don't like about the world. While some things are set for the world and the books, I think it's important to get a "read" what people want and think about your characters, etc. We want to entertain, make people happy, take them away from the hum drum for a little while. If they think about real issues, so much the better. I, for one, do not want to be clubbed up the side of the head with somebody else's view of "how things should be," so we won't be doing that to others. (Sort of the golden rule as applied to writing.)
Probably not going to make the bestseller's list unless the word of mouth goes insane. Kind of a bummer, but not a surprise considering the holidays. I never thought I'd be able to say that the Grinch stole my Christmas listing. (wink).
Gotta get back to work. Take care and have a great day everybody.
Cie
Cathy googled us and found a couple of discussion boards talking about the book. We joined in and chatted with folks. It's not only fun, but a great way to find out what people like, and don't like about the world. While some things are set for the world and the books, I think it's important to get a "read" what people want and think about your characters, etc. We want to entertain, make people happy, take them away from the hum drum for a little while. If they think about real issues, so much the better. I, for one, do not want to be clubbed up the side of the head with somebody else's view of "how things should be," so we won't be doing that to others. (Sort of the golden rule as applied to writing.)
Probably not going to make the bestseller's list unless the word of mouth goes insane. Kind of a bummer, but not a surprise considering the holidays. I never thought I'd be able to say that the Grinch stole my Christmas listing. (wink).
Gotta get back to work. Take care and have a great day everybody.
Cie
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Success Isn't Everything/Updated Info
Updated info --
We didn't make the bestseller's list. Competing against too many Christmas special offerings. (We lost to the Grinch, among others.) It's ok. Word of mouth is starting up. The book has gotten all good professional reviews and mostly good reader reviews. Got one real stinker, but I'm not surprised. This is not a book for everyone. I like it. A lot of other people seem to like it. But that doesn't mean everybody will. We knew going in that the main characters aren't "typical" romance fare. Our guy is fairly good looking, but an assasin. Our heroine isn't thin and gorgeous, and she's fairly spineless at the beginning of the book. So we were actually expecting a lot more people to "hate" Sue. So, hey, we're doing way better than we expected and are in no way griping. Who knows, maybe the sequel will hit the list in August.
Cie
*************************
Success isn't everything. I know that. But just in case I didn't, life has decided to hit me up the side of the head with a board (figuratively). The book is doing well. I'm happy about that. We may even make the bestseller's list today. (Maybe not. Have to wait and see). But yesterday I had to have Onyx put to sleep. The cancer had spread down his throat and into his chest. He almost couldn't open his mouth, and breathing was getting difficult. The medicine didn't help. So at 4:15 yesterday my son and I took him to the vet. I keep crying at the oddest moments.
Gotta go.
Cie
We didn't make the bestseller's list. Competing against too many Christmas special offerings. (We lost to the Grinch, among others.) It's ok. Word of mouth is starting up. The book has gotten all good professional reviews and mostly good reader reviews. Got one real stinker, but I'm not surprised. This is not a book for everyone. I like it. A lot of other people seem to like it. But that doesn't mean everybody will. We knew going in that the main characters aren't "typical" romance fare. Our guy is fairly good looking, but an assasin. Our heroine isn't thin and gorgeous, and she's fairly spineless at the beginning of the book. So we were actually expecting a lot more people to "hate" Sue. So, hey, we're doing way better than we expected and are in no way griping. Who knows, maybe the sequel will hit the list in August.
Cie
*************************
Success isn't everything. I know that. But just in case I didn't, life has decided to hit me up the side of the head with a board (figuratively). The book is doing well. I'm happy about that. We may even make the bestseller's list today. (Maybe not. Have to wait and see). But yesterday I had to have Onyx put to sleep. The cancer had spread down his throat and into his chest. He almost couldn't open his mouth, and breathing was getting difficult. The medicine didn't help. So at 4:15 yesterday my son and I took him to the vet. I keep crying at the oddest moments.
Gotta go.
Cie
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
ALA List and Stuff
We got reviewed by the ALA (American Library Association) and got a very nice review. This is a BIG deal since they don't just review anybody and a lot of people buy based on their recommendations. WHOO HOO.
We'll find out tomorrow if we made the USA Today Bestseller's list this week. Keeping the fingers crossed as much as I can and still keep typing. The spread-out launch may hurt us, but sales look very good. We get more sales numbers this morning. On the sales information we get (it finally came up) we debuted at 74 (debuting in the top 100 is always good) and moved up to 34! If we're still moving up it's a very good sign.
To those of you who have been supporting us -- A BIGGGGGGG THANKS and consider this a virtual hug. :)
Cie
We'll find out tomorrow if we made the USA Today Bestseller's list this week. Keeping the fingers crossed as much as I can and still keep typing. The spread-out launch may hurt us, but sales look very good. We get more sales numbers this morning. On the sales information we get (it finally came up) we debuted at 74 (debuting in the top 100 is always good) and moved up to 34! If we're still moving up it's a very good sign.
To those of you who have been supporting us -- A BIGGGGGGG THANKS and consider this a virtual hug. :)
Cie
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Philosophy of Life
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
A friend of mine, Diane Bales, sent me the above as part of a Christmas message. Today, at least, it describes pretty well my philosophy... except, of course, I drink screwdrivers not martini's. But hey, other than that, it's a great quote. :D
Another one I like is by Albert Einstein:
Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.
Albert Einstein, quoted in New York Times, March 13, 1940US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
Now admittedly Al was a weird guy with zippo fashion sense (and no hairbrush), but wowsa what a mind! From everything I've read he had a sense of humor too. He's on my list of people I'd like the chance to get to talk to if we all hang around after our trip on earth in a form that keeps us as separate individuals. I couldn't keep up mind you. But then, I figure he's probably gotten used to talking to people who can't.
A friend of mine, Diane Bales, sent me the above as part of a Christmas message. Today, at least, it describes pretty well my philosophy... except, of course, I drink screwdrivers not martini's. But hey, other than that, it's a great quote. :D
Another one I like is by Albert Einstein:
Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.
Albert Einstein, quoted in New York Times, March 13, 1940US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
Now admittedly Al was a weird guy with zippo fashion sense (and no hairbrush), but wowsa what a mind! From everything I've read he had a sense of humor too. He's on my list of people I'd like the chance to get to talk to if we all hang around after our trip on earth in a form that keeps us as separate individuals. I couldn't keep up mind you. But then, I figure he's probably gotten used to talking to people who can't.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Book Stuff
Hi!
Signing went well. Sold a few. Met and greeted. (Keep wanting to say Met and gret :) ). I'm always nervous at those things. Cathy finds them relaxing. Go figure. Got the office 1/2 done. Will try to finish it tonight, but I'm already feeling better about it.. Actually had a whole new series and plot pop into mind this morning in the bathtub. I'm psyched. Even if we don't use it, it means that creative thought is returning! It's always the first thing to go when my body is acting up or I'm stressed out. So WHOO HOO.
Someone wrote to congratulate us on our sales figures -- figures we can't get to yet because the group that you need to join (and Cathy did) is behind on their paperwork. ARGH. We're hoping that they'll get the enrollment processed by Wednesday so we can see our first week sales figures. ESPECIALLY if they're good.
New website ran into a snag and scheduling problems (Cathy got assigned a couple of new magazine articles -- big important stuff that has to take precedence) so the site will be formatted the way it is now for another week or two. Latest for the change is the beginning of January.
ANYWAY, keep your fingers crossed that we make the bestseller's list. If we do, I'm getting Godiva chocolates for Cathy (I offered a bottle of her favorite wine, but she already has an unopened bottle waiting). I'm thinking Mimosas, because I like my champagne better with a little OJ in it -- and the bestsellers list is definitely worth a little champagne. :)
We had hoped to get Hunter entered in a specific contest, but unfortunately the PR department at the publisher had a snafoo and it didn't happen. Kind of annoying since we really thought we'd do well. But Cathy entered us in a bunch of others, so maybe it can be both a best selling AND award winning book, which would just be a hoot and a half.
It appears (I may be wrong based on returns and all that stuff) that we have only been out a week and we have already achieved earn out. Ahem..... WHOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!! That means that there will probably be actual money coming in for the first royalty check. Money is good. We like money. (Boy do I sound like an 80s movie). Seriously, I'm not sure who said the quote. "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better." But I would like to find out if I agree with her/him. Things have been financially tough for a long time. It would be nice to be comfy.
Anyway, on the Jim Butcher list Jim discussed the impact of having a series go hardback. It was very informative and important stuff for those of us who hope to eventually go there. I'm going to find it and cut and paste it in an e-mail to Cathy. I may also ask Jim via post whether or not it's ok with him for me to put it somewhere on our site.
I hope everyone is having happy holidays. All the best.
Cie
Signing went well. Sold a few. Met and greeted. (Keep wanting to say Met and gret :) ). I'm always nervous at those things. Cathy finds them relaxing. Go figure. Got the office 1/2 done. Will try to finish it tonight, but I'm already feeling better about it.. Actually had a whole new series and plot pop into mind this morning in the bathtub. I'm psyched. Even if we don't use it, it means that creative thought is returning! It's always the first thing to go when my body is acting up or I'm stressed out. So WHOO HOO.
Someone wrote to congratulate us on our sales figures -- figures we can't get to yet because the group that you need to join (and Cathy did) is behind on their paperwork. ARGH. We're hoping that they'll get the enrollment processed by Wednesday so we can see our first week sales figures. ESPECIALLY if they're good.
New website ran into a snag and scheduling problems (Cathy got assigned a couple of new magazine articles -- big important stuff that has to take precedence) so the site will be formatted the way it is now for another week or two. Latest for the change is the beginning of January.
ANYWAY, keep your fingers crossed that we make the bestseller's list. If we do, I'm getting Godiva chocolates for Cathy (I offered a bottle of her favorite wine, but she already has an unopened bottle waiting). I'm thinking Mimosas, because I like my champagne better with a little OJ in it -- and the bestsellers list is definitely worth a little champagne. :)
We had hoped to get Hunter entered in a specific contest, but unfortunately the PR department at the publisher had a snafoo and it didn't happen. Kind of annoying since we really thought we'd do well. But Cathy entered us in a bunch of others, so maybe it can be both a best selling AND award winning book, which would just be a hoot and a half.
It appears (I may be wrong based on returns and all that stuff) that we have only been out a week and we have already achieved earn out. Ahem..... WHOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!! That means that there will probably be actual money coming in for the first royalty check. Money is good. We like money. (Boy do I sound like an 80s movie). Seriously, I'm not sure who said the quote. "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better." But I would like to find out if I agree with her/him. Things have been financially tough for a long time. It would be nice to be comfy.
Anyway, on the Jim Butcher list Jim discussed the impact of having a series go hardback. It was very informative and important stuff for those of us who hope to eventually go there. I'm going to find it and cut and paste it in an e-mail to Cathy. I may also ask Jim via post whether or not it's ok with him for me to put it somewhere on our site.
I hope everyone is having happy holidays. All the best.
Cie
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Signing and Stuff
Hi! Thanks to the folks who came to the signing. Not too many, but not too few either considering we're really kind of an unknown quantity down here so far.
Worked on getting the office cleaned and organized a bit today. I noticed that I was avoiding the office altogether because I was so po'd about it being dirty and disorganized and not having things the way I need them, so I decided to bite the bullet and get it done. I know people who can work under any conditions. I'm not one of them. So I'm HOPING that getting some of this fixed will make it easier for me to work on the book. Keep your fingers crossed.
Anyway, thanks again. If you missed that signing, we have another one coming up next Saturday at Waldenbooks in the Sunset Mall in San Angelo. Hope people come and we get good sales 'cause they really stocked up on books!
Happy Howlidays to all the werewolf lovers out there.
Cie
Worked on getting the office cleaned and organized a bit today. I noticed that I was avoiding the office altogether because I was so po'd about it being dirty and disorganized and not having things the way I need them, so I decided to bite the bullet and get it done. I know people who can work under any conditions. I'm not one of them. So I'm HOPING that getting some of this fixed will make it easier for me to work on the book. Keep your fingers crossed.
Anyway, thanks again. If you missed that signing, we have another one coming up next Saturday at Waldenbooks in the Sunset Mall in San Angelo. Hope people come and we get good sales 'cause they really stocked up on books!
Happy Howlidays to all the werewolf lovers out there.
Cie
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Getting Ready
Getting ready to head over to Cathy's to go to the signing. I'm nervous and excited. We had book signings for our previous book (Road to Riches), but it's always fun in a nerve wracking kind of way. You can do your best to be ready, but things DO go wrong. Will the store be ready, have stock (already know they didn't), will anybody show up and buy books? UGH>
Good news, we're on the Amazon Canada bestseller's list (#12). WHOOO HOOO.
Went on the Jim Butcher site. He's posted the first three chapters of Dead Beat, the next Dresden book. Jim's one of my favorite authors. He also had a great discussion on his list about giong to hardcover and how much it can mean to an author's career. Makes me want to move to the next level soon. It'd be so COOL.
Well, gotta put on make-up and curl my hair so that I look like a human.
Later.
Good news, we're on the Amazon Canada bestseller's list (#12). WHOOO HOOO.
Went on the Jim Butcher site. He's posted the first three chapters of Dead Beat, the next Dresden book. Jim's one of my favorite authors. He also had a great discussion on his list about giong to hardcover and how much it can mean to an author's career. Makes me want to move to the next level soon. It'd be so COOL.
Well, gotta put on make-up and curl my hair so that I look like a human.
Later.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Hi Guys!
Hi Everybody!
Tomorrow is the first signing for Hunter. I'm stoked!
****EDITED OUT PREVIOUS POST***********
I edited out what I posted previously because I got on my soapbox and was waving my fist and shouting. I got really po'd at some nasty people on a couple of loops I've been a member of. But the solution to that is to just leave those loops. No point in putting people who are kind enough to stop by the blog through that kind of ill tempered nonsense.
I know it takes all kinds to make a world. I know that there is cruelty. I'm not completely naive. I even write about it sometimes. There are some very very dark themes in some of my work. But I don't like it when people rub their nastiness in other folks faces. Gets my back right up it does. But here I go again, starting to climb the soap box steps. So, let's change the subject.
I found a great present for my son James last night -- on a CLEARANCE table. A DVD version of The January Man. Whoo hoo. Early Christmas gift. Which was good because we were both kinda down in the dumps. So we watched the movie (which is one of our favorites) and by the time it was time to go to bed we were both in a MUCH better mood. I'm still looking for a DVD of Flash Gordon (wah haa... savior of the universe). Haven't seen it yet, but I'm going to try e-bay. James actually found a site that had Flanders and Swan's "At the Drop of a Hat" on CD, but it doesn't look like we'll be able to pick that up for a bit. Still, soon as there's some spare cash lying around it's on the to buy list. Because, how can I pass up such all time classics as "Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud" (a/k/a "The Hippopotamus Song") and "The Reluctant Cannibal." Weird British humor at its best! I can always use good laughs. I swear, I'm even thinking of getting the DVD we describe in the vampire book -- Fawlty Towers. Laughter is the best medicine, and I really need to take my medicine.
Anyway, I'm thinking of setting up my OWN list for movie buffs with James writing reviews and special sections for classically bad movies that are wonderful because of it (Flash Gordon, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Galaxy Quest) and "Big Dumb Fun" movies (more explosions per buck). I need to finish thinking it out, but I may just go for it.
Later.
Tomorrow is the first signing for Hunter. I'm stoked!
****EDITED OUT PREVIOUS POST***********
I edited out what I posted previously because I got on my soapbox and was waving my fist and shouting. I got really po'd at some nasty people on a couple of loops I've been a member of. But the solution to that is to just leave those loops. No point in putting people who are kind enough to stop by the blog through that kind of ill tempered nonsense.
I know it takes all kinds to make a world. I know that there is cruelty. I'm not completely naive. I even write about it sometimes. There are some very very dark themes in some of my work. But I don't like it when people rub their nastiness in other folks faces. Gets my back right up it does. But here I go again, starting to climb the soap box steps. So, let's change the subject.
I found a great present for my son James last night -- on a CLEARANCE table. A DVD version of The January Man. Whoo hoo. Early Christmas gift. Which was good because we were both kinda down in the dumps. So we watched the movie (which is one of our favorites) and by the time it was time to go to bed we were both in a MUCH better mood. I'm still looking for a DVD of Flash Gordon (wah haa... savior of the universe). Haven't seen it yet, but I'm going to try e-bay. James actually found a site that had Flanders and Swan's "At the Drop of a Hat" on CD, but it doesn't look like we'll be able to pick that up for a bit. Still, soon as there's some spare cash lying around it's on the to buy list. Because, how can I pass up such all time classics as "Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud" (a/k/a "The Hippopotamus Song") and "The Reluctant Cannibal." Weird British humor at its best! I can always use good laughs. I swear, I'm even thinking of getting the DVD we describe in the vampire book -- Fawlty Towers. Laughter is the best medicine, and I really need to take my medicine.
Anyway, I'm thinking of setting up my OWN list for movie buffs with James writing reviews and special sections for classically bad movies that are wonderful because of it (Flash Gordon, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Galaxy Quest) and "Big Dumb Fun" movies (more explosions per buck). I need to finish thinking it out, but I may just go for it.
Later.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Alas, maybe next week.
Not on today's list. But a lot of stores didn't get it right away. The previous book didn't hit until it had been out 3 weeks. So we'll look again next Thursday. BUT KEEP BUYING BOOKS!!!!
Cie
Cie
Stuff and Nonsense
Hi. Thought I'd drop a quick line. We may know later today (or next week, but I'm HOPING this afternoon) whether or not we make the USA Today bestseller list. If we do I'll post WHOO HOOs immediately.
I have a friend who on her blog lists all these "tests". What kind of dog are you? What classic pinup would you be? Some sort of morality meter, etc. Well I tried a few. I am:
A pit bull Betty Grable who scores 100% on lawful good. (No surprise on the last one since I've worked as a legal secretary for 20 years).
So there you have it. Draw whatever conclusions you want.
Oh, and in case you want to play my favorite psych game, that led to the creation of a lot of the Sazi characters. Try to decide what animal best represents all facets of your personality. Not the animal you WANT to be, but the one you're really like.
I have a friend who on her blog lists all these "tests". What kind of dog are you? What classic pinup would you be? Some sort of morality meter, etc. Well I tried a few. I am:
A pit bull Betty Grable who scores 100% on lawful good. (No surprise on the last one since I've worked as a legal secretary for 20 years).
So there you have it. Draw whatever conclusions you want.
Oh, and in case you want to play my favorite psych game, that led to the creation of a lot of the Sazi characters. Try to decide what animal best represents all facets of your personality. Not the animal you WANT to be, but the one you're really like.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Signings, Website and Stuff
Hi guys! In case Jim and anyone else are out there looking (and I hope you are!).
First, thanks for stopping by and for the comments. I appreciate it!
Hi Candy R! Glad you liked the book. Hope you came back and read my response under comments.
Hunter is now out pretty much everywhere, but we still don't have the TOR copies. Weird, definitely weird. The only reason I mention it is that we have a signing scheduled this Saturday at Hastings in San Angelo, TX and due to a paperwork snafoo the manager didn't think we were coming, didn't order extra books, and (I assume) didn't do any promotion for it. So, normally we'd bring a bunch of our copies in case. But we don't have very many right now. We bought some to send out to contests, etc. but they got sent. We can do book plates, but that's really not nearly as nice as signing actual books. Ugh. I do know that on the following Saturday, at Waldenbooks in San Angelo, they have ordered 40 additional copies just for the signing (and they have a pretty good stock on hand already). So that should be OK.
Anyway, the way it's lined up is:
Hastings Bookstore, San Angelo, TX - December 11, 2004, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Waldenbooks, Sunset Mall, San Angelo, TX - December 18, 2004, 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
I went to Waldenbooks, looked at the displays. It is just so COOL to be on the sales rack with the "big names." The clerk told me that they're pushing us to all the LKH fans. Good news. They were very excited about the signing, and generally really helpful. I like them very much and hope (really really hope) that the signing goes well for them. With Road to Riches we've had signings that did gangbuster business, and others that didn't do well at all. You never know. I want us to do well.
We may know tomorrow about the USA Today bestseller list. Cross your fingers. I want it SOOOOOO bad. But wanting and getting can be two different things.
We're revising the website. The way it is now isn't working as well as we'd like. We have too many publications coming out now, and there is too much written information. Things are getting "lost" in the clutter. So we're redesigning. Actually, we discussed what we want and Cathy is redesigning. We have very different visual tastes, so we're both a little tentative about making it work, but it's worth a try. We're also considering setting up another site accessable by link that has nonpublished work -- serials, a few short stories, things that we don't expect to market, but that we would like to have any potential fans have access to. For example, I wrote an inspirational piece with my brother and sister that I haven't finished or marketed yet called "Letters to My Child" that has all the things I tried to teach my son in it (and things they wanted to pass on to their kids as well). It might be marketable eventually, but the odds are very good that I won't have a lot of time to devote to it. (I did, however, already give my son his own very personal copy).
For those of you who have been reading the past few more depressing posts and may want to know. Onyx has cancer. I got the medicine that is supposed to shrink the tumor and make him "more comfortable." If it doesn't work, I will have to take him back to the vet. I don't want him to suffer. I've had him for 15 years and I love him more than I can say. So, while I'm happy about the book stuff, I am overall very sad. I apologize if the blogs tend to reflect this.
First, thanks for stopping by and for the comments. I appreciate it!
Hi Candy R! Glad you liked the book. Hope you came back and read my response under comments.
Hunter is now out pretty much everywhere, but we still don't have the TOR copies. Weird, definitely weird. The only reason I mention it is that we have a signing scheduled this Saturday at Hastings in San Angelo, TX and due to a paperwork snafoo the manager didn't think we were coming, didn't order extra books, and (I assume) didn't do any promotion for it. So, normally we'd bring a bunch of our copies in case. But we don't have very many right now. We bought some to send out to contests, etc. but they got sent. We can do book plates, but that's really not nearly as nice as signing actual books. Ugh. I do know that on the following Saturday, at Waldenbooks in San Angelo, they have ordered 40 additional copies just for the signing (and they have a pretty good stock on hand already). So that should be OK.
Anyway, the way it's lined up is:
Hastings Bookstore, San Angelo, TX - December 11, 2004, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Waldenbooks, Sunset Mall, San Angelo, TX - December 18, 2004, 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
I went to Waldenbooks, looked at the displays. It is just so COOL to be on the sales rack with the "big names." The clerk told me that they're pushing us to all the LKH fans. Good news. They were very excited about the signing, and generally really helpful. I like them very much and hope (really really hope) that the signing goes well for them. With Road to Riches we've had signings that did gangbuster business, and others that didn't do well at all. You never know. I want us to do well.
We may know tomorrow about the USA Today bestseller list. Cross your fingers. I want it SOOOOOO bad. But wanting and getting can be two different things.
We're revising the website. The way it is now isn't working as well as we'd like. We have too many publications coming out now, and there is too much written information. Things are getting "lost" in the clutter. So we're redesigning. Actually, we discussed what we want and Cathy is redesigning. We have very different visual tastes, so we're both a little tentative about making it work, but it's worth a try. We're also considering setting up another site accessable by link that has nonpublished work -- serials, a few short stories, things that we don't expect to market, but that we would like to have any potential fans have access to. For example, I wrote an inspirational piece with my brother and sister that I haven't finished or marketed yet called "Letters to My Child" that has all the things I tried to teach my son in it (and things they wanted to pass on to their kids as well). It might be marketable eventually, but the odds are very good that I won't have a lot of time to devote to it. (I did, however, already give my son his own very personal copy).
For those of you who have been reading the past few more depressing posts and may want to know. Onyx has cancer. I got the medicine that is supposed to shrink the tumor and make him "more comfortable." If it doesn't work, I will have to take him back to the vet. I don't want him to suffer. I've had him for 15 years and I love him more than I can say. So, while I'm happy about the book stuff, I am overall very sad. I apologize if the blogs tend to reflect this.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Stuff and Nonsense
Love is funny, beautiful, warm and... sometimes, painful. You don't want to see anyone you love hurting. It hurts you, sometimes even more than getting hurt yourself. But you can't prevent some things. Some pain is necessary, or at least unavoidable. Change, growth, are both necessary and sometimes painful. You can't wrap someone up in cotton and stick them on the shelf expecting them to always be there, safe and sound. It stifles them, stunts their growth. More to the point, they'll wander off on their own exploring, maybe leaving you behind. It doesn't mean they don't love you. They're just living their lives.
Sometimes I'm too adventurous for my own good. But it's made me who I am. I'm not sorry about it. I've been accused of being an uber nerd, of being absolutely cool, and more often than not of being a pain in the... patooty. I don't plan on getting hurt, but it happens sometimes. But it's worth the risk. Because I want to live, not just exist, LIVE. You can't achieve a dream if you don't dare TO dream. You never get somewhere new without taking that first step into the unknown.
Sometimes I'm too adventurous for my own good. But it's made me who I am. I'm not sorry about it. I've been accused of being an uber nerd, of being absolutely cool, and more often than not of being a pain in the... patooty. I don't plan on getting hurt, but it happens sometimes. But it's worth the risk. Because I want to live, not just exist, LIVE. You can't achieve a dream if you don't dare TO dream. You never get somewhere new without taking that first step into the unknown.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Good Morning
I deleted what I originally put down for today's blog because it was just depressing. Onyx, my very dear old pussycat, is not doing well and I am bummed about it. But I'm going to try to think happy thoughts.
Everyone take care.
Cie
Everyone take care.
Cie
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Entropy Wins
Today I'm writing this in the office, even though it's Saturday morning. You see, entropy wins. Always. All it takes is one or two days when I'm sick or too tired to keep up with things and the sheer volume of... stuff (I'm putting it politely) overtakes me. Right now my office is unusable until I catch up with the junk mail (I swear I have megalomaniacal junk mail that is trying to take over the world, one inch at a time, starting with my house) and the aggressive cat-fur dust bunnies. Oh, and laundry. Don't even get me started about the laundry!
So, anyway, I'm here so that I can actually write on the book somewhere where the house isn't screaming "CLEAN ME NOW!". Let's hope it works.
Cie
So, anyway, I'm here so that I can actually write on the book somewhere where the house isn't screaming "CLEAN ME NOW!". Let's hope it works.
Cie
Friday, December 03, 2004
Good News
Just got an e-mail from a friend of mine from back in Denver. (Who was trying to change her life a bit and move to Vegas -- which she did shortly after I got here). ANYWAY, Tami just got an offer on her book, set to come out in August if she accepts. WHOO HOO! She also was saying that she'll be attending the conference in Reno, so I'll run into her there.
I'm so glad. She's such a cool person and was really, truly encouraging when I desperately needed it. Because, in case you hadn't noticed (Hah) I have a little problem with my self esteem sometimes... well, most times... I won't WON'T say all of the time, and you can't make me. (Grin).
In case you haven't guessed, I'm feeling a bit better. Gotta keep up with the vitamin C and rest. Also, I've thought my way to the end of the book (barring disasters), and I think I can make it work if I can get time to write this weekend. After this weekend isn't going to be good because we've got book signings coming up the next two weekends in a row.
Book signings -- HAPPY TIMES.
Cie
I'm so glad. She's such a cool person and was really, truly encouraging when I desperately needed it. Because, in case you hadn't noticed (Hah) I have a little problem with my self esteem sometimes... well, most times... I won't WON'T say all of the time, and you can't make me. (Grin).
In case you haven't guessed, I'm feeling a bit better. Gotta keep up with the vitamin C and rest. Also, I've thought my way to the end of the book (barring disasters), and I think I can make it work if I can get time to write this weekend. After this weekend isn't going to be good because we've got book signings coming up the next two weekends in a row.
Book signings -- HAPPY TIMES.
Cie
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Turned out to be an ok day.
Turned out to be an OK day. Cathy and I had lunch, signed books for the folks who won autographed copies, etc. Once the medicine wore off I wasn't so tired and grumpy. Cathy was a great sport -- she sent me copies of people's happy reactions (if there were bad ones, she didn't forward them on, so I'm choosing to believe that there were no bad ones :) ).
Anyway, productive at work. Now I'm headed home. Everybody have a good night.
Cie
Anyway, productive at work. Now I'm headed home. Everybody have a good night.
Cie
Think Happy Thoughts.
I'm starting to come down with a cold, the cold medicine makes me resemble a couple of the 7 dwarves -- Sleepy and Grumpy. Add to that my cat is sick, my son is sick, and people are being a PITA. I swear it would be a good day just to roll over and stay in bed! But I have a good job, and I need to put pen to paper, both of which make me happier. So off I go. I will think happy thoughts and maybe today I will actually "fly."
Best wishes to all.
Cie
Best wishes to all.
Cie
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
There can be MORE THAN one...
Got a second before work because it's too cold to walk outside this morning. (If I can see my breath and have to scrape the windows, it's too cold and will make me wheeze).
Anyway, I've noticed something. While many (many -- and thank you, you know who you are) people are really happy and excited for me regarding the success of the books, there are also a lot of people who are... wistful. They're happy for me, but they're a little down for themselves or on themselves. And I think I've figured out why. My brother said to me "I always knew there'd be a famous author in the family. I just thought it would be me." In this half-joking voice. And as I pointed out to him.
THERE'S NO REASON WHY IT CAN'T BE. It's not like there's only able to be ONE book out there.
Talent runs in families. (It can also strike out of the blue.) Having one person succeed doesn't mean that there's less to go around for everybody else! That's like saying because *I* bought a Toyota, nobody else gets to. (Which would rapidly send Toyota out of business!) It makes no sense to me. I mean, no, you don't get to plagiarize (sp) or flat out steal worlds or ideas. But if you've got ideas of your own GO FOR IT. Since my brother loves sports (and I SOOOOOO don't -- except for hockey, motorcycle racing and the X games), I can almost guarantee that what he writes will bear no resemblance whatsoever to what I would come out with. And that's a GOOD thing. There are people out there who will hate what I do that will love what he does, or what any of the dozens of other folks who have been acting wistful (you know who you are) put out there.
So be happy. That this is working for us means that IT IS POSSIBLE, and for a relatively ordinary person no less to succeed at what they want. That is a GOOD thing.
Cie
Anyway, I've noticed something. While many (many -- and thank you, you know who you are) people are really happy and excited for me regarding the success of the books, there are also a lot of people who are... wistful. They're happy for me, but they're a little down for themselves or on themselves. And I think I've figured out why. My brother said to me "I always knew there'd be a famous author in the family. I just thought it would be me." In this half-joking voice. And as I pointed out to him.
THERE'S NO REASON WHY IT CAN'T BE. It's not like there's only able to be ONE book out there.
Talent runs in families. (It can also strike out of the blue.) Having one person succeed doesn't mean that there's less to go around for everybody else! That's like saying because *I* bought a Toyota, nobody else gets to. (Which would rapidly send Toyota out of business!) It makes no sense to me. I mean, no, you don't get to plagiarize (sp) or flat out steal worlds or ideas. But if you've got ideas of your own GO FOR IT. Since my brother loves sports (and I SOOOOOO don't -- except for hockey, motorcycle racing and the X games), I can almost guarantee that what he writes will bear no resemblance whatsoever to what I would come out with. And that's a GOOD thing. There are people out there who will hate what I do that will love what he does, or what any of the dozens of other folks who have been acting wistful (you know who you are) put out there.
So be happy. That this is working for us means that IT IS POSSIBLE, and for a relatively ordinary person no less to succeed at what they want. That is a GOOD thing.
Cie
Stuff
Good morning. Just yawning and trying to get moving. Today's going to be busy at the office, so I'm getting this in now. But I'm really QUITE sleepy.
First, THANKS everybody who buys the books. I really hope you like them.
Second, THANKS to my son James who helped me celebrate last night.
Third, on a totally unrelated bit, I just saw the trailer for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I am SOOOOOO looking forward to it now. They got the sense of humor for the trailer dead-on, which shows a great deal of promise for the film itself. I'm not a movie buff, but I think the cast are mostly Brits and not the kind of superstars I'm familiar with, which is cool because then I'll get sucked into the story faster and not have the "Oh, *insert name here* doesn't really work for me as Ford...."
Gotta run.
Cie
First, THANKS everybody who buys the books. I really hope you like them.
Second, THANKS to my son James who helped me celebrate last night.
Third, on a totally unrelated bit, I just saw the trailer for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I am SOOOOOO looking forward to it now. They got the sense of humor for the trailer dead-on, which shows a great deal of promise for the film itself. I'm not a movie buff, but I think the cast are mostly Brits and not the kind of superstars I'm familiar with, which is cool because then I'll get sucked into the story faster and not have the "Oh, *insert name here* doesn't really work for me as Ford...."
Gotta run.
Cie
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