I entered a query letter contest at Romance Divas. Tonight, I learned I am one of the finalists! I have a day or two to revise my query before it will be sent to Kate Duffy at Kensington for final judging.

The funny thing is I had put the contest out of my mind. I scored low in one particular area, so I figured I was out of the running. I’m glad I was wrong! I’m also glad I can revise that section before sending the final query.

In other news, I finished The Seventh Sense. Now I’m in the process of cutting out junk words (that, then, just, so). Once that’s done, it’s off to the test readers. I’m excited to see this story a step closer to submission.

The Pink Posse chat on Monday went quite well, I thought. I did go overboard when it came to prizes, but that’s not a huge surprise. I tend to be excessive. I was hoping to make it to the group to chat more today, but things were flowing with The Seventh Sense, so I stayed with it and finished.

After hitting a wall with The Seventh Sense (TSS), I started a new project. Yes, it’s Tony’s as-yet-untitled story. He’s pleased I’ve started working on it.

Here’s what I forgot while racing to the finish of TSS. Writing goes more smoothly for me when I switch back and forth between projects. Apparently that didn’t sink in the last time. There’s always a primary project, but I need to get better at realizing when I run out of steam so I can switch.

So, I’ve been working on Tony’s story for the past few days. I think I might be ready to return to TSS.

In other news, I’ve been bad at keeping track of my word count for the Write-Ons. I will add a new graph to my sidebar to help me keep track. Right now, I’m at 42,672 words. I’m not sure if I’ll make the goal, since I don’t expect to do much writing in July between my day job (which will require scads of overtime hours that month) and RWA’s conference. Still, I forge onward. Don’t count me out yet!

It blew me away to realize that Office Relations will be released in 14 days. There’s so much to do before then, including pray for good reviews. LOL! One of the things I need to do is make a few announcements.

• First, I will be participating in the Pink Posse yahoo group next week. May 29 is the day I’ll be sure to be there, and I’ll pop in and out of the group all day. Consider joining the group to get announcements, hear about contests, and enjoy chatting with others who love romance.
• Tomorrow is an official chat at Cobblestone Press. You can find out about upcoming releases, chat with authors and publishers, and more! Stop by between 8:00 and 10:00 PM (Eastern Time).
• Consider signing up for the The Cobblestone Press Chronicle, the publisher newsletter that will keep you informed about official chats and releases. If you’re interested in Cobblestone, this announcement-only newsletter is a great way to stay updated. All you need to do is put your e-mail address in the form, and you’ll be signed up! There are some yahoogroups you can join there as well if you’re interested in chatting, but I recommend The CP Chronicle if you just want to get information.

I have an author chat coming up, but I’ll post more about that next week. Don’t worry–I’ll be sure to provide advance notice.

I’m trying to take Laura Kinsale’s words (see the previous post) to heart. I hadn’t realized how much an internet junkie I’ve become until now, but the past few days I’ve written 1,000 to 1,200 words before even thinking about going online. There are a few sites I’m avoiding completely. This will be better for me as a writer.

It looks like The Seventh Sense will be longer than I anticipated, and that’s OK. As long as it’s within 40,000 words, it will be fine for this project. At this point, I’m estimating it will end up being about 35,000 words. I hope to finish this week or early next week, so I can send it to my readers/critiquer, get some feedback, and move ahead.

Two other stories are waiting for this one to be finished.

I found a fascinating and beautifully written post from Laura Kinsale about the relationship of author to book, author to reader, and book to reader. The entire post is wonderful, but I was particularly struck by this section:

A book is a magic thing. It has a life of its own. Do you doubt it, in the small hours of the night when you sit up in bed reading and reading, living in a world you never made, unable to bear to leave it until the last page closes and it vanishes into thin air?

Do you think it is any different for me when I write it? It is magic, but so fragile. So hard to find and easy to lose.

Now there’s this internet, another magic thing with a life of its own, a million voices roaring whispering screaming over your shoulder into the quiet place where the stories come from. You can either shut it out entirely or try to open one tiny window and hope you aren’t washed away in the flood. It’s foolish to open the window, frankly. You do that when you’re stuck with no magic at hand, and you’re bored and discouraged and fretful but you have to stay at the computer just-in-case. It’s like having a bottle of liquor in the drawer.

The entire post is insightful, but this particular section was a lightbulb moment. I’ve been feeling off my game for a few weeks–the writing has slowed tremendously.

Now I realize one reason why. I’ve been listening to the million voices until my own voice is lost under the sound. Even before my first book has come out. It’s so easy to hop on the internet and see what everyone is up to, find out what everyone is talking about, follow the latest hot topic.

That’s going to change. I need to focus on the writing and use the internet as a tool or when needed to refuel me.

Erin and Luke (The Seventh Sense) have been waiting, but they have a story to tell. I’m going to listen.

I blogged at Cobblestone Press’ blog today, but I wanted to post something a little more personal here.

I learned my love of reading from my mom, who read to us children often. When I started reading books of my own, I would curl up with her on the couch and we’d read together, even when we read separate books. She drove me to the library to get more books, and she was always willing to talk about whatever I was reading.

I grew up watching her write as well as read. She wrote poetry and essays, and has won statewide contests for her poetry. When I wrote my first suspense story as a kid (maybe 11 or 12) and wanted to enter it in a contest, she didn’t discouraged me from entering, even though she must have known I had no chance of winning. I treasure that memory now–I didn’t win, but it meant so much that she was willing to let me try. I only wish I still had that story. Maybe I’ll find it someday in a box somewhere.

My mom is on a trip to England, and the one thing I asked her to get me was a nice bookmark. Reading is still something we share. Thank you, Mom, for sharing your love of reading, writing, and for so much more!

The edits for Between Floors were finished this week, and I’ve learned the release date:

July 28, 2006.

Yay!

I’m linking to an interesting discussion about what makes a happily-ever-after for readers. Some want exchanged I-love-yous, marriage, and kids in the epilogue. Others are content with a committed couple.

I’m in the committed couple category. If it works for the story, then I love yous are terrific. Sometimes, though, “I love you” doesn’t seem realistic.

I’m revising The Seventh Sense now, but it currently ends with the hero/heroine as a committed couple rather than more. It’s clear this couple belongs together, but they’ve known each other less than a week by the end of the story, so a marriage proposal didn’t seem appropriate. I think it’s the best, most realistic end to the story.

I just sent my first query to an agent. I am both excited and nervous, of course, but I’ve already picked out my consolation prize. LOL! The site says I’ll hear back in about four weeks, although I hope it will take less time. I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I must get back to work on The Seventh Sense.

Your Brain’s Pattern

Your mind is a multi dimensional wonderland, with many layers. You’re the type that always has multiple streams of though going. And you can keep these thoughts going at any time. You’re very likely to be engaged in deep thought - and deep conversation.

Next week I will return to my regular blogging. I promise.