Monday and Stuck in the Office

Monday and sunny in the sunshine state makes it so hard to be in the office. I’d much rather be at the beach or sitting on my patio reading Julie Leto’s book Phantom Pleasures.

Yep, I got a couple of copies this weekend. I’m so excited to read this book. The excerpts over on the Plotmonkey’s had me dying to hold the book in my hand, turning each page with anticipation.

Now I can.

Yay!

So, how was your weekend? Anything exciting happen?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Day Four of Phantom Pleasure's on the Plotmonkeys

OMG, today's chapter over on the Plotmonkeys is to die for!!!

This is a sit down and read until you reach 'the end' kind of book. If you haven't read any of it yet, then go forth and read. I promise you are going to love this book.

Julie Leto is a master at weaving you into her world. Within moments you are no longer sitting in that comfy chair, but you feel drawn into the midst of each scene.

And in case you've forgotten, Julie is giving away a $20 gift card to Amazon.com each and everyday this week.

So, go read today's chapter, leave a comment there and come back here and tell us what you think.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Tuesday Checkin In - and The Plotmonkey Giveaway

I don't have much to report for last week. I did a few edits, but not much. Life was busy in the land of the desert.

This week, I'm back to the prologue and chapter one. Doing, what I hope will be the edits for those. I'm wanting to enter a couple of contest and need to tighten up the beginning as best as I possibly can.

If you didn't make it over to the Plotmonkey's yesterday, you can click here to read the prologue.

Today, Julie has Chapter One up and let me tell you, it just keeps getting better and better.

In case you missed yesterday's post, (by me), she's giving away a $20 Amazon gift card everyday this week. All you have to do is read it and leave a comment.

So, how was your week? Writing goals met? Did you just relax? Let us know.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Julie Leto's Fab Giveaway

I’m back. I missed everyone in our blogworld. :) It's really great to be back at home with Science Guy and the babies (dogs for those who don't know)

Scottsdale is such a beautiful place and if you like shopping…then it’s definitely the place to go. There are malls everywhere. Did I shop? Oh yeah.



Over at the Plotmonkeys, JulieLeto is doing a great giveaway all week long. Her new book PHANTOM PLEASURES, will be out in a few weeks and she’s putting up a chapter a day for the next week. It won’t be the entire book, but I promise you’re going to love it.

Add to that, she is not only giving away a chapter a day, but she’s also sweetening the pot by offering a $20 Amazon/Borders gift card per day to anyone who leaves a comment.

Which is a great way to get the book when it comes out and finish reading it. You’ll be hooked on day one!

So, go on over read the chapters and leave a comment each day. Then come back and leave a comment here. Next Sunday, I’ll have a surprise giveaway to announce.

Pictures are coming soon of the trip. We went to a Renaissance Festival that was unbelievable.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Quick Check In and the Contest Winner

Hey, just a quick post here. I'm still in Scottsdale and having a great time. I did want to post the winner of last week's contest though.

Chasing the moon!!! WhooHoo, congrats! Email me at vickilanewrites@yahoo.com and let me know if you would like a book or the gift card. As soon as I'm back I'll get it sent out to you.

Hope everyone is having a great week. I didn't post anything on the writing goals this week since I'm not at home. I haven't written or edited much.

Lot's of great stuff to tell you later and some pictures of the festival when I'm back.

Next Monday I'll start a new contest so be sure and check back.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

A Little Friday Humor

A co-worker sent this to me and in keeping with the Nine Words thing, I had to share. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

I'm flying out tomorrow but will post the winner of this weeks contest on Sunday. Also Monday will begin a new one.



WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Wednesday Fun - Nine Words Women Use

When I first read this, I thought, no way. We women don't really mean that. Then I read it again and laughed out loud, since most of the time it's exactly what is meant.

Remember it's just a funny, so read and enjoy. If you're one of the few women who don't use these words for these meanings...You are truly amazing. :D

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't do It.

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you. Do not question, or faint; just say you're welcome. I want to add in a clause here: This is true unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" in this case, for that will bring on a "whatever").

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying screw you!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has asked a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Happy Wednesday!

Vicki

Words added: 221
Words deleted: Not as much this time, more moving things around
Chapter I’m currently editing: 18 – Still, I may have to split this chapter. It’s longer than I realized.
Chapters to go: 3

I didn’t do much in the manuscript this week. I know, shame on me. How am I going to finish this first pass so I can start the second one, if I don’t sit down every day? Wish I had the answer.

My goal, and trust me it’s a big one, is to have this first go through completed before I fly out at 7:00AM on Saturday morning to go visit Missy and Aaron. She and I are going to sit by the pool each morning before we start doing whatever it is we will do while I’m there, and work on the second pass. It’s nice to have a fresh pair of eyes, one that doesn’t really know the story to read it and let me know if anything is confusing or what not.

Don’t forget about this week’s contest. Leave your comments this week to be entered.

So, it’s your turn now. How was your week? Did you meet your writing goals or reading goals? If you’re not a writer, but a reader or scrapbooking, gardener, (sounds like: doctor, lawyer, or Indian chief from when I was a kid) or whatever, did you meet your goals? Let us know, besides, it’s one more entry into the contest. :D

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Winner's Choice Contest

It's Monday and I like everyone else lost an hour this weekend. Doesn't make me a happy camper. I'm all for the fall time change when they give me an extra hour on the weekend, but if we have to do this time changing thing, please take away an hour during the week.

Okay so much for the whine. How about you, did losing an hour make it rough this morning? Did you forget to set you clocks back? We had several people who were late for work, because they forgot.

So, in honor of losing an hour, this week's contest winner will received their choice of book to win up to $10.00. I'll send you an amazon gift card, or perhaps the book, if you tell me your choice.

You know the drill, leave comments this week to be entered and on Sunday, I'll have my daughter choose a winner, since I'll be in Arizona visiting her. :)

Oh, and Flick, I still haven't heard from you. I think I said I'd pick a new winner on Sunday (yesterday, hour lost, what can I say), so if I don't hear from you by tomorrow when we do the reporting in for the weeks writing/reading/doing what you love goals, I'll pick a new winner from that weeks contest.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

TGIF

It's Friday and getting ready to rain in the SUNNY state of Florida. Not so much, the past few days.

The day job has been a bit crazy and edits have consumed me. I should be back to the normal blogging next week. :D

Check back tomorrow though in case I have any new blog check outs.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Does Your English Cut the Mustard?

It's Wednesday and time for a little break in the day. Check it out and let us know how you did.

No, I didn't cheat. Well, okay, I did one of them. That whole "i" before "e" except after "c" thing. :)

And here's the thing. If you're lacking in any area...do revisions, you'll learn the how's and how nots quick.

Your English Skills:

Spelling: 100% Grammar: 80% Punctuation: 80% Vocabulary: 80%

Does Your English Cut the Mustard?

So, did you take the test? Come on, fess up, how did you do?

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Tuesday Checking In

Words added: 330
Words deleted: a bunch this time around
Chapter I’m currently editing: 18
Chapters to go: 3

I’m actually in the part where I did the 2 day mega write to finish this book. Which means tons to fix, but it’s fun and exciting since I don’t really remember all of the scenes.

Goal for next week: Finish the first pass, print it out and start one more pass. Oh, and really start working on the synopsis.

Rhiannonjk please email me at vickilanewrite @ yahoo.com. I announced you as the winner for Diana’s book on Sunday. :)

Also, I haven’t heard from Flick from my contest for Stacey Kayne’s book Maverick Wild. If I don’t hear anything by the end of the week, I’ll choose other winner from that contest.

Your turn. How did your writing week go? Accomplish your goals or come close?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

And The Winner Is....

We have a winner for Diana’s book, Rite of Spring (Break). Rhiannonjk!!! Yay!

Thanks to the Diana, you will not have to wait until June, but will receive one of the ARC, once she has them. How freaking cool is that! Email me at vickilanewrites @ yahoo.com with your snail mail info and as soon as I have the ARC, I’ll mail it to you.

Everyone else, wipe the tears from your eyes and smile, I’ll be giving away a copy once a month until the book releases. Those copies you will have to wait until June for though. This time was a special surprise from D.

So check back, to find out when the next contest for her book goes up.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki