"The End," there's nothing like writing those two words at the end of a story. After months of writing, plotting, editing and re-editing a WIP, it's such a relief to finally be done. And yet, I always feel a little lost after I've submitted the work. It's hard letting go of the characters that have consumed your world for so many months. I've taken almost a week off from writing and now I'm ready to start my next story. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in my current project. I need the creative distraction as I await word from the publisher!
Now, I just have to decide which story to tell. I've got several tempting ideas. I think I'll let the characters in my head duke it out. The loudest heroine's voice wins! I will set up a very brief plot outline and dig in. I love the slight uncertainty of how the book will shift and change as the story unfolds while I write. Most of all I just love being creative. I'm so happy I've found another way to express myself and my passion for, well, passion, love and romance!
I can't believe how fast this year is flying by! We're half way through 2010! What a year it has been for me as a mom, wife and writer! I still can't believe my son will be going to Kindergarten in the fall and my daughter will head off to preschool. My babes are growing up fast!
July is a special month! I'm looking forward to celebrating my sixth wedding anniversary with my husband on the 11th! I love him more now than I did when we first married. I think the love grows stronger and deeper as the years past. All of our experiences together whether good or challenging have tempered the love between us. My husband is truly my champion when it comes to my writing and I can't express how much that means to me.
I thought I'd celebrate Christmas in July with an excerpt from my holiday story,A Christmas for Carolwhich can be found in Noble Romance's Winter Kisses Anthology. This sweet short story flowed like magic when I was writing it and I think it captures the essence of the holiday season. Enjoy!
"This is for you.”
Carol stared at the beautifully wrapped gift with surprise. “Grant . . . .”
"Just open it.” He flipped on the overhead light.
Her heart hammered as she yanked off the red ribbon and lifted the box top to reveal an exquisite gold chain with a delicate charm. The little coffee cup sparkled with tiny diamonds. “It's beautiful!” Carol gasped. “I can't believe you got me a gift. Thank you. I love it!” On impulse she leaned over to give him a quick peck on the cheek, but Grant pulled her in closer. He tasted like cinnamon as he deepened the kiss, brushing his lips slowly across hers. Pulling off her hat, he laced his fingers through her hair, holding her in place as he teased and tasted every inch of her mouth.
Carol whimpered, overwhelmed by her need for him. Desire ignited and raged through her body as he caressed her tongue with deliciously deliberate strokes. She raised her hand to touch his beard, loving the way the short hairs tickled her fingers. Her craving for him was undeniable. She wanted to let go and give herself over to the feelings rushing through her as he massaged her scalp.
Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe it was time to let her heart feel something other than pain and guilt.
He pulled away, leaving her lips throbbing and tingling. Neither of them spoke for a few seconds, the hum of the heater the only sound in the truck.
Grant stared out the window at the snow falling more heavily on the windshield. “There's something between us, Carol. Something I've never felt before with any woman and I know you feel it, too."
Carol loosened her scarf, still frazzled from his kiss and her own chaotic emotions.
“I know we’ve only been on one date—“
“Three.” Carol corrected him, blushing when she saw the triumphant look on his face.
“I know. I was just checking to see if you were counting our lunch dates. I feel like I already know so much about you and I still want to spend more time with you.”
Carol shook her head. “We hardly know each other.”
Grant looked at her. “That's not true. I know you're a morning person. I know you like cream and sugar in your coffee. I know you like to wear the color yellow. I know you don't like to wear a lot of make-up. I know you obsess over tiny details at your job. I know you like to laugh. I know holiday music makes you crazy.”
Carol looked at him in shock until she couldn't see him because of the tears in her eyes again. “Stop. Stop!”
Grant grabbed her hand. “I can't, because I want to know more. I know you've been through something tragic and life changing. I understand that, but I have to know if I even have a chance with you.”
Grant lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Don't think this is just about the smokin' sexual chemistry we have, because I want more than just your naked body under mine. I want a chance at your heart.”
Read A Christmas for Carolin Noble Romance's Winter Kisses Anthologytoday! Click here to purchase!
You can't have summer heat without crazy thunderstorms. Last week, we had a couple and one in particular took out our power for a few hours. I actually enjoy watching thunderstorms from the safety of my window. There's something unexplainable that comes over me when I see trees swaying in the ferocious wind as lightening and rain pound the pavement and windows. I imagine scenes for the paranormal WIP's I'm working on and marvel at the awesome power of nature.
I'm always humbled during a black out by the immediate reminder of how dependent I am on electricity. I'm sure it's not just me, but most of the world. It takes moments like experiencing a black out to remember just how vulnerable we would be if we were without ANY power for a long period of time.
I'm addicted to my laptop, but I can always settle in with a good book. Still, I couldn't help thinking how far we've come in this technological age. Many of us would have to totally regroup in a world without DVR, blackberries, cell phones and oh, you get the idea.
I empathize when I see other countries in war or devastated by natural disasters. I marvel at the resilience of humankind in the face of such tragedies. How do we move towards the future without forgetting some of the critical survival techniques of yesterday year? Should we even worry about it? I never truly think about something happening so huge in America that could take away our power indefinitely, but when the lights went out last week, I thought it was a question each of us should consider.
It actually felt like summer last week and of course as soon as the weekend hit...rain and 60 degree temps. I can't wait for more consistently warm days, but in all honesty I'm not crazy about summer time. I don't like the super hot humid days. When the humidity gets past 50 percent, I'm done with outdoor fun. Here in the Windy City it can get pretty sticky indeed.
Now, my son is done with preschool and I've got to plan things for him and my daughter to do to keep them from driving each other crazy and me. What's amazing to me is no matter how many fun things I plan as soon as we get back home or finish a project without fail about ten minutes later my son will come to me and say: "Mommy, I'm bored."
Over the weekend, I found out my work will be published with another publisher! I'm really excited and happy. This was just what I needed to refuel my heart and hunger to keep reaching for my dreams as a writer. I wish I could say more, but this contract was for my pen name and I've decided to keep the two separate. I love having the freedom to pen what I want, but using a pen name is also challenging. Just last week, I accidentally posted something for my personal page on my alter ego page! I'm realizing more and more that it might be impossible to keep the two completely separate. Plus, I want to shout the news of my new publisher to everyone I know, but of course I won't . . . or at least, not yet!
