Writing and Rambling with Vicki and Laurie

Thursday - Um Yeah, Just Thursday

2011-04-14T10:32:00.002-04:00

I know I've been gone and I know I said I was going to be here more often, but right now is a bit crazy at the day job. The world of 24/7 Shopping TV is hetic to say the least. Anyway, I'm also working on a new website/blog which I'm hoping to have live by the end of the month. As soon as it's ready to go I'll let you know. Hope everyone is doing great! Vicki

Monday Blues...or Musings - Take Your Pick :)

2011-03-21T16:30:00.004-04:00

It's Monday. That should follow with enough said, but just for those who perhaps love their Monday's, I'll resist the urge.

Maybe a Monday is your Friday and you're excited to have your week day time off. For me, the day brings crazy long hours, which leads me to want to do nothing but veg in front of the TV when I get home. After feeding the doggy babies and Science Guy, that is.

Tonight starts 'Dancing With The Stars' and although I said I wasn't going to watch it this season, we've already got it TiVo'd. Guess we'll see if it's going to turn out to be okay or not and then make the choice.

However, no matter how crazy of a day it's been, no matter how much I'd to do nothing but put on a pair of pj's, cuddle back into one of our oversized red chairs, watching TV while my mind wanders aimless through the show, I can't. I won't.

Why? Because I must write. I'm in a very small dingy, making my way to the writing island where other author friends are partying, err...I mean writing furiously (there's cabana boys and margarita's there).

Should be fun since my hero has just been thrown for a loop when he saw what the heroine did. And the coolest part is she doesn't really know what she did. She knows something changed, but she's not exactly sure what it was. Just yet that is.

Your turn. How was your day? Got any plans for tonight, or are you going to veg and re-coop from the day?

xoxoxox,
Vicki

Friday Five

2011-03-18T16:44:00.001-04:00

It’s been a week of weeks, but Friday is finally here and I’m about 30 minutes from being free for the weekend. Free to write, read, and okay…write. A lot. I’ve got to finish this wip very soon. :)

So what has the past week brought?

Let’s see…

1. Saturday’s TARA meeting ROCKED! Lauren Abramo was amazing in both sessions and dinner with her was way too much fun.

2. I got a new phone and it’s a smartphone, a iPhone to be exact. I love it.

3. Since I got said phone I’ve downloaded a couple of apps and although I do love the Kindle for iphone, I’ve got to say, I’m addicted to Zombie Farm.

4. The time change has brought wonderful long evenings, walking the dogs again is not only good for them, but for Science Guy and I as well.

5. Watched Idol and truthfully didn’t think the right person went home. Not that I thought she would stay for a long time (if she didn’t show what she can really do), but there was another that based on this week’s performance, I thought would be the one. But hey, everyone got their vote and apparently didn’t feel the same way as me.

What about you? How did your week sum up? Exciting? Crazy?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Japan - A Place of Honor

2011-03-17T05:51:00.000-04:00

First, let me say my heart goes out to those both in Japan and those around the world who have friends and loved ones living or working there.

The fury of the earth as it unleashes its power never ceases to leave me speechless and saddened. Many have lost their lives, their homes, or family and people who are dear to them. I can't begin to know what that feels like, so I send prayers for peace that passes understanding to wash over them.

Below is a link to a blog that my sister sent to me. Before I even clicked the link I paused and realized that throughout all of the news coverage I've not seen anything about looting.

People who live there are amazing in their reaching out to help others without thinking of taking for themselves. It's a country who has always been built on honor and in this horrific time we are seeing that this is not words, but this is who and what Japan is.

Why there is no looting in Japan

Vicki

American Idol – New & Improved?

2011-03-16T13:25:00.000-04:00

I admit it, I love, love, love American Idol. I’ve watched it from the very beginning. I used to vote each week, but now, not so much. I’ve learned over the years of the show that there are many who don’t win Idol and yet go on to have a better career than the winners. So now, even though I may have my fav’s, I pretty much leave it up to the rest of the voters to keep them on the show or not. Which means if my fav is voted off I can’t complain. Nope, just root for someone else at that point.

Science Guy and I had decided we’d give it through Hell Hollywood week and maybe the first live show to decide if we’d continue to watch. Guess what, we’re hooked again.
The new judges and new format (how quickly they narrowed it down to 12 13), seem to be working. Nothing is stale and we aren’t sitting around waiting to get it ‘really’ started.

Both Steven Tyler and J-Lo are great IMVHO. They critique them, but they’re totally destroying anyone, which I like. Although I will say, this year has an abundance of talent. Most of them look like they been on the big stage forever. For me this is a double edge sword. I liked seeing them come into their own, growing each week with more confidence on the stage, reacting with the crowd and the TV audience more.

And I have to admit, Steven Tyler cracks me up. He’s trying to be good (most of the time), but really, he is who he is and it’s just going to come out.

It is a little odd each week when I see Randy in Simon’s seat and I’m not sure if he’s torn between being Randy and throwing a little bit of Simon in there.

One of my favorite changes is the fact that each contestant can stay true to who they are. Since American Idol is all about finding fresh new talent, then I love that country, rockers, jazz, etc. can stay true their voice. Wonder why it took so many seasons for them to figure this out?
All in all, I think they did a great job of choosing the new judges and hope they’ll stay on for a few seasons, if Idol continues on.

Your turn. Are you watching it this season? If so, what do you think about the new judges, the format, or really anything else new about the show? And do you have a favorite already, or are you still trying to figure that one out?

Vicki

I’m a SmartPhone Girl

2011-03-15T10:59:00.005-04:00

I know what you’re probably thinking; she’s a little late to the party.

The thing is I like my other phone and when I got it that was the cool phone. Very tiny, flip up to answer and really you can could put it in the pocket of your jeans and hardly know it was there.
The battery life was amazing. At least three days and the phone was 5 years old.

But…

I couldn’t check my email, twitter, facebook, listen to music and although I could text, it was like being on an old fashion typewriter. It took forever.

So…

This past Sunday I went to my carrier and checked out the smartphones. The very wise and extremely helpful associate told me about the difference between the three types of phones I was looking at. And in the end I choose the iPhone since he assured me it was the easiest one to learn on my first foray into the smartphone world. It was also the one that was on ‘sale’, which I thought made him even more great. He could have very easily talked me into one of the higher price phones. I was ready to buy and he knew it. Thank you wonderful associate!

It was funny when he kept asking me questions like: how much time do you spend listening to music on your phone, or how much time to do you spend emailing, and things like that. Each time I held up the tiny phone and said, ummm…don’t really know. It wasn’t an option.
Which wasn’t exactly true. I could do most of those things on my tiny phone (not the music), but it took forever and was a royal pain, so I didn’t.

And…

Now I have a few apps, (love Zombie Farm),

got my Kindle for iPhone, of course Twitter and Facebook. I’ve added some songs to the phone (haven’t listened to them yet), and have my email accounts, including my work email on my phone at the touch or swipe of my fingers.

Yep…

In basically 2 days I’m hooked and don’t know why I waited this long, other than it’s that how change issue. I’m not so much fond of change.

How about you? Have you been at the party for a while now, or are you like me and just coming to the smartphone world?

What do you love best about your phone and what’s your favorite app?

Vicki

Friday Five

2011-03-11T14:18:00.004-05:00

I don't about you, but I'm very happy Friday has finally arrived. For most of yesterday I thought it was Friday...so not a happy thought when I realized it was still Thursday.

So, five things about this week....

1. American Idol has started. Sure I know it started back with the auditions and Hell (I mean Hollywood) week. But as far as I'm concerned it really starts once America gets to vote.

2. Romance Junkies is having a great contest. Each week they're putting up six entries and you can vote on them. There are prizes for both readers (voters) and for those who are putting up their entries.

3. I've started a crochet project, which I hope will be a throw when it's finished. Red, Black, and Cream in color. Soft yarn and the pattern is really pretty easy. Yes, I know that spring is sort of here and summer will be here before we know it in sunny Florida, but hey, I'm feeling crafty and besides if this turns out well I might do some for Christmas presents. (Trust me it will take me this long to do all of them since they are done around my writing.)

4. Tonight I'm going to dinner with several of my TARA sister's and Lauren Abramo. WhooHoo, this should be a blast!

5. I've been working on Raising Hannah (instead of TLIAV), but this week I've been pulled back to that manuscript. I'm loving the plot for RH and will work on it in bits and pieces around TLIAV.

So, not really a ton happened this week. What about you? Anything exciting happen to you this week?

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Meet Sawyer - What Do You Think?

2011-02-17T14:34:00.004-05:00

This week over on the The Goddess Blog they're celebrating four years of blogging with fabulous post and great giveaways.

Yesterday was all about hero's and in the comment section we were to give a favorite hero name, what they look like, and what makes them who they are. Why would we as readers like him.

The name Sawyer immediately came to mind. I pictured him much like Hugh Jackman and then it was time to write what made him the way he was. This was a bit tougher since I wasn't writing about a hero's in any of my books. So to my trusty word doc I went.

Before I knew what was happening Sawyer just sort of entered the scene and took over. Without further ado, I give you Sawyer (last name unknown and I think he sort of likes it that way for now. No worries, I've already told him if he ends up in one of my books he'll have to give me everything.)

“Sawyer’s, well he’s –”

“I’ve got this.” Sawyer winked and turned to face the readers.

He rolled his neck from side to side and pulled his shoulders back, knowing the black muscle shirt left little to wonder about his abs. The dimple on the left side of his face deepened as he watched the readers eyes travel the length of his body before coming back to his face with appreciative smiles.

“Ladies, I’m the one your mothers told you to watch out for.”

An almost audible gasp was heard across the land of blog.

He smiled, apparently enjoying himself.

“What Vicki’s having trouble telling you is I’m not really your hero. I’m not in it for the long haul. While I can promise you a night you will never forget and who knows, maybe a week or two which will surely give you memories of a lifetime. After that, I’m not staying around. I never do.”

The faces in the crowded blog were a mixture of bad boy desire to anger.

“Um, Sawyer, you’re not doing such a great job being a hero here.” Vicki said. “Tell them the truth.”

“You want me to tell them?” Cold hard dreaded coiled through his body and landed in the pit of his stomach. “Won’t that mess up your happily ever after?”

“Yeah, not so much, I’m the author, trust me I can make it work. Tell them.”

Sawyer took a deep breath and measured his words. Even though he liked Vicki, she was a woman and while it was true she could write him anyway she chose, he didn’t like for anyone to have control over him or what he did.

After another few seconds went by he decided, what the hell, if I don’t like what she writes I can always freeze up on her. “The truth is I don’t trust people. Women in particular. My mother left us when I was five and never looked back. My father was too caught up in his own world to realize I thought it was my fault.”

He looked to Vicki, her eyebrows raised and she tilted her head with her signature ‘really’ popping into his mind. All of it, he mouthed. Surely she couldn’t want him to tell the next part, but as she nodded he realized he should have never come today. He should have given her writer’s block and walked away.

“Fine,” Sawyer grounded out between his teeth. “Here’s the deal. I was in love. Once. She was everything I thought I wanted. Beautiful, sophisticated, on the fast track to huge success as a model who traveled around the world. Heads turned when we were together and when we were alone, well let’s just leave it at it was magic. We had it all. Or so I thought until the day I decided to surprise her and show up at the flat she was renting in London while on location. Apparently, she had it all with another man as well. And had no trouble telling me he was better than me in every way.”

Not a sound could be heard in all of blog land, but the ones whose eyes had been filled with anger were a bit softer.

“Don’t go feeling sorry for me. I lived through it and decided to hell with all women. I’d date them, make love to them, and send them on their way. I didn’t want or need to feel anything more than sex with any of them ever again.” Sawyer turned a sheepish grin towards Vicki. “That is until my author decided to introduce me to the heroine. I should have known something was wrong when the woman flat out refused to go out with me and threatened to call the sheriff if I didn’t move my fence off of her grandfather’s property. Pitiful property it is and what did six inches matter. It wasn’t like that small amount of space was going to keep her from doing anything."

“So there you have it. I’m a bad boy through and through, my heart hardened to love. Or at least I was until a few weeks ago, but now I’m dreaming about a country girl who’d rather muck out a stable than have a glass of wine with me.”

Well, what do you think of Sawyer? Think he has a book in him? Or is this a hero's journey you'd rather not read about.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

New...Is It Really Better

2011-02-15T10:23:00.003-05:00

Today I'm blogging over at Everyboday Needs A little Romance. Science Guy took me downtown to the pier on Sunday. Although I live here and the place is great, I'd never actually done more than drove by it.

Now they want to tear it down and rebuild. Go on over and check out the post and the pics and let me know what you think. Is New Always Better?

Hugs,
Vicki

Update on my Dad

2011-02-09T10:23:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. I used to be so very good at post everyday during the week and now I'm doing good to get here once a month. So sorry about that and I'd like to say I'll be back to normal again, but yeah that's so not going to happen for the next few months. After that...well, let's just say I've got goals.

My stepdad's been quite ill and at one point we didn't think he'd still be with us. He had to have brain surgery where they removed what blood clots they could from his brain. It was touch and go for several days.

He's amazing in so many ways though. Were many of us would have lost the fight, he didn't. In fact, he worked hard and fought his way from ICU to a regular room and then to rehab. He's finally home after two more trips to the hospital and trust me this is making life much easier for him and my mom.

My stepdad will turn 87 in April. He's lived a life full of adventure and has always been an admiral man. It's just we're not ready to let go of him and thank goodness he's not ready to quite fighting.

Love you bunches Dad.

Vicki

Yarn Over, Double Chain, Yarn Over…Start Over

2011-01-18T05:32:00.001-05:00

I'm blogging over at Everybody Needs A Little Romance today,so I've put some of it here. But to read the entire post and see the pictures, click the link above and check it out.

My best friend and critique partner crocheted me a scarf for Christmas. It’s a beautiful red yarn with tiny gold thread running through it and I absolutely love it. She used a loom and after I saw the others she’d done decided I wanted to do some myself.

With coupons in hand, I went to Michaels, found the loom (and a couple of others in different sizes), picked out the yarn, and the crochet hook I’d need to finish the ends when I was done.

I may have forgotten to mention that I did not know how to crochet, which was why the loom sounded like a perfect solution for me. I mean really, how hard could it be to just finish the thing with some single stitches at the end.

I’d completed about 10 rows when I realized I wasn’t putting the yarn on the loom correctly and had to pull it off and start over.

Maybe reading the directions a little better would have been a good idea, but I wanted to start making the scarf, not spend time making sure I knew what I was doing. Hmmm…I think I’ve been down this road before.

It took about a week of working on it in the evenings to finish it. Uh yes, I should have been writing, but right now, I have this story idea germinating. And I did have a pad and pen with me while I was working on this project. Sometimes doing something else my ideas and plotting really start to flow.

Here’s a picture of that one. The ends are…okay, not so much matching a hundred percent, but unless you look hard, you wouldn’t really notice.

What’s a girl to do? Yep, go to Michaels and buy some more yarn. Only this time I decided I wanted to truly crochet a scarf. No loom, just the hook and me. With several hooks in different sizes and several different skeins of yarn in different colors and sizes I was went home ready to begin.

The problem? I have (or had), no idea how to do that. So I did what anyone who needs to do some research does. I went to the internet. YouTube to be exact. There I found many videos on crocheting. Learned how to do the single crochet stitch and then…stop! These women’s fingers flew across the screen and they used language that I did not understand. Chain three, single, skip two, chain 5 and so on. I soon realized I was way over my head and needed to start at the beginning with something much simpler than a shell stitch.

The girl who works across from me in my day job crochets and knits (with 4 needles, dear Lord), she’s made several baby hats with the most adorable flowers on the sides. I told her my plan, err plight, and she said bring the yarn, bring the hooks (all of them) and she’d show me what to do.

You’d think I would have learned from the above-mentioned taking the yarn off the loom and starting over several times before I had that down. But nope, not me. I brought in this beautiful gunmetal gray yarn that all soft and furry and going to be the most beautiful scarf in the world yarn. Yeah, the girl looked at me with you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me eyes. She took the time to show me what to do, but strongly suggested I used a ‘normal’ yarn for my first time.

I was determined to do this. I worked at it for several nights and realized that I had no idea what she’d really taught me and my very pretty yarn was knotting up something horrible.

Back to the proverbial drawing board. New yarn, the ‘normal’ kind and this time I told her to tell me what to do and let me do it instead of watching her. She gave me the directions, which sounded like this:

So, if you went to the over blog, what did you think about the scarfs? Do you jump in with both feet and to wade back to the beginning of the pool and start over again, or do make sure you've got it down before starting a new project?

Hugs,
Vicki

A little Frog Wisdom for 2011

2011-01-04T10:05:00.003-05:00

It’s the beginning of a New Year and normally this is when I talk about reflecting on the past year and making goals for the New Year. Instead I thought I’d give you a little story that was sent to me several years ago. Funny thing is it still holds true in your writing career whether you’re published or aspiring to be published.

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who decided to have a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.

The race began and honestly no one in the crowd really believed the tiny frogs would ever reach the top of the tower.

You heard statements such as:

"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."
Or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

Sure enough as time went by the tiny frogs began collapsing. Some of them stopping to glance back at the crowd, listening to the roar of people saying they’d never make.

As those frogs stopped the ones behind them seemed to have a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"More tiny frogs slowed down to listen and gave up.

But ONE continued higher and higher and higher...this one wouldn't give up!At the end all of the frogs had given up climbing the tower except for the one tiny frog that, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? The crowd had told them it was too hard, that they would never make it. How could one frog reach the top when everyone else had given up.

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.It turned out...That the winner was DEAF!!!!

The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.) Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore:ALWAYS be....POSITIVE!And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

If you fall down 10 times,Stand up 11 times.

In other words if you’re rejected 10 times you may need to submit something new but submit again you must. A great friend once told me never give up today because tomorrow might be your miracle. I realize that the miracle comes from hard work but you can achieve your dreams if you never, ever give up on them.

One of the major key words there is worked. This writing journey takes work. It's not easy, but if this is your heart’s desire never give up and never listen to those who say you can't do it.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

The History of Mistletoe

2010-12-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

This came to me in an email from a florist shop in Phoenix. I thought you might enjoy knowing the history if you didn't already.

Since Victorian times, mistletoe has been a cherished Christmas decoration if only to provide the excuse for a kiss when hung in a prominent doorway.
The tradition of misletoe finds it's origin in pagan rituals. After the Winter Solstice, Druid priests cut mistletoe down from the Oak trees in a special ceremony.The priests separated the branches and distributed sprigs of mistletoe among the people to protect them from evil. The ancient Celts believed the plant held miraculous healing powers. In fact, the word "mistletoe" in Celtic means "All-Heal".

Scandinavian mythology holds that Baldur, god of peace was slain by Loki, god of destruction with an arrow made from mistletoe. Outraged by the injustice of Baldur s death the other gods and goddesses demanded his life be restored. As a token of thanks, Baldur s mother, Frigga, hung mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed beneath it, thus establishing the symbolism of love, peace and forgiveness that is now associated with mistletoe.

The use of mistletoe as a romantic lure stems from England as early as the 1500s. In 1520, William Irving wrote that a young man should pluck a berry each time he kisses a young girl beneath the mistletoe. When all the berries are plucked off the mistletoe it no longer has romantic powers.

Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that lives throughout the southern United States, from the Atlantic Coast to California, and on every continent except Antarctica. Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant, found high in the trees. It doesn't take root in the ground, but in the branches of tree itself. Although it gets all its nutrients by taking them from the tree, its presence keeps the tree green throughout the winter.

Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries, United States and Canada.

Happy Holidays,
Vicki

Nymph's - Which One Are You?

2010-12-15T11:34:00.005-05:00

Over on eHarlequin, author Stephanie Draven, did a post on What kind of Nymph are you. Now this post was a few month's back (July 20th), but the quiz looked fun and her cover is great.

So with all the hussle and bussle (that's a nice way of saying holiday stress), I'm posting my nymph self below with the link to find out who your nymph self is.

Gotta say, it would be nice to look like that. :)

So, check it out and let us know who your nymph self is.

What Is Your Nymph Type?

Land Nymph

Land nymphs come in many varieties such as Auloniads (pastures), Leimakids (meadows), and Napaeae (mountain valleys, glens).

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Happy holidays,
Vicki

It's Cold and The Day Job is...Busy

2010-12-09T13:20:00.003-05:00

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi. (I know, it's been way too long, but I'm going to work changing that).

Our Sunny Florida may still be sunny, but the weather is cold. Coat's and gloves cold. At least for those of us who live here. Those of you who live up north probably think this is nothing. :)

Work has been a bear to say the least. Normally this is the month were everything slows down, but this month...it's picked up to a crazy frenzy.

Science Guy and I have decorated the outside and inside of the house and it's so nice to go home and see the lights shinning from the street, then walk inside to see the tree and village. We're doing 'light' Christmas shopping this year, which surprisingly enough is okay. I'm finding that spending time with family and friends is the most important thing.

Oh and my son just got engaged to the most wonderful person. Welcoming her into the family has been great. I'm so excited for them both.

Writing. Hmmm...to be honest it's been tough for the past few months. The weekends have been busy and after 10 hour days turning on the computer when I get home has not been top of the list. Still, I've been hand writing. You know, with the whole paper and pen thing. Jotting down scenes that need to come next and that sort of stuff. Editing what's already written and then adding some new words as well. Not enough, but at least there is something.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Hugs,
Vicki

I am So Thankful...

2010-11-25T05:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but I have a lot to be thankful for.

My Family - who is always there for me no matter what. I don't think I would make it a day without them and I am thankful that they are my family - and yes, my animals are part of this. :-)
My friends - which I don't think I tell near enough that I'm very thankful they are in my life.
My Job - no matter how much I bitch about it sometimes, I need it and am thankful to have it.
My Health - that's just a given.

The Sun, The Stars, The Moon and everything else that I get to wake up to every day. Sometimes I think we lose track of the little things in life and forget to be thankful for them. There is always someone out there worse off then I am (and better off), and no matter how bad my life might look (or, even how good) from one minute to the next, I understand that in a blink of an eye it could all be gone.

And, thank you for being you!

So I am thankful - for everything! What are you thankful for?

Hugs & Happy Thanksgiving (to my American folks)
LKap - Ann Laurie

Ramble...

2010-11-18T05:45:00.000-05:00

I honestly don’t know what to write. I’ve been sitting here for the past 40 minutes looking at a piece of paper. Writing things then erasing them.

It’s almost the same process with my WIP these days, so I guess it’s not just the book it’s me.

I’ve had a lot on my personal plate lately that has taken up what I believe is every creative bone in my body. I can’t tell if I’m coming or going.

And now the holidays are just around the corner. I mean really when did that happen? How did November sneak up on me and I missed it all?

I don’t know about you, but my holiday is going to be small, probably smaller than last year even. Of course, it’s about money, but more important is that I don’t need anything. Sure there are things that we all want, but to sacrifice paying the bills, or getting behind, or stealing from savings for one day out of the year has become ridiculous to me.

Could be that I’m getting older, Princess is older, and I’ve realized that it’s my friends and family that mean more to me than possessions.

Or maybe it’s as one of my friends tells me every year, “This is my Scrooge time of year.”

Either way, I want to make memories, because time seems to fly by me too fast. I can tell you more about my characters than I can about the people around me. SO NOT GOOD!!!

So my quote to live by: We only live once – live it!

I’d love to hear what’s on your mind as we go into the holiday season.
Hugs

LKap
Ann Laurie

NEW BLOG, NEW RELEASE = CONTEST

2010-11-01T05:27:00.004-04:00

To kick off my new blog and the 4th book in my good friend Shayla Black’s Doomsday Brethren Series…

I’m having a contest

Go here to find out all the deets: Ann Laurie

Don't worry I'll still be around here too, but what a better way to celebrate!

October....

2010-10-21T05:07:00.001-04:00

October is one of those months you love or hate. I'm in the dislike category.

I suppose I should clarify. I love the weather of October, the change in season that we finally get here in Florida. Those things I love. It's actually the whole scary side of October that I'm not crazy about.

I've watched horror films, but I can't stand them. Odd I know coming from someone who loves paranormal romances and urban fantasy. It's the blood and gore that creeps me out. I can't watch or read horror without having nightmares for weeks.

Oh, the power of the imagination.

And in October there isn't anything but this on T.V. October has become horror month, and it drives me crazy because even the advertising is hard for me to watch. I know I'm a complete and total wimp, but there it is.

Are you a lover or hater of horror?

Hugs,
LKap
Laurie

Craziness....

2010-09-23T05:30:00.002-04:00

I've been lax for a few weeks and I'm sorry about that. But I've been busy...Really! Not to mention all the new shows and returning favorites to watch. Crazy I tell you.

I've written two (2) short stories and sent them off. Everyone cross your fingers, and don't you worry I'll be needing a little help with one should it get accepted, since it's a contest of sorts. So, I'll be letting you know more when and if the time comes. And if it doesn't, I'll have it up as a free read at some point

I'm also working on a huge project that needs lots of attention and plotting *eyes rolling* just to make sure it's right. I prefer to be an organic writer, but with this there is no way, so the plotting alone just might kill me, not to mention if this idea ever gets written. Here's hoping. :- )

So in saying all that. What has everyone else been up to?

I can't be the only one that danced outside at 11:09 pm and burned a dollar bill for prosperity in the coming year. Yes, it was the equinox. And yes, again, I'd never done that, but I need all the help I can get these days. So bare with my craziness...LOL

Miss everyone, so just pop in and say HI!

Hugs,
LKap
Laurie

New York Here I Come

2010-09-13T05:30:00.000-04:00

I’m flying to New York this afternoon and will be there until Friday. I’m meeting my sister and my daughter there and we’re staying at The London. Science Guy is staying home with the babies (dogs, just in case you wondered). So this is a true girl’s week, which is really nice since the three of us don’t live anywhere near each other.

It’s Fashion Week! OMG, talk about not sure what to pack. Not that anyone will care what I’m wearing with beautiful models all over the place, but hey, still want to look good. :)

Our hotel is one block from Broadway. That’s it, just one block. The plan is to see at least one show, maybe two. So excited about that. We’re going to do some of the traditional things, like a carriage ride in Central Park, see Rockefeller Center, go to The Museum of Modern Art, shopping, and go to some fabulous places for dinner.

Hmm…I think I forgot to mention one thing. I’ve never been to the city of New York. I want to step outside the hotel and feel the city rush around me, to become immersed with the place, buy a hot dog from a street vendor, and I don’t know…just experience as much as I can in the time I’m there.

One of the restaurants we’re going to is TAO. They have a huge Buddha suspended in air over a reflection pond. Pictures are a must. I’m going to be total tourist. The other restaurants are fabulous as well, but I can’t wait to see this place.

My sister is in New York once a month for her business (one of her offices is there), so she knows the city, which is really nice. She told me we’re going to several great bars, one of them being a roof top bar. (Again, pictures will be necessary).

Funny thing is I don’t really care about taking pictures of stars which I’m told will be staying at our hotel, it’s the sights that I want pictures of. Don’t get me wrong, I think stars are cool and all; I’m just not a star struck kind of girl. Totally respect what they’ve accomplished in their careers, but to me they’re still people just like the rest of us.

I’ll try to post some pictures through out the week, and next week there will be a contest so watch out for it.

Xoxoxo,
Vicki

911 - Never Forget

2010-09-11T05:30:00.000-04:00

There are things in our lives that happen and change us forever. September 11, 2001 or as we know it as 9-11 is one of those things.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. I was the registrar at Wharton High School and guidance was crazy busy with all of the new enrollment packages.

I remember the horror as we watched live TV and saw the second plane crash into the second tower.

I remember the news of the plane that went down as heroic men and women stopped the terrorist from reach that intended target.

I remember the first tower falling to the ground and almost feeling the weight of it with in me. Then the second one fell and no words were spoken around me, only silent tears running down adults and high school student’s faces.

I remember the ash filling the city like a gray snow, covering anything and everything in its path.

I remember the need to hold my children close to me although my daughter was away at college and my son was in middle school.

I remember the pandemonium that began with parents coming to pick up their children (high school children) and take them home.

Everyone knew someone who may have been there and even if they didn’t we all felt pain and loss as we watched people searching for their loved ones. Firefighters, policemen, brave men who wept as one of their own perished.

New York is our city, the very heart of our nation and it had been injured.

Then stories began to be told.

Stories of true hero’s and heroines, who risked their own lives for others. Stories of normal everyday people who believed we are a nation of strength and helped those of us who felt broken believe it too.

Yet will all of the tragedies, I saw a national come together as one. For a time we didn’t worry about the color of someone’s skin, or what their bank account said or for that matter what their religion was/is.

Instead,

We remembered that we are a nation made up of individuals who believe in a common ground.

We remembered that we are ALL American’s and how dare someone do this to us on our soil.

We remembered to hug our kids, kiss our spouses, and wave to our neighbors each morning.

We remembered what it meant to believe in what America stands for.

During the days that followed, we wept as we watched loved ones say farewell to those who had passed on.

BUT…

We also felt a pride of the Red, the White, and Blue and although it hurt to see the very heart of our nation look like a battle zone, we grew, we stood a little taller, and yes we knew that we would never forget.

Thank you to those who gave their lives to save others. Thank you to those whose loved ones gave their lives and may peace fill your life forever.

I’m proud to be an American. We may not be perfect, Lord knows we have our faults, but we are still the greatest nation in the world and I for one am blessed to call America my home.

Vicki

24 Years....

2010-09-09T04:55:00.000-04:00

In four days is my 24th Wedding Anniversary!

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’ve been married for over half my life. But if you’ve ever met my HHB you’d know why. He’s my rock, my laughter, my chef, my trainer, my lover, the best father imaginable for our daughter, and my sanity—just to name a few.

He’s always believed in me more than I’ve ever believed in myself. And for that alone I know he’s more than I deserve.

Which brings me to the song I’ve dedicated to him, when I found this I immediately sent it to him (after I dried my eyes, of course.)

I hope you enjoy one of my favorite artists: Christian Kane (Amazing singer, actor and I’ve given you eye candy!) I know I’m generous like that. :- D

Winners....Sorry I'm late....

2010-09-07T09:15:00.005-04:00

In the flurry and excitement that was a four day weekend for me I completely forgot to do this - my apologies. And since I was forgetful both commenters win..YAY!!!

PatriciaW & Vixen Pearl

Please email me at lauriekap at yahoo .com by Saturday the 11th to claim your books. If I don't hear from you prizes are forfeit. Email me your snail mail and two genre's you like and I'll see what I can do (since this is a grab bag) :-)

So for my littlt ditty:
I've chosen #1 and #4 - couldn't use #2 no matter how much I wanted to because he's the muse for a story I'm already working on...LOL

Okay this was a bit rushed, but here goes

International business man Stephan Francotti was finally taking a much needed vacation. His yacht, docked in Dubi, he soaks up the sun before he attends a private auction that evening. The last thing he expected was to have a woman climb aboard and threaten him at gun point to take her away from the most decedent place on earth.

Shannon Blake had been kidnapped and taken to a foreign land where she overheard she was going to be sold to the highest bidder. Shannon slips away in the dead of night with help from an undercover agent sent to uncover the sex trade organization. All he gives her is the name of a yacht and tells her to go as far away as possible. Could she trust that this millionaire wasn’t the one who had her kidnapped and would become her saving grace? She wasn’t sure, but currently she was out of any other options.

Hugs
LKap

Let's Play a Game

2010-09-02T05:30:00.012-04:00

I need some creative energy and thinking outside the box never hurts right?! And I love to see all the angles people can come up with for the same thing.

Pick any 2 (only 2 - from top to bottom 1-4) Tell me which you picked and their story?

Keep it concise and PG-13 please.

Sometime Sunday night I’ll pick a random winner for some Free books.

I’m not posting my blurb until I announce the winner. ;-D

Reincarnation……

2010-08-19T05:00:00.003-04:00

Some of you are aware that one of my WIP’s has a reincarnation theme.

Which then got me to thinking, about things in our lives we like without being able to explain them.

I have quite a few things where I can tell you the moment my life was changed and why I do certain things. Take being an animal lover for instance. It happened when I was in second grade where we watched a movie on animal abuse – I know, right – second grade!!! From that day forward I brought home any stray that needed a home. And, I’m still that way.

Cause => Effect

It’s that simple.

But what about those things you can’t explain….

For instance I love lace. Have no idea why. My mom isn’t the lacy type, neither were my grandmothers. Me? Yep – even added Italian Victorian lace to my wedding dress. It is something so simple that pulls me and I can’t explain it. Like my fascination with Italy, Pearls, the sea – I can’t explain why, it just is.

So then, the brain goes into overdrive and I start to wonder why I’m pulled to a certain look in a man. Where did I acquire that personal taste?

Hence, bringing me back to my original thought – Did I live in another time? What did lace have to do with my life? Was there a man in my past life that had the same characteristics as the characteristics I look for to this day?

I can’t answer these questions, probably no one can (okay, someone can try), but would I believe I was a Mafia princess in the 1800’s (just taking in all the things I love and coming up with something semi-logical…LOL), even if someone told me that – probably not. :-)

But in looking at all of that, I can see how my brain works on plots, causes and effects. Funny how that happens huh?

So have you got anything you like or dislike that you really can’t explain?

Let me know – I love this stuff :-P

Hugs,
Laurie
LKap

The Bench...Really?!

2010-08-05T04:50:00.004-04:00

I know there are a lot of blogs about RWA 2010 Conference, and this one is no different. I just happen to have a different take on where the magic happens. Go figure, right?!

I learned more about the craft, met new people, hung out with old friends and put faces to internet friends. But, all in all, my most memorable time at this conference, as well as all the others, is the bench.

Outside, away from the hustle and bustle that is conference. Where people meet to relax and unwind. Where water, iced coffee and pink lemonade abound. That is the bench!

This year we commandeered not one, but two benches and deemed them the V.I.P. area. There was always a steady stream of people and Christine swears I never left (although I did quite often). Although, I did seem to be there whenever she strolled up. Hmmm

The best part about the bench…whenever there was a lull, suddenly a text would beep on my phone that said: V.I.P.

Nothing more was needed. We knew right where to go to find comfort amongst friends.

The conversations we’d have, no matter if it was at 2:00pm or 2:00am were by far the funniest, most interesting and compelling I had with anyone at the conference. I can honestly say I laughed, cried and contemplated the mysteries of writing and life on those benches with people that I hope will be in my life forever.

On the bench there was no pretense. We were mostly women—poor Jaci’s Biker Dude was totally outnumbered—but he was AWESOME and I’m sure up for Sainthood by now. And my new, bestest bud Sarah, who not only has a rock star mom, Maya, she is a rock star in her own right. Such a great girl—I’m just sayin’. Luv that girl!!!

But, I digress…

We were women just talking about life, and writing while finding common ground as people. Never once did I feel as if it mattered to these awesome people around me who was published, or who wasn’t, who was an editor or an agent. The only thing that mattered on that bench was that we all “clicked”.

No one can teach you how to have moments like those. It’s about being yourself and hoping everyone around you gets you and your wry sense of humor.

REALLY?! **insert head tilt here** ;-D

Hugs & Smooches
Laurie

Conference Brain is Finally Receding

2010-08-04T16:23:00.001-04:00

I love RWA conference and truly the RWA board out did themselves this year. With the floods in Nashville, they were left with little time to secure a location that could and would hold all of us.

Imagine 2500 romance writers in one place. And that’s not counting the people who came over to conference without actually attending it. Romance writers, readers, lots of great conversations, food, drinks, and very little sleep. It was great.

What wasn’t so great was the heat. Yes, I live in Florida and you’d think I’d be used to the sweltering weather. Not so much. In the middle of the state there isn’t a breeze, or at least not much of one. And of course, they had a couple of record breaking heat days while we were there.

And I have the best roommate in the world. None other than my BFF and critique partner, LKap. The two of us together can be dangerous, but it’s a no brainer fun will be a part of everything we do.

Seeing mine and LKaps peeps and meeting new ones is some of the best times at conference for me. These include not yet published, published authors, editors, and agents. This once a year time is the only time I get to see them face to face and do we have fun.

It’s not about pitching to these people; it’s not about the work load, but more about what’s going on with each other over the past year. Catching up and knowing when Saturday night and Sunday morning roll around the good byes are bittersweet. We’re ready to go home, sleep in our own beds (well, sleep period will be a good thing), yet knowing it will be many months before we have this time again is hard.

We’ll talk online and send texts (hey, even flashing truckers will be shared), but it’s a long time until we’ll all be together again in the VIP area.

Nope, not even going to begin to name them here, because it’s not about who they are, but what their friendship means to me and LKap.

Workshops are another great thing at conference. Some people attend as many as they can, while I’m a little choosier on which ones I go to. That’s not because I’m all that a bag of chips (trust me, I’m not and I know that I’m not), no, it’s because my local chapter has fabulous workshops each month. Several of the conference workshops were given by my chapter mates.

I did attend Donald Maass’s workshop and can I go on record to say OMG, it was amazing! Of course it doesn’t hurt that he’s funny and not bad to look at either. Heehee. I can honestly say if you’re given the chance to hear him, go. Don’t hesitate; don’t ask yourself if you can afford it or if you should spend the time. The answer is yes.

Conference brain does linger on, taking days to settle down and allow you to remember what you were going for when you’re standing with the refrigerator door open and have no idea why.

You’re proud that RWA members such as yourself raised a ton of money to give to literacy. This is huge to me as a writer.

The book signings during conference will have waiting in line early and your back aching as you carry another box, full of free books signed by your favorite authors and the new authors you’ll now be reading, back to your room to be shipped home or packed in your car.

So conference means: no sleep, conference brain (that leaves you feeling a bit unglued), fabulous workshops, seeing friends, and meeting new ones. You pitch editors or agents your baby in hopes they’ll want to see read it and love it. Your feet hurt but you’ve got amazing pictures in your Rita/Golden Heart attire. You may think you might be getting a little too old for staying up all night partying (and this is from the young ones). But the thing is you’ll do it again and again. Where else can you sit at a luncheon and nibble on chicken of some kind and laugh while Nora Roberts talks only to end up during the last few lines of her speech wiping tears wondering where they came from.

You’ll have renewed energy to pursue your writing career, and you may find out you don’t Suck (thank you Kimberly Lang ). You’ll know that when Nora Roberts tells you ‘We eat hard for breakfast’, it’s the truth. And you’ll understand exactly what she means.

I miss the VIP group tons already and I can’t wait until we can do all over again next year in New York!

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Gearing Up....

2010-07-22T05:40:00.000-04:00

As many of you know RWA Nationals is just around the corner. And I'm totally stoked.

Not only are there great workshops and parties, but I get to see friends (fellow authors) that I only get to see once a year.

I'm already anticipating what to take, what to wear, what to eat, drink and yes even when I'm going to fit in exercising.

Whew - are you as exhausted as I am already?

I didn't make any agent/editor appointments this year, as I don't have a manuscript completed, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy talking to them at the bar or with friends.

The itinerary is getting full and as each day passes I find I'm getting edgier and edgier for this trip to be here.

I love all the information, but honestly, I can't wait to once again see my friends that through the rest of the year are email buddies or occasional phone friends.

So since I won't be around next week, I raise a glass of pink lemonade in salute and hope to see you all in Orlando.

Tell me what is the one thing you won't travel without?

Me = a book (even though I'll be getting way more than needed at this conference)

Hugs,
LKap
Laurie

Vampires

2010-07-15T08:52:00.007-04:00

Is it really so hard to understand why women are in love with vampires. I've collected a few pics and to me it's quite obvious.

And for they guys - well she is HOT

Who is your Favorite?

Hugs
LKAp
Laurie

Gardening and...Bugs

2010-07-14T05:30:00.001-04:00

I love having a garden. It’s totally cool to plant seeds and watch them grow into plants. Picking my own tomatoes and bell peppers has saved us money and they taste better than any I’ve purchased in the grocery store.

Our cantaloupe and watermelon haven’t faired quite as well. We’ve had great flowering and even had fruit, but they don’t seem to grow very big before they just sort of rot. I’m not sure what’s happening to them or than days of too much rain and bugs.

These pests are the kind you can just see and kill. No, they’re tiny microscopic things that leave a fine white dust on the plants. We didn’t put Sven on the plants, as Science Guy didn’t want to put pesticides on our veggies and fruit. I agree with him, except we apparently need this in order to stop the bugs.

Grasshoppers also had a great time. In fact, I’m pretty sure they thought we planted all of this just for them. Their own personal restaurant, one without cost, but plenty of food to be devoured.
I really don’t like grasshoppers.

We have plenty of lizards running around and me, being the very inexperienced gardener that I am, thought they would take care of any bugs who might harm or eat to the core our garden. Not so much. They do eat bugs, but not this kind.

The bell peppers are doing fine. They grow regardless of anything and there doesn’t seem to be anything wanting to eat the leaves or flowers. Our cucumbers did beyond belief. We had so many that I took them into work several times. The corn even grew (for a while). But everything else is pretty much toast at this point.

Since we live in the Sunshine state, we can pull everything out and start over again. This time we’re going to plant some pumpkins. :) Craving a pumpkin from our own patch would be cool.

Instead of regular cucumbers, we’re going to plant the pickling ones. The smaller ones are better to pickle or so I’ve been told. Yep, I’m going to try to make my own sweet relish. Why would I do this when I could buy it at the store, save time, and it doesn’t cost much at all? Great question and one that I ask myself from time to time. I’ve never done it and so I want to try it. Kinda like when I decided to make my own chocolate syrupy from cocoa powder and regular sugar. (I know LKap, I know, way to much sugar). It was fun to do and I could say that I’d made it homemade.

This time we’re using a better fertilizer (thank you AM!) and yes, we’ll be using Sven on the plants. As much as we didn’t want to do this, it seems it’s the only way to actually have a garden.

I didn't put a picture of the garden in it's current state as it's sad. Most of it is gone with the exception of the tomatoes and bell peppers.

What about you? Do you plant gardens? What type of pesticides do you use? Do you know any organic ones that would work?

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Tuesday Ten - Summer Favorites

2010-07-13T09:52:00.000-04:00

Summer is here and in full force! While there are some things that I am not crazy about (the heat for one!), there are still many things that I just love about summer time.

Top Ten Things I Love About Summer:

10: All of the summer blockbuster movies that come out (and the time to go see them!)

9. A light summer rain.

8. Time to catch up on my "to be read" pile

7. My husband wanted to ensure that I mentioned Olive Garden's annual Never Ending Pasta Bowl that will start soon. :)

6. Summer only TV shows - I love So You Think You Can Dance!

5. The nocturnal sleeping habits I so readily adapt to...I am such a night owl!

4. A viable excuse to have frozen treats. Hey, you gotta keep cool, right?! :)

3. A little break from students (and parents). I truly adore my job and am itching to get back into the swing of things by this time in the summer, but let's be honest: Summer is just as much for the teachers as it is the kids! heehee

2. Pool time!

1. Sleeping in! I truly hate alarm clocks! :)

So what about you? What are some of your favorite things of summer?

Ciao,
SB Jane

RWA Nationals Is Around The Corner – Are you ready to pitch?

2010-07-12T05:30:00.000-04:00

Yesterday at TARA (Tampa Area Romance Authors) was our normal July meeting. With RWA National conference the month of July, we typically have what we call a Bird of a Feather meeting. We have critique groups by genre and it’s just a great day. This year we added a shorter morning workshop with Kimberly Llewellyn who talked about pitching. It was great. People even signed up to pitch their story to Kim at the end of the workshop. In front of everyone. Kim acted as the agent/editor (she reminded us several times she was a published author, not an agent or editor), and once they were through she asked questions much as would happen in a pitch appointment. It was great and amazing what you can hear when your listening. They all had really good/great pitches.

This got me to thinking back to my very first pitch. Several years ago (okay, more than several), I wrote an article on “Pitch That Story”. I was going to my very first RWA National conference. I didn’t have an appointment to see an editor/agent as my wip wasn’t finished. But I was working on a pitch.

Why? My book wasn’t finished, so why did I need a pitch? Because people will ask you about your book. You never know who you may end up talking with, meeting through another friend, or by simply having a drink at the bar. Oh and yes, the smoking area. It amazed me at my first conference how many people who DO NOT smoke, hang out in the smoking area. Lot’s of great connections happen there.

Anyway, back to the pitching thing. Whether you have an appointment or not, you should have an elevator pitch ready. Yes, if your wip isn’t complete.

Creating the perfect pitch sounds easy, right? Not so much. You’ve written the book and you know every detail that to you seem major important. Don’t get me wrong, each of those details are important. To the book. Not to the pitch.

Maybe you do have a pitch appointment or perhaps you’re going to check out any open/canceled spots. Either way you’re working on the pitch. You’ve got roughly eight minutes to tell them everything you believe will hook them and have them wanting more. The eight minutes is if you’re in an appointment. If you’re in the elevator you’ve got a couple of minutes at best.

Sit down, type out a summary of your book. If you have too, type bullet points of each chapter. Then condense those bullet points to one or two sentences for each chapter. Then condense again. One or two sentences for every three chapters. Touch on the most important parts of the story. The hero and heroine’s names are the only names you’ll want to use. Secondary character’s may be important to your story, but using their names in a pitch will only confuse the person you’re pitching to.

Don’t forget the GMC, goal, motivation, conflict. Someone wants something, but can’t have it because. Your pitch isn’t a synopsis. It’s more like a backcover blurb you’d read on the back of books. You can’t add to many words or it’s no longer a pitch. No one wants to pitch their work to an agent or editor only to see said agent/editors eyes glaze over when your in the middle of it.

Kathy Carmichael has an awesome pitch generator. It’s a starting off point though. You then have to do the same as you would with you wip. You have to flesh it out.

If you don’t have an appointment and especially if this is your first year, think about volunteering at the appointments if they still need people. Lkap and I met a lot of agents and editors that first year. It’s a good thing to volunteer at Nationals. People learn who you are and you are giving back your time to our “Mother Chapter”.

Back to the non-appointment but still need that pitch concern. I’d been told by several that while I may not have the actual appointment since I’d be there for quite a few hours directing appointment traffic that more often than not the volunteers are asked what they write and what it’s about. Again, several friends who did this the past several years were asked for partials just by volunteering and talking with the agents and editors.

I realize that this may or may not happen to anyone who is volunteering. But if it does you don’t want to stand there fumbling over your words. Looking like you have no idea what you write, how long it will be, and what the conflict and hook is.

And then there’s the sitting in the bar, riding the elevator, and just general conversation that could lead to someone asking: Tell me about your book question.

So, here I sit working on the all important pitch. Nope. This pitch isn’t for a finished book and no I don’t have an appointment (because my current wip isn’t finished). I am working hard to make it a back cover blurb in fewer words yet still giving what the book is about all the while making the person asking feel like “I’ve just got to read this.”

What about you? Are you pitching at nationals? Writing a query letter? Or are you reading a great book that you chose because of what you read on the back?

xoxoxo,
Vicki

2010-07-09T14:15:00.004-04:00

Julian Beever and Kurt Wenner, are both amazing artist who draw their pictures on sidewalks all around the world. The 3-D effect is unbelievable. Several weeks ago Science Guy and I watched a documentary on Julian Beever. Over the course of several days (all put into an hour show thanks to the miracle of TV time), we watched as he created one of his masterpieces.

Here’s the thing. The pictures below are but a few of his finished pieces and what you are seeing is the picture looking through the lens of a camera. Not a special camera, but an ordinary camera. If you were to look at it with out the lens it would be hard to see exactly what certain things are. The woman’s leg goes on for probably twelve feet.

That alone amazes me as to how he envisions his art work with such abstract lines and outlandish over drawn lengths.

Hope you enjoy the Friday Fun.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxoxo,

Vicki

Vacations from Hell...

2010-07-08T05:27:00.000-04:00

So Princess and I spent a week at my Mom's in Illinois.

Okay, so technically not a week since our flight was delayed three times before it was finally cancelled and we had to spend the night in lovely Detroit, MI (cough, cough) because of tornado's.

Now I wouldn't normally mind, since we can't control Mother Nature, but.... Had we left for the hour long flight at the 2nd delay we would have missed all that, but you see Delta has a crappy scheduling group obviously, because we didn't have a CREW!!!

I don't get it - you book a flight but don't schedule a crew. WTF - oh well, they were nice enough to give me a $59 credit for my hotel room. Which I still had to pay out $80 cash, mind you. Nope, not a full comp - why, you ask? Because they coded it as an act of nature, there by negating any of their own responsibility. I would like to call them a lot of names for this infraction since I was out $100 before I ever even left the airport, but really what good is that going to do me. And then there was the delayed flight the next morning because there wasn't a pilot - again...WTF.

But with all said and done a full 26 hours later we were finally at my mom's in BFE, Illinois. No Internet, there were only 2 places in her house where my cell phone worked correctly and town (and I use this term loosely) was 6 miles away.

Yeah, here I am stuck with a 22 year old who has just been plucked down the rabbit hole and isn't afraid to say it. Yes, I needed a Xanax that night. ;-)

All in all the trip was nice. Mom was doing well, but I still need to figure out all the red tape to move her to Florida, because I can't stand for her to be practically alone in the middle of the country.

Up side - Princess and I went on daily 4 mile walks. Which, in the country, is very peaceful and didn't feel like exercise at all. For which, I was thankful and actually miss.

I was able to show my daughter where I grew up and hit a few bars with her in my hometown. Where, of course, she started a scandal. Being pretty and a new girl, it was comical to watch the boys fawn and the girls fume.

Now here is where I wish I had the pictures, but alas, Princess has been working non-stop since we returned. So while enjoying the company of some dear old friends at the bar in the middle of no-where, a school bus pulls up and low and behold a train of men (okay young boys) files out. Upon closer inspection we realize that this isn't just any ordinary school bus - this is the equivalent of the "Redneck Limo" and the boys were part of a bachelor party. So classic and perfect I couldn't have written the scene any better myself if I tried. And don't think this will not be in a book of mine.

So classic and ingenious - the "Redneck Limo" was and still is one of the highlights of my trip. It gave us all a great laugh and my only regret is that I didn't ask to see the inside to see if it was equipped with a stripper poll - now that would have been classic behind those dark tinted windows. (yes all 25 windows were darkly tinted)

Now we are home all safe and sound - after yet another delay getting out of Detroit, but we're here. I have more memories and special memories of being with my daughter and showing her a bit more about my old life, sharing in a birthday party for my oldest and dearest friends daughter, and laughs with mom and old friends.

Sometimes going home isn't so bad after all.

Any good stories from your travels?

Hugs,
LKap
Laurie

Hello? Sunshine State Where Are You?

2010-07-07T05:30:00.000-04:00

I live in the sunshine state. Hey, no laughing. It’s the truth. We have sunshine ninety-five percent of the time. Maybe more.

It’s hot and humid and during the summer, it can be beyond sweltering, but if you’re a Floridian, you deal with it. Sure, you complain from time to time, but hey you also can go the beach any day of the week and that sometimes includes the months of January and February.

This past winter was crazy. Thirty-one days of freezing temperatures. When it’s in the thirties for that many days, you run out of clothes. Our winter wardrobe consists of a couple of sweaters and some lightweight jackets. Not so this year. We learned to layer and we bought more sweaters. :)

Now we’ve got rain. Everyday rain, all day long rain, makes huge puddles in your yard rain. My garden is water logged and my flowers are begging for some sun to turn their pink, mango, white, and red faces towards.

And we’ve got more rain in the forecast. I need some gloshes and raingear. Not something I really want to buy. Sunday Science Guy and I were out shopping, and thank goodness I always keep a pair of sandals in my car because the ones I was wearing broke. They were only a few weeks old, but the grass cloth that is in the soles couldn’t handle the water.

I know rain is a good thing. It’s free watering and really I do believe grass, flowers, and veggies (okay, the weeds too), love having God’s water better than water from the hose. Saves money on the water bill and I’m always thankful to save money.

But Mr. Sun, I want you to know that I miss you and hope you’ll come back soon if only to peak your head above the clouds for a little while and sends us some of your wonderful warmth.

What about you? Do you get tired of having the same weather for weeks and weeks? How’s the weather where you live? Heat wave like up north, rainy and dreary like us?

xoxoxo,

Vicki

Tuesday Ten - Warm Fuzzes

2010-07-06T09:47:00.001-04:00

I just love the 4th of July. It makes me feel so proud to be an American (where at least I know I'm free...sorry I ramble into song every now and then...just ask Vicki!). It never fails that while I'm watching those fireworks make the night sky sparkle, I am overcome with emotion. So as I sat down to write this week's Tuesday Ten, I started thinking about what other activities make me feel warm inside (a good glass of wine aside, of course!). I hope a few of them make you smile too...

10. Singing...as I said before I tend to break out in random song. I love singing and there isn't much I'd rather be doing than sitting around a couple of talented people singing in four part harmony.

9. Watching success stories on TV...I am such a sucker for the people on those reality talent shows who have come from such negative past experiences and are now showing how truly talented they are. Did you see the group of formerly homeless veterans on America's Got Talent this year? I get teary every time!

8. Cuddling up with a good book next to an open window as the rain falls steadily outside.

7. Sitting on my Aunt's deck. Everyone else has left for the night and it's just she and I, the moonlit water, and a couple of glasses of wine. Some of our best chats have happened out on that deck.

6. Making a difference in someone's life, no matter how great or small the action.

5. Watching the sunset. My personal favorite is watching it set behind mountains or the ocean. I can't help but marvel at how creative God is when I catch those perfect evenings.

4. Coming in the door and being greeted by what is arguably the cutest, most perfect dog in the world.

3. Having a student on their way to high school dedicate their final talent show performance to you because you always believed in and supported them...priceless. This is why I do what I do.

2. Once a year my mom comes to visit. It is without a doubt the week I look forward to all year, starting the moment I drop her off to fly back home. There's always once during that trip that we get into the most uncontrollable giggle-fest possible. I adore my mom and treasure the memories of us laughing until we can't breathe any more. I love you, mom. Our visit can't come soon enough!

1. Spending time with my wonderful husband and knowing he is my best friend.

What about you? What makes your heart smile? Have a great week everyone, and I'll see you next Tuesday!

SB Jane

Birds - Beware!

2010-07-01T11:02:00.003-04:00

The next time you hear the sweet tweeting of birds in your backyard, you might want to be careful...

Since LKap has just returned home I thought I'd put up a funny.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Wednesday Wanderings – A World Is In the Eyes of the Beholder

2010-06-30T05:30:00.001-04:00

I wonder what Alice felt like when she landed in Wonderland. Okay, so she might have been a little sore from the fall, the wind might have been knocked out of her, and although they don’t tell you, she might have even come close to, you know, peeing her pants. I mean really falling down a hold in the side of a tree for what must have seemed like forever, well that’d be scary enough to make it happen.

But once she was there, once she’d taken the pills that made you tall and made you small, once she was walking in the woods along the trails, wonder what she thought. It’s not ever day you have animals talking to you. A rabbit who’s always late and Cheshire Cat whose smile is the last thing to disappear. Then there are the twins Tweedledee and Tweedledum and a caterpillar smoking his hookah pipe, which by the way must have made him feel all sorts of good, because that was one relaxed dude.

All of those…hmmm…unusual characters and Alice hadn’t yet met the Mad Hatter or the Queen of Hearts. The March Hare throws one crazy party. If there was ever a place where “food fight” could be a good word this is it.

I don’t recall her crying like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, calling out to her family members wanting to go home. Well, she did swim in the pool of tears, but let’s face it Dorothy cried for Auntie Em why more than Alice ever mentions home. Maybe there wasn’t time with all the zany moments happening around her, or maybe our Alice was wanderer, who loved a sense of adventure. Maybe this was the world she wished for instead of a boring get up, brush your teeth, get dresses and do the same thing all over again then next day. Growing up can be such a bummer.

Light bulb moment here – Maybe this is why we’re writers and readers, or both. It’s a time that we escape to our own wonderland. When I’m seeing as slate gray clouds with lightening flashing across them and huge peddles of rain falling as I write a scene, you might not see it exactly that way when you’re reading. Your sky may be more ominous, the sky more of a metallic gray with buckets of rain, flooding anything in its way. We always make up stories or get swept away into them. In a sense this is when we don’t have to be all grown up with the pressures of the real world around us.

Maybe our little Alice saw things way she wanted to see them. Perhaps the Mad Hatter wasn’t mad at all. Perhaps the Queen of Hearts was truly her school principal who enforced the rules or to detention you went.

Either way, Alice saw a world just as she wanted to see it, just as she was meant to see it. And that, my blog friends is the Wednesday wandering of the week.

Hugs,
Vicki

Tuesday Ten - All About Twilight

2010-06-29T05:30:00.000-04:00

Hey SB Jane - LKap and I wanted to welcome you to the blog for the summer series of Tuesday Ten. Just a little info about you for our readers. SB Jane teaches in a land far, far away...wait that's not right, that's sort of the beginning of Star Wars. But she is a teacher it's just the far, far away part we're not sure about. Could be SciFi, where the kids float about their chairs while she teaches through a computer monitor, or maybe it's in the Wild West with everyone sittin' around the campfire and branding cattle. A small exclusive school with the coolest and zaniest kids could be her classroom. Or it could be a normal everyday classroom where the kids use #2 pencils and have to take test and have homework. One thing we know for sure, where ever SB Jane teaches the kids are lucky to have her.

Here's SB Jane and her first Tuesday Ten:

Thanks Vicki and LKap for having me here this summer. I'm looking forward to sharing my Tuesday Ten's with you and hoping you'll share some of yours with me.

In honor of tomorrow's release of Eclipse, I had to do my first Top Ten all about the Twilight series! So without further adue...here are the Top 10 things I love about the Twilight Saga

10: The easy way to now sort your friends (Team Edward or Team Jacob?)
9: Jacob's fight for Bella's affection.

8: While we're on the subject of Jacob...oooh those ABS!!

7: The incredible job Stephenie Meyer did of drawing us into the Twilight world - how many hours of sleep did I lose because I just couldn't put it down?!

6: The Cullen family - There are so many small details I could do an entire 10 on them.

5: The scene in the first book when Edward and Bella are at dinner.

4: Alice - she is just all around adorable, incredibly stylish, and the kind of girl it would be a blast to be friends with.

3: SPOILER ALERT!!! Bella and Edward's honeymoon

2: Edward's devotion to all things Bella

1: The fact that at midnight tonight I will be watching Eclipse!! This book was my favorite of the four and I can not wait to watch it come to life on the big screen.

What's your favorite Twilight moment? I can't wait to read your comments and I'll see you next Tuesday! :)

Ciao,
SB Jane

A Change Is Coming

2010-06-28T15:02:00.003-04:00

So it’s been a while since I’ve blogged with any regularity. I could give you all the reasons (most if not all of them very valid), but I’ll spare you the boring details. Trust me, they’re not that exciting.

It’s not January so it’s way too late for New Year’s resolutions. And I’m not a true believer in them anyway since it’s usually things we want to do yet most often times do them for a few weeks, or months at best.

Instead I’m starting fresh. I’ve got a new line up and I’m thinking this will keep things running smoothly.

Here goes:

Monday Musings – thoughts about Writing…it is a writing blog after all. :)

Tuesday Ten – Ten things about, well pretty much anything. And during the summer we’ll have a guest blogger, SB Jane, who will be doing the Tuesday Ten.

Wednesday Wanderings – Rabbit trail day. Anyone who knows me – knows that I’m pretty good at rabbit trails. LKap’s been known to have a few rabbit trails which I think has come about from hanging with me.

Thursday Rambling – LKap’s day to tell it like she sees it, perhaps a rant, or really anything that’s on her mind.

Friday Fun – What kind of fun? Anything from jokes to yummy eye candy to what we’re reading at the time.

Tomorrow starts our Tuesday Ten with SB Jane and she’s talking all things Twilight. Come back to read her ten things and leave your own comments.

Yes I know, I’ve just started / restarted and today’s is supposed to be about writing, but really, you got start somewhere. :)

So, what do you think about the new line up? Is there something else you’d like to see?
And if you’d like to guest blog on one of the days please send me an email at vickilanewrites@yahoo.com. We’d love to have you.

Hugs,
Vicki

My Girls!!!

2010-06-10T16:27:00.003-04:00

Since I haven't been writing lately - and I consider this blog another form of writing, I decided to let you see my girls...Aren't they adorable. ;-D

Brown/Red dog on her back is my daughters new pup - Betsey
This is when I love her best....LOL! No really she's a great dog, just lots of energy.

White/Blue (gray) dog is Pennelope
Again supposed to be my daughter's dog, but tends to be mine more. And yes that is a heart on her forehead.

Tan/white - this is my girl - Trixie
Who obviously is a ham for the camera. For a 3lb chiahuahua she's a little pistol, but then again I am her human mommy...LOL

Hope they made you smile like they make me smile.

Hugs
LKap

Women & Men, Oh How the Tides have Turned...

2010-06-03T05:46:00.004-04:00

Was talking with a friend the other day that tripped this, as well as the conversations I've had with Princess and realized we, as women, have completely messed up men.

Yep, I said it!

Let's take the romance genre as an example of the man we want. Most of the women I know want an Alpha male. This is what they look for in a perfect hero. If he was a wuss the book (I'm pretty sure) wouldn't ever sell. They are looking for a male to stand up to them (and with them), but be man enough for us, as women, to be our own person.

Am I right? I know it's what I want.

But in saying that, I want to be my own person--with limitations. What do I mean by this?

I want to be treated like a woman should, like ladies used to be treated.

No, I don't want to do all the cooking and cleaning and taking care of the babies, but nor do I expect this completely from a male either. Don't get me wrong I've done it, and loved being a stay at home mom. But the flip side is that as a human being I didn't have the self-worth I needed to be a complete person. I like to work and bring home money and if someday I'm able to quit my job and work from home all the better. There is nothing, let me repeat this...NOTHING wrong with being a stay at home anything. It's the hardest job you'll ever have and I respect it.

What I don't respect is that there are more men out there thinking that women need to support them so that they can stay home and do nothing. I mean nothing. No cooking, no cleaning, no lawn work, no helping out while the woman works. This is not a real man to me.

Now, there is a caviat here - times are hard and there are those without work. Totally acceptable as long as they are willing to help out.

All of this became very clear to me when I was talking to my friend and my daughter's recount about the latest "tool" she's seeing. Most of them barely work, and even if they do I've found that she is still paying for things, like dinners, food for their apartments (ummm, she lives at home...), helping to pay their bills. And this one always gets me - she drives them around. WTH! So not a man of worth in my head.

This is my opinion of course--men should open doors for women (car, house, resturant...), Men should drive (I feel odd when I have to drive and HHB is in the passenger seat), which leads me to another new trend--men should come to the house to pick you up for a date, not the other way around, and men pay for dinners/movies, whatever. Sure if you're partners it comes out of the same account, but it's the principle in my mind.

Woman's rights haven't gotten us better pay, or equality - not that I can see. Sure, I can speak my mind and vote, but if there isn't a strong man treating me like a lady and respecting what I do--no thank you!

I have a great man of worth, so this isn't something I deal with except through friends and daughter, but I see/hear it so often it's getting painful.

Oh how the world changes. Yep, I'm sure glad I have an old fashioned man who believes that woman are still to be charished and taken care of. Am I old fashioned -- you bet! I want a man's man who works hard and takes care of his family and lets me help.

Whatever happened to the man who respected the woman? The cowboy on the white charger? The dominant (Alpha) to the submissive ? (couldn't resist throwing that in...LOL)

Are you seeing the same thing? Or have I lost my mind?

Hugs
LKap

Negative Energy…..

2010-05-27T05:56:00.003-04:00

We all have this whether we want to believe it or not. I actually consider myself to be an energy vampire.

Let me set this straight:
No I don’t believe I’m a vampire, I don’t have teeth that elongate and the taste of blood—well yuk! Not to mention I get queasy now-a-days when I see it. There is also the fact that I love the sun too much. LOL

But lately I’ve noticed that I feed off of people’s emotions, they can be saying one thing and I’m feeling a completely different emotion from them. There are places that I don’t enjoy going because of the outward “fake” appearances that are so contradictory to what I’m feeling that I leave with a headache and in a depressed state.

Now this is really nothing new, I’ve always been pretty good at reading people and my first impression is almost always right. Why? Because, like my headaches tell me a storm is coming, they also seem to signal a bullshit meter. Sometimes I take a chance and ignore it, but it’s not the norm for me. Nor am I happy when my first impressions are right and I have to face the personal consequences.

Negativity is a powerful emotion just as love is. And I believe that Karma is the way the universe equals good and evil. It might not happen in my time, but it will happen and that always gives me hope.

And why does this give me hope?
I don’t need to be a player in the cosmic scheme of things—I’ve already done my part in the play, now I only need to sit back and wait. The rest as they say “will take care of itself”.

So since I’m feeling a bit of that negative energy around me and a lot of others, I am counteracting it. I’m sending the power of positive out into the universe. Whether it’s a poem, which inspired me to be better than the negative—a quote—maybe even a little charm. Call it a surrounding white light for me and my true friends and family.

“Carrying around anger is most debilitating to the person who bears it.” ~ Partial quote by Katharine Graham, Newspaper publisher & Pulitzer Prize winning memoirist.

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. ~ Author Unknown

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts. ~ Samuel Johnson

Swelling on the negative simply contributes to its power. ~ Shirley MacLaine

So I LKap, wish for you happiness and peace of mind to feed your own well of good against the powers of evil trying to suck the greatness out of you.
If someone revels in the negative, take away their power with your own positive light, positive thinking, anything positive will negate the negative. Remember, you have the power to change a negative into a positive.

From the famous words of Fanny Brice, “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

Just for fun a little ditty to do with a mirror facing away from you, while you turn in a complete circle - imagine this in cyber space twirling around protecting you from harm – now of course if you’ve sent harm ~ BE GONE!

"circle of reflection
cicle of protection
may the sender of all harm
feel the power of this charm"

Now I’m letting my inner child out to play. “I’m rubber, you’re glue what you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” :-P

Stay positive and laugh (if for no other reason then for people to question why)

Hugs,
LKap

Miss Snark - Missing You Three Years Later

2010-05-20T14:39:00.001-04:00

It’s been three years since Miss Snark’s blog went dark.

Three years without Killer Yapp, the bucket of gin, George Clooney and the crapometer.

Funny thing is I thought I’d eventually forget the blog. Forget the snarky way she taught so many of us. The daily dose of anticipation with a touch of fear mixed in for those of us who submitted to her. Waiting to see if she’d find some small shred of value, or if her stiletto’s would dig deep destroying the crap, but never really destroying us.

But no, I’ve never forgotten her or the truths learned in this journey so many of us are on.
From time to time I wander over to her blog wondering if just this one time I might her there.

From those who are new to writer’s world, check her blog out. Glean from the truths written among the snarky words and the snarklets.

To Miss Snark, whoever you truly may be, you are still missed and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

Vicki

Oh How He's Grown....

2010-05-13T15:32:00.004-04:00

So there have been two new animals that joined my house in the last year. Bella my cat won't sit still long enough to get her picture taken, or she's got a lizard in her mouth - so not attractive. But Max.... he's a ham. Can't you tell?

His personality is just as chilled as he looks.
Hugs
LKap

Lost Generation

2010-05-12T10:26:00.002-04:00

This is an amazing video. It's short, only 1:44 minutes (and seconds).

From the email that it was sent to me:

Interesting how this works! Make sure your speakers are turned on
A palindrome reads the same backwards as forward. This video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward. Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite. This is only a 1 minute, 44 second video and it is brilliant! Make sure you read as well as listen...forward and backward. This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50" by AARP. This video won second place . When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

xoxoxo,
Vicki

YEHAW... Ride 'em Cowboy...

2010-04-29T05:30:00.001-04:00

So I'm in the mood for inspiration, and I think I've found it.
Hope you enjoy what I've found for my Thursday Eye Candy.

Don't they inspire you to write?
They do for me...must get back to it.
Hugs
Laurie
LKap

Brenda Novak Mentorship Contest

2010-04-27T16:37:00.003-04:00

It's almost time for Brenda Novak's Auction. In caes you didn't know this auction raises money for Juvenile Diabetes. I’m always amazed at how many people give their time and/or products to make this happen.

You’ll find everything from editors and agents reading work to weekend getaways and awesome gift baskets. There’s something for writers and reader’s, so no matter which area you fall into you’re going to love this.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s daily prizes give out as well.

Please check it out. You might find something you just have to have and it all goes for a great cause.

This year she’s added something new and WOW is it very cool to say the least. What you’re going to read below came from her website.

Ever wished you had a New York Times Bestselling author you could go to any time you had a writing or marketing question? Someone who’s had fourteen years of experience and nearly forty books published? Someone qualified to look over your query letter and make suggestions? Someone who understands story structure who will critique your work and, once it’s ready, help you make the connections you need to get published? Someone to take you to Harlequin’s big party at the RWA National Convention, where you can meet those who make this great publishing house what it is? Now’s your chance!

A New York Times, USA Today and Waldenbooks bestseller, Brenda has won many contests and awards and continues to write dramatic, sophisticated, unforgettable stories. Look for her latest romantic suspense novels due out this summer from Mira Books: WHITE HEAT (August 10), BODY HEAT (September 10), and KILLER HEAT (October 10).

WHAT YOU CAN WIN:
A six month mentoring package with New York Times Bestseller Brenda Novak (December 1, 2010 - May 31, 2011)

This includes a starting phone call, unlimited email access, the critique and polishing of one romance manuscript (contemporary, romantic suspense, paranormal, or historical not to exceed 100,000 words).

Mentorship will be followed by:
A read of your manuscript by Brenda's agent, Kimberly Whalen, Vice-President of Trident Media Group

A read of your manuscript by Brenda's editor Paula Eykelhof, Executive Editor at MIRA Books
THIS IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP ONTO THE FAST TRACK—DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE!

WHO ARE THE JUDGES?

Preliminary Round Judges:
Bestselling authors, including Barbara Freethy, Dianna Love, Susan Mallery, Karen Rose, Karin Tabke, and Debra Webb.
Final Judge: Brenda Novak

Please note that judging will be handled in the same way as the Golden Heart. Your work will be given a score of 1 - 9. Entries may or may not receive critical feedback.
HOW DO YOU ENTER?

Simply pay your entry fee right here, then click to download an entry form (link to entry form), which you will mail with your submission (address is on entry form).
Entry must be RECEIVED by midnight Saturday, July 24, 2010. Entries received after July 25th will not be accepted. Entrant will be notified.

ENTRY CONSISTS OF:
Entry form, completely filled out
3 Copies/Sets of first three chapters (50 pages maximum, including synopsis)
Self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your entry returned to you.
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED via E-mail October 31st!

Top 10 finalists will each receive copies of BREAK INTO FICTION by Dianna Love and Mary Buckham and THINKING WRITE by Kelly L. Stone.
Top three finalists will each receive a read by Laurie McLean of Larsen & Pomada Literary Agents.

WINNER ANNOUNCED November 15th.

About the Judges (in alphabetical order):

BARBARA FREETHY is an award-winning, best-selling author of 27 novels including category, single title contemporary, romantic suspense and women's fiction. Her books have received numerous awards including four RITA nominations and one RITA win. Her current contemporary series, Angel's Bay, is set in a fictional town on the California coast.
For more information, visit Barbara Freethy

New York Times best seller DIANNA LOVE has released her energetic muse on writing high-octane romantic thrillers (Bureau of American Defense/ Pocket) and paranormal thrillers with the release of BLOOD TRINITY (Pocket/Oct 2010) with #1 NYT Best seller Sherrilyn Kenyon. Her first book sold & won a prestigious RITA® Award (as Dianna Love Snell). Dianna speaks at national and international events about the innovative Break Into Fiction® Character-Driven™ Plotting Program.
Visit Dianna Love & Break Into Fiction

SUSAN MALLERY is the New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romances and she has yet to run out of ideas!! She has written series romances, as well as single titles, historicals, contemporaries and even a lone time travel. Always reader favorites, her books have appeared on the Waldens bestseller list, along with the USA Today bestseller list and, of course, the New York Times list. She has won awards for everything from best single title contemporary, to best Special Edition of the year and recently took home the prestigious National Reader's Choice Award.
Visit Susan Mallery

RITA-award winning, USA Today best-selling author KAREN ROSE's debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has released eight more novels and a novella. To date, her books have been translated into five languages. Her third novel, I'M WATCHING YOU, received the Romance Writer's of America's coveted RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005. Karen's ninth novel, DIE FOR ME, was a RITA finalist for Best Romantic Suspense and won the Romantic Times' Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense of 2007.
Visit Karen Rose

KARIN TABKE writes erotic romantic suspense for Pocket Trade, Berkley Sensation, and Kensington Aphrodisia; historical romance and paranormal romantic suspense for Pocket Star; and erotic paranormal romance for Berkley Heat. Some of the words used to describe Karin’s work are gripping, raw, hot, compelling. Married to a retired street cop, Karin gets the facts right and the emotions riveting.is the author of more than a dozen paranormal, historical, and contemporary novels.
Visit Karin Tabke

DEBRA WEBB is a multi-published, bestselling author who writes spine tingling romantic suspense for St. Martin's Press and Harlequin Intrigue.
Read more about Debra at her website:
Debra Webb

How cool is all of this!!

xoxoxo,
Vicki

She Lives...

2010-04-20T13:57:00.002-04:00

Hey guys,

It's been a while (okay, a very long time), since I've been on. Thank goodness LKap is here. :)

The day job has been killer. Seriously killer. It's affected my writing and everything else in what's supposed to be a normal life.

But...

I'm back and will be posting more often. I've been thinking about having some theme days for the next few months to help get back in the swing. More to come on that.

Hope everyone is having a great week and I'll be back tomorrow.

Hugs,
Vicki

Winner and Writing Ramble....

2010-04-15T05:30:00.002-04:00

Drum roll please............
from the randomizer - The WINNER is....

Anonymous TARA you are the winner of a shiny ;-)
Contact me so I can get you your prize.

So now onto my writing ramble.

A friend suggested that I give examples of how stories come to me. Well as of right this minute I'm working on one book and decided to do another open call submission. Which means, these characters aren't ones I've let cultivate in my head. I have to create them out of nowhere, basically.

Most times my characters just show up. I know what they look like, they typically even give me their names, I know their basic personality traits and as I put them to paper more of those traits just come out. And I love it when they do something that surprises me and I didn't expect them to do it!!!

For the novella I'm brewing in my head--those traits aren't there yet. And it scares me shitless to think I have to totally create these people from scratch.

Well last night after some long talks with other authors, and friends, I only had a small grasp where this book was going. But in saying that...The damn arrogant man (which is a trait of his I know now) woke me up early in the morning to converse with the other male character. And yes, I looked like an utter fool telling the voices in my head it was too early for this. And HHB asking me who I was talking to. ;-)

But, this is pretty typical for me. I usually get the man's POV first. Don't ask me why...I just do. So my heroine is tight lipped - which is pissing me off at this point since I don't have a lot of time here. But I got a jumping off point for the book--which helps some.

I say some because I only have a few minor conflicts in my head and they are not as strong as I'd like them to be at this point. So more cajoling must be done. And honestly I'm wondering if it will be worth it in the end.

It will, I know it will. I'm accomplishing two things with this task. One, I have a forced deadline. As an unpubbed author I feel it's important to push myself with limits that will be expected of me when I am published. Two, It's also forcing me to create something out of my norm. Also once I'm pubbed there will hopefully be times I'm asked to write with another author, or write to a specific theme. This exercise will only make me stronger. Or so I hope. :-)

So there you have it. My mind, how it works, and how crazy I really am first thing in the morning.

BTW - any writing suggestions on how to get this moving - I'm all for it!!!
I love hearing how others do this process.

Hugs,
Laurie
LKap

Sparklies...

2010-04-08T05:30:00.002-04:00

Why is it most women want things that sparkle and shine?

I’ll admit, wholeheartedly, that I am said woman. Just take a look at my jewelry chest. Of course most of it isn’t the “real” stuff, but I’m not tellin’ what is and what isn’t. If you can’t figure it out, I’m not sayin’ a word. ;-)

I even have four different wedding sets. Why? Honestly…who the hell knows. But they were shiny and bigger than my original (which, BTW I still wear most often), and I wanted them.

And it’s not just about jewelry, we like bling on our bags, our jeans, shirts—name it we want it sparkly. I know I’ve gone off the deep end when HHB will look at me funny when I pick up a shirt with sequins all over it and he says, “Of course you like that.”

Which then, leads me to think that men do not like shiny, sparkly on their women. Any men out there – I’d love to pick your brains on that.

The way I see it, as in the animal kingdom most of the male species are the pretty ones, while the female species just picks the one that demonstrates the brightest colors, strongest alpha traits, or prettiest tune. I know there are more examples but I won’t completely bore you.

I’m finding though that we as females are trying to “out-shine” our counterparts, who are supposed to make other males feel inferior to them, that they have won the prize of the female. But here we are trying to shine and sparkle our way into the lime-light.

Odd when you analyze it because if we chose the alpha male, wouldn’t we want to not draw attention to ourselves so that every other female knows how great we have it and try to steal said cream of the crop away? Or then the other theory I have is that men just don’t like to be out-shined—which probably makes more sense….LOL… My mind, sometimes has a mind of its own.

What’s your theory on why we like shiny, sparklies?
One lucky winner will win something shiny (it will be a surprise) - but you have to comment to win. ;-D

Ciao
LKap

Sasha White is BACK.....

2010-04-04T08:35:00.007-04:00

As many of you know I'm a reader fan and friend to the amazing Sasha White!

I'm so excited to let you know she will be releasing a NEW short story with Samhain on Tuesday April 4, 2010.

And this book is HOT!!! I loved every word and the chemistry was spot on. I know you'll enjoy it to. So check it out.

One Weekend
Length: Short Story
Price: $2.50
Publication Date: April 6, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60504-976-2

Three lovers. Two days. One bed…
Angie Wilson is a lucky girl. She loves her job, her life, and her man, Rick Craig. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t revel in the attentions of a good-looking, athletic boyfriend who’s secure enough to encourage her most adventurous appetites?

One of the worst heat waves in memory has hit town, and by Friday Angie is ready to really let loose. Craig and his best friend, Mark, are chilling on the patio with cold beer when she gets home from work, and the three get comfortable. As the night moves on and the talk turns to sex, Angie longs for more than just cool air on her bare skin.

And the heat’s making her just crazy enough to go for it.

Other BIG new from Sasha is that she's started a Forum on her website, which is so very cool. Look for a big party next weekend Saturday 4/10 10am E.S.T with chats and give-aways. I know I'll be there!

Enjoy!!! (I did)

Laurie

LKap

Ramble with Write or Die...

2010-04-01T05:30:00.000-04:00

I've decided to use Dr. Wicked's write or Die to write my blog. I haven't the slightest idea what will come out of it, but in the 9 minutes and 29 seconds I have left I'll figure something out. Or that's the idea of this little exercise.

A friend turned me on to this and its fun, but I have trouble thinking on my feet and also think that I had too much editing to do once I've completed the time quota. Of course, I didn't go into this with a plot or a plan. I write by the seat of my pants in most cases. And when I get stuck oh look out - I never know what will come out. Even if I have plotted and have an idea where I'm going. But I have 10 minutes at the day job and I've been very lackadaisical in my blogging so I figured this would get it done.

Has anyone else tried this?

It gets the ideas out in the open so if nothing else you have a plot to add to or take away knowledge that you might not have let form on the page otherwise.

So here I sit still writing about nothing, but amazingly enough I already have 207 as of the number there. Pretty amazing if you ask me. And lord knows I can't stop for too long or it will start to flash and play obnoxious music at me until I start writing again--as if that isn't motivation to get your fingers moving.

I bring up this exercise because I am once again stuck in my WIP and will be using this feature to get out of said rut, or should I say maybe it will help my characters to rut. Sorry that was a little forward wasn't it? LOL

I do love the things that I think of which is usually nothing of great importance, but I promise, except for spelling errors I will be posting this in it's entirety just so you can see that as the mind flows the stuff that comes out is sometimes good and sometimes not.

I've also got the distraction of the day job around me and what is usually quiet is now bustling with activity. I'm not good with background noise when I'm trying to think, so as of now my word count hasn't increased too much 394 now, it's crazy in ten minutes I've been known to write over 600 words or more. I don't think that's going to happen.

Oh dear- this is when I hate cube life, after coming out of office life.

This too shall pass and someone will finally get back to work. But me - I still have just under 2 minutes to keep rambling about nothing.

So tell me have any of you done this before and what do you think about it?

Do you find this a useful tool? Or is it a PITA for your writing?

I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but if anyone wants to infuse some insight to me more power to you - I'm always willing to listen to how others write.

Just remember I can't write with music...remember those people next to me, yeah music is just as annoying to me as people chatter when I'm concentrating.

Ok time is up
Have a great Day.
LKap

(Oh this is 556 words)
Add on: now think how much you could do if you really had a topic to write about

Arizona Beauty

2010-03-22T05:24:00.000-04:00

Just a few pictures from AZ. The catus mountains are beautiful and although I've captured them on film, I have not in anyway captured the true beauty of this land.

Check back tomorrow as we start the Too Wicked To Kiss contest. :)

xoxoxo,

Vicki

Sneak Peak - Too Wicked To Kiss Giveaway

2010-03-19T05:38:00.000-04:00

Next week I’ll be giving away a copy of Erica Ridley’s debut book Too Wicked To Kiss Don’t you love the cover!

Here’s the backcover blurb:

His Touch Holds Her Captive...
From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning its roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amid the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait...

To His Every Dark Desire...
Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin's towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline...until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her.

But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. Could the man to whom she is so powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?

You can read an excerpt here

So, this is a little sneak peak for next week.

Happy Weekend Everyone,

Vicki

The Land of the Desert

2010-03-17T11:30:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not talking about my writing, but the beautiful Arizona area. I'm visiting my daughter this week while Science Guy is home with the doggies.

It never fails to amaze me when I land and look around at the landscape of this area. The first time I flew out here I totally expected it to be a barren wasteland (yep, means the same thing). To my utter surprise it was and is beautiful.

There are tons of cactus of all different sizes and shapes, and many plants native to the area that are so cool. The sunsets are beautiful and while I love the sunsets over the water, the sun descending behind a mountain of cactus is pretty cool.

I guess the part that is the hardest for me is the scorpions out here. I'm not talking a few little ones (which by the way the little ones are more poisonous than the big ones), but they have them pretty much anywhere you go. I've not seen one and I'm hoping not to.

We've painted ceramics, went to the movies (Alice In Wonderland so did not impress me, very sad since I love Johnny Depp, but that's another blog in itself), and we're talking about going to get hot stone massages.

All in all it's been a great trip.

Next week I'm doing a book giveaway so make sure you check back.

xoxxo,
Vicki

GMC...do your books have it?

2010-03-11T05:30:00.004-05:00

So here's my rant on this lovely Thursday....okay so it's not so lovely and it's supposed to rain, but I have to look at the bright side of something here. I've had a crappy week and it's heading downhill--not up.

Let's get started, shall we.

I was on a friends site last night and realized as I read some comments that there are published authors out there that have no idea what a GMC is. ARE U FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!!!

No I'm not--honestly!

For you non-writers, I expect you not to know. But so you do know, a GMC is: Goal, Motivation & Conflict.

IMO, what every book should have in it, no matter the genre.

As most of you know I'm writing paranormal and erotica. I still see no reason for each character not to have a GMC. This is just crazy. Now I will also admit that in the erotica genre this error happens more than most. Which is a catastrophic shame. More of a shame is I'm busting my butt to get it right and there are others out there that don't know or care. Nothing I can do. It is what it is, but it's my rant, so I ranted. :-P

We all read books for different reasons. Personally I want a HEA (Happy Ever After) even in erotic. I don't like sex for sex sake, and honestly it's boring. I want characters that are well rounded and have feelings, emotions, pain, suffering and all the stuff that makes them feel real to me.

I read almost every genre, but prefer romance in everything. I'm pretty well rounded in that aspect and before I ever took writing seriously, I think Vicki pounded in my head what a GMC was. We might not have known how to make it happen completely correctly - we do now - but the most important thing I can say is...IT'S IMPORTANT.

So I've told you what I like in books, tell me what you're looking for?

Hugs,

LKap

Say What You Feel....

2010-03-04T05:30:00.000-05:00

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. --Dr. Seuss

This quote was on one of my groups – Wicked Writers, to be exact. But it so fits me and who I am I couldn’t help but put it out there.

I’m one of those people who have little or no filter. I typically spew my thoughts out and cringe a bit afterward. But not typically. If I say it I mean it.

Now that doesn’t mean I have no couth. I live a professional life and I want to be published so yes I have a professional filter, but outside of that, when I am me and only me…hell no!

My version of the above is: If you don’t like what I have to say, don’t ask. Or better yet, don’t listen.

Does this cause me problems sometimes? Ummm…YEAH! Duh

But do you have to worry where you stand with me? NO!

I am honest to a fault. This is a great trait, and a bad trait all wrapped into one. But I’d rather tell someone the truth than a lie – which I don’t tolerate BTW.

So speak your mind, be considerate about it, but don’t hold it in – you get ulcers that way, and that is so not worth it when all you have to do is be you.

BTW...My friend, Shayla Balck, who you have all met here on the blog, released book 3 in her Wicked Lovers series, this week - Run don't walk to buy this. I got some sneek peek chapters on this and I can guarantee it's worth it.

Hugs
Laurie
LKap

Airline Rant….

2010-02-25T05:30:00.002-05:00

Okay so I have to fly home. And home is in Illinois. Now if I lived in a booming metropolis my airfare would have been half the cost. But oh no…I come from BFE, nowhere, IL – thank you very much.

So on top of being violated out of $600 for a flight and a car—I also have to get up at the ass crack of dawn to return my car and check in. And you know that might not even be accurate since I have to be at the airport (20 miles away, mind you) by 5:00am. HELLO….do these people not know that seeing two 5’s in one day should be against the law—I’m just sayin’ that’s an ungodly hour.

Now that all being said, I could have taken a flight at a normal hour, say, oh around 8:20am, if I wanted to pay $200 MORE. Will someone please enlighten me—‘cause I just don’t get it.

I love my family and friends, really I do. But this is why I haven’t been home in like 4 years. But alas I don’t have much choice as I have family stuff to take care of.

Anyway, that’s what has a bee in my bonnet and I find it ridiculous. But before I leave, lest I forget to mention that I also have to pay $25 each way should I want to bring a bag. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!!!! Wanna know why this is upsetting, because the people in first class and business class are able to bring on 3 – yes I said THREE, bags @ 70 lbs each. Here’s an idea – they can afford to fly first class, let them pay, or better yet, only let them take 2 bags, so I can take 1. I really don't think that's too much to ask for--do you?

Aren’t you glad you stopped by to see me? Soon I’ll be “Leaving’ on a jet plane….” Hum along why don’t you. It will be the only entertainment I’ll have on this trip since that and food can also be purchased on the flight.

Ciao for now
LKap

Meet Senior Editor Selina McLemore

2010-02-24T10:16:00.001-05:00

Senior Editor Selina McLemore with Grand Central is blogging at NINC today. Below is the link to read the blog.

Meet Senior Editor Selina McLemore

Hugs,
Vicki

Absolutely Brilliant Household Tip

2010-02-19T14:48:00.002-05:00

A friend sent this to me in an email and I had to share - I'm thinking it could work. :)

Always keep several

get well cards on the mantle..

So if unexpected guests arrive,

They will think you've been sick

and unable to clean.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Vicki

Captain Phil Harris - You Will Be Missed

2010-02-17T05:58:00.000-05:00

One of the weekly TIVO shows in our home is "Deadliest Catch". Science Guy have watched this show for several years and although we've never actually met any of the members of the ships, we've come to feel as though we know them well.

It is with much sadness that I read of Captain Phil Harris's passing on Feb. 9th. He captained the Cornelia Marie, along with his crew, including his sons Josh and Jake.

The sea is said to be a lover like no other, but it wasn't the sea who took away the much beloved captain. It was a stroke who pulled him away from this world. He will be missed by many and was loved by most. He pulled no punches and yet he brought out the best in everyone he was around.

Just in watching the show, the interviews, and reading about him, you know he loved what he did. Danger was always a part of his life, but the mistress of the sea was his comfort and hard times rolled together.

Still as I write this I find it hard to believe that we'll not see him this year. That he's no longer there to give the guys a hard time when they need it and pat them on the back when the job is over.

My prayers are with his family and friends, to hold them in peace during this time.

There is an address if you'd like to send a card that will be delivered to his family.

Captain Phil Harris

PO Box 32466

Amarillo, TX 79120-2466

Thank you captain for everything and we miss you.

Vicki

Nephele Tempest in the TARA House

2010-02-16T05:26:00.001-05:00

This past weekend was our TARA meeting and it was great.

In all honesty, we always have wonderful meetings, but three times a year our PAN brings in the speakers and it's always something to look forward to. This past weekend was nothing less than awesome.

It started with a fun dinner on Friday night including the board, PAN members, and our speaker, Nephele Tempest, agent extraordinaire with The Knight Agency. Not only is she a super agent, but she is also a blast to be around. I felt totally at ease and it was like you'd known her way longer than a few short hours.

We had a great time, the food was yummy Italian, and the wine was perfect. Add to that eleven women and you know there was plenty of laughter and maybe a wee bit of brain picking. It's not everyday you get to sit down to dinner with an agent (one who is at the top of so many people's list) and ask questions in a small atmosphere.

Saturday was no less amazing. Nephele talked about...are you ready for this...the dreaded synopsis. Yes, groans were loud when she told us her title. And perhaps a little louder when she told us to think of the the query paragraph as a mini synopsis.

I've got notes and the information was/is great for those of us who dread writing the thing. Really, I've only known a couple of people who loved to write them. We'd all hate them, but they're just to nice to do that, so we try not to envy them.

The afternoon was Technology and the Writer. Another informative session and yes, I've got notes on that as well. I haven't typed them up yet, but will share if anyone would like them.

The evening ended with dinner (at TARA we like to eat), and more sharing of laughter and wine.

I drove home tired and elated at the same time. It was a wonderful weekend. Sorry, no pics to share this time.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

It's A Good Day to be Monday

2010-02-15T10:06:00.003-05:00

Oh man, you've got to love Monday's when you have the day off. Waking up and realizing you don't have to jump out of bed and rush to get out the door is way nice.

Of course, having the first day of the work week off also means I'll be playing catch up all week long. But hey, I'm off. The computer is on and life is good.:)

Yesterday Science Guy and I went to another Greek Festival. This one is one of my favorites. The food, the music, and all the small shops set up to wander through is great.

There was one woman, an older woman, in particular whose items fascinated me. More than likely these items came from her home. They were old and perhaps to most weren't worth much.

To know the difference all anyone had to do was stop and talk with her a bit. She shared moments of time with the pieces and yes, we walked away the proud owners of two very small vases with the potters stamp on the bottom of them. They didn't cost much, but I loved the curves and coloring of them.

We ate Greek fries, Souvlaki (I liked the chicken best), and topped it off with Loukoumathes. OMG, those are so amazing. Fried sweet dough balls drenched in a honey syrup and topped with cinnamon. Yum-Yum. I'm wanting some right now. They are crispy hot when you get them and nice and soft on the inside. The honey syrup is sweet, but not too sweet. Yeah, I'm wishing it was still going on today.

The one thing we didn't have was a Baklava sundae. I love Baklava, but the sundae was a bit over the top for me. Still, even with the cool temperatures they were selling them like...hotcakes (yeah, bad pun).

We watched the dancers and listened to the music and just enjoyed our Valentine's Day.

Science Guy is Greek, so this is always something special for him, and has now become something I look forward to each year. There's something about the traditions being passed down from generation to generation that I love. I'm sure the younger teenagers who danced with complete enthusiasm are normal teenagers who love Ed Hardy and hanging at the mall. BUT, for a couple of days, they are immersed in the heritage of their families and it's just cool.

Three older couples joined our table during the music and I watched as they sang along with the band in the Greek language. Again, it touched my heart.

All in all it was a great day. Maybe not the mushy Valentine's day that the holiday can call for, but one that was full of fun memories to keep, laughter that was shared, and yummy food. Can't get much better than that.

Hugs,
Vicki

Pain In My....

2010-02-12T10:20:00.002-05:00

Arm!

Thought I was going to say something different, didn't you...LOL

Well I know it's Friday and I'm a day late, very sorry about that. I must confess I've been in a bit of a fog--pain and well, stuff to take the pain away. I've done something to my arm and haven't the slightest idea what. I know, right? Who doesn't know these things? Me, I guess.

Yes, I've been working out, so I could have done it at the gym. But I've been going to Curves and anyone who is familiar with them knows the workout is just resistance training. I'm not lifting heavy weights here! So why there's a knot on my bicep is beyond me. All I do know is that it's painful to do just about everything. Because, according to Murphy's Law - things like this must happen on your prominent arm. So doing anything is painful.

Now I'm not writing this to make you feel sorry for me, but when an athlete hurts themselves we all know they are off the play list. For writers, it's almost impossible - the words must get on the page and there is no rehab or rest for the weary. The book must get written.

I'm not on a deadline (although, I wish I was), but that doesn't mean the characters stay quiet and let me rest. Oh no! If anything they are all clamoring for my undivided attention. Especially since my internal editor has been knocked out. ;-)

The show must go on. Heating pad - check. Pain Meds - check. Coffee - check, check!

I am off work until Tuesday so there is lots of relax time in my future.

That's my story - what's yours?

Hugs
LKap
Laurie

Must Check Out Blog

2010-02-05T11:26:00.000-05:00

Gary Corby's blog is a must check out blog for all writer's. I'm sure most of you know all the cute wonderful tricks microsoft word has, but really he's got great tips for helping you with words you type waaay too much.

Check it out and have a great Superbowl Weekend!

Vicki

Calmness in Our Lives....

2010-02-04T05:30:00.002-05:00

So not too long ago, I decided to make goals and finish them to the end. One was a diet (which HHB calls an eating lifestyle-same thing am I right?) – I can happily say, I am still on it after a month, lost 7 lbs and 3”. I go to the gym every week, now I initially said 3 times a week, well let’s just say, I go no less than 2 and get on the treadmill at home now.

I have finished a submission AND sent it in – anyone who knows me, knows that’s a biggie because…well just because, I’m never completely happy with what I’ve written (can you say perfectionist class). But, that could be a whole other blog.

So I’m leaving you with words to live by--that a good friend sent to me.
Try it, it works!

CALMNESS IN OUR LIVES

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works...........
Dr. Oz proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished.'

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Tequila, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.

HUGS!!!
LKap

Green Thumb??

2010-02-03T05:30:00.001-05:00

With buying the new house Science Guy and I have planted plants, dug up plants, sketched out plans for new planters, and a total makeover for the backyard. The makeover will have to wait until spring or summer, but the plants were...hmmm...what's the word I'm looking for here? Oh I know, cheap.

Yes, Home Depot and Lowes both have a great assortment of plants ranging in the $1 to $5 area that were fabulous to start our flowerbeds. Okay, they're my flowerbeds, but he helps. Okay, he helps alot. :) And I love him for it.

Mostly we've planted actual plants. You know, already growing with a root system and flowers ready to be admired. But, we had a few packets of seeds, which we've had for, I don't know, maybe a year before we bought the house. Being the Science Guy that he is SG decided to give it whirl and planted the seeds. Sure enough, we have fresh basil, dill, and several other spices. Or we did until the winter blast of 2010 (I've named it) came through for 13 days and pretty much killed everything. Everything except:

Ignore the dead grass. It's now been added to the spring/summer backyard makeover. Yard Crashers, I'm available!!

It's the Bell Peppers and Tomatoes that I'm excited about. So far, we've kept them alive and well. We've brought them in on the 20's nights and covered them outside when it was only dropping into the low 50's.

The cool thing about these plants is we took the seeds right from a fresh Bell Pepper and Tomatoe. Science Guy let them dry out for weeks. So much so that I was pretty sure they were nothing more than dried up hard pieces of something that would never become a plant. I was wrong. They've grown and I'm amazed.

Maybe my grandmother having a farm where she raised animals and food has somehow sent a green thumb gene down the pike and I ended up with it. Or maybe it's Science Guy who seems to know what needs to be done to keep them growing. Either way, we've got veggies and I'm now plotting my next veggie to grow.

What about you? Have you grown plants or veggies from seeds? Do you have a garden every year?

xoxoxo,

Vicki, who's really not sure why this bottom part is in the middle.

Tuesday Ten - Favorite Lines

2010-02-02T05:30:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite lines from my books.

1. Then it hit me.

2. A different shade of broken down everytime I see you.

3. He had one thing to decide today. Would he kill his father?

4. Talk is cheap.

5. Did daddy cut off your allowance again?

6. No problem I dress like a street walker all the time.

7. Mommy dearestw ould go all cardia arrest on us if you brought him home.

8. I. Am. A. Vampire.

9. What he needed was a flea dip and a good cut.

10. Yeah, side note here teenage witches can’t drink cola.

What about you? What are some of your favorite written lines or lines you've read in a book. If they're from a book, please tell us who wrote the book as well. Give props where due. :)

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Writing and Surviving the Day Job

2010-02-01T05:30:00.002-05:00

To say the day job has kept me crazy busy would be a major understatement. Coming home after ten (or more) hour days is not making me want to crank up the computer and write, blog, or even visit my favorite blogs. So, I'm sorry if I haven't been around so much and I'm going to be better. Promise. No really, I am.

Here's the crazy thing. I'm thinking of setting my alarm clock for 4:30 AM (oh yeah, I said AM), so I can get up early and write. I need to have more writing time and with working so many hours, it's not happening Monday - Friday. I know several people who do this and they say it's great. They say the creativity flows strong that early in the morning.

I'm still working on TLIAV, but for some reason the characters in my YA paranormal FMP has started talking and they don't seem to want to go away. As a writer, it's always a good thing when your characters talk to you. The words flow so much easier onto the screen, and hopefully you less POS when you've finished a scene.

But, when it's teenagers talking, they don't care if you really need to cook supper, or wash clothes, or anything else for that matter. They tell you what's going on and trust me, sometimes you're not really sure if you want to know. For the sake of the book, I know that Lexi needs to tell me everything (and I keep telling her it can't really all go in the book), so we've comprised. I'll write her dairy for her every day and then we'll figure out what needs to be in the book and what might just need to stay between us.

Not only is this my first YA, it's also the first time I've written a book in first person. It's not as easy as it sounds or reads for that matter. You don't want to start every sentence with "I" and you do want to make sure that the reader will know everyone's emotion, not just the heroines. Seeing things through Lexi's eyes is kinda cool, especially when she finds out that everything isn't always what she thinks it is.

Anyway, that's what's happening in my little corner of the blog world. Oh, and Science Guy's youngest sister just had a baby girl, so we're uncle and aunt again. Heehee, that also means I get to go shopping for baby stuff. :)

What's going with you? Life going crazy? If you're in the snow bound areas are you taking this time of staying inside to read or write? And are you someone who wakes up early to write? I'd love to know how that's working out for you.

Hugs,
Vicki

Stampin Up Cards - So Much Fun!!

2010-01-25T05:30:00.001-05:00

I love to be creative and not just in my writing. There the characters lives weave a tale of their own making. Sure, I know my plot and I know my characters, but more than once (way more), they've taken a road that wasn't on the map. And each time they do I'm amazed at the turn of events. Things I never knew about the H/H or even the secondary characters will change my plot line. Most the time I'm happy about it and it works. Other times...well, that's another post altogether.

Crafts on the other hand are mere relaxation for me. I love seeing what I can come up with and really there isn't ever a right or wrong way.

This past weekend I went to a Stampin Up party. Yep, I went to a card party. It's the third one I've been to in the past year (umm, including all of 09). There, you don't choose the cards you'll make, BUT you can change them up a bit if you like. And the best thing is when you leave, you're taking 6 cards that you made yourself.

So, I thought I'd share my cards from yesterday with you. Let me know which one is your favorite. I love them all, but two of them really rock, at least to me they do. :)

Hugs,

Vicki

Interview Helen Scott Taylor on the Group Blog - And Someone Wins a Book

2010-01-22T11:43:00.001-05:00

I'm interviewing Helen Scott Taylor over on the group blog today and I'm giving away a copy of The Phoenix Charm!! So, if you didn't win last week when she was here, head on over and leave a comment.

She was a blast to interview and I loved hearing more about her books, characters, and herself...does she like sexy hunky hero's or nerdy, but still sexy hero's??

See you there!!!

Hugs,
Vicki

Music Kick….

2010-01-21T05:34:00.001-05:00

Currently, I’m listening to the best storytelling genre on the planet—music.

As most of you know I haven’t been writing as I should, but I can tell you I’ve been listening to music like a fiend.

I’m not a writer who listens to music while I’m writing, but music is such an integral part of my process that I tend to play an artist/group over and over until the story has practically turned into a movie in my head.

Side note: If only there was a program to go from the visions in my head, directly onto the paper—I’d be golden.

Okay, back to music…
For RTN the most perfect song out there was Leona Lewis’ – “Bleeding Love”. Now I have to say RTN was written before this song came out, but for this book I can’t imagine a better song. So if you know the book, can’t you just picture it?

The current CD, that hasn’t left the car in oh…I don’t know, a month or more, is: Shinedown. Their CD “Sound of Madness” is currently in the car, but I’m switching back and forth between a few of their older CD’s as well.

Something about the above CD and Brent Smith’s voice has totally enthralled me (okay full disclosure here—he’s pretty hot too—totally my type). I’m trying to bring others into my madness too. I sent a few Shinedown songs to another writer friend because they reminded me of her characters—even if she doesn’t use the songs for her muse, I won’t be able to read her books without hearing “Call Me”. Now if only I could get any of my characters to rise up and take this musical bait.

What songs resonate with me currently by Shinedown, you ask? “I Dare You”, “Call Me”, "Simple Man", “If You Only Knew”, "Sin with a Grin"—just to name a few.
As you can see I'm pretty eclectic in my listening pleasures (honestly, I'm that way in a lot of things). But enough about me, I want to know about you.

So what’s got you singing, when you think no one’s watching??? (BTW...I do a mean "I Dare You") ;-D

Muahhhh

Laurie/ LKap

We Have a Winner - The Phoenix Charm

2010-01-16T21:50:00.000-05:00

Wasn't it a blast having Helen Scott Taylor with us, sharing about her newest release, The Phoenix Charm!! She is such fun and an amazing author.

It was really tough for her, but she's selected a winner. Zina!!

Please email me at vickilanewrites@yahoo.com with you snail mail addy and Helen will be sending you a signed copy of The Phoenix Charm.

I know, I know, everyone wanted to win. But I've got good news. Next Friday, I'll be interviewing Helen on my group blog (which I've got the link to on the sidebar), and I'll remind you guys again before Friday. So if you didn't win this time check it out. I'll be giving away a copy of her book to someone.

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend and if you're off work on Monday then enjoy that extra day doing what you love best.

Hugs,
Vicki

Excuses…..

2010-01-14T05:37:00.003-05:00

Well, It's a New Year and this is officially my 1st blog. Slacker, you say?

Well, yes. Yes, I have been. Not only here, on the blog, but in my personal writing as well. I have a few excuses why--retrograde (which, I just found out about. BTW--we're out of it today), a new puppy, can't concentrate, new no-sugar eating plan, work, and it's too damn cold to think.

We can all think of excuses why we don't do something, or anything, for that matter. Funny thing is I haven't made one excuse for my new eating plan (oh and in 1 week - 3lbs, 2" - yay me), nor have I made excuses about going to the gym.

So why is it so easy to stop writing, when this is supposed to be my passion?

That I don't have an answer for, only more excuses. Because that's really what it comes down to. Honestly, I'm surprised I'm writing this, but look at me go, one goal met. I have a few days off and I've promised myself I'm going to write--come hell or high water (or low temperatures).

I made a promise to myself that I would send out a book by Nationals, and I'm totally off track for that. Why? More excuses, of course. Am I built to do this business? Yes. Am I good enough? Well, I think so. Can I give up family time to write? Humm, that one's a hard one. How do writers work and write? Don't know, but I've done it before, I can do it again.

The questions and self fulfilling excuses are endless. But, in the spirit of it being a new year, I really want to keep all the promises I've made to myself. I don't seem to have a problem keeping them to other people, so...

Hummm, why is it so easy to let the things for ourselves go so easily?

What are your excuses and how did you tackle them?
I need to hear it--anything to stop the procrastination and excuses.

Have a great day with no excuses! Just do it! I'm going to try :-)

Hugs,
Laurie
Lkap

Helen Scott Taylor is in the House

2010-01-13T05:30:00.002-05:00

It's an honor and pleasure to welcome Helen Scott Taylor to the blog today. Not only is she an amazing writer, but she's an incredible person. Thank you Helen for coming by and I'll turn it over to you now.

I’m a real softie where animals are concerned and I love books that contain animals as characters or where pets figure in the plot. I especially love the concept of spirit animals or familiars where the animals have a spiritual or magical connection with the characters.

I have two Shih Tzu dogs and a burmilla cat, but I have to admit that my heart belongs to my cat (the bit of my heart that doesn’t belong to my husband and kids!). I indulged myself in the second book in my Magic Knot Fairies series, The Phoenix Charm, and gave my heroine a cat inspired by my own cat. My heroine Cordelia is a pisky witch and her cat Tamsy is her familiar. She rescued Tamsy, who was an abandoned kitten, and has been bonded to her ever since. She can sense Tamsy emotionally. In stressful or frightening situations, she and her cat anchor and calm each other. She doesn’t exactly take Tamsy’s advice—they don’t communicate in words—but she can sense her cat’s reactions to people and events to help her make decisions. Cordelia can also send her consciousness into her cat’s mind and see through her eyes.

I have a villain who is bonded to a dragon and can take on some of the dragon’s characteristics: he armors his torso with dragon-like scales when fighting and gains strength from the bond. He isn’t a shape shifter, but he has internalized the dragon’s aggressive nature.

The concept that our favorite animal reveals something about us often appears in myths and folk law. For me, the peculiar wisdom of animals gives a peek into a mysterious world that exists outside of our understanding. We think we know what goes on in their world, but we see everything through the lens of our human understanding and values. The rules of nature are both harsh and pure, a conflict that is elemental, but honest in its brutal demands. I find the duality of nature fascinating: the fact that to me my cat is a sweet-natured friend while to a mouse she’s a merciless killer. This conflict has an otherworldly quality that lends itself perfectly to the paranormal romance genre.

I guess taking this to its ultimate extreme is the melding of human and animal consciousness in a shape shifter, with the innate conflict of civilized man and wild animal embodied in one being.

What type of animals do you enjoy reading about? Do you like cute pets or dangerous shape-shifters?

To celebrate the release of The Phoenix Charm, I have a free fantasy romance short story on the Dorchester website called Jack’s Garden. (link http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=2759)

To read book excerpts or for more information on my work go to here.

I have a novella linked to my Magic Knot Fairy world called The Feast of Beauty in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance coming out on Jan 26. This story is about the people of Lir the Irish Sea god.

The Feast of Beauty

Kate’s grandmother’s dying wish is that she should return her pearl pendant to the tiny fishing village in Ireland where she was born. At the village’s Midsummer Feast of Beauty, the unearthly silver hair and emerald eyes of Esras, the wealthy local landowner, mesmerize Kate. But how can she trust her heart to a man who claims to be a sea fairy king?

The Phoenix Charm

HE’S PURE TEMPTATION.

Cordelia has sworn she’ll abstain from looking into Michael’s future—particularly when the image in the gilded smoke of her divination mirror shows him half naked. Yet she can’t resist watching the sexy rascal slowly running his hand down his ribs, over his abdomen, flicking open the button on his jeans with a little flourish like a magician performing a trick.

SHE’S TRYING TO RESIST.

Respectable wise woman Cordelia restrains her secret water nymph sensuality with the Celtic symbols painted on her skin. But Michael’s powerful fairy glamour leaves her breathless, off balance, struggling for control. When Gwyn ap Nudd, the Welsh King of the Underworld, steals away Michael’s infant nephew, Cordelia must work with him to save the child. But how can she trust her instincts with Michael tempting her to explore the hidden elemental depths of her nature and insisting that she believe in the power of…The Phoenix Charm.

And here's the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8JvYC2ljzE

Vicki here. I can't wait to read both books!! I love the covers and the hero's sound to die for. :)

Leave your questions and comments for Helen and someone is going to win The Phoenix Charm. Nice!

Vicki

Helen Scott Taylor Will Be Here On Wednesday!!

2010-01-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to have Helen Scott Taylor with us this Wednesday that I had to give you a heads up.

Her second book The Phoenix Charm has just released. She'll be here sharing with us information on the book as well as other stuff (you gotta come back to find out, always a surprise).

And if you're like me and just can't wait to know a little more, then click here to read the excerpt.

Don't you just love the cover!!!

xoxoxo,

Vicki

2010 Handbook

2010-01-06T16:29:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me in an email and I thought it was cool.

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
40. Enjoy the life you’ve been given, because somewhere there’s someone who wishes they had yours instead of theirs.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Reflections

2010-01-02T09:55:00.000-05:00

Yep, it’s that time of year again. Time to reflect on 2009 and the decade we’re leaving behind as we embark on a new one.

I don’t know about you, but 09 was a crazy year all the way around. With the crash of the economy we learned what really counts in our lives, what we could live with and without. As writers (aspiring or published), we learned that we can still become published or sell that next book, it just might be a little bit harder. Writing the best book we can became even more important.

When looking back at my goals for last year (you knew I would get the ‘goal’ word in here), I realized I didn’t do too badly. I didn’t do all that great either. I didn’t write as much as I should have and thus my goals were not completed.

Sure, I can blame it on the day job. This past year has been one of the busiest we’ve had and that’s saying something since it’s a 24/7 TV retail show. And I could blame it on the house searching Science Guy and I did. That took tons of time, both with the realtor and on our own. Maybe I could say it was finally finding and buying our home back in June, but really, there were still six months of the 09 year left. Yes, it took time moving and settling into a new home, one that was ours to do with as we please (Home Depot knows us well).

Then there was Science Guy’s health issues resulting in a four-day hospital stay and many doctor appointments which I needed to take off work to go with him. Thankfully, he is doing so much better now.

Last, but certainly not least, has been being the president of my local chapter. I’ve been on the board in the capacity of secretary and vice president, but the role of presidency takes a little more time. At least for me it does because I want to make sure everything is the best it can be for our chapter.

Don’t think that all of the above is a whining stage or a leave a ‘bless your heart’ in the comments. It’s not. We’ve all had our share of life turned upside down this past year.

Here’s what I’ve learned from my reflections. Life is hard, it gets in the way and it doesn’t slow down for you just because you want it to. When the race picks up speed, you have a choice to accelerate and keep in that top five position (of course, NASCAR is always in here somewhere) or take a pit stop or two and fall back in your positioning.

The biggest thing I do know is that although I took a few pit stops I didn’t head for the garage. Sure, I may have been in the front of my race and ended somewhere towards the middle of the race, but I KEPT ON RACING. I crossed the finish line even if it wasn’t where I wanted to be when I crossed it.

So long post short, it wasn’t the most stellar of years, but it wasn’t all that bad either. I learned a lot about myself, and what I need to do in order to make 2010 all that it can be and more.

My first priority in 2010? Write.

How about you? Have you reflected on the 2009? Did it meet your expectations?

Here’s looking towards a new year with new goals and seeing our heart’s desires come true.

Xoxoxox,

Vicki

New Year's Eve

2009-12-31T05:20:00.003-05:00

As the New Year approaches we all think about what we want to do to make the coming year better than the last. You know, those things called resolutions.

I don’t make those.

Why?

Well for one, I never stick to them. And two, I hate disappointing myself—I’m my worst critic. I have enough in my life to feel guilty over I don’t need one more thing added to the list. So for 2010 I know I’m going to TRY to adjust a few things.

Here is my list:

Work out a minimum of 3 days a week.

Just be happy or Don't sweat the small stuff
Stop smoking.
Send my books out (which also means finishing them).
Eat better—which means more veggies…blech (trust me I’m a carbivore)

Some of those things I’m going to try and accomplish scare the bajesus out of me, especially when I’m coming off of a dream where I gave up writing all together.

The thought doesn’t scare me as much as it should—which, scares me more.

It’s not that I don’t think my work is good, I do. Is it great…nope. And honestly that’s what bothers me. I’m a perfectionist, I feel as if I have to be the best I can be. Which in the scheme of writing can be completely detrimental to the craft, because in the scheme of things there is no right or wrong way to write—no way to BE perfect. This kills me and my O.C.D. So sometimes I think I might just be a “hobbyist” to writing, and others, it’s all I want. So as you can see this is my hardest goal for 2010.

All of these things come down to mind control, and I can tell you my mind is like Fort Knox, or a puppy with a squeaky toy. Once I make my mind up, it’s usually done. But if I decide to fight it—the same applies.

So what are you going to try to do to make 2010 better?

Oh and let me introduce you to a new member of the Kapkowski household: Maximus

XOXO
LKap

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I'm Full, I'm Tired, and I'm Happy

2009-12-28T20:46:00.002-05:00

I'm hoping each of you had a wonderful Christmas and the memories are sweet and long lasting.

Science Guy, Golfer Dude, and I had a great day. I started cooking at 6:00AM. Yes, you read that right, it was six in the morning. I'd cooked a ham the night before, but still needed to cook a pumpkin pie and Chocolate Delight before I started working on the Christmas dinner.

Now mind you there were only three of us eating, but really what's a holiday dinner without all the trimmings. Suffice it to say we have tons of leftovers. But the day was great. We chilled, okay so SG and GD chilled, but I had fun making the food and spending time with the family.

The rest of our family lives in different towns and states so calls were made through out the day. We watched Christmas movies and ate. A lot. Way too much.

Thank goodness we have a week between Christmas and New Years because honestly we all need the rest.

I've done a little shopping for sales on holiday items, but everywhere I went it was completely crazy so I finally gave up. I'll get it next year if I really need it. :0

Oh yeah and I owe a couple of people some books. Really sorry about that. I thought I'd mailed them and then found the boxes with my other boxes (will we ever be truly moved in). So I promise to get them out to you this weekend.

Friday we'll be talking about goals. How we did and making new ones for the new year. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on making goals and checking them out. Kinda like Santa, got check them twice. :)

Hugs,
Vicki

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T13:13:00.004-05:00

Just like L, I can't believe Christmas day is almost here. This wasn't the normal Christmas season in our household. Normally I'm out shopping the day after Turkey day. This year? Not so much. Normally I'm wrapping and shipping gifts to family and friends. This year? Not so much. Normally (are picking up on a theme here), I'm baking goodies for coworker and neighbors. This year? Not so much. I've still done a little baking and bought a few small things for the kids (grown kids), just not like normal (there's that word again).

For anyone who knows me, they know that I love to do all of the above. Yes, I even love shopping during the holidays. Finding that perfect gift, the one that I know he/she is just going to love is even better than getting gifts myself.

This year it's been a wee bit different. The economy finally hit Science Guy's company, we bought a house, he was in the hospital, and well...we bought a house.

At first I had a hard time with not going out and spending the money, buying so many gifts for everyone. I had to finally accept that this Christmas would be different. Now before you say bless her heart or girl, really give it a break, check this out - the funniest thing happened. There I was sitting on my porch watching the reindeer's head turn from side to side and the twinkling of the lit presents under the three spiral trees and I felt peace, joy, and yes, happiness.

Don't think that I'm not hoping next year to be back to normal, but for me this year is all about family and friends. Those who are here in person and those who are my cyber friends. Each of you are amazing and I'm blessed beyond measure to know you.

This year I've taken time to watch the lights, listen to holiday music, and to watch holiday movies with my family. I'm not stressed with getting to the mailbox in time or if I remembered the gift receipt in case they need to exchange something.

My wish for you and yours is a blessed holiday season, filled with all the wonderful of the spirit and joy shared among friends.

Merry Christmas,

~Vicki

It's the Hap..Happiest Time of the Year....

2009-12-17T13:23:00.005-05:00

NOT!

Okay so Scrooge is in the house. This time of year makes me crazy. The running, shopping, volunteering, the wrapping of presents and decorating the house.

Whew...Are you as tired as I am by just reading all that. And that didn't include cleaning the house before and after all the guests come and leave.

I have a friend that makes me listen to Christmas music whenever I'm around her and I have to admit it does help--a little. But this year has seemed to fly by me and I can't catch my breath.

I think the Scrooginess has been exasperated this year because princess is no longer a child--hasn't been in some time. But this year feels like the end of an era. And that would totally explain why I'm feeling a bit meloncholy this year. I never gave much thought to what would happen when the girl child grew up and what it would do to the holidays. Now I know and don't care for it one bit.

On a positive note--I have friends in from Italy and have gotten to spend some time with them over the past week. And for Christmas dinner we have decided to do un-traditional for our family: Lasagne is the main course. I'm very excited about having family and friends around, because I am thankful everyday for having them in my life.

I'll be over on Sasha White's blog on Saturday the 19th - come see me!!!

Not Writing....

2009-12-10T05:30:00.001-05:00

I haven’t been writing as much as I should.

Yeah, yeah…bad Laurie.

Honestly I’m in the middle of a major re-write overhaul and it is totally kicking my ass. I’ve found out that I’m one of those people who has written “The End” so many times on this one book that soon it’s going to be in a burn barrel in the back yard.

This book was my baby. I love the characters. I love the plot. But none of it is working the way I want it to. And quite honestly—it’s boring.

Okay, that’s not totally honest. It’s boring to me. How often do you read a book, at minimum 50 or more times? NONE! Even if it’s your favorite book in the whole wide world. Well that’s where I’m at. It was an exciting story a year ago, now…well….

I’ve been busy though, and some of the conversations have really helped me get the gears in my head to start moving again. When I’m helping an author read their story by chapter to make sure it’s moving and working through a few plot problems– that’s helping me look at my work differently. I also wrote a blog (more on that around Dec 19th) for another author friend who is going on Holiday and that got me thinking about stuff. So technically I’m working—just not on my stuff.

But progress comes in different forms that we all need to learn from. It could be as simple as reading a favorite author. Helping another author. Talking with friends over coffee. Laughing, and that idea spurs and idea (which is how the novella I just finished came about). So I take every moment I’m not writing and look around for clues on what’s next.

How about you? How do you get the creative mojo working for you?

Pink Glove Dance

2009-12-09T13:45:00.001-05:00

My sister sent this to me and I thought it was very cool. Here's a little background information on it that was in the email. I don't know the person, but she gets mad props IMHO for doing this and getting so many people in the hospital involved.

Our FRIEND'S daughter-in-law, Emily (MacInnes) Somers, created, directed and choreographed this in Portland , Oregon last week for her Medline glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. This was all her idea to help promote their new pink gloves. I don't know how she got so many employees, doctors and patients to participate, but it started to really catch on and they all had a lot of fun doing it.
When the video gets 1 million hits, Medline will be making a huge contribution to the hospital, as well as offering free mammograms for the community. Please check it out. It's an easy and great way to donate to a wonderful cause, and who hasn't been touched by breast cancer?
Ann Somers

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Merry Christmas Yummy!! And Robin Kaye's Book Release Today

2009-12-01T10:02:00.005-05:00

OMG, I almost forgot. Robin Kaye's book, Breakfast In Bed releases today!! So excited for this book. Check back this week as I'll have it on the blog.

Life is crazy right now and I promise to be back to normal blogging soon, but in the mean time I thought you might enjoy a little holiday cheer. :D

Hope this brought you a smile.

Hugs,
Vicki

Happy Thanksgiving....

2009-11-26T05:30:00.002-05:00

Today we give thanks for all that is good in our lives.
So I thought it fitting to add mine.

I am thankful for a loving family who is happy and healthy.

I am thankful that I am still able to make ends meet in this economic crisis.

I am thankful for great friends, near and far.

I am thankful for everyday I'm able to open my eyes to a new day.

I am thankful for my pets.

I am thankful to everyone who has encouraged me in this writing career.

I am thankful for the love I have in my life.

I am just....thankful. Humbled by the life I've been given.

What is it you give thanks for?

One more...I'm thankful to all of you who stop by to read what I have to say, now I want to hear from you.

Hugs,
xoxox
LKap

Time off Work....

2009-11-19T12:11:00.003-05:00

So I am officially on vacation until the 30th, and right now I'm late posting. But what's so new about that...HA!

It's not because I slept in or played too hard the night before--I have been up since 6:30 and had 2 Dr. appt's and have finally gotten to sit down.

I will apologize now for any typo's because I'm writing this with dialated eyes and still can't see very well, but it seems I'm obcessed with being on the computer so here I am.

Now even though I have time off I have more doctor appointments within the next week and then there is Thanksgiving...whew. Guess that means the holiday season is now really in full swing.

My plans? Writing and really that's it.

Except tonight - I am a full geek and will be going to see Twilight and New Moon with Princess and her friends. I really am excited too!!!!
Okay well Princess is now home and we are going on a candy run. I'll let you know how awesome that is later.

Ciao for now Dolls
LKap

Wild Wild West - X-Posted From Group Blog

2009-11-17T11:07:00.006-05:00

When I think about the Wild West my first thoughts are cowboys and Indians. Cowboys out on the range, gathering cattle, mending fences, and coming back home to the sound of the dinner bell ringing. Cute cowboys. Sexy cowboys. Cowboys with muscles and a strong face yet gentle hands when they were with their wives and children.

Then there are the Indians. The ones who trusted no white man and the ones who learned to trust the white man and live in peace. They lived on the land and believed we owe much to mother earth. Which is something I still believe in as well and probably we could learn a lot from their ways to increase our going green lives.

I remember visiting the Smokey Mountains and seeing the saloon, taking pictures with real live Indians, seeing a gun fight in the middle of the street, one complete with fake bullets, but as a kid they seemed real to me. I loved it and as a young girl wanted to live like a cowgirl.

The movies made me believe this was an amazing life. Times were simpler and people often came to one another’s aide to mend what needed to be mended to insure the Wild West life continued.

Ah, such a wonderful thought. That is until I think about the items they didn’t have. No indoor plumbing. That’s a big one for me (who remembers her grandmother’s farm having an outside shower and oh yes, an outhouse).

Traveling to visit a friend could take days or even a week. Rough terrain complete with robbers, Indians who wanted scalps, and oh my god, snakes. I so don’t do snakes (sorry, different post). Washing your clothes wasn’t the easiest thing in the world either. After they made the soap (most often lye soap), they had to beat them against a rock or if they were lucky they had a board to beat them against, and then hang them in the sun to dry, all nice and…stiff.

So for me, yes, I still love the movies and the books that make it seem so romantic, but in reality I’ll take my internet, air condition/heating, and buying soap any ole day.

Now writing about them? That’s, as they say, a horse of a different color. Nothing seems impossible and the heroine is more than happy to cook over an open flame, scrub the floors, and still manage to float down the stairs in a beautiful dress to greet her man. The hero never seems to smell bad regardless of how much labor he’s done without the help of Arrid extra dry, and even if he does, she doesn’t notice. Nope she’s running to meet him and the kiss as the sun is setting behind them heats the night to beyond belief.

Of course the stars lighting the night sky like a hundred thousand LED lights, while lightning bugs flitter around would make it beautiful. And really the scene in my head is so perfectly romantic.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the country, the wide open space, and seeing the sky without the aid of street lights. Traveling to town to buy groceries would be fine as long as I could get there within an hour or two and in an air conditioned truck. I would honestly trade my city life with that of more country if I could, but I’d still have the items we’ve come to love today.

What about you? Do you wish for the days of the cowboys or are you more of a citified person?
xoxoxo,
Vicki

Maya Angelou - An Amazing Person

2009-11-13T14:34:00.003-05:00

Don't break the elastic!In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting...'

Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day.....like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:
I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back...

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back..

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

What about you? Are there things you'v learned along this journey we call life? Share with us, or simply tell us which one of Maya Angelou's made the biggest impression on you.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Hugs,
Vicki

Editor's Don't Kill Your Dreams and Royalty Statement From and NY Best Seller

2009-11-10T09:06:00.005-05:00

Hey guys, I had a fabulous time at our TARA retreat this past weekend with Amy Pierpont, Christina Dodd, and Connie Brockway. The spa where we held the retreat was amazing, the food, oh-my-god yummy, and spending time with everyone...priceless. I'll post more about it this week.

Today I want to leave you with a couple of links that I think every writer and reader should read. A very brave (and fabulous) author is sharing her royalty statement on a NY best selling book. Check it out
here and an editor talks about not being the one to crush your dreams here.

Check them out and come back and let us know your thoughts.

And my two winners from the box-o-books...yeah, so sorry, but I will get them in the mail this week.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

To Whom It May Concern…

2009-11-05T05:30:00.003-05:00

Hi, my name is Fiona. Yes, just Fiona, you know like Cher. Except there is one big difference: I’m a Princess of the Underworld of Light. I am also a secondary character in Reincarnate the Night, which is the book about Selena and Drakar’s love story, that my human friend is writing. Yes, the human friend I’ve made write this letter. I love my powers. ;-)

Anywhooo—my sister, Miranda, who BTW is also a Princess in the UoL, (and waaaay older than I am), is really busy fighting off the Red Greek Vampires in St. Petersburg, FL., with her uber sexy Guardians of the UoL, and trying to get Selena and Drakar back together, after keeping them apart for oh…I don’t know, like fifteen hundred years or something. Crazy, I know, but that’s the Gods for you. (Please don’t tell my parents I just said that, I’ll be in deep doo-doo)

So I’ve got some time on my hands, since I’m only eighteen hundred years old, and mum and dad don’t think I’m old enough to kill those nasty Reds, that like to paint the town in blood. But I’m ready, they just won’t listen. Plus, we have to get this whole Selena and Drakar thing figured out. And let me tell you, it’s a mess. If I had anything to do with it, this would all be over with by now.

You see Selena is a human…well, was human. Now she’s a fairy Guardian of the UoL with wings and fangs, the first ever. It’s so cool, I really want wings. But before that, when she really did have a human soul, my parents made a deal with Drakar, who was turned into a vampire by the Reds, then saved by my mum, who felt his pain while he was stuck in the UoD dying. Oh sorry, the Underworld of Darkness.

So back to that bargain Drakar made. Since he was going to live forever, my mum agreed to have his soul mate reincarnated seven times (she was dying anyway of a rare blood disorder) so he could try to convince her to be with him forever.

Yeah you know there was an ulterior motive right? Mum wasn’t so honest in why she was doing this deal. But he agreed, and now guess what? Yep, this is life seven (for him anyway). The end. Finato. And to top it all off, now that Selena can live forever she doesn’t so much like Drakar because he smells like rats to her. It's the Red blood in him from his change. I don't smell it anymore, but whatever.

It’s a mess I tell you, but I promise, it will all work out in the end. It will if I have anything to do about it, that is.

Why am I telling you all this. Well my human author friend says we have to find an agent or editor, and she “is looking at prospects”. So I thought, what the heck (can’t say the H. E. double tooth pick word, dad makes me put money in his swear jar. It is where we live after all). So I’m writing this letter because I hear these people are supposed to work with the human authors. And we have to start somewhere, right? I say, "let the interviewing of prospects begin," Than maybe I’ll get a life in the process and finally be listened to.

Tootles
Fiona

F: What? There is nothing wrong with this form of communication.
L: No, no Fiona it's fine.
F: Can I have wings now?
L: No you still can't have wings.
F: Can I at least change my family crest tattoo?
L: Fine change your tattoo, your mum will make you change it back anyway.......
L: Do you see what it's like in my head!!!

PMAM Winner.....

2009-11-01T08:29:00.002-05:00

Amy -
You are the winner of PMAM

CONGRATS!!!!!

Please send your snail mail address to me @ lauriekap at yahoo dot com

Information must reach me by Nov 6th to claim prize.

XOXO
LKap

Boo!! The Night of Tricks or Treats

2009-10-30T09:01:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, L talked about not really liking this month so much anymore and I have to say I’m with her for the most part. I’m not a horror flick girl either. I saw the first Jason movie way back in the day and still it haunts me. Really, it does.

And Scream? Yeah, no way. I tried to watch it. After about 10 minutes I had to stop it. At the time I worked in a high school and the kids there told me the entire movie (once they stopped laughing at how scared it had made me), so I could go back and watch it. Nothing should scare me since I knew what was coming. Again, not so much. It was in the middle of the day and I was only about 20 minutes in when the scene where the parents come home to find the popcorn burning on the stove and the mother hears her daughter’s voice on the end of the phone. I won’t go any further, if you’ve seen the movie you know what happens and if not then you might be like me and not really need the visual in your head.

What I do like about Halloween is dressing up. Right now (I know it’s Friday, but we can dress up at work), I’m wearing a wicked shirt, black fingernails, black lipstick, lot’s of makeup, skull shoes, and a skull necklace. It’ not my best costume, but it’s fun. Here’s a pick of one of my favorites. Of course it’s pretty much just my face, but I loved the makeup.

The kids dressing up and trick or treating is always fun. Unfortunately it’s not quite the same as it was back in the day, but it’s still fun.

Here’s one of my favorite memories:

When I was a little girl one of the radio stations in my area always picked a house to be the spook house. No one knew where the house was other than the clues they’d give on the radio. The first person to actually identify the house as the spook house won a big prize.

Well, we were chosen when I was six. Instead of going out trick or treating that year I stayed at the house to help hand out fists full of candy to the people coming. The station provided us with the candy and of course the DJ’s were there as well. It was so cool. They had someone come and decorate the house to make it really spooky looking and even though I didn’t go out I had a blast.
Back then the adults went T&Ting as well, just to find the house and win. But it was different than today’s times. You didn’t worry if a bunch of adult came to your house dressed in costumes complete with mask.

And I got to be a fairy princess with my very own tiara. The flowing pink dress and ballet shoes were beautiful. Of course for those who know me, I had to be at the door and I wanted to be called Princess V. Heehee, yeah, my mom didn’t think so. I was and always will be Vicki, but I guess when you’re hyped up on loads of chocolate it’s okay.

So what about you? Any fun Halloween memories?

Hope everyone has a great weekend and finds many treats. And the pumpkin craving wouldn't be complete with out this one. :)

Bahhhahahha,
Vicki

Interesting Realization…….. Oh and a Halloween Treat

2009-10-29T05:30:00.011-04:00

So as I sit here and try to think of something other than my book to write that you might be interested in reading. I’ve realized that I really do not like October. Yes as a whole. And yes that includes Halloween.

How is that you ask?

Well even though I love paranormal. I loathe scary. Which if you watch any amount of cable network programming there is nothing but scare the pants off you movies. Can’t do it—I’m way to visual. Okay so I can’t read it either—again with the visual mind games that I do to myself.

I used to love the Halloween parties, the dressing up, the taking my daughter trick or treating. But now I stay at home—so no dress up, no parties, no trick or treating. You don't have to think it, I'll say it - yes, I'm quite boring these days
:-)

So since it’s so close to Halloween and most of us are too old to go out and get goodies – I’m bringing them to you. And how fitting is it that it's a paranormal romance and one of my favorite series out there.

It just so happens that a close friend of mine, Shayla Black, released book 3 of the Brethren series, Possess Me at Midnight, this week and to show my support I’m giving away her book in my bag o’ treats.

Here’s what you’ll win:

Read the exerpt: here

Now here are the rules:
For your treat, I need a trick. Okay get your head out of the gutter (oh was it just me). Seriously, I want to know your favorite Brethren brother, and why (what is it that pulls you to that character).

Mine? Oh so hard to choose. Ice - which PMAM happens to be about (Yum-O), then there's Shock (good/bad, I don't know either, but boy can he do them both well). Then there's Duke - hummm...I seem to be indecisive.

Well since I can't make up my mind have fun learning about them on Shayla's site and let me know yours.

11/1 Contest is now closed!!!

Winner of the Surprise Box O’ Books is….Oh yeah, and a really cool contest

2009-10-26T11:12:00.002-04:00

The winner for last week’s contest, who will win a surprise books of books (at least 4, maybe more), is….Liza!!! Email me your snail mail addy at vickilanewrites @yahoo.com. Please put in the subject line Blog Winner.

I’ll get the books out to you on Saturday. If I don’t hear from you by Friday, I’ll choose another winner.

Also, could Violet please contact me at the same email address above? :) Sometimes, a second type of surprise is in order. Heehee, it is the month of treats, right.

There’s a really cool contest happening this Wednesday over on Lori Brighton’s blog.

To enter you’ll leave your first chapter of your finished (or very close to finished) manuscript in the comments. After that 20 people will be chosen to continue on and they be sending their first pages. There’s more but you can find the rules (in case I’ve said anything incorrect) over on Lori’s blog

And the ultimate winner will have their first 3 chapters read by Megan Records of Kensington Publishing! How freakin’ cook is that!!!

You must be unpublished in print form to enter, so epubs, get your stuff in this contest.

So, what are you waiting for? Go check it out and come back and let us know if you think you’re going to enter it?

Me? Ummm…yes. This is a great way to get in front of an editor.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Tessa Dare is Blogging and Giving Away A Book

2009-10-23T13:26:00.003-04:00

I'll be back some time this weekend to choose the winner of our surprise book giveaway, but in the mean time, check this out.

Tessa Dare is over at the group blog I'm on and she's talking about lying...can you? Can you do with a poker face?

And, she's giving a copy of her latest book. You can click here and read the post, then leave a comment to win. Also, the comments left all week, including today still count towards the surprise giveaway.

Hugs,
Vicki

Surprise Book(s) Giveaway

2009-10-19T05:36:00.000-04:00

Before I begin today's actual post, I'd like to say thank you for all of the well wishes and prayers for Science Guy. And for those who might not have known and wondered where I was all last week, well Science Guy gave us quite a scare last Friday. He ended being in the hospital for four days and after many test and x-rays they determined that he had a TIA (mini stroke).

He was very fortunate and this was a wake up call to take better care of his health. Now we're going for walk, and watching that dreaded salt in take and yes first child, he's quiting smoking. Or at least he's working very hard on it.

Okay, now for today's post. Since I've been extremely busy with SG and being back to work, I've decided to a contest this week for a box of books. There'll be no less than 4, but it could be up to 10. All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered.

Well, maybe that's not all you have to do. How about you tell L and I about something that's your favorite. It can be a seasonal thing, a back in the day the thing, a vacation thing...you get the picture.

xoxoxo,
Vicki

Is It Thursday Already....

2009-10-08T05:30:00.005-04:00

As I sit here, I know it is. But I've been so busy and have barely accomplished anything that I can't believe it's almost the weekend yet again.

I've been fighting a migraine for the past week now, so it seems at times things stand still. Except when it's time to work on my book edits. Then time flies and nothing much gets accomplished.

Where does the time go?

And it's October - hello, when did that happen?

It's so hard to tell with the Florida heat what month it is, because we don't have the usual fall (which ironically is my favorite time of the year), we have hot, hotter and hottest months of the year. Not seasons.

So since I'm on the subject of time - tell me what is your favorite day of the week and your favorite time of year.

Mine: well I really like Friday's usually and of course as I said Fall is my favorite season.

Now it's your turn.

XOXOXO
LKAP