Hi everyone.

Today I attended my first critique session with a group of mystery writers. As most of you know, I write romantic suspense, but have been trying to break into the mystery genre for over a year. It's not an easy change.

Romance has rules, and while some refer to it in distain as a formula, it's a formula that works. When I asked a multi-published author who successfully made the switch what were the rules regarding mysteries, she said, "There are none." That gave me hope.

Eighteen months ago, I wrote my first straight mystery manuscript. I had no idea if I was on the right track or not. Unlike romance, mystery has no contests from which to gather feedback. Then in the summer of 2008, renowned mystery author Barbara Parker (a member of my local MWA chapter) offered to critique 4 writers' first chapters as a workshop. I jumped at the chance and submitted. I was one of the lucky four.

She gave me an honest critique about what I had done right, and what I had done wrong. The changes I needed to make were many, so I put the story away for a while.

Last March, Barbara passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. I felt that if she, knowing her fate, had taken the time to give me advice, the least I could do was follow it.  When this critique group formed last month, I re-wrote the story using many of her suggestions. Most of my partner's comments were to the good and they gave excellent feedback.

If this story is ever published, it will be due to the encouragement of Pat, Miette, Rebecca, Sharon, and most of all, Barbara.

Thank you Barbara, and wherever you are, may you still be writing.

Until later.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

Another weekend is upon us and, for the first time, I'm going to Gainesville to visit my husband. He's been home three times since he left for his new job, including last weekend. Figured I should return the favor. Can't wait to fix him a home cooked meal in a kitchen so tiny you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a cabinet. (All right you cat lovers out there, don't get your dander up. It's just an expression. Other than my dogs, why would anyone want to swing a dead cat anyway?)

Next weekend is my birthday. He'll come home again to celebrate, then it's a long stretch until he returns at Thanksgiving. I have a trip planned back to Gainesville in January.

My problem children, Lucky the Lab mix and Liza the Pit Bull mix will get to spend the long weekend in doggy purgatory aka, the kennel. When I pick them up on Monday, I'm sure they'll pout for a while and send me accusatory stares.

I'm not looking forward to the four and a half hour drive. I hate the Turnpike and I-75, but will deal with both I suppose.

So, today is a non-writing day. I'm trying to pack and collect all the junk my husband forgot and needs (last time home, he forgot to take his freshly laundered shirts back and had to buy new ones. Men!) for the trip without tipping off Lucky and Liza that something's in the wind. All it takes is a suitcase coming out of the closet to send them into high anxiety.

The one writing related duty today is my first meeting with a new critique group for mysteries. I've been hoping for something like this for a year, and have my fingers crossed that we'll all get along and give good feedback. I need it. Changing genres is scary.

So until next time, have a great weekend. I intend to.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

I think William Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true." This was brought home to roost for a friend of mine a few days ago.

My friend is a terrific writer with several published books to her credit. For unknown reasons (to me), she decided to change a story in her usual YA genre and aim for an adult audience. She spent almost two months on the project only to have it slapped down by her agent as not being up to her usual standards.

Devastating as this was, the intriguing part is that during the revision, she didn't like what she was writing. As writers, we've all been down that road. We occasionally step out of our comfort zones in the hopes of creating a spark with something different. Along the way, we may lose the spark that made our voices in the first place.

Now, comfort zones can be good things. Many of us don't cross the line until forced to do so by circumstance or suggestion. But by and large, we stay with what we do best be it historical, paranormal, contemporary or suspense sub-genres.

I don't fault my friend for trying to expand her repertoire. The current economic conditions have hit the publishing business just as hard as it's hit the rest of us. Editors  aren't offering contracts on new material with the rapidity of a year ago. So, if your usual fare isn't selling, it doesn't hurt to try something different. This can work--provided you love what you're writing. If the words don't sound like YOU, don't write it. Listen to your inner self.

My friend learned a lesson. She's chalking it up to experience and going back to what she does with so much success. I guess we can all learn from this.

To thine own self be true.

Have a good day and I'll talk to you later.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

Three or four years ago I, along with my husband, our general contractor, his subcontractors, and my dogs, almost went nuts adding on to the house. The reason? The local building department inspectors always found something to red flag, thereby creating innumeralbe delays not to mention acid reflux.

To vent I wrote not a romance, but an straight out suspense all about corrupt inspectors, developers (nobody likes them), and politicians on the take. Imagine my surprise when a couple of weeks ago, several local politicians were arrested in an FBI sting regarding--gasp!--taking kickbacks from builders, money laundering, and being just plain stupid about doing it.

(Come on guys, couldn't you have taken a page from the Chicago Handbook of Corrupt Activities? Now, there is a city that has given bribery a whole new meaning. Our current President came out of Chi, which is one reason why I don't trust him. But that's a whole different blog at another time.)

I'd almost forgotten about that novel. So, I dug it out from under the bed and gave it to my husband to vet the business portions. As soon as he's finished, I'm submitting. The story involves several murders and enough corruption to satisfy even the most jaded of readers. The protagonists are an investigative reporter with the local newspaper and the step-brother of one of the murder victims.

When I was a kid, a TV show called Stranger Than Fiction was popular. I had no idea how close it was to the truth. At least the subject matter is timely. If it sells, I'll let you know.

Until later,

Suzanne

Hello everybody.

Did you all think I had gone to that great work in progress in the sky? Not yet, but I sure feel like I'm there.

The past month has been hectic. I finally finished my galley edits and sent them off. Last week I got the good news that my second book, All In The Family, will be released July 2, 2010. Yay! It's a book about the mafia, so all of you who indulge in Mafia Wars on Facebook may want to check it out.

I also received the first round of edits for my third book, A Tangled Web. My ADD kicked in and what should have taken 3 days, ended up taking 3 weeks. Lord only knows what I missed. (To my editor, Johanna, please forgive me.)  I did, however, get a look at the cover complete with a body on the floor of the study. (Professor Plum, in the study, with the candlestick?)

I'm also happy to announce I signed that long awaited contract for book number 4. Will start edits on that soon.

Now for the ugly. Earlier this week, those of us in the writing/publishing world were saddened to hear of the death of Kensington senior editor, Kate Duffy. I didn't know her very well. I never pitched to her, and only spoke with her in casual social settings at a couple of conferences. She was both the most intimidating and encouraging editor I'd ever met. She had opinions and wasn't shy about sharing them. But when Kate spoke, people listened. She will be sorely missed and my sympathies go out to her family.

That's all for now. If anyone has a subject they'd like me to discuss, let me know on the comments line. I'll tackle just about anything.

Talk to you soon. And please remember, October is breast cancer awareness month. Please give your support to fight this horrible disease.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

A while back I sold a book my editor thought had possibilites for a sequel. It was like she read my mind. I'd always considered it, too. So, I decided why not? Since I already knew the characters, I figured it wouldn't be such a bad experience. Not!

Never have I struggled with a story so hard in my life. What should have taken three months, took six. Luckily, my editor liked it and offered a contract. I start edits/revisions soon.

I will soon submit another story to her. It's just up her alley with murders and mayhem. But obviously, I have short term memory recall, because I saw the the chance for a sequel with this one, too. This time instead of making a secondary character my heroine, I went with the same people as in the original manuscript, and vowed not to submit the first story until I had at least ten chapters of the second finished. DUMB!!!

I don't see how authors manage to write a series of books. How do they keep the main character fresh? Do they ever become bored with them? Do they ever find writing about the same people, places, jobs, and circumstances a chore? And have they ever forgotten secondary characters that thread through the stories and called them by a different name? Has sister Sue suddenly turned into sister Sally?

I promise, this is the last sequel I'll ever write. I just don't have it in me, so my hat's off to those of you who can write a continuing series. My admiration knows no bounds. In the meantime, I will finish this sequel, and then return to my single, done-at-the-end books.

Have a good day. Talk to you later.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

Well, tomorrow my husband moves out of the house, and it isn't because he wants to.

Last April he was laid off at age 62. Neither of us could believe it. He'd worked for this company in a senior position for over 12 years.

This isn't the first time he's been out of work, but in the past--at a younger age--finding a new job was only a matter of a few weeks. Not so this time. Potential employers see that 1946 birthdate and wonder how long he'll hang around. Or they offer an interview, take one look at his gray hair and pass. Many companies didn't have the courtesy to send a letter or even an e-mail saying thank you before rejecting his resume, which incidentally, is impressive. And for the record, as long as WH (wonderful hubby) is breathing, he'll work. He loves his profession.

But because he's good at what he does, he finally found a job working for a company who contracts out engineers to the government. As of now, he's working on a 2 year contract located in Gainesville, Florida, a 4-1/2 hour drive away. He'll come home every other weekend.

This isn't the first time we've been separated due to a job change, but it is the first time I've had to endure being alone. In the past, I always had my sons to occupy my time and energy. Now, I have two dogs, Lucky and Liza, who sleep 90% of the time. I just hope I don't get used to being on my own. Two years is a hell of a long time.

Maybe I'll write a couple of new books. Heaven only knows I'll have the time.

Thanks for listening. Until next time.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

Last time I talked about brainstorming, but another question keeps cropping up during discussions with my fellow writers. Are you a plotter or a pantster?

Do you prefer to have all your ducks in a row before starting a story? Do you want to know what is going to happen in every chapter from beginning to end? Then you are a plotter.

Plotters are meticulous about details concerning their characters physical traits. They know where every mole, tattoo, and dimple are located. They research the subject matter of everything intensely before a word hits paper. It may take the author a good four months from the concept to the first chapter.

On the other hand, do you get an idea for a dynamite story, sit down and write, letting the story take its own direction? Do you find yourself not writing for a few days to iron out a problem you didn't envision between chapters 2 and 10? Then you write by the seat of your pants--a pantster.

Pantsters get it down on paper and worry about details later. Revisions are their middle names. They can often finish an 80,000 word manuscript in under 3 months. However, where the plotter spends his/her time with details on the front end, the pantster does it on the finished product with lots of editing.

I know very few total plotters or pantsters. The concensus seems to be that most authors are a combination. I often have a terrific idea, write the first couple of chapters, and then stop to do the plotting. I found that detailed plotting three or four chapters ahead works best for me. I make a list called, "What must happen" and mark which chapters I want to put them in. I don't always use what I list, and frequently add to the numbers as I write and new ideas come.

So, let me know. Are you a plotter, a pantster, or both?

Until next time, have a great weekend.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

A while back, I blogged about critique partners so I won't bore you with that subject again--well, maybe just a little.

As a writer, I view critique partners as a tool, much like my laptop. My critique partner in Memphis gives me great feedback, always asking questions about a certain scene and reminding me to stay focused on moving the story along. She sees things that I, as the author, overlook because I know where the story is going.

But as much as I enjoy the critiquing process, there is another tool I love even more--brainstorming. This can be a casual discussion between writers on the nuts and bolts of plotting a story, or a angst driven session complete with shouting and tears. I've done both and, frankly, get more out of the angst thing.

Brainstorming works best with 3-4 people and a free weekend. The weekend must be spent away from the normal day to day activities of the participants. In other words, unless someone lives alone, go to a hotel. Use Friday night to mellow out with cocktails and dinner and a brief discussion on where each author wants his or her story to go.

Saturday is a day long work session. A friend and I discovered the formula to getting things done several years ago. We rose early, had breakfast, and began our session at 8:00. We worked on one story until noon, throwing out "what ifs" and being honest about the suggestions. (Hence the angst, shouting, and tears. Okay, that didn't actually happen, but it was intense.)

From noon to one we had lunch, and then began the process all over again for another writer until five. That's the time to call it quits, and relax for a while before having dinner. (And nobody cooks! Go out to eat!)

On Sunday follow the same routine. My friend and I plotted 2 books for her and 1 for me during a weekend in Marathon, Florida. All three books have sold.

So the next time you're stuck for a story line, consider brainstorming. It works and is fun.

Oh, and by the way, if you write romantic suspense or mystery, do not discuss how to pull off the perfect murder in a crowded restaurant or on the screened-in porch of a motel bungalow. It could lead to embarrassment.

Until later.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

The past couple of weeks have been busy, so forgive me my inattention to Suzanne's Blog.

My grandson had a great time visiting Ft. Lauderdale, but as soon as we put him on the plane for Chicago I came home and took a nap. It took days to recover from the energy of an 11 year old boy. Next time, I'll plan activities better. LOL.

Once again alone, my first order of business was to get my galley corrections into my editor. Done and checked off the old "to-do" list. Next, I had to do revisions requested by another editor for a different story. Put the check mark down. Now, I could get on with writing--or so I thought.

I cruise Facebook several times day, catching up with old friends, new friends, and fellow authors. The one thing I promised myself was that I'd never--under any circumstances--get involved with the games so many others seem to play. I've successfully avoided Mafia Wars,  Farmtown, and Farkle. I know my personality. Those things are addictive and I'd never stop. I have books to write. I can't be screwing around with games. The quizzes are bad enough, but only require a couple of minutes to complete--unless, of course, you take ten or twelve in a day, but let's not go there.

Then a friend posted a score on something called "Bejeweled Blitz". When we replaced our desktop three years ago, that game, along with Chuzzles, Bejeweled, and Bookworm came along on a trial basis. The higher the score, the more free play you got. Turned out I was pretty good at them. I'd play until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. When my freebies ran out, I went through withdrawal vowing never to do this again.

So, what did I do? I clicked on "Play Bejeweled Blitz" and played Friday afternoon, most of Saturday, and for a large chunk of yesterday. Hey, not my fault. The NASCAR race was rained out. And while I did work a little, the call of the jewels was intense. Being weak, I caved.

My question is this--is there a rehab program for computer games? It wouldn't surprise me in the least. And how would it work? "Hello, my name is Suzanne and I'm a Blitzaholic?" Would I have to face real people or would my confession be electronic? That way I could admit my addiction while still playing. No, that's silly. Defeats the purpose.

Time to go. I have another scene to write before the postponed race from Watkins Glen starts. I will NOT play "Bejeweled Blitz" today. Well, not much at any rate.

Until next time.

Suzanne

Good morning everyone.

Just had to take a few minutes to tell you about my experience at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon yesterday. This place is fantastic. I've seen dolphins in the sea and even had one following our sailboat once in Biscayne Bay, but this was up close and personal. They swim in their pens a few feet from the walkway flipping their tails, grinning, and flirting to beat the band. Talk about personality!

My grandson, Corey, had the experience of a lifetime. One of the special interactive programs offered is called Painting With The Dolphins. Participants get a t-shirt, and the dolphins with a paintbrush in their mouth, slap the paint on the shirt. The result is better than anything Jackson Pollack ever did. Afterwards, he got to pet these talented creatures.

If you've never heard of this not-for-profit facility, it is located on Grassy Key in Marathon, Florida. The mission statement is clear and I'll try to paraphrase--The goal is to promote peaceful coexistence between marine mammals, humans, and the environment. The health of the dolphins always comes first. The Center also tends to the needs of injured or sick sea mammals.

So, if you plan a trip to South Florida, put this on your must-see list. You won't regret it.

For more information Google, Dolphin Research Center, Marathon, Fl or go to www.dolphins.org. I plan to adopt a dolphin through a membership.

Have a good day!

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

Had a great time last week. The trip to Lake Wildwood was sooo much fun. I loved seeing my kids, grandkids, and other assorted relatives. I also got to spend quality time with my grandkids in Rockford.

We're back home now with our oldest grandson, Corey. He's 11 and wants to do it all. Yesterday, we did the beach. He had a ball and loved the water. Unfortunately, while I was warning everyone about sunscreen, I neglected to put any on my back. Guess who's red? Thank God for aloe vera.

Today we went to the Swap Shop. Walked forever, but had fun and found a few bargains. When the heat index lowers (its 107 degrees at the moment) Corey and Bruce will drop a line off the dock and go for a dingy ride.

Trying to keep a kid occupied for 10 days is a task, but I think we have a plan. A movie one day, the Sawgrass Mills Mall another, a visit to a friend's house for a swim party, and a trip to Marathon in the Keys to see the Dolphin Research Center. Of course, the beach is mandatory at least 2 more times.

I should have grandkids down more often. I'm doing things I haven't done in years. The beach is five miles away and we rarely go. I can't remember the last time we went to the Swap Shop, and while I've been in Marathon, I never stopped by the Dolphin Center.

Better go for now. More later.

Suzanne

Good morning everyone.

I am in a super mood today. My vacation has officially begun. At the moment I am sitting in my sister-in-law, Betsy's, kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee, reading the Chicago Tribune, and stopping every once in a while to gaze out the window at sparrows in the trees and a gorgeous landscaping job done personally by Betsy. The temperature is a cool 68 degrees. Soon, my hubby will slap some bacon in a pan and crack open a couple of eggs. I have every intention of eating breakfast on the deck.

Later today, we're going to Brian (hubby's brother) and Betsy's house on Lake Wildwood about an hour or so southwest of their Mokena, Illinois home. My niece and nephew, Alex and Dan, will be with us. Also joining us will be my sons, Kevin and Brendan, and their wives and kids. From what I heard, a few friends are coming, too. Should be a great weekend.

On Sunday evening, we head back to Rockford with son #1 for a few days. When we return to South Florida, our oldest grandson Corey, will be with us for a 10 day stay.

Can't say that I miss working too much. I still check e-mails and Facebook, but all WIPs are on hold. If I get time, I may consider adding some scenes to a story as requested by an editor. I wrote the additions before I left, so all I have to do is figure out where to place them.

Ah, bacon is sizzling and the aroma just snapped my appetite awake. Think I'll get another cup of coffee and wander out onto the deck. Life is wonderful!

Update later--if I remember!

Suzanne

Hello everyone.

Sorry it's been a while since I've blogged, but I do have a good excuse, or rather excuses--galley corrections, a new contract,  minor re-writes before being offered another contract, and planning a vacation. Let's see--there are how many hours in a day? The galley corrections went off today, and I'll work on the re-writes while traveling. A writer never stops writing.

Which brings me to my subject today--blogging. I read in the paper this morning that a well-known female celebrity is being sued by a clothing designer. Why? Because she said some less than polite things about his designs on her blog. He answered back. She kicked it up a notch. Eventually, the verbal sparring turned personal and downright ugly. The result? A lawsuit claiming the celebrity caused him possible loss of income. Fashionistas might not buy his line next fall.

Now, I understand that I can't say so-and-so is a terrorist or uses drugs (or sells them), but what about free speech? Don't I have the right to issue my opinion? Don't you, as a blog reader, have the right to agree or disagree with what I say? If I object to an action taken by a politician, does that mean I must suffer in silence? Are we all so thin-skinned that we can no longer deal with criticism, feeling the need to rush out to the nearest attorney? We have become a litigious society in desperate need of re-hab.

I am a writer, and I assume most of the people reading this blog are, too or at the very least, readers.  I pose a question. If a book receives a bad review, either in print or online, does that mean the author can sue for loss of income because people might read the review and not buy the book--hence, loss of income?

Think about it.

Until next time.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

A while back I wrote about social networking and how addictive it can become. Well, last weekend my writer's group had a presentation comparing the various sites. I thought I was in the 21st century with Facebook. Little did I know.

I'm still on Facebook and have accumulated 50 friends. Apparently, some of said friends are just as addicted to it as me. A couple are on with comments and postings every few minutes. And the quizzes have had a population explosion.

Like an idiot, I asked a question at the meeting. Should I have a separate Facebook page for my professional name? Answer: Yes. So I set one up. Since I'm frequently lazy, my first friend was my private self. I did this for easy access to friends' e-mails, so I could invite them to join the professional me. Oops. Bad idea. Now all the messages are duplicated. Why read the same thing twice? I'll have to delete private from professional. Eventually, I'll get it straight.

I also decided to give Twitter a try through my pen name. Imagine my surprise when I discovered I already had a Twitter account. Apparently, I signed on when a friend became active on the site. I was even more amazed when an e-mail arrived to say I had somebody following me. (Following sounds like stalking, but simply means someone is interested in your activities. Okay, it's stalking, but when you're a writer that isn't always a bad thing.)

Having never heard of this guy--yes, guy--I clicked on the 'learn more about...' icon and discovered he was dead. Don't ask. I have no idea how a dead man can tweet on Twitter or follow me, but that's just my luck. I kept the e-mail and will investigate later.

Now, if only I can solve the puzzle of my website, which is a mess and probably won't be up and running before my first book comes out in January, I'll be a happy camper.

Have a good one and we'll talk later.

Suzanne

Hello everyone,

The time is rapidly approaching when many romance writers will be making the annual pilgrimage to the Romance Writer's of America's conference. There, for an exorbitant fee, writers can mingle with multi-published authors like Nora Roberts, Heather Graham, Christina Dodd and more, network, attend workshops, and most importantly--pitch their manuscripts to editors and agents.

The latter can be the most harrowing experience of a writer's life, so here are a few tips to live through it.

1. Don't be nervous---Yeah, I know. Easier said than done. I hated pitching because no matter how hard I tried, I inevitably froze. Couldn't remember a damned thing about my novel. I once wrote out what I wanted to say and the editor asked, "What? You don't know your own book?" I confessed my nerves always got the better of me. She then spent a couple of minutes talking about nothing just to calm me down. In the end, she requested a full. I was eventually rejected, but will always have a soft spot in my heart for the editor who cared.

2. Practice, practice, practice---You'll have 10 minutes to tell the agent or editor about your story, so hit the high points like goals, motivation, and conflict for characters, and a brief concept of the plot. If there's time left, elaborate on the plot. And don't forget to mention if this manuscript has won or finaled in any contests. Before you sit in the hot seat, practice your pitch with a friend or in the mirror until you know it backwards.

3. Don't forget to smile and introduce yourself to the editor or agent. A few seconds of hello, how are you, nice to meet you, is appreciated.

4. Never pitch an unfinished manuscript---Two quick cases in point.

 My critique partner had a terrific concept for a series. She wrote the first chapter a few days prior to a conference and pitched it to an editor thinking she'd request the usual partial and a synopsis. The editor loved the idea and requested a full. Gulp! My friend spent the next 3 weeks writing a chapter a day, sending it through critique, and editing, all while holding down a day job. The book sold, as did the next two in the series, but I wouldn't recommend this as the way to do it.

The second case involves another friend who had the good fortune to win several contests with a dynamite story. She had honed that first chapter to near perfection. Unfortunately, she only had five considerably less honed, finished chapters, so when the agent asked if it was a completed manuscript, she lied and said yes. The agent requested the full and my friend got busy writing the rest of the story. It took her over six months. By the time she sent it in, the agent had forgotten about her, the story, and the conference. It also showed she'd lied. It took the agent only a week to send the rejection letter. The manuscript still lingers unsold.

Moral of the stories--don't put yourself in a position of getting 3 hours sleep a night, and don't lie.

There are a lot of other things you can do to sell your manuscript before the dreaded pitch session. Editors and agents love to hang out in hotel lobbies and bars to chat. Don't be shy. Offer to buy them a drink, and just talk--do not pitch unless asked. Ask about their families, their lives outside of publishing, anything to break the ice. If you have an appointment with that person the next day, mention it and say how much you're looking forward to the experience.

Remember, editors and agents want you to succeed. They'd like nothing better than to snag that next NYT bestseller. Why shouldn't it be yours? Now, get out there and pitch--someone just might catch your fast ball.

Have a good one.

Suzanne

Good morning friends.

I can't believe today is June 1st. For most people the date signifies the beginning of summer even though the calendar says that doesn't happen for another 20 days. But for those of us living in South Florida or anywhere else in the coastal south, it's the official start of--OMG--hurricane season.

Yep! It's time to inspect those shutters, pack in supplies, fill 5 gallon jerrycans with gas for the generator, and watch the National Weather Service with an almost religious fervor.

The shutters are no problem since most of our windows are standard size, but we check them anyway. I have a friend who moved into her partially renovated house in 2003. During the summer of 2004, all hell broke loose in the Sunshine State with 4 hurricanes in 8 weeks. Imagine my friend's consternation when she and her hubby went to mount the shutters only to find them labeled by the previous owner, "Johnny's room, Sissy's room, office." An operation that should have taken a couple of hours, sucked up 6.

Now, let's assume Tropical Storm Bozo has just blown up to hurrican status and is heading straight for me. Naturally, I keep a close eye on the TV for updates. This isn't hard. All local stations immediately switch to all-hurricane-all-the-time if that cone of death is anywhere close to SoFla shores. It is now time to race for the grocery store.

Ah, the joy of hurricane supply shopping. Water, canned goods, batteries, flashlights, candles, and paper products all being snatched and grabbed by frenzied shoppers who are in full panic mode. I once watched an argument break out between three women over the last can of deviled ham. Luckily, I hate deviled ham and grabbed the last four pack of tuna from under their noses and ran.

Any smart hurricane survivor and generator owner knows to fill those gas cans and store them outside until needed. However, the last chore on the to-do list is fill the gas tank of your car. This is the true nightmare--waiting in a long line of frustrated, pissed off, aggressive drivers fresh off I-95 who will top off their tanks in case they decided at the last minute to evacuate to Orlando, which, this being Florida, will probably get nailed by Bozo anyway.

So, this is what to expect from June 1-November 30. Just another day in Paradise. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must run to the store for another couple of cases of wine. Water is more practical, but wine is definitely more fun.

Have a good day!

Suzanne

Good morning, everyone.

When I was growing up, Memorial Day was one of my favorite holidays. It heralded the offical beginning of summer. In rural Indiana, school had recessed until fall, and the weather had warmed up enough to have the first barbeque of the season--ribs, burgers, those marvelous Brink's franks, potato salad, and friends and family getting together.

Also, living near Indianapolis, it meant the running of the Indianpolis 500. My family first bought tickets in--gulp--1959. We've had the same seats since 1964. My parents and I attended every year until 1970 when my husband joined us.

Eventually, my folks gave up going, and my sons began attending in 1986. Now, my husbnad and I live 1800 miles from the Brickyard, and quite frankly, I can't climb those five flights of stairs to our seats anymore.

So, my oldest son and his family carry on the tradition. Kevin is a sportsaholic, and my daughter-in-law, Lisa, is very understanding about his adoration of driver, Sarah Fisher just as he is of her hero worship of Thomas Scheckter. This year, my grandson Corey will be attending for the second time, the fourth generation to enjoy the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing".

But Memorial Day is not about summer vacation, barbeque, or auto races. It's about remembering our men and women in uniform who have given their lives for what this country believes, and saluting the dedication of those currently serving. May everyone be safe this weekend--travelers, racers, friends, family, and our military personnel.

Until later.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

Today is one of those days when I can't whip up the energy or the inspiration to do anything. We all experience this from time to time, but I consider this letdown as a waste of time. I should be creating. Even though it's early morning, I know how my day will go.

I'll mess around on facebook for an hour, play computer games for another hour or so, try to read a book, but will end up putting it down because I can't concentrate, and will watch TV even though I don't like a damn thing that's on. Daytime TV is a worse time suck than facebook.

Friday's are often like this. My husband says it's because I work like a mad woman Monday through Thursday.

Writing can be exhausting work. Plot lines, plot twists, character building, world building, and creating believeable dialogue saps the mind. By the end of the week, I'm burnout city. That's probably why I find other things to do on the weekends. Like my computer, my battery needs re-charging.

Maybe that's why I'm so bummed today. Last week was the pits. I had computer problems, which forced me to work through the weekend. As a result, on Monday--usually my most productive day of the week--I was pissed and grumpy.

The good news is, I sent out two requested full manuscipts. Perhaps that's the problem. I have several other finished stories waiting in the wings, and a bunch of WIPs I haven't touched in months. I can't focus on what to do next.

I may get in the car, and go someplace I haven't been in a long while, like the beach, or maybe a museum. Ft. Lauderdale is chocked full of little museums, most of which I've never seen. Spending money at the mall is out of the question, but window shopping is always a possibility. Oh, well, I'll work it out. I generally do.

Until next time.

Suzanne

Mother's Day--a celebration devised by a greeting card company to sell cards. Whatever the motivation, it worked and is now an institution.

Sadly,  neither my mother nor my husband's is still with us, but I got to looking around the house this morning at all the items I've kept over the years that belonged to them.

My gaze immediately homed in on a couple of plaques hanging on my kitchen wall, along with several I've accumulated over the years.

No Matter Where I Serve My Guests; It Seems They Like My Kitchen Best. That one hung next to my mother-in-law's sink for as long as I knew her. And it was true. Whenever the family gathered, no football game could ever compete with her kitchen. We'd all come and go while making dinner or cleaning up from one.

The Opinions Expressed By The Husband Of This House Are Not Necessarily Those Of The Management. This homily was tacked on the wall behind my father's bar. When they moved to an apartment, he handed it to my husband saying, "Here, you're going to need this."

BOAT--A Hole In The Water Surrounded By Wood Into Which One Pours Money. Oh, soooo true! Our sailboat  never got out of the boatyard for under a grand. And that's not counting the do-it-yourself maintenance that comes along just before you leave the dock for a weekend trip. (BOAT also stands for Break Out Another Thousand)

People Who Think They Know It All Are Especially Annoying To Those Of Us Who Do. My husband gave me this one year for Christmas as a joke--at least, I think it was a joke.

Reality Is Only An Illusion That Occurs Due To Lack Of Wine. Amen. Enough said.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone.

Suzanne