This isn’t a photo, but it is a commercial that always makes me laugh because the ending isn’t what you expect. The sound gets a little loud, and it’s probably best not to watch this at work. Still, hope it makes you smile.

I’m revising Shay and Jeffrey’s story, and I’m also working on the first draft for a new story. I’ve been writing this one in a notebook whenever I have a chance to work on it; then, I transfer it to computer. This is pretty much a first for me. I often jot down notes in a notebook, but this is the first time I’m using one to compose the story. The thing is, I’m so used to the revising mode that I hear that voice when I type this first draft.

It’s not helpful.

When I’m in first-draft mode, I just want to get the story down. Scenes come to me as I write, and I keep writing until the scene ends or I get stuck. Then I move on to the next one. It’s a bit like I’m outside in the rain trying to catch as much water as I can. Catching it and bringing it inside is the key at this stage. Not concerns about whether I’ll use this water to irrigate my lawn, water my plants, make ice cubes, etc. What I do with the water is a task for another day. Likewise, I must hold off on the story analysis until the first draft is complete.

For now, I’m catching all the words I can. That’s what I do when I write a first draft.

Lennox: We don’t take orders from people that don’t exist.
Simmons: I’m going to count to five.
Lennox: (Switches off safety) I’m going to count to three.
Defense Secretary: I’d do what he says. Losing’s not really an option for these guys.

I saw the Transformers movie when it came to theatres. The experience went something like this.

Friend Tyler (FT): Let’s see Transformers.

Lia: OK. Hope I like it.

FT: It’ll be great.

{In theatre}

After 20 minutes . . .

Lia: (Thinks) Now there’s a guy who looks good in uniform. Hope he makes it home to see his baby girl.

After 50 minutes . . .

Lia: (Thinks) Okay. He’s still alive. He’ll stay that way, I’m sure.

After 115 minutes . . .

Lia: (to FT) He’d {smack} better make it {smack} home to see his baby! {smack} Or I’ll hit you.

FT: (Holding his arm where I smacked him) You’re already hitting me.

Lia: Those are love taps, buddy.

After 120 minutes . . .

Lia: (to FT’s sister) I’m serious. He’s going to make it home, right? Right?

FTS: I haven’t seen this movie. I don’t know.

Surprisingly, I didn’t have a heart attack before the end of the movie, although I think it took a while for my heart rate to return to normal.

So last week . . .

Lia: I bought the special edition of Transformers on DVD. We should watch it.

FT: I don’t know . . . I didn’t love it. It was good, but . . .

Lia: You’re worried about the love taps, aren’t you?

FT: Um.

Lia: (Thinks) I can watch it alone. I do love a man in uniform . . .

In the picture of my writing nook, you can see a small stuffed animal by my computer. It made me realize that I’ve had writing props like that one for the past few books. Each one is unique to the book I’m working on at the moment. The stuffed animal is for Shay and Jeffrey’s story, a story targeted for Cobblestone Press’s Shifters line.

Shay has blonde hair and is a werepanther, so I was drawn to this stuffed animal when I saw it in the grocery store.

I had a similar prop when I wrote Battle. When I proposed the story, I had to write 1,000 words and a summary. The first scene shows my heroine, Mélanie, receiving a black rose from a business rival. You can imagine that I snatched up this fake flower when I saw it in the store.

When I wrote The Greatest Gift, I used an audio prop rather than a visual one. You can read more about that here.

Each prop sits on my desk as I work on the story. It’s a visual reminder of the story and the characters, just one more thing that gets me back into writing mode. I don’t know if I will have props for all of my stories now, but I definitely enjoy the ones I have.

I’m pleased to announce that I finished my final round of edits for my upcoming vampire story, Battle. It’s all set to go. It was good to revisit that story after a bit of a break from it. When that happens, I find things to improve, but I also find sections I read and think, That’s good. Those are nice moments for a writer.

I’m pleased with the way it turned out, and I’m grateful for my editor, who made the story even better. Battle will be available in e-book on July 4. I don’t know the release date for the print version yet, but you’ll be the first to know. I’ll post a few excerpts when we get closer to July.

I do love me some Orlando.

I posted some time ago about my new desk, so I thought I’d post a photo of my writing nook.

I love the built-in bookcases on the side of the desk. There’s room for my research books with plenty of room to expand.

I haven’t done a meme in a while, and this was a fun one. I saw it at Moira’s blog.

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning. And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong. You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more. You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises. Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking. (But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!) You excel in: Higher education You get along best with: The Comma

This is pretty accurate.

True confession time: I’m a fan of Angelina Jolie. Despite that, lukewarm reviews kept me away from seeing Beowulf. Then it hit the dollar theatre, so I gave it a try. It was better than I thought it would be. I know, that’s not a huge recommendation. Still . . .

It started slowly. For the first half hour, I kept thinking, OK, let’s get this story moving. But it got better.

The animation was better than I thought it would be. (There’s that phrase again.) It looked off in a couple of spots, especially with Robin Wright Penn’s character. The acting was strong as well—Ray Winstone in particular as the title character. And Jolie was awesome—I loved how her “tail” became braided hair and how her feet had built-in heels. Campy? Oh, absolutely. But it was campy in a good way. The gold shimmer on her body was a nice touch, too.

The story was different from the poem in a number of ways, but I’m one of those people who can generally appreciate a book and movie separate from each other. Ultimately, Beowulf was worth seeing, although I don’t feel a burning need to see it again anytime soon. I haven’t decided if I’ll buy it on DVD. I probably wouldn’t, but it does have Angelina Jolie . . .

I’ve had an assembled bookcase in my living room for a while now.

As you can see, the spot in front of the closet door is not exactly the best place for it. So, as part of my goal to work slowly but surely on organizing my house, I’m going to find a better place. I’ve decided I’ll use this bookcase for my J.D. Robb and Nora Roberts collection.

This doesn’t come close to being my complete collection. These are only the books that aren’t already on bookshelves. Stay tuned–I’ll post again with a picture once I put it somewhere.