This is the part where everyone shouts enthusiastically, “Hi, Maria!”

By now, you’ve figured out that I’m not Mel. Since she’s “hijacked” my blog a few times, I thought it was finally time to return the *favor*.

Lately, there’s been a lot of blog buzz. They’re the new addiction. There’s even blogs about blogs. Everyone, it seems, has a blog, or participates in a group blog, or spends their coffee break reading blogs. Some of us even have multiple blogs. Technically, I have 4. My own, this one (since I’m a contributer) and two group blogs. Most of us will agree that blogging can be fun. But there are some out there who believe that it’s a big waste of time. That blogging is a “problem”. That it takes away from your writing/or your work. Or worse, that people are so clueless they will believe anything they read in a blog or on the internet.

And then there are those who believe blogging is obsessive. Like drugs or booze, you just won’t know when to quit. But how many people do you know who have lost their jobs because they were too busy blogging? Or gotten a divorce because they were blogging when they should have been paying attention to their spouse? As ridiculous as those examples might seem, they really aren’t. Isn’ t the practical definition of an obsession that it interferes with your “real” life?

As a writer, and as someone who reads a lot of blogs written by other writers, blogging is just one of the ways that I keep abreast of what’s going on in the business. It’s a fantastic marketing tool. I learn who’s selling, who’s writing what, what people think of books, agents, publishers, contests, and so on. And then, there’s the fun side to blogging. I love hearing what my friends are up to, what their pets are up to, and yes, sometimes, even how many loads of laundry they’ve done in a day. Hey. If I wasn’t interested, then I wouldn’t be reading it. And as far as advice blogs go, I’m an adult. I have a brain. And I use it. Like any other source of information, you take what you hear, process it, and figure out whether it’s valid or not.

So to those people who just don’t get the blogging craze, I say fine. No one is forcing anyone to have a blog. It’s not me with the problem. You know?

This is the part where everyone shouts enthusiastically, “Hi, Maria!”

By now, you’ve figured out that I’m not Mel. Since she’s “hijacked” my blog a few times, I thought it was finally time to return the *favor*.

Lately, there’s been a lot of blog buzz. They’re the new addiction. There’s even blogs about blogs. Everyone, it seems, has a blog, or participates in a group blog, or spends their coffee break reading blogs. Some of us even have multiple blogs. Technically, I have 4. My own, this one (since I’m a contributer) and two group blogs. Most of us will agree that blogging can be fun. But there are some out there who believe that it’s a big waste of time. That blogging is a “problem”. That it takes away from your writing/or your work. Or worse, that people are so clueless they will believe anything they read in a blog or on the internet.

And then there are those who believe blogging is obsessive. Like drugs or booze, you just won’t know when to quit. But how many people do you know who have lost their jobs because they were too busy blogging? Or gotten a divorce because they were blogging when they should have been paying attention to their spouse? As ridiculous as those examples might seem, they really aren’t. Isn’ t the practical definition of an obsession that it interferes with your “real” life?

As a writer, and as someone who reads a lot of blogs written by other writers, blogging is just one of the ways that I keep abreast of what’s going on in the business. It’s a fantastic marketing tool. I learn who’s selling, who’s writing what, what people think of books, agents, publishers, contests, and so on. And then, there’s the fun side to blogging. I love hearing what my friends are up to, what their pets are up to, and yes, sometimes, even how many loads of laundry they’ve done in a day. Hey. If I wasn’t interested, then I wouldn’t be reading it. And as far as advice blogs go, I’m an adult. I have a brain. And I use it. Like any other source of information, you take what you hear, process it, and figure out whether it’s valid or not.

So to those people who just don’t get the blogging craze, I say fine. No one is forcing anyone to have a blog. It’s not me with the problem. You know?

If you haven’t read Jan Butler’s letter in last month’s RWR, there is a paraphrased version posted on Kate Rothwell’s blog. There’s been a plethora of responses but they are worth reading through. Several folks have chimed in, including our own Nora Roberts.

After last year’s debaucle of an awards ceremony, I had a new found respect for Nora. She took a stand and refused to emcee if the ceremony went on as planned. Of course, it did, and I sat through every painful hour of it. (can I just tell you how bad I needed to pee?) And now, she speaks her opinion without being accusatory or inflammatory, which is more than I can say for some others. It’s worth taking a look, no matter what side you’re on.

kate rothwell: what I’m talking about above–the letter in RWR

Just for the record, Romance has been defined by the dictionary. Why can’t we just go with that? It doesn’t define it between man/woman, it doesn’t exclude aliens or menage or supernatural beings.

My favorite of these definitions is #3: an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity… when you break it all down to the basics, isn’t that what we’re all striving to write…whether it be inspirational or erotica?

Main Entry: ¹ro·mance
Pronunciation: rO-'man(t)s, r&-; 'rO-"
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English romauns, from Anglo-French romanz French, narrative in French, from Medieval Latin Romanice in a vernacular (as opposed to Latin), from Late Latin Romanus Gallo-Romance speaker (as opposed to a Frank), from Latin, Roman
1 a (1) : a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural (2) : a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3) : a love story especially in the form of a novel b : a class of such literature
2 : something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact
3 : an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity

If you haven’t read Jan Butler’s letter in last month’s RWR, there is a paraphrased version posted on Kate Rothwell’s blog. There’s been a plethora of responses but they are worth reading through. Several folks have chimed in, including our own Nora Roberts.

After last year’s debaucle of an awards ceremony, I had a new found respect for Nora. She took a stand and refused to emcee if the ceremony went on as planned. Of course, it did, and I sat through every painful hour of it. (can I just tell you how bad I needed to pee?) And now, she speaks her opinion without being accusatory or inflammatory, which is more than I can say for some others. It’s worth taking a look, no matter what side you’re on.

kate rothwell: what I’m talking about above–the letter in RWR

Just for the record, Romance has been defined by the dictionary. Why can’t we just go with that? It doesn’t define it between man/woman, it doesn’t exclude aliens or menage or supernatural beings.

My favorite of these definitions is #3: an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity… when you break it all down to the basics, isn’t that what we’re all striving to write…whether it be inspirational or erotica?

Main Entry: ¹ro·mance
Pronunciation: rO-'man(t)s, r&-; 'rO-"
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English romauns, from Anglo-French romanz French, narrative in French, from Medieval Latin Romanice in a vernacular (as opposed to Latin), from Late Latin Romanus Gallo-Romance speaker (as opposed to a Frank), from Latin, Roman
1 a (1) : a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural (2) : a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3) : a love story especially in the form of a novel b : a class of such literature
2 : something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact
3 : an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity

I need a happy.

Have you just ever had one of those days where you want to cry but can’t and just really need a happy?

That’s today for me.

I’ve heard from both lads this week. Grant called me from Horn Lake, MS today and Simon (in Chicago) yesterday. Both seem to be doing well and I’m glad to hear it. Originally, Fishdog and I were going to have dinner with Grant and the Horn Lake gang tomorrow, but plans have changed. They asked if we could go up there for lunch, but because this is the week from hell at work, we just can’t take the time off. They leave for KC first thing Saturday morning then to Nebraska. Grant will be there for 3 months.

Si has extended his visit in the states until the 20th so chances are good that I’ll see him one more time before he leaves.

I guess because today has been so busy at work and so emotional personally, I’m just really sad that the summer is over. Simon will be going home in a few weeks and Grant will be heading to the bitter winters of Nebraska for a few months. I’m not even their real mom, but it doesn’t make me any less sad that they are going to be leaving. And my boys, well they go back to school next week. Where did the time go?

It’s just weird.

Part of my sadness is probably coming off the huge high of the conference. It is hard to readjust, I think. Last week I was on the go constantly. Lots of gabbing and visiting and networking and playing. Giggling and gossiping and lots oflate nights in the room with wine.

I spent the entire day today thinking it was Wednesday. We had open house for both kids tonight and I didn’t even realize it until 5:10 pm. Because in my mind it was Wednesday.

Okay, I’ve rambled on enough. My whole purpose of this little pity party is to say I have a huge need for a happy. Please, somebody…give me a happy.

I need a happy.

Have you just ever had one of those days where you want to cry but can’t and just really need a happy?

That’s today for me.

I’ve heard from both lads this week. Grant called me from Horn Lake, MS today and Simon (in Chicago) yesterday. Both seem to be doing well and I’m glad to hear it. Originally, Fishdog and I were going to have dinner with Grant and the Horn Lake gang tomorrow, but plans have changed. They asked if we could go up there for lunch, but because this is the week from hell at work, we just can’t take the time off. They leave for KC first thing Saturday morning then to Nebraska. Grant will be there for 3 months.

Si has extended his visit in the states until the 20th so chances are good that I’ll see him one more time before he leaves.

I guess because today has been so busy at work and so emotional personally, I’m just really sad that the summer is over. Simon will be going home in a few weeks and Grant will be heading to the bitter winters of Nebraska for a few months. I’m not even their real mom, but it doesn’t make me any less sad that they are going to be leaving. And my boys, well they go back to school next week. Where did the time go?

It’s just weird.

Part of my sadness is probably coming off the huge high of the conference. It is hard to readjust, I think. Last week I was on the go constantly. Lots of gabbing and visiting and networking and playing. Giggling and gossiping and lots oflate nights in the room with wine.

I spent the entire day today thinking it was Wednesday. We had open house for both kids tonight and I didn’t even realize it until 5:10 pm. Because in my mind it was Wednesday.

Okay, I’ve rambled on enough. My whole purpose of this little pity party is to say I have a huge need for a happy. Please, somebody…give me a happy.

For Pictures, go here:

The Parallel Realm

Now, I’d tell you what made me laugh like that, but then, I’d have to kill you.

What happens at Trader Vic’s–stays at Trader Vic’s.

Of course, I believe some people wish the Woodland Creatures would’ve stayed at Trader Vic’s, too.

For Pictures, go here:

The Parallel Realm

Now, I’d tell you what made me laugh like that, but then, I’d have to kill you.

What happens at Trader Vic’s–stays at Trader Vic’s.

Of course, I believe some people wish the Woodland Creatures would’ve stayed at Trader Vic’s, too.

I did NOT make SEP cry.

I love her! I’m her biggest fan! (not in a Misery kinda way. I promise) I even wrote her a letter after I read Ain’t She Sweet. See?

But someone, who shall remain nameless (lucy sartain), is spreading the word that I made my heroine cry.

So, I’m going to set the record straight right now.

I attended SEP’s fabulous workshop Saturday morning–which was a feat in and of itself because I was very tired. (lot’s of late nights last week…) Anyway, I’m up, showered, latte’d, breakfasted, and ready for my queen to come enlighten me on how to keep the reader in the story.

(be the way, this workshop was not recorded, which is a damn shame because it was a really good workshop)

Anyway, SEP is being her smart, witty and charming self. In between her points, she’s asking for questions.

Not many people are asking and SEP begs the crowd to ask her something. So I do.

Mel: “How far are you into your story before you start to plot it out?”

See, SEP writes by the seat of her pants much like myself and I’m curious because I know she has to start plotting at some point. She said as much.

To my shock and dismay, she says something like “it’s too early to answer the hard questions.”

To which I respond, “Hey, you’re the one who wanted questions!”

To which she says: “We don’t like her very much…”

And we all laugh because it was funny. And then she moves on without answering my question.

It was a great workshop and I did NOT make her cry.

So pttttthhh!

I did NOT make SEP cry.

I love her! I’m her biggest fan! (not in a Misery kinda way. I promise) I even wrote her a letter after I read Ain’t She Sweet. See?

But someone, who shall remain nameless (lucy sartain), is spreading the word that I made my heroine cry.

So, I’m going to set the record straight right now.

I attended SEP’s fabulous workshop Saturday morning–which was a feat in and of itself because I was very tired. (lot’s of late nights last week…) Anyway, I’m up, showered, latte’d, breakfasted, and ready for my queen to come enlighten me on how to keep the reader in the story.

(be the way, this workshop was not recorded, which is a damn shame because it was a really good workshop)

Anyway, SEP is being her smart, witty and charming self. In between her points, she’s asking for questions.

Not many people are asking and SEP begs the crowd to ask her something. So I do.

Mel: “How far are you into your story before you start to plot it out?”

See, SEP writes by the seat of her pants much like myself and I’m curious because I know she has to start plotting at some point. She said as much.

To my shock and dismay, she says something like “it’s too early to answer the hard questions.”

To which I respond, “Hey, you’re the one who wanted questions!”

To which she says: “We don’t like her very much…”

And we all laugh because it was funny. And then she moves on without answering my question.

It was a great workshop and I did NOT make her cry.

So pttttthhh!