Monday Check In and New Contest

Monday. Yep, it’s here. Time to go back to the day job and start another week. It’s not so bad since I really like where I work but I’d so much rather be home typing in my pj’s. :)

I took last Friday off and it was great. I wrote in the morning, ran some errands, and read in the afternoon. I loved it. But alas, since I’m not a full time writer as of yet and the bills want to be paid…to the day job I go.

It’s also time to check in. I had several days last week that I didn’t write. At all. Zero, nada, zip. The scene that I’m doing right now just wouldn’t come. I knew exactly where it was going to end up but getting it there. Finally Sunday night I just sat down and decided I was writing it. It might all be cut but I was going to write the scene.

You know what? I’m thinking it turned out pretty good. Would it have turned out as good if I’d done it earlier in the week? I don’t know, it might not have been the same scene at all.

All that to say, this past week I wrote 2733 words and trust me most of those were written on Sunday. Next weeks goals are to write every night except Tuesday (I have a meeting to attend).

Okay, for the fun part. You may have noticed I’m trying to hit most genres in these contest. Something for everyone and if you haven’t read a great historical in awhile then this is the one you want to read.



This weeks contest is by New York Times best selling author Samantha James. Her book The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell is a fabulous historical romance.

Isn’t the cover georgous? I love the colors and her dress is sexy. Flip open the cover and oh yeah, he’s hot.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

A cruel twist of fate changed Simon Blackwell’s life forever. A man of intense passions, he resolved to deny his emotions and desires forever—taking refuge in the wilds of the moorlands and shutting himself off from the world. But on one extraordinary night, on a rare trip to London, the unthinkable occurs. An intoxicatingly beautiful stranger stirs the sensuous hunger he has sworn to resist. Simon Blackwell believed that no woman could tempt him.

No woman…save Annabel McBride.

Annabel knows nothing of Simon’s secret pain. But one irresistible kiss plunges her into marriage with a man she scarcely knows, a man who hides a shattered past. She can feel the blistering heat of the fire that burns within this exquisitely handsome man, making her yearn for much more than the union in name only he has promised her.

But Simon dares not love again--for fragile love can be lost in an instant. And now Annabel must find a way to open his heart to the most glorious risk of all…

You can go here to read an excerpt. The excerpt is chapter two, how fun is that.

It’s your turn now. How was your week? Did you meet your goals? Did you read any great books or discover a new author? What are your goals for next week?

Oh, and just in case you didn’t see it I announced last weeks winner on Sunday’s blog.

As always, Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Monday Check In and This Week's Contest

Last week’s winner is…drum roll please, Julie S.!!! Major Congrats! Email me with your snail address at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com and I’ll send it out.

Monday, the coveted weekend is over. I don’t know about you but I’m thinking weekends should be three days. Two just never seem to be enough. By the time I’m through running ‘weekend’ errands, cleaning the house, and trying to throw a little bit of fun in it’s over. I’m so looking forward to the day I can work from home in the pj’s. :)

This morning there’s a cool breeze blowing and although it reads 73 on the outside thermometer it feels just a bit cooler. Maybe fall is beginning to wake its sleepy head down here in sunny Florida. It’s been a killer of a hot summer so we’ll take the change no matter how slight.

I’m checking in this week with 3987 words. Not to bad considering I had 3 days this week with absolutely zero writing. Of course that also means my daily word count to finish by December 3rd has increased by about 100 words.



This week’s contest is Carly Phillips new book Sealed With A Kiss the sequel to Cross My Heart

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Molly Gifford has it all—a hot legal career and Daniel Hunter, her equally hot boyfriend. But what she desperately needs is a family—her family. So, when she discovers her real father, she doesn't hesitate to pack her bags and go to him. Even though it means leaving the man she loves behind.....

A year later, Daniel Hunter's still trying to get on with his life. That is, until Molly shows up at his door, begging for his help. Her newfound father is under arrest for murder, and Hunter's the only attorney in the area with the skill and reputation to get him off.

Hunter can't resist helping an innocent man. And, unfortunately, he still can't resist Molly. But this time, he'll be the one walking away—even though it'll break both their hearts to do it...

To read more of Molly and Hunter’s story check out Chapter One on Carly’s website.

Like so many of Carly’s fans I fell in love with Molly and Hunter in the first book and wanted their story. It’s a great read and I know you’re going to love it.

As always leave your comments this week on the blog to be entered into the contest. You can leave them on any or all of the weeks blog post.

So how was your week? Did you write? Read any new books? Are you meeting your goals? Let us know what’s happening.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Monday Check In and Contest

It’s Monday. You know what that means. It’s time to check in with the week’s word count. Word count: 3639. WhooHoo! That’s a bit more like it, for me. :)

As I said in yesterday’s blog (be sure to check it out for last week’s winners), I’m starting a new challenge today. The 100x100 started in our TARA group a hundred days ago. Some joined immediately and some came in later in the challenge. I wrote 58 days out of 100. During that time I added 30,080 words to my current wip. Pretty good, I’m thinking.

Then Julie Leto emails and reminds us in order to have our books completed by the Christmas Party we only have 75 days. OMG, 75 days sounds like plenty of time, to procrastinate and still get it done. Procrastinate: Often my middle name. But it’s not. Not if the needed word count is around 90,000.

She threw out the gauntlet. Anyone who wants to join this challenge has to figure out how many more words needed and then divides by 75. This will give you the amount of words you need each day in order to meet the goal. If you’re not sure of the words needed you can estimate. You can also check out Julie on the Plotmonkeys.

If you are doing the 100x100 and that’s working for you, then by all means stay with it. It’s a great concept and one I’ll go back to when I start working on CI. However, if you want to step it up a notch, add some deadlines, and complete your work in 75 days then this is for you.


Contest for this week:

Whose Number Is Up, Anyway? By Stevi Mittman

This is a signed copy. :) How fun is that. Stevi is an excellent writer, who books are never easy to put down. Make sure you have plenty of time when you sit down to read this book. And to find out more about Teddi and tips check the site. :)

Backcover blurb:

Literally, he's had it for every hour of the day for as long as Teddi's known him. So it's no coincidence that minutes after Teddi stumbles accidentally on a corpse in the deep freeze at King Kullen, Detective Dreamboat is back on the scene. Her supermarket snob (among other things) of a mother will never let her hear the end of it.

Nor will Drew, who has told Teddi time and again she's got to stop messing with murder scenes. Until Teddi goes from material witness to potential next victim…
But the woman whose smarmy ex dubbed her "Long Island's Most Dangerous Decorator" isn't going down without a fight. Or going down alone. Not when she's got an oh-so-irritating, way-too-irresistible cop watching her every move…

Here’s
where you can read an excerpt and check out href=http://www.stevimittman.com>Stevi’s website.

Leave your comments this week to be entered.

Tell us, how did you do this week? Did you find time to write, plot, revise, or set any new goals? We need to know. We’ll cheer with you or encourage you, whatever you need.

Oh, I almost forgot! Tomorrow I have the wonderful and talented Karen Lingefelt as my guest blogger. Be sure to stop by and say hi.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In (late) and Contest

I sat there all day. Was I picked for jury duty? Nope. Good thing I took what all writers would take; a great book, my last two chapters, and my Quickpad. I read, edited, and wrote. All in all I can’t say that it was a day wasted. Actually it was like having a free day to do what I love best. Just not in the comfort of my own home.

Time to check in with the word count for the 100x100 this week:

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 23,285
Ending word count for the week: 24,807
Total new words added this week: 1,522

Not the word count I would like but I’m still writing forward. With finding a home, packing, and moving at the end of the month as long as I’m writing I’m happy.

Okay, now for the fun part. This week’s contest is for Julie Leto’s new book Stripped.

Lilith St. John is a witch—really! And she hasn't been too good lately. (It seems using her powers to make Detective Mac Mancusi totally infatuated with her was a big no-no. Who knew?) After all, what woman could resist having a sexy guy like Mac aching for her every minute they were apart? But the council isn't pleased—in fact, they're stripping Lilith of her powers. What's a witch to do?

Especially now—when Mac's suddenly back in her life, looking to rekindle the magic…
You can listen to an audible here: Stripped audible

Thanks to everyone who left comments on their favorite authors. The coming weeks contest will have several of them. I know it’s hard to pick the fav’s when there are so many. This is a great way to learn about authors that we may not know.

Erica, you can be sure your book will be on the contest as soon as it hits the shelves. :)

As always, leave your comments today and during the week to be included in the contest.

WW’s&PD’s,
Vicki

Monday Check In

Today's post will be late. I be at the local court house for possbile jury selection.

This afternoon or evening I'll post last weeks word count and this weeks contest.

Until then I thought I'd leave you with a question for upcoming contest. Who is your favorite author, books you'd love to see on the weekly contest, and what is it about them that you love?

This may introduce us all too new authors. :)

Also, if you'd like to guest blog on a Tuesday, email me at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com with your blog.

Vicki

Monady Check In and Weekly Contest

I can’t believe its Monday and time to check in again. This is definitely not one my highest word counts for the week since I’ve been finishing edits. Note to self: never let edits go beyond a couple of chapters. Now that they’re completed I’ll be writing forward again. WhooHoo!!!

Here’s the count for the week:

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 21,636
Ending word count for the week: 23, 285
Total new words added this week: 1,649

Since the beginning (I’m on Day 44) of the 100x100 I’ve added a total of 23, 285 words.

Now for the fun part, the contest. This week’s contest is for Carly Phillips book Cross My Heart.



She's gone from riches to rags—and back again!

Ten years ago, Lilly Dumont was the ultimate poor little rich girl, complete with a huge inheritance...and an uncle determined to take it from her. With the help of her first love, she faked her own death and ran away to New York City, leaving behind everything, including her own name. Lilly Dumont was gone, but Lacey Kincaid was going to make it. Only neither one ever forgot Ty Benson.

Now Lacey's back to claim her inheritance. And her sizzling reunion with Ty has made her homecoming something to remember! Only not everybody's thrilled to see Lacey alive and well... And it's up to Ty to make sure his childhood sweetheart doesn't disappear again—for good!

It you’d like to read an excerpt please go to Carly’s site Cross My Heart Excerpt

This is an awesome can't put it down book. Once you've read it you'll be dying to know Molly and Hunter's story. Guess what? Carly being the fab author that she is has written their story. Sealed With A Kiss will release on September 25th. I'm so excited and I know you will be too!

You know the drill; leave a comment anytime this week to be entered into the contest. On Friday I’ll announce the winner.

How’s your week been? Are you doing the 100x100 or the Sweatin Seventy? If you haven’t joined either than why not start today. If you have let us know how your week went.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Monday Check In and Weekly Contest

Have you ever noticed how some weeks fly by and some dragged, never seeming to end? Or have you had the week were both happened at the same time?

That was my week. Parts of it seemed to go on forever and then when it was finally Sunday it flew by.

At the ‘day job’, it’s been crazy. The new re-launch is tomorrow, which means anything and everything that has to be corrected is happening this past week and today. Thank goodness I enjoy my ‘day job’. Still I can’t wait until the day that I will be a full time writer. You know, staying home, writing in the pj’s, and not having what I consider two full time jobs.

Okay, here’s the word count for this past week:

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 17,759
Ending word count for the week: 21,636
Total new words added this week: 3877

Now for the fun part of Monday’s. This week’s contest giveaway is Linda Lael Miller”s, McKettrick’s Luck.



In case you aren’t familiar with this series here is the back cover blurb:

Like his celebrated ancestors who tamed the wilds of Arizona, Jesse McKettrick's Indian Rock ties run deep. The Triple M Ranch is in his blood, along with the thrill of risk. But with his land at stake, Jesse won't get involved in Cheyenne Bridges' scheme-despite the temptation she brings.

Cheyenne grew up in Indian Rock and left its painful memories behind to become a self-made woman. Now her job is to convince Jesse to sell his property. Jesse's not the kind of man Cheyenne could ever forget, but he's too wild and dangerous for a woman committed to playing it safe. Yet sparks of attraction fly, tempting Cheyenne to lay it all on the line for the passion she sees in Jesse's eyes and the tenderness she discovers in his heart.

I know you will love this book. It’s the first in a series which I think is way cool since it will start you out at the beginning. You know the drill, leave your comments this week and on Friday a winner will be selected and announced.

So, how did you do this week in the 100x100 or the 70 days of sweat? Are you doing either one of them? Does it help you to be a part of something like this? Keep you motiavated? Or does this make it harder for you to write?

Oh, and come back tomorrow for how bad do you want it. I don’t have a guest blogger tomorrow so it’ll be me. If you’d like to guest blog sometime send me an email at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com.

Writing Wishes and Plotting dreams,
Vicki

Monday Check In and Contest

First, this past weeks word count, and then this week’s contest.

I have to be honest and let you know I haven’t jumped back on the writing everyday wagon again. It’s taking me all week to decompress from conference.

Not that I didn’t have a blast and can’t wait until next year, because I did and I can’t. The problem is I didn’t write at all while I was there and came home to major busy at the day job.

This week I wrote twice. That’s it, two times. Still I’m pleased with yesterday’s scenes and count. Thank goodness for Sunday writing and laptops. Sitting outside on the porch early in the morning seemed to inspire my muse.

My goal this week is to begin the everyday writing again. As I said in an earlier post it keeps me in the story and makes the words flow much easier.

So…this is the word count for the week:

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 15,113
Ending word count for the week: 17,759
Total new words added this week: 2646

Okay, now for the contest. This week I’m giving away Kelley St.John’s
new book Ghost and Roses. Kelly signed the copy at conference. :) How cool is that.




Here’s a blurb from Kelley St.John’s website.

He’s never touched her but he’s made love to her.
He doesn’t know her, but he has to find her…
Before a killer does.

Gage Vicknair has been dreaming—incredible erotic visions—about a mysterious brown-eyed beauty.

Makayla Sparks has been dreaming about a strong, sexy man who keeps her safe-- and very, very satisfied.

When a spirit from beyond tells Gage he needs to rescue a stranger named Makayla, he never expects that stranger to be the same sensuous woman he’s enjoyed so thoroughly in his nightly fantasies. But Makayla is very real—and she’s living a nightmare. A vengeful murderer is determined to get her. And Gage is equally determined to save her.

Because the only way he and Makayla can have the love they’ve dreamed of is if they’re still around to live it…

You know the drill. Comment this week on the blog and on Friday a winner will be picked and posted. This is one book you’re not going to be able to put down until you reach the end.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Monday Check In and The Winner of Last Week's Contest

The word count for this week isn't all that great. I thought I might write during conference but nope. Too much to do. Too many new people to meet, hang out with, laugh, and of course the no sleep issue.

I had a great time and I'm excited to say that although I didn't have an actual editor/agent appointment I did get to pitch. I volunteered at the above-mentioned appointments and during that time was asked by two agents to pitch. Both liked the story but one wanted it to be longer. The other person asked that I send her a partial. Yeah!!! I'm not sure what will happen once it's sent but this is the stepping stones of the business.

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 13,478
Ending word count for the week: 15,113
Total new words added this week: 1635

Since today is laundry and catch up on sleep day I'll blog more tomorrow on the conference.

Now for the winner of last week's contest for Diana Peterfreund’s new book Under The Rose. Crystalg!!! Crystalg email me at vickilanewrites at yahoo.com with your snail mail info and I'll send the book to you. Congrats!!!

Check back tomorrow for this week's contest. :)

Now off to laundry and a nap.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Monday Check In and A Book to Give Away :)

First I need to apologize. I told you on Monday to check back on Friday that I’d be doing a giveaway and then totally forgot to put the post up.

This week I’m giving away Diana Peterfreund’s new book Under The Rose.

The only thing you have to do is comment. One of my roomies will pick the winner on Friday. I’ll send out the book once I’m home from Dallas.
Is it Monday already? Yep, so that means it’s time to check in with the weeks word count. So far so good. I’m still writing everyday with at least 100 words. Most days are more and those are my favorite days to be sure.

Since this is the week I leave for nationals this will be short and sweet.

I still plan on writing everyday and the laptop will be going with me. I’m hoping to do the Thursday Thirteen from Dallas but just in case I don’t I’ll be back the following week. With I’m sure what most of the Thursday Thirteen’s will be about. Nationals, what I loved.

So here’s the weeks count.

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 10,414
Ending word count for the week: 13,478
Total new words added this week: 3064

So how did you do this week? Did you write everyday?

As Always Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

100 Words for 100 Days

Before I check in this week there’s a couple of things I wanted to tell you.

One – if you are not all ready checking out Erica’s blog she is did some great mini All about conference blogs last week. I can’t wait to read this weeks blogs. If this is not one of your daily reads you should add her to your list.

Second – On Friday there will be a give away here. You’ll have to come back to find out what it’s going to be and how you can win it. (Comments, always comments).

Okay now for the check in.

Monday morning. Time to check in with this past weeks word count for the 100 words – 100 days.

It’s been a crazy busy week for me. Between the day job which started on Sunday celebrating its 30-year (big party all month long) and getting ready for Nationals I’ve not had the extra time that I would like for my writing.

Does that mean I fell off the wagon and didn’t do at least my 100 words? Nope. The wagon is still rolling. Not quite as fast as I would like it to be and there are a few bumps in the road but on she rolls.

Thanks to my muse (Seren from Serendipity) words are coming even when I only have a small amount of time to sit down in the front of the computer. Yep, Seren is staying with me. In fact she’s taken me on a couple of turns in the road that I didn’t expect. She very much likes to explore the area when we’re traveling together. Most times on her side road trip we find things that totally changed my character interviews (a different blog all together.)

This past week I wrote several new scenes and revised several chapters. It wasn’t until I was in chapter 7 that Seren decided to tell me that Mallory’s parents died when she was young. I didn’t know that. It makes so much sense now but I didn’t know that in the beginning. So changes had to happen. You know what it makes the story line tighter. What’s happening now works better. No, I didn’t go back and do a bloody death scene for her parents. They just died. It’s more referenced then anything thing.

Okay enough about that. My word count goes from Monday to Sunday on here. In other words the count does not include any words that I’ll write today.

Here are this past week’s totals:

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 6872
Ending word count for the week: 10,414
Total new words added this week: 3542

Oh and just for fun blog words this past week: 1340
I had a guest blogger on Tuesday so those words are not in this total.

Several on my TARA Book challenge loop are doing this for two books at the same time. Since I do have the romantic suspense as well I’m thinking about doing the double as well. I’m going to try it anyway this week. I’ll let you know on next weeks check in if it worked for me.

So how about you? Are you still writing at least 100 words each day? Is getting ready for Nationals getting in the way? Check in and let us know how you’re doing. Here we’ll cheer with each success and encourage all who need it. There are no wrong or right answers only friends helping friends.

As always I send writing wishes and plotting dreams,

Vicki

100 Words for 100 Days Monday Check In

I love this 100 words for 100 days thing. I know, I know I‘ve said that before but it’s true. I love the fact that I don’t feel the pressure to make X amount of pages each day right now but words. And for anyone out there who has not read this blog before trust me 100 words is not all that much, about a half a page really.

Although I would have liked more words I’ll take what I did this past week with no problems. It means that I’m writing everyday. Some more than others but still it’s everyday. That’s a great thing.

Just in case you didn’t read last Monday’s blog I’m doing the 100 words for 100 days along with my TARA Chapter. I’ll report on Monday’s what I’ve done for the past week in word count. Oh and this word count is what I’ve done since starting this not including the words written prior (or any blog words). I’ll give that total at the end of the 100 days.

Here you go:

AT&B:
Last Sunday’s ending word count: 3087
Ending word count for the week: 6872
Total new words added this week: 3785

So have you joined me? Are you already doing this through your own local chapter? If you have leave your word counts in the comments. If you haven’t then hopefully you’ll decide to hop on board this week and join those of us who are doing it.

Oh I know I said in last Monday's blog that my critique partner Laurie Kapkowski would be here today to guest blog but it's tomorrow so be sure to come back and check it out.

100 Words - 100 Days -

Every year my TARA chapter does this Book Challenge. You sign up for in January (through March) and it cost $10.00.

We check in each week through our loop with the pages we’ve written for the past week. Checking in is a must. Even if you have no pages to report. Of course being the TARA sisters that we are you receive congrats on pages written and encouragement for those who have not written that week.

The premise is you will finish your book before the annual Christmas party in December. At that time you’ll bring the book, yes it must be printed out and brought to the party. For everyone who has signed up for the challenge and brings their book they will receive a ticket and the at the end of the party one ticket is drawn. The winner receives half of the money that was required to join the challenge.

I love it. It gives you that motivation needed to write when life gets you bogged down. At least it does for me. Okay it does for several months and then I find that it’s easy to let other things get in the way.

So what do writers do when things start to bog down? We add a new twist. Don’t all writers want new twist? Of course we do. It’s what moves things along for us.

We started the 100 words in 100 days. This means to write at least 100 words everyday for 100 days. I Love This!!!

One hundred words are extremely easy to do. It takes maybe a half a page to get your word count in. However, what I’ve found is once you start typing those 100 words more seem to flow. This is probably due to the fact that I’m not feeling pressured to write x-amount of pages.

I tried to find out who stared this since I know other chapters and writers have used this method and this is what I found.

The first person that google shows to have done this was Jeff Koyen who began this back in 2001.

At any rate I’m not sure which romance author actually started the challenge. I googled and while I found quiet a few who blog on it I couldn’t find where it started in the romance world. If you know add it in the comment section. It’s that enquiring minds want to know thing.

What I do know is this. It works. I’m on day 7. As of yesterday (day six I’ve added over 3000 words.) Of course I would love to say it was a much higher word count but the thing is I’m writing everyday. That’s the most important thing about this new challenge.

Writing Everyday. It becomes a habit. You have to sit down a write. You want to sit down and write. I know Kelly R. this goes right along with the 15 minutes a day. And like I said on our loop, you told me to do this months and months ago.

Oh wait…you thought all writers had to write everyday? That it was something they just had to do. Their fingers itched to play on the keyboard watching the words fly across the screen? Not so much. We are no different than anyone else in any other field. We hit roadblocks, our minds go blank, and yes, sometimes we just don’t feel like it.

So I’ve rambled on enough about this. To sum it up this is a great way to keep your writing going. Really all of us can write 100 words a day. If you’re not doing this then jump on the wagon and write along for the ride. I promise you’ll be happy when we reach the end of the road.

I’ll report on Mondays how I’m doing. Feel free to do the same. So for this week I’ve added a 3482. That doesn’t include writing the blog.

If you’re doing this on your own or through your local chapter tell me how it’s working or not working for you. Let’s keep each other motivated.