Blogging Today at Slip Into Something Victorian

I'm over at Slip Into Something Victorian blog today talking about my Civil War weekend. My husband and I spent last weekend in camp for the 28th Pennsylvania's annual Civil War encampment.






To get a peek into the life of a reenactor, visit: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Hope to see you all there.

April Goals?

Hmm.

It's April 30th, so I thought I'd better go over those goals I made at the start of the month.

I've been buried in edits for Erin's Rebel, added to that the excitement of the past few weeks with the release of Eternity Waits and all the promo that went with that. I also had my first Civil War reenactment of the season this past weekend. So, I don't think I completed all my writing goals, but I didn't do so bad.

1) Complete revisions for Katie Rose.
This one I did manage to complete. Now, after a short break, my plan is to start line edits in May.

2) Complete outline for my new vampire story.
I didn't complete this one, but I have a lot done. Since it's another short story, there aren't that many scenes, so the outline is really shaping up. It's fun to work on something new after all the revising and editing on the other stories.

3) Start first draft.
Well, I didn't get to that. Want to get the outline finished first. But I do have a title for my new story. I'm calling it, Sweep Redemption.

The hero is a Civil War Union captain who was once a Catholic priest, but left the church. Now he's being stalked by a vampire and he needs the help of a Southern widow to fight the vampire off.

Let me know if you like the title.

My First Ever Review!

I just got my first ever review. It was for my new release, Eternity Waits. Three and a half books out of five from The Long and Short of It.

Here's the link: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2008/04/review-eternity-waits.html

Eternity Waits Is Out!

Today's the day! My short vampire romance story, Eternity Waits, is a new release on The Wild Rose Press site. I'm so excited, it's hard to think.

Here's the final excerpt and a link to purchase.

Eternity Waits
Black Rosette, Sensual

Excerpt #3

Alexandra Ivanov gazed with longing at the tall, manly soldier before her. His musky, masculine scent caused her to shiver with desire. Sandy-colored hair fell in waves on both sides of his tanned face. Alexandra had spied him on her forays through the outskirts of the army camp. Each time she'd seen him, he'd been alone, but she'd waited until tonight to approach him.

Since the war began, she'd not lacked for fresh blood. These lonely, young soldiers, so far from home, were all to willing to allow a strange, loose woman to wrap her arms around them. The army blamed the deaths on a vicious, nocturnal animal roaming the woods at night.

But this man carried the essence of her long-lost love. Alexandra felt drawn to him, like to no other. Centuries ago, she'd lost the one and only man she'd ever truly loved.

She moved closer to the soldier, his long, lean-muscled form not unlike Dimitri's. He gulped, but lowered his rifle and didn't back away.

"Why are you here?" He clawed absently at his collar while his gaze locked on hers.

Heat swept through her at the sight of his throbbing pulse. Although hungry, she wouldn't take too much from him. She didn't wish to kill him. Yet.

To purchase your copy of Eternity Waits, click here.

I've Been Tagged!

Nicole McCaffrey just tagged me and, although she says it's fun, it doesn't seem like much fun to me.

The rules:

1) Link back to the person who tagged you. 2) Post the rules on your blog. 3) Write six things about yourself. 4) Tag six people at the end of your post by posting links to their blogsites. 5) Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their site. 6) And let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Now I have to post six random things about myself.

Yech!

1. I was always good at math and worked as a bookkeeper for 13 years. I finally burned out and now hate to balance my checkbook.

2. I'm a big science fiction fan. Although I read tons of sci-fi books and stories as a teenager, the original Star Trek series was what got me started. I've even been to a Star Trek convention.

3. I'm also a big vampire and paranormal fan. I was hooked on the daytime soap Dark Shadows back in grade school. For years, I've wanted to write a vampire story and when I finally did, I couldn't sell it and stuck it in a drawer for 4 years.

4. My husband always wanted a girl, but when I popped out our third son, I told him, "Three strikes ... you're out!"

5. I never had any interest in baseball, until after my sons started playing little league. At first I always made sure I had a book with me, but soon decided I had to learn the rules of the game and show some support to keep my boys happy. Now, even though they're all grown up and don't play anymore, I've discovered all those hunky big league players. I'm now a die-hard Philadelphia Phillies fan.

6. I'm running out of things ... let's see ... now that I'm finding more and more time to devote to writing, I'm happier than I've ever been in my whole life.

Well, there's my random facts, but who do I have left to tag.

I choose:

1. Bess McBride

Mainly because she's already linked to my blog. Nic already got everyone else and I don't know anybody else well enough to tag, so I guess that's it.

And the Winner Is ...

Ashley Ladd is the winner of the $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press!

Send me an email at susanmacatee@aol.com to claim your prize. I want to be sure I have your correct email address before I forward the certificate to you.

Congratulations!

And thanks to everyone else who entered. I've enjoyed reading all your posts.

Time For Another Excerpt

Eternity Waits come out next Wednesday. Yay!

I've waited so long for a new release. Can't believe it's so close.

Here's another excerpt to whet your appetite:

Eternity Waits

North of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
July 1, 1863

Caleb Weathers tensed at a rustle behind him. He swung his Enfield rifle in the general direction. A hoot, followed by the rustle of large wings left him staring into the wide-eyed gaze of a Barn owl. When the bird took flight, he breathed a sigh of relief. The scents of pine and fetid soil calmed him a bit.

The thickness of the forest made him all to aware of how vulnerable he was to attack despite the weight of his weapon. Caleb sensed a presence behind him. He broke into a sweat and the hairs on the nape of his neck rose. He whirled and aimed the barrel of his rifle at the form that appeared out of nowhere.

"Who are you?" he asked. "Where'd ya come from?"

The woman smiled. Blood-red lips and luminous blue eyes captured his gaze. Her raven hair glinted in the moonlight.

"I am Alexandra." Her low, throaty voice held a guttural accent.

What is a beautiful woman doing in camp alone in the dead of night? She couldn't be up to any good. And yet, as he watched her, a thrill of anticipation raced through him. Something about her seemed familiar. A memory he couldn't quite reach.

He swallowed. "You'd best skedaddle, ma'am. You can't come through camp without a pass."

"I can for you, my darling." With one fluid motion, she moved closer.

He cocked his rifle. "Stop right there."

Her exquisite lips drew into a pout. "I would never harm you, Dimitri."

At the sound of the name an eerie sensation swept over him.

"Who the hell is Dimitri?" he asked. "My name's Caleb."

No Blog Ideas

I know I should be posting a new blog about now, but can't seem to come up with any ideas.

I guess I've been too intensly involved in my characters' lives to come up for air. I did finish my revision for Katie Rose, one of my April goals. I'll put Katie and company aside for a few weeks before I start final line edits.

I'm also deeply into my outline for my new vampire story. I even came up with a title, Sweet Redemption.

Right now my brain's so fuzzed, I can't think of anything beyond my works in progress.

Signing off for now.

Distractions, Distractions ...

Now that I have to spend more time on promo, because I've finally got something new to promote, I have to spend more time online than ever before. And that leads to lots of distractions that can easily waste my writing time.

The biggest is email. I'm now a member of 5 large email loops that I try to keep up with as much as I can, but just reading all the posts could take me a day and a half.

My strategy to deal with this is to take turns paying visits to the major promo loops I've joined. Sometimes it's hard to keep all of them straight. I've decided not to start actively promoting on the new loops until I actually have something available to buy. It's too easy to forget that great excerpt after a few days, if you can't buy or put in on a wish list immediately.

Also, I'm trying to keep up the social aspect of replying to others on my loops, but it gets harder every day.

I try to stay offline until late in the morning, when I'll take a quick peek at my email, then stay off for the entire afternoon, coming back on after dinner.

So far, it seems to be working and I'm able to get some writing and edits done each day.

How does everyone else deal with promo and email eating into writing time?

Blogging at Slip Into Something Victorian

I'm doing the Tuesday Ten over at Slip Into Something Victorian today. The subject: Victorians & Vampires.

Hope you'll join me at: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Making Time for a New Project

Since I have to get edits done on my contracted book and I also want to finish the revisions on Katie Rose, I've been having a hard time figuring out how to fit my newer projects into an already busy week.

My solution was to make time on the weekend and work exclusively on the outline for my new, short vampire story. After splitting my writing time this week on edits for Erin's Rebel and revisions for Katie Rose, I spent my whole morning today working on my new outline and doing some needed research for that story.

The result was a needed break from editing and revising already written projects and focusing on something brand new. It really frees up my mind and I'll feel fresher on Monday when I get back to those edits.

How do all of you manage working on multiple projects?

April Goals

Happy April Fool's Day!

I've got my April writing goals figured out.

In addition to the edits for Erin's Rebel I have to complete by May 1st, here are the goals for my other writing projects for this month:

1) Complete the revisions for Katie Rose.

2) Complete the outline for a new short vampire story.

3) Start first draft of that story. I'd like to write at least three pages per day.

I'll post at the end of the month how I did.

And remember, anyone who comments on this post will be entered in my contest to win a $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press. Scroll down for details.

Contest Starts Today!

Here's your chance to win a $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press!

Just leave a comment on any of my blog posts between today and April 19th and you'll be entered in a drawing to win.

The winner will be announced here on April 21st, two days before the release of Eternity Waits. So, if you leave a comment, be sure to check back to see if you won.

Here's the blurb and excerpt for Eternity Waits again:

Alexandra Ivanov has wandered the night alone for the past three hundred years. The only man she truly loved had been taken from her on a bloody battlefield centuries ago. Now she finds herself drawn to Caleb Weathers, a virile soldier who sets her heart racing.

Caleb, a Confederate soldier stationed in Gettysburg in 1863, is intrigued by the beautiful, exotic woman who calls him by the name Dimitri. When she touches him, she sets his body on fire. But is she the devil in disguise?

Excerpt:

Alexandra rose from the cave where she'd slept and stretched luxuriously. The moon beckoned, a pale, silver glow. He awaited her.

Her mind called out to him. Dimitri.

And he answered her. Alexandra, lyubof, come to me.

A chill raced down her spine as she thought of her lost love. How could it be him? Was it possible for the soul to be reborn in a different body? Her mere existence proved stranger things possible. Was she deluding herself? The young American couldn't possibly be Dimitri. But she'd felt his presence since the first time she'd come upon Caleb guarding the outposts of the Rebel camp. She watched him from the shadows, his body taut, on alert. He stared at her, then lowered his gun and reached for her.

She moved toward him, a question in her eyes.

"Dimitri, my Dimitri," she murmured into his ear. Their lips met. She took his mouth greedily. Memories of Dimitri lying beside her, his body entwined with hers, sent her passion soaring. She slid her lips along his throat.

End of the Month Already?

I just realized it's the end of March. Time to recheck those March goals.

I wasn't sure how much I would actually accomplish this month, since my second set of edits came in for Erin's Rebel. I'd decided when they came in, I'd clear the decks of my other projects.

And I'm not complaining. I've waited a long time to get something new published, so it feels good to have a contracted book. I figure when these edits are complete, I'll have four works in progress to get back to.

And, looking over my goals for the month, I actually didn't do so bad.
1) Enter Katie Rose in the Romance Through the Ages Contest.
Done

2) Make a clean printout of Katie Rose so I can start revisions.
Did this too, and am nearly at the end. I do have to insert a few scenes and just have to figure out where they'll fit best in the story.

3) Work out the outline for a new short vampire story.
I started on this, but had to put it aside. I do hope to spend a little time on it this weekend, though.

So, surprisingly, I got more accomplished than I thought.
Next, I'll come up with some April goals, keeping those ER edits in mind.

I'm Having a Contest!

In honor of the release of Eternity Waits on April 23rd, I'm having two separate contests here and on my website: http://susanmacatee.com

Prizes for both will be a $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press.

The contest for both locations starts on March 31, 2008. And it's easy. All you have to do is leave a comment on any one of my blogs from March 31 to April 19th. So, be sure to come back and pay a visit.

And if you enter my website contest, too, you'll have a chance to win another $10.00 gift certifcate.

Details for my website contest are at: http://susanmacatee.com/News.html

Guest Blogging Today

I've been invited to guest blog today on Title Magic. I'll be talking about the five years it took me to get my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel ,published and the many detours I had to take to realize my dream of having the book of my heart in print.

Hope to see you all there: http://www.titlemagic.blogspot.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I want to wish all my readers a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Enjoy!

New Victorian Blog

Just posted a new blog on Slip Into Something Victorian on 1860s cosmetics.

See you all there: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Joined Another Group

I got an invite from my friend, Cynthia Owens to join another writer-reader group, called Romance Book Junction.

Here's my page: http://romancebookjunction.ning.com/profile/SusanMacatee

I'd like you to take a look and if you think you'd like to join, just click Sign In and use my name for your invite.

I'd love to see you there.

Promotion

Now that I have a story coming out next month and a book under contract, I've decided I have to start stepping up my promotion efforts.

I already have my website, www.susanmacatee.com and this blog, along with my group Victorian blog, Slip Into Something Victorian slipintosomethingvictorian.com, but I've been investigating more sites where I can be visible to readers.

One I just joined is a new site called Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction. I've set up a page at: http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/profile/SusanMacatee
I've also decided that to keep my promotion from interfering with my writing, I'd keep early evening hours to work on promotion.

We'll see how it goes.

How does everyone else handle working in time for promotion?

Stuck in Edit Mode

Besides working through edits on my contracted story, I've been revising my new Civil War romance, Katie Rose, all week.

I turned in my first edits of Erin's Rebel last Friday and while waiting for my editor to send the next set, I thought I'd get as far with the KR revisions as I can. I've gone through roughly 100 pages of revisions over the week, and I'd already polished up the opening chapters for a couple of contests, so I don't have that much more to revise.

Maybe I can actually get the revision done before the edits for the other manuscript come in.

If not, I'll at least have a big head start.

Release Date!!

I got the release date for Eternity Waits just last night.

It'll be a digital release from The Wild Rose Press on April 23rd.

In honor of my impending release, I'm posting the excerpt I promised.

Excerpt for Eternity Waits
Black Rosette, sensual

Alexandra rose from the cave where she'd slept and stretched luxuriously. The moon beckoned, a pale, silver glow. He awaited her.

Her mind called out to him. Dimitri.

And he answered her. Alexandra, lyubof, come to me.

A chill raced down her spine as she thought of her lost love. How could it be him? Was it possible for the soul to be reborn in a different body? Her mere existence proved stranger things possible. Was she deluding herself? The young American couldn't possibly be Dimitri. But she'd felt his presence since the first time she'd come upon Caleb guarding the outposts of the Rebel camp. She watched him from the shadows, his body taut, on alert. He stared at her, then lowered his gun and reached for her.

She moved toward him, a question in her eyes.

"Dimitri, my Dimitri," she murmured into his ear. Their lips met. She took his mouth greedily. Memories of Dimitri lying beside her, his body entwined with hers, sent her passion soaring. She slid her lips along his throat.

Blurb for Eternity Waits

Well, we've completed work on the final galley for Eternity Waits. Now I'm waiting for my editor to get back with a release date.

In the meantime, I thought I'd post the official blurb to wet the appetite.

Alexandra Ivanov has wandered the night alone for the past three hundred years. The only man she truly loved had been taken from her on a bloody battlefield centuries ago. Now she finds herself drawn to Caleb Weathers, a virile soldier who sets her heart racing.

Caleb, a Confederate soldier stationed in Gettysburg in 1863, is intrigued by the beautiful, exotic woman who calls him by the name Dimitri. When she touches him, she sets his body on fire. But is she the devil in disguise?

Next I'll post an excerpt.

March Goals

It's leap day and time to post my goals for March.

I've decided to go easy on myself this month, but I did complete the workshop I was taking all of last month and I just turned in my edits for Erin's Rebel to my editor. She told me she'll get back to me in about two weeks.

That gives me two solid weeks to work on my new writing projects.

So, what I want to try to accomplish this month:

1) Enter Katie Rose in my chapter's Romance Through the Ages Contest.
Mainly to support my chapter. I entered Erin's Rebel in this contest twice and didn't final either time. But since I'm allowed to enter even though I have a contracted book, I thought I'd give it a try. It would be nice to at least final and would get attention for my new Civil War story.

2) After polishing up those opening chapters for the contest, I want to make a clean printout of Katie Rose and start on my revisions for the entire manuscript. Maybe I'll even have time to complete them, if not I'll get a good start.

3) I worked out the bare bones of a new short vampire story in the workshop I just finished. I'd like to work out an outline for it this month.

I've decided to leave my sci-fi outline sit for now, so I can complete my revisions and whatever edits I have to do on Erin's Rebel. I'll get back to it eventually.

So, let's see what I can accomplish this month.

What Happened with those February Goals?

Since it's nearly the end of the month, I thought I should go over my goals to see how I did.

This month has been crazy, I completed rewrites and edits on Eternity Waits--and just received the final galley--sold Erin's Rebel and have just started edits on that.

Had lots of excitement with cover art, too, and needed to fit in updates on my blog and website to reflect my great news.

Finally getting published brings on a lot of new work, but it's all worth it. But as a result, I didn't get much work completed on my original February goals.

The first goal was to complete that sci-fi outline. Well, I did complete a basic summary outline and made a start on the detailed outline, so I guess that's something. The main thing is, the outline will be there when I can get back to it. And it's always a help to have the basic plot and character motivations in front of you, rather than starting a story completely from scratch.

As for the revisions to Katie Rose, I haven't had the chance to do a complete read-through yet, but have revised a couple of chapters for my critique group. Once I finish the preliminary edits for Erin's Rebel--they're due on Monday--I'll get to work on that read-through and get started on revisions.

So, although I didn't meet my goals for this month, I've been able to get at least some work done on each project. I'll try to post my March goals before the first of the month.

Blog On Slip Into Something Victorian

I have a new blog up on Slip Into Something Victorian on Victorian hair jewlery. This was an important plot point in Erin's Rebel.

A Victorian brooch containing a lock of the hero's hair was the catalyst that sent the heroine, Erin, back through time.

Here's the link: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Another Great Cover!

The Wild Rose Press did it again.

Here's my cover art for my Civil War time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.

Isn't it fantastic?

WICKED WOMAN

Every once in a while, I like to do a review of one of the great books I've read. I just finished reading Denise Eagan's WICKED WOMAN.If you haven't yet read this book, you're in for a treat.

The story's set in Victorian era Boston. The heroine, Morgan, is the daughter of an English Earl and has run away to escape an arranged marriage to a man she doesn't love.

She marries a sailor, who dies. She then quickly goes through two more marriages, both to men who also die. The last husband, who she lived with in Philadephia, abused her. Trying to avoid an attack, she hits him on the head with a statue and he dies. Afraid she'll be charged with murder, she flees to Boston and earns the reputation as the 'Wicked Widow of Philadelphia'.

The hero, Ward Montgomery, is a ship captain. He catches Morgan breaking into his office to steal food and recognizes her as the widow of two of the sailors who'd served under him. He takes pity on her, a girl of twenty-one, takes her to his home and feeds her. He hopes to lend aid by finding employment for her.

She suggests he take her on as his mistress. He doesn't know about her aristocratic background and sets her up with a house. And a sensuous adventure begins.

Morgan is a young woman with a strict upbringing in England, who now longs to experience all the wicked delights she's had to repress. She's young and reckless, but very believable. Ward is a society bachelor, who isn't ready to settle down with a proper wife. He delights in Morgan's nonconformity, until he finds out she's the daughter of an Earl.

This book is fast paced, Victorian-set romance, and a real page turner. If it weren't for time constraints, I never would have put it down. When I did have to put it aside, I looked for every opportunity to pick it up again.

My rating: 5 stars out of 5. And it's going on my keeper shelf.

Fantastic News!!!

I just got another contract from The Wild Rose Press for my full-length Civil War time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.

I've been submitting and entering this story in contests for the past five years, went through a major revision starting at the plot level, and received another rejection for it last fall.

I am so thrilled that everyone will now have a chance to read Erin and Will's story.

Here's a short blurb to wet your appetite: Philadelphia newspaper reporter, Erin Branigan, is engaged to marry an up-and-coming lawyer, but dreams of a man from the past, a Civil War captain, change her plans and start her on a journey beyond time. After a car accident, Erin wakes to find herself living in the 1860s in a Confederate army camp. The man of her dreams is now a flesh and blood Rebel soldier who sets her soul aflame. Can she correct a mistake made long ago that caused his death and denied her the love she was meant to have? A love that lives beyond time?

I'll keep you all apprised as this project moves along.

My Cover for Eternity Waits

Here's my cover for my short vampire story, Eternity Waits, coming soon to The Wild Rose Press.

Isn't it gorgeous?

Rejection

Just got my first rejection today for a partial I'd sent out after the holidays for Katie Rose .

They said my story didn't dazzle them. I got annoyed for about two seconds, then decided I really didn't care. Rejection wasn't going to ruin my day. I just filed the letter away and marked that publisher off on my itinerary sheet.

I think I've finally developed that thick writer's skin where I can put rejection in perspective. That publisher didn't like my story, but one day I'll find the one who'll love it as much as I do.

How do you all handle rejection?

February Goals

I'll make my February writing goals short.

The reason is, I'm taking an online workhop on Plotting via Character Motivation this month and want to be able to fully participate. I plan to use the workshop to help plot out my sci-fi romance, Moons of Cynara.

So here are this month's writing goals:

1) Complete (finally) outline for Moons of Cynara.
I'll use the workshop to move this plot along.

2) Start revisions for Katie Rose, my historical romance.
I've already revised and polished the opening chapters, sent partials and entered the Sheila contest, but most of the remaining chapters are still in first draft stage.

I'm sending chapters of this story to my critique group, so have started going over a few chapters, but noticed I started a subplot thread that I think I may have dropped in later chapters.

So, these are the two goals I want to concentrate on for this month.

What Happened to January!

This past month just flew by. Seems like it was just Christmas!

I realized it's time to review my January goals and see how I did.

1) Send out partials for Katie Rose.
I got them out and actually got the reply postcard back for one already.

2) Complete Moons of Cynara outline.
Well, I stalled out on this one, although I did make some progress. This month I'm taking a workshop on Character motivation and plot development, so that should movtivate me to get moving on this project. Hopefully, I can get the outline done by the end of February.

3) Prepare and enter Katie Rose in a late January contest.
Done! I entered the opening chapters and synopsis in the Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Contest.

4) Cut scenes for my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.
Not only did I cut those scenes to bring the manuscript page count down, but I sent a query with synopsis, got a request for the first three chapters, then the request for the full from The Wild Rose Press. It's currently under consideration there. So, although I faltered on the outline goal, I got way ahead on this one.

Guess I didn't do so bad.

And February's a short month. I'll see what new goals I can come up with.

Blogging At Slip Into Something Victorian

I'm blogging over at Slip Into Something Victorian today. The blog's about my husband's search to find a Civil War soldier ancestor and the interesting results.

Here's the link: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Starting Something New

I've finally found the time to get started on the outline for my sci-fi romance. For now, I'm using the title Moons of Cynara.

The love story is between two members of Earth military who are sent to the planet to prevent a war between Earth colonists and hostile aliens.

Although it's a lot of work--I have to create an entire world--I'm having fun working on a brand new project. My other stories are all either going through revisions or edits, and I'm waiting for responses from a few publishers.

So, I'm going to spend as much time in my new world as I can and see where my imagination takes me.

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog If I Want To

Today's my birthday. I won't say which one.

Another year gone by and I'm feeling really good about it. After years of writing, submitting, taking workshops and studying my craft, I've got a contract for my first romance. Eternity Waits, a short vampire story, will be released by The Wild Rose Press.

Although I've been published in the past, it's been quite a while since I've sold anything new. So, this year feels like a turning point for me.

Besides Eternity Waits, my Civil War time travel, Erin's Rebel, is currently under consideration by the same publisher.

I've just gone through my first round edits for my short story and feel like all the work and rejections I've dealt with in the past were worth it.

I think 2008 is going to be my year.

Feeling Good!

Here we are in mid-January and I just realized I've met all of my goals for the month but one.

I sent out my partials for Katie Rose, my historical romance, and already received the reply card from one of the publishers.

I cut scenes in Erin's Rebel, so it would meet my target publisher's guidelines, sent the query and synopsis, got a request for the first three chapters, and now they have the full under consideration.

Yeah, way ahead on that goal!

I sent out my contest entry for Katie Rose yesterday, well ahead of the January 31st dealine.

So, all that's left is that outline. I spent an hour world-building today. I would have done it yesterday, but my editor wanted me to get the manuscript information sheet in for my short vampire story, Eternity Waits, so the cover artist can start working on the cover and the marketing department can start planning how to promote my story.

A cover for my short story! Can't wait to see it!

Working It Out

While writing and promoting my writing are very important daily activities, the most important thing I do each day is spend an hour working out.

My morning workout consists of 25 minutes on a stationery bike, the last 5 minutes is my cool down. I spend the next 10 minutes stretching, then I alternate between one of two workout tapes that include exercises with small hand weights for my upper body, lower body exercises and abdominal workout.

I do this every day during the week to give me energy to get through the day, keep me healthy and keep those extra calories from creeping up on me.

No matter how much else I have to do, I always make time for my workout.

New Blog on Slip Into Something Victorian

I just posted a new blog on Slip Into Something Victorian.

Since most of my stories so far are set during the Civil War, I talked about the different weapons used during the war and how the war advanced the technology used both in weapons and in warfare.

By commenting there you also have a chance to win a gift basket.

Click on Slip Into Something Victorian and check it out.

January Goals

I posted my writing goals for 2008, but I haven't yet posted my goals for January.

Here they are:

1) Send out partials for my Civil War romance, Katie Rose.

2) Complete outline for Moons of Cynara, my sci-fi romance.

3) Prepare and enter Katie Rose in a late January contest.

4) Cut scenes from my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.

I'll let you know by the end of this month how I did.

Those December Goals

I already announced my goals for the coming year, but how did I do on those year end goals?

1) I decided to hold out on sending my partials until January because I wanted to incorporate some great suggestions given by contest judges into the first two chapters. I did send one of my partials out today, though.

2) I applied for PRO membership in Romance Writers of America and got my acceptance email today.

3) On the contests for Katie Rose, I decided to skip the first one because it had a January 3rd deadline. With all the other things I had to do, I didn't want to add more stress around the holidays, but I do plan to enter the second contest. It has a deadline of January 31st. Much more doable, and I've already started to get that entry ready.

4) I looked over and made some notes on my sci-fi romance outline, but had to put it aside again to revise my short story. I plan to get back to the sci-fi romance after the New Year holiday.

So, although I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to do, I got a great deal done in a very busy month.

Now, I'm ready for the New Year!

Happy New Year!

I want to start the new year off right by announcing my writing goals for 2008.

I ended 2007 on a happy note by selling my vampire romance short story, Eternity Waits, to The Wild Rose Press. It's been quite a while since I've sold anything, so I hope to continue my good fortune into the new year.

1) My biggest goal of 2008 is to write more.
I've joined HHRW's Historical Hearts Writing Challenge loop and plan to set both weekly and monthly writing goals and try my best to accomplish them.

2) Make more time to read both in and outside of my chosen genre.

3) Mail out partials to my first choice publishers for my new Civil War romance.

4) Do some cutting on my time travel romance and try to find a publisher willing to look at it.

5) Step up my promotion efforts in advance of my short story's release by The Wild Rose Press.

6) Enter my Civil War romance in as many contests as I can afford.

7) Complete the outline for my sci-fi romance and finish the first draft by the end of 2008.

So, those are my goals for the new year.

Next, I'll post my goals for January.

Contest!

Hop on over to my group blog for a chance to win a Twelve Days of Christmas gift basket.

I also have a new blog up on Christmas during the Civil War. Leave a comment and you'll have a chance to win.

Details at: http://www.slipintosomthingvictorian.com

Merry Christmas!

I didn't get any writing done today and I'm winding down for the coming holidays. I spent today, after my workout, cleaning the house, baking and making my Christmas fudge. And now I'm exhausted.

We still have to put up our tree. We'll do that Sunday, then all that's left is Christmas dinner. I've got the presents under control, already packed in their gift bags. I stopped doing wrapping paper two years ago.

I hope everyone has a joyous and peace filled Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Rethinking Contests

I just received my latest contest entry in the mail today. I already knew I hadn't finalled, but am always curious to see how the judges scored my work and what they had to say.

And the results were typical. One judge gave me high scores, although she did find a few things to nitpick about. The other judge gave me a lot of low scores and had written all over the entry.

So, I decided to look over the high scoring entry first. She really liked the characters and story--as least what she could see of it from the first two chapters. And the few things she had problems with, I could agree with. I decided I would make a few changes before sending it out again.

Then I decided I had to look at the low scoring entry to see what she had to say.

To my surprise, although she'd given me some very low scores, she also gave me some very high ones. She also liked the characters and story, and made some very valid comments that I decided I also wanted to use.

The result was a very positive contest experience. This was the first contest I'd entered this story in and, although my critique partners loved it, I didn't know what kind of remarks I'd get from others.

I've decided to hold off sending the partials of this story out for another month, so I can take my time and go over those first two chapters again. I think this will give me a much better chance of getting requests for the full.

I'll also hold off on entering this in any other contests until I've made the changes. And these are changes I think are necessary to improve the mechanics of this story.

When I send this out again, I want it in the best shape it can possibly be. And after this experience, I really do want to enter this in future contests.

New Blog on Religion and the Civil War

Just did a new history blog on Slip Into Something Victorian.

Click the link and check it out.

Fantastic News!!!

I got the email last night! The Wild Rose Press sent a contract for my short vampire story, Etenity Waits, set during the American Civil War.

This story had been sitting in a drawer for four years. I'd written it for the vampire magazine, Dreams of Decadence. But they sent it back unread because they were overstocked.

I tried a few other magazines, but they rejected it also, saying it wasn't right for their publication. So, I stuck it in a drawer and forgot about it.

I only pulled it out again because I was taking a workshop on paranmoral romance. The instructor wanted us to send in examples of paranormal creatures. I immediately thought of my vampire and sent two scenes from the story as part of my assignment.

The instructor liked the characters and encouraged me to send it somewhere. So, I revised it and sent it to my critique group, then to The Wild Rose Press, because they publish short stories.

Now, I'm a Wild Rose author and couldn't be more proud.

Ready To Start On Something New

I've got the partials of Katie Rose printed out. Just have to put dates on my query/cover letters, reprint them and send the packages out.

I've grown tired of doing edits and proofreading stories I've already written. I'd like to take some time away from those projects and start working on something new.

I have my sci-fi romance that I've been stalling on. It's still in the very early outline stage. I may take what's left of this month between holiday activties to work on that.

If I can finish the outline, I can start writing brand new pages in the new year.

December Goals

It's November 31st, so I'm listing my goals for the month of December.

Because of the holidays, I don't want to get too ambitious this month and set myself up for failure.

So, this is what I want to accomplish before the New Year.

1) I want to prepare and send out partials of my historical romance, Katie Rose.
I have two publishers I've already researched and am already working on the query letters. I've also edited and printed out the synopsis and first three chapters. I just have to edit the letters, then do a final proofread of the whole submission package and send them out.

2) Since I've entered my time travel romance in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest, I want to apply for PRO membership.

3) I've picked two contests with January deadlines and want to start preparing my entries. This is also for Katie Rose.

4) If time permits, I want to review the notes I've made for my futuristic romance and start working on an outline for that. If I can finish this, I'll have a brand new novel to write new pages for in the new year. But if I don't get this far, this will be one of my New Year's goals.

Revisiting November Goals

As we near the end of another month, I'm happy to say I've accomplished the goals I'd listed for November.

My GH entry was sent out the Monday before Thanksgiving.

I've found two long shot publishers I want to send partials of Katie Rose to.

And I've earmarked two contests with January deadlines that I want to enter Katie Rose in.

Next post I'll list my December goals.

The Holiday Is Over

Thanksgiving's over. The turkey, except for a couple of wings, is history. Same with the pumkin pie. My family are all back into doing their own thing, whatever that my be.

I did some Christmas decorating yesterday, I'll do a little more next weekend, and completed most of my shopping online this morning. Now, I'm itching for something to do. I've gotten used to working most weekends, either on stuff for my home business or my own writing projects, but I had decided to take the weekend off and spend some time on holiday and family things.

I do have a big box of to-be-read books I've been meaning to get around to. Maybe I'll go and read.

Anticipating Failure

When talking with my writer friends about entering contests, one said you should look at it as if you were buying a chance, because if you are lucky enough to get two or three judges who like your story, you may very well final or win, but if you get at least one who hates it, you won't. It's not that your story or writing stinks, it's just that that particular judge didn't care for it.

After taking a break from contests because of mixed results, I've decided to dip my toe into the water and give them another try. But I'm going to anticipate that I won't be a finalist or winner. Then if I'm lucky enough to get judges who like my story and writing, I'll have a pleasant surprise.

It works when I buy chances. I always assume I won't win and on those occasions when I do, I'm ecstatic. No matter how small the prize, I won something I never expected to win.

This is my new approach and I'm sticking with it.

Taking Another Workshop

I'm taking an online workshop given by my Hearts Through History chapter called "Persistance."

It's not easy to live the life of a freelance writer and now I'm learning I haven't been getting my projects out there enough. I should have at least 15 to 25 submissions out on a regular basis, including requests, queries, partials, contest entries or scheduled pitches to editors.

Seems I've really dropped the ball on this one.

Right now I've got one requested short story being looked at, one contest entry out and another I'm preparing to send, but that's it. Just three submissions.

I am planning to send at least two partials of my historical romance out next month and am looking into a couple of contests for January.

But, I think I have to work on getting my projects out there more.

November Goals

As promised here's what I want to accomplish writing-wise for November.

1) This is the biggie. I have to finish polishing and proofreading Erin's Rebel for the Golden Heart contest. The full manuscript plus partial copies have to be in by December 3rd, so this is a goal with a real deadline. So far, I have the partials ready to send, I just have to polish the last quarter of the full manuscript.

2) I want to start researching possible publishers for Katie Rose. I've finished the first draft and had the opening chapters critiqued and have revised them, so if I come up with a list of publishers, I can start sending out partials to see if any of them are interested in this story.

3) Research contests for Katie Rose. I want to find a few contests where I can enter the synopsis or opening chapters to see if I can gain editor interest.

So, these are the areas I want to focus on for the month of November. I'll let you all know how I did at the end of the month.

Revisiting Goals

I just realized we're coming to the end of October--Halloween's just around the corner--so I thought I should revisit my goals for this month.

My big goal was to work at getting my time travel romance manuscript polished up for the Golden Heart contest.

As of this date, I have my synopsis and first five chapters that will be judged in the preliminary round, polished and proofed and have printed up the six copies that I have to send.

As for the full, I'm about two-thirds of the way through with the polishing--I'm also proofreading as I complete each chapter--and I still have a month to go. I'm sending the full on floppy disk and have already converted my file to Word.

As for the futuristic that's still in outline stage, I've looked it over, but haven't really worked on it. I thought for now I'd just put that aside, until I can come back and give it my full attention.

My next post will be my goals for the month of November, as soon as I figure out what they are.

Coming Out Of the Closet

I've been writing since I was in grade school, but had always been embarrassed to admit that I wrote and would never dare to call myself a writer. I had notebooks full of stories stuffed away in drawers that never saw the light of day.

Years later, after my boys started school and I started writing and submitting stories, I wouldn't tell my relatives for fear that they'd discourage or--even worse--laugh at me.

After I had a few short pieces published, I told my close relatives and proudly showed off my work. Then I finally had my first novel published. I think my family thought that was my big break, but the book didn't turn out to be a bestseller and I'm still trying to get my first romance novel published, but so far, no takers.

But, I'm no longer ashamed or afraid to tell people that I write. I even told my dentist that I write romance novels. He was actually impressed. In fact, most of the people I've told have reacted that way.

I realized that even though I only make a minimum amount of money off my writing, the fact that I spend at least eight solid hours a week--often more--in writing related projects, makes me a writer.

And that's something to be proud of.

Post on Victorian Children's Clothing

I just posted a new blog on clothing styles for Victorian children on my group site: Slip Into Something Victorian.

http://www.slipintosomethingvictorian.com

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

As a freelance writer, my life is full of waiting. I wait for editors and agents to get back to me on submissions. I wait for the results from contests I've entered and for that ever elusive royalty check.

It doesn't help that my day job--typing manuscripts for other writers--involves waiting for payment to come in after a job is completed.

My strategy is to continue working on other projects and keep the things I'm waiting for in the back of my mind, but they always seem to surface and interrupt my creative flow.

How do all of you deal with the endless waiting?

Latest Goal

Haven't posted my goals for awhile, but now I've got a big one. I just entered Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Contest for my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.

So, my primary writing goal for the next two months is to get this manuscript polished, reprinted and proofread to meet the December 3 mailing deadline.

Besides this, I'm also going to continue to send chapters of this manuscript to my critique group and revise as many chapters as I can before the deadline.

Time permitting, I also want to get back to working on the outline for my futuristic. I had started on that project, but it's been languishing for awhile as I was trying to finish the first draft of my historical romance. But, since that work is completed and I want that story to sit and cool for awhile, I should have time to focus on these two tasks.

New Interview

I've just been interviewed for the second time, this time by Shirley Kiger Connelly on her author site.

Here's the link: http://shirleykoinonia.tripod.com

What's the Deal With Word Counts?

As I shop my time travel romance around to publishers, I have to wonder why they can't all get togther and come up with a uniform word count for romance novels.

Case in point: When I completed the first draft of my time travel, I found it was too short to submit to the first publisher I wanted to target. So, during revision I added words and whole scenes, even chapters to get up to the minimum word count accepted.

I queried first, then got a request for a partial, but the partial was rejected. So, on to the second publisher on my list.

But this publisher didn't go by estimated word count based on number of pages. They wanted an exact computer word count. And, I came up short again. Now, I had to add more words, scenes and chapters to make the minimum number of words.

I submited the partial, got the request for the full. But, the manuscript was rejected.

Now, I'm moving on to the next publisher on my list and finding that the novel is too long.

Meaning, if I want to query them, I have to do some serious cutting. And I mean serious cutting.

Well, what's a writer to do? It would just make things a whole lot easier for us, if the publishers could get together.

Don't you all agree?

Goals Revisited

I've just gone over my goal sheets and realized I've really slacked off over the summer. Part of it is the extra work coming in from my home business. I can't keep the clients waiting, but I also realized that I have to keep my own writing at the forefront, even if I can't accomplish as much as I want.

So, I've revised my goal sheets and here's what I hope to accomplish this month.

1) I've just joined the Historical Hearts Writers Challenge and have posted my goal of writing at least 15 new pages on my Civil War romance, Katie Rose. I'm at about the halfway point of the first draft.

2) I want to enter the first chapter of Katie in an upcoming contest.

3) I want to edit at least the first half of my time travel romance that has just been rejected. I want to give it at least one going over before approaching another publisher, but I do already have one in mind.

4) I'm signed up for an online workshop on writing romance for teenagers that starts on the 6th. I plan to keep up with the work and participate as much as I can.

So, I think I can keep up with these goals. I'll let you know how I do at the end of the month.

Acck! My Family Is Driving Me Crazy

Just had to stop work and post this blog.

I'm currently writing one novel, have revisions to do on the newly rejected one, and belong to a critique group, so have critiques to do as well.

I also type for other writers, and currently have two large jobs I'm working on simultaneously, plus have another client I have to make print-outs for.

Although I love working at home--it gives me more time to devote to my writing--here's my complaint.

Because I'm home, I'm expected to take care of all household things. This includes cleaning, laundry, dishes--no we don't have a dishwasher--keep the cupboard and fridge stocked and provide meals at dinner time, as well as paying bills, doing the banking and--it seems--everything else for everybody.

Currently, I have a husband and three adult sons living at home. The youngest is starting college in September, but will be staying home and commuting. The other two are in their early twenties. They both have jobs, but can't afford to move out just yet.

Because I'm home during the day and they're not, I wake up to notes like--Mom, Can you call my doctor so he can call in my prescription refill? I then get a frantic call from my husband--My filling fell out, find the dentist's phone number.

My youngest son, who was supposed to RSVP about a college orientation on Wednesday, told me to call the number again because he forgot to give them the date on which day he was going. When I told him to just call again, I got--My ride's picking me up. I got to go.

I can't count how many times I have to stop what I'm doing to help these men I live with.

Makes me wonder what they'd do without me.

Rejected Again

Just got the manuscript of my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel, back in the mail. The worst part, after a five month wait, was getting the standard rejection letter. "This project is not right for us at this time." Oh, well.

After giving myself time to get over the disappointment, my plan is to go over the manuscript again, make a few changes, send a few chapters to my critique group, then find another publisher and try again.

After looking over my submission sheet, I realized this manuscript has been making the rounds for the past four years. After the last rejection, I did an extensive revision, then started sending chapters to my new critique group. I stopped sending those chapters when I got a request for the full. But I'll resume where I left off, while I research other publishers where my book can find a home.

It helps having a critique group who thinks your story is great. And it also helps that I just got a request from another publisher for a short story I recently revised. Having more than one project out there, makes it so much easier when rejection rears its ugly head.

No matter what you do, never give up.

What To Blog About

So, while trying to make regular contributions for this blog, I've run into the problem of what to blog about when you feel there's nothing to blog about.

Freelance writing entails a whole lot of waiting around. I have to wait to hear back from editors on a book I submitted. I have to wait for my critique partners to go over my short story, so I can revise and submit the query for that.

I'm trying to move forward on my historical romance, but I'm in the middle and sometimes I just don't feel like writing that next scene. It just seems so overwhelming when you've still got nearly 200 pages left to write.

So, I guess this will be my complaint blog. Maybe what I need right now is permission to give myself a break.

Re-thinking Contests

Although I've given up on contests for my time travel Civil War romance, Erin's Rebel, I'm thinking of entering my new Civil War romance, Katie Rose, into a few contests.

I'm still writing the first draft, but since getting a request for the full of Erin's Rebel, I'd withdrawn that story from my critique group chapter submissions and substituted the opening chapters of Katie Rose.

Since those opening chapters are now all polished up, I thought a contest or two for first chapter or first 25 or 30 pages would work well. I even have a synopsis already written for this story if one is required.

Maybe this book, a straight historical, will do better than the time travel. Although I won a few contests with it, I found that as time went on, I was almost winning, almost a finalist. But I can't put 'almost' on my website or use that as publicity, so once the full manuscript was requested by a publisher, I stopped entering it in contests.

With this new story, I may fare better because it is a straight historical. The problem with the time travel was, if I entered it in the historical category, I always got one judge who had an issue with the modern day opening and the time travel element. If I entered it as a paranormal, I'd get at least one judge who hated the Civil War period for a romance setting.

So, as a straight historical, I might not run into these issues. Of course, I can always get a judge who just hates my story. But, I think I'll give it a try for at least one contest and see how it does.

Writing As Therapy

My husband and I recently had a medical scare concerning the health of our 22 year-old son. While waiting to hear back from the doctor, the last thing I felt like doing was working on my book.

I decided to type the last few pages I'd written the day before into my file. That got me back into the story and I sat down and wrote three new pages, my daily quota.

Afterward, I felt much better and optimistic, like a weight had lifted off me.

Turns out, the medical scare wasn't as bad as we'd thought. Although he does have a health problem, it isn't all that bad.

Relieved, I again didn't feel like writing. So, what did I do?

I wrote anyway and felt wonderful afterward. Seems writing is the best therapy in the world.

Getting Back Into Katie Rose

I finally wrote 2 new pages for my Civil War romance Katie Rose.

I didn't stop because I was stuck in the middle, it was because I just had too many others constraints on my time to work on it, although I have been revising earlier chapters for my critique group.

But these were the first brand new pages I'd written for this book in about a month's time. The main reason it took so long was because I was away from the story for awhile and had forgotten where I'd left off. I needed to go back over the earlier chapters to get my enthusiasm for the characters back.

I started by revising chapter 6, the last chapter my critique partners had gone over. Then I revised chapters 7 & 8 to get them ready for critiquing. I won't subject my critique partners to first draft material.

I then went through the remaining chapters, two per day, revising as I went. Yesterday, I finally made it to the last chapter I'd been writing. After revising those last pages, I wrote two brand new ones.

Now, I'm ready to forge ahead. It feels really good.

Expanding My Writing Horizons

While I'm still actively working on my newest Civil War romance, Katie Rose, I've decided to try revising a short story I wrote about four years ago and stuck in a drawer.

This was a vampire tale set during the Civil War that I originally wrote for Dreams of Decadence magazine. The magazine accepts all types of vampire fiction. The only thing they ask for is originality. What could be more original than a vampire in a Civil War camp?

So, I wrote the story, polished it up, sent it to them and got it back unread. Seemed the magazine was overstocked and they weren't reading any more material. Since I'd geared the story for that particular magazine, I wasn't sure what to do with it. I decided to try a few more magazines, but none of them were interested in vampire fiction. So, into the drawer it went.

I actually forgot about it, until I recently took an online workshop with Dawn Thompson, one of my favorite romance authors. The workshop was on writing paranormal romance. I took the course because I was polishing up my time travel romance and wanted to see if Dawn thought it was on track. I had just recently read her latest, which was a time travel and it was great.

The beginning of the workshop focused on paranormal creatures, though. And there weren't any of those in my time travel. I love to participate in homework assignments, but what could I send for that portion of the workshop?

I immediately remembered my vampire story and fished it out. It needed a lot of revision. After all, it had been four years since I'd written it. I revised a couple of scenes and sent them in as homework. Dawn loved my characters and encouraged me to submit the story somewhere.

I wasn't sure where to send it, though. Maybe when I finished Katie Rose, I could expand it into a novel.

In the meantime, I put it back in the drawer.

But I've been investigating the Wild Rose Press. They accept short stories and have a line called Black Rose for vampire romances. So, now I'm revising the short story and maybe I'll submit it to them. Who knows, it's worth a shot.

Better than having my story languish in my drawer.

Easing My Way Back In

I finally got caught up with my outside work and had time to work on my own book. I started by revising the last chapter my critique group went over, then self-revised the next two chapters and got them ready for my critique group to read.

I'm going to try to spend at least an hour each day on my book to get me back into the story, so I can start to move forward on it again.

I've been away from the story so long, I forget what happens in the succeeding first draft chapters. My plan for this month is to reaquaint myself with my story and characters and write as many new pages as I can.

Getting Back Into the Swing

The big holiday is over, I'm nearly caught up with my manuscript typing obligations--just some proofreading to do--and I plan to dive back into my writing.

It won't be easy getting back into the swing of things. Habit has a lot to do with my writing and blogging schedule. I first have to evaluate what I did accomplish with my writing last month and what I still have left to do.

I want to start by revising the latest chapter my critique group went over. We're taking this month off from critiquing, so this will give me more time to work on my own manuscript.

Progress report upcoming.

Getting Sidetracked

I've been neglecting my blogging as well as my writing lately.

It started with my youngest son's high school graduation. I had a lot of extra meetings, chauffeuring and party preparations to attend to.

After that, work piled up for my day job. I type manuscripts, as well as other documents and correspondence for other writers from my home computer. Work comes in in spurts and it really spurted this month. But I need the money, since I haven't yet heard from the publisher about my time travel romance, and income from the manuscript typing funds my writing expenses, so that work has to come first.

I also belong to a critique group and every two weeks, I have at least four or more chapters to critique.

I have managed to squeeze in a little work on my own books in between other obligations, but I know I'm falling short of my June goals.

Oh well, I'll look forward to catching up in July. I'm starting to miss the characters in my Civil War romance, as well as the new ones I'm creating for my futuristic romance.

June Goals

I'm a little late posting my June goals. Sometimes life just gets in the way.

Anyway, here they are:

1) Continue draft of my Civil War romance, Katie Rose. I hope to write at least another 60 pages this month, which will take me up to 260 completed pages.

2) Complete outline for my first futurisic romance.

There you have it. These are both big projects, so I'm hoping I can complete them by the close of June. I'll let you know how I did.

May Goals - Revisited

Well, it's the end of May.

How did I do on those May goals?

1) Continue first draft of Katie Rose. I'd hoped to complete at least the first 200 pages.

I just made it. I'm exactly at page 200 in the first draft. I got a little sidetracked on this because I've been revising the early chapters for my critique group, so I've been going back and forth. But I'm where I wanted to be.

2) Start basic synopsis outline for my first sci-fi romance, Moons of Cynara.

I actually did start this, but again, got sidetracked. But my goal was to start, so I did accomplish that.

Guess I did all right.

I'll be back later with my goals for the month of June.

The Trials of Historical Research

While I love reading about history and always find interesting tidbits that help to make my historical characters more real, I also find that looking for a particular historical fact that's important to my story can be frustrating.

In my Civil War time travel romance, Erin's Rebel, the hero is seriously injured while in the trenches surrounding Petersburg, Virginia. The trench collapses on him and he breaks his leg. He's taken to the home of a Petersburg citizen where his friend, a Confederate surgeon, has set up a hospital.

My dilemma was, what did they do for broken bones at the time of the Civil War?

I looked in my Civil War medicine books and searched a few websites, but could find nothing about the care of broken bones. But I did find tons of info on amputations.

Should I just put my hero in a splint, or did they have casts back then?

I did a search on Plaster of Paris and found it was in existence since 1852, nine years before the Civil War. They also had an earlier type of plaster cast that they used during the Crimean War.

If they had casts in that war, why not the Civil War?

Since my character was being treated by his friend, I decided to give him a cast. It made moving around a lot easier for him as he recovered.

But later, I wondered about shortages during the war. Could his friend have gotten the materials to make the Plaster of Paris mix?

Oh well, the manuscript's already at the publishing house, so I won't make any changes for now, but this points out the problems of historical research.

Sometimes, you just can't find out what you need to know. But what if you guess wrong and somebody calls you out on it?

Trying to Slow Myself Down

I've gotten into the habit of taking on too many projects at once. While I wait to hear back from the publisher on my first romance novel, I'm writing the first draft of the second one, while having my critique partners go over the early chapters. I'm also critiquing their chapters.

I'm trying to keep up with two blogs, this and my group blog, Slip Into Something Victorian. I want to post something new every few days on my blog and at do at least two per month for the group.

I've also started outlining my first futuristic romance. And, since I type manuscripts for other writers, I've got two clients whose projects I'm working on.

All work and no play. You know the drill.

My main diversion is baseball. I love to read, but that ties in with my work, so it's not really a pure leisure activity for me.

Watching baseball is one activity that totally takes my mind off writing. I can get caught up in the game and forget everything else.

Since I work from my home, there's no such thing as leaving work at the office.

So, now it's the weekend . . . bring on a baseball game.

Last Parent-Teacher Conference

Thursday night I attended my last ever parent-teacher conference. It feels like a right of passage.

I have three boys, young men now, and my youngest is a high school senior. When the boys were young they took up a lot of my time, but lately I've been able to devote more and more of my day to my own projects.

No more school volunteer work, scouts, little league baseball or other activities such as field trips, family vacations, children's birthday parties and other varied activities.

Will I miss any of this? Hell, no!

I've done my time to help my children become the young men they are.

Now it's time for me.

Memory Problems

In my former life, BK (before kids), I used to be a bookkeeper. I was very detail oriented, was skilled at crunching numbers and could even balance my checkbook to the penny.

After the boys came along, I became a stay-at-home mom. After the two oldest started school, I became the family record keeper, keeping track of school projects, and other important school functions, doctor and dentist appointments, little league and cub scout activities. I always knew what was coming up, how long I had to get ready for it and I never forgot a birthday or anniversary.

Now, my sons are grown. The youngest is now a senior in high school and I've immersed myself in my writing projects. I'm at the point where I can remember every detail of my plots and characters, but often don't know what day of the week it is.

My husband says I'm living in my own little world. I guess I am. I love my stories and characters. With no young children to care for anymore, it's my time to do what I want. And I've never been happier.

So what if I can't get that darned checkbook to balance?

I'm living my dream.

May Goals

My May writing goals are for two big projects.

1) Continue the first draft of Katie Rose.
I hope to write at least 60 more pages. This means I should have at least 200 pages done by the end of the month.

2) Start basic synopsis outline for my first sci-fi romance. I'm calling this first book Moons of Cynara.
After getting the character and setting sketches completed, plus a plot synopsis, I hope to start on my detailed outline by the end of the month.

That's it for this month.

How'd I Do On Those April Goals?

It's the end of April. Time to reasess my April goals.

Well, I only had two for this month. Let's see how I did.

1) Complete world-building for my futurisitc romance series.
Well, I fell down a bit on this one. I did read the book on world religions, but haven't yet completed the Native American book. But I did take a workshop on building the beginning of a novel, and wrote a blurb for the first book, that you can check out on the Current Projects page of my website, www.susanmacatee.com. I also developed the two main characters, as well as two supporting characters who will be the main characters in the second book, and I wrote the opening of the first book as an exercise for the workshop.

2) Start the first draft of my Civil War romance Katie Rose. I wanted to get at least 60 pages written.
I'm happy to say, I've surpassed this goal. I have the first 154 pages written and with the help of my critique group, have polished up the first two chapters.

All in all it wasn't such a disappointing month.

Trying To Keep Up My Momentum

I'm writing the first draft of my Civil War romance, Katie Rose and feel like I'm on a roll.

I did get stuck at one point, but fixed the problem by working in a few extra scenes and viewpoint characters.

Now, life intervenes to halt my momentum. I've been idle in my day job, typing manuscripts and other documents for writers. My regular clients send me things in spurts and I haven't had any regular work for awhile. More time to work on my own projects.

But now, the work is coming in and, frankly, I need some extra cash. I don't want to lose momentum on this new book, though.

So, what do I do?

I split my time between working on their projects and mine.

So far, it's working out, although I have fallen down on my blogging.

Oh well, something's got to give. Hopefully, things will get back to their regular pace soon, and I'll have some extra cash to spend on writing expenses.

Writing Another Love Scene -- Oh My!

I've gotten to the point in my new Civil War romance, Katie Rose, where I have to write the love scene.

I always feel nervous writing such scenes and have a hard time getting the mechanics and emotions in place, so that they blend together in a beautiful, romantic scene.

The love scene I wrote for Erin's Rebel needed help. My critique partners insisted it wasn't as bad as I thought, just needed more emotion. Their suggestions greatly improved that scene.

Now, I have to do it again. I won't even look at the Erin's Rebel scene until after I've written this new one. I'm afraid of repeating myself and don't want to do that. These new characters have different personalities and I want the love scene to evolve from their unique backgrounds.

The good thing is, before I'm ready to submit this new book to a publisher, I'll have ample time to have my critique partners look at it.

For now, I'll just do the best I can. After all, it's only the first draft.

Stuck In the Mucky Middle

I was moving along great on my Civil War romance, Katie Rose, until I came to what I call the mucky middle.

All of a sudden I felt like I was moving too fast toward the first big love scene. Something just didn't feel right and I had to stop.

I reread the manuscript from the beginning and realized what was wrong. I didn't include enough essential scenes to build up to that point. Part of the story was missing.

So, I went back to the drawing board, my outline, to see where I needed to insert scenes as well as different points of view.

After doing that, I went through the manuscript and wrote the scenes. Now, I just have to type them into the file.

Now, hopefully, I should have no more trouble writing the rest of the story.

Working On Katie's Story

Now that I've got my first romance, Erin's Rebel, in an editor's hands, I'm trying to get as far ahead on my new story as I can while I wait to hear back from Medallion Press.

Katie's story that I'm calling Katie Rose is my woman soldier romance tale. So far, I've got about one quarter of the book written, and I've sent the first chapter to my critique group.

I got a little stuck on Friday, but realized that I'd forgotten to insert a few vital scenes, so I did that today, and now I'm unstuck and moving ahead.

I've been wanting to start on this story for awhile, but had to get Erin's Rebel edited and proofread for Medallion. Now, it feels good to get this far ahead on my new story.

April Goals

As promised, here are my writing goals for the month of April.

1) Complete world-building for my futuristic romance series.
As part of this goal, I plan to read two books; one on world religions, the other on Native Americans.

2) Start the first draft of my Civil War romance Katie Rose.
I want to get at least the first 60 pages written.

Since both of these are big projects, that's all I have on tap this month. I'll let you know by May 1st how I did.

March Update

Well, it's the end of March. Time for an update on how many March goals I've achieved.

1) Enter Erin's Rebel in Hearts Through History's Romance Through the Ages Contest.
I actually had already accomplished this one by the time I posted my goals. But I won't hear any results on this until about mid to late April.

2) Finish final edit of Erin's Rebel.
Done.

3) Print out a copy of Erin's Rebel and proofread.
Done.

4) Send complete manuscript of Erin's Rebel to Medallion Press by March 30th.
I got ahead and sent out the full on March 20th by priority mail. They should have it in their hands right now.

5) Continue World-Building for futuristic.
I'm moving ahead with this project. I've named the planet where the story will take place. Came up with a title that may or may not change. But I like to have a title in mind before I start serious work on a new project.

I also named the hero and heroine, and two of the supporting characters, who will be the hero and heroine of the second book. Now, I'm working on the characters themselves.

I wanted to get started on character development now, because I'm taking an online workshop next week on characters and can use the ones I'm working on here for examples in my homework postings. I may even learn more about them by the end of this workshop.

So, it looks like I got everything done for March and even got a little ahead.

Next up, I'll post the goals I want to accomplish for April.

Thinking Baseball

It hit 82 degrees yesterday in Philadelphia. And it's almost April. It's started me thinking about baseball.

I've already caught a few of the minor league games on tv played in Clearwater, Florida by the Philadelphia Phillies.

They've become my team.

I say become, because in the past I had never been interested in baseball or any other sport. This baseball obsession started with T-ball.

You see, I have three boys. When they were small, I looked for things for them to do that would burn off some of that small boy energy. T-ball was the first organized sport I exposed them to.

Then came little league. Since my husband couldn't always accompany them to games, the job fell to me. I spent many a Saturday afternoon perched on the bleachers with a book, so I wouldn't get bored.

Then my middle son, who's now 22, got onto a team that was very good and very competitive. They won the championship that year. Suddenly, I started watching the games, even when my kid was on the bench. I learned the rules and started to get excited. I'd cheer and yell when something good happened and groan when games went downhill.

As my boys got older the games got even better.

Then they grew up and stopped playing. What was I to do now? I was going through withdrawal.

My solution was to watch and root for our local team, the Phillies. So far, they've been more a disappointment than anything else. But I still like to watch. And cheer. And groan.

For better or worse, I've become a baseball fan.

Batter up!

Work Out the Body & the Mind

As a writer, I do a lot of sitting. This doesn't sit well with a middle-aged body. So, the most important part of my day is my workout.

I do this religiously every morning. I start off with a twenty minute ride on my stationary bike, followed by a five minute cool-down. Afterward I do about five to ten minutes of stretching.

Then I vary the routine by alternating between two workout video tapes. One is lifting light weights, for both upper and lower body, followed by an abdominal and back workout.

The other video concentrates more on abdominals, with a few leg and back exercises included.

During the warm weather months, I also add in outdoor walks for variety.

After the workout, I pour myself a glass of orange juice and check my email.

My workout wakes me up, makes me look and feel great and stimulates my mind for whatever writing projects I have to work on that day.

So, if you're in a slump, try working out. It really gets the creative juices flowing.

Taking A Break From Contests

In the past I've entered numerous contests for my Civil War time travel romance, Erin's Rebel. First it was for the feedback, then to get an editor or agent's attention.

And while I've won a few contests, I usually get one judge who just loves it and two or more who like it, but think it's just so-so or outright hate it.

Before getting the request from Medallion Press, I had entered three more contests that I hadn't gotten the results of.

I just got one back and, as I said, one judge loved it, the other thought it was so-so. And some of the comments I got were baffling. One said I had relied too much on spell and grammar check. Huh?

It's time to take a break from contests. For one thing, I'm now a member of an excellent critique group. They give me all the feedback I need. And I've gotten the attention of editors at Medallion Press with my partial.

So, I'll save my time and energy for writing my next book.

My Baby's In the Mail

I finished and sent out the full manuscript of Erin's Rebel to Medallion Press this morning.

Now, I've got that nervous butterfly-in-the-stomach feeling. While the manuscript was here, I could still go back and change things. Now, the book has to sink or swim.

Time for me to get back to my other Civil War romance, Katie Rose. I have about five chapters done and had put it aside when Medallion requested the full of my Civil War time travel.

I'm also world-building for my futuristic series, so I've got a lot of work I can do while I wait.

What I'm Reading Now

I just finished In Sunshine Or In Shadow by Cynthia Owens. The publisher is Highland Press.

Cynthia is a member of my group blog, Slip Into Something Victorian. We talked about starting a critique group among our blog members and did a trial session a while back. I read the beginning of this book before it was published and looked forward to reading the entire thing.

The book is set in Ireland in 1850 just after the potato blight. I love Ireland and stories of the Irish and I fell in love with this story.

The heroine, Soibhan, has lost her husband and younger brother after they were hanged by her landlord. She's also lost other family members to the famine. She would do anything to keep her young daughter and grandmother from starving.

The hero, Rory, has come from America to take over as new landlord after the old one dies. He's lost his wife and has a young daughter. He also has a secret.

As these two come together, danger and secrets surround them. This story is a good old-fashioned historical romance.

For a great read, I highly recommend it.

For more information on Cynthia's book, IN SUNSHINE OR IN SHADOW, click on the link below.

http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com

Trying to Get That Love Scene Right

As I prepare my romance manuscript to send out to the publisher, I worried about my first major love scene that comes just before the middle of the book.

Is is sensuous enough? Will the editors thinks it's lame?

My solution was to put out an SOS to my critique group. And am I glad I did.

I got so many great suggestions to make my chapter shine. Now, I can send the book off with confidence to the publisher.

Thanks to my critique group, the Scandalous Proofers.

Happily Working On Two Novels at Once

I just got the good news that Medallion Press is interested in seeing the full of my Civil War time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.

So, I'm working through final edits and have promised to get the full manuscript to them by the 30th.

I've also started on the opening chapters of my new Civil War romance, Katie Rose. I was afraid that working on two different books would confuse me, but the characters and stories are so different, even thought they're set in the same general area in the same time period, that I'm having no problem switching between them at all.

I'm glad it's working out, because if Medallion likes the book, I'll have to work through more edits and revisions with them, but also want to keep moving ahead on my new book, while also continuing world-building on my planet for the futuristic series.

I'm as busy as I've ever been, but loving every minute of it.

March Writing Goals

It's March 1st and I'm ready to list my March goals.

1) Enter Erin's Rebel in Hearts Through History's Romance Through the Ages Contest.
I'm actually ahead on this one and sent the entry out today.

2) Finish final edit of Erin's Rebel.

3) Print out and proofread Erin's Rebel.

4) Send complete manuscript of Erin's Rebel to Medallion Press by the 30th.

5) Continue World-building for Futuristic Romance.

Well, there they are. I'll let you know how I did at the end of the month.

End of February - How Did I Do?

It's February 28th. Time to see how I did with my monthly goals.

1) Enter Grand Beginnings Contest.
I'd already gotten a start with this one and entered in January. I have to wait until April, though, to see how I did.

2) Finish Erin's Rebel revisions.
I completed this one and got a request for a full from Medallion Press after they'd looked over my partial.

3) Start first draft of Katie Rose.
I'd just started writing the opening chapters, when I got the request for Erin's Rebel. I had to stop working on Katie Rose to get final edits done for Erin's Rebel, but I will come back to Katie once the other manuscript has been sent out.

4) Begin World-Building for Futuristic.
I've gotten a good start on this beginning with naming my planet. I chose a Greek name, Cynara. It's a myth name, but there's no meaning. I thought it sounded perfect for my fictitious far-away planet. Now, I'm reading World-Building books and designing what Cynara will look like and what kind of aliens will live there.

Well, there it is. I think I did well on my February goals.

Next, I'll post my goals for March.

Building A Planet

I decided to take a break from working on my two Civil War romances and start some preliminary work on a futuristic romance I plan to write.

Since this book will be set on a far off planet 300 years in the future, my first step is to build a planet.

I first came up with a name for the planet that I'll use in the book's title, as well as in the two other books I plan for this trilogy.

Once the name was settled, I started to build my planet with the help of Writer's Digest books, Worldbuilding by Stephen L. Gillett. It's kind of fun building your own planet.

Next, I'll be researching the types of aliens who'll live there.

What I'm Reading

I just finished a great historical romance. Although the book has a 2003 copyright date, I just got to it. I have a very large to-be-read pile, but I get to all of them eventually.

YOURS UNTIL DAWN, by Teresa Medeiros is the story of a nurse, Samantha Wickerham, who arrives at the country estate of Gabriel Fairchild. He's a Naval war hero who's been scarred and blinded while serving aboard a British ship. Unable to control his whims since he's been blinded, his family banishes him to their country estate with a staff of servants. They've been unable to find a proper nurse for him, who can deal with his tantrums.

Samantha is determined to persevere, and as the two battle wits, they begin to first, respect one another, and then fall in love.

There's a surprise twist at the end that I won't reveal, but if you love historical romance, this is an entertaining read.

Revisions Done!

I just completed my self-revisions on Erin's Rebel. Of course, I still have to send chapters to my critique group. I only send one chapter every two weeks, so that will take awhile.

Still, it feels good to finally have this book in order.

I also finished revisions on the outline of Katie Rose. I want to start writing the first draft by the start of March.

And I plan to enter Erin's Rebel in my Hearts Through History chapter's Romance Through the Ages Contest.

I feel like my goal sheets are really keeping me focused. Every thing's starting to come together in my writing life.

Contest Woes

I just got the results of the final contest I entered last November. I didn't win or final in the first two and the scores were mixed. With this final one, I came one point from winning. One point! It was the GOTCHA Contest that was for the first 15 pages of a manuscript, no synopsis.

One of the judges gave me a perfect score. This was a first for me. And the fact that she was a published romance author made it even sweeter.

While she thought the entry was perfect, the other three all found something to nitpick about. Although, I did get fairly high scores from all of them. That's how I almost won.

Even though it would have been nice to win, I can't complain too much. It's the chance you take every time you enter a contest. Some judges will just love your work, while others may out-and-out hate it.

And, I've already entered two more contests for the new year with the revised chapters my critique group helped me with. They are great! They tell me, not only, what I need to revise, but what they like about the story and characters. And they all seem to like this story, so this gives me the confidence to keep plugging away at it.

I've entered two more contests for the new year with the revised chapters, so maybe I'll do better in the next contest. After all, I was only one point off.

And not winning won't stop me from submitting my work to publishers. You never know which editor will fall in love with your work.

My February Goals

It's February 1st and I have a list of plans that I want to accomplish this month.

1) Enter the Grand Beginnings Contest. This contest is for the first five pages of a romance novel. Five pages happens to be the entire first chapter of Erin's Rebel.
I got a little ahead and have already mailed the entry out.

2) Finish my revision of Erin's Rebel. As of today, I've got about 14 chapters left to revise. I should be able to finish up before the month ends.

3) Start first draft of Katie Rose.
I'm a little behind on this one. I still have to make revisions to the outline. I want to get that done before I start the first draft to avoid having to go back and do another major revision like I did with Erin's Rebel. I think my goal for this month will be to finish revising the outline.

4) Begin world-building for Futuristic trilogy.
I'm hoping to at least get a start on this, but it will depend on how the outline revision of Katie Rose goes.

Well, these are my plans for this month. I'll let you know how I did.