Mel's Procrastination Palace

NEW SITE

2006-09-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

I did it. I finally took the plunge and set up wordpress at:www.melaniblazer.net/blogIf you have me on your blogroll, please update it. I will eventually eliminate this blogspace site and will be doing all my "new" posting at the above site.:) I'm so excited. It's not perfect, but I don't claim to be a web designer. Come by and check it out....

The SUCK FACTOR

2006-09-17T18:56:00.000-05:00

I did my homework this weekend and read a book. (I've let my reading habit slide since I started writing and really need to get back into it.)So, I was talking about the book to my friend, Jaci Burton.Some writer friends and I have discussed that sometimes it's hard to get into a book we're reading for pleasure's sake, because we spend so much time reading and editing our own or CP's work. It's

All wet....

2006-09-13T12:54:00.000-05:00

I'm wondering if it's ever gonna stop raining. Has this become a rain forest-city-place? While rain is good, it's also weird for September. (Where was it in March/April???)And after Shan's horror of wet basements (earwigs-EEEK!) I reallllllly want to see the sunshine again.And remember I said I finished that quickie? I sent it off to a pal o'mine to read it and I get this email that says....

I did it!

2006-09-08T19:04:00.001-05:00

*pretend there's a picture of a hot, hot guy here, flexing*I finished the quickie.I have a hard time writing a complete (satisfying) story in the miniscule size of 12,000 words, but managed to do this in eight days (that alone is amazing to me) without major bloodshed or tearing of hair.Recently the subject came up about the possibility of these shorter books. In paperback, they're just not cost

I did it!

2006-09-08T19:04:00.000-05:00

Missed by a hair....

2006-09-05T19:35:00.000-05:00

Final weekend count came in at a pinch under 9600 words. Definitely quickie length, but not the completion of the story. Shan and Jaci seem a bit skeptical I can finish this in the allotted space, but I'm convinced it'll all work out. My new postponed self imposed deadline is Friday.Cheer me on.:)

Back in the saddle....

2006-09-01T21:06:00.000-05:00

The storm mess has been cleaned up in most places and it's not the subject du jour any more. After all, it's Labor Day weekend. (((Happy weekend to everyone)))I have no major family plans, no cookouts on the calendar, no schedule of parties or anything. Just a weekend home with the family, likely doing some house stuff, some car stuff--and writing.My goal is to write a quickie this weekend.

2006-08-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

This photo was of the back "yard" of a Veterans of Foreign Wars lodge. At least 5 trees in the back and 2 in the front were uprooted. They took out the utility poles and power lines, but missed the structure. (Last picture is also of this area)This tree was uprooted (hard to see due to the van) but caught by another tree. Sadly, 48 hrs after the storm, the tree that caught it broke and the tree

The aftermath......

2006-08-26T19:11:00.000-05:00

The following pictures were taken less than 100 yards from the lakefront. It's a park area with picnic areas, etc. One of the hardest hit areas.

Miss me?

2006-08-25T21:20:00.000-05:00

Holy moses, that was bad.Wednesday night I heard thunder. Commented on it while chatting with the bitches in IM, but didn't really think much of it. Storms are pretty common and I'm not one to panic and turn everything off at the first sign of rain.However.... After about 4 peals of thunder, the storm/tornado sirens went off. The local siren is at the school which is only a block from my house.

Unlikely research site

2006-08-20T18:37:00.000-05:00

A couple of my friends have libraries of research material. I'm envious, because I could totally get lost in interesting historical fact finding. But so far, other than little bits of information I've been able to look up online or "ask around" to learn, I haven't needed a full out research session for anything I've written.But today we went to a local car show--one of the largest in the area and

clickety clack

2006-08-17T21:26:00.000-05:00

How the heck is my life so busy, yet I never have anything (that I think is) exciting to blog about?Jaci got a new website and blog, it kicks major ass. Makes me wanna do a ton of work to my own. But I either need to loosen the grip on some cash or figure out how to do all that stuff myself. Ah well, I'll get there eventually. Go check hers out though--both the site and the great line up of

Passin' Thru...

2006-08-08T18:31:00.000-05:00

The most exciting thing I have to blog about is that I've been reading... and yeah, some writing. But the reading really helped to give me a break and recharge my batteries. Especially since I chose books outside the romance genre.I read Cross Bones, by Kathy Reichs. As a one time med student who was seriously thinking of going to work in forensics, these books are favorites of mine. This book is

hmmm, that time already?

2006-08-02T08:21:00.000-05:00

Shan posts her horrorscope (for writers) every month on her blog. I don't pay attention to them much, but with lots of plans for subs and stories, it was interesting to read my own and my pals. If you're a writer and wanna know what this month will bring, read it here.On a good note for me, I finished the last sentence of Chapter Three of my current story. Now I'm gonna let it stew, fester,

The kidlet tag...thanks Shan!

2006-07-29T21:44:00.000-05:00

Shan tagged Goose here, so I asked the kidlet to answer a few questions. Liam's answers are adorable. My child's scare me. But here goes!3 Things that scare me: No rum, no Johnny [Depp], no music3 People that make me laugh: Johnny, Daddy, myself3 Things that I love: Mom, Dad, Tim Burton Movies3 Things that I hate: school (cuz it means bedtime and early alarm clock), people who judge and life

How's it Friday already?

2006-07-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

My life is a pretty standard routine. Get up, IM with my pals while getting read for work. Eight hours at the office, come home, do those gotta-do's and then write. Same ole-same ole I doubt is worth blogging about.I'm working on "witch-lit", my silly name for a story about--you guessed it, witches. Not sure it's gonna turn out real "chick-lit"-like, but it's fun. Been chatting with a couple of

The good, the bad....the weekend

2006-07-23T18:16:00.000-05:00

First off, this post will not be about writing. Okay, maybe that should fall under "the bad" category, because the amount of writing I did this weekend was pitiful. I should have kicked ass, taken names and damn near finished the proposal. But... that didn't happen.The good:a) I got to see my nieces/nephew who living in Georgia. They're all under ten, but growing SOOOO fast. Even my nephew, who

Beware the supermarket

2006-07-18T20:08:00.000-05:00

First, I must prequisite this post with another story first...my mother in law has had a number of exciting events that have all happened at the supermarket, in the company of my daugthter. The most memorable of these occurrences had been, up until this point, when a can of biscuits exploded right off the shelf and just missed my mother in law's head. The bicuits...not the can.It probably would

Whirlwind

2006-07-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

This last week has been nothing short of a whirlwind.First off, been trying to hang out and post at the Samhain Reader Appreciation Week. It ends today but you can read a week's worth of excerpt blitzes here.Last night I babysat my 10 month old neice. It was the first I'd had her since January--wow has she grown. While it was fun--I'd definitely forgotten how a baby requires 100% of your

IT'S OUT!!!!

2006-07-10T21:07:00.000-05:00

My stomach never hesitates to do cartwheels on release day. I panic...will they like it, will anyone love it? Is it stupid? Tonight of all nights, I agree (on the premises this was a quick there and back trip) to go with the hubby to deliver some engine parts for one of the bosses at his job (for his personal vehicle).Once there, it was obvious help was needed and three hours later, and at least

Trophy Girl Excerpt

2006-07-10T07:27:00.000-05:00

It releases tomorrow! (And alot of times, MBAM has them up for sale the night before, sorta like the midnight showing the night before)Here's the excertp that's on the Samhain Publishing site. I'll try to post another one later. ;)TROPHY GIRL, (C) 2006, Melani BlazerSamhain Publishing, Ltd.The media were already lining up behind his SUV when Zander got out of the vehicle in the hotel parking lot.

CONTESTCONTESTCONTEST

2006-07-07T20:24:00.000-05:00

See what kind of week it is? I totally blew off my post it note that said "run contest"...*slaps self*So....Trophy Girl releases July 11th from Samhain Publishing.But I've got the files already and willing to give a few away. Interested? C'mon, a sexy Nascar driver with a bad reputation as a ladies man, girl next door who isn't impressed with his fame and fortune and the media who are determined

Weird Week

2006-07-06T21:49:00.000-05:00

I'm a creature of habit. If I don't get up and adhere to a semi normal schedule, my internal rhythm goes haywire. Having Monday AND Tuesday off really did it for me. How the heck can it be Thursday? Seriously?How can one achieve a to do list in three days? Although I did get my website updated with my new cover. (Note, it got put up here earlier than the official site because???? this is the

What would you do?

2006-06-29T19:03:00.000-05:00

You're a NASCAR fan... pretty into it, thanks to your dad. You know a lot about the drivers, the tracks, the cars. Even though you try not to, you hear the rumors and see the off track interviews. You know the reputation of the series champ, bad-boy Zander Torris. You know he's devastingly good looking, and charming to boot, but with a different piece of voluptuous, blond eye candy on his arm

The Review: Oh My Goth, by Gena Showalter

2006-06-22T08:47:00.000-05:00

Review comes straight from the pen of the 14 yr old rebel child who lives with me. Please keep that in mind while reading--she's not a professional reviewer and isn't the type who LIKED to write book reports. I can vouch for her, however--she did enjoy this book--ALOT. She grabbed it up immediately and wouldn't put it down for anything. She kept coming in to my room, laughing, reading aloud

READ THIS BOOK!!!

2006-06-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

Shannon Stacey writes killer humor and touching romance, but did you know she knows how to weave a fast paced, edge of your seat action packed suspense story that will require you to read it in one setting (and then ask, when's the next one due out?)This just went live, so don't hesitate to head over there (click the cover) to get your copy. Do you love high pressure action scenes? check. Wanna

The TBR Challenge: Lover Eternal by JR Ward

2006-06-15T07:52:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty adventurous, imo, but since I've started writing, my reading time has become precious, precious minutes. For that reason, I no longer jump daringly into a book who's title tickled my fancy or because the cover model was HAWT. I used to walk into a bookstore and come out with at least three books, now I rarely buy, because I know they'll sit, languishing on my bookshelf.So, I started

Fresh and clean--after lots of caffeine

2006-06-10T21:24:00.000-05:00

Now I know what Shan was talking about...it's pretty nerve wracking to update the blog, and for someone like me who's computer skills are just enough to give me the false hope I can do it, well.... (and *I* did it without the promise of an M&M Sundae... hmmm)Truth is, I'm STILL supposed to be working on Continuing Education for that wonderful day job (pushes nose back to normal length), but I

My blog has been interrupted to bring you....

2006-06-02T21:24:00.000-05:00

My daughter is sending out a plea to one Gena Showalter in an attempt to bribe, beg, plead, use and abuse her mother and otherwise guilt her into an ARC of OH MY GOTH.THIS (see above pictures) is how she attented her semi formal eighth grade dance. Yes. Yes, she did. I think it was all to get Gena's attention.So far she's promised to read and REVIEW the book, providing me with a copy of the

Food for thought....

2006-06-01T14:06:00.000-05:00

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that isall." - Oscar Wilde

No, really, I'm still here....

2006-05-31T08:24:00.000-05:00

Just wish I had something delicious to blog about. This month's been full of need-to's, have-to's and must-do's. The garage has basically been rebuilt and is now sided. Feels damn good to have that done--and it looks good too!We rekindled a friendship with a couple we got to know several years ago. It's fun to hang out with other adults who act like kids, who HAVE a kid and we can do things as

Madness, in it's silliest form

2006-05-18T08:17:00.000-05:00

Okay, I've hurt myself laughing the last few days. We've been having fun over at Jaci Burton's Paradise (yahoo group, you're welcome to join!!!!).... She, along with alot of other people, are at the Romantic Times convention in Daytona Beach, so several of us who were left behind have attempted to entertain.Shannon's been playing guess the book by the limerick. She's damn good at it. :)I pulled

2006-05-12T18:29:00.000-05:00

Grand Reopening Celebration!Now through Sunday evening, ALL ebooks are 10% Off to celebrate the launching of the new and improved shopping cart!Check out http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com for my recent release, BELIEVE THE MAGIC~ and lots of other kick ass books published by Samhain publishing (http://www.samhainpublishing.com)Here's a snipped of Believe the Magic:“Why, Quentin. Why are you on

Yummies!

2006-05-06T19:10:00.000-05:00

Co-worker babbled this recipe off and tonight, being too lazy to drive anywhere but having a total sweet tooth attack, I dug through the fridge and found enough ingredients to make it a reality.1- can standard biscuitscup or so of melted buttercup or so of equal parts cinnamon and sugarQuarter biscuits and roll them into balls.Dip in melted butter then roll in the cinnamon sugarput on cookie

When Characters Speak

2006-05-01T17:36:00.000-05:00

Normally, when the characters start talking I've finally hit the point where they're totally three dimensional to me and I see them as people rather than puppets whose strings I control.However, in the current book--the one I *gritted teeth* was trying to write as a quickie, the characters have done more than speak, they've taken over.Carter: I want to spank her. Men like to do that, women like

A pending review?

2006-04-28T08:26:00.000-05:00

dearauthor.com coherts Jane and Jayne havea chosen several e-books to review on their blog. It says Melanie Blazer (darn that "E"... I know I should buy that domain name~!) and the book they'll review is "BLIND DATES" but I'm pretty sure the suggestion was made for them to review "BRAND NAME DATES".We'll see what they think :)The rest of the blogosphere has been complaining of the blahs. I'm

IT'S OUT!!!!!!!!!!

2006-04-24T19:28:00.000-05:00

Go look! OMG.... BELIEVE THE MAGIC is out and for sale!!!Clearly I won't get much writing done tonight! :)Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love release days!

Contest... I'm haaa-ving a connnnn-test!

2006-04-21T21:14:00.000-05:00

Have you entered? Chance to win an ebook... not just ANY ole e-book, but one very special, superdeliciou extra enchanted ebook written by yours truly.... (dies of a coughing fit)... BELIEVE THE MAGICTo enter, just send an email to contests@melaniblazer.com with *I Believe* in the subject line. I'll draw the winner the evening of April 23. But don't worry, if you don't win, you'll have a chance to

Whoo hoooo!

2006-04-20T16:02:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to pop in and let ya'll know that my main website has been updated. There's still a couple of glitches I've alerted my webmistress about, but at least it's got BELIEVE THE MAGIC front and center! (And an excerpt too!)I haven't really announced anywhere, but I'll take this moment to scream to the world that Samhain Publishing will be publishing my racing-themed story, "Trophy Girl" in

2006-04-15T08:09:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter Weekend to Everyone!

Copy cat!!!!

2006-04-09T10:52:00.000-05:00

My goal is to blog semi regularly. Stealing meme's from Shan is a vital way of doing so, ya think? *snicker* Since she's a pal, I hope she doesn't mind. Besides, I'm a dweeb and find historical stuff like this cool.Go to Wikipedia. In the search box, type your birth month and day (but not year). List three events that happened on your birthday. List two important birthdays and one interesting

Do the Ipod Shuffle

2006-04-06T18:58:00.000-05:00

Stole from Shan who stole from others, who stole from yet others.... you get the picture...Put your iTunes/iPod on shuffle.Say the following questions aloud, and press play.Use the song title as the answer to the question.NO CHEATING.Note: there are 313 songs on the Ipod. The daughter (aged 14) the hubby and I all share it. I'm going with a total shuffle.... and I'm scared.1. How does the world

Three weeks! OMG!!!

2006-04-04T20:29:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm trying to finish edits and I just had this this whole OMG moment.BELIEVE THE MAGIC will be available in THREE WEEKS.Wahoooooooo *pause to barf* Yipppeeeeeeeee!Keep your eyes on Samhain Publishing--and HERE of course, where I'll be posting the blurb and excerpt soon!

Have you seen this?

2006-03-30T08:17:00.000-06:00

Check out this commercial.....click here and then chose the bottom left corner (the crab).My husband was in tears. I was damn close. Sorry, still won't buy a Honda Element, but that's funny. :)Now, back to the edit cave with me or my editor will PEEEEENCH!

Z, Y, X...

2006-03-23T19:28:00.000-06:00

Stole this from Shan, who snagged it elsewhere... Just in case you wanted to know... ya know? *blows kisses*A is for age: 34B is for Booze of choice: er, I don't drink!C is for career: Writer (Insurance agent by day...)D is for your dog’s name: no dog... have a giant cat named Tornado tho.... he poops like a dog.E is for essential items you use everyday: computer, shower, oh lots of things, I'm

Spring? Seriously?

2006-03-21T17:57:00.000-06:00

What the heck happened to winter?I realized today, when I was tearing off several pages of my page-a-day calendar (okay, so I was behind, or perhaps in denial), that yesterday was the first day of spring.How the HECK did THAT happen?All winter, we waited...and waited...and waited.... for the big one, the big dumpage of snow. You know what? Mother Nature KNEW the hubby and I each got new(to us)

March Madness

2006-03-18T08:29:00.000-06:00

Yeah, the big deal right now is basketball. I live in Indiana, where people eat, breathe and otherwise live everything to do with the big orange ball. It was a job requirement for us all to fill out brackets, (us gals did it blindly since none of us follow college hoops) but we have fun.I find more madness in March. Mercury is clearly screwing with people's heads because I've heard so much on

You Don't Wanna Miss THIS!!!!!

2006-03-06T19:00:00.000-06:00

Rescue Me by Jaci BurtonISBN: 1-59998-006-1Length: NovelPrice: $5.50Genre: Contemporary WesternPublication Date: March 7th, 2006Love can rescue a lonely heart.Kyle Morgan doesn't want to be rescued, especially not by former beauty queen Sabrina Daniels. Sabrina fires up Kyle's long dormant libido, and it's like a match struck on dry tinder - an explosion of heat whenever she’s around. His

Upstaged by the paperclip

2006-02-21T20:11:00.000-06:00

Okay, that's a bit misleading, because my numero uno task after installing MS Word was to DELETE the office assistant. It's distracting, annoying and frankly, I felt like I was being watched. I write erotic romance. The bug eyes on that paperclip would have exploded before I finished my first manuscript had I not done this service.However, I still think he's there... lurking. Who else takes a

It's not the Oscars, Emmy's or Grammy's, but....

2006-02-16T17:35:00.000-06:00

It's sure a thrill for me. First off, Alyssa nominated HOT ROD HEAVEN as her choice for "Most Hanky Read" in the AAR Reader Survey. Mucho thanks to Alyssa, cuz she made *ME* reach for the hankies...well, Kleenex anyway, by her vote. What a rush.Then I got news the anthology, THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT, in which I partcipated, is up for a CAPA award. Shocking, but true. Thanks to those who

Kickstart

2006-02-11T13:06:00.000-06:00

A week ago, my husband and I joked around with the idea of going to the Collective Soul concert in Chicago. They've always been a band I liked--since at least the Shine days, but somehow I never had purchased their CD (I've bought myself MAYBE 5 CD's in the last decade, so this isn't surprising). If you want the truth, I hadn't noticed they'd been "missing" from the radio scene until I heard

YES!

2006-01-30T17:31:00.000-06:00

Doesn't it feel great to accomplish something. It really is sweeter when the road to "the end" is long and bumpy. Of course, who's dumb enough to chose that road from the get-go, I dunno, but, hey, at least I'm looking on the bright side.Technically, I'm not "done" with edits, because I'm on the brink of 100K and really would like to hit that century mark, even tho my editor isn't requiring it.

What's all the buzz?

2006-01-23T08:19:00.000-06:00

I've heard it all over--my daughter said she hears about it on the radio and tv....myspace.comInitially, I ignored it like it was a pesky fly.But it got louder.Then Mandy did it. She gave in and no only got a page, but started telling us all about the networking abilities and that it was the yahoo groups of the future. Well, hell, as if I'm gonna let technology pass me by.Her fault. Totally her

Better now.....

2006-01-21T08:16:00.000-06:00

I'm jammin'I finally gave in and bought the CD I've been lusting after for awhile now. I've put this off many time with many CD's cuz I keep saying, I'll just buy the singles from Itunes and put em on my daughter's Ipod (and my puter)... but that wasn't getting done. Big surprise. (There's always something I need to do "more"...)So the CD is "YOUTH" by Collective Soul.I've been a CS fan since

Interesting things to do in the edit cave

2006-01-15T18:25:00.000-06:00

Recent events in my life have caused me to open a ms I wasn't intending on editing just yet--and this has occurred smack in the middle of editing a book that I do have a deadline for. Yeah, fun stuff. I may never crawl out of this pit of edit hell.So I thought I'd come here and list the top eh... random number of things to do while editing to keep from actually editing.(in no specific order)1)

How'd you spend the first week of 2006?

2006-01-08T07:49:00.000-06:00

Let's see. Best part was that I spent alot of time talking with the bitches. I think we all keep one another informed on what's going on in the chunk of cyberspace we inhabit. We're always referring one another to blogs or articles or discussing TV shows, like Angie did here.... I was actually online with Jaci and Angie and Shan as they watched this. Their comments were hysterical despite the

I'm sparing ya'll from the limericks today

2006-01-02T17:15:00.000-06:00

Cuz I wanna dance around and shout: Samhain's Live, Samhain's Live....and then demand that you get your tushies over there and BUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUY those books. CLICK RIGHT HERE TO BUY THESE BOOKSSAMHAIN PUBLISHING WEBSITEEspecially these two: (cuz they're my buds! --did ya hear the Pauly Shore voice? ergh, watched Encino Man this weekend.... *slurp @ Brendan Fraser *pant*)OOps, bad me... I was

What day is it?

2005-12-29T20:50:00.000-06:00

OMG. What a week. At least as far as life at the office goes. The week pre-Christmas was well.... slow in terms of business, (clearly I don't work for a retailer) but come Tuesday? I don't think we've ever been this busy to the point that I couldn't stop to breathe!I really can't believe it's Thursday already. I mean, losing Monday was one thing, but I swear, I've barely blinked since then.

A limerick per day....

2005-12-27T21:29:00.000-06:00

or three, simply because I wanted to be able to say:These limericks are examples of what you won't find in an erotic romance novel:There was a couple willing and ableTo make love on a rickety tableThree legs caved inShe grazed her chinAnd his condition is given as "stable"...There once was a bloke from BermudaWho flew with a girl on GarudaAfter a big glass of brandyHe got rather randyTook her to

I survived....

2005-12-26T17:24:00.000-06:00

It was touch and go there for a bit. Really.The tree stayed up--and is still standing. I'll be finding plastic icicles til May, but *shrug* I didn't have a six foot tree lying across my couch. Life is good.Christmas for us is understated and simple. It's all about family. Gifts are optional, but the norm, and more emphasis is placed on eliciting a grin than a gift of equal value in return. We had

The tree's still standing...

2005-12-20T20:17:00.000-06:00

And it's 5 days til Christmas.In case you're visiting this blog for the first time and going WTF?, I'm referring to the phenomenon that caused this family to erect a Christmas tree for the first time in years. The cats who own, rule and destroy this house have firmly been intent on investigating said tree, including the removal of most of the ornament on the lower levels as well as nearly ALL the

It's OOOOOUUUUTTTTTT

2005-12-15T17:44:00.000-06:00

OOkay, I'm a day late and who isn't always a dollar short...? Anyway, wanted to come be Miss Happy Promo Person and remind all you (three) regular visitors to my blog that WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES is currently available for sale at Ellora's Cave.When I Close My Eyes By Melani BlazerFor as long as she can remember, Kenna has had dreams of one man whose touch filled her soul and ignited her passions.

Move over Martha

2005-12-11T19:09:00.000-06:00

Here I sit.Last night and earlier today, I final did what I do only once per year--I ventured into the kitchen, pulled out all the baking equipment and transformed into Suzy Homemaker--okay, Martha Stewart? Na, decorating is NOT my thing. Betty Crocker, yeah, that's it.It's been a tradition for my mother-in-law and I to bake far more cookies than normal families would ever consume (we're talking

One good thing about winter....

2005-12-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

First off, let me eat my words and advise that my Christmas tree has not yet come tumbling down in a fit of needles, lights, garland and shattered ornaments. By some strange phenomen, however, the 50 odd plastic icicles my daughter adorned the tree with are shedding faster than the cats. I get up in the morning and they've fallen like apples off an apple tree...but I've yet to find another

I am DYING laughing.. but if you might not get the joke...

2005-12-06T22:08:00.000-06:00

Jeff Foxworthy on Indiana....................... If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Indiana.If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Indiana.If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live

Okay, don't anyone fall over...

2005-12-04T20:50:00.000-06:00

I let my husband talk me into a Christmas tree this year.Now, before you raise your eyebrows and go, "Oh gee, look, a scrooge," let me explain some of the reasons why Christmases have come and gone and this family has failed to have a tree.1) cats2) we don't entertain here3) cats. As in plural4) we don't even open presents here--we always spend Christmas as his parents house.5) cats. shiny

2005-12-02T07:58:00.000-06:00

Um, hopefully this is the LAST time I have to tell you my cover changed, lol. The message I got this time was that the cover was too similar to another one.

Coming to Ellora's Cave December 14th....

2005-11-28T19:43:00.000-06:00

Updated cover.... scripts a little different. Fire look hotter to you? What I wouldn't give to be snuggled up there with the man of *my* dreams (the husband, of course)....

A goose in witches clothing...

2005-11-27T17:18:00.000-06:00

She's Famous! Okay, actually it's a wizard's hat. About a week ago, the Goose went to a church meeting entitled "A Journey to Hogwarts" and this picture was taken during the "sorting ceremony" and featured in the local newspaper. We just got a call from the in-laws and of course, I sent the husband out to fetch at least two copies of the paper.She's chuffed, to say the least. Thinks she's royalty

And the beat goes on...

2005-11-23T11:28:00.000-06:00

Be it the thundering heartbeat of those getting the call, or me beating the desk while arguing with the muse--or beating the desk, laughing my ASS off at the silly things we discuss at breakfast with the bitches.So, let's go in order, and (inserting disclaimer) in case you're thinking, it's the day before Thanksgiving here...let's stay on topic--I am, I am! All of these things I'm thankful for--

2005-11-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Look what I woke up to this morning! Guess the hubby is getting his birthday wish--snow! (His birthday is tomorrow, but from the looks of this white stuff, it'll still be here in the morning...)

The bad, the good, the not at all ugly...

2005-11-15T15:06:00.000-06:00

So last night I have to take my daughter, aka Goose, to the Urgent Care facility because the pain in her ears has not gone away. In fact, she was complaining of more often occurrences of sharp, stabbing pain. Not good. Doc agrees. So very not good. With a little Rx, she'll heal, and until then, milk her woes for all it's worth. Oh, to be the kid again.Anyway, last night, while sitting in the

Who wants to know stern face

2005-11-10T22:07:00.000-06:00

Jaci tagged me. *sticks out tongue and swears she wouldn't do this for anyone else*Three screen names that you’ve had: Mel, Mel and you guessed it.. MelThree things you like about yourself: My patience, imagination (I'm easy to amuse, humor me), and uh, my friends.Three things you don’t like about yourself: I don't exercise enough, my self esteem isn't the greatest and......(oh, the choices....

You know you want it!

2005-11-07T20:11:00.000-06:00

Samhain Publishing is having a killer contest. Check it out:Win an eBookwise REB 1150 e-reader AND the first four Samhain releases.Just sign up for either Yahoo! group SamhainCafe or Samhain_News to enter OR join both and be entered twice!!! All who have joined through January 2nd will be eligible. Drawing will be held on January 3rd and announced with the releases.Nauti Nights by Lora LeighStud

Have you heard?

2005-11-02T09:21:00.000-06:00

There's a new publishing company in town and so far, it's looking DAYUM good.Here's a line from their website: Welcome to Samhain Publishing, Ltd., a new publishing house for those who appreciate all genres of fiction and non-fiction as well as stories that make the reader feel. Books that arouse emotions in the reader, stories that make you happy or sad, joyous or angry, or just make you think -

Happy Halloween!

2005-10-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

Ghosts and goblins and witches... wait, that was Mandy and Michelle's day at the ecchat group, wasn't it? If you missed it, shame on you, they had a great discussion about hauntings and some killer quizzes. Dratted that I was at work all day and only snuck into babble on about my parent's haunted house. *shiver*There are two, yet uncarved or adorned, pumpkins on my front steps. THAT's as far as I

Dude, where's my condom?

2005-10-25T19:55:00.000-05:00

I did it again.I supposed because I've been married for over 15 years, I don't think about that extra step between foreplay and penetration that requires a thin piece of plastic to separate the hero and heroine. Condom? Wassat?Way back when, Angie did a post about reading contemporaries and how frustrated she was and TSTL she felt the characters were when they had sex without protection. Even on

Look Ma, I blogged

2005-10-24T12:11:00.000-05:00

Actually, I got the title typed in there and stared at for a long time, mainly because a) my mother will never see this (read: technophobe) and b) okay, so a title doesn't a blog entry make.Sigh.The whole Halloween thing isn't working for me this year. Zilch in the decoration, excitement department. I bought two pumpkins, but even getting those was more of a chore than a wonderful annual family

It's OUT!

2005-10-20T12:44:00.000-05:00

Brand Name Dates is now available for purchase in e-book HERE.Talking with my pals this morning, I realized it was three years ago next month when I started making notes about this book. Kinda leaves me awestruck to know people are buying and reading it now. I hope all of you laugh at loud, scream at Jill (silently of course) when she's impulsive and does things she'll likely regret, and lick

Sudden Attack of the Nerves

2005-10-19T09:54:00.000-05:00

I actually think I've got more jitters about Brand Name Dates releasing than any of my previous stories through Ellora's Cave.Why?Half of me pretends to know why, the other half thinks I'm just channeling my daughter's drama queen-itis. Maybe because I wrote this book way before any of my Ellora's Cave stories. And it's written in first person, which seems to make it sooooo much more intimate to

oooh, a tangent....

2005-10-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

Don't EVEN think math, either. *shudder*The other night I was IM'ing with my daughter (she was at the grandparent's) and she informed me that she might have sold some of my books. Hmmm, hello? Anyway, turns out the teacher was reading something she thought might have been Ellora's Cave (omg at the thought of a teacher bringing that book to school--AND reading it during study time for her students

Me too... awol that is

2005-10-12T19:04:00.000-05:00

When I saw Anna posted about her being awol from blogging, it reminded me I hadn't been on here in awhile myself. Bad, bad me.I've been writing, playing online games (can't disppoint those who think I can't procrastinate with the best of 'em) and somehow losing minutes and hours doing mundane things like dishes and laundry. hrmph.The muse teased me today with a new chick lit idea. Of course, my

2005-10-01T21:50:00.000-05:00

And then we saw a butterfly, who posed happily for pictures.

Today's adventure

2005-10-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

A photo success. I got the child, aka goose, to pose for pictures for me today. She opted out of school pictures (for good reason, I caught a glance at her ID, yikes!) Natural light really makes her look so much better. :) So I gotta show off the kid, ya know? I got a good dozen images of her. And yes, this was done in B&W, not color film. :)

Tagged....whimper

2005-10-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

This is gonna hurt. Jaci tagged me.Here goes...1.Delve into your blog archive.2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas...5. Tag five people to do the same.Here goes......Or, if you do, you don't like it and delete

When all else fails, cut off their....

2005-09-30T18:27:00.000-05:00

Last night I read a chapter for my pal Jaci. As many of you know, she contracted this kick ass book called Surviving Demon Island with Bantam Dell a little while back and is hard at work on it. I think the title is enough background for you to understand the following conversation I had with my hero when I got up this morning.Me: What the hell was that? You're supposed to give me plot ideas and

Of Cats and Men...

2005-09-30T09:32:00.000-05:00

I figured I should share funny animals stories here, since I had posted the dog poop post over in Breakfast Bitches.Lemme tell you about Clyde. Clyde's a four year old black tom cat. Bad genes gifted him with a huuuuuge flat fact and giant yellow bug-eyes. He's allergic, likely to fleas, so he's licked the fur off the back half of his scrawny body, leaving him hideously pitiful looking. He even

It's time to BITE!!!

2005-09-22T14:56:00.000-05:00

*TODAY*TODAY*TODAY* whoops... mispelled that and made it "toy day" oh, heck, if it means you get a free Caveman toy when you buy a book, hmmmmm, (thought-jack there, sorry, but talk about incentive to sell books.... I wonder if the powers-that-be at Ellora's Cave have given that a thought?)Anyhoot, what I was getting at with my silly little song--aint' it funny how everytime I blog lately (like

Manic Monday

2005-09-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

Normally, I commiserate with the lyrics of that song. Monday's are usually...hectic, but I rarely complain because staying busy makes the day job go fast. Today was a little more than hectic. But it also was a day for putting things in perspective.I won't bore you with the details, but my boss's office had a major tussle with the hot water heater located directly above it. Since gravity was

2005-09-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

Another shot of the cousins... Haley's about 27 hrs old in this picture.

2005-09-12T19:05:00.000-05:00

OOOOH, I've got a new neice. (That would be my daughter holding her new cousin... ain't they cute?)

*thud**

2005-09-07T08:04:00.000-05:00

Hot Road Heaven is now listed as paperback available at B&N.com.... check it out!(This is the ass, er.... cover to die for. *swoon*, and I don't mind saying so myself because syneca is a GODDESS!)Back to your regularly scheduled programming.....

Coming September 28th!

2005-09-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

Upcoming Release!!!!! Anyone like vampires? Hot sexy vampires, even.... and haunted houses? In just a few short weeks, this anthology, containing my story, Haunted Redemption will be available from Ellora's Cave!Blurb: He isn’t the Scott she once knew. Lili never expected to see him again, but when she does, the sparks between them make Halloween a night to remember. It had been at a haunted

2005-09-03T17:02:00.000-05:00

Since my schedule won't let me out with the camera today, I decided to browze through the snapshots I'd set aside to one day upload. This one seems to capture the way I feel today. (otherwise undefinable)....

A thought here and there....

2005-09-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Still in inspiration mode from Jaci's wonderful news, I've been synopsizing. Or rather, Sucknopsizing. Although, honestly? When done as a plotting mechanism and tense doesn't matter--and I can riddle the thing with Annnn Dennnnnn's, well, it's kind of rewarding to see a story come together in a few (try 30) pages....I've been watching the Katrina catastrophe and my heart goes out to those

For my pal...

2005-08-26T19:58:00.000-05:00

I knew the day would come.A few years ago, someone special popped into my life. It's amazing how...uneventful a meeting like that can seem--after all, I met LOTS of people the same way, by corresponding on writing related message boards--but how truly life altering it is.I met Jaci Burton back before she'd signed a contract with Ellora's Cave, before she realized how talented she was at writing

Phew, it's still here....

2005-08-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

I had a dream last night, or rather, this morning. I dreamed I logged into the my computer and started my morning routine...check email, log into Yahoo messenger to chat with the breakfast bitches and then start the blog catch-up.Only my blog wasn't my blog anymore!Someone had stolen my blog, left the colors and general layout but started SELLING graphics and icons and logos and stuff. Under my

I haven't written a thing...

2005-08-19T22:23:00.000-05:00

Other than bitchy blogs, you know where, and crits for one of my bestest pals. And since I figured I should actually post about writing, for that was the intent of this blog, well, there hasn't been much to say...Figured tonight was worth talking about, however.Dh took me on a date, to the movies no less. Which means I have the inevitable headache caused form staring at a giant screen while

You know you're having a bad day when....

2005-08-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

there's an embarrassing series of events that leads to your shoelaces being marinaded in Coca-cola.Today's car show day, we get up, get dressed and stop at the wonderful McDonalds for a quickie to eat. Daughter in charge of getting pop.Clearly, the daughter needs a lesson in adhering lid to cup.Me, in desperate need of caffeine fix, sits down and picks up cup. Straws coming closer, I can almost

And That's That

2005-08-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

I should hate Angie for publicly humiliating me with my obsession with "that". I should be ashamed of myself for the numerous (as in over 1% of the total word count!) times I used "That" in my current WIP. It's an illness, I tell ya.But sometimes "that" has to be there. I keep telling myself that (<---see?), but I can't seem to find a proper alternative to so many of the uses. "That's what I'm

Mel's Procrastination Palace

NEW SITE

The SUCK FACTOR

All wet....

I did it!

I did it!

Missed by a hair....

Back in the saddle....

The aftermath......

Miss me?

Unlikely research site

clickety clack

Passin' Thru...

hmmm, that time already?

The kidlet tag...thanks Shan!

How's it Friday already?

The good, the bad....the weekend

Beware the supermarket

Whirlwind

IT'S OUT!!!!

Trophy Girl Excerpt

*CONTEST*CONTEST*CONTEST*

Weird Week

What would you do?

The Review: Oh My Goth, by Gena Showalter

READ THIS BOOK!!!

The TBR Challenge: Lover Eternal by JR Ward

Fresh and clean--after lots of caffeine

My blog has been interrupted to bring you....

Food for thought....

No, really, I'm still here....

Madness, in it's silliest form

Yummies!

When Characters Speak

A pending review?

IT'S OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Contest... I'm haaa-ving a connnnn-test!

Whoo hoooo!

Copy cat!!!!

Do the Ipod Shuffle

Three weeks! OMG!!!

Have you seen this?

Z, Y, X...

Spring? Seriously?

March Madness

You Don't Wanna Miss THIS!!!!!

Upstaged by the paperclip

It's not the Oscars, Emmy's or Grammy's, but....

Kickstart

YES!

What's all the buzz?

Better now.....

Interesting things to do in the edit cave

How'd you spend the first week of 2006?

I'm sparing ya'll from the limericks today

What day is it?

A limerick per day....

I survived....

The tree's still standing...

It's OOOOOUUUUTTTTTT

Move over Martha

One good thing about winter....

I am DYING laughing.. but if you might not get the joke...

Okay, don't anyone fall over...

Coming to Ellora's Cave December 14th....

A goose in witches clothing...

And the beat goes on...

The bad, the good, the not at all ugly...

Who wants to know *stern face*

You know you want it!

Have you heard?

Happy Halloween!

Dude, where's my condom?

Look Ma, I blogged

It's OUT!

Sudden Attack of the Nerves

oooh, a tangent....

Me too... awol that is

Today's adventure

Tagged....*whimper*

CONTESTCONTESTCONTEST

Who wants to know stern face

Tagged....whimper

*thud**