Technical Advice

I worked restaurant for several years while in college and shortly thereafter. It was the recession of the 1970's and jobs were hard to find. But I had an incredible and ass kicking boss from whom I learned alot about working in general. ( Thanks Sandy!)  I had also been a Mother's helper while in high school for a major chef in the North of Boston -he was Portugese but his family owned an Italian restaurant. I think restaurant is hard work and under appreciated. Its also a job that you can take anywhere. Henri originally started off as a musician but the more that I worked with him , the better I liked the idea of him being a chef. Everyone refers to him a quiet and artistic, he keeps his own counsel. His grandfather who is in the Colony's politics is deceptive and manipulating- his father a minor politician is charming , getting his way by cooperation. Henri is inventive, prides himself on keeping his promises and was looking for a special woman to take on an incredible journey.

A few months ago , I went through a first edit with a chapter buddy which was a positive experiance.
I took Robert Bloch's writing advice and let the first book rest while I worked on the second. Now looking back, it seems that Heni chopped an awful lot of vegetables in the first book. There is only one time when it is an expression of his emotional state, That I will keep.  So I have started to fine tune what he and Katy do in the cafe. I have spent hours watching technique on video and talking to local chefs. When I get to a point when I feel that its time, then will rewrite some of the scenes. I think it will make a better product.

I did the group crit thing for awhile with the first book. Some of the comments were helpful and constructive. Some were just to get points to get their own work critted and some were plain stupid. When I began this, I hadn't realized how hard it was for some people to get their head around genetic not undead vampires. I am not sure of how I feel about submitting to group crit again.

So that's where I am right now.

Labor Day

I had 2 full days off this weekend- worked Saturday. I slept most of Sunday then today, I hit the ground running. I put 62 books up for sale at Amazon. I also have a guitar for sale over there. I started to clean out the walk in closet which was more packed than I thought. Some of that may go up for sale also.
I have done some writing exercises and answered some email.
I have been working 2 new clients to get their money to pop. The progress is encouraging.
There is always time to spend with my vamps. The second novel is coming along nicely . I also learned some information that will make a small change in the first novel.
I haven't dropped off of the earth. Somedays it just spins faster than I can move.

Black Velvet Seductions has a Friday night chat 9pm central

 http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com/Chat%20Room.html

I attended my first last night and I will go back. It caused a great deal of introspection on Ceiling and when I write the next draft, should fix some issues.
I tried to post this before and it only 1/2 took.

I want to know if the economy tanks over water , does the country become a floatation device?

A few more sharp bumps and I should have my life landed on solid ground again. Thanks but I won't be flying Bushbama airlines again. Air Romania with chickens in the aisles is more progressive and definately friendlier. I am probably dating myself  but my response to all but 1 or 2 politicians is I know that they are lying because their lips are moving. (old joke). It doesn't mean that I will be living a high life but as we continue not to recover , and we haven't - no jobs=no recovery, what I have I own. Minimum wage does not count. And what exactly was the purpose of terrifying my 80 plus parents and still losing the credit rating?

People down here are pretty pissed and tired of being poor. Tired of not getting paid, tired of everyone not catching a breath and taking a step backwards when creditors call for their money. Ok, now that ACORN has been paid off with healthcare, can we please get serious? Its not that Americans won't do certain jobs- just not for ten cents on the dollar. We are going to do it ourselves. so why do we need them? Maybe as this thinkis supposed to be for and by the people, maybe the people whould look at revision. Federal retirement added to Social Security, reducing the pensions to the average pension of the majority of the constituents of the electoral district. Federal health care needs to join Medicare. Both Social Security and Medicare have had nonrelated loans conscripted from them. No privilege beyond the joy of service for public service. Bet you'de hear some screaming then.

On my writing, my vamps are well and alive on the West Coast just north of Berkeley for book 2 ( still not named) . Where the first book established conflict and characters , the second has more action as the Lillerics decide , after centuries, that they are through running from the children of Adam and Eve. Running has delayed not solve the problems that they are now experiancing. Technology is neutral and aids both sides. there are some new characters and , I hope, gives more insight into their society.
Unlike Charlaine Harris's vamps, they don't want their civil rights or recognition as a race. the idea of a Great Revelation as in True Blood , would horrify them . They want to be left alone. I did find, however , the idea of Craig's list as a take out menu appealing.

104 in 2011

There remains a little more than six months to 2011. I just finished my 20th book , and still flounder behind on reading the desired 104 books for 2011. Granted I started six weeks late and did take the time to read Breaking Dawn. I am determined to get as close to the 104 books as I can before the end of the year.

I was surprised by the authors that were read more than the others. I was so sure that Robert Bloch would do better but then I really got hooked on Lynsay Sands. I also started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books because I signed up with a Yahoo group to talk about True Blood. The comparisons between the books and the series got me focused on them.

Then there were changes in my life. We lost our major client at work . For about six weeks, I was afraid that I would lose everything. I am spending more time at work now as I finally got a new client. I qualify for overtime for the first time in four months. I would have expected to focus on my literary escape better than I did . All I did was worry myself sick. Sometimes real life insists on intruding. Right now I am not very fond of real life so am spending time once again in Bon Temps.

Goodreads.com sponsors the event , I believe that my pages are open to public, so please feel free to watch my progress. http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2511415. However I do, I am pleased with my progress and amd proud that I read (reportedly) more than the average American.

New movies that I want to see

http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/we-are-the-night We are the Night

http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/stakeland Stakeland

I don't see the point of seeing the remake of Fright Night. I like the old one. I admit it, Chris Saradon is hot.

And then there is the gentleman who may actually sell me that not all blondes are airheads.
Eric Northman from True Blood. True Blood returns on 6/26.

Building Book 2 -research phase

For those who have read Ceiling of Stars, which introduced my protaganist Arina and her chef husband , Henri - both are generic pagan Lilleric ( direct descendents of Lilith , Adam's first wife) , you may remember lesser characters , Rosie and Joshua Greenburg. Their daughter , Linda , is a wonderful brassy little girl who has no fear of any of her own, enough to capture the heart of the Copain's only son , Thomas.

I decided in book 2, at this point anyway. that it might be fun to expand their part in the series. So there will be some fun things in store there. I decided that Joshua should be Jewish (Reform) Both Judaism and Islam have a edict against the drinking of blood. But if the gypsies can be forgiven for stealing (allegedly for stealing the nail meant for Jesus's heart), then Joshua can be Jewish. He just has to stay away from the sciatic nerve and spine. And Rosie, a woman that Henri descibes with great admiration as having the "bones of the life down cold," has an interesting background. I used to be friends with a Reform family - okay I own it, my mother used to send me over to their house , where I was invited for dinner , because Rabbi would argue with me , where her minister was condescending - I don't do "on faith" even today.

As a reoccuring theme is that vampires can be anyone , if they are any good about it, they survive and you do not readily spot them, they can be anything. Religious artifacts have no power over them - they are not demons. I had great fun doing Ceiling and to keep my interest, it is necessary that the development in Book 2 ( as yet untitled) be a growth process as well, as I prep Ceiling for agent consideration.