Monthly Archive for June, 2007

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Goals…really this time

Published on June 10, 2007 in Goals and Life. 6 Comments

I think is the first time this has happened to me, but I didn’t even come close to meeting my goals this week. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t get much accomplished. So I need to take a step back, take a deep breath and get ready for this coming week.

My parents were here this weekend (which rocked!) and we went to see Spiderman 3 in the IMAX. I liked the movie, especially the parts with Venom and Sandman (effects were amazing). I found there was a bit too much with the love story…yes I know how weird that sounds coming from a romance writer…but I didn’t think it was very romantic. Young angst is too…angsty. I’d give it a 7 out of 10.

Anyway, back to my goals. I was having major issues with my story I’m planning to send to the Brava contest. I figured out what was wrong (started it totally in the wrong spot) and can now sit down to get it done. So I’m going to keep my goals simple this week:

  • Write first two chapters of Brava story (really do it this time)

With both my girls now playing soccer my week is filling up. At least this way I’ll take my laptop to practice and maybe I’ll get some work done. And cheer!

Review – Gideon

Published on June 8, 2007 in Review. 12 Comments

When Gideon came out a little while ago I anxiously ran to the book store to pick it up. I was very much anticipating the sequel to Jacquelyn Frank‘s Jacob (which I loved), and couldn’t wait to dive into it.

Gideon is the oldest of the demons, an ancient healer who has buried his emotions over the years, refusing to feel the guilt he has over an ancient war. Because of his actions in that war, he’s inadvertently doomed his people. But even Gideon can’t fight against the powerful urges his people go through twice a year, when the need to find his mate is strong.

Nine years earlier he’d been drawn to Magdalena, sister of the demon king Noah and a powerful Mind demon. He fought against it, not wanting to taint her with his guilt and emotional burden. But the desire he felt for her all those years ago, can’t be denied any longer.

I loved Gideon! I love the character and the relationship he has with Lena. He’s a dark brooding character who keeps everything bottled up until Lena shows him how to let go and just feel. It’s well worth the read to see him come out of his shell and learn to accept who he is, as well as learn to trust others.

I did find there was a bit too much of the back story in the first few chapters. While this was information we had from Jacob, I know the intent was to help make this more of a stand alone novel. I don’t feel it was necessary as the book worked very well without it. Once you move past it and into the relationship between Gideon and Lena, things really pick up. We are also introduced to several characters who are going to appear in the next installment, Elijah . The action at the end of the book is fantastic, and I love how these two characters change, coming together after years of fighting.

If you are going to read Gideon, I strongly recommend you pick up Jacob first. Both books are fantastic and well worth the read.

jacob.jpggideon.jpg

Thursday Thirteen #30

Published on June 6, 2007 in Thursday Thirteen. 60 Comments
Thirteen Random Thoughts
1. I really can’t wait for 300 to come out on DVD. I saw it on an IMAX screen and was completely blown away. I want to see it again! Now please. :D

2. I’ve just bought Colleen Gleason’s Rises The Night. I’m not going to get to read it until tomorrow night or until I do everything I need to do. I know once I start it I won’t stop. ;)

3. I need a TV show to watch this summer. There are so many out there to get caught up on, but I haven’t had any desire to watch anything the last little while. House and Dead Zone are on the top of my list though.

4. I’ve noticed I’m hungrier now that I’m not drinking tea/coffee anymore. Usually I want to eat bad things. I think I need to go on a diet.

5. The weather has been murder on my head this week. I’m not as bad as some people I know, but the pressure has given me some killer headaches. The weather seems to have let up a bit tonight and the sun is out.

6. I need to mow the lawn. My husband is going to do some of it tomorrow, but I really should help. I like to mow the lawn but he has more time in the day than I do.

7. My parents are coming to visit this weekend! I’m really excited to see them even if it’s only for a few days. We might go see Spiderman 3 in the IMAX. Mom hasn’t gone to one yet and Dad really wants to take her. I just want popcorn…

8. We need to pay someone to come fill up our pool. With the weather starting to get nice, I want to get in and go swimming!

9. I read an article online today about what parents need to do to keep their kids safe around pools and prevent drowning. It scared the crap out of me. I felt the urge to bubble wrap my kids.

10. There is cat hair everywhere in my house. She’s shedding with all the nice warm weather. I need to do a major cleaning before my mom comes. She’s allergic and will be really filled up if I don’t.

11. I hate cleaning. But I love my mom.

12. 42 Days…

13. I love TT! I’m going to go bounce around sites now meeting new people. :D

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

43 Days…

Published on June 6, 2007 in Promotion, Reading and The Bond That Ties Us. 7 Comments

I don’t know why but last night I officially started my countdown to the release of The Bond That Ties Us. Maybe it’s the OCD coming out in my personality, heck maybe it’s just nerves, but I needed to know.

43 Days.

I’ve come to the realization that I haven’t done much in the way of marketing to get the word out that my book is coming soon. I need to correct that. I’ve talked about doing this before, but now with only 43 (eek) days left the urge to get off my butt and take action is growing.

So, I’m going to get some book covers made up, and maybe some magnets. And I’m planning on running a contest in July. Other than that, I’m not sure. People have sent me lots of resources on what/how to market, I just need to take a look at them.

Other than writing and starting to sweat (43 days…) I’ve been reading. I bought and devoured Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank. I’ll do a review on Friday, but I have to say I really enjoyed this book. Next on my plate is Rises The Night by Colleen Gleason. I can’t wait to get more Max…love Max. I’m sure I’ll read that one quickly too. After than I have the first four books in J.R. Ward’s Dark Lover series. Until the pile on my night stand drops, I’m not allowed to buy anymore books.

Must read faster…

Bebo

Published on June 5, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: .

Like I don’t have enough on my plate, I’ve decided to throw myself up on Bebo. If you’re not familiar with this, it’s like MySpace, but there seem to be more writers there. I’m still in the process of setting up, but please stop by and say hi!


Christine d’Abohttp://Christinedabo.bebo.com/

Zombies!

Published on June 5, 2007 in Uncategorized. 5 Comments Tags: .

I got this quiz off of Thomma Lyn‘s blog. Hehe! I guess I’m in trouble!

43%Mingle2 – Free Online Dating

I love books

Published on June 5, 2007 in Life and Writing. 5 Comments

I met with Renee last night so we could go over our final clean up edits. We are sending our edits to our editor tomorrow and I’m very excited! The story turned out really well. :) Anyway, we were meeting at our local Starbucks attached to Chapters (for those of you in the US it’s our version of Barnes & Nobel) and after we were done our work we began to browse.

I love books. I love the feel of books, the look of books, even the smell of books. I’ve been addicted to buying books since I was a kid. We spent time looking at some of the beautiful covers out there, talking about some of our favourite authors and introducing each other to new books. I’m going to be going back today to pick up Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason.

But my love for books isn’t limited to the print variety either! In the past few years I discovered e-books and was even more in love. I can collect as many as I want and I don’t have to take over another room in my house (I have wall to wall books in my bathroom I have so many). Considering my book will be coming out as an e-book first and hopefully in trade copy next year, I’m thrilled. Someday I want to be able to walk into a bookstore and pick one of my books off the shelf. Someday.

Not sure where I’m going with this post other than to say, I’m really happy I’m an author. :D

*Sob*

Published on June 4, 2007 in TV. 6 Comments

‘Battlestar Galactica’ To Blast Off Into the Archives

Cult TV show Battlestar Galactica will end early next year, the program’s makers have confirmed. The final fourth season of the sci-fi show will be broadcast on U.S. cable network Sci Fi Channel from November. Executive producers Ronald Moore and David Eick released a statement, saying, “This show was always meant to have a beginning, a middle and, finally, an end. Over the course of the last year, the story and the characters have been moving strongly toward that end, and we’ve decided to listen to those internal voices and conclude the show on our own terms. And while we know our fans will be saddened to know the end is coming, they should brace themselves for a wild ride getting there – we’re going out with a bang.”

Spinning

Published on June 4, 2007 in TV and Writing. 11 Comments

Every so often my brain seems to kick into overtime. I can’t seem to focus on any one thing and end up bouncing from project to project. This isn’t limited to just my writing. I’ll pick up books to read, start, put it down and get another. It’s no reflection on the writing but rather on my inability to settle down. Last night I literally worked on three different projects, one of which was brand new!

So I’m putting my virtual foot down here on my blog. I am stopping this hopping from project to project. Right now, I’m going to focus on writing the novella I’m going to enter into the Brava contest. I finally settled on a story idea yesterday (thanks Wylie and Amy!!) and am going to attack it head on. If I find I need a break, then I have my Duke’s story to work on. That’s it!! The two other projects that jumped my mental queue will have to wait. I’ve pushed them to the back of the line and will return to them in due couse.

So I’m revising my goals!! This week I plan on plotting out my Brava story (as much as I ever plot) and write the first chapter. I’m thinking I might push myself and make this a Book-in-a-month project so I don’t get dragged down by the weight of the other projects waiting…always waiting…

I also find myself missing TV these days. I don’t normally watch a lot of TV in the summer, but I’ve barely turned it on in two weeks. I think I need to either start watching House or Dead Zone. I was going to buy season one of Dead Zone on pay day, but never made it near the store. I might have to zip over on my lunch break.

Come and get your goals!

Published on June 3, 2007 in Goals. 4 Comments

I’ve been out and around a good part of this weekend. Yesterday I did my presentation on what I call The 5-Layer Dip of Characterization. Everyone seemed to enjoy the presentation (and the dip!) and I hope they got something out of it. I’m thinking I might clean it up and submit it for Nationals next year. Who knows, maybe they’ll like it too. :)

I also managed to get outside and do some yard work. I planted flowers, did the edging, and bought some hanging flower baskets to put up. Tomorrow, my husband is going to mow so our yard might actually look nice for  now. :)

Writing wise, this week I did my final read through of our halloween story. Once Renee gets back from her trip we should be ready to submit it to our editor. Perfect Match is done too! Lilly is reading it through to make sure I am consistentand then it’s off to my editor.

Which leaves me with two current WIPs. My duke’s story Out of Time, and a new one that kind of came out of nowhere. I have three chapters written in both stories, but I need to focus on one to get a first draft done. The new story I don’t think will be very long, maybe a novella. I might finish it up quickly so I can focus on the Duke. Decisions, decisions…

So my goals for the week are:

  • Write two chapters on new WIP
  • Come up with a title for new WIP (currently calling it Wizard’s Thief, but that’s pretty lame)

Soooooo… what are your goals for the week? Writing or life related. :)