What's Ten Years?

So the past few weeks, in addition to working full time and theoretically writing full time, I also volunteered for a piece of planning my class reunion. I am confirming emails and finding people. Facebook makes this a little easier, but it is by no means the no-brainer I somehow thought it would be.

But it has gotten me to thinking about how different things were when we did this ten years ago... 2004... I was at a different job—one coming to an end because a grant was running out, so life was up in the air a bit. But you know what I was NOT doing in 2004? Writing.

I had NEVER finished a book. (I'd started several, though the last time I'd tried had been 1993—the summer between my first and second year of graduate school when I managed half a novel.

Since that time I've written fifteen novels (plus three novel length fan fiction works—they were my start). I have two more significantly started and an idea file so deep I may NEVER get them all written.

In 2004 I'd NEVER made a friend online.

All you amazing mind-meldy people that help make my life so rich were SCARY to me (con artists and dirty old men in basements trying to lure in innocents, though I suppose I had no worry in that realm).


I've not only written, I've published. A mystery series and a serial book (all but the very last one—coming next week, I hope). I've published traditionally and self-published...


While the writing life has been good—a whirlwind of crazy wonderfulness... there have been repercussions... I'm significantly heavier... My house is a DISASTER. We've lost some family... But overall I think the triumphs outweigh...

In Other News

My writing has stalled a bit... I am trying to revise What Ales Me and decided I needed to put in a little time READING some things that hit the tone I want. I've talked about this, yes? Not COZY, more SASSY? I want to keep the humor and quirk, but want darker plots and and boost in the spice. It is good timing, as vacation looms.

ALSO

I am LEAVING next Wednesday for a two week trip, so this is my last post until at least August 21. But by THEN I should have been rejuvenated and ready to dive back in...

Unblog

So I've been SWAMPED at work and have a couple HUGE editing projects I want to try to finish this month, so I have been TERRIBLE getting around to buddy blogs, new blogs... any blogs, really. So I am going to take a few days off here. I mean I won't be completely absent. I have the following planned:


On Friday I have a guest post coming. I need to find it in my email. Erm... cold request, but I thought the blurb sounded good and agreed... That is as far as my short term memory has gotten me at the moment.

And on Sunday, I will try to pull together something Mother's Day-ey...

And then DON'T forget Monday's First Loves Blogfest! (see my 'you're doing what?' for the link)

And there are two Newses...

Leigh gave me my first blog book review from my friend circuit! She was really nice to me! You should go read it.


And I finally spotted our bird friend (from Friday's post) face to face... four times... every time I came in or out our front door today, in fact--I wonder why they don't freeze like deer--she bailed from her nest each time I passed--I may start using the back door just so I don't bother her... though, I DID mention my short term memory, yes? She is very cute, but decidedly NOT a wren like I had the other day, but I looked up the traits and she is more like this Bewick's Wren (though the map says this is unlikely—it is a SW US bird...) still, it LOOKS just like this... pretty sure this is what she is--at least a near relative.

She's cute, yeah?

So my apology again for my absence the next few days. I will try to catch up a little with people who've stopped by, but I will be a little scarce.

Naked Season Approaches!

HUGE Apologies to Laura for forgetting Bloggamonsta Blogfest!!! I'm so sorry! Broken computer threw me for a loop...


It's been a while since I've espoused the joys of nudity, but you know what? It is supposed to hit the 70s this week and it is time to GET NAKED!

MAN, how I love Naked Season.

I walked home from work last night without my coat. Comfy. Not warm, but warm is coming... I mean not WARM WARM, but warm enough to shed the layers.

See, when the clothes are shed, the sun and breeze (and sometimes rain) can kiss your skin. It's so nice... communing with nature a bit... actually making a little skin contact when you give someone a hug...

There is no BINDING or ITCHING or CHAFFING from irritating clothing.

And Naked people are so much HAPPIER! (see itching, binding, chaffing). It is really HARD to be crabby when naked. If you don't believe me, just try having all parties get naked next time there is an argument. See how long you can be a crabbypants with not pants!

Say it with me:  Pants are evil! Down with pants!


On that note, I have to get back on my fitness schedule. Being sick threw a cramp in the exercise routine (and the eating one, too, if I'm honest, which I try to be... though if I'm REALLY honest, the eating routine was already suffering). But at the moment, while I am happier naked, I'm not sure the rest of you would feel that way.


And THAT THAT said, something is wrong with my laptop and I need to get it into the doctor. The timing couldn't be worse—I was almost done with edits to send back to my editor for BEGONIA BRIBE but they are stuck on THAT machine. Our home desktop has a cracked monitor, making any typing a challenge. So I think this week will be a down week for me on the blog—I am VERY sorry on that front, but I just can't predict how long this will take to get sorted.