Murder She Writes

I’m playing hooky today.  I’m heading west to Sacramento where I’m hooking up with Allison, Eileen Rendahl, Alyssa Day, Virna DePaul and a few other goils for an afternoon of chauffeured wine tasting in the Sacramento valley.

It’s supposed to rain, pour in fact, but we’re not going to let that stop us from having a gay ol’ time.  I’m really looking forward to an afternoon where I don’t have to be anything to anyone except one of the girls.  No one is going to ask me what’s for dinner.  No one is going to ask me to drive them here or there, or please do this or please do that.  No one is going to ask me to make a decision for them.  I get to do what I want, for me.

 Ah, bliss…

So, I’m going to ask, what do you all do for a girl’s day out?  But I won’t be around to chat until late afternoon, or maybe not until Saturday, but I will respond, and with all the fun deets!  

Happy Friday!

 Karin*

I love to laugh.  I do not like to cry.  Not while reading or watching a movie unless they are good tears.  Happy tears, maybe bittersweet tears, but good lord, do not rip my heart out!  I am such a wuss!  I was talking about HEA’s (happily every afters) over at my personal blog a couple of weeks ago.  I had gone to see It’s Complicated with my mil.  I really enjoyed it.  Alec Baldwin is just plain old naughty!  But I digress. So I came away feeling unfinished and a wee bit disappointed.  It didn’t end the way I wanted it to end, it ended the way it should have ended.  Pooh!  Okay, so the more I think about it, the more it did end the way I would have wanted it to end for Merle Streep’s character.  Fine! 

But it also got me to thinking, I don’t watch movies where I know there is going to be a bad or sad ending. It all stems back to freshman English and Zeffirelli’s classic Romeo and Juliet.  As a class, we piled into a bus and went to the movies to see this beautiful production.  I had no idea what I was in for.  I sat in heartbroken stunned silence as the credits rolled and my teacher was rounding us all up to get back on the bus. While everyone was laughing and talking about Romeo’s naked ass, I sat silent in the very back and did everything humanly possible not to break down into a pile of sniveling mush. I can still see myself sitting there, all of my classmates laughing and carrying on and me wanting to scream at all of them and tell them to stop!  How can you laugh when Romeo and Juliet are dead?!   

When I got home, the dam broke and I cried for hours.  Hours I tell, ya.

I was quite simply, devastated.  I could not believe those two characters whom I fell in love with were gone.  Dead.  I took it so hard I could not sleep for weeks.  I was depressed, and could not shake the feeling of utter despair.  I swore right then and there I would never, ever, ever watch or read a story where I fell in love with the characters only to ultimately lose them. 

I have never watched Titanic, and had I known that Cold Mountain would end the way it did, I would never have watched it.  My reaction was fury.  I was furious no one told me how it would end.  Furious!  Then I cried for the characters.

I had to mentally prepare myself to watch Marley and Me.  I didn’t dare read the book.  When I read Linda Howard’s Cry No More, I cried all the more! 

As previously stated, I’m a wuss at heart, and although I tell myself I can’t handle the sorrow of losing characters I love, I do find myself on occasion sneaking a story in that I know will rip my heart out.   What’s up with that?  I know many of you out there love to have your hearts ripped out too.  Would someone please explain the psychology behind that? 

For me, I love a good, dark, edgy run-them-through-the-wringer story, but I want the HEA.  I have to know I’m not going to lose someone I care about.  I guess that’s what I love so much about writing and reading romance.  It’s a guaranteed happily ever after.

 What about you?  A wuss?  Or do you get the Medal of Honor for your bravery?  And what was your most memorable heart breaker?

Or in this case, vamps, were’s and angels, oh, yessss! Yes!  Yes!

Ok, so first let me say right off the bat: I am not a front-runner! I have always, since I was a girl, had a secret desire to be bitten by Quentin Collins.  I found Dracula dark, hypnotic and oh, so romantic.  In my girl’s imagination, he was handsome, noble and so tortured there was only one thing on the earth that could redeem him:  Moi.  I dreamed of creating my own dark mysterious vampire one day, and I have. Call me a vamp tramp, I’ll wear the name proudly.

Werewolves or Lycan, is there a difference? Anyone see Hugh Jackman as that big black glossy were in Van Helsing?  Now that was one hawt werewolf!  Or how about team Jacob? Not hard on the eyes at all.  That said, I like my howlers a bit older, and mature.

Now what about those naughty arch angels?  Le sigh.  The things I could do to Michael! Of course then we would both burn in hell, but it might be worth it! In the antho I did with Allison and Rocki, WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE (which btw has Allison’s prequel to ORIGINAL SIN that released this week), I wrote about the fallen and my twist on the lore of the watchers. 

Syl’s Marked series features Cane and Able, two very competitive and very sexy angles.  Wow, those bros make a girl work up a sweat!

So, I just wrapped up a book that I can’t talk about (when I can, I’ll be screaming!!!), it began as a romantic suspense but after several conversations, my agent, editor and I thought, hmmm, how about a paranormal element?  What began as a minor element mushroomed into one of the most complex heroes I have ever written, and a heroine who amazes me.  As her creator let me tell you, it takes a lot to amaze me.  She is just so brave and smart and tenacious. The chemistry between her, a mortal, and the hero who is a vampire, leaps off the page.  He has met his match in her, and despite his vampire powers, she keeps him on his toes.  The story is pure suspense.  I love it.  My editor loves it.  She told me, “You have a lot to be proud of with this one.” 

Now, some folks would call me a front-runner. I say, call me whatever you want.  It’s the best contemporary I have written and the paranormal aspect of the book came easy. However, the story itself was a challenge because it was complex and layered. 

I just sold a paranormal trilogy to Berkley.  It was pitched as Sons of Anarchy meets Rise of the Lycan. Hello!  Hot lycan bikers! It was one of those things that just came to me one night and I had to write it.  Front-running again?  How can I be front-running when the characters just show themselves and natter away at me until I acknowledge them?  What’s a writer to do?  Write their damn story, that’s what.

I remember back in July of 2005, on the drive home from Reno, and Allison talking to me and the hubster about her seven deadly sins idea.  “One day, I’m going to write it!”  And voila!   Go, A!

I think many of us have or have had a story with paranormal elements or a little whoo-whoo lurking somewhere inside of our creative hearts.  I’m glad to be able to finally breathe life into mine.

Which brings me to the question of the day:  What is your paranormal pleasure?  Vamp, were, angel, demon, witch, warlock, zombie, or…what?

One lucky commenter, randomly picked will win a copy of WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE!

Sometimes I feel like a groundhog.  I go under, and while I’m toiling away, the world continues above me.  Occasionally, I’ll pop my head up and look around just to make sure all is as it should be, then burrow deeper into my work.

Hubby is a college football coach, and once Spring ball begins until the season ends in November, we literally have no social life.  My daughter’s wedding was arranged around his bi week.

Vacation?  What’s that? My vacations are writing conferences.

I’m a social person by nature.  So is hubby and so are all of my kids.  We love to have fun, and we love to entertain.  But yesterday when I took my granddaughter out to get the mail, and the sunshine hit our faces, it occurred to me, I have been so busy these last few years with deadlines, and hubby with coaching, that the party had passed us by. 

 My neighbor and friend, Lisa’s SUV was backed up in her driveway and the tailgate open.  I strolled over to show her how much more gorgeous Gianna was then she was last week and said, “Hey, I do want to go do the girl’s night out wine tasting next month!”  (she had sent me an email regarding the event) and then I said, “And you know what else?  Gary and I are back.  I have a Jan 18^th deadline I’m cruising toward.  I have three single titles and one novella to write this year, but I’m done saying to everyone who asks me to do something, ‘I can’t, I have to write.’ And on top of that, Gary isn’t coaching this year so that won’t be an issue.”

As Lisa and I were chatting, my other neighbor came out, and I said to her, “It’s time for another progressive dinner.  I’m sending everyone an email asking for available dates and we’re going to make it happen.”

Emails sent, and it looks like were honing in on a date. 

One of my ‘new me’ resolutions for this year and forever is to write Monday through Friday, no less than 1500 words each day.  No night writing, no weekend writing.  It’s going to be 9 to 5 for me.  I’m tired of always being behind.  I’m tired of playing catch up and I’m tired of saying, “I can’t, I have to write,” to my friends and family.

I feel as if a monumental weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel like I’ve been on an extended stay and have finally, come home.  I’m excited.  I’m relieved too.  I was beginning to think our friends thought we had died.

 How about you?  Do you ever get so consumed by something that when you look up, everyone has gone home?

 And because I happened to stumble across a $10 BN gift certificate while I was straightening my towering TBR, I’ll send it to one of today’s randomly selected commenters! (winner to be announced Sunday!)

 Karin*

  By Hubby

To the tune of Auld Lang Syne

 Should old attempts at writing books be forgot or brought to mind

 Should old attempts at writing books be forgot or brought to mind

 Forgot I’m thinking my young dear 

Forgot and do not mind

Forgot I’m thinking do not fear 

Forgot and do not mind

The year is new and hope is fresh, should I plot or maybe write

 The year is new and hope is fresh, should I plot or maybe write

 Do plot I’m thinking my young dear

 Do plot and be forthright

 Do plot a book of love and cheer

 And plot all through the night

 Now write us something steamy girl

 Now write and don’t be shy

 Fire up that keyboard give it awhirl

 And if you have to you may lie 

You’ve now completed a new work and it’s ready to submit

 You’ve now completed a new work and it’s ready to submit

 Don’t be surprised when it comes back

 You’ve been this road before 

Don’t be surprised you’re not a hack

 Pick yourself up off the floor

For old books should be forgot and never brought to mind

 Yes old books should be forgot and never brought to mind

 Happy New Year from all of us at Murder She Writes!

A little Christmas poem by Hubby.  Sing to the tune of Jingle Bells!

 Getting published is a goal.

Like a hard working little mole

We type and write and theme and scheme

And with much pride we beam

A complete work to submit

Got read by a half-wit

Not accepted we throw a fit 

New York doesn’t know shit, OH!

Writer spells, writer spells

Working all the day

Plots that thicken, nothing like Dickens

We don’t care anyway, Oh!

Writer spells, writer spells

Working all the day

Plots that thicken, nothing like Dickens

We don’t care anyway

A month or two ago

At conference I took a shot

I pitched my work you know

She said it wasn’t hot

I’m wondering aloud

How to make this story cook

Published I’d be so proud

Gotta finish this damn book, OH!

Writer spells, writer spells

Working all the day

Plots that thicken, nothing like Dickens

We don’t care anyway, OH!

Writer spells, writer spells

Working all the day

Plots that thicken, nothing like Dickens

We don’t care anyway…

and look who I spotted!  Santa’s tiniest helper!

I’ll have another poem by Hubby next week to ring in the New Year!

I hope you all having a wonderful day!

Karin*

No, I’m not dying. But reading Toni’s blog a couple of weeks ago reminded me of something that has been on my mind recently, something I can thank the FBI Citizens Academy for.  And that is the realization that I’ve lived a pretty unadventurous life.  Full, yes, adventurous, no.  I suppose some folks would consider raising children adventurous, and that’s true, but I’m talking a different type of adventure, literally experiencing the wonders of this planet.  The adrenaline rush of swimming with dolphins, of hiking in Yosemite, of canoeing down the Amazon.  Of tapping back into my love for shooting, maybe, even getting into competitive shooting. 

How is the FBI CA responsible for this sudden desire to take the word by storm?  Well, of the 31 of us attending the class, I was the only one who didn’t have a college degree, the only one, who seemingly, hadn’t gone out and taken the world by storm. The background of the agents themselves was formidable.  The sacrifice and hard work they put in to get where they were impressed me. I felt like I was the only one who hadn’t challenged myself.  It’s funny, as I’m typing this I’m thinking, raising four children, launching three successful businesses and publishing over 10 books in five different languages ain’t nuttin’ to sneeze at, and it isn’t, but along the way, I lost my sense of adventure.  I became complacent.  I got lazy. 

As I drove to the first FBI CA class I almost turned around a half a dozen times.  I forced myself to keep going.  I took a deep breath when I arrived and bravely walked into the building, and when I was greeted by smiling faces I let out a long breath I had been holding.  I immediately felt like I was where I should be.  I met two great guys, George and Gary who I maintain contact with, and whom I will see again when I attend the alum meetings and Infragard. 

But it was the last class, the day on the range that made me realize I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and experience more of the world first hand not, from my office window.  I wanted to let it all hang out.  One thing I realized I did not want to do was pursue my degree.  There was a time I did, but, I’m doing what I love, and I don’t need a degree to get promoted, but I do need some credits in adventure to keep the juices flowing and the stories fresh.  So, I’ve composed a Bucket List of things I can do, for now, locally.  Things that won’t drain my bank account, things that are close, things that will push me out of my comfy little box.

Here are a few: 

I want to spend the day at the coroner’s office.  Take a tour of Santa Rita jail and tour the CSI labs in my county.

Join the local shooting club. 

Learn a martial art.

Join the de Young museum and see not only the Tut exhibit but all of the exhibits that come through. 

Learn to scuba dive.

Go to the Planetarium.

Go to the opera.

Return to New York and hit every museum. 

Return to DC and visit all the monuments, and spend days in the Smithsonian.

See the Grand Canyon, hike through Yosemite and Big Sur. Visit Yellowstone and Alaska.

One day, I want to go to the Galapagos islands, and the rain forests in Costa Rica, and see Manchu Pichu. 

I want to stuff my hubby and in-laws into a luxury RV and travel across the country with only one destination:  Adventure. 

 What about you?  What’s on your bucket list?

Aside from the family gathering at Thanksgiving, the best part of the holiday for me is the turkey sandwich later.  The one you make on fresh white bread with mayo, salt, pepper, and leftover turkey!   At no other time of year does this simple concoction taste as good as is does late Thanksgiving night.  I just had mine.  At 4 a.m. the morning after.  I would have had it earlier, but, um, I came home and slept for 4 hours first. 

My son and son-in-law took off an hour ago to do their traditional Black Friday shopping.  They’ve been looking up sales on line and in the newspaper all week.  They have flat screens and laptops on the mind.  And my son, for some odd reason wants fur lined black leather gloves.  Go figure.

 Me?  I’m going to be sleeping during the madness.  I can feel the affects of the trytophan as I type.  So please forgive me for slacking a wee bit on the blog today. I mean c’mon, y’all will be out shopping all day and hardly give me a thought, but if you do, I want to know two things: 

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving, and if you ventured out on Black Friday, please share and tell us what you bought! I can live vicariously through you!  And when the boys return, I’ll give you the low down on their purchases.  They usually do pretty good.

 Happy day after!

 Karin*