How I spent my weekend.

They updated Blogger.  I don't think I like the look of it, but I'm not a big fan of change.  HOWEVER, if it posts without hassle I will rethink this. 

A correction to the previous post:  adams-jamesauthors.com  The hyphen is a big deal.  So sorry I forgot it.

I spent the weekend going over final proofs for The Isis Collar and was quite happy with the result.  It will go to the publisher today.  Also finished the posse gifts I was making and have gathered together addresses to send them.

Ah, the posse.  For those who don't know and are interested.  I have a small (but fierce) group of followers who are my posse.  They get special prizes and offers, news, and whatever.  I am the Not-So-Evil-Overlord bent on world domination one book at a time.  If you are interested, e-mail catadamsfans@gmail.net with your name, e-mail and snail mail addresses.

And now off to get ready for the day job. 

Have a great day.

Cie

Insanity Reigns

I am back. Where was I? In the throes of the deadline cave getting The Eldritch Conspiracy finished and to Cathy (and from thence to our magnificent editor Melissa Singer at Tor). I am behind on ABSOLUTELY FRICKING EVERYTHING and, in the throes of the stress of such managed to shatter two of my teeth (I grind, I clench, all completely unconscious and VERY VERY bad for teeth.) I managed to drag my butt to the dentist (phobic much?) and am referred to the oral surgeon (yup DEFINITELY screwed the teeth up massively).

Also, in one of those weirdnesses that come with changes of tech, for some reason I can write this blog on my new fancy-schmancy-love-it-to-pieces-but-what-the-HELL computer, but it WILL NOT POST. I have to go somewhere else to post it. It merely saves it as a draft. Very weird. Very annoying.

Today I have managed to edit the website for my individual projects. I have to fix the washing machine (loose bolt, but of course I don't have the right socket size. UGH), and I have to go over the final proofs of The Isis Collar to see if all of the oopses that came from a software glitch have, in fact, been cured.

I am working hard on the next project. I am excited. But I also have all of that backlog of day-to-day stuff to get through. And I need to get back on the eating right and exercising bandwagon, although I'm not sure if I should exercise until the teeth are fixed. Infections and exercise do not necessarily mix if I remember right. Then again, it might just be another excuse. LOL.

The newsletter is going out. I hope you will all get it and enjoy it. I also have to finish the bookmarks for the posse, whom I have not forgotten. So, all in all, it will be a very busy time for the next few. But I am going to try to post at least three times a week. Just like the exercise. It may bore you to pieces since my life just isn't that exciting, but HEY you don't HAVE to read it. (SOB, I'm so ALONE. Nobody loves me and my feet are cold. But FINE, FINE. GO.) (Is that melodramatic enough to make you stay?)

Oh, and maybe I'll go back to the serial. If you want me to. Opinions please.

If you want to check out the individual projects website, it's at: www.adamsjamesauthors.com

Friday Morning

Have you ever looked at this looming, huge, stack of "to do" and wondered if it was even remotely possible to get it "ta done?" I'm so there. I've got work stuff to do, writing stuff to do, house stuff to do, things to do for the animals, tax stuff to do, and on, and on, and on.

I've decided to close my eyes, take a deep breath, and do one thing at a time.

Howdy Y'all

Hello. I'm trying to stay awake this evening. Tough day. Still, good things are about to happen. I believe that. In the meantime, I'm having a little caffeine to perk me up so that I can get the daily dose of writing done.


Not going to be able to go to FenCon with Cathy. Life and the deadline intervened. :( Mega, mega :( But there you go.


Anyway, if I don't get moving. I won't get things done before I keel over.

Take care y'all. I'll try to come up with a better post next time.

Cie

Thursday Morning

For those of you who wonder why the Tuesday post went up on Thursday, for some reason my new computer (Windows 7) will write the blog, but blocks posting it, so I have to go to another computer, log online, and go to Blogger and post. Not impossible, but nuisancy. So sometimes there is a delay in posting.

Sorry.

Tuesday Morning

I started to say "Why are there no songs about Tuesday?" But then I remembered "Tuesday's Dead." So never mind. But there really are LOTS more songs about Monday, and Friday, and even Saturday night.

But it is Tuesday, and I am actually feeling fairly perky. Surprising since I was up early this morning. BUT the specialist was right. The new thyroid meds are working. I no longer feel like I've been hit by a truck most of the time. I'm even mostly clear-headed most of the time.

WHOOO HOOO!

On the writing front, the book is actually going pretty well. I'm a bit frustrated but it's technical issues. The new computer needs to be upgraded if it's going to run the old software I like. (I hate most of the new word processing software. It (a) keeps trying to force me to format things the way I don't want to; (b) doesn't have as good of a vocabulary as I do (which is just freaking SAD. Excuse me, you've expanded the memory and you can't even put in an unabridged dictionary?) so that it keeps saying things are misspelled just because it doesn't know the word (oh and the suggestions for replace? Lovely. Just lovely. Hit the wrong button and an article about the Sazi will be about the Suzi. No, not just any Suzi "THE Suzi." Yes, I know it won't be in their dictionary. But I can add it. Or I SHOULD be able to anyway.); and doesn't let me turn off their controls. So I want to use old software. Which means I need to upgrade the new computer. Or use the old one. But wait. I can't. It CRASHED. Totally.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Not when I'm on deadline!

Except, reasonably, I am always on one deadline or another. Such is the life of a working author. And I wouldn't trade it. Because there's a lot of folks right now who aren't working, let alone working as authors, living their dreams, etc.

Ah well.

Bought myself a used laptop cheaply. I had given the previous one to my son, who is also the VP of my company and whose computer had "issues." So I now have a laptop to take on trips again. Yay. There are a lot of folks who would ask why used. See the previous paragraphs. I wanted it new enough to be light, have plenty of memory and speed, and old enough to run my old WP programs. I am a very low-end user for most tech. I use the internet. I e-mail. And I write books. Occasionally I'll splurge and run a DVD movie or TV show on the player.

That's it.

So used and cheap worked well for me.

Okay, have to go. I'm in the process of watering the trees. We are in a major drought down here. I refuse to water grass in a drought. The water is needed for animals and people. BUT trees take 100s of years to grow. So when it's really bad I do take time to water the trees. And frankly, they need it. They are so stressed that we're probably going to lose half of them.

COME ON RAIN.

Okay, gotta go. Bye. See you soon. Be happy and well.

Cie

Sometimes life just gets away from you.

Hi!

Well, it's been an . . . interesting day.

Had some wonderful telephone conversations, but haven't gotten much done.

First, the laundry detergent I bought yesterday evidently had a leak. It drained out over the counter, onto the floor, and pretty much everywhere. I had to clean that up.

Okay, I'm dealing. I go out to feed the outdoor kitties (it's still dark) and encounter a family of skunks. Oh crap. Sprayage ensues (but misses me as I ducked quickly back behind the door. SO I now decide that maybe I should screen in the front porch for the kitties as skunks are not only nasty, they can easily be rabid. And while, yes, the outdoor kitties got their shots, STILL. So I measured and waited until later to call the lumber yard with measurements.

Then I come inside and start doing dishes and such, and find out that. OH CRAP. One whole side of one of the indoor cats is plastered to his skin and crunchy where he (you guessed it) laid in the spilled soap.

Now, is soap going to kill him? Probably not. But it sure as h*** isn't going to be good for him, and there's too much of it for him to clean himself with his tongue anyway. SO, I get to capture, and bathe a formerly feral feline who is the most skittish of my kitties.

OH freakin' JOY.

It was, shall we say, an ADVENTURE.

Then, of course, I had to clean up the destruction in what used to be my bathroom, put neosporin on various punctures, and try to calm and sooth an extremely distraught cat.

I go to the lumberyard to pick up the supplies and -- the boards I had pre-cut are the wrong length. CRAP. Yes, I can make it work. But I will have to really work at it rather than just slapping it up. Which means it isn't happening today. It's just NOT.

It is now 1:37. I am completely and totally exhausted. And I have accomplished NOTHING.

Sigh.

Bookmarks, distribution, conferences, medical crap and so forth

I am still sewing bookmarks. Seriously. There was a LOT of response from Posse members, former posse members, and I wanna be in the posse members. This is a wondrous occurrence. But dammit I promised to make the gifts with my own two hands and my own two hands are somewhat busy um, well, writing the next book. SO, the book is being written, AND the bookmarks are being manufactured when I am too braindead to write the book, AND the day job is still getting done. Somehow. I'm not quite sure how I'm juggling it all, but by golly I actually AM.

The mass market version of Blood Song is hitting the market en masse. Seriously, we've got some great distribution going on. I'm thinking in the newsletter I should do a contest with "e-mail us where you found the book" or some such. Except that would entail prizes. Which would have to be made. So perhaps it is not such a wise idea after all. But I am WILDLY happy about the distribution.

Cathy and I are getting ready to attend a couple of conferences. FenCon is comming up in Dallas in September and we will be there. I will be at RT next spring and am already in the throes of planning. We're going to do signings in October I believe. And there will be other marvellous events. You should check the newsletter for details. Assuming, of course you GET the newsletter. (And if not WHY not?)

I am going for some medical testing Monday and Tuesday. It should be minor and will hopefully take care of the annoyance that has been, well, ANNOYING me. I hope.

And lastly, pray for RAIN. We need it so desperately! I mean, seriously. There are towns in Texas that are completely OUT of water. Others are actually considering recycling waste water. (Um, ewwww.) So, put the word out. Light the bat signal. Use whatever influence you may have.

And have a wonderful evening.

Posse Bookmarks, Newsletter, And Stuff

I took today off at the day job.

I was originally scheduled for some medical testing that got re-scheduled. But I wasn't up to snuff physically (nothing serious, don't worry), so I stayed home and rested up. Did things like laundry. Started on the posse presents. They are going to be red ribbon bookmarks with a cat button weight at one end. The cat button is a black cat very similar to Nitsche from Emily the Strange. I, of course, believe it is a good rendition of "Inkspot the Infamous" my beloved many-toed feline. Each one is hand-sewn by yours truly, and therefore possesses certain imperfections that (you will just have to put up with) make it truly unique.

I also wrote a bit. Planned a bit. And basically tried to take care of myself.

movies, sewing, writing, Jim Butcher.

Hi Guys!


Okay, I've been keeping really busy. Work at the day job has been INSANE. I've been trying to relax by doing things like decorating and sewing. It's working. I have nice new curtains sewn in 3 rooms. I have re-painted the kitchen and part of the living room. And I'm generally feeling pretty good on the whole.


Did something stupid. Felt bad about it for a while. But the fact is, it was an accident, and everybody makes mistakes. Can't undo it. Just have to learn and move on. But sometimes that's harder than others.


Went to see Harry Potter today. Very good. They did a nice job on it. This time the 3d glasses didn't give me a huge headache which is nice. I almost just gave in and went to the 2d version, but the times were later and I wanted to get home in time to feed the critters. I want to get to bed early so I can get an early start on writing in the morning.


Writing is going well, but with work being insane and some other things going on, it's not going as fast as I'd like. But there you go. I'll keep plugging at it.


Read the newest Dresden novel by Jim Butcher. LOVE LOVE LOVE his work. Dresden more than Alera, but that's just me.


ANYWAY, it's a great addition, moves things forward. But be warned, it's more thoughtful, angsty and has a bit less "bounce" than some of the earlier books. Which makes perfect sense since Harry's had a lot of serious emotional fallout from Changes. Including, ahem, DYING. I liked it quite a lot, and have been going over the details (first read on his usually I'm racing through to see OHMIGODWHATHAPPENS NEXT?! and I have to go back for the details.) Anyway, I definitely recommend it.


Unless health crap comes up that I'm not in control of (I'm having some testing done, probably minor, so don't worry), I will be at FenCon in September. Hope to see you there.

Oh, and I've started making the bookmarks for the Posse. Which GREW HUGELY at the last "call to arms" in the newsletter, so it's taking a bit more time. Please be patient.


Best always.


Cie

Sewed this Weekend

Did some sewing this weekend. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I love making things. Sewing and knitting are some of the things I miss when I get "too busy" and don't take time for myself. I now have lovely curtains in the kitchen and the office. As an added bonus, I found the keys to the day job that have been missing for a couple of weeks . (From right about the time I bought the fabric for the curtains coincidentally enough. Can you guess where they were?)

Alas, it had been long enough since I'd sewn that the machine needs a new belt. Bits of rubber started flying across the room when I got it up to speed. Um, ooops.

On another blog I found something I can actually DO for the prizes for the posse. Now I will simply have to DO it.

Gotta go.

Here's to Mistakes of the Past

Here's to the mistakes of the past.

First -- they're PAST. Over, finito. Thank HEAVENS!

Second -- they taught us the lessons we needed to become the people we are today. If you even like who you are a little bit, it's the mistakes that probably taught you the most. "The burned hand teaches best."

I was recently was contacted by my very first roommate, from back in the time when I was very young, very MUCH.

I'm sorry for the people who got hurt. But I learned some lessons that I needed, and learned things about myself I wouldn't have found out any other way.

Would I do things differently now? Probably. I have a few regrets. But if I hadn't made the mistakes I did, I might not be who and where I am. (In life not location.) I might not have written books. Might not have made the bestseller's list. Might even not have had my son, these pets, or any of the other things I treasure.

Yes, I would have different things. Would I love them more? I don't think so. Less? Maybe/maybe not. But I will never know. I am who and what I am. And if I've lost some of my muchness, (as had Alice), I have gained quite a lot more than the pounds around my middle. Experience, humor, endurance.

So again, here's to the mistakes of the past.
********************************************
I went and got the lyrics for an appropriate accompanying song from http://www.metrolyrics.com/those-were-the-days-lyrics-mary-hopkins.html
********************************************

Those Were the Days* Mary Hopkins

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be

In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days

Feeling Pretty Good Today

Feeling pretty good today.

Can't think of too much to say. Life is plugging along pretty normally. Lots of writing going on, lots of other things going on.

We did a survey about whether folks wanted a new Sazi. They do. So that's probably going to happen eventually. Right now, however, I am in the throes of finishing the first book in a new world, then rushing into the next Celia book.

If I don't write before then, everybody have a happy holiday.

Cie

Migraines sucketh

Migraines sucketh. Yes, the pretty flashy lights and ribbons of bright colors are very pretty. Distracting, make it hard to see, and precursors of doom, but VERY PRETTY.

When I was young I got migraines once a month, punctual as clockwork.
Then for years I got them once in a very great while -- maybe two a year.
Now I'm getting them every three months or so. But when I get them they're not going away in 12 hours like they used to. I can usually head off the pain with meds, but the visual stuff and the mental weirdness don't succomb as easily. For a couple of days I have sort of a "shadow" of the migraine where things are just a little . . . odd and fragile. Light's too bright. Sounds are loud. And it's really hard to focus.

I'm HOPING that this is another thing linked to hormones and now that they're settling in to their new pattern the migraines will go back to being a rarity.

Because MIGRAINES SUCKETH.

Writing, Allergies, RAIN FINALLY, and anything else I can think of.

Book is progressing. If I don't stay too long writing this I may be able to get a few pages done tonight. I actually know where I want it to go, and it's seeming to come together. But it's going slower than I'd like---mainly because I need to get to the next project but can't get this one out of my head.

I have allergies. All kinds really, but mostly to chemicals. It can trigger asthma (irritant induced asthma is what they call it) or contact dermatitis, or whatever. Basically the contact dermatitis (which may not be spelled correctly) in my case means that my skin breaks out into nasty blisters that crack and bleed and then peel (the blistering is quick. The breaking, cracking, bleeding and peeling can take long, miserable days). The wrong toilet paper can give me days of "adult diaper rash." Thus, I am somewhat fanatical about staying loyally with the products that actually work for me. New and Improved are words I dread.

The skin stuff I have used on my face for years is no longer being made. I have bought up (and had given to me as gifts) all of the supply we can find on E-Bay. It is now, gone.

ARGH!!!

So I bought some new stuff to try out. It has not made the inside of my elbows break out overnight. It has not made the other delicate skin I've tried it on break out. Tonight we will try it on a small patch of my face and hope that I don't react to it.

One interesting thing that I wasn't expecting. When I put it on my test patches last night it glittered. Seriously. Gold glitter effect. Pretty, but somewhat startling to say the least. I felt like Edward Cullen, or actually one of his female relatives (but I don't remember their names right now---ESME maybe?). I think I'll only be using this at night even if it doesn't make me break out. I'm not sure what the good conservative folks here would think of a woman wandering around town SPARKLING. On the other hand, it might be fun to find out. (wicked grin).

WE GOT RAIN LAST NIGHT!!!!! An inch even. WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! WOOT WOOT WOOT! We need more. Quite a lot more. But WE GOT RAIN.

Okay, off to write. Wish me good luck.

Cie

Stuff and Nonsense/Status

Okay, the edits are back to the publisher, the book is in process. YAHOO!!

The book I am working on hit a snag for a bit. I went back, took out a few pages to see if that's where I "went off track" and voila, we're moving again. Quickly even. I really need to get this first draft finished and out of my head so that I can move on to Celia's next Excellent Adventure.

The health plan is working. Slow and steady, which is just fine. My goal is to see where I stand in a year. I've improved my eating habits (still allowed a bit of junk food, or I'd give up). I'm exercising daily, both aerobic and calisthenic (and have added a bit of weights now that I'm able to do a decent number of repetitions).

The good news is --
1. I'm starting to see muscle tone.
2. My balance has improved (a couple of the exercises are specifically for that.)
3. My flexibility is improving. (This has always been bad, even from childhood, so this is kind of cool).
4. I'm not as "jiggly." So I think I'm getting smaller. (Also, my clothes are fitting better. Or else they're too big [i.e., my blouses]. The latter of which is annoying[as addressed in the previous blog]. Also, I don't want to have to shop. ).

No, I have not weighed or measured. I know myself. If I saw those numbers, I'd get so discouraged I wouldn't do what I need to do. And the goal isn't really about the numbers. (Okay, yeah, I want to be in a particular size, but that's not the goal.) The actual goal is to get well. Because, when I had the chest stuff (probably bronchitis but we didn't say for sure) last time, even when I was over it, I had asthma problems and generally wasn't breathing well. No stamina. No energy. Complete lack of oxygen.

VERY SCARY.

I've had bronchitis more times than I can count. I've had pneumonia several (really seriously SEVERAL) times. The last time they did chest x-rays they commented on the scarring.

So I was looking at myself and saying. Do you want to get well, or sometime soon do you want to be one of those people dragging around an oxygen container?

Let's hear it for diet and exercise!!! I am SOOOOOOO committed to getting well.

AND IT IS WORKING!!

AND I FEEL GOOD!

Now the bad news.

Now that I've lost weight in my face and neck I can see my thyroid. Clear as a bell. Full outline.
NOT GOOD. Where everyone else has a dip, I have a bulge. NOT GOOD. I am going to be making an appointment with the doctor.

I'm a little scared about this. But I've just got to pull on my big girl panties and take care of it.

So I will.

Scheduling

Yes, this is not an exciting post subject. I mean, really, who cares?

Well, I do. Because one of the tried and true facts of life for a multi-published person is DEADLINES.

And no, they're not just suggestions. When the publisher says they want it then, they really do. And they've scheduled things like editing and cover art and publicity and publishing schedules around it.

Yes, if something drastic happens they'll cut you slack. And there is (sometimes) a little wiggle room worked in. But it's only a LITTLE wiggle room, if any. And you don't want to push that envelope. Besides, they paid you to deliver, so you need to . . . well, deliver.

So while Cathy is plugging away on edits I am faced with a dilemma.

The first book of the new book is 3/4 done. It's going well. I've actually caught some kind of rhythm, know where it's going, and it's heating up to a climax.

But the next Celia book needs to be written. It's actually scheduled.

ARGH!

So, after angst, and hemming, and hawing, and weighing my options (which, by the way, are NOT losing weight in THEIR bust thank you very much) I am giving myself until either the 15th or next weekend to wrap up the current book and start on Celia.

I want to get it finished. I really do. Because if I don't the book is liable to "turn to ashes" in my head (to quote a favorite author's phrase.)

And then there's the newsletter. And picking the winner for the prizes and MAKING the prizes for the posse members, and doing paperwork and cleaning the freaking house and doing the laundry and taking care of the animals and and and and . . . . CRAP.

Okay, enough whining. And enough stalling. Wish me good luck. I am going to check and see if the laundry is dry, then I am BACK TO WRITING.

Cie

Annoyance of the day.

Losing weight makes no sense.

When I gain weight. I gain in my belly, or my ass first.

When I lose weight, I lose in my bust and my neck first.

Considering how my weight fluctuates, it is a wonder that I do not have a negative bust measurement.

I'm exercising, and concentrating on getting fit. I am paying particular attention to my abdomen. But my blouses are what is getting loose.

THIS IS NOT FAIR!!!

LOL

It's FRIDAY!!!. .

WOOT WOOT WOOT.

Why is it that sometimes short weeks seem so much longer than regular length weeks? Seriously, it makes no sense. But true nonetheless.

I've been being very good and exercising, and walking the dog when it's still cool (I hate 100+ temperatures when I'm trying to be active). I've been writing some. Not as much as I'd like, but some. The book took a slight left turn, and I'll have to fix something, but that's not unusual.

ANYWAY, have a wonderful day, weekend, and life.


Cie

DO YOU WANT MORE SAZI?

Do you want more Sazi stories? We want to know. SO, we've put up a survey. Here:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/PKDPB93

Trying to post this isn't working well. Darn it!

THE BOOK IS IN

Okay, the edits are in. My mind is still reeling. I can think of three things already that I'll want to do in the next edit pass. (Oh yeah, logically she WOULD call her attorney, duh.) But for good or for ill, it's gone. I'm exhausted.

And now it is time for cleanup.

Cleanup?

Well, when one is in full-bore book mode, real life vanishes. POOF. It's MAGIC. (Actually, it's more along the lines of a disaster movie, but there you go.) I have to go through and shovel out the house, (cleaning is too mild a word for it) and the car. Do laundry. (You know you're in trouble when you sit at your desk, and realize that you simply do not have time to do laundry, so you buy new socks and underwear [and something pre-cooked for dinner] instead 'cause it's faster.) Sort through all the paperwork that has come in and needs to be dealt with, send out TONS of things that everybody needed days/weeks ago or won in contests embarrassingly long times ago because you haven't come up for air. (And while you're at it, you'd better shop for all those Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays and etc., because you just KNOW they'll roll around when you're on the next deadline.)

This all HAS to happen. But before you can do it (assuming you're over 21 and can no longer abuse your body the way you used to) your body screams "I QUIT! SCREW YOU BUDDY! THE MIND THINKS IT IS IN CHARGE? HAH! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO's REALLY IN CHARGE." And you sleep. And sleep. And sleep. If you are VERY lucky you haven't worn yourself down to the point of catching some sort of crud.

I am not ill! WOOO HOOOO!!! Serious happy dance. But I am POOPED. I took the holiday weekend to rest, but I'm still exhausted. I do think the new vitamins helped to stave off the usual post-book-crisis-illness and will thus continue taking them. I am looking at re-starting the exercise program (which inevitably flew out the window during the crunch).

And I am, already, working on the next book.

In the course of these edits I wound up having to pull out the old computer and hook it up.

The new computer has the new Word. You know, the pretty one, with the fancy, schmancy stuff at the top that you have to scroll through with big bright pictures. It does EVERYTHING for you. You want to outline? It will outline. But not the way YOU want it. Nope. It has a standard format and heaven forfend you want to do something else.

I am a professional legal secretary. I know what I'm doing. I know what I want. I do not WANT/NEED/LIKE having the freaking computer program tell me how I'm going to do something. I was wasting HOURS wrestling the freaking program rather than getting through the edits.

Screw that.

So I hauled out the old computer with it's OLLLLLLLLLLD professional version of Word that lets ME set up all of the formatting the way I (and, incidentally, the editor) want it and AMAZINGLY ENOUGH I was able to work at least 5 times as fast.

So now I've got the two computers set up side by side. The old one is for writing. The new one for researching, internet stuff, watching Hulu, e-mails.

Eventually I will probably see if I can make the new system play nice with the old program. (I'm told there's a way to do it, but it requires the inevitable software upgrade). Windows 7 in the version that came on my system does not. The new system is beautiful and FAST. BUT, I'm a WRITER, what I need is the software that works best for me in creating. If it slows me down, drags me back to this reality kicking and swearing, it's counterproductive. Unfortunately, I replaced the old machine for a reason. It was dying. SO, that software upgrade will be coming soon. But not this week. And I am writing this week. So I'll back up often and hope/pray for the best.

In the meantime, I have to get in touch with everybody. Maybe I'll do a grand blog re-launch and get back into doing the fancy and fun things I used to. Maybe I'll actually re-visit Facebook and Twitter (I think MySpace may have gone the way of the dodo, but I don't know for sure. I'll check.)

ANYWAY, I doubt there's still anybody visiting here. But if there is, HI! This is what's been going on and why I've not been available. My apologies. I'd tell you I'll do better, but honestly, the next time a deadline hits I'll probably do the same thing.

Sigh.

Guten Morgen

Guten Morgen to all!

I am in a wonderful mood.

On Thursday I closed on my house. I am officially, once again, a homeowner. YAY! And while I would very much wish that the house could simply be located in Denver, I'm still has happy as I can be. I have been decorating and settling in again, and it is amazing how much difference that makes.

Also, I've been (somewhat tentatively) writing again. I had an idea for a romantic comedy. It's fluffy, but a lot of fun, and just the thing to get me back into practice.

Demon Song is out. It is the third book in the Blood Singer series. It's a bit hard to find, so you may have to order it. But PLEASE do. I truly think you'll enjoy it.

Also, a friend just sent me the link to the Irish Rovers singing the Scottish Kilt song. It's on You-Tube and it's WONDERFUL.

Best.

Cie

Writing Again

Okay, I'm turning in the loan documents today. James is recovering well (he was in the hospital for 12 days, nearly died, but is rebounding with the resilience of youth). Work is insane, but it always is. I'm trying to get back into writing, so I was playing with something this morning. For want of anywhere else I want to put it at the moment, it is going here.

Enjoy.

********
I was up on a ladder trying to fix the light above the pool table when Arnie walked in. It was enough of a shock that I nearly fell---would've fallen if I hadn't made a wild grab and clung to the chain suspending the stained glass shade from the ceiling.

"Easy Jenny. You don't need any medical bills." His voice was like grinding gravel. Huge hands steadied me at the waist until I regained my footing.

"What in the hell . . ." I looked down at the man standing next to the ladder. Not much down, mind you. Arnie is a former linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. He's six-eight and built square. All of it's muscle. He may be graying, adn enarly bald, but he's still damned imposing. And he still has to buy his clothes from the specialty shops.

"Corrine sent me. She wanted you to hear the news from a friendly." His expression was sober. "You'd better sit down."

I took him at his word. Arnie's been around the block more than a few times. If he said I needed to sit. I did. I climbed down, seating myself at the nearest table for two. He sat across from me, his massive form dwarfing the chair. He was obviously acutely uncomfortable, and not from the seat.

"What's up?" I forced the words out. My mouth was dry, my pulse pounding. I hadn't heard a word from anyone at Layton, Walker, Simpson and Burns since I'd gotten fired . . . excuse me, resigned (with extreme prejudice) and been blackballed in the local legal community. Sending Arnie here could get them both fired. It wasn't something Corrine would do lightly.

Arnie squirmed, causing the chair to creak in protest. "The old man decided to add a couple of new associates, so we were moving boxes from the storage room up to the attic. Paul, the new intern, tripped and fell into the drywall. It broke." He paused, not for drama, but to figure out how to best phrase what he wanted to say. "There was a fake wall. Behind it there was what was left of a body wrapped in heavy plastic sheeting."

I felt the blood drain from my face. The world swam. If I hadn't been sitting, I'd have fallen. As it was, I tucked my head between my knees and tried to breathe deeply. I didn't want to hear what he was going to say next. I was afraid I already knew.

"It was Derek."

And Life Takes a Sharp Left Turn

Ah life. Never a dull moment. (At least not in mine.)

Two days after I began really settling back in to the house (set up the stereo, re-hung all the drapes and most of the pictures on the wall, repaint the trim, etc.) The landlord stops by. I can either buy back the house or move, because they're needing to sell it.

Well, hell.

This left me with a few options.

But after much thought, prayer, and talking with various folks whose opinions matter to me, I decided. I'll buy it back.

The move to Colorado had stalled anyway. I won't find anything here I like better. There are almost no rentals in the area, I have a history with the bank and can probably get another loan on the property, etc.

I feel pretty good about it.

As to the one-chin project. I fell off the wagon for a few days due to stress and injuries. But I'm back on track. Still at 1.25 chins, but I'm back in the tighter jeans and my bras are much looser (sigh, I always lose in my bust first and most. And it's the LAST place I gain.)

****

General stuff. Had the handyman come out yesterday to help with all of the heavy lifting & stuff I just can't do myself. (Things like hauling away the dead washer, moving the large oak desk from the garage to the office and the dresser from the office to the garage, etc.

He was injured, his truck was giving him trouble, and I really felt bad that he was having to do it. Apparently most of his crew don't work on the weekends. Unfortunately, I have a day job. The only time I can be around and have people do things is on the weekends. Sigh.

Almost everything in this town is scheduled for the unemployed. Seriously. Businesses open after 8:00, close from 12-1, and close before or at 5:00. (Exceptions being fast food, WalMart and the gas stations, grocery and convenience stores.) So, if you want to pay your cable bill in person (say the bill didn't arrive, which happens, because the mail has to go through like four different stops before it comes to Brady), you have to take time off work. The bank opens at 9:00 and closes at 3:00 or 3:30 (fortunately the drive-thru is open until 5:30, so if I really HUSTLE and don't have to stay and do any overtime I can actually go there. BUT everyone else is doing the same thing, so don't be too sure. The post office opens at either 9:00 or 10:00 and closes at 4:30 ON THE DOT. Again, if I have packages that need to be mailed I can either brave the lunch crowd (everyone who works who has to go to the PO during it's open hours. Which generally takes the entire lunch hour, maybe a little more because they usually only have one person on duty at lunch.) or I have to take time off work to go.

It is very, very frustrating.

OH, I thought of something else that's open at night. The liquor store.

You do get used to it. But it is frustrating nonetheless.

Okay, I'm off to get ready and go to church. Have a happy day/week.

Since I'm not doing well at posting daily. I'm going to try for every Sunday. Wish me luck!

OOPS. The Good News and the Bad News

The good news. The 1 Chin project is progressing.
We have sold French rights to the 1st 3 books in the Blood Singer series.
We have sold Russian rights to the 1st 3 books in the Blood Singer series.
I have the stereo set up at my house now.
I have found a way to keep the animals from digging in the potted plants.

The bad news.

I hurt my foot and my shoulder.
Ugh.

Ah well. They'll heal. They always do. But what a pain in the patoot.

Everybody take care.

Cie

The 1 Chin Project

Okay, for those of you who don't know me personally, if you see a fairly recent picture of me (and believe me, I hope you don't) you will notice that I have had a round, puffy face and multiple chins. This is, in part, due to some medical things that have been going on: a pituitary tumor and hypothyroidism. This is not a big deal, the thyroid thing is actually pretty common and treatable (if tricky). The thing is, the pituitary and thyroid are real big in the whole metabolism thing, and they don't like to give you too much thyroid medicine because it can cause little things like, oh, heart problems.

But, I, personally, have noticed that if I weigh just a bit less, the thyroid meds I'm on work better. It doesn't even have to be a LOT less. Just a few pounds and suddenly I have energy, my hair isn't falling out, and my skin (particularly on my hands and scalp) stops splitting and bleeding (Yeah, it does that. It's that dry. No, lotions and creams don't do much for it. It sucks. And yes, it does hurt. And yes, total strangers come up to me to talk about it. At length.)

SO, right before Christmas (when I was feeling pretty awful) I started the 1 chin program. It is a program of my own design, meant to help me drop those few pounds and feel better. And get me more fit, AND DOWN TO 1 CHIN. Just an ordinary face. With cheekbones. Where my eyes look big.

I walk every other day and do "exercises" for muscle tone on the alternate days from the walking. On alternate days I will eat really well, including oatmeal for breakfast (which is good for your heart and cholesterol levels as well as helping to regulate your blood sugar), fruits and vegetables, low fat, all that happy crap.

On the opposite days of the oatmeal days, I eat what I want. Completely. No, I don't go overboard. But I don't deprive myself either. I like breakfast bowls. So I have one, etc.

After approximately 4 weeks I am down to 1.25 chins. The .25 is loose skin that if I look down becomes a chin. It is not completely gone yet. But it is going. Quickly. HOOYAH!

I have energy most of the time.
I'm sleeping better.
MY HAIR HAS STOPPED FALLING OUT.

MY SKIN HAS STOPPED SPLITTING!!!!!!!!!!!!

And because it's only every-other-day, I'm not feeling deprived at all.

This so rocks.

Now I know most of you really aren't interested. And I probably shouldn't be posting personal stuff anyway. BUT I'M FREAKING HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

I would love to lose a lot of weight. That may or may not happen. But I'm feeling SOOOOOOOOO much better than I did before Christmas. And the meds are actually working at this dosage again. (And maybe there are doctors out there who will say it's a coincidence and body mass doesn't affect thyroid med dosage. Or not. I dunno. I just know my body, and it's working for me.)

So there you go. It takes time (which I don't have a lot of), and effort, but it is SOOOOO turning out to be worth it. And I will probably post about it once in a while.

Cie

Welcome to a New Year

Welcome to a new year.

Whether I'll be better about posting is anyone's guess. But I've been pondering, and have decided to make some serious changes that I may decide to try to keep track of here (in favor of personal accountability.) Or not. Part of me is a private person. Another part is less so, and willing to post all for all.

I am waiting to hear about several jobs in Colorado. If I hear, then things will move forward on the move. If I do not hear by the end of the week I am going to commit to staying in Texas 1 more year and giving it everything I've got to save money and get the things done to make the move more possible. (I.e., saving more money, writing more, etc.)

I am actually surprisingly okay with this. I have put real effort into making the move happen, and was to the point of desperation and making myself (and people around me) miserable. It hasn't worked. SO I am now going to try a more positive approach. No, I am not thrilled that it looks like it's going to take another year. No, I am NOT thrilled about all the people (well meaning and not) who will give me a hard time about that. But I promise not to strangle the little old lady who goes "Ho ho ho, guess you're stuck here forever. Better get used to it." (Although I have to admit, the last time it was a thought that had to be beat down with a mental club. Like most folks, I really don't enjoy getting laughed at. Go figure.)

I am also back on track working on the whole exercise and eating better thing. We'll see how long it lasts. But I'm going to keep track of that too.

SO, I'm keeping track of writing, fitness, and move prep. The goal is to do at least one small thing every day. Your mission (should you decide to accept it, and no, this isn't going to self-destruct in 10 seconds.) is to counteract all of the negativity and naysaying by giving me lots of positive input.

Now I am off to do said exercising AND to write.

Best to all of you. Wishing you a glorious new year.

OH, and I am going to quote Neil Gaiman's benediction for a new year because he said it better than I would (but then he usually does---which is also okay because he shares and I love reading it.)

Oh hell. I guess I'm not going to since the blasted thing won't cut and paste. LOL. But to paraphrase. He (and I, separately because of course I haven't met him) wish you magic and happiness, to be kissed by someone who thinks you're wonderful (and whom you hopefully think is wonderful as well) that you create art from the heart of you and you have joy and that sometime in the year you surprise yourself.

There, not as poetically written (duh), but still a fine wish for a joyous new year.

Blessings.




Cie

Happy BELATED Thanksgiving & More

Guten Morgen folks:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I'm sorry I didn't get to say that to you earlier, but I was on a last-minute trip to Denver for Thanksgiving with my son and a big job interview.

It was one of those trips.

You know how when things happen at the last minute they tend to have little glitches? (At least they do for me.) Well, boy did I get glitched. Left and right, front and back, fore and aft. Glitched, glitched, glitched. But because of the help of many people (some of whom I have no names for) things worked out fine. So, let me take a moment for a little belated Thanksgiving:

Thanks to the airline folks who caught the mechanical trouble and got our planes changed out. Thanks to the airport folks who got me a different connecting flight after my first flight was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. Thanks to the airport folks who found my lost luggage and got it to me before my interview. Thanks to the vet for taking care of my sick cat, and to his staff for putting up with my MANY MANY calls to see how he was doing. BIG MUCHO THANKS to Cathy for house and pet sitting. BIG MUCHO THANKS to Tonya for taking care of Lucky the Wonder Dog. BIGGER EVEN MORE MUCHO THANKS to Cathy for coming in for the save when my laptop was damaged and I had to call her and have her do rescue information research for me on the fly long distance. BIG MUCHO THANKS to the receptionist and the lovely woman from the Personnel Department at the Greeley Public Schools for their kindness, consideration, and timely intervention. Thanks to my boss in Brady for letting me take the time off. And of course, thanks to my son, for letting me stay with him and providing me with a true Thanksgiving Feast. I love you kiddo.

Whew. I probably missed somebody. But that gives you a clue as to the kind of wild nuttiness that went on.

BUT the keys to what success I have had in this life have mostly been: persistence, hard work, persistence, flexibility, oh, and did I mention . . . PERSISTENCE. So it worked out. I would like to think the interview went well. I'm terribly nervous in interviews, and I never really KNOW how I do. But I'm going to try to think positive.

In the meantime. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Be happy and take care. I plan to.

Cie

Guten Morgen

Guten Morgen:

It's been quite a while since I have popped by either blog. Life has intervened. Not in a bad way. Just has. Part of it is that the body has had to adjust to sleeping more thanks to the new meds. Part of it has been simple busy-ness. And part of it has been that there really hasn't been a lot to say. Boring, but true.

But, I do believe boring may be over. I am looking on the bright side. Things are starting to happen. Some of them are pretty darned terrific too.

I have also popped back in the motivational cds. So if I sound like a cheerleader shaking her pom poms, bear with me. I need that energy to get all of the half-done projects to completion, the body back in shape, and the move from the stalled in quicksand stage to completion.

And I want to be happy.

I have LOTS to be grateful for. I am living my dream of being a writer. I have people and pets that I love and who (really somewhat surprisingly) love me. I have food on the table and a roof over my head. I get to do things like read most of the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum novels in order if I want. (I went from Butcher to Harris to Evanovich. LOTS of reading lately.)

Mainly, what I've been doing in my absence from posting is trying to pull my head together. I've been very scattered and somewhat burnt out. (Oh hell, who am I kidding, there was no somewhat to it.) I couldn't focus enough to decide what I wanted, let alone go for it. Don't get me wrong, I had a general goal. But you have to know specifics if you want things to actually HAPPEN.

So, today is a day for specifics. I still have to do some householdy stuff (the laundry fairies have apparently decided not to put me on their list darn it. Same for the housekeeping gnomes). But I have a whole weekend, and I know how to use it.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.


BWAH HAHAHAHA.

Update

I have been reminded that, while I may not have the DISKS of the old origination stuff, I have all the e-mails back and forth and a great deal of other paperwork. SO, I still have enough back-up to verify the originations. Which is good. And of course Cathy has stuff.

I am now over being sore and stiff. This is also good.

One of the minions (bless her heart) is replacing the Simon Green books for me. :)

I am still putting together minion packets for those LOYAL AS A LABRADOR folks. :) Since I've broken through the exhaustion and am writing again, it may be a couple weeks. I will try to make it worth the wait.

Best.

Cie

Really Really REALLY Pooped

Okay, I don't know if I told you all this, but the other evening I saw a wet spot outside the garage door. I figured something spilled inside, and since I was late for work, I'd deal with it when I got home.

Well, it was a REALLY rough day at work, and I opened the door from the house into the garage and saw . . . disaster. TOTAL disaster.

Apparently the water heater sprang a leak and drained into the garage, so that all of the boxes on the bottom level were soaked. When they got soaked, they gave out, and all of the boxes on top tipped over, falling everywhere into a total wreck.

Today I got to clear out the garage, repack what could be saved, pitch what couldn't, while the landlord fixed the water heater.

I mostly lost books. Because, of course I have a Gazillion books and they're the heaviest, so they were on the bottom level. Gone is my complete collection of Agatha Christie; all but 2 of my Simon Green books, several of my Dick Francis mysteries, almost all of my writing reference books, one entire file cabinet worth of writing research, all of the bound and unbound original draft manuscript pages, old disks (which is no huge loss because they won't work in any of the computers I have now anyway but which I always kept for proof of the original origination of the various series); One or two of my idea notebooks; all of the certificates for the various awards my son won throughout his school career. (The trophies survived though.) Going through it was depressing, frustrating, and exhausting. But there you go. It could've been much, MUCH worse. So I am grateful. And now things are re-boxed nicely, labeled, re-taped, and in much better shape. So it's probably for the best. But I am going to take a LONG hot bath, (now that the water heater is working again) and go to bed.

G'night.


Cie

Dear Lackeys:

Dear Lackeys:

I have FINALLY found the address book with your e-mail addresses. (It was in a small notebook that was in with some tax stuff. Since I was passive-aggressively avoiding going through it for my accountant . . . well, you get the gist.)

Since I have NOT done anything for the lackeys and minions for simply ages I find myself wondering if I even still HAVE any lackeys and minions. YIKES. How can I be a not-so-evil overlord without underlings? I can't. It's that simple.

SO, I'm going to send out an e-mail in the next few days and post here and on MySpace and Facebook. (Probably not Twitter. They don't like me on Twitter. I don't know why, but POO on them!)

Those loyal lackeys and minions who respond will receive a special gift. New lackeys and minions will receive something suitable, but not nearly so nice. (Rank has its privileges after all.)

And for those of you who wondered about the calendars last year.

They didn't turn out well. They looked like crapola. So I couldn't bring myself to mail them to you. Spent the money, but -- there you go. Quality control and all that.

As for the writing. I have been on an enforced hiatus. My body insisted on more sleep due to stress from the day job and the fact that I caught the flu. The flu is now gone. SO, I'm hoping to be able to write again. Of course the first bits are always crap. You get out of shape and practice in writing just as you do in an exercise program. Which I also need to do.

ANYWAY, be well, be happy, and if you are a lackey or minion and want to support your overlord, e-mail me at catadamsfans@gmail.com with I AM LOYAL LIKE A LABRADOR in the Re.

Bestest.

Cie/C.T. Adams/1/2 of Cat Adams/Yes Ma'am your NSEO Ma'am

Short Story

Had an idea for a short story on the trip. Then got the flu coming back. Am now thinking of it and thought I'd do it as a special for the blog.

************************************************

Lovie's mama had never really believed in her talent. When, as a small child she'd run to her mother, looking for sympathy, she'd been met with a swat on the behind and told to "shut your lyin' mouth."

So she'd stopped telling. She kept it a secret from everyone. Everyone except Jewel Johnson, her very best friend in the whole world. Jewel knew. Jewel understood. Which was good. Because when things got very bad Lovie had someone to run to, someone to tell.

Like the night when mama's pimp decided to "teach her a lesson" use her as an example to keep the other ho's in line. Lovie woke in a cold sweat, lying in the bed next to Jewel, and she knew. Her mama was alone, afraid, and dying; bleeding her life away under a pile of garbage next to a dumpster in the alley between Second and Jefferson streets.

Crawling out of bed she tiptoed into the Johnson's kitchen where Geneva, Jewel's mama, had her cell phone on the charger. With trembling fingers she took the phone and dialed 9-1-1, praying that the person on the line would believe her.

That had been almost years ago. Mama never spoke of it. Grandma had picked Lovie up from school, driven her to get mama from the hospital, and just kept driving. All the way to Chicago. Now mama lived down the street from Grandma and Uncle Leroy and worked as a checker at the Quicki Mart. Lovie was the first one in the family to go to college. She lived in the dorm with a roommate who was never there, worked part time at the campus bookstore, and drove an old beater of a Toyota out to church and to visit the family pretty much every Sunday.

On the outside her life looked pretty ordinary. She worked hard to keep it that way. In spite of her talent.

Sunday night rolled around again. It had been a good day, in spite of the weather. It had been a cold day for spring, just this side of freezing, so that the mist-laden wind off the lake cut through you like a sharpened knife. Now that the sun was going down the moisture on the roads was starting to freeze forming black ice that was practically invisible and dangerous as hell. She closed the door to the dorm room behind her, tossing her purse and keys onto the battered old desk against the wall. Shrugging out of her jacket, she kicked off her shoes. She was glad to be home. Glad to be off the roads. The drive had really taken it out of her. And while she should probably study, she was too exhausted for it to do her any good. So she stripped off her clothes, pulled on the oversized tee-shirt she wore to bed most nights, and crawled beneath the covers. She figured she was too tired to dream.

She was wrong.

Okay guys. I'm out of gas. End of part one, draft one.

The Moment

One of the saddest moments in life is that instant when a dream dies.

All of us, whether we like to admit it or not, secretly believe that we're special, unique, and gifted. And maybe we are.

But we're not always gifted in the direction we want to be. And sometimes, even if we are, the timing is wrong, or life intervenes, and we suddenly look up and realize . . .

It isn't going to happen.

For whatever reason, there's no longer the chance of it coming true.

In that moment a part of you dies. Not even a little part. And the pain is incredible. Some people can't cope. They end it all because they're not willing to "settle." Others become bitter and angry, lashing out at everyone, but most particularly at those "lucky ones" who have succeeded in achieving the dream.

But I admire the others. The ones who look at the dream the way you look at a lost lover, with regret, some sadness, but an appreciation for something special that's time has ended. These are the people who find themselves another dream, a different one, one they can still achieve: the athletes in the paraplegic games, the wheelchair racers, the seventy year old who takes up painting for the first time.

And sometimes, surprisingly, the second dream becomes just as passionate, just as important, just as fulfilling. Maybe even more so. Yes, there will always be the bittersweet memory of what could have been. But the joy of what IS is enough to compensate for it.

There are other joys as well---smaller in scope, but no less important. The strength of a small child's hug when Grandma comes to visit. The awe-inspiring sight of meteors streaking across a midnight sky. Achievement is not everything. It is possible to be so goal oriented that you miss the journey--and the joy of living. What's the old joke -- "nobody on their deathbed ever says 'I wish I spent more time at work.'"

When the dream of a lifetime isn't achievable it's easy to believe that you're NOT important, NOT special, NOT worthwhile.

But it isn't true.


Just my thoughts. For what it's worth.
Cie

Sleep will be glorious

I am back from my back-to-back trips. The first, to Denver for the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers was wondrous in a businessy way. Of course my gorgeous business cards did NOT arrive in time, which means I will be sending "glad I met you notes" to some of the people I met with cards enclosed rather than just having traded cards at the event. Le sigh.

The second, a trip to visit my parents in Illinois was absolutely spectacular in the warm family way. I'd missed them horribly and am SOOOOOO glad I got to visit.

Also in there were the edits, and attempts at helping Cathy on the current manuscript, and the launch of Siren Song, etc. All of these are good and happy things.

But I am now freaking exhausted. Sleep tonight will be absolutely glorious.

I realized just HOW badly the lack of sleep was affecting me when I did not in the slightest remember the contests I'd put in a couple of blogs launching Siren Song. Didn't have a clue what the entrants were talking about. Told Cathy it must have been one of the ones she sponsored. She denied it vehemently. So I wrote the publicist and a couple other people asking them if they knew about it. Imagine my embarassment when, after I'd been driving an hour to the nearest city to deal with bill paying and business shopping emergencies I realized that I was the one who'd done it. At like 4:00 or 4:30 in the morning. So maybe I get a bye on the whole not remembering it thing. I'm REALLY not at my best in the early early morning.

One good thing about the travel. I started having some wonderful ideas for short stories and sticky plot points in the novels, which is quite cool.

I also am doing some things that are meant to help others (like the woman who needs to get her dog trained as an assistance animal and needs autographed quilt pieces which she will then use in the quilt she is putting up for auction to raise money. And other things for other people as well.

But for now, and the nonce, I am going to snug the puppydog and go to BED, where I will indulge in glorious sleep.

Best.

Cie

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow . . .

All right. I am exhausted. Just about ready to fall into bed. Tomorrow is another early morning at which point THE EDITS WILL BE FINISHED. (WHOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!) I will rush them off to the editor/publisher and then move on to the next huge frantic thing on my plate. Believe me, there is ALWAYS the next huge frantic thing.

I love the writing gig. But it is exhausting. And exhilerating. Must never, ever forget exhilerating. Because all my life I wanted to be able to say things like: "TOMORROW'S THE RELEASE DATE FOR THE NEXT BOOK." Which it is.

Which is freaking cool come to think on it. Not only was there one book. There have been MANY books. Enough that I can refer to the NEXT one knowing there were not only several preceding it, but are several more scheduled to follow. HOW COOL IS THAT?

Seriously, from the time I picked up my first picture book I wanted to be an author.

And I am.

So, no matter how much I whine about deadlines, (Which should really be called something else if you're not supposed to whine. I mean, really, DEADlines just BEGS for whining.) I love what I do. I love the blogs (like this one) that have no point, but are meant to keep me in touch with the folks who actually read the books, or the ones at places like BITTEN BY BOOKS where I get lots of new folks commenting on my supposedly intelligent post (you will note the qualifier. On days like today I'm really not sure how intelligent the post actually is.) and competing for a prize.

But now I am tired. Tomorrow the edits are due on Demon Song. Tomorrow is the release day for the NEXT BOOK Siren Song. This is my career and I am proud of it, and happy and honored that people enjoy playing in my imaginary worlds.

Joy to you all.

G'night.

Cie

I Need a Favor

Okay guys. I need a favor. I'm over at Bitten By Books today (off and on. I do have the day job). I need people to comment to get the ball rolling. Could you please stop by: http://bittenbybooks.com/p=30991 and comment. The good news is, one of the commentees will have their name drawn out of a hat to win an autographed copy of Siren Song and a $20.00 gift certificate to either Barnes & Noble or Borders.

On another note (C#) I am back from the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Convention in Denver. It was a WONDERFUL event, and I met lots of great book people. Book people are the best! Of course the travel wore me out. It always does. So I spent most of Sunday sacked out. I got up for church and to eat. That's about it. Oh, I did take a short walk in the evening to get the groceries so I COULD eat. But I think in the last 48 hours I've slept something like 30 of them. And I am now feeling MUCH better.

I got a migraine in the airport in Denver. It was bad enough that I needed to hurl. But I couldn't hurl for fear that my head would explode---and I'd survive it.

For those of you who think a migraine is just a "headache" let me give you a couple of comparisons: (End each with "as headache is to migraine")

Hill is to Everest . . .
Cup of water is to the Pacific Ocean . . .
$.01 is to the national deficit . . .

You get the idea.

Fortunately, I took something and after an hour or so I was reasonably functional---at least enough to get home. Thank God for medicine. Seriously.

Okay, I'm off.

Moody Day

Morning guys. Another fairly early one. 5:30. Was going for 4:30, but just couldn't make myself do it. Grumpy and a bit tired. I'll get over it though. I'm looking forward to the trip, even if it is only a quick hop. The cats won't even have time to get used to the housesitter. Just as well. I miss 'em when I'm gone more than a day or two.

Thrilled that I found out I am actually in an anthology with Neil Gaiman. How cool is that?

HAVE to get moving on some of the stuff on my plate. But this morning I AM WRITING.

Sometimes in the press of all of the other happy horseshit involved in "being a writer" I lose the time for actually doing the freaking job. But if there is no copy, there IS no job.

SO, I'm off to write. And just thinking that makes me smile. I'm beginning to wonder if that wasn't the source of the grumpies I was having. Too much time working on the business without enough time working on the creative. HMNNN. Something to think about.

UGH

Ugh. I am having a bad case of the don' wanna's. I need to go into the hot, box-filled garage again (I spent a couple hours there the other night) and look for the Guns and Ammo magazine that has Cathy's article in it, and also find the black suede skirt that is for dressy occasions that I was absolutely sure I woudn't need until after I moved, only now I DO need it.

Or, in the alternative, I need to gather receipts and enter them into Quicken on the new computer for taxes.

AND, I REPEAT.

I DON'T WANNA.

I have discovered that it has now been long enough since I had fun (as opposed to a nice time, which while, well, nice, is not FUN) that I may have forgotten how. THIS is a problem that requires attention. But apparently NOT today as I have to find my freakin' skirt before I do the upcoming appearance, and I really DID promise to find the freakin' magazine as well.

WAH!!

Interesting, but now what do I do with it?

Okay, I did a little test run to see if what I suspected was true. First, that my MySpace page has pretty much died from lack of attention. Next, for reasons known only to the mystics, folks on Twitter really don't pay attention to my posts. And for similar (or possibly different) unknown reasons the folks on Facebook are really into it and respond to me. I don't know if it's different demographics, or what. But Cathy does nada on Facebook and is really popular on Twitter. Very weird.

So I will probably do most of my marketing to Facebook. I mean, I had a contest for a signed copy of Siren Song to folks to responded and I am STILL getting entries the next day while I did not get a SINGLE RESPONSE on Twitter. Not one. (Listen to the sound of crickets.)

I will also try to do better about blogging so that maybe the folks here and on Myspace will come back. But that's trickier. Because while it is mostly stream of consciousness stuff, my consciousness has been pretty damn dammed lately. (Robust family of beavers moved in or something. I believe their last name is "EXHAUSTION")

And look, it's time for the day job again.

BYE.

Cie

4:48 and I'm at the Computer

4:48. I'm not sleeping. I've been writing. Not all that well, either. Sadly. If I'm not going to sleep, I at least would like to be putting out deathless prose. Alas, that is apparently not meant to be.

Stuff, Nonsense, and a Collection

Good morning.

I have just under ten minutes before the day job officially starts. I am in a good mood. For a Monday that is darned near miraculous so we should all look up and say "THANKS".

And now we return to our regularly scheduled programming.

I have been writing for a while now. Okay, let me rephrase that. I have been writing since I started learning to read. I have been being published regularly for a while now. Like a lot of writers I can't always tell you where inspiration comes from. But I do have "touchstones." When I'm writing a book it helps to have sensory input that puts me in the book reality instead of the office. And over the past few years I've collected one or two things per book.

So far the collection consists of (in no particular order, just how I remember them).

Framed prints of the covers of our books.

WIP -- A dragon pocketwatch with a blood red stone, ordered from e-bay, arriving soon; and a dragon ear-wrap earring, ditto and a set of Chinese dragon bells.

Timeless Moon -- A porcelain doll that I swear is exactly the way I saw Liselle/Amber in my head in her past.

Howling Moon -- A stuffed jaguar that Cathy gave me.

Blood Song - the photo that inspired the whole series for me and a bunch of music that speaks to me of the various characters.

Magic's Design - a statue of the tree of life. (Bonsai)

There's more, but I'm running out of time. But it is fun/cool being able to look at my shelves and see my touchstones, reliving the process of creating those worlds.

Officially Procrastinating

Okay, got up early. Got ready to write. Have now, checked e-mails, visited Facebook (I had an e-mail that somebody read the whole Thrall series back-to-back and loved them, I mean, how could I resist?), visited Twitter, have stopped by here. But I finally had to admit it was procrastination when I played solitaire. YES the deck on the new computer is really pretty, but COME ON.

SO, while yesterday at work sucked big-scum-covered-pond-rocks with a Hoover, and I am just about as empty-headed as a human being can possibly be, I am not going to blog any longer. I am going to fess up to my procrastination and kick it in the nu..... teeth. Kick it in the TEETH.

Toodles.

Where have I been?

Okay, things have been nutsoid.

Day job has been shorthanded and balls-to-the-wall busy and stressful, and since it's summer there have been vacations to work around (including my time off to go to Colorado and look at the house).

There have been the negotiations on said house. We have hit snags, but I think it will work out.

There have been the financial arrangements to try to get said house (time consuming and a pain in the patoot since most banks aren't thrilled when most of your income is through self-employment).

My computer died (after ten years of hard use) and I had to shop, find one I wanted, buy it, install it, load the modem software, load all of the other software, unload the stuff that won't work with Windows 7, swear, find other software to replace that stuff (YES it was old, but it did what I wanted the way I wanted darn it).

Because of the paragraph above I got behind on oh, you know, that whole WRITING thing.

And things still aren't slowing down.

SO, I can officially say that until mid-November, I will probably be visiting only sporadically.

BUT I MISS YOU.

FOUND IT!

Okay, found the house I want. Put in an offer. There is a small(ish) snafu that we are working through. But I am staying positive. I believe things will work out and I am very happy about it.

If all goes well I will be moving at the tail end of October/beginning of November and will be settled in my new home by Thanksgiving.

YAHOOO!!!

Arrangements Made

Ah -- it's always fun trying to organize life around travel. Housesitter - CHECK, Dogsitter - CHECK, Time off work - CHECK, the list goes on and on. But this time I think it's going to be worth it. I think. I hope. PLEASE.

Cie

Good Morning

It's morning. Again. It does this to me every day, and I'm never ready. My body rolls over and groans NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

But while I can ignore the alarm clock (or sleep through it, despite the fact it's on full volume and in my awake moments makes me cringe with its resemblance to one of those civil alert sirens), I cannot ignore the cat.

Tibbs is the spokescat for the animals in the household and he has an entire repertoire of moves to get me out of the bed. (Think "Simon's Cat" without the ball bat.)

I am very excited about househunting this weekend in Colorado. I really believe I may have found the place. NOW I need to find the employment, etc.

Wish me very good luck.


Cie

Ok, um, wow.

All right, this is a catchup post, and then I'll write something off of the top of my head for Saturday breakfast. Since I have absolutely no clue whatsoever, it could be interesting. Or dull as dishwater.

First -- my computer is now heading toward retirement. It's been limping along for a while, but the last windows update has finally done it in. Windows now takes ALL of my memory on the C drive so that I can't run anything. Of course the timing sucketh. But doesn't it always? I mean, for a writer there is never a good time to have computer problems. But, there you go. I will keep you advised. Unfortunately, this has put me behind on EVERYTHING because the day job has heated up, so I can't do my personal things during the day, and I can't do things at night, which translates to nothing getting done.

Second -- my plumbing is giving me fits. So I am waiting for a decent hour to call the landlady to get the plumber in. NOT the way I had envisioned spending my Saturday, but again, there you go.

Third -- I MAY HAVE FOUND MY HOUSE. As y'all know, I've been trying to move back to Colorado for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time. And between one thing and another it just hasn't worked out. BUT, I think I may have found a house I can love AND afford. I will be going to look at it next week and will keep you advised. WOOOO HOOO!

Fourth -- still haven't adjusted to the meds. Sleeping a LOT. Of course, part of that could be the heat. The body does not love the triple digits. It just doesn't.

**************************************

"There once was a girl from Nantucket . . ."

"Stop. Stop right there. Whatever you're about to say, just don't." I raised my hands to ward off what was most likely going to be an obscene limerick. I mean, really Nantucket? It just BEGS for a certain rhyme.

"Aw come on Nan, you said you needed a good laugh." Kevin gave me puppydog eyes. He's good at it. He's got the biggest, chocolate brown eyes you've ever seen, with lashes that most women would kill for. Of course he knows it, and uses it to his advantage every chance he gets. He's not a player, or an ass, but a flirt? Oh hell yes. He has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get into my pants for most all of the two years I've known him. I don't think he's really that interested in me personally. If it was, I might take him up on it. But it's the challenge that interests him. So I won't. "What's the matter anyway? You haven't been yourself for a couple of weeks." He leaned up against the counter, his uniform vest falling open to give me a good look at a very nice polo shirt worn over an even nicer chest.

What was the matter with me? Other than a bout of serious sexual frustration, the usual lack of money, and an ongoing argument with my soon-to-be-former-if-she-didn't-pay-up roommate? I was bored. Stupid, I know. I mean, yeah, my job isn't great. But it's a job. In this economy I'm glad to have it. Terry, the guy I've been dating off-and-on, is nice enough. A bit dull, predictable. No. No, dependable. I need to start thinking positive. I can absolutely depend on Terry to . . . be dull as dishwater.

Oh, hell!

I turned to Kevin. Looking him straight in those big brown eyes I told him the absolute truth. "I'm bored. Every day of my life is just like every other day. Just once I'd like a little adventure, some excitement."

Be careful what you ask for.

Sometimes you get it.

OOPS. Misquote

OOPS, I misquoted the book. It's "Do you seek the light or the dark." I think. I don't have it in front of me now either.

ANYWAY, it's called Lady Lazarus it will be coming out from Tor. It was good, but I find I'm having a hard time coming up with a pithy quote for it.

I'm also having a hard time getting anything done--including posting (as you may have noticed). It has to do with having my prescriptions changed and starting exercising. Instead of having insomnia I am now sleeping like a dead thing for hours. This is good for my body. It is not so good for my productivity. And oddly, it's not that I'm taking sleeping pills. I'm not. But my body is having the sleep as a side-effect to the prescription for another minor medical thing. SO, I'm doing better physically, but my life feels like it's getting away from me.

Alas, the heat has also been baking any semblance of ambition out of me. There are people who are okay with long spells in the triple digits. I am not one of them. Nor am I good in the negative temperatures. I know, fuss, fuss, fuss.

I have been having trouble again with packages not getting where I need them to be. Sigh. One of my projects is to track down everybody who has won something to ask them if they got it.

Now, off I go, hi ho hi ho.

Cie

Le Sigh

Every day is a new beginning.

This is a good thing. It gives us hope. Because no matter how much you may have screwed up in the past, you get to move forward and can change things. But no matter how successful you are, you need to be careful, because you can't coast.

Habits are hard to change, but they CAN be changed.

I have several times declared a "do over" here on the blog. Mostly my life is very good. But like everyone else I screw up. And because I tend to take risks I can screw up pretty spectacularly. And since I believe we are responsible for our actions, inactions, and the results of our actions and inactions, it can sometimes take quite a while for me to regroup after some of the more intense screwups. And that's okay too. Because we learn from our mistakes if we're willing.

I have been wrestling with myself for a bit now trying to figure out the big questions.

What do I want?
What am I willing to do to get it?
What am I NOT willing to do?
Will it be attainable if I do what I'm willing to do, or do I need to let it go?

I read a historical paranormal (they're looking for a quote, which I don't usually do.) It was quite good. The two big questions in it were:

Who do you love?
Are you working for the light or the dark?

Welcome to Another Day

Hi Guys! I've only got a minute. Life has been BUSY. Not bad, but busy enough that I took a day to just putter yesterday or I was going to lose my mind. Even at that I wound up running errands for about half of it.

Just watched Bowling for Soup's "1985". Still bopping around grinning. Is it a bad thing that I recognize every one of the videos they're spoofing? I do miss my hair metal. Truly. And I can SOOOOOO relate to the lyrics. I mean, seriously, MTV stood for MUSIC television. Been a LONG time since they could say that hunh. And "The Real World" just freakin scares me. Of course, for the most part I really am not a fan of reality television. Those shows SO aren't my reality. Of course my reality would bore the socks off of everybody. (Not the pants. That would be too interesting. Nope, the SOCKS.)

Next week I'll come up with the new serial. But for today, know that I'm bebopping around singing:

Bruce Springsteen
Madonna
Way before Nirvana
it was
U2 and Blondie
and music still on MTV
her two kids
in high school
They tell her that she's uncool.
'Cause she's still preoccupied
with 19
19
1985.

Why I Usually Don't Read Reviews.

Okay, reviews are important. They give readers an idea of what to expect from a book.

But I don't usually read them.

Why?

1. Because it's too late. The book is on the shelves. It's finished the editing process. For good or bad, I can't go back and change it.

2. Because if the reviews are great I get a swelled head. Praise is a wonderful thing. Getting cocky isn't. And yes, I try not to. But sometimes it's wonderful to have the old ego get a good stroking.

ON THE OTHER HAND

3. Because if the reviews are horrible I get seriously down in the dumps, wonder if I'm really any good at this, etc. One bad review has more power than 50 good ones. Seriously.


So, write your review. Post your review. I thank you for the time and effort. I appreciate you letting other readers know what you think so that they will (hopefully) read the books. But know that I probably won't read the review.

Cie

Stuff

Good morning. I would love to have something wonderful and enthralling to tell you all. But, alas, nada. Oh, wait. My niece had her baby. A beautiful girl. Both are happy and healthy from what I hear.

Oh, and I colored my hair. Reddish brown. Highlights to follow. I also (GASP) trimmed the ends and bangs myself. This means that they may be crooked and I will get scolded harshly by the hairdresser when, eventually, I go out of town to get it officially cut. But I literally COULD NOT STAND IT ANOTHER MINUTE!!! And even crooked (I'm guessing here, since I can't see the back and cut it by bending over and combing it down first. I did check using two mirrors after though and it didn't look too bad.) would be better than it was, which was hideous.

Alas, I am also losing quite a lot of hair. This, of course, is due to the thyroid and pituitary crap. Since I'm really not feeling bad I must only be off a bit. I have an appointment with the doctor soon. But honestly, if the worst that happens is my hair gets thinner, I will live with it. Actually, I'll have to live with it anyway, probably. But while I would not particularly like to go bald, I still have quite a lot of hair left.

Oh, and I've been exercising. Which means that I will be sore for a day or two. But they swear it is good for me and I DO feel better once I'm a week or two into it. Also, losing weight seems to help with the thyroid meds. (Don't ask me why. Just seems to. Maybe less mass=more effective.) Of course the thyroid/pituitary crap does making losing weight considerably harder. But HEY, I like a challenge, right?

Okay, day job calls. Gotta go.

Later.

Cie

Saturday Morning Breakfast Serial

Okay guys, I've got a gazillion and one things to do today, so I need to get moving. But I owe you a serial. In fact, I believe I may owe you the CONCLUSION to the serial. SO . . . .

**********************************

Ryan smiled at the sound of Carrie's gasp. It was the nastiest smile I'd ever seen. It promised trouble of the worst kind. He drew the gun and used it to gesture that the girls should go ahead of him into Jen's room. As they passed I saw that Jen had a knife palmed and held against her thigh. That terrified me. Because a knife would be no match for a gun and, smart as she was, she might just try something stupid if he made her desperate enough.


"A computer. Well, well, aren't we coming up in the world."

"I bought it at the junk shop. It's too old for you to pawn."

He looked me over carefully. While he did I sent an urgent e-mail to everyone on the girls mailing lists: "HELP! RYAN BROKE IN. HE HAS A GUN!!! CALL THE COPS!!" All caps, LOTS of exclamation points. Everybody in the girl's circle knew Ryan was bad news. Hopefully one of them would be online and would do something.

"You're probably right." He finally admitted. He ordered the girls to sit on the bed and began throwing things around, rummaging through Jen's meager belongings, deliberately making as much mess as he could. It was obvious he was enjoying the tight-lipped fury she couldn't hide. While he was ransacking the place, I did a little hacking, managing to get control of the traffic camera attached to the stoplight a block over. I rotated it until it was aimed directly through the bedroom window.

Try as I might, I couldn't think of much else I could do. Not with him standing so far away.

"Nothing. Not a fuckin' thing. You are so pathetic." He shook his head. Grabbing the lamp from the makeshift desk with his left hand he swung it in a vicious arc, stepping towards me as he did. Jen and Carrie shrieked as the metal base smashed into my monitor with the sound of breaking glass and the crack of shattering plastic.

PAIN, hideous pain shot through me. He was off-balance from the blow. He was in reach. This was my only possible chance. I wrapped my cords around his ankles without him noticing. When he lunged to grab my base unit the cords tripped him, sending him crashing to the ground.

Everything seemed to happen at once. The gun went off, the shot shattering the window. Ryan's head hit the corner of one of the cinderblocks forming the bookshelves, breaking open his skull. Pulled off-balance I felt myself crashing downward onto his inert form.

Then nothing.


**************************************

I woke on a workbench. A fancy new monitor had been attached to me. I was in a new case. I felt . . . great. Really great.

Taking a look around I saw Carrie and Jen counting money out to the skinny man with glasses standing in front of the workbench.

"I still think you guys are nuts. I mean, yeah, the guts of it were still okay, but it's old. I could get you a much newer model for less than you're spending "

"No." Carrie said firmly.

"Absolutely not!" Jen gave him a horrified look. "We'll pay. But we want Ed. He's special to us."

Glad they thought so. The two of them were pretty special to me, too.

Hi!

Hi Guys! It's FRIDAY!

WOOT!

Life is incredibly busy. I only have a couple minutes until I have to start in at the day job. I'm looking forward to posting the finale of "Ed" for the breakfast serial tomorrow, and I have a pretty cool idea for the next one brewing in the back of my mind.

Gotta go.

Cie

Saturday Morning Breakfast Serial

Okay, we've been short-handed at the day job, and busy besides, so I've been a bit pooped. I also have produced some short stuff, and a blog that will be going up on Tor.com (Oh, and you REALLY should stop by there. I have a short story "Olga" up there, and Cathy's got one up as well. And, as I said, I've got a blog coming there in the next couple of days.) In fact, I've had so many different things going, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it. BUT, busy is good. I'm not complaining. I have a job. (In this economy that's saying something!) I have my writing. (Which sometimes frustrates me, because I want so much to be better at it, but I really love it.) I have loving family, friends, and pets. So, life is good.

Oh, and before I forget, I am excited to announce that I am now represented by Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. :) Merrilee Heifetz, my previous agent, is a wonderful person and a tremendously skilled agent, but we had a different vision for my individual future (aside from the joint projects with Cathy). So with no animus, or onus on either party, a change has been made.


NOW ON TO THE SERIAL:

********************************

You expect that if bad things are going to happen, they'll happen at night. The burglar, or rapist will sneak in through the bedroom window in the wee hours between bedtime and sunrise. It isn't always so. Sometimes the bad things happen in broad daylight.

I don't know how Ryan found out the girls were doing well. Maybe he heard it from one of the patrons from the bar, or around the neighborhood. Maybe he noticed the curtains and decided to investigate. I suppose it doesn't matter. But disaster struck on Saturday afternoon. The girls came back from the store, arms laden with groceries. Carrie hooked a foot around the edge of the door to kick it closed and followed Jen into the kitchen. She would've locked it after she set down the bags in her arms. She always did.

She never got the chance.

They were chattering and laughing in the kitchen as, very quietly, Ryan opened the door and stepped into the living room. He pulled it quietly closed behind him, flipping the lock.

"Well, well, well. Would you look at this. You two sure seem to be doing well."

"Get out." Carrie's voice was cold. In less than a second, her cheerful expression had hardened like stone. Slowly, carefully, Jen moved her body so that she faced Ryan. Hand behind her back, she very quietly reached into the silverware drawer and pulled out a steak knife.

"Now is that any way to talk to the love of your life?" He scolded. He sounded almost obscenely cheerful.

"Get out." She repeated. She was furious, but I could hear a tiny thread of fear in her voice. Apparently Ryan could too. He smiled.

"Oh, I don't think so. Not without what I came for."

"What do you want?" Jen asked. She held the knife in a white-knuckled grip behind her back, blade ready for an upward thrust. Clever girl. It's too easy to block a downward strike.

"You always did get right to the point." The fake cheer faded from his face. "What do you think I want?"

"Money." Jen answered. "That's what you always want isn't it?"

"Got that right. And you two seem to have more than enough to spare."

"I've got twenty bucks." Carrie said. She was still angry, but there was a sense of tired hope in her voice. An almost audible thought that, if she gave him her cash, maybe he'd just go. "I spent the rest at the store."

"Jen?"

"Ten."

He shook his head in mock sorrow. "Ladies, ladies, I just know you can do better than that. LOOK at this place." He smiled dangerously. "Jen, why don't we just check in that bedroom you used to keep locked up so tight. I just bet there's something worth pawning in there."

He turned toward the bedroom door, and the light jacket he wore unzipped moved slightly, showing the gun tucked into the waistband of his jeans.

Carrie gasped, her eyes widening in fear.

Thoughtful

I have been remarkably lucky. While my grandparents died when I was fairly young (one before I was born), and I've had a couple of friends and acqaintances (and much loved pets) die, my life has mostly gone on pretty smoothly from that point of view.

I have friends who are a couple who had two children. They are a loving couple, great, doting parents, who are adventurous, really involved . . . great. And a little over a year ago they lost one of their daughters. It was sudden, unexpected, and horrifying. And there is absolutely nothing I can do to ease their pain.

I really wish there was.

Time

I am currently working on the first book in a new world I've created, the Guardians of Time series. So I've been thinking about time.

First, we take it absolutely for granted. It's like the air we breathe, the ground we walk on, gravity. Unless something goes wrong ("Oh CRAP, I'm LATE") we pay it no attention, or even wish it away. ("I can't wait for the weekend." "WHEN will this meeting END?") Very seldom do we actualy live in the moment, appreciating it for what it is: a truly fleeting thing. The next moment is never promised for us. We could end. But time will keep flowing on.

People can live in the future. "Someday baby, we'll have enough money to take that vacation you've always dreamed of." Or they can live in the past, "When I was a kid . . .."

But mostly we just exist in it without ever paying attention to it at all. Then suddenly we look up and a huge chunk of it has passed and we kind of blink and go "WHOA how did THAT happen?"

And while I am sorry about it, you CAN'T appreciate every moment. I mean, get real, who's going to appreciate getting reamed by their boss, or broken up with, or (oooo baby) having the flu? To paraphrase from The Incredibles, if every moment is special, none of them are.

So here's to time. For the next hour or so of it I am going to try to stay off of the internet (which eats big whomping chunks) and try to write something.

Best wishes.

Cie

Saturday Morning Breakfast Serial

Good morning, I've got a ton to do. But I've promised myself I'll be better about stuff like posting the serial. So, here I go.

****************************

Ryan left that night. Things were tense the first few days, wondering when he'd come back. But when days stretched into weeks, the tension eased and things slowly began to improve.

Carrie got a job waiting tables at the local bar. It wasn't a lot of money. But it was steady, and it was enough. The sheets that had been hung over the windows with tacks were replaced with curtains---cheap, but cheerful and pretty. Ramen noodles gave way to Hamburger Helper and vegetables.

After some discussion the girls decided to chip in and get basic cable with internet. Now it was my turn to shine. I made sure both girls got plenty of coupons in their e-mail boxes, but screened the spam and scams. When Jen began writing seriously I surreptitiously collected writing contests for her inbox, screening out the ones that weren't reputable, and flat out failing to post the ads and solicitations by folks listed on sites like Writing Predators, and Predators and Editors. Her word processing program had a red button marked "ED" at the top that I'd installed. She thought it was a standard editing feature for the software installed on the machine. It wasn't. But I wasn't going to tell her different. She'd hit ED and I'd make editorial comments and suggestions. Both girls began calling me "Ed." It pleased me to no end. I'd never had a name before.

She worked hard and her writing, and her life, began to steadily improve. So it was no surprise to me when after about six months she placed in a short story contest and won a little money. The girls celebrated with steak and a bottle of wine, toasting each other, me, the future. It was a spectacular night, the best of my life.

I should've known it was too good to last.

Thank you Charlotte

THANK YOU CHARLOTTE!

Got my fact checking back. I hadn't done too horribly considering I was using internet sources, which tend to be limited and not always reliable. (Yes, there are good ones. But there are also bad ones, and it's hard to tell which are which sometimes.) I got to include some specific details I hadn't known, which helped me to beef up the word count. It's still a little short, but I sent it off to the editor. We'll see what she says.

I have to get moving. I'm the only staff member in the office this week, and it's a ZOO.

Later kids.

Short Story

Worked on a short story this weekend. I need to get back to the new book, but the story has been nibbling at the back of my mind, and I do have a publisher interested in it for an anthology. I just need to beef it up a bit to get the word count up. I also need to make sure that I have someone check some facts for me. I did some online research, but you have to be careful, because sometimes the online stuff isn't as accurate as it could be. Since I'm dealing with people's religious practices and culture as well as magic, I need to make sure I don't do something heinous.

As soon as my friend gets back on my fact checking, I'll finish editing it and send it off.

It's a romance. In fact, it's one of the most romancy things I've ever written.

We'll just have to see whether or not I've pulled it off properly.

Cie

Saturday Morning Breakfast Serial

Good Morning. I've got to get working on the paying projects in a couple of minutes, so I'll just get right down to it, after I say that life is pretty good right now, so don't worry.

***************************

BAM, BAM, BAM.

The pounding not only shook the doorframe, it shook the wall. I could feel my cord shudder in its plug.

"Open the f***ing door!" A male voice, slurred with drink and drugs. I was guessing it belonged to Ryan. Such a charmer, waking the entire building at 2:30 in morning.

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen." Jen muttered.

"You're gonna give me the f***ing rent money, and you're doin' it now."

I watched as she sat up in bed, glanced at the clock and winced. Someone on the floor below was pounding on the ceiling with a broomstick in a non-verbal complaint about the racket Ryan was making. The sound was unmistakeable.

"I gave it to the landlord yesterday." The word asshole was implied, but not stated.

"You what?" He was stunned, and outraged.

"I ran into him in the hall." She took a deep breath. "He demanded the money and he told me that if we didn't catch up on last month in the next week he was throwing us out."

There was a pregnant pause. I could hear Carrie in the background. "Last month? Ryan, last month was when I . . . you had me . . . I mean, that's the only reason I . . ." She sounded like she was starting to cry and I had a feeling I didn't want to know what Ryan had had her do to earn their part of the rent.

Ryan's voice was gruff. "He's a lying bastard. I gave him that money."

Even I could tell he was lying, and it's not like I came with polygraph software.

"Look," Jen said with more calm and patience than I would've been able to muster, "I paid him for this month. I don't have any more money. I have to go to work in the morning and I need some sleep. Good night." She flopped down onto her mattress, pulling the blankets up over her head. It took a while for her to fall asleep though. No surprise. Hard to relax when you can clearly hear the sound of your roommate's heartbroken sobs through the closed door.