 | 14 Dec 09 |
It’s not Year End without a Top Ten List, right? Since the group has decided to use the last two weeks of the year to rerun some of our personal favorite blogs, this will be my last official MSW post of 2009. So I’ve decided to climb aboard the Top Ten Wagon and post the Ten Most Amazing Discoveries I made this past year.
Amazing Discovery #1 – Laurent Korcia, smokin’ hot drool-worthy sex on a stick Frenchman, who just happens to be one of the world’s top violinists. I found him when his manager, a longtime friend and former PR client of mine, turned me on to Korcia’s CD, Cinema. This disc is an eclectic mix of the most beautiful movie themes, ranging from my absolute favorite, Moon River (I cry every time!) to the Tango. (Remember the dance scene in Scent of a Woman? Sigh.)
And here’s a juicy insider tidbit to think about while you’re swooning at that site: On the song “Yumeji’s Theme” from the movie In The Mood For Love, Laurent plays his Stradavarius (what else?) with the bow upside down, which is, they tell me, next to impossible. But, says the man who made People’s Sexiest Men Alive List in 2008, playing that way sounds “rougher” and when he is in love, his world is upside down. *pass the ice water and fan, please*
So…we’re giving the Cinema CD away today! Leave a comment to this post with one noteworthy discovery you’ve made in 2009 and one winner will receive the Cinema CD. I promise, you will absolutely love this dreamy music and steamy musician.
Amazing Discovery #2 – Twitter! Whoda thunk a Myspace and Facebook failure like me would embrace the 140-character madness that is known as tweeting? The biggest surprise to me is that so many people talk about Twitter as a marketing tool for writers; it doesn’t feel like that at all. Twitter is a lifeline for this lonely writer, giving me a virtual stroll to the water cooler when I need a break, offering up bits of information and conversations and laughter along the way.
Amazing Discover #3 – The CrackBerry. It was a gargantuan leap from simple flip phone to complex smart handheld, but I’m so hooked on my little BlackBerry. Definitely life-changing and addictive.
Amazing Discovery # 4 – Plantzing & The Method. These writing processes deserve at least a full blog, and will possibly get an hour in the spotlight at Nationals, if the Powers That Be select a the Be A Plantzer workshop that Kristen Painter, Louisa Edwards and I have proposed. In a nutshell, plantzing is when you are not a plotter or a pantzer, but some arcane combination of both, which apparently I am when I write “a story plan” as opposed to a detailed plot. Couple that with what Kristen lovingly calls “The Method” (because there is only one: hers) which is a way of fleshing out a scene prior to writing it that makes the actual drafting go much faster and smoother. Both these techniques have improved my writing process exponentially this year.
Amazing Discovery #5 – Blogging! Color me converted! I swore I never would do this, but now I love so many things about blogging here — the regular commenters, the diversity of topics, the high energy and atmosphere we’ve created, plus the fact that I’m forced to find a topic of interest and package it into a blog worth reading. (I hope!) Thank you all for making me feel so welcome this year, and for making me change my stubborn mind about blogging.
Amazing Discovery #6 – YA Books. Allison just posted about this a few weeks ago, and I’m chiming in again to reiterate: I love Young Adult novels. Maybe I’m just channeling my inner teenager, or maybe the books are giving me added insight to my 12 and 16 year old children, or maybe reading them reminds me of why and when I fell in love with books in the first place. Whatever it is, I stopped trying to rationalize and just accept that I love the fresh voices I’m discovering in this genre. My daughter keeps suggesting we write one together….hmmm.
Amazing Discovery #7 – Morning writing. To be honest, this is a “rediscovery” for me. Years ago, life and kids forced me to get up at 4:45 AM (ouch) to write my first published novel. But I learned that once I stumbled to the pre-set coffeepot and got the computer fired up, I was not only alert but also quite creative. This year, I’ve decided to draft a second book as a secret project and the only time I could steal was pre-dawn, since I spend my writing day on contracted work. I forgot how fertile the mind can be at that hour, and how much I enjoy writing when everyone else is asleep. As a side discovery, writing two books at once is much more liberating and far less challenging than I’d ever imagined.
Amazing Discovery # 8 – Freeze 24/7. I’m not a beauty product snob. Sure, I like me some MAC and Bobbi Brown, but I happen to be just as happy with Walgreen’s selection of Cover Girl and have worn the same Maybelline mascara since high school. But an article in the New York Times got me to try Freeze 24-7. I tell you true, this is a little bitta plastic surgery in a bottle. Not cheap, but totally worth it. (Sorry to steal your slogan, L’Oreal.)
Amazing Discovery #9 – Necessity is is the mother of…good health. We’re a three-driver family now, with two vehicles. The only time that’s an issue is when I want to go to my cardio/core workout, which conflicts with the time my daughter has to be dropped off for school. So, I started biking the five mile round trip and love it! The Florida weather is glorious, the extra 40 minutes of workout is a bonus, and I feel so virtuous by reducing my carbon footprint to a speck.
Amazing Discovery # 10 – Reality TV. What do American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and Biggest Loser have in common? No, not the crazy contests and the kick-off shows. There’s something communal about watching these shows; they’ve brought us all into the same room in the evenings. We’ve always been a “dinner together as a family” kind of gang, but it’s so easy to flitter off into four different directions at night because we have divergent interests. Now we cuddled under the Snuggie (another great discovery!), and fight over who gets the dog as we watch and laugh together. Thank you, Simon Cowell.
Want to win Laurent Korcia’s fabulous Cinema CD??? Share one amazing discovery you’ve made this year, whether it changed your life, your writing, your mood, or your health…and one commenter will win. We’ll announce the winner Tuesday night, so come on and add to the list!
© 2009 Roxanne St. Claire. All rights reserved.
Roxanne St. Claire is a bestselling, RITA-Award winning author of twenty-four novels of romance and suspense. For the past several years, she's been writing a popular romantic suspense series called “The Bullet Catchers” for Pocket Star Books, featuring a cadre of bodyguards and security professionals. In 2010, she's launching a new series, "The Guardian Angelinos" focusing on an extended family of renegade crime fighters and investigators based in Boston. The first book in that series, EDGE OF SIGHT, will be released from Grand Central Publishing in November, 2010, with two more scheduled in 2011. In addition to the RITA, her books have won the National Reader’s Choice Award, the Daphne Du Maurier Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best, the Book Buyers Best, The HOLT Medallion, multiple Awards of Excellence, and Borders “Top Pick” for Romance in 2007.
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The amazing discovery I made this year? This website!
by Peri December 14th, 2009 at 1:38 pmGreat answer, Peri! So glad you’ve discovered us, too!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 3:37 pmBest ‘discovery’ of this year? Umm.. this is hard, you know? I mean, there WAS Twitter. And, good Lord, CASTLE!!!
Not to mention SO SO MANY authors, like Allison Brennan and Karen Rose, which soon became some of my favorites. Books who jumped up on my ‘I need to read this every day list’. It’s hard, really.
The discovery of a new university course and wonderful friends I’d never thought I’d meet.
But, when it comes down it, there’s only one possible answer. My amazing discovery of the year? Rocki!!!! As an author, whose books did jump up on my list of favorites, as a friend who will listen to my ramblings, as an author mentor who will give some of her precious type to explain punctuation to me, as a cyber mama who’ll help me to dress for dates and write emails to calm me down when I’m anxious! I love you, Rocki. You were my ‘discovery of the year’. <3
by Barbie December 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pmAwwww. *sniff* Getting to know you has been a highlight of my year, too, Barbie. Your comment was a keeper and so are you! xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 3:38 pmEmpty House – Having daughter and grandson move out really has freed my muse and let me again enjoy MY HOME. Now I don’t need to run away to write, I can enjoy my office and peace and quiet.
by Jill James December 14th, 2009 at 2:29 pmWelcome home, muse! Amazing how we make ourselves work in the toughest, most stressful situations, and when they are over it feels. so. good. Enjoy the quiet and productivity!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 3:39 pmI would have to say my discoveries of 2009 are…
Glee – which is my favorite TV show of the year
David Garrett – another violinist who has a rocker edge. I love his version of Queen’s Who Wants to Live Forever
by Carrie December 14th, 2009 at 2:37 pmAnd I would say NOT getting on the Glee bandwagon is one of my biggest *regrets* this year. Is it too late? I can feel the excitement about that show and I’m sorry I didn’t watch.
And thanks for the David Garrett tip. Gotta look him up!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 3:40 pmThe DVD for the first season (half season) comes out at the end of December. Plenty of time to catch up before it comes back in April.
by Carrie December 15th, 2009 at 12:18 pmThank you for that tidbit! I’m buying it for our family. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 2:43 pma recent not so amazing but certainly startling discovery: I’m a control freak. Wondering now how to control the freak. Any sugegstions?
by Karin Tabke December 14th, 2009 at 4:22 pmWelcome to my world, and, oh, you have picked the wrong job! LOL.
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 6:28 pmI’ve had fun discovering things about last year’s Christmas present – an iPod touch. I love apps, especially Kindle. Now I’m never without a book!
by Janel December 14th, 2009 at 4:44 pmMy kids both just got iTouches and OMG are they fun. So jealous! We can’t use the iPhone on our plan (Sprint, and I’ve upgraded so many times I’m pretty much committed through 2145) but those little iTouch babies are FUN.
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 6:29 pmHow about a Plantzing/Method on line course for those of us unble to make Nationals?……huh? how about it?…
by susan December 14th, 2009 at 5:01 pmWe’ll have to see about that, Susan! If we get picked to do the workshop, there will be a CD, too. Thanks!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 14th, 2009 at 6:30 pmWow, great list. I, too, used to be an early morning writer. Now I’ve found that my best writing time is from about 1-5 pm. Which conflicts with picking up the kids from school . . .
Am checking out that Freeze . . .
by Allison Brennan December 14th, 2009 at 8:20 pmI hit stride around 1 – 2, also and then I see that clock move into Car Line Time and want to scream. And the three week break starts on Friday….
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 5:12 amLove this list.
My best writing time is still in the middle of the night, no matter how much I need to change my schedule since we have Angie every other week. I have to figure something out for that.
Meanwhile, I think my favorite discovery this year is my iPhone, since I actually SLEEP with it–still playing that waterfall sound. I am getting 7 to 8 hours of solid sleep a night. I never dreamed that would be possible. Plus, just all the conveniences of it–unless I know for a fact I’m going to write on a trip, I can leave the laptop behind.
So checking out that freeze stuff, tho.
by toni mcgee causey December 15th, 2009 at 4:04 pmRocki, I want that course! I’ll be there front and center.
Discoveries…
Twitter – check
Castle – check
The MSW dames – check X 10
iPhone – oh hella yeah!
But my biggest discovery? The wonderful community of romance writers and the friendships that go with it, especially y’all here! Going all smaltzy here (hey! I’ve been watching Hallmark Channel, I can’t help it!), getting to know y’all has rocked my world in ways that leave me light-headed and squeeing like the fangirl I am at heart!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
by Silver James December 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pmPenny, back actcha! big squishy hugs!
by Karin Tabke December 14th, 2009 at 11:02 pmDid you watch Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle? My daughter and I loved it – soooo sweet. Then Debbie came to my Christmas party on Sunday, and Mia was so excited to meet her. Now if we could just get that hot hero over here…
I count you in my wonderful discoveries, too, Silver Penny! xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 5:13 amDebbie is one of my heroines! We don’t really write in a similar vein, but I love getting lost in her books and I hold her up as an example *all the time* to would-be writers who dare to whine around me. There are a lot of noir/crime-writer guys who have had to listen to me tell them about Debbie’s courage and tenacity. She could eat them for breakfast. I hope I get to meet her some day. It would be a real fan-girl moment. I just hope I wouldn’t offend her within the first 5 minutes with my trucker mouth…
by sophie littlefield December 15th, 2009 at 8:59 amDebbie is truly an amazing beacon of inspiration to me, and I’m proud to call her a friend and mentor. She is one of the shrewdest businesswomen I’ve ever met, packaged with a heart and soul of a true angel. Our genre is so lucky to have her at the top.
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 11:48 amLike Sophie, Debbie is one of those writers I’d love to meet and just sit and listen to for a long long while. I’d probably be too brain stupid to say anything coherent.
(Sophie, we’ll shock her together.)
by toni mcgee causey December 15th, 2009 at 4:05 pmOh hell I can’t tell you my amazing discovery of 2009 because I’m prevented by a non disclosure agreement. Suffice to say it upended my world and has effed up Christmas for me. Waa, waa, waa, poor pitiful me.
The second amazing discovery was that I really do have a backbone and I’m not afraid to use it (especially when teamed with a pit bull divorce attorney
). Despite way too many hours spent crying myself to sleep, I’m proud for having stood up for myself. God knows, it ain’t easy. But a gal has to look out for herself.
I’m a Twitter failure, can’t afford a smartphone and wish my muse would please come home (but who the heck wants to come home to this crap???). But there IS Castle. Ahhhhh. I love that guy.
by Marilyn December 15th, 2009 at 1:01 amDude, you had a hellacious year. What you’ve discovered is an inner strength that defies explanation. You are going to get through this a better woman, with stories to tell! And you are so loved by your friends, chief among them…me. xoxox+++
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 5:16 amWell, besides The Method showing me I can write 103k words in 4 months, my major discovery this year has been that yes, I can write a book that NY wants!
I’ve also discovered that a few good friends are all I really need, especially when they’re such wonderful people.
by Kristen Painter December 15th, 2009 at 4:33 amThe Method is indeed a killer discovery of 2009, and I thank you for it. Next year? 90,000 in 3 months. xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 5:11 amI have to go to Nationals if the Plantzing/Method workshop gets picked up. I have roommate challenges, you know!
My discovery? This really cool bunch of local writers that let me hang out with them even though I sort of stick out as being slightly different.
by Patrick December 15th, 2009 at 5:52 amSlightly, but we forgive your flaws, Patrick, and are delighted to let you in our group despite that fact that you’re one of the others. xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 8:40 amFor some reason, 2009 is one big blur for me. I can’t remember what I discovered this year as opposed to what happened any of the past few. If I think of anything, I’ll be back.
by B.E. Sanderson December 15th, 2009 at 6:11 amDoes a re-discovery count? As a new grandmother of two, I have discovered that never being without Cheerios is a good thing! Thanks for the fun post.
by GSM December 15th, 2009 at 6:54 amOh, I remember the Cheerios in the purse days. Miss them, actually. Enjoy those grandbabies!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 8:41 amThis is a great list! And not just because I’m on it.
My best discovery this year would have to be Top Chef. I am obsessed. We started watching early seasons on DVD and got totally hooked. I watched Top Chef Masters, and if they ever come out with Top Pastry Chef, I’m sure I’ll watch that, too. It’s like research and entertainment and togetherness with my husband (who also loves it) all rolled into one!
by Louisa Edwards December 15th, 2009 at 7:14 amFood Reality TV and chef shows are way at the top of our family fun, since I married a foodie.
Another great discovery for me this year: a fantastic friendship and RWA roommate bonding with a crazy, funny, brilliant, fabulous, talented woman who lets me borrow her best bag for the big night, and shares a passion for shower wine. You know who you are, Liza Jane. xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 8:43 amI have discovered that there are an amazing amount of recipes on the internet and I now try to try one out each week.
by Maureen December 15th, 2009 at 7:14 amAnd youtube videos of how to cook anything and everything! My husband wants me to make one of him doing our out of this world Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. He’s already prepping for the big cook!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 8:45 amMy amazing 2010 discovery is our crazy beagle puppy Bridget. Everyone knows a puppy is both cute and a destructive hurricane, but what I didn’t realize is that this little 9-pound ball of fur can bring a smile to both a 17-year-old boy and a 48-year-old man no matter what else life has thrown their way. I think anything that can vanquish both hormonal grumpiness and bad-economy woes is nothing short of magic – even if she has eaten every sock, electric cord, hairbrush and book in the house.
by sophie littlefield December 15th, 2009 at 8:00 amSophie! I have to do a blog on how my dog has changed my life. Enjoy Bridget the Beagle – adorable!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 8:44 amI discovered a poodle named Jasper P and I can love a dog, as much or more than cats. He makes me smile. I also discovered that poodle pups love to snack on cat poop and cats don’t like haveing their tail snapped at while in the litter box.
by Carol Shenold December 15th, 2009 at 8:15 amNow, tell me about The Method, I need that.
Ah, The Method. Too complicated for a comment – stay tuned. We’ll share this one soon. xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 11:48 amI’ve discovered the joys of motherhood after four painful years of infertility. My son is awesome and a delight and brings me enormous joy.
by Courtney December 15th, 2009 at 9:04 amOh, Courtney, my favorite subject — motherhood after infertility. I am a living testament to never giving up, and every hug, kiss, smile, and, now, text, from my kids is sweeter because I had to stand on my head (literally!) to get both of them, four years each in the making. Enjoy your son – what a blessing! xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 11:51 amGreat post, Rocki! My discovery this year: Peace…peace with who I am and what I want to do!
by Debra Webb December 15th, 2009 at 9:16 amAmen, sister. Spread the peace, Deb. We all need some. xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 11:52 amRocki! That tease about the Plantzing method has me hooked! I an in-between writer too.
The Freeze 24/7 looks really promising too! If only I had any money left now that Christmas has wiped me out
I’m too tired to even think of a clever discovery this year so I’m going to go with Facebook. I enjoy Facebook. It feels more personal than Twitter so far.
by Jen Lyon December 15th, 2009 at 12:27 pmJen, the interest in Plantzing and The Method is growing! I hope we get to do that workshop at Nationals! If you can save your pennies, treat yourself to some Freeze 24/7. You’ll thank me!
I cannot get the hang of facebook – it just feels like a big mess to me. I do love me some twittering, though.
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 2:41 pmWe finally stepped into the 21st century and have a DVR set up. I love being able to record more than one show at a time and fastforwarding through all the commercials. It’s saved me time and has allowed me to start watching shows like Glee, Supernatural and Castle. Which are my other great discoveries this year.
by naomi December 15th, 2009 at 1:35 pmMy husband pronounced the DVR the third best invention in the world, after beer and air conditioning. LOL. Enjoy!
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 2:42 pmIt still makes me a little sniffly, but I’ve learned that there’s more to me than just being a mom. My girls have always been my whole life and having the youngest away at school and the oldest working on making her way all the way out the door, I’m discovering time for Me, Me, Me! And Hub, of course, but I’m enjoying the Me time more than I ever dreamed possible.
by Laurie December 15th, 2009 at 1:44 pmLaurie…what is this “me” time you speak of? Is it in my future? Enjoy! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire December 15th, 2009 at 2:42 pm