Let's Play a Game

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……

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?!

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

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....

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

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

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