And very tired. RT was a lot of things, but boiled down, it was fun, and I would go again. I met up with long time internet friends, and made lots of new friends. It was wonderful to put faces to names. I also saw some things that would have put some people straight into therapy. Yowza! I know Sharon aka Maya Banks has a pic I must share. Sharon? Where is it? or did your camera melt? Some of the costumes were true artistic creations. Others? Cringe. Maybe it wasn’t so much the outfit but the body stuffed into it. I’m not trying to be catty here, but ya gotta know when to show certain skin and when not too!

RT did a great job. The parties were well done, and bountifully attended. The workshops were fab (I’m going on hearsay because, um, I didn’t go to any ). There was plenty of food and entertainment. There were lots of ‘Cave Men’ and Mr. Romance contestants for every taste. (but I have to admit, I kept thinking of hubby and how his wickedly sharp brain could make mincemeat of those pectoral pushers.)

Sorry ladies, while a few of those guys were true eye-candy, when they opened their mouths to speak? They lost me at, “H—”. Beefcake or not, I like my men to look at me, not in the mirror. So that brings me to the Mr. Romance competition. Cheesy is a good word to describe it. That said, a couple of the guys you could tell were genuine Joe’s. Especially the Army guy who stepped in at the last minute to fill in for a contestant who dropped out. I liked the wrestler guy too. He had a nice story during the Q&A segment. There was one contestant who had 8 kids! I left twice. The second time I didn’t come back. Now the guy I heard who won? Aesthetically he is prime.

The book signing Saturday was excellent. The bookseller Katy Books did an incredible job. There were over 300 authors, and readers brought empty luggage to fill to the brim with books! I was impressed. RT had the local press everywhere. I heard a reporter from GQ was lurking, not to mention the newspaper and radio press. Big push by RT. The more I think about it (it’s hard getting certain images out of my head to do so) the more impressed I am by what RT accomplished. The convention was a huge chore and it looked to me as if it went off without a glitch. Not to mention the Hyatt staff were efficient and friendly. Yep, all and all I’d do it again. And I am, but I told hubby, he’s going next time. He was not amused.

So, how many of you are planning on RT next year and how many of you are headed back to Texas in July for National?
Oh, and I think Tracey (my first, First Line Contest winner) has some awesome news to share. T?

Ciao for now,

K*

It’s Thursday afternoon and I’m already exhausted! It’s been a kick so far. Last night was the Ellora’s Cave party. They did a good job, and I must say the scenery? Well, all of the ‘Cave Men’ were there. And there were many a costumed lady in attendance. It was quite entertaining. The DJ was fab, the guys on stage dancing were fun to watch and it was fun to watch the women react to them. By all accounts a good time was had by all.

The male models are everywhere and good sports. I rode up in the elevator with one ‘Cave Men’ this afternoon.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked in his deep accented voice. I looked at him, smiled, then said, “I will be after a nap.” I stepped out leaving my friend Maya Banks all alone with the hunk.

As conventions go RT has done a swell job. Lot’s of people around to help out, everyone is friendly and it’s been great meeting people in person I have only met on the internet. The hotel is perfect, the service more than decent, and it’s very weird but you’re allowed to smoke inside! Only in the bar area but wow, everyone smokes! That said, I have a headache from the smoke.

Tonight is the Fairy Ball. I left my wings and dust at home, and hope not to stick out like a sore thumb. I suppose I should be attending the workshops, but don’t really feel like it.

Oh, some good news. I sold two more contemps in my ‘hot cops’ series to Pocket yesterday. JADED, release April or May of next year, and a yet to be titled Christmas book for October ‘08 release. I’m happy. I’m also really happy to report that my agent loves REDEMTION! I love it too. I hope Lauren does as well. I’m really looking forward to next year. I’ll have five books out!
I will be a vera busy girl.

With that I bid adieu for now.

K*

First off, am I the only one who thought Heather Mills was a bit bitchy in her departure? She practically blamed the chick judge Karianne (spelling). Give me a break. I tried, I really, really tried to warm up to her, and every time she opened her mouth I asked myself, “What the hell was Sir Paul thinking?” I’m glad she’s gone. Now the hard part: I like everyone left, even Billy Ray. I think either Apolo or Laila will dance away with the title. That Laila is something else. And Apolo and Julianne? I just love watching them.

Now on to AI. I’m not really in the mood to do a detailed recap. In fact, as I watched them tonight, I don’t think I wrote any more than two lines each. No one was awful, and the stand out to me was Jordin. I think she will be the next American Idol. I think Phil stepped up as well. He’s growing on me. It was kind of weird not having Sanjaya there. I have to admit he sure made things interesting.

Now on to RT. I’m off in the wee hours of the a.m. for Houston. I’m actually looking forward to it. Mostly because REDEMPTION is in the can, and my agent loves it (always a very good sign) and I don’t have to start revising JADED until I get back.

I’m looking forward to hanging out with Hilary, my friend Sharon Long and Liz Kreger. Allison and Sylvia will be there too. Lot’s of familiar faces, and I’m bound to meet a few new ones. I’ll keep y’all abreast of the happenings.

Oh, speaking of Hilary, she received all of the First Line finalists’ entries safe and sound. So? Now we wait. She’s usually pretty quick about theses things. So hopefully some good news soon.

With that, my dears, I am off to finish my packing and then attempting to get about two hours sleep.

Ciao,

K*

hah! I’m trilingual.

My belated thanks to Rocki St Claire for her wonderful day here at The Write Life, and also to everyone who stopped by and made her feel right at home! Y’all are the best.
Michelle? Lucky girl, you won the copy of TAKE ME TONIGHT!! I’m reading it and it’s fab. Email Rocki and give her the necessary info.
Another dear friend of mine, Margie Lawson, is guest blogging today over at Magical Musings. Her post is about taking control of your moods. Good stuff, but then that is status quo with ML.

I am off to finish the final touches of REDEMPTION (I love this story!!) then I need to get to the grocery store. Huge family gathering tomorrow, and lots of food to prepare. I also have a ton of stuff to do tomorrow to get ready for Houston. Too many things not enough hours.

Anyone going to RT?

I’m very happy as well as excited to introduce a friend of mine, Roxanne St. Claire as my guest today. Rocki is busy busy busy, but she graciously (hah, you should have seen me twist her arm) said, “Of course!” when I asked her to stop by and chat.

Aside from being a great gal, Rocki is a national best selling author of sixteen novels of romance and suspense. She’s a three-time RITA nominee (two this year!) and is currently writing a series for Pocket Books called The Bullet Catchers, featuring a cadre of unspeakably hot bodyguards and security specialists (it’s true I’ve read them, currently reading TAKE ME TONIGHT, yowza). Her latest book, is TAKE ME TONIGHT, the third in the Bullet Catcher series (although they can be read in any order and stand alone) is available everywhere…. web site is www.roxannestclaire.com

Rocki and I along with Allison Brennan are doing a paranormal together titled WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE, which releases in January 2008! It’s all very exciting.

I’d attach the cover of TAKE ME TONIGHT but as you all know, I have my limitations. If anyone would like to walk me through the process I’m game. So without further adieu, the incomparable, Roxanne St.Claire!

Also Rocki will be giving away a copy of TAKE ME TONIGHT to a lucky commenter!

What’s on my mind…is what’s on my mind.

Hello everyone! I’m absolutely thrilled to be here and want to extend a flurry of air kisses to Karin, my buddy and soon-to-be co-author when our antho is released next year, for the invitation to join you today. I love the energy and attitude of this blog – no surprise since a major Fun Girl is at the helm – and hope I can add a little of my own mojo to the party.

Karin asked me to blog about my journey to publication, not just “connecting the dots of what happened” but how I felt and what I thought about at that time. And that fits perfectly with what’s on my mind today.

I’m thinking about thinking. Can you tell I’m reading The Secret? Are any of you out there Secret readers? Have you seen the movie, read the book or soaked up the concept yet? For those of us who are craning our necks as we peer up at the slippery slopes of Mt. Publishing, hoping to get higher, The Secret – hell, any secret – has a definite appeal. But, be warned, this book might also make you want to ball your hands into fists and howl at the moon.

First of all, let me say that I am not a Self Help Book kind of girl. I’ve read about four in my life – including writer’s craft books. (Stephen King’s On Writing and Anne Lamott’s Bird By Bird are the only two “craft” books that I’ve read beginning to end.) I just don’t get turned on by advice books, except for a few when I was battling infertility and then, having won that war, when I was basking in the pregnant glow.

I did not see Rhonda Byrne, the author of The Secret, when she appeared on Oprah, but only hours after that show aired, I received three emails from friends who wanted to bring it to my attention. Once the book, and concept, hit my radar, I couldn’t seem to escape it. Everything I read or heard seemed to corroborate the way I live my life and, validation-seeker that I am, I bought the book.

If you haven’t read it, let me summarize. And while this may seem like a gross oversimplification, it is the truly the essence of the book: You are what you think. Or, if you have a slightly more jaded eye, try: You get what you think.

The author and her many experts put forth this theory in a variety of ways, offering quotable quotes, examples, testimonials, tips and “shortcuts” in a precious undersize hard cover that is as lush to the fingertips as it is to the eye. Subtle artwork, pleasing fonts, soothing design elements and creamy faux parchment paper all make the mere act of holding the book a sensual pleasure. (Go Simon & Schuster!) There is evidently a companion DVD, but I have not seen it yet.

The message is simple (ridiculously so, some say) and it is repeated (too often, others say) and it is not new (ancient, in fact, says the author).

The Secret is all about the laws of attraction, putting forth the precept that our thoughts (all 60,000 per day, including those that are spoken to no one, ever, ever) are physical entities that are – this gets into quantum physics, so hang with me, right-brainers – transmitted into the universe and reflected back into our lives as what we “have” in life. The book states (ad nauseum) that when we stop thinking about what we don’t want and start thinking about what we want, we will attract it.

Do you believe that?

The reviews are mixed, ranging from “this is new age BS that is nothing more than a recommendation that we think positive” to “this changed my life.” My own reaction to the book is somewhere along the continuum of spine-tingling confirmation to a great big eye roll, and, quite frankly, no small amount of disgust at the emphasis on financial and material gain over fundamental contentment with what you already have. And don’t even start me on how repetitive and simplistic the book is, purporting the basic tenet that all one has to do is think, as opposed to, say, work, produce, create, network, sweat, toil, rise before dawn and, in our case, write.

But I can tell you this: During my road to publication, and every step of the way since, I have felt the power of this concept and, yes, I’m stepping out on The Secret limb to announce that I believe that visualizing and expecting certain things from the world at large can and will influence and impact the ability to attain them. Nowhere in my life has that been truer than on my writing journey. (With the possible exception of those years of infertility I mentioned above. Different blog.)

Yes, yes, yes, you have to write a fantastic book in a fresh voice with an original premise that still meets market demands, deliver it to the right editor/agent’s desk and then garner all manner of luck, timing, serendipity and celestial alignment to get a contract. You know how hard that is, or you wouldn’t be here, seeking support and guidance and the will to go on. To be perfectly, brutally honest, not everyone who wants to write that book is capable of it, and no amount of visualization is going to write it for you. Sorry, Ms. Byrne, but there is doing involved in getting. But if you are capable, and if you have written such a novel, then sending the right message with it might help that fantastic, fresh, original, market-ready book see the light of day. Can’t hurt, huh?

Karin asked how I felt on that journey to selling my first book. I felt certain. Oh, yes, I felt stomped upon and flattened by the heel of each and every frequent rejection. I felt terrified that I’d embraced the Impossible Dream, and frustrated when it didn’t happen fast enough to suit impatient me. But I always felt certain.

Once I’d finished a manuscript, entered and finaled in contests and began to learn the ins and outs of this business, an utter belief that I would be a published romance novelist settled over me like that first sip of a good martini – numbing my fears, reducing my doubts, enhancing my confidence. Over and over people would tell me they just “knew” I would sell – they could feel it. What radiated off me, other than a whiff of White Linen, I hope, was my own belief in my fate and my direction. And after I sold, those thoughts didn’t stop. In fact, four years, sixteen books, numerous editors, and a helluva lot of hot heroes later, I’m still certain of what I’m doing and where I’m going. I’m not sure how I’m going to get there (this is very similar to the way I plot a book, by the way), but I’m certain, barring circumstances beyond my control, I will. And, I assure you, I do think about it every single day.

I can’t tell you how to write your book in your voice, how to tell your spectacular story. I can’t tell you who to submit it to, what to include in the query letter and when it will get read. I can’t tell you how to craft a plot, a character, a GMC or a dark moment. I can, however, remind you to send that message of certainty to the universe in every word, deed and thought. I don’t recommend a cocky attitude of entitlement – that won’t get you far in this business. But confidence, and a bone-deep conviction that you can succeed, will make a difference. And that could be the difference between a rejection and a contract.

Say what you will about The Secret – and, please do, it won’t offend me and will make for a lively discussion today – Rhonda Byrne has owned the top slot on the New York Times bestseller list since the book came out. Nothing in it is new, and the author readily admits that on almost every gorgeous page. But her style is fresh, the market is ripe and the publishing gods are clearly on her side. She must have been thinking something right.

So, tell me, ladies, friends, writers, dreamers and thinkers…do you believe in The Secret?

Rocki
www.roxannestclaire.com

Thank you, Rocki, loved this post!
K*

It took 38 million votes but Sanjaya is gone gone gone!!
Whoo hoo.

Okay, back to revisons, and don’t forget Rocki will be here tomorrow!

K*
who is very tired but very happy!

In my haste to finish up revisions for REDEMPTION I forgot to announce SKIN officially releases today! Oh, and if you want the inside scooby on this book and a few other leettle tidbits, my GF Allison Brennan is interviewing me tomorrow over at FogCityDivas, click the Divas blog link and enjoy. We’re giving away prezzies too!

Have a great one!

K*

there will be a Roxanne St.Claire sighting here at The Write Life this week. Like maybe Thursday-ish…
Be sure to stop by and chat.

K*

I’ll be MIA for the weekend. My most awesome agent is as you read this on her way out here to Nor Cal territory. She’s our guest at SFARWA Saturday morning. Then off to San Francisco for the rest of the weekend. As much as I’m looking forward to spending time with my agent, I am looking forward just as much to spending time in the city with hubby. We really need to do it more often. It’s hard though when you have kids who love to party, especially when mom and dad are away. So we find ourselves either staying home, taking them and a friend with us (which is tough coz the boys want to bring girls and that means extra rooms…) or dropping to our knees and praying they don’t destroy the house while we’re gone. None of those scenarios are fun. But we have everything crossed six ways to sundown this weekend. I can not wait!

My girl Josie Brown turned me on to Priceline.com. I booked a 5 star hotel for $120 bucks a night! In San Francisco! In Union Square! For the weekend! I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!! Even though it’s supposed to rain Saturday I could care less. Room service, a world renowned bar downstairs, room service, fabulous dinning, room service, spectacular rooftop views…room service…

It’s pretty sad when room service gets a girl more excited then shopping in Union Square.

So, what floats your boat for a weekend getaway?

K*

Oh, ps, my friend Rocki St. Claire is guest blogging here at The Write Life next week. She is a busy lady and I’m happy she is squeezing us in. If you haven’t gone out and bought her latest book TAKE ME TONIGHT you are missing out. I started it the other night and am itching to get back to it. Her hero Johnny is one serious hot flash.

Do we sit by and watch Howard Stern talk up votefortheworst.com and between them vote in Sanjaya as the next American Idol? While he did a mediocre performance at best last night, (c’mon now admit it, the guy stinks and he was just less stinky, he does not posses the talent to be the next Carrie Underwood, or Kelli Clarkson) are we doomed to watch those more talented then him get the boot each week while he just grins that grin and moves closer to the prize? Admittedly, Phil could have gone this week as easily as Haley without a blip on the radar, they lack the same talent Sanjaya lacks, but day-um, he wasn’t even in the bottom three for the second or third week in a row! I am almost ready to give up on this show.

I became addicted to The Deadliest Catch on my flight from San Francisco to New York a couple of weeks ago, and watched more on the return flight. Now, me and the lone kid at home watch it together. I also enjoy Gene Simmons Family Jewels. They are one of the most balanced families on TV, hell in reality. The kids are great and while Gene can be a hound dog (he pretends to be anyway) Shannon is a doll and a fab mom and wife.
And this from a person who does not watch television except for A&E and Discovery. Go figure.

I couldn’t help but watch the Sopranos and Entourage Sunday, hubby is addicted. Oh, and the Tudors. Problem there is while everyone is pretty it’s historically inaccurate as far as which players marry whom and when. It’s frustrating for me.

I’m anxiously waiting the new season of Rescue Me and Dexter. Does anyone know when they come back?

Geez, I just reread what I wrote and I guess I am watching more television then I thought. It doesn’t feel like it though. But when I think about it, there is some good stuff on the boob tube.

What do you watch?

K*