March 31, 2007

The Perfect Couple

Yesterday, Robyn shared her list of sexy leading men with us, and I’m sure we’d all like to extend to her our hearty thanks, LOL. These guys are definite hero inspiration, and what fun to feast your eyes on such a line-up of droolworthy dreaminess at the end of a long week!

So, after I wiped the saliva off of my keyboard, I decided I would carry on the idea a bit by sharing a list of my own. My top 5 list of my favorite movie couples. As romance authors, another thing we have to learn to recognize is what makes for the perfect pairing. It takes deep emotion, an interesting balance of personalities, and great chemistry to pull off a truly memorable love match. And these are just a few of the pairings that have touched me, made me root for them, and inspired my own heroes and heroines along the way. No, there’s not as much eye candy to enjoy here, but maybe it will make you remember your own favorite romantic movie duos with a sigh.

1. For some reason, people always seem very surprised whenever I list Rick and Evie from the movies The Mummy and The Mummy Returns as my number one favorite couple ever. I’m not sure why. What isn’t to love about these two? Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz have great chemistry and are fun to watch together. And what gal wouldn’t love a guy who adores and protects his lady, but never leaves her sitting around at home, twiddling her thumbs while he goes on his adventures? Heck no! He takes her with him!

2. My number two couple usually surprises people as well. Yes, A Walk to Remember is a saccharine tear-jerker that is quite likely to give you tooth-decay should you watch it too often. But I love it. And I love Landon and Jamie. Why? Because here’s a hero who stands by his gal through thick and thin. Who is determined to make all of her wishes come true. And while there is no happy ending, except in the most roundabout way, I love the way Jamie’s love opens former cynical tough guy Landon up to faith and possibilities.

3. And what list would be complete without Leonardo DeCaprio’s Jack and Kate Winslet’s Rose from Titanic? Yes, it’s another tear-jerker with no real happily-ever-after-ending. But the chemistry between these two just jumps off the screen, and I love how Jack brings Rose out of her shell, giving her the courage to take charge of her life and her own destiny. Isn’t that the sort of encouragement we’d all like to have in our own lives from the people we love?

4. Okay, laugh if you must, but I think the Beast and Belle make a gosh darn cute couple. And their story is the original pattern for every romance novel ever written with a wounded, scarred hero who has fallen in love with the sweet and innocent heroine because she sees through his brooding facade to the good man beneath.

5. Sure, technically Gambit and Rogue aren’t a movie couple. But if the powers that be would ever get their butts in gear and make another X-Men movie–And this time have the intelligence to include Gambit in the cast, darn it!–then we G & R fans would be much happier. Talk about your tortured duos. Gambit is the charming Cajun thief who has no desire to be tied down to one woman until he meets Rogue. Rogue is the flirty Southern belle who can never touch anyone skin to skin for fear of killing them, not even the man she loves. Their tale started out as what was supposed to be only a temporary flirtation, but their pairing majorly took off with X-Men fans, and it turned into a love story that has spanned decades. These two have been through everything. They’ve treated each other terribly and hurt each other beyond belief, yet they still keep ending up back in each other’s arms. It’s classic soap opera, comic book style.

Okay, now it’s your turn to share. Who are some of your favorite couples, and why?

March 30, 2007

Battle of the sexiest

One of the perks of being a romance author is looking at sexy men. Truly. We have to keep our finger on the pulse of what today’s women find attractive and sexy. So tough as it may be, we need to peruse (without drooling) men as often as we can. Without further ado, here is my list (at least for this morning) of the top 10 sexiest men (in no particular order).

1. Josh -
2. Jonny - (this is actually my current inspiration)
3. Matthew -
4. Brad -
5. Sean -
6. Johnny -
7. Joseph -
8. Gerard -
9. Hugh -
10. Scott -
oh and here’s one more just cause Henry VIII has never looked so good. Why is it that I don’t have Showtime?

So what about you? Who’s on your sexiest list?

March 29, 2007

Adventures in Cats

We are cat people. It didn’t start out that way. As a young man, El Guapo didn’t really care for cats, I don’t think and in my family our dogs always outnumbered our cats (and sometimes our people. Yeah, that’s how we rolled). There is something about floppy ears and a sweet little blinking “I love you” stare that makes dogs really lovely.

But then we grew up and got married and decided that while we weren’t jonesing for a kid, we were yearning for furry companionship. But we were in an apartment and I knew I’d be the one walking a dog, so we decided we’d get a kitty. And then one kitty turned to two. And then Kitty #1 when to the litterbox in the sky and then we got another kitty, so we were back to two again.

Harley is almost six now. Quinn will be five in the Fall. And after this long a time with them, I am beginning to have questions:

1. How do they go boneless? Seriously, they get floppy like mops! What is that about? And how do you figure out you have the boneless capability? I’ve tried it and I don’t have it!

2. Why do they lay in weird places? They have a bed. They have our bed. And yet, I continually find the cats in situations like these:

Harley on top of the cabinet in the kitchen.

Harley in the cubby of my old desk.

Quinn in the sink in the guest bathroom.

3. Why do they love and fear nature at the same time? Harley wants to go outside. It’s a bad thing. She is an inside cat. Quinn wants to catch birds. She will jump at the window to try to get to them. But if they actually make it outside? FREAK OUT.

4. Why won’t they wear costumes?

Okay, maybe you can force them to wear costumes. For a minute. Before they rip your face off.

So do your pets do anything… weird?

March 28, 2007

Otter pals

A cute moment for the middle of the week:

And Shane talks about beginnings and starting over below!

The Beginning: A Very Good Place to Start

My favorite part of writing is the beginning. I love starting a new book. The story is still “pure,” which means that it hasn’t yet been corrupted by turns in the plot or traits in the characters I didn’t expect. Everything seems possible at the start of a book.

Somewhere between chapters 4 and 6, something usually goes wrong. A plot point that seemed simple is far more complicated than expected or a character who was supposed to be integral now seems unnecessary. The hero and heroine are bickering, and it’s not only getting on their nerves but mine as well.

I’m used to this, and I rely on my critique partners to help me tiptoe through the minefield of the good book gone bad. Usually by chapter 10 or 11, everything is back on track again.

At least it is in my process.

But I started a book recently that isn’t working the way all the others have. I don’t know how to explain it except to say that it doesn’t feel right. (Imagine USF’s expression when I say stuff like that.)

I’m sure I could have sat for a few hours and analyzed exactly what was wrong—motivation or character arc or something, but I just don’t have that much patience. I don’t want to think about it; I want to do it.

So I scrapped the book and started over. Yep. I just tossed what I had and opened a new document and typed “Chapter One.”

It actually felt good to do it that way, and the new version feels right to me now.

So what about you? Have you ever had to start over?

March 27, 2007

Giving to Charity

My husband and I support a couple of very good charities - actually three of them. When I pay the bills every month, I send a check to each of these charities, and I also participate in other fundraising events. These are for the local schools, or the 3-day walk for the cure, and other things that come up. But there’s one thing that really bugs me: People on the street expecting me to hand over my cash. It just seems … risky.

There was a guy near my post office the other day, holding out a can that had what looked like a home-made label on it. He greeted me and said he was collecting money for injured veterans. I nodded and went on into the post office, took care of business, then went back to my car. The guy was right in the same place, waiting for me and asking for money.

I said - politely - “Sorry, but I don’t hand out cash on the street.”

I don’t think he was too happy with me, but in general, that’s my policy. And I don’t feel the least bit guilty. Anybody can make an official-looking can to collect money in, and I refuse to be a sucker. Actually, the guy stood a better chance with me if he’d just held up a sign that said “I’m broke - help me out.” I’ve given cash to a lot of those types, in spite of my ‘no cash on the streets’ policy. It’s the ones who try to pull a fast one that really annoy me, although they’re probably just as needy.

I handed over a good bit of cash on the street right after 9/11. I think everybody did. Hey - when you saw a fireman handing out an empty boot, you put money into it, right? I don’t like to think this might be true, but I have a feeling there were creeps and scam-artists out and about even then.

What are your thoughts on giving out money? Do you have any set rules or criteria?

March 26, 2007

Ask the Jaunties…

Because I am such a helpful critter, I have taken it upon myself to interrogate…that is to say I acquired information from the Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills regarding the craft of writing. I asked them if they could pick one bit of advice to share with aspiring authors what it would be and here is what they had to say. Although if you ask me, I say the key to good writing is simply adding porcupines to each book. Everyone loves a good prickly fellow. Okay, okay, sheesh Anne, you don’t have to shove me so hard. Here are their answers.

Shana: Don’t worry too much about the rules at first. So many people get stuck on whether they are plotting ‘right’ or creating characters ‘right.’ There is time to learn all that later. Writing is something one learns by doing. Start your book today.

Jenna: Always keep learning. Research your history, study your craft, keep up with the market. Things change in a heartbeat in this industry and you want to keep up with all of that if you can. Also, don’t settle. Go for the best agent, reach for the dream house.

Cindy: Write a synopsis. I know many writers hate them and you certainly don’t have to follow them exactly…I certainly don’t. But thinking about the conflict and the story progression will help you to know if you have enough conflict and enough “story” to sustain a book of x number of pages.

Kimberly: The one thing that proved most invaluable for me as an aspiring author was finding and joining Romance Writers of America. I can’t even begin to express what a wonderful experience I have had with the organization, both as a published and unpublished writer, and I can honestly say that I probably never would have sold that first manuscript if I hadn’t joined. But even if you aren’t interested in being a part of such a large organization, I would definitely recommend finding some small writers group to belong to. Whether offering advice, encouragement, or a critique of your latest manuscript, your fellow authors are the best resource for information and inspiration.

Robyn: Take your time. This isn’t a race no matter how often if feels that way. Romance will always be there as will publication. Everyone’s journey is unique and rushing yourself will only create unnecessary frustrations. RWA does such a great job of encouraging everyone to submit and it’s true, you can’t sell anything if you don’t send it out, but far too many of us start submitting way too early - I know I did. Writing really is a journey of self-discovery so do what you need to do to hone your craft and be the best writer you can be. Then when the time is right start sending your manuscripts out there.

Anne: Keep going! Keep writing, keep submitting, keep learning. As Robyn said, it’s not a race. But it is a journey that never ends and there will always be battles along the way that try to sidetrack you and keep you from pushing forward. You don’t have to write every day, but keep it in your mind and at your fingertips.

Margo: At some point, a serious writer needs to stop reading and listening to advice about writing. It can be crippling to your creativity. You have to find your own process and then sit down and do it, and not let everybody else’s method dictate how you are going to do it.

Shirley: Write the kind of stories that you’re most passionate about, that mean the most to you, instead of trying to chase trends. The books that are hot and on store shelves now were bought a year or two ago, maybe even longer. The passion you feel for the story you tell will translate onto the page. And if you’re going to invest that much time in characters and a plot, make sure it’s something you’ll still be excited about a long ways down the road.

March 24, 2007

Unexpected Blessings

As many of you may know, I live in the country on a acreage…but close to a city. A place where many people dump their unwanted pets.

This week “Shug” an Australian Cattle Dog, came into our lives. At first we just thought he was a runaway. He had a nice collar and a 2007 rabies tag…so I called the local animal control and they gave me the first name of the owner, the name of the dog, his breed, and his age (9 months). I called the number, got a recording and left a message.

After leaving 4 messages (with no return call) I called the vet who did the rabies vaccination. I thought perhaps the owners had moved (the address Animal Control had given was 15 miles from where we live) but the vet was maybe five miles away. The vet had the same information, but said they would call the owner. Called back the next day and was told by the vet’s assistant that they’d never called back.

Obviously Shug was no longer wanted. But did these people actually believe this dog could survive in the country? It’s not like he’s a coyote used to killing rabbits….or a deer eating, well, whatever it is they eat.

He was starving when he came around our place. We thought about taking him to the local humane society…but it’s a kill shelter, where 50% of the animals brought in are euthanized.

We could put an ad in the paper but I’m worried the wrong person will get him. Our own other option is to look at an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) Rescue Organization. The closest one is about two hours away. I’ve looked the information up but haven’t made the call yet. Why, you might ask…

Well, Shug might not be the prettiest dog, but he’s smart. He can sit, stay and lie down on command. He’s very friendly, doesn’t flinch when you go to pet him…so he doesn’t appear to be abused. And he’s got a great personality. I think you can see where I’m going with this…

Yes, even though this breed of dog isn’t one I’d ever pick, I think we’re going to keep him, and I think that when I look back, I’ll consider him to be an unexpected blessing.

March 23, 2007

Getting Bossed Around

I don’t get bossed around a lot. In fact, I’m usually the person bossing others around—my younger sister (there are perks to be older), students (when I was a teacher), and at various times co-workers (when I was in a board or chairperson position).

But as a writer, I have found that I get bossed around a lot.

By my characters.

I know this is going to sound strange to those of you who aren’t writers. It may sound strange to those of you who are.

My characters tell me about themselves—and it’s not always things I want to hear.

Lately I’ve been dealing with this in conjunction with an historical I’m working on. I have a secondary character whose name right now is Andrew Sedgwick. Andrew has a baby face, and he’s the son of a duke. That’s all fine. But he also has this annoying habit of breaking out in song.

It annoys the hero because the times Sedgwick chooses to break into song are rather inopportune. It annoys me because I don’t know any nineteenth-century drinking songs, and now I’m going to have to do a ton of research.

For a secondary character!

This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. In my first historical WHEN DASHING MET DANGER, the heroine’s mother liked to speak in Italian. Did I know Italian?

Not a word.

Fortunately, the mother spoke bad Italian, but I still had to buy 2 Italian-English dictionaries.

Which I still have.

And which sit on my shelf doing nothing because none of my other characters, thus far, have been interested in Italian.

Writers, do you have this problem with your characters?
Readers, do you get bossed around at “work”?

And don’t forget to scroll down and read Shirley’s blog on an important health issue we all need to know about.

Wrist self-defense

Lately I’ve been noticing a lot of people wearing wrist braces. Probably because a week ago the pain in my left hand was diagnosed as DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis. (I’d never heard of it either.) www.medicinenet.com/de_quervains_tenosynovitis/index.htm
Part of the treatment calls for wearing a wrist brace that immobilizes the thumb in a perpetual thumbs-up position. It’s stylish black so it goes with everything and really shows off lint and cat hair.

My older wrist braces – now tattered and forlorn looking non-descript beige — have helped me deal with flare-ups of tendonosis over the last 15 years. In chatting with people wearing new braces, I realized I’ve collected a fair bit of information about wrist injuries. Since so many of us are in professions and pursuing avocations where our wrists are at risk, I thought I’d share some of it.

Insert disclaimer here: I have no medical training, consult your healthcare professional before trying any technique, your mileage may vary, yada yada yada. These are just some of the things that work for me and people I know. With the prevalence of computers and text messaging, I’m surprised there aren’t even more cases of tendonitis, tendonosis (the latter is often misdiagnosed as the former — see www.tendinosis.org/), carpal tunnel, and DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis.

Plenty of sources will warn you about the importance of ergonomics in making sure your wrist, hand and arm angles are correct; good posture; taking breaks, varying your tasks, etc. One warning sign I’d never heard of, and therefore completely missed, was a pleasant sensation of warmth in my wrists after spending hours reformatting a document — lots of repetitive keystrokes and mouse clicks. I felt fine Friday night, ditto for Saturday and Sunday. Monday morning, however, I couldn’t grasp my hair brush. With either hand.

For the better part of the next two years, I did the prescribed routine of ice packs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and wearing supportive wrist braces full-time … and made almost no improvement. When my mom suggested magnets, I figured I had nothing to lose, so I started inserting the Nikken brand magnets inside the braces at night. Within a few weeks, there was less pain, and a few months later, I only needed the braces at night to keep from curling my wrists under my chin. To be free of pain after so long, I was a believer.

Nowadays I also wear bracelets made of magnetic hematite. Some people say magnets can’t possibly have any effect, that it’s all in your head. I have accidentally proven (repeatedly) that I can type pain-free for twice as long with the magnets than I can without. I don’t care if the reason is psychosomatic — magnets help me. I’ve heard from other people that they also may help with carpal tunnel, arthritis, and circulation problems associated with diabetes.

Soaking in the hot tub also does wonders for undoing the day’s damage. I’m no longer certain taking ibuprofen helps with the inflammation (some recent studies suggest it may actually hinder the healing process), though it can help ease the symptoms of pain.

A co-worker had been in such pain from carpal tunnel, his doctor scheduled him for surgery. Knowing surgery results are mixed for CP, his mother convinced him to take vitamin B6 during the eight weeks before he was to go under the knife. Not only did he end up not needing the surgery, within three months he was completely symptom-free. I take a B-complex vitamin every day — it’s supposed to help cells heal. (Some people also find B6 eases nausea, regardless of the cause.)

Occasionally I overdo it and the wrist pain comes back. I write, make jewelry, play guitar — all things that abuse my poor hands. It feels like being stabbed by a thousand tiny needles in the back of the hand, and pain shoots up to my elbow. Sometimes massage therapy helps ease the flare-ups, sometimes acupuncture works better. I haven’t figured out a rhyme or reason for that one, and I’d love to ‘cuz I’m a wuss when it comes to needles.

After so long of getting nothing but frostbite from holding a bag of frozen peas on my wrists, I didn’t have a high opinion of ice therapy. A massage therapist taught me a much more effective technique. Rub ice over the injured area for one minute, going above and below the affected area. (Freeze a Dixie cup full of water and peel back the paper as the ice melts, or hold ice cubes in a damp sponge.) Then immediately dunk the affected area in really warm water for two minutes. This creates a pumping action, greatly increasing the blood circulation — bringing in oxygen and nutrients and taking away the waste, which helps the cells heal faster. There’s also a pleasant tingling sensation, and I always feel less pain afterward. I go back and forth between the kitchen sink and the hot tub three or four times for each treatment, and do three or four treatments per day. (This works well for tendonosis, but was specifically recommended not doing for DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis.)

Another coping technique is to use voice recognition software to avoid keystrokes and mouse work. Two years ago I was racing toward a deadline and spent too many hours at the keyboard too many days in a row. I had over 150 pages to go and less than six weeks to turn in Kiss From A Rogue, but my hands hurt so badly I could only type with the tip of my middle fingers. Dragon NaturallySpeaking to the rescue. It doesn’t come anywhere close to the wpm speeds claimed on the box, and makes interesting mistakes (”abominably” became “a bomb in the plea”), but it got the job done. That particular flare-up was so bad and long-lasting, I ended up writing almost all of Confessions of a Viscount with Dragon. Talking to Dragon is also how I write most of my blog posts … which may explain why they’re long-winded and chatty.

So there’s my wrist first aid kit — Dragon, B6, ice/heat, hot tub, braces, and magnets. I hope you never need any of it.