Glad That's Done

I survived my marathon promo weekend! The Petticoats and Pistols Blog went well. Lots of comments and some good publicity, I think. And the Blog Radio Interview went well, considering the interviewer was using a cell phone and cut out on me several times and I didn't know what she was saying. LOL But a friend who listened said I sounded professional, I hope that doesn't mean stuffy!LOL When they send me the URL to listen to the interview, I'll post it here and on my website.

Speaking of website- if you haven't entered the June contest, hop over and do. It's fun this month and I already have two winners! But everyone who gives me a correct answer is a winner this month!

Last week I didn't get any writing done. It was all promotion and getting other things done- I'm hoping to make up for the lack of writing this week. But we'll see, I also have to get the presentation done for the Nationals! It's putting together the Power Point. I'm having a hard time finding Free photos that are clear enough and look good. ~sigh~

Hope everyone has a productive week! What do you have planned?

Friday Five- Things on my To Do list

It is beautiful here this morning! I'm so glad summer decided to come see us. I was getting tired of temps in the 40's and icicles under the sprinklers in the morning. I have a lot on my plate now and I seem to just keep adding to it! Both in my writing life and my normal life.

I had two successful chats this week! The Romance Book Junction chat on Wednesday night was fun. The ladies who joined me asked good questions and as always we got to talking about cowboy hunks! LOL Pretty much across the board we all swooned when talking about Sam Elliott's voice and Tom Selleck as a cowboy. Then on my all day chat yesterday with Brenda Williams Romance Party, we again got on the subject of cowboy hunks. Several mentioned Viggo Mortensen (sp) I don't go to or rent movies. All I ever see of movies these days are the trailers on TV so I haven't a clue who this guy is, but several ladies thought he was a hunk. So who do you think is or could be a hunky cowboy?

Well onto my five things- to do list.

1. Get the workshop I'm presenting at the Historical conference at RWA Nationals finalized. (Need to get it put in a power point)

2. Make more book thongs to give away with the books I donate to the Literacy signing. I bought ribbon with my name and website printed on it- but the beads I already had have too small of holes for the ribbon. ~sigh~

3. We (my dh and I) need to get a room finished we started. I'm tired of the mess!

4. Get busy on my latest WIP. I wrote 5,000 words this week, but I didn't have the chance to stay full throtle because of all the promoing this week . And my dad will be here all next week. I'm hoping he'll work on the above mentioned room and I can get some writing done!

5. Get my book trailer finished. Well it is but for some reason there is streaks in it when I play it. I think I need to redo it, then it should be ready. My brother and his son composed the music and I can't wait to get it looking good so I can put it out there for people to see.

Is there anything pressing in on you that you feel you need to get done? Is it something that will make you smile or leave you grunting and sweating while trying to accomplish the task?

Monday all over again...

This month- actually this year has flown by! I can't believe it's almost May already! Yet we are still having snow flurries and c-o-l-d weather. Brrr! Chasing cattle yesterday, I just about froze my lower limbs off. Of course if I'd listened to my dh and put my insulated coveralls on I would have been fine, but no- I was having hot flashes while making breakfast and figured those would keep me warm! Isn't it surprising how your body never works in your favor?

I'm attending a Reader's Luncheon being held in Portland, OR by the Rose City RWA chapter this Saturday. I dragged along a good friend to the event last year, and this year she kept bugging me about the date. So we are headed to the event on Friday. We'll watch her daughter coach a softball team on Friday and hit the luncheon on Saturday.

Attending authors are to bring a basket of goodies for one lucky person sitting at your table to win. But the other author at my table last year did a nice thing where she had something for everyone at the table. So I've been sewing little makeup type bags out of faux leather and putting a western snap on them. I'll put little goodies in each on and give them to the people at my table. That way everyone goes home with something.

That's my problem. I like giving things I've made which takes up time, but I hope people realize they are made from the heart. I love to give. speaking of giving, everyone should check out Brenda Novak's online auction for Juvenile Diabetes next month. Lots of authors and the publishing industry have donated some awesome things to this wonderful cause. And if you check it all out, you'll see a handmade tote and goodies from me.

Have a wonderful week!

Slowing down?- NOT!

I can't believe how fast this month is going! Yesterday, I finished up the workshops with the fourth grade classes on creating a picture book. I hope the teachers let me see the finished products. There were some very creative minds at work!

I have not written in my WIP for two weeks! What was I thinking when I started that challenge with Eli? My hope is to make November and December my writing months. Once the book signing on November 2nd is over then I don't have as many commitments. I am going to try and get a book signing in Redmond either at the new book store going in or the new WineStyles store. I'm going to wait to see if the book store gets up and running and if it doesn't I'll see if the wine store will have me. The one in Bend was very gracious and willing to have me twice! So we'll see how the Redmond store works.

I entered "Perfectly Good Nanny" in the Eppies and they are calling for judges. I wish I could help, but they need them read this month and this month is a killer for me with all that is going on.

Monday is the librarian conference. I'm ready except for knowing if they want the list of historical authors in the PNW to make copies before hand or if I just read it off and I'm wondering how and when they want the books I am donating. I have an e-mail into one of my co-speakers and hope I receive an answer soon.

Today is my only day this week that I don't have something going on. Tomorrow I judge 4-H record books and Friday I have a 4-H sewing meeting and my dh invited some people to go to dinner with us. So, I guess I should get off this blog and see if I can get some writing done!

Is this month buzzing by for you as well? Are you looking forward to the holidays?

Too-much-happening!

This is a photo of the latest piggie to enter my herd. Her name is Marble due to her unique coloring.

I do believe the month of October is going to come and ago and I'll just be watching the dust clear and wonder what happened to the month!

October is a busy, busy month for me. I have a meeting in Corvallis on the 1st. Then I'm teaching "How to Write a Picture Book" the next three afternoons at a local grade school. That Saturday is our RWA chapter's one day conference "Whodunnit: A Writers Guide to a Working Crime Scene" my family is going from there to the coast for a day. Then I have a 4-H meeting, and the final day of teaching the 4th graders, followed by a day of judging 4-H record books and having another 4-H meeting. Then I speak at a librarian's conference, and have the montly RWA meeting and a meeting with the local writers group and all that before we head to visit our kids in Alaska! When we get back from there I have two more events and during all of this I have my edits back for Outlaw in Petticoats and have to continue with my editing job not to mention getting publicity out for my upcoming book reading/signing!

Do you think I'll be a basket case by the end of the month? I do!

So how is your fall shaping up? Busy or not so busy? I envy those that say not so busy!

Friday Five - Exciting Events

Hello Everyone! I can't believe it's Friday already! And I have some exciting news today!
I'm going to list five of the events I am speaking/ chatting at in the next few months. And one of them fell in my lap last night and it's in my own backyard!

1) Today I chat with the contemporary authors from TWRP on Fallen Angel Review chatters.

2) On Tuesday, August 14th, I'm the guest speaker at the Hearts Through History monthly chat.

3)On Saturday, August 18th, I'm chatting with the TWRP Historical authors at CataReaders.

4) On Thursday, August 23, I'm the speaker for the local writers group. My topic- The Stages of Writing.

5) And the one I'm the most excited about!! I was asked last night by a group from the Portland Chapter to talk at a Librarian luncheon about historical romance. And the good news, the luncheon is right here at Eagle Crest! That will happen in October and they invited me to the September RCRW meeting so we can discuss the strategy for the luncheon.

Has anything good fallen into your lap lately? Or are you excited about the coming months in terms of fun or exciting things happening in you life?