Fairytale? or Soap Opera?

Happy Tuesday! It's been a packed few days of launch party planning, Pilates doing, website updating and Bachelorette watching :) Anyone else notice how soap opera-ish that show's becoming? You know what I think? I think Jake's really an actor playing a spurned pilot. Not that I'm supporting Wes or anything. It's just that this show's beyond real. Oh, and btw, after watching Kiptyn's mom grill Jillian, here's my advice: RUN!

Ha...ah well. Then again, sometimes when I look back on my own life, parts of it would certainly work well on Guiding Light or whatever...

Speaking of soap operas (nice segue, huh?), I learned the other day that SWEET WATERS--my story of a gal whose fairytale turns out to be a soap opera--released early. Woo! That means it's being sent to stores as we speak. That said, I've yet to see it. If you happen to find it at a store near you, would you please come on back and tell me? I'd love to know! I'll pass along more info/contests/sightings as they become available!

In the meantime, summer's here and for the moms who've just begun following me, here's an article I wrote a few weeks back about beachy snacks. Here's to sandy days, flip-flops and mini-burritos (said with rolled Rs :) at the beach:
Beach Snacks for the Whole Family

Sea Stars

Had a chat last weekend with a friend who loves to snorkel with manta rays and scuba dive among sharks. No thank you to that last one!

Seriously, though, I told him that I'm always looking for the next sea creature to 'star' in my books. So far my heroines have loved dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals and otters. I'm leaning toward seahorses next because they're just so cool--and they don't swallow you whole when you've been naughty! (Another Jonah ref for those scratching their heads...) But I'm open to suggestions so bring 'em on...

It's FRIDAY! And the sun's peeking through the clouds! Can I get an Amen? I've got some odds and ends to handle before the release of Sweet Waters but other than that, I'm hoping to get out there and enjoy the weekend. Here's hoping you have a beachy one too, my friends--wherever you are!

Sweet Waters in Library Journal

Learned recently that Sweet Waters was reviewed in Library Journal...and that they said my book will "appeal to readers who like Melody Carlson or Kristin Billerbeck."

Wa-hoo! I love both women and their writings! What an honor (thanks, I needed that :)

Reviews are tricky business for writers who've just spilt blood onto the page, so in honor of good reviews whenever possible (hee!), I give you this scientific (not) quiz. Let me know how you fare. Quiz on:

You Are Medium-Skinned

You can be sensitive at times, but that's totally normal. Your sensitivity means you can be empathetic and compassionate, even if you're a bit thin-skinned. You take what people think into account but you try not to let it get to you. It's hard not to take things personally, but you do your best.

Are You Thin Skinned or Thick Skinned?

Just so you know...

Had no idea the SC governor had been cheating on his wife. Silly me--thought the man just needed a vacation. Who couldn't relate to that? Anyway, I have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy re: people who cheat on their spouses. My former husband did that, as did a former pastor (hence 'former' to both). Not to mention the allegations against Jon & Kate, and a truckload of politicians...

Sorry, but I'm a bit fired up. Guess this means the malaise is gone, huh?

Despite the trend toward breaking promises, though, I'm still a pollyanna at heart. I believe that good can come out of bad. Shoot, I've seen it in my own life...that's what God does, he works all things together for those who love and serve him. Here's hoping the good people of SC can put this sordid mess behind them soon.

Posted this soothing picture so we could all take a peek at it and say, "Ahhh." Have a beachy day, my friends--wherever you are :)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

I just read the headline about the South Carolina governor who took off for four days, not letting anyone know where he went. (This isn't a political statement, because in fact, I don't know which party he represents.) So anyway, the headline caught my eye because sometimes I feel like taking off. Not from my family, but from the world.

Know what I mean?

It's summer and I'm feeling lazy (despite all the stuff that needs to happen in the next few weeks). The weather's warm and every day's become casual Friday. Funny--had my parents over for Father's Day dinner and at the end of the evening my dad said, "You haven't worn shoes all night!"

I looked down at my naked toes and realized he was right.

Last month, I remember thinking 'I can hardly wait until my June 1 deadline passes so I can get going on other responsibilities!' Now all I can think is 'Is it time for another latte yet?'

Even if you have a 'normal' 9 to 5 job, I'd bet there's a different feel in the office during the summer. People are taking vacations, lunchtimes are stretching, casual Fridays have become beach wear days, Lol...

Ah well, talk to me. Reach through the screen and give me a Cher-esqe slap and say, "Snap out of it!" Or better yet, tell me that you too have slipped into a very summery malaise. I'm waiting...

Looking UP

Happy Friday and Father's Day Weekend, my friends. Kids have been out of school for a week now and so, my days are all topsy turvy. (Know what I mean, Moms?) Still working, but at odd times and in weird increments.

So anyway, to celebrate the end of school, I took four 10-year-olds to see the movie, Up.

Oh. My.

Cried. my. eyes. out.

Anyone else?

It's an animated story by Disney/Pixar about a 78-year old man who sets off on adventure to faraway lands by tying thousands of helium balloons to his house. He soon learns that he and his house are not alone since, Russell, a wilderness scout, has inadvertantly tagged along.

Okay, so that doesn't sound like a tear-jerker, but it's what happened to Carl before (and after too) that made me cry like a baby. I'm sniffling now just thinking about it.

That's magic, isn't it? When an animated film built on a ridiculously implausible plot can pull both laughter and tears from the audience? (I heard both all around me.)

My brother Mike is an artist/animator for many current films (he just finished The Sorcerer's Apprentice). Maybe someday he and I will create an animated film out of one of my beachy books. How fun would that be?! Lol...

Ah well. It's Friday, and June gloom is hovering over the central coast. Still I'm glad for the change of seasons, the prolific presence of flip flops and board shorts all around, and the release of summer flicks. Hope you have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Summer has arrived...and other randomness

So hubby and I were out for a walk at the beach and we ran across this VW Thing. Wasn't I just pining away for one last week...? After hubby took this pic, the owner showed up with a surfboard to strap onto the top. Lol...yeah, summer's here.

I've neglected this blog. School's finally out, my next book has been turned in, I'm working on the release of Sweet Waters, and my house is a mess. I've always suspected that I tended toward the ADD side of life, so the chaos isn't helping! Sometimes I think it would be better if I rented an office somewhere (preferably with an ocean view, natch) and kept the work and home life separate. As a mom, though, that's probably never really possible, am I right?

Ah well, it hasn't been all fun and games at my house/office. I also tried out Pilates this weekend. My workout routine has fumbled lately, and although I do get out for the occasional jog at the beach, there's been some disconcerting shifting ... if you get my drift. So I joined Teen Daughter and my friend Angel for a class on Saturday morning. Let's just say, I was more out of shape than I thought...!

I've been tweaked!

Web Designer Kelli Standish and her stellar crew over at Pulsepoint Design gave my blog a tweak! That one column on the side just wasn't doin' it for me anymore, so they added an extra one. Also, and... this is my favorite part... now there's a navigation bar up top that'll make it easier to take a stroll through my website. Shazam--I like it.

Soooo grateful for their help, cuz when it comes to visuals like this, I'm all thumbs.

Speaking of visuals (nice segue, huh?), took this pic at the end of one of the newer waterways built in the Channel Islands Harbor. This view is westward and I love the way the water appears to be stretching toward the sea. Just never do get tired of that...

Have a beachy day, my friends--wherever you are!

What's that THING?

No real reason for this post other than to say I WANT ONE OF THESE! Lol...oh, to have a beachy buggy from the 70s. In my town, some people drive golf carts to the beach. Meh. Give me a VW THING, though, and now we're talking.

Off to work. Just thought I'd share...

Switching Gears

Now that I've finished writing for a while (until the edits arrive), I'm switching gears to focus on Sweet Waters which'll be out later this summer.

Found this nice review & profile yesterday on the I Need To Read Blog. LOVE it when that happens!

Plus, I'm working on a new page for my website that I'm excited about! (Actually my uber-cool web designer, Kelli Standish, is doing that :) More on that later.

In the meantime, in an ode to summer's imminent arrival, here's a pic I took yesterday afternoon when Charlie the Dog and I went to the beach.

Have a beachy day, my friends--wherever you are!

Trying something new

So yesterday, I sent off the manuscript I've been working on for the past million years several months. *Sound of boulder falling from shoulders* This book is scheduled for a June 2010 release.

It's always a great feeling to complete a project, but especially this time. I wrote my first three books from one point-of-view (POV), and they worked well that way.

But this time around, after I'd already written a hunk of the book, something felt missing. I tinkered and tossed ideas around and kept coming back to the same thing: add the hero's POV.

So I did. And--voila--that's when the story began to flow. Had quite a bit of fun writing architect, Gage, from his own point of view -- such a romantic guy, Lol...

I'm not going to tell you all books HAVE to be in present tense, or past tense, or multiple POVs. Those black and white declarations are counter productive to the creative process. What I will say is that if you believe in the story, but it's just not working, step out of your comfort zone. Have a friend who likes to read (not necessarily another writer) give you their opinion. Consider a tense change. Add another POV. Hopefully, you'll find what you're searching for. (And yes, I did just end that sentence in a preposition...)

This post is not just for writers, but readers too. I tend to read the same types of stories, but in recent years, I've pushed myself to try other genres and different writing styles, and by doing so, I've discovered some of my favorite all-time books! So there you go ;)

My 2cents. Have a beachy day, my friends--wherever you are!

Pismo view

So I mentioned last week that we took a quick trip up to Pismo Beach. Did I mention how much I wish I were there now? Not that I don't live near a beautiful beach myself--I do--but my work's here too (and my house needs a good scrubbing), so I'm kind of in the mood to 'get away from it all'. Know what I mean?

Ah, well. Duty (i.e. editing) calls. That and the kiddos are finishing up their last weeks of school, so now is not the time to jump ship. (I wrote a brief article about looking for deals on the coast. If interested, you can read that by clicking on this link.)

Before I head off to the backyard with 300plus pages, a red pen and a huge cup of coffee, I just had to ask--anyone watching The Bachelorette? I know, I know--gah--I had promised myself not to peek at it this season, especially after the Jason/Melissa/Molly debacle. But somehow I got (a little) pulled in and, um, watched it. We all have our vices, I suppose. Not saying I'll watch the whole thing, but if you did, what did you think? Will Jillian find her man this time?

Garden chatter

My cool friend Sherrill invited me to coffee in her garden this a.m. Sherrill is one of the gals who reads my books before sending them off to my editor at B&H. Let me just say that I could sleep in this garden...a lilting fountain, soft wind chimes, fragrant blossoms, oh my, as comfortable as all get out. She's tilled this soil for about ten years and it shows. Wow. I was there to discuss my next book with here, but really felt more like taking a nap!

Anyway, such a great way to start the weekend. I'm allowing my mind to take a couple of days break from the writing/editing (at least I'm trying to), and in addition to visiting with Sherrill and doing a bit of shopping, I walked the beach with Dan and hung a new flag on the front porch.

What're you up to this weekend? Any Memorial Day events? I'd love to hear. Until then, have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

Kris Allen - American Idol

Could not resist am American Idol post this morning. I've been unable to keep up with the weekly posts on my fave talent contest, but last night's finale was just too fun not to mention. Dan, the girls and I laughed through much of it (Teen Son was at youth group). Kara in a bikini? Nick Gentile writhing on the stage floor? Tatiana fighting for air time?

Not to mention all the stars who performed. Steve Martin on banjo...what? Queen Latifah...Keith Urban...Kiss? LOL Kept thinking that somewhere out there, some kid was pointing to the TV and saying, "How come grandpa's dressed up on stage with his tongue hanging out?"

Ah, Idol, you done good.

And then...THEN...the results were announced! Kris won? Well, woo-hoo!!! I fully expected Adam to win, even though much of what he sang was not my cup of espresso. The man's amazingly talented and unique--and now his autograph on our WICKED Playbill is probably worth less (shoot).

But KRIS! Surprised, but happy to see him win. There's some whining going on in the blogosphere about how America got it wrong, blah, blah, blah, but I don't agree. As a Danny Gokey fan -- love his gritty voice -- I transferred my votes to the soothing voiced Kris because of the two men -- Adam or Kris -- I would actually buy Kris' albums. When Kris' voice comes on my radio, I will turn it UP.

And that's what it came down to for me. Kris has the kind of voice that draws me in and keeps me listening. His ability as a musician to change up songs, also drew me, and I suspect listeners will hear a lot more of that from him in the future.

So that's my take on the winners. How about YOU? You sad, happy, surprised, angry or ???

We had two great singers to choose from this time around--can't wait to see what happens next year.

When my next book is finished I will...

* Clean out my (disgusting) fridge
* Go to the beach
* Shovel the papers out of my office
* Go to the beach
* Empty out my makeup drawer and start again
* Go to the beach
* Detail my car
* Go to the beach
* Take a super long nap...on the beach

Just sayin'....

A weekend to celebrate

Crazy weekend with a business dinner in Pismo Beach on Friday night, followed by a family gathering just south of there the next day. This is the view from our hotel's restaurant. Very ahhh! I have to admit that I found it difficult to tear myself away from the writing deadline that's been driving me lately. But oh! I highly recommend breaks, my friends! Even a short one was good for the soul.

On Saturday, we celebrated the 90th birthday of my Uncle 'Hap' Navarro. You may recall that I wrote about attending Uncle Hap's induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. You can read that post HERE. This pic is of the three hermanos de Navarro (yeah, my Spanish es no good ;): My uncles Mike and Hap Navarro and my pops, Dan Navarro. They are all precious! GREAT turnout with lots of hugs, some tears, and a whole lotta picture taking ;)

I'll be writing like the wind, I tell you, for most of the week. My Otter Bay Novels (The first is Sweet Waters, 8/09) are set along the central coast and just being there for a short while this weekend made me want to return. So watch for the occasional 'ahh' moment when I upload the rest of the beachy photos. The weather was perfection!

Congrats!

The winner of Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market Guide is....

B.K. JACKSON
Woot-woot...I love giving stuff away!

Heading north this weekend for my uncle's 90th birthday! Lots to celebrate, and as a bonus, we'll get to drive along California's breathtaking coast. Looking forward to the break even if it means I'll have to work faster next week to catch up-ack.

I'll take some pics. In the meantime, have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

Farewell Danny

(Photo by Monique Erskine)

If you didn't get a chance to read my short but sweet article about a local Danny Gokey sighting (when this photo was taken), you can read it at this link.

Was American Idol hard to watch last night or what? First off, I love Kris. He's an amazing musician and has a beautiful voice. That said, I choked up when Danny got voted off and downright teary eyed when he sang You Are So Beautiful, especially in light of the recent passing of his wife, Sophie.

Adam's got one superb set of pipes, but his style is just not my thing. (Kind of like my sometimes quirky, always beachy books may not suit everyone. Ahem.) Nothing against him, just was hoping for a Kris/Danny sing off. Hey, a girl can dream!

Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I'm putting my extra votes (I had split them between Gokey and Allen) on Kris. How about YOU?

Market Guide Giveaway!

For 24 years running, the Christian Writers’ Market Guide (includes CD!) has remained the most comprehensive, complete, essential, and highly-recommended resource for Christian writers, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and those teaching writing classes.

And I'm giving away a new copy FREE to a randomly drawn entrant in the USA (sorry to my friends outside of the states--high postage and all).

Just answer this question (or these questions), and you'll be in the drawing on Friday morning (remember to leave me an email or website address so I can reach you!). Here goes:

Why do you read fiction? And if you don't, why not?

Happy Mother's Day!

Teen Son's been interning in the kitchen of a nearby fine dining establishment. He likes to spread that talent around, so before leaving to cook for our church's pancake breakfast this morning, he served me this 'snack' (in bed, of course!). Lol...I eat about a 1/4 of that for breakfast usually, but it's Mother's Day, so why not live a little?

To all mama's--have a beachy day, wherever you are!