Happy Halloween!!!!!

I'm all about the TREATS at this time of year, myself...... :) Hope you all have a great holiday! :)

Write....and the World Writes with You

Whine...and you're whining alone. Ha--not really. If you feel the need to vent, I'm all ears. It's been a crazy, hectic, whirlwind of a Fall so far. In fact, I've only found the time to post this today because I'm waiting on a phone call from our physician about daughter #2--she fell at school yesterday and we think she sprained her ankle. But she's had foot issues before, so we're waiting for the "final word." (Update: A simple sprain, thank goodness!)

A month ago, after working all day, running the girls to two after school programs and then hanging out with doctors, and getting ready for another's field trip today, I wouldn't have thought about trying to squeeze in writing.

But last night, I sat down and pushed out four and a half more pages before crawling off to bed.

It's weird, but it's working for me. Candy Havens says 'Just do it. No excuses, no worries, NO EDITING. Just get it down as fast as humanly possible.'

And I thought, what the heck. I really believe that no one system works for everyone, and we each must find our own best way to get those words on the page--but I'm liking this. It kind of freeing.

Any special techniques or methods that work for you?

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! :)