I'm back!

I finally finished my next work over the weekend so I took a couple of days off. I have to break from all of this once in a while. lol

I've been totally addicted to MySpace. Oh, I'm not chatting or on the shady side but I've got 18 friends now and most all of them are favorite authors of mine. SQUEEEEE! That's a plus!

I got confirmation now that I'm a member of RWA but I guess all I get is an email with a number so I could log into the member area of their site. Oh well.

No word from Red Sage yet. I'm trying to stay optimistic. ;)

So tonight I wrote 1,685 words on a new project. Not bad. Now I'm off to rest. July is over in 29 minutes. What a whirlwind month. Hope it was good for you.

Night.

Lauren

So I've discovered MySpace

I'm only how many years behind? lol I conned my web designer into doing up a template for me and I've already got 2 friends.

Oh, listen to those crickets chirping. lol

Hey, one of them is Cynthia Eden who is a favorite author of mine. I found her through Red Sage. The other is a travel guy but I'm not complaining. Anyway if you want to join my friend list (PLEASE! lol) I'm at http://myspace.com/laurenbladesauthor

I edited last night. I'm editing today. I still have to write the final chapter of this current story. I know how I want to end it I just hope I can do it justice.

Buenos noches and have a good weekend.

Lauren

Still raining...

It's been raining for three days and instead of wanting to write, I want to curl up with a good book or nap. lol I did that for a while when I got home last night. Probably why I only wrote 216 words last night. Bad writer, I know. lol

I've been busy reading the last Harry Potter and I don't mind telling you it's worth the read. I've been very careful to avoid any mention of it in the media. I don't want so much as a hint. I do have to say that if Harry dies at the end of this after all the hours I've spent reading, I'll be majorly pissed off! Somehow I'll make myself put it down so I can get my own writing done.

Have a great evening!

Lauren

Can I get a WOOHOO?

Last night I wrote just over 1,000 words. Today, so far because I'm not done, 3,217. I'm on a roll. lol

I love days off!

Lauren

Another week starts...

Today was Monday. Now as much as I enjoy the weekend, I never dread returning on Monday because it's a fresh start each week, right? A new beginning.

The only problem with that theory is that Mondays, for me anyway, are probably the busiest day of the week. Maybe it's because when you get to Friday it's like, I'll do it Monday and you put things off. Unless you work weekends, and I'm lucky not to, there's not a BIG difference between Friday evening and Monday morning, right? You'll be in a better state of mind, you tell yourself. You'll be in a better frame of mind than you are on Friday evening, yeah?

Then everything that everyone put off until Monday is right there that morning, waiting for you. That was the case today. The day went roaring by and now I've gotten home, eaten dinner and have finished up my laundry. It's 7 PM. How the hell did that happen so fast? It can't be Monday night already.

Yeah, it can. And it is. And it's time for me to get some writing done.

I did end up with a total of 2,036 words yesterday and I'm really pleased about that. If I can do anything tonight as tired as I am - and brain dead which is another side effect of Monday - I'll be very happy.

Have a good night and a good week. But I'll be writing something before the end of the week.

Lauren

Working on Sunday

Usually I try to take it easy on Sunday but it's raining, and we needed the rain, and I really want to move on this project I'm working on. It's a paranormal erotic romance with BDSM elements and I really am having a good time writing it. I have no idea how long it will be or where I'll try to send it once I'm done. I love having that sort of freedom.

I read a lot of author blogs and journals talking about deadlines, stress, deadlines, stress. If I'm ever lucky enough to get into a publisher that's one thing I'm going to try to avoid. I'm going to write it, then I'll send it. I'm self-disciplined enough to finish a project - I'm not far from finishing my third. And from what I understand, many publishers won't schedule you in advance anyway instead asking you to be considered each time. That's cool. I don't see how the authors with deadlines do it - though I admire them. It's not like what I do for my day job (office work, yuck!) That can be done mostly with absolutely no creativity most of the time.

Writing? You can't just say, oh good I've got an hour, I'll do 1000 words. Nice if it worked but it so doesn't. Sometimes your mind is clear, you're feeling perky and you can go to town. Sometimes, you've got nothing. Those days are really frustrating and yeah, they happen. If you don't have a deadline, you're fine.

If you DO have a deadline, what do you do?

Writing for me since yesterday has been pretty good. I edited last night. Today I'm just over 1000 words and I'm going to keep going since I don't have much else to do today and I'm NOT doing household chores. My kitchen and bathroom are clean. The clutter? It will be there tomorrow. lol

Have a good evening!

Happy weekend!

I was right. Only did about 95 words last night though I did get some editing done and I don't mind that. Working today on a more positive attitude and trying to remember to relax more. I'm okay on the attitude but relaxing? I struggle, yeah.

Guilty pleasure television time. Thanks to my niece I've discovered a Disney Show named Hannah Montana. Okay, old news. But I saw an episode today that had me rolling in the floor. I love the Roxy character!




Happy weekend!

Lauren

Progress today

This is a short one because it's Friday and I really live for Friday! I wrote 2,250 words last night! I was SO happy! I don't know what I'll get done tonight but I'll try after I run errands and get groceries. Wish me luck!

Lauren

A Better Day!

Yesterday was a little blue for me but today is a new day and with it brings new chances. Why was I blue? I got my very first rejection yesterday from the other house, not Red Sage, that I'd submitted to. It was a generic/form rejection but considering the size of the house and the number of submissions they receive, I know they don't have time to tell me where I went wrong. I already have several different theories on what I could have done better. What I'll do better next time.

The bottom line is that it's a temporary disappointment. A momentary loss.

Conveniently I've never been the sort to dwell on that sort of thing or linger for long. It's a waste of time really. You just move on.

Hey, I got past their first screening reviewer, right? That was really more than I expected the first time out. Next time, the next submission, might be the one. And if not I'll just try again because I'm willing to work hard for what I want -- and I do it the right away.

And I still have the full in at Red Sage. Even if that turns out the same way, look how the first round with the first two manuscripts went. Wonderfully, that's what. Good enough for me for a start.

Notice I said a start. ;)

Despite the news, I was able to write 1400 words last night on my latest project.

Today is a better day.

So what's for dinner?

How about something good for a Thursday. Another favorite of mine.

Beef Tamales Recipe

Ingredients:
4 pounds of beef stew meat (cut in 1/4 inch pieces)
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cups raisons
2 cups water
4 boullion cubes
2 cans pitted ripe olives
1/2 jar Gebhardt chili powder - about
4 ouncescorn husksmaiz

Directions:
In a large dutch pan, brown stew meat in a little oil, salt and pepper. Add oregano and garlic powder, onions, raisons, boullion cubes, water and olives. Cover and simmer until tender - about 1 hour. Add Gebhardt chili powder. Wash corn husks and set aside to dry. Once the tamale filling above is prepared, add warm water or broth to a bowl maiz to form a paste. Place a corn husk in the palm of your hand and spread enough of maiz paste over the husk to form a shell for the filling that you will spoon into the middle. After spooning the filling into the maiz shell, fold the shell over to seal the filling inside. Place the tamale folded side down in a pan capable of steaming the tamales without allowing them to rest in water. When the pan is full steam the tamales for 25-30 minutes or until they have heated through thoroughly.

More tomorrow!

Lauren

A wonderful thought for today

I really needed it today and hope it can help you too:

http://greatday.com/motivate/070719.html

I wrote just 316 words last night and hope to do more than that tonight. Wish me luck!

Lauren

Today is writing ... cooking!

I admit, I've been stuck on current story in the last two days - maybe that just means that I don't know what I'm doing, yeah? lol This is another paranormal story but a lot different from my first two anyway. I'm still waiting to hear if anyone wants the first two. We'll see what happens. I've got submissions in at two of my favorite houses and that I haven't heard them laughing yet warms my heart. lol

So I decided to cook a nice supper because really I enjoy cooking all kinds of things and always have. Tonight I made Pollo A Las Rajas - a favorite of mine. The recipe is from the San Angel Inn restaurants but in case you'd like to try it, here it is. Hope you like it. ;)

Pollo A Las Rajas

Yield: 4 servings.

4 chicken breast halves
1 cup of chorizo, casing removed and diced
1 large red bell pepper
1 large Spanish onion
1 large poblano chili
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

1. Season the chicken breast halves with garlic, salt, and black pepper. Place the chicken breast halves in a roasting pan and bake in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes or until cooked.

2. In a saucepan heat 2 tablespoons of oil and lightly sauté poblano pepper until skin starts separating. Peel skin from poblano pepper. Make a slit and remove all the seeds. Slice onion, bell pepper, and poblano pepper into strips.

3. In a heavy skillet heat remaining 3 tablespoons of oil and add chorizo, garlic, onion, and peppers. Cook over medium high heat stirring occasionally until onions and peppers are soft.

4. Add sour cream, half-and-half, black pepper and salt and simmer for three minutes.

5. On ovenproof serving dishes, place 3/4 cup of vegetable mixture. Top with roasted chicken breast. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese on each serving plate. Broil until cheese melts and turns golden. Serve.

Happy Tuesday! Hasta mañana!

Lauren

More good news...

I've heard from Ms. Mills at Red Sage and I'm excited to say that I now have a full manuscript of my novella under consideration. I'm thrilled because I didn't really expect to get this far. No matter what happens, I'll be happy. I'm working on my next work and if I'm lucky enough to get a contract on my first work, I'll post an excerpt. Wish me luck!