Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Am I Ready??

December 31, 2008, last day of the year. Tomorrow is 2009, but am I ready?

Yeah, I know, I have to be ready cause there is just nothing I can do about it, but wow, where does the time go?

I look over at my kidlet, playing Space Invaders(a really graphic and cool version of the game, no where near the Atari version I played) and wonder-she is getting so big. It seems like yesterday when I was excitedly heading off to the hospital to have her.

My eyes slyly creep over to the hubby, still as handsome and sexy to me as the day I met him, Fourteen years ago-really? Fourteen? Sheesh.

Even our furry babies are getting old, four and three, respectively.

So, tomorrow is another day and another year. Do I have resolutions? Yes and No. I stopped making resolutions like, "I will stop drinking Dr. Pepper" and "I will lose weight", years ago. They just don't work for me. Instead, I remind myself of all the positive things I did the year before and resolve within myself to live my life to the fullest, love my friends and family with all I have and treat others the way I want to be treated.

'Cause really, what else can we do?

What about ya'll? Do you make resolutions? If so, would you like to share them? Or does the New Year pass you by in a party filled stupor(hehe)?

May the fates bless you, the Gods protect you and my your dreams come true!
Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

How about that, it's a jigsaw puzzle!

For all those who enjoy jigsaw puzzles ~~ enjoy ~~



Click to Mix and Solve


BTW, this lovely took me 17 min to complete!! The average is 8...LOL I love puzzles, but obviously I'm not very good at them! Drop me a comment and let me know how you did!

Have a good one!

Thirteen Things Serena hopes to see
under her tree this year!


1. Books!! Big books, little books, gift cards for books... Books!!

2. The Nickleback CD dear hubby swears he doesn't have.

3. Season 3 DVD of Supernatural.

4. A shiny new laptop.

5. Really good seats to the AC/DC concert.

6. A pair of thigh-high leather boots and a brand new flogger.

7. A year-long subscription to Fruit of the month club.

8. Steven Tyler riding Trigger~heh heh.

9. A year-long subscription to Flowers of the month club.

10. A brand new flat screen, hangs on the wall like a picture TV.

11. A huge gift certificate to Adam and Eve dot com.

12. A Wii machine with Wii bowling.

13. Numbers 6, 8, a few things from 11 and dear hubby in the big beautiful cherry wood bed he's been promising to make me...muaahaha

Merry Christmas to me!!



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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Gobble, Gobble...

Wow, can you believe it? Already turkey day and ~gulp~ only about a month til Christmas! It boggles the mind. Heck, I still feel like yesterday was 4th of July~wishful thinking or brain freeze~

So on this day to be thankful, number one on my list would have to be...

~~I'm thankful I'm not a turkey~~


New Thanksgiving Graphics Top Graphics


j/k...kinda


Myspace Thanksgiving Graphics - More Thanksgiving Images

No, I'm thankful for all my blessings, definitely. Family, friends and good health to one and all.
So, what are y'all thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy all that yummy turkey if that's your thing, if not, rock on the side dishes!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Guess what? It's that time of year again....


Yep, it's time for the Passionate Plume and Stroke of Midnight contests at Passionate Ink. So pull out all those hot, passionate stories and send one in...I know you want too. ;-)
We're open for entries in our two erotic romance contests--for published and unpublished manuscripts. The only all-erotic contest in RWA.Full contest information can be found here: http://www.passionateink.org/contests
Here are the details!
Passionate Ink's Fourth Annual
THE PASSIONATE PLUME CONTEST FOR PUBLISHED AUTHORS
Deadline: 2/7/09
The only published, all erotic romance award in RWA!Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:
Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.
Historical - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a historical setting.
Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi -novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.
Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.
Novellas - novellas of 25,000 words or less with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting. All novels entered must be at least 25,000 words in length.
Novellas are considered 10,000 to 25,000 words. All categories are open to alternative lifestyle entries–and any entry that reflects an erotic romance between two or more people, straight, gay, bi, or any romantic combination.
Judging and Prizes:
First Round: Will be judged by readers, writers, reviewers, booksellers and librarians.
Final Round: Five finalists will be judged by multi-published authors and reviewers. The decisions of judges are final. Winners will be announced at the Passionate Ink gathering at RWA National in Washington DC. First place winners will receive a Passionate Ink pendant and an award graphic for their website. All others will receive certificates and a finalist graphic for their website. Results will be listed in Passionate Ink’s newsletter, on the website, as well as have their names published in the ROMANCE WRITER’S REPORT.
Rules for EntryEligibility:
1. Contest is open to all published authors (25,000 word min. to be considerated “published” for all categories except Novella, which allows authors published in shorter works of 10,000 words or more) in the erotic romance sub-genre with any erotic romance publisher (regardless of RWA non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher status).
2. All entries must possess a first copyright date or first North American printing date of 2008.
Entry Deadline and Mailing: Mail print entries and materials to:
Passionate InkPassionate Plume Contestc/o Karen Steele
1304 Forest Marsh Dr
Neptune Beach, FL 32266
Email ebook entries and entry form to pp4@passionateink.org.
Must be in .pdf format. Official Publisher-released digital versions of print books in .pdf are acceptable. Otherwise, print book submissions must be snail mailed in quantities of four books per entry.
1. All entries must be received by February 7, 2009. Any that arrive after this date will be disqualified and returned unopened.
2. It is the author’s responsibility to enter the book in the correct category. All clarifications as to category should be made prior to submission.
3. One novel cannot be entered in multiple categories, but multiple novels (up to three per category) are welcome if accompanied by the proper paperwork and full entry fee.
4. There must be a minimum of five entries or the category will be canceled. If the minimum number of entries is not attained, entrants will be notified. The entrant will be asked to provide a second choice of categories. If the entrant does not wish to place the entry in another category, the entry and associated fees will be returned.
5. If you are submitting a print book, feel free to sign your books. Remember, you must send four copies of the print book.
6. Failure to comply with the rules will result in disqualification.
7. Decisions of the Contest Coordinator are final.
Entry Fees: Passionate Ink members: $15 Others: $25 Email payments via PayPal to: Treasurer@passionateink.org or mail payments to:
Passionate InkPassionate Plumec/o Robin L. Rotham
PO Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701
Make checks payable to: Passionate Ink ** A returned check fee of $7 will be charged for an NSF check****Be sure to write Passionate Plume and the title of your entry in someplace (such as the Memo field on a check, or the Other or Messages field in Paypal) so we can match your payment with your entry.**
1. Entry fees must be received prior to the entry deadline.
2. Include your name in the subject line and the titles of your entry(ies) in the Paypal comments box.
Email questions to Karen at pp4@passionateink.org. Entry if via email - Entry form to be copied into your email can be found at Passionate Plume Entry Form
**If you have any problems or questions, email Karen at pp4@passionateink.org
AND
Passionate Ink's Fourth Annual
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT CONTEST
Deadline: Deadline: 2/7/09**Remember The Stroke of Midnight is a contest for unpublished erotic manuscripts. BOTH PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS MAY ENTER. However, if published, this must be a new genre for the author (For example, if the author has published in paranormal erotic romance, she can enter in one of the other categories)
**Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:
Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.
Historical - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developingromantic relationship in a historical setting.
Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.
Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.
Novellas - novellas of 25,000 words or less with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting.
1. All novels entered must be at least 25,000 words in length. Novellas are considered 10,000 to 25,000 words.
2. All categories are open to alternative lifestyle entries–and any entry that reflects an erotic romance between two or more people, straight, gay, bi, or any romantic combination.
Judging and Prizes:
First Round : Preliminary-round judging will be completed by three qualified judges - Passionate Ink and other RWA members experienced in critiquing and/or published authors familiar with our genre. All scores will be added and averaged to determine the entrant’s ranking. Every attempt will be made to provide entrants with detailed score sheets and judges’ comments from this preliminary round. Top five entries in each category will move to final round.
Final Round : The top five finalists in each category will be ranked by the following industry professionals:
Contemporary: Adam Neville, Black LaceHistorical: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi: Peter Senftleben, Kensington Aphrodisia
Paranormal/Time Travel: Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary Agency
Novella: Tracy Bernstein, NAL Heat
First place winners in each category will receive a free one year membership in Passionate Ink ($25 value), a certificate, and an award graphic for their website. (Writing teams will split the membership.) All other finalists will receive certificates and and a finalist graphic for their website. All entries will be returned after finalists are determined and statistical information is complete. Winners will be announced at the Passionate Ink gathering at the Romance Writers’ of America National Conference in Washington DC. Results will be listed on the Passionate Ink website and in the chapter’s newsletter.
The decisions of judges are final.
Rules for Entry Eligibility:
Contest is open to all authors with unpublished, uncontracted full-length erotic romance manuscripts (at least 10,000 words) in the category they wish to enter.
Entry Deadline and Mailing:Deadline for entry is February 7, 2009. All materials must be received by then.
Three easy steps to enter!
1 - Email all information from the entry form to som4@passionateink.org with the title "SOM Entry". All entries will be confirmed.
2 - Attach your entry to your email in RTF or a Word 2003 compatible format.
3 - Send your entry fee, either via Paypal to Treasurer@passionateink.org or by check to
Passionate InkStroke of Midnight Contestc/o Robin L. Rotham
PO Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701
1. Entry form and payment must be received by the Contest Coordinator by February 7, 2009. Any entries received without corresponding entry form and fee by the deadline will be disqualified.
2. Submit entries (or questions) via email to SOM4@passionateink.org. It is the author’s responsibility to enter the manuscript in the correct category. All clarifications as to category should be made prior to submission.
3. Entrants may enter as many categories as they wish with DIFFERENT submissions, but cannot enter the same manuscript in two categories. Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee and Entry form.
4. There is a minimum requirement of 10 entries per category. If a category does not receive a sufficient number of submissions to make the category viable, the category will be canceled. The entrant will be asked to provide a second choice of categories. If the entrant does not wish to place the entry in another category, the entry and associated fees will be returned.
Entry Fees:Passionate Ink members: $15Others: $25Email payments via PayPal to: Treasurer@passionateink.orgor mail payments to:
Passionate InkStroke of Midnight Contestc/o Robin L. Rotham
PO Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701
Make checks payable to: Passionate Ink ** A returned check fee of $7 will be charged for an NSF check****Be sure to write Stroke of Midnight and the title of your entry in someplace (such as the Memo field on a check, or the Other or Messages field in Paypal) so we can match your payment with your entry.**
1. Entry fees must be received prior to the entry deadline.
2. Include your name in the subject line and the titles of your entry(ies) in the Paypal comments box.
Entry Format:
1. All entries must be electronic in RTF or a Word 2003 compatible format.
2. Send a maximum of the first 35 pages of your manuscript, 20 pages for novella entries.
3. Entries must be in proper manuscript format: One sided, double-spaced with one inch margins all around, size 12 font (like Times New Roman or Courier) is recommended.
4. On the first page only, title and category on top left; page number on top right. Subsequent pages should include only title and page number.
5. Name of author should not appear anywhere on manuscript; the entry will be disqualified if name is on submission.
6. A synopsis of up to 5 single-spaced pages (which will not be judged) must also be included. No cover page is necessary.
Email questions to Mia and Felicia at som4@passionateink.org.
**If you have any problems or questions, email som4@passionateink.org

Friday, November 14, 2008

Whew...this is hard!

So here I am at Fri-5 days into Sven and it is hard! LOL

I'm plugging along, but I'm behind in my goal of no less than 1000 words a day. I am however continuing to work at it and I'm writing everyday so the way I figure it I have conquered one of my hurdles.

Now on to increasing those words....

Have a good one.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Sweating with Sven

Hi again, I'm dropping by to let everyone know I've decided to let Sven "pump me up!" hehe

Whose Sven you ask? Well, check him out here. Sven Upper right hand corner, isn't he delish?

Anyhow, this is the first time I've taken part in the Sweating with Sven writing challenge, but I'm hoping it is just the thing to push me to finish the initial drafts of the two remaining novellas for my secret series anthology. My goal is to hit 30k for each story in the 70 days of the challenge. Break that down and I'm looking at 900-1000 words a day.

Doable? Yes. I sure hope so. What the heck have I done!?!

I'm guessing those three statements will be falling out of my mouth quite often in the next 70 days, along with some more colorful ones, but that's OK, if they are it means I'm at the computer working rather then goofing off somewhere else. LOL

Wish me luck, I'll keep everyone updated on my progress. For my fellow authors not signed up for the challenge,

Do you have what it takes to Sweat with Sven?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Holy Cow...I did it!

Yep, you read that right, I did it!



~~Did it, did it, diiiid iiit! Nanny, Nanny, Whoo Hoo~~


Now I bet you'd like to know what exactly I did? Well, I finally finished, edited, and polished my first Novella. Woot!


I have been so surprised by the actual time that's involved in taking an idea from start to finish. Writing, editing, rewriting, re-editing, CP review, re-reedit then finally polish 1, 2 and 3. Whew....


To be honest, some of the above will be carved out with more practice(I hope), but each and every part is so important. When I looked at my story right after I finished the initial draft, heck even the story post first edit, and then the final version, well the differences are extreme. The first story is a pale version of the final, that's for sure.


So what's next? Well, pull together everything I need for the publisher I chose to send it to, then get it out the door. Fingers cross for me everyone.


Have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Man, I sooooo want to be Laurell K Hamilton when I grow up as a writer!

I just finished Jason's story Blood Noir and Oh my! As it is with Ms. Hamilton's work I am always swept up into it.

If Anita is in the middle of a gun fight, I'm right there with her, gun in hand, the security of blades at my wrists and fury in my head.

If Anita is feeding the ardeur or just having sex for the sake of sex, yep I'm there too. In the words of Austin Powers, when I finish reading it "I am spent!"

Jason however brought me to yet another place.

Peace.

As I followed the story through Anita's eye's, I came to realize why Jason holds such appeal. He is the easiest of all Anita's men. The easiest to play with, easiest to protect and easiest to love. There is something about Jason, that makes you want to curl up in his arms and watch the world slip away.

Just for a little bit.

Sounds odd, I know, but maybe some of my fellow Anita fans will understand. And if you have never read an Anita Blake novel...run on out and get one. Start at the beginning with Guilty Pleasures and I guarantee that you won't stop until you put down Blood Noir.

Yep they are just that good!

Have a good one =)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Who knew editing could be so tough?

OK, yes, I knew editing was going to be tough, but wow color me surprised at how much time it could take to get it just right.

So I started this story, almost a year ago now. It took several months to plot and write, then several more months to edit. I finally finished and sent it off to my CP. She looked at it, love it, then suggested several changes I might want to consider...

Back to the edit!

I had to agree with many of her suggestions as they were great insights. So I beefed it up, adding and removing, rearranging until I felt good about it. Good enough to submit it. Off it went, with all my positive thoughts behind it. The wait seemed to be forever! It really wasn't, but being a newbie it sure seemed to take a long time. Until that day, the day I'll never forget. The day I got...

Rejected???

LOL, I'm such a newbie! Of course rejected. My story is just not there yet, but the publisher was fantastic enough to give me insights into where it needed more editing. So really the reject was the best darn thing for me! Funny how that works. =)

So now I back to editing, and things are going well.

It's really interesting this community of writers I've found myself in. It is such a large community with a small family feel. Fellow writers are right there to help when you need it, the support is wonderful. I just recently met and exchanged work with a new CP who I met through my other CP. I now have 2 wonderful ladies keeping me on my toes and really adding to my knowledge of writing! And 1 wonderful fan/reader of my stories! She gushs and I blush, but dang if it doesn't feel good to know she likes them!

I'm a lucky newbie, that's for sure!

So now I'm going to get back to it, Chap 2 is calling my name....

Have a great day!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Spring Cleaning. A must?

So I've started my Spring cleaning. Does it get any better then that?

Darn right it does!

I could be and would rather be doing ANYTHING other then Spring cleaning.

I could be reading one of the many books from my TBR pile so that I'm not inadvertently killed in a cave in. ~yea, I have a lot of books~

I could and should be writing!!

I could be designing more web sites.

I could be cruising the Internet...

I could be walking the dogs...

I could be practicing my jockeying for when they call me to sub in the Kentucky Derby. ~Excuse me? What do you mean I'm too tall?~

I could be juggling venomous snakes... ~hum, might want to reconsider that one.~

Yes, I will go to great lengths to not have to Spring clean! Why you ask am I so against it? Mainly because as a striving to stay rehabilitated pack rat, I find no enjoyment in cleaning. I'll admit it, I can think of a million and one reason to keep each and everything. I know every saying, "If I toss it now, you know I'll just need it tomorrow." "What a waste of money to get rid of it." "It might be worth something someday." "Kid-let might like to play with/read/listen to it when she's old enough." blah de blah de blah...see what I mean...a pack rat motto!

Now I realize that you can't always do just the fun things in life, and yes cleaning has to be done, but does anyone have any tricks up their sleeves for making it less painful? If you do, I'd love to hear your ideas!

Have a great day!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Good Morning one and all

So here we are, Wednesday April 2, 2008 and I wanted to say Good Morning!

It's been a while since I blogged, but I've been keeping myself very busy...
I have a new website up and running at http://www.serenashay.com/, I designed it and wrote the code all by myself...Yay Me!! That's part of the reason I've been busy as I took a class, well the first class, in how to create a website. It was a wonderfully informative class. The instructor was very good and he took you step by step through the writing of the site. If you have any interest in such a class here's the site...

Creating web pages

Class two starts soon, so of course I'm taking it! LOL who knows what else I can do to my site!

My other reason for slacking on the old blogs has been of course my writing. I've been editing like crazy to get my most recent story, The Challenge, out there. It's amazing how much time the process truly takes! No kidding, you finish writing the story and know you need to edit, you make a few passes and think dang this looks great only to put the sucker down for a few days, then when you come back it's like WTH was I thinking!!!! Editing is way harder then the writing process!!! LOL

But I'm getting there!

Have a great day everyone.
Large or small, may something positive happen to each and everyone of you!!