Friday, September 30, 2005

SEEKING OPINIONS

Hi guys!

OK, I have a problem with a bunch of books I've read, some by very famous and beloved (by me) authors.

They have a kick butt heroine. She is tough as nails, a perfect match for their Alpha male. Then, by the end of the book HE invariably rescues her, HE does all of the killing and SHE totally wimps out.

I hate it.

A LOT!

I think that if you really are kick ass you're not going to let super hunk do the dirty work for you.

But I've got it on good authority that romance readers aren't willing to accept a heroine who's that "bloodthirsty" no matter how much the bad guy has done and no matter how justified (or psychologically necessary) it is.

I think that wimping out your heroine and having her be the one rescued plays into the old "Prince Charming riding to the rescue" fantasies we've been raised on, and provides a great deal of satisfaction because of that, but I really think it does a huge disservice to the heroine and to the realism of the story.

I've been told I'm SOOOOO wrong about this from the romance angle and that I'm emasculating my males. I really strongly disagree. (BOY is that an understatement). I figure if they're big boys, they can handle it.

I guess I'm looking for a vigorous discussion. Maybe if I hear lots of discourse from the other side I'll even change my mind.

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I have posted the above in 3 different places for discussion. I have a feeling I'm going to get beat up on. But I feel really, REALLY strongly about it, so I'm willing to take the chance.

ANYWAY, everybody who views this, please comment and let me know where you stand.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Growing up.

It's funny to me. Kids can't wait to grow up. Most adults wish they could go back. We never seem to be content with what we have. I'm sure there's wisdom in there somewhere. Maybe someday soon I'll be smart enough to find it.

I'm in an odd mood today. Some good/some bad, all odd.

The short story for the anthology is done. I decided to add two sentences to the ending, so I have to go home at noon to do that. But then it's done and get's e-mailed out this afternoon. WHOOO HOO!!! I am now moving on to the next book. I am hoping to get the draft finished while Cathy works on the (sadly extensive) edits of Catherine. Bad news EXTENSIVE edits -- primarily because of the fact that I saw the blasted thing too many times. Good news, I have time to finish another draft.

I need to relax really, and sit down and decide where it is I want my life to go and how I intend to get there. The writing is part of it -- but it's not ALL of it. Writing is my joy and career. It shouldn't be my life. There should be more.

I tend not to take care of myself for one thing. I work full time and write, both of which *have* to be done. Then I schedule myself to the point of insanity doing things that actually do *need* to be done, and try to do things for others that *should* get done. At which point what I *want* tends to fall right off the bottom of the list. I keep hoping I'll get to it when I "catch up."

The sad part is, you never do catch up. There's always something that jumps in to fill the void. You just have to DO IT. I kind of equate it to laundry. You generally (well, *I* generally) aren't naked when you're doing laundry -- so there is always more and you are NEVER truly finished.

So my goal for the next week is to do SOMETHING every day that is JUST FOR ME.

Monday, September 26, 2005

WE INTERRUPT OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BROADCAST

To sing the Hallelujah Chorus.

The draft is DONE. Finished. Finito. The END.

THANK GOD!

(And no, I'm not being sacriligious. I am well and truly thanking my creator that the blasted thing is FINISHED.)

You see the trick is, THIS was originally the story that started the series. I have written it, completely, a minimum of five times. (I've lost count, but I have five different versions on disk and on this computer. There may, however, be more). Every time it was JUST ABOUT ready something happened. Then the world changed, and our writing improved, until the first drafts looked really pathetic.

BUT IT IS NOW DRAFTED, TO CATHY, AND FROM THERE IT WILL GO TO ANNA.

I would do the happy dance, but I'm too damned exhausted.

I hope to take 2 or 3 days to rest and catch up on all of the STUFF that accumulated while I was in the mad rush of writing. Then on to a short story and to finish the first draft of another book.

Wish me luck.

Friday, September 23, 2005

It's FRIDAY!!!!

WHOO HOO!!!

I am SOOOO glad to get to the end of the week.

The folks in the path of the hurricane are in my thoughts and prayers. We're far enough inland to be well out of danger unless it spawns a wayward tornado. This Sunday (after the draft of the book is DONE -- whoo hoo!) I am going through my closets and garage and getting everything organized for donation. Because there are bound to be people in need. I'm at least grateful that the intensity has dropped a bit. As bad as a category 4 was, I don't even want to think what the category 5 could do!

Catherine is in the end game. It may be good. It may be terrible. But it is, very nearly, DONE. Caught a plot thread that needed wrapping up last night, so that's what I did.

Pre-sales on Touch of Evil are doing well. (WHOO HOO - let's do the happy dance again).

Well, I'd better run. Real life awaits. But everybody be safe and have a good weekend. (Jim, say hi to your Dad for me and keep me advised!)

Cie

Thursday, September 22, 2005

HI GUYS!!!! (WAVES)

Hi guys! Life is going pretty good. I worry about the folks in the path of hurricane Rita, but all we can do is wait. I particularly feel sorry for those people who were relocated TO Houston who are now running from the weather again! They must feel like they really pissed somebody off!

The book is coming along well. Last night was a transition scene and one of the "dropping of the gauntlet" moments. I'd hoped to get a little more done, but transition scenes are always the hardest for me. It shows too, which is why my drafts are so choppy. Thank God for a writing partner who knows how to edit!

Tonight is the last big scene before the climax AND, if things go well, the re-write OF the climax. We'll see. A part of me is SOOOOO nervous. What if it's crap. Unretrievable, unrelieved dreck? I'm like this every time, and I've done it enough now to KNOW that, but it doesn't make it feel any less real.

Well the world (and breakfast) awaits. Take care of yourselves out there.

Cie

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

GOOD NEWS

Good news day today.

First -- excellent German review of Moon's Web and an excellent review of the upcoming Touch of Evil online. Whoo hoo!

Second -- PROGRESS IS BEING MADE. Major scene number one is now written, along with 3/4 of the transition to major scene number two. That is on the plate for tonight. Then there is just the transition and updating and polishing the FINAL CONFRONTATION. (The last version that I am working from, I was so fried at the end that I rushed everything. You do NOT try to build tension for this big climax through the whole book and then only give it a page or two. SO not). ANYWAY, WHOOO HOOO. I'm seriously looking at having this delivered to Cathy for the editing process on SATURDAY AFTERNOON!!!!

(Watch Cie doing the happy dance).

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Hi Guys

OK today is a better day. I'm feeling a little better about myself, and things are going very well. I'm in the home stretch writing wise. In fact, I'm going to Wally-world this afternoon to buy colored paper to run out the draft of the book for editing. I'm about 24-48 hours ahead of actually having the draft finished, but I want the paper as encouragement.

Two new scenes and beefing up the ending. It's all planned. I'm really excited and getting my momentum going.

THEN I print it out and go through the frustrating process of looking for (a) repetitive situations. (Which usually happens when you get interrupted and don't remember that three days ago you already said that. OOPS). (b) Repetitive words. (Every book has one. I don't know why. One book it was "slid", the next "eyebrows", but there's bound to be one, and I need to find that sucker.) and (c) GAPING PLOT HOLES. ("You can't have Bob do that." "Why not." Bob died three chapters ago.").

When I have everything I can find fixed (a day or two) I will send it on to Cathy, keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn't absolutely DETEST it. I'm incredibly excited, and nervous.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Sometimes I truly Hate Myself

I suppose everybody does. But I'm good at it. YEARS of practice. And the habit of doing stupid things and SAYING ***REALLY*** stupid things.

I have a temper. It doesn't serve me well.
I'm insecure. Which triggers the temper.

I snarled at somebody who didn't deserve it when I was tired and feeling insecure. Now they're rightfully pissed and avoiding the hell out of me. I've apologized -- but once something's out in the air it doesn't just "go away" no matter how much you may want it to. I feel like complete and total assh*** and wish there was a way to fix it. There just isn't. All I can do is continue to apologize and hope we can move on eventually. Oh, and not doing it again would be good. I REALLY hope I can manage THAT.

Friday, September 16, 2005

Greetings and Salutations

It's FRIDAY (watch Cie doing the happy dance -- badly). Seriously, I am SOOOOOOO glad this week is over. Excited too. Why? Because

(1) this morning there were (DRUM ROLL HERE) NO CRISES!!!! Not one. I had the opportunity to get ready for work without ANYTHING major going wrong. WHOOO HOOO!!!!

(2) We have a signing at Kady's Books in Houston tomorrow.

IT'S THE WEEKEND (and boy do I need one!)

Well, back to the salt mines. Have a great day folks!


Cie

Thursday, September 15, 2005

At the risk of looking like Lucy Ricardo

OK, this is just one of those things that I should probably keep to myself but won't.

There are some days when it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

The only purpose for these mornings is as writing fodder (and you can count on seeing the following incident in an upcoming short story).

I have plans for the next couple evenings, and we have a signing I want to look good for on Saturday. SO, I got up early this morning, canceled my exercise plans and set about coloring my hair. Simple enough, right?

WRONG!!!

I get started. Everything's fine. I go to the shower to rinse out the goop and...

The drain plugs. Completely. (INSERT SWEARING HERE).

I climb out, begin toweling off and...

The cat blasts into the bathroom at a full run and DIVES INTO THE TUB filled with (probably toxic) hair goop.

I DIVE to slam the door shut so that the (now traumatized) cat can't escape, GRAB the traumatized pussycat (folks, I don't recommend doing this naked -- REALLY), and carry him clawing and screaming over to the sink where I commence to rinse the toxic goop off of his wildly squirming body. (Trust me, he LOVED that).

Let the cat out of the bathroom. Pull on some clothes and leave, making ABSOLUTELY SURE that the bathroom door is shut and latched so that I can safely go to the store for drain stuff.

They're out.

OK. Finally get drain goop, go back home.

THE FRIGGING DOOR IS OPEN.

Shrieks ensue. My son rousts from a sound sleep to help me gather and check pussycats. BELLY crawls under beds to check all three cats -- are they fine? Are they wet? SH**!!! (they are all three completely dry Thank GOD)

Go back to the bedroom and tend to the drain.

AND ALL THIS BEFORE I CAN GET READY FOR WORK!!!

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

If anyone wants autographed copies...

They are available from Damon at Waldenbooks in San Angelo (We're also doing a signing outside of Houston this weekend -- see our events spot on our website). BUT, if none of that works for you. Please read the following. We're participating along with several other authors. (Note, they're romances and chick-lit primarily because it's a romance site. We're probably the most "action" oriented of the group).

*Permission granted to forward*

As many of you know, RWA® Online has teamed with Author, Author! online booksellers to offer our authors' and our workshop presenters'books in a virtual signing (hence "cybersigning") during the month they are released. These books are available to everyone (yes, that's EVERYONE).

Featured titles this month:

Anna Adams: Another Woman's Son
Claire Cross: Third Time Lucky
Carly Phillips: Hot Number, Summer Lovin', Brazen
CT Adams and Cathy Clamp: Moon's Web, Hunter's Moon
Lucy Monroe: Blackmailed into Marriage, Ready
Lori Avocato: The Stiff and the Dead
JoAnn Ross: Blaze

Previously featured and still available

A Dose of Murder - Lori Avocato
Loving Mercy - Teresa Bodwell
Sex on Holiday - Sylvia Day
Love Is All Around - Lori Devoti
Here Comes The Bride - Laura Drewry
Uncontrollable - Susan Kearney
Death Is Forever - Elizabeth Lowell
Shall We Dance - Kasey Michaels
Beach Blanket Bad Boys -- Signed by Lucy Monroe
The Real Deal - Lucy Monroe
Finders Keepers - Linnea Sinclair
The Backup Plan - Sheryl Woods
Three Down the Aisle - Sheryl Woods

We hope you'll take advantage of our cybersigning project to increase your personal library and to support the featured authors. Each book is personalized to the buyer so, get your signed copy today!

To place your order or for more information:

http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/cybersigning.htm

http://www.author-author.net/

Monday, September 12, 2005

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS

Hi guys!

BOY does time fly when you're having deadlines! WOW. I hadn't realized how long it's been since I wrote. I'm surprised if anybody is still stopping by!

Things are good for the most part -- there are always going to be frustrations, but that's life.

I have been very disappointed in the federal government's handling of the disaster. If I get started on THAT I'll just get cranky and up on my soap box. So, I won't. I just ask that everybody do what they can.

I'm hopeful about the future. Dreams do come true, but you have to work at them. The present can be difficult, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and it does NOT appear to be a train!

I'm working hard on the Cat manuscript. Tonight is the big love scene. I spent the weekend trying to find "down" time where the hero and heroine aren't too blasted BUSY and exhausted to do anything. It's very tricky for me. I'm much more into "action" than "romance" in the writing. But I don't want to skimp on it either, or have it be unbelievable. On the other hand, I'm not going for porn either. Balance is everything.

Well, gotta run.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Hi Guys

Sorry about the rampant politicism of the previouis blog(s). I am moving forward with my efforts to donate and do the right thing for all the hurricane victims (New Orleans wasn't the only decimated spot), and I'm praying hard to know WHAT to do.

It is hard, and sad, and very, very scary.

I'm taking today to do household stuff, finish a project or two and write.

Tomorrow, I am doing NOTHING and I am doing it VIGOROUSLY. I'm so blasted exhausted I can't even THINK, so I need to REST. Editing will come in the next couple of days, and definitely writing. But while it's work, writing and it's subsets are also my JOY. It makes the rest of the work/work bearable knowing that there will come a day when I don't have to put up with anything I don't think I should. But that day is not today, so I not only pretend to conform, but pretend to be "happy" about it -- though it kills a little part of me to do so.

(GEE, aren't I just a little ray of sunshine today! SORRY!)

I'll write again when I'm more rested and in a better mood. Take care of yourselves and each other.


Cie

Friday, September 02, 2005

A SERIOUS POST

OK. I can't get past it. So I'm going to vent a little. This is totally mine (Cie's). It is NOT Cathy's, or anybody else's opinion and nobody else should be held accountable for it.

There are heroes everywhere. I am so proud of each and every person who has volunteered a boat to go looking for survivors, to the crews struggling to save patients at hospitals or shelters, the drivers ferrying terrified residents out of the chaos, the rescue crews and their dogs, searching for survivors.

BUT

1) WHY THE HELL wasn't there a better evacuation plan in place for emergencies?
2) WHY IN THE *HELL* are some of these people shooting at the people trying to save them so that it's difficult if not impossible for the rescuers to DO THEIR WORK?
3) HOW IN THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN!!!!
4) TRYING to LOOT *****HOSPITALS***** (insert swearing). That is SOOOO low I can't even express it.

I can understand being frightened. I can understand keeping a gun with you for self-defense as you make your way to the evacuation points. I can't SEE gangs and violence and looting just for the sake of chaos.

I hope that our government learns from this.

I hope that things like the bases they were closing can be converted into long-term housing -- because, like it or not, this is going to be a long term problem. Some of the pollution issues could even be permanent.

It breaks my heart, truly, that the poorest, most ill and helpless are the ones suffering the most from this. I hope we can all pull together doing what we can, to help others in the spirit that "there but for the Grace of God, go I." I hope it. I pray for it. And I do see some of it. Truly. But seeing the other... it both makes me angry and fills me with despair.

Where is the unity our country showed after 9-11?

Hell, where is the ORGANIZATION we're supposed to have in place thanks to 9-11 and the huge allocation of resources to "security?"

I am not a political creature. I don't understand how we could NOT have been more ready for a disaster.

I hope and pray that every single person will do what they can. I truly do.

Welcome to the Weekend

THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS POST. IT IS A HAPPY POST. In fact, it is happy enough that I almost feel guilty. I know others are suffering, and I do intend to pray and do things to help, but my life is marching on. So, please excuse me if it is in poor taste to seem happy right now, but I really can't stand to stay negative too long.

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Welcome to the beginning of the holiday weekend. Hope everybody is having a good time. Yo, if you don't have a holiday, please raise a glass anyway, just 'cause. :)

I FOUND EM!!!!

What, you ask? The cards and note pads that I promised to send with the old cover for Moon's Web. I was SUPPOSED to send them to two of our FIRST fans and then LOST the blasted things. (Can you tell I needed to clean my office? NAH, say it 'aint so.) SO, we'll try again.

Captive Moon is FINISHED and to the editor. (Let us all now pause to do the happy dance)

Howling Moon (sorry, hate that title, but may be stuck with it.) Personally I prefer "Moonlight Special" as suggested by my son. But alas, that may have to wait for another book. But there WILL be other books, so I continue doing the happy dance.

The kidney infection is getting better SLOWLY. Of course the fact that I've been completely exhausted and pushing myself instead of resting in bed like I'm supposed to doesn't have ANYTHING to do with the extended healing time. Nah, 'course not! (Yeah, right). Ah well. Life does not stop. At least mine doesn't. I'm doing the best I can. Sometimes it's better than others.

Work/work is currently a severe pain in the patootie. (DELETED SECTION BECAUSE... WELL, YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT).

Anyway, speaking of work. Back to it.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Hi Guys

First, my condolences to all who have lost friends and family in this disaster. Please, everyone, do everything you can to help the victims.

On a more personal note --

I'm POOPED. Cathy and I have been really pushing ourselves. My health isn't happy. The Antoine book is, however DONE. It will be sent off to the editor TODAY!! WHOO HOO!!! Cat isn't far behind.

I'm hoping to take this weekend to just REST and recover. We'll see.

In the meantime, everybody be good to themselves.