The after-holidays slump

Things have been very quiet around here.

All the presents have been unwrapped (although the tree may not have come down yet...not confessing or anything like that, though). The new year has been inaugurated. The vacation from work is, regrettably over.

But it is nice in its own way. I love Christmas. LOVE it. But it's also stressful, hectic, and a bit wearying from all the running around we have to do (three places to visit on Christmas day, in addition to opening our gifts here!)

So I'm reveling in the fact that I don't have to wrap any more presents, bake or cook anything else (we're back to take-out...I'm actually waiting on a pizza delivery right now ;o).

The only downside is that Brie's been sick the last several days. It was her first stomach flu and was pretty scary for her. I tried to imagine what it would be like to be three and not understand why you keep having to run to the bathroom...scared me too!

But she appears on the mend. No fever or bathroom-trips today. So that's a good sign.

Found out I got my first review. It's from RT Book Reviews.

I'll post about it later tonight. Right now, I want to be sure I'm ready when the delivery guy rings the bell.

I'm starving.

I pray everyone had a safe, happy, and blessed holiday season!

It's time...for COVER ART!

(Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited

® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.)

All I can say is YAY!

Figure out who you are...and then be YOU

My first tip. And the most important one I think. Again, I don't claim to be an expert on publishing or getting published. In this industry, I'm not sure you're an expert even after years of inking contracts, simply because things change so much in the publishing world over time. So, of course, take everything I say, figure out what--if anything--is useful to you, and throw out the rest.

Alright, on to my tip. I thought about this because tomorrow I'm acting as an editor so my friend's students can have a mock pitch session. Having done these from the author's end more times than I can count, I'm excited to sit on the other side of the table.

So, I got to thinking, what is the most important thing I've learned meeting so many different editors?

Simple. Be yourself.

So many people try to figure out what a particular editor, house, etc. want them to be...want their work to be. They write, trying to channel Faulkner or Hemingway, or whatever famous author they admire. When you do this, however, you lose the essence of your work. Your voice.

Editors don't want another Faulkner, Hemingway, Tom Clancy, etc. It's already been done. And most likely, any attempts to imitate will actually impair your work. Instead of focusing on the heart of your story, you're worried about sounding similar to those who have gone before.

So, find your own voice. And embrace it. Perhaps you don't write long, flowery, make-the-reader-weep-with-the-beauty-of-it prose. Maybe you are better suited to comedic writing than dark, brooding suspense.

Same goes for meeting editors or agents at a conference. Relax and be yourself. Whatever your zany quirks, or unique traits, they make you more personable...and real. These people are professionals and can spot a fake from a mile away. Authenticity is a plus.

Now, that doesn't give anyone the license to be rude (simply because that's how you normally are ;o), or creepy. So I suppose today has two tips. Be authentic. And respectful.

Any experiences with editors or agents that went brilliantly well or incredibly badly? Share and we'll all commiserate or celebrate together.

Where hast thou been?

Around.

Holidays are always a time of craziness for me and the fam. Simply because there are so many of us to try and coordinate schedules around.

Much like last year, I battled with the Turkey.

And I like to think I won. Again. (If my family's to be believed, or perhaps they were just scared I would chuck a turkey leg at them if they didn't pour on the compliments). So, current score:

Mandy 2...Turkey 0.

Then, of course, came the half-crazed shopping before the sun was up on Friday. My sister, who spent the night so we could hit the road early, and I were up at 2:35 am and out the door ten minutes later. We made it back home about 11, after meeting our dear friends for some shopping and breakfast.

Then...decorating time! I kept assuring my daughter that the house was going to be a Christmas Wonderland by the time we were done. She's not totally convinced. And we're out of decorations.

Now it's back to writing.

I've got a plan for December. Leading us up to Christmas, I'm thinking about my "gifts" to y'all being the 25 tips to getting published. (Because I LOVE to pretend to be an authority on all things ;o) But seriously, it'll be some helpful, some humorous, and some random insights into making this crazy, unbelievable dream come true.

Rainy days and Mondays...

Another rainy Monday here in the big SC.

As I was driving to work this morning (because yes, I still have to have a full time job...) I noticed all the gorgeous leaves on people's lawns. I'm hoping everyone holds off raking for a while because there's something absolutely delightful about a red, yellow, and orange lawn.

Not much to report here today.

I'll be back later, but until then, have a fantastic Monday!

The Cover is UP!!!

Yay!!!

The cover to The Blackmailed Bride is up on Amazon.

And while I know I'm biased, I think it's lovely.

I've got to check on the legalities of posting it on here, but as soon as I get the okay, I'll put it up.

Until then, if you wish to see it, go here.

I hope everyone has a great Sunday!

When you just don't know

One of the things that drives me craziest about parenting is dealing with Brie not listening.

All this weekend, we've battled with telling her to do something and her (1) flat out ignoring us (2) saying okay and doing something else anyway or [and my personal favorite] (3) looking us square in the eye and saying "no."

Ah, the joys of a three-year-old.

I realized this weekend that when it comes to God trying to give me guidance, lately I've been acting like my bull-headed daughter.

He moves in me, leading me to do something, and I respond in a number of ways.

(1) I pretend like I didn't hear anything. This one's perfect for those situations where I don't feel like obeying, or if [in my nonexistent wisdom] I think I know how to do something better. And when God's not banging you upside the head with a flashing neon sign that tells you what He wants, it's easy to ignore it.

(2) God tells me to do something, and I have every intention of obeying. "Yes, Lord, Send me." Umm, but then I get distracted, or I get fearful that things aren't going to work out the way God promised, and while I had every intention of being a good daughter, I go off and do my own thing.

And finally,

(3) God lays something to do on my heart. But I immediately think it's a bad idea (yeah, because I know so much!) This one's rarer for me because I like to think I'm not blatantly defiant. But it did happen to me lately.

God clearly told me that He wanted me to stop working on the manuscript I was almost finished with. (The one people are waiting for. Really, really waiting for.) Instead, I was supposed to move on to a different book for a while.

I thought about it. And at first, I said No.

I'm under deadline, God. You don't understand there's no way I'll make it if I do this. So, nice idea, but I think I know what I'm doing here.

Ouch.

I forgot that God, who had been faithful to bring me this far on the journey, had worked miracles and wrought wonders to see me published so young and after such extraordinary circumstances when truthfully, I didn't deserve it! And now, I was presuming to tell Him what I wasn't going to do?

Needless to say, I realized what an idiot I was being (I'm seeing a theme here).

And I got to work. On the other book.

Where before, I was struggling to get anything done. I was only getting about 2,000 words a day done on the other book. By switching, it seems like my mind has been refreshed. And I've had some 9,000 words a day moments.

Interesting how obeying is better for me in the end.

Now, if only I can convince my daughter of that!

Hope everyone is doing well, and thanks for letting me share the little spiritual slapdown I got the other day!