Monday Updates

Well, my pretties, I am enjoying my day off, and posting to bring you all up to date. Nothing huge to talk about, but I post up-dates for those who follow me (yes, all ten of you *waves*).

This past week had me working on my 7th book in series and I got the brainstorm of an ending for it. I worked on a bedroom scene and posted about the differences between urban fantasy and paranormal romance here. If you don't know what the difference is, this will help. The word "romance" should give a big clue, however. Anyone who knows me/my writing knows I am not a romance writer or fan. I'm also not a a fan of erotica. If you want an entertaining read about my view point on this, go head on over to my other blog, but come on back and read the rest of my ramblings.

"Cat Whisperer" is needing a bit of a fluffing. I have to work on some little "side journeys" I call them. This book isn't just about the cats/kittens, it's about my husband. I'm often amazed at how he can control animals. Only this week he had to get Half Pint down from a tree. He had chased Tango up there after the usual loud cat-brawl. He got Half Pint down and brought him back over to the house. Eventually he got the two males to calm down and he petted them while talking to them. I don't know what is is about him, but the cats mind him. Just like he trained dogs--which were not much easier, but he trained them to obey.

It hasn't rained since Friday, I believe. And so I went for a nice walk out in our park. You can check that out here.

I've turned my attention on another back burner. My mystery I was working on, I put down to work on other things, and to let it rest. I was having trouble with the plot. Decided that if I just let it chill a while, I'd come up with a solution, and I did. Not quite ready to work on it. I want to get a few things done first, and maybe I'll work on that one this fall or winter, when I have time. If I do, that is.

The other day (I guess it was Friday), I came home and found that my husband had moved furniture around. Okay. He hasn't done that in a while. He called it our "summer" look. Whatever. I told him no wonder he was complaining of his back having a twinge. But at least he took most of the weekend off. He did have to get on the big mower and do the yard, as it was long. The grass has had lots of rain, and is keeping him busy in the park, which is super good. But he needs a day off. He and I are going to go out tomorrow, browse a nursery, go to lunch and brouse a local antiques place. It's on a farm, and antiques are in their 1839 barn. I got the idea of using the barn (at least mentioning), in a section of my WIP. I can't wait to go and see it again. We have not been there in over a decade, I'm sure.

I haven't heard from my publisher about my books as yet, but I should be hearing from him soon. Surely? I will become an Indie soon, because he is quitting the publishing business of other authors. He was the first one to publish my books, but now it would seem that I should be able to do this myself and make a little better royalties. I'm not going to get rich. I'm not even going to be comfortable. I'll be happy to get a $100 check every once in a while from Amazon.

Speaking of Indies, my good friend Shelly Arkon is giving away free copies for Kindle only of her short story "Partner's Progeny" You'll want to check this out. I'm sure everyone who can download to Kindle will want to check out my friend's book, and you can do that at her site, "Two Fur-Peeps and A Writer"

Well that's all the news and updates I've got. Have a good week and see you in the usual places, if not here!

Wicked Wednesday ~ Interview & Spring Feaver

Hello, my pretties. Yes, you are my little pretties, and so I'm going to share where I'm at today, over on Write Stuff with Meratheth Houston http://meradethhouston.blogspot.com/2013/04/interview-with-lorelei-bell-author-of.html

Meradeth has asked me five questions, so it's not a very long interview. At the end I was asked if I were to meet my favorite author what would my first question be. I had to think about that one, and really I couldn't come up with a question, but I did have an answer.

You may know that I drive a transit bus around a college and have plenty of time to work on ideas for my WIP's. I was thinking about another matter the other day and I was wondering if any of you think it has merit--not that I could do something like this, but I think someone with money and backing and was more of a brainiack than me (and time) could do this and why not? Unless, of course someone has already done this, but I've never heard of it.

The idea: A coffee place where people could either buy copie of Indie author's books--no traditional books at all. If they wanted that, they can go to B&N. But you could call it something like Indie Book Nook & Coffee Bar. It would look like any small independant bookstore. Maybe you'd have to sell a few "traditional" novels, but the focus would be on Indies, so that their work could be found/seen by readers.

What do you think? I wish I had the money, I'd put one right in where Carraboo moved out, just a thousand feet away from Barnes and Nobel. Then, you'd be able to have Indie authors have their book signings, and not have to be all snooty like the other guys (telling you that everyone has to pre-order and pre-pay or no deal).

Today was simply gorgeous out, and the wind was nearly calm. The temps were in the 40's, or close to 50. And I just had to go take a nice walk in our Afton Forest Preserve (we're the managers), right outside our door. A bit of snow/ice is still clinging to the deeper shadows. I had fun crunching down on the edges of the ice--something I've loved to do since a kid. I have not grown up yet, boys and girls! I made a promise to myself a long, long time ago that I would not stop doing certain silly things that I've always done as a kid. One was simply enjoy the outdoors, and the bird song and doing silling things like cruching ice (you know when it's melted below the top and it's hollow... I love that sound! CRUNCH!)

Oh, and the croakers were up down at the little pond, and they were croaking and clicking and droning like mad. Behind me, as I approached the pond very, very slowly, the flicker began hammering on a dead tree. Then above an airplane flew over head. Ah, the sounds I have not heard all winter long! Yep. I've got Spring Feaver bad. Can't wait to smell fresh mowed grass--which is what my husband will be doing as soon as the grass begins to grow in the park, and he can eventually get off the bus for the summer.

Hope your week is going well. Go check out the interview and leave a comment. I thank you!