Having a bad day?

I'm just having one of those very  low energy days, where all I want to do is curl up in bed with a book until my eyes droop, which will be in about 10 seconds flat in this case.

But I have been busy. I've been doing design work and that's been exciting and challenging, I'm getting ready to start HD again (you know that book that doesn't end), I've been having meetings, doing my volunteer RWAus stuff, and I've been writing!!! It seems the muse goes into her cave until about midnight. I should have know she was backwards. But it makes sense, I'm a night owl. I can do my best work at night. I think there is less sensory input - not as much noise nor light - and it seems to to suit me. Well of this morning, because as you can guess, my routine changes constantly.

I've been trying to get into a routine for exercise, but nothing's working yet. Tai Chi happens once a week but I've been trying to do more. But I feel like I'm dragging myself though thick soup. I know what to do, it's just doing it, especially on days like today where everything aches and my eyes can't stay open long.

So hope your day is going well and not a bad one, but if it is, remember the photo above.

~yia~

Writing Buddy Wednesday - Melissa James

Melissa James is multi-published author of HM&B Romance, and the she is the Queen of emotional drama. Her stories are heart wrenchingly amazing.

Melissa is a writer who continues to work on her craft, and offers encouragement to everyone who works on theirs. I met Melissa first on the e-loop of the Romance Writers of Australia, but have really gotten to know her since Bootcamp. She was one of the presenters who helped us with our GMC (goals, motivation, conflict) and she has been with us ever since. It's so wonderful to have a writer of her calibre on the group. She has my utmost respect and admiration.

Her stories are full of complex characters, real emotions, and boy, do they bring a tear to my eye. It has such rich writing that it's a real joy to read. The first book I read of Melissa's was Her Galahad, released by Intimate Moments. Jirrah, an Aboriginal male was never seen as good enough for Tessa by her family. They are both betrayed and ripped apart but must join together on a quest to find their daughter. I admired her using a hero with a minority background, and how she dealt with the racial issues faced by the characters.

Her last release was the Sheik's Destiny (released August 2010 in Aus).

With his war-torn kingdom in tatters, Sheikh Alim El-Kanar is injured, alone and believes he has no future. Until beautiful nurse Hana saves his life and gives him hope.

Hana thought her duty would be over once Alim recovered, but then he asks her to pose as his wife! Hana knows it can only be for show - she can never truly be the sheikh's wife. But destiny has other ideas..

Her next book, The Tycoon Who Healed Her Heart, is due for release in January 2012.

She blogs occasionally at the Harlequin Romance Author blog, and has a website.

So why don't you pick up a Melissa James book today?

~yia~

Winner of NCK

And the winner of Night's Cold Kiss by Tracey O'Hara is:

Bec

Congratulations!!!




~yia~

Blogging tips

Today I have another blogging tip for you.

Before Blogging, think on:


The look of your blog....

You don’t have to decide on the look of the blog on the outset as you can  change this. But look at styles of other blogs to see what you like. 

• Do you like white space? 

• Do you prefer lots of graphics and colour? 

• Do you want it simple or more elaborate? 

• What do YOU like? 

• What makes it easier for the reader? 

I have changed my blog's look over time, but I have stuck to what I personally like and that is a dark background with coloured writing. I find it easier on my eyes than a white screen all the time. 

You don't have to spend any money to make your blog look professional. You can use the background images and templates found in your blogging platform, or find a template that is free.

and Content

• Who is your audience? 

• Do you want more personal blogging (ie about your personal life)? Or do you like the chatty style (but without the personal info)? 

• Would you bring up controversial topics? 

Knowing this from the beginning may help you in coming up with the content for your blog. I personally like a more informal chatty style, but you may like something more formal. It's your choice.

Remember there is no right or wrong way to blog. 

~yia~

Mission: Romance

I'm a guest over at Juanita Kees' blog Mission: Romance today.

So please come along and say hi!

~yia~

Super Sunday

Some quotes from the Quotable Bitch.

If you can’t be kind, at least be vague

~Judith Manners, journalist

Never do anything for yourself that others can do for you 

~Agatha Christie 

I’m tired of being labeled anit-american because I ask questions

~Susan Sarandon 

And here are some photos of amazing staircases.

Have a great week.

~yia~

Stunning Saturday

Artist: Anne Stokes

Artist: Josephine Wall

Artist: Vitaly Samarin Alexius

Disclaimer: No claim is made on copyright for any artworks in the Stunning Saturday posts. I stumble across art works and save them for inspiration but can not always find the artist's name.




~yia~

Writing Buddy Wednesday - Tracey O'Hara

Fellow DarkSider Tracey O'Hara is the author of dark urban fantasy series, The Dark Brethren.  A computer programmer by day, Tracey lights up the page with her writing and brings a new twist to the vampire tale at night.

I've known Tracey since the first RWAus Claytons many years ago, even writing an article about it together for Hearts Talk. Since then we've become chat buddies, and met in person for the first time in Brisbane 2009. At WorldCon last year, Tracey let me tag along with her and her friends to some events and she made me feel like one of the gang. So you can guess, she is a sweet and caring person.

She is also currently pimping the cover I did for Dante's Rising as her as my alter ego. LOL! It was such a pleasure working with her on getting the cover right.

Tracey's latest release is Death's Sweet Embrace, Book Two of the Dark Brethren series. This is waiting patiently on my TBR pile, but I'm sure I'd love it as much as I loved Night's Cold Kiss.

Here is the blurb:

After thousands of years of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens to shatter the tenuous peace.

Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a twisted, sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force must be formed to halt the madness—a union of avengers including the vampiric Aeternus, Christian Laroque and Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes…and forbidden lovers.

A centuries-old blood feud has divided their peoples—pitting wolf against snow leopard in a battle to the death—and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside in light of the scourge that is now upon them. For the killer they seek is but the first sign of a blossoming terror rising up from their long-buried pasts: the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

The third book of the series will be released about mid-2012. 

You can find Tracey at her website. Tracey also writes Erotic Fantasy stories as Tracie Sommers. They are Hawt (yes with the couple H).

As a special treat this week, I have another giveaway. Tracey's first book in the Dark Brethren tale, Night's Cold Kiss. So please leave a comment for your chance to win.  

~yia~

Super Sunday

A quote from my childhood's favourite author:

"Two hours of writing fiction leaves this writer completely drained. For those two hours he has been in a different place with totally different people."                                                  ~Roald Dahl

And another one of my childhood icons, Batgirl.



Youtube link

Stunning Saturday

Today, I'm going to feature artist, Alex Pribnow with her  Malice in Underland.

Fantastic work. Seriously talented.

Why don't you go visit her site and have a look around.

~yia~

Captain Planet

I think laughter helps the soul. And this had me laughing. Though if you don't like swearing, please don't play. The F bomb and a couple of other words are in it. And don't you love the cheesy smile from Don Cheadle?



Don Cheadle is Captain Planet from Don Cheadle      




~yia~

Writing Buddy Wednesday - Marion Lennox

Marion Lennox is a legend. Multi-published, multi-award winner, multi-talented. See legend status. She writes for Harlequin Mills & Boon in the Romance and Medical lines.


I first saw Marion speak during an Adelaide Conference run by the then South Australian Romance Writers. She was the guest speaker and she was fabulous. Since then, I've seen her speak at other conferences, she came to the first Adelaide Roadshow, and I continue to be a fan. She is witty and fun, and always has a great costume for the Cocktail Party at RWAus conferences.

Her books are fun, emotional, and just wonderful reads.

Her latest book is Abby and the Bachelor Cop, a sweet romance. Here is a little blurb:

Bride-to-be Abigail Callahan has her life mapped out. Good career, wealthy fiancé—it's perfect…too perfect. Then sexy bad-boy-turned-cop Raff Finn reenters Abby's life, landing her with an adorable homeless dog called Kleppy and a whole lot of trouble….

Raff's teenage recklessness once broke them apart, but he's not about to let his childhood sweetheart marry the wrong guy. With help from Kleppy and some Banksia Bay magic, Raff plans to reawaken the Abby he's always loved.

You can visit Marion at her website.




Her are a few select covers.

Keep on eye on the shelves for Marion's latest releases.


~yia~