Nowadays you can get a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending. Personally as a writer and reader I prefer a happily ever after or HEA.
Growing up I dreamed about being Cinderella and Snow White. I didn’t want seven dwarfs, but hey seven men looking after my every need – not too shabby. Seriously though, I dreamed about growing up and finding my ONE knight in shining armor.
Let me tell you something about fairy tales, their exactly that. During high school I dated someone for three years who was emotionally abusive. After getting out of the relationship I eventually met my first husband. He swept me off my feet. Wooed me until he had me, and then surprised me one day when he hit me. It didn’t stop there. I stayed in that marriage for almost fifteen years.
During my first marriage I wrote to escape the reality of my life. I created heroines who I wanted to be, with a HEA ending. My heroines endured many difficult situations, but always came out victorious. And if they could get away with murder…well, that’s another book.
I also read. Reading was my other escape from reality. Books took me away to exotic places. Places I could only dream about.
Three years after my marriage ended I met someone who seemed too good to be true. Believe me; I had all kinds of walls surrounding me. I wasn’t going to be abused by another man in my life. Turned out he wasn’t too good to be true. He was and still is, my knight in shining armor.
Six years later we’re still happy as when we first started dating.
Writing HEA’s is easier today than it was back then, because now I’m living them. Not just wishing for them.
I don’t want my heroine to be happy for now. I want her to be happy forever. I want her to bask in the glow of that one and only true love. It IS fiction after all.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Break in the Weather - Finally
I had a great weekend, even though I had to work. The sun was shining. The temps were in the 80’s. Couldn’t ask for a better weekend. the DH and I were able to get the rest of the crap out of the pool and it’s finally ready to swim in. we did work around the yard, because I couldn’t venture too far away from home in case I got a call for support.
Even the dogs had fun playing catch while mom was out in the yard.
I even squeezed in some reading time. I knocked one book off my e-TBR pile. I read Bad Boys, Bad Boys, by Mia Watts. If you like M/M, then I say you have to read this book! It was fabulous. From my TBR paperback pile, I grabbed Annette Blair’s cozy mystery A Veiled Deception. This is my first foray into cozy mystery and I must say I love it. And I’m not just saying that because she’s a dear friend of mine. It felt so good to read again.
On Sunday I took B out to buy a crib mattress for the baby, because she’s grown too big for a basinet. Of course I had to buy all sorts of rattles and teething toys because baby T can now hold things in her hands. In fact she’s so fascinated with her hands. She puts them in front of her eyes and stares, sucks on them…they’re her new friends. :-)
Today I’m back to edits on Talk Dirty to Topaz. I think I’ve finally found a solution to a plot problem I was having. What a relief. I did get to have some fun filling out the cover art request. I always love doing this and I’m always surprised by what the cover gods come back with. I can’t wait for this one. I’ll be sharing once it arrives. Only 26 more days until it releases!
The weather is still beautiful today, so once I’m done with my to-do list I’ll be heading out to the pool for a little leisure time. Then the DH and I are going to drive down to the ocean for some clam cakes and chowder for dinner. And let’s not forget a romantic walk along the beach. I love the summer!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Cutting the Apron Strings
Yesterday was a tough day for me. I had to cut my son off from car insurance. Now mind you he had fair warning – seven months. He had sufficient time to prepare. But he didn’t. When he was employed full-time he didn’t save much money. He did give me a few hundred dollars, but that won’t be enough.
I gave him the car three years ago when he graduated. The deal was I would pay insurance for one year. One turned into two, into…you get it. So why am I so bummed? A few reasons. One, the car is off the road, sitting in his driveway at his apartment. The license plates are sitting on my desk and I have to return them to DMV today. He was in high spirits when he dropped them off, but for me, it was difficult.
Cutting the mommy apron strings has never been easy with him. He’s my first born and he suffered the most, out of my three children, at the hands of my ex-husband. N was the one who was emotionally abused. Nothing was ever good enough. He couldn’t do anything right in my ex’s eyes. So, N’s self-esteem suffers. My current DH is the most wonderful, nurturing, self-esteeming raising man I’ve ever met. He’s brought my son out of his shell and I’ve watched him blossom.
N, has some disadvantages with his learning. But when he puts his mind to something he soars to new levels. It’s just getting his foot in the door.
My middle child is just the opposite. She has a new baby. Lives on her own and pays her own bills. She gets my support in different ways – watching the baby or a shoulder to cry on when she’s having a rough day.
Today’s a new day…I’m still a little bummed, but I have to stick to my guns. This tough love is tough – on ME! :-)
How do you handle cutting the apron strings?
They’re calling for a dry weekend and that USO (unidentified solar object) will make an appearance. God, I hope they’re right. Have a wonderful weekend.
I gave him the car three years ago when he graduated. The deal was I would pay insurance for one year. One turned into two, into…you get it. So why am I so bummed? A few reasons. One, the car is off the road, sitting in his driveway at his apartment. The license plates are sitting on my desk and I have to return them to DMV today. He was in high spirits when he dropped them off, but for me, it was difficult.
Cutting the mommy apron strings has never been easy with him. He’s my first born and he suffered the most, out of my three children, at the hands of my ex-husband. N was the one who was emotionally abused. Nothing was ever good enough. He couldn’t do anything right in my ex’s eyes. So, N’s self-esteem suffers. My current DH is the most wonderful, nurturing, self-esteeming raising man I’ve ever met. He’s brought my son out of his shell and I’ve watched him blossom.
N, has some disadvantages with his learning. But when he puts his mind to something he soars to new levels. It’s just getting his foot in the door.
My middle child is just the opposite. She has a new baby. Lives on her own and pays her own bills. She gets my support in different ways – watching the baby or a shoulder to cry on when she’s having a rough day.
Today’s a new day…I’m still a little bummed, but I have to stick to my guns. This tough love is tough – on ME! :-)
How do you handle cutting the apron strings?
They’re calling for a dry weekend and that USO (unidentified solar object) will make an appearance. God, I hope they’re right. Have a wonderful weekend.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Ghost Hunters International returns tonight
Ghost Hunters International returns tonight. I’m a huge fan. While I prefer Ghost Hunters over GHI, I can’t help but be drawn to this show. I enjoy their methods of hunting. I’ve watched the other shows, like Ghost Adventures, and can’t seem to enjoy it as much.
My experience with the paranormal started when I was a child. The house we lived in was haunted. My father swore it was an old man who died in the house, but I have a different belief. I believe it was a little girl. A black figure would wake me frequently in the middle of the night. It would touch my arm or leg, rousing me from a sound sleep. It would just stand over me, watching me. It never did anything after waking me. Being the frightened little kid I was I’d hide under my covers.
The ghost had a thing for scaring my mother too. It’d open and close doors, turn on the water, knock things off shelves, all while she slept during the day. She was a nurse who worked the overnight shift and was home alone all day. It wasn’t just my mother though.
Long after my parents divorced my father had his GF move in. Strange things began happening to her too. Especially at Christmas time. It loved knocking a set of snowmen off the mantle. It didn’t stop there. My dad got into another relationship and it seems the ghost has taken to T. She’s experienced everything we have and more, including having the apparition appear to her.
I’ve begged my dad to let me submit a request to GH to come investigate the house. He won’t allow the Ghost Hunters into his home; he feels it’s not threatening anyone so leave it alone. Maybe someday he’ll change his mind or when the house is left to me I’ll finally be able to get the answers I’m looking for.
Have you had any experiences with the paranormal?
My experience with the paranormal started when I was a child. The house we lived in was haunted. My father swore it was an old man who died in the house, but I have a different belief. I believe it was a little girl. A black figure would wake me frequently in the middle of the night. It would touch my arm or leg, rousing me from a sound sleep. It would just stand over me, watching me. It never did anything after waking me. Being the frightened little kid I was I’d hide under my covers.
The ghost had a thing for scaring my mother too. It’d open and close doors, turn on the water, knock things off shelves, all while she slept during the day. She was a nurse who worked the overnight shift and was home alone all day. It wasn’t just my mother though.
Long after my parents divorced my father had his GF move in. Strange things began happening to her too. Especially at Christmas time. It loved knocking a set of snowmen off the mantle. It didn’t stop there. My dad got into another relationship and it seems the ghost has taken to T. She’s experienced everything we have and more, including having the apparition appear to her.
I’ve begged my dad to let me submit a request to GH to come investigate the house. He won’t allow the Ghost Hunters into his home; he feels it’s not threatening anyone so leave it alone. Maybe someday he’ll change his mind or when the house is left to me I’ll finally be able to get the answers I’m looking for.
Have you had any experiences with the paranormal?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Back to the 9 to 5 Grind
I’m back from vacation. Sadly enough I didn’t get to go to the beach. The weather improved and we had a gorgeous weekend, but because of all the rain, the beaches were closed due to high bacteria levels. I just can’t win! :o)
We had a fun weekend anyway. We went to a cookout both days and it was nice to visit with family and friends. Something I miss about being home in NY. Our family always gets together for a picnic on the fourth. The DH’s family doesn’t make such a big deal about it. It’s a shame because they live on the bay and the firework display is to die for.
We took our granddaughter with us yesterday – our first outing with her. She’s babbling and enjoyed being the center of attention even at 10 weeks.
I didn’t do much writing while on vacation. I did do edits for Body Shots due out in November from Ellora’s Cave. This is part of the Wet Theme series. Today I have to write the blurb and get my editor an excerpt. My other editor will be sending edits for Heat Waves and Talk Dirty to Topaz this week, so I’ll be busy.
I’m back to work on my new series for Aspen Mountain, called Lady Shea’s Manor. I’m working hard on the third book, tentatively titled Satisfy Me.
How did you spend your 4th of July?
We had a fun weekend anyway. We went to a cookout both days and it was nice to visit with family and friends. Something I miss about being home in NY. Our family always gets together for a picnic on the fourth. The DH’s family doesn’t make such a big deal about it. It’s a shame because they live on the bay and the firework display is to die for.
We took our granddaughter with us yesterday – our first outing with her. She’s babbling and enjoyed being the center of attention even at 10 weeks.
I didn’t do much writing while on vacation. I did do edits for Body Shots due out in November from Ellora’s Cave. This is part of the Wet Theme series. Today I have to write the blurb and get my editor an excerpt. My other editor will be sending edits for Heat Waves and Talk Dirty to Topaz this week, so I’ll be busy.
I’m back to work on my new series for Aspen Mountain, called Lady Shea’s Manor. I’m working hard on the third book, tentatively titled Satisfy Me.
How did you spend your 4th of July?
Friday, July 3, 2009
On Vacation
I’ve been on vacation. The DH and I take the same week every year. For him it has special meaning, his birthday. He doesn’t just celebrate one day, he celebrates all week. Mind you I reduced that from the birthday month.
Oddly enough, even before I met him I took this week for vacation.
As my vacation neared I dreamed about lazy days in the pool. Trips to the beach where I could spend hours watching the waves crash into the shore. HA! Was I the fool?
What I didn’t picture was me running around doing errands I normally do. Or waking up bright and early to bring my daughter to the neurologist, who I might add, insisted we arrive early, only to wait for her. She arrived 15 minutes after our scheduled appt. I haven’t swum in the pool. I haven’t made one trip to the beach – thanks to all the lovely rain we’ve been having.
I did manage to celebrate the DH’s birthday without the rain and we had another rain-free cookout Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong. I love my children, grandchild and in-laws, but my vacation was supposed to be about what I wanted to do to! Instead it’s been all about the DH.
So after we went to the movies last night (I’m not a movie theater person. DH would go every night if I allowed it) I finally told him enough. For the next three days it’s going to be about ME. No, I don’t think I’m being selfish and if I am so what! They’re calling for lots of sun. (I’ll believe it when I see it). I intend to arm myself with books and head to the beach, where I can stick my toes in the sand, breathe in the smell of fish and salt water and relax. No internet, no phones and no child whining because she’s bored.
BTW, we saw Public Enemies. The movie was good, but I feel they dragged it out too long. Not that I can’t look at Johnny Depp all night long, it’s just…they could have reduced the film by at least twenty minutes. Just my .02.
Hopefully I’ll have something fun to blog about after the weekend. Have a safe and happy 4th everyone!
Oddly enough, even before I met him I took this week for vacation.
As my vacation neared I dreamed about lazy days in the pool. Trips to the beach where I could spend hours watching the waves crash into the shore. HA! Was I the fool?
What I didn’t picture was me running around doing errands I normally do. Or waking up bright and early to bring my daughter to the neurologist, who I might add, insisted we arrive early, only to wait for her. She arrived 15 minutes after our scheduled appt. I haven’t swum in the pool. I haven’t made one trip to the beach – thanks to all the lovely rain we’ve been having.
I did manage to celebrate the DH’s birthday without the rain and we had another rain-free cookout Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong. I love my children, grandchild and in-laws, but my vacation was supposed to be about what I wanted to do to! Instead it’s been all about the DH.
So after we went to the movies last night (I’m not a movie theater person. DH would go every night if I allowed it) I finally told him enough. For the next three days it’s going to be about ME. No, I don’t think I’m being selfish and if I am so what! They’re calling for lots of sun. (I’ll believe it when I see it). I intend to arm myself with books and head to the beach, where I can stick my toes in the sand, breathe in the smell of fish and salt water and relax. No internet, no phones and no child whining because she’s bored.
BTW, we saw Public Enemies. The movie was good, but I feel they dragged it out too long. Not that I can’t look at Johnny Depp all night long, it’s just…they could have reduced the film by at least twenty minutes. Just my .02.
Hopefully I’ll have something fun to blog about after the weekend. Have a safe and happy 4th everyone!
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