*does the submission shake*

Hitting the send button when you submit causes an icky feeling low in your stomach. I've done it a few times now and it doesn't seem to get any better. Sort of like tossing your baby into the sky, and you hope someone catches it.

But anyhoo, we have submitted the chapters and synopsis to Ellora's Cave. Also entered JERR's contest and the 2005 FTHRW Golden Gateway Contest.

Ailyea is anxious to have her story polished so she's been singing rather loudly in my ear. LOL so that's why you haven't heard much about that other premise, Mel. Good things come to those who wait *g*.

And yes reading your work aloud does wonders. I'm always amazed at what I find when I read it aloud. Things that sound fine in my head, sometimes speaking them, it doesn't make as much sense.

I took an online course from Margie Lawson, who was wonderful. I'm sure in person she's even more so. High five Mel.

Oh a minor little plug. Sylvia Day is trying to create an Erotic Romance Writer's chapter of RWA. I think it's a wonderful idea! Be forewarned, this yahoo group is only about creating the chapter. And once the chapter forms, you have to be a member of RWA to join (several are going to join RWA just to be part of this group). Go join! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erw_org/


I'm off to do more editing with Ailyea.

Oh *taps fingers on the desk* aren't you going to guess again?

May the muses be kind
Lany

Mercy…

Editing or as some prefer to call it (making creative touch-ups) is down right nerve-wracking!

Thanks to Margie Lawson, (fabulous speaker) I spent Sunday reading Torc’s Salvation aloud. Mercy… does that help! I’d never read it aloud before. It’s a good thing I did too. I discovered tiny mistakes! *Grins* In Torc’s sections, not Ailyea’s. Yesterday, I read through it yet one more time.

Btw, isn’t Ailyea a beautiful name? Lany has another futuristic heroine with a gorgeous name too, but it’s not coming to me at the moment. A few months ago, Lany gave me just a smidgen of a premise and hasn’t shown me more since. Darrick Braun is simmering and not happy about being ignored.

You know my males are always growly and demanding. Now that I think about it. *Grins* It is nice to have them all want my attention. I just wish I had more hours in a day to devote to them.

Update- Torc’s Salvation is in Lany’s mail box now. I bet she’ll have exciting news to report soon.

*GASP* the poor computer geek! Not his hard drive! *Blushes* and you know some people fantasize about being watched. *Nods firmly* They do. This time, I’ll take a little more time before I guess.

Until later,
;-) Mel

Guess again

I second the synopsis blues. I have so much to learn. Thank goodness for friends who aren't afraid to tell you, "It needs work." Only way I'll ever get better at doing things like this.

*shakes head* don't hurt yourself there, Mel, dancing in that chair. And you had me until the "publish live on the net." I'd be hitting the computer geek where it hurts, in the hard drive. The rest of it....hrmmmmmm, I could see a story there...

Course that wasn't the one I was thinking of. Guess again *grins*.

May your muses be kind (and tonight, have chocolate)
Lany

*GASP* Lany posted!

Women’s fantasies we talked about? *Snort* Of course, I remember. I have the memory of an elephant. LOL… I just misplace e-mails and files to the point where I have to ask you for copies, but I remember!

*Blank blink* Guess which fantasy is speaking to you? Oh mercy…

Hum…let’s see… *whispers* is it the one about the hot computer geek? You know where a naughty film is made of the H/h and it is broadcast live on the net? Now, what was that hero's name?

*Grins and dances in my chair* did I guess? Did I guess???

;-) Mel

*Singing* the synopsis blues

*SINGING* THE SYNOPSIS BLUES!!! *Deep breath* *SINGING* THE SYNOPSIS BLUUUUUUES!!!

*Frown* I’m betting everyone who knows me-- is wincing. BUT, there is a reason behind my caterwauling! Truly, there is! I have decided that Artemis is the diabolic mastermind behind publishers requiring a synopsis! *Nodding* everyone (at least, every dark-hunter fan) knows how evil she can be!

The good news is the synopsis for Torc’s Salvation is complete! *Grin* I just felt like wailing about the trials of writing a synopsis. Synopsis writing is frightening. I much prefer writing stories. Thankfully, Lany and I have a wonderful mentor who walked us through it. But, without Lany and Star I’d have been LOST!

Until Later,
;-)Mel

Yes, I have gotten off my duff

to come play *grins*. And yes, I officially do HATE commas. Just when I think "ah ha," I have them figured out, I find out I don't. I think I need a refresher course.

And I send a big Dr. Pepper salute to Robin Schone. For a lot of things.

I'm taking a breather from editing. Guess what Mel, remember those women's fantasy stories we talked about doing? *wg* I got an idea this weekend and you'll never guess which of the 10 I want to work on first. LOL trust me, you'll NEVER guess. When I get out of editing land, dang commas, I'll shape it up *g*.

May your muses be kind
Lany

Stealing a moment to share.

I’m still tickled. Lany sent me a note today in a reply from a critique (I highly recommend extra eyes looking over manuscripts, esp. for newbies like us) we received on Torc’s Salvation. She “offically HATES commas.” LOL… I’ve never been fond of them. To comma, or not to comma?

Now Grammar B— IS my friend. *sprite salute* to Robin Schone.

I understand Lany’s angst over them. She’s had two busy weeks. On Monday she submitted a single title for herself and we’re working like demons to get Torc’s Salvation submitted in a timely manner.

I had studied “The Dreaded Synopsis” by Elizabeth Sinclair last year. I went back through it last night after I sent Lany back 83 pgs of TS that I had went through for a final check. I also added anything from the critique for Torc’s scenes.

I’m working on notes for the synopsis now as Lany gives TS a final run through and checks out our latest critique.

Later,
;-) Mel

Thursday’s yo-

I had a very productive day yesterday. I not only worked on some of my own stories, but I kicked hinny on co-writing. I had felt a little guilty about not working on T&A our old working title for Torc’s Salvation. But, writing with a partner—you have to wait your turn to add, critique, and edit, or you’ll cause yourself more work. Besides, I’m more of a writer and critique partner, then an editor-- because commas are my friend. *Sigh*

Once we submit T&A (sounds naughty, doesn’t it?) It used to make Lany laugh when we first started using the initials of our H/h in Torc’s Salvation. Once we submit-- I’m going to send Lany a couple projects I started yesterday. I’m hoping we can work them the way we do our loop writing-- a little at a time-- post length that is. Of course, we’ll work on our next story in longer stretches-- the way we did T&A. I think this way we’ll complete more stories more quickly. We’d tell one another what we needed for an upcoming story and keep lists. The style worked very well with our loop writing, which we’ve cut back on to focus on professional writing and we’ve been very successful with it.

I wrote three pgs on the short story about our Viking. As well as laid out the opening scene for our Vampire related paranormal. Both stories I’m totally excited about and I can’t wait to hear Lany’s thoughts on them.

Until later,
;-) Mel

Hey all!

I’m so excited about our on-line journal! I’ll be sharing it with my co-conspirator in crime— well romance. We just returned from the RT convention in St Louis. We had a blast!

We played, we learned, and we were inspired! We have exciting news to share— we were asked to submit! I’m thrilled and nervous. I’m sure Lany is as well.

Right now we are busy making last minute edits from returned critiques on Torc’s Salvation.

Wish us luck!

;-) Mel