Something's gotta give

Someone sent me this instant message today: "You need to get another life". I'd actually been out all morning at an event, and left myself logged into my computer. She thought I'd been sitting here online all morning. Not today, my lovely, but usually yes, that's the case! Almost all my free time is spent at the computer; writing, editing, marketing, networking, and reading, not to mention the odd game here and there. I get a lot done, however, there's a lot I don't get done. Who knew weeds grew so quickly? I try to organize my day into time slots - certain times for certain things - but it never works out and I find it too boring. I'd rather just juggle it all at once and see what happens. This afternoon, I planned to write chapter 8 of Hide and Seek, but I'm going to give myself time off instead, away from the computer. And no, I'm not going outside to weed.

Progress

Today's been a great day. Met a friend for lunch, and did a little shopping. Distributed marketing materials for Madness and Murder in San Clemente. Beach-side towns are so friendly and accommodating, I think I'll go back. After lots of research, and a bit of dithering, I ordered my Kindle today,and can't wait to start downloading e-books. Also planned my book launch party for Madness and Murder for July 1st. Making progress feels great. Next up is a trip to one of my favorite places, San Francisco, for more research. Love the San Fran fog and feel and the Golden Gate Bridge peeking through the mist. This pic was taken on a trip I took in 2005. This kind of scenery inspires much of my writing. Oh, and I'm also done with chapter five of Hide and Seek, my 3rd mystery suspense.

After a few crummy days, I've had the most terrific week. Actually, the good news began at the very end of last week with a contract from Echelon Press for No Alibi, my second suspense novel. I met Karen Syed, my publisher, at the Southern California Writer's Conference in San Diego last year for a one-on-one consultation, which resulted in the contract for Madness and Murder, due out July 1. Can't wait to see it on the market, and with the second one coming up right behind. A huge amount of effort went into creating these two books, however, meeting the right publisher at the right time also had a little to do with luck, or so I believe. Thank you, Karen and Echelon Press. I signed up for the September Southern California Writer's Conference in LA - I had such a great time at the last two and met so many fantastic people, I didn't want to miss it. On Wednesday, I enjoyed a great evening with the Wolfwriter's read and critique group, and put to good use the suggestions for my third suspense novel, Hide and Seek. That novel is in the early stages, and I'm still developing the plot, but it's coming along. To round the week off, I got some wonderful news (personal, so I shan't post it here), so all in all it turned out to be a pretty stellar week. Hope everyone else had a good week.

Madness and Murder Chapter 1

Chapter one of Madness and Murder, due July 1, 2010 in e-format, can be read by clicking on "pages" to the right of my blog. I would love to know what you think so please leave me a comment. Thanks, and hugs x

This week

What a stellar week it turned out to be. It didn't start out that well, yesterday was a tough day, but today the week made a comeback. After I finished work, with a cracking headache I might add, I logged onto my email account and found a wonderful surprise waiting for me: an email with the offer of a contract for my second suspense novel, No Alibi. Whooopeeeee. Excited doesn't come close. What could be better? If only I wasn't on medication this week...I'd quite like to go out and get drunk!!

Madness and Murder

I just learned the release date for Madness and Murder, my debut suspense novel, will be July 1, 2010. Thank you to all those who have expressed their interest and asked me for the date. I truly appreciate your support and can't wait to get your feedback. Right, I'm off now to celebrate or something.......

May

First day of May, and it's a beautiful sunny day in San Diego. For a change, I actually got outside on the weekend, instead of hunkering down at my computer, missing the gorgeous weather. Stopped in at the Home Show in Lake Elsinore to catch up with fellow Echelon author, Teresa Burrell, at her book signing for The Advocate. I'm taking the rest of today off from writing and plan on enjoying reading her book.