Monday planning…

How many of you make lists? I make them all the time. It helps me to realize my goals, finish tasks and stay somewhat organized. I make grocery lists, to-do lists, cleaning lists and my favorite, writing lists.

Writing lists? It’s my way of keeping up with what I’m working on, future projects and the maybe-one-day projects. Here’s how I go about making the writing lists…

Now projects list: This is the list of things in the hopper now, like the manuscripts that are due out soon. They are already outlined, just waiting to be completed. I keep a current list so that I don’t lose track and it also keeps me in focus on my release dates.

Future projects list: I love this list. It’s the list of projects that maybe are already outlined, but are on the back burner until my now project list is whittled down some. These are the books that I can see the whole story in my mind. This list gets a long look each week as I long for the characters and their unfolding lives. I have to strive not to dip into this list until its time.

Maybe one-day projects: Here’s where I play sometimes. All writers will understand this one. You’re sitting, playing with story ideas and something sneaks in, but the whole idea isn’t quite there, just yet. I put these in this list for future writing. If the story suddenly and without warning comes through and into focus I bumped it to the future projects list.

Included in all of these lists are items like finished covers, finished blurbs, characterizations, etc. Usually, I just mention that these items are saved in the books dedicated file on my hard drive.

Funny how the mind of a writer works. Mostly I’m just willy-nilly and let the characters take over where they may, but for the sake of my sanity I try to keep up with what’s happening. So, I do lists…

Hopefully one day I’ll be doing lists for a big publisher or I’ll be doing writing lists that will fill my day with writing, not just accounting and taxes mixed in 😉 A girl can dream, right?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

As my finger hovered…

Well, it’s a little warmer this morning here in the south, but not by much. The trees outside are beginning to turn slightly, some a little more, which tells me my favorite time of year is upon us. I love the Fall.

But on to the post. Last night I did something that quite frankly scared me to death. No, I didn’t go to a haunted house, not one for those at all! I waited patiently, not exactly patiently, but somewhat, for the final notifications to stream in on the Top 25 for the SYTYCW15 contest. Deep down I knew my name wasn’t on the list, but I had to know for sure before I made a life changing decision. Let me just say this, I was so honored and totally humbled to have made the Top 55 among so many great authors, it was a little overwhelming if I’m to be totally honest.

So as I sat last night, playing with the decision at hand, I took a deep breath and jumped. Yes, I hit submit on Tuscany, meaning it’s in Harlequin’s hands now. To what end, I’m not sure, but we’ll just have to see. This book was totally different from my other ones, it was like a part of my soul went with it last night. Was this the right decision? I think so.

Recently I was on a discussion on Twitter with a couple of Harlequin editors and I asked about this type of book. Would it be something that they’d look at? Immediately a couple of them tagged other editors with Harlequin, stating it was what they were currently looking for. That intrigued me enough to hit the submit button last night.

As for Tuscany’s presence on Wattpad, I don’t know. I’ll probably pull it soon, but for now I’ll leave it there. I’ve received a couple of really great reviews. One said simply, but powerfully, “SWOON!”. This made me smile because I almost swooned as I typed the last paragraph of this book and if you have read it then you know why. Then this morning I received another review stating and I quote, “Wow! One of the best books I’ve ever read on Wattpad or anywhere else for that matter!!” With wonderful reviews like that, I just have this feeling. It’s the feeling I had the first time I hit the submit on Ghost Lover, my first published book. And I’ve never regretted that move, not even once 😉

So, with that said, I’ll keep you updated on what’s happening, but I know it will be a while before I hear anything, if I hear at all.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Let’s do a little Throwback Thursday!

Good morning! It’s Thursday, which means it’s almost Friday. Today is the final day for 2014 tax returns to be filed, so you know how my day will go, pants on fire, yep…

Let’s go back to May 2012! I published Tender Flames, a sweet romance. It actually met with reader approval and some disapproval. As I’ve done with some of my earlier publishings I’ve revised this book and made it better. My writing has changed drastically from the early days. With that said, let me give you a look at the new cover.

If you’ve read Tender Flames, then you totally get this cover, if not, then I hope you’ll grab a copy. This romance is a love triangle that pulls you in and takes you on a ride. I love this story for the unique quality of the romance that has grown from childhood for the main characters and yes I mean the three in the triangle. That’s what makes it special.

http://www.amazon.com/Tender-Flames-Revised-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B0084USOE2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!

P.S. Still waiting on the results for the Harlequin SYTYCW15 contest. Keep those fingers crossed.

One Last Push for Tuscany

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany-sytycw15 Vote for Pitch Part One!!!

Alright, I’m sending out one last push for Tuscany then I’ll be silent and wait. It’s been a long week of promoting, promoting, and more promoting… One thing can be said, I gave it my best and that’s all I can do. Since a Harlequin Editor said she liked the premise of Tuscany, if I don’t make it to the top 25, which I’m hanging on the edge, I’ll be sending it to Harlequin. Why not?

One sweet lady read it on Wattpad and her comment of the last paragraph of the book was ‘Swoon!’. That made me smile. This book was totally different from any of the books I’ve written before. I’m totally pleased with the outcome and plan to push it forward.

So, how is everyone out there in the world today? Hope it’s going well for all of you.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Monday!

Monday… Yep it will be Monday all day. I’m working on my second cup of coffee and still not feeling it. This week is d-day for tax returns and I’m in fast forward. It’s also the last few days to get votes for my entry in Harlequin’s Writing contest. So my mind is running around bumping into walls and going nuts.

I’m doing halfway decent in the voting. Right now I’m still short some votes to stay in the Top 25, so if you’re in the mood to give me a vote and share with friends, please do. It would be great to get to the Top 25, but even if I don’t, I’m still honored to have been chosen for the Top 55.

Try to make the most of your Monday and hope you have a great one.

As always, good writing and may God Bless You…

The letter that started Tuscany’s story!

Just to get you up to speed on what’s happening, Tuscany, my newest manuscript has made it to the top 55 in Harlequin’s SYTYCW15 contest. I’m posting like a crazy woman trying to get to the top 25, but I have to get enough votes to do so. If you get a moment, please give a vote on Wattpad at https://www.wattpad.com/161892410-tuscany-sytycw15-pitch-part-1

So, in the last two posts I introduced you to Lana and Romeo, now let me give you an idea of what Lana’s up against. Here’s the letter she received from her grandmother at the time of her death. This would definitely be an eye opener.

My Dearest Lana Rose,

I know you have many questions for this old woman, but first things first… Don’t you dare shed any tears for me. I’m in a good place surrounded by my loved ones.

Now for the reason you’re on this plane…I want to be buried in Tuscany where I left my heart over forty years ago. I know I never told you about that part of my life, but there was a reason.

When you arrive in Tuscany, a wonderful couple will meet you at the airport. Roberto and Marianna have been my friends for many, many years. They will take you to my small olive farm, Olive Hill. Another secret I know, but that too will come to light soon.

I want you to try it for a year. If after a year you’re not happy, then Roberto is prepared to sell everything and send you back to Georgia. But please give it a year. I know you’ll love it there. It’s the most beautiful place on earth and the magic it holds is beyond anything you’ve ever seen.

You should have my journal safely with you. As instructed, I want you to wait until you’re at the house before you open it. Everything will be explained in the pages of my journal.

I’ve raised you to be independent and I expect you to pull your weight at the farm. And please give your heart a chance to love. If you can fall in love anywhere, it’s Tuscany. Your heart will guide you in the right direction, but first you have to open it up to the possibility of love.

Roberto has my burial instructions and will follow them exactly as I’ve specified. Marianna will help you with the house. She’s an angel and I wouldn’t have made it through my youth without her.

Now you take care of yourself and remember that I love you with everything I have. We’ll be together again one day, but until then please be happy.

Love Abounds,

Mama Leona

Are you a little intrigued, if so go by and vote. Let’s see Tuscany in a Harlequin cover!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You!!!

Fall in love with Romeo…

You’ve met Lana, but now you need to meet Romeo… Well for starters he’s a dark haired, dark eyed Italian with a heart for Olive Hill. Then in comes Lana and he feels she’ll take everything away that he’s worked his whole life.

One thing you need to know about Romeo is he’s passionate, strong willed and loves with everything he has. When Lana comes into his life, everything changes. He fights the feelings with his Italian will, but love is stronger than that. The passion he feels for her takes over his senses. With the first sight, he feels it, but the first kiss sends him in a spiral.

My idea of Romeo is Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. Yeah, he’s that good looking. As I wrote this book, that was the picture in my head, some picture too. Imagine Ian as you read Tuscany, believe me, it brings a whole new meaning to the word, Romance….

So, give Romeo a chance with a vote. Let’s get him to the Top 25 on Harlequins contest. Here’s the link, all you need to do is vote for the Pitch part 1, that’s it. https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085/write/161892410

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Let’s get to know Lana…

Good Friday morning! It’s been a spectacular week, hope it has for you too! If you haven’t read any of my latest posts, I’m in the running to win a writing contract with Harlequin, yes, you heard me. I’m in the Top 50, so that means I need some votes, but first, let me introduce you to the leading lady in Tuscany, Lana.

Lana is a young woman from Zebulon, Georgia. She was raised by her grandmother, Mama Leona. Her life was as normal as any Georgia country girl. But when her grandmother dies everything she thought about her life changes. Now she has to go to Italy to take on the role as heiress of a huge olive oil farm, Olive Hill.

The problem with this is she never knew about the estate in Italy, much less her grandmother’s wealth. With everything else, she’s given a journal from her grandmother that helps guide her way. Then she meets Romeo, a handsome single Italian man that runs Olive Hill. The sparks fly as they disagree about everything, including the estate. She has one year to decide to keep the estate or sell it.

So, are you intrigued? Help Lana’s story get into a Harlequin romance by voting for the first part, the pitch at https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085/write/161892410.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…