Today I have a day off from the day job. I treasure each one and celebrate by sleeping in. I’m a night owl. In fact, I’m probably sleeping even as this post goes live through the miracle of WordPress.

My plan is to sleep in, then get up and do some writing. Shay and Jeffrey await. Tonight, I’ll go to a friend’s to watch a movie and be mauled by her dog. Should be fun.

What do you do when you have a day off?

Here’s an awesome pic of my Joaquin.

Love those eyes . . .

Someday I hope to post a picture of the week that doesn’t involve snow. Unfortunately, this is my world right now.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope it’s fantastic for you. Don’t forget, it’s a great day to read a sexy love story, so I hope you’ll try one.

In the meantime, enjoy this video about one of my favorite TV couples: Michael and Nikita from La Femme Nikita.

Trying to get work and life in balance is the most difficult thing.
–Trevor Nunn

Have you figured out the balance thing? I’m still working on it. Here’s how my average day goes.

8:00: Wake up. Drag myself out of bed.
8:30: Head to work.
9:00-6:00: Spend the day writing and editing.
6:30: Come home and collapse for a bit.
8:00: Start writing, this time for fun.

There’s variation, of course. Sometimes I hang out with a friend after work. On those days, the writing starts around 10:00, if at all. Plus, I still need to figure out where exercise fits in.

Anyone who writes knows that making time for it is a delicate balance. Some days I don’t feel like writing, and I write anyway. Other days I take a break. I’m getting better at letting myself take those breaks without letting the guilt seep in.

Lately it’s been difficult to concentrate. Story ideas are swirling around in my head even though I have plenty to write already. One in particular is nudging me, and I’m writing down notes so I can have them when I’m ready to dig in.

Every day is a balancing act.

I cancelled my gym membership last week. Ever since I moved, it was just too difficult to get back there. I loved it when I could, though. My favorite features were the indoor track and the swimming pool. But since I haven’t been in months, I figured I could use the monthly $22 fee for something I could actually use.

Still, I have fond memories of this gym.

Now I just exercise at home. There’s no indoor track or swimming pool, but I have my cardio dance DVDs.

Where do you go to exercise?

I’ve been fussing with my latest manuscript all weekend. I’ve gotten to the point where it’s serious work to get me to open the file. Once my cursor hovers over the file, the voices start.

• This story is stupid.
• These characters don’t do anything. They need to be more interesting.
• Maybe something could blow up. Like chapter three, for instance.
• Maybe I should start over.
• Didn’t I just write something like this?

By the time I hear, Please let me work on any other story than this one, I remember.

I’ve reached that point of the writing process.

It’s the place where I’m getting close–I’m putting the pieces of the draft together, closing in on the end. I don’t know why that’s so difficult, but it happens every time.

I just have to work through it, even if I do feel like a flattened kitty.

I found this picture of Wentworth Miller at Crystal Jordan’s blog.

I haven’t seen Miller in any shows, but I may go looking for him now. I love that penetrating look. I also have a thing for that kind of pose–one arm above the head. (Don’t get me started on the similar Laurence Olivier pose in Pride and Prejudice.)

Anyway, I’m pretty sure he’s looking at me. Yum.

It looks like I’m backing out in this photo, but the truth is, my car got stuck. Luckily, some of my neighbors helped me get out. After work I shoveled the driveway . . . with some help.

I’m so sick of snow.

Lia: Martin, I’m a little surprised by the scene I just wrote with you.

Martin: I thought you would be.

Lia: I’m all for subtlety, but I didn’t see any signs of your villainy.

Martin: There’s a reason for that. I’m not the villain.

Lia: You’re not? I’ve already written the scene where you—

Martin: I know. But it’s wrong.

Lia: So who’s the real villain?

Martin: You know already. Hey, can you change my name, too? Martin doesn’t really suit me.

Lia: {Pauses} Anything else?

Martin: Yeah. Aren’t you going to tell people about your newsletter?

Lia: Why don’t you go ahead?

Martin: OK. She’s got a new newsletter. Sign up to receive it in the sidebar. If you’re already on her mailing list, you don’t have to sign up again.

Lia: Thank you. I’m going to go back to writing now, if that’s OK with you.

Martin: Sure. Just remember what I said.