Today’s the day, folks. Honestly, I’ve not been counting done the days or anything like that, just glancing at the calendar every once in awhile noting that the day is closer and closer.

Doing that has made me realize how quickly the time is passing and I find it rather alarming.

I remember the days of my youth when time would draaaaaag out and it seemed I’d never get to that next aging ‘pinnacle’, whether it was getting my driver’s license or turning 18 or whatever. Once you’ve passed all those milestones, it reinforces (to me, at least) that it’s important to keep setting your own goals and milestones so that you don’t become bogged down in a one-step-after-the-other, putting-in-your-time kind of attitude that takes you into old age where you suddenly say, “Where did my life go?”.

Because honestly, that’s scary.

Yes, the bills need to be paid and the housework needs to be done, but there’s so much more to life!
We’ve each been given a life to celebrate, so let’s each one of us make the best of it.

Day in and day out finding happiness and looking for the beauty in all the little things…the way the sun glints off water…the way a snowflake falls to the ground…the laugh of a child…the lines of wisdom marking your face or that of someone you love.

Patterns of beauty are all around us. We only need to take the time to appreciate them. And ourselves.

So much to see and do. Pick the important stuff.

Be good to yourself. Be happy.

And if you want to keep track of the finalists for both the Golden Heart and The Rita, I’m told this is the place to be.

When David Morrell’s Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing was first published, I didn’t read it. Saw it advertised and it piqued my interest a bit, but my TBR pile was already *huge* and I didn’t much feel like adding to the stack already leaning precariously.

But then Toni, Loreth and I were having a discussion awhile back (as we are prone to do) and Loreth recommended it.

Whammo! Instant bypass of the TBR pile (similar, in fact, to a MS bypassing the slushpile with the coveted ‘Requested Material’ moniker).

And now I’ve read it and I’m glad I did.

The thing I like the most about it?

First of all, what’s not to like, but besides all the great practical advice presented in a practical manner, I am impressed with the fact that Mr. Morrell doesn’t look down his nose at the varied genres of fiction.

At all.

It’s a we’re-all-in-the-same-boat-folks-let’s-row-together kind of attitude he presents and it’s refreshing to say the least. As some of you know, that’s not an attitude every writer/agent/editor shares. Should be, but unfortunately it isn’t. Mr. Morrell does his best to dispel of it, though. Kudos to him. And to Loreth for recommending the book.

This is a picture of my extremely entertaining friend and roommate, Toni sidled up to her most favorite author, Suz Brockmann. Can’t you just see the glee in Toni’s eyes? It’s there for a reason!

Toni and I attended a get together of Suz’s and this was the point in the conference where I had never laughed so hard! It was a great time and we were well entertained, as well as awestruck over how down to earth and likable Suz really is. Not to mention her husband. And her friend Eric. And her mom. And her dad. (Oh yeah, they were there too!)

Suz’s husband is Ed Gaffney and he’s now published too. I’m looking forward to picking up Premeditated Murder and giving it a go. I’m thinking if he’s got Suz for a critique partner, he’s going to do just fine.

Here’s a picture of Suz and her crew who entertained us with Eric’s spoof skit of Suz’s books to date.
From left to right back row: Eric, Rob Mann (as Sam Starrett), Catherine Mann, Ed and Suz.

From left to right front row: Virginia Kantra, unknown, Alesia Holliday and a lucky audience participant.