Good News Galore

It's been a week for good news on the Playground. It seems like we've been celebrating forever now. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE to celebrate on the Playground. If there's anything we know how to do, it's throw a party. Give Problem Child or Smarty Pants a task and a clipboard and we'll end up with the most amazing bash. We can drink, dance and squee with the best of them and I see no good reason to break the cycle at this point. I'm going to shamelessly promote my next book, Afterburn, while talking about some fantastic news of my own.

Afterburn received 4 1/2 stars from Romantic Times. Woohoo!

This is like...I don't know, amazing just seems like too tame a word. It's a red letter day when this writer is at a loss for words. I'm very excited. And while I realize that simply because one person enjoyed my book doesn't mean that everyone will...I can't help but hang on to the idea that SOMEONE likes my book (and while I realize the Playfriends, our resident Queen Rhonda and my fantabulous editor all liked the book...they kinda all have to say that. It's like your mother saying you're beautiful). Apparently, my ego is a fragile and fickle thing that needs stroking on a regular basis. Who knew? No comments from the peanut gallery.

Which started me wondering...are we writers because we're neurotic and slightly crazy or are we neurotic and slightly crazy because we're writers? And does this question resemble the chicken and the egg conundrum just a little too much? (And there I go again, blogging about the farm animals).

So, while I think we've probably talked about the good things in life quite a bit in the last couple of weeks, if you have news to share we'd love to hear it! If you don't...help me puzzle out the intricacies of the creative mind.

Instigator

P.S. Because I really feel like spreading the joy (and because along with a great review I also received my author copies this past week) I'm going to give a copy of Afterburn to one commenter.

Shameless Bragging and Excitement

Second only to holding my book in my hand, getting the cover for my book is one of the most amazing feelings. The culmination of a lot of hard work, I get to 'see' the face of my book baby for the first time. Each and every time that email lands in my inbox I get a little giddy - I'll admit I usually squeal a teeny tiny bit - and my stomach churns with excitement and anticipation as I open the attachement.

I always worry a little - not that I've ever had reason! My editor and our Art Department are AMAZING and they always do a good job but... we all know I stress over anything and everything. If I didn't worry about whether the hero and/or heroine would have the wrong hair color or show up with a seventies mustache we know I'd just angst over something else. I think they did a fantastic job with Afterburn!

Here's the back cover copy to go along with the yummy man on the front:

Subject: Air Force Major Chase Carden
Current Status: Reluctant Iraq war hero
Mission: Keep his job
Obstacle: Captain Sabrina McAllister – his secret wife!

Before Chase shipped out, he and Rina enjoyed a sizzling night in Vegas, topping it off with a tacky mock wedding. It was a one-shot deal for both of them. Or so they thought….Because when Chase comes home, he learns that he’s very legally hitched to the feisty captain. And, funnily enough, it’s not bothering him at all…

Their mistaken union is strictly against air force rules. There’ll be hell to pay if it’s discovered. But the sex is so very, very good…

Career-driven Chase knows he has to give Rina up, for both their sakes. And he’ll think about it – once he has the willpower to leave her bed

May is going to be an amazing and jam-packed month. I can't wait!! The culmination of a project ever make you giddy? Hard work pay off in a way you didn't expect? Anything happen this week that put a grin on your face that just wouldn't leave? We'd love to hear about it!

Instigator

P.S. Our own Problem Child is guest blogging today at I (heart) Presents. Stop by and say hi! http://www.iheartpresents.com/

P.P.S. The Playfriends are participating in an online auction to aid a homeless teen and her mom. You can get more info about the auction here and see what we've donated here.

Another Chapter in the Animal Saga

So, things have been rather quiet on the animal front here lately. In fact, I've been the only one to bring home a new animal in months. I actually like the donkey now and I was starting to get complacent. Which is why I was blindsided last Saturday when I can home from a wonderful trip to Birmingham after attending the Southern Magic reader's luncheon only to find TWO new animals. Not one but TWO.

Admittedly, it was late when I got home. Dark out and after the girl's bedtime although they were both still up watching TV. The first words out of Sweet Pea's mouth when I walked in the door were, "Don't be mad at daddy," which of course meant that there was obviously a reason to be mad at Zilla.

She proceeded to tell me (in a cute and rambling way) that a goat had somehow found it's way inside our fence. The ugliest, silliest, most hideous goat I've ever seen. It has half of one horn missing and its tongue is too big for it's mouth - it lolls out the side constantly. She stands barely halfway up the shoulders of our two males.

This, however, is more funny than concerning. What's one more goat? And besides, I think it irks Zilla just a little bit that his premium goat bloodlines are being diluted. The best we can figure one of the neighbors saw it wandering the area, mistook it for one of ours and since we weren't home decided to help us by putting it back inside our fence. We've had animals escape the fence before but never break their way in.

What's more concerning that funny (at least to me) is that the second addition to our family is Freddy - the frog - who at the moment is living in my good Pampered Chef mixing bowl topped with tin foil. He is an interesting little thing though. Apparently he changes color based on his surroundings. Although what I really want is my bowl back...after a good swishing with bleach of course.

So, the brood increases. I'm wondering what will appear the next time I go out of town for the day. At least the HOD Luncheon isn't until May. I have a few months to prepare.

Instigator

P.S. As you probably already know, we're all participating in NaNoWriMo this month. However, my daily totals are going to stay put for a little while as I just got copy edits in today. I knew as soon as I started working on something else I'd get interrupted. Should have started writing earlier :-)

The Dreaded Art Fact Sheet

Well, there's good news - Afterburn, my next book, will be out May 2009. And there's bad news - I need to complete the Art Fact Sheet now. The AFS is the bane of my existence (or it is until I have to write my next synopsis and then it will be).

The thing to remember about the AFS is that I finished writing this book about...three months ago and since then have been working on my next two books. At the moment I can barely remember my own name let alone the eye color for a heroine two books ago. I have to count on my fingers to remember how old I am. It's sad when all I can remember is that my hero is, um, old enough to be a pilot. These things were important when I was writing the book. And when I finished I promptly forgot them.

And then there are the questions about theme, overarching characteristics, etc. I'm so blind when it comes to these things. I'm absolutely certain I have them...I've been told I have them. The problem is I can't see them. Maybe because I'm too close to pick just one. I absolutely agonize over answering these questions. I think it goes back to my years in school. I'm deathly afraid of putting down the wrong answers and flunking the test.

After the last two days I've decided for the next books I'm going to start a cheat sheet file. I wasn't allowed one in school but there's no one to stop me from using one now. Here's hoping I remember to actually open it because it won't do me much good blank.

Anything you've been agonizing over lately?

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