I got home so late last night, I ate, unpacked, visited with the family, and crashed. Until…oh…about 30 minutes ago, when I woke up panicked, realized I didn’t have a blog for my day at Happy Endings or here. I have one there, now–just a quick overview of the panels. I’ll do more here in upcoming days. Iffy has reminded me that she needs the computer for her interview tomorrow. I think I’ll grab another nap while she talks to Moira.

Winner of the last semi-finals in the Mr. Summer contest (by a narrow vote!) is Gilles! He’ll go up against our other two winners this Saturday. (Don’t ask me who they are, my brain is running on a few sips of caffeine and I’m not even sure of my name at the moment!) Winner gets a full spread.

Winner of the WFNO bag and choice of 2 romantic suspense or 2 contemporaries by way of random.org is JANET! I’ll get the prize in the mail, along with the books I still owe Ev and Ban because…uhm…my brain was/is running on fumes.

Here is a brief rundown of the weekend: L. A. Banks (yes, THE L. A. Banks and I are soul sisters — her words, LOL). SEASON OF THE WITCH was very popular. I think I walked six miles in 2 1/2 hours on the vampire tour Sunday night (my knees are STILL complaining!). I still love New Orleans and shall have to set one of the Penumbra books there…oh…hrm. OH! Lightbulb! *plotplotplotplot* Sorry about that. And last but not least, Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches coined the best phrase of the weekend: Bat crap crazy pants.

On that note, I have 569 emails to sort through, 77 blog posts, bills to pay, and plans to make on submissions. What did y’all do while I was gone? Oh! And RWA members…have you voted yet?!? This friendly reminder was brought to you by your local candidate for Region 5.

…why do you ask? Here’s the 4-1-1, to use one of Iffy’s favorite terms!

Well, it wasn’t quite a landslide, but the Cowboy and his horse won last week’s Mr. Summer preliminary round. This coming Saturday, he goes up against George Eads, aka “Deke” from FAIRY TALES, and Gilles Marini to see who goes into the finals!

As most of you know, I’m leaving Thursday for New Orleans. *happy dances* Heidi, my CP is going with me. I love roadtripping with her! We get so much plotting done. There will be posts here while I’m gone and I’ll check in to reply, though it’ll be in the odd spare moments during the weekend. Don’t forget, any of you in the NOLA area, there’s a book signing at the Hotel Monteleone featuring all the authors at the conference, including yours truly. Stop by and say hi! I’ll have goodies to give away.

Iffy will be here Wednesday visiting with Professor Michael Shannahan from FAERIE FIRE. At some point this week, I’ll try to post some pictures from the Ranch Rodeo I attended Saturday night…speaking of cowboys!

FYI, both FIRE and FAIRY TALES CAN COME TRUE are up on the front page of The Wild Rose Press as upcoming releases! Anybody want a guest blogger around the middle of the month so I can shill the books? AND FAERIE FIRE IS LIVE AT B&N.COM and AMAZON!

I’m guest blogging at MURDER SHE WRITES today. Drop by and say hi. Swag is going in the mail today. I hope. LOL I suppose I should get off my arse and run errands, huh? But before I go, I guess I should give away something this week, too. What do you think? And what should I give away? I still have books. OH! And I have swag from the WFNO conference. How about a messenger bag from that with…two books?!? You can have your choice of romantic suspense or contemporary romance. You know the drill. Comment to enter all this week with a winner picked next week when I get back (completely randomly, of course!).

Ever wondered about the appeal of TRUE BLOOD? The comedic talent at bablegum strikes again with this positively splendid send up of the show. (PS -- The video they did about the terrorist attack cancelled due to a Stephanie Meyer’s appearance is just….WTFery at it’s best!)

And now that I have your attention, I give you reason to snuggle up…and dance. *ducks and runs*

Don’t forget to come visit me this afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00 EST. I’m hosting the LASR chat at their Yahoo Group (you can join and then unjoin--LOL). Marianne, Judy and Wendi are giving away lots of goodies like gift cards, books, LASR swag, and two Nooks. PLUS, I’ll be giving away a .pdf ARC of FAIRY TALES CAN COME TRUE and a special prize--the chance to help create and name a secondary character in FAERIE FOOL!

FYI, they are looking for reviewers--free books. Just sayin’…

Just a few reminders and updates today. The Long And Short Of It Third Anniversary party is winding down. There are three more days to get entered in the Nook giveaway. Did y’all go looking for the Nooks? Announcements of the winners will be made on Saturday and Sunday during the all-day chats at the LASR Yahoo Group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews. Go sign up there if you want to participate. You can click on the blue button over under FRIENDS to get more info. There will be freebies given away both days. I’m hosting an hour of the chat on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EASTERN Daylight Time. Do the math to figure out what time in your zone. (My brain is fried! I’m lucky to remember that it’s 3-4 my time. LOL) I might just have some goodies to give away, too–including something special and just for the folks who drop by to chat. *bwahaha*

According to Marianne and Judy (the hostesses), last year’s chat was a TON of fun and utterly crazy. From Marianne: Judy and I popped in now and then to randomly award prizes (plus we’ll open the chat at 9 a.m. on Saturday and close it at 8 p.m. on Sunday — giving away lots of stuff the entire time) and we imagine this year will be even more fun and more crazy!

Have I mentioned that I have some FAERIE FIRE swag? Notebooks and pens and cool little desk thingies with post-its and paperclips. I’ll be giving them away in September. I also have cover cards for FIRE and FAIRY TALES CAN COME TRUE. If you get a digital download, email me your address and I’ll mail you an autographed cover card.

Ev, you need to pick a book so I can get this stuff in the mail to you!

Tomorrow, I’ll pick a random winner for the RWA swag package from the folks who have commented since the last contest.

Wow. I’m one of the listed authors on Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans site. Did I mention I’m participating in a panel? It’s titled: Now They Want Your Book…Is It Done? And the description:

Taking a Great Idea Into a Full Length Story, With Well-Rounded Characters and A Plotline That Makes Sense–Even In A Fantasy World. Is Your Book Really Finished Just Because You Typed The End. Is It A Full, Complete Story With All Of The Necessary Elements?

Do I have any clue what I am going to do or say? Not one! At least not yet. I’m checking to see who else is on the panel with me. It will be fun no matter what happens. Good thing I used to do improv, huh?

Okay. I think that’s all at the moment. What’s going on in your lives? Inquiring minds want to know…

I think it is WAY past time for margaritas! I’m mixing and pouring. I didn’t think Friday could get here soon enough! Tomorrow is OKRWA meeting and I am looking forward to that, even though it means I don’t get to sleep in. We’re planning a brainstorming session before we all grab lunch at the museum cafe before our afternoon program by a courtroom sketch artist. I’m looking forward to it.

Loved the ideas y’all came up with for the scene in FOOL yesterday! Maybe I should write it by committee.

The winner of the Samhain National Swag Contest is…EV Yay for random.org. Ev, you get the large canvas tote, Samhain tee shirt, water bottle, and luggage tag plus a book from this list:
CRAZY FOR LOVE – Victoria Dahl
DANGEROUS DESIRES – Dee Davis
WICKED BECOMES YOU – Meredith Duran
KILLING ME SOFTLY – Maggie Shayne
INSATIABLE – Meg Cabot (hardback)
SUGAR CREEK – Toni Blake
ENEMY LOVER – Karin Harlow
(warning – some of them may have been *gently* read LOL!)

Email me with your choice of book. ev, and I’ll get the package in the mail next week.

Since I’m suffering through a bout of rejection, let’s start a new contest. This time, more books, an RWA canvas tote, plus some other goodies like Rizzoli and Isles stuff (a jigsaw puzzle and DVD of the pilot!). If you haven’t caught the show on TNT, why not!?! Just leave a comment on today’s or the posts on followomg days between now and then and I’ll announce the random winner next Friday.

So, who’s drinkin’ with me?!? (And remember, there will be men tomorrow. Just sayin’…)

Oh. Crap. Here I was madly typing away on FAERIE FOOL when I realized I had no blog for today. It’s Thursday. What’s special about Thursday? Nothing. Nothing at all. Monday is…well *Monday*. Tuesday is NOT Monday. Wednesday is all about HUMP Day and the downhill slide to the weekend. Friday is TGIF and then we have THE WEEKEND–Saturday and Sunday–a day to party and a day to recover before Monday starts all over again. So…what is Thursday? The day before Friday, the day after Hump Day. It’s a day to get work done so you don’t have to work so hard on Friday and can maybe start the weekend a little early.

So, I’m getting work done. On FOOL. Happy now? But I have a question for you. What happens when a guy who is VERY interested in a gal walks into a restaurant and sees her with another guy? Sees her obviously very intimate with another guy? How does he react?

You think I’m teasing, right? I’m not. This book is aggravating the tar out of me! It doesn’t want to flow from start to finish. It wants to jump-start and run in high gear, idle, then kick into low gear and go somewhere completely different and uphill. I’m going to end up with all these separate scenes spaced out between **** marks. In the end, I hope I find some semblance of order for them.

I can’t figure out why Rory and Delaney are fighting me so much. Rory wants his story told. Abhean is actually being rather quiet and just watching things play out, though he’s strumming his harp. Manannan Mac Lir is off seducing someone or other. I know I have two releases next month, plus a conference, but dang it, this story shouldn’t be this hard!

Oh, well. I’ve advocated going with one’s gut when it comes to telling the story. My gut says write these random scenes as they pop into my imagination. I’ll leave it the the faerie and Iffy to stitch together a coherent story when we’re done. With all these voices in my head, I sure hope I can write by committee. My CP complains that I’m an “organic writer” whatever the heck that means. I think I’m finding out. And not necessarily in a good way. Nope. No more negativity. This book will get written and it’s going to be a terrific story. Just sayin’!

Tomorrow I’ll announce the winner of the Samhain RWA swag package. Erika won the ARC of FAERIE FIRE from Iffy. Iphigenia is Iffy’s *real* name and Erika got it in one comment! Iffy says she and Erika are BFFs now and she’s going to Erika’s house to spend the weekend.

Oh, and remember those questions I asked? Best answer might just make it into the book!

Okay. I’m a fake. I admit it. I’ve been ragging on other writers struggling with writer’s block, I don’t wannas, I’m tireds, RL interference, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. (She says in a decent imitation of Yul Brenner’s King.)

I keep meaning to work on FAERIE FOOL. No. Really. I do. Yes, I know. I had a novella to write, edit, page proof, etc. And a WIP to completely revise and get out the door on submission. And the NRCA awards. RWA. Con Crud(tm). My excuses are as long as Santa’s naughty list. Should I mention that I’ve got Writers For New Orleans coming up over Labor Day weekend? That means a five-day road trip with my critique partner.

Speaking of… Part of the problem I was having with FOOL is having enough story to tell. I’m just under 10K words. I need at least 65K to get the book in paperback as well as ebook. I just didn’t have enough story to stretch it. So I went to coffee with Heidi. And we talked through her plotting roadblocks of her current WIP. Then I told her about FOOL and how I just couldn’t get into it. In talking it through, I realized a few plot points I hadn’t thought of, a twist or two, and now I have a better idea of the direction I need to go. Iffy is pleased. I’ve set a deadline, too, as I seem to work better with the ax hanging over my head, even if self-imposed. If I want to start a new project for NaNoWriMo this year, I’ll need to get FOOL finished by the end of October. That’s two and a half months. That’s my goal with an absolute drop dead goal of the end of November. I’m taking responsibility for my own writing. But you guys need to keep me “honest.” Keep watching the word count percentage over there on the right. It should start moving any day now. No. Really. Any. Day. Srsly!

I start tomorrow. Especially since Iffy is taking over the blog. In the meantime, look at what’s on MY AUTHOR PAGE at the Wild Rose Press. I’ll soon have a back list! Wow. I’m impressed. *gigglesnort*

Oh, Iffy says to remind y’all that she’s doing a contest starting tomorrow. Any guesses on what it is?

Well, if any of you are still speaking to me, Gilles is moving on to the semi-final round of our Mr. Summer contest.

Here is our last entry to Friday Flash. I think our little work of fiction ended well. Next Monday, I’ll post the whole story. This Friday, I’ll have something else. Not sure what, yet, but something.

“As long as you’re with me, Lex, I can do anything.” Then he walked away. Nikita had sent them paper. For all eternity. “You, darling Sara, have captured me completely.”

“Hmm-hmm.”

It was good to know that, in at least one area of my life at least, my choices had been just fine.

“Oh my dear…” he laughed “…when we are together, the world will never, ever be the same.”

So is the hunter. I tucked the firearm into the holster under my left arm even as I rose from the chair to continue doing my job…

I’ve extended the goody bag contest until Friday. Comment to be entered to win a book (or several), and goodies from Samhain Publishing, including a BIG canvas tote bag, tee-shirt, water bottle, and luggage tag.

Today is a run to the post office. I’m finally getting the NRCA awards sent out to those who couldn’t make it to RWA10, the goodies won by the folks when I appeared in the author spotlight on The Write Life, plus some goodies going to Louisiana to go into the registration bags for Writers For New Orleans. For anyone in the area, I’ll be at the WFNO book signing on Sunday, September 5, Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter. Come on down! There will be lots of writers and the proceeds go to help the NOLA library system.

Also, starting at 3:00 p.m. CDT on August 29th, I’ll be hosting a chat to celebrate the Long and Short of It’s Third Anniversary. I’ll get the link for you between now and then. LASR is giving away a Nook, so click on that blue button over in my FRIENDS list and get the 4-1-1.

Iffy will be back Wednesday with a new interview and she tells me there’s a giveaway, too. I…don’t know what she’s talking about. Knowing Iffy, it probably has something to do with chocolate.

Also! Unpublished writers! If any of you have a manuscript that finaled in an RWA writing contest but didn’t win, it’s FINALLY A BRIDE time again! Go HERE FOR INFORMATION. Over half of this year’s finalists received requests for submission. And this year, finalists will be seen by TWO editors! Be sure to pass the word around!!!

In the meantime, I need some hints on how to survive Monday. How do y’all manage it?

Iffy is up to her little pigtails in plotting her interviews tomorrow. She won’t tell me anything about it, but that it’s one of the bad guys. We can all be surprised together.

I keep thinking I should do a rundown of RWA10, but so many people already have. I do have pictures. I’ll share them instead.

Here is my “station” at the Literacy signing, along with the gal next to me, Marcia James. She “collects” writers with the same last name.

Here is NYT’s Best Selling author Kate Carlisle and NRCA winning author Jennifer Lyons, BFFs in real life, and friends of mine. (Oh, yeah. I’m one of the cool kids now!)

On Saturday afternoon, I was invited to high tea at the Grand Floridian Hotel. Lovely place and fun times with the hostess with the mostest, Lucienne Diver (author and agent extraordinaire…and whose mother loves FAERIE FATE!)

Here’s our very own Miss Liza, me, and Paula R. in front of the Dolphin fountain in the lobby. That last picture? That was the hike between hotels. Uhm…yeah. REALLY glad I had comfortable shoes! Just sayin’….

So, shadow peeps, what do you want to know about RWA 10. You ask, I’ll answer. (Don’t forget to comment to win swag!)

Okay, whatever crud was going around the RWA Nationals kicked my butt. Big time. By the time I got home Thursday night, it had progressed from what I thought was sinuses and hay fever to upper respiratory infection and fever. I missed Leslie Parrish’s live blog talk on Saturday afternoon. That makes me very sad but I was flat in bed all day Friday and Saturday. The good news is that I’m on the mend. I actually made it to the grocery store today. Go me. LOL

So, who hasn’t read Leslie’s latest book, COLD SIGHT? I figure by now, if you’re a regular here and if you haven’t read it, you probably won’t. I know a few of you have trouble with the subject matter. The book is dark. REALLY dark. But I love Leslie’s dark side and this book rocks like damn and whoah! If I have any stragglers dropping by looking for the Nook from Long and Short of It’s Third Anniversary Party, and if you happen to like dark romantic suspense with a twist of paranormal, check out this book! And how about a prequel to the series? Check out the FREE READ HERE!

Ready for some fun? FAERIE FIRE comes out in just over a month. I think it’s time to start giving stuff away. (Not to mention that I have a bunch of swag and books from RWA Nationals!) So…Let’s have a contest this week. One lucky commenter between now and Friday will win a Samhain canvas tote bag, tee shirt (size 2X), water bottle, and a book. They’ll have their choice from a title list I’ll post later.

Oh, and Joe won the Mr. Summer semi-finals Saturday. He’ll be moving on to our final round. And he now has a recurring and regular role in TRUE BLOOD. w00t!

Iffy has a question…good guys or bad guys for FAERIE FIRE interviews this week?