 | 29 Jun 10 |
Before I begin, I need to follow up: A few weeks ago, I blogged about not having a title for my current WIP. I ran a contest offering “your name in a book” if you could come up with a title for me. I will tell you that all of the suggestions helped my creative wheels to turn, and although I didn’t choose one offered here, I did wake up one morning and the right title popped into my head. Last Friday, it was approved by my editor! So, with great gladness, I can officially announce that the first three Guardian Angelinos books will be….drumroll please:
EDGE OF SIGHT (November 2010)
SHIVER OF FEAR (April 2011)
FACE OF DANGER (May 2011)
So, in keeping with the Something of Something theme, I’ve titled today’s blog Change of Heart, because I want to talk a little bit about the mystifying and miraculous human ability to change, grow, and transform…and the thrill we experience when it happens.
The human change of heart, I think, is the very soul of any great story. In the books we love to read and write, the hero and heroine conquer their fears, find skills they didn’t know they had, and dig deep to go from “I can’t do this” to “I can and must and will do this” — and each and every time we love and cheer their success. When we experience that kind of transformation in real life, even on a small scale, that’s something to celebrate.
Here’s a confession: for my entire life, I didn’t like dogs. To be perfectly honest, I hated them. I was raised by a dog-fearing mother who taught me that these creatures bite, stink, shed, lick, poop, and carry germs that no human should be exposed to. We never had a pet in my house (well, I had a turtle named Davy Jones – of the Monkees, not the pirate — and he lived for one whole week). My husband likes dogs, though he’d never owned one, and without really discussing the matter, I fully assumed I would go through life petless.
When my son was about ten, I noticed that he had inherited my dog dislike, and even stopped going to friend’s houses who had dogs. That worried me. About the same time, his younger sister started coming into her own personality and, lo and behold, a veritable Dr. Doolittle animal lover had emerged from my womb. Before long, the pressure started: she wanted a dog. And I worried that my son would grow up with the same trepidations that had plagued me around animals. My husband and I are both home twenty-four/seven (another blog topic, that) and I knew that our house was tailor-made for a four legged creature. That barked. And pooped. And shed. And licked. And bit. And harbored unknown diseases. After more than a year of soul-searching, I finally said yes, mostly because my husband sneaked up behind me after one heated dinner discussion about the pros and cons of a dog and whispered, “You’ll see. You’ll love it the most.” Something about his pronouncement rang true, and I finally caved. We could get a dog.
After much research for the perfect breed that would fit into our family, we settled on an Australian Terrier — a “hearty” version of a Yorkie, purported not to shed, stink or chew expensive shoes, with an even-keeled, gentle temperament, great with kids. When the litter was ready, we traveled eight hours to the only breeder in Florida. I know, I should have rescued, but I decided early on that if we picked a dog, we kept a dog, and I thought I had a better shot at success with a new puppy than an older dog.
The whole trip to Ebro, Florida (yes, astute readers, that’s the home town of Bullet Catcher Wade Cordell, an homage to my dog’s birthplace) I read books I’d bought on how to identify the best dog in the litter. This decision should not be made lightly, I warned the family. We have to examine every puppy, perform a battery of tests to determine intelligence, obedience, and inclination to go wee-wee on pricey Oriental carpets. Two minutes after we arrived, my daughter reached into the bin, plucked out a itty-bitty black spot of fur and announced, “This is Pepper.” So much for testing.
Minutes later, I took this picture, our family one hairy little dudette larger.
I had to admit, Pepper was cute. We shared her during the ride home, but about halfway across the state, she found her “spot” in the crook of my arm and…we bonded. No, we crazy glued. Okay, my life took an unexpected turn for the doggier. Something inside my heart just slipped the first time she took a little lick of my hand, and looked up at me with those can-do-no-wrong eyes. Maybe a dog-person does live deep inside me, after all, I mused. Maybe I could be a good Dog Mom.
Fast forward five years later: I can’t imagine life without Pepper and don’t ever want to. I love her with a fierceness I didn’t think was possible, and happily walk her, wash her, brush her teeth, teach her to bark “I love you” (which won first place at the Satellite Beach Doggie Olympics for Best Trick, thank you very much) and, yes, folks, she sleeps in my bed. Correct that, she sleeps on my pillow. She completes our home and owns our hearts.
And, by the way, she doesn’t shed, stink, chew, or bark too terribly much and we’ve only had a few accidents. On the Oriental, naturellement. Best of all, I am a bona fide dog person! I know every pooch in the hood, and love them all. I dog sit for friends. I have fantasies about Cesar Millan. I talk about “the next one” and know that I will never again live without a dog. (Yes, a rescue dog next time, I promise!) I credit that little creature with a complete transformation that opened my mind and heart in a way I never dreamed possible.
My experience with Pepper really made me rethink my personal assumptions about what character traits of mine are set in stone, and what I could change. Last year, after a lifetime of believing I was the not-so-proud owner of a brown thumb, I got sick of my barren patio and decided to try my hand at owning some plants. My family actually laughed at the idea of me growing plants when I brought five home from Lowes one day last summer. Well, sorry, but I am having the last laugh. I not only can grow them, they are thriving. I can instantly sense when one of my twenty-five plants isn’t happy, and I coax them back to health. 
I have a “magic corner” on my patio (also known as ICU) where any plant will flourish in a week. (No surprise, Pepper loves this spot and sleeps there for hours every day.) I understand my plants, I treasure them, tend to them, and every morning, I visit them while I drink my coffee, before the 1.25 mile daily walk with Pepper. Let it be known that I am officially a dog and a plant person.
These small changes had a profound effect on me. What new mountain can I conquer, I wondered recently. It seemed to be time to drag my transformative powers to the world of writing. I know I’ve talked many times about my writing process and my desire to change how I draft a book. I’m a lover of revisions, and hater of first drafts, yet “the dirty draft” concept has never worked for me. I must edit to perfection before moving on to the next scene, regardless of the fact that many of those “perfect” scenes end up slashed and deleted during the revision process. I’ve tried many times to “write through to the end” and create a “discovery draft” and every single time, I’ve given up and given in to the urge to Edit As I Go.
But this time, with Face Of Danger (love that title!), I’ve done it. I wrote a rough, dirty, messy, seriously unattractive (I would never say ugly as a dog! See? I’m changed!) first draft with at least ten chapters that ended with the words <need better hook>. I gave myself nearly three times as long as I would normally have to do revisions, which has turned out to be at least an 80% total rewrite. I’ve changed backstory, conflict, character traits, and the villain in the second draft. And I’ve loved every minute of this revision/rewrite! I don’t know if this is my “process” now — I think it would take a few more books for me to become “a dirty draft” person. But then, it didn’t take me long to become a dog and plant person, so I’m optimistic about the change.
So, how about you? What change has occurred in your life? Has anyone or anything helped you to change your tune from “I will never (fill in the blank)” to “I’m a Believer!” (Speaking of The Monkees!) Let’s talk transformation!
One commenter will win an autographed copy of Make Her Pay, chosen because I’m celebrating the win of this year’s HOLT Medallion for Best Romantic Suspense. (Thank you for that honor, Virginia Romance Writers!)
© 2010, Roxanne St. Claire. All rights reserved.
Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times bestselling, RITA-Award winning author of nearly thirty novels of romance and suspense. The author of two popular romantic suspense series, The Bullet Catchers and The Guardian Angelinos, Roxanne is hard at work on new books for 2012, which will include the launch of a contemporary series, Barefoot Bay, and her first young adult novel, Don't You Wish, and a brand new stand-alone romantic suspense, Space in His Heart. A five-time RITA nominee, Roxanne's books have won the National Readers 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. She lives in Florida with her husband, two teenagers, and one impossibly cute Australian Terrier named Pepper.
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First, a comment on your pictures:
1) Dante looks like he’s not lovin’ the dog thing as much as Mia.
2) Pepper looks as if you’re choking her (with love, of course).
3) THAT is your pool? WHEN am I going to visit again?
Think this time last year. Actually, think later in the year last year, like, December. “I hate romance,” Barbie said. “Especially Historical Romance. I mean, what’s with that? It’s all a bunch of sugary cra… ehhh, candy. How can people call that “books” if there are NO blood and guts and suspense in them? Pfffft,” she finished with a nod, sure about her opinion, decided to stick by it till the day she died.
Think today. Mere six months later. SIX MONTHS. I’ve read 14 historical romances and two anthologies. And I gasp LOVED them. Nearly to the obsessed with it point (okay, I MAY have crossed that line with a few). I’ve read two of your category novels (And I LOVED them, too, but you know that). You know the prejudice I had against them!
I should probably stop talking before I compromise my heartless, I don’t give a… anything about anything image any more.
by Barbie June 29th, 2010 at 7:07 amLOL on Dante. Getting a dog changed his life and attitude toward dogs, too. Pepper has a “boyfriend” down the street, a big burly Australian Shephard named Rojo (the inspiration for Goose in HUNT HER DOWN) and Dante wrestles with Rojo and walks him a lot.
And the pool looks better than it is – although this time of year in Florida? It’s a Godsend!
YAY on the historicals. There are so many fabulous historicals out there – wonderful to expand your horizons!
xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:09 amI remember when you got Pepper. I still can’t do the dirty draft, but I did adapt the storyboard system and use it for tracking, which seems to help me move forward as well.
Right now I’m finding all sorts of new things to love as we adjust to living in the mountains. The remote mountains. Where my red peep-toe stilettos sit on the shelf and I bought hiking boots to make the trek to the mailbox.
But then again–I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors–I just took a 35 year hiatus while we lived it hot, sweltering, sweaty Florida.
by Terry Odell June 29th, 2010 at 8:11 amRed peep-toe stilettos MUST NOT BE KEPT IN THE CLOSET. That is a rule, Terry. Wear your hiking boots, yes, but don’t abandon red shoes. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:09 amDogs are glorious! I love my babies! What you did to help your son was a lovely example of what we do as mothers.
by Debra Webb June 29th, 2010 at 8:12 amThanks, Deb. The experiment worked – he’s a dog lover, too. We are thinking about getting another dog when Dante goes to college next year to replace the big, needy brute of a teenager. But he doesn’t want us to get one if he’s not here to help raise it! Big change for him!
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:11 amxo
Awww, Pepper looks like a sweetie. I’m so glad that you learned dogs are wonderful. I wish I could have one, but the landlord says no. (I had to cajole him into letting us live here with the cat, so I’m not pushing it.)
For a person who’s not really a fan of change, I’ve been through a lot of it. Looking back, though, most of it has turned out pretty good. I never thought I’d leave Michigan, but leaving it was what brought me to my husband. I never thought I’d quit my day job and write, but here I am. Now I just need to shut the little voice up that tells me I’ll never get published. There’s a change I can’t wait to make. =o)
by B.E. Sanderson June 29th, 2010 at 8:16 amI love your attitude! Hang in there, keep writing and submitting. The business is changing fast and there’s a lot of growth ahead! Will you be at RWA Nationals in Orlando? xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:12 amI love “Make Her Pay”, that is by far and away my fave BC book. Also, love the book titles for the new series. They are catchy and instantly pull you in.
by kris June 29th, 2010 at 8:24 amSee, Rocki? I’m not the only one who LOVES MAKE HER PAY??
by Barbie June 29th, 2010 at 8:29 amI know you loved that book, Barbie! And you helped me get the Portuguese correct. It was SUCH a hard book to write – the contest wins are especially sweet! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:13 amBTW, I also really, really, really loved “Hunt Her Down”.
by kris June 29th, 2010 at 11:28 amThank you, Kris! So glad you liked Con! (Did GWTW arrive yet? You should have it this week.) xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:13 amI’m down in Richmond at Day 2 of my daughter’s photo shoot for a costume company. I’m so bored I’m actually doing work!….but she is having a good time (and that’s all that matters, right?). I’ll be home tonight (hopefully!) and will send you an email as soon as I get GWTW.
by kris June 29th, 2010 at 11:25 amI never wanted a dog. My kid talked me into it and sure enough, Jasper P Poodle sleeps in my room, on the bed, whines when I leave and completely stole my heart. I do love the crazy dog.
by Carol Shenold June 29th, 2010 at 8:52 amSee? The steal your heart. Poodles are GREAT – so smart! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:14 amHmmm . . . I’ll have to think on this. I rarely say “I will never . . . ” and not mean it.
The only thing I’m getting close to caving on is getting my son a frog. He wants a terrarium (sp??) . . . And I did let my daughter keep the chick she brought home, that is now a juvenile chicken and not so cute (something I told her would happen but she didn’t realize it would happen so fast!)
by Allison Brennan June 29th, 2010 at 9:19 amLOL on the chick to chicken. Amazing how that happens. My daughter is all about a 1) hamster or 2)ferret or 3) other rat like pet. Uh, no. I do have my limits, believe me. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:15 amI don’t think there’s big one big event that’s changed me in any way. I’ve taken the “don’t wait until you retire to do something cause you might not make it that far” adage to heart. I’ve taken several one to two month vacations/leave of absences (sp?) from work to travel (no kids or dogs makes it easier, my cats do well with a sitter or family member).
by Anne June 29th, 2010 at 9:21 amFor me, the biggest change I made was to start to become enthusiastic about cooking and trying new recipes. Once my youngest got his driver’s license I found that I had a little bit of free time and I used that to start collecting recipes and trying things like baking bread. I was never thrilled about cooking but it was a necessary evil because I wanted my family to have a healthy meal each night but recently I have been trying different meals and collecting recipes and I find that I do enjoy cooking.
by Maureen June 29th, 2010 at 9:52 amPerfect example, Maureen! You can go through your whole life not even realizing you have a talent for something like cooking, then open your horizons, give yourself a chance, and wham! You’re a budding gourmet. Good for you. Favorite recipe??? xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 11:16 amPepper is adorable. I wasn’t allowed animals when i was a kid, until my dad brought home a dog. It was love at first sight and I’ve had animals ever since (we have 5…yes FIVE dogs now.) I love every one of my babies. They do become part of the family, don’t they?
I use to be an edit as you go writer, too, then one book I wrote the dirty draft and never looked back. You probably won’t, either. Writing that bare bones first draft really helps get the story down in your head, and then you can flesh it out later. Works for some writers, for others, not so much. But it definitely works for me much better than the edit as you go method used to.
The pool. The plants. Beautiful! When we’re in Orlando in July I’m sending my husband to look at property for possible retirement in Florida in a few years. These past few winters in Oklahoma are kicking our butts.
by Jaci Burton June 29th, 2010 at 11:55 amDude! Come and be my neighbor! How much fun would we have. About an hour southeast of Orlando – great spot on the water, gorgeous beaches, excellent schools & services, best medical care, and we have a rocking RWA chapter. We want you here!!! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 12:24 pmI grew up with a father who didn’t like animals (like any) so I never thought I was an animal person. I didn’t dislike them and I wasn’t scared of them, I just didn’t get the point of having a pet. About seven years ago my now-husband bought me a Siberian husky for Christmas and it was love at first sight. She was the runt of the litter so she fit right in my palm and now full grown, she’s only 37 pounds so she’ll always look like a puppy. Still, I never thought I’d allow her in our bed but when the man started spending months overseas, she became my pillow. Now she has a permanent place in our bed. I credit her with my fairly newfound love of all animals. Last year I saved a baby squirrel whose mother was killed though sadly he didn’t make it. My sweet dog stayed by his side while he was dying. And we’ve even housed dogs waiting for permanent adoption (so they won’t be put down).
by Katie Reus June 29th, 2010 at 11:56 amGreat story, Katie! I think the moral is our husbands know us better than we know ourselves, LOL. See you in Orlando next month? Hope so! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 12:26 pmHi Rocki,
I am officially inspired! Llike you before Pepper, I have never been a dog person. Probably because I suffered a severe dog bite as a little kid. But if you can do such a 180, there is probably hope for me, too.
No, I’m not rushing out to get a dog, but I really like your new approach to revisions. I keep getting bogged down perfecting everything, and maybe it’s time I tried something new!
Great post.
by Laura Griffin June 29th, 2010 at 12:01 pmLaura, if your kids want a dog and you want to get over your dislike, consider it. I had to tone down my Dog Love for this post, that’s how changed I am because of Pepper. She’s really added a wonderful new dimension to my life. And so did the dirty draft! Try it!! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 12:29 pmWhen my husband called to tell me he was bringing home DeeOhGee (I did not name her, and I have apologized to her, repeatedly)… I told him we just did not have a place for another dog. I had an inside dog (a Yorkie) whose health was failing and no place for a “big” dog. Well, she was a rescue, and he’d found her on a jobsite and she would have been dead in a week or so anyway, so he brought her home, saying that she could just live outside. “But we don’t have a fence!” I protested. “Well, she isn’t going to live long here, either. But I think you’ll like her.”
So he arrived home late that evening, and came inside. I said, “Where’s the damned dog?”
“Outside.”
“You can’t leave her there. Take her to somebody!”
“It’s late–everyone’s asleep. If she’s still around tomorrow, I’ll find her a home.”
Which, of course, infuriated me (he is wily, this man) and I went outside to find her and load her into the car and take her somewhere else. Safe.
At which point she shuffled over to me, put her head in my lap, and I could tell she’d already had a very very hard life. I melted. Completely, instantly.
She came inside, and has been by my side for 17 years. She’s getting to the point where she has a hard time standing on her own, but then she works out the creaks and stiffness and runs a few feet outside. Her black muzzle is gray now, and she’s got cataracts and doesn’t hear so well.
I am going to be a mess when she passes on to somewhere safer.
by Toni McGee Causey June 29th, 2010 at 12:31 pmToni, you little brat. One day I actually wear mascara and you make it run down my cheeks.
Is she REALLY named DeeOhGee? OMG, love that story. And you. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 12:36 pmfwiw, I cried, too, writing that. I don’t know how much longer she’s going to last. I’m hoping at least a year. Just to have time to get used to the thought.
by Toni McGee Causey June 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pmI am not much of a dog person because I got bit when I was a teenager! My son and husband want a dog but I keep saying know because I know that I would be the one to take care of it! This takes a lot of time and I don’t want a dog in the house but they do.
by Quilt Lady June 29th, 2010 at 1:01 pmAwww, sorry about the bite. That can leave an emotional scar as well as physical. Yes, you’d be the one to take care of the dog – I am. But maybe my experience will make you rethink the whole process. I don’t ever resent taking care of Pepper, and I never thought I’d want to walk around the same lake every single day, sunshine or hurricane. But I do! And I love it. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:16 pmPepper is a pretty awesome dog. And that’s from a bonifide crazy cat lady.
by Kristen Painter June 29th, 2010 at 1:13 pmYou’ve already stolen my children’s hearts, Kristen. You can’t have the dog, too! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:17 pmI’m a dog person. Grew up with black labs since I was 4. Never liked cats. My wife likes cats. We have cats.
My wife has had two cats. First one passed. Second one and I still don’t get along. Dogs are not an option for me, because I travel too much.
So, I decided to get a kitten for me. I figured if I raised it, it wouldn’t know any better than to like me. We ended up adopting 2 rescued brother kittens. One is kind of annoying, but George is awesome. He’s fat and funny. I think he’s part dog. I might just put a collar on him and take him for a walk.
by Patrick Alan June 29th, 2010 at 1:31 pmFat and funny – I like that! I’ve never really connected to a cat, but….I know better than to say I’ll never have one. My daughter is always on a Cat Campaign…then I tell her to go live with Aunt Kristen, the Crazy Cat Lady. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:18 pmI am a big dog person. I mean BIG DOG. The puppy still has six months to grow and when Cooper “stands” up and puts his paws on my shoulders, we can kiss. Since he is a Newfoundland, this can get wet and drooly. Boone is a rescue, half Newf half Golden Retriever. He’s sweet and shy and goofy and almost as tall if not as heavy as Coop. Together, they weigh over 200 pounds. (And are totally ruled by the 10 pound LOLcat!)
I finally learned to write the dirty draft when I did National Novel Writing Month the first time. In subsequent years, I’ve gotten better about using filler words so the draft isn’t quite so ugly.
FYI? LOVE the titles. They rock, just like you.
And huge congrats on the Holt!
by Silver James June 29th, 2010 at 1:31 pmThank you, Silver! Whoa, that is a BIG DOG. I’d love to see a picture of you hugging! I did this draft in *almost* NANO time, but the revisions will take just about as long, too. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:19 pmFirst, congratulations on the Holt!!
I used to say “I will never speak in public, just shoot me now.” But, when my son joined Boy Scouts and I had to be the troop leader and speak in front of 100 parents and 50 boys I broke out of my shell. Not all the way mind you, that took joining RWA and going to National and meeting all my author heroes.
Now I do public speaking no problem at all. Sometimes, family and friends wished I did less. LOL
by Jill James June 29th, 2010 at 1:33 pmThank you, Jill! And another great example of how you are not a “this kind of” person…then it turns out you are, after all! Hope to hear you speak soon! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:20 pmRocki, what a sweet dog! And a beautiful pool!
I love dogs!
I want to learn to write a dirty draft! So far, I have failed. It takes me months to write a draft, and them I’m super pressed trying to get it revised and cleaned up.
Great title!
Now I have to go back to trying to get my draft revised!
by Jen Lyon June 29th, 2010 at 1:55 pmI know you are mid-revisions, Jen, and that’s when I always think, “Gee, I like this so much better than writing.” Lots of people told me not to “mess with success” but I often say that being bald and sleep-deprived is NOT success. I’m much happier this time around! Still have 8,000 words to write to get to The End (in ten days!!!!)
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:25 pmRocki, our first “child” was a dachshund and we are on our fifth, though he’s a lonely only. (We usually had two at a time) Winston is to me what Pepper is to you…of my heart, completely. This may sound odd but I find myself changing a lot in many ways. Every time I start to say I’ll never do… I stop and think, OMG that’s the next thing I’m going to end up doing! LOL
by Judy June 29th, 2010 at 2:05 pmI LOVE Dachshunds!!! I sit for one a lot, and she is such a complete love bug. And guess what? Pepper’s father’s name is Winston!
Change is good, don’t you think! Thanks for stopping by, Judy! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 2:26 pmI thought I’d be married forever. I thought I’d have a husband to take care of me, a house to live in and we’d grow old together. And then…
I hired a pit bull divorce attorney, confronted my husband, moved out of my house and started life as a single gal for the first time evah in my almost six decades of life. God was that scary. But I know now that being alone isn’t the same as being lonely. I know being single is waaaaaaaaay better than what I was in. I know I can handle stuff. I know I will make mistakes (made a few already) but I also know I’ll learn and not make them again.
I found out who my real friends are and didn’t shed a tear over the ones who turned away. They weren’t worth crying over.
Even after all this, I still believe in the innate goodness of people and that secrets don’t stay secret forever.
Great blog! I was never a cat person til we moved into a house with woods behind it and a friend convinced me a cat would keep the varmints scared away. I’m kinda glad our last cat died a few years ago or we might have had a custody battle over her. I’ve been tempted to get a kitten, but then I couldn’t travel at will. I kinda like the whole footloose gig. It’s bad enough worrying about my patio full of plants when I travel. LOL!
by Marilyn June 29th, 2010 at 3:39 pmOh, Marilyn, you are a Testament To Change of Heart! A true heroine, a pillar of fortitude, an inspiration for everyone w has ever been beaned by a curve ball in life. You should have written this blog!
I’m so proud of you, my dear friend. xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 6:34 pmmy puppy changed me! I love him so much and glad that he picked our house to shade himself.
by Amanda June 29th, 2010 at 3:48 pmAwww. You were meant to be together!! Thanks, Amanda, for stopping by! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 6:35 pmGrowing up, my brother was highly allergic to anything with fur. so I had a turtle, a bird and a snake. I eventually wore my parents down and got a ferret, which didn’t trigger my brother’s allergies. Oliver was great until he ate my parrot. Our neighbor’s pet chicken suffered the same fate. Next thing we knew, there were Oliver the homicidal ferret Wanted posters scattered throughout the burg. He had to go or he was going to get lynched.
when I moved out at 18 the first thing I did was get a cat and a dog. I have had at least one of each all of my adult life. Currently I share my life and, yes, my bed, with two shih tzus and two cats.
by Karin Tabke June 29th, 2010 at 3:54 pmPS, Rocki I love your plants. I have been dilegently, and I mean diligently working on my garden. I too have an ICU corner! How funny!
by Karin Tabke June 29th, 2010 at 3:56 pmYou and your crazy bed, Karin! Good luck with the gardening – I find it very theraputic. Did you see “It’s Complicated” by any chance? OMG the garden. Talk about aspirational movie sets! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 6:36 pmit was inspiring!
by Karin Tabke June 29th, 2010 at 7:02 pmCongrats on winning the Holt, Roxanne. No serious changes, except I am more adventurous when it comes to food. You find yourself being more open to food experiences when you’re visiting foreign places and the cuisine is quite exotic.
by Jane June 29th, 2010 at 3:57 pmI credit my husband, a fantastic chef, for opening up my mind (and mouth) to exotic foods. Good for you! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 6:37 pmWell, when I was little, I HATED reading. Hated it. Wanted it to die a slow and painful death. While I watched laughing. Ahem. Anyway. Sense I’m here on this blog, its obvious that that has changed. Much to everyone’s (and books, most likely) amazement
by Chelsea B. June 29th, 2010 at 4:16 pmHeh heh, Chelsea. We gotchya.
xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 29th, 2010 at 6:38 pmI always said I would never have a cat, but I do. He is great at keeping mice away.
by runner10 June 29th, 2010 at 7:23 pmCongrats on the latest!!
Thanks, runner10! LOL on the mice! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 30th, 2010 at 9:53 amGrowing up we had both cats and dogs most of out dogs were mutts but we also had some Beagle’s because my Dad raised and hunted with them. When I was younger I was so shy I didn’t ever think I could talk to a stranger but these days I can talk to just about anyone people at work don’t believe that I was ever shy. One of my favorite places to talk to new people is at the book store. I’ve talked to a lot of people there and have found some great hints on new authors by talking to strangers.
by Sherry S. June 29th, 2010 at 8:16 pmIt IS easy to chat ina bookstore, isn’t it? I was in B&N yesterday and met the nicest lady in the YA section. And that would be the place to get author recs…especially when the author is there! Thanks for the comment! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 30th, 2010 at 9:54 amGreat story! Funny how someone else can sometimes totally change your mind and perspective of something. Your daughter did that for you. give her a big hug! I never thought I’d have a dog in my house but one day my husband calls me and asks me how I’d like a little mini Daschund house dog. Before i could say no he sent me a picture and i noticed the dog was in his truck. ( he is a over the road truck driver) Yeah so no saying no. lol He kept me nice and warm this past winter on the couch so it’s all good i guess. My next big change is my oldest going to college this fall. That’s going to be different. We’ll see how it goes and adjust i guess.
Life if Full of surprises and changes. some little and some big.
Lisa B
by Lisa Boggs June 30th, 2010 at 1:13 pmLisa – I have dachshund in the book I’m writing now (I adore them!) and just this afternoon, the dog (named Stella in the book) turned out to play a key part in helping the hero realize the identity of the villain! Go dachshunds!
My oldest goes next year. Am already dreading it. Expect many tearful blog posts! Good luck to you! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 30th, 2010 at 7:17 pmI’m late responding on this, but wow, what a great blog entry! Loved reading this. I’m so glad you have Pepper (who is darn adorable by the way) in your lives and that she changed your outlook about dogs. I have always been a dog lover and can’t imagine my life without them.
The hardest part of course is when they pass and you don’t think there’s possibly room in your life for another. But then usually there’s another one that comes along that steals your heart again. I had lost 4 dogs in a matter of 2 and a half years and it was devastating, but the entire experience led me to Clover. She’s the only dog I have right now but she’s definitely special.
It’s amazing what animals can bring to your lives and the comfort they can provide too. I lost my mom a week and a half ago and have to say a little cuddle time with Clover definitely provides a small dose of comfort. This is definitely a change I will be going through (not a good one or a desired one), learning to live my life without my mother here, but having my Clover and other supportive friends and family is helping me with the journey.
I try to have an outlook that you never know what life is going to throw at you but you also never know what kind of unexpected lifelines you’ll find along the way to help you.
Rocki, congrats on nailing the titles, they’re all fabulous and I can’t wait to read them. Sending wishes for much continued success
Mary
p.s. here is a pic of my Clover -> http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs468.snc3/25699_1382325326286_1476541102_994370_7909116_n.jpg
and here is a picture of Clover with her two cousins Chicho and Dublin -> http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs090.snc4/35873_1505143836672_1476541102_1278846_3085153_n.jpg
by Mary R. June 30th, 2010 at 5:17 pmHi Mary! Clover!!! What a face! Thank you so much for sharing those pictures! I can’t think about the inevitable day when we lose Pepper. I never had enough sympathy for my friends who lost dogs, but I do now. Thanks for stopping by! xo
by Roxanne St. Claire June 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pmI love your titles!
by Sylvia Day July 1st, 2010 at 12:52 pmHi Roxanne!
Aw Pepper is such a cutie and I love the pics!
I never thought I would enjoy baking and trying out different recipes!
Thanks for the giveaway and I love your books!
by Terri July 2nd, 2010 at 1:50 amGreat pictures. My sister has been reading paranormal romance for years and I never thought I could get into them, but now I probably read as much paranormal as I read any other genre. I just enjoy a good story, it doesn’t matter what genre it is.
by Linda Henderson July 2nd, 2010 at 11:09 pmLove the picture! That doggie is so cute and so are those kiddos.
by Lisa G. July 3rd, 2010 at 8:50 pmI can’t think of a…”I would never…” I am one of those people who doesn’t change their mind. I not sure if that’s good or not!
cute doggie
by kh July 4th, 2010 at 2:57 ami have not had that moment yet but i hope i will and try new things