In the movies and on TV, writers are always depicted as trés fabulous…they wear satin a lot, and have a staff. A driver. I too would like satin and a driver…but I suspect I’m not the type. Note, for example, a few rather typical moments in my unglamorous career…

Desperate for the sound of a human voice not her own, Romance Writer accosts UPS driver for chat in driveway. Later, upon glimpsing self in mirror, learns that mud mask (applied in attempt to beautify for date with husband later that day) has not yet been rinsed from face.

Fearful that snippet of great dialogue will flee to the land of forgotten lines, Romance Writer keeps typing as she finishes sandwich. Can it be done? Sure. Neatly? No.

In the midst of a good run of words, RW spills cocoa on front. Does not mop up for several hours. Forgets now-hardened chocolate stain decorating bosom. Picks son up from school.

Attempting to look the part for talk to other writers, RW shaves legs. As task has not been undertaken since last public appearance, RW cuts self. Blood pools in shower. Husband concerned. Bandages applied. Suicide attempt denied.

As one accustomed to working alone, RW talks aloud frequently. Finds self channeling hero/heroine during heated argument. Realizes she’s in line at the deli counter. Apologizes to frightened counterman and places order for turkey breast. Resumes argument.

Trying to get first kiss scene just right, RW makes out with hand. But we’ve devoted an entire blog to that, so let’s move along.

In order to devote every possible moment to writing, RW consumes one ginourmous meal at 10 a.m., combining lunch and breakfast. Bigger bites make eating go faster. RW proud of time-saving methods.

When puppy steals page of manuscript just as Romance Writer is about to step into shower, naked RW gives chase through empty house. Pries soggy, torn page from puppy’s mouth. Sees that puppy needs to go out. Puts on husband’s snow boots and coat, which covers girl parts by perhaps two inches, takes puppy outside. Waves to UPS man, who is visibly shaken. Wonderful idea for new book occurs. RW takes puppy in. Sits at computer. Types. Forgets she is wearing a coat and boots and nothing else. Husband arrives home. “And what have we here?” he asks, hoping that it’s an attempt at seduction (albeit a somewhat odd, vaguely disturbing attempt…but hey, he’s not picky). “Not now,” RW replies. “I’m working.” 

Anyone else feel like sharing their less glamorous moments? Did you ever go through an entire date with spinach stuck in your tooth? Give a presentation with toilet paper stuck to your shoe? And by the way…to my UPS man…you’re the best, pal! Please don’t ask for a transfer!

If you posted on January 3rd, email at:
Emily at EmilyMcKay dot com
Send your name, snail mail address and which book you want and I’ll send them out. Your choices are: Affair with a Rebel Heiress, Winning it All or The Billionaire’s Bridal Bid.

I sometimes have trouble visualizing men’s fashion. As I was finishing my current book–which I just mailed to the editor yesterday–yeah!!!–I wanted some ideas of a casual outfit that Travis, my Jackson Hole doctor could wear to a gathering of friends.

I definitely didn’t want Travis’s attire to be dorky so I thought I’d check out the latest fall fashions online. First stop- GQ.

I struck out. Why? Because I discovered a lot of fashions like the picture I included above (taken from the GQ website) Okay, you tell me. Do you think my Wyoming doctor would EVER wear such an outfit? I think not.

So…being the enterprising soul that I am, I googled in something like “Real Men.” I got a bunch of websites about the size of a certain piece of a man’s anatomy. I gave up and had him wear chinos (which are supposed to be making a comeback) and a brown striped shirt (I told you I have trouble with men’s fashion)

What I would REALLY like is for you to give me some ideas of some websites where I could go to check out fashions that my Wyoming men could wear. I don’t care if these are catalog sites or whatever…just please, please, please no GQ-type sites.

I’ll draw one winner from everyone who comments. The winner will receive a copy of the Mills and Boon edition of Claiming the Rancher’s Heart..the first book in my Meet Me in Montana series from 2009 .

Check back on Sunday night around nine to see if you’re a winner.

And….thanks for your help!

Hello Jaunties and thanks so much for inviting me to blog with you!

I’ve been scratching my head trying to think of something inspiring for my first blog with the Sisterhood. Thankfully, a lovely email from a fan arrived in my inbox and provided the answer.

Arriving back in Colorado late last night after 20 hours sitting on planes, waiting around airports and standing in interminable security lines with people coughing on me, it would be fair to say I was feel like complete… er… well I’m sure you can supply your own word there, so I won’t say it.

I switched on my laptop to send the kids a quick email to let them know we’d arrived safely and there, sitting in my inbox was something that lifted my spirits and sent me to bed with a big smile on my face.

 During the long 20 years it took to achieve publication, I imagined all sorts of things happening, but not once did I think about fan mail. These cheering missives seem to arrive just when I need a boost, whether because I’ve just had a lousy day, or worse still, have been staring at my screen, reading my latest ms and wondering why on Earth I imagined I could write.

A dreadful guilt grips my chest thinking about how much I’ve let down my editor and anyone else who’s believed in me because I’ve lost my mojo forever and basically wasted 20 years of my life working towards a career that crashes and burns before I’ve even completed my first series for Harlequin American about the magnificent O’Malley Men.

And then in pops an email from someone saying they’re delighted to have discovered me, or professing to love my stories, my quirky characters, thanking me for tackling a topic that’s dear to their hearts, or having them sitting on their seats at the climax and wanting to know when my next story is coming out.

Wow! Heady stuff and so welcome, so appreciated that I can’t help but write back straight away to thank them. These emails are lifesavers that I treasure. I should frame them and mount them on the wall to look at when I’m feeling down or doubting myself.

 I wonder if other authors get the same buzz from receiving fan mail? I’ll bet the senders have no idea what a difference they make in our daily lives.

 So thank you every last wonderful person who has taken the time to write or email an author and tell us you love our stories. You may love what we write, but we love what you write just as much!

 I’m giving away three copies of my latest in the O’Malley Men series, “Colorado Cowboy” to three commenters who tell me what makes their day.

 Oh and before I sign off, I wanted to s hare a late Christmas greeting to all that’s sure to put a smile on your face. The Nativity in the Digital Age – hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrf0PbAGSk

Most couples have or will have a song that resonates with them, whether they listen, sing or dance to it. For many, the song will be a reminder to one or the other or both of a special moment in their relationship, maybe the first date, first time they realized they were in love, or even their wedding day.

Then there are the songs that lament what could have been. What was just a moment and gone forever. Songs that tear at the heart. That move us listeners. Heartbreak songs like Heartbreaker, Total Elipse of the Heart, With or Without You.

I’ve had my share of the latter. Songs that meant something to me and my significant other at the time, and songs that haunted me after we parted ways. 

Songs, both melody and lyrics, have the power to touch us like nothing else does because they’re typically short and memorable.   Because they speak to us on a level that moves our hearts and souls. 

Do you have a special love song that still moves you? Have you heard a new one that perfectly expresses what’s in your heart?

The other night my daughter and I were out for dinner and I was talking about my current work in progress, describing my hero and heroine with all their imperfections and successes (otherwise known as back story) which lead to talk of their friends, families, careers, homes, the town they live in. 

Yes, I’m sure I was babbling, waving my fork like a seasoned orchestral conductor when my daughter raised a hand to stop my endless chatter and said, “You do realize none of this is real, right mom?”

To which I replied, “Of course, dear, but one of the fun things about being a writer is creating my own little world and controlling everything in it.”

She smiled.  “Sort of like being a mother?”

“Yes, honey…or a dictator.”

“Same thing,” she shot back.

My kid is so smart.

And since I only had the privilege of naming another human being once in my life, one of the coolest things about creating new characters for my books is bestowing on them a moniker that reflects their personality, maybe gives a hint of their view on the world or simply, as it’s allowed by me as the author, to honor someone important to me.

In my books you’ll find names from my family. For example, Maggie Stevens, the heroine in my first book, THE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE, shares her full name, Margaret, with my eldest sister.  Sandy Steele, the mother the hero in my second book, THE SHERIFF’S SECRET WIFE is named as my mother, and my step granddaughter, Kali, shares her name with my fictional town’s veterinarian.

I’m also a big Hollywood fan and the hero in THE COWBOY’S SECOND CHANCE, Landon Cartwright, got his name by combining the last names  the actor Michael Landon and his cowboy character, Little Joe Cartwright.  Something members of the Bonanza Fan Club picked up on right away!  And then there are characters that needed a title that reflected their personalities, like my heroine and hero in THE SHERIFF’S SECRET WIFE, Racy Dillon (she certainly lives up to her first name!) and Gage Steele, (I was looking for a name with strength to it!)

In my latest release, A DADDY FOR JACOBY, there is seven-year-old boy who, at the opening of the story, hasn’t had the happiest life. Of course, that’s all going to change for him once he meets the hero, who happens to be his daddy.  Still, I wanted him to have a very special name as having such a young person play such an important part in a story was a first for me.  So I went back to list of favorites and pulled out a name that just makes my heart flutter.

Jacoby.

As in Jacoby Ellsbury, outfielder for my beloved Boston Red Sox.

Now, I’ve been a fan of this baseball team since my family moved to New England back when I was in elementary school and while I adore the entire team for their skill and grace in playing American’s favorite pastime, I do tend to latch onto one favorite player. 

First there was all-star catcher, Carlton Fisk back in my junior high days (love this image of him waving a ball to stay in fair territory for a home run that won the game!) and much later Nomar Garciaparra, whose antics while standing at the plate can never be duplicated.  And after a drought of three years (I refused to pick another favorite after Nomar was traded!) until Jacoby arrived on the scene and it’s been a love affair ever since!

So I named my little boy in A DADDY FOR JACOBY after my favorite baseball player (here’s hoping it’s a good omen for a great 2011 season!) and I was thrilled when I got to keep my title as it has his name in it too!

So, how about you all? Any special stories connected to the important names in your life — be it your own or a child’s? Share with us and I’ll pick two names to receive goodies including a copy of A DADDY FOR JACOBY!

Oh, and a side note about that one human I was allowed to name?

I called my little bundle ‘Alex’ during the entire pregnancy because “Family Ties” was a popular television show at the time and “Alex P. Keaton” was my favorite character. I figured if I had a boy we were all set and if it was a girl, her full name would be Alexandria but we’d still call her Alex. But of course on the day she was born I changed my mind and named my daughter Cagney, after my all time favorite movie star, James Cagney. A name that fits her quite well…although I do see a bit of ‘Alex’ in her from time to time!

Imagine, if you will, a hotel ballroom filled with rows and rows of your favorite authors sitting there are your disposal eager to sign books, hand out goodies and smile for pictures. Or maybe a meet and greet where you can go into a room and sit down with an author and chat for a while. Sounds pretty awesome, doesn’t it?

Every year for the past 12 years I take a week out of my summer to head to the Romance Writers of America’s annual conference and I suspect 2011 will be no different. It’s a conference for writers, but the literacy signing is open to the public and there are usually locals to the city that attend to meet their favorite authors. In addition to this conference, I have, on occasion attended the RT Book Reviews convention that is designed more for readers. And this coming summer I’ll attend the 2nd annual RomCon conference (as a featured author because of Seduce Me’s win of the Readers Crown last year) – this conference was created just for you readers.

Meeting readers at conferences is a special treat for me and every author I know. It’s just so great to have someone come up and introduce themselves, tell you that they love your books. You don’t even have to buy anything! Well, and you don’t even have to have read me to start up a chat. That’s what’s so lovely about these conferences. You know that everyone around you loves romance novels. You can always look over and say, “hey, who’s your favorite author?” or “have you read the new Kleypas?”

So here’s my question, if money wasn’t an issue (cause let’s face it those conferences can be expensive!) would you go to a reader’s conference? Which authors would you want to meet? Hey, I still get all fangirl about lots of authors, I think most of us do.

And if you haven’t there’s still a little bit of time to enter my 12 days of Christmas contest at Fresh Fiction. I’m giving away 12 prizes!

I’m not much of a New Years resolution person. Sure, every year, I have a few things in mind that I’d like to accomplish. But I don’t write them down, pin them above my mirror and review them monthly or anything. This year, I’d like to finally get rid of those pesky last few pounds, both of personal weight and the extra clutter lying around the house. That was it for this year. I was going to keep it simple.
Then I realized–at nearly 8:00 this evening!–that I was supposed to blog today! Holy guacamole, Batman! I dropped the ball completely!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ve got my reasons. I’m not going to trot them out. We’re all busy. Unless I’m making an unexpected trip to the hospital, I should have a blog up. So I’m adding a new resolution. Blog up at least 24 hours in advance. And as an apology, if you post in the next twenty-four hours and share your resolutions, I’ll send you one of my recent releases, either The Billionaire’s Bridal Bid, Winning it All, or Affair with a Rebel Heiress.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciated all of your recipes and URLs for crock pot recipe sites. Because you were all so helpful…everyone who posted before 9pm CT today has won a copy of The Christmas Proposition!

Just email me your mailing information through my website www.cindykirk.com and I’ll put the book in the mail.

And…every month this year I’m going to blog at least once a month about my Crock Pot adventures…so stay tuned.

Those jokes were all great – so I ended up having to do a drawing. Chelsea B is the winner, and I’ve already contacted her for her information. Thanks for sharing, everyone!