Monday Mayhem – Knee Deep

I’m knee deep in a new work in progress. Not sure if this one will end up with Margaret or Maggie, but I’m having a blast writing it.  So here are five lines from Going Deep – a story about an ex-nerd turned hunky marine biologist and the brainy, ambitious reporter who once swiped a coveted science fair ribbon out from under his nose.

They’re all grown up now, and in this scene Brooke Hastings and her friend Laney marvel over Brian Dalton’s transformation from zero to hero.

****

Laney clutched her imaginary pearls, but the humor in her blue eyes shone through clear as day. “Shelbrooke Hastings, are you trying to tell me that you have absolutely no interest in spawning with Aquaman over there?”

“I prefer Batman. Maybe Superman. Hell, I’d even take Captain America, even though I’m pretty sure he’s a prig in bed.”

****

Here are a few pics from last week’s retreat. I swiped these from my pals Nena Clements and Sandra Jones. 🙂

The house on Lake Hamilton
The house on Lake Hamilton
The view at sunset
The view at sunset
The fabulous Brinda Berry and me hard at it.
The fabulous Brinda Berry and me hard at it.

That’s what I’ve been up to. How about you?

Monday Mayhem – Retreat to advance

What I’ve been working on: I don’t know what to say. My alter ego has taken over my life. She gets all the bragging rights.

What’s running around in the back of my mind: Shel and Josh from Containment are starting to whisper to me again (thank goodness). I’m trying to be cool and play it coy, but if they stick around I may work on them as my NaNoWriMo project.

What I’ve accomplished: The good news is I signed a contract to publish Jump Into Love with Harlequin-E! The other news (not necessarily bad) is that Maggie stole it from Margaret and made the darn thing all sexy and stuff. What can I say? Split personalities can be vicious.

What new goal I’m chasing: I’m trying to build momentum on my daily word counts in preparation for NaNoWriMo.

What I saw: Inspiration

lake

Monday Mayhem – Fab five

What I’ve been working on: Lots of stuff for the day job, a little writing, and conquering the headache from hell (thank God it’s gone now).

What’s running around in the back of my mind: The story I will start while on the annual DSRA writing retreat in Hot Springs next weekend.

What I’ve accomplished: You remember that story I shared last week? It’s a hot contemporary novella called Jump Into Love and I got some awesome news about it this week. I’ll share as soon as everything is official. 🙂

What new goal I’m chasing: Finished the first pass of revisions on my WIP. Now all I have to do is write the ending!

What I saw: “A green room, a telephone, a red balloon, a picture of the cow jumping over the moon….” My future reader.

Booktime2

To celebrate my pending good news, here are another five lines from Jump Into Love:

“You’re a hell of a gumshoe, Detective.”

Steely eyes warmed again as he met her gaze across the roof of the car, and a hint of a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Where were you when I was looking for a date for New Year’s Eve?”

She opened the car door and shook her head. “As far away from any canasta club as I could get.”

Monday Mayhem – Gimme five!

I asked my pal Laurie whether she wanted 5 things or 5 lines for this week’s Monday Mayhem post. She asked for a sneak peek at something I’m working on. So, because her wish is my command, I am sharing 5 lines from a story that I currently have out on submission called Jump Into Love. Meet Lang….

A few strange women had flitted in and out of Langley Sheppard’s life in the last few months, but not one of them had a bizarre fixation on chewing gum like tonight’s winner. Squinting through the sleet-spattered windshield, he attempted to peer into the harsh glare spilling from the glass storefront of the T-N-T mini-mart, hoping to catch sight of his date. The multitude of neon signs crowding the spotless expanse lit the puddles of slush in carnival colors. The store’s owner, Max Merida, believed in the laws of plenty. Plenty of light, plenty of cheesy merchandise crammed onto narrow counters, and plenty of mark-up built into every price. Apparently,his date believed in having plenty of gum.

 

Okay, so I threw in a bonus line. I just wanted to finish the thought.

So how about you? Got any big goings on this week?

 

Monday Mayhem – What-what?

I’m fresh off the plane. There are hampers full of laundry, a need a needy bunny, and an equally needy man demanding my attention, but you guys were my priority. Here are my 5 whats for this week:

What I’ve been working on: Still working on the romance for people who know the power of AquaNet Super Extra Hold. J

What’s running around in the back of my mind: “I should be writing. I should be writing. I should be writing, but I’m on vacation…I should be writing.”

What I’ve accomplished: I made it to Canada and back without getting strip-searched at the border. I consider that a win.

What new goal I’m chasing: I want to try to finish the first draft of my WIP by next weekend. Cross your fingers for me!

What I saw: My favorite Canucks.

Canada

Now give me yours!