Romancing the Muse

Updates!!

2006-02-17T16:16:00.000-05:00

Boy, do I have updates!

Prince of Darkness placed fourth in Couer de Lousiane's Romancing the Tome contest in the Paranormal category. I'm okay with that.

Steven Grant emailed me two days ago to say he's almost through reading my full and will give me an answer next week. Eek! Okay, I'm hyperventilating. How am I supposed to stay composed until next week?!

Vivian Beck, who's had my full for 5 1/2 months now (her average time period she'd allocated) emailed and said she'd have me an answer in three weeks. It helped that I emailed her to let her know I had two requests for fulls.

And ... I have something *in the works*. It's all really hush hush. I'll reveal more about it when there's more to reveal. Let's just say it invovles a rock opera and leave it at that. *grin*

I'm still plugging away and making my way through Keeper of the Heart. Completely changed the beginning and the premise of the book. I think I like it better this way. With the old version, it got to the point where I was banging my head against the wall because I knew it wasn't my best work, knew what was wrong with it, yet, couldn't bring myself to fix it. So, I'm not banging my poor, bruised head against the wall with this version ... yet. Also, I've been debating back and forth against changing the title to something with Highlander in it, like Call of the Highlander. I don't know. I guess I should just wait and write the daggone thing. What do you think? Good idea?

Oh, and I'm opening my own website designing business. Got so many comments and compliments and interest from my own website (you can find it here) that I've decided I should try my hand at website designing. Wish me luck in that venture. More to come on it.

Other than that, got a new favorite song I'm listening to. UK's James Blunt "You're Beautiful". Check it out some time. It's catchy.

Until next time, happy writing!

What makes a chapter wonderful?

2006-02-05T06:48:00.000-05:00

What draws you to a writers chapter? Is it because its online? It focuses on a special interest, such as Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal? Is it because it has name recognition? Is it because it's a smaller, more intimate group?

Today, we discuss the dynamics of what makes a chapter wonderful.

I as a member of several chapter of RWA (six, to be exact), I've seen chapters that flourish and continue to prosper with ease, and I've seen chapter struggle for years to get off their feet and grow.

Why do you choose a chapter? What does that chapter have to offer you that makes you say, "Oh, why not one more?"

To me, first and foremost on my list is what the chapter specializes in. There are a lot of special interest chapters in RWA.

FF&P - Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal
HHRW - Hearts Through History (all aspects of history)
Beau Monde - Regency
Celtic Hearts - Celtic
Passionate Ink - Erotica Romance
Chick Lit Writers of the World - ChickLit
Kiss of Death - Mystery and Suspense Romance

.......... To name a few. There's many more. For a complete list of RWA special interest chapters, click here.

Next is what the chapter can offer me. Georgia Romance Writers, for example, is a wonderful chapter whose published authors really work to get the unpublished members published. They hold a special workshop every March for members only, where the published authors hold a one-on-one/group critique their fellow unpublished members. It's wonderful to be a part of a chapter that really gives back to its members (both published and unpublished) and has one goal, the goal of getting everyone published.

Next definately has to be energy level. I want an environment that is uplifting, supportive, and thrilled to be there. I want participation from all members, and willingness to work together to better the chapter.

There are other reasons you'd choose a chapter. Chapter benefits: New Jersey for its conference, GRW for Moonlight and Magnolia. Name Recognition: GRW, DARA, ... need I go on? Some people choose a chapter for its size, others, for convenience.

Whatever reasons you choose chapters, make sure your money is well spent, your time well invested. Participate. Volunteer. Become active. Not only will you be helping out your chapter, but you will be doing yourself a huge favor by getting your name out there.

Happy chapter shopping!

Updates...

2006-01-27T22:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I think it's time for some serious updates.

You might then what's happening now with me...

I queried Scott Eagan of Greyhaus Agency and got a request, so I'm pretty stoked about that. He's just been RWA recognized, and from what I gathered, he's a great agent. I'm sending out another query to Jane Rotrosen Agency tomorrow.

After tomorrow, I think that's it for agents. I have four fulls as we speak sitting on some agents' desks. I'm going to give most of them until April (my birthday!). If I don't hear back from them, I'm starting my round of editor queries.

As for what I'm working on, I finished revisions for The Prophecy. I'm not going to do any more touch ups on it. There comes a time when you just have to put your foot down and move on.

I'm making good headway with Keeper of the Heart, my story with Sir Hugh mac Eoin. I'm rather enjoying it. I hope my critique partners think the same. *Oh, Hugh McKinnon is now Sir Hugh mac Eoin.*

Just joined Georgia Romance Writers, a wonderful, wonderful chapter. I'm real excited about that.

On a more personal note...

I think it's time for a job change. I'm looking around, scoping out my options.

CRW is doing very well. The online chapters are wonderful and we have an exciting line up of programs for this year and the coming year. I'm excited about that.

I'm borderline considering writing a romantica/erotica and thinking about breaking into e-publishing. I don't know, but I'm keeping my options open.

That's it for now.

I think I'm signing off!

Until next time.

Keith Urban!!

2006-01-06T04:13:00.000-05:00

OK. I've been gushing about newcomer country singer, Keith Urban's hit song, Making Memories of Us.

Here are the lyrics. It's just beautiful. Lik the man. Like his voice. Like his music. Like his love with sweetheart, Nicole Kidman.

*****

Making Memories of Us

I'm gonna be here for you baby
I'll be a man of my word
Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard
I wanna sleep with you foreverAnd I wanna die in your arms
In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

I wanna honor your motherI wanna learn from your pa
I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw
I wanna stand out in a crowd for you
A man among men
I wanna make your world better than it's ever been

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

We'll follow the rainbow
Wherever the four winds blow
And there'll be a new day
Comin' your way

I'm gonna be here for you from now on
This you know somehow
You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now
And I'm gonna make you a promise
If there's life after thisI'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll win your trust making memories of us

I'm Back!!

2006-01-06T03:24:00.000-05:00

Hi all --

I'm sorry I've been gone so long. So, you ask what I've been up to these last two months.

Well, I not only redesigned our chapter website twice, I also put up my very own website as well. Check it out at http://maichristythao.com.

There is a Resources page that is useful to every romance writer and I strongly suggest they bookmark it.

Other than that, I completed revisions for The Prophecy.

I'm throwing away everything I have of Prince of Darkness and starting from scratch. Yeah, I know, it was a difficult, depressing, and terrifying decision.

Also, Princess Anoria, my heroine in Prince of Darkness is no longer Anoria Leikin. She's Merry Leikin, short for Meryil. Kym'rin likes to call her Merry-mine.

Another difficult decision. I'm rather fond of Anoria. However, I've told that I had too many "A" names: Anoria, Prince Ariyn, Arriyanna, King Avriel, the hill of Asquith. There is no way I'm changing Ariyn's name, so Anoria had to go. I've also changed King Avriel's name. He is now King Ceiran. I like that, I think.

Anyhow, Princess Merry (Anoria) is now the Mad Princess, as well as blind -- yes, I'm keeping her blind -- and cursed.

Oh, and I came up with this wonderful new storyline. It involves a character you will see in the end of Prince of Darkness, Drakar, Prince of Isengurth. Prince of Dragons. You'll have to check out my website and really dig to find the new storyline.

I don't if I've mentioned the news of my contest finals, so I'll just mention it again in case I haven't.

The Prophecy won second place in Indiana Romance Writers' Golden Opportunity Contest (IGO). It also placed second in Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance Writers' (FF&P) On the Far Side Contest.

I'll let you know where Prince of Darkness places with its finaling in Couer de Louisane's Romancing the Tome Contest, and From the Heart Romance Writers' (FTHRW) Wallflower contest when I hear any news.

Also, keeping your fingers crossed for me that one of these agents who have my full of The Prophecy will love it and offer me representation!

I've been super busy with getting stuff together for my local chapter, Carolina Romance Writers (CRW). As Vice-President, Online Workshops Coordinator, and Website Chair, I've had my hands full the last few weeks.

Speaking of online workshops, check out the wonderful line-up of online workshops CRW has: http://www.carolinaromancewriters.com.

Have a new favorite song I'm currently listening to. It's so damn sweet, it makes me cry every time I listen to it. Really. Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us". Try to listen to it when you get a chance. If you've never heard it, you're missing out on one wonderful piece of music!

That's all for now. I promise I'll drop more often and write!

I'll let you know how the new revisions of Prince of Darkness turns out!

Mai Thao

Contest Finals and Bummed Out

2005-11-07T21:40:00.000-05:00

Well, Prince of Darkness, the second story in my Zenith fantasy series, has just finaled in From the Heart's Wallflower contest. It's going to be sent to Maggie Crawford at Pocket Books to be judged. *fingers crossed*

I'm putting a hold on any writing and working on getting The Prophecy and Prince of Darkness ready for the Golden Heart. Wish me luck on that too! Next week, I'm going to focus on sending out another batch of queries. Then, when the Golden Heart is sent, I'll start back on writing.

I've been bummed of late. One of my critique group has been slamming my submissions. I didn't think I was that bad. =(

Anyhow, hopefully, they'll announce the winners to FF&P's On the Far Side contest and Indiana's Golden Opportunity contest soon. I'm a bundle of nerves right now, and not feeling very good about myself. Some days you just kinda ask yourself why you're even in this, you know? I guess it has to do with the comments my critique group is giving me. Guess I'll have to develop thicker skin than I thought I already had.

Cheers!

New Story Idea: Keeper of the Heart

2005-11-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

Wow, I haven't written here in a while, now, have I? Sorry about that.

So, this is basically what I've been up to. I stopped writing Legacy of the Highlander. Mainly because I don't want to get too far into the Zenith fantasy romance series if all the subsequent books can only be published contingent on the first book in the series, The Prophecy, getting published first. I wanted something I can pitch that doesn't have to wait on The Prophecy's eventual publication. When I get an offer for The Prophecy, then I will continue finish Legacy of the Highlander and continue on with Sebasteus and Prince Ariyn's stories.

That said, here is what I'm working on now. Just started this this week, actually. Tell me what you think. Here's the premise of it:

**********

Sir Hugh McKinnon is a reprobate who indulges in pleasures of the flesh. After scorning a vengeful sorceress, she casts a spell on him, locking him in an ancient book.

Hundreds of years later, Jessica Knightly is commissioned to fix up an ancient castle in ruins and discovers the enchanted book. She unknowinglycalls forth Hugh, releasing him from the book.

But once released, Hugh has a time limit. He has thirty days to reverse the curse, or his soul will vanish forever. But in order to do so, he must get Jessica to trust him enough to champion his cause and travel back in time to prevent the curse from ever taking place.

When she arrives in the past, she gets sidetracked by Hugh-of-the-past's all-too-tempting kisses and sensual charm – that is, when it's focused on her and not another willing, clinging woman! Will Jessica be able to save Hugh before time runs out? What's worse, if she accomplishes the feat, she would never have Hugh for herself, for it would mean there'd be no curse, no Hugh getting trapped in a book, and ultimately, no meeting ever occuring between them at all.

***********

I think the concept is unique and intriguing. I'll let you know how this turns out. Almost done with chapter one. Just two or three more pages. I'm looking at completing the first three chapters by the end of next week.

Oh, and yes, it's a romance with a happily ever after.

I'm also entering The Prophecy and Prince of Darkness in RWA's Golden Heart contest. Wish me luck on both!

Also, I'll let you know what the results from FF&P's On the Far Side contest is as soon as I find out. They're behind a few days in announcing winners. I'm on pins and needles. Please keep you fingers crossed for me!

The Woes of Historicals...

2005-10-24T17:05:00.000-04:00

I've been working on my Scottish fantasy historical, Legacy of the Highlander. Let me tell you, it's a pain in the butt writing it and leaving XXX or ... (highlighted, of course) peppered throughout the manuscript because I don't know the exact word or historical fact for that particular section.

Now that I have a definate date to work with, Scotland 1465, I need to do more research on what to put in my mss. I can't mention Robert the Bruce or William Wallace, two of the biggest figures in Scottish history, because that's all over a hundred and fifity or so years before my story takes place. I have the ancient stronghold of Clan Campbell correct, Castle Innis Chonnel, but for my heroine, a MacGregor, there is no mention of a stronghold or castle during this time. The earliest MacGregor castle recorded was Lanrick Castle, in 1791. Before that, it was only known as Lanrick Estate, and in no means the seat for Clan MacGregor.

Anyways, I could go on and on about the woes of researching and writing historicals. I knew there was a reason I had oringally decided on straight fantasy. LOL. I guess that's why I zipped through the first two books, because I didn't have to get bogged down in research. I just made everything up!

It's real interesting though. I think I'm getting the gist of writing Scottish dialect. I better be, since I have my own Scottish Dictionary I made up in Excel! If anyone wants to try their hand at writing a Scottish historical, I'll be more than happy to lend out my dictionary! After going back and reading everything, I can actually 'hear' my characters and the dialect. Yay for me!

At the moment, I have Jamie and Dianh thrown in the dungeon. Now they have to find a way out. Dianh has surprised me time and time again with the rewrites. My heroines usually do because they're the ones I'm least clear about. She's becoming a stronger and better person.

OK. Just thought I needed a break from writing. Now, back to my writing ... and the research it entails!

I have one real concern though. I think I'm developing quite the Medieval voice. I'm afraid if I go back to my Regencies -- when I go back to my Rengencies -- my Regency voice will be gone! Yikes!

But alas, that's another writer's woe I'll get into some other day...

Historical Delimmas and Game Plan

2005-10-23T01:20:00.000-04:00

OK. I'm finding it difficult to write Legacy of the Highlander, my Scottish historical fantasy romance. There's just so much research that needs to go in. Not only do I have to get all the historical aspect correct, but the Scottish aspect as well. Scary thought! I think I might convert back to my Regency-set historical. *grin*

So, while I'm elbow-deep in research with very little actually written, here's one of my delimma. I have a character in there, Colin Campbell, who is in line to be the Earl of Argyll. Historical fact: Colin Campbell was made the first Earl of Argyll in 1457. He is married and has several sons. What a coincidence! So now I have to change the fact that my character is in line for the earldom, and have him appointed. --Nevermind. He is the earl already! I also have to change his wife's name from Gillian to Isabel (the real wife's name). But, I don't want to change his first son's name. I've grown rather attached to Breanden. I don't think I can look at little Breanden and see him as Archibald. Sorry.

At least now I have a definate year for my story.

Colin was made first Earl of Argyll at age twenty-four. My Colin is a few years older, so I'm looking at oh, 1465. Yeah, that sounds about right. Look at me, I'm brainstorming on my blog!! And get this, Colin is only a secondary character! LOL. I don't know if I want to change his father's name either. I'm rather attached to Alpin. *sigh . . .* Back to the drawing board.

Well, I'm glad I posted something today. Now I have a real date to work with, at least. 1465

I haven't been working on my writing as much as I would have liked to this month. I've been real focused on my RWA chapter's problems and trying to make the chapter better for the following year. I've taken on a lot: President-Elect, online workshops coordinator, graphics, critiques, and a few more I know I agreed on but can't for the life of me think of at the moment.

So, here's my game plan for the rest of this year. Oh yeah, I changed a few things. I was advised not the write my non-fiction until I garner an interest or offer to buy first by an agent/editor. After thinking about it, I believe that's wise. It also frees up my time to work on the next book in my Zenith historical fantasy romance series.

So, game plan:

Nov - finish Legacy of the Highlander
Dec - write proposal for non-fiction and send it out, work on next (fourth) story *Sebasteus' story??*
Jan - continue working on next story
Feb - finish next story, revise Legacy of the Highlander
March - start on fifth story *Prince Ariyn's story?*
April - finish fifth story
May - start on sixth story *At this point, I have absolutely no idea who!*

Anyhow, that' the game plan, at least. It might change, depending on who well received my non-fiction proposal goes, or if I get an offer, or anything, really. Nothing's written down in stone. I'm the first person to know that!

OK. Now that I have my date now for my story, I think it's time I say bye to here and go see if I can get some work done on my story! I'll save research for another day!

Happy writing!

Knocked Down, But Still On My Feet.

2005-10-17T21:22:00.000-04:00

Just got another rejection from Natasha Kern. Really nice rejection letter, but it's starting to be very disappointing. *sigh...* And I thought I had a thick skin already developed. Guess I'll have to make it thicker in this kind of business. Just wish I could hear something back from my parials and fulls. Anything.

So, I just wanted to post my *not-so-good* news.

I guess I need to get that next batch of queries ready to be sent out.

Have a good night. I'll catch you on another post!

No Time for Writing =(

2005-10-15T21:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I'll be honest. I haven't gotten any writing or revisions done in the past two or three days. (As the next Vice-President) I've taken leadership of my local RWA chapter, Carolina Romance Writers, by the horn, and, with the help of another member (the future President of the chapter), we have been brainstorming ideas to make the chapter better and stronger for the upcoming year. The last few days had been devoted to calling up chapter members and following through with lots of stuff, and also initiating lots of stuff. Hopefully, we can have it all hashed out soon so I can continue with my writing.

I work tomorrow, but have Monday and Tuesday off. I'm devoting that time to my writing. Sorry internet and emails. Mai's gotta get her writing done.

I'm beginning to hate this waiting business. *sigh...* You probably don't know it, but I'm really nervous and frustrated with waiting for rejections and acceptances. I don't know if I can hold off for 6-8 months. Geeze!

Well, just that I'd drop by and write a line or two, considering I haven't been by for a few days now. I think this is a really neat concept. It's like my own diary, but for the world to see. Like I'm talking to someone else. Know what I mean?

I haven't even gotten a chance to pick up Karen Marie Moning's new book, Spell of the Highlander. I can't find it anywhere, and haven't gotten around to going to the bookstore. I guess I'll just have to get it when I do.

Gotta go! Catch you later!

Rejections and Ideas

2005-10-11T14:50:00.000-04:00

Got another rejection letter today from Spectrum Literary Agency. Oh well. I have to admit, it's starting to get disheartening now, but at least they're being quick in their responses instead of making me wait weeks and even months. That's always a good thing. Still got a few more queries out there, plus partials and fulls, so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for some good news.

Also, I'm still waiting to hear back from my two contest finals to see where I stand on that. Fingers crossed there too.

I completed my goal and finished revisions for Prince of Darkness today!! And I'm only a week and a half into the month! That's awesome. I'm moving right along. Hopefully, I'll have Legacy of the Highlander completed by the end of this month. Hopefully. If anything, I know I'll be completed with it before the end of next month, which will leave me a month early to get started on my non-fiction.

Yesterday, I had this GREAT idea for Sebasteus's story. I hadn't intended on his story until much, much later. I had wanted to start Prince Ariyn's story. Oh well. I HAVE TO write Sebasteus's story. As soon as I finish my non-fiction, then revisions on Legacy of the Highlander, then revisions on my non-fiction and get it submitted. So I'm not looking at writing another book on my Zenith fantasy series until February of next year. It's cool though. I just have to work harder and faster if I want to get to it quicker. Already, I'm making great time on my goals, so I'm not too worried.

Well, now I'm off to finish Legacy of the Highlander.

Catch you later. And hopefully, I'll have some good news to share next time! Happy writing!

Piling Up!!

2005-10-09T15:07:00.000-04:00

I got another rejection letter yesterday. I gotta tell ya, those rejection letters are starting to pile up. I'm real excited though. Sooner or later, I'm bound to get an acceptance or that one phone call. My plan is be published within a year.

I'm halfway through revisions for Prince of Darkness. I'm looking at hopefully completing revisions before the week is over.

Just got back from the HCRW meeting in Cary, NC this weekend. It was wonderful. I love all our published authors there, especially Cindy Holby, Emilie Rose, and Candy Halliday. They are wonderful, wonderful ladies to know and around!

OK. Let me get back to my revisions. I talked about my non-fiction proposal with a few people this weekend, and every seems very excited about it. I'm glad. The excitement is contagious. As soon as I get Legacy of the Highlander completed, I'll start on my non-fiction.

Catch you later and happy writing!

Change of Plans

2005-10-07T01:25:00.000-04:00

I suddenly have this great idea for a non-fiction. Can you believe that? Me, write non-fiction? Yup. And I know this book will sell. I’m not going to give away any details just yet, but I will say that the title will be called this:

Live Longer: Secrets from the Orient

What do you think? Sounds very interesting and catchy, huh? *grin*

If you can’t tell, I’m a little excited about it. OK, more than a little.

So, here are the change of plans for the rest of the year.

Finish revisions on Prince of Darkness.
Finish Legacy of the Highlander.
Write and complete my non-fiction.

Think it’ll happen? Think I can do it? I have a total of nearly three months left to do it.

Here’s the game plan.

October – Finish revisions on Prince of Darkness, Start working on Legacy of the Highlander
November – Finish Legacy of the Highlander, Start on non-fiction
December – Finish non-fiction
January – Query and send proposal for non-fiction, Work on revisions for Legacy of the Highlander
February – Revise non-fiction, Resume with next installment in Zenith fantasy series

There you go. Looks like I have my plate full for the rest of this year and the beginning of next year. Yikes! Better go get started!

Judging My First Contest

2005-10-04T20:38:00.000-04:00

Just got through judging my first contest. What an experience. You get people from all ends of the writing process, and it's real interesting to see what others are writing and all these great ideas being produced. If you've never judged a contest, I encourage you to do so. Not only will you be helping others and the chapter hosting the contest, but you'll be doing yourself a huge favor too by just widening your horizons. It's something I'd definately do again!

Proud to be an American

2005-10-04T19:35:00.000-04:00

As an Asian-American, there are some things I’m not proud of. Like the tact the Bush Administration is taking with the War on Terrorism and with the government’s delayed and not so sincere response to Hurricane Katrina.

However, in the past few weeks, there is one thing that makes me stand up tall and say I’m proud to be an American. The selflessness and truly caring American people themselves. In the aftermath of the tragic, epic disaster that was Katrina, Americans have stepped up and opened up their heart and homes to those in need. Strangers donated so much of their time, home, resources, money, and energy to help those devastated by Katrina. Together, the American people have raised millions of dollars to the Red Cross.

Forget the news and media coverage. You want the good stories? Here they are. A man in Texas paid a week’s stay at a hotel to an evacuee family. Another man in Texas gave an apartment to an evacuee family. A couple in North Carolina took their house off the market and adopted an evacuee family to live in that house for six months to get back on their feet. A college student from New Orleans escaped with nothing but the clothes on his back and the pair of broken sandals on his feet. When purchasing a new pair shoes, he was asked why he had no shoes. He explained that he was from New Orleans. At the register, he was told that an anonymous someone overheard his comment and had paid for his shoes. A little girl who’d just turned nine years old gave all thirty dollars of her birthday money to donate to the cause.

These are the stories of Hurricane Katrina. There are the only stories that should matter. From the biggest donation, to something as small as a pair of new shoes, each and every thoughtful and selfless giving of the American public played a vital role and held more meaning and value than a pocket full of gold. It is the meaning that united, we stand as one. " . . . one nation . . . indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." – The Pledge of Allegiance

Every time I hear stories like these, it touches me and brings tears to my eyes. And the most amazing this is, the stories don’t stop. In fact, it continues to grow. Even now, months after the tragedy and devastation, the stories still continue to pour in, the caring and unity of the American people shining even brighter than it had before. It is a reminder to all of how fortunate we all our to be an American and be a part of this vast and incredible land of freedom.

If America is to be defined by one word, and one word only, let that word be love.

Blurb for The Prophecy

2005-09-30T19:12:00.000-04:00

Oops. I'm sorry. I forgot I'd promised to post the blurb for my story, The Prophecy.

Here it is.

With her latest acquisition, an ancient scroll, antiquities specialist, Kate Madison, is one step closer to achieving her goal: proving the existence of a mystical land called Zenith. Successful and independent, she’s come a long way from the neglected child she once was. Then one surprise call brings her past to the forefront. She learns her father has less than six months to live. When the scroll catapults her into Zenith, it’s a race against death to return to her father as she strives to prove she’s the prophesied savior of this kingdom. But how does a modern-day girl prove to a warrior-dominated kingdom that she’ll save them from certain doom if she can’t save herself from falling in love with a man not of her time or place, and returning to her world first?

Warwyck Lyonn, newly crowned King of Argun, has vengeance on his mind and an ancient curse to end—or a great evil will be unleashed. A man driven by guilt at being unable to prevent his father’s death, and, with destruction looming over his kingdom, the last thing he needs is a strange woman from another time and place. But if the prophecy is to be believed, then saving his kingdom means enlisting Kate’s help. He soon discovers protecting the headstrong woman means losing his heart as well. When confronted with the choice between saving his kingdom or losing Kate, will he sacrifice the fate of the kingdom for love, or risk his heart to fulfill THE PROPHECY of Argun?

So . . . What do you think? Does it sound interesting? Looks like something you'd buy? Looks like something you'd wanna read? Is it an agent/editor grabber?

Take Time to Enjoy Life

2005-09-30T18:36:00.000-04:00

Something amazing happened today. I stepped outside this morning, around 10am. The temperature had turned decidedly cool from the usual warmness it had been all summer. I remained on the porch and looked out and noticed the changing colored leaves on the tree in front of me. Leaves littered the yard in shades of yellow to orange to brown. A nice breeze swept through and picked up the leaves, swirling it around a few inches off the ground before settling it again. A sense of calmness washed over me as I stood there and stared out at the quiet, serene scene before me. Mind you, I'm not an outdoor or nature person. I'm not even a morning person, for that matter. Ten o'clock in the morning, I'm usually still in bed. But here I was, out on my porch. I swear I could feel something magical happening around me. And then it hit me. Autumn is here, in the true sense of the word.

I've always loved the fall season. I'm a big sweater and scarf kinda girl. This morning, I got the impression that only good things lie ahead for me. It's a good feeling. Everything felt right at that particular moment in time. I hope that feeling never leaves me. When was the last time you took a moment to truly enjoy life and what's around you? If you can't answer that, or if it's longer than say . . . four months, you need to stop what you're doing and take a nice, deep breath. And smile. It'll make you feel much better, I promise.

With that, I'd like to end with a thought for the day.

Why is it man and men, woman and woman, but human and humans? Why not humen?

Queries Sent

2005-09-27T21:46:00.000-04:00

Well, I finished my queries today. I won't even discuss how much it cost me to send the queries/partials out. Let's just put it this way. Printing alone cost me $94!!! Hopefully, with all the effort I'm putting into this (and the hole I'm digging in my pocket!), I'll have something good to show in the next couple of months.

So now I'm off to revising Prince of Darkness. Have the day off tomorrow so that's what I intend to do with my day all day. I want to at least get through 100 pages of revisions tomorrow. I'm a little tired today.

Well, I just took on yet another position for next year coordinating online workshops for one of my local chapters. Geeze! I'm gonna burn out soon if I keep at this pace.

Can I tell you a secret? I'm dreading revisions tomorrow. I have to admit, I started on it tonight, actually, and it completely bored me. My mind was 4% there, 96% elsewhere. I don't know where, but I know it definately wasn't on revisions. *sigh . . .* This mean I'll really have to stay on track tomorrow if I want to be productive. Call this entry me procrastinating. Hopefully I'll be more refreshed tomorrow to tackle revisions.

October will be here in 4 days. Can you believe it's autumn already? Wow.

Goals time.

For October, I want to finish final edits on Prince of Darkness, polish the synopsis, and get some queries sent out for that manuscript. All in one month. I know I can do it if I put my mind on it. Just have to stay focus . . . something I seem to be lacking much of these past few weeks (months, I think).

Ah, on a completely unrelated topic, I need to get back into my exercise routine. Lost track of it while trying to finish revisions for this month. Next week, I promise. Give me this week to indulge a little. As if I need any more indulging!!

See you in my next post!

Goal Completed!

2005-09-26T16:11:00.000-04:00

Well, I just finished my final -- and I mean final -- revisions for The Prophecy. Not gonna touch that thing again until an agent or editor tells me to! LOL. I've accomplished my goal of finishing revisions this month on it, with about a week to spare. Yay for me!!

Now I'm off to revise Prince of Darkness. I've learned something. I catch a lot more things and can polish the manuscript better when I leave it sitting for a few weeks before going back to tackle it. Then, I'm not as attached to it and can see it with "fresh" eyes, if you will. I'm real excited about the changes I've made to The Prophecy and plan to implement the same strategies to Prince of Darkness.

Today is dedicated to getting the rest of my queries ready and sent out tomorrow morning for The Prophecy. And those requests!!

I'm real excited about where my writing is going.

Ok. Now, a little off topic, but not really. Next year I'm running Vice President of Carolina Romance Writers, and Treasurer of From the Heart Romance Writers. Yeah, I'll be taking some Board positions and yeah, it'll take a lot of my time. But, I figured it's a good way to network and get my name out there more, since the plan is to be published within a year or so.

Hmm ... How about I talk about a book I can't wait to come out?

Karen Marie Moning's next Highlander novel. Can't remember the name off the top of my head at the moment, but it looks real sexy and really good. I love her books, my favorite being The Dark Highlander and To Tame a Highland Warrior. Oh, just recalled the title fo the newes release I can't wait for. Spell of the Highlander. Oooh. Makes my skin tingle just saying it. Can't wait to read it!! Her covers are always so damn sexy. Hope my book looks like that too when I get published!

Ok. Now, to finish those queries. Wish me luck with them and I'll keep you posted on what's going on!!

Requests and Contest Finals!!

2005-09-25T15:30:00.000-04:00

Wow. Sorry I haven't posted for so long. So many new and exciting things have happened in the last couple of days.

First, I got three requests for fulls for my time-travel fantasy, The Prophecy!! Yay!

OK. Next, The Prophecy also finaled in FF&P's On the Far Side contest in the time-travel category. It's going to Chris Keeslar -- a wonderful editor I'm targeting. AND, it also finaled in Idiana's Golden Opportunity contest. Wish me luck on both!!

Looks like The Prophecy is finally getting somewhere and with some recognitions. I'm getting ready to send those fulls out tomorrow when the post office opens. *fingers crossed*

Next stop: Publication here I come!!

Hopefully, I'll have some VERY good news to share soon.

Keep writing!!

Colorful Makeover

2005-09-15T16:31:00.000-04:00

Have you noticed I've gone colorful with my posts lately? =)

I thought the place needed more color. What do you think?

OK, I was pretty productive with my two days off. Managed to get a lot of revisions in, 2 new scenes, and deleted one scene. Good for me. Now, if only I could have the evening to work on it some more, but alas, duty calls. My friends are doing a going away party for a friend, and I had originally intended to opt out of it to get some revisions done, but they are twisting my arm. *sigh . . .* Decisions, decisions. Stay home and work on my writing, or go out drinking, dancing, and possibly meeting up with cute guys to flirt with? Believe it or not, I like the former more than the latter. At least, for today, it seems. I'm not in the mood to look pretty and socialize. *sigh . . .*

OK. So I go out tonight and spend tomorrow morning on revisions. That sounds good.

Got two more weeks to finish these revisions for The Prophecy. That is my goal and I'm sticking to it! Afterwards, I'm gonna work on querying The Prophecy and then I'm moving on to revising Prince of Darkness for the month of October. That leaves me with November to finish Legacy of the Highlander and December to revise it. Well, that's my plan at least. Let's hope I don't get struck down by the I-don't-feel-like-writing syndrome. It can be deadly. I would know. I caught it two months ago and barely made it through. Then come January . . . contemporary time!! I like so need a break from Zenith and historicals.

When I start querying, I'll post my blurb for The Prophecy here. How does that sound?

Well, I'm off to do what I'm supposed to be doing right now: working my real, hourly paid J-O-B.

Catch ya'll later and happy writing!!

*Now you know I'm from the south when I say ya'll.* =-P

Dad Scratched My New Car!!

2005-09-13T01:25:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm stuck on a scene amidst revisions. Sucks. I'm near to pulling my hair out. Sometimes, I don't even know why I do this. Why go through all this emotional angst just to become published?

Anyways, enough about my writing woes. I know every writer has them, be they published or not.

On to something else.

My dad put a scratch on my brand new 2005 Kia Sportage. I know, I know, what with gas prices on the rise, shame on me. Anyways, he was opening his car door and opened it a little too rough, hitting the side of my car. Ouch. But what could I do? Nothing but grit my teeth, I tell you. He's my father.

Kinda reminds me of the time I backed up into my brother's BMW and put more than a tiny scratch on his side. How about a large, two feet dent. Double ouch. Believe me, I still cringe at the thought. I know my brother wasn't too happy about that, but he only gritted his teeth and kept his silence. Didn't even chastise me, which I would have deserved 110%!!

So, you know the saying . . . karma. What goes around comes around. Lesson learned. Be more assert more caution when in the presence of family members' cars. =)

But really, the real lesson here is that no matter what, they are still family. Gotta love 'em! And forgiveness is a powerful tool to utilize, especially when things are not done apurpose. Look at me! Apurpose. I need to get my head out of historical mode. Especially when things are not done on purpose. There. Much more modern. Although . . . I think apurpose sounds hip. Don't you?

OK. I have the next two days off. I intend to do some serious revisions and burn some serious pages. Seriously! *grin*

Good night everyone and see you on my next post! I'll let you know how the revisions go then.

Identity Theft

2005-09-11T00:42:00.000-04:00

OK, I haven't been having a good week, or a very productive one, at that.

Two days ago, I realized I fell for a fraudulent email from someone pretending to be Paypal. After replying to that email and giving them all my personal information (bank account and pin number, social security number, license number, credit card), I had the insight to call Paypal where they confirmed my suspicion that it was a scam. I'd just given my identity to some unknown, faceless person over the net.

Then followed calls I had to make to my bank and credit card closing my accounts, to the credit bureaus, and to the police. I feel so violated and unsafe. Anyone out there could be pretending to be me. In this day in age, you don't need a face or a signature to open up a credit account or make purchases.

It's the most horrible feeling that someone out there has access to my personal identity, my address, my everything. For the rest of my life, I'll have to watch my back and check my credit periodically to make sure nothing suspicious pops up.

I'm still trying to get a hold of myself and put things back to order, so it looks like writing (productively) will be out of the picture for the week.

Back On Track

2005-09-06T16:33:00.000-04:00

OK. I’m back on track now. Here’s what I've been up to.

This month, it's all about finishing the revisions on The Prophecy. As you know, I'm still re-working The Prophecy. I've been adding new scenes, deleting scenes, etc. All in all, I like the changes I'm doing. I FINALLY think I have a well-round heroine in Kate. I KNOW I can do this if I get to it and stop slacking. I'm devoting Sept to The Prophecy, Oct to Prince of Darkness, and Nov and Dec to Legacy of the Highlander.

Also, GOOD NEWS!!! -- I found my ENTIRE manuscript on Prince Errant, a 65,000 word contemporary set mostly onboard a luxery cruise ship and in the Bahamas (paradise). Big stretch for me, I know. It's VERY sexy too. I had written it in 3 months for a novella, but after completing it, it turned out to be too sexy for the novella. When I get the time, I want to make it into a single title and add about 40,000 more words to it. I have some secondary I absolutely loved in this one that I'm glad will now have the chance to play more of a part in the story.

Also, I found the latest version of Annsa!!! That's my regency I worked on for 2 years that was stolen!!! Ah. I can breathe easier. Honestly, I went back to read these two stories and thought, damn, I was better then than I am now. LOL. That's on the back burner too, but some day, I plan to finish that story.

And ... I found a WIP I had started some years ago and got only as far as chapter one. It's also a contemporary about a professional thief (my heroine) who masquerades as the new wife of a major CEO guy while the CEO is on a one-week vacation. Her plan is to get access to her "husband's" assets and rob him blind before he returns. She meets his assistance (my hero), who plays along with her. The catch: the assistance IS the CEO, back on vacation before it even started because his pregnant sister had sent him on an errand. When I had started this story, I had only one scene in mind. It was their fist meeting, right after my heroine had introduced herself as the CEO's wife, then leaves. The hero is with his friend who turns to him and says, "When did you get married?" and the hero replies, "I'll let you know when I find that out."

Cool, huh?

So as you can tell, I'm pretty excited. I want to get my three Zenith fantasy stories finished, polished, and sent away, and then I think it's time to take a break from Zenith and go on to my contemporaries come next year.

At long last, I’ve got energy to burn, revisions to do, stories to finish, and books to sell!!!

What am I waiting for? Get off blogging and get to writing!

Procrastinating, as Always . . .

2005-09-03T01:57:00.000-04:00

Today was the start of Book in a Week (BiaW). For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, it's where you drop everything and try to write as much as you can for the week. Just the first draft, no revision.

Anyways, I spent the better half of today shopping, of course. I bought two new books: Cheryl Holt's TOO HOT TO HANDLE and Kinley MacGregor's MASTER OF DESIRE. I skimmed through Holt's book (not as hot as I'd hoped it to be, in all honesty . . . and why they put a contemporary picture of a guy in jeans on the cover of a Regency/Elizabethian times historical is beyond me) before moving to what had to be done - Research.

. . . In the form of re-reading Hannah Howell, of course. Now that's an auto-buy author for me!! You're probably asking, "Research?"

Yep. My WIP is a fantasy - time travel. It's half set in a magickal world called Zenith, and half in Medieval Scotland. My hero is a second generation Zenithian (his grandfather is from Scotland) and my heroine is a MacGregor. Having absolutely no idea what I'm doing (my forte is Regency-set England), Hannah's strong writing provides a great research tool at the look of Scottish dialect.

In case you're wondering, here's the premise for my WIP called LEGACY OF THE HIGHLANDER, the third book in the Zenith fantasy romance series:

Jamie Kincaid is an honorable king from a magickal kingdom whose rampant Scots blood has him searching for answers to his heritage and questioning his grandfather’s secretive past. A family heirloom sends him back to his grandfather’s Scotland, a land as treacherous and beautiful as the lass he saves. The last thing he needs is his damnable honor that demands he protect the lass who fights him every step of the way. But someone wants the past to remain buried, and as deceit becomes fast indistinguishable from truth, he will have to decide if trusting the lass is worth the price of his heart.

Dianh MacGregor is a headstrong heir whose main objective is to oust her cruel aunt from power and take her place as the rightful chief of her clan. Duty demands that she prove she’ll overcome the clan’s doubts, denying a part of herself to fulfil her parents’ memory. But one regretfully good deed in the form of protecting the beautifully fierce Scotsman from her aunt’s vicious scheme has her kidnapped and at the mercy of a man who ignites a dangerous desire in her, awakening an alarming awareness and longing in her that threatens to taint her in her clan’s eye.

So that's my WIP in a nutshell. Got some great dialect lessons from Hannah's book. Thanks, Hannah!

OK. So now I'm armed and ready to burn those keys tomorrow for BiaW. Wish me luck!!! I'll need it if I'm to keep from procrastinating. Whatever happened to that girl who could whip out 38 pages a day! Geeze!!

First Blog!!

2005-09-02T01:43:00.000-04:00

OK, so I've decided to start a blog. Lord knows I don't need the extra diversion, but since the fabulous people on my email contact list are probably tired of seeing 5+ emails a day from me -- long ones, mind you -- I think this is will be better for me (and them!) to get my ceaseless gabbing out so I can concentrate again.

So here it is, my first blog!! *yay!!*