Puppies!

Here I am, coming to you live from the damp woods of Muskoka. Yes, we've been here a week and we've had about three
days of sun. Very unusual and a contrast from the last four summers we've spent here, however, rain is rain and there is
nothing you can do to change it's mind when it decides to unpack and stay for the duration. I'm hoping it opts for a short
vacation so we can enjoy the rest of ours!
Writing updates - good news bad news kind of thing I guess. Good news is that we're going to be sending Hidden in the Heart
out to several publishers shortly. Bad news is that Yesterday's Tomorrow may not see tomorrow. Not too many people
seem to think the Vietnam era is saleable. Go figure. I had my temper tantrum and then handed it over to God. So we'll see.
In the meantime it's on to my next project. Note to self: don't try to read a million books whilst trying to come up with
your next idea - it's very self debasing. Everything I read seems so so so much better than anything I have ever written...not a good place for my head to be right now. Hope I'll get over it soon.

Okay, on the homefront - we have a new addition! His name is Noah, and he's due at the end of September!
He's very cute, black and white, four legs and a tail.
Yes, we're getting another border collie! Hopefully Allie will be okay with this, but I think she will.
Here are some pics of all the pups. Ours is the third down on the left side of the page, assuming these pictures load!
That's all for now.

Doing a Little Bragging...

One thing I always panic about this time of year is getting my one sheet done in time for the conference.
Usually it's not a problem. This year, however, I finished the manuscript I've been working on earlier than expected,
and my agent wanted to take a one sheet with her to ICRS. Ha. I didn't have one ready.
I obsess over these things. I know, the writing has got to live up to the one sheet, but in my opinion,
a one sheet should look good!
MIne always do. Why? Because I use the amazing talents of my friend Yvonne Parks, and thanks to her, they are always spectacular.
This year, Yvonne did me a huge favor and whipped one up for me in record time!
I'm so pleased with it I just have to show it off!
And if you want more info on Yvonne, go to her website http://www.yvonneparks.com
Let me know what you think of this!

A Lot Can Happen in A Year!

Each year around this time, we make our annual trek up to the beautiful country of Muskoka - which is actually in Ontario, Canada. For the next six weeks or so, I'll be stretched out on my dock taking in the beauty of the lake, going for long walks and enjoying the company of family and friends. I use the time to catch up on my reading and we watch a lot of movies.
As I start to wade through the mounds of laundry and set aside things that need to be packed, I find myself looking back over the months that have passed since last July.
This year I have to say I'm a little overwhelmed.

We started building our home. A huge undertaking with major headaches, and this will continue until April.
Around this time last year I had completed a full manuscript that I was getting ready to pitch at the ACFW conference that September. I didn't have an agent, but I felt more confident in my writing than ever before.
My daughter, my first born, was headed off to university. I was a bit of a mess about it.
But life was good.

Since then - our home building continues, the stress continues, but it's very exciting.
I've rewritten most of the book I had pitched at last year's conference.
I have an agent.
I've written another full length novel that is now in said agent's hands.
I managed to survive the year without my daughter - MSN, Skype and Facebook are wonderful ways to keep in touch!
I've dealt with a dog who developed seizures, and a son who turned fifteen.
Not to mention church, volunteering and trying to keep the few friends I have...
Amazingly, I'm still fairly sane.

I'm thinking two books in a year is probably pretty good. I'm taking my cottage time to relax.
Of course nobody believes that and I think bets are being placed on the fact that I'll probably be working on something else
by the time I get home, but we'll see.

Everybody needs a break once in a while! This is mine.

I'm done, I'm done!!

Hidden in the Heart is finished.
Of course, if you're a writer you're laughing your head off right now.
When is anything ever finished?
When it goes to press and it's too late to make anymore changes. Even then I've heard of authors freaking out
after seeing mistakes in the printed book!
But for now, until my agent goes over it with her eagle eye, it is finished.
Not saying I won't be going over it again before I send it to her...
Oy.
Maybe this one will sell, eh?
Getting ready for Canada. How did that sound?
Off to bed now, for some much needed sleep.
Ciao.

Networking, Marketing and Trying not to make a fool of yourself...

Okay so I threw that last bit in there to see if you were paying attention.
But seriously, that's sometimes how I feel.
Writing is a wonderful thing to do if you're a homebody and don't really care for large crowds and inane conversation.
You can just hole up in your office or wherever you write, and...well...write. Or play on Facebook or...oh, okay. Write.
However, let's say you actually write something that makes sense, you secure an agent, and you actually sell your book...
No, sadly, I am not making an announcement yet. Don't worry, you'll know.
I've been told, when this happens, I will be expected to get out of my pajamas and face the light of day.
And talk to people. Gulp.
Talk to people I can do. I love email. I have no problem sending my thoughts across the wire, sometimes prematurely but we won't go there. I'm talking to people right now, aren't I? I'm so glad all three of you popped by.
Doing this in real time is a little different for me. For one thing, I'm very shy. No, seriously. It takes me a while to warm up
and I suppose I can be perceived as a bit of a snot because really, I just don't say a whole heck of a lot at a first meeting.
So I'm thinking going on the Oprah show is really going to be a nightmare. Yes, I know, I said the O word.
Is there a therapy group for people like me who keep talking about things that are never going to happen? It's a joke, actually. I don't really believe I will ever go on Oprah, even if she begs me.
So anyway, back to my plight of what I will do when the entire population of Dellview, North Carolina (pop. 16) is clamoring for a booksigning...
Will I suddenly find a new side of myself and become an outgoing, fun to be around instant celebrity? Or maybe the mysterious eccentric author who never does appearances angle could actually work in my favor.
What do you think?
I think, and I don't like it, that I have to put myself out there. I've gone to two writing conferences now, my third just around the corner - hundreds upon hundreds of people in attendance, which really makes me nervous, but I survived. I even lived through editor and agent appointments. So did they. At least I think they did.
It's really hard to step into new situations, to venture into unknown territory without any directions. I'm fortunate this year because I do have an agent and she's making me sit down with editors. I'm thinking of hiding in my room, but I have a feeling she'd hunt me down. I'm just hoping these editors speak Mandarin 'cause I'm thinking when I open my mouth, that's what it's going to sound like.
Yet at the same time, I realize this is all a necessary evil. I must find the confidence to get out there and present my work. In person. It sucks, but that's life. But maybe, as they tell me, the more I do it, the more comfortable I will become with the process. I sure hope so.
Well, if you've read this far, you'll know there was no real reason for this post, I'm just venting.
I'll go to my appointments at the ACFW conference, and I will pitch. Hopefully not my breakfast.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Right?