Book 3 … For Real

November 2010 – Week 1: My annual trip to Maui. I’m thinking maybe there’s a follow up book to Honeymoon Husband… Is that only because I’m working in 1815 and need to distract myself?

Going back to Book 3 . . . I’ve discovered I have the beginning of a story and the end of the story… how do I get these two halves to meet?

Trying Again

October 2010 – Moving into my new office and trying to find my work, notes, anything… I sure do make this writing stuff difficult for myself. I’ve got my desk set up and sorted through my notes. I’d love to have the third book finished by next month… I don’ t think that’s going to happen.

Back to Book 3

September 2010 – I’m so removed from my story…

The kids are off to college and I’ve made the mistake of helping them move. My knee and my back are injured from lifting furniture.

Another unhappy realization . . . I’ve just seen the cover for The Suitor List. There’s no reference to it belonging to a series, no cool series logo of which I had had hoped. I mentioned it being Book 1 of my Gentlemen of Worth series in my Bio on the flap at the back of the book but the reference had been removed. And it’s too late for any changes. It’s too bad I was not able to see it at an earlier stage.

I guess it’s supposed to be a secret.

Back Home

August 2010 – I’m back from conference and trying to get settled and back to Book 3. My kids are home from college, I don’t see me having any time to work. This might have to wait until the end of September when they return to school.

Book 2 Complete

July 2010 – Book 2 is finished and mailed. Now I’m packing for the RWA Conference in Orlando, Florida.

The conference was to be in Nashville, Tennessee until they had that horrible flood. Now it's being held at the Swan and Dolphin Disney Resorts. What could be nicer?

I met with a dozen or so Avalon authors, met the new Editor Lia Brown, met her wonderful hubby—they make the most adorable couple—Romance novel worthy… but Gina Ardito has dibs on writing that story.

While I’m in Orlando why not hop over to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

I meandered down Diagon Alley, marveled at all the paintings and statues in Hogwart's Castle, tasted Butterbeer, regular and frozen, had some pumpkin juice, shopped in Zonko’s, HoneyDukes, Filch’s Emporium, Dervish and Bangs, sent Owl posts.

I went on the Forbidden Journey THREE times, Flight of the Hippogriff, stood in line to see Olivander’s Wand Shop show.

Now I have regrets about sending in my last manuscript. I realize now I should have used owl post.

Book 2 Revisions Continue

July 2010 – Finished with the book. I’m printing it out and giving it a last look, making sure it reads well. But I keep tweaking it, changing words, phrases . . . adding lines here and there.

I can’t seem to stop myself from changing it. I’m hoping to finish and send it to my editor by next week. With the small changes I keep adding . . . well, it’s going to take longer than I expected.

I do know that I WILL finish by the end of this month!

Back to Book 2 . . . revisions

Late June 2010 - When it rains it pours. I’m still working on the end of the book I wasn’t pleased with in the first place. My critique group says one thing and I can’t help but think it is too simplistic. It needs more. I’m determined to find the right ending for Charlotte’s story.

I rework the scene, rearranging elements and adding a few new pieces, and I finally end up with something I’m happy with. I’ve read it to my critique group members and when I saw the smile on their faces as I approached the final paragraphs, I think I have done it.

Now I’m going back to write a couple of new scenes. I should be finished with this in another week. I’ll need to reread the entire book, just to make sure, before mailing it to New York.