I've been a bad blogger this week, and Maxine just has a way of putting life in perspective, doesn't she?

Along with my new contract comes edits, back cover copy, cover art details, author bios and ramping up for promotion on the new book. And of course, the next book has to be written.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and can spend some down time to give your "ass" a rest!

(I found this Maxine graphic on Rebeka's blog - it's fun, take a look.)

I confess I've always loved the lure of an instant win, doesn't matter if it's a card store scratch off or the slot machines at a casino. If it's going to take my money in exchange for a smile and a dream - I'm there!

I'm a sucker for the instant scratch-offs and usually end up with at least one on my way out of the grocery store each week. In fact, when my boys were little and they still came shopping with me, I'd buy one for each of us (does this make me a evil?  Have I corrupted my kids into joining the redneck retirement fund mentality?)

My problem has always been taking the winnings and leaving the store with the money in my pocket and NOT in the form of more scratch-offs. (Which is the big reason I am monitored closely on any and all trips to the casino with the hubby! He takes my slot winnings and walks away, the creep.)

So, here I sit on Monday morning with three winning scratch-offs on my desk (don't get excited, they total $24, it's not like I'm running away to the Bahamas on my lucky strike here.)  Before I head out to the store later today, I'm deciding just how to split up my loot. Half tickets, half cash? All tickets? All cash?

Ahhh... the decisions.

Fiber tip for this week:

Eat two apples every day. Because apples are a good source of pectin, a soluble fiber that contributes to a feeling of fullness and is digested slowly. A 1997 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that 5 grams of pectin was enough to leave people feeling satisfied for up to four hours. Oh my, you mean Mom might have been on to something when she said "an apple a day keeps the doctor away?"

I try to buy organic when I can, but even if you don't, apples pack quite a punch for their small size.

(Maybe I'll buy some extra apples with my scratch off winnings!)

Current Mood: Playful

Now that the contract has been officially signed I can start giving a few more details!

I sold my paranormal romance, A FISTFUL OF FATE to Lyrical Press!

Would you die for the one you love - twice?

Past life memories, a long-held grudge and a love spanning two centuries will unite an 1806 blacksmith executed for murder with the soul of his true love during a present-day reenactment that becomes all too real.   

Current Mood: Esctatic

Just when I had my plans for world domination all figured out, I had to go and find this.

Drats.

Looks like I'm in need of Plan B! Anyone know an evil chemist? I'd specifically like to (a) be split in two (b) freeze time to get more done in a day and (c) make myself invisible from time to time.

Current Mood: Alarmed

I often joke that my diet consists of two food groups, chocolate and coffee, but since my recent health scare and the subsequent discussion with the doctor that I really should be getting more fiber in my diet I've had to consider those two food groups might not be enough!

I've also been forced to accept the fact that sitting at the computer writing all day can NOT in any way be considered exercise. (I have been told reaching for the coffee cup, doing butt crunches while sitting on the chair and even crossing the kitchen to refill the coffee cup are not real exercises..bah!)

I guess it's time for some changes.  I've started looking at ways to get more fiber in my diet and every Monday I'll be posting something that I've found. I've also been talked into walking every day - gasp! As hard as it sounds, I've been assured that the emails, the blogs, my writing groups and yes, even my manuscript will be just fine without me if I'm not in constant contact with them over the 'net. (I've promised to only listen to music while I'm walking and NOT to check my email!)

First stop today: Read about National Nutrition Month at their website: http://www.eatright.org/nnm/

Facts about fiber: 

Fiber, in basic terms, is the indigestible parts of plant foods. It is the husk on the grain of wheat, the thin strands in celery, the crunch in the apple, the casings on edible seeds. Fiber helps to protect you from heart disease (yes, even women get heart disease so listen up ladies!), cancer, and digestive problems. Depending on the type of fiber (yes, there are more than one!), it lowers cholesterol, helps with weight control, and regulates blood sugar. The point here? This is one nutrient you don't want to miss! But did you know most people get only 12-15 grams of fiber a day-- and that's below the recommended 25-30 grams. So if you're cutting the carbs for weight loss, you might also be cutting the fiber and that's not a good thing. 

Here's how to sneak "good carbs" and extra fiber into your daily diet with a minimum of effort.

 Eat cereal every day for breakfast.  Aim for a whole grain, unsweetened cereal (so, Captain Crunch is probably out?) with at least 4 grams of fiber a serving. Just eating any cereal might be enough, however. A University of California study found that cereal eaters tend to eat more fiber and less fat than non-cereal eaters. Healthy, high-fiber cereals you might want to consider include Kellogg's All-Bran Original, Kashi GOLEAN, and Kellogg's Raisin Bran.

OR, how about a muffin? Here's the original Kellogg's All-Bran Muffin Recipe

Ingredients

The question most often asked to every fiction writer is about where we get our ideas.

If only it were an easy question to answer.

The best advice I would give to anyone thinking about putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard would be to pay attention to your thoughts.

I carry a small moleskin notebook in my pocketbook at all times. I listen to the banter of the people around me on lines, at work, in the stores (dialogue is my weakest link - while I can talk a blue streak, writing it seems to paralyze me, go figure.) If something catches my attention - a turn of phrase I haven't heard before, a slang word - I write in my book.

While in the car, out walking or exercising most of us listen to music. Have you listened to the words lately? There are some songs that just make you move, but others have a story, an emotion that jiggles at the heartstrings or pulls at a memory. Sometimes it sparks a "what if" moment that before you know it has characters attached or the beginning of a plot! Take notes...your imagination is calling you.

Watching TV or at the movies? Have you ever thought you would have ended it differently? Change up the characters and try to change the ending to suit you.

I'd like to say the corner coffeeshop has fresh ideas every morning to serve up with your grande mocha latte, but it's just not that easy. Most authors will tell you there actually are no new ideas, it's all in how we spin them that makes that idea seem fresh and new.

So grab your voice recorder or your favorite pen and a pad and start to pay attention to what's going on around you. Take notes when your blood pressure spikes or are overwhelmed by a good deed. Listen and observe.

Then when you sit down to write - read those notes, remember the feelings, let the characters run free in your imagination and you just might have a story in there!

Is every idea book worthy? NO. And that really isn't the point here. Even great ideas need to be developed, nutured into something that can grow to be a great book, it all takes time. But you never know where the next great idea is going to come from. The point is to be ready for it when it hits!

Go forth and take notes, open your mind and grab those ideas as they rush by.

Make it a saucy weekend!

Current Mood: Mischievous

We've got drugs, drugs and more drugs.

And a teenager with an attitude.

My life is complete.

Between our visit last week to the doctor and our visit just a few days ago, I think I walked out of the office with an entire prescription pad full of medications, instructions and notes to the school on what the Middle-Guy can and cannot do.

Thank god for the iTouch I got for Christmas. I was able to load up all the details (yes, my friends, organization!) because I damn straight needed an agenda to keep track of all the different times the kid needs to be medicated and all the different requirements for each one.

So, this morning being the wonderful mom I am (no, that is not sarcasm, I really am wonderful  ) I got the Middle-Guy up early enough to get ready for school and eat breakfast - one of the meds specifically says, "take with food."  Of course eating breakfast is not the top priority of my teenager when a few more minutes in bed is the option - which led to the following conversation two minutes before the bus was due to arrive:

ME: "You aren't suppose to take those two little pills on an emtpy stomach."

MiddleGuy: "I didn't. I took it with Vitamin Water."

ME: "That's not food. Take a granola bar to the bus stop."

MG: He left the room (I'm sure there was eye rolling, but I can't be positive)

ME: Followed him. "Toast? Cereal? You still have two minutes."

MG: Back in the kitchen he takes out the Corn Flakes in a tupperware container, flips open the lid and shoves his hand inside. One handful of flakes gets shoved in his mouth. He smiles. "Cereal. Done."

Why do I bother?

We go back to the doctor next week to check the progress with the new meds. I'm thinking of asking for a little something for myself