a conference, a pumpkin, and an Army of Darkness

I had a great time at the conference, but right now I have conference brain and need a few days to sort it all before I can share some of it.

JR Ward and Eloisa James assured me I am not insane because I cry when writing certain scenes and that my heart races when writing others. If you aren't affected when you write then you need to go back and find out why the characters emotions aren't touching you, there is something wrong. Emotion is the most important thing you can give your writing.

I did learn that Maggie Shayne can walk in 6 inch heals (Jessican Simpson line at Macy's. She tried to hate them, really, she did) and believes Joss Whedon is a god. Awesome presentation!,

And Virginia Kantra prefers to be barefoot with power-red toenails (All southern ladies wouldn't be caught dead without painted toenails, according to her daughter) and can really nail the male POV.

There's also all the stuff I learned about inside the FBI from agent Pamelia Stratton. I think her Vest weighed more than she did *blink* All in all a good time catching up with some same time next year friends too. *Blink* so much for not sharing LOL I did get more out of it, honest.

Spent Sunday with the kids, pumpkin picking and carving (thats them in the picture. Can you guess which one I made?) and then put Beanie to bed and cuddled up with the hubby in the couch and watched Army of Darkness, one of my all time cukt ckassic favorites... Thus the video below...

That time of year

Heading out to the New Jersey Romance Writers Association’s Put Your Heart In a Book Conference on Friday. I was just scanning over the workshops. For a person that hates to make decisions this is boggling my mind. Thankfully they do make CD’s of them and if I am truly torn I can order the one I don’t go to. Anyway I will let you know how it went next week. I am looking forward to catching up with my same time next year friends. From my experience NJRW does a great job and I come away with lots of thoughts for fodder.

Rissa sent me mail *g* so Agnes has some work to do when I get back. She is at a loss for words right now… well actually she’s just trying to catch her breath WOW *Fans self*

Have a great weekend! And may sorting through decisions bring you enlightenment *g*
Mari
PS if you'd like to see some photos of NJ Lighthouses stop by my Thursday Thirteen

A Review and a Beer

What a way to start a Monday!! *Big Grin* Four of Five star review for Winning Bess from JERR.

The most difficult thing about being an author for me is the idea someone can tell you they don’t like your work. Some of you might not know this but I am slightly on the insecure side, and lacking in ego. *g* I really do put a piece of myself in everything I write. So, I find myself holding and releasing a lot of breaths.

First ones are when I send scenes to Rissa and I wait to see if she liked it. When I get back an “it’s awesome” or “oooo you made him growl”, I exhale.

Then I hold it again when we send it off to our Critique partner, (((Mechele))), whose opinion I greatly admire. Her suggestions have never been off the mark and she usually catches my grammar mistakes * mantra, "Commas are our friends."* She returns it and I exhale again.

Then I hold it again when we submit to our editor. And well, he makes me hold it a really long time. But I can exhale when the offer for a contract comes through, and when he pays me a compliment on the character and the insight I had on something during edits.

The last really long breath I hold is when it’s released. I’m waiting for that first review and to hear from people who read it. *g*

I am very happy with Winning Bess’ review…

“This 19th Century historical hit the spot with action, romance and plenty of hot loving. Colm is a little rough but has a lot of love. He’d do anything for Bess and his generous personality serves to leave the plot infused with bighearted kindness. He’s also a tad possessive, which made him seem very realistic, too. Bess is a hardworking and loving woman who is put in a difficult situation. She works to keep her father healthy and her openhearted personality made me care about what happened to her. The relationship that develops between Bess and Colm was believable and very natural. The progression of the connection made sense, even as their relationship develops a chemistry that is more sexual. The sex scenes are hot yet still realistic, as they explore each other tenderly yet passionately. The plot builds upon itself, with no great shocks, but sexual plot lines subtly change the story, allowing for a build up of intensity in the storyline. Several secondary characters make a wayward impact on the plot, causing a little uncertainty for our Irish lovers. Overall, Winning Bess hit the spot for me. I recommend it.”~ Francesca Hayne

So I exhaled (until the next review comes in. *g*)

And then I read…
Strengthen Your Bones With A Glass Of Beer *blink* *big grin*

This report came from Montifiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine In NYC. They reviewed 13 studies comparing alcohol consumption and bone strength and found that consuming one full serving a day pumps up bone density!! (Hmm maybe that’s why some Irishmen are thick sculled? ) and reduces the risk of hip fractures by 20%! They say it’s because a Moderate *pout* amount of alcohol regulates calcium and raises estrogen levels which are needed to strengthen bones!

And another study said alcohol improves blood flow, nourishing delicate cells in the inner ear. Drinkers of at least one beer a week are less likely to suffer age related hearing loss. I knew the hubby’s “I didn’t hear you.” was selective!!!

In case you're wondering 12oz of beer, 5oz of wine, 1.5 oz of the harder spirits equal one full serving. Separately, not all together. dagnabbit!

I tell ya I am grinning! A great review and another reason to love beer, who couldn’t ask for a better way to start me week!
Slainte, May each time you hold your breath bring you a happy reason to exhale.
Mari

The Impotence of Proofreading By Taylor Mali

OMG I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! I just watched this on a group I belong to on Multiply called Writer's Block. I know many of you out there who have ever typed a single paper, let alone a novel, can relate to this and so can those who have to critique and edit them. From moms and teachers to publishers and editors



ROFL
Mari

Come Chat

I can't believe tomorrow's the third Wednesday in October already! That means its time for the monthly M-spot chat. Stop on by tomorrow at 9 pm EST and chat with us. Melissa Lopez, Mechele Armstrong, and Me... which means Melany Logen and Marissa Alwin will also be there! There's no telling what topics we may discuss *blink* but it is always fun.

here's the link:

http://www.melissa-lopez.com/chat.html

HUGS

Mo/Mari

I sent Rissa mail!!

*Flopping into the Lazy Boy at my dad's house and sighing* Its been a long day! My poor daddy had a triple hernia repaired today. I drove him to the hospital and waited while he had the surgery and made his way through a long recovery time... question of the day... "did you pee yet?" He did fine and is snoozing in his own bed, finally while I keep watch.

How does this lead to Rissa getting mail? Well, we had to sign in at 6:30 AM. I Don't Do Mornings! Many who know me know the only way I see the sunrise is if I am still awake from the night before. So instead of going to bed I finally sat my procrastinating backside down and 1.8k later the scene was finished and it was almost time to pick up my dad.

So I sent Agnes and Song of his Soul (working title) on their way to Rissa. Those wondering who Agnes is...She is the oldest sister of Sibil our Heroine in Heart on His Sleeve. I think I mentioned it before but when I write Agnes I get a bit teary-eyed. Does any one else have a character that they write or have read where the emotion hits you? Anyway HOHS is reaching its climax and hopefully soon you'll get to meet her and her hero Gryffen... that picture of Rufus Sewell is our inspiration for him. Now thats the look of an alpha male if I ever saw one!


Song Of His Soul

21,151 / 25,000 (84.6%)

Hugs
Mari

Word of the Week

Entry for October 03, 2008
In the world that knows me as Reenie, my friend, Neil, posts a word of the week. For fun, and much to his delight, I and other friends decided to write the word in a passage. And since I have writing to do, a pile of articles I want to read to see if they are blog worthy, and 20, 7 year olds coming this weekend for a birthday party. I am putting my passage here and going back to being a chicken with my head cut off...albeit a lonely one that misses everyone. *g*

The word this week is... Assuage

Main Entry: as·suage
Pronunciation: \É-ˈswāj also -ˈswÄzh or -ˈswäzh\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): as·suaged; as·suag·ing
Etymology: Middle English aswagen, from Anglo-French asuager, from
Vulgar Latin *assuaviare, from Latin ad- + suavis sweet" more at sweet
Date: 14th century
1 : to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or
distresses) : ease
2 : pacify, quiet Edward Gibbon>
3 : to put an end to by satisfying : appease, quench



My mind came up with--


Her breaths became ragged…audible. Her hands clutched and her
fingernails dug into his shoulders. He knew she was on the edge, that she wanted him to appease the arousal he had built. But her need gave him the strength to deny her. For so long she had denied him, drove his frustration to new heights. Now it was her turn, he planned to drive her to the edge over and over until she begged for him to ASSUAGE her need.

Oh and he would. He would give them both the satisfaction they sought--She moaned, raked her nails over his back. A smile toyed with his lips as she tried to pull him closer--just not yet.

copyright of maureen gianinio (however you do it) cause it just may show up in some way, shape, or form in some WIP that might reach publication.


Funny what a single word can make your mind come up with. ( yes, it seems that's the one place my mind always goes *g*). If you want to give it a try, go for it. See where the word takes you... just let me know so I can read it.


Okay, enough of the blahs and procrastination... back to work I go!

HUGS, thanks for stopping by,

Mari