It's Been a Long Time...

Wanna know what's going on in my life? Read my latest interview here:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3098-Houston-Romance-Novels-Examiner~y2010m2d9-Emma-Sanders-Solves-the-Mystery-of-Love-and-Romance

Is Grammar Really All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

I appreciate grammar. I do. But my brain usually short-circuits if I have to filter through a bunch of colons, commas, and semi-colons to get to the true grit of the story.

My 81 year old grandmother is writing a story. She pitched it to me. I wish I could become an agent, because I’d buy it without even reading it, just by what she described to me. It’s like Nicholas Sparks vs. Catherine Anderson (and I wish I could explain my own book in such a way). Plus, imagine an 81 year old romance author! She’s got the mind, she’s got the experience, she’s got the charm! I believe in her! And I think an 81 year old romance author could charm the socks off most unbelievers.

I hope she finishes it. She’s one of my inspirations because she’s always WANTED to write, but never sat down and finished (along with my mom, who died before she had the chance). So I decided to actually finish one or two or three while I had the chance. And I hope she will, too.
Back to my point. She read this “how-to” book (not sure the title), that explained the importance of grammar and all the things you MUST do (i.e. don’t rewrite your story too much! (What? That requires another post)) It explained the importance of grammar. So her first sentence, which was actually really interesting but had three descriptive actions, were each separated by a proper semi-colon. Which was very intrusive to me, as a reader.

So my point of this blog post is...don’t apply every “how-to” to your own writing. Because maybe we’re all guilty of disrespecting grammar, but let’s face it: The world is changing, our attention spans are suffering a shortage in this action-infused world, and writing with too many proper punctuations is intrusive.

And you don’t have to be right all the time.

Why I Don't Like Horror...

It's Halloween month. I call it the Halloween month because it seems like Halloween lasts throughout the whole month of October. Every time you turn on the TV, a scary movie is playing. Now, when I was young I liked horror as much as the next person. I loved to wrap myself in my boyfriend's arms and let him protect me from all the pets who were buried and came back to life. (Pet Semetary, couldn't watch that again now!)

I'm sitting here at the computer and all I can hear is the show my husband is watching. Just the music and the words that I try to tune out. I don't ask what it is. I don't want to know. But it bothers me, and I hate that it bothers me but I can't help that it bothers me. I tried to remember growing up watching NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and I suddenly remembered that's the last horror movie I ever watched!

So why do I hate horror? Well, it's because my mom died on October 26. Imagine seeing skeletons and ghosts everywhere you look (I was 15 years old, so no longer into trick or' treating, but still...) It was bothersome. We had her funeral a few days before Halloween. It was just eerie. It's been awhile now, so it's hard to explain, but it's also hard to block out those memories when you're walking down the street and see everyone celebrating death. That's how I saw it at the time. I remember many times walking down the street with my mom, and some of the people here went all out with their decorations. She loved it! Thought it was so cooll! I can't reemember trick or' treating without my mom because she's the one who always took my sister and me.

Even now, years later, I hate even hearing a horror movie noise.

So, that's why I yell at hubby to turn down the television when a horror movie is on. Just brings back too many memories...

a Bookmarked Blog

It's not every day I see a Blog I want to add to my favorites so I'll remember it. I'm busy, and I don't have a lot of time to read blogs (it'd be easier if I didn't have to sit down at my desk and read, but I could read it while I was waiting in line, at the red light, at the Dr.'s office, etc.etc).

However, I just came across this Blog by accident:

http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/

and I've got to say, this Blog interested me. First of all, he works in the sales department of a trade publisher (so he must know what he's talking about ) and next of all, he's interesting!

He suggests that all authors blog. I'm trying. I'm really trying...

Scheduling

I've been working on a schedule that was supposed to have me blogging this morning. Though I've been doing great with my writing schedule, I wanted to also start blogging again once a week.

But this morning I got up and worked on my story. And I won't let anything (blogging, emails, myspace, or computer games) get in the way of my writing. The only thing that has to get in the way of my writing is my real job. I like to eat!

Now I'm out of time because I have to get ready for work. I'd much rather stay home and work on my story. One day, I will. :)))) For now, here's a hope that I will continue with my schedule. Here's a start.

Going to Nationals!

The RWA National Conference, July 15-18, in Washington DC! It’s a huge deal for me and I can’t tell you how excited I am.

I submitted an application for a scholarship, and my story won! This is the first time I've been to Nationals!

Did I mention how excited I am?

So, because I’m a little crazy (or OCD?) about certain things, I’ve ordered 2 trip books about DC. Just reading about it is fun, though I’ll enjoy experiencing everything there is to experience. It’s not that I have to have everything planned, but I like to have an idea of what to expect.

D.C. ... it’s not a top State of states I had on my list to visit, but I’m ultra excited now. I hear there are so many things to do, and seeing our nation’s capital will be something I will never forget.

Did I mention I hate flying?

I'd definitely rather drive, but since we own a business, we hate to close it up for a week, and the trip would take longer. We have to budget, too, and turns out it is cheaper to fly, at least for now. I have the vacation time at work, but when you own your own business...well, it makes things difficult. But I'm leaving it up to hubby, who is going with me.

Turns out he already knows his way around DC. At least, that's what he told me. (He likes to play his video game, Fallout 3, LOL, based in DC)

Would You Say I'm a Fan?

Hubby and I were cleaning out a kitchen cabinet and came across a bunch of coffee canisters we had saved. We saved them because they make great canisters for grease, his screws, nails, etc, but we didn't realize we had so many!

We have storage room again...

No...I'm in no way advertising Folgers (actually I prefer the Organic Coffee Company, but they are hard to find and ultra expensive for a couple who drinks coffee like hubby and I do). However, Folgers should give me a discount for advertising, don't you think? :)))

We attemped half decaf once, as you can see, but that didn't make the cut for me. I like my coffee STRONG.