Tuesday, August 29, 2006
News at 11Well, it's really almost midnight, but I couldn't think of an interesting title.
Anyway, I want to thank everyone for your hugs and well wishes. And I also want to give a shout out to my father. My dad stopped by my blog yesterday, read my post, and thought something was drastically wrong.
Hi Daddy! Everything is fine. I didn't mean to worry
you.
I'm an emotional person. I'm fragile beneath the tough, Philly girl exterior. But I'm also a fighter, a survivor. I am feeling better. Things feel less tense. I am getting back to normal.
***
I'm taking Elle James' & Delilah Devlin's class at Roses Colored Glasses, Write 50 Books in a Year. There's like a gazillion people on the yahoo loop. I'm only lurking, but worksheets they are posting are pretty good. Anybody else checking it out?
Laine Morgan is out as a major Duran Duran fan. I have to admit, I like them, too. (I mean, they aren't Barry Manilow, but... LOL!) So much so, that I watched their concert tonight on my local cable station. I never thought I would say this, but I am glad I watched the show. You know the song Ordinary World? Well, I haven't heard that song in years. But when I heard it tonight, everything clicked together for a novella I've been working on. Does music have that effect on your writing?
Everything Happens for a Reason
Monday, August 28, 2006
Refocusing My EnergyWell, I didn't have the best weekend. Oh, it started out nice enough, but it ended on a rough note.
I met with my local writer's group on Saturday. I love meeting with those guys. It's a diverse group: we write in all genres, and we are all at different levels in our writing journey. I always feel rejuvenated when I go to the group.
I started to read Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. I loved Angela's Ashes and 'Tis. This book, not so much. So, I pulled another book out of my TBR pile, Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg.
Hopefully, I will connect with this book.
I got some upsetting news on Sunday afternoon. I was up most of the night with a headache. As bad as it was, it gave me plenty of time to think about things, re-evaluate my personal goals, and refocus on what's really important to me.
So, maybe it didn't end on a rough note after all.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Friday Conversation With Amanda BriceToday I'm chatting with chick-lit author, Amanda Brice.
Bebe: Hi, Amanda. Thanks for stopping by. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Amanda: I’m 29 years old and live in Arlington, Virginia with my absolutely wonderful husband, who’s also my best friend. We met at a party the first week of law school. He claims I was spitting in his face, but I have zero recollection of that (damn that Maggie forcing me to drink all that red wine!). Anyway, somehow he still liked me. Go figure.
Bebe: I love it! It sounds like a scene out of a romantic comedy. Anything else you want to reveal?
Amanda: I’m an intellectual property attorney, specializing in trademark and copyright law. In my spare time, I dance. I used to do all styles—ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, flamenco, ballroom, Latin—but I don’t have the stamina or body that I had when I was a teenager or in college. So now it’s just ballet and jazz.
Bebe: You seem very artistic and creative. How did you get into the field of law?
Amanda: It’s kind of a convoluted story. The short answer is I didn’t have anything better to do.
Bebe: LOL – Care to expand on that?
****Read Amanda's answer and the rest of the conversation HERE.****
Hee hee. Pretty slick how I'm getting you over to my other blog, eh?
In other news... YAY!!! It's Friday. It's supposed to rain all weekend, and I plan to take Shelli's advice and dig into my TBR pile. I hope reading will rejuvenate my muse.
What are you doing this weekend?
Thursday, August 24, 2006
It's Thursday, Thank GoodnessI didn't win the Powerball again. But my work week at the day job is almost over. Yay! It's been a weird week.
Tomorrow, or maybe later on tonight, I'll post my conversation with the fabulous Amanda Brice.
I hope you guys like reading about other writers. I love doing the interviews!
Well, time to make the donuts.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Ain't No Cure for the Summertime BluesEver just feel bleh? Not blah, but bleh? You know, so blah that you can't even muster the energy to say it properly. I'm in a state of blehness lately, and I don't know why.
I'm itching to write. But I'm not writing. I don't know... maybe I'm afraid of failure. Or success. I think it's failure, though.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know, I'm still here and thinking of you. I'll get around to your blogs soon.
Oh... and if someone could smack me and say "Snap out of it!", I'd be ever so grateful.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Friday Conversation With Crystal JordanBebe: First things first, tell us a little about yourself.
Crystal: I was born and raised in California, but for the last few years I've lived and worked in Indiana, Tennesse and Kentucky. Talk about culture shock! I'm a university librarian and when I started my first "real" job, I found I had all this time that used to be eaten up by homework and assigned readings. So, I started writing as a hobby. Now, it's a second career for me and I love every minute of it. Even when I want to throttle my stubborn characters.
Bebe: Besides author, what is your dream job?
Crystal: World explorer. In fact, my critique partner and I wrote a book about explorers that we just sold to Cobblestone Press, called Finding Paradise.
Bebe: Your e-book Full Swing is out today with Cobblestone Press. Tell us a little bit about the story.
Crystal: Full Swing is a reunion story about a husband and wife who are struggling with their marriage and split up, but circumstances bring them back together and they decide to give their marriage a second chance. I absolutely fell in love with these characters because they're so different and very strong in their own ways (and stubborn, I always get the stubborn ones).
Here's the official blurb: Pro-golfer Jill Brandon's life and marriage changes when her Army Ranger husband is injured. It takes a painful separation and a brush with danger for Tyler to realize what he's lost. He's determined to bring their marriage full swing. He's always done his best convincing in the bedroom. Will it be enough?
Bebe: What made you write about golf?
Crystal: I wrote about golf because I wanted to write a book where the heroine, rather than the hero, was a professional athlete. Usually it's the hero who's a football player or baseball player and I wanted to change it up a bit. The only sport I knew enough about to write was golf. So, Jill was born, the Tiger Woods of the LPGA tour.
Bebe: Sounds great! Are you a golfer?
Crystal: I played on the varsity girls' golf team in high school. I really love to watch golf, but I haven't played since I was 18. I don't even want to know what my handicap is now. Yikes!
Bebe: What kind of books do you like to read?
Crystal: I like romance, young adult, chick-lit, science-fiction, and fantasy.
Bebe: Who are your favorite authors?
Crystal: Favorite authors? Sheesh, do you have all day? To name a VERY few: Suzanne Brockmann, Linda Howard, Elizabeth Moon, JRR Tolkien (duh), Jax Abbott, Gena Showalter, Robin D. Owens, Elizabeth Hayden, Robin Hobb, Jaci Burton and Angela Knight.
Wow, I know I'm forgetting some of them.
Bebe: Are you working on a project now? Tell us about it.
Crystal: I'm working on my first dark paranormal novella called Revenant. It's about a woman who thinks she's insane because she can see and speak to people no one else can. It turns out she's talking to ghosts, or revenants, and if she doesn't learn to harness her abilities soon, she going to end up dead. My hero is a cranky revenant who's been hanging around for a few centuries.
Bebe: What do you do to kick back and relax?
Crystal: I go out to dinner with friends and talk about anything but work or writing. We have two rules: eat when your food shows up, don't wait for everyone's food to show up; and no talking about work of any kind.
Bebe: Speaking of food, do you know where can I find the perfect egg roll?
Crystal: The very best egg rolls can be found in this little hole-in-the-wall resturant in Sacramento, California. I can't even remember what it's called, The Golden Lion or something. But the egg rolls are perfect, crunchy and gold on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside.
Bebe: Mmmm. Yummy.
Crystal: Okay, now I'm hungry.
Bebe: I’m glad you could stop by to chat, Crystal. I can’t wait to read Full Swing!
Crystal: Thanks, Bebe!
Learn more about Crystal at her website or blog!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Still Here, Just BusySo... I've overextended myself again. Somebody smack me the next time I decide to launch a new blog/feature on existing blog, commit to BIAW, and write a newsletter in the same week. I should have taken a week off from the day job to do this. Oh, well. I work best under pressure.
Anyway, please come by tomorrow for my Conversations with Almost Famous Writers feature. My first guest will be the fabulous Crystal Jordan whose book Full Swing is out tomorrow with Cobblestone Press.
I'll also be posting the conversation on my new blog: Conversations With Almost Famous Writers. Send me an email if there is an Almost Famous Writer you would like to see featured or if you are a writer interested in being featured. The schedule is filling up quick! I'm already booking into 2007.
See you tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Happy TuesdayI'm almost fully recovered from my promo weekend. Somebody please remind me never to schedule three events like that back to back - well, unless it is a multi-city book tour.
I started BIAW yesterday. I did a bit of brainstorming and wrote about 150 words before I conked out from exhaustion. Today will be better. I am bringing my Quickpad to work and hopefully, I will have some down time today.
My newsletter will go out this week, too. So, probably this weekend, I'll be making the much dreaded trip to the post office to send out prizes. If you won a prize from me and haven't received it yet, not to worry. I've just been procrastinating.
I've decided to start a new Friday feature on the blog: Conversations with Almost Famous Writers. I'll be posting my conversation with a writer you probably don't know about, but should. This Friday's conversation is with Crystal Jordan.
If you want to be featured, drop an e-mail to bebe "at" bebethomas "dot" com.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Visit Me this Weekend
On Saturday, I'm the author of the day on Ciar Cullen's yahoo group. I'll be posting throughout the day, so stop by if you get a chance.
Then on Sunday, I'm chatting with fellow Freya's Bower and Wild Child Publishing author, HA Fowler at The Romance Studio from 9PM-10PM.
And don't forget, my newsletter will go out around the 15th of the month. If you sign up for my newsletter, you'll automatically be entered for all of my future contests. Click HERE for all the details.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
BIAW & 1/2I'm starting my very first BIAW(Book in a Week) today. Officially, the BIAW at Villa In Tuscany does not start until Monday. But I feel I need the extra time. So, I'm modifying it a bit - I'm doing BIAW&1/2.
I'm also getting back on the diet wagon today. I'll still be doing the LA Weight Loss Plan. (I mean, I spent a ton of money on it, so I might as well get something out of it!) I think I am going to modify the plan a bit, though. Right now, it is hard to keep up with. I'm hoping that I can get on a roll with diet, so it doesn't seem so much like work.
These are my two big goals for the next week or so. What are your current goals?
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Tagged... by Daisy Dexter Dobbs & Queen SlackassAck... I've been tagged. Twice.
1. When did you start blogging and why?
I've had a blog for my non-fiction life for about a year and a half. I hardly ever update it, though. I've had this blog since April. I started blogging to connect with my readers and fellow authors.
2. What don't you talk about?
Religion and Politics. I do write a bit about my personal life. Otherwise, my blog posts would be promo, promo, promo. I think readers get fed up with blatant promo - I know I do!
3. Are you and your blogging persona the same person?
Well, our names are different, but we share many of the same characteristics. Although, I will say Bebe is thinner, prettier and sexier!
4. How do you use blogging to build friendships?
I consider all my regulars friends. I look forward to having them drop by. Likewise, I like to visit their blogs also.
5. How would you describe your writing style?
Direct and to the point, with a touch of humor.
I'm tagging: Rene, Melissa and Julie S.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Religion, Politics & MeI'm completely stressed out after visiting my friends in cyberspace this week. There seems to be no common ground. Between Jan Butler's letter in the RWR and several threads at the Romance Divas forum, I've struggled to keep my mouth shut.
And believe me, there have been some comments that make me want to jump into the fray.
I normally don't talk about religion or politics. Not that I don't like a lively discussion, but I don't ever want anyone to feel like I'm pushing my political views or religious beliefs. Likewise, I don't want anyone pushing their views or beliefs on me.
How did you feel about the goings on this week?
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Priorities (and Dr. Phil)I posted a funny about Dr. Phil a few posts back. After reading the post, Chrissy Olinger, sent me an article she wrote "That Dog Won't Hunt: How I Discovered Dr. Phil is a Big Fat Liar". If you're interested, check out her website. Chrissy has written several fabulous articles on body image and size acceptance.
Anyway, the article got me thinking about dieting. I'm on the LA Weight Loss plan right now. And I've had some success with it, but the weight is not coming off as steadily or as quickly as I'd like. Now, don't get me wrong, after I lose weight, I am still going to be a porky. No doubt about it. I would just like to be a little less porky.
Why has my weight loss plateaued? National conference. PMS. Dr. Phil (and other diet gurus) would probably say something like, I am not making losing weight a priority. And it's true - at this point, I'm not. But is that really the key?
It seems like everything is a priority -writing, exercising, eating right, getting enough sleep, getting to work each day, staying healthy. I don't know how to fit it all in! And don't tell me to relax about the housework. I'm relaxed already! Seriously, Mr. Bebe is a fantastic hubby - he does laundry, dishes, takes out the trash. In general, he makes sure that I can spend my evenings focused on writing.
How do you prioritize your priorities?
