Monday, October 31, 2005
Staying Alive.
The widdle fishy liveth.
Don't ask me how. But he's still swimming around, perkier than he has been in a while. I think, if he survives, I'll call him cockroach.
And in other news. I began a new story today... well not that new. I've got about 5 pages of scenes plotted out, and I've been stewing over this particular story for about 2 years. It's a sci-fi fantasy, so, quite the departure from contemporary romance. We'll see how it goes.
Best of luck to everyone involved in nanunanu month (or whatever the hell it's called)... the writing thing. I haven't signed up, just because i was too lazy to find out what it was all about/sign up for it. But I wish everyone who did, well.
Ciao.
X
Don't ask me how. But he's still swimming around, perkier than he has been in a while. I think, if he survives, I'll call him cockroach.
And in other news. I began a new story today... well not that new. I've got about 5 pages of scenes plotted out, and I've been stewing over this particular story for about 2 years. It's a sci-fi fantasy, so, quite the departure from contemporary romance. We'll see how it goes.
Best of luck to everyone involved in nanunanu month (or whatever the hell it's called)... the writing thing. I haven't signed up, just because i was too lazy to find out what it was all about/sign up for it. But I wish everyone who did, well.
Ciao.
X
Sunday, October 30, 2005
One Fish, Two Fish.
I've got screwed fish.
I don't think my sick fish is long for this world. The one with the ever expanding eye? I found him wedged under the log. He'd managed to scrape off a lot of the scales along his gills, and now he's taken to floating upside down. If you tap the glass he'll move but there's no real enthusiasm there.
Which brings me to my moral dilemma... should the fish have a name before he's flushed? And if so, what name. Can't make it too great, cause, hey, he's about to get deep sixed.
Any suggestions?
X
I don't think my sick fish is long for this world. The one with the ever expanding eye? I found him wedged under the log. He'd managed to scrape off a lot of the scales along his gills, and now he's taken to floating upside down. If you tap the glass he'll move but there's no real enthusiasm there.
Which brings me to my moral dilemma... should the fish have a name before he's flushed? And if so, what name. Can't make it too great, cause, hey, he's about to get deep sixed.
Any suggestions?
X
All Of Me-me
Julie, has tagged me with a Meme, the bitch.
Three screen names that you've had: zaccad, thischristinex, xchristinez
Three things you like about yourself: Crap, only three?... I'm direct. A great sense of humour. I love to learn.
Three things you don't like about yourself: Self absorbed. Too direct sometimes. Lazy.
Three parts of your heritage: The French part is arrogant, the German part is aggressive, and the English part balances the other two with good manners.
Three things that scare you: Bugs. Skittering critters (you know, the ones that are too small and fast to whack with a 2x4). Drowning.
Three of your everyday essentials: Cigarettes, coke(the cola, people! sheesh), coffee
Three things you are wearing right now: Jammies, watch, bracelets
Three of your favorite songs: The Way You Look Tonight, Insenstitive, Pretty Enough.
Three things you want in a relationship: Respect, Humour, Intellegence.
Two truths and a lie: I've appeared on TV. Starred in a major Musical. Sung live on the Radio.
Three things you can't live without: Books. Computer. Internet.
Three places you want to go on vacation: Europe. Africa. Maldives
Three things you just can't do: Cartwheel, Whistle (with any talent), quit smoking.
Three kids names: Huh? er, Larry, Moe and Curly (I'm sure they were kids once.)
Three things you want to do before you die: See the Pyramids. Go to Europe. Own an island.
Three celeb crushes: Julian McMahon, Oh crap, I don't know.
Three of your favorite musicians: David Bowie. God, I'm bored... Queen, Zepplin.
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: Eyes, hands, face.
Three of your favorite hobbies: Puzzles, watching movies, cooking
Three things you really want to do badly right now: Eat. Watch a good movie. Eat.
Three careers you're considering/you've considered: TV Producer, Researcher, Mistress
Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: Just one. Celebrating dates is not important to me.
Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: Shoes. Sparklies. Expensive shit.
Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Let's see, who has incurred my wrath recently... I'll get back to you on that.
Three screen names that you've had: zaccad, thischristinex, xchristinez
Three things you like about yourself: Crap, only three?... I'm direct. A great sense of humour. I love to learn.
Three things you don't like about yourself: Self absorbed. Too direct sometimes. Lazy.
Three parts of your heritage: The French part is arrogant, the German part is aggressive, and the English part balances the other two with good manners.
Three things that scare you: Bugs. Skittering critters (you know, the ones that are too small and fast to whack with a 2x4). Drowning.
Three of your everyday essentials: Cigarettes, coke(the cola, people! sheesh), coffee
Three things you are wearing right now: Jammies, watch, bracelets
Three of your favorite songs: The Way You Look Tonight, Insenstitive, Pretty Enough.
Three things you want in a relationship: Respect, Humour, Intellegence.
Two truths and a lie: I've appeared on TV. Starred in a major Musical. Sung live on the Radio.
Three things you can't live without: Books. Computer. Internet.
Three places you want to go on vacation: Europe. Africa. Maldives
Three things you just can't do: Cartwheel, Whistle (with any talent), quit smoking.
Three kids names: Huh? er, Larry, Moe and Curly (I'm sure they were kids once.)
Three things you want to do before you die: See the Pyramids. Go to Europe. Own an island.
Three celeb crushes: Julian McMahon, Oh crap, I don't know.
Three of your favorite musicians: David Bowie. God, I'm bored... Queen, Zepplin.
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: Eyes, hands, face.
Three of your favorite hobbies: Puzzles, watching movies, cooking
Three things you really want to do badly right now: Eat. Watch a good movie. Eat.
Three careers you're considering/you've considered: TV Producer, Researcher, Mistress
Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: Just one. Celebrating dates is not important to me.
Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: Shoes. Sparklies. Expensive shit.
Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Let's see, who has incurred my wrath recently... I'll get back to you on that.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Ding. Fries Are Done.
The season is coming. And to set you down the right path, (and because of the raging success of my numanuma dance link.) I present to you, Skipper, with this amazingly festive carol.
Play it. Go on. Then play it again, and again... it only gets better.
X
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Numanuma
Sweet Mother of God!
How could ten days have passed since I last blogged.
So let's recap. Dearest Husband of mine was gone for most of that. He got back Tuesday, so I only have an excuse for yesterday--mini honeymoon doncha know.
The house/barn has been occupying a lot (okay, all.) of my energies. Specifically the Spawn's room. We moved him into his new room-cum-den. Well we moved the bed in, and emptied the walk-in-closet of all the building materials. (which are now sitting in the spacious foyer/mud room). We've sanded and painted the built in shelving area. Hung curtains, and moved the rest of the furniture in. Upstairs, I've hung more paintings, put out non painting type artwork, assembled the bed in the guest bedroom, and pretty much got that ready for occupation. I've cooked mountains of soup, and spaghetti sauce for the winter (actually had to go buy some plastic containers to store it all in).
I discovered I can bake cookies.
I've been nursing some sick fish (pop eye) with little success, but they haven't gotten worse so that is somewhat encouraging. A friend gave us these fish/tank/everything, about a month and a half ago. The big black ones (fancy goldfish), immediately developed this alarming bulge around the eyes, (one looks like it's gonna blow at any second). DH sent fish medicine from Whitehorse, but like I said. no perceptible improvement as yet.
Two plants died... sigh.
Let's see, cooking, house, I've done some critting... oh yeah, community choir. Gack! Can you believe it's that time already. This year I'm going to palm the Christmas concert off on someone else. See if I can just do the singing part... all the fun, none of the responsibility.
And I rambled about my love of language over at Belfry today.
k I promise to be here more often.
X
Monday, October 17, 2005
If I Only...
Had a few more thoughts in my head I could blog here... sadly I used the one brain cell set aside for these matters on the Belfry blog today, so I highly recommend you go there.
X
Friday, October 14, 2005
Bad Girls
I guess that's me.
There's a discussion going on over at Smart Bitches, regarding royalties for e-books and major print houses. I have to take some credit (er, shit stirring responsibility) for this as it was 'I' who contacted Candy about this issue. I had no idea it was so taboo to speak of money or contract matters.
The few authors that have commented on the subject (those with traditional print publishers at least) are very reluctant to discuss anything to do with contracts. My impression is that they don't want to appear militant, or be labeled as 'difficult to work with'. Nice Girls.
This is where my enormous naivety of the publishing world kicks in. Frankly I find the whole 'don't ask don't tell' attitude annoying and immature. Prior to devoting my time to writing I worked in business for 20 years. Contracts, distribution agreements, joint partnerships were a way of life, and equitable to both parties (otherwise there's no incentive to sign on the dotted line). I was never treated like a slightly backward airhead given a pat on the head and a 'there there dear, trust us, this is as good as it gets' spin. Which is why the secrecy/mystique surrounding publishing contracts ticks me off... empowered with the complicity of the authors themselves. It's like some underworld masonic cheer leaders cult, and they will sanction 'hits' on you.
Why is asking questions bad? I'm not attacking anyone. If the way this company is doing business is fair and equitable, fine and dandy.. tell me that. Tell me, tell me! But don't answer me with 'we don't talk about it because we don't want to be seen as trouble makers'.. All that does is make me wonder, trouble for whom? if everything is above board--fair and equitable, why would there be trouble?
Perhaps I'm coming at this from a slightly different angle than most. Publishing is not my God. If I'm never published the world will still turn, and I'll continue to write my stories. Writing is my passion, publication is just a nice bonus.
I'll keep asking my questions. I'll find out everything I can. And I will walk away from a deal that sucks eggs.
There, I've outed myself. I'm an opinionated Bad Girl.
Enjoy,
X
There's a discussion going on over at Smart Bitches, regarding royalties for e-books and major print houses. I have to take some credit (er, shit stirring responsibility) for this as it was 'I' who contacted Candy about this issue. I had no idea it was so taboo to speak of money or contract matters.
The few authors that have commented on the subject (those with traditional print publishers at least) are very reluctant to discuss anything to do with contracts. My impression is that they don't want to appear militant, or be labeled as 'difficult to work with'. Nice Girls.
This is where my enormous naivety of the publishing world kicks in. Frankly I find the whole 'don't ask don't tell' attitude annoying and immature. Prior to devoting my time to writing I worked in business for 20 years. Contracts, distribution agreements, joint partnerships were a way of life, and equitable to both parties (otherwise there's no incentive to sign on the dotted line). I was never treated like a slightly backward airhead given a pat on the head and a 'there there dear, trust us, this is as good as it gets' spin. Which is why the secrecy/mystique surrounding publishing contracts ticks me off... empowered with the complicity of the authors themselves. It's like some underworld masonic cheer leaders cult, and they will sanction 'hits' on you.
Why is asking questions bad? I'm not attacking anyone. If the way this company is doing business is fair and equitable, fine and dandy.. tell me that. Tell me, tell me! But don't answer me with 'we don't talk about it because we don't want to be seen as trouble makers'.. All that does is make me wonder, trouble for whom? if everything is above board--fair and equitable, why would there be trouble?
Perhaps I'm coming at this from a slightly different angle than most. Publishing is not my God. If I'm never published the world will still turn, and I'll continue to write my stories. Writing is my passion, publication is just a nice bonus.
I'll keep asking my questions. I'll find out everything I can. And I will walk away from a deal that sucks eggs.
There, I've outed myself. I'm an opinionated Bad Girl.
Enjoy,
X
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
It's Over
Belfry Author Day came and went.
It was frickin awesome. It was so hopping and happening, I was exhausted after my stint as moderator. But it couldn't have gone better (well apart from a few yahell snafus but they didn't last long). Readers, editors, authors, all seemed to have a grand time.
I've heard so many horror stories of Author chats where there's no traffic at all, or one author monopolises the room, but again, my gals being the awesome professionals they are, this didn't happen. Everyone got their moment in the sun, everyone got that fabulosa ego stroke from an appreciative fan or fans... I just want to gush--oh hang on, I am!
For a first foray (sorry about the alliteration) into promotion I'd say we did a bang up job.
X
Monday, October 10, 2005
AUTHOR DAY
Is almost here.
I'm getting so excited about this. A chance to show off my wonderful critique group. The Belfry Collective began with 12 members and one purpose.-to get Published. We formed in February of 2004. At that time we had 3 published authors in our ranks. Since then we've expanded our members to 17 and now can boast 12 published authors. So our plan for world bat domination is working.
Tomorrow is the BIG day. Our authors are going to strut their stuff (us unpubs get a crack too), The doors for the Author Day open at 6am tomorrow morning (EST) and you can find us here, I'm hosting the last two hours, so pop in and say hi, win some prizes and read some great stories.
Here's a sneak peek at some of what's in store for y'all. Hope to see you there.
X
World Clock Configuration
In order for us to coordinate the Aussie & American contingents:
6 am New York (EST) = 8 pm Canberra, Australia
6 am-7 am– Sweet Romance & Confessions, Highlighting Gerrie Shepard
7 am-8 am Women’s Fiction & Christmas Stories. Hosted by Gerrie Shepard
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Bobby Cole, Gerrie Shepard, and Merry Stahel
8 am-9 am Time Travel, Mystery, & Intrigue Hosted by Merry Stahel
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Merry Stahel, Donica Covey, and Liz Wolfe
9 am-10 am Erotic Romance Hosted by Lyn Cash
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Lyn Cash and Ann Wesley Hardin
10 am-11 am Romantic Suspense and Thriller Hosted by author, Liz Wolfe
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Liz Wolfe, and Bronwyn Parry
11 am–Noon Mainstream and Suspense. Hosted by author Merry Stahel
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Bobby Cole, Donica Covey and Shara Jones
12 pm-1 pm Suspense and Mainstream cont. Hosted by author Shara Jones
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Shara Jones, Sheila Holloway
1 pm-2 pm Hen lit and Chick lit Mysteries. Hosted by author Liz Wolfe
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Liz Wolfe and Bobby Cole
2 pm-3 pm Romance, Mystery, & Mayhem. Hosted by author Shara Jones
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Heather Rae Scott, Liz Wolfe and Lyn Cash
3 pm-4 pm Another hour of Erotic Romance. Hosted by author Lyn Cash
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Ann Wesley Hardin, Lyn Cash, and Alexis Fleming
4 pm-5 pm An hour with an Aussie flavor. Hosted by authors Alexis Fleming and Bronwyn Parry
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Alexis Fleming, and Bronwyn Parry.
5 pm-6 pm = Erotic and Sexy Romance. Hosted by Christine Zubko
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Dee Tenorio, Kris Starr, and Christine Zubko
6 pm-7 pm Contemporary Romance. Hosted by Christine Zubko
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Dee Tenorio, Donica Covey, and Christine Zubko
I'm getting so excited about this. A chance to show off my wonderful critique group. The Belfry Collective began with 12 members and one purpose.-to get Published. We formed in February of 2004. At that time we had 3 published authors in our ranks. Since then we've expanded our members to 17 and now can boast 12 published authors. So our plan for world bat domination is working.
Tomorrow is the BIG day. Our authors are going to strut their stuff (us unpubs get a crack too), The doors for the Author Day open at 6am tomorrow morning (EST) and you can find us here, I'm hosting the last two hours, so pop in and say hi, win some prizes and read some great stories.
Here's a sneak peek at some of what's in store for y'all. Hope to see you there.
X
In order for us to coordinate the Aussie & American contingents:
6 am New York (EST) = 8 pm Canberra, Australia
6 am-7 am– Sweet Romance & Confessions, Highlighting Gerrie Shepard
7 am-8 am Women’s Fiction & Christmas Stories. Hosted by Gerrie Shepard
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Bobby Cole, Gerrie Shepard, and Merry Stahel
8 am-9 am Time Travel, Mystery, & Intrigue Hosted by Merry Stahel
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Merry Stahel, Donica Covey, and Liz Wolfe
9 am-10 am Erotic Romance Hosted by Lyn Cash
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Lyn Cash and Ann Wesley Hardin
10 am-11 am Romantic Suspense and Thriller Hosted by author, Liz Wolfe
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Liz Wolfe, and Bronwyn Parry
11 am–Noon Mainstream and Suspense. Hosted by author Merry Stahel
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Bobby Cole, Donica Covey and Shara Jones
12 pm-1 pm Suspense and Mainstream cont. Hosted by author Shara Jones
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Shara Jones, Sheila Holloway
1 pm-2 pm Hen lit and Chick lit Mysteries. Hosted by author Liz Wolfe
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Liz Wolfe and Bobby Cole
2 pm-3 pm Romance, Mystery, & Mayhem. Hosted by author Shara Jones
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Heather Rae Scott, Liz Wolfe and Lyn Cash
3 pm-4 pm Another hour of Erotic Romance. Hosted by author Lyn Cash
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Ann Wesley Hardin, Lyn Cash, and Alexis Fleming
4 pm-5 pm An hour with an Aussie flavor. Hosted by authors Alexis Fleming and Bronwyn Parry
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Alexis Fleming, and Bronwyn Parry.
5 pm-6 pm = Erotic and Sexy Romance. Hosted by Christine Zubko
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Dee Tenorio, Kris Starr, and Christine Zubko
6 pm-7 pm Contemporary Romance. Hosted by Christine Zubko
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Dee Tenorio, Donica Covey, and Christine Zubko
Friday, October 07, 2005
How Deep Is Your Love?
Or in this case, words.
I've been tagged.
Doug Hoffman of SHATTER fame tagged me to do a 'meme' (hey someone want to tell me exactly where the word meme came from?), the rules are as follows:
1. Delve into your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas…
5. Tag five people to do the same.
My 23rd post was Just Another Brick in the Wall, the fifth line was, Major meltdown happening right now as i try to get my shit together to pitch my manuscripts.
Oddly enough the sentence is fairly self explanitory and expressive. There is no hidden meaning, subliminal or otherwise. There is however a typo which I've left in for posteriy's sake.
Now, onto the final part of the meme, spreading the PITA around.
Tagged are Dee, Lyn Cash, Bron, Rae, and AnnWH (Jenne and Nicki, I'm almost certain neither of you have 23 posts)
Have fun
X
I've been tagged.
Doug Hoffman of SHATTER fame tagged me to do a 'meme' (hey someone want to tell me exactly where the word meme came from?), the rules are as follows:
1. Delve into your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas…
5. Tag five people to do the same.
My 23rd post was Just Another Brick in the Wall, the fifth line was, Major meltdown happening right now as i try to get my shit together to pitch my manuscripts.
Oddly enough the sentence is fairly self explanitory and expressive. There is no hidden meaning, subliminal or otherwise. There is however a typo which I've left in for posteriy's sake.
Now, onto the final part of the meme, spreading the PITA around.
Tagged are Dee, Lyn Cash, Bron, Rae, and AnnWH (Jenne and Nicki, I'm almost certain neither of you have 23 posts)
Have fun
X
Monday, October 03, 2005
Daydream Believer
New and wonderful thingts that have happened.
Got me a Smart Bitch title. see it? over there on the left. Shiny int it.
The furniture for the Barn has begun to arrive. 11 bookcases. 11! can you see my priorities? LOL Spent the weekend putting togetther the ones for the... well we don't have a name for this room yet... basically it's a 12' wide hallway (used to be our old living room). If anyone thinks of a name for this new area feel free to share it with me.
Unreachable goals for the week.
1. Clean the house... will I ever reach this one?
2. Organise the CD collection
3. Unpack books and put in spiffy new bookcases
4. trudge all the pots from the deck into the garage
5. Winterise deck
6. Manage not to kill any fish or plants
7. Hang more pictures
Write around all the other myriad things to do. And I don't mean notes all over jotting down ideas, I mean hours of solid writing. Will I ever do that again??? stay tuned.
X
Got me a Smart Bitch title. see it? over there on the left. Shiny int it.
The furniture for the Barn has begun to arrive. 11 bookcases. 11! can you see my priorities? LOL Spent the weekend putting togetther the ones for the... well we don't have a name for this room yet... basically it's a 12' wide hallway (used to be our old living room). If anyone thinks of a name for this new area feel free to share it with me.
Unreachable goals for the week.
1. Clean the house... will I ever reach this one?
2. Organise the CD collection
3. Unpack books and put in spiffy new bookcases
4. trudge all the pots from the deck into the garage
5. Winterise deck
6. Manage not to kill any fish or plants
7. Hang more pictures
Write around all the other myriad things to do. And I don't mean notes all over jotting down ideas, I mean hours of solid writing. Will I ever do that again??? stay tuned.
X
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Because Your Kiss Is On My List
Maybe not this list,
The always entertaining, Shannon had this on her blog, it looked like fun so here goes.
7 things to do before I die:
1) See the pyramids
2) Visit the Rembrandt Museum
3) Ditto the Louvre
4) Learn to play tennis competently
5) Live somewhere I can have a garden
6) Own a 1 carat precious stone
7) Tour Europe
7 things I can do:
1) Sing
2) Write compelling plots
3) Always find the bright side
4) Make people laugh
5) Change the tire on my car
6) Virtually idiot savant capability with anagrams/ wheel of fortune puzzles
7) Cook gourmet meals on a camp out
7 things I can’t do:
1) Pump my own gas (shaddup)
2) Cartwheels
3) Whistle
4) Bake
5) Edit my own writing
6) Ice skate
7) Clean this damn house
7 things that attract me to a man:
1) Intelligence
2) A cheeky grin/eyes
3) Respect (for me)
4) Humour
5) Ambition
6) Handyman capabilities (one of us has to)
7) Money (oh come on, it doesn't hurt)
7 things I say most often:
1) Just stop.
2) Break time
3) And your point is?
4) I'm doing something. (can insert.. hello?)
5) Love you.
6) Get over it.
7) Meh.
7 celebrity crushes:
1) Julian McMahon
2) Clive Owen
3) Harrison Ford
4) Sean Connery
5) Alan Rickman
6) Donny Osmond
7) Doug Hoffman (I just had to LOL, and he fills so many requirements mentioned above)
The always entertaining, Shannon had this on her blog, it looked like fun so here goes.
7 things to do before I die:
1) See the pyramids
2) Visit the Rembrandt Museum
3) Ditto the Louvre
4) Learn to play tennis competently
5) Live somewhere I can have a garden
6) Own a 1 carat precious stone
7) Tour Europe
7 things I can do:
1) Sing
2) Write compelling plots
3) Always find the bright side
4) Make people laugh
5) Change the tire on my car
6) Virtually idiot savant capability with anagrams/ wheel of fortune puzzles
7) Cook gourmet meals on a camp out
7 things I can’t do:
1) Pump my own gas (shaddup)
2) Cartwheels
3) Whistle
4) Bake
5) Edit my own writing
6) Ice skate
7) Clean this damn house
7 things that attract me to a man:
1) Intelligence
2) A cheeky grin/eyes
3) Respect (for me)
4) Humour
5) Ambition
6) Handyman capabilities (one of us has to)
7) Money (oh come on, it doesn't hurt)
7 things I say most often:
1) Just stop.
2) Break time
3) And your point is?
4) I'm doing something. (can insert.. hello?)
5) Love you.
6) Get over it.
7) Meh.
7 celebrity crushes:
1) Julian McMahon
2) Clive Owen
3) Harrison Ford
4) Sean Connery
5) Alan Rickman
6) Donny Osmond
7) Doug Hoffman (I just had to LOL, and he fills so many requirements mentioned above)
