Like Minded

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...so, I watched Return of the Jedi last night. Yeah, yeah. I'm a dork, but hey! This has classic romance conflict in it, you know. It's really more like research. The banter between Han and Leia screams sexual tension, and isn't that what we all strive for? Tension. The best romance books have no sex at all--well, almost none. When the tension is there, in your face and rising at an alarming rate, it makes the happily ever after so much more rewarding. :D Anyhoo...

Like Minded

Matt joined me about half way through, and we got to the part where Princess Leia goes with the Ewok. Then, Han and Luke come looking for her, find her hat and end up surrounded by Ewoks intent on doing them harm.

"You know what movie this makes me think of?" I questioned Matt.

"Willow."

"What?! How did you know?!" I'm gaping and grinning, and laughing my butt off. "Have we had this conversation before?"

"I don't think so."

That's exactly what I was thinking. EXACTLY! Willow, another great adventure story straight from the 80's. How can you NOT love the 80's?

~~~~~~~

Just a note on my WIP progress. I'm doing some revisions for Shake the Sugar Tree, now The Gamble or Katie's Gamble...something like that. My plotting for my next WIP is on hold, but I'm still really excited about it. REALLY! When The Gamble doesn't make it, this one will. It's going to be thrillee. Very intense. *fingerscrossed*

Try

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I know I already posted today, so I should probably save this for later...but like Matt says, I'm an opportunist. And seriously, I'd totally forget.

We watched The Empire Strikes Back with the kids tonight. I might not be as bad as Eric Forman [sp?] from That 70's Show, but I do love Star Wars...

Well, I realized tonight that Yoda is my own personal literary Jedi! When Luke says, "I'll try--"

No! Not try, do. Do or not do... there is no try.

It's so freaking clear! I am going to explain my excitement. I think using try as a verb is telling. I have a friend that hates the word had in a ms... and I find some amusement when she goes through and deletes all the hads. :) [love you anyway, steph!]. Well, my thing is try, tried. Ugh! I just hate it. Like most telling, writers avoid it, but there are also instances when it's okay. That being said...

If someone tries to do something and fails... not do. So I'd rather SEE what and how it doesn't happen. Like trying to open a door, OR using each key consecutively and having no luck, the door didn't open, OR she pulled on the door with all her might, but it still didn't budge.

Anyway, I think my family thought I was crazy because I just laughed and laughed after hearing Yoda say that... and it really is a serious part of the movie. Luke does not believe and that is why he fails.

I believe I will be published. :D
Goodnight!
Bethanne


Photo from Listphile

First Sell Wish List [otherwise known as MOTIVATION]

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My husband woke up next to me this morning and said, "I can't wait until you sell your first book and we can buy a couple of $6 pillows." hehe. Gosh, he cracks me up. But he got me thinking. Besides the story, what keeps me going?

Right now, there are only two things I think about when I consider the big pay off.

1. Panties and Bras--It's true. I hate my Hanes. It's comfortable, economic and sometimes cute. But I want my underwear to be colorful and matching. When I have a few dollars, I'm going straight to Victoria's Secret [or Khol's *winkwink*] and buying at least a hundered dollars worth of underwear.

2. A laptop--You might think this would be first on my list, but it's not. I have a nice desktop with mostly free access throughout the day and into the night...so, something more would be nice, but not imperative. ;) If not the laptop than updated versions of Word.

3. Those gosh darn pillows!

That's it!
Do you have a list? Wish lists for your birthday or Christmas or an anniversary?
What's on it?

Blogging outside My Circle

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I discovered something in the past few weeks.
Blogging has a hierarchy.

Yes.

It's true.

In a moment of bias, I thought it applied only to the bloggers outside of the writing community. Setting aside my bias, I realized I was wrong. It happens here, too. Take agents, reviewers, published authors VS. aspiring authors.

Here's a for-example: It used to be fun to stop in at certain agent blogs and comment... and I never expected those VERY BUSY agents to reciprocate and come to visit my blog and comment. They might do that for other blogs who rank a wee bit higher on the totem pole, but never for an insignificant writer like myself...who doesn't always blog about writing stuff. There's a catch here. The writers who get the attention of the agents--not necessarily meaning they would get a contract--are the ones who blog about writing...or the industry. The catch being, that as writers, we should be more interested in attracting our readers. Blogging about stuff the reader can relate to.

...where was I? Oh, right. Hierarchy. Well, I've been surfing around on some Diabetes Blogs. Amazingly enough, they are also a dime a dozen. Not expecting a hierarchy there, because most of the blogs I've visited aren't written by doctors or nurses... nope, not even by diabetes educators. Just people like me who have diabetes. So, I was REALLY surprised that they didn't reciprocate. Isn't that part of the blogging world? I mean, who's going to visit you if you don't visit other people? No one will even know you're there unless you are putting your name out there. Though there are a number of ways, blog-hopping is key because it makes you seem friendly. Twittering. Networking. Unfortunately, once you've hit that higher level of Blogdom status, it means you no longer need to do that.

I'm circling here... because I'm not looking to sound like I'm whining. Boo hoo, poor me.. etc. Not that. I guess the root of all blogging is still about me. The journal or diary we kept as a kid. It's now online... and for some reason, we all think that everyone else wants to read it. :D I do have to say, though, that I read every blog post that comes to my inbox, usually enjoying it...but after several tries of network, not succeeding, I rarely go to the webpages and comment.

Not sure if this means I'm a quiter...but a person gets tired of putting out and getting nothing back! :D Seriously, I don't mean here at Romance in Writing. I have wonderful visitors and commentors. FRIENDS who love me and want to know what's going on. It's other places I'm talking about. That at this point are going to remain a personal accountability and journal. It's nice to share with people, and know that they understand where you are coming from... but it's just as nice to do something for yourself, don't you think?

have a great Hump day.
Love,
Bethanne

P.S. There's always the chance that I'm just not in the 'in' crowd over there....maybe everybody does know eachother, and I'm just the new gal, eh? Who knows. I don't have time to figure that kind of stuff out. :P

Last Day of Summer

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School starts tomorrow and that puts me in mind of all the things I can do while the kids are not the focus of my life... or, while they aren't around, anyway. :)

Plotting a new story is at the head of my list. I spent one day plotting my last story... and that was more plotting than I'd ever done before. Part of me thinks the story is still on the weak side, that I spent alot of time reworking it. The bad side of this story is that I'm actually nervous to get started on my new maunscript. I'm doing character profiles and plotting points throughout the story. Ideas are coming to me and i'm revising things. Am I too nervous? Maybe... It's a hurdle. I'll manage.

Speaking of summer. I've been shoving the kids outside, as they dig their heels in and beg to be able to stay inside, play Wii or whatever almost every weekend for the past month, until this weekend. All of a sudden, they are outside, playing, doing things... and I don't see them for hours at a time. What? Now? Now you're going to disappear and play? Go figure.

August is over.
:P
It's hard to believe.
Take care everyone and enjoy the cooler weather if you're blessed with it.
I know I am!
Love,
Bethanne

My five year old

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My 5 year old was annoying my almost 9 year old this morning, and said 9 year old manhandled the 5 year old. Like brothers do. At the same time, no one would claim the water that was on the counter... and since it wasn't mine or my husband's, I sent them all to their rooms for an hour after lunch. It wasn't the cup of water that bothered me, but the fact that SOMEONE poured it! Why wouldn't they say so? Whoever wasn't saying so was lying.... Grrr. so frustrating.

....back on track. I brought my 5 and 9 year olds to the kitchen. I told the 9 year old, "Hug touching is okay. Handshakes are okay. If you are touching your brother becuase he is annoying you or making you angry, that's not okay. Okay?" 9 year old nods his head. "Apologize to your brother," I say, and he does. I turn to 5 year old. "5 year old, stop doing things on purpose to annoy your brother. Now, say you're sorry!"

He looks at 9 year old, then turns back to me, "You talk too much."

Haha. That is something I've NEVER been accused of in 32 years. NEVER. :D

Once Upon a Crime

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If I was better as networking a year ago, I would have tried to get in on this group. A place to talk about murder, investigations... crafting stories and blogging about it. Kudos to you gals for keeping it going for an entire year. You know these groups come and go like race cars...

One thing I love about writing is the groups. Even the big time NY bestselling authors have groups and blogs and forums.... It's a community of people. I have mine. Passionate Critters. I found it last year in my need for something supportive. What a great find. We added Jennifer Bianco to our group this past spring, and she is a member of Once Upon a Crime.

A Big Congratulations for a year well written!

Have a great weekend, everyone.
Just think, we are one year closer to the new school year!
The kids are soooo ready to go back. :)
...and I'm ready for them to go back.
Love,
Bethanne

Just Me

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I've never considered myself an artist type, though I've dabbled in bits of art my entire life. Some drawing here, painting there, crochet and poetry, novel writing, second grade crafting, cooking.... you get the idea. I've done a little of everything but never excelled at anything. [knock on wood]


I was surprised when I made breakfast this morning.
I took the cooking oil and baking powder out of the cabinet. I retrieved the flour and sugar before pulling a small bowl down to make pancakes. I make pancakes regularly. You could even argue they are my specialty.

Adding sugar and baking powder to the flour, followed by the milk and a handful of instant oatmeal, I poured the small batch of pancakes onto the griddle. A couple of minutes later, I flipped them...and suddenly came into my right mind.

I did not add an egg. I did not add the cooking oil or any salt.
I have no idea what I was thinking about...the coming move? My next big murder? Espionage?

I have the brain of an artist. It gets sidetracked.

PS The pancakes were still good.
Have a great Wednesday.
Bethanne

Excerpt Monday

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Monday the tenth brings something new to Romance in Writing. Excerpt Monday. What's an excerpt? A snippet of something bigger. This blog-round runs the gambit--works in progress, short stories, blurbs, and even poetry. One Monday a month [I think] to share a bit of the craft with other writers, friends, family, readers.... If you're here because you like to read, please take another minute to visit one more blog! Links to other Excerpts will be listed after mine.


~Shake the Sugar Tree~

They slept together in his king-size bed.

Thad woke early, shifted, and pulled her close to his chest. She took a deep breath, knowing she should probably get up instead and put some space between them. Damn reasonable and safe, though. She'd waited too long to let go, even if for just a short moment in time. She traced the Celtic cross that covered the smooth expanse of skin at the top of his arm. This symbol meant something to him.

“Morning.” His voice a gravelly whisper in her ear, she shivered against him, wondering if she could take it when he finally left. If. If he left. The thought was a warning of what happened when she placed too much hope in expectations. She pushed it aside. She didn't want to dwell on the what ifs this morning.

He kissed her in that soft spot under her ear, before sliding out from beneath the covers. She hid her smile when he turned and brushed her hair off her face. She stretched at his touch. “What are you doing,” she whispered.

“I'm getting up to go to church.”

She frowned, her senses coming alert and her heart pounding. Would he leave her behind? Did she want that?

He smiled and shrugged. “I won't be long.”

“You don't want me to go?”

“You don't have to go.”

Her frown deepened as she evaluated her reactions—disappointment, relief, apprehension. He crouched in front of her so they were face-to-face. “Do you want to go?” he asked, taking the blanket on her shoulder and pushing it down to expose her back. His magical fingers traced circles from the top of her spine to the small of her back.

She would have sighed if he hadn't caused desire to override the tenderness of the gesture. “If you keep doing that, we won't be going to church anytime soon.”

He kissed the slight indentation of her shoulder blade. “So, you'll go?”

Burrowing her face in the pillow, she nodded her head with a groan.

“Well, hurry up. I want to get there early enough to talk to Father Stephen.” He swatted her backside as he crossed to the bathroom.

She yelped then laughed. “I'm up,” she muttered. “Gotta go to church. I found the only man in all America who goes to church every Sunday. I'm sure of it.”
© 2009 Bethanne Strasser
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Mel/Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
and
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG)

Joining us this week:

AJ O'Donovan, Poetry (PG13)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Heather S.Ingemar, Dark Fantasy/Poetry (PG13)
Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Cynthia Justlin, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Ansha Kotyk, Middle Grade Adventure (PG13)
Adelle Laudan, Contemp orary Romance (PG 13)
RF Long, YA Paranormal (PG13)
Caitlynn Lowe, Epic Fantasy (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Crista McHugh, Contemporary Erotic Romance (PG 13)
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG)
Leigh Royals, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Megan S., Paranormal (PG13)
Dara Sorensen, Historical Paranormal (PG 13)
Bethanne Strasser, Contemporary Romantic Suspense (PG13)

Synopsis

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My sister asked, Did you get the synopsis done?

I'm just about there. I took it from 9 single spaced pages to 1.5 double spaced pages, and now I'm getting some feedback on it. I think, after the weekend, I'll be ready to start sending my stuff out. *quaking stomach*

Mom's Night Out at Nikki's was sooooo much fun. Wonderful ladies. Wonderful food. Wonderful drink. Sometimes, it's nice to just get out. :D And I do so, often.

Have a great weekend, friends.
Love,
Bethanne

Telling Stories

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I've always been really good at telling stories. I can lie with the best of them. It's strategy, really. Knowing when it's going to work, and when it won't. One time, when I was a teenager my mother was on a 'who did this' expedition. My husband likes to take those, too. I tend to steer clear and this is probably why. It's possible I saw it coming, maybe I didn't. I'm just not sure anymore, but I answered to a few of her questions with a contrite positive... [I'm going to remember those as being true]. On her next inquiry, the stakes were higher. The punishment most likely steeper. I'd definitely commited this offense, but realized in a moment of panic--or calculation--I couldn't answer truthfully. So I lied.

...and she said, "She could trust me because I'd already been truthful about the other offenses."

GEEZ! Doesn't that just bite?! I mean, I didn't renege. Of course not! Perhaps I even felt a little satisfaction that my strategy worked. I mean, I was young, stupid, a teenager. I'm not saying teenagers are a bunch of liars.... but there's a measure of testing that occurs as we figure the world around us out. I'm lucky to have felt the guilt. It shows my parents were doing something right.

Speaking of telling stories, I finished Black Hills. Went to bed last night, then skipped my exercise this morning and kept reading until lunch time. [yes, this means I accomplished nothing] So, I read this and think, "How does she do it?"

I can see the elements, and they make me think of my own book. Just when I think I've got something, I bite my lip and wonder if it's going to work. Well, it's too late for that now. On this manuscript anyway. :D So I'm off to write the synopsis so I can finally send this thing out.

Thanks for stopping in.
Love,
Bethanne

August

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Besides August being the eighth month of the Gregorian calender. The word can be dated to the 1500's meaning marked by majestic dignity or grandeur. Ooo, I really like that. I would like to write an historical with the word August in the title. I know that sounds crazy, but the muse strikes as he pleases with no warning or explanation. This time it's a word. A title. Hmm....

Speaking of majestic dignity, just another month until fall. Whoooot! What a world it will be in North America! I can't wait. Much as I love summer, the fall is my time of year. No matter where I am in another month, be it Florida or New Hampshire or Colorado...New Mexico, Idaho... where was I? Oh, no matter where I am in another month, I look forward to the change in the season.


autumn Pictures, Images and Photos



With the kids starting school early this year, it looks like we will be sending them back to Our Lady of Lourdes. Yes, I contemplated home-schooling them for the time being, but Matt and I are a little uncertain I have the discipline level to do it well, and do it right. I'm NOT offended by this assessment. Plus, Matt will be home--as he has been all summer--and I know it's not easy for him to concentrate when the kids are hanging close by.

So that's two decisions we've made in the last month. Not bad for a married coupled. LOL The first being our decision to not go to Montana. The funny thing is, I struggled with this decision. Part of me wanted to go, to make it work, the practical part of me kept seeing all the things that would stand in the way of actually getting what we want [and need] up there. First and foremost is our desire to live in a smaller town. Great Falls, though smaller than where we live now, is still 60K populated city. And in order to get the resources we need for our son who is blind, we would have to live IN the city school district. We couldn't even go ten minutes up the highway to the next town over. It's been tricky, and a little heartbreaking to work the logistics of this .....life-changing event [I almost said catastrophe! LOL].

Wow, long post.
I'll be visiting with my parents tomorrow, they are on their way to Indianapolis where they will live... for now. :D We are lucky that they will be closer to us, for however long that is.
God Bless your weekend.
Love,
Bethanne