Open up BlogAmp to transfer in new songs. Play new songs. Get distracted by new songs.
Set MinTimer for thirty minutes.
Open Word doc.
Immediately check MinTimer again. Twenty-nine minutes left.
Google lyrics for STP’s Plush for no important reason other than I’m very into that song today. That’s what happens when it’s the song […]

Otherwise known as internal conflict. First, my characters were being way too nice to one another. All kissy-huggy sweet. Bleech. Especially because it was the halfway point. Far too early for that much niceness.
And then they were sniping at one another. I don’t like sniping. Fighting, yes, but […]

PBW’s talking about time management via limiting internet time. Never mind that I choked at the part where she said she unplugged from the internet for a year. *whimpers*
And in her comments, Zornhau mentions an article by Jennifer Crusie (if I admit now that I’ve never read any of her books, will you all […]

Migraine: 7
Steph: 0
Today is a writing day. It’s a writing weekend. It is. Jaq pronounced it so - she’s having an unoffical BIAW-(end) kind of thing, so go sign up.
I chose a very vague, three chapter goal. Jaq’s trying to pin me down but I won’t let her…

I’ll […]

Migraine: 5
Steph: 0
(just in case you were keeping score. Note: It didn’t stop me from placing a nice, theraputic order from Staples, due to arrive tomorrow.)
During the construction that we’re having done this summer, I’m getting an even bigger office. Most people would be thrilled about getting a bigger kitchen […]

*UPDATE: I’ve worked all day. I’ve rewritten the scene. The good news: I’m on page 144. The bad news: I still have an entire chapter to cut. Oh - and it’s dusk here and the Darykn are starting to stir a little. Cece, there’s talk about the […]

My quotes for today are courtesy of Anne Stuart:
If you’re a team player you can lose sight of your artistic vision. The world is full of people who want to mold you and shape you into what they want you to be. But only you know who you really are, and safe books written to […]

If you don’t already know this, I’m a happily self-confessed office supply store whore. (And won’t that turn up some interesting search phrases?) Mainly, the love affair is with pens, although I can easily become obsessed with other things, like the perfect yellow, letter sized pad to go with the pen or the […]

When my neighbor’s daughter was twelve, she shared a list with me of the twenty ideal qualities her boyfriend must have. I’ll share some of my favorites:
1. Must be a little bit smart.
2. Must be hot.
3. Must know that black and navy blue shouldn’t be worn together.
4. Must only annoy me 1x per […]

Thank you, PBW - what you say about trends makes so much sense:
This is the down cycle in a trend, and it’s when the rumors start, but it’s not that no one will buy vampire paranormals. It’s that the market demands better, stronger books than most writers can write to compete with what’s already out […]

Writing time today was spent in a mix of actually writing and staring into space, which is definitely considered part of writing. I have it on good authority from a few published authors that it’s absolutely crucial to the process.
And I’ve got it down pat. Because it went something like this:
Page through WIP. […]

Everyone has OPINIONS. But some people’s blogs have become nothing but opinion after strident opinion on everything, ad nauseam, until you wonder about the poor people who actually have to hear them talking in person all day long. At least I can click off the page…
Your blog, you place for your opinions. […]

I’m making good progress on the new WIP. I’ve temporarily shelved the possible Blaze, since I seem to have written myself right out of the sexy, funny thing and, it seems, out of the line as well. I’m going back to it at some point soon, but I know I have to rip […]

It’s the little things in life that make me happy.
(a smiliey with big guns - how ’bout that? Jake’s very happy.)
Synopsis writing is moving along at a snail’s pace. So is writing. I’m still working on the conflict post I promised, because I’ve found some great links and […]

I’m learning from Jaq, so blame her.
I wasted an hour here this morning. I learned that I use the words ‘it’ (I know, Katie, I know) and the word ‘that’ too much.
Thatthatthatthatthat
I like that word.
The other thing I rediscovered is that my senses need work, thanks to this link via Holly Lisle. […]

My first year or so teaching, I remember clearly sitting the teacher’s lounge talking with ‘veteran’ teachers. There was a great mix of age range and experience at my school — it was a very bonded staff, one that worked and partied hard. They were fun and they shared an awful lot of […]

Dear Stephanie –
It’s me, your internal editor. I know I’m not supposed to be popping in now, when you’re in the middle of your first draft, writing along happily, and I know you don’t want to hear me. I, however, must inform you here and now that I am on to you.
How you […]

I need to know how you feel about contrivances. Publishers always talk about it as the whole, romance has to grow organically, thing, but a lot of what I see with H/H’s first meetings are contrived.
I mean, people have met in coffee shops, on blind dates, bumped into each other on street corners, at […]

Still moving right along with the WIP at a pace of about 4,500K per day — I’ve hit the hundred page mark so I’m stoked. Until my moment of panic last night.
See, I’ve been reading all the blog-talk about heroines and romance writers not reading much romance,etc. Personally, I understand where everyone was […]

Horoscope for Aries: You’ve never been known for being especially quiet, shy or retiring — but now? Well, at this moment in time, you’ll be more spontaneous and unpredictable than ever. Does this mean you’ll set a new record for surprising the masses? Maybe.
Hey masses, get ready to rock. Although, according to this […]