A Belated Merry Christmas

A belated Merry Christmas to one and all. I spent the Christmas holiday with my wonderful sister and her husband and got home to Butt Crack, FL on the afternoon of the 26th. It's pretty much the crack of dawn on the 27th and am just about to call it a night. Spent the evening rocking out to my iPod playlist on the stereo docking station my sister and her hubby gave me for Christmas. The only thing on my wish list, if I'm to be totally honest. Opened a bottle of a Malbec from Argentina-that I bought for a minimal price at Aldi (who knew?) for a tremendously reasonable price -  and drank the whole thing over 8 hours. Yeow. Listening to my faves like The Henry Paul Band, The Beatles, Dixie Chicks, The Freddy Jones Band, Aztec Two Step...and on and on. What a treat! I don't allow myself this kind of self-indulgence very often. I've been focusing on a 90k single title novel, 7 revisions of the query for submission to a New York agency. Been working on this WIP for a year and it's finally done, so this a celebratory indulgence. But I'll probably still feel like someone kicked me in the head in the morning. Getting old is hell.

A Satisfying I Told You So

After spending all of her life in Ohio, my daughter finally moved south with her husband. They're in Atlanta and as any good southern girl knows, it gets cold in Atlanta. Over the years, after I moved back to Florida, I would complain about the cold weather in the winter. I always got the same thing - Really mom, I don't wanna hear it. It's 17 degrees here (or some variation of same). So, I'm on FB a couple weeks ago and I see a post from my daughter - COMPLAINING THAT IT WAS COLD! This, of course, gives me no small measure of satisfaction and, dare I say it, outright smug glee. I talked to her the othe day and she said the temp was supposed to get down to below freezing. So, yes, I did it. I uttered the words every mother cherishes when their children roll their eyes and give them the familiar "You're so lame" expression. I said, "I told you so." And it darn well does too get cold in the south. We actually had snow flurries in Orlando winter before last. Now to you from Chicago, or Main, or Wyoming...no, we don't have those temps but 25 degrees and 98% humidity seeps straight into your bones and it's as miserable as any of the butt clenching cold days I lived through in Ohio. So there. I told you so. It does too get cold in the south.

A Warm Welcome to Guest Blogger Ruth A. Casie

Ruth A. Casie

Title: Knight of Runes

ISBN: 978-14268-9258-5

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: November 14, 2011

Genre: Historical time travel

Ruth’s web site: www.ruthacasie.com

Ruth’s blog: www.ruthacasie.blogspot.com

Ruth’s Twitter: www. Twitter.com/RuthACasie

"Three Rules of Work: 
Out of clutter find simplicity; 
From discord find harmony; 
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." 
Albert Einstein (German theoretical physicist)

I’ve always been suspect of a person who has nothing on their desk. I remember sitting with an operations manager whose desk had a phone and desk blotter, nothing else, nada.
Not my desk. I have a blotter but that’s where the similarity ends. Being an empty nester, I waited about a year before I commandeered my daughter’s room, cleared out the last remains of her childhood, and made the room my own. It was fun to decorate just to please me. My design was simple, books. I surrounded myself with them, floor to ceiling. I did put in some necessities, a corner desk for the computer, printer, and a phone. I decided on a large library table, sitting catty corner, would be my work area. It seemed fitting with all the research and resource books I usually had stacked or scattered about.
My desk is usually covered with a small stack (or two or three) of paper/files for my different projects, research books (the ones I’m reading for pleasure are in a pile next to the sofa), a lamp (I hate using the overhead), pictures of the family, my favorite picture from the mound at Warwick Castle (for inspiration), and a bud vase with some tired lavender one of the kids brought back from a class trip (I did mention I’m an empty nester, a sentimental one). Then there’s the odd stuff that seems to magically appear, a news article my husband has left for me to read, a stress ball in the shape of a heart and my gold star paper weight for my first sale. It’s really a comfortable room.
I put things on the desk and eventually take the time to sift through it and put things in their proper place whether that’s filing, rearranging, or tossing it out altogether.
I used to have a ‘clean as you go’ theory. Clean of edits that is. Whenever I picked up my writing I would read the story from the beginning, no matter how far along I was. I’d look for the weak words, put in the five senses, etc. I always found something to edit. One day I laughed out loud. I had over 125 pages written, if I started from the beginning each time I’d spend more time reading than writing. Geez, I’d never finish the story. 
Now I use my cluttered desk theory. Put it all down, then tackle the edits and rewrite.  I’m organized, to a point, but find myself putting the story down to get it written not really worrying about overused/weak words or verbs, using the five senses, tightening up sentences, making certain all the hooks are in place, reviewing and editing the Point-Of-View, combing through for show vs. tell, well the list goes on.
In essence, I’ve de-cluttered my desk as well as my writing. What does your desk look like?

In honor of the release of her debut book, Knight of Runes, Ruth is giving away a $5 Amazon gift card. To win, leave a comment about what your desk looks like. A winner will be randomly chosen.

Ruth’s Bio

For twenty-five years she’s been writing for corporate America. Encouraged by her family and friends this ballroom dancing, Sudoku playing, aspiring gourmet cook has given way to her inner muse. She’s let her creative juices flow and started writing a series of historical time travel romance stories. Her debut novel, Knight of Runes published by Carina Press is now available. She hopes you read her stories and that they become your favorite adventures.

Recent Reviews:

The characters are strong, vibrant, true to their nature, and albeit very heroic.  The author, Ruth A. Casie, weaves an exciting and beautifully told legendary tale that is both rich and engaging.  It is full of, ‘on the edge of your seat’ suspense, mind-boggling drama and a forever-after romance. Ms. Casie's sparkling new novel, KNIGHT OF RUNES is a winner! ~ Romance Junkies – 5 Blue Ribbons

I totally enjoyed this time travel romance. I actually felt like I was Rebeka immersed in her adventure. I found this book well written, warmhearted and believable. I loved the use of runes, magic and ancient Druids as part of her plot. The romance was heartfelt and not overly mushy. ~ Bookloons – 3 Books

Knight of Runes

It’s the 21st century and time travel is still a Wellsian fantasy but not for Rebeka Tyler. While on an impromptu tour of Avebury, she takes a misstep at the standing stones, and finds herself in the right place but tossed back into the 17th century. When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style he is intrigued.

Rebeka is desperate to return to her time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to help find out what’s killing Arik’s land to get access to the library. But as she decodes the ancient runes that are the key to solving his mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.

As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik’s household schemes to keep them apart and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. To defeat him, Arik and Rebeka must combine their skills. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.

Cautionary Tales

I'm offering a brief cautionary tale. I ordered some anitspyware based on the recommendation of a trusted acquaintance and it turns out the thing majorly screwed up my computer. Bit by bit, I'm getting it back under control but it has just been a hellish nightmare with a hair stuck to it. So, all I can say about that, at least until I get my refund back in my account, it to do your research into a product before you purchas it. Don't rely on word of mouth. The product may not have damaged their computer but it could damage yours. I learned the hard way that many of these companies are focused on sales and not concerned with the consumer's outcome. It took me a week of badgering and threats to smear their product on every writer's site and every other place on the net I could find that allowed people to post comments. That finally did it. Will I receive my refund within 7 days? That remains to be seen. We shall see. I'll keep you posted.

I'll be participating at the end of season party at The Romance Reviews site. Sounds like it's going to be oodles of fun with contests and all sorts of goodies. Wouldn't miss it for the world!

It's One of THOSE Days

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the kind I'm talking about. The kind where everything you touch turns to crap. Yeah, that's my day. It started yesterday, actually, when I purchased a software program that was supposed to do a "SUPER" job at preventing and removing spyware. NOT. I've been plagued with a frozen system, the inability to shut down unless I unplug and remove the battery, and whenever I try to do much of anything on the laptop, it freezes. I contacted customer service and virulently let them know I was dissatisfied with their product and then went out for a little retail therapy at the local thrift store that has a huge wall of used paperbacks. I came home with a huge bag filled with books, plus a few old movies for my VCR. Yup. I still have a VCR. I feel better, even if my computer is 100% after the customer service reps suggestion of something to try. So far, the screen hasn't frozen but I still get that black screen that says the computer needs to check one of my disks for consistency. WTH is that? It certainly wasn't doing that until I downloaded the software. Sometimes I just want to shout to the heaven's WHY ME? But it seems the powers on high always answer: WHY NOT YOU? So, I've learned that lesson well over the years...don't make it a challenge. So, maybe part of the issue is resolved because so far the computer hasn't seized up. Still, I think I'm going to demand my $$ back and uninstall this dog of a program, then do a system restore for a few days before I bought this program. Then I may take a nap. It's been one of those days.

There's Peacocks on the Porch

I spent the night in Orlando last night so I could help a friend buy a car canopy and get it home because her car was not big enough to carry the thing. Of course, B. J.'s only had the one and it had been sold. So after grabbing a bite, I headed home. When I got here, there were four large, male peacocks on my back porch. Now, I love wildlife just as much as the next person. You don't live in the woods and not like wildlife. HOWEVER, this does not mean I like Peacock poop on my porch.
Don't get me wrong, they're beautiful birds and I was enchanted to find them strutting around the porch and yard, proud as they could be of their inherent beauty. When I first saw them, I thought: I need to get me some peacocks. Didn't take me long to change my mind when I saw the state of said back porch. And for those of you who've never been up close and personal with a peacock...peacock poop smells like you might imagine someone would smell if they'd worn the same underwear for a week in 100 degree heat. Yum...not. So, any tips on how to discourage a peacock from taking up residence on your porch?