Archive for 2005

By Jove, she thinks she’s got it!

December 2, 2005 | PROCRASTINATION

By my 15 year old Merriam-Webster the definition of PROCRASTINATION is;
to put off usu. habitually the doing of something that should be done.
Syn; dawdle, delay, loiter

By Roget’s SUPER Thesaurus Third Edition we have;
Put off, stall, delay, shilly-shally, dawdle, temporize and the list continues.

Yup! The above is correct and then some. What amazed me was not seeing Sloane Taylor playing Spider Solitaire. What the hell! I’m a recognized personality in some circles. Okay, okay, they’re very small circles but Studly still thinks I’m somethin’. Hmmm…. Sorry, I got side-tracked for a moment.

Procrastination – my favorite passtime. I can come up with more ways to laze around and not write than there’s books at Borders. My favorite is Spider Solitaire. It’s a relaxer for the mind as well as keeping one sharp on manipulating the mouse. I can Spider for hours without one moment of guilt.

Then my friend, Jenna Howard, taught me the fine art of blogging. You have got to go on her site. HOT DAMN! A new way to use up my day and avoid writing. Could life get any better? Yah, well, maybe a royalty check but let’s not go there.

So in the back door slips Kate Lang with a hunkorama blog closely followed by Sherrill Quinn rivets you better than Rosie. Have Mercy! These ladies are filling my day with so much to read there’s no time for the Spider fix.

Maya Reynolds stepped up to the plate and educated me on the fine points of this industry we so love/hate. Now there’s a blog well worth every second Maya spends. The chick ought to charge for the pleasure of reading her info.

Yasmine Phoenix, a new and promising author, just started to blog. She’s witty and has these two kids who could fill pages with stories of their hectic, unconventional lives.

All these exceptional people are on the links page, be sure to check them out. Then join in the fun. It’s a great way to spend the day.

I’m always searching for a new method of procrastination. So to all you kind Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and Indians who have clicked on this site, won’t you please share with me your best way to procrastinate?

Sloane who has to get over to Kate’s site again. I need to check if she’s answered yet.

David & Teddi Traveling to the Land of Rejection

December 1, 2005 | It's All About Writing

Yesterday was a writing bomb that let rip a sound heard around the world. Well, at least the world of Teddi and David.

I worked for hours, literally HOURS, because it’s time for David to grow a conscience. Yes, he feels guilt but not as much as I do for not expanding his 139 word POV into at least 500.

It just doesn’t work! Every new word sounds eactly as it is – filler. Editors do NOT like filler. As we all know, every word has to move the story forward. My extra words offer insight to his character but even had me nodding off. I can just imagine if my critique partners or the Brazen Vixens ever got a hold of this crap. There’d be more 2×4’s and crops waving than flags on the Fourth of July.

So it’s decision time. Do I shoot myself in the foot to meet a word count or do I do right by my hero? Have to do the right thing. If the editor doesn’t like his angst in a well-written, tight 139 words, she’ll tell me. Maybe she’ll even say it’s good. And maybe I really will wake up tomorrow and be a natural blonde!

Ah well, back to the delete key.
Sloane

The Best is Yet to Come!

November 29, 2005 | It's All About Writing

Last night the critique meeting went great. Beth and Yasmine showed me how to clean up the rough spots in this on-going saga. So once again I’m back on track. I must admit, I was pleased when they reacted to a line just as I’d hoped. It’s a thrill when your reader gets those little nuances tucked in a scene.

This morning I ‘m ready for bear, hmm, bare. Yes, definitely bare because David and Teddi are now hot on the path to gratifying sex. Yes, the road will be bumpy. It has to be – it’s a romance. But there’s a hellova lot of fun along the way.

Time to get back to writing. Teddi’s in the middle of a fantasy where David is licking and sucking. The poor woman can’t be left out there with her nipples puckered and her vagina throbbing for too long.

Sloane

PRESSURE

November 28, 2005 | It's All About Writing

This day is insane and passing much too fast. Since early this morning I’ve written, scratched out, rewritten, and scratched out even more. Triskelion Publishing is patiently waiting for the rest of this manuscript and tonight is my critique meeting. If I don’t have something worthwhile Beth and Yasmine are going to flail me alive. I might as well carry my own whip to save Beth the time digging for hers. And if I don’t really get the lead out of my ass, Triskelion is going to tell me to take a hike.

Where the hell did I ever get the idea I could write fiction? Oh yeah, I remember. It all started when these words began to bubble inside me.

You see all my writing friends hear these great voices or see these amazing hunks who tell them what to write. All I get is bubbling words that half the time make me want to puke! Yet somewhere in the chunky garble are a few beauts. Pearls of wisdom? No. Just words blending together to tell a story of sensuality and a not so young woman who finally comes alive.

Of course it’s a romance. But it’s filled with sexual tension and passion, not to mention a few explicit scenes that have me craving a cigarette by the time I finish typing.

This writing business is tough. It requires stamina, creativity, patience, dedication, and a strong determination to stay focused. I know I can do it. I want to do it. Dammit! I WILL do it.

Now what the hell was he doing with that naked woman stretched out on the love seat? See? It’s all in staying focused.

Sloane

Travel

November 25, 2005 | Life is Good

Our good friends, Bonnie and Tom, came for dinner last Tuesday. It was a fun evening with Tom’s constant off-beat cracks about life in general and Bonnie’s zest for everything.

We four have been mulling over a trip to Europe next summer, my least favorite time to travel, for almost a year. With enough pineapple vodka flowing through Tom and Studly’s veins, they finally popped loose with those coveted Visa cards.

Everyone’s excited to spend three weeks split between Italy, Austria, and Bavaria. Bonnie’s practically balistic to visit the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Tom’s already practicing his German to sing along in the father of all beer halls, the Hofbrauhaus. Studly just grins and waggles his eyebrows thinking about ten nights in Italy. I do love that man. Then there’s me, sitting back and imaging all the story lines that will fill my notebooks as we ride the trains through these countries. And if I don’t get my ass pinched in Rome this time, I’m gonna throw a fit!

Sloane

My Admitted Shame

November 23, 2005 | The Soapbox

Tomorrow is the day when American families will gather around dining room tables groaning with an abundance of goodies. They’ll clasp hands and say a prayer of thanks for everything good in their lives. My family will do the same thing.

What I wonder is, do these same people ever give a thought beyond themselves? Do they ever consider the section of humanity who doesn’t share an opulent meal with family or friends? Have they ever given a thought to the homeless freezing in their cardboard homes with little or no protection from the elements?

Most of us don’t, unless it’s to side-step and quickly look away as if homelessness and hunger are dreaded diseases spread by a glance. What a shame that we stroll on by in our Guccis and Ferragamos while children huddle starving and are clothed in rags.

I’m no better than thousands of other Americans who do nothing except for the occassional handout. In my heart I cry for these people, but on the surface all I do is talk a good game. Pathetic isn’t it, just two days ago I was overcome with joy to win as a finalist in two categories of a prized contest and never gave a thought to people less fortunate?

Today I’ve matured and decided yes, I damn well will do something about it. I have promised myself I will contact a shelter and work at least one day a week, not out of pity, to simply do the right thing.

You are all welcomed and encouraged to challenge me, question my motives, and be sure I follow through on my promise.

Sloane

Thanksgiving

| Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. May you have a blessed and peaceful day.

Sloane

Beyond Belief

November 21, 2005 | Hot Damn

Today has been one of the most shocking days of my life. Early this morning I opened the emails to find one from Jeanne Laws, a Brazen Vixen and a terrific writer. Her one word was “Woo-hooooooo!”. As I scrolled down the list I saw Jeanne had won as a finalist in the Spicy/Sensual category of the distinguished CONNections 2005 contest. What a great credit for Jeanne and well deserved. But as I scrolled further I saw I HAD WON FINALIST in TWO categories, Spicy/Sensual and the very cool CONNections Award, for the best first meeting between the hero and heroine.

My daughter had the good fortune to stop by and I couldn’t help but tell her. She threw her arms around me as she shouted her congrats and I finally knew she believed in my ability. That was one of the sweetest moments of my life.

Later Lorraine Yetke sent me the formal announcement and said the manuscript had been sent to Raelene Gorlinsky at Ellora’s Cave for final judging. Be still my impatient heart. Another copy of the entry had been sent to Melissa Endlich at Harlequinn for the best meeting. I’m in awe at all this good fortune.

It’s now late in the afternoon and I still can’t work. My mind is in total shock. All my buds have called or emailed their congratulations and it still doesn’t seem real. There’s been a gazillion contests with scores so small I had to use a magnifying glass to read them. Now this – what a high. What a great life.

And guess what? I’M A WRITER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mega congratulations to all the finalists. You’re all fine writers.

Sloane

Champagne for Everyone!

November 18, 2005 | Hot Damn

It’s always exciting when your pals celebrate a victory. Three of the Vixens have contracts on their new books and we’re all sharing in their joy.

Jenna Howard has a hot number in the Winter Wishes Anthology and four ulttra-sexy works in the Spring Flings, each guaranteed to charge your libido.

Kate Lang has two dynamite stories in one Torrid Teaser volume that’ll have you grab Mr. Right by whatever’s handy and create your own music.

Sherrill Quinn has a yummy tale in the Spring Flings Anthologies, a steamy romance in Torrid Teaser, and an erotic pleaser in Torrid Twisted Tales. Get me a fire extinguisher or Studly before I lose my mind.

All these exciting authors are being published by Whiskey Creek Press, check out the links for the release dates. Mark your calendars because you’ll want to order each one as soon as they hit the listing.

Congratulations, Ladies, you’re all well on your way.

Sloane

Friends

November 17, 2005 | Friends

Ya gotta love ’em. They’re there to harass you into being a real person again, surround you when the world turns to crap, and are the first to cheer for you when good things happen. In this life I’ve been blessed with some very special people from around the world. Check out yesterday’s comment. It was written by Jenna Howard, an amazing Canadian author, who well knows I’m a slug with computers. Yup, she’s a friend. Now she better get her sweet ass back to those sexy paranormals she writes or it’s the two-by-four.

A toast to you, sweet Diva. May the future bring you much success for it is well deserved.

Sloane