Update...

It's been a while since I've posted anything here.  Seems I can't keep up with anything anymore.  Wellllll, if I stayed off of Facebook every once in a while, I might could get something done.

Yeah...like that will ever happen.  I am one of those freakish FB addicts.  Oh, well...c'est la vie...suppose there are worse things to be addicted to, true?

Isn't there?  Please, tell me there is. :P

So, where am I?  I just know there are sooooo many of you dying to know what's the what with me, so here goes...

The past couple of weeks have mostly sucked donkey balls (thank you, Aleks!).  But, only mostly.  While I have had some real problems,  health-wise, which I won't whine about publicly anymore...that's just so...unattractive and unappealing to me.  No more pity parties, please.  Those problems have left me with an over-abundance of...time.  Just lazing about time;  nothing to do time.   I have spent that time writing, and writing a lot, amazingly enough, but just not getting anywhere very fast.  I am currently working on three different things simultaneously, so it seems I am moving in slow motion.

Since this bout of health issues, at the same exact moment that I get my very first contract for publication, I feel like I need to hurry.  As if the other shoe is going to drop at any moment and I want more...more of this elation that getting published has given me...more of the pride and awesome support I am getting from so many talented people.

Do you know what it feels like to have your idol...your all time favorite author tell you that they ate your story up...that they want to see more???

It's like nothing I can describe.

Huh!  Some writer I am.

But, it does something to me...for the first time I have this feeling I have never had before in my life...I don't even know what the word for it is...but that someone so very important to me, has faith and belief in me????

I am so very humbled.

So, for him, to make him proud and prove he wasn't wrong to believe in me...and for myself,  because for the first time, I believe in myself...I am going to keep working as long as I possibly can.

Thank you for believing in me...I couldn't love you more if I tried.

Can you believe it?!?!

It's been a while since I updated here.  Sadly, real life has had me by the short hairs and the little bitch  refuses to let go anytime soon.  But, I am hanging on because I am definitely not ready to let her win anytime soon.

My 41st birthday was a week ago today.  41...holy shit that is insane!  I don't even know how that happened; it literally was in the blink of an eye.  What's weird, is I still feel like that 17 year old high school kid...and probably act like one, too, if truth were told.  I don't care.  I like how I am; who I am.

On my birthday (complete coincidence, btw) I sent off my very first short story in an attempt to have it published.  It was a submission call from Dreamspinner Press.  A very sweet Lee Brazil suggested I try to submit something.  So, I did.  I worried and struggled and was just a complete and total lost mess.  Query letter?  WTF???  I was clueless.  Then, the super supportive and just-as-sweet, Hank Edwards, offered to help.  He read my story, offering me invaluable insight, teaching me to see my writing with new eyes.  I was astounded, and I will be forever grateful to him for that.

Because, I am certain that without his help, I wouldn't now be sending in my signed contract!!!!!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!!  Dreamspinner wants to publish my story.  Mine!  ME!!!!

Getting that email yesterday, of all days, saying they wanted to publish it, for reasons I don't want to post about (MAJOR drag) because I don't want to harsh on my own happy-amazed-skunnered joy.

I just keep pinching myself.  It's nice to hear your friends say they love your writing, but I never know and always question if they are just saying that to be nice.  To have a publishing company offer you a contract??? It's just all kinds of validation and makes me want to get more words down, to keep going.  Stuck in bed as I am, it's the perfect time to accomplish that.  Makes me feel like the universe is conspiring to give me the chance to write...so weird.

So, on this St. Patrick's day, I may not be able to imbibe the green beer like I might want, but I feel like the luck of the Irish is now with me.


May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go,
and guide you in whatever you do--
and may his loving protection be a blessing to you always.

Going For It...

Well, I have decided to leap, head-first...I have decided to GO FOR IT and am finishing up a short story to sub for an anthology.  Gah!!!!

This is my dream.  It has been for a while, but me being the procrastinator and always listening to my inner bitch telling me I could never do it, I have finally shoved a sock down her throat and put my fingers in my ears and am loudly 'lalalala-ing' to drown out her negativity.

Although I am going to send this thing in, and am really excited about just accomplishing that (whether they take it or not), I never would have done this on my own...never would have known about this opportunity...never would have thought this story merited anymore attention than I had already given it if it hadn't been for Lee Brazil.

Yes...Lee Brazil!!  The uber-talented, published author that I consider a dear friend.  He actually is the one that suggested I try to do this.

What the what?????

ME???

Ok...let's just stop there for just a second.  Lee is, I think, about the nicest person I have ever met.  Honestly. I have never heard or seen him have a cross word to say, is always gracious and friendly to anyone and everyone.  I read his work and admire his talent IMMENSELY.  He is one of my top faves, to be honest (and NO I am not saying that because I know him or whatever).  So, to have someone whose own talents you so greatly admire, and whose opinion you value...to have them mention that you should try...that HE deems my words worthy to give it a chance...how great is that?

It's fucking AMAZING!!!!

So, Lee...whether I am successful or not...I still can't thank you enough for the unbelievable gift that you have given me...your belief in me.

This has kick-started something in me...that little bitch in my head doesn't have as much to say just lately.  And, though I know I am not the next great American author, it doesn't matter...I love what I am doing and that their are other people who are enjoying my little ditties...that is just bonus.

Thank you, Lee.


And, a photo I just had to steal...Thank you, George Allwyn...here's hoping. : )