Twisted Fairytale

I just feel so sluggish today. I had a busy morning, but as soon as I hit the gym, the little reserve of energy I had evaporated. Now I just want to veg in front of the TV. Which isn’t good. Because I should finish folding laundry. And mop the bathroom floor. And maybe even vaccum a bit. But you can count on that not being done tonight. For a second I considered writing, but even my brain has slowed down to a strange kind of, chill mode, where I’m not thinking more than maybe a word or two at a time. Like swimming in jello. There’s a thought…

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From the Ashes is now available at Twilight Fantasies Publications.

FROM THE ASHES is the story of Hannah Reed, a mortal in love with Will Caldwell, a pyreweld demon. Hannah and Will make a sexual commitment to one another only to have Will leave when another pyreweld—a female—passes through town.

Two years pass and Hannah is haunted by her unresolved feelings for Will. Just when she believes she is capable of entering into a new relationship with Michael Parker, Will returns to Jasper—alone. The pressure of Will’s return and his eagerness to pick things up where they left off, as well as her confusion about her feelings toward Michael, causes Hannah to leave Jasper in the hopes of achieving some much needed mental clarity.

Read an excerpt here.

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For starters, I am happy to say that I had my fourth weigh-in yesterday at the medical weight loss center I joined. Last week, I only lost 2 lbs, which really made me furious. I work very hard. I eat very specific foods, and though I don’t feel deprived, I do crave some awful things at times. Cheeseburgers, french fries, the usual heart attack material. I also attended two weddings (summer season just isn’t the same without them, is it?) and that put a serious hard core strain on keeping to my food regimen. But I did it. I didn’t cheat. I also didn’t go to the gym. And when I stood on the scale, it showed.

So when this week started, I decided I wasn’t going to take 2 lbs. This is a 12 week program. The first two weeks I lost 8 lbs. I couldn’t excuse myself for such poor results. So I hit the gym again. Not obsessively. Just pushing myself a little further than I did last time. I’ve been jogging, or attempting to, and I’m proud to say I’ve gotten my resistance up high enough to run at 4.5-5 speed on the treadmill. I get about a mile and change done. I get tired, so sometimes I walk in betweeen, but I never stop. I’m proud of that. And it pays off! I stood on the scale yesterday and saw that I went down another 4 lbs. PROGRESS!

That’s good news #1. Good news #2 revolves around my WIP. I was having some serious doubts regarding the last few scenes I wrote. I’m a huge self-doubter. I question everything I do, everything my characters do. My OCD wants me to go back and make corrections until my eyes bleed. That’s how I manage to NEVER finish a story. So, I’ve decided I would fight that urge all I can. But fighting it meant that yesterday I did not write ONE word. I was so angry at myself for wanting to go back and change the scenes. They weren’t that awful, but for some strange reason I felt they didn’t fit anymore. Because my fickle moods manage to get me in trouble, I ignored the ms all together and worked on Photoshop instead. A darling friend of mine let me rant about it a bit. We got into a great conversation about the characters, about the world, about characteristics. When it was all over and done with, I felt like I really did know what I was talking about. It’s nice not to be so lost. And thank you to Amalia for helping me remember why I’m fit to tell this story. I owe you big honey. Let me know how I can repay you. *hugs*

So I’m working again. I’ve gotten about 1k done today and the scene that I was so ready to just throw in the trash yesterday doesn’t seem so hopeless anymore. It’s a good day.

I can happily say, yesterday was my last day of work. I am now officially on ‘summer vacation.’ So how did I begin my first day of vacation? Sleeping in, of course. After months of waking up at the evil 6am (especially on late nights with my WIP), I just about sunk in the bed today.

Anyway, on a completely different topic, I have a lot of cleaning to do today. I have ignored it long enough, especially because of the last few days of work left. Now that it’s done, I have no excuse. Once I do that, I plan to jump back into my WIP, which of course, now that I have time to write it, I don’t feel as motivated/inspired. How typical, right?

I hope you’re all having a great week thus far. It’s hump day! Enjoy it! Only two days left before the acclaimed weekend!

That’s right, people! The second round of edits is D-O-N-E. *blasts ‘Celebrate’ by Kool and the Gang* I’m sooo happy to have finished those. Now, hopefully, they’ll find it to their liking (as much as possible) and what they send back won’t send me running to the corner to cry/hide. Did I mention how much I thoroughly dislike edits? lol Oh, in case I didn’t. I do. I like them about as much as a trip to the GYN. No need to explain further, I assume?

Between that and the new vamping of my site, I’m very excited for what’s to come.

My website will soon be undergoing an overhaul. I have yet to decide whether or not I will be leaving my home at Yahoo! for another host. I chose Yahoo because I understand how it works. It’s a familiar program for me. I’m afraid of having to learn an entirely new system. Then again, I might find something that is both more reliable and more financially acceptable. We’ll see. I’ve seriously considered using the WordPress program. I know many people have transfered to there. I don’t know if Yahoo Geocities is compatible, but I’m going to look around and find out.

While all of these changes are taking place, I am working on my writing. I have edited up to page 85 of my MS for Freya’s. Which means I only have about 50 more pages to go. That I am very, very excited about. I think more than anything else, I’m anxious to see what my cover will look like when it comes!!! I’ve also kept busy with my WIP. As you can see on the sidebar, I’ve managed to get myself to 32% done! Which is very exciting. Now, to press onward. Still have that goal for August. Come Tuesday, when school is out, I will have a strict schedule for writing. That way I can do a little everyday. And once my edits are done, I can focus on it completely, which will hopefully move me along at a faster pace than I am at now.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend. It’s back to the weekly grind tomorrow! I know, I know, I’m groaning about it too.

There are times when I feel I can do everything. During those times, I’m happy to say, I manage to become a superhero of sorts. I take care of everything and still manage to incorporate time to watch tv or spend time with the husband.

I know, it’s late, but I figured I’d drop in and say hi. Last night was busy and hectic, so this morning I wasn’t even thinking about waking up early to try and post. I’m in the middle of helping a really good hairdresser friend of mine plan a fashion show to benefit Couture for Cancer. This program helps create 100% human hair wigs with special adhesive and real looking scalp net for those undergoing or going to undergo chemotherapy and will lose their hair. It’s going to be a really great event. 30 Models. Styles from today way back to the 80s (you all know how much I love that time period!) and a little dinner afterwards, for those gracious enough to donate to the cause. ALL proceeds are actually going to this event. The money we are getting to put it together is coming from vendors who will be involved in the event. Not bad, huh?

I knew my strange theatre background would come in handy for something someday. Maybe I could become an event planner. I’m really really good at directing and I have ‘great vision’. *thinks* Nah… if I had to do weddings, I may kill the maid of honor. They are sooo unbearable sometimes. Hence the reason, why I didn’t have one.

I think I’ll just stick to writing. Which btw, is coming along. Piece by piece. I unstuck myself from the last post, and allowed myself to think outside the box a bit. I think sometimes, I put myself into a mold I don’t have to be in. I figure, ok, I’m writing this genre. It has to be this way. Pst. Yea, right. It totally doesn’t. I can just write what my character want. What they are moved to do. Sure, I help direct them a bit (LOL, what is the likelihood of directing coming up twice in one post?). They can be silly sometimes. They need a push. But overall, I like where being open minded has gotten me. *shrugs*

My goal: To finish my current WIP by August. Late August is fine, but I’d really prefer mid August. So I’m going to hold you guys to being my personal cheerleaders/whip wielders. (Ok, don’t get too excited, ok? Those things do hurt a bit). My progress bar is still on the right, in the sidebar. I’ve actually upped my word count by 2k in the last 3 days. *does happy dance* That’s pretty sweet.

Now to just finish my edits, and I can focus solely on my story. I’m excited!

Can you believe it’s only one more day til the weekend? FINALLY! Then, only two more days for me to work. School’s out on TUESDAY! And I seriously cannot wait. I’m worse than the kids. Everyday I sit with the 1st graders and ask them, so is today the day? They just laugh.

Ok, guys, sorry for the late post again. Like I said, my brain is sort of on the fritz. Gotta forgive me.

Spent like three hours on a manuscript only to figure out you’ve written about 4 paragraphs worth of crap? Yea, that was me last night. I had the scene in my head. I knew what it should turn into, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t make it work. Well, no, let me rephrase that. I know the reason I couldn’t make it work. I was in a crappy mood and had too much on my mind.

So that means that it’s back to the grind today, to see what I can make happen. On a really good news front, I’m halfway done with the second round of edits on CR for Freya’s. We’re thinking it might be ready for release by August. YAY. That makes me so happy.

I plan on finishing the other half this week. Then sending it back to my editor for another kick through, see what she says. The story was really really rough when I sent it. They should have never said it was ok during that Anniversary Submissions Call! Ha, ha! Sorry, I’m feeling strange this morning. Lack of sleep, I believe.

Speaking of anniversary, thanks for the great suggestions. I have a really great day planned. I just have to decide when to do it so I can lure hubby out of whatever activities he may have to do that day. I’m talking full on day starting from breakfast at sunrise by the seawall to sunset at the beach over a fire. And you know, some books, movies, mini-golf and nookie in between. *cough* Ahem.

Today is me and hubby’s 3rd anniversary. It’s been a pretty regular day. Nothing spectacular, except for a beautiful letter he wrote me which got me a bit teary eyed. I got his gift earlier in the week, when I had money. He’s getting a bonus on Friday. He wanted to use it all on some grand anniversary display.

I appreciate that. I really do. But our finances are so tight, I actually don’t think I could even enjoy it. Now, I think he’s really upset that we can’t do anything. He loves romantic gestures like that. Maybe I’m just too practical. But I mean, I’m going to be out of work for the summer. Things are going to be tight. Is it wrong to want to put some money away now, while we have it to use as emergency supplies for the next 2 months?

Is there a cheap, fun alternative to anniversary celebrations we can take part in? Movies is just not that special. Broadway shows are just too pricey. Spa’s get pretty pricey too. We thought of going to a casino for a weekend, but yea, again, no money. I’m starting to feel like a real party pooper. Help?!