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

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!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Bit Of Fun For Wednesday

I love these things. Answer a few questions and they tell you what kind of drink you are. :) I'm not sure mine is right even if I did answer the question truthfully. No one is afraid of corrupting me.

What Flavor Margarita Are You

You Are a Strawberry Margarita

You're so sweet it's a little overwhelming, and people are a little afraid of corrupting you... It's a little difficult to imagine you with a margarita. And you're truly a different person after you've kicked back a couple!

What Flavor Margarita Are You?

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

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

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

I've Been Tagged - 8 Things About Me

Ava Rose tagged me so here goes.

Here are the rules:
A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.

B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. The love of my life is Science Guy (nope not Bill Nye).

2. I have two puppies, both 9 months old, one is a Chihuahua (5 ½ lbs) and one is a Shih-Tzu (16 lbs). They think they are the same size and the same breed.

3. I love, love, love to act on stage.

4. I am addicted to Starbuck Chai Tea Frappucino.

5. The last concert I saw was Chris Daughtry, not only was he amazing so were the two bands before him!

6. I work for the .com side of a live 24/7 shopping channel.

7. I love to paint.

8. My favorite place to go for vacation is the beach.

Okay, I think I’ll tag:
Stacy
Heather
Rhonda
Patricia
Alison
December
Gena and
Openchannel


Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Guest Blogger - Laurie Kapkowski

Before I introduce my guest I want to make sure everyone knows that Diana Peterfreund’s Under The Rose comes out today. Go out and get your copy today. On Friday I'll be having a give away as well.


I’m so excited to welcome my critique partner and excellent writer Laurie Kapowski to Writing with Vicki.

Laurie writes paranormal and long contemporary romance. Currently she is working on a paranormal that totally rocks. Since I’m her cp I get the honor to read (and critique) this wip. Trust me you are going to love this book when it’s published. Her characters are amazing and yep I’ve become vested in each and every one of them. I know you will too, especially since I see each of them having their own stories in the future. Yes Tru that means you too. He really wants his story now and Laurie has to tell him repeatedly to wait his turn.

Without further ado I turn it over to Laurie. Please welcome her in your comments at the end.


Thanks for joining Vicki and I as I guest blog on her sight. I had no idea what to write or who would want to read what I had to say, but here goes anyway.

I’ve pondered on the subject that I know all of us have gone through at one time or another in our lives. You’re asked to go somewhere and you want to go, but it’s not at the top of our list, but you love your friend so you go.

This is what happened to me when Vicki offered an extra ticket to see Chris Daughtry at the State Theatre in St. Petersburg. Oh don’t get me wrong – who wouldn’t want to see him – I mean really he is the hottest 20 something I’ve seen in a long time (scary that he’s closer to my daughters age than mine) so here I was feeling a bit old to be going to a concert where I was sure a bunch of screaming teenagers would look at the ‘old’ lady and wonder why she was there and trying to look young, but really who cares it was all about having fun, right?

Now here is the in interesting part. Once I started really loosening up I realized I had the stage for a scene in my book and a soundtrack to go with it. The funny thing is it had nothing to do with Mr. Hottness, but the opening acts that really influenced me and my writing. I am a huge music person and my tastes are extremely eclectic so it didn’t surprise me to be enjoying where I was, who I was with and the atmosphere surrounding me, but was pleasantly surprised that I loved both bands almost more than Daughtry. So far two of the tracks on the Eve to Adam CD have sparked ideas for my characters and talk about HOT – the lead singer needs to be on the cover of a book (hopefully mine) ;-)

So the moral here is open up your mind and all of your senses to every experience because you never know what you will get out of it.

Happy Writing
Laurie Kapkowski