Not all vampire junkies dye their hair black. Who knew?

There are a lot of writers that I really like, and there are a few that I absolutely LOVE.  These are the writers who create characters that crawl into my psyche and take up residence. They tend to write series with ongoing character arcs.  I suspect that's how a great character finds his way into my heart.  He starts out as a bit player in someone else's story and starts to grow, having his own point of view scenes until he has to have his own story. 

I am pretty sure that I have mentioned Suzanne Brockmann here before (ya think?).  She does this character thing as well as anyone I can think of, although she's just kind of tied up her Troubleshooter's series for a while.  I am anxious to see what is next, and to try to figure out how she does it. 

My other hero-author is JR Ward, creator and WARDen of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels.  Lover Unleashed was, um, unleashed a couple of weeks ago.  I LOVE those vampires.  They are big, bad, kinky, damaged heroes.  At first I was kind of horrified at the dorky names:  Wrath, Vishous, Zsadist, Phury, Torhment...really?  But I got over that and the names started to seem normal-ish, to the point that I'm thinking I might have to rename a couple of my kids. In true fan-geek fashion, I bought a copy of Unleashed for my Kindle so I could read it right away, but made plans to attend the signing she held in Cincinnati on April 9th. 

I live in Northern Kentucky, and the Barnes and Noble where the signing was is about a 40 minute drive from my house.  The signing was scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, which was right between The Sam Stanley Experience's boy scout pancake breakfast fundraiser and prom.  Since the Prom Date Goddess lives in Cinci, I thought, Well, lets head out around one, get the book signed and I can get TSSE to PDG's by 4, no problem. 

Wrong!  Have you heard the adage, Man Plans, God Laughs? 

We got to Barnes and Noble at 2 on the dot.  Sligtly later than 357 other rabid JR Ward fans.  I know this, because I got a line ticket that was number 358.  TSSE immediately got nervous. 

"Mom, we are never going to make it.  Can't we just skip it?"

"No.  I just paid $20 for a hard copy of this book that I already have on my Kindle, I'm going to get it signed.  I love this writer, I want to be her when I grow up."

So we got in line, somewhere in the religion section, and began slowly, slowly inching around the periphery of the store.  I was amazed at how many people were there,  how many DIFFERENT people, all humming with excitement.  I have to confess, I had some preconcieved notions of what a JR Ward fan would be like.  I expected mostly young goth/ comic-con type women with dyed black hair and multiple piercings, tattoos and boots.  And there were some.

 There was one pair of girls who had home-made BDB t-shirts with their chosen warrior's name on the back (for those of you who are not in love with a Brother, here's the deal: In the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a male has his bonded female's name tattooed on his back during a mating ceremony. Any true hard core female would totally get her male's name on her back, too.).  What was really awesome was that they had a guy with them, presumably a boyfriend, who was also wearing a BDB t-shirt.  I didn't get close enough to see who he had on his back, but I was quite impressed that he had been roped in to appearing in public. 

Meanwhile, Sam was getting more and more nervous about getting to PDG's on time.  There was a couple behind me in line, who seemed very much like average middle class suburbanites.  Like me.  Turns out they were very much like me.  I am all about meeting people who are different than me and finding common ground, but I am not prejudiced against soccer moms, so we started to chat.  They actually live about a mile from me.  How crazy is that? We had driven separately, 40 minutes away, to meet in line at Barnes and Noble. I complimented Jim for being such a good husband and willingly suffering through the experience.  Not that The Big Guy wouldn't have done this with me, I just didn't ask him.

 Behind Jim and Dawn were the most surprising fans of the day.  Two handsome young men in their thirties, getting books signed for their wives, who were at a Pampered Chef party.  My comment to them, "Oh, boy.  You are getting SOOO lucky tonight!"  Which they both agreed was part of the plan.  One of the guys had read the books and liked them.  His comment:  "Lots of violence and sex.  What's not to love?"

A few steps further and TSSE and I had made it past Religion, into History, and there was no way in hell that we were going to make it all the way to the travel section, where the WARDen was holding court, before we had to leave.  Dawn and Jim graciously took my book and I gave them my cell phone number.  I figured I could run TSSE to PDG's and get back before Jim and Dawn got to the head of the line.  I didn't need to bother to stick around to take prom pictures, that's what PDG's parents were for.

What happened instead was that Jim called just as I was pulling in to PDG's driveway.  They already had the book signed.  Would I like them to drop it off for me when they got back to KY?  How cool was that? 

I am very sad that I did not get to bask in the aura of one of my favorite writers, but the sad thing is totally cancelled out by everything good that happened. TSSE got to PDG's on time and I was able to stick around and watch the preparations and the arrival of the limo and meet PDG's parents and neighbors.  I got Dawn from the bookstore's email address and we are going to talk books.  How 'bout those warrior vampires...not only saving their own species, but uniting humans across the tri-state! 

Oh, Carlos.

This is the only picture I took in Mexico.  I really would like to say something clever, but really...a picture is worth a thousand words.  As a writer, I know I should try, but all I can say is that this is a real drug store in the Cancun airport...and you just walk in and pick up your little blue pills (and the antibiotics with which to chase them) and pay for them.  No messy prescription needed. 

We really had a great time on our anniversary vacation.  The Big Guy and I went with two other couples who were also celebrating 20 years of wedded...Bliss, yeah, that's it!  We stayed at the Now Sapphire resort on the Mayan Riviera.  Great resort.  Not a complaint in sight. 

Okay, one complaint.  The background music that looped endlessly through the dining/pool/bar area was really, really weird.  It was this easy listening kind of jazzy, light, female singing covers of stuff that didn't quite hit the easy listening, kind of jazzy, light sound mark.  I was almost okay with 3 Little Birds (Bob Marley) done elevator style, but Buffalo Soldier?  Followed by Satisfaction.  My friends heard a version of Sweet Child of Mine, but I missed it.  The kicker for me?  Radiohead's Creep. 

Anyway.  I learned several things in Mexico.

1) Carlos was supposed to be a six-foot tall cabana boy with six pack abs.  Instead, he was a five-foot tall shyster in the airport, who sucked us in to buying discounted snorkeling trips in exchange for suffering the time share experience at the Moon Palace Resort (which was lovely, but still).
 Lesson:  Keep Walking.  TBG, the only one of us who suggested we NOT take Carlos up on his offer, was very nice, and never even once said "I told you so." 

2)  Carlos was supposed to be a six-foot tall cabana boy with six pack abs.   Instead, he was a five-foot tall shyster in the airport. 
 Lesson:  Mexican men in Mexico are, on average, no taller than the Mexican men in Kentucky.  Someone was passing a link around last week with a map of the world and average, uh, man part lengths which suggests that Mexican men don't need to be tall, but I can't verify that this is true.  Anyone? 

3)  To a Mexican bartender, "Virgin Margarita" sounds just like "Frozen Margarita."  I was really good and didn't spit tequila across the bar when I took my first sip of alcohol in 8 years.  I also didn't fall off the wagon.  It was just a sip, it wasn't intentional, I didn't feel a buzz, and I didn't drink anything else.  I never got to go to an all-inclusive resort as a drinker, and I might have felt like I didn't get my money's worth, but I remembered the most important Lesson of all:  Free tequila is never really free. 

Cancun is absolutely beautiful.  We did get our snorkeling trips and I found Nemo.  He's safe and sound living next to some purple fan coral of the Isle Mujeres.  The people of Mexico were delightful.  The guys on the boat ride to the snorkeling place did the best Titanic skit I've ever seen, and they do a lovely impression of Ricky Martin singing YMCA (You kinda had to be there).

But now it's back to real life, laundry and carpools and science experiments that don't always work.  I found my favorite pen and I'm all recharged and ready to do some more writing! 

Confessions of a Closet Writer, a guest post by Kate Pembrooke

I'm kinda busy with my cabana boy, Carlos, and my hubby, The Big Guy right now:  In another three weeks or so TBG and I will have been married 20 years.  We've actually been nice to each other for part of that time, so we are celebrating in Cancun.  We are with two other couples, all of whom aspire to be the least fancy people possible, which totally rocks, because there is no pressure to have "the right clothes".  I am pretty sure I might even lose the rattiest sweatshit contest. 

My very first writing friend, Kate Pembrooke has graciously agreed to do a guest blog for me while I watch The Big Guy arm wrestle with Carlos for the right to rub my feet.  Kate and I met in an online writing class.  I was the obnoxious one in the back row, heckling the teacher and she was the nice one in the front row who told me what the homework was when I fell asleep. 

Our lives as writers are pretty similar.  Kate is who I would be if I weren't too lazy to do the research necessary for historical romances.  And she would be me if she was inclined to raunchiness.  Unfortunately, she has a thing against Ohio State, but I am practicing my open-mindedness. 

Without further ado, I bring you...Kate! 

Confessions of a Closet Writer

My name is Kate and I’m a closet writer.  For years it’s been in the back of my mind that I’d like to try my hand at writing a book.  Someday.  When the kids got older, when I wasn’t homeschooling any longer, when life got less hectic. So I’d jot down story ideas and sketch out scenes.  I completed some short stories and even dabbled in writing poetry.  All to keep a connection with writing even though it wasn’t the writing I really wanted to do.  Well, the kids are older, I no longer wear my teacher hat (or at least only in a supplemental way to help with homework), and, well, I’m reconciled to the fact that life will probably always be hectic.

So about a year ago, I decided the time had come.  It was time to stop thinking about writing a book and get busy doing it.  I started taking online classes through RWA.  (In fact, that is how I met Teri Anne.  We were both taking a plotting class and we connected with each other since we were the newbies of the bunch.)  I set writing goals, which, sadly, I didn’t always meet.  But for the past year I have been writing. Not as regularly as I should, but steadily at least. I completed NaNoWriMo and, in the process, learned a lot about myself as a writer.  Namely I really can write more words in a day than I thought I could.  It all comes down to BICHOK.  (Butt in chair, hands on keyboard)

This year I joined RWA and my local chapter of RWA.  And let me say right now that the writing community is filled with some of the nicest, most generous people I’ve ever met. Initially, my main reason for joining was because I know myself, and I always take something more seriously if I’ve forked over money for it.  But the encouragement and support I get from the writers I have met at the monthly meetings has proven it was money well spent. 

I’m slowly transforming from a writer wannabe into a writer.  I’m still a closet writer though.  I haven’t reached the point where I feel comfortable boldly proclaiming that I’m working on that book I’ve always wanted to write.  I don’t mind sharing my writing ambitions with other writers.  They understand and, more often than not, are eager to offer suggestions to help me along my writing journey.  The circle of people who know I’m writing has expanded since a year ago. One of these days I may even let my friends and extended family in on my secret.

The Big Smoocharoo

I know that you are all still devastated that I lost my post yesterday about strong heroines...but as a wussy heroine myself, I am still wallowing and not quite ready to try again. Besides, I forgot what I was going to say. 
Fortunately, MSN this morning has a link to the 25 most fabulishious Movie Star Kisses, at least according to "In Style"

Of course, the first kiss up is Rhett and Scarlett, duh.  I didn't even really "get" Gone With the Wind, but I totally would have thrown down with Rhett Butler.  Ashley Wilkes?  Oh come on. His name is ASHLEY fer chrissakes. 
Some others on the list:
Lady and the Tramp

When Harry Met Sally

Pretty Woman

Ghost (So the kiss referenced is the one where Whoopi Goldberg channels Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore kisses him/her.  That didn't really work for me, but the pottery scene was pretty hot)


Titanic

Love Story

Twilight (kissing cold dead guys really doesn't work for me either, but hey...that leaves more warm guys for me!)

Slumdog Millionaire

Say Anything (and I don't remember the kiss from that movie. What I remember is John Cusack standing outside holding a boom box playing "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel.   The. Most. Romantic. Scene. Ever. 


Breakfast at Tiffany's

From Here to Eternity (which looks great, but I can't stop thinking about all that sand getting in the naughty bits)

So what movie star kisses are your favorites?  When writing a kissing scene, do you try to channel Patrick Swayze, or do you practice on your pillow?

Monday Alert

I just spent half an hour writing a BRILLIANT post about Marshmallow Fluff heroines, complete with well-developed examples and insightful analysis of how to have a wimpy-on-the-inside-tough-on-the-outside heroine, but then my sweater sleeve got caught on something, I hit the wrong button and now it's all gone. 

It's Monday, that's what happens. As a tough-as-nails heroine myself (yeah, right), I'm just going to reload and move on. 

Have a great Monday, maybe I'll try again later...but I'm also going to Cancun in a few days, and I need to get my toes polished so that I won't be self-conscious when the cabana boys are rubbing my feet. 

It's all about the Brownie Buttons

I am a sucker for a reward system.  I belong to Spark People and get little fake goodies for loggin in, reading the healthy stuff, exercising, all kinds of good stuff.  I am a girl scout leader, my girls get badges and awards for fulfilling requirements for a particular activity.  I have a son who is working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. 

And now I have a reward system for being a writer!  Ali Cross, the Writing Ninja has just developed a belt system for us writers who are struggling with where we are in our process.  I totally LOVE that I can now proudly say, that I am a White Belt with two stripes Writing Ninja (I don't think I'm ready to be turned loose to save literature from television yet, but I'm working on it!).

Go, me!  This means that I have done the following:
1) decided to call myself a writer
2) actually started writing
3) started a blog
4) started following other blogs
5) have been writing in earnest for six months
6) have been blogging for six months.

How fun is that???
After I've been blogging for 12 months and joined a writer's association, I'll get my yellow belt!  Yay. 

When to Be Nice, and When to Keep The Pie Hole Shut

I have been diligently reading Breaking the Rules this week, I'm a little over halfway through.

I can't read all the time, though; fortunately it's easier to minimize my screen while I'm blogging than to hurredly shove my Kindle in a drawer if my boss comes in, so I can still get my fiction fix. 

Anyway. I was perusing Twitter the other day, while I wasn't reading, and an author, whose work I like, posted a link to a blog where someone said some pretty mean, critical stuff about her.  I commented, because I thought what the blogger said was mean, and I felt like I should say:  "Hey, if you don't like her work, don't read it.  If you don't like HER, keep it to yourself."  Of course, I tried to say this in a rambling, blithering way, and I suspect that I probably should have just kept my mouth shut.  Or my fingers still, as the case may be. 

I have been learning a TON of useful stuff about being a writer since I started blogging, and it's not all about not using adverbs and how to "show not tell".  I am learning the business lingo, and maybe, one of these days, when I finish something, I'll be educated enough to pimp my work.  I've also learned that maybe I shouldn't offer to review something and blog about it, unless I've already read it and love it.  I don't mean I am unable/unwilling to post an honest opinion of something. If something doesn't work for me, I don't think it's a terrible thing to say, "This scene didn't work for me because...", but on the other hand, I don't ever want to say, "Wow, this whole thing really was unreadable." 

  I do understand the Golden Rule of opinions:  "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".  But what are the exceptions?  If someone else is being mean to someone, what would you do?  On the one hand, it might be best to just stay the hell out of the fight.  But if someone is being picked on, and you feel like you need to defend that person, do you speak (type) up?  What do you say? 

(I just realized that I used "on the other hand" in the paragraph before I used "on the one hand".  Hopefully I'll learn to stop doing goofy stuff like that!) 

I'm much better at this in person.  When one of my kids says something mean about another kid, I know how to shut that down.  I know how to bite my tongue during office gossip parties (I know how.  I didn't say I actually DO bite my tongue).  So what about here in cyberspace?  I don't want to get voted off the Island before I've found the immunity idol!