As Much As I Love...

...car chases, bombs exploding, kidnappings and murders, I'm still a romantic at heart.  I could only watch the live version of the Royal Wedding yesterday for a little while because I had to go to work.  Since I got home, I've spent most of my waking hours watching the highlight shows.    William and Kate reminded me that I DO believe in fairy tales after all!  Congratulations to the royal couple!

Yeah, Just How I Want To Spend My Day

Got a beautiful fan letter today in one of my old email accounts from someone who LOVED my latest book and could I send him an autographed book plate.  It was really very sweet....

Until I realized he was 12-years-old and writing to Lexi Connor, the children's author.

Dear Universe....

Can ya throw me a bone?  I'm drowning over here in a sea of despair, self-doubt and worry.  I'm even dreaming about my teeth falling out (which is apparently a symbol of stress)!  Come on, can't you find it in your heart to give me SOME POSITIVES?  Pretty please?  With sugar on top?  I'll be your best friend.....

To Those of You Who Celebrate

Patience

Patience is not a virtue.  It's a necessity.  At the moment, I'm waiting for:

Certification test results
Contest scores
Announcement of contest finalists
Responses from 4 publishers on queries
3 job interviews
2 job places to tell me if I'm hired or not
My CP's book to come out

PERFECT!

Elisabeth Naughton posted this on her facebook page and it came off Jim C. Hines' blog.  I think I'm going to print it out and put it up on my cork board above the computer!

Hiya!

Not much to tell since Saturday's partying that the teacher test was over.

Work- worked 1 day this week, interviewed 1 place.  Holding out hope for jobs Thursday and Friday.  Already have a 3-day job next week at a school I like.

Writing- haven't officially gotten back to it yet, but since I'm not teaching today I'm going to spend it on THE BOOK.  I emailed my CP last night to help brainstorm with me so that, as I write/revise the 2nd half of the book, I don't run in circles. I ended up working a half-day in a 1st grade classroom.  Good fun!

Writing class-Killer Openings is winding down.  Only 2 more lessons and a wrap-up.  It's been a GREAT experience!  My next one to teach is Contests- The Basics and that's through Hearts Through History Romance Writers in July.  I'm excited to get started on those lesson plans in the coming months!

Sometime in the next week or so the Daphne will announce its finalists.  Keep your fingers crossed and send positive vibes that one of my stories makes the cut!

Off to have breakfast and then get busy with some work!  Have a great day!

Saturday

Done with my teacher certification test!  Now I'm relaxing with a cup of tea and I'm critiquing for my critique partner, Cat Schield.  Cat's first book, Meddling With a Millionaire, comes out June 7th from Harlequin Desire!  She's planning to also have a prequel, a novella with a different couple that introduces us to the hero of the book in June.  That's what I'm reading right now.  It's AWESOME!  I'll let you know when it's available to the public and, trust me, you'll be hearing more from me about her book coming out as it gets closer! 

Stuff

Hiya!  I'm knee-deep in my studying for my EC-6 Teacher Certification test, which is Saturday morning.  I took Tuesday off to study and it looks like I'll be off today so I'll be spending some serious hours studying.

In the meantime, I got some cool bits and pieces of ideas for a new story.  I was excited, but I didn't do anything about it since I've been focused on studying.  THEN that future couple decided to start dropping hints into my brain, so much so I HAD to stop what I was doing for about 20 minutes last night and I jotted down notes.  Granted I don't plan on getting to this story until AT LEAST the end of this year, but I still needed to get the thoughts written down.  Now I'm able to concentrate again on my studying.

My online class is going well.  I think.  I hope.  I'm having fun, at least.  I also secured 2 more classes for this year through Hearts Through History- "Contests- The Basics" and "Killer Openings," the one I'm teaching now.

My summer job fell through, so I'm a little freaked right now.  I'm thinking to drop my phone, cable AND internet (I know, I tried to do that before and it didn't work) and I'm seriously considering getting a roommate again OR moving out, renting out my house and finding somewhere else to live.  A bunch of friends said they had extra rooms.  I just might call on them and switch from friend to friend every few weeks!  LOTS to think about!

Okay, time for my second cup of tea and then back to studying I go.  I'll check in with you on Saturday after the test!  Wish me luck and send positive vibes my way!

Celtic Hearts Golden Claddagh Contest

If you're looking for a contest to enter in the next couple of months consider this one!

 

HOLD THE PHONE!!!

My book and my writing are officially on hold until next weekend.  Why, you ask?  I was at Barnes & Noble with a friend and I decided to look for a study guide for my teacher certification test next Saturday.  Um, some of the questions in there scared me.  (I haven't taught science, math or social studies since 2004!)

So, since I shelled out good money to take the test, I need to spend as many waking moments as I can over this week studying for it.  At first, I gave my friend the deer in the headlights look, but when I got home I took the Pre-test and actually got about a 70% on it.  So, if I study all week (a different subject each day), I should be all set for Saturday.  I don't need to aim for a 100%.  I just need to pass it.

And really, the break from Lies will probably do my manuscript good as well.  I'll pop in mid-week and let you know how the studying is going!  Wish me luck!

Decisions

If the current plan doesn't work, or the deadlines whiz by, I believe in revising that plan immediately!  So...

I've been pushing to get my manuscript completed by next Tuesday, my Austin RWA meeting night.  I could probably get it done by then, but it won't be ready to send to my CPs.  I decided that I will keep writing over the weekend, and I'll write A LOT.  BUT Tuesday I'm going to stop and take the rest of the week off.  The story will sit on my desktop and my laptop (and in my email IN box) for several days while I study (er...read that as cram) for my teacher certification test, which is a week from tomorrow.  After that test, I'll spend one more week or so finishing another draft of Lies before I send it to my CPs to rip it apart.  I know, this is a lot of crazy information.  So just know this...I expect to finish it and start querying sometime in the first 2 weeks of May.   

And what did I do today?  I took today off from writing.  Instead, I've been reading a Carla Cassidy Intrigue.  She reminds me why I want to write for this Harlequin line.  Must get back to it now!  (Well, and the Bourne Ultimatum is on so I'm watching that too.)

Progress

The numbers might not support this, but I am making progress on Lies.  I've been working on the chapter that's been giving me fits for at least a week.  I decided a couple of days ago to just plow right through it, get the order down and the correct events.  Nothing fancy, no stellar words or phrases.  They can come later.  I'd LOVE to keep going since I'm finally getting somewhere, but I HAVE to get some sleep in case I get a sub job tomorrow.  I made a goal at my Austin RWA group to have the book shipped off to my CPs by our next meeting, which is next Tuesday (4/12).  Unless I have a couple outstanding days of writing between now and then, it won't happen.  BUT, I do not have any plans for my weekend except exercising so maybe I'll get two solid days to work on it.  Wish me luck! 

San Antonio Highland Games

I took a break from writing, judging contest entries and working on lesson plans to visit the San Antonio Highland Games today.  The weather was gorgeous and perfect.  It was sunny with some clouds and a nice breeze.  The music was great and the dancers were fantastic!  

 

A GREAT Opportunity!

I'm set to teach this class for the Yosemite Romance Writers.  It starts on Monday.  At the moment, we have a very small class so if you or anyone you know is interested in dissecting book openings, please join us!

Killer Openings
Instructor: Alexa Bourne
Dates: April 4-29, 2011

Many people browse through a book store, pull a book off the shelf and read the first page. They decide right then, based on the 1st line, 1st paragraphs and 1st page, whether or not they’ll buy the book. Killer Openings dissects those all-important elements. Students study good and bad openings and discuss why they do or don’t work.  They can also submit their own opening lines/paragraphs/pages and receive a critique. 

Alexa Bourne has finaled in or won 21 RWA contests with 7 manuscripts.  (Most of those contests focused on the 1st few pages or the 1st chapter.)  She has a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Education. www.alexabourne.com

For more information, visit the Yosemite Romance Writers!