Fatastic Delustions

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

It's day five of National Novel Writing Month, and I am totally kicking ass! My word count is sitting at just over 9k. WooHoo go me. And yet the plotline for this year's adventure is still something of a mystery to me.

What I do know is way outside my comfort zone. The main character is an FBI agent. Her credentials are so far outside my experience that I'm going to spend December in some heavy research. She's got some mystical overtones in her personal/spiritual life but so far nothing paranormal has popped out at me. On top of that it's a murder mystery and the bad guy is just plain icky. I had to write this scene yesterday that was totally gross. Finally there has been almost no romance. Oh there's a love interest, he's there, they've met. Yet every time I sit down to write a romantic scene it gets interrupted by the murders be it another body popping up and taking her away from him or that bad guy starts shouting in my head to be heard.

Still I'm having a blast. I've sat down and written every single day this week. It's been fun and disturbing. It has been too damn long since I've enjoyed sitting down and writing.

Video Trailer for Three of Hearts

2010-08-05T21:01:00.001-07:00

Ideas....

2010-07-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked where I got my ideas from. My response was a somewhat flippant sounding "Everywhere and everything! Nothing and no one is safe". And I was being completely serious. Today proved it! It's no secret that I've been struggling with Mara's Story, the still untitled sequel to Three of Hearts. For the longest time I thought the story was about Mara finding her one, not unlike her sister Leslie. But she quickly set me straight. Damon and Mara's story is very different than Leslie and her men's. They've known each other forever and have even known they were mates for years. It's an interesting story.

Once I got that down the first part of the story came together quickly and I was thrilled. I wasn't thrilled for long, however. Because while I now knew what tore them apart, I didn't know what would bring them back together. I've got pages and pages of failed ideas and not quite right scenes. After months of struggling with this, life finally took pity on me and showed me what needed to happen for these two to reach their Happily Ever After. And the person who taught me that lesson was none other than my 6-year-old daughter.

My baby girl has been refusing to clean her room for awhile now, a rather common problem. And I've been going crazy beating my head against her stubborn determination to not do what I wanted her to do. Today the light bulb finally clicked on and I saw what needed to be done to get her to actually pick up a toy and place it in the toy bin and not the floor. So what did I do? This is where I'm sure parents everywhere are going to cringe but, I shamelessly bribed her. She cleans her room and we'll go see 'Ramona and Beezus' this weekend. I didn't yell, I didn't issue ultimatums, there were no spankings. Which honestly in this situation don't work. I simply sat her down and showed her the movie times, she picked one and then I said 'I need you to clean your room first. You do this and we'll have a girls afternoon, just you and mommy.' She's got half her room clean this afternoon. I about fell over, people have been telling me she's too young to do this. No she isn't she just wasn't properly motivated to do the work. And honestly it's really no different than the allowance I pay my son for completing his chore list.

Now back to Mara and Damon, they've been going round and round in circles, over the issues keeping them apart. Once I realized what worked with my daughter just might work with them, the scene I've been struggling to write came right together. I can almost see how the story is going to end and they're both much happier and easier to work with.

So you see nothing is sacred when it comes to ideas. Keep your mind open and you never really know what the Muse will toss out. I mean who knew what would work on a 6-year-old would work on a couple 20-something werebeavers?

TTFN-Elena

Chaos

2010-07-16T15:44:00.001-07:00

I hadn't realized it's been a year since I posted on this thing. Blogging is like journalling and let's face it I suck at both. For now a quick update post.

Three of Hearts is now at Red Rose Publishing. The cover is amazing. Red Rose is a great publishing house and I am thrilled to be there.

Been struggling on the writing front. Family life has been in full blown chaos for longer than I ever thought would be possible. Things seem to be settling back down and I'm hoping I will soon be able to write more than 100 words every two days.

Recently picked up Rachel Pollack's Tarot Wisdom. It's an amazing book and the history on the various cards has my muse jumping up and down with various ideas.

TTFN~Elena

Schizophrenic housecleaner

2009-07-08T16:17:00.001-07:00

I finished Julie & Julia, which left me feeling quite bouncy. The excerpt from her next book is intriquing so I've added it to the wish list. Hee Hee that thing just never shrinks. The only thing worse than it is the To Be Read pile. Oh where was I? Right I was feeling bouncy so I did some chores. Swept the kitchen, did the dishes wiped down the counters, picked up the family room. Decided not to vaccum since I vacummed it yesterday. Then decided to water the yards, which means dog poop first, I know I'm a nice mom I don't make Jesse do it. Then I came in and plopped myself infront of the computer.

It's funny, but I've gotten very good at keeping the rooms we use the most, clean, ignore the dust bunnies please. It's not model home clean, and it never will be. I am a creative person which means there has to be chaos somewhere or I'll lose my little piece of sanity. Don't even acknowledge my craft closet if your a neat freak. I'm amazed I haven't had an avalanch in there yet.

There are rooms in my house that are cleaned daily and somewhat neat, then there are rooms that are clean and an utter mess. Like the entry way, it needs to be swept, constantly, and it rarely gets swept. Why? Because I have kids running in and out all day and I get tired of doing it. The bathrooms are rarely all cleaned at once. Scrubbing hurts my hands so if I do the showers I'm not doing the toilets and counters on the same day. There's a couple of days delay in between the two projects. To be fair the counters get cleaned the most often since I use Lysol wipes on random walkthroughs.

The front room where the computer is set up is a study in packrat-dom and kids toys. Not we need to be on Clean House clutter, but clutter. I have more books than bookcase, loads of CDs (there is no such thing as too many of these items). The overflowing DVD collection is in the family room with the Wii and other video games. It needs to be vaccumed. Tis shedding season and there are little Ishtar puffs in places. Not many since I vacummed the front room on Monday but they're starting to come back. And yes I brush the dog. You can't see the top of the dinner table, its buried in clutter. This is our drop off room. We live in the kitchen and family room. I think I'll clean it Friday when there's no summer school so I can torture both kids equally.

My concept of cleaning is a bit like that of a schizophrenic off her meds. Things get done in complete randomness. There's a logic to it. Yes, there is, I can't explain it too you, but it makes sense in my head. And the entire house will never be clean all at once. That would be just beyond words weird.

Hee, hee I'm still feeling bouncy. It's funny but I think I like blogging. The journal thing is evil, this is fun. Of course I can't get to intimate here, there could be stalker people out there. Although why anyone would want to stalk me is a total mystery.

Think maybe I'll brave the closet I need to find a baby announcement sampler.
TTFN Missy/Elena
(cross posted on myspace)

How are you?

2009-07-08T00:45:00.001-07:00

(cross posted on myspace)
I actually wrote in that blasted journal. I've had it for a month and there's 2 whole entries in it now. Goddess I hate that thing!

I watched some of the MJ memorial today, simply because there was no way to avoid it. It was literally on every network in some form. Then by choice I watched the documentary Farrah Fawcett made about her battle with cancer entitled "Farrah's Story" (I dvr-ed it). At the end, she's reading aloud from what I can only assume is her diary about how she answered the question 'how are you?' her answer was absolutely beautiful and I wish I had written it down to type it here but the jist of it was 'I'm alive so that means I'm good.' But the part that really got me thinking was the almost surprised I'm turning tables way she than said oh how are you? what are you fighting for? It got me thinking, such a simple question, it wouldn't leave me alone so I did write it down on the corner of my cross stitch pattern.

How are you? I'm alive and relatively healthy so I'm great! What am I fighting for? Hm, now that's a harder question to answer. What am I fighting for? I don't know. Thinking about it had me pulling out that damned journal and working it out there. I discovered a few things about myself, (a) thanks to the carpal tunnel it hurts to write 3 pages, (b) I've got a surprising amount of anger bottled up, and (c) I still don't know what I'm fighting for. Unless its a losing war against dust and dirty clothes, which a certain 9 year old has taken to stashing in the bizarrest places in his bedroom. And that's not trying to make light of the question or the seriousness in which Ms. Fawcett asked it. I finally decided that there isn't a war for me to fight right this moment. But my focus right now is to learn to not over think anything and to be a fracking duck and let things said to or about me and mine to wash over my feathers and away. It ain't worth the upset stomach.

Ugh, enough serious stuff, let's talk about something fun. I picked up a copy of Julie & Julia at Target the other day. I love the previews for the movie so when I saw the book on sale I bought it. Wish I'd known there was a trade size version one aisle over. I would have shelled out the extra 7 bucks. Holding MMPB's hurt my hands, damn near everything hurts my hands now. Anywho, this is one hilarious book and it's upped my desire to see the movie by leaps. I'll probably even buy Powell's next book when it comes out. I just hope they don't pull out all the best snark like they did with 'The Devil Wears Prada'. I so wanted to see Anne Hathaway, ruin the gears of the car while banging her head on the steering wheel chanting f*ck. But it didn't happen, in fact they pulled all the really good parts out. Go read the book you'll see.

I don't know if its a good or bad thing but I have this building desire to go find a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking vol 1 or MtAoFC as Powell calls it. I don't think I'm brave enough to try cooking from it. Some of the recipes sound truely frightening. Calf hooves and brains oh my!

But it got me to thinking about blogs and whether or not people care about what I think and if there's anyone even reading this nonsense. I know the little tally says people do read what I write, which is something of a thrill. I've even gotten a couple of emails saying they like what I write, thank you for those btw. And I just contradicted myself so its time for me to go to sleep. I've made the decision to try to post some sort of rambling, if not every day than every few days.

So this has been todays ramblings.
TTFN Elena/Melissa (yes today its Melissa not Missy. I'm not feeling very Missy-esque today)

I can't believe they did that.....

2008-04-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

I've reached the 1/3 mark on still untitled sequel to Three of Hearts. Go me!! But my lovely H and h did the one thing that always annoys me as a reader of romance novels. They raced to the nearest bed and did the hippity dippity within moments of meeting. In some cases it works, but as it's something I never did while dating it always bothers me when I read. Different strokes and such. But after 10 days of trying to make them wait, I finally let things go as they wanted it and the story's now moving at a good pace. This is yet another reason I don't outline in very much detail. I inevitably end up with a story that only vaguely resembles the outline I started with.

I'm hoping to reach the 1/2 way point by end of month and should have the story completely finished by mid May. Yay!!!! When it comes to writing I am the turtle. Slow and steady, eventually reaching the finish line.

Happy Friday!
Elena

March Results, Aprils Challenges

2008-04-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well it's April already. Hard to believe, it was feeling like Spring last week and then Winter came back this weekend and took, hopefully, it's parting shot at us, dumping a good 3-4 inches of snow on the ground. I've got my seeds started inside and hopefully by mid to late May I can move them outside and/or to pots. If I don't kill them that is. April's a steady month not too busy, not slow for me. A's going to be 4 end of the month (how did she get so big so fast?) so I'm full steam ahead on the birthday plans. She's gonna have her first party with friends here at the house.

March was a cub scout crazy month. J participated in his first pine wood derby. He did well placing between 4th and 2nd on the Wolf division runs. He didn't place to be in the pack run but he didn't care. He's already planning his car for next year. He's 2 achievements away from his Wolf patch, so he'll be ready for cross-over in May no problem. Techincally an April event rather than March but last week the boys got to visit one of the cargo plane squadrons. They had a blast getting to explore a C-17 I believe it was. I'm horrible with identifing the planes.

Goal wise, I'm doing alright. Had the head cold from heck the last couple of weeks, my energy is finally returning. For workout and weight, not so good. I gained 3 pounds, I have no idea where since I got a pair of size 10 pants on comfortably. The routine was hit and miss, I caught the cold from baby girl. On the health front, I'm eating regularly and taking the vitamins so yay me! Writing was hit and miss, but it's becoming more of a steady flow instead of starts and stops so I'm happy. Stitching and blogging I failed. Almost done with page one on Temptation didn't touch the Dragon at all. Had to stop and jump to a simple project for an April baby friend. Blogging I posted, what twice in March. I finally came up with a way of remembering I have to blog, by adding it to my count spreadsheet. I keep track of everything else on there why not one more item. Silly I didn't think of it sooner.

April's goals are
1. Find out why I'm gaining instead of losing. I'm starting to question the 'muscle weighs more than fat' thing. Keep it going.
2. I'm gonna start counting calories using a food diary. Maybe that will help with #1
3. Keep on with the 300 words a day. It seems to be working.
4. Finish up April b-day project and get back onto Temptation. I've set Dragon aside for the time being.
5. Blog. Put daily reminders into the Palm and add it to the count spreadsheet. Hopefully I'll remember to get on once a week.

Happy Monday!
Elena

Doesn't it Figure

2008-04-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

I got all excited today when I looked in the mail box. Not only had my monthly shipment of comics came in but so had my special order fabric from Silkweavers. I came across this huge project in Stoney Creek Cross Stitch Collection magazine that I knew I wanted to do. The pattern is going to be broken out over 3 years of the magazine. So I had to custom order the fabric for it and I decided it would be fun to get a dyed fabric rather than white.

So after much looking I finally picked their Jobelan fabric in the color Dreamin'. It's a gorgeous light blue with some white swirls through out. Now I did all the figuring for a 28ct piece of fabric with stitching done over 1 thread of fabric. What I got was a 32ct piece of Jobelan fabric in the size I wanted 32x39.

Here's where I can kick myself. I cleaned out my email the other day and deleted the original order confirmation because I had the shipping one. The shipping one doesn't have the order details on it and there was no order slip in the package with the fabric. I don't know if I messed up, and let's face it that's quite possible, since it's happened once before. Or if they did. So now I'm going to have to stitch this project over 1 on 32ct fabric. My poor eyes are going to hate me for this! The fabric isn't big enough for over 2.

*sigh*
Happy Thursday
Elena

Goals

2008-03-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well it's the middle of March and as we can all see I failed to blog at least once a week. Life hasn't been hectic or anything it's just been steady. We've been staying pretty close to home since gas prices seem determined to hit the $3.50 mark sooner rather than later. The Costco had regular for $3.24 a gallon, these prices are just murder on the budget.

Despite that we did make it downtown for the Fur Rondy's first annual reindeer run. We had fun wandering the little touristy shops, watching the dog mushers cross the finish line, as well as watching the main event. The Iditarod is currently going on as well.

Now onto the goals. February goals.....it was pretty hit and miss on those. #1 was the home routine, which is pretty much in place. There were a few times it didn't happen but stuff happens. I didn't lose any weight though, actually I gained 2 ounces. BUT, I did lose inches all over, so goal met. I talked to a person over at the HAWK and they said it happens this way sometimes, I'm building muscle and lossing fat at the same time. #2 eat regularly, I'm doing good on this one, I managed to eat breakfast the entire month so Yay me! #3 Write at least 5k. Nope didn't happen, I only got about 2k down.
#4 Embroidery, this one I met and you might think the stitching is getting in the way of the writing but its not. I only stitch during my daughter's daily play date. #5 chores, almost got it, so close. #6 Blog yeah as I said earlier failed miserably.

Now March goals...
#1 Workout keep it going, the results are coming slow and steady
#2 Health Again maintain, eat regularly and take that frickin' vitamin
#3 Writing, hell at the rate I'm going I need something I can actually do so this ones going to be write at least 300 words a day.
#4 Stitching, I need to shift my focus to Temptation so let's go with finish pg 1 Temptation and 2 rows on Dragon Knot.
#5 Blog BLOG BLOG BLOG, I gotta remember this thing is here and needs to be updated!

Happy Thursday!
Elena

Wordless Wednesday

2008-03-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2008-01-31T20:52:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been awhile. Sweating with Sven is long over and I didn't accomplish any of my goals. December hit me with a serious case of writer blahs. Nothing was moving creatively for me. On the family front things were and still are hoping along at a good clip. This is my first winter in an area that actually gets snow so we've been having lots of fun in the snow. I've been told this year has been a mild winter, that is one scary thought.

My son earned his Bobcat patch in Cub Scouts and we've been working hard at completing his Wolf Patch requirements. I'm very proud of him and all the work he has put into Cub Scouts so far.

Now that the new year has begun it's time for the dreaded resolutions. This year I've decided to take a different approach. Rather than make one resolution I spend the year trying to reach I'm going to make monthly goals. I had five goals for January. It was a real learning experience for me. The main thing I learned was I tend to over reach things. And my muse doesn't give one wit about what my goals are.

Jan Goal #1 Exercise. I kept it fairly simple reestablish the workout routine the holidays destroyed and lose 3-5 pounds. Reestablish the workout routine has been somewhat successful. I've got my gym routine down and I only missed a handful of days. The home routine needs some more work. I didn't lose the weight I wanted, but I didn't gain anything either. Not bad but not great either.

Jan Goal #2 Health. Get into the habit of taking a multi vitamin and drink more water. Goal accomplished. I also cut soda almost completely out of my diet.

Jan Goal #3 Writing. Write at least 3,000 words. Doesn't sound like much considering my goal before the blahs was 5,000 words a week. But I thought I would ease my muse back into the routine slowly. I consider this one a sucess. I've got pages of hand written backstory done on my current wip To Have and To Hold and just over 2,600 words of actual story written. I've also got a page and a half of research to finish. I have a solid one hour block for writing established. I'm hoping to get a second hour in probably in the morning next month.

Jan Goal #4 Embroidery projects. My goal was to finish page three of my HAED Dragon Knot Pattern and to complete half of page one of a new project HAED Temptation QS. This goal I failed miserably. I didn't account for the affects the extreme cold spells we've been having had on my hands. My joints have been killing me. I hate having carpal tunnel. I'm not quite to the half way point on page 3 of Dragon Knot, for some reason I thought I was further along than I was.

I did get a decent start on Temptation just not quite to the half way point. The schedule on this one is tighter than the Knot since it's a gift.

Jan Goal #5 is my standard, get a chore routine in place and actually follow it. I hate vaccuming. This one has been hit and miss. The house isn't trashed but it's not spotless either.

My goals for February are along the same lines.
Feb Goal #1: Exercise: Get the home routine down and lose 3lbs at least. At the very least a couple of inches.
Feb Goal #2: Health: Eat at regular intervals. It sounds funny but I sometimes forget to eat. It's hell on the metabolism.
Feb Goal #3: Writing: Write at least 10k. If I make my weekly goal twice over at Eharlequin's ES I'll have this one made.
Feb Goal #4: Embroidery: Temptation 1/2 page 1 done, Dragon Knot 1/2 page 3 done. Gotta keep this goal small until the weather warms up. My hands are already starting to get sore.
Feb Goal #5: Chores: Try again with the routine.
Feb Goal #6: Blog: Remember to blog more than once a month. At least once a week. I'll have to consider doing something like Thursday 13 or Wordless Wednesday to help get me in the right frame of mind.

Happy Thursday
Elena

Updates

2007-11-18T22:07:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy it's not even funny. I'm writing everyday just not as much as I'd planned or hoped too. But I'm not giving up.

Fire & Ice (NaNo)-4,187
Valentine-378
Once Bitten-3,058
Kessan-8,224

Happy Sunday!
Elena

Slow and Steady

2007-10-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well I seem to be moving at a nice steady, slow pace. But I'm writing. Kessan has had my attention all week. Status report for week 2 of Sven.

Kessan: 8,224
Once Bitten: 3,058
Antho: 0
Valentine: 122
Beaver2: 0
NaNo: n/a

Happy Friday!
Elena

First Sven Update

2007-10-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

I forgot to log on and post yesterday for Wordless Wednesday. Oops, in my defense I was working on holiday embroidery projects and writing. It's been a slow week but new words have been added so I'm calling it a good one. These counts are as of Wednesday since I won't get to write until later tonight.

Kessan (5,943): 6,565
Once Bitten (2,636): 3,058
Valentine Hell: 122
Beaver 2: 0
Antho: Still waiting for theme
NaNo: Not starting until 1Nov

I'll be back tomorrow with my quote of the week.

TTFN-Elena

The Plan

2007-10-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

Alright I finally made the final choices yesterday for Sweat with Sven.

1. Once Bitten
Beth Sparrow-archeologist
Ben Jansen-were???
Urban Fantasy
15k

2. Untitled
Kessan-Lead Mage
Lila-Queen of Ilandra
Fantasy
25-30k

3. Valentine Hell (wt)
Sara-???
???-???
Contemporary or Paranormal
15k

4. Antho short
???-???
???-???
Contemporary
10-15k

5. Beaver Sequel
???-???
???-???
Paranormal
10-15k

6. Nano
Mari-Fire/Ice practioner
???-Air practioner
Urban Fantasy
50k

I'm so going to have my hands full!!!!

Happy Monday!
Elena

My first book review

2007-10-13T10:50:00.001-07:00

Hee Hee I just found this.

Three of Hearts got 3 cups from Coffee Times Romance. Here's some of what Regina had to say about it...

Three of Hearts is a well-written story about one of my favorite animals, the beaver. Leslie is heartwarming as the young woman who is trying to figure out what love really is. The twins have strong personalities, but they are a compliment to Leslie’s more nervous one. I would like to see more of these characters and would be interested in reading more about the werebeaver universe. If you enjoy shifter stories then this is one you will want to check out.

Want to read the full review? then click here.

I'm giddy!
Elena

NaNoWriMo & Sven

2007-10-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

It's official I've completely lost it. I not only signed up to participate in NaNo again this year I just signed on to do the 70 days of sweat with Sven. Should be fun. Taking a page from fellow daughter Aline I'm going to make a schedule of when I'll be posting updates so let's see.

Monday will be my day because well Mondays are hell days....

Tuesday I'll post NaNo updates

Wednesday I know it's Wordless Wednesday so maybe I'll give that a try.

Thursday will be Sven updates

Friday will be quote day, I'll pull a phrase or two from my wip and post it for y'all.

Weekends belong to the family.

Happy Saturday & Blessed Be!
Elena

OMG

2007-08-26T14:31:00.001-07:00

I stopped by Forbidden's website to window shop for new reading material. Out of curiosity I peak at the July bestsellers and Three of Hearts is number 2. How cool is that?

Now I'm off to write more, my archaeologist Beth just discovered magic is real.....

meme of 4....

2007-08-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Kim Rees tagged me with a meme of 4.

Four jobs I've had or currently have in my life:
1. Author
2. Front desk clerk for a las vegas hotel
3. Medical bill repricer
4. Administrative assistant

Four Countries I've been to:
1. USA
2. Canada (does floating past it on a boat count?)
3. tbc
4. tbc

Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1. taking a bubble bath
2. back in las vegas
3. europe
4. egypt

Four foods I like to eat:
1. dark chocolate
2. orange chicken
3. gummy things
4. bbq chicken pizza

Four personal heroes, past, present, or future
1. My mom
2. Mrs. Claus (what? Her husband works 1 day a year and she hasn't killed him yet, that is awe inspiring.)
3. Anita Blake
4. Mercedes Lackey

Four Books you've read or are currently reading:
1. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
2. The Craft by Dorothy Morrison
3. How to Shrink Your Female Fat Zones by Denise Austin
4. Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton

Four words or phrases you would like to see used more often:
1. Frick
2. Dad can I ______(fill in the blank)
3. schmue
4. please

Four reasons for ending a friendship:
1. They object to me talking to invisible people
2. The invisible ones don't like them
3. They beat up my son
4. They don't understand why I'm yelling at 'muse'

Four smells that make you feel good about the world:
1. Cinammon
2. Lemon
3. Vanilla
4. Lavendar

Four Things You'd like to do before you die but never have
1. See the pyramids
2. Be rich enough to afford a maid
3. Build my dream house
4. Go to Europe

My Question: Name Four Things You Can't Live Without
1. Caffine
2. Shawn
3. Music
4. My computer

I'm going to tag...it's just mom, Jennie Andrus, Tambra Kendell, and Tina Bendoni.

Updates, Finish the Damn Book and everything else

2007-08-17T13:00:00.001-07:00

Well, here it is mid August and I've finally got a moment to post an update. I have to apologize for the lagtime between posts, we had family in town for the past three weeks and we've been exploring a decent part Alaska. I've got some amazing shots of glaciers and wildlife.

On the FTDB front I'm fairly certain I met my goal of 25k for The Second Time Around, you know I still don't like that title. Most of the wip is in my spiral so the exact word count is still a mystery but I've got just over 7k typed in and over half the spiral to go. Hopefully by the end of next week it'll all be typed up. Can't wait for school to start, I always have more time to write when the boy is in school.

As I type up Second I've gone back to the polar bear shifter. Not certain how much from the previous wip will survive but now that I've walked on a glacier in the rain I've gotten some new ideas that the muse seems to be enjoying.

The receipt contest ended. Congrats to Isaac for winning! He should be receiving his goody box shortly.

I've titled August the month of catch-ups and school prep. Hopefully by months end I'll have at least one story ready for submission if not two. 'Course then it's September which is NaNo prep month.

Happy Friday!
Elena

8July Update

2007-07-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

(Cross posted on DoC yahoo group)

This is from yesterday, I write late at night after the munchkins
have gone to bed. Can't focus otherwise, dd is on a 'mommy I want
you' phase which means she's in my lap anytime I'm sitting down and
we've all seen my typing when she does that, LOL.

Let's see I'm at a total of 1,279 words. Not a bad start for me
really. It should be noted I write out of order so this is actually
the middle of the book but the first scene I wrote(raw and unedited):

Beth pulled his shirt from his pants and slid her hands up his toned
abs. His chest was perfect. She'd forgotten how amazing it felt to
touch him. He started unbuttoning her blouse, while leaving a trail
of kisses down her neck to her breasts. He sat up long enough to pull
his shirt over his head. Her hands fumbled with his belt as he
returned his attention to her breasts.

"Alisha." he whispered.

She froze then pushed him away, slowly she met his eyes. He stared at
her a confused look on his face.

"Beth." The flash of disappointment in his eyes squeezed her heart
painfully.

"Yes that's right Beth." She replied. She stood and left the room
buttoning her blouse as she walked.

Until Next Time.....
Elena

July is Finish the Damn Book Month

2007-07-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

Heyla!

It's Finish the Damn Book (FTDB) month on the Daughters of Circe Yahoo Group. I've selected my contemporary romance 'The Second Time Around' (wt) for the month's madness. I've also placed a progress meter over there on the side so I can stay honest with myself. I've got a bit of a challege ahead as it's already day 8 and I've only written a touch over 1k. But hey that's what challenges are for right?

The other Daughters are participating and we all will be posting progress reports as well as little teasers from our books.

Happy Reading and Happy Sunday!
Elena

Three of Hearts!

2007-07-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Forbidden has it up! Here's the link http://www.forbiddenpublications.com/book_pages/three_of_hearts.html

Don't forget our chat at the Romance Studio tonight 9pm EST: http://www.theromancestudio.com/chat.php

Don't forget to send me an email with your receipt.

An Excerpt:
Leslie sighed and looked through the mass of people around her. The Polaroid her mother had given her in one hand, she searched for Sharon and Charles Monte, who were to meet her. As she approached the luggage carousel, she spotted them. Just then, the little warning alarm went off and she lost them again as people jumped forward to claim their bags. Stifling a curse, she turned to grab her bags. All three pieces of her luggage set had been packed and checked for her.

Moments later, a hand touched her elbow. Spinning around, Leslie found herself face to face with the most gorgeous set of brown eyes she had ever seen. A blend of hues from the darkest fudge to golden amber, they stared down at her with a hint of mischief.

"Let me help you with those."

"Uh…." Her mouth refused to work, her mind too busy taking in the man before her.

He reminded her of the guy from the Highlander television series. Something inside of her lurched as she continued to stare at him. Inner voice singing joyfully, the force pushing her north lessoned to a small tug. It couldn't be that simple, could it?

Breaking eye contact, Leslie took in the rest of him. He was taller than her, she guessed nearly six feet. Those gorgeous eyes were set in a lightly tanned face. His full lips were spread in a wide grin that said he knew he was being examined and enjoying every minute of it, and his dark brown hair had recently been shaved into a high and tight crew cut.

The joyful song singing inside her faltered as she met his eyes a second time. Something was missing, incomplete. No, it isn't going to be that easy. Yet a small part of her soul continued to scream at her to wrap herself around this man and claim him as hers.

"Thanks." She spotted Sharon and Charles over his shoulder. "Here come my friends now."

"Sebastian!" Sharon called, waving her hand, a satisfied smile on her lips.

Leslie felt like sinking through the floor, and Sebastian's grin widened as he grabbed two of her three bags.

Happy Reading and Blessed Be!
Elena

The Beaver Invasion begins tomorrow

2007-06-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day. Wet and Wild: Three of Hearts will be available at http://forbiddenpublications.com. Head on over and pick up a copy!

Send me an email (croftelena@gmail.com) with your receipt for Three of Hearts and I'll send you an autographed cover and some bookmarkers. I'll also put your name in a drawing for an Alaskan themed gift bag! Deadline 31July2007.

Happy Reading and Blessed Be!
Elena

It's Time to get Wet and Wild!!!!!!!!

2007-06-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ready for the summer heat? Then I suggest you check out the Wet and Wild series on July 1st. Wanting something different? How about an unique take on the definition of soulmate? How about beavers? Yep, beavers. Why not satisfy your curiosity?

Keep an eye out for these fantastic books written by three extremely talented authors. Because the beavers are coming to Forbidden Publications in six days!!

Wet and Wild: Three of Hearts by Elena Croft

Wet and Wild: Lifemates by Aline de Chevigny

Wet and Wild: Courting Damnation by Piper Evyns

26 days until Three of Hearts is released!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

I honestly didn't mean to disappear for so long. But you know what they say about best laid plans. I've been batting several new ideas around and jotting them down in my notebook while running all over the place trying to get things accomplished.

I've also began the countdown for the release of ToH, obviously LOL. I can't wait!!!

The other big news of the week is on Thursday I turn the big 30. It's funny I remember my husband being all upset when he turned 30 and I feel jazzed at everything I've accomplished so far in life. The list I made back when I was a teen of all the things I wanted to do by the time I hit this age has got lots of little checkmarks next to items. I didn't do everything. I still need to get to Europe and a couple of others but the biggies are there...marriage, kids, selling a book.....it's all good. What's still on this list will be added to the 50 list. If I don't get to Europe by them I'm gonna be upset! LOL well not totally but it will be a bummer. So much history I want to see.

Well it's time I get back to the grind, character sheets to complete and an outline to rework on a wip that's been getting more and more impatient. I'll try to make it back and post a new Thursday Thirteen. Until then.......

Happy Monday and Blessed Be!!
Elena

My First Friday Feast (Feast 141)

2007-04-27T06:56:00.000-07:00

{Featured Flickr Feast by missycplayground}

Appetizer
How fast can you type?
The last test said something like 98 wpm.

Soup
What is your favorite online game?
I have been known to play Suduko on the Indigo Puzzles website.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), how intelligent do you think you are?
About a 7.

Main Course
Name three of your best teachers from your school years.
Mrs. Trapp, Mr. Smith, and Ferg.

Dessert
What are your plans for this upcoming weekend?
To watch my husband and son run in the Heart Run at the University, finish unpacking and hopefully get the pictures hung on the wall.

13 books I recently finished,Edition #3

2007-04-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Elena Croft

1. Protector of the Flight Book 3 The Summoning Series by Robin D Owens (While I liked this one I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first two in the series.)
2. The Firebird Deception Book 2 Strongbox Chronicles by Cate Dermody (An intense seat of your pants story. Need to dig book 3 out of my TBR pile.)
3. Fortune's Fool Book 3 500 Kingdoms by Mercedes Lackey. (An interesting one, it felt really different from the first two but I still enjoyed it. Misty can't go wrong.)
4. Mistral's Kiss Book 5 Merry Gentry Series by Laurell K Hamilton (Um wow! The men the sex the plot can't wait for the next one which by the title centers on Frost oh boy! oh boy!)
5. Destiny Book One Rogue Angel by Alex Archer (I adore Annja I simply couldn't put the book down. Gotta go buy the rest on pay day.)
6. Hidden Sanctuary book 5 The Madonna Keys by Sharron McClellan. (Didn't like this one as much as the others, the hero just bothered me.)
7. Veiled Legacy book 6 The Madonna Keys by Jenna Mills (I love Jenna's writing.)
8. Seventh Key Book 7 The Madonna Keys by Evelyn Vaughn (What a great wrap up for an amazing series!)
9. Undead and Unwed book 1 The Undead Series by Mary Janice Dickenson (I've read this series out of order. It's nice to finally see how it began.)
10. A Dangerous Man by Candace Camp (I don't usually read historicals but I just adore Candace's books she got a great voice.)
11. Sugar and Spice by Lynette Kent (A short little audible book I listened to one day while doing dishes, very cute.)
12. Innocent in Death Book 23 (I think) In Death Series by J.D. Robb (It's Dallas so of course I loved it, although this killer was a bit more unnerving than the previous ones)
13. Dhampir Book 1 The Noble Dead Saga by Barb & J.C. Hendee (Still reading this but it's interesting. Who could resist picking up a book with a review calling it a mix of LOTR and Buffy?)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

13 memorable comments from Stargates SG-1 & Atlantis Edition #2

2007-04-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Elena CroftTo celebrate the return of my all time favorite TV shows ever! And maybe to mourn just a little bit as well, I'm gonna miss SG-1 next season.

1. McKay: Ha! It worked! I can’t believe it worked!
Weir: Rodney… Amazing.
McKay: Well, it was a group effort.
Sheppard: Good old Plan D. Works every time.
Season 3, Episode 51 The Return Part 2

2. Daniel: I don't know, name magic is common in most mythologies. To know something's secret name is to steal its power.
Mitchell: So what are we supposed to do, just start guessing?
Vala: Darryl the dragon.
Mitchell: How bout Smokey?
Teal'c: Perhaps, Puff.
Season 10, Episode 205 The Quest Part 2

3. Sheppard: I managed to latch onto the hull of the hive before we went into hyperspace.
Ronon: Nice move.
Sheppard: Saw it in a movie once.
Season 3 Episode 41 No Man's Land (Who hasn't wanted to be Han Solo?)

4. Daniel: (To Vala) I'm sure if there is a monster down here, it's gonna be much more scared of you than you are of it. Especially once it gets to know you. Season 9 Episode 175 Avalon part 1 (Gotta love the chemistry between these two. It makes for some great barbs!)

5. Weir(to Beckett): Your theory of the Wraith evolving after the Ancients arrived in Pegasus galaxy ...
McKay: Oh, you're kidding me!
Zelenka: Pay up.
Season 1 Episode 18 The Gift (HeeHee Rodney lost a bet)

6. Daniel: Why did they send you to this galaxy in the first place?
Prior: We are beacons on the road to enlightenment.
Mitchell: No, you’re dark side intergalactic encyclopedia salesmen. Unfortunately the home-office hasn’t been quite up front with you.
Daniel: Nice work on the metaphor.
Mitchell: Thank you, Daniel. Season 9 Episode 185 The 4th Horseman part 2 (Couldn't resist this one by Mitchell. The snarky comments the two were throwing back and forth in the opening scenes were hilarious.)

7. McKay: I'm itchy. I'm itchy all over. This is exactly what happened when I toked pot once in college!
Season 2 Episode 30 The Lost Boys (Rodney high, now there's something I would pay to see!)

8. Daniel: Jack, it's not that I mind rejoining SG-1, exploring the galaxy, meeting new cultures, jeopardy, saving the world, that kind of thing. (pause) I get paid for this, right? Season 7 Episode 134 Homecoming (Let's face it, we all at some point wondered just how much hazard pay these guys were getting. Nice to see they question it too.)

9.Sheppard: How you feelin'?
McKay: (not clearly) I can't feel anything, I can't talk.
Sheppard: You can't talk either.
McKay: (again not clearly) That's what I said.
Season 1 Episode 5 Suspicion

10. Jack: You know the worst part about this? Every time we loop Daniel asks me a question and...I wasn't listening the first time!
Season 4 Episode 72 Window of Opportunity (LOL I kinda want to know what Daniel was asking him too.)

11. Weir: Do you know where you are?
Michael: I don’t even know who I am!
Season 2 Episode 38 Michael (Aska stupid question.....)

12.Jack: (hitting golfballs through the Stargate) How far is Alaris, anyway?
Teal'c: Several billion miles, O'Neill.
Jack: That's gotta be a record.
Season 4 Episode 72 Window of Opportunity (It's my favorite episode and they were wearing golf outfits in the scene HILARIOUS!)

13. Jack: Any cash?
Lt. Hammond: Uh, yeah... I might have some, uh...
Jack: (grabbing it out of his hand) That's good. I'll pay you back, with interest.
(later, in 1999)
Gen Hammond: Oh, by the way, Colonel...with interest you owe me $539.50.
Season 2 Episode 43 1969 (hee hee you just knew he was waiting the whole time to say that.)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. http://romancefiction.blogspot.com/
2. http://alinedechevigny.blogspot.com/
3. http://michellehasker.blogspot.com/
4. http://danasstuckinthesticks.blogspot.com/
5. http://jennieotn.blogspot.com/
6. http://amychristopher.blogspot.com/
7. http://anyapples.blogspot.com/
8. http://dragonheartsdomain.blogspot.com/
9. http://tinkerbell-nl.blogspot.com/
10. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Character Conversations

2007-04-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite characters is a young apprentice Witch named Madeline. She's one of the heroines in my fantasy romance Magic Awry. Recently, I had to give her some rather unpleasant news. I thought those of you familar with Maddy would like to see what she's like when she's REALLY angry......

There really is no good way to start this conversation, I think watching Madeline slowly turn the pages in her spell book. Her mouth silently forming the words as she reads them. Best to do it quickly then.

"Um Maddy how attached to Hayden are you?" I ask getting ready to run for the door should she reach for her wand.

"I think I love him you know that." She replies barely looking up from her spell book.

So far so good.

"Well you see something's happened." I say, pausing when she swiftly focuses her attention on me.

"What happened." I don't really like the tone of warning in her voice and I ease a bit closer to the door of her litttle cottage.

"Well, he and Beau were going up against those nasty little minions of Duke Mortens and, well, things took an unexpected turn." I all but whisper this last part and slowly ease a hand behind me, wrapping it around the door knob.

"Un-ex-pect-ed?" Madeline saids slowly expanding the word.

"Yeah you see he entered a dual with Mortens house wizard."

"You said Mortens minions." Madeline interrupts suddenly. "You never said anything about the wizard."

"Oh uh, well I think of him as one of the minions." I stumble over the words, damn she's right he's not a freaking minion.

"So this dual...."

"He lost." I say so softly the words are barely audible.

"He lost," she repeats her pretty face paling, fear starting to show in her eyes. "What were the boundaries of this dual."

"Death." the word comes out as a squeak.

Madeline's face is beyond sheet white, her eyes go from fearful to rage in a heart beat. Her wand is suddenly in her hand.

"Oh shit!" I think, maybe I say it who knows but damn she's scary when she's pissed. I don't want her to go bad on me. Magic has already gotten more complicated than I originally intended but Maddy going bad would totally ruin the story.....or maybe not.

My mind leaps at the idea my muse is suddenly dangling before it, completely forgetting the pissed off witch/sorceress in front of me. Damn you muse and your shoddy timing.

"You. Will. Rewrite. The. Scene." she says slowly, each word costing her a bit of control.

I can see her magic swirling around her. The Power hovering slightly behind her, waiting to see if she'll fry the poor storyteller before her. I open my mouth to speak and nothing comes out. I try several more times and only succeed in making myself look like a fish gasping for air. Finally I nod my head and duck out the door behind me. A random thought fills my head and I hate to do it, she's still pissed for goodness sake but I have to ask it.

Barely peaking my head back inside I ask. "And if I can't?"

"This tale goes no further until you find a way to fix the idiocy you have written." A cold voice whispers from the now darkened room.

Oh, yeah she's mad and she means it.

She'd make a great evil sorceress though.... a voice whispers from behind me.

"Shut up!" I mutter to my errant muse.

More conversations to come.....
© copyright Elena Croft 2007

My Top 13 Songs Edition #1

2007-04-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Elena Croft1. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith (Yeah it came out after we were married, but damn if it doesn't fit when the hubby's away on business)
2. The Colour of My Love by Celine Dion (Corny I know but I sang it to him while we danced at our wedding. And yes I balled my eyes out while doing so.)
3. The Highwayman by Loreena McKennit
4. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
5. All Day Long I Dream About Sex by JC Chasez
6. Workshop by Joey Mcintyre and Eman (From the live album One Too Many, freaking hilarious!)
7. Suicide Blonde by INXS
8. More, More, More by Kylie Minogue
9. Orinoco Flow by Enya
10. If You Knew What I Knew by The Backstreet Boys
11. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
12. Angel with no Wings by Kevin Max
13. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window by The Beatles
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. http://alinedechevigny.blogspot.com
2. http://its-a-raggedy-life.blogspot.com/
3. http://ciarcullen.blogspot.com/
4. http://biancadarc.blogspot.com/
5. http://michellehasker.blogspot.com/
6. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

I'm ba'ack and I've got a cover!!

2007-03-02T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hello out there in internet land! I'm in Alaska and it is sooooooo cold. The move is finally over and now all I got to do is unpack. LOL that should only take a couple of years, j/k I think. But I had a very pleasant surprise waiting for me in my email. My cover is here. I love it! It's amazing! And here it is......

BLURB:
Once the Elders sent her off to Canada to find her mate, Leslie Maple realizes life wasn't so hot out in Phoenix. With nothing but a photo, she heads to Vancouver where she meets the two most gorgeous men she'd ever seen, identical twins Sebastian and Castor Belvedere. But, more intriguing is the feelings they invoke in her, the call she just can't seem to resist.

Aunt Sharon has a nasty habit of playing matchmaker, but Sebastian and Castor Belvedere are through playing along. But Aunt Sharon is an old pro at the matchmaking game and plays her wild card asking them to do her a favor by accompanying her to the airport to pick up her latest mate choice. Unfortunately, for them this time Aunt Sharon may be right. But whom does this mate belong to?

Wet & Wild is a series of beaver shifter stories. Be sure to check out the other two books.
Wet & Wild: Lifemates by Aline de Chevigny
Wet & Wild Courting Damnation by Piper Evyns

Isn't it pretty? This is so exciting!! It makes the whole I've sold my story that much more real.
Elena

Leaving Las Vegas

2007-01-30T07:32:00.000-08:00

'Morning!

This will be my last post from Sin City. Let's see....

--Tentative release date for Wet & Wild: Three of Hearts is 1July07.
--The Daughters of Circe grand opening of the website will be held 10Feb07.
--And the winner of the contest is Wolvez who guessed 150. I got my entire library of 143 with plenty of room to spare on my memory card. Wolvez has won 1 book of her choice from my publisher Forbbiden Publications. Their link is over there on the right. Shoot me an email when you've made your choice. Congrats Wolvez!!

Well that's about it so see y'all in Anchorage!!!
Elena

A Contest: How many Ebooks will fit?

2007-01-10T19:28:00.000-08:00

As a reader I love contest as they present me with a chance to get neat stuff from my favorite authors. As a new author I haven't the foggiest on what is and isn't a good contest to throw. Therefore, I've decided to hold a guessing game contest. With the upcoming move I'm faced with the scary knowledge that all my books are going to be packed up and shipped to Alaska where I won't get to see them again until early March **knock on wood**. Thankfully technology is such that I won't be without reading material. THANK YOU GODS FOR EBOOKS!

Here's the contest: I've got a 1gb memory card for my Palm Pilot. How many books do you think I can fit on it? Post your guesses and whoever gets the closest will get a surprise.

Elena

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-04T18:32:00.000-08:00

Yeah I know I'm four days late, but I've been busy working and planning our move. I'll be leaving for Alaska sometime in February. It'll all depend on when I get my passport and then onto Anchorage I go.

I've decided to do a book list over there on the right. Last year, I participated in a reading challenge and I really enjoyed it. I'm gonna keep it simple and do a star system, so original I know, 1-5 stars. 1 meaning gods awful and 5 being amazing.

Writing wise I'm having a great time. I've started a new shifter story, this one stars polar bear shifters. My h is a peach of a girl and the H is a total ass that I'm going to have a blast beating the crap out. I'm on track for getting Magic done this year. I'm hoping it will be long enough to send out to a print publisher. Witches has been put on hold as it took an unexpected turn that requires more research.

We've sold our Beavers....

2006-12-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

Heyla!

Sounds like we've done something illegal doesn't it? Nope just sold a few books of the paranormal genre revolving around Beaver Shifters.

Here's the scoop. My first book is part of a series called Wet & Wild. It's been accepted by Forbidden Publications. Three of Hearts is the title of my book. The other books in the series are Courting Damnation by Piper Evyns and Lifemates by Aline de Chevigny.

YYYIIIIPPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Welcome to my home away from home

2006-12-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome to my blog.

I promise to do my best to keep this blog current of all the happenings with my writing.