Hi everyone.

I suppose by now, most of you are like me--tired of turkey, but eating it in any form possible so it will go away faster.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade officially ushered in the Christmas season. The starter's gun was fired and off we raced to the malls and electonics stores to spend money we can't really afford.

But this holiday is also the end of one season and the beginning of another, less well-known, time of year. Technically, hurricane season ends on November 30th, but since there's nothing brewing anywhere, I think we can say its over.

With that said, another season begins--Geezer Season. Yep, Thanksgiving is the official start of the annual migration of snowbirds to South Florida. People from the Northeast pack up and head south to the warmth of the Sunshine State until April.

Now, I don't mind them coming here. They own condos or homes and because they're part-time residents, pay an obnoxious property tax. They shop in our stores, eat at our restaurants, and otherwise contribute to the economy, for which we are grateful, because at the moment, it sucks.

Unfortunately, they also drive. Retired, the snowbirds make the trek south in cars they rarely use at home, or use in less congested traffic areas. Whenever I drive and spot a New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or other New England license plate, I give them a wide berth.

But that is no guarantee I won't be caught off guard. Some of them don't own cars at home. They fly down here, take their boat-sized Lincoln Town cars out of storage, and drive on Florida plates. Gives us full time residents a reason to beware. Half the time, they have no idea where they're going, and the other half is spent driving 10 MPH under the speed limit in the mistaken assumption they're being safe drivers.

And don't even get me started on tourists from Canada, especially Quebec. They really have no clue how to drive.

I've learned over the years to keep my eyes open whenever I'm behind the wheel. Perhaps that makes me a safer driver, I don't know, but I always breathe a sigh of relief when April comes around and they migrate back north.

Living in South Florida for the past 12 years has been an adventure and pleasant most of the time. However, there will come the day when I'll leave. Maybe my husband and I will keep the house and return every winter to...Wait a minute! That would make us...gasp!...Snowbirds!! And since we'll be retired and over age 65, we'll be...Oh, no!!!...A geezer and a geezerette!!!!

If that happens I promise to drive the speed limit and know where I'm going.

Talk to you later.

Suzanne

Hi everyone.

I'm not normally a nostalgic person. I prefer living in the present, not wallowing in the past, but this time of year always seems to bring forth those Thanksgiving memories from years ago.

As a kid, my mother considered this holiday to be the most special. If we didn't have out of town relatives bunking in with us, we were doing the same in the St. Louis area. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie threatened to collapse the dining room table. After dinner, my father and uncles would plop down onto the sofa in the living room, undo their belts, and declare it the best meal ever. They're all gone now, but I can still hear the laughter and taste the food.

When I married, the scene shifted to my husband's even larger family. The turkey was bigger and often accompanied by a ham. Family members brought pies, casseroles, and salads of all sorts. My mother-in-law somehow found places for all the dishes on the counters and room in the fridge for the leftovers. She also managed to seat the sometimes nearly 20 family members if not at, then at least near, the dining room table. Sadly, many of these wonderful souls are also no longer with us either.

As Bruce and I moved from city to city, we sometimes couldn't get home to Carmel, Indiana for the holiday. Gradually, we developed our own Thanksgiving tradition. Now, my sons are grown with families of their own and continuing the tradition in their distinct ways. This is the first Thanksgiving in two years we haven't spent with family. I guess that's to be expected living so far away from Memphis and Rockford. I keep telling myself that next year, we'll be a part of the festivities somewhere.

I'm thankful for all those memories. They bring a tear to my eye, and a smile to my lips. I think of my mother, father, aunt, uncles, and cousins. I remember my in-laws, and my husbands truly magnificent grandmothers, along with all the good times. No one ever wanted to leave.

So, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember.

Until later.

Suzanne

Good morning everyone.

I suppose by now just about every blogger has sounded off on the bombshell Harlequin/Silhoutte has lobbed. It landed smack in the middle of the romance writing world, and then detonated with an ear-splitting bang.

Last week, they announced their new e-book enterprise called Carina. They see the handwriting on the wall with Kindles, Sony e-readers and several other devices selling faster than designer shoes at 75% off.

Then the other day, the most renowned and respected romance publishing house in the world, dropped the bomb. A new venture called Harlequin Horizons, a self-publishing vanity press division has been created.

Don't know what a vanity press is? It's a publisher who charges the author to print their books. Not only is this just short of a crime, but the money-grubbers also take a percentage of the author's royalites. (I'm not sure of this, but I believe that if Horizons does decide to reprint a book under another imprint, they can do so without an advance because technically, the book has already been published. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) I can't believe Harlequin is stooping this low.

Now enter the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the ultimate organization for romance authors. Several years ago, they instituted new rules concerning advances, e-book publishers, and the Published Authors Network (PAN). It's caused more than a little controversy and a whole lot of anger, but I won't go into that now. Most romance authors already know the story.

Part of the controversy dealt with RWA's list of approved publishers. The organization screens potential publishers to make sure they are legitimate and not out to scam wannabe writers. As a result of their new rules, e-book publishers were dropped from this list because, for one, they don't pay advances. Now, you can subtract Harlequin, too. Harlequin boasts an enormous stable of authors and an even bigger readership. They invented category romance for God's sake.

RWA immediately answered this vanity press creation with a statement that they would adhere to the guidelines set a few years ago. Harlequin is on the blacklist. As it was explained to me, this includes the Rita competition starting in 2011. (Can't do it this year because the entries have already been opened.) I have the feeling the RWA board is already huddling and trying to decide how to amend their policies. Does one division of a publishing house that is anathema to the organization, automatically disqualify the traditioinal portion of its operation? RWA will have to work hard to spin this one.

I find it ironic that the foremost romance publisher in the world that has put romance books into the hands of millions and helped lift the genre to respectable heights along with RWA is now persona non grata at the National Convention with all privileges revoked. They can attend, but not hold any official business.

This is the biggie. Do you know how many unpublished writers pitch to Harlequin/Silhoutte at Nationals? Now if you want to formally pitch your book, you'll have to do it off the hotel property. Of course, I don't think anyone can stop you from informally tackling a H/S editor in the bar.

It's a sad day for all involved--RWA for making new rules that do not win friends or influence people, and Harlequin for even thinking about a venture that takes advantage of a writer. It's sleazy.

Until next time.

Suzanne

Hello everyone.

In 2005, I very stupidly raised my hand to volunteer as co-chairperson of my local RWA chapter's bi-annual conference. The previous chairperson heaved 10 boxes of folders and paraphernalia into my SUV and waved goodbye. It didn't take long to realize I'd made a big mistake. I wasn't capable of pulling this off. Luckily, my critique partner at the time, Toni Andrews, offered her services. Organized and optimistic, she took charge of technical details while I dealt with the hotel.

In late 2006, I stopped writing because I spent half my life on the phone with the hotel and other half with conference committee members, all of whom did top notch jobs. The conference would never have gotten off the ground if not for these wonderful women and their dedication to the chapter.

The 2007 conference was a success from an attendee's viewpoint with excellent workshops and lots of editors and agents eager to buy those unpublished manuscripts.

The logistics of running a conference, however, were a nightmare. I unintentionally insulted one of our speakers, a NYT bestselling author. She very graciously accepted my apology. We had more authors participating in the booksigning than anticipated, which meant the hotel facility provided was too small and overcrowded. There were other problems, but to be truthful, I can't remember them. They all tend to blur together.

I thought my life would return to normal when I turned out the lights. I could get back to writing and the push toward publication.

Didn't quite happen that way. At the chapter's first meeting post-conference, I found myself wanting to crawl across the table and choke one woman. I can't remember what she said or did that provoked such a response. I just know it happened. And the incident wasn't isolated.

Not only were people I considered my friends suddenly giving me homicidal thoughts, but my writing screeched to a halt. Nothing made sense and for the first time, I had no clue as to where my story was headed. The sleepless nights experienced prior to the conference didn't go away. I cried for no reason. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown.

Finally, a friend hit the nail on the head. "Honey, you're burned out."

Damned if she wasn't right. I took a few deep breaths and a vacation to see family that summer. When I returned, I forced my fingers to the keyboard and wrote, even if it was only one page. I entered contests again. Eventually, I got around to submitting, too.

It took over a year, but I finally came out of my funk. I sold my first book. It'll be released in January. Since then, I've sold three others.

I never expected to be a victim of burnout. The signs were all there, I just didn't recognize them. Unfortunately, they are returning. So, I'm going to sit back, relax, and enjoy the holidays.

And that doesn't sound like a bad idea for everyone.

Until next time.

Suzanne

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