Final Line Editors–Who Are These Mysterious People?

I recently received final line edits on a book coming out September 17 called Unholy Vows (Samhain Publishing). I usually just answer the questions without much thought and pop them back into cyberspace.

This time, however, the FLE, as they are known, told my editor she enjoyed the book. She was no longer a complete mystery, known only by marginalia, snippy or otherwise. Her name is Judith. Somehow knowing her name made me feel as if she were a real partner in this tiny enterprise of mine–this one book.

How does Judith do it? “Elsewhere, you lowercased this…” I did? “This character laughs several times in the same scene…” He does? “Did you mean to say…?” Why yes, I did!

It’s a different kind of eye, this fresh eye, this all-seeing eye. Judith was great. Thanks.

It’s funny when your editor and line editor get in arguments in the margins, back and forth all snarky and all. I love that. Judith isn’t like that, nor is Laurie. Shame, that.

So next time I get edits and I don’t know my line editor, I’m going to ask her name. And if you know the name of the woman pictured here, than you’re at least my age ;o)

The Second Piercing and My Changing Life

Dear Diary,

Frances, remember I told you that this hole, the second piercing on my right lobe hasn’t closed up in 20 years? It simply doesn’t want to go away. I’ve been ignoring it, because it simply wouldn’t look professional to put a third earring in. You know?

I don’t know why, but I noticed it again yesterday and stuck a diamond stud in it. It looked good. My husband said “Hey, you got your ear pierced! How come?” No, it’s always been there. He agreed, it was very “me.”

Sumpin is happening. I am sure I’m making it happen, but it feels more like other forces are acting on me. Throwing out clothes that make me feel…less like myself. Things I should wear to work, but hate wearing.

We went to a funky hippie-type cafe in Asbury Park last night, because he’s hanging some of his photos for a show. It was a little too artsy for him, but I felt right at home, down to the vegan muffins. Asbury Park’s struggling renaissance is very gay–I hope it takes.

This isn’t unrelated to writing, Francis. I am writing, finishing up Mayan Secrets for Samhain, the long-overdue sequel to Mayan Nights. It’s so very different than the first book. I’m a little frightened of what a reader or editor might say. I’m also playing around with a few other books that are very different from where I started. A first person. Too soon to talk about that one. I’m a little frightened, as I said, but also excited by the fact that soon, I’ll be writing without a single new contract in hand. A fresh start for my 50th birthday, permission to speak from the heart, to write from the heart, to write the book of my heart, perhaps a few of them.

And to have a place for those single earrings that I never threw out. I kept them, over about 20 years, thinking one day I might find the mates while cleaning. But I don’t need the mates now.

Have a lovely Sunday evening.

Happy Friday!

Gentlemen, Warm up your Engines!

Male writers of any genre, don’t forget that I’m hosting an all-male writers’ day on my loop on Monday! Please stop by with excerpts and to answer questions from our 450 member gang. We look forward to hearing from you!

Ciar
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CiarCullen

I Felt Famous for a Minute

Imagine this: I lounged around after work too long yesterday, and so my little three-mile jog was delayed. I took my normal route, a hair worried about getting back before sunset (my neighborhood is a trifle iffy crimewise).

From several yards, halfway through my run, I saw a guy, sitting on a bench near the duck pond. HE WAS READING LORDS OF CH’I. This is about, well, 1.5 miles from my apartment! I stopped dead. Impossible. A guy. My book. So close to my house? I did sell a copy!

I kind of shyly approached him and he looked up. I must have looked really dreadful–sweaty and redfaced, etc. I pointed to the book and he said “have you read it?” I said “I wrote it,” we laughed, and he proceeded to quiz me a little so I could prove my story. Nice guy, mid-thirties, a little geeky looking. (After all, he’s reading a romance fantasy in the park at dusk.) He said he was enjoying it so far.

I was really stunned at the coincidence, feeling PRETTY DAMNED GOOD about myself. As I waved and started on my way, he called “It’s even signed!” Stopped cold again. Signed? Maybe he bought it at our local Borders. I went back, and looked inside. “To Phil and Will, much love, Terry.” My inlaws, who live two blocks away. Phil is a woman.

I got mildly suspicious. Had this geek broken into my aged inlaws house and stolen their treasured possessions? Were they okay, or were they in pools of blood on the kitchen floor?

He nodded. “I bought a bag of books for two dollars at their yard sale.”

Sigh.

Thirteen Things Stopping Me from Posting

There are thirteen reasons (at least) I can’t do the Thursday Thirteen this week:

1. My cat woke me at 4, evidently high on catnip or frustrated that he’s an indoor cat and his pals were partying outside the bedroom window.
2. Hot flashes when I fell back to sleep.
3. Work. Why should summers be do freaking BUSY at a university?
4. Work.
5. Work.
6. I forgot it was Thursday because of work.
7. I haven’t had enough coffee this morning.
8. I got really tired of blogs.
9. I am really disappointed no one posted their book for review and didn’t want to log on to see that the situation still hasn’t changed.
10. I’m getting ready for a road trip.
11. I don’t have anything interesting to say.
12. I’m hungry and it’s 12:30, haven’t had a chance to eat anything yet.
13. I want to write rather than blog. But I’m at work.

Fugazi

Not the punk band, but the Italian-American word that means bogus. I love the sound of that word, especially rolling off the tongue of someone who has heard it around the house their whole life. You hear it once in a while in New Jersey.

Fugazi.

What do you dub fugazi? And no, this blog is not an appropriate answer. I nominate Dear Author and Smart Bitches (the former site I actually really like) for rehashing old RWA bruhahas. Must be a slow ratings time for romance review blogs. I’m looking forward to the next conference only so there will be new controversies–hats and such.

Fugazi.

Mrs. Giggles, for getting rid of her blog when folks started talking back. She gave me pretty good marks overall on a number of books, so no, this isn’t bitterness talking. I even sent her a get-well note.

Fugazi.

Go on, get it out of your system. What irked you today? It doesn’t even have to be about the internet or books.

African American Romance Writers! Help!

SADLY, I’M CLOSING THIS POST FOR LACK OF INTEREST. I WAS CHALLENGED TO REVIEW SOME ROMANCES WRITTEN BY BLACK AUTHORS, AND WAS EAGER TO BUY ONE. I GOT SOME HATE MAIL, AND SOME ATTA GIRLS. I’LL CHALK IT UP TO LOW RATINGS ON MY BLOG LATELY ;O)

Some of you may have seen a post a while back on Romancing the Blog in which, phew, I brought up the issue of the great bookstore divide (the shelving of African American romances), and other issues. My post got a lot of responses I didn’t expect, including responses from Black writers who are absolutely not united on the topic (nor I suppose should we expect everyone to agree).

The question posed by some people was “What should we do?” I don’t know why there aren’t more African American romance writers joining groups like Romance Divas, or chatting on various loops and blogs, but I can’t think of much to do beyond this–

If you are a Black writer and would like to blog about your romance here, please tell us about your book in the comments section. I will pick one that interests me (hey, I’m the one buying it), and review it here. I will close this post at the end of this week.

I look forward to hearing about your work.

Kittens in Crisis–$1 Cat Sale

Did you know that during the summer, thousands upon thousands of kittens come into shelters and are euthanized? If you live in the Philadelphia area, please consider this sale! You adopt no matter where you live. Please don’t put off spaying or neutering your cat. You can always find a place that will do it for free.

Cat “Dollar Days,” July 18-Aug. 1

PAWS announces the return of its summer cat adoption promotion: “Dollar Days.” Between July 18 and August 1, the adoption fee for a cat will be only $1. The two-week event, during these summer months when literally hundreds of animals come into the shelter each day, is one way PAWS is working to save the lives of Philadelphia’s homeless animals.

When you adopt a cat, you will be able to adopt a second one at no additional charge. Owning two cats involves little more expense or trouble than owning just one. In addition, it provides each with a companion, saves two lives rather than one, and provides space in the shelter for two more animals waiting for a home.

If you have been considering adopting a new best friend, we urge you to come in and meet the cats just waiting for a chance at life. By opening your home to a PAWS cat (or cats), you will truly be saving a life that may not have a chance without your kindness. Especially now, during the height of “cat season,” there is simply not enough room or resources at the shelter to accommodate all of the animals who come in. Those who are not adopted or placed in foster care are often euthanized. With your help, though, we can put an end to the killing of animals simply because they don’t have a home.

During last year’s “Cat Sale,” 576 cats found forever homes. This year, the event will last a full two weeks in an effort to save even more lives. Please join us!

Dear Diary, I Don’t Read Harry Potter

Hello Francis,

I went to a place called Forked River yesterday that the locals pronounce Fork-ed. I suspect they say fork-ed road as well. The boat was lovely, the food and company were great. Once again I got dehydrated, but all in all, a great time. Slept for 11 hours last night. Yep. Woke up and the news was still about Harry Potter. So were loops and blogs.

Harry Potter I says to myself I says. I just never got around to it, and probably never will. Someone wrote me that I should be careful, because Wizard of Time (at Ellora’s Cave) might seem like a ripoff, what with an academy of wizards and such. Uh, don’t think so. Visit Terry Pratchett for that, and he’ll tell you he wasn’t the first.

Anywho, don’t care much for those wee wizards. Saw one movie. Kinda cute.

I’m always out of step. A fantasy writer who hasn’t read Harry Potter. It draws gasps of horror and disbelief at work. A romance writer who hasn’t heard of 90% of the names of best-selling romance writers. I do read, honest. Just not as much as I used to, and mostly nonfiction.

Do you remember that land of broken toys, or whatever it was called? Part of the Rudolph animation from the 60s? I don’t think I’m broken, I’m just not sure I want anyone to come and rescue me just yet. Need a little more time to figure where I fit in. I think I may visit a bookstore tonight, and pick up books that intrigue me, in any genre.

Okay, maybe not tonight. I have the sequel to Mayan Nights to finish. It’s full of genre bending, and I really like it that way. Square peg and round holes all around me.
Your pal,
Terry/Ciar