Romantic Times Convention Tracker

Tomorrow is the official opening of the Romantic Times Convention here in Orlando, but I spent today volunteering. I stuffed goody bags, registered people and met some very nice folks. A bonus for me - I learned the lay of the land at the sprawling hotel. I also learned parking spots are few and usually hell and gone from where I want to be.
Those familiar with Orlando many years ago recognize the new Wyndham Hotel as the former Marriott Hotel. I had a friend who worked at the Marriott many many moons ago and low and behold - parking spots were few and far between way back then. Apparently when they remodeled the place, they forgot that minor issue.
Saturday, April 25 is the Giant Book Fair with Mr. Romance models roaming the floor and hundreds of authors signing their books. The event runs from 11 - 2. Come by and say hi!

Moving My Blog

Please hop on over to my new blog at SlaveToRomance.blogpsot.com.

It's Always Something

I sure hope I'm back on target with my word count goals. Today I did a whopping 3,000 words. I'm through with major edits for the moment so I should have time to work on my WIP every day again. Except this darned Spring Break thing my kids keep reminding me is happening next week. As Roseann Rosannadanna used to say..."It's always something!"

Compulsives Anonymous

My name is Dara and I'm compulsive. I freely admit it. I got totally blown off course just when things were going really well on my WIP. Something happened that never happened before - I received TWO of my manuscripts back to edit at the same time. So, what is a compulsive to do. Understand that my edits are something I'm over-the-top compulsive about. The moment they arrive in my box, I work on them until they are finished - nothing may get in the way.
Because they both arrived via email, which I opened at the same time, I had to make a decision - the shorter manuscript with more edits, or the longer one with fewer edits. The editors did not put time constraints on me - I impose those all on my own. So, I worked, I slaved, I gave up sleep and I finished them this evening. (I did the shorter one with more edits first). Today I hosted an Author Day on EBookLove with Terry Odell and Jennifer Leeland, which forced me to STOP THE MADNESS for a few hours. Today is also my anniversary, but no problem - hubby is working tonight anyway - we'll celebrate Tuesday. Do you think there's any hope for me to end the addiction? Will I need a 12-step plan?

Good Goals Gone Bad

Is there something in the air? Something that makes people abandon their commitment to their goals? I've not met my writing goals for better than a week now. Shame on me. Yet, I read my friend Julie's blog, and discover she's done the same thing. I think we both have a disease - an insidious, creeping crud that attacks in the wee hours and refuses to let go. It's called...COMPANY!!!
But, there's the good news. The Kitten Club was released in ebook form yesterday. And I have been busy promoting it. Also, my son has gained acceptance to two universities - one local and one away. I'm praying for local. His parents are definitely not ready for him to leave the nest. Also, I have started a new book. I just haven't progressed very far. Sixteen pages in over a week. When my company heads for home, I'll head for the computer and do some serious word counts - I hope. And some serious calorie counting!

More good news this morning. Maybe that random kind remarks thing is paying off! I found out today that TWO of my 2006 releases are Ecataromance Reviewers' Choice Award nominees. Two of my RWA chapter members, J. Gilbert and Roxanne St. Claire also had books nominated. Both Judith and Roxanne are wonderful authors and I'm honored to be in their company.
In other news, my daughter will participate in our county science fair tomorrow. She and her friend compared the cleanliness of dining areas at local fast food restaurants. All I can say is TAKE OUT!

A Good Day!

Ever notice how a few kind words can really make your day? First I get an email from my new editor at The Wild Rose Press saying she's heard great comments about the short story we're going to start editing. Then she tells me she's read through it and loves it, and that I have a lot of talent! Good vibes surrounded me. Then, out of the blue, I got a note from Aspen Mountain Press about a book that doesn't quite fit the mold for most other publishers. I'd kind of given up on finding a home for it. But based on a synopsis and the first three chapters, they offered me a contract to e-publish it. The editor had nice things to say as well. Lesson learned: Positive comments can really lift someone's spirits. Say at least one unexpected nice thing to someone every day!

Girl Scout Cookies and Other Evils

It's that time again - cute little girls going door-to-door, selling those irresistible sweet treats. What's dieter to do? They're everywhere - outside the supermarket, drugstore and bank - oh my! I guess all I can do is give in. After all, it's for a good cause. Buy lots because the Girl Scout troops only get a tiny fraction of the proceeds. If you, like me, would like to see fat-free and sugar-free Girl Scouts cookies - tell the Girl Scouts so!
(Stepping down off the soap box now.) I'm really excited - not just because of Girl Scout cookies, but because my first print release - a short story in an anthology titled, "Rose Petals" will be available in two short weeks! More info to follow in later posts.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday was a good day. Why? I got TWO!!! book covers - The Kitten Club (which is adorable) and Kissing Cousins. See new photos on right. Would you think The Kitten Club is a whimsical story? It isn't - it's quite serious. In fact, I just finished a final round of edits and confirmed that even I can not read the last quarter of the book without boo-hooing!

Pride Goeth Before a Fall!

Well, I've been a bad girl - goal wise. That's what I get for bragging about meeting my writing goals. I've written nary a word in the last few days between working on edits for my upcoming novel, The Kitten Club and my short story, Kissing Cousins, kids' appointments, volunteering at schools and lunch dates, writing has taken a back seat. Sometimes it seems like everything conspires against me - even my dear, sweet kitty cat, Tinker. Sometimes, when I'm trying to work, she gets jealous and jumps up to my desk, parks her fat butt in front of the screen and refuses to move. If I dare type, she licks my fingers!
Next week, the parental units arrive for their annual pilgrimage. They'll be here for 4 weeks. How much work do you think I'll get done then? Too little! But at least I'll probably get in some shopping, some movies and some gin games. Maybe I should take a goal vacation. Please - talk me out of that!

Family Drama

I just witnessed the coolest thing. I was busily pounding away at the computer on my latest WIP when I heard a thud on the roof. (no - this isn't a Christmas post!) I went outside and found two baby squirrels about 2 inches long laying in the grass. They weren't moving, but one started squeaking. The mama came looking for them but hung back because I was there. By this time, a crowd of neighbors was gathering at the edge of my lawn watching the drama unfold. So, I stepped inside and watched from my window (the best view of the action) as mama retrieved her babies and carried them up the tree to a new nest. In the middle of this, my neighbor's Yorkee got out of the house and chased mama as che carried 1 of the babies in her mouth.
We all held our breath as the neighbor's son chased his dog, and finally got her before she got the squirrels! I'm happy to report, all babies have been rescued and are hopefully on the mend! Just wanted to share that.

Pity Party

Major disappointment today - one of my publishers decided to delay the print release of Compromising Positions due to a lack of pre-sales. The irony? I've been telling everyone I know to wait until my book launch party - (now cancelled) or my first book signing scheduled for April 21.
It's amazing how you can be so pumped up, then someone comes along with a tiny little pin amd lets all the air out of your balloon in one fell swoop! So, the color of the day is blue to match my mood. Okay - all done venting.

Rantings and Ravings

I am on a roll! I've made my daily word goals on my current WIP all week. Today, I blasted past it and reached a total of over 8,000 words this week. For those non-writers out there, that's about 32 pages. Not too shabby considering I took Saturday off for a Bris and then baby shower.
I'm getting totally freaked out by the sight of my 13 year old daughter wearing makeup. We let her do a subtle look on special occasions and when she's playing with friends. But it's so strange to see her looking so grown up.
My editor tells me we're moving into the home stretch with edits of The Kitten Club, which will be released sometime this year in print. I can't wait to have that one finished. It's my first serious (Non-comedic) romance and has some really heart-wrenching stuff in it.
My husband and I are entering the final countdown before the parental visit. They are coming for a month, a little shorter than usual. Don't worry - they don't lodge with us, but at a nearby condo.
Just reworked my website with the help of George, my tech guru and sort of brother-in-law. Now I'll be able to do the updates instead of having to bug him all the time. Please let me know what you think. www.daraedmondson.com

Making it up as I Go Along

We're only a little more than a week into the new year but I've made some serious progress already. I just sold a short story to
The Wild Rose Press and an interview I did a few weeks ago was posted today at Romance Junkies. I've been really good sticking to my daily word count goal of 1000 words a day and we're even making some headway in reeling in the teenangel after a meeting with the principal. I hope it's a good sign for how the rest of the year will go. I probably shouldn't say things like that - I might jinx myself. I'm not quite as brave as my friend, Julie, who has posted her very ambitious goals on her blog! Call me a coward, but I don't have that much confidence in myself. With 3 print books to promote this year and an RWA chapter to run, I'll be lucky to have time to sleep. But heck - I'm a writer. I'll just make it up as I go along.

A Week of Firsts

I did it. I ran my first RWA meeting today. I think I actually did okay. At least I didn't fall flat on my face! We had a big turnout and a super program about goal setting and I actually got a few more people to volunteer to do more things for the organization. I think I also turned a corner with my thirteen-year-old. Instead of threatening her with all the evils of man if she didn't stop her antics at school and her irresponsibility at home, I dangled many little carrots before her - time on the computer, Sunday breakfasts out, sleepovers. She suddenly seems much more interested in keeping her behavior in check:-)

Our other first this week was an email from her principal asking us to meet with her to discuss our little teenangel's lack of impulse control. For the first time since I was in school, I'm nervous!

Visiting Vegetarian Land

After returning to the gym following the holiday foodfest, my DH and I decided we had to take drastic action. The scales were not kind to us! He suggested marathon sex. I opted for changing our eating habits. I mean, we already work out 5 days a week - what else can we do? Someone had left several issues of Vegetarian Magazine in the rack in the cardio room. I started thumbing through the pages, reading recipes, thinking about all the undesirable things in meat - saturated fat being number one on my hit list. I mentioned the idea on the way home, assuming he'd buck. Color me surprised when he said, "Sure. Let's do it." We agreed we wouldn't go overboard. Our monthly visits to High Tide Harry's - mine for tuna steak and his for salmon - will continue. But we're eliminating all red meat and hopefully poultry as well. The kids are not jumping on the bandwagon - yet. But tonight I lured them closer to our camp with eggplant parm - with baked, not fried eggplant. Let's see what that damned smug scale says next week.
Meanwhile - I got word tonight that The Wild Rose Press will be sending me a contract for yet another short story - Kissing Cousins for their erotica line. Shh - don't tell my parents.

Back to the Grind

OK - the holidays are over and I expect every Tom, Dick and Nancy to crowd the gym tomorrow. I call it Amateur Month when I can't get on my favorite machines at the gym - the elliptical trainer in front of the TV, the bike with the built-in fan, the treadmill with the working heart rate monitor. But never fear. They'll all fall like flies by time Valentine's Day candy hearts go on sale at the drugstore. I'll be nice to them - we're all miserable about overeating through the holidays and misery does love company.

On another note, I finished the first round of edits on my second print book, The Kitten Club. Hooray!!! Instead of going back to work on my current WIP, I'm working on the agenda for my upcoming RWA chapter meeting I take the helm for the first time next week. I sure hope I don't fall flat on my face!

Resolution Revolution!

This will be the year. Do you ever catch yourself saying that just prior to a New Year? I do. But this year I mean it - I hope. My resolutions this year are simple - achieve my personal best. Meet my weekly word count goals, my daily exercise & calorie goals and stay under budget when shopping, be a better wife and mother. Well - maybe I can't improve on everything! I hope to participate in lots of book signings, write many books and sell every one of them.
I resolve to try not to get too upset if my son decides to go to college away from home (but I plan to beg and plead for him to stay local).
I hope when I look back here from December 2007, I won't be disappointed. I hope you and yours have a great '07. Please resolve to read all Dara Edmondson's books this year - oh, and recommend them to all your friends!

Woe is Me

Well, here it is, Christmas Eve day and I'm sitting at home with a retched hangover. Why, you ask? Enablers. Dear friends who took us out to a very fine Italian restaurant last night forced us to over-imbibe, as usual. They are wonderful folks - very generous and fun to be with. But they always, always, encourage us to drink too much, eat too much and generally have too good a time. On top of this, they give us gifts like Godiva chocolates and other irresistable goodies.
The power is ours, you might say,(as Captain Planet did). We could easily turn them down - not go have loads of fun and enjoy their stimulating company. But we're mere mortals - weak and prone to lapses in our resolve. So here's my wish to you. May you find yourselves with such enabling friends this holiday season. You'll have a terrific time. Plus, you'll have that much more to repent for come January. So eat, drink and overindulge with reckless abandon. And have one for me!

Diet Don'ts and Don'ts

I really hate this time of year. Don't get me wrong - I love all the parties and the celebrating. It's the temptations that slither beside me as I sit innocently beside my thin friends. If they can indulge in a plate full of potato latkes with a fudge chaser, why can't I? It's just not fair. And never is that clearer than at the holidays which, let's face it, are one big hedonistic orgy. If we're not stuffing our faces, we're tearing open gifts! My thin friends ease up on their exercise routines for the month of December while I do triple time at the gym. No effect. If I didn't sweat my tush off 5 days a week on the elliptical trainer, the bike and the treadmill, I'd have twelve chins.
But that's the way the cookie crumbles (pardon my reference to food again!) So, I end up every January first way over my caloric as well as my monetary budget. Here's the good news - January is resolution month. I think it's no coincidence that resolution month comes immediately after overindulgence month. That's the ying and yang of it - the balance of the universe. But please - let calories burned in January equal or outnumber calories consumed in December. Please???