Challenge Response -- Where I Write

Paperback Writer mentioned that Lee Goldberg issued a challenge for everyone to post a picture of where they write.

So far, I've seen Jenny Crusie's office and, thanks to Jenny, Susan Elizabeth Phillips office, too.

I work in the mushroom pit aka the Basement.

Here's my desk (please note that a laptop was on the Christmas list, but Santa decided I wasn't quite good enough last year):



My daughter gave me the Ty Beanie Baby Rat that sits upon my monitor when she found out I had a rat in Camilla's Critters. He's my constant inspiration.

Next is a closeup of my "I Love You" wall -- the dried roses from the only time my husband ever celebrated Valentines Day with me (he's not big on celebrating any holiday) and several cards and hand drawn pictures from my DD:



Behind me is this bookcase full of writing books, autographed romance novels and some of my scrapbooking supplies.



Beside me is the bookcase where I keep DD's craft supplies, my Avon samples, brochures and bags, stationery and some misc. curriculum I've purchased for DD but she's not quiet ready for yet. If you look carefully, you can see the open door that leads to the laundry room AND to the cat's litter box. Ahhhhh.... Ambiance. Just right for romance -- ooh la la.



It's small and untidy, but it's home.

Anyone else game??

Virgins in Romantic Fiction ... Urban Legend?

I've been pondering characterizations... and wonder how the general public feels about something.

Virgins in mainstream romance (as opposed to inspirational).

Do you think it's believable that a girl "waits" even if she doesn't have a faith-based reason for it? And, if so, how old is too old to make this believable? 18? 25? 40?

My main female characters are never sexually promiscuous for a number of reasons -- the biggest one being that I don't enjoy writing - or reading - about a character like that. Erotica? Not my cup of tea.

So, adult virgins. Believable or an Urban Legend?

++++++++++++++++++

Oh, and Darcy? I'm getting there! Only a few more pages and I'll have the next bit of Liv for you. I swear -- I'm working!

Eye Candy

Didn't have a lot to say today, so thought I'd just have a picture show.

First, I'm posting a picture of one of my characters... well, he's a real person, too -- but I can't for the life of me remember who this very yummy person is. Anyone? Anyone?



Why do I think that Bill Pullman is so cute? From the first time I remember seeing him in a movie ("Ruthless People") I had a crush...



And, though I know it's cliched, and everyone likes him -- I started to fall for Matthew in "A Time To Kill" but "The Wedding Planner" clinched it (but he could stop smoking those disgusting cigars any time and I wouldn't complain):



Though the first crush I can remember was from when I was in single digits... My favorite song was "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" sung by:



Good old Donny is still looking good!

Writing Ideas and Homeschooling

I gave blood yesterday. Not my favorite pasttime, but necessary in my opinion. At least they found my vein the first time this visit -- instead of having to poke me in both arms like last time.

My six y.o. daughter came with me and -- after fielding all the usual questions "why aren't you in school?" "I'm homeschooled" -- she settled down into a chair beside me to watch the goings on. I think that the lady taking my blood was surprised that I carried on a conversation with my daughter nearly the entire time. DD was full of questions "Why does the scale rock back and forth?" "Why can't you move your arm?" "Why are you squeezing that spongy thing?" and so on.

Life is all about education, don't you think? As a homeschooling mom, I try not to miss any opportunities to teach. Grocery shopping? Math! Vacuuming? Physics and P.E. Thank You cards? Handwriting, Grammar and Creative Writing!

I think, as writers, we do much the same thing. The world is full of ideas -- and sometimes it only takes one line of a conversation or one odd person to walk by you in the store for a seed to be planted. But we have to be aware and diligent. Look at everything as a learning opportunity. Write down as much as you can remember about the old lady in the baseball cap who mysteriously disappeared from her bench at the park when you turned away for a heartbeat.

My DD's constant questions (and constant talking!) can wear me down by the end of each day, but I try to answer them. And children think of the strangest things!

Do flies have ears? Not as such. However, they can detect vibrations through their antennae and hairs on their body and limbs, and so they can hear in some way. Grasshoppers and some other arthropods do have 'ears' in the form of membranes called tympanae, which appear as small patches on the body.

How far away is the moon? The moon is at an average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers) away from Earth. That is about the width of 30 Earths. Because the moon does not orbit Earth in a perfect circle, but instead travels in a slightly elliptical orbit, its distance from Earth varies between 225,700 miles (363,300 kilometers) and 252,000 miles (405,500 kilometers).

I'm storing away this information to use in a book someday. Hope she comes up with some more!

Miscellaneous Thoughts for a Topsy Turvy Tuesday

Random thoughts are dancing through my head this morning. I've tried to relegate my randomness to Fridays, but since I haven't a clue what day it is anymore, what with all the funky holidays and having my husband around constantly... I think I'm on a weekday today, but cannot be certain!

I TiVo'd a FitTV workout by Gilead the other day. My DD and I put it on yesterday and exercised. I made it through about 10 minutes before pooping out. Many folks seem to think I'm in good shape because I'm not obese. Ha, ha! Fooled you! That's going to change, though. I've sat on my rear long enough. Take that cellulite!

I puttered through some of the groups at WVU this morning. It's been quiet there because of the holidays so there wasn't much going on. I did, however, stumble upon a hateful (and in my opinion) unwarranted attack on a WVU member that I respect. He's been posted op-ed pieces in a group that was all but dead after asking if that was okay and receiving no word otherwise. I more often than not disagree with his opinions, but they are well written and politely submitted.

Recently he was lambasted by a person who is consistently hateful and rude. This person joined the group (only for a short time, thankfully) that I moderate, and has since floated from place to place, unable to find a permanent home. And no wonder. However, I am on the fence about something. It's really not my place to respond to his attack, but I want to tell him that I think he was out of place. I'm just not certain if my skin is thick enough to take the hateful response I'm sure to receive in return. And really, would it serve any purpose? I laid awake last night thinking about what kind of person this member must be, how sad and angry he is inside. I still haven't come to a conclusion...

Yesterday, I packed up three big boxes of toiletries and snacks to send to "my soldier" in Iraq. I had hoped to include dozens of letters and cards from people to the soldiers in the hosital near where he is stationed. I sent out the call ... and got lots of "that's a great idea" and "As soon as I have time". You know what I didn't get? Letters. Cards. I'm so sad that my friends have time to go spend hours at a local book sale (and, trust me, I understand the allure) or watch six different reality shows on TV but can't take five minutes to write a note to our servicemen and women overseas.

I'm having eye problems. I have been for a while, but it's getting worse. I can't see to read anymore unless I close one eye -- they aren't focusing together. I've always had "better than perfect vision" (which I still don't understand, but the eye doctor seems to think it makes sense... better than perfect sense, I suppose). I'm fighting against getting glasses, but I'm clearly losing the battle. I'm calling for an eye appointment this morning. I really hate getting old -- this is how I'll celebrate my upcoming 39th birthday. Oh. Joy.

I am grateful for the weather here -- it's been quite mild for winter in New England, warm (well, in the high 30's) and rain instead of snow. For the first time, I'm glad I'm not living in California since I would be underwater right about now. Still, I do miss the friends and family I could have shared my raft with.

Lastly, can I count the words I've written on this blog toward my daily goal?

Hope all of you have a wonderful day. I'm off to plan DD's school day.

On Clean Desks and Cluttered Minds

My husband is a neat freak. For those of you who know him, you will understand that this is an understatement of epic proportions.

Still, he's rubbing off on me a bit, and I've been trying to straighten up -- especially my office which tends to get overlooked since I don't have a bunch of foot traffic going through it like I do the upstairs.

Yesterday, I was looking for a book. A book I used to keep on top of my desk next to the printer. A few weeks ago I cleaned off the top of my desk. It's just lovely now, with the printer, a kleenex box, a tiny CD player and a picture my daughter drew for me. However, I have absolutely no freakin' idea where I put that book.

See what happens when you clean? Up until then, I knew exactly where it was.

I was blog hopping a bit yesterday, and discovered this entry on Jenny Crusie's blog. Take a gander at her office.

If she can create her masterpieces in that chaos, well then I should be able to do half as well in twice as much. Right?

BTW, speaking of Jenny, she and her new co-author, Bob, now have a joint blog. Whenever you're looking for a giggle, you can check it out (along with her personal blog, referenced above).

I Can't Believe it's 2006!