Writing fiend

I've been doing pretty good today. Got close to 1500 words done thus far. Yeah!!

but its about dinner time so I have to take a break.

JulNoWriMo

Okay, I'm reopening this blog because I've gone around the bend and I'm going to join in the July fun over at JulNoWriMo

I've got a story to go with, so I'm all set on that front.

Oh, and about my NaNoWriMo wip? I finished it. It turned out to be 64k in length and now its sitting in a Samhain Publishing editor's box. I am really pleased with how it came out.

Since November I'm also proud to say that I sold a book to Whiskey Creek Press called "Finally Home" due out in Junee 2007 (see the awesome cover at my website. AND I sold another story, "Sweet Forever" to Samhain Publishing no release date yet. Its been quite a year!!!!

JulNoWriMo! Bring it on!!!

Nearing the end of the first week

And I've hit the 10000 mark. I really didn't think I'd be able to do it, especially last night. Weekends are not the best time for me to write. I'm spending quality time with the husband. Well, I managed to do both yesterday by reverting back to my old writing method... notebook and pen. It really surprised me to get so much done.

The story is coming out really well, in my opinion, but I'm still having my doubts that I'll be able to get 50k words out of it. It was a struggle to get Sweet Forever up to 50K. but I'll keep the faith.

Alright. Its Sunday morning, got my first cuppa joe in front of me. The DH is still sleeping and the kids are making their Christmas lists for Santa. Sounds like a good time to write. :)

Let the Nanoing begin!!

As of 6am I wrote 1.5 pages. then I had to get ready for work.

Only 4.5 more to go and I hit my daily goal.

More later......

Gus

Juliana owns a dog. His name is Gus. He's a German Shepherd mutt mix, shorthaired, tan and black (more tan than black) lop earred creature. She actually rescued him from a flooded neighborhood after a hurricane she was covering. The dog had been abandoned, collar cutting into his neck, he'd been there so long. He was a mess. She brought him home and now they're truly devoted to one another.

I dunno... thought she needed a dog.

Getting to know Matt

Okay, heres the scoop on Matt. Wish I could post a pic of him. but if anyone knows Jensen Ackles, Dean on Supernatural... well he's my model for Matt.

Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name? Matthew James Burgess

2. Where and when were you born? Keene, NH Feb 4th, 1970

3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) Ed Burgess, town cop. Funny, boisterous, Milly Burgess, eighth grade English teacher. Enthusiastic , involved in lots of town events

4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? One brother, Eddie Jr. deceased. Eddie liked to live on the edge, not exactly a good cops son. Bit of a daredevil, liked to push the limits without being caught, but was smooth when he did get caught.

5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. Live alone, was engaged once, but split up.

6. What is your occupation? Town cop since he was just out of high school

7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. About six foot even, relatively stocky build, but not overweight, about 200lbs, but muscular. Light brown hair, short and tidy, no facial hair. Eyes are hazel. When not in uniform he is a jeans and tee shirt kind of guy. Doesn’t like to get dressed up. Has a tattoo of a dragon, like an arm band.

8. To which social class do you belong? Definite blue collar working class

9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?

10. Are you right- or left-handed? right

11. What does your voice sound like? Low, even, sexy.

12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
13. What do you have in your pockets?
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?

Part 2: Growing Up

15. How would you describe your childhood in general? Pretty good. Didn’t have a lot so had to make do with second hand bikes. Liked to spend time outside.
16. What is your earliest memory?

17. How much schooling have you had? High school graduate and schooling to become a police officer.

18. Did you enjoy school? Yes, liked phys ed and sports. Played soccer and baseball.
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? Learned how to shoot a gun from father. They spent a lot of time at the sportsmens club at the shooting range.

20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them. Father was his biggest role model. Always wanted to walk in his footsteps.

21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? Very tight knit family although he didn’t approve of Eddie’s ways. Knew that he’d get in trouble one day.

22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A cop. Nothing but a cop.

23. As a child, what were your favorite activities? Riding his bike and going to the shooting range, playing baseball and soccer.

24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? Was bold, but sensible. Knew that if he was going to be a police officer he couldn’t mess around like Eddie did.

25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? Was popular in the jock crowd. Was a really good baseball player.

26. When and with whom was your first kiss? Allison Lennon when he was 15.

27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? Lost it with his ex fiancé, Jill Patenaude. They were high school sweethearts. Lost it on the night they graduated from high school.

Part 3: Past Influences

29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? The death of Eddie. It changed his life, made his desire to be a good cop even stronger and made him a more serious person. Eventually led to the break up of his engagement.

30. Who has had the most influence on you? father

31. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Becoming a cop

32. What is your greatest regret? That he couldn’t influence his brother better, to keep him out of trouble.

34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind? none

35. When was the time you were the most frightened? When he saw the wreckage of Juliana’s car, knowing his brother was inside.

36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?

37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? He would’ve stopped Eddie from going out that night with Juliana and their friends.

38. What is your best memory? High school graduation and becoming a cop

39. What is your worst memory? Finding out Eddie didn’t survive.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? optimistic

41. What is your greatest fear? To lose another loved one when he could prevent it

42. What are your religious views? Grew up in a Catholic household, but isn’t particularly religious

44. What are your views on sex? Enjoys it, but only with the right person. Doesn’t enter relationships lightly.

45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? If someone was threatening his family and there was no other way to control the situation.

46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? Murder, especially a child

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? Doesn’t discount the chances it would happen, but isn’t to optimistic that it would happen to him.

48. What do you believe makes a successful life? Do what is true to your heart.

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? Is, but doesn’t talk much about them.

52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)? Would die for any loved one.

Part 5: Relationships With Others

53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? Treat people how he thinks they deserve to be treated. Tries to be respectful of everyone, but won’t be fake around people he doesn’t like.

54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? His parents, because they raised him and taught him right from wrong. After a while Juliana will become just as important, but currently he only sees her as the one who took his brothers life.

55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?

56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. He has a few good childhood friends. Dean Timkins is his best friend. Dean is the editor of the town newspaper. He’s laid back, likes to target shoot with Matt and wants to see Matt married with children. Dean and his wife Helen are constantly trying to fix Matt up.

57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person. Was engaged at one time to Jill, his childhood sweetheart, but they split up.

58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. Only love up to the opening of the story was Jill. She left him though because he became too serious after Eddie’s death. Wanted to be with someone more exciting.

59. What do you look for in a potential lover? Honesty, loyalty, passion.

60. How close are you to your family? Very close. They live in the same town.

61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not? Has not. Waiting for the perfect woman, but not actively seeking her.

62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? Father, anyone on the police force, Dean

64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you? Parents, friends,

65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why? Juliana because he thinks she’s responsible for the crash that killed her brother. Ricky, because he’s the man who Jill turned to after she broke off the engagement.

66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? Avoid conflict, unless there’s no way around it.

68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? Not particularly, unless they’re all friends.

69. Do you care what others think of you? Yes. Likes to be liked, but doesn’t go out of his way to make people like him.

Part 6: Likes And Dislikes

70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? Still likes going hiking and going to the shooting range with his father and friends

71. What is your most treasured possession?

72. What is your favorite color? blue

73. What is your favorite food? New England clambake

74. What, if anything, do you like to read? Not much of a reader

75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)? hanging out with his friends, playing pool

76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit? No bad habits like that.

77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night? Hanging out with his friends

79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you? People who blatantly disrespect the law.

81. How do you deal with stress? hike

More on Juliana

Part 5: Relationships With Others

53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? Politely but with reserve, at arms length in most cases except for a very few people, like her boss, Cameron Warshaw.

56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. She doesn’t have too many friends, but likes it that way. She’s usually traveling and doesn’t have the time. She has a few acquaintances. Her best friend would probably have to be Cameron, her boss. He’s a powerful man in the publishing industry. He’s tough, but when it comes to Juliana he’s soft. He’s about 6’4” dark hair, handsome and debonair.

57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person. No on both accounts. She tried to have a relationship with Cameron, but it didn’t work.

58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. She was in love with Eddie in a teenager sort of way. They’d gone to school together since they were kids. She thought they were serious, but never got a chance to find out for sure because of Eddie’s death.

59. What do you look for in a potential lover? Not looking at all, but if she was, someone who would let he have her independence. She’s afraid to love though.

60. How close are you to your family? Was closest to her mother, keeps in touch with her sister through letters, not close to father. Both parents are deceased.

61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not? When she was 18 she was pregnant with Eddie’s baby, though no one but her and Eddie knew. She lost the baby in the accident

62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? Cameron

63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? She doesn’t like to rely on anyone, but if there were anyone it would be Cameron…and then Matt after their relationship grows.

64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you? Cameron and then Matt

65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why? Ricky. He accused her of causing the accident even though it really wasn’t her fault, blames her for Eddie and Kayla’s death and he’s afraid that she can set the record straight and let people know that the accident wasn’t her fault.

66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? Avoid conflict, but if she needs to go after something she wants she’s going to fight for it.

67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? No, she tends to avoid social situations at all costs.

68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? No, her time in prison has given her a strong desire to avoid crowds.

69. Do you care what others think of you? Not anymore. She went through the worst with the accident. If she was too worried about what others thought of her she never would’ve returned to Quail Ridge.

Part 6: Likes And Dislikes

70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? Loves hiking and photography.

71. What is your most treasured possession? A locket her mother gave her before she went into prison. It was stolen while there, but Penny Larkin got it back for her.

72. What is your favorite color? Forest green.

73. What is your favorite food? Buffalo chicken wings.

74. What, if anything, do you like to read? Dean Koontz

75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)? likes to settle down with some relaxing music and a good book.

76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit? No. ever since the accident she doesn’t drink. She sometimes smokes but would rather not

77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night? If she’s not on assignment somewhere then she’s home by herself relaxing.

81. How do you deal with stress? Gets out and hikes with her camera or finds something that will occupy her mind, like going out on assignment

82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? Is spontaneous in her job, has to be ready to go anywhere at anytime.

83. What are your pet peeves? Drunks, people who think they have it bad when their lives are actually really good.

Getting to know Juliana

Okay, I need to do character sheets for each of my main characters. Here's what I have so far for Juliana....... I'm still working on it. Very detailed form.


Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name? Juliana Alexis Faye

2. Where and when were you born? Born Manchester NH July 12, 1973

3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) Lloyd Faye, insurance salesman, strict, not very warm to his family. Dolores Faye, housewife, closest to Juliana. Trusts her that she wasn’t the cause of the accident, but respects her decision to not be apart of the family.

4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? Emily Katherine Faye, younger by 5 years. Typical teen gir growing up, cheerleader, popular. Went to college in NY and became a restaurant manager. Not much in Juliana’s life since Juliana doesn’t keep in touch much with her family, except her mother.

5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. Juliana has just moved back to Quail Ridge to open up a youth center. She is making her home in the top floor of the mill that will house the center. She lives alone.
6. What is your occupation? Juliana is an award winning photojournalist.

7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. Juliana is five foot seven, one hundred and fifty pounds, dark blonde hair, straight and shoulder length that she usually wears in a pony tail. She doesn’t wear makeup, her eyes are pale blue. She dresses in comfortable pants, usually baggy, with baggy shirts. Doesn’t care about style, just comfort. She’s pretty, though she doesn’t flaunt it. She has a scar on her face, from her cheekbone to her ear and another down from her ear to her jaw that she received in the accident. She also has scars on her legs and her torso from the accident. She’s very subconscious about the scars.

8. To which social class do you belong? She is middle class growing up. She has enough money to make her upper class, but it doesn’t matter to her.

9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? none

10. Are you right- or left-handed? right

11. What does your voice sound like? Non descript. Not high, but not low, smooth.

Part 2: Growing Up

15. How would you describe your childhood in general? Happy, normal childhood. Liked having good friends. Liked adventure.

17. How much schooling have you had? Was in her senior year in high school when the accident happened, but earned her GED, then when she got out of prison she put herself through school and got a bachelors degree.

18. Did you enjoy school? Yes, but more of a social thing, not so much the classes. She didn’t really learn to like the academics until she went to college.

19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? In college and afterwards

21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? Typical relationship with sister, love hate etc. was closest to mother, not so much with her father

22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Actress or paleontologist

23. As a child, what were your favorite activities? Swimming, riding bike, playing out in the woods making forts

25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? Pretty popular. It was a rural neighborhood so there were only a few kids she hung around until she got older and then she hung out with the crowd who weren’t jocks or brains, but were just a little on the edgy side.

26. When and with whom was your first kiss? First kiss was with a boy named Brian Coffman when she was 12 and they were playing spin the bottle. First REAL kiss was with Eddie Burgess when she was sixteen.

27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? Lost virginity with Eddie when she was seventeen.


Part 3: Past Influences

29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? The most life altering event was the accident that killed Eddie and Kayla and landed her first in the hospital and then prison.

30. Who has had the most influence on you? A woman in prison named Penny Larkin. She was an older woman who had been in prison for ten years. She took Juliana under her wing and was like a mother figure. Penny had two kids of her own. When she got out of prison she convinced Juliana not to let the time she was behind bars to ruin her, that she had a bright future in front of her and to take advantage of it and make her life a success.

31. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Landing a job that allowed her to travel the world as a photojournalist. She went into many dangerous situations to get good human interest stories. It got her a lot of fame.

32. What is your greatest regret? The accident when she was eighteen. Not being in more control of the situation that took two lives. And not standing up more to Ricky who wanted to see her pay for Kayla’s death.

34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind? Went to prison for negligent homicide of her boyfriend and best friend.

35. When was the time you were the most frightened? Her first day in prison

37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? She never would’ve driven Eddie and the others when they were in the condition they were in.

38. What is your best memory? Leaving prison after serving her sentence, winning her first award as a photojournalist and the opening of the youth center.

39. What is your worst memory? The car accident, finding out that she lost the baby and when she was sentenced to prison.

Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? Cautiously optimistic

41. What is your greatest fear? Losing another loved one

42. What are your religious views? None really

44. What are your views on sex? She doesn’t have sex lightly. She was in love with Eddie (as much as a 17-18 year old can be in love) and hasn’t been with anyone since. Well….. maybe her boss, tried it and it didn’t work and they decided to stick to being friends. She doesn’t plan on getting involved with anyone else.

45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? Not at all, not after losing 3 lives in one horrible moment.

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? No. she’s very cynical.

48. What do you believe makes a successful life? Hard work, keeping your eye on the prize

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? She doesn’t like discussing the accident or her time in prison with anyone. Doesn’t want anyone to know about the pain she’s gone through.

Okay, trying to figure out just how to work this Hello Picasso program. I think it hates me.  

Made my decision

I'm going to go with "Quail Ridge" for my Nano wip. I think it will interest me more and have more to offer.

Now I just need to find my cast of characters.

More soon......

Working Synopsis #2

Tentative Title-Sara's Daddy

Leanne Crowe has just become the guardian of her two month old neice, Sara. Angry, she takes the baby and heads to the east coast to confront the man who got her sister pregnang and then deserted her. She intends to make him take some kind of responisbility.

When she arrives at Noah Bullock's company she's in attack mode, ready with her accusations and ready to make him pay up. Things don't go as planned though when a shocked Noah informs her that he never met Leanne's late sister and had never been to Aruba where the alleged meeting took place.

Noah knows exactly who is the culprit, though, as soon as Leanne fills him in on the details. His brother in law had been in the right place at the right time and Noah wouldn't put it past the man to use his name as an alias to have a little fling.

Noah is torn. He wants to protect his sister from the truth about her husbands affair, but feels responsible for Sara. He asks Leanne to stay, just for a while. His mother is dying and its her last wish to see Noah settled down with a family. He asks Leanne to pose as his fiance with Sara as their baby.

Okay..... other ways to go.

Leanne IS Sara's mother. She's an elementary school teacher in a small midwest town and being unwed and pregnant isn't the kind of role model that the school department wants. She tries over and over to contact "Noah" with no luck. Finally she just goes out there to face him, but meets the real Noah, who tells her that the man who she was with was actually his brother in law who was killed in a car accident. Noah, who doesn't want to hurt his sister but wants to help Leanne and Sara asks Leanne to stay... .and throw in the whole mama wants him settled scenario.

BUT would that make Leanne sound too pathetic?

What other kind of job could Leanne have that she could just up and leave and settle in NH?

questionsquestionsquestions......