The Writing Playground

Ask us: Conference Edition

2009-07-18T00:00:00.010-05:00

While the Playfriends attend the RWA National Conference, we're answering your questions about life, writing, and everything else on the blog. Comments are open and there are prizes to be won!

Avi asks: How much time do you spend doing research after you have come up with a plot. Does location play a big part of that research?

PC: Since I'm a pantser, I tend to research on the fly. Usually right after I've written myself into a corner. :-) Location is important, and I do research that up front, because I need to have a feel for where my characters are. I can't really say how much time I spend on research, simply because I'm usually in a panic, trying to figure something out so I can write myself out of the corner!

PM: My book is set in Atlanta, and while I was familiar with the overall layout and flavor of the city, I needed help with some of the details. My nephew attended Georgia Tech and my sister became very familiar with Atlanta during his four years there. Additionally she has to go to Atlanta on business at least once a year. So, she and I took one of our infamous girl's trips to Atlanta last December and scoped out all the places I used in the book. We stayed at the Georgian Terrace Hotel where my hero and heroine had their honeymoon, looked up the house in the Virginia Highland area of town that I'd patterned my heroine's house after and visited the Biltmore Hotel where I set a charity ball scene. After those three days of living in the setting of my book, it really came alive for me. Now let's see... wonder if I can set the next one in Paris?

SP: I am a plotter, but there are only certain elements that I research in advance. I'm not big on tons of research, which is why I could never write a historical. Usually I look up things as I go along, but I try to keep my book fairly general if I feel I'm treading into an area that I could really mess up with too many details. Currently, the book I'm working on involves a poker tournament. Before I started writing, I had to get a general idea of how they're run, the basics of the game, and how anyone could manage to cheat. Aside from that, I set a fictional hotel in a fictional location on the strip (smack dab on top of the Tropicana, actually, but I only know that because I lived there) and only add the specifics I need to make the story ring authentic to readers but not bore them with the mechanics of the game.

In terms of location, I tend to set the stories in places that have the right 'feel' for the story. I throw in seasonally appropriate details and landmarks that I look up online, but I'm not really one to make the location one of the characters. Its important where they are and how it impacts the story, but I don't use it that heavily. I do, however, let the location help me build characters, like proper southern ladies and laid back beach dwellers.

Insti: The short answer is that it depends on the book. I do as much research as I need to. Some require more - like Afterburn. I was dealing with a setting and occupations I didn't know, not to mention the military. I often don't realize I need a piece of information until I get into the writing but I don't want to interrupt the creative flow so I tend to write myself notes. My first draft is dotted with red text reminding me that I need to google this or that.

Location can play a huge part in the book. I do tend to try and stay with places that I either know or with making up locations that I use. Every place has it's own quirks and it's hard to capture those if you've never been there (or don't know anyone who has).

Angel: Since I write contemporary, a large part of my research is simply location. I make up most city or small town names, just to give myself some leeway, but I definitely check out the region. Especially pictures! I'm a visual person, so I love to google pictures and find houses and landscapes that give me a feel for the area. Otherwise, I just make notes in the manuscript about things I need to look up later, and do so.

Avi, please email us to claim your prize.

Everybody dance now

2009-07-17T17:41:00.003-05:00

The Playfriends' hotel room looks like a war zone. There are clothes, shoes, make-up items and heaven knows what else strewn about the room.

But we're gonna PARTY!

Film at 11:00. Well, not. What happens at the party stays at the party.

We DO have lots of good books to bring home.

Ask us: Conference Edition

2009-07-17T00:00:00.006-05:00

While the Playfriends attend the RWA National Conference, we're answering your questions about life, writing, and everything else on the blog. Comments are open and there are prizes to be won!

Patsy Lynn asks: I know that most publishers/editors have a minimum word count for submissions. I am new to submitting and would like to know if word count alone can get your manuscript rejected. Also, do you have any suggestions on where I could go to help me write my synopsis. What if your book is wonderful, but your synopsis falls short?

PC: Word count can get your manuscript rejected -- but don't panic yet. Part of avoiding this is doing your homework. For instance, Harlequin has a word count range for each line. If the range is 50-55k, your 100k masterpiece will be rejected. Harlequin just doesn't publish that length. At the same time, a story that's only 30k won't be long enough to publish.

But outside of the extremes, I wouldn't panic too much. A great story that's 5k too short is fixable. A great story that's 5k too long is also fixable.

For synopsis help, I recommend Charlotte Dillon's fab website (www.charlottedillon.com). You can also Google "synopsis" and find a lot of advice.

As the fabulous Miss Snark used to say, the purpose of a synopsis is to assure the editor that aliens don't suddenly arrive in chapter 14. Your synopsis just gives the editor a chance to see that you know how the book ends, and that it ends without an unnecessary alien invasion. The writing is what really matters. (Remember, you're talking to the girl who cut and rewrote everything after page 50 of her first book.)

PM has nothing more to add since PC did such a great job.

SP concurs. :)

Insti: Slackers. :-) But yeah, I agree with PC. I'd like to add not to let worrying about manuscript length infringe on your creative abilities. Don't get bogged down in minute details that in the grand scheme of things don't matter. What's more important is that you're writing a good book with believable/identifiable characters. Concentrate on that first. When you have a first draft - and only then - worry about things like word count.

As for writing a synopsis I like to use the layer method. Start with the things that are most important - and leave out everything else! Once you know how long the important things are (character, turning points, voice/feel of story, a tiny piece of backstory) you can add anything else that's important if you have the room. Putting a 50K word book into 5 pages can be tough but you need to be ruthless with what's important for the editor to know up front.

Angel: The only thing I have to add is for the synopsis: try to write it with the same voice as your book, so it reflects the tone and word usage of the rest of your writing. AND, if you don't have it by the time you're done writing (and rewriting) it, you haven't done it right. :)

*Patsy Lynn, send us your address to claim your prize!

Ask us: Conference Edition

2009-07-16T00:00:00.011-05:00

While the Playfriends attend the RWA National Conference, we're answering your questions about life, writing, and everything else on the blog. Comments are open and there are prizes to be won!

kimh asks: Who was your inspiration for writing, and if you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

PC: I don't know who I'd list as an "inspiration," but someone told me once I reminded them of Jenny Crusie when she first started out, and that made me very happy indeed!

Realistically, if I wasn't writing, I'd still be teaching. Since I don't like students all that much, I'm very glad that's not the case.

PM: I worked as a book reviewer for a romance website and had so many of the authors there offer advice and encouragement -- Kathie DeNosky, Kristi Gold and Elizabeth Sinclair especially. Leanne Banks was the first romance writer I met online and she continues to cheer me on. I met Roxanne St. Claire at my first conference and I want to be like her when I grow up. Our Mavens at Heart of Dixie RWA -- Beverly Barton, Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones -- have been a source of constant help and information (and the occasional boot in the rear when I need it). And last but certainly not least the other Playfriends have paved the way for me as I straggled along behind them in the whole process.

If I wasn't writing, I'd probably still be reviewing books.

SP: My earliest writing influences were writers like Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Mary Higgins Clark. I was definitely drawn to thrillers early on. As I got a little older and got my hands on spicier stuff, I started reading historicals by Bertrice Small and Jude Deveraux. Turns out I couldn't make myself write it, though. Right now, I'd have to say that the work of writers like Maven LJ and Charlaine Harris push me to write better within my genre, which I consider to be quirky paranormals with fun characters.

If I couldn't write, I'd probably throw all my energy behind starting a wedding business. Own my own chapel or coordinator company. Wedding cakes and such. I really enjoy doing it, but I simply don't have the energy to chase both dreams at once.

Insti: There are sooo many influences in my decision to write. Every last author I've read since I turned thirteen and discovered Harlequin and romance novels. They all brought me something different, took me to different places and opened worlds to me that I wouldn't have seen without their work.

I might have met the Mavens after I'd made the decision to write but they are a HUGE part of the reason I'm published. They're also hugely responsible for the fact that I didn't quit and for the fact that I was ready and aware of the industry I'd decided to become a part of.

What would I be doing if I wasn't writing? Probably still doing my day job (office manager for a small company). Although, I'd also need a new obsession to take the place of my writing time. I'm not sure what that would be. It would probably involve something that would drive the girls batty and/or embarrass them to death. Honestly, I'd probably turn into a stage mom. The girls appreciate my editor more than she will ever know.

Angel: Early in my reading of romance, I was influenced by authors like Phyllis A Whitney and Mary Stewart. Since I started writing, my biggest influences have been our Mavens (Linda Winstead Jones, Beverly Barton, and Linda Howard) who have taught us both craft and the business side of writing, and the Playfriends, who are available for a pep talk or to help solve a plot problem at any given moment.

But I have to say my biggest influences aren't writing friends. They are my husband and my mother and sister. Both have encouraged me from the moment I first said out loud that I wanted to write a book. They ask me about my writing and listen when I try to explain the ins and outs of this challenging industry. More than anything, they believe in me. Whether I ever sell a book or not, that belief is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Without writing in my life, I'd have a heck of a lot more free time, I can tell you that! But I honestly can't imagine my life without it anymore. So I can't answer that part of the question.

*kimh, send us your address to claim your prize!

Ask us: Conference Edition

2009-07-15T00:00:00.010-05:00

While the Playfriends attend the RWA National Conference, we're answering your questions about life, writing, and everything else on the blog. Comments are open and there are prizes to be won!

Claire asks: How did all of you get started writing? Was it something you always wanted to do? Do you write anything besides romance novels?

PC: It sounds cliche, but I've always wanted to write a romance. I didn't start writing until after my daughter was born, though. I'm not sure what the spark was that was different from all the times before that I said I wanted to write, but it felt like the right time. I'm so glad I found RWA and my chapter, Heart of Dixie, at the very beginning. I learned so much so quickly.

As for writing something else, unless you count blog posts and notes to my daughter's teacher, then, no :-)

PM: I never started out to be a writer. I sorta stumbled into it. Actually you can read about my journey to writing romance on our website this month. I've completed one manuscript and I also write short stories for the confessions magazines (True Confessions, True Story, etc).

SP: I actually started writing in elementary school. I'd take our simple writing assignment and manage to spin it into some melodrama. I got my hands on a typewriter in junior high and started pounding out pages. Although all my stories had a romance element, I never really considered them to be romances. I considered them to be thrillers or mysteries because there was always a whodunnit thrown in with my story. When I got older, I realized that the relationship in the story was so critical that perhaps they were more romance than anything else. Since then, everything I've written has had a romance at its core. (Unless you count those miserable technical documents I write for work.)

Insti: I started writing when Sweet Pea was a year old. I think I needed something that was just for me - something that didn't involve drool and diapers. Honestly, I grew up thinking my younger sister would be the writer in the family so it never occurred to me to think about doing it. But when she decided to be a chemical engineer (yeah, as far from writing as you can get) I thought why not? I grew up with a book permanently in my hand and I have to admit sometimes I didn't like the way the book ended. I thought the story should have been different...MY way. So I decided to try it. It was worth the gamble. I found a piece of myself I hadn't realized was missing.

Angel: As with most writers, I started out as an avid reader. All through my teens and into adulthood, I devoured books and received a Bachelor of Arts in English. I also spent a lot of time day dreaming about the characters and what I would have done differently, but it never occurred to me to write a book until a dear friend suggested I attend a workshop for writers. From then on, I was hooked! Now I write romance, short fiction for the Trues magazines, non-fiction articles, and even resumes (for the day job).

Claire, please email us to claim your prize.

Ask us: Conference Edition

2009-07-14T00:00:00.010-05:00

While the Playfriends attend the RWA National Conference, we're answering your questions about life, writing, and everything else on the blog. Comments are open and there are prizes to be won!

jeanne asks: I would love to know what authors you are all excited about meeting at the conference.

PC: Oh wow. Thanks to RWA conferences, I can say I've gotten to at least say hello to authors I get all fan-girl just thinking about: Jenny Crusie, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts. Most of the authors I'm looking forward to meeting are the ones I've "met" online, but not in person. The Mills and Boon "Newbies" are planning a breakfast meeting and I'm really looking forward to meeting all the authors I've been talking to online for the last year.

PM: This will be my sixth conference and like PC I've had the fan-girl moments meeting Meg Cabot, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Suzanne Brockmann and more. But I'm also always excited to meet the authors who've made their first sale since last year. You can spot them by the pink ribbon on their badge and the absolute glow that surrounds them. Last year PC had her pink ribbon and year before it was Instigator. Our good friend and chapter mate Lynn Raye Harris will be wearing a pink ribbon this year.

SP: Hmm...this is my fifth conference. I've met so many cool people, so its hard to say. I don't know that its any one author that I'm excited about, so much as being in the author-zone. Everywhere I look will be people who 'get' me. People who live my dream. Its a comforting feeling. Its also cool to bump into someone, read their nametag and realize - "Hey! I know you from such and such but I've never met you in person." Those are fun moments. I have to admit though, that I'm glad Stephenie Meyer is not a member of RWA that I know of. I'd hate to go fangirl on her, and I don't think I could stop myself.

Insti: Like the others, I've been to several conferences and have had my share of fangirl moments - Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Suzanne Enoch, Jenny Crusie... This year I wish Charlaine Harris were going to be there because I'd completely wig out. But what I look forward to most is seeing people I can only connect with once a year - especially the other Blaze Babes.

Angel: Like the other Playfriends, I've been to enough conferences to have met many of my favorite authors, including Sharon Sala, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney. This year, I'm looking forward to hearing JR Ward and Jessica Andersen speak during a workshop. Most of all, I'm looking forward to meeting my fellow Golden Heart finalists -- the 2009 Ruby Slipper Sisterhood. I've gotten to "meet" them online, but this will be a chance to see them in person.

*jeanne, send your snail mail addy to the Playground Monitor to claim your prize!

Ask Us: Golden Heart Final

2009-07-13T00:00:00.004-05:00

While the Playfriends are away at conference this week, we decided to do a little Q&A with our readers. But I get to answer Monday’s questions all on my own: What is it like to be a Golden Heart ® finalist? Several people have asked me this, and of course, the Playfriends have had to put up with the goofy grin on my face for months. So today, I’ll try to give you a little glimpse of what being a GH finalist has been like.

Let me start off with a little explanation for those of you who aren’t immersed in the romance writing community like we are. The Golden Heart is a contest for unpublished authors, sponsored by Romance Writers of America. It, along with the published author RITA contest, has been described as the Oscars of the romance writing community. The winner of the awards are announced on the final night of National Conference (Saturday) during an awards ceremony, followed by a dessert reception. This is a really high honor in our field. In my case, I consider it an incredible achievement, as my category had over 80 entries, with only 8 finalists. I’m truly honored and excited.

The journey started with lots of excitement and disbelief. You can read my call story in the March 2009 archives. I was practically useless for a week, as I got to enjoy the fun of telling others, celebrating with my peeps, and meeting the other finalists online. The 2009 finalists have a yahoo group, and we’ve been steadily logging in the emails as conference approaches. It has been wonderful to get to know this group of women, whose perseverance, encouragement, and advice have boosted my own writing output and confidence throughout the last few months.

My local RWA chapter (north Alabama’s Heart of Dixie) celebrated along with me and the Playfriends went out to dinner, of course. We have a tradition in our chapter of giving silver charms when authors make their first sale. The Playfriends gifted me with a silver charm bracelet in honor of this momentous event, with a silver heart charm engraved with “2009 Golden Heart Finalist” and the name of my book. I can’t contain my smile every time I wear it. I know that one day, I’ll add that first sale charm to it.

After the initial rush of excitement, I finally had to face reality. Not only had I finalled in this contest, but my picture was about to be seen all over the world on the Romance Writers of America website and on the jumbotron at National Conference before at least 2000 people. Yikes! Luckily, I felt confident in handling this for myself. I gathered my mother-in-law and sister-in-law together and we trekked over to Maven LJ’s house for an informal studio session. We were able to get some pretty good shots, and I didn’t feel like I would completely disgrace myself when my picture flashed up on the screen.

Then came the flurry of decisions about conference appointments. You see, at National Conference, attendees can sign up for agent and editor appointments where they can pitch their books. This year, I’m pitching a single title for the first time, so I had to make choices about who to see. As a GH finalist, I got to sign up on the first day appointments came open. This is the first time I was able to actually sign up on a day that I didn’t have to worry about the server crashing. :)

But one decision leads to another… in this case, the most important decisions of all: what on earth am I going to wear? The dress for the big night was taken care of rather quickly. I’ll be wearing this goddess dress that Maven Linda Winstead Jones so graciously gave me. This isn’t a great picture of it, but I love the peach color. That’s the silver shawl I’ll wear with it. Isn’t it beautiful?

And though I know it sounds pretentious of me, I’ve been really uptight about what I’m wearing throughout the conference this year too. I’ve heard about all the attention GH finalists get and I know that I’ll feel more comfortable with people noticing me if I feel confident in how I look. So I bought some new dress pants, some skirts and cocktail shirts, shoes, and makeup. I even had my sister-in-law over the other day to help me with my eye shadow. I’m not very good with makeup, so she showed me what to put where. :)

Now, as amazing as it seems, I’m down to my last step in the obsessing process. I’m conference-bound (as of today!) and the nerves have kicked into high gear. I’ve spent weeks writing my pitches and my acceptance speech (I wasn’t trying to be presumptuous. I’d rather write it and not win, than win and stumble over myself like an idiot. And I would, trust me.). I have extra events to attend at conference: RWA’s reception for the GH & RITA finalists, the Golden Network (a chapter exclusively for GH finalists) retreat and their dessert reception, rehearsal, and the RITA awards ceremony on Saturday night.

I honestly don’t understand how one person can be so excited and nervous at the same time. I feel like I’ve been smiling for months, even through revisions, finishing my single title, and more revisions. Through writing pitches and angsting over submissions. Yet I can honestly say I feel happier than I ever have about my writing. I think that’s one of the greatest gifts of this unexpected award. It takes a high caliber of writing to become a Golden Heart finalist. And I did it. Me. Little old Angel. I’m amazed and humbled… and so very grateful. Whether I win or not, I’m grateful.

So there you have it, the roller coaster ride I’ve been on since March. It’s been wonderful, exciting, and at times scary, but I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I’ll be checking in with you next week about how conference went. If you have any questions for me today, please feel free to post them. I’ll be travelling, but I’ll be happy to answer them as I get the chance from my iPhone.

And before I go, let me say one last thing. Saying thank you in front of 2000 people at conference would be wonderful, and scarier than one of those inverted loops on a roller coaster. But the people that I want to say thank you to the most are the ones who have gone with me on the journey: YOU. Thank you all for being there. It means more than I can say.

Angel

Last Minute Chaos

2009-07-10T00:13:00.003-05:00

Although Nationals doesn't officially start until Wednesday evening at the Literacy Signing, most of the Playfriends are managing last minute details before we head off to DC. PC is already gone on some pre-conference site seeing. The rest of us are going a couple days early for the official Smarty Pants's Whirlwind DC tour.

This means the chaos has firmly set in. Despite our planning, our packing lists, our shopping trips and fashion shows, this is the point where everything unravels. Items go missing. Last minute laundry. Grocery store runs to stock up on frozen pizzas to feed the family left behind. Scrambling for manicures and pedicures. Picking up clothes from the tailor or the dry cleaner. Hair appointments and other grooming requirements. For me, the chaos will also include a stop for spray tanning.

I don't tan. Almost not at all. I just turn red, peel, then go back to the same pasty shade I started with. I learned the hard way that its just not in my cards to have a healthy golden glow. Whenever I feel the need to knock a bit off my neon white, I hit the spray tanning booth. I've done it several times in the past with success. I don't turn orange and I don't get so dark that people notice. Its just a nice bit of color.

So I go to the tanning place. I pay for my tan. They take me back to the new machine they've put in. Cool, I think. She informs me the machine will guide me through the process which is a little more complicated than the old one. I get naked, put on the special lotion so I don't end up with freaky hands and knees, put on the paper covers for my hair and feet, then hop inside. I get into the starting position, hit the button, and we begin.

The machine starts to spray. It is supposed to do 4, 30-second sprays while I rotate a quarter turn each time. I hold my breath and wait for it to stop so I can turn to the next position. It stops. All is going well, it seems. Then, it announces in a polite, feminine voice that does not betray my problem...

"Please see attendant."

What? What do you mean, please see attendant?? I'm naked, half-tanned, covered in blocking lotion with a ridiculous looking bonnet on and it wants me to go down the hall in a too-small towel and retrieve the 17 year old girl working at the front desk? Are you kidding me?

Apparently the answer is no. The machine does not have a sense of humor, so it does not follow up with the phrase "Gotcha! Just messing with you, please turn to position 2." So, without an alternative, I get my towel and do as instructed. The two girls working there (who I must assume do not have electrical engineering degrees) hit some buttons, unplug the machine, and decide, after maxing out their troubleshooting techniques, that its broken. Broken. I do not have time for this.

As though this happens every day, they calmly informed me that my only option was to drive across town to the second (and only) location with a spray booth that works. And to do it in the next hour before they closed. I declined. They then recommended I go home immediately and shower, exfoliating well to remove any of the spray tanner. And they'll gladly credit my account for when I want to come back. Come back?! Sadly, the truth is that I probably will since its the only place in town that does it.

As though I don't already have enough to worry about, I have to rush home at the speed of light to scrub off the spray tanner that is busily bronzing ONE HALF of my body so I don't end up looking a fool at conference. That is not the way I want to make impressions on people in the business, you know? I blow past DB without speaking and march upstairs to bathe. He follows me up and I have to admit to the incident through the frosted glass shower door. I can still hear him laughing.

Fortunately, I did not end up half tanned. I scrubbed hard and I think the machine's breakdown caused it not to spray too well to begin with. I would not have heard the end of it from DB, much less the other Playfriends, if I had shown up with half of me pasty, half of me 'kissed' with sun.

Any of you struggling through any last minute preparations? Any similar spray tanning snafus you'd like to share? I haven't had the best of luck with the home tanning lotions, either, but at least they don't break.

SP

PS. Don't forget to pop in while we're gone next week for our answers to the questions submitted by our readers.

PSS. Virginia is Instigator's Winner from yesterday. Please email instigator@writingplayground.com to claim your autographed copy of Afterburn!

Sigh

2009-07-09T08:39:00.004-05:00

Between getting ready for conference (still not there yet) and this office move my brain is fried. I completely forgot that it was Thursday until Smarty Pants emailed me to ask where my blog was.

See...I love where the new office is but it's a pain in the rear. It's located in one county and a city in another county. We have yet another city's address and a fourth city's phone number. I spent 3 hours driving all across North Alabama yesterday attempting to have our electric, gas and water transferred to our name. Three different companies in two different cities and counties. And then I spent another hour designing a floral arrangement for our conference room table.

I don't have my pitches ready. I have hair, nail and tanning appointments all in the next two days. I still have pieces in my wardrobe that I need to purchase. I. Am. Not. Ready. For any of this.

So, in order to make up for my lack of brain function and to atone for my sins I am going to give away a book today - a signed copy of Afterburn to one commenter.

Here, have some eye candy too :-)

Instigator

7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant

2009-07-08T00:34:00.001-05:00

I'm in ~~panic~~ packing mode for the RWA conference in Washington, D.C., next week, and my brain is just having trouble coming up with a blog topic. Actually, my poor brain has had trouble with blog topics for a while now. I'm not a Golden Heart finalist like Angel so I don't have that excitement to share. I'm not a published author like Problem Child and Instigator, so I don't have that wider arena of the publishing world to draw from. And I'm not witty with interesting skills like Smarty Pants so I can't write about cake decorating or planning fabu parties.

So I'm going to share a piece I saw online about a month ago so that those of you flying to the RWA conference (or anywhere else) can stay in the good graces of your cabin crew.

A veteran flight attendant who works for a well-known airline listed these as her biggest pet peeves with air travelers:

1. Bring your pet on the plane and then act like an animal.
Over the years, I've seen a pet on a passenger's lap, a pet tucked into a seatback pocket, and a pet loose in the aisle (I nearly hit one with my beverage cart). All of this is against federal regulations. People tell me how well-behaved their pet is, but they can't follow the rules themselves! Your pet must stay in its carrier while you're on the plane. Yes, even if you've paid a "pet-in-cabin" fee.

2. Shove your bag into the first bin you see and then walk to your seat in the back of the plane.
You think you're clever, I know. You expect to grab your bag on your way out of the plane, but you're selfishly inconveniencing others. I can't lie and say we flight attendants don't take some small satisfaction when we tell you, "We couldn't identify the bag's owner, so we sent it to cargo." It's a security issue, for real. Carry-ons need to stay near their owners! So don't look so shocked when we say, "The signs will direct you to baggage claim. You can pick up your bag there."

3. Think that because you're on an airplane you're off-duty as a parent.
Stop expecting us to have spare diapers, formula, medicine, toys, playing cards, or batteries for DVD players or Game Boys. It's an airplane, not a 7-11. Take your kid to the restroom before you board. Leave the dry cereal and Legos at home and bring snacks and toys for your kids that won't make a horrible mess.

4. Drag on an oversize bag that's too heavy for you to lift by yourself.
I won't be compensated for any injuries I might sustain if I heft your bag into the overhead compartment for you. (And other passengers shouldn't have to step up and take the risk either.) The guideline is simple: You pack it, you stack it. Try this at home as a test (and this is to you ladies, especially): After you've packed your bag, put on the shoes you plan to wear on the plane and see if you can lift your bag and place it on top of your refrigerator. You can't? Pay the fee and check the bag.

5. Gripe that you haven't been seated in a roomy exit-row seat.
The exit rows weren't created as a reward for people who are tall, overweight, or just plain nice. They were designed to help passengers get out of the plane in an emergency. The people seated in an exit row must be able to see and speak clearly, open the emergency door, and help others. I prefer to see uniformed military, firefighters, law-enforcement officers, or off-duty pilots and flight attendants sitting in those seats. While the gate agent may assign exit-row seats first, the flight attendant makes the final determination about who gets to sit in them. And the quality of our choices is one of the frequent concerns of Federal Aviation Administration officials when they audit airlines for safety practices. So please don't complain. I'm just doing my job.

6. Act like you don't know the meaning of the words "under the seat in front of you."
Someday I will be muttering "under the seat in front of you" in the old-age home for flight attendants. What is it that you don't understand? To be clear, items should not be stowed behind your calves, under your feet like a footstool, in the open seat next to you, or in your lap. It's under the seat in front of you. And it applies to everything you carry on board. Items stored carelessly can trip others, or dislodge during takeoff and get lost, or inconvenience others. And while I'm on the topic: Please don't wrap your purse (or umbrella strap) around your ankle to keep from forgetting it. What will happen in an emergency, when every second counts and there's no time to disentangle yourself from your precious bag? Will you drag it ball-and-chain-style down the aisle of a burning plane?

7. Whine about the high price of flying.
When I hear people complain about coach airfares, I know they're not keeping up with the news. Fares have rarely been cheaper. In recent years, it's not uncommon for you to be able to cross the continent for under $130 each way, with a maximum of one layover. It's a bargain! At that price, you're barely paying for the fuel to get your body there—never mind the cost of shipping your 50 pounds of gear. You're already on the gravy plane. People point to first class ticket holders and want to know why they don't get the same treatment. Wake up folks: You're getting a great deal. If you want even more, pay more!

I won't mention that my favorite airline, Southwest, still does not charge for baggage, allows you two free bags and has the best on-time record in the business. Plus I just love Southwest's cabin crews. You can experience a little Southwest fun with the YouTube video below.

To all conference-goers, have a safe trip and we'll see you there.

Do you have any pet peeves regarding travel? Tell me. Get it off your chest.

P.S. Note that this blog posted at 12:34 on 7/8/09. This is the first time/date numerical alignment today. The next will be at 4:05:06 this afternoon. And to get more specific, the first alignment is actually 12:34:56, but Blogger doesn't show the seconds. Neat, huh?

Bet that synopsis doesn't seem so scary now...

2009-07-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

As an English major, a teacher, and now a writer, I’ve been asked to read and offer my input on a lot of projects. I’ve read chapters, query letters, synopses, college admission essays, letters of complaint, scholarship applications, thousands of essays, thesis outlines – you name it, I’ve critted it. But I can honestly say I’ve never worked on anything as important as this.

A “Dear Birthparent” letter.

One of my friends from high school has been struggling with infertility for years, and she and her husband are now starting the adoption process. They have to write a letter to the mother of a child up for adoption telling her about themselves and why they should to be the couple to adopt her baby.

And she asked me for help.

My friend and her husband are fabulous people – smart, well-educated, stable in their careers, totally in love with each other and their marriage is strong. They’re funny, loving, and caring, and they will make fabulous parents to the child who is lucky enough to get them. But they want to make sure their letter is the best it can be since it will be one of the first things the birthparent will see.

So she sent it to me to see what I thought.

I could say I’m honored, but that wouldn’t begin to describe it. This is one of the most important things they’ll ever write and they want my help. My input. My advice. I’ve been asked to read a lot of things for a lot of people, but never something that had this kind of import. (That query letter I critted last week – while important to the author – just doesn’t seem the same now.)

My fingers and toes are crossed the birthparent will see this letter and know that my friend and her husband are the right choice for her baby. And if my comments on their letter made it stronger and helped the birthparent see how fabulous this couple is… wow. It makes me glad I majored in English in the first place.

Kinda puts that “Dear Reader” letter I have to write into perspective…

MOANday-Eddie Cibrian

2009-07-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post a hunk for MOANday that was as hot as this July has been! I think Eddie Cibrian is our man.

Recently appearing in “The Starter Wife”, Nora Robert’s Northern Lights, and Ugly Betty, he’s also appeared in Invasion and Third Watch. I just think he’s cute. ;)

Hope y’all are recovered from your holiday weekend! I know the start of a new work week can be hard, but hopefully this will bring a little smile to your day.

Angel

P.S. I’d like to send a great, big I LOVE YOU to my Little Man, who turns 5 today.

Cole Slaw and Explosives

2009-07-03T00:13:00.002-05:00

It's almost here. Even now as I'm writing this, I can hear the pops and bangs of juveniles with incendiary devices run amok in my neighborhood.

Oh yes, the Fourth of July.

I've been dreading it since I saw the first trailers go up in gas station parking lots across town. To explain for those lucky souls who live in states where fireworks are illegal, they're always sold out of rickety looking trailers crammed packed with stuff set in parking lots in every gas station you pass. (Which never made a whole lot of sense to me. Wouldn't it be better to set them up in a grocery store lot or something far far away from gasoline pumps? In case there's some freak tragedy of some kind that would blow up a city block?)

Anyway, I'm all for celebrating independence and all that, but I find that most holidays have evolved to these weird convoluted commercial versions of themselves. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for chocolate bunnies and spiderman costumes, but when it comes down to it, they really don't have much to do with anything. Fourth of July is no exception. How cole slaw and small explosives became the symbols of freedom, I'll never know. Of course, it doesn't help that I really don't like cabbage or fireworks that aren't handled by paid, licensed professionals. Wonder what the 4th of July equivalent of "Bah Humbug" is? :)

At least I get a day off of work for it. (Which I'll probably spend making an American flag cake to take to whatever bbq I end up at.)

A lot of others are probably off today, too, so I'll make this brief...

My heartfelt thanks go out first to the founders of this nation. They had the nerve to do something that had never been successfully accomplished and would've led to their execution for treason if they failed. And to all the soldiers, past and present, who fought to obtain our independence and keep it... thank you as well.

Happy Independence Day.
SP

Wuv True Wuv

2009-07-02T06:28:00.003-05:00

I'm going to break the cycle we seem to have going on the Playground this week. I'm not going to talk about conference (although, I still need to shop for a couple of things and make my packing list and put my schedule together and...)

However, I am going to talk about something else that's close to our hearts on the Playground - Love. We deal with it every day. The push and pull of two people trying to find a way to reconcile their emotions and make a life together. It isn't easy - in fiction or in real life. But it is sooo worth it - in fiction and in real life.

Tomorrow is my anniversary. Eleven years of wedded bliss...or rather eleven years of give and take punctuated by moments of bliss that make it all worth it. I met my wonderful husband fifteen years ago. We've grown up together (We were both pretty young when we met. I'm not telling you exactly because I know you guys can do math...)

I've made mistakes. He has too but I'll be nice and not list them :-). The important thing is that at the end of the day nothing was worth giving him up. Nothing. I'm very lucky to have Zilla in my life.

I'm going to spend today moving my office (pray for me) and won't have internet access all day. But tomorrow I plan to spend the entire day with Zilla and our girls. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the life we've built together over the last several years. I love you, sweetheart!

Instigator

More advice

2009-07-01T00:09:00.002-05:00

I love going to the annual RWA conference. I just don't like all the stress of getting ready to go. You have to pay your registration fee right after Christmas. Then you monitor airline fares and pounce the moment you see a great deal. You have an email loop with you and the others in your chapter who are going too so you can all obsess over the new baggage rules and how to get enough clothes for a week into one suitcase -- especially when you have to have not only business casual but sightseeing clothes and formal wear as well.

But once I've pared the clothing down to bare minimums, squeezed it all into the bag along with shoes, toiletries, jewelry, et cetera, flown to the conference city, negotiated that city's transportation system and checked into the hotel, the stress falls away (mostly) and I'm ready to learn and see old friends and make new ones too.

This year I get to go to something new -- the PRO retreat. And I've been pouring over the other workshop listings to see which I want to attend. Wouldn't you know that a couple I really like are the same time as the PRO retreat? Thank goodness for the conference CDs.

Anyway, I thought I'd borrow from my last year's conference blog and offer a few tips I've gleaned from both past experience and some of my ever-so-helpful writing friends from around the world.

* Volunteer because it's a great opportunity to meet other writers. And you'll be giving back to the organization that gives us so much.

* Wear comfy shoes. Mine this year will be not only comfy but ugly. My leg cast will come off three days before I leave for DC and I don't want to stress my foot. So I'm going to polish up my boxy-looking black shoes with rubber soles and wear them for everyday so I can don my new Kenneth Cole sandals for the awards night.

* Take a jacket or shawl to wear in the conference rooms. They keep the temps at a level comfortable for a man in a wool-blend business suit, which means a woman in slacks and a blouse will have blue lips and goosebumps before you can spell Antarctica.

* The workshop schedule is online at the RWA site. Take an afternoon or evening and go through it. Make a chart with Word or Excel for every day you're at the conference. Write down the workshops you want to attend. Add the get-togethers with various groups of friends you only see once a year. With a schedule, the whole affair seems a little less overwhelming, especially if this is your first conference.

* Do not do as I did at my first conference and try to attend a workshop during every slot of every day. By Friday night I felt as if I'd slammed into a concrete wall. I had major brain overload. Select the workshops you really want to attend, and if it's a popular one, arrive early to assure you get a seat. Then when there's an hour where no workshop really calls to you, visit the Executive Conference Room AKA the hotel bar or the hotel coffee shop and rest.

* If you are targeting a particular publisher, be sure to attend their spotlight session. You'll get a world of information straight from the horse's mouth.

* Speaking of mouths, be careful what comes out of yours. You never know who may be at the back of the elevator car. It could be the editor who has your manuscript or her best friend. Be especially careful not to enjoy the ECR too much because loose lips sink ships -- and writing careers too.

* If you see someone who looks lost or scared, walk up to them and say, "Hi, my name is _______ and I'm from ________. Is this your first conference? What do you write?" Invite them to sit with you at lunch. Introduce them to your friends. A big part of this business is networking and just saying hello may lead to something big.

* One of my writing friends is really big on goals -- even at conference. She doesn't leave home without a goal in mind. I try to do this too and come up with something that is tangible and can be measured, such as networking with five new people or learning about several publishing houses you were not familiar with before the conference.

* I always take a new bottle of over-the-counter pain reliever. I carry it with me everywhere for my own aches and pains or for the editor in the elevator who complains of a splitting headache. This is a great way to make a new friend too.

* Remember to take your camera and remember to use it so you can take home memories of the week. I have photos of myself with favorite authors and love to go back and look at conferences from years past. Remember the charging cable too!

* If you take your cell phone, be sure to TURN IT OFF during workshops. Put in on vibrate and stick it in your pocket. You'll know when someone calls but it won't disturb the speaker (unless you shriek when it vibrates). And remember the charging cord for it too.

* Leave your favorite perfume at home. Many folks have allergies, and even if they don't, fifteen women all wearing different perfume in an elevator can be olfactory overload.

Have I forgotten anything? Please tell me if I have because right now my brain is beginning to turn to mush.

P.S. How on earth can it be July already??? Check out the new contest at our website. I'm going to help one person Run Away from Home.

Yep, a conference post from me, too...

2009-06-30T00:00:00.002-05:00

Things I’m looking forward to at Conference:

Wearing nice clothes every day.I spend most days in sweats, so the opportunity to actually look good is one I actually look forward to. I know, folks who have to get dressed every day won’t see this as a plus, but I love it. Possibly because it is only for a few days.I can go back to my normal schlumpy self after.

Putting names with faces. I “know” a lot of people on line. Folks who read our blog, other Harlequin authors, other bloggers, etc. Meeting them face-to-face is something I’m really looking forward to.

Being Kimberly Lang. Don’t get me wrong – I adore my husband and child. I like being a wife and a mom. But sometimes I want to be me – not AC’s Mom or DG’s wife. No one expects me to cook or clean or find their socks. I need that occasionally. Conference is my time to be me.

Time with folks I don’t see often. My fabu CP will be at conference, plus there are folks I only see a couple of times a year at different events. It’s like a reunion only without the horrible memories and residual teenage angst.

Free books. What’s not to love there? And you all should love that too because I’ll be restocking my giveaway shelf.

(Things I’m not looking forward to: trying to fit all my stuff into one suitcase, air travel, lack of sleep, big crowds, and the sore throat/cough I’m guaranteed to get.)

So, if you’re going to Conference, what are you looking forward to? If you’re not going, do you have an event you look forward to every year?

A Fever of Preparations

2009-06-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

In case you haven’t noticed, the Playground is in a fever of preparation for RWA National Conference in a couple of weeks. Two exactly. Most of us leave on a Monday.

Anyway, today I thought I’d offer a few tips on preparing for writer’s conferences, whether Nationals or a regional conference. These experiences can be some of the most exciting and nerve-wracking activities in a writer’s journey. I hope these tips might smooth your way just a bit:

1. Plan your wardrobe around one color.

As we mentioned last week when we talked about shopping, planning around either black or brown for your wardrobe can cut down on the number of clothing items you have to take. For instance, I’m taking a black skirt with 2 different shirts for my cocktail events this year. One black pair of shoes that will go with those outfits, my black dress pants, and one of my formal dresses. That’s really helpful because shoes take up lots of space and add up weight quickly.

2. Get travel size bottles whenever possible.

I’ve been grabbing travel size soap, shampoo, and toothpaste at the store over the past few weeks. Taking these instead of full size bottles can really cut down on the weight of your suitcase. Need specific products that don’t come in travel size? Purchase some refillable bottles.

3. Wear new shoes before you go, even if it is just around the house.

There is nothing worse that breaking in new shoes at conference. That is just a blister waiting to happen. If you’ve purchased new shoes (which I have), be sure to break them in before you go. I have some just-purchased flats that I’ve been wearing out and about, but my new black heels aren’t exactly made for running errands. My family laughed when they walked into the kitchen to find me wearing them with a pair of gray shorts and a t-shirt, but at least I won’t have to deal with as much foot pain in DC.

4. Prepare your story pitches before you leave.

In the rush to get everything ready, working on your editor and agent pitches can get shuffled to the background. But trust me, you don’t want to be up until 1 a.m. the night before, stressing over just the right word to describe your hero. (Been there, done that.) Instead, you should be getting a couple of extra hours of sleep. Do yourself a favor and put together your full-length and elevator pitches before you go. It will save you a lot of stress later.

5. Write out your schedule, but leave room for the unexpected.

It is said that a lot happens in the bar at National conference, and that’s certainly true. Even if you don’t meet your dream editor there, lots of hilarity can ensue with the right group of friends. I have a lot of events that I have to attend this year, so this list-maker definitely has her schedule already worked up. I’ve also listed a couple of workshops that I’d REALLY like to attend in person. Other than that, I’ve tried to leave some space free. You never know what you might get swept up into during that down time.

6. Take whatever steps necessary to leave home without worrying what you’ve left behind.

I’m not talking about stuff here. You can always purchase something you forgot to take with you. I’m talking about peace of mind. My husband makes fun of me for the extensive lists I write out for those keeping my kids and the freezer full of convenience foods they’ll probably leave in favor of fast food, but that’s okay. If putting myself to all that trouble means I can fly to Washington with a little less worry over leaving my loved ones, then I think it is worth it. So do whatever you need to, in order to feel more comfortable about what is happening in your absence. You’ll be happy you did.

7. If you haven't already, go read the fine print on your travel requirements... now.

While this may seem self-explanatory to well-seasoned travelers, I rarely fly anywhere except to conference. Imagine my surprise when I looked up the luggage weight limits and found a little tidbit about checking my luggage in before I get to the airport. If I don't, they are going to charge me an additional $5 for doing it when I get there. Go read all your flight information now, so you aren't surprised and scrambling at the last minute. You'll be glad you did.

These are some of the travel tips working through my brain at the moment. With conference 2 weeks away, this stuff is at the forefront of my mind. But thanks to Kathy, I’ve got 2 full pitches and an elevator pitch ready to rehearse. My wardrobe is planned and the suitcase is sitting in the living room for me to drop stuff into it as needed.

For those of you heading out to conference, or used to traveling, what other tips can you offer those of us about to wing our way to our nation’s capital?

Angel

The Return of the Comprehensive, Must-Have, Magical, Mystical, Packing List

2009-06-26T00:13:00.006-05:00

All righty, people. Nationals is right around the corner. Its time to start thinking about really important stuff like "What am I going to wear?" and "How many shoes can I cram into this bag without going over the weight limit?" In honor of this important event (and because I'm at a wedding in Napa) I'm bringing back the Comprehensive, Must-Have, Magical, Mystical, Packing List. Its a great place to start building your own list.

Mine is broken into sections, starting with what I'm wearing on the plane. These are usually items that are too bulky to pack and comfortable for travel. Jeans, a sweater and sneakers are must haves in my book and I've racked up my share of airline miles in them. Planes get cold and I've been so happy to have my sweater instead of wearing shorts and flip flops like all the other tourists. Plus, when they change your gate for the 10th time or your plane is late and you have 5 minutes to make your connection, sneakers are a godsend.

Wear on Plane :

Shirt
Jeans
Sweater
Sneakers
Socks

Then I have the list of what goes in my backpack. I like backpacks because my hands are free, but this could be your carry on, your toiletry bag...whatever. Just make sure these items are in a bag you physically have custody of at all times. Must have stuff. You don't want it to end up in New Jersey while you're waiting at the luggage carousel in DC.

Backpack :

Plane Itinerary / Ticket
Camera & Battery Charger
Cell Phone & Charger
1 extra pair of panties & socks (just in case)
Book to read on the plane
ID and/or Passport (I keep this and some cash in an easily accessible pocket - one that zips for security - for the 20 times I have to get it out to travel. This is mainly because of the next item.)
Purse (I transition to a smaller purse and stuff it inside my backpack so I have less to carry. This makes it harder to get to, so I take a few essentials out for the day. Even though you won't need your keys, be sure to carry them with you as well so you have them when you get home.)
Snacks (They don't feed you on planes anymore, so this is a MUST. Its also good to have once you get to Nationals so you have something to eat aside from the overpriced hotel food.)
Prescription Medication (Never, ever check your pills with your luggage.)
Travel Alarm Clock (If you can't set your cell phone, and you can, I'm pretty sure)
Mini flashlight
Business Cards

Next is what goes in my toiletry bag. Mine is actually a small bag that fits inside my luggage, which is good considering all the charges for extra pieces these days. If you're carrying this on, remember all liquids, gels and aerosols must be smaller than 3 ounces and must all fit within a clear, one quart ziplock bag. You have to pull this out and run it through the security x-ray separately. If you do check the bag, I still recommend putting liquids inside a ziploc bag in case a bottle comes open and leaks all over your clothes.

Toiletry Bag :

Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash
Deodorant
Hairbrush
Clips/Bands/Barettes
Shampoo & Conditioner (if you can use the hotel provided ones, ok, but my hair is too picky)
Lotion and Soap (I will use the hotel provided stuff, but if you can't, pack your own)
Hair Products - Gel, Hairspray, Mousse, Detangler
Hair Electronics - blow dryers, curling iron, flat iron, etc.
Makeup, brushes, cotton applicators, good mirror, tweezers
Moisturizer w/ SPF (you might also take outright sunblock if you'll be outside a lot)
Razor & Shaving gel
Feminine Hygiene (I always take an emergency stash just in case.)
OTC Meds - Pain Reliever, Antacids, Stomach Pills
Clear and colored nail polish & file for manicure fixes and hosiery runs
First Aid Kit & Extra bandaids (if you have to ask, you haven't read this blog for very long)
Mini Sewing Kit
Mini bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release Spray & Febreze (another must on the Playground!)

Luggage :

Another copy of your flight itinerary in case your bag loses its ID tag
Panties x # of days, plus one
Sport or Trouser Socks x # of days needed
1 pair pantyhose (I hate them, but its good to carry one pair JIC. I have a pair of shoes that just rubs something fierce without them, but are super comfortable otherwise)
Regular bras & dress bras (as needed for formals, etc)
Spanx (the ever-so important foundation garment) & slips as needed
Casual tops x # of siteseeing/travel days
1 pair jeans (if you aren't doing a lot of tourist stuff, this might not be necessary, especially as I'm wearing a pair on the plane)
Seasonal Jacket, etc, as needed (depends on where you're going, as SFO was cold, DC is NOT)
Pajamas (I don't know how many times I stress over every outfit, then forget PJs)
Daytime Outfit Components (see breakdown below)
Party Outfits as needed for Ritas, etc.
Swimsuit, if you think you might manage to make it to the spa at some point
Badge Lanyard with conference and chapter pins (RWA did a nice one in Reno for their Anniversary that had a pocket and a pen holder that I like to bring and use instead of the normal ones they usually have.)
Shoes - At a minimum, 2 pairs of comfortable casual shoes or sandals, 1 or 2 dress pairs for formals, maybe some slippers or flip flops if you're inclined to swim or visit the spa. If you coordinate your outfit to a color scheme, you can cut down to less. You could wear the same shoes every day if it matches, but I find even the most comfortable pair will start to rub and make your feet sore if you wear them over and over.
Jewelry - Make sure you know what you're wearing with each piece and put them all together in a bag with tissue if you don't have a jewelry travel case.

Finally, to determine my outfits, I use a daily breakdown. I try to bring some neutral pieces like black capris or a skirt that I can use a couple times. Microfiber is awesome - it doesn't wrinkle and it takes up almost no space in your bag. I also advocate the inclusion of one extra outfit that lies somewhere between your workshop attire and your formal in case you get an impromptu invite to a dinner or a party someplace nice. Here's my breakdown based on my typical activities...

Wednesday - black microfiber skirt, pink top, black heels, pink jewelry
Thursday - black capris, blue microfiber top, black sandals, blue jewelry
Thursday Night - eHQN PJ party attire, flip flops/slippers
Friday - black microfiber skirt, purple microfiber top, black sweater, black heels, purple jewelry
Friday Night - purple formal, dress heels, purple jewelry
Saturday - black capris, pink satin top, pink heels, pink jewelry
Saturday Night - turquoise formal, gold dress heels, gold jewelry
Sunday - t-shirt, jeans, etc. for flight home (add days as needed if you're coming early or staying late to sitesee)
Pitch Outfit - if you are pitching, bring the outfit that makes you feel your best if its not already one of the ensembles you're wearing
Extra Outfit - a fabu just in case outfit that you can wear with the shoes and jewelry you're already planning to bring

Hope The Comprehensive, Must-Have, Magical, Mystical, Packing List helps make planning for the big trip a little easier for you. Have I missed anything? What's on your must pack list?

SP

Boxes, Tape & Labels

2009-06-25T08:08:00.002-05:00

Sorry this post is late! I've been up to my eyeballs in moving preparations this week. Add in Baby Girl's birthday (today!) and my mind just isn't where it should be.

My office is moving in...6 days. The new office just got paint on the walls yesterday, flooring is supposed to be going down today and the security system and plumbing should hopefully be in by the end of the weekend. Yes, we're cutting it close. As long as no one sneezes we'll be fine. One hiccup (including in the inspection process and getting signed off by the city...how much you wanna bet that works out fine?) and we're screwed. However, we've been forging forward under the assumption that everything will work out fine.

I've been cleaning my desk, reorganizing filing cabinets and packing anything that doesn't move for the last week and a half. I am currently surrounded by half full boxes just waiting for the moment when I finish everything I have to do and can really start dismantling the space around me. We've already filled half of our dumpster with shit that probably should have been thrown away 5 years ago - the last time we moved. I still have to put in our change of address, complete our we've moved cards, oh and get the water, electricity and gas moved over into our name. But I can't do that until we've been cleared for occupancy which won't happen until Monday or Tuesday. Did I mention we're moving on Wednesday? That we have a truck rented and hired help already lined up? Pray for me. Please.

Every cut it this close on a move? Ever moved? Tell me your happy (or nightmare) stories. I moved quite a bit when I was younger...hence my loathing of the process now. I really hope this is the last time we do it.

Instigator

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!! My littlest is turning 5 today. I wanna know where the years went.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

2009-06-24T00:02:00.003-05:00

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Any child of the seventies remembers those lyrics from Simon and Garfunkle. Until a few summers ago, they were just words in a song. Well, I knew parsley as a garnish used in restaurants.

And then I planted an herb garden and discovered the wonderful world of fresh herbs. Because of my leg being in a cast, I haven't been able to plant annual flowers like I normally do, so my gardening has been limited to the herbs. I sweltered in Sunday's sun and cleaned out the dead foliage to tidy up the place.

This first photo shows my lavender, sage and thyme. I've been harvesting the lavender blossoms, drying them and when I have enough I'll made a nice sachet for my undies drawer. I use the sage and thyme for cooking.

Here is rosemary and oregano. This rosemary plant started as a six-inch plant from Lowe's. At one point it had taken over the whole end of the bed and grown tall enough to reach the bottom of the window above it. Last year I pruned it way back and you can see I still have plenty of plant. It's an evergreen and can be used as an ornamental shrub. I've even seen it coaxed into shapes as a topiary.

All these herbs are perennial though only the rosemary and lavender keep their leaves through the winter.

This is a black swallowtail caterpillar and it's the reason I stopped growing parsley. A family of these infested my herb garden two summers ago and in one afternoon they stripped the plant of every leaf. I tried planting decoy parsley in another part of the yard, but I didn't fool them. He's pretty in an ugly sort of way, isn't he?

Newspaper and magazine articles have been publishing articles touting the qualities of superfoods like pomegranates, avocadoes, kiwi, broccoli, walnuts and sweet potatoes. But I recently came across an article that told me I had a regular little health clinic in my backyard. Here's what I've learned.

Rosemary, aside from smelling and tasting wonderful, has been used as a brain tonic in China for years. It also aids digestion and boosts the immune system. I like to cut a few long stalks and put them in a bud vase on my desk just for the smell. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you can toss a sprig of rosemary into the fire to release the aromas into the room.

Oregano can be steeped in hot water and the vapors inhaled when you have a cold. These vapors have antibacterial, antiviral and decongestant qualities. I'm definitely going to try that next winter.

Sage can increase oxygen to the brain and improve concentration and is also a digestive aid.

Chives (growing a few feet away but not pictured) contain vitamin C and potassium, calcium, iron and folic acid. Sprinkle them on a baked potato to not only add flavor but give you the benefits of these vitamins and minerals.

If you don't have a place outside to grow herbs, most can be grown in pots in a sunny window.

Got herbs? Use herbs? Tell me.

P.S. Keep sending in those questions to playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com.

Off to college, to major in peach farming...

2009-06-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

All businesses have jargon. All social groups have slang. Jargon is a shorthand for those in the biz, and slang is a way to identify with a group (and in both cases, it’s easy to spot outsiders based on language).

After four years together, it’s no real surprise that the Playground is developing its own jargon and slang. We’re not trying to exclude anyone; we’re just lazy. Today, I’m going to share some Playground shorthand with you – so you won’t feel excluded. :-)

“That book went off to college.”

Books are kinda like children (in my case, headstrong and willful children). While my book might be like my own child, the other Playfriend’s books are like my nieces and nephews. I’m kept up-to-date on their shenanigans, but the day-to-day raising of them aren’t my problem. You keep up with their growth, their progress, and then one day they go off to college and come back entirely different people. This happens quite frequently with books – especially once your editor gets hold of them and you’re going through revisions. Trust me, Kira’s Whispers in the Dark is not the same book I helped her plot in the back of the Playmobile on the way back from Birmingham. The “child” I knew is still there, but it’s all grown up now and I hardly recognize it anymore.

Just like in real life, going off to college is a good thing. College (i.e. an editor) does good things for your book – even if you feel slightly left out of the loop, like you missed an important part of its growth process. It’s odd to see a book mature into something different than what I expected, but it also means that the book I pick up off the shelf of my local bookstore will have a surprise in store for me.

“And now he’s a peach farmer.” (also sometimes a question, asked in a tone of frustrated disbelief)

Brainstorming books in a group is an interesting process. Characters, plot points, funny lines all get tossed around randomly – some ideas are rejected outright, others are written down for possible later use, and some prove interesting enough to build your book on. And all of this can happen pretty quickly. You have to pay attention.

One night we were brainstorming at my house. The book up for discussion took place at a nice resort owned by the hero and the heroine was the manager. I left the room for FIVE MINUTES – seriously, FIVE FREAKIN’ MINUTES – and when I came back, the hero was now a peach farmer in south Georgia (and the heroine might have been a preacher’s daughter by that point. I’m still not sure about the twins.). Talk about a train of thought that left me behind at the station.

Peach farming happens a lot on the Playground. I thought it was dangerous to leave the room only because I’d get volunteered for something while I was gone. Pfft. "And now he's a peach farmer" is shorthand for “How the hell did we get here?” (and the answer is, “It doesn’t matter. Here we are.”) So if you hear us talking about peach farming, it means something major has changed while you weren’t looking, and just roll with it.

And, just FYI, my book is turning into a professional student. I’m wondering if it’s too late to borrow that peach farmer idea…

So do you have a group of friends that has developed its own slang? Care to share what it is or how it came about?

~off to pay tuition...~

Summer Reads

2009-06-22T06:50:00.000-05:00

I’m a little behind in putting together my post for today. Things have been just crazy. I knew there was a reason I was dreading summer. For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been carrying Little Man to swim lessons, an hour round-trip daily. This week I start 2 hours round-trip daily to take Drama Queen to Girl Scout Day Camp. But after that, their summer obligations are strictly fun. I also had to work yesterday and the rest of this week, along with having family come in next weekend. Sigh…

One thing I’m hoping to get to do this summer is read. Eventually. I’ve got a book waiting on my bedside table by Lara Adrian. The newest in her Midnight Breed series titled Ashes of Midnight. I’m also hoping to pick up some new books at conference in July.

So tell me, what does your summer reading list look like? Anything new or exciting you’ve discovered?

Angel

2009-06-20T08:50:00.003-05:00

We're taking your questions!!!

During the week of RWA National Conference, the Playfriends are taking the time to answer your questions while we're on a learning experience of our own. This is your chance to ask us anything about writing, authors (and their quirks), craft, the business of publishing, our lives, etc.

Remember to send your questions for the Playfriends to Playground Monitor at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com. The deadline is this Wednesday, June 24th. Prizes will be awarded for those who participate.

So send those questions in! The best part about this website is sharing our experiences with YOU!

Angel

Up to My Elbows In Buttercreme

2009-06-19T00:13:00.007-05:00

I should've known better than to take on cake decorating as a hobby. Combining sweet confectionary arts with my sedentary work and other sedentary hobbies is just asking for a bigger rear end. I spend most of my time at the computer, reading or scrapbooking (read: sitting). Why couldn't I like to hike or rollerblade or something? Nope. Not me. I like artistic pursuits, which includes decorating pastry in super sugary goodness.

At the moment, I have two cakes under construction at my house. As Instigator mentioned, this weekend is the Playkids Birthday Extravaganza. To go along with our Pirates & Princess theme, one is a chocolate pirate ship and the other is a vanilla tiara pull apart cupcake-cake. I can't complain because I volunteered to make the cakes. For one thing, the grocery store wanted $80 for the pirate ship and $32 for the tiara cake and that's just crazy. Second, like baking and decorating. It's fun. I'd like to think I'm fairly good at it. It also has the potential to be fairly lucrative as a side job at some point.

But it also has the potential for eating. Scraps, stray buttercreme icing, extra fillings, etc. Even if I don't eat a bite of the resulting cake, I'm surrounded by tasty opportunities.

I'd honestly like to do more cakes. Practice and try new skills and methods. But I simply cannot have a cake sitting around my house each week. People laugh at me when I try to push extra cake on them, but its an absolute must. I don't want to eat it. Scratch that. I do want to eat it. Which is why it must go away.

What's your favorite kind of cake? Fillings? Icing? Whenever I watch those fancy cake shows on tv, the couples are always ordering something strange like pistachio cake with mango coconut filling. Boggles my mind. I wouldn't ever think to put something like that together. I'm trying to expand my portfolio, so share what you like, please.

SP

P.S. The winner of last week's website survey contest was Lois! Please email me at smartypants@writingplayground.com to claim your prize within 7 days. Thanks!

P.S.S. Remember to send your questions for the Playfriends to Playground Monitor at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com. Ask us anything about writing, craft, the business, our lives, etc. and we'll answer them the week of conference.

Birthday Parties

2009-06-18T06:03:00.003-05:00

This weekend we're having a major party on the Playground. Nope, no one is turning 40...yet. It's actually the little ones that are going to celebrate this time.

Five of the six Playkids have birthdays in June and July. Yep, you read that right. For the past several summers in between conferences, vacations, girl scout camps and vacation bible school we've also had 5 birthday parties in about 7 weeks. Yeah, you do the math. Doesn't leave many weekends free does it?

So, this year we decided to be smart about this. Instead of having 5 separate weekends for Playkid birthday parties we're going to have them all on one day. Yep, you read that right. It just makes sense. I mean, all of our kids are friends. Whenever I watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I see our kids. They don't go to the same schools, they don't even see each other on a regular basis but put them into a room together and it's like they've never been apart. I kinda like that. We've all formed very close bonds - these sisters of my heart - and I love the fact that our kids already have those same bonds developing.

But I digress. Perhaps because then I can forget the fact that we have 30 to 40 kids coming to this party. Yep, you read that right. In theory, this idea is brilliant. I'm very worried that in practice the end of the party will find all the adults huddled in a ball twitching and ticking. Luckily, there is plenty to keep the hoodlums - I mean precious children - occupied. And if nothing else, we'll feed them some of Smarty Pant's cake. She's making a pirate ship and a princess tiara out of cake. Her talent never ceases to amaze me! Oh wait, maybe we shouldn't feed them sugar.

Seriously, we're going to have a fantastic party. Have you ever thrown a huge party? Ever had a surprise party? Have a fun/disastrous kid's party story to share?

Instigator

P.S. Remember to send your questions for the Playfriends to Playground Monitor at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com. Ask us anything about writing, craft, the business, our lives, etc. and we'll answer them the week of conference.