Ramblings About Things

I’ve been a lax blogger, I know. I like to blog more than this, but it seems like the past two weeks if I’ve been at the keyboard I’ve been working furiously on a book which, you know, *is* what they pay me for so that’s reasonable, I guess. But a lot has happened this week! Which means this post will be a collection of my thoughts on things.

1. My friend and CP Jackie Ashenden has signed a three book deal with Entangled publishing. She’s also got MORE things going on. And I just wanted to hold her up for a moment as an example of what happens when you keep trying. I know it wasn’t easy for her, and she went through the ringer with rejections, but she kept going. Not only did she keep going, she took editorial feedback on board and made herself a better writer. She was always good, trust me, I’ve been reading her MSs for nearly three years now. But she spent time working, learning craft, getting better and WRITING during her waits and after her rejections.

That’s what my other CP and Indulgence author Robyn Thomas did too. She has her debut out with Entangled in July. She had her rejections, but she got back on the horse continually, with renewed determination.

And there’s my other CP Rachael Johns, whose single title rural romance is out in Australia this month with Harlequin Australia. She worked for that, she whether rejection got this success. And I think every one of them would tell you that in the end, it’s worth it, and that persistence pays off. *beats persistence drum harder*

2. Tendonitis sucks rocks. When I write as much as I have been writing, I really struggle with it, and after I finished this last Presents I was in pretty hideous pain. So when I decided I was going to write a novella during the wait time on the Presents, my tendons cried.

BUT I made a pact with myself NOT to write at the computer in the living room because I know it irritates my wrists. And then I went out and bought an Apple Magic Trackpad for the computer in my office, because my mouse hand was getting particularly bad. This has helped TONS. I can angle it and put my little gel pad under my wrist and I don’t sit there making Claw Hand while I scroll through pages and pages of MS. If you’re having mouse hand problems, I recommend giving this a shot. 

Also, I recommend adjusting the height of your chair, getting an ergonomic keyboard and a rest for your wrists. Because dangit, it doesn’t get better, it gets worse. I’m twenty-six and having these problems so I know I have to stay on it or I’ll be in surgery.

So I’m making an effort to take better care of me.

3. Author copies never get old. I always love seeing a physical copy of my book.

4. I had a book out in Thailand. Found that out when I got my royalty statement. I think that’s basically the coolest thing I can think of. I’d love a copy.

5. It’s nice to write something different. Presents is my favorite thing to write. I love alpha males and angst and deep, dark conflict and emotion. But my last two Presents in particular were total bears and they were VERY dark, so I’m working on a rom com right now that’s been a nice palate cleanser. I like humor, and it’s been fun to sit down and let that fly. If you’re ever stuck, or not enjoying what you’re working on, I think doing something wildly different can help get your head in the game again.

6. Waiting sucks. I feel like waiting is my actual profession. It’s not just writing either. We’re waiting to hear back on an offer we put in on a house and it’s been two weeks.

7. Worrying about things (like the above) doesn’t change the outcome, and it only gives you heartburn.

8. Keeping glasses on a 2yo is hard work.

9. There are as many story ideas as there are people. When your books are character focused, new ideas will always be there, because even if you tackle a similar plot, it will be totally different depending on the characters you populate the story with.

10. Liege Waffles are my new favorite thing. Why do they have to be so bad for you? (pictured is the strawberry  lemonade waffle I got at a food cart on my anniversary trip to Portland with the husband)

11. No matter what’s going on, I’m thankful I have my family. They are the best. My parents have been a support all my life, my husband has been fantastic from the moment I met him and continues to be my helpmeet in every area of my life. My kids cause endless trouble but they make me a better person and a better writer. My brother still makes me act like a kid, and he always pulls me into bickering with me. I’m still sad that he moved. But I’m proud of him and his new job.

12. If I didn’t have a crock pot, my family would probably never get dinner.

If you stuck with my list this far, you are a trooper. 🙂 Those are my thoughts for the week,  hopefully there was something useful in there.