For some reason this seems to be working for me, well at least  * I * think it is working for me. I know it has made my writing process work better. I have to get to know the main characters before I know where they are going. I like to write around 50 to 60 pages before I stop and plot and I don’t mean really plot (although some would call it that).  

I used to write from start to finish – okay so the first ms is the only one that worked this way. The next couple I would write some, write a lot more in my head only, skip around scene to scene beginning, middle, ending, whatever, however. I did a combination of both for a bit and of course I stopped writing completely for a while (that does not mean that I stopped hearing voice, eyes a rollin’).

I realized this week I am to the stop and plot point with my current WIP. I’ve got around sixty pages and I know these two pretty well, now I need to plot out – and in all honestly, I consider this more of a timeline for the rest of the story.

I remember reading an article early in my married life about a couple that chose to be childfree. They bemoaned the fact that everyone always asked when they were going to have children. People would inquire often about their lack of children, as if it were their business, sort of like old ladies in the grocery store wanting to touch your stomach when you’re expecting, I suppose. The article went on to tell how happy this couple was, how they could have children, but chose not to and on and on.

I came away from the reading the article feeling sorry for this couple. I did not relate to them feeling the need to explain their situation. However, at the time I could relate to the couple about some aspects. We were married nearly six years before we had a child and you can believe we were asked often enough. We got married rather young and chose to wait. We chose to enjoy married life without kids for a bit.

It was the right thing for us. This weekend solidified that fact. We celebrated seventeen years and the one thing that will always stand out to me is what my husband said, “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

We’ve had our ups and downs, we made compromises, but we’ve enjoyed the ride. Don’t get me wrong I love my kids more than life itself, but I’m glad I waited.

They got a better ‘us’ because of it.

Waiting until the last minute is a good thing. I got us a really great anniversary weekend deal and I’m really excited about going.

And sometimes, putting things off can’t last forever. I finally, after months did the one thing I’ve been avoiding. I ordered the headstone for my dad. It seems so final. But I’m glad it is done in some small way it feels like a weight has been lifted. Still it wasn’t my best day on record.

Of course sometimes moving on is the best thing and that’s what I’m doing one step at the time.

I never realized how I procrastinate over the things I really want to do. I manage to get lots done in twenty-four hours each day. I like keeping busy (which is a really good thing). But sometimes procrastination bites you in the rear end.

My anniversary is this weekend, way back in the day (this is our 17^th) we took a short weekend trip each year for our anniversary. I’d book it early (March or April, even). It was something I planned and got excited over. Well over the years the nice little trip turned into never mind we don’t have time or we’d take the kid (or kids now).

Well this year I know we both need a break more than anything. And thanks to my wonderful one-day to be sister in law (and my brother) I have a sitter for the weekend.

I always thought I had an odd relationship with my dad. It was unconventional just because of the way life happens sometimes. He didn’t live with us or even nearby for the majority of my life. We didn’t even have much of a relationship at all until after I graduated from high school. But in the past ten or twelve years we had grown close. He was very open and honest with me and knew he made mistakes in his life. In some ways he didn’t grow up until he was well beyond the age of being an adult. He knew this. I knew this and I accepted it. I accepted him the way he was, just as he accepted me as I am. We were friends and I loved him for himself. Today I miss him more that most days, it’s my first father’s day without him. Not that I always knew where he was when this day rolled around in the past, but at least I knew he was. Now I know he is gone, even if it’s to a better place and that makes me a little sad today.

When my husband wanted to drive an hour to see his dad I didn’t mind. I think the world of my father in law. I always have. We had a nice ride, nice family time, good food and made a few memories with Pops and his abundant garden. Now that his is retired he has all the time he wants to spend doing what he enjoys, keep it up, Pops!

My girls are lucky they have a wonderful dad who goes out of his way to make sure they have what the need (and most of the time what they want) but more than anything he spends time with them, takes them places, does fun stuff, encourages them to be polite and well mannered. They love him even when he makes them toe the line. He is always there for them no matter what. They know this. I know this. Happy Father’s Day, baby. I love you.

This week I finished this book. I was very excited when I realized the release date was getting close. Anna is someone I consider to be a dear friend. I rushed to Amazon and ordered it.

You can read her trails and tribulations with RUN AMONG THORNS on her website.

Now I want to tell my experience with this story. Anna and I originally started writing (with the idea of finishing a manuscript and trying to get published) about the same time in 2001. We meet online (naturally she is in the UK and I am way down south in the US). Granted there were many others we were in groups with and chatted with at the time. And of course I took an extended hiatus (4yrs). Anna however, kept going.

Run Among Thorns is a story of her heart (at least I think so). I was one of the lucky ones who back in the day got to read the original version of McWife (RAT now). I always loved Anna’s concept for McWife and the story in general. Reading Run Among Thorns was a wonderful (and) eye opening experience.

I’d like to think I’ve learned a few things about writing since 2001. I know what I’ve written and or revised in the past eight months is a thousand times better than what I wrote in 2001-2003. I have more confidence in my writing (not to say I don’t some days still think it sucks, but not as much).

I got to ‘see’ this in Run Among Thorns. McWife was wonderful. It was a great story filled with gut wrenching emotion and spirit.

Run Among Thorns is in a word – perfect. Anna managed to keep the same emotion and spirit of the story while undertaking rewrites and changes to grow the original story into a stronger more powerful story.

Lots of the same great scenes are there. All of the range of emotions and feelings and voice are there.

It is just a polished published novel now. Where it was a story that shined before now it is a book that gleams.

I am very happy for Anna and Run Among Thorns. I wish her much success!

Also I know McWife was a wonderfully motivating experience for me. It shows me that patience and persistence can payoff. It also proves to me that you can take a good story and make it great without taking away the good stuff!

Thank you Anna.

I spent hours in C.E. last week and I learned exactly ONE piece of information I didn’t already know and admittedly it was brand spanking new info. That was uh, fun? Well that part of my duty is done for the year, however, the other hours will be coming up over several days this month and next. The good news? I won’t be trying to squeeze it all in come December and license renewal time, that will be nice for once!

The home front is restless this week, due to the oldest being gone. She is away at scout camp with no form of communication, other than mail (you know the usps – not email ) and although that is a new reason to stalk the mail box, we haven’t gotten anything yet. DH is more stressed over this than I am, which is kind of funny. I just keep telling myself she is having fun, batting mosquitoes and sleeping in the wilds.

Because I'm stressed and trying to do too many things at one time and it's only a little after seven a.m. I pulled up some funnies someone emailed me. Oh and I'm not in a man hating mood, just looks that way :)

Why do so many women fake orgasms?
Because so many men fake foreplay.

Husband: "Want a quickie?"
Wife: "As opposed to what?" 

Last week I wrote The End on my sixth finished manuscript. Six, yeah seems like a lot to me, but three are novellas and one will never see the light of day, it’s like my first baby and I learned so much writing it, but I pulled it up a couple of months ago, it’s tossed under my virtual bed, where it will remain. When I am ‘in the groove’ I write pretty fast, of course if I had a real deadline, instead of the one I dreamed up in my head I’m sure I would be more determined to finish even quicker.

So I sit here and ponder the question what do I do next? I figure if this is my year of determination, I keep writing and pray that I will eventually sell something J. Since I have the three novellas ‘out there’ that has to be a step in the right direction. Of course I’m not patient and waiting makes my stomach hurt, which is why I think I just keep writing. Besides isn’t that what they tell you do in this business? Keep writing, forget about what you mailed out? Of course I guess I took the forgetting part to the extreme when I think about the fact I couldn’t remember what the novella I had mailed to Kensington was about when K.D. called after the Brava novella contest. Yes that was embarrassing, but still the novella is there along with another one, so I guess that’s something.

A very dear writing friend Anna Louise Lucia is celebrating her release day for RUN AMONG THORNS. It was actually yesterday, but I’m so very excited for her I wanted to post about it. It has been a very long journey for her with lots of ups and downs, but it is truly a great story that will forever be McWife in my eyes. Congrats Anna! Wishing you the best and remembering the beginning of the journey J

Weekends used to be for fun. When I was twelve <g>. Now I cram as much if not more into the two-day – break as I do in the other five days. I hit the floor running Friday morning and by Sunday night I was more than exhausted. We had one full weekend. Of course most of it was fun stuff. Extended family fun stuff Friday and an excellent out-to-eat meal, which I was impressed with the quality and quantity if not the price, however it’s the first time in ages, I’ve said it was well worth it. Saturday started well before the sun rose and lasted until well after it went down, more extended family stuff there too, just DH’s side. The kids had tons of fun, little one got really dirty so if that was the indicator of fun her was a good day. The older one has officially decided she would like to be a biker chick, of course in a good way. Her great uncle took her off on his Harley for a poker run and she will never be the same. She spend the rest of the day trying to talk us into buying a bike from her other uncle who was celebrating the opening of his bike shop! Sunday dawned and we were off again, we met my to-be sister-in-law’s parents who are of a different nationality and speak very little English, very nice time and good food again! I was actually glad to head back to the day job to slow down a bit!