We’re talking about luck this week, and as the romance author of the group, I may have a different notion of “getting lucky” than my fellow Debs. My brain contains an endless list of euphemisms for carnal relations, but “getting lucky” always struck me as an odd one. I picture a guy wearing boxer briefs stuffed with four-leaf clovers, and then I get all ooged out about hygiene and it…
Typos make me giggle. OK, I don’t giggle as much when they’re on the front page of a glossy newsletter that just completed 150,000 copy print run, but I still try to find the humor when I can. One of my favorite typos of all times happened years ago when I was working as a newspaper reporter in Montana. I was proofreading an article about a guest speaker coming to…
We’re supposed to be sharing our favorite websites this week, but friends suggested this isn’t the appropriate time for me to be honest. It’s a family-friendly blog, after all. In all seriousness (or not) I have several go-to websites for the basic necessities in life: When I want to laugh: Damn You Auto Correct is the site I visit when I want gut-twisting, tear-producing laughter in 30 seconds or less….
We’re blogging about love this week, so naturally, I need to talk about the McDonald’s Egg McMuffin. My feelings for the Egg McMuffin border more on lust than love, but since I’m a romance author, I’m licensed to combine the two. I’m a chronically healthy eater 99.9% of the time. I stock up on whole grains and devour healthy portions of fruits and vegetables. I don’t eat much candy or…
We’re blogging about the muse this week, and I have to confess, I feel a little left out. Other writers talk about the muse and I picture some stiletto-heeled vixen hovering in their subconscious with a grammar guide and a whip she uses to gesture at the computer screen. “You really must move that sentence over there, dahling.” I don’t have a muse like that (though I do have plenty…
We’ve been talking about mentors & inspirations this week, and I have to say, mine is a bit of a cold fish. Seriously. I acquired Shirley the goldfish four years ago as part of an employee benefit package I negotiated for a new job. (As a sidenote, the fact that my most significant compensation demand was a goldfish should tell you why I’m lucky to have a smart agent handling…
Like most writers, I have critique partners. One is Cynthia Reese, a multi-published romance author in rural South Georgia. Since I’m in Oregon, we’re separated not only by a bunch of miles, but by vast differences in culture and lifestyle. It’s what I value most in the critiquing process, and it’s also produced some comedic moments in the culinary realm. We both love cooking, so it seemed natural to swap…
I write romance, so it’s no coincidence I often see life through a filter of heaving bosoms and greased abs. It’s not just the love scenes (OK, it’s mostly the love scenes). Aside from that though, there’s a parallel between finding a great agent and achieving the elusive happily-ever-after. The thing you think you want isn’t always what you need. That’s a common romance novel theme, whether it’s a guy…
Wait, we’re talking about beginnings this week? Crap. I had a whole post planned out for ends. Well, rear ends. Male ones. The top 12 most spectacular rear ends on the planet (complete with photos). In lieu of posting a dozen butt pictures, I decided to google this week’s blog phrase, “new beginnings.” It’s a surprisingly popular term that’s been claimed by a home for teen moms, a chiropractic clinic,…
I wasn’t feeling very inspired by this week’s topic of “favorite quotes,” so I took off my pants. What? That’s not what you do for inspiration? I got some new jeans, and quite by accident, discovered something printed on the waistband: As a romance author, I feel obligated to point out that in order to see this meaningful message about following your heart, you have to remove your clothing. I’ll…
