Thursday Thirteen - While You Wait

It’s been forever since I’ve done a Thursday Thirteen and this one seems to be appropriate for my life as of now. Although my oldest child is still waiting for one dedicated solely to her. This is not it.

Thirteen things to do while the queries are out there.

1. Write another book

2. Try not to freak out when you realize you forgot to change a word on page 29 and you know it’s wrong, and there is nothing you can do about it now.

3. Start your next book

4. Research your new world, cut out pictures of hot guys for your hero, and beautiful women for heroine. Paste them everywhere, especially the hot hero’s.

5. Call CP and tell her you know you’re going to die, because it’s been a few days and you haven’t heard anything yet.

6. If you’re a plotter, get those sticky notes written on the board for your new book, if you’re a pantser…hmmmm….then take some colored sticky’s and just put them on the board (yes, without words, but use colors for the H/H, black moment, sexual moments and so forth.)

7. Buy your favorite wine and watch an old movie – I mean really, what else is there in life. You’re writing must suck since it’s been what a week and still no word.

8. Wake up and smile. The character’s are beginning to take shape for the new book

9. Call your CP and tell her to get ready, you’re going to have stuff for her by the end of the week.

10. Bang head on desk as the next scene will not cooperate and you’re sure your relatively short writing career is over, turn slightly and give the disturb-me-and die look to anyone, including the dogs that enter your office.

11. Remember Nora’s famous words, “You can’t fix a blank page. Write something you can fix it later

12. Tell your DH you need more wine, chocolate, ice cream, and a weight watchers frozen meal for dinner. (you gotta counter act the calories somewhere)

13. Check your email for the hundredth time (okay maybe more) and then take a deep breath, flex your fingers, tell your muse you love her and you’re really ready and then let the words flow. Don’t worry about what’s out there, because this is new and you’ve come a long way since you wrote the first word on the manuscript that’s sitting out there waiting to be read.

What about you? Any of the above sound familiar? Leave your comments to be entered into this week’s contest.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

The Holidays are Here!!!

I saw this over on Alison Kent’s blog and since it is the season thought I’d put it here. No one has been tagged, but if you decide to put it up on yours let us know in the comments. We love to check stuff like this out. :)

I edited the questions to hopefully include everyone. :D

1. What is your favorite Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa romance to re-read each year?
This is a hard one since I can’t find the one I used to love. I don’t remember the name but there was a present that appeared under the tree and no one knew who placed it there. During the book they were trying to find what was needed in order to not lose their home (historical) and at the end it was in the present from…they never knew.

2. What is your favorite Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa movie/show?
I have two. It’s A Wonderful Life and The Christmas Story

3. What is your favorite Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa cookie?
Fruitcake cookies. I typically hate the actual fruitcake but the cookie recipe is yummy.

4. When do you start Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa shopping?
Normally I start very early, like September or October. This year, not so much. I did a mega shopping day last Sunday though and I’m almost done. Which is a good thing since Christmas is 13 days away (counting today).

5. Do you re-gift?
Nope. I do reuse gift bags though. That’s okay, right?

6. What is your favorite Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa song?
Okay, so I love them all. But I do love Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, and the video below is fun as well. :)

7. When do you get your Christmas tree? Or begin to decorate for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?
Since mine is artificial, it’s usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I miss having a real tree. Maybe when the doggies are older.

8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it?
If I wrap them as I buy them then I love it. If I wait and have to do them all at once, I hate it.

9. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
Hmmm…I had to think about this. I would say my son. He’s nineteen and that pretty much says it all.

10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial?
See number 7

And now for some holiday cheer in song. I thought this was fun since it captured so many of the songs.



So how about you? Are you finished shopping? Do you like it? What's your favorite things about it?

Oh and I revised the first 6 pages. Only 300 more to go. :D

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

My Life From A to Z - in lieu of T13 This Week

I read this over at Pat’s blog, who found it on Gwyneth Bolton’s, who found it on…well, you’ll have to link back to all of them because I’m sure it continues on much like the “Song that will not end”.

Thought it was pretty cool, so instead of the normal T13 this week I’m doing this one. Feel free to use it on your own blog. If you do, link to it in the comments so we’ll know to go check it out.

My Life From A to Z

A - Age: Yeah, right. I’m older that 38 and younger than 60…you’ll have to guess on your own, unless you already know. Hee hee

B - Best Friend: Laurie K. and Willis (aka Dorothy)

C - Choice of Meat: Love a really great Steak but also love, love Fish, and of course chicken. Okay, so I like most meat.

D - Dream Date: Science Guy and I having a nice dinner and then walking on the beach watching the sunset. Really, I love that.

E - Exciting Adventure: Hmmmm…I had to think about this one. Of course I agree with Pat the journey to publication is amazing but one of the things I really want to do is go see the Whales. As far as an EA that I actually done, one of them would be going to New York and Canada. I loved everything about the snow and all the fun I had playing in it. :)

F - Favorite Food: Pizza – nuff said on that one. :)

G - Greatest Accomplishment: My kids would be first and coming back to writing after so many years. There are others but I’ll leave it at that.

H - Happiest Day of Your Life: There are several, of course the birth of my children. What mother wouldn’t say that, unless she’s not right. But seriously, meeting SG was a big one.

I - Interests: Writing, Reading, Painting, Singing, Acting, and hanging out with friends who usually like to talk about Writing. :)

J - Joke: Not on this one. I mean do you want me to tell you a joke or tell you about a joke played on someone?

K - Kool-Aid: Lime or purplesuresrex (I think that one was grape and lemonade mixed together actually) and neither are easy to find.

L - Love: giving of yourself to others. Putting their feelings before you own, being able to be quiet with each other and still know that it’s all good.

M - Most Valued Possession: My grandmothers sweater and homemade quilt, my fathers flag (although I don’t actually have that anymore), Cards my family and friends have given me. Things like that are valued. The rest is stuff. Don’t get me wrong I have stuff that I really like, maybe even love but it’s stuff nonetheless.

N - Name: Vicki, V once in a while from Laurie, Vic from several people, Leon from Willis

O - Outfit You Love: Black dress and the strappy sandals that go with it.

P - Pizza Toppings: Mushrooms, black olives, onions, maybe bacon or pepperoni, but I like the first three the most.

Q - Question Asked To You the Most: Is your book finished? Or how soon will it be on the shelves to buy? I love the thought of the second one, but have to explain to them the process of first being contracted and then how long it can actually take to hit the shelves once that happens.

R - Radio Station: 94.9, which doesn’t really tell you much, but they play a little bit of everything on there.

S - Sport: Nascar! Basketball and baseball. I watch football and hockey with SG sometimes but they’re not my favorite.

T - Television Show: Hero’s and in January 24. I like several others but those are my fav's. The writers on Hero's are amazing!!! So many plots, so many important characters.

U - Umbrella in the rain?: Yes, my hair has natural curl to it when I don’t blow it dry, so I try not to get it wet once I've blown and straightened it.

V - Video: We really don’t watch a lot of video’s so I’m not sure what to put here.

W - Winter: My winter consist of sometimes a chilly and sometimes pull out the shorts days. I would love to have actual seasons; I loved the snow when I was in New York a couple of years ago.

X - X-rays recently?: No

Y - Year Born: Ummm…hello, I may be blonde but this kinda goes back to the letter A and age thing.

Z - Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Your turn, any of these you'd like to tell us or are you going to do this on your blog? Link back to me so we can check it out.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

T13 - Halloween

Before I start the T13 I wanted to remind you one last time to check out the Maven’s blog. The story is over and oh yeah, I want more. The end was incredible. No one saw that twist. :) If you haven’t read them go now and read each one from the beginning. Then vote on the title. They’re listed on today’s blog and let me tell you it will be a hard decision. This has been so much fun. Thank you Mavens for doing it and I can’t wait until the next one happens. Big hint there.

Another Halloween has come and gone. These are just a few of things I enjoy on this day.

1. Decorating the house and the yard. I didn’t decorate this year which is odd for me. There are several homes around me that did though and they went all out. So much so that traffic slows down to look at them. Not that I mind since I’m part of the slow down traffic. It seems each time I see something new.

2. Dressing up. Oh yeah, I still like to dress up. At the ‘day job’ we can come in costume to work. This is always fun since it’s such a large company you see everything from an orange t-shirt w/ jeans to a full all out costume.

3. Candy or chocolate to be exact. All those bags of chocolate to give out to the kids. I love seeing their costumes and their faces as you put candy in their bags. I like to give out the good stuff. The kind that when they get home and their parents look through the bag I know they’ll want to keep it.

4. Apples – candy or caramel. Either one works for me. I don’t give those out but eating them are yummy.

5. Movies – Okay so I can’t really watch the scary movies. It something about my mind that wants to turn them in to reality. I mean I watched the first Jason movie way back in the day and still I can see the mask.

6. The day after Halloween sale – this is for candy, costumes for next year, and new decorations. Gotta love a sale.

7. Seeing the pictures of Leslie Kelly’s house on the Plotmonkeys blog. She really knows how to do a haunted house.

8. HGTV – What can I say? I love this channel and this time of year they show all sorts of homes that decorate for Halloween. It can takes months and months for some of these houses.

9. Fall is finally arriving down in the south. Not to say that it’s much cooler but at least you know it’s here.

10. This one goes along with 9 but for me it signals the time to begin in earnest with the rest of the year’s decorations and buying presents for Christmas. OMG, it’s really less than two months away!!!

11. Parties – friends and family getting together to laugh, eat, drink and relax.

12. Changing the decorations from spooky to turkeys. :) Yep, I have stuff that can be left out for the entire two months (October and November) but I also have some that needs to go back into their Rubbermaid homes and others that come out. (I know, I didn’t decorate for Halloween this year, but I’ll pull out the Thanksgiving stuff this weekend)

13. Friends, and blogs, and emails, Oh MY! I’m sure you’re like me and have friends who you’ve never actually met and this is one of those times of the year were you see pictures, hear about their family’s fun and send pictures back and forth.

So, how was your Halloween? Did you dress up? Do you have lots of candy left over or did you give it all out and have to look for something else to hand out as the last group came to your house?



WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen - Not so Much, Today its a Meme I was Tagged With

Here are the rules:
• Players offer eight random habits/facts about themselves.
• If you're tagged, write your own blog about your eight things and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog post, choose someone to tag (supposed to be eight but however many you can do is fine, no tag police will come get you) - and list their names.

CL Wilson, Cheryl, tagged me with the 8 Things About You Meme. So in lieu of the normal Thursday Thirteen I’m going to do the meme. Oh yeah, and tagged a couple of people. :)

What? You don’t have a blog and I tagged you? No worries, you can email me your meme and I’ll post it next Tuesday. Yes, Laurie that means you too. :D

Okay, here goes:

1. I used to work for a motivational company, traveling all around the US. We held one-day seminars but would be in the city for a total of 3 – 4 days each place.

2. I’ve held private functions for stars, politicians, and sports figures. I met a lot of people and enjoyed it for the most part. It’s not always what it’s cracked up to be. Lot’s of late late nights. Both 1 and 2 were before I met Science Guy and really had no life to myself.

3. I worked for American Cancer Society in the Advocacy Department and the FDOC (Florida Dialogue on Cancer) in the Florida headquarters for 2 years. Traveling to Tallahassee to the capital as well as multiple conferences in Florida. I met some really great volunteers during that time, who give an amazing amount of time to ACS. One of the best conferences I attended was the NAACP in Daytona, Florida, where we (ACS) where on the venue to do workshops.

4. I love singing and used to do it quite a bit. Not so much anymore though.

5. If I could have a career other than writing it would be acting. I love, love, love acting. Nothing like opening night. It’s been several years now since I’ve done theater and still miss it. Unfortunately it takes way too much time from writing.

6. Although I’m not really ‘goth’ (well, maybe just a tad) I prefer black and have a ton of it in my closet. It’s not even the whole black makes you look slimmer thought. I just love the color.

7. My favorite vacation to just plain relax is going to the beach. Taking morning beach walks and watching the sun setting in the evening. This is the kind of vacation where I actually come back feeling rested.

8. I paint, Donna Dewberry style when I have a little extra time. Not so much of that right now since I’m in my own personal deadline.

Well, that’s all for me. You may or may not know any of those things about me.

Rubbing hands together and deep, just a bit wicked laughter emerged as I decide just who should I tag. I have to pick those Cheryl didn’t.

Danika, Laurie K., Patricia, Alyssa, December, Bill, Julie S. Carly Phillips, Leslie Kelly.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,

Vicki

Thursday Thirteen - All About Nothing

Using a line from the show Seinfeld – this week’s T13 is All About Nothing

1. Reading a great book – you know, the one that you can’t put down even though it’s now 3:00AM and you’ve got to get ready for the day job in a few hours.

2. Before the rain – you walk outside and sniff the air. The sweat aroma of moisture tickles your senses as the clouds begin gathering from some distant place.

3. Watching the babies sleep – For me this is my dogs. After they’ve played, torn up the new toy we bought them and aggravated each other to no end. Now you watch as they curl up next to each other, the littlest ones head on the side of the other, sleeping without a care in the world.

4. Flowers on the dinning room table – the day jobs been rough, all you want is to go home and sulk. Then you walk into your house and there they are. Standing proud in your favorite vase. Greeting you with sunshine to your tired soul.

5. Surprises – You’re trying to figure out what to do with the mishmash of food you have left at the end of the week to make dinner. Standing with the freezer door open, you stare at the lone package of frozen chicken. The cool air washing over your face and still nothing comes to mind to cook. That’s when you hear his/her voice. “Honey, lets go out tonight.” The freezer door closes on its own accord and out the door you go. Fun!!!

6. The best scene in the book writing – Your fingers fly across the keys, words hitting the screen so fast in front of you that you’re not truly sure if you’re doing it or some magical force is sending it through you. Gotta love those scenes. :)

7. The worst scene in the book writing – You sit, stare at the blank page, and wait. Nothing. You knew the scene early in the day but didn’t have time to sit down. Now it’s become pulling words from your muse who’s decided she no longer likes this scene. (had to throw that one in since I had the best scene, they usually go hand in hand)

8. The two-hour phone call with your cp who tells you, yes, you are a writer and a damn good one. This of course is after #7 has happened.

9. Birthdays – You either love them or hate them. Me, I love them. I figured out a long time ago that I couldn’t stop them. Besides the alternative is not so great. I celebrate them to the fullest. It may be simple or it may be huge but celebrate them nonetheless.

10. Spring cleaning – the time to throw away or give away the stuff you really don’t need. It’s also the time you revisit old memories as you open that box sitting in the back of the closest. The pictures you’ve not looked at in forever quickly take you back to the moment in time when they were taken. A part of your life frozen to remember with joy.

11. Going to the spa for a day – Yep, this is one of my fav’s. I don’t do it often but love the pampering and just plain feeling good that goes along with it.

12. Finding that perfect birthday, Christmas, or Hanukah gift weeks in advance. Then trying hard not to give it the person before said holiday. :) That’ very hard for me. I love to get things for others but then I want to give them the gift right then.

13. Sunrise, Sunsets, and Moonrises – Any of these works for me. The crisp morning air as the sun begins to peak its sleepy head, the late afternoon sun dipping off the horizon its warmth tucking away for the night, or the moon, bold and bright, shinning the way across the waters a beacon of light brighten the path for ships and giving the outer edges of the sea its nightglow for the rest of us.

There you have it. My Thursday Thirteen all about nothing and yet all about lots of everything.



Don't you love the picture? If you look close you'll see it's a double rainbow.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen - Random Lines from ATB

Thirteen Random Lines from AT&B

1. Shelves along the far wall, lined with bottles and jars filled with what looked to be the remains of a thousand dead creatures.

2. This is New York and all is fair in love, war, and stealing taxis.

3. What’s next, Leprechauns?

4. Lord, I feel like a peeping tom.

5. Denying the obvious was useless.

6. A small giggle bubbled up inside as thoughts of Mr. Blue eyes, incredibly dark blue eyes, looking at her with disbelief when she told him no.

7. “That didn’t go quite as planned. You didn’t tell me you’d met her already,” The solicitor said.

8. “Aye, Miss I do be looking like Mr. Van Winkle. It’s a curse I’ve carried for a thous…err, years.”

9. Come pluck me, My Lord

10. “Hells bells,” she said, gasping for breath as she ran. “It’s not like I’m ever going to see him again. Get over it and run girl.”

11. “You will die here, and then be forgotten. Like all the others.”

12. Laughter, deep and sick filled the room stopping any thoughts of sleep

13. Someone or something was watching her.



WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen - Telemarketing Calls

This was sent to me by a friend and I thought you’d enjoy it.

1. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some.

2. If they start out with, “How are you today?” say, “I’m so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems. My arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died…”

3. If they say they’re John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it’s located, how long it has been in business, how many people work there, how they got into this line of work, if they are married, how many kids they have, etc.

4. Cry out in surprise, “Judy? Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?” Hopefully this will give Judy a few brief moments of fear as she tries to figure out where she could know you from.

5. If the company cleans rugs, respond: “Can you get out blood? Can you get out goat blood? How about human blood?”

6. After the Telemarketer gives his or her spiel, ask him or her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you can’t just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.

7. Tell the Telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask him/her if he/she will give you his/her home phone number so you can call him/her back. (I love this one. I heard Seinfeld do this on his show)

8. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up…louder..louder…

9. Tell them to talk very slowly, because you want to write every word down

10. Tell them you work for the same company and they can’t sell to employees

11. Tell the Telemarketer you are on “home incarceration” and ask if they could bring you some beer.

12. If a phone company call trying to get you to sign up for the Family and friends Plan, reply, in as sinister a voice as you can, “I don’t have any friends, would you be my friend?”

13. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. “Come on, Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how’s your momma?”



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
#’s 4, 5 and 13 are my favorites. :) What’s yours?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen - Favorite Websites/Blogs

Thirteen Website/Blogs I visit everyday or most days.

These are in no particular order.

1. Erica Ridley – Actually, Erica’s blog is the first one I visit each day. It’s a great blog on so many things. Check it out if you don’t

2. Diana Peterfreund – OMG, what a great blog. Diana shares moments of her life as a writer, things all writers should/need to know, and just plain fun stuff.

3. Openchannel – Danika is amazing. Her blogs for screenplays fit in so well with those of us who are writing novels. I love her poems and the visits from her past journals.

4. Greenwich Gossip – If you are not reading this blog you should. Bill Clark is an amazing writer and his post are always fun, entertaining, and knowledgable. Also, when reading some of the other blogs, check out his comments. They are the best!!

5. Plotmonkeys – Here you’ll find life in the jungle for Julie Leto, Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison, and Leslie Kelly. They share life, writing helps, and jokes. Trust me this is not a blog to miss. There’s always a Friday contest as well.

6. C L Wilson - Her website is great as well as her blog. The first two books in the Tairen Soul series will be out in October 2007 and November 2007.

7. Romancing The Blog – You never know who will be blogging here. This is a great place to learn about new authors, authors that have been around and perhaps you didn’t know them.

8. Pub Rants – Kristin Nelson has one of the best agent blogs around. She is very informative on what an agent looks for, things you should know to ask an agent, query letters, and well pretty much everything you need to know. Along with that she talks about her clients and life in general. I know there are several other really great ones, but this is the T-13

9. December Quinn – I love her blog. Lot’s of information for writers and fun stuff too.

10. Alyssa Goodnight - Can you say fun? Alyssa blog always makes me smile.

11. Manuscript Mavens - Great blog, especially for writers.

12. JR Ward – Her website is amazing. You’ll meet the Black Dagger Brotherhood, read deleted scenes, and lot’s of great stuff.

13. He said/She said – This is a great blog for writers. Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer have a terrific workshop going on here.

There are others that I visit but these are the ones that I visit everyday or almost everyday.

So who do you visit everyday? Don't forget to leave a comment for the contest.




Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen

We Found A House - 13 Things About Moving

1. Boxes – I have some but will need more.

2. Arranging the furniture in my head, over and over again. My oversized red chairs aren’t going to fit in the living room.

3. Packing – 2 weeks ahead of time (this is Science Guy’s idea, I’m the procrastinator on these things). I am throwing away junk though.

4. Taking the blow dryer out of the box – It’s two weeks till we move. I’m going to need it.

5. Giving away things that I don’t need or want and someone else does.

6. Yard sale – do I really need to say more? I hate to do them, like going to one, hate to do them.

7. Movers to move us – Yeah! This is one of my fav’s since it makes it so much easier and quicker.

8. Placing the furniture in the new house. No longer in my head or on paper. More than likely anything I thought of will change.

9. Unpacking the boxes – deciding where things will go in the kitchen.

10. Throwing away more junk.

11. Decorating – The pictures and stuff like that.

12. Buying new stuff to replace the stuff I throw out thinking it was junk. :)

13. Rearranging the furniture, again.



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Happy Thursday!
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen

1. “Charm is getting the answer ‘yes’ without ever having asked the question” ~Albert Camus

2. “It’s never to late to be what you might have been” ~George Eliot

3. “If you think you can or think your can’t, you’re right” ~Henry Ford

4. “The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched…thy must be felt with the heart” ~Helen Keller

5. “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages” ~William Shakespeare

6. “A person who won’t read has not advantage over one who can’t read” ~Mark Twain

7. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dress in overalls and looks like work” ~Thomas Alva Edison

8. “A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it” ~Alfred Hitchcock

9. “I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries” ~Stephen King

10. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” ~Walt Disney

11. “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same” ~Flavia

12. “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly” ~ Langston Hughes

13. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away” ~Unknown

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


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These are a few of my favorite quotes. How about you? Is one of the above yours or do you have another one? Share it with us in the comments.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen

Before I start this week’s Thursday Thirteen I wanted to tell you about a really cool contest going on. It started yesterday. Brenda Novak and Karen Rose are doing a Who Dunnit Contest. Each week there are updates in the story and the first person to solve it wins an awesome prize. There are lots of other prizes to be won as well. Check out the site and let me know what you think. Who Dunnit It Contest

Be sure and leave your comments. Tomorrow I’ll announce this week’s winner.

Thirteen Things about I Love About The Weekend 1…. I don’t have to go to the day job – Don’t get me wrong for a day job mine is not bad. I love where I work and who I work with. Still I’m looking forward to the day that writing is my day job. 2. I can sleep in –Well, that’s not entirely true if you know me. I can’t sleep in no matter what day it is. I can, however take a nap if I want to. 3. My house gets back in somewhat order – I’m a writer. Really that should be enough said on that one. 4. Catching up on movies – There’s no time during the week to do this. Usually on the weekends we watch at least one new movie. 5. Writing – This is one of my very favorites. I can write anytime of the day for as long as I want. This is when I write the most words. My muse loves the weekend. 6. Visiting with Friends – Really, that’s pretty much it on this one. This is when I have the extra time. 7. Cooking – I love to cook but during the week it’s got to be something fast and easy. So on the weekends I like to cook the things that take oh so much longer. 8. Reading – This seems to be the only time that I read anymore. During the week I come home from the day job and start the second job. Writing. Which means reading usually has to be done on the weekends. 9. Shopping – Okay, so I’ll shop anytime but the weekends there is more time to look around, take my time, try things on. 10. The beach – I love, love, love the beach. Science Guy and I used to go to the beach in the evenings and walk but not so much anymore. If I’m going to make it there it has to be on the weekends. 11. Spending time with Science Guy – Yes, we see each other everyday, when we wake up, eat that quick weekday dinner, watch a bit of TV (after I’ve finished writing for the night), and so on. But the weekends is when we can spend real time together. 12. Taking a day trip to nowhere – I love to do this. We don’t do it every weekend but it’s so much fun to just pick a place and get in the car and go check it out. We’ve found some really cool places this way. 13. House hunting – Well at least for now. This is the only time that we can drive around and look at the neighborhoods we think we want to live in. I do believe we found the place last weekend but until everything is signed and over with I still have to look. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. December Quinn (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Random 13’s 1. 100 words for 100 days – I absolutely love this. It’s keeping me in the story and the pressure is off. Although I must write everyday 100 words takes no time at all. The best part is I almost always write way more than 100. 2. Post conference sleep – Boy did I need some. Conference is not a time for sleep. At least for me and my roommates it wasn’t. Even when we finally returned to the room it was another 30 – 45 minutes before the lights went out and the still the laughter rang. 3. Harry Potter is out and…I heard yesterday on my local radio that JK Rowlings said it is not the last book after all. Word has it that she is doing at least 2 more. One will be a Harry Potter companion type book if you will (I’m positive that is the title). With backstory on other characters and definitions to spells, language, and whatever else is in there. 4. JR Ward’s Brotherhood Books – The fifth one comes out in September. I highly recommend these books to everyone. I believe you will enjoy these whether you read paranormal or not. Also, while each can be a stand alone book it’s better to read them in order or at least read the first one first. 5. November Sherrilyn Kenyon releases a Dark Hunters Companion book. Whoo Hoo!!! Since I’ve very recently began reading this series I’m sure this will be a wonderful help to me. Her writing is phenomenal. 6. Shopping – Still I shop. It has something to do with the day job I believe. I really don’t need anything new. Really I don’t. And new books, nope, don’t need any of those either. I have so many in my TBR pile now. I love to shop. And yes there are times I don’t buy anything but I still love going. 7. Christmas – I can’t believe that it is 151 days until Christmas. For many of you reading this you’re saying that’s still a long time away but really guys it’s only 5 months away. I usually have part of my shopping down by now. Not this year. I’m too busy writing. 8. Tightening the wip for the partial request – I’m planning on sending it out the middle to end of August. My first thought was to come home and package the baby up and send it out. Then I realized that there could be many who do that. So now I’m making sure that everything is correct. That anything that happens in Chapter 10 makes sense from chapter 1. 9. Beta reader – I have one now. She’s extremely well read in all genres and very honest. She is a friend from the day job but as I said she is not the type to say, ‘Oh, I love everything about it. You’re the best.’ Nope, she’ll tell me exactly what didn’t work for her, if anything confused her or took her out of the story. I’m glad to have her. 10. Blog hopping – I absolutely love to read other blogs. Sometimes I comment and sometimes I don’t but I always visit my favorites and have found new ones through the comments. 11. Rain – I live in Florida. That really is enough said. In case you aren’t familiar with the summers in Florida. It’s hot and humid. We have these extreme lightening storms almost everyday. It cools things down for a bit and then the humidity takes on to new highs again. It’s pretty bad when you sit on your porch or patio at 7:00pm and still sweat. I don’t like sweating…not so much. 12. House hunting – I hate to house hunt. Our lease is up October 1st and we are not staying there. We thought when we first moved in that we might buy the house but after being there we’ve realize that while we love the old house style the cost to put in the upgrades would be, oh can you say, killer. So now I hunt again. Yuck! Shop, good, house hunting, bad. 13. Missing conference – Yep, I miss it. I met so many new friends and had a blast for my first RWA conference. The authors, agents, and editors that I didn’t know but met were/are great. And guess what? They are just like us. They have days that they wonder why they thought they could do this. Links to other Thursday Thirteen’s! 1. Alyssa Goodnight (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Don't forget to comment for this week's contest.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Conference – What Else (g) 1…Pre-shopping for conference. Did I really need new clothes? Nope, other than those from my chapter no one at conference has ever seen any of my clothes. Still this seemed like a good reason to shop. Okay, the sun is shinning, it’s pouring rain, today ends in the word day is a good day for shopping. Unlike my friend and wonderful author Julie Leto I love to shop. 2. Packing – try as I might I couldn’t fit everything into one suitcase. So I got the bright idea to pack two. Then when I came back I would be able to put my books into them and not have to ship. Not. This was my first conference. People told me about all the books I just didn’t actually understand their meaning. 3. Flying out with roommates – We all flew out together which was fun and made it easier once we arrived to check in. The flight was fine but I felt like a little kid. I kept looking at my watch and saying “When are we going to get there.” Just as we started to land on the tarmac I accidentally popped the lid off of the potato chips, which made a very loud popping noise and flew several seats up hitting a guy in the head. I knew that any minute someone was going to tackle me to the ground. They didn’t, thank goodness, everyone just laughed. 4. Arriving at the hotel – The usual check in, get to the room, choose beds, unpack and out the door to all the fun ahead. 5. The Literacy Signing – Can you just say OMG!!! So many authors, so many books, and so many lines. The first line we stood in was Sherrilyn Kenyon’s. She looked amazing in her Dark Hunter attire. Yes, I have pictures and I’ll post them soon. Some are on my camera and some are on Laurie’s camera. I met other Dark Hunter fan’s while waiting in line. I’m not normally star struck but this was Sherrilyn. When I walked up to her it was like I’d known her forever. She is amazing. We also stood in JR Ward’s line to have her autograph the hardcopies that we brought with us. She was also so wonderful to talk with. 6. The workshops – there were so many great workshops to attend and so little time. I went to the ones that I thought would best benefit me. Loved them all. 7. Harlequin PJ Party – So much fun. I met people that I talk to online, people from my TARA chapter, and met Brenda Chin. That was awesome. She talked with us about upcoming books and what she looks for when finding a new author. 8. Waiting in line for dinner – Waiting a long time in line for dinner. There are times when this can be a pain but at conference it gives just that much more time to meet new people. The first night Tawny Weber sat at our table. She is so very nice and her husband is a hoot. Of course he bought Heather a drink…it’s become a conference tradition for them. 9. Taking the Marta to where else…the mall. Since I’ve never taken the Marta anywhere this was an experience. One I’ll blog about later. Trust me I was not in my comfort zone. 10. Volunteering at the Editor/Agent appointments – I have to honestly say that once we arrived and looked at the agenda I didn’t want to do the volunteer thing. There were several workshops that I wanted to go to during the same time. I’m so glad that I did it. I was able to pitch and a partial was requested. 11. Sleep or the lack there of – Sleep is not something you do at conference. Drink lot’s of Venti Mocha’s from Starbucks? Oh yeah. We had a blast sitting around talking till 3 or 4 in the morning every night. 12. I met Nora Robert’s. Of course I got my picture with her. She is such a wonderful and gracious person. Talking with her was like talking to someone you’ve known for a while. 13. The Rita’s – OMG, it was fabulous. Everyone was dressed beautifully and my TARA chapter did quite well. Carly Phillips did amazing as our emcee. Afterwards there was a dessert party and everyone was able to congratulate the winners. There’s much more to tell but I’ve reached the end of the Thursday Thirteen so I’ll leave the rest to later. Links to other Thursday Thirteen’s! 1. Ava Rose Johnson 2. Patricia (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about The 4th of July 1. Bugs, yes you read that correct. I said bugs. You know it’s true. Out you go to see fireworks and those pesky little no-see-em’s start biting away. Hence the reason I choose the green pattern this week. It has a fly on it. 2. Hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Please burn my hotdog a bit please. I love them that way. 3. I get an extra day off from the day job. WhooHoo!! Even if it is in the middle of the week. 4. Fireworks. Can you say oohh…ahhh…look at all the pretty colors. They scare the mess out of my doggies though. I love to watch them. Not so big on the crazy crowds but love the way they explode in the black night sky. Makes me think of that first kiss thing. 5. Family, well for most people it’s family. Since my daughter lives in another state to far to drive down for the weekend much less the day I don’t get to see her. My parents and sister do live in the same state but way at the top. My son did come by for a while and that was great. 6. Friends. I love it when you have lots of friends together for any type of cook out. That didn’t happen this year but most years that’s what happens. 7. Ice Cream!!! I love ice cream so any reason to have some is good for me. 8. Chilling - I can read, sleep, write, cook, clean or watch TV. I choose write and read for my 4th of July. Thank goodness Science Guy loves me and lets me do that. He cooked on the grill. 9. Watching the shows on TV. There are so many 4th of July specials that it’s fun to see favorites on the shows. Of course we Tivo everything so that we can watch commercial free. 10. Spending the day with Science Guy. That’s always something I love. No matter what we do or don’t do. 11. Writing since I’m doing the 100 x 100 thing. I still did my word count (505) for today. 12. Swimming in the pool. Okay we don’t have a pool but my cp does and I can swim in her pool. We’ll have one once we decide which house to buy. 13. Okay this last one isn’t really about the 4th of July or what I did/do on the 4th but I have to put it anyway. One Week Till I Leave For Nationals. You noticed I only capitalized the first word. I didn’t want to scream, well I do but you know be PC and all. I’m so excited about going and now it’s only a week away. So what’s your favorite thing about the 4th of July? If you do the Thursday Thirteen be sure an leave the link in the comments so I can add you. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Openchannel 2. Alyssa Goodnight 3. Spyscribbler 4. Sarah 5. Patricia (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Favorite TV Shows

Thirteen Things about Favorite TV Shows 1. Hero’s – I’ve said this before but the writers on this show amaze me. Anyone who is writing should watch this program. The way they weave the conflicts are great. Each main characters internal and external conflict is shown along with how it ties into the main plot. The pacing is quick and the hooks always leave you wanting more. 2. 24 – So this wasn’t my favorite season but I love the show. Jack is always making it happen. My only problem with the show is some of my favorite characters were killed. I totally get it. They had done all they could to move the plot along but I miss them. 3. Big Brother – This is a show that every season I say I’m not going to watch. Then someone at work starts telling me about who’s on and what’s going on and yep, I get sucked in. It becomes really interesting to see who is playing the game and how well they play. I know we all get mad at the way some play but it’s a game and they’re all on there to win. 4. American Idol – It’s all about singing. What can I say? I love singing, really good singing that is. I do wish the rules would change at least until it’s down to the final twelve. I think the judges should have more of an actual impute on who stays and who goes until it gets to the ones who will be on the tour. 5. Hell’s Kitchen – Love this show. Anyone who has ever worked as a wait staff can tell you that the kitchen is the crazy place to be. The head chef will curse you out, tell you how horrible you are, and then go have drinks with you after work. Since Chef Ramsey has been on my day job I also know that he really is a great person. Some I’m sure don’t like him on the show but hey he’s giving the winner a chance of a lifetime and they’ve got to have it all in order to make the place work once they win. 6. So You Think You Can Dance – the people on this show amaze me with their talents. I’d love to be able to dance like them. Okay, so that’s not going to happen, instead I dance vicariously through them. One of the best things about the show is the judges impute into who stays and who goes. They know so much more about this than most of the voters so I say absolutely be a part of the vote. 7. Ugly Betty – What can I say. This is just plain fun. You’ve got your girl that everyone is rooting for, the boss that’s great, and the boss that wants to take over everything. Lot’s of conflict and yet lot’s of laughs. 8. House Hunters – I like to see the houses their looking at and pick the one I think they’ll buy. Of course it’s usually the one that I would buy if it was me. Also I just love seeing how people decorate their homes. Can you say ideas? 9. Rachelle Ray – She’s funny in a down-home kinda way. Her meals always rock and I love hearing her talk about her family. 10. Rock Star – Love this show. There has been some great talent come across it. I guess you have to like rock music to get it but then I like all kinds of music. Hearing the band who is looking for the next lead singer’s take each week is fun. And then there’s Dave Navarro. I know some of you will think I’m crazy but he’s hot in his own right. 11. That 70’s Show – I didn’t watch this show when it was first on so I’ve had fun catching up on all the espiodes. Since I was in high school in the 70’s so much of this rings true that it’s just plain fun. 12. Malcolm In The Middle – The show is just plain funny to me. 13. Seinfeld – Love the characters and how they interact with each other. I still want to see the “ugly baby” though. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

1. Sarah M
2. Openchannel
3. Alyssa
4. Julie S

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Oh The Places I've Been and Want to Go To

Thursday Thirteen - All About Places


1. Rocky Mountain National Park – The rugged beauty of this place amazed me.
Every turn of the car brought another ooh and aww from everyone.

2. Sedona, AZ – Who knew cactus, is so beautiful. The red of the mountains is something that pictures cannot capture. The blue sky as the backdrop only accentuated the color.

3. Smokey Mountains in Tennessee – So there seems to be a mountain theme going on here. The mornings in the Smokey’s are awesome. To see the mist rising on them is magical in its own right.

4. Chicago – Pizza and Garrett’s Popcorn!!! It’s the best pizza and popcorn I’ve ever had. The Museum of Science and Industry is huge (or at least it was when I went). Then there is the zoo. I’m from Florida we don’t have zoo’s like that.

5. Destin, FL – My family lives there so that makes it special in its own right. The beaches are unbelievable. The water is that beautiful turquoise blue and the sand is like powdered sugar along with the dunes.

6. Buffalo, NY – Okay, so Buffalo is not the Big Apple but when I was there I went sledding (my first time ever) and had a blast. This may sound strange to some but cemeteries – well I had to take pictures of them. They are so old and the monuments are so cool. And then there’s Beef on Whack. Yummy!

7. Key West, FL – So the beaches are not all that, not really. The town is full of history (you know the fun kind that even if you’re not a history buff you’ll enjoy). When we went out on a fishing boat the dolphins racing along side us was a sight to remember. And then there are the sunsets – nothing like them. Of course the nightlife is pretty fun as well.

8. New Orleans – Say or think what you will this is one of my favorite towns. The city is both laid back and energized at the same time. It breaks my heart that there is so much of it still not put back to rights.

9. Ireland – I’d love to see the green of the land. To visit the local pubs and in general people watch.

10. Greece – OMG this is a place that every time I see the beaches on TV I want to be there.

11. New York, NY – I’ve never been, it’s hard to believe but I haven’t. I want to go to Broadway, take a carriage ride in Central Park, and go to Broadway again.

12. Hollywood, CA – Stars!! I want to see them. Anyone who really knows me knows that I’m not star-struck. I’ve worked along side many famous people and it’s not like I’m going to run up to them asking for autographs. I’d just like to see where they hang, shop, and go out to eat. See them in their normal life (as normal as their lives can be).

13. Hawaii – Beaches, mountains, and basically no bugs (or at least not the yucky ones we have here). I want to go to an authentic Luau.

Side note here: My CP, Laurie K. will be guest blogging on Monday. Be sure to come back and leave her a comment.





Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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My Favorite Things – These are not listed in any particular order or my family would be at the top.

Thirteen Things about My Favorite Things 1. Flowers – any kind really but I love Tulips, Calla Lilies, Gerber Daisy’s the best. 2. My puppies – their almost dogs now at 9 months old. One 16 pound Shih-Tzu and one 5 pound Chihuahua. 3. Reading – love to read but I don’t always get the time. I kinda use the reading as a reward for accomplishing some of my writing goals. Okay unless it’s the Raintree Trilogy. Those I’m reading as they come out. I got hooked what can I say. 4. Painting – I don’t have time to do it much now though. 5. Singing – Again, I don’t really do it much now except in the shower. But I have sung since I was very young and do love it. Except karaoke. I have sung in front of hundreds, a few times it was thousands (2) and that doesn’t bother me or at least it didn’t use to but karaoke. OMG, it scares the crap out of me. Why? I have no idea. 6. Acting – I love acting and if I could do anything other than write it would be acting on stage. To me there is nothing like opening night. The butterflies waiting until it’s time to go on is – I know it sounds crazy but great! They’re not the I’m so scared I can’t go on kind but the I’m so excited I can’t wait to get on. 7. The beach – To me there is nothing like the sound of the water hitting the shore. I can sit and watch the water for hours. Well I could if I had the time to do it. Not so much. 8. The mountains – They just plain amaze me. They’re so big. And the beauty of them is awe inspiring. The first time I went to the Rocky Mountains it was unbelievable. Every turn the car took winding around the mountain was more beautiful than the last. Those mountains are much rockier (thus the name, I know) then the Blue Ridge mountains. But the beauty is still the amazing. 9. Time with Friends – Just sitting around laughing and talking. It’s the best. Sometimes you get so silly that you laugh for days at what would only be funny to the group of girls or girlfriend that you spent time with. Case in point. “And the he died.” Not so funny to you reading this but to my CP it’s really funny. I guess you had to be there. 10. Family – I don’t get to see them much but we talk on the phone a lot. Thank god for cell phones and no roaming. We’ve become spread out in the country but they are still my most treasured and favorite thing. 11. My car – Yeah!! I’ve wanted an SUV for a long time. I know gas is high but I really wanted one. About 4 months ago I got a Ford Escape LTD. So it’s not to big but not to small. I love this car. I had to get used to an automatic again, picture every time I stop right going for the clutch. 12. Fashion Jewelry – Yep, I love it. I can’t seem to get enough of it. Don’t get me wrong I love the real thing as much but I change my jewelry everyday to match my outfit. 13. Shoes/clothes – I know, I know but it’s the truth. I don’t need any more clothes or shoes but I love them. And shopping with Laurie (who’s going to guest blog soon) is great. Of course her muse always shows up when we go shopping. It’s her muse retail therapy. 14. Bonus this week – I know it’s only supposed to be 13 but I had to add this one. My favorite thing is when a scene I’m thinking about just pours out when I sit down at the computer. And the best is when I go back a read it and it’s not even to bad of POS. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Erica Ridley 2. Alyssa Goodnight 3. Ava Rose Johnson (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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Thursday Thirteen

Since this is my first Thursday Thirteen I thought I’d start with something easy.
Thirteen Ways to Avoid Writing

1. Reading emails from all the loops I belong to.

2. Responding to all the emails from the same loops

3. Reading blogs

4. The day job

5. Favorite TV shows – yes, I have TV but couldn’t miss Hero’s, could I?

6. Discovered J R Ward – can I say OMG…love her books

7. Contest Coordinator for my local chapter

8. Contest Judge for my local chapter

9. Okay, judging extra packets from my local chapter since one of my judges had to cancel.

10. Doing a quick recheck of the blogs – I might have missed something really important.

11. Checking my chapter loop – again. We have such a great chapter loop.

12. Must call a few people and talk about how I can’t find enough time to write.

13. Shopping – so I really was going to just pick up one thing but hey Nationals is almost here. I need stuff.

Got your own Thursday Thirteen?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki