We buried my husband’s grandfather, Pappy, yesterday. These last 10 days have been so emotionally draining I find myself sometimes just staring blankly at a wall, and when I realize I have a responsibility staring back, just saying, screw it. But the funny thing is I can hear Pappy saying, “C’mon, honey, don’t be sad. I’m happy where I am. Now live.”
He was an unselfish man, a loving man, and as I wrote last Friday over at Murder She Writes, he was a prince of a man.
This morning over my coffee as I look around my messy desk, I realize life must go on. I must live it. I have responsibilities, I have a family, I do have a life, a life to live to the fullest. In living it I won’t be forgetting about Pappy, actually, I feel as if there is a new energy to my step, like maybe he is there, giving me that extra little push, that extra zing of energy. You see, now I feel like if I don’t produce, I have somehow failed, and more specifically, failed Pappy. He wants me to be happy, he wants me to do what I love. I love to write. I love to be with my family, it’s what I do, it’s what he did, and in my writing, his memory will burn bright and hot.
Pappy loved his family, loved to party and loved to love. He lived his life his way, and taught me in actions and now in retrospect to live my life the same way.
Here’s to you, Pappy, your way.
I love you,
Karin Lynn

I haven’t disappeared. A dear family memeber passed away this week and it’s been tough to say the least to hold down everything, so I said screw it, and dropped everything except for family.
Write on,

K*

:cooldance: American Idol! From here on out called AI. I love this show, I love the laughs, the expressions on the faces of the seriously untalented when they don’t get picked for the Hollywood experience, but I also love to watch the dreams realized. I also bow down to Simon. Last year I tired to post regulary on my favs and fav moments, but failed, miserably. I’ll try to do a better job this year, but with deadlines looming it may be tough. But I will keep you posted, and if I miss something good be sure to comment.
Warning: my comments will come with serious snark. :evil2:

Ok, so call me a skeptic. I don’t do hooey, or whoo whoo, and while I do believe in a stimulating work environment anything past that is a waste of my time. It was what I believed, until this last Saturday. My friend and fellow author Bella Andre TAKE ME gave a workshop on feng shui for writers at our local RWA chapter, and while feng shui isn’t all whoo whoo as I kind of thought (hey, I’ve heard rumors) it does have some interesting concepts, concepts that make perfect sense. So, instead of writing as I promised myself when I came home Sat (and quite frankly knowing I was bullshiting myself about that), I totally feng shuied my writing environment. I’ve been in a slump you see, way behind on my book, and well, I figured I might as well take the few hours it would take to revamp my writing space making it more conducive for writing then sitting at the keyboard playing solitaire or chatting on the loops.
So, I de-cluttered. I was merciless. Anything I didn’t need, hadn’t used, wouldn’t use but took up space got tossed. Any and all things that gave off negative energy I removed. i.e dead flowers in a vase, a picture someone gave me that I never cared for (I wanted to remove certain negative family members from my life, :rambo:permanently, but you aren’t allowed to do that, well unless you don’t mind going to jail, which I don’t, so I didn’t) I arranged my desk according to the bagua map and do indeed feel as if my energy is flowing more freely. I especially like the relationships corner. I have this beautiful hand painted plate of two lovers in a very erotic pose. Every time I look at it, I get inspired to write sexy.
Basically, I have de-cluttered, removed things that give me no pleasure (except for those negative family members who thankfully don’t actually live in my house, then I would have to do something rash), and replaced them with positive items that do bring me pleasure, encourage my creative side, and give me an all out good feeling when I walk into my space. I like being there, I like that it is all about me, for me and by me.
I’ll let you know at the end of the week how the pages are coming. If my calculations are correct and feng shiu works, I should be well into chapter 11.
Write on,
K*

Happy to report, my son is settled in his dorm, loves his new digs, and is looking forward to spring ball. I’m also happy to report this worry wart mother is off the Xanex.
On to a little writing news and associated topics. I’ve been working fairly diligently on my wip SKIN and back into the flow of things. I also revisited a hot little medieval I started early last year. I really love that story and hope to sell it soon.
I’m not sure if I mentioned here that my fellow Aphrodisia authors have launched a blog, you need to check it out. We’re still feeling our way around but it promises to be a lot of fun. The line is getting really good reviews for the most part, which translates to me people like it.
My fellow Aphrodisiacs are a great group of ladies who take their craft of writing very seriously.
Justin at Stone Creek Media has taken over my site because Natalie has a gazzilion books contracted. :elephant: Whoo hoo, Nat! You should check out her newly redesigned blog, Trapped by the Mormons, very kewl. Well, if y’all haven’t heard, my friend Allison’s book THE PREY debuted at # 88 :cheerleader:on the USA Today’s list of top 150 books. It’s now at # 73. :hello2:I’ve been enjoying the phone calls to her telling her of all THE PREY sightings I’ve encountered. Her book is everywhere!
While you won’t find THE HARD STUFF in Walmart or your grocery store, it’s in B&N , Borders, Waldenbooks and many indies. I’ve been getting emails from friends and family across the country giving me the 411 on THS sightings. In fact, the manager at my local B&N called me this evening to tell me it is prominently displayed on a promotional end cap, and selling very well. :party: My mom has been taking her dog eared copy of THS everywhere and as she hits each bookstore within 20 miles of where she lives she’s demanding to be led to where it is on the shelf. And God help the store if they don’t have any out. She makes them order. Thanks, mom, you’re great for business.
Mary, your book went out today! Tell my brother to wait his turn to read it.
OK, it’s late in Cali and I have an early call in the am.
Night all, and write on.
K*

my baby boy is gone. Off to college to play football get his degree and become a man. I’m very happy and proud of him. After a year and half at a local JC, a small private college offered him an athletic scholarship to come play football for them. From the day of the initial phone call to the day he drove off took 10 days. It happened so fast my head is still spinning. When they want you they move quick, and if you want them back you respond in kind. We mustered up as a family and got our act together. He has everything he could possibly need and then some. He’s my golden California boy and I hope the sun shines on him all the way to campus and contiunes to shine. It breaks my heart he is gone, but as I have said repeatedly this past week, I’m smiling through the tears.

Hubby is with him, they drove out together for the long haul. Jeff will have wheels at school, and for the logner breaks hubby will fly back and drive home with him. I miss them both so much. I can’t wait to see my son for Spring break. Although he warned me, he might be heading to Lake Havasu with the boys and we’ll have to hook up in June. Go figure.
I’ve already, with a little help from my friends, found two conferences this year close to his campus. One just 45 minutes away and the other 2 hours. Looks like I’ll be traveling a bit more than I thought. Of course hubby and I will be flying out for a few of his games.
I’m very behind on SKIN. I have vowed now never to have a deadline so close to the holidays.
I’m doing a BIAM with my local Black Diamonds RWA Chapter, so they’ll kick my ass all over the place, not to mention my CP’s who have been wonderfully supportive while I cried and moped all over them since Jeff got the call. My girls over at Murder She Writes have been awesome too. I have a lot of support here and I really appreciate it.
So, with that, I’ll check in later in the week and give y’all my daily page count.
Oh, and for those of you in the agent hunt? They are alive and biting hard at good stuff. So keep your work out there.
Ciao until next time, and write on.
K*
Oh, PS, I am guest blogger over at Julie’s (Kenner) Slaying Your Demons blog site. It should be up today.

2005 was an exciting year for me, and for those of you who shared the very good times and the little bad times with me, thank you. Now, hang on, coz ‘06 is gonna be a hell of a ride!
For those of you who stop by regularly, you know THE HARD STUFF is out. The numbers are looking good and the book is selling nicely. I had my first signing last week, and while the weather kept many people home I enjoyed myself and learned what not to do :wallbash:at my next signing, which is this month, the 26th to be exact, from 6-8 at the Valley Fair Borders Express in San Jose, CA. I’ll be signing with a few other authors as well, so please stop by. I should have my appearance page up on the site very shortly. Check it out. I’m going to be a busy lady this year, and I look forward to it.
I have a book to turn in by the end of February, revisions to do on GGGB (still haven’t received them from my editor), and another novella to write for Kensington. I have a new series I want to get started on. Justin of Stone Creek Media fame is working on a site especially for the heroes and heroines of this sexy new hot cop series. I can’t wait to introduce them to you.
Things here at the house are up in the air for a few reasons, all good, and I’ll share later this week when everything settles into place.
Oh, before I forget, later today, 9 PM est I along with a few other Aphrodisia authors will be chatting over at Writers Space. I’ll be giving away a signed copy of THE HARD STUFF. so come on by.
Ciao for now.
Write on, and may 2006 be the year of your dreams.
K*