Collections

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As I child I collected stickers. It was all the rage and children spent a lot of recess time trading back and forth.

“One shiny for that scratch and sniff?”

“How many for that fuzzy?”

To say the least, it was a good learning experience in trading commodity. To say the most, it was fun.

We moved at some point and unfortunately while my books were in storage they disappeared. Talk about heartbreak. There was a lot of time and dollars invested in my collection.

When my dad died, I discoverd he had scads of mundane things collecting in his house. There were drawers and drawers filled with shopping bags neatly folded into squares. There was a LARGE ziploc full of twist ties. And a shopping bag full of neatly wrapped coils of all different kinds and lengths of string!

You might think he was a bit neurotic (I thought so), but I soon realized it was because he grew up poor and was taught to “waste not, want not”. He never preached at me, just went about his business and tucked away all the things he thought he might need.

I’ve been fortunate enough thus far in my life that I can’t imagine having to save a piece of string. Can you? Something to think about, isn’t it?

Besides all the ordinary things in his house, I found lots of interesting things, too, including a collection of buttons. It was tucked away underneath an ancient treadle sewing machine in a candy tin.

Somedays I pull it out and thumb through the buttons. There’s not anything fancy or flashy in that tin, just good serviceable buttons that would get the job done.

Kind of like my dad.

Did you have a collection as a child? Do you have one now? Are you particular about saving certain items?

What You Can Learn From Kids

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This is shared from Al, who has four of the most adorable girls (and Girl Guides!) in all of Alberta. Thanks!

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old child’s voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound child wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20×20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn’t stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words “uh oh”, it’s already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke — lots of it.

9.) A six-year old child can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Lego’s will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old child.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can’t walk on water.

4.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR’s do not eject “PB & J” sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine will, however, make cats dizzy

22.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

23.) 80% of men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

a) For those with no children – this is totally hysterical.

b) For those who already have children past this age, this is hilarious.

c) For those who have children this age, this is not funny.

d) For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.

e) For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.

You Decide…

Rewrites

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There’s a rampant fascination in the writer’s world with how others come to the craft.

Where do they write? How much? When? Do they plot or fly by the seat of their pants? How many books did they write before they sold their first?

It’s a process of validation, I believe. A way to connect with success by examining the habits of others who’ve gone before and gotten THE CALL. (I kid you not, ‘THE CALL’ is always capitalized and every writer in the world knows what it is and waits for it). I’m waiting for mine right now. So are a lot of you.

So back to my subject of rewrites, author Sidney Sheldon has died. He was reported to have written 50 pages a day by dictating to his secretary or tape recorder. No computers or typewriters for him.

Once done his book, he rewrote it. 12-15 times. That’s a lot of times!

Purportedly, author Dean Koontz goes over his manuscripts somewhere in the ballpark of 30 times before submitting. Wow! That’s tenacity.

I’m looking for a little of that this morning as I dig into my own edits. Knowing that Sidney and Dean have done it, I know I can too.

And a little quote from Mr. Sheldon:

“I like to write about women who are talented and capable, but most important, retain their femininity. Women have tremendous power — their femininity, because men can’t do without it,” he has said in the past.

Smart guy!

What about you? What are you looking for in your day?

Time and a Quandary

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In my world, time is a precious commodity. Between homeschooling three children, all their various activities, volunteering for Girl Guides and writing, I’m fairly particular (most days) about what I spend my free time on.

Reading is one of those activities that I denote a fair amount of my free time to. I’m lucky that it falls hand in hand with writing. If it didn’t, I — well…I just don’t want to think about it!

What to do, though, when you get a book that just doesn’t resonate with you?

How long do you give it before you set it down, never to pick it up again?

Or maybe you keep on slogging through and finish it anyway?

In case you haven’t figured it out, this is a precursor to tomorrow’s post on Book Four. The bad news is that I didn’t finish it. The good news is that I get to start a new book today!

My quandary is that it was my intention to post the books I’ve read to my blog this year, thus keeping a system of logging them. However, if I didn’t finish I can hardly give it a score and then there’s the fact that I truly believe in keeping one’s trap shut if you can’t say something nice.

But then, is that a realistic attitude given the publishing industry is full of attitude and reviews? Not likely, but still, I won’t diss anyone’s book. Just like a child, those words belong to someone and they are precious to them.

When my publishing days come, I can only hope my words are treated with the same amount of respect. For the most part.

Ah jeez. You’d think I’d’ve learned from American Title! I’d better start toughening up now, huh? ;)

American Title III – And then there were 4

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Round four voting begins again today at Romantic Times. You’ve got until February 4 to cast your vote for your favorite dialogue scene.

January 2nd the voting guillotine descended yet again and this time contestants Judi Fennell and Kate Carlisle felt the blade. They’ve now joined the rest of us on exile island while Raz Steel (Pass the Kryptonite), Kim Howe (One Shot, Two Kills), Linda Thomas-Sundstrom (Barbie and the Beast), and Jenny Gardiner (Sleeping with Ward Cleaver) are on stage with their best writing word forward for the Dialogue Scene.

And because many of you are curious, here’s what you’d have seen from
Rising Sin…

SET UP – Zach and Taren are shopping to replace her stolen clothes.

“I like this one,” Zach said, holding up a bustier of barely there red lace.

“Hmm,” Taren murmured, trying not to imagine him peeling it from her body. “Sorry, I’m looking for function, not effect.”

“This is functional,” he defended.

Only for staging a seduction. She moved to the pre-packaged underwear with wide elastic waistbands. These were what she needed.

Zach approached with several colorful strings she assumed were panties. She shook her head.

He scowled, plucking her choices from her basket and examining them with open distaste. “You sure know how to ruin a good time.”

“There is no good time,” she said. “Get over it. Besides,” she waved her hand at his strings, “you try wearing butt floss.”

His eyebrow quirked. “I didn’t think you had anything against it,” he said.

“What are you talking about?”

“Last night, on the ladder…” his voice lost its gusto as she pierced him with a suspicious stare.

“No panty lines.”

“I thought I caught you checking out my butt.”

Zach only shrugged, clearly not willing to incriminate himself further.

“For your information, there were no panty lines because there were no panties.”

“No panties?” he asked.

“None.”

“So right now you’re not wearing…?”

“That’s right, soldier.” She moved in close. So close she could feel lust radiating off him in hot, heavy waves. “Commando. Right here, right now.” She tapped her finger on his hard chest.

“As.” Tap.

“We.” Tap.

“Speak.” Tap. Tap.

Zach’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared. Taren winked and spun on her heel, sauntering to the checkout while his burning gaze caressed her behind.

She smiled slyly. Zach Bodine wasn’t the only one who could deliver heat.

Tick Tock Goes The Clock

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I’m having difficulties maintaining my schedule these days. I’ve picked up this bad habit of watching TV and cleaning my house instead of working on my wip in the evenings and I’m not accomplishing as much as I’d like on my page count.

Instead of working, I’ve rearranged my clothes closet, dusted, organized my office, kept the kitchen counter free of clutter and I’ve been watching hockey and American Idol.

At any rate, it’s got to stop. While the clean house is nice, I’ve got a self imposed deadline looming over my head and I’m not helping myself letting the boob tube suck away my life.

Ever have one of those moments where you think “There goes an hour of my life that I’ll never get back?”

For whatever reason, that’s been my last few days.

I know better.

A kick in the pants please?

How to Decide Who To Marry

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HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids)

(1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
–Alan, age 10

(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.
–Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
– Camille, age 10

(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
– Freddie, age 6

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

(1) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
– Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

(1) Both don’t want any more kids.
– Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

(1) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
– Lynnette, age 8

(2) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
– Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

(1) I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
– Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

(1) When they’re rich.
– Pam, age 7

(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that
– – Curt, age 7

(3 ) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
– Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

(1 ) I don’t know which is better, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never going to have sex with my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out.
– Theodore, age 8

(2 ) It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
– Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN’T GET MARRIED?

(1 ) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?
– Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favourite is……..

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

(1 ) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
– Ricky, age 10

Zen

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Because it’s good to giggle, today I’m sharing a little list my fellow American Title Finalist, Cathy Pegau posted to our email loop just as the voting for Round Three started up…

ZEN FOR THOSE WHO TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY

1. SAVE THE WHALES. COLLECT THE WHOLE SET.

2. A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE IS LIKE, NIGHT.

3. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT FINGERS.

4. I JUST GOT LOST IN THOUGHT. IT WAS UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY.

5. I FEEL LIKE I’M DIAGONALLY PARKED IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE.

6. HONK IF YOU LOVE PEACE AND QUIET.

7. HE WHO LAUGHS LAST, THINKS SLOWEST.

8. DEPRESSION IS MERELY ANGER WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM.

9. THE EARLY BIRD MAY GET THE WORM, BUT THE SECOND MOUSE GETS THE CHEESE.

10. I DRIVE WAY TOO FAST TO WORRY ABOUT CHOLESTEROL.

11. SUPPORT BACTERIA. THEY’RE THE ONLY CULTURE SOME PEOPLE HAVE.

12. A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IS USUALLY THE SIGN OF A BAD MEMORY.

13. GET A NEW CAR FOR YOUR SPOUSE. IT’LL BE A GREAT TRADE!

14. PLAN TO BE SPONTANEOUS TOMORROW.

15. ALWAYS TRY TO BE MODEST, AND BE PROUD OF IT!

16. OK, SO WHAT’S THE SPEED OF DARK?

17. HOW DO YOU TELL WHEN YOU’RE OUT OF INVISIBLE INK?

18. HARD WORK PAYS OFF IN THE FUTURE. LAZINESS PAYS OFF NOW.

19. EVERYONE HAS A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY. SOME JUST DO NOT HAVE FILM.

20. IF BARBIE IS SO POPULAR, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BUY HER FRIENDS?

21. EAGLES MAY SOAR, BUT WEASELS DO NOT GET SUCKED INTO JET ENGINES.

22. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET SCARED HALF TO DEATH TWICE?

23. I USED TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND BUT MY BRAINS KEPT FALLING OUT.

24. I COULDN’T REPAIR YOUR BRAKES, SO I MADE YOUR HORN LOUDER.

25. WHY DO PSYCHICS HAVE TO ASK YOU FOR YOUR NAME?

26. INSIDE EVERY OLDER PERSON IS A YOUNGER PERSON WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED.

27. JUST REMEMBER – IF THE WORLD DID NOT SUCK, WE WOULD ALL FALL OFF.

28. LIGHT TRAVELS FASTER THAN SOUND, WHICH IS WHY SOME PEOPLE APPEAR BRIGHT UNTIL YOU HEAR THEM SPEAK

American Title III voting begins again…

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But this time without me.

It was a disappointing day three weeks ago when fellow finalist
Lindsey Brookes and I received the news — our entries had been cut from the contest. Too few votes and there we were.

OUT.

With the disappointment came a huge sense of relief though and a return to normal life. Three weeks is a good cut of time and in those weeks I’ve gotten back into a regular writing schedule which is a blessing unto itself.

The contest has been fantastic fun, but it definitely isn’t conducive to a stress free life, which wasn’t a bad thing, actually.

Before American Title, I was only focused on getting the words on the page and then submitting to the appropriate publishing house. I hadn’t considered the myriad other aspects to writing like deadlines, marketing and networking to name but just a few. I’ve learned a great deal and for that I am grateful.

And I’m extremely grateful for all of you that voted. Your support was incredible and I appreciate it so much. You’re an awesome bunch of people. My thanks to each and every one of you!

Be sure to head over to Romantic Times today and cast your vote. Six contestants are still in the running for the publishing contract with Dorchester. This next voting period will be a tough one as it falls over the Christmas holidays and ends New Years Eve, so be sure to help them all out and spread the word.

Had I not been cut, this is what you would have seen from me today.

Story Summary – Rising Sin

Foreign women are vanishing from Tokyo’s hostess clubs, but no one seems to care…until an American senator’s daughter and a girl from the wrong side of the tracks are among the missing.

Raised in a tumultuous home, Taren Gildman learned to rely on only one thing—herself. When her younger sister disappears in Tokyo and the local police aren’t motivated to find her, Taren sets out on her own.

Working undercover as a hostess, she discovers Emily’s disappearance is linked to a ruthless Japanese Mafia boss—a man with ties to sex-slavery. Taren cultivates his friendship, but it’s a high stakes gamble with deadly consequences and when her true identity is exposed, she’s forced to flee.

Not accustomed to offers of help, Taren is leery when sexy ex-Ranger, Zach Bodine, offers his. Eventually hope triumphs over her misgivings and while the two navigate the dangerous underworld of the Japanese Yakuza, Taren’s guarded heart stumbles and she falls in love with the enigmatic man.

It’s all in a day’s work to extract a politician’s kidnapped daughter, but the trick is finding her first. Zach Bodine is on a covert mission, so when he insinuates himself into Taren Gildman’s search, he has no qualms about lying and using her information to further his own agenda. That is, until his feelings for Taren begin interfering and he realizes that by fulfilling his duty, he may have to abandon and endanger the life of the woman he’s come to love.

Feel free to play judge Flavia, Hilary or Leslie in the comments. I’m tough enough to take it! ;)