REUNION

On this fifth day of February, it is nice to return here to this great thread. It isn't new news to say that my day job consumes most of my time lately, along with family things, but ... I can say that I've been trying to get back into writing as well. I have a few short stories that I have been working on and I'm editing a manuscript I want to send off to a few places.

2009 was a difficult year for me. I won't go into it, but I am optimistic about 2010 and am looking forward to what ever it brings.

Vickie

It is nice to see everyone here.

Each time I sign on, there are more updates in this thread. Wow, it's fun hearing what's going on with everyone.

Let's hope the exciting stuff continues for another reunion thread in 2011.

Malcolm

It's good to see so many responding the Abe's MASH idea. Hope you all make a habit of returning. You've been missed.

Ann

To quote someone else, this has been a difficult year for me. I am promoting Ghost Orchid, but lost my inspiration to write more due to pressing issues that are sapping my energy. I took on a new day job that is also more demanding than I expected. They say there is no rest for the wicked, so I must be quite bad.

Figured I'd also stop by and say hello.

I have been busy with my severely autistic daughter and working with motor skills with my son.
I also am beginning to plot out the sequel to the book Marie and I are releasing in June.
I also am working on a rock opera (rock and roll concept album).

It's good to see all of you,

MJ

MJ,
thanks for stopping by. Taking care of your daughter must be a challenge. It certainly takes priority over other activities.

Hi Guys and Dolls
Nice to see so many responding to the "call to arms".....
I've just finished editing my book "King of Princes" and am ready to send it for Manuscript Appraisal (editing was far more difficult than writing). Thanks to everyone who assisted me.
I am in Oz (Gold Coast) at the minute visiting my son and family. It's pretty hot here......thank goodness we have had quite a bit of rain to cool things down (a little).
I will be home (DV) on 8th March, when I will submit my book. Hold thumbs for a good appraisal.
Best regards

MJ and Llew,

Thanks for dropping by! Great to hear your news about your books. I hope 2010 is everything you want it to be!

Hi Shelagh
I've just realised the reunion was 5th February.
Can I be forgiven?
After all I am on holiday in Oz......
Best regards

That's no excuse. You're even later to the party! OZ (Gold Coast) is twelve hours ahead! What's more, you will be rooting for Wales in a few hours time.

Hi Shelagh
Yeah! I've set my alarm for 4:00am......
I'll be watching on computer http://myp2p.eu
Best regards

Looking forward to reading that book, Llew.

Ann

luigie wrote:

Hi Shelagh
Yeah! I've set my alarm for 4:00am......
I'll be watching on computer http://myp2p.eu
Best regards

See what we English are up against!

dashes in, late for the reunion party. Breaks out platter of chocolate chip cookies. Grins.

Um...hope I can still come in! I spent the day yesterday working on the novel I plan to launch as an e-book by Feb. 14th. Just doing a 400-character pitch for a 90K word book nearly blew out my last three brain cells.

I'm with most of you on this: 2009 was a tough year, and I look forward to this one being much better!

What am I up to? Hm...
Besides work?

I entered a novel-- based on my mother and my experiences in the last year of her life--in the amazon.com breakthrough novel contest. What the heck?

My coauthor and I (vampire parody) plan to have our e-book, Evenings on Dark Island, up on smashwords by mid-Feb. I developed a cover and had a blast doing it. Smashwords' books will be also listed on amazon.com soon, as they have an affliliate agreement with amazon now.

I am nearing the end of revisions on a children's chaper book. Several years ago, before my first adult novel was published, I wrote the series. Now, I am revisting them for complete overhauls. I really think they are much improved. I have learned so much in the past years, so I can clearly see the errors.

I will teach a breakout session for our local writers' association conference in March. "Writing down the funny bones" is my subject. I plan to have a blast with this one.

Meanwhile...my agent is still pitching my coauthored political drama to NY publishers. Have to say...I am being rejected by the "big guys" now. That has to mean I am getting closer!

I know, I always manage to find the pony beneath the pile of poop.

Good to see all of you here. Sorry I was a bit late. I lose track of time when I am working on writing projects.

throws kisses.

Rhett:

Quote :

I always manage to find the pony beneath the pile of poop.

And that is always a good thing!

Ann

Rhett,
Even when you have difficulties, you find humor. I guess laughter truly is the best medicine. A mover and shaker you are.

Ha! Abe, if you saw me in shorts right now, you'd know that I take "mover and shaker" to heart in most areas of my life.

LOL

Love middle age. Love it.

Best of luck with your 100 projects, Rhett. Let's make 2010 a great year for writers.

Malcolm

Would you like to be interviewed on Literature & Fiction, Rhett?
Check out the blog: http://shelaghwatkins.wordpress.com and let me know.

Rhett -- thanks for the cookies! It's been a long time between food discussions. And I don't even mind that you had to send store bought ones; your plate is uber full, and I wish you much success!

Cheers!

Greetings everyone!

A lovely friend told me about this reunion. I think it was a very nice idea!

... and I know I am a day late, but I spent yesterday experiencing an interesting segment of society and did not have a chance to get online.
(Besides when have I EVER made a deadline on time???)



I am not even sure when to begin ... so I will just start typing ...

Of course I have been procrastinating, haven't made any plans or goals, I've just been taking each day as it comes.

Mostly I've been writing articles each month for Driver Health Magazine (online and print) under my real name. I think I've been doing that since last August or September. Mostly they are just suggestions on what truck drivers can do to stay healthy while on the road.

I also write for an e-zine called The Modern Pagan. My articles for them are mostly on health and nature. The subjects I've covered have been on yoga, herbal remedies, meditation, etc.

During the Christmas season I did a little Facebook promo for my book and the sales were pretty good. I also had a book signing at a local bookstore during Halloween. That was fun and I dressed in my elf garb. That went very well too!

My website has a new look. I am still in the process of giving it a face lift, but I wouldn't mind what everyone thinks:

I've been focusing on polishing and editing "Julianne's Wish" and that has been going VERY VERY well. I am so glad I am taking my time with it because I've had soooo many inspired moments and am excited with the changes I've made. I am falling in love with this story all over again. It's 120,000 words of pure romance, fantasy, and fun! I can't wait to finish it. It feels GREAT to be excited about a story like this!

Once I have "Julianne's Wish" submitted and out there, this year I plan to polish and edit "Rebecca's Rescue" and finish writing "Rochelle's Mirror".

A couple of days ago I received an email from the current librarian from my old high school. She had heard from someone that I attended that school and wanted to know if it was true. I emailed her back letting her know that it was ... it will be interesting to find out what happens next.

On the personal side, my husband and I are excited about our plans to take an Alaskan cruise for our 27th anniversary this year. Our family is doing well. The grandkids are getting big. The baby has turned into a toddler and the toddler has turned into a little boy.

My mother came for a long visit and got to attend my booksigning and spent Halloween and Thanksgiving with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Life in trucking has not been as smooth. We changed trucking companies. It wasn't an easy decision. And it is a long story.

Life continues to be a wonderful adventure!

Ooooh! And I saw a bald eagle in a tree by the Columbia River a few days ago. That was awesome!!!

Now, I am off to read what everyone else is up to.

.... stuff I forgot:

I've decided to really really work on blogging and so decided to organize (Wow! Did I just use that word?) my sporadic random blogs from Goodreads, my author page at Redroom, and Blogger and combine or forward them to my Blog on my website.

A funny thing happens though. If you Google: joelle martin blog, it takes you to my Amazon author page: and I don't even have a blog going there ... yet.

Okay, I am finished now ... I think.

Hi Ann

Quote :

Looking forward to reading that book, Llew.

Thanks! I hope it gets a good appraisal. My children have enjoyed reading it. So I'm over the first hurdle.
The next hurdle will be the manuscript appraisal.
The editing took a long time. My first hurdle in that respect was to eliminate all the run on sentences. That wasn't easy. While doing that I noticed that there were some discrepancies in timing and "whose who in the zoo". The timing to fit the novel in with history wasn't that easy. Then balancing the fictional characters with real characters was a bit of a problem.
Anyway, I've got it all sorted now, I think.....
Best regards

Hi Shelagh
Rugby! What's that?
When is cricket season