Friday, September 25, 2009

I'm Having a Party!



Why?
Why not?
Actually I do have a reason. No, I didn't get a book contract. I do however feel like I'm entering the 'real world' again. I'm getting back to doing the things I love, things I now actually have time for. And it's great!
So, since I'm going to be blogging more frequently, I thought I'd have a party so we can all get to know each other. Great idea, no?
While I'm getting back into writing, I'm also mindful that this is the time I need to be networking with people who will actually go out and buy my books one day, when they're available. What do I write?
I'm so glad you asked.
I write contemporary romance and women's fiction. Oh, and I write from a Christian worldview. No, I'm not going to bash you over the head with my faith, but if you want to get to know me, you'll hear me talking about God and Jesus. I have a couple of projects finished. One is kind of on the back burner because nobody wants to publish a book that takes place in Vietnam in the 60's - go figure, I think it's a cool story, but who knows, maybe it's time will come one day. My other book has just been completed and we're going to see what happens with that one. If you enjoy reading romance, you'll probably like my stuff. (Christian worldview, remember, no steamy novels here, sorry!)
Outside of writing, which does take up a huge part of my life, I'm a wife and mom, and I have two border collies which also take up a fair bit of time. I'm doing Agility with my younger dog, which is a lot of fun. Yes, I enjoy making a fool of myself.
I love to garden, roses are my passion and I recently started growing orchids.
Going out to dinner is another passion, but my husband doesn't encourage that one.
I have a dry sense of humor, some might say I'm a tad sarcastic. I'm told by my literary agent (I enjoy using that term, it makes me sound important, hey?) that it's my trademark, and I'm under the impression this is a good thing. I guess we'll see.
I love to sing, contemporary worship stuff, no choirs for me, not that there's anything wrong with them, they're just not my thing. I read when I can, but still haven't nailed the reading and writing my own stuff at the same time thing. I'm a little reserved in person, which is why I spend gobs of time online. I'm told I'm a loyal friend, and fun to be around. Not sure my family would always agree with the fun to be around part. That's why I have dogs.
Oh and I love making new friends, so if you're reading this, consider yourself a new friend!
Won't you introduce yourself? I'd be pleased if you'd follow my blog, and I'll come see what you're blogging about too!
Let's get this party started!

13 comments:

Jody Hedlund said...

Hi Cathy,

Yeah! First to the party!! I LOVE parties!! :)

I'm so glad to learn a little more about you! I am a historical romance writer. I LOVE talking about beheadings and mideval torture and how many wives King Henry the eighth had. Okay, so not really. But I do like writing about all those weird things! :)

I have five kids, homeschool, and live in a zoo. Literally. We have five pets.

I have no hobbies and no social life now that I'm writing. But it's my passion, next to my family and loving God! So at this point in my life, I can't do much else besides write and care for my large family!

Hope to see you around more! Glad you're back into cyberland!

Catherine West said...

FIVE Kids AND you're writing books? Holy Canolies!!! Guess I know how to pray for you, Jody!! LOL. I look forward to reading your books when they come out. Do you have a pub date yet?

Richard Mabry said...

Cathy,
Glad you're beginning to re-enter the real world (although I'm not sure blogging counts as such). As you know, I'm a silent follower, lurking in the shadows until I can no longer contain myself, at which point I'll add a pithy comment.
I've been in Bermuda a number of times and enjoyed it very much. However, three years on a small island (the Azores, courtesy of the US Air Force) made me decide that I like the wide open spaces of Texas better. But, different strokes...
I'm a retired physician, now working fruitlessly on my golf game, enjoying being a grandfather, and finding time on occasion to write medical suspense fiction. My first book, Code Blue, will be published by Abingdon Press in April 2010.
Keep up the good work with your blog. In the words of the Governor of California, "I'll be back."

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Yay! A party! Hey...I've missed critting with you, so I thought I'd come over and hang out here for a minute. Great blog, by the way!

You already know me, but since I'm so interesting, you know you want to hear it again.

I've been writing forever - mostly mom/chick lit, er, women's fiction with elements of humor. Like you, I prefer spending time with my computer, rather than real human beings (just ask my family). I freelance from home, which allows me to do what I love all the time, except when I'm procrastinating, which is often.

I have been married for over 20 years, although when I tell people that, they gasp because I only look twenty-something myself. OK, that last part was wishful thinking. But, hey, it's my mind. I'll think what I want.

My kids are 15 and 12 and are totally amazing (spoken like a true mom).

I've been published lots, in greeting cards, magazines, ezines, anthologies, and several websites, but my main goal is getting that novel published! Getting closer every day...

Now...where's the snacks?

Oh - and Jody, how did I miss you at the conference? I was looking forward to meeting you. Wah. :-(

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Hey Catherine, even though my little picture has disappeared off your followers list for some reason, I still follow your blog. It's interesting to learn more about you.

I write contemporary (and inspirational) romance and romantic suspense. I'm currently--and only recently--looking for an agent.

I have two children, live in Colorado, and fortunately have no pets right now.

I also love singing and I sing with the worship group at church. I play the violin and recently took up the guitar too. So much fun! I also like reading and cooking and gardening and I really enjoy hiking. Too many fun things to do in Colorado :D

Have a great weekend!

Catherine West said...

Oh, this is so much fun. I wish I'd thought of it ages ago!
Richard, come and practice your golf swing in Bermuda again soon!! And I'll be looking for that book, can't wait! Lynda, woot, good to see you here! I wish I could have gone to the conf. this year 'cause you're definitely on my 'people I have to meet' list, you going next year?
Cindy, weird, I don't know where you went? Maybe you'll have to click follow again or something, I have a hard time trying to figure blogger out most of the time!!

jenness said...

A TAD sarcastic? Are you kidding me? :-)

Catherine West said...

What? ;0P
Only my crit partner can get away with such nonsense. I have no idea what she is referring to. I don't have a sarcastic bone in my body.

Anne Lang Bundy said...

Like Jody, I home school my five children, live in Michigan, and love historical fiction.

However, I DO have a social life apart from writing, and it's WAY too active! At church I help with Sunday School, sing with the worship team on Sunday nights, and just switched from drama to dance on Wednesday nights. I also teach a Bible Culture class for our home school co-op, and about four times a year I help lead worship at the county jail. (Pets are out of the question, Jody! ;D)

When I write (usually during the kids' piano, violin, orchestra, dance, martial arts), I write biblical fiction.

Did someone say snacks? Is it too late for some guacamole?

(BTW Cindy, check on your dashboard and see if you're following anonymously and need to switch to following publicly.)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Hi, Cathy:

Thanks for the party! I'm a wife, mom to three girls, co-chair the Christian Education program at our church, and write Inspirational Contemporary Romance, love to read, will garden, but much prefer to just enjoy its beauty.

Looking forward to getting to know you more now that you're back to blogging.

Katie Ganshert said...

Hi Cathy!!

Thanks for coming to my blog today! I LOVE parties!

I also write contemporary romance and women's fiction - looks like we have that in common! I'm a wife, mother (my son just turned 11 months), 5th grade teacher, and writer. That pretty much sums me up.

Thanks for hosting the party! I look forward to following your blog!

Katie

Gwen Stewart said...

Hi Cathy,

Am I late to the party? I brought more balloons, and some nice hot coffee for a Sunday morning. Cream too. I don't do puny skim milk in my coffee, no indeed. :)

Anyway, I'm a writer by the early morning and evening, and a music teacher my day. I have a beautiful boy, age 12 and a beautiful girl, age 10 and a husband who I adore who can never remember how old he is--he needs me to tell him. Heehee. I talk about God, teaching, writing and music entirely too much; I have a consuming passion for the first, and it comes out in the latter three. So if I talk those three too much let me know. I can switch topics to girly things, like shoes and accessories, and clothes.

(And, for the record, I too cannot simultaneously read fiction and write my own. I rotate: read, write, read, write. I'm glad I'm not alone there.)

See how chatty I am? :)

Thanks for the invite to the party! God bless you on this Sunday.

Jessica Nelson said...

Catherine, did I comment on this or am I going nuts? LOL I thought for sure I left a comment yesterday.
Weird....

Anyways, I know the party's over, but if I only imagined my comment, then so you know, I write historical and cont. fiction. :-) And I'm a happy mom to three little boys.