Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I've been running around like a chicken without a head. Never had i imagined that putting on Christmas for the kids would be such hard work. I now truly appreciate what my mother and father did for us, especially in this recession.
The tree is up and decorated, some of the cards have been sent out, the Christmas presents have all been shipped. And now I can breathe again.
So Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Music !!!

I heard this song yesterday on the radio. It transported me back to the 1990's. I'm sure the people who saw me singing in my car thought I was out of my mind. so Enjoy Arrested Development's "Everyday People".

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

I've been tagged!

My friend Katie tagged me for the Book Worm Award!

Here's how it works: Open the book closest to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.

From Karen Harper's "The Hiding Place."

"He ran away when he was seventeen,and my aunt had no way of knowing what happened. We still don't know if he's dead or alive," She said her voice snagging.
Well, he thought wrong topic choice again.

You've all been tagged.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Relationships.

First let me say It was our 5th wedding anniversary on Saturday. We had a relaxing day watched a movie and cracked open a bottle of champagne. It was wonderful.

Relationships are horribly complex, take for instance friendship, I have a few very close friends from high school and while some of us would hesitate to say we are cliquish honestly we might be.

Here's my question is it just that as you get older you tend to be less open to making new friends?

I know that i tend to be a bit wary sometimes when I meet some one new, though i also rely on my gut feeling. For all you West Indian folks out there you know what i mean when i say that my spirit either takes you or it doesn't.

Though sometimes I push past that,I try to always keep it in mind that someone once thought I was a bit standoffish and decided that I was stuck up, after meeting the first time. We've since become friends.

I'm off to tuck the girls into bed I'll continue this train of thought tomorrow.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Odd thoughts.

I'm sitting here filled with turkey, my kitchen is filled with left over food, and I have to say I've had a pretty good day. I haven't called all the family I should have , but I'll catch up on that tomorrow, as well as get back to my manuscript.
It's funny I had absolutely no idea when I was younger that I'd end up in the city of the mouse, married with two children. I never thought that I'd write either, never mind the fact that I was always rewriting stories in my head or just making up my own. I always thought I'd be back home helping my father and mother run their business.
Life however had other things in mind for me. now I'm not saying some of the choices I made didn't change my path, but now as I look back I think it was better for me to get out of the shadow of my father's wing. My mother is gone, has been for eight years now. At the very least she got to see her first grandchild.
Today I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to try my own wings and to be anonymous, which enabled me to grow as a person. It's a good thing, to change, grow and learn that you can stand on your own two feet. It might be scary but in the end, like milk, "it does a body good".

Happy Thanksiving!

Currently everything is in the oven, and the house had been cleaned, so I have a few minutes to sit down.
Just wanted to say "Happy turkey Day" to everyone and remember find a soft spot to land on, when you fall into the turkey coma. Love you all.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Stop The Romance Novel Bashing!

Ok I'm heated, I admit it. I was just on facebook this morning, another reason I shouldn't procrastinate by going on facebook. a friend from childhood, and another who was, helping me edit my novel, were pushing to ban Romance novels, now ok so she just posted a note.
I admit I'm biased as I'm a romance novelist, an author who will probably write in may different genres before my life is over. But I take offense at anyone who wants to ban a romance novel because they are unrealistic. Like I said in my response to her note, the reader is usually smart enough to to know the difference between fact and fiction, and be willing to suspend their disbelief in the case of some of the authors that have been published.
It really does piss me off when someone decides to put down romance novels as a whole when they don't even read the genre. Don't put down something you don't read, it obviously wasn't written for you.
All I'm asking is that if you don't like them fine, but don't put down the millions of intelligent readers out there by declaring them dumb for reading romance novels, when all they are doing is seeking an escape from everyday life. They know what is fact and fiction, and want a little fantasy thrown in for good measure.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Complete Randomness!




You Are a Pilgrim



Like the pilgrims, you've felt persecuted for your beliefs from time to time.

You have a strong sense of right and wrong. Your morality sometimes makes you feel out of step with the modern world.



You may not go as far as moving across the world, but you still identify with the pilgrims.

Well, except for the whole stealing land and killing Indians thing.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Falling on ice.

I don't have any pics up , but I will eventually. On Wednesday I tried something new, I ice skated for the very first time in my life. UCF has a skating rink, so my Mother-in-law and I took the girls out.
First of all with in a few minutes even though it had been 25 years my Mother-in-law remembered how to skate and only fell once because my eldest pulled her down.
I on the other hand split my time between making sure my little one didn't fall while holding on to the side, and attempting to skate myself.
I fell twice but at the end I was extremely pleased that not only did i try something new and unfamiliar but so did my girls. My mother in law had tons of fun by the way. I think most of the time we're so busy being adults that we forget to have fun.
So here's my question:
What would you like to try, and why?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Long time no see!

Hello again everybody!
I've been busy, please forgive my absence. I'm currently working on a Paranormal Romance, working part-time, designing my website and in general trying to stay healthy through the holiday season.
Thanksgiving is coming up, so here's what I'm thankful for:
Friends and family, they don't always have to be in touch ,but they're there when you call.
Low gas prices, Amen.
The ability to make myself understood, whether it be written or in speech.
World of War Craft, it keeps my husband busy while I write.(Yes Sydney, I bought it today.)
Your turn, What are you thankful for?

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Hello Again!

Its been a while I know. I've been off being mom for the summer. I've been to West Virginia, Virginia, Connecticut and Rhode Island, in that order this summer.
West Virginia is a yearly trek for me and Virginia was to see the Shenandoah Valley, Connecticut and Rhode Island were all about reconnecting with my mother-in-law's family.
And as a certain cousin of mine has already questioned , why beach week in RI. Its way cooler in temperature and like true Floridians we hid in what shade we could find or created ourselves by way of umbrella while all the relatives up north baked in the sun.
I'm still writing, and putting myself through a test in self discipline, rewriting my first manuscript and not head hopping. Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows I'm slightly schizophrenic. So it's a trial. (Ignore my whining, This is actually good for both me and my characters. it makes the story tighter )
And I'm also working on my futuristic Sci-Fi Romance, which I started writing in her point of view, One or both of them will be ready in a few months so help me------(insert the god of your choice). Oh well the juice's ares going got to write.
Ps.
I'm really looking forward to the next conference I'm going to put on by the Georgia Romance Writers . Moonlight and Magnolias.
Anyone else going?

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Summer Vacation!

Okay! I'm Still alive. Summer vacation actually started for me in May. The kids are home and i've only had time to jot down ideas but not actively write. hopefully I'll be able to get some writing done, during these next few weeks. Jax I hope all is well. The same goes to all of my freinds out there in the big never never known as the internet.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Hi everybody!

I know, I know I haven't posted in a really long time. I promise I'll get my behind in gear. I've been working on my book though to be honest I had a few bad weeks on the writing front. I also just got an idea for a paranormal short story, so we'll see how that works out.
So here's what I've been up to I saw Duran Duran, they've still got it.
Went to the Space Coast Authors of Romance Super Saturday
It was very informative and the ladies are great. Oh and attended an area book signing for CFRWA,
Here's the list of authors that were signing:
Catherine Kean
Nancy J Cohen
Jax Cassidy
Louise M Gouge
Terry Odell
Roxanne St. Claire


Gone back to writing, See y'all later!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

What title!

Words written today: 871
What I'm Listening to: Fall Out boy, "this ain't a scene"
What I'm reading; My WIP, which is coming together.
I was talking to a friend of a friend a few months ago and the topic of social networking sites, like My Space and Facebook came up . I'm not against them because they help me stay in touch with my friends and family. (This coming from the girl who has people scattered over the face of the earth like seeds.) But I do think you need to have commonsense when using these sites.
Which brought on the topic of people moving farther away from home than they ever have before, and becoming disconnected from their families , and cultures.
It's happened to me, at heart I'm still an island girl, but I like the anonymity of living in a big city. Though I still occasionally long for all of my friends being in one place. After all it would be wonderful not to have to think about what country code to dial. Which is utterly selfish of me because, not everyone can end up in the same place and not everyone is meant to have the same life.
I know if affects how I react to others when I go home. I generally feel disconnected, it almost as if I'm feeling my way again with this person after all I've lived in the USA since 1996. It always amazes me when someone is amazed that I remember them, i usually do, its just sometimes I can't remember a name until I actually talk to them for a while. or in one embarassing moment called someone by the wrong name.
What about you, are your family and friends scattered , or all in the same vicinity?
How do you think it affects your relationships, with them and others?
Weird questions! I know.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Happy b-day ,First conference experience to me!

Total words written so far today: 248 (I just started work today people)

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 29th birthday. One year older, Woohoo. I don't care what anyone says I still feel as if I'm 16. oh happy birthday! Tonya, sorry I'm late.
Ok, I was a conference virgin, but that was before this past weekend. I attended the Southern Lights conference , put on by the First coast Romance Authors. It was a wonderful introduction to the world of conferences. but that could just be because they had Suzanne Brockmann there.
Yes my one of my all time favorite authors, was there with her husband Ed Gaffney. I do have Ed's "Premeditated Murder" on my to be read list.
Cheryl Alldredge also known as "Charlie" did an excellent job along with the rest of the committee putting on this conference. Barb and Alyssa, had the master list of appointments organized and kept us all in order, in addition to giving out great advice.
Many thanks to
Tracy Montoya, Simone Elkeles, Terri Ridgell, Linda Bilodeau, Cheri Norman, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Maggie Toussaint. Who helped newbies like me polish our pitches. Be back later to finish this up, the kids are ill and need my attention.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

back from the bachelorette party

Words written so far today: 478
What I'm listening to: Spice and Company's , Guns (Soca for you who don't know)
What I read this week: my work in Progress, I was trying to get it ready for TOM (Touch of Magic, the contest the CFRWA sponsors ) I didn't make it.

This weekend was a writing challenge, I went to New Jersey for a bachelorette party. I'm pretty proud of myself for using my in flight time for writing, I did 312 on the way there and 470 on the way back. Which means i'm still in the game for the 100 word Challenge.
As for the party it was my first encounter, that I know of, with drag queens. We went to Lucky Chengs in downtown NYC. And had an absolute ball, we're still wondering if things were surgically removed.
Moving on from the mysteries of Drag queens, and to be PC the person in the picture is a Drag Doll. Yes there is a difference.One that would take too much time to explain considering I'm not sure where this particular doll is from.
Now on to the topic of conferences. Another friend and I are going to attend the Southern Lights Writers Conference in Jacksonville, Fl this March. Its put on by the First coast Romance Writers of Jacksonville .


This year their keynote speaker is Suzanne Brockmann. (www.suzannebrockmann.com) Of whom I'm a big fan, I've just give my Mother-in-law the first three of her books in the Troubleshooters series. I fully expect her to be demanding the others in the next week, and when she's done with those I should be ready to let go of Roxanne St. Claire's and Cindy Gerard's books.
So here's my question who are you favorite authors you don't have to rank them just let me know who you like.
Here I go with mine:
Georgette Heyer
Arthur Golden
Lucy Walker
Louisa May Alcott
Ismith Khan
V.S Naipaul
Alice Walker
James Fennimore Cooper
Margret Mitchell
Suzanne Brockmann
Cindy Gerard
Roxanne St.Claire





Sunday, March 2, 2008

Getting back to normal.

Words Written Today: 585
What I'm listening to right now:
Justin Timberlake " Cry Me A river"
Kat Deluna "Whine Up"
What I read this week: I re-read Linnea Sinclair's; Gabriel's Ghost and Finders Keepers ( kept me from going insane while keeping the hubby company in the hospital)

So this entire episode with the hubby, has me cataloging feelings and ways they show up in my writing and my favorite authors writing. Sometimes I Tell and not Show, so I've been working on that in my latest scene. my heroine and her best friend are talking about a run in she's just had with her ex. So I'm trying to show how her BFF (who's male by the way) picks up on her agitation.
And since males have a completely different take on things I find have to adjust to the male way of thinking. So my question to you guys out there is this;

Do you have a standout passage from a favorite author, your own work, or a song; that grabs you and makes you feel no matter how many times you've read it or listened to it?

Here's mine:

From Celine Dion " Immortality"

So this is who I am,
And this is all I know,
And I must choose to live,
For all that I can give,
The spark that makes the power grow

written By Barry Gibbs (I think)
Whenever I hear the beginning of this song it always strikes a cord. I have a lot of others. But right now this one comes to mind.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

He's Home!

Thanks to everybody. They released him from the hospital at 11pm . But , he still has to do a stress test on Monday. So keep your fingers crossed.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Still waiting !

Thanks guys for the support. The results from the MRI came in and they were fine.He then had an Echo cardiogram done today and he's still waiting for the results. So hopefully he will get out tomorrow.
I haven't gotten any writing done since Tuesday, I just couldn't focus. Just wanted to say thank you!

On another topic.

My Husband's boss and friend Brian is participating in the St Baldrick's Event http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.html?ParticipantKey=
2008|33539
this is to raise money for childhood cancer research. Apparently thousands of volunteers shave their head in a show of solidarity for children with cancer, while requesting donations. So if you can please give, or if you can't please pass this on to someone who might.

Update on Josh:
Still waiting on results from the MRI. I have the kids today so I'm at home. But I'll be going to the hospital later.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Yet another night in the hospital!

Ok , So The hubby has to stay another night at 1am the neurologist requested another MRI ( C Spine) . I didn't get to the hospital until 9am this morning I didn't leave until 5.30 pm and It still wasn't done, until about an hour or so later. The neurologist doesn't there until 11pm tonight. So I'm guessing that the hubby will probably not be released until tomorrow sometime. that being said they still don't seem sure about what happened. But for all of you out there who care. Thank you!

Another update from the Hospital

OK So its, Thursday, Thanks Julie ! We're waiting on another MRI. apparently they can't make up their minds on what it was. So neurologist is having another look. in the mean time he's back on his meds and I'm keeping him company. Thank God for laptops and Wireless. OH and Skype. Josh is amusing himself watching Myth busters and I'm attempting to get some writing done, since he's in better spirits. We're hoping they decide they were wrong and it is a pinched nerve. ( Did I mention this is really freaking me out)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

update!

OK! So I'm still at the hospital. Josh is having an MRI and it turns out he has had a TIA (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4781). Its a mini stroke, so its not a pinched nerve as originally thought. Dara thanks . Will check in again

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I'm back! Sort of. Live from the Er!

Words Written Today: 455
What I'm listening to: Nancy grace on a continuous loop ( Help Me Please)

Why live from the ER you ask? Well I of the continuous flu, while on the mend had to bring my husband in due to tingling in his arms. Now before you condemn me for writing at a time like this. We've been here for at least four hours, and they are thinking its a pinched nerve in his neck. this I can deal with, heart issues let just say I was a useless puddle for a while. So the kids are at the grandparents and since the hubby likes to pretend he's independent, I sit here with only my laptop for company and have decided to do some work instead of worrying.
If all goes well we will be able to take care of this with the help of a chiropractor, and not with surgery like I had to go through with my dad. Trust me no fifteen year old wants to be in charge of their father. (Mommy had to hold down the fort so i got sent to Trinidad to do nurse duty for two weeks)
well back to my drama.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Words written today: Nada, Zip, Zilch
What I'm listening to this vey moment: The sounds of the kids playing and My dog snoring besides me.
I can't remember what I read right now.
Alas I've struck down by the flu again. I can't move and I feel horrible. This is as much writing as i will get done today. i have to start over on my hundred word a day challenge. TTYL. I hope to be better soon.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Who am I again and what is my writing style.

Words written today: 465
What I'm listening to this at this very moment: Lee Ann Rimes "Nothin' Better to do"
Evanescence, "You never call me when you're sober"
What I read last week: Patricia Briggs' Mercedes Thompson series
Moon Called
Blood Bound
Iron kissed

You're probably wondering what the title to this weeks installment is about. The truth is I'm not even sure I know.
I've become a writing class junkie, I take every class I can, because, I want to be the best writer I can be. (Sounds like that old Army commercial doesn't it) Most recently I signed up for Kelley St. Johns class "Power Pitching and promoting". Why you ask? well the truth is that I have no idea how to promote myself. Added to that my confidence is some what battered, and now you're thinking how can a woman who has a blog have confidence issues.
I have been a stay at home mom for four years for two of those years and for the most part I've had the dog and four walls for company. Not that I don't love my dog, but she's a little short on human conversation. In addition most of my friends are usually several hours or states away, if not on a completely different continent.
So it just takes a lot more now for me to put myself forward, and the thought of actually having to pitch my book made me sweat. Let me just say I was really happy and excited when I saw this class pop up on writersonlineclasses.com, there another site that I take classes from as well writeruniv.com. I'm half way through the class and this time I've done my homework, and now I'm beginning to feel more confident about it.
Though if someone asked me right now what my writing style is I couldn't tell you.
I know, that I like Amy Tan, Nora Roberts, Beverly Barton, Lora Leigh, Linnea Sinclair and the list goes on. But who do I write like I have absolutely no clue.
to my writer friends out there : Who do you write like?(not that it's fair to compare, but I'm asking out of curiosity)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

My ranting just for you.

Words written today: 794
What I'm listening to at this very moment: Big and Rich's "Save a Horse Ride Cowboy"
Rihanna " Please Don't Stop the music"
What I read this week:
Stephanie Laurens "Where the Heart Leads"
Elizabeth Lowell " Moving Target "
Genita Low "The Protector"

Okay, so I mentioned that I'm a member of the Local RWA Chapter (http://www.cfrwa.com/) and I told you that I was taking the 100 words for 100 days challenge, but I never explained what that meant. So here it is I have to write at least 100 words everyday for 100 days straight. If I slack off and don't write then I have to start all over again. Now some people would cheat but, those of you who know me, know that i will procrastinate all day and then write into the wee hours of the night just to meet my quota. But thats okay because thanks to this challenge I'm getting tons of work done on my WIP. So thanks again Julie for issuing the challenge.
Now all I want to do is lose myself on a dance floor its been so long since I went dancing. The problem is that guys no longer understand the concept of hands off. Now I know I'm only 28 but really when some 20 year old decides its okay to put his hands on me . I have a serious urge to put my stilettos through his feet. Which is why I don't go out anymore, I have a low tolerance for anyone who doesn't understand I'm taken and even if I wasn't I wouldn't be interested.Not quite sure why I brought that up but oh well it is my blog.
Any who, I was talking to my friend Tracy the other day, and we got to talking about where we get ideas from, and sometimes like now I have a historical running around in my head , with an empath standing on the bridge of a starship staring at me. I know it sounds crazy but , I have to finish this book so i can start on the others and when i start working on those I'm sure I'll have a bunch of other characters running riot in my head waiting to be written. oh well thanks for letting me rant.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Happy Birthday Danielle!



Today my sister in law turns 29, and soon I will follow. Which made me think, of what has she accomplished so far since her move to Maui. From what I can see she has revived her interest in Art , her love of the outdoors, and most recently she started writing again. In addition she seems a much stronger person than when she left, and that's saying something, because she was strong to begin with. ( Our in entire family is made up of alpha's. ) I think she has come into her own . So today a salute someone who I'm proud to call sister to my husband, Aunt to my children and sister of my heart. By the way I couldn't choose just one photo of Dani, so I hope the two I picked out do her justice. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY DANI!!!!!!! (that was from the girls)

Friday, February 8, 2008

Home sick in more ways than one!



I'm Home Sick, as if you couldn't tell. Actually I'm also at home, sick, my Two year old had a 103° temp at 6am, fortunately I've been able to bring in down. She's currently gluing shapes on paper and making a big happy mess as she is doing her craft for the day, Oh to be 2 again and have no worries.Now me, I feel like my throat is filled with sand and in general like crap. And when I feel like crap I want to go home. So here are my gratuitous pictures of SVG (Saint Vincent and The Grenadines) . For those who don't know I grew up on a tiny island in the Caribbean, and though I was born in the US I still consider myself vincentian, though I also consider myself American. Well Heck it's my prerogative, I'm both. The picture on the left was taken from my Aunt Suzanne's veranda, the island is Young Island , its actually a hotel. And the picture below was taken entering Port Elizabeth, on the island of Bequia, ( my favorite place to go for the weekend) . I just want to sit on a porch and read a book. Okay enough wallowing in self pity I'm off to put Alex down for a nap and write. Oh and Happy anniversary To Kevin and Yamilca, and Melissa and Damian. Five years Woo Whoo! There I was happy for a whole minute, just kidding.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Happy Valentines

Yes I know it's early, but I'll be busy then. I'm volunteering at my youngest daughters school for the morning and then its me and the hubby. But wait there's more its my in-laws wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Johnie and Gail !
Now that's out of the way, I've signed up for my local RWA chapter's (http://cfrwa.com) 100 words for 100 days challenge . Which for my procrastinating self is torture. I did this because it will help me reach my goal of submitting a completed manuscript this year.
So my question to you is what have you done to challenge yourself today?

Friday, January 25, 2008

Hello out there!

Well first things first happy New Year! yes I know I'm horribly late but honestly I've trying to limit the time I spend on the internet. You know the time stealing monster. Which is now worse because I had to get a new laptop, since my old "monster" and yes I do mean monster (It had a 17 inch screen and weighed about 10-15lbs, would just keep freezing on me when I was writing. Thank God for Best Buy having deals every week. Anyway enough gushing about having a laptop that actually works now.
So here are the exciting things that have happened to me so far, my current WIP ( Work in Progress) has been completely torn apart and now I'm in the process of rewriting it. Why? You ask would I do this, well here it is. I attended Robin Perini and Laura Bakers, day long Discovering Story Magic Class, which I had already taken previously online, but because I'm a skulker it didn't quite have the same impact on me that it did in person. Needless to say, I took a good long hard at my book (which by the way I thought I had already done) with the help of a friend and came to the conclusion that I needed to change a few things.
Ok so the other exciting thing to happen is I signed up for my first conference, so I'll be attending the Southern lights conference writers conference in March. I'm nervous as hell. And my eight year-old just came home with all A's whoo-hoo, meanwhile my 2 year-old has been signing the drunken sailor song in school. Did I mention she goes to a Lutheran preschool, Grampa's in trouble now( Just kidding).
Well Let me know what's been going on in the world out there.