HEA

Come visit me at the RWA Online Pubbed Author's blog - you won't regret it.

Bye Bye Blog

I'm back from Dallas and, while I had a great time, I learned something very valuable. Nobody reads blogs. I realize that's not 100% true. I do get some great comments from friends and I have several blogs I go to read every day but, as a marketing tool, blogs are a failure.

Therefore, to free up more time for writing, I'm going to stop blogging. I'm going to keep reading my favorite ones (and commenting) but I won't be posting any longer.

Thanks for reading!

Yee Haw! Texas, Here I come...

I'm not leaving until Wednesday but I'm so excited I can't wait. Only four more days until Nationals! Normally, I'm a mass of nerves thinking about socializing and schmoozing with people I don't really know but this year, so far, my insecurities haven't kicked in yet.

Despite my hair. Like a lot of people, I thought I'd get my hair cut and my highlights done before I go so I'd look my best. Key word here - highlights. Unfortunately, my hairdresser left the stuff on a little too long. I'm blond. My sister thinks it's an improvement. My husband said it fit my mental state (and yes, I hit him for that). I just don't feel like myself, but that could be a good thing. I'll be Kim, blond super writer. Able to walk into a room of people and make scintillating conversation without her palms sweating.

Of course my lack of nerves might have more to do with my roommate this year - my great cp Kecia. Or maybe it's because I've been more active on the RWA Online boards and feel like I know, at least virtually, more people there too. Whatever the reason, I feel like Dallas will be a great trip. Despite the blond hair.

If you are a writer and have never been to a National conference, you need to think about going. Even if you don't write romance, the workshops and networking opportunities are great for all genres. I'm looking forward to four days of learning and chatting about one of my greatest loves - writing. Hope to see you there!

Happy 4th of July

My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope.
Herbert Hoover (1874 - 1964)

We are truly blessed to live in the United States. Happy 4th of July!

Another One Bites the Dust

It happens all the time, unfortunately, in the publishing business. Businesses go under. Small presses declare bankruptcy. My ebook publisher, Triskelion Publishing, has joined the list.

I'm sorry, of course, to see it happen. My book just came out in April, so it didn't get much of a shelf life (if that's possible with an ebook). I'm more fortunate, though, than others whose books have not come out yet.

I got to go through the process, including editing, getting a book cover, seeing it hit the website for sale. I got the confidence boost of becoming a published writer. Of seeing my work out in the public's hands. Of getting that first royalty check.

It didn't last long, but while it did, the feeling was sweet. I'm going to consider it a dry run for the next time.

Thanks to all of those at Triskelion who worked with me - I appreciate the chance!

On The Road Again

After an exhilarating and exhausting week at Disney, I'm home. For a few days. Just long enough to get laundry done, the house cleaned and work caught up before I fly out Monday to Kansas City for my day job. Let me tell you, not to knock Kansas, but my name's not Dorothy and I like my side of the rainbow, thank you very much. After that trip, I'm home for a week and a half, then it's off to Dallas for Nationals. Yippee!

When I get home from Texas, I only have three weeks before my son starts kindergarten. Sigh. He can't be old enough. It seems like yesterday when I decided that writing my first novel while I was pregnant with him would be a good idea. By the way, hormones, day jobs and writing a novel don't gel that well. Now I'm starting my fourth novel and he's starting his school career.

My husband has a theory that time moves faster as we get older because a day means less the more years you've accumulated. For a five year old, a week takes forever. For this thirty-six year old, the last five years have flown by.

What do you think? Does time fly by for you or is it a slow and steady march?

Going, Going, Gone

As of this time tomorrow, I'll be on my way to DisneyWorld! My whole family including my mom and dad, sister, brother-in-law and their two kids as well as my husband and our two kids are making the trip to see Mickey Mouse. I haven't been to WDW since I got married and I've never taken the kids so I'm a little excited.

Unfortunately, I won't have time to blog or check the internet while I'm gone, so this blog will be dormant for a while. Sorry, but I'll be thinking of you while I eat Mickey shaped ice cream!