I Warned You I'm Not Much of a Blogger

You can't say I didn't warn you. All my good intentions of starting and keeping a blog site have obviously fallen by the wayside. Originally I planned to write a new blog post every Monday, but then life got in the way. In late June, my father had a series of "mini" strokes and spent his final summer in a rehabilitation facility trying to gain back his strength. Just when we were making plans to bring him home in September, he contracted pneumonia and passed away August 27, 2014.

At the same time, I had finished writing my second novel and sent it to my beloved editor only to be told it was boring crap (my words, not hers). Basically my hero was a flat character guaranteed to make my readers yawn and my heroine was a scatter-brained pain in the ass. The story had too many things going on with no real plot line. I got the message--I needed to start over! So, between traveling two-and-a-half hours every few days to visit my father, I wrote my second novel the way it should have been written. I created a synopsis and outline and crafted the book by following a well-organized plan rather trying to be the pantser I'm not.

The result is an intriguing, sexy, at times humorous story about a self-righteous, play-by-the rules woman who ends up working for a unscrupulous, power-hungry congressman who learn to meet in the middle to find love. It's title is "Whatever You Call Me" and I hope to have it published in 2015. Folks who read "Precious Words" will recognize some familiar characters. The heroine, Annie, is now living with Kate in a new DuPont Circle apartment in Washington, DC and they play trivia every Thursday night with Derek, the handsome FBI agent who helped Emberly in "Precious Words".

My New Year's resolution for 2015 is to communicate with my readers more frequently and I hope blogging is one way I'll do. (Keeping fingers crossed.).

Setting the Record Straight

Today I'm going to set the record straight. If you read my first post you'll remember I mentioned an obsession with Rafael Nadal, the current #1 ranked professional tennis player in the world. I'm embarrassed to admit that "obsession" is not too strong a word. My friends and family think it's all because of his looks. Let's face it, the guy is gorgeous from his dimples, chiseled cheek bones, and perpetually tanned face to his bulging biceps and rock-hard abs. The man is a photographer's dream.

But, that's not what initially drew me to become one of his most loyal fans. I was watching the final of the French Open, 2012--I mean really watching. I never took my eyes off the match until the last point was scored. I'd never noticed any tennis match played with such intensity, such power. When Rafa Nadal hits a ball, it rockets across the net. Not only is the ball coming like a speeding bullet but he has a way of putting a spin on it that confounds his opponent as it lands precisely inside the line. Amazing!

You'd think a guy like that with his incredible talent and breathtaking good looks would be arrogant, conceited, just plan full of himself. Not true! From everything I've read and seen (and believe me, I've read just about all there is to read about him) he is sincerely a humble, kind, appreciative guy. When he goes to the net at the end of a match, he's always contrite, as if he's saying "You really gave me a challenge today. It's just a fluke I won." There's no gloating, no strutting, no "I beat you, sucker". Just kindness, respect, and humbleness.

Rafa Nadal is not only a great sportsman, but he's a devoted son, brother, and boyfriend. He always thanks his family, friends, and team who he credits with much of his success. He's loyal to them all having the same coach (his Uncle Toni), physio, communications director, agent, doctor, and hitting partner since the beginning. And, he's dated the same girl for nine years. A guy like Rafa could easily have become an international playboy, but no...he's been with his true love his whole adult life.

So, to my close friends who think I only love Rafa for his looks, I say review the evidence. There's more to Rafael Nadal than just a pretty face.

NOT Off to a Good Start

All my good intentions to start blogging were roadblocked by a nasty error code which brought by blogging to a halt. Now, I like to think I'm computer literate and can problem solve anything that comes my way on a computer, but the truth of the matter is I'm not. If the software is working smoothly with no hitches, I'm good to go. But, the first time anything is off kilter--forget it. I'm helpless.

I've spent the past two weeks playing with my blog spot, trying to make it more attractive and more informative, but I have no idea what I'm doing. I've even consulted YouTube (my go-to site for everything from fixing a leaky faucet to creating three dimensional greeting cards) and still couldn't figure out what to do. So, I give up; throw in the towel; surrender. This blog is going to look like it does until the blogger fairy sprinkles her magic dust to make it look professional.

On a positive note...I sent the manuscript for book #2 to my editor yesterday and will be anxious to hear her comments. For months I've fretted over the book, constantly tweaking the story, improving the dialogue, developing the characters to the point where I just had to say enough was enough. It was time for a fresh pair of eyes took a look at the story. It's exciting to think I've nearly completed two novels and see no end in sight. This is what I love doing and hope my small fan base is happy that I do.

She Said I Must Blog

I recently took part in the Main Street Martinsburg Chocolate Festival and Book Faire where I sat behind a table stacked with shiny, new copies of Precious Words for sale inside a cute dress shop on Queen Street. The attendance was great with dozens of people coming through the store, sampling the chocolate covered cranberries, and ogling the trendy dresses and handbags. Several people stopped to ask about my book, and some even purchased it. Late in the afternoon a woman rushed to my table, apologizing for her appearance (she'd been gardening) and began asking about my novel. She, too, was an author about to publish her first book and we proceeded to compare publishing histories with each other. Being the impatient person I tend to be, I took the quick route and paid to have my book self-published. She, on the other hand, had spent the past three years querying agents until she finally got a deal with Booktrope. We talked about the pleasures and frustrations of writing and promoting and she asked for my blog site address. "You don't blog?" she said, "but you must blog!" So, one month later I've decided to heed her advice and start blogging.  I'm not sure what I'll blog about, but figured it was a great way to keep writing and keep my followers informed. On this site you will see anything from my obsession with Tostitos Blue Nacho Chips to my obsession with tennis star, Rafael Nadal. I might share with you some of the funny things I see in my travels and of course, I'll share stories about my dogs Lula Belle and Napoleon. I'm not sure everything I've learned, I've learned from my dogs, but they have definitely taught me a thing or two. I'm an avid reader so I may from time to time write about some of my favorite books and authors. It will be a cornucopia of topics and I hope you continue to stop by.