Whew! Thanksgiving is over but I sort of wish it was still around. I had a wonderful get together with family and friends. Even my boys had a great time. They didn't want the day to end.

Now I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays. I have two off and I am definitely excited about that. Last year, because of the hurricane Rita, our holiday schedule was messed up. We only had a week off instead of the two weeks. That's what is making this time off special. I'll have days to spend with my kids and to take care of a bunch of stuff that I need to around the house. I will also have time to write. Yay!!!

I also intend to spend time plotting out several novels. I want to have the chapters lined out so that I can see what works and what doesn't. Hopefully that will motivate me to move ahead with some of these goals.

Selfishness

How is that some people are so selfish? I look inward and wonder if I too am selfish. At times, I am but I consciously think about what I do so that I'm not putting someone out. That includes everyone in my world.

My problem is that the people closest to me take advantage of my niceness and show their own selfishness. One of my student aids told me that I was just too nice. Well, darn it, sometimes I wish I wasn't so nice. Why can't I, just for a change, have my way and not be forced into someone else's way?

I know, I know this sounds very selfish but sometimes I want to do things or want something and I have to put it off because of one reason or another. I've always put everyone else ahead of me and sometimes that aggravates me. I just don't know when to say no, instead like a quiet little mouse, I nod and let them have their way.

Oh, well, one day I will change that about me. I just hate hurting someone and to me that would hurt them.

Six Days To Go

Yes, that's right. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. For every year for the last 23, I stop and look back over my life. Why you ask? Well, I gave birth to my oldest son close to Thanksgiving. We celebrate his birthday on that holiday. With the celebration of the holiday and his birthday, I become aware of all the blessings I have in my life.

My friends--fellow writers, non writers and even some I don't care to call friend but I'm just too nice not to--make my life special. They complete my outer circle. My inner circle is my family. The ones I hold the closest to me. Without either circle I wouldn't be the person I am today.

So right now, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving so I can give thanks for all the wonderful people in my life. And also for the ones that have yet to make an appearance in my world. Here's to you this year and I hope and pray next year will be even greater!!

Book In A Month

Wow, I am really enjoying this book in a month. I'm plugging away and am up to 11,439 words. Also new plot details are surfacing. They are turning out fantastic. Can't wait to see how much of this book I can complete before November 30. Hopefully a bunch!

Well, I woke up to cloudy muggy weather, but the front is coming in. The sun is out now and the wind is gusting. Nice. It's cooler. I was so looking forward to colder weather. It's time.

Been running through my novel again. I believe I have found a definite publisher to submit the manuscript to. Dorchester is looking for submissions for a new line. The name of it is Shomi and it is speculative romance.
The line is tailored made for my novel One Wish. Once I finish tweaking it, I'm sending if off the my agent. Seeing the guidelines inspired me even more. Oh, yes, the stars are shining down and I can feel good vibes coming my way.

Conferences

Conferences are fantastic networking places. I met Deborah LeBlanc during the Bayou Writer's Group one day conference on Saturday, November 11, 2006. She is a wonderful speaker. She spoke on promoting and not believing in the word 'can't'. Another speaker was Shonel Bacon. I happen to know Shonel and it was great to hear her speak. B.J.Bourg joined us and gave everyone some very useful information on forensic investigations. Also there was Gary Smith giving pointers on self publishing.

I was able to see many friends and fellow authors there. The Arts and Humanities Council sponsored the conference and this helped to make the whole affair a resounding success.

Well, it's two days after and I am still inspired to write. Which is a very good thing. Since Hurricane Rita plowed through my area of Louisiana, I have had many ups and downs. More downs than not. The building where I have my day job was closed because of damage. To date we have not moved back into it. That in itself is a bummer but I work for the state so I suppose I shouldn't have my hopes up for returning to my office any time soon. The powers to be have set the date as mid February, 2007.

Another factor that is spurring me forward is I am participating in Nanowrite, 2006. So far I have 10,414 words on my second book in the Dragon series. Also my coharts in writing, Jean Lauzier and Cantela Martinez are pushing and shoving me forward. I may not make the 50k this year but I will have a good size hunk of the book done. That is an accomplishment for me that I will be proud of.

I'm a member of Romance Writers Unlimited too, and that's another location where friends won't allow too much slack time. As a writer, I have to work at my chosen career. Over the last year, I have allowed the hardship to override my need to write. Well, it's time to either get in the saddle or to pasture the horse. Can't have it both ways and since Deborah clearly stated there ain't no can't then I guess I need to saddle up and ride ahead.