Butterfly Friday

Bless Robynn B today, as she undergoes a bone marrow transplant.
All our best wishes and prayers go out to her and her family, including her dear Aunt Terry Jo.

You can read more about Robynn here.

Robynn's blog:www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do

Thank heavens for the friendship of fellow romance writers as yet another support during difficult times.

The Giddy Joy of Autumn

Oh, how I love, love, LOVE this time of year! Lots of birthdays, my wedding anniversary (20 years! Yes, I married when I was six. *G*) Cool weather, beautiful foliage, yummy comfort food, football games, gathering and shelling walnuts until your fingers are a beautiful brown.

Apples! Apple Cider!

Long walks through the fields and forests of my parent's farm.

Homecoming parades. Tailgate parties!

Visiting the pumpkin patch in search of that perfect jack-o-lantern.

That first fire in the fireplace. . . the first frost on the leaves.

Why do you love Fall? If autumn hasn't captured your heart, what Season brings out the best in you?

Good-bye, Divas...

I left my heart in San Fransisco. . . Nope, I'm not talking about the National Convention. I'm talking about the Fog City Divas, who have decided to disband their blog (Nooooooooo!) in order to better spend their time---writing!

Shoot! Can't they pop out fabulous, entertaining posts and interviews every day and still crank out wonderful books?? Must they insist upon a personal life as well?

These ladies offered up the perfect variety of historical, YA, contemporary, humor, category, erotic, romantic suspense--you name it, they write it, and write it WELL.

I am sooooo going to miss their take on the profession, and life in general, when they leave tomorrow. Be sure and stop by their site and say thanks and good luck!

Divas, I wish you Happy Days and Happy Writing! Thanks for sharing your lives and expertise with us these last three years. :)

Annual Migration

Bless those tenacious Monarchs, fluttering their way to Mexico each fall. At this time of year, I'd love to fly away with them. :)

As I've said in previous posts, August is our "new year". I work in the schools, and our three daughters attend school, so August is filled with saying goodbye to the routine, or lack thereof, of a lazy, self-centered summer and hello to the demands of work! school! teachers! extracurricular activities!

Each summer, I feel as though I separate from one career and fully embrace another. The writing might have been filed under "extracurricular" activities at one point in my life, but now I treat it with a great deal more respect and commitment. My children and my husband still come first, but then they take precedence over the "paying" job as well.

The transition back is always bumpy the first week, but I do try a few tricks to ease myself back into the fray. Keeping my writing desk clear of school papers, household bills and other paraphernalia helps. So does a stash of dark chocolate M&M's. *g*

So how do you balance your writing with your other responsibilities? Do you use any special routines to switch gears from caretaker, employee, chauffeur, jack-of-all-trades, to focused writer? Do you need a few minutes to let the story come back to you, or can you flick it "on" in an instant? Do Tell! :)

Let's Get Back To It!

Party's over, people!

There is nothing like a conference, RWA Nationals or something more local, to get those inspirational juices flowing. And all those workshop CD's just waiting to be listened to.....all that juicy research, just waiting to be explored....

But hey! That book isn't going to write itself! Take all that newfound wisdom and glorious insight and refreshed enthusiasm and put that pen to paper (hands to keyboard, etc.) !

Get back to work! Let that page count reach new heights! Celebrate every single new word that makes it to the page, and let us know when you've finished another brilliant WIP! :)

The Joys of Home-bound Nationals

We'll soon be waving a fond farewell to those making their way to San Fransisco . . . .

I think we're all pretty familiar with why the RWA national conference is so wonderful. The people you meet, the variety of workshops, the connection with others who totally get you and your writing . . . it's an experience not to be missed.

But sometimes life gets in the way. If you're staying home this year, there are some pretty great things happening on-line to keep your muse satisfied and eager to help you stay excited about that WIP.

Paperback Writer is hosting a week-long Left Behind and Loving It , a series of virtual workshops for those of us keeping the home fires burning. (Or the AC blasting. . .) And the Romance Divas are hosting a Not Going to Conference Conference from July 30th to August 2nd. Such a wealth of information at your fingertips, and all available after a simple registration! It's also great fun to visit familiar personal blogs and read everyone's updates on what's happening during the conference, and the posts that follow for weeks after.

August always feels so much more like the beginning of a New Year than January for us, with three children in school and my own day job in the school system. Let's embrace the energy of Nationals and make August the beginning of a new enthusiasm for our writing as well.

Already packed and ready to take on San Francisco? Staying home and celebrating the joys of a profession that can be carried out in pajamas? How are you recharging your writing right now?

Conference Month!

Hey, it's RWA National Conference month over at the Wet Noodle Posse. Follow my link directly to your left for some first hand, first rate, been-there, done-that advice from some really wonderful and generous writers.

I thought Dallas was amazing. I learned so much by just listening to everyone around me, fellow unpublished to fan-girl worthy pros. One of my favorite moments was sharing an elevator ride with Teresa Medeiros. She is the sweetest person ever!

I'm not going this year--ah, the economy has struck again!--but I know a bunch of you are! Very excited? Pitches polished? Comfy shoes shined? Seat at the bar already reserved? :)

Seasoned veterans, what's your favorite thing about Nationals? Newbies, what are you looking forward to the most? Any good stories of your own to pass along?