I’ve been writing long enough that my manuscripts have been written in a variety of ways — slowly, at blazing-fast speed, with critique as I went along and not critiqued until it’s finished. I think all writers have to meander through these various methods to figure out what ultimately works for them. I’ve discovered that I work best when I write the first draft as quickly as I can, then take a week or two to let it sit and simmer before I dive into revising. This method may work for some and not for others. But I was happy to hear validation from Candy Havens, who was our main speaker at our chapter’s retreat over the weekend. She’s a big proponent of getting the first draft onto paper as quickly as possible.

I like this method because I feel like I’m in the zone, that the story is flowing more naturally. I’ve tried to go slower, and while this sometimes works for some types of stories, that’s not the norm. Usually if I write slowly, I don’t have as much enthusiasm and momentum for the story and it’s easier to just not write some days.

I also think there’s some danger in talking about a story too soon. You open yourself up to comments/critiques from others who while trying to genuinely help may instead stifle your enthusiasm. I’ve had to learn over time to trust my own writer’s instinct, which is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my career. Also, take that internal editor and smack her upside the head. We have to do everything we can not to kill the magic of our storytelling.

What methods have worked best for you? Have they changed over time? Are they different for different types of books?

I arrived home yesterday afternoon from my chapter’s annual retreat. It was so much fun! We held it at a new location this year, a different state park from the ones we’ve stayed at before. Most of us stayed in cabins beside a lake. If it had been warmer and not raining, some of us would have gone for a nice hike. As it was, we had a wonderful mixture of learning sessions with agent Elaine Spencer and author Candy Havens (I’d highly recommend any chapter looking for speakers to contact these intelligent, entertaining ladies) and relaxing downtime to chat with each other and get massages. Much fun was had by all.

I pulled into my driveway mere minutes after my father-in-law, who was on his way back home from a week in Florida. We chowed on some Italian food from Fazoli’s and watched Vanderbilt beat Kentucky. This is the only game I’m ever happy for Kentucky to lose. I’m a Kentucky native, but my brother-in-law played for Vanderbilt.

Last night was the biggest night in Hollywood with the Oscars. I wasn’t as invested this year because I’d not seen any of the Best Picture nominees — not like last year when I was rooting for Brokeback Mountain and it lost out to Crash (which I did see recently and really liked). Still, it was fun to see Martin Scorsese finally get a Best Director Oscar, see Vice President Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth win a little gold fella, and the absolute joy on the face of the director of The Lives of Others, the German film that won the foreign language film Oscar. I’m guessing he’d been thinking that Pan’s Labyrinth would win. And Jennifer Hudson may be the luckiest person to ever be voted off American Idol. I’d take an acting Oscar of an American Idol win any day.

As for the best red carpet fashions of the evening, I loved Helen Mirren’s dress. Dang, to look that good at 61. I also liked those worn by Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, and Jodie Foster.

Anyone else watch the Oscars? What were the highlights for you?

I’m headed out of town for my chapter’s annual members retreat, so I thought I’d leave you with a fun video based on the Smallville episode “Justice” in which some of the members of the Justice League come together — Clark Kent, the future Superman; Oliver Queen, aka The Green Arrow; Bart Allen, aka The Flash; Victor Stone, aka Cyborg; and Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman. The song accompanying the video is “Hero” from Spiderman, but it fits here too. Enjoy!

Check out the Justice League here.

Back in January, I went to see Blood and Chocolate at the theater. Clueless wonder that I am, I didn’t realize at first that it was based on the book by the same name by Annette Curtis Klause. Normally, I can enjoy a movie but love the book at least equally or more because there’s more space to fully explore the plot and characters. Such is the case with the Harry Potter movies — love the books and the movies.

I finished reading Blood and Chocolate last night. I’m not sure if it’s because I saw the movie first and thus went in with no preconceptions, but I liked the story in the movie better, though it was much different. I’ll probably get some heat for that. While the book was enjoyable, I didn’t like Vivian’s character as much. She seemed to fall for Aiden much too quickly and seemingly without solid reason in the book. There were moments when I thought she showed glimpses of being the strong werewolf supposedly destined to be the queen of the pack, like when she determines to undertake a selfless act near the end of the book. But overall, I liked the Vivian in the movie better. She’s a bit older, not so careless, has a more motivating backstory. And to me, the star-crossed love between the Vivian and Aiden in the movie was more believable than the one in the book.

Also, I thought the setting for the movie (Romania) was richer than the book (the Maryland suburbs), but I can see why Klause chose her setting. It makes for a stranger clash of cultures — surburbanites versus werewolves. Romania seems more accepting of the reality that there are creatures of the night (werewolves, vampires, etc.), and that Old World feel adds to the story.

So are there any movies you liked better than the books they were based on? Or is it usually the other way around? Do you think it makes a difference which you do first — read the book or see the movie?

Hubby and I were talking about superhero powers tonight and which one we’d like to have. He hasn’t decided yet, but I think I’d like to fly like Superman.

Tom Welling as Clark Kent from Smallville before he becomes Superman but after he learns he can fly

Part of the reason I’d like the flying ability is because in real life I’m afraid of flying, so it’d be cool to just be able to take off without a jet engine. Hubby’s response was, “Why do all the superheroes who fly never run into bugs or anything?” Snort!

So, if you were able to pick one superpower to have for yourself, which of the following would it be and why?

1. Flying
2. Invisibility
3. Super speed
4. Super vision or hearing
5. Ability to create fire out of thin air
6. Super strength

I recently received a bit of good news on the writing front. In late December, I entered a contest sponsored by Harlequin American. Then I honestly forgot about it since I got really busy with revising my YA manuscript and doing stuff for RWA PRO. So it was a very nice surprise last Monday when Harlequin Editor Kathleen Scheibling called to tell me I was one of the three contest winners with a third-place finish. Part of the prize is a critique of the entry (first chapter and synopsis) by someone on the editorial staff. After I receive that critique and make any needed revisions, she wants to see the complete manuscript. Woohoo!

Also very cool is the fact that my friend Lindsey Brookes took first in the contest. We don’t know who placed second, but we’re both very anxious to find out. Hopefully this will lead to sales for all three of us.

“Lord, give me the determination and tenacity of a weed.” — Mrs. Leon R. Walters

I don’t know who Mrs. Walters is, but in a few short words she voiced one of the elements of becoming a published writer. When the hubby came across her quote in a book he was reading, I jotted it down on my bedside notepad, knowing I’d use it in a blog post at some point.

That tenacity of which she speaks is important for writers, particularly ones who don’t publish their first books right out of the gate. We have to keep going, no matter how many rejections hit our mailboxes. That “sticking with it” attitude has paid off for two of my Wet Noodle Posse buddies this month. Both Kiki Clark and Lorelle Marinello sold their first books — and by that I mean they made their first sale, not that they sold the first book they wrote. They stuck with it through rejections, self-doubts and frustrations with the market and its gatekeepers.

Kiki’s and Lorelle’s sales bring the contingent of sold Noodlers up to 21 of 33, or 63.6 percent. All those sales have come since 2003, the year we all finaled in the Golden Heart contest. Here’s to our group reaching 100 percent published before 2007 is over.

Jill Monroe is another one of my fantastic circle of friends, the Wet Noodle Posse. Here’s the description of her latest book, along with a book trailer she did herself.

 “This book is impossible to put down.”Romantic Times - 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick

Hitting The Markby Jill Monroe






With grifters hanging from every branch of her familytree, Danni Ford was trying to do the impossible–play it straight. Until an undercover G-man playedher with a few tricks of his own�

The tip-off should have been the way Eric’s gaze met hersonly when they talked dirty.

So Eric was using her to trap her shady relatives. He wasstill off-the-charts sexy�why shouldn’t she get somethingpleasurable from this con�?

Danni’s revenge is going to be very, very sweet–and itwill start with tying up her FBI agent boyfriend con manto get to the truth. Before he discovers her secrets first!
Hitting The Mark

Time to promo one of my fellow Noodlers again. Terry McLaughlin is a talented author for Harlequin Superromance, and her latest release is out this month. Be sure to check the shelves at your nearest bookstore, supermarket or discount store.

The Rancher Needs a  Wifeby Terry McLaughlin




About the book:

How can two people so wrong for each other seem so right?

After his divorce, Wayne Hammond hesitated to make anyonethe second Mrs. Hammond.  Topping the list of the women heshouldn’t pick is Maggie Harrison Sinclair.

Maggie has already left Tucker, Montana, once.  She’s backonly to lick her wounds and figure out her next step.  Notexactly the ranch-loving, stay-at-home wife and mother thatWayne has always wanted.

But once Wayne and Maggie cross paths, theimpossible-to-resist rancher and the bright-lights-lovingwoman succumb to their hotter-than-heck attraction,resulting in aneven bigger complication.

Bright Lights, Big SkyWhen Malibu meets Montana, it’s magic.

What people are saying about The Rancher Needs a Wife:

“…full of smart dialogue and great characters.”4 stars, Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“…an enchanting novel that provides everything welook for in a great romance…plenty of humor, burningpassion, a plot that entertains with every page…”Nadine St. Dennis, Romance Junkies

“Heartwarming and poignant…have the tissues handyjust to be safe.”Lettetia, Contemporary Romance Writers

“Look for more from this author as each book ofhers gets betterthan the last.”Connie Payne, Once Upon a Romance

Mary and I have a freakish amount of things in common, including our passion for certain television programs. For Christmas, she sent me the shirt I’m wearing in this photo. It’s from Supernatural and says, “Wow! I’d say we’ve officially crossed over into weird!”

Then this week, I received a big mailing tube in my mailbox. When I saw it was from Mary, I thought, “Wheeee! She got me one of those Supernatural posters like hers.” Imagine my surprise when I pulled out not only the Supernatural poster but also one for new fave Smallville. Now they’re on my office wall, providing inspiration for stories and characters.

And that’s why Mary rocks!