The Writing Zone

I’m in the zone. That no-time-no-space place that’s like something out of The Matrix. Plugged into my story, unplugged from TV, dinner, troubles, blogging, posting, promoting, worring about writing, worrying about promoting, about sales…

I forgot this part. This is what I love. Where did it go for so long, and why is it back? Oh well, don’t have time to think about that now.

This is called Staying Alive, and it’s an urban sexy immortal thing. My lunch hours are devoted to something called Steam Age Scandals, historical sexy suspenseful thing.

What’s your thing right now? I may be a while in answering.

Help Me Find the Sexiest Book Alive!

I’m ready for your recommendations. I’m in search of a short novella that has the best sex scene you’ve ever read! Come on, post your favorite. (For research purposes only, of course!)

Weird, huh? I Found this Dogbird on my Lawn.

Clothing Bores Me

In books, that is. It’s a pet peeve of mine, and a cliche in romances. Everyone has those pet peeves of course, and maybe you love to read about what the heroine is wearing. “She looked in the mirror, shocked by how incredibly beautiful she was in her new Dior suit” (Target sweater from the discount rack, hand-stiched country/western shirt, pirate blouse). “Pulling on a silky dark green–almost teal but not quite, depending upon the lighting–skirt, she finished off the outfit with a wide belt, then slipped into four inch heels with buckles that set off the green of her eyes. Yes, she could actually bring her foot to her head to show off her eyes.”

Sometimes when I read (or write) such passages, I wonder who the hell wears the stuff described in these books. I live in New Jersey, and you wouldn’t see some of the outfits described in romances in this state, except maybe on an 85 year old. You might not see a woman still wearing black artsy stuff in Iowa (at least not the town my brother lives in). I think it’s important to skip on details that won’t really add much about the character, and use them when they are important. It would be good to know that Mabel is a throw-back Goth girl, and cement that with her clothing. Or that Shelly is a tomboy at age 40, and use her clothing to paint that picture a bit.

But oy, spare me the QVC version of the wardrobe, please. Do you agree? I gotta figure out something else for my heroes to wear besides black t-shirts, leather jackets, and worn jeans. That’s starting to date me )

Getting All the Cuteness Out of My System

Gender or race: Black women voters face tough choices in S.C.

I hate this headline–straight off CNN today! What tough choices do black women face that white women and men and black, hispanic, asian men and women… Aargh, you know what I mean!

Picked a bad day to say something this stupid. Yes, it’s wonderful that part of Dr. King’s dream is being fulfilled–that a man (or woman) is being judged by the content of his character rather than the color of his skin, and that we finally have a person of color as a serious candidate for president. Beyond that, are we to assume that black women won’t follow Dr. King’s dream and vote for the content of the candidate’s character? They have many choices, and I’ll admit, I don’t like most of them. But to make this kind of assumption? I dunno.

More Proof that Cats are Better Than Dogs

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to ‘Where do pets come from?’

Adam and Eve said, ‘Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us.’

And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlova ble yo u may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.’

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.
And it was a good animal.
And God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, ‘Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I can not think of a name for this new animal.’

And God said, ‘ I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.’

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.

And they were comforted.

And God was pleased.

And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, ‘Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.’

And God said, I will create for them a companion who will be with them and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration.’

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.

And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat’s eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.

And Adam and Eve learned humility.

And they were greatly improved.

And God was pleased

And Dog was happy.

And Cat didn’t give a shit one way or the other.

Defending Romance–Why?

I won’t point you to any particular blogs, because you likely don’t need the directions. A half dozen topics have ultimately led us to the same point, and boy is that point pointy–a lot of folks think romance fiction is trash.

My question–who cares? Who are you trying to convert? Why? It’s the best selling fiction on the planet, and nothing is likely to change that. Nora Roberts just won an award for writing the best book on the planet.

Why does it sting folks so badly? Because it means what YOU write, what YOU read is garbage? And by extension, does it mean you have bad taste or are a bad person? Do you care? I’m really interested why this seems to touch such a raw nerve.

Do You Write with Images or Music?

I’m one of those people who needs absolute silence when I write. Which means no one can be home, TV can’t be on, no music. Nada. I even put earplugs in. But I must have an image handy. I usually make it my screensaver.

This is what I used while writing Mayan Secrets (coming in April from Samhain), the sequel to Mayan Nights. It’s a drawing by a fellow named Frederick Catherwood, and old Freddy there figures heavily (at least his journal does) in this book. I’m starting to understand what a visual person I am. I like to mentally “look around” while I write. The palm trees, the tumbled ancient stones, the flit of a bird in trees.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what? Can you READ with music on? That always amazes me.

Microbe Therapy

I think I’m onto something. I happen to work in a molecular biology department. We have a lot of these stuffed microbes around (see from Giant Microbes. Some are actually pretty cute. I have been throwing this Epstein Barr one around today, to take out some of my frustration with my current condition. I’ve sprayed it with Lysol, thrown it against the wall, punched it in the face, even stuck pins in it. Yes, I’ve probably gone over the edge, but I feel a tiny bit better. Who says voodoo is any less potent than high-grade vitamins?