On Writing

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    For a good cause …

    Author Brenda Novak’s annual diabetes auction kicked off on May 1. The event runs through May 31.

    There’s lots of cool stuff to bid on again this year. Trips, editor and agent critiques, autographed books, etc. Just about everything book-related you could ever want — and then some. Even better, the money raised goes to a good cause — diabetes research.

    Yours truly has donated some items up for bid — an autographed copy of Karma Girl and a matching T-shirt; and an autographed copy of Hot Mama and a matching T-shirt. Plus bookmarks, of course. Because you can never have too many bookmarks. :cool: 

    You can find my stuff under the paranormal section for readers. Here’s a link (scroll down to view my stuff.)

    Happy bidding!

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    More reading recommendations …

    2 Comments

    Via my e-newsletter, I’ve received some more reading recommendations, this time from Gail Dunavan. For May, Gail recommends:

    Victoria Laurie, who writes the Psychic Eye and Ghost Hunter mystery series (here’s a link to the books)

    Candance Havens, who writes the Charmed series (here’s a link)

    Julie Kenner, who writes a code-breaking series and one about a demon hunting soccer mom (here’s a link) 

    Thanks, Gail! :blossom:

    Got a good read to share? Leave it in the comments.

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    Needed: bionic wrists …

    4 Comments

    I know I’ve talked about the two new urban fantasy series I’m working on –one series is about a spy and the other’s about an assassin.

    I had an idea for the second book in the assassin series, so I wrote 8,024 words this weekend, bringing my grand total (so far) up to 20,126. As a result of this flurry of writing, my right wrist is killing me the way it always does when I spend too much time at the computer.

    Do you think any editors out there would pay for me to be implanted with some bionic wrists? Just a thought. I’d certainly love to be able to type 5,000 words an hour.

    Na-na-na!

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    The final RT post …

    2 Comments

    So here are my high (and low) points and things I learned at RT:

    Total miles driven: About 1,100.

    Total hours spent driving: About 18.

    Best thing about Pittsburgh: Just about everything. Great weather, a gorgeous downtown area, and lots to see and do.

    Worst thing about Pittsburgh: Some of the bridges only go one way. It’s confusing, especially if you’re from out of town.

    Biggest fangirl moment: Getting to talk to Kim Harrison for a few minutes. I love her books, and she was very gracious in person.

    Most awkward moment: Realizing practically everyone else at the Fairy Ball was in costume — but me.

    Second most awkward moment: Asking people what they were standing in line for (the goody room). I can never tell and always have to ask.

    My best author moment: Having people come up to me at the book fair and tell me how much they enjoyed the Bigtime books.

    Funniest author moment: Jackie Kessler referring to her Hell on Earth series as the HOE books.

    Best spot to hang out: The lobby outside the ballroom.

    Worst spot to hang out: The Pub restaurant. It was way too small for the number of people at the event.

    Cool authors I met: Jackie Kessler, Rachel Vincent, Mark Henry, Stephanie Hale, Ann Christopher, Robyn DeHart, Barry Eisler … and too many more to name.

    Other cool people I met: Krista, a reader from Nashville that I met last year during an event; Susan Helene Gottfriend of the West of Mars book blog; Ann the librarian … and too many other people to name.

    Things I will do different if I go next year: Get some sort of cape or nice dress for the costume balls. Bring more promo items besides bookmarks. Talk to more people.

    Worst thing about RT: The hotel. Enough said.

    Best thing about RT: Meeting so many people and all those wonderful free books.

    Whew! So there you have it. More about RT than you ever wanted to know. I’ll give you guys a couple days to digest it all before I go back to more regular posting. In the meantine, happy reading! :ww: