I'm afraid my poor blog doesn't know whether to think it's an ugly stepchild or just a poor lost soul. It's been much too long since I've been out here, but, as usual I haven't found anything to say. Some days I wonder why I even have a blog.

So, today, I'm out here to send you away. I discovered a new (to me) website recently called Single Titles. Since I'm still in a fog from getting over my cold, I'll just post their blurb here. Check them out - I have to confess that when I first found it, I spent waaaaaaay too much time wandering the site and adding to my TBB list.

SingleTitles.com has a whole new look. They have hundreds of book reviews, interviews, and lots of great excerpts. Plus, they’re now featuring thrillers and mysteries. Check ‘em out at http://www.singletitles.com. And, they are reader and author friendly.

Labels: authors, blog, Books, new destination, Single Titles, website

So, where do I start?

How about if I take out my frustration on the airline that changed a reservation at the last minute and didn't bother to tell anyone? I still feel bad about it, but Christine Witthohn seemed to take it in stride and, even though she missed an entire day of the conference, still managed to have a great time. Her workshop on maximizing your chances with an agent was filled with little golden nuggets of information. My favorite one: Do Your Homework!! It's nice to think you might want an agent, but make sure the agent you decide you want represents the kind of stuff you write.

Rachel Gibson was wonderful. I missed her keynote speech, but heard that it was great. Now is the time I should get on my soapbox about recording speeches. I would loved to have heard hers.

Amanda Bergeron from Avon talked about queries. What an education. I learned that some things I've done in the past have been right, but others. . .well, let's just say I won't be doing them again!

And then there was Kelly Mortimer. With energy and flair, she taught us about editing. Her editing guide should be used by everyone. I know I'll be referring to it again and again.

And those weren't the only guests I learned from.

I learn something new every time I listen to RaeAnne Thayne. She is a fount of information and advice.

I'm running out of superlatives to describe all the great presenters, but I don't want to leave out Nicole Jordan, Lynn Kurland, Elizabeth Lane, and Melissa Mayhue (whose workshop I missed as well).

In addition, the accommodations and meals were wonderful. Park City is a beautiful little town in the mountains and The Lodges at Deer Valley provided the perfect setting. I even sold all but two of my books at the booksigning.

So, now what? Well, I'm home and polishing "The Scarred Heir" to send off, working on some other projects as well, and "thinking through" a new book. I'm beginning to work though the background, goals, and motivation of my hero and heroine. We'll see how far I can get this week. I'm jumping the gun a bit when it comes to starting to write, but this is the best time to do it - when the excitement is there.

Wish me luck. I'll put a counter in the sidebar once I start writing.

Labels: Christine Witthohn, Editing Guide, Elizabeth Lane, Kelly Mortimer, Lynn Kurland, Melissa Mayhue, Nicole Jordan, presenters, Rachel Gibson, URWA Conference

I've been neglecting my blog lately. It's been a hectic time at work and church and I just haven't had anything to say. Do you ever get that way? So, what do I have to say today? Not much. Maybe next Monday I'll be out here to tell you all about this weekend's conference. I'm looking forward to getting away for a weekend with other writers. I WILL have fun!

In the meantime, I do have some good news. I finally finished "The Scarred Heir." If you don't remember it, I don't blame you. It was at the same conference I'm going to this weekend that the first 20 pages of the manuscript won my chapter's coveted Golden Pen award - last year. The editor who was the final judge asked for the full - but it wasn't finished. So, now almost a year later, it's finally finished. I wonder if she still wants to see it.

So, my next project is to finish "Expectations." I've been working on it on and off and finally have fleshed out more of the plot, but the writing is going slow because I keep second-guessing myself on whether the dialogue is believable.

And, to round out this hodge podge of information, "Family Scandals," the book that follows "The Earl" is currently being edited to send to my editor. Even though it is not part of the Gypsy Legacy Series, it is still an important addition to the series. In it you get to find out what happens to Brand's brother, Edward. I hope to get it to my editor by the end of this month. Considering my track record, don't hold your breath!

Labels: Family Scandals, hodge podge, manuscripts, The Scarred Heir, This 'n that, URWA Conference

I'm pretty sure I said this before, but I'm always surprised at what reviewers pick up on in a book - as well as what they either don't understand or don't figure out. On the other hand, most of the time, I tend to agree with reviews. Celia Yeary, on her blog this week, talked about what reviewers look for when reading a book for review. It was very interesting and worth a second or third read through.

So, I got two reviews this week. One for a book no longer available, and the other for my newest release. Although one was much better than the other, both were very interesting and fairly close to accurate.

The first one came in on Monday. It was for my newest release, Gypsy Legacy: The Earl. Reading it, I could hear the reviewer's frustration because she hadn't read either of the earlier books. Having tried to look at the book objectively, I understand. As an author, I struggle with what background information is necessary to repeat in each book and what information is merely extra and unnecessary. Obviously, some of the background information I chose to cut from this book during edits was necessary for someone unfamiliar with the previous two books. So, it received 3 angels from Fallen Angel Reviews with the following comment:

The Earl is a historical romance set in a deep, developed world. It is the third book of the Gypsy Legacy Series and cannot be read as a standalone. Having not read the first two books, I was lost.

On the other hand she did like my heroine and acknowledged that the plot had interesting and unique twists to it. I'll take it. Read the entire review.

The second review I received last night in my email. It is for Strikes Don't Matter, my second Inspirational novella, which is no longer available. The reviewer at The Romance Studio gave it 5 hearts and this wonderful commentary:

Denise Patrick does a fine job building this tale of a journey towards greater faith through a love that takes chances. Gina is a good woman who practices her faith more than she gives herself credit for. Other people like her friends and family see that. She just can't see it in herself. . .Gina's parents and brother aren't afraid to let their faith show in their everyday lives, even in crisis. Adam's grandparents are a hoot with their repertoire of give and take towards one another when they're obviously very much in love.

Of course, I agree with every word, but what struck me is that she saw Gina as she is - complex, and with a faith that Gina, herself, couldn't see, but others around her could. She also saw through the good-natured bickering of Adam's grandparents to the love beneath. Not everyone sees that in older couples, so I salute her for her insight. Read the entire review. And, if you would like your own copy of Strikes Don't Matter, I have a few paperback copies left. You can contact me either through my website or at the address in the bottom right corner of this blog.

Labels: Fallen Angel Reviews, Gypsy Legacy Series, Reviews, Strikes Don't Matter, The Earl, The Romance Studio

So Kid#2 waited too late to sign up for a dorm room and didn't get back into the dorms this year. Not surprising. Mr. Procrastination never assumes things won't work out. He's too much like his mother in this respect.

It's a good thing to be able to "roll with the punches" and not hyperventilate when things don't work out, but a little anxiety over some things might actually spur a person to get some things done. Not this kid. If it doesn't work out - oh well - I can live at home. Well, he can. We've always said so, so I suppose his laissez-faire attitude is understandable. As Mom, however, I find it irritating because I look at what might happen down the road if he doesn't plan things out now. And, in typical "Mom" fashion, I wonder how in the world he'll survive when Mom and Dad aren't here any longer.

But - and this is a big "but" - I was a lot like him when I was his age, too. And I survived just fine. Well enough to marry, have a family, hold down a job, keep my faith, and become an author. So, maybe I should stuff the "worrier" part of me back into the closet and let my laissez-faire side out more often where he's concerned.

And I was just getting used to being an empty nester. *sigh*

Labels: empty nest, family, laissez-faire