Sami's Scribbles

I've Moved

Sami Lee — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Hi all,

Just letting you know I have moved to a new blog space at http://sami-lee.blogspot.com/. I'll keep this open for a while to give you all a chance to get used to the idea, but the other blog from my perspective is much better. I've gone with the same theme for now - it took me so long to pick the theme of this one and have it match my website as closely as possible that I wasn't going to change it yet. So Sami's Scribbles looks much the same but has a new address over at google.

Please come visit. Today I've posted an update on my early morning writing experiment.

It's a very short post.

Sami

Finding the Time

Sami Lee — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Last month I received my copy of RWA's newsletter Heart's Talk, and the theme of the month was finding the time to write. This is something I struggle with daily, as many of us do. So I've been making a more concerted effort this month to get back into a more productive writing schedule.

Right.

I thought the best way to do this would be to get up earlier. 5 am is doable, thought I. That would give me an hour each the morning at least. The trouble is, I keep waking up at 3:30 am and can't get back to sleep until after 4 am, which renders 5 am definitely undoable.

So I've tried writing at night. I got some done one night this week, but other night's results were abysmal. The touble with waiting until the rest of the day is out of the way and everyone under 2 feet tall is asleep, is that my level of concentration depends on the kind of day I've had. Some nights (okay, most nights), the brain is about as useful as a plate full of mashed potato.

So I'm seriously considering the unthinkable. Rising whenever I wake up in the wee hours, whether it be 3:30, 4, 4:30... I haven't been able to bring myself to do it just yet because, come on. I do still have to put in a full day's work either at the office or at home afterward and my strictly rationed daily caffeine allowance only goes so far. Not to mention the fact that such an early wake time would guarantee I'd fall asleep before my latest trash TV favourite show, Cashmere Mafia. I guess that's why they invented video recorders.

On the promo side of things, I've been interviewed by Rachel C of Fallen Angel Reviews. I talk a little in there about finding the time to write as well, and about manuscript hopping, targeting my work etc. I'd love you to go check it out.

Next week I'll let you know how the great alarm clock experiment went.

Sami

I've Been Stung

Sami Lee — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:54:00 GMT

Not one but TWO people have now tagged me. This means that I'm supposed to tell you all six unimportant things about myself. Oh and post these rule thingies:

The 'rules' are as follows :-
1/ you link back to the person who tagged you. Check!
2/ post these rules on your blog. Check!
3/ share six unimportant things about yourself. Check!
4/ tag six random people at the end of your entry. Check!!
5/ let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs. Check!

Not sure that I'll manage six tag-ees - I don't really have time to visit many blogs. But here are the six things:

1.    When I was 13 I got caught reading 'Hollywood Wives' in English Class.
2.    I h8 txt lnge. I prprly spl & pn28 my txt msgs (I probably haven't even got that right, because I hate text   language and could care less how it works).
3.    Most reality TV shows make me groan, yet I am currently addicted to 'So You Think You Can Dance?'
4.    I have a fascination with famous last words.
5.    I once spent the evening in an Amsterdam police station (not in a cell, I promise)
6.    My first 'published' work appeared in my first grade newsletter. It was a harrowing tale of seeds that, when planted, grew snakes instead of flowers.
7.    I'd convert to Buddhism for Richard Gere.

I had to put the 7th point down so I could add this...

Bye

Sami

There's a Story Behind Every Story

Sami Lee — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:51:00 GMT

I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that my author copies of Born Again Virgin arrived by UPS man yesterday. It was a great surprise because I wasn't expecting them. I thought they'd arrive closer to release date of March 25. But yesterday I held my first published book in my hands and it looks really pretty. Yay!

Well, I needed something to cheer me up, which brings me to the bad news. My editor didn't go for In Charm's Way. Fortunately she gave me detailed feedback as to why, which gives me fuel for thought when it comes time to re-write once again, when I can bring myself to read the thing from start to finish again with an objective eye, not a defensive one. Not sure when that'll be.

Never fear, I'm certainly not one to throw in the towel easily. In Charm's Way will be published, but now I'm just not sure when. Even BAV, a much simpler book than ICW had a long and winding road to publication. It all started sometime around 1999 when I wrote the first draft in a matter of weeks. Soonafter I received a rejecion for another story I'd written the previous year, a requested full ms I'd sent to Harlequin. The confidence having taken such a blow, I didn't feel up to submitting BAV anywhere right away. I put it aside for what turned out to be several years while I went to uni and had every functioning brain cell otherwise occupied.

It was 2004 before I picked up again. I thought it still had some good stuff in it, and figured my best chance for publication was with Mills & Boon Sexy. I re-wrote the story, targeting it more to that line. I got the really fast rejection letter, the one that comes after only six weeks. It said my book wasn't suitable for their line. This was not a surprise, as I never actually felt right about the re-writes. I started thinking about other lines. Harlequin Temptation was the one I thought most suitable. Then I read that Temptation had changed their guidelines. Now they only wanted urban stories. No place for my baby there. Silhouette Desire, I thought. What? They've changed their guidelines too? Now they only want stories about wealthy heroes. Where, thought I, do all the stories about regular joe carpenters go?

E publishing, I responded to self. I once again did a re-write. I pretty much returned to the style and feel that was in the original draft because I'd felt all the re-writes morphed the story into something it was never meant to be. What I ended up with was basically the first draft, but much better. I liked the look of Samhain Publising, so I sent it off.

I'd never had an acceptance in my life. I had to read it at least four times, while I searched in vain for the dreaded sentence that began 'Unfortunately...', 'However...', or 'On this occasion...'

I couldn't believe it. There wasn't one. And yesterday I held my published book in my hands. If I think about it, really hard, it still seems surreal to me.

I wonder how the rest of In Charm's Way's story will go?

Sami

At Last

Sami Lee — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:28:00 GMT

I was told several months ago that JERR (Just Erotic Romance Reviews) had reviewed Fijian Fling. I read the review, it was very nice and detailed too. However it was not yet uploaded onto their site so I couldn't announce or link to it.

Well at last they have uploaded the review onto their site. Yay! Tallyn Porter has reviewed it and said some nice things about it. So once again tooting horn...

Sami Lee has created a delightfully sensual, emotionally intense and romantic tale about two people whose light hearted affair becomes a great deal more... I really enjoyed the detailed scenery in this story making me feel like I was definitely in a paradise atmosphere; all that’s missing is a margarita in my hand. Fijian Fling definitely provides the sandy beach, paradise resort and a hot romance! What more can you ask for?

Full Review

And apparently my shower scene is 'yummy'. I never suspected one little shower scene would create such a stir - especially considering I wasn't going to put one in. But as my characters had just been swimming I thought 'yuk, all that salt', and figured they'd have to wash it off before anyone should put their mouth anywhere or I just wouldn't be able to stop thinking about sand being stuck in all the wrong places.

My pragmatic side coming to the fore. I always figured it hampered my love scenes, if anything. Perhaps not.

Sami

Self Improvement

Sami Lee — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:45:00 GMT

Hubby is doing a bit of a Spring clean at the moment. In his travels he came across an old OLD manuscript of mine, one I sent in to Harlequin in 1997, as I recall. I had no idea I'd kept the draft copy and couldn't resist having a read. I'm happy to say it was terrible.

A strange thing to be happy about, perhaps, but to me seeing how bad was the writing of this novel I'd penned ten years ago showed how much I've improved in the interim between then and now. Still, I surprised myself to discover the occasional snappy line or well written paragraph (at least in my humble opinion), in 'Kissing Kate' (God that title! Ugh! Wasn't it a musical or something?). In amongst the too frequent exclaimation points (eg. 'But I'm not interested in a relationship! You egotistical man!'), the inexplicable bursts of temper (my heroine seemed to have a permanent case of PMS. Which perhaps would explain her tendency to yell everything she said), the cliched plot devices (I actually had that poor girl faint into his arms at one point), and the unwitting plagarism (I had the hide to steal and paraphrase that line from Gone with the Wind when Rhett remarks over Scarlett's tendency to cry and her disproportionate dearth of hankerchiefs), was the occasional moment where I saw the beginings of my voice emerging. I didn't recognise it at the time of course. I was trying to write a tortured hero (I suppose I'd read that they were popular), but he kept coming out with cheeky comments that weren't in line with the character I was trying to create, a rich, morose type who was riddled with guilt because he felt responisble for the death of his brother. Basically he was a smart-ass whom I never let out of the tightly structured plan I had to make him a dour Mr Rochester type. How little did I know, and how much I thought I knew. They must have gotten a laugh over at Harlequin out of that ms - I shudder thinking of who quicky it must have been cast aside.

But like I said, I'm glad the manuscript was terrible. It's all about improvement. Now, most of my heroes are smart-asses. For that matter, so are my heroines. They say there's a little of the writer in every character...

Sami

A Lazy Post

Sami Lee — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:04:00 GMT

Yes, I'm here, just busy. Posting my latest man pic to keep you going until the next blog topic...

I thought I'd go with Colin because I'm reading Jane Eyre (almost done) and he was so cute as Mr Darcy (and Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones. Gimme some of him). Yes, I know Jane Eyre is not Jane Austin etc. But there's sort of a link with time period. They were both around like, ages ago, right? Do I sound sufficiently clueless about historical accuracy?

See you soon

Sami

Some Kind Words

Sami Lee — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:05:00 GMT

This week I've been asked to do a final read through of Fijian Fling and locate any errors/typos I want fixed before it goes to print. Yay, print! I haven't gotten to the task yet because I've been busy the past couple of days - with all the usual as well as writing. I got another 6000 words added to The Enchilada Story, a vast improvement on five. I got to the first kiss, which was a lot softer and sweeter than I'd expected.

I've also received a couple of nice reviews lately for Fijian Fling, which is always good. Better than finding out someone in cyberspace has labelled you a grade A moron who has no business publishing a book (hasn't happened to me yet, although everytime I do a search for new reviews I'm seized by the terrible dread that it will).

First Maggie from Romance Review Today Erotic gave it Muliple O's (yes I think that O stands for what you think it does), which is their second highest score according to their rating scale. Here's a snippet from the review:

Crystal waters, tropical breezes and hot, sizzling sex help in setting Nick and Sophie on a path of discovery and wonder. Romance is alive and well on Fiji. Sami Lee is very good with words and descriptions so a fan might help when reading FIJIAN FLING. It is recommended.

Full review:
http://www.rrterotic.com/2007%20Reviews/Nibbles/samhain_nibbles_2007.htm

A fan huh? Hmmm.

Then Mandie from Love Romances and More said some nice things:

The palpable connection between Sophie and Nick makes this an enjoyable read. The way they respond to each other and Sophie’s attempts to deny her attraction to Nick keep the story moving. The beautiful tropical setting keeps the reader in tune to the surroundings of the characters.

With likable characters and a romantic setting and overtone, not to mention incredibly hot sex, this reviewer would recommend FIJIAN FLING to others looking for a steamy summer read!

http://www.loveromancesandmore.com/reviews/Dec07/fijianfling_mandie.htm

Anyone who follows the link to the full review will discover that Mandie also said the ending of the story was a little abrupt, and not as fluid as the rest of the book. Hence the three stars out of a possible five I suppose. It's a small criticism I take on board. Being a short story the word count restrictions forced me to cut the original draft of FF significantly. I didn't want to lose any of the build up, because I thought it developed character. I didn't want to cut any of the sex because... well it was supposed to be an erotic romance, and I thought each sex scene showed Sophie and Nick at different stages of their relationship. So all that was left was the ending. There was a much longer angsty scene leading up to the final chapter but it had to go. So perhaps some fluidity was sacrificed, but I'm still fairly happy with the result overall, especially as short stories don't come that naturally to me. I waffle far too much.

On the reading front I'm devouring Jane Eyre at the moment. I've read it before but had recommended it to Rachel so thought I would give it a flick through again. Now I'm buried in it and enjoying the languid prose. Don't think I'll get a classic a month read this year, as some others have vowed to do, but I've started the year off with a good one.

What are you reading?

Sami

The Waitress Delivered Her Enchilada.

Sami Lee — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:26:00 GMT

Yes, I thought that heading would get your attention.

That's the grand total of what I've written this weekend. In fact, it's all I've written in about five days. Average = 1 word a day. That's the trouble with taking a break - it makes it so difficult to get back into a routine. Well, that and I've been very busy with other things.

Hubby and I had our 10th anniversary this week, so we spent a night in one of those swanky places where you can lay in the bath until you prune and nobody asks when you're getting out (we had the Princess babysat of course), and you can order a steak dinner and immediately flop onto your king sized bed and work on nothing more difficult than digesting it. Ahh.... We also went shopping and bought ourselves a new bedroom suite, a long overdue purchase. Now all I want to do is sit in my bedroom it looks so fabulous. We've had relations visit as well, so writing has taken a back seat the last couple of weeks. I wish I'd gotten more written than 'The waitress delivered her enchilada', but every journey starts with one step. Or every book starts with five words. Five words that you stare at and stare at, willing them to be more revealing, more witty, more special than a bland rendition of what someone is eating, while the cursor blinks at you, laughing at your ineptitude.

But then I thought about what that line actually reveals.

1. She's eating at a Mexican restaurant.
2. She's eating a fattening dish at a Mexican restaurant, so she's probably not someone who obsesses about calories.
3. In the context of the scene, she's eating a fattening dish while sitting at a Mexican restaurant with a man who is sitting with her and not eating. He's playing the tough guy and glaring at her. So, she's also the kind of woman who, when her dining companion says curtly that he already ate, says to herself *$%# him, I'm hungry, and orders a huge %$^&(*@ enchilada.

I do like this woman in my enchilada story (I think this will now be my working title: The Enchilada Story). So I hope I have enough energy after a full day's work tomorrow to make her do something more interesting than eat. Maybe she'll have a swig of Corona, too. Really live life on the edge.

Now I have a craving for Nachos. I think I have some Doritos somewhere...

Sami

Hideho I'm Back

Sami Lee — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:35:00 GMT

I don't make new year's resolutions anymore. They nearly always involve something boring and impossible like losing weight and/or getting fit, or not swearing when some moron cuts me off in traffic. Like I said - impossible. But it's probably a good idea to take stock of the previous year's highlights and achievements. We're so often too busy trying to reach the next target to assess how many milestones we've reached in the past and give ourselves a much needed pat on the back. So in the tradition of the Sami's Scribbles Top 5, I've decided to list my top 5 highlights of 2007.

1. Had my first book published. That has to be number one of course. Born Again Virgin came out as an e-book in May of this year, and it still feels kind of strange to me. I knew nothing about promoting my own work and I've had to give myself a crash course in that. I think I'm a little more prepared for the promotional side of the writing game now, just in time for the print release of BAV, which is scheduled for March this year.
	2. Wrote my first short story ever and had it published. Fijian Fling was the first short story I've written since they used to make me do it in high school. Not that my high school English teachers would have been impressed with me handing in something like FF all those years ago. Fortunately, Samhain Publishing saw something in it and included it in their Midsummer Night's Steam series. One thing writing a short story taught me a lot about is tightening my writing. Or to paraphrase Elmore Leonard 'leaving out the parts that people skip'. FF is due for print release as part of an anthology with three other authors in May.
3. Attended the RWA conference in Sydney. Not only did I get a trip away that didn't include deciding whether or not to pack the high chair, I got a chance to meet a great bunch of like minded writing geniuses (or is that genii? There appears to be contention on the Net about this). I had a great time and learnt heaps. I met some great writers like Barbara Hannay, Anne Stuart, Caitlyn Nicholas, Jess Dee, Anne Gracie, Denise Rossetti... the list could go on. And that's not to mention number four...
	4. Got to meet Jenny Crusie. Yes, I know it's probably cheating separating those two things but it was such an action packed 3 days that I think the distinction is warranted. Her workshops were not only inspirational, thought-provoking and informative, they were also laugh-out-loud funny. I was totally in awe, evidenced by the fact that I actually approached her for an autograph. I haven't asked anyone for an autograph in about 20 years, so that's saying something. I've blogged previously about how witty and urbane I was. Yeah, witty... Welcome to Temptation was great too. Perfect Christmas reading.
5. I'm surprised to find there's actually a couple of highlights I could pick as number five. I wrote my first longer novel with a mystery sub-plot and managed to get it off to the editor. That's In Charm's Way, but I've already blogged about that so I'll make number five... Had a full manuscript requested by Mills & Boon's London office. It happened so long ago I'd almost forgotten about it (almost, but of course that's not something a writer can forget completely). The full ms of Three's a Family went on its way to London in April 07. I'm hoping I'll hear something either way in the next few months. It's always a thrill to be noticed in the slush pile, and I can only hope they decide my little story about an uptight accountant, the chef who nurtures her and the baby who needs them both finds a home with harlequin. I'll certainly keep you posted.

Well, that's it - at least for writing highlights. This list of course doesn't include life's other great moments, like the first time Princess Two said 'I love you Mummy', or did a poo in the potty. Never thought human excrement would be worth dancing and applause but there you have it. Discovering new authors like Jessica Bird and Jennifer Crusie (yes, I only discovered her this year). And not to mention teaching myself how to set up a blog! Hubby is in charge of the website, but everything to do with this blog is my domain. Never thought I'd be comfortable doing anything tech related, but there's another 2007 acheivement to be proud of.

Now, you go and think about your own achievements. Write them down. It doesn't have to be getting a book published, it could just be finishing a book, or finishing an outline of a book or taking a writing course you've always wanted to take. Just finding the time to read, let alone write, is an accomplishment in itself. Those who participated in the Nano and actually wrote the 50,000 word quota did a lot better than I on that score. You guys definitely ought to be proud of yourselves.

Whatever you do, if you love to write keep doing it, even if you only manage 100 words a day. Every highlight and achievement I've listed above came about because I didn't stop writing, even though there were times (more than I can count) when I came dangerously close to building a bonfire and burning every scrap of work I'd ever done. Now that I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere, I'm infinitely glad I didn't strike that match.

Here's hoping we all have a glorious 2008.

Cheers,

Sami

In Charm's Way on its Way - Ho Ho Ho

Sami Lee — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:57:00 GMT

Well, it's done. In Charm's Way has gone off to my fantastic editor who I'm sure is going to love it (please, please). Now comes the part that you just don't contemplate when you first decide 'I'm going to write novels' - the waiting. Much fingernail chewing and forehead wrinkling ensues, which doesn't do a lot for one's physical appearance. All I can think about right now is what a doofus I'm going to look like if I have to blog in a couple of months that the masterpiece was rejected. Wish me luck people - I don't need any extra help looking like a doofus.

What I'm going to do now:

I promised myself I'd take a break and reward myself by reading Welcome to Temptation by Jenny Crusie, which I've been saving for the day In Charm's Way left home. I mean, it's not as if you can read a Jenny Crusie while you're in the middle of writing a book. The feelings of inadequacy would so overwhelm me that I think I'd chuck writing in altogether.

Try and enjoy Christmas. I've been finishing the last of the wrapping this morning, stuffing the Princess's stocking with all sorts of cheap crap that she'll love - a bubble blower, a princess costume, new undies (yes I always got undies for Christmas. My past becomes her future - the circle of life at work), a couple of new dresses. She's already received her tricycle because we didn't want to travel to my parents' place with it. Her dad took her out to learn to ride it this morning while I went food shopping for the in-laws who are about to descend on us... any second now.

Speaking of Christmas, I was chatting to some American authors the other day and one said that a woman in the US was recently charged with sexual harrassment because she groped Santa in a shopping mall. I thought to myself: Who would want to grope Santa? How desperate would you have to be? Then I thought, maybe he looked like this...

...Yowza.

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist. I should probably start putting an 18yrs + warning on this blog.

Merry Christmas everyone. See you in the new year.

Ho ho ho.

Sami

What's in a Name?

Sami Lee — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:33:00 GMT

I'm just putting the final touches on my manuscript to get it ready for submission now. When I say now, I don't mean NOW because I'm blogging of course, but I do have two windows open. I'm currently writing the big ENDING, the final scene or the happily ever after (HEA) as we in the bizz like to call it, and am having the usual trouble. Endings are so difficult to write because they're so final. I mean, this is it, saying goodbye to the characters and leaving readers, hopefully, with a positive impression of your book, not a headache from all the eye rolling they have to do to get through it.

The trouble with this one is my heroine (Abby) has to apologise. I mean, she said a really nasty thing to my hero (Julian) last night, really broke his heart so she's got to mean it. But she's started grovelling, and she's not a groveller. So I've got to backtrack and find a way for her to say sorry, mean it and not come off like a desperate damsel who can't bear to lose her man. It's proving a little difficult so I've come here to take a break from that and bitch about the other problem I have.

The title.

I had it all set. This is one of those books that has had so many working titles my desktop is cluttered with the different incarnations. Then a couple of months ago a title popped into my head in the middle of the night that I thought was so perfect I shot out of bed to write it down. Here it is.

In Charm's Way.

I loved it. I decided to look for titles no further. Then hubby asked me what the book was called and when I told him he said:

Hubby: "I don't get it."

Me: "It's a play on the old phrase in harm's way. Because he's really charming and it's harmful to her common sense which tells her to stay away from him because he's like her cheating lying ex-husband. There's also a subplot where a girl is in danger that ties in with that as well." etc.

Hubby: "I still don't get it. It doesn't say what the book is about."

So I ask you romance reading women out there - do you get it? Is this title obscure, or is this one of those cases that underscores the fact men just don't think the way that women do? Because my husband reads books that are written for men, that tell you exactly what they're about on the front cover, like Matthew Reilly's. "Ice Station" I belive takes place on an ice station. "The Contest" is about, you guessed it, a big intergalactic contest. All of James A Michener's stuff is entitled after the country where it takes place - all pretty simplified. I won't even start on how many Science Fiction books about Mars have the word Mars in the title.

I did like my title but now I'm not so sure. Other than In Charm's Way I have Inventing Abby, one of the working titles that I thought sounded a little blah.

Opinions would be much appreciated. Now I hear Princess Two waking crankily from her nap. The non-grovelling apology will have to wait until later. For the moment Play School might be enough of a mental challenge for me (it is really hard to chose a window when they all promise such great things...).

Sami

A Writer's Life - Not as Dull as You Think.

Sami Lee — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:17:00 GMT

I've been spending my writing time editing this week, with the intent of having the book polished and ready to submit before Christmas. I'm determined to achieve this, although editing can be a lot more time consuming than you anticipate.

For instance yesterday I spent a bulk of my editing time on the internet researching vibrators. Yes, vibrators. There's a scene in my book involving one and for comic effect I thought it should be one of those huge purple ones with all sorts of bells and whistles that defy explanation (and don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about). There's such a wide array of products that I got a little lost on these websites, muttering things like "It's got an attachment for what?" "It's HOW big?" and "Why on earth would you need it to bend at a 90 degree angle?".

In many ways I'm still as mystified as I was prior to my research jaunt. I don't want my scene to be innaccurate, so I got to thinking, should I buy one of these? For the sake of authenticity of course. And if I do go ahead with such a purchase - would it be TAX DEDUCTIBLE? The thought of listing that in the deductions section of my tax return next year gives me a bit of a giggle but I wonder if it would invite an audit. I mean, I can prove the purchase was made in direct relation to any income I earn from writing, but the mind boggles at the thought of having some suit from the tax office here while I produce the goods and explain its significance to this particular scene in my book, and hence my writing career and any resultant taxable income. It boggles I tell you.

I think I need to finish editing the rest of the book and come back to this rather extraordinary quandry another day. I'm simply at a loss.

I often leave you with a picture that ties in with what I've written. I think, for obvious reasons, I'll refrain this time.

Sami

Been Very Quiet...

Sami Lee — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:13:00 GMT

... Yeah very quiet, and very, very, l-a-a-a-z-z-y. Na No has ground to a complete halt, as I took the last few days off writing 1) because Princess Two decided she didn't need to nap on either Friday or Saturday so writing time was gobbled up with toddler care. 2) We had a family day yesterday and took a drive up to the Sunshine Coast, which was very enjoyable and relaxing. The only trouble with relaxing is that it's addictive and now tonight instead of writing I'm dawdling in blog town.

Obviously my Na No attempt was fairly abysmal. This is the last week and I have a feeling a minimal number of words will be written between now and Friday. But the good news is I got over 33,000 words written in total, 15,500 on one story that I may get back into developing into something good once I think of how to make it exciting, and almost 13,000 on another that is exciting, but that I'm currently just too l-a-a-a-z-z-y, and/or exhausted to write much on.

Well, writing is a very slow process...

To leave on a high note, I hired out 'Casino Royal' last week. Saw it at the movies but it was worth another look, for reasons that should be obvious from the pic. Too bad I fell asleep half way through the movie.

Sigh.

Sami

Kissing Frogs

Sami Lee — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:29:00 GMT

The good news is I wrote over 4,500 words today. The bad news is they weren't written on the Na No Write story.

I'm afraid it's official. That story is defunct. When you start to dread having to spend time with your characters because they're so BORING, a writer has to know when to throw in the towel. Writing that story was like having Coldplay stuck on rotation and taking valium at the same time. Did I say BORING? No conflict, no fun. No possibility of anyone getting into a disfiguring car accident. In short, a pointless meandering of words that was just going nowhere.

The 4,500 word beginning of the new story, however, is promising. I won't say too much because I make these things up as I go but already there's a missing person, secrets, threats of physical violence and sexual tension you can fry and egg on. I now realise this is the story I should have been writing in the first place, that was why that pushy character was being so pushy. This is not a woman who waits around for things to happen to her.

Writing three chapters before I realise a story isn't working might not be the most efficient way to work, but there's not much I can do about it. Starting a book is how I get a feel for the characters, in lieu of doing something more logical, like researching or writing an outline. Some of those stories are bound to fall by the wayside.

I guess it's like kissing the occasional frog before you get to a prince.

Sami

Update

Sami Lee — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:53:00 GMT

I've slowed down significantly on the Na No project, as I expected. Wrote 2,000 words Thursday, 0 Friday (spent this time doing re-writes on Chapter One of the other book though, so not wasted time), and yesterday wrote about 1,600, which is the average daily target. Not a complete bust on the word count front but other Na Noers Caitlyn and Rach have already hit 20,000 words which makes my offering seem meagre indeed. Superwomen, they are.

I've been listening to the radio alot beause they have a count down of the best songs ever on at the moment and I always love a countdown. Never agree with whatever's chosen as number one and like to re-write the list to my specifications (the writer unkindly editing other people's work). And fellow blogger and romance writer Jess Dee, does this Thursday 13 thing which is a list of 13 things (funnily enough), usually favourites of something that she blogs about on Thursdays. I thought it was a good idea, since I have an opinon on everything (just ask hubby). Jess did a list of 13 favourite songs recently so this and the radio thing gave me the idea to do a music list of my own. Don't worry, it's not 13. I'm much to lax to do 13. So I went with 5.

The top 5 songs that never fail to make me get up and sing (really. This has hilarious consequences when Princess Two is in a mimicking phase).

1. RESPECT by Aretha Franklin. You've got to respect Aretha's attitude.

2. Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees. Yep you heard it - disco. One of the best songs ever that came from perhaps the worst movie I've ever seen. That could be a list in itself - bad movies with good soundtracks. Top Gun immediately springs to mind (come on, only boys think there's any merit in that movie!).

3. Bad Moon Rising by Credence Clearwater Revival. Moody words set to jaunty guitar strums, you're never sure if you should dance or be scared.

4. Burning Love by Elvis Presley. Yep, I had to stick an Elvis song in there.

5. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A song that I've just discovered on Wikipedia has all sorts of interesting political implications I didn't know about. You learn something new every day.

Now that I've wasted all this time finding and posting these pictures, I'm sure the day's word count will be made all the more abysmal. Oh well.

Sami

I Cracked Eleven

Sami Lee — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:15:00 GMT

Well, week one of the Na No is winding up and I've managed to crack 11 - 11,000 words that is, 11,001 to be precise. I was ready to stop at 10,987 this afternoon but thought, no way. One more sentence and 11,001 sounds so much better. It's not as much as some of my Na No write buddies (hi Rach of the two kids and 14,000 + words), but it's a huge amount for me. I usually call it a really good week if I get 5,000 new words written, so 11,000 is very pleasing indeed.

Not sure that this cracking pace can continue. I'm only one woman. I haven't done any editing of the almost finished WIP, and I'd still like to get some of that done this month. Not to mention that I keep being woken at 4 am by a secondary character from that WIP who wants her own story. She's very pushy about it too, which makes me think I'm going to have to write the damn thing soon. Have you ever watched that show Ghost Whisperer? I watch that sometimes and totally get it, because being woken by characters who have interesting things to say and won't let you go back to sleep is very much like being haunted. By likable characters, thankfully, and not dead people with blood gushing from open wounds. This is why I write romance and not gory stories about serial killers (do like to read them sometimes though). Who wants to be haunted by one of those guys? Then I really wouldn't be able to sleep at all. I'd be certifiably mental, and not just mildly disturbed like I am now.

Have to go and pick up Princess from child care now. Once she's fed, bathed and bedded down, I might even have a night off.

Whaaattt???

Sami

A Kit-Kat Break

Sami Lee — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:18:00 GMT

Or at least a fireman break. A friend sent me some pics recently that I thought were worth sharing.

Here's John from July...

... And William from January. Thought they were worth a look and wondered how many call outs to bogus fires they must get there in Houston. And do fireman usually wax their chests? Methinks they wouldn't have time, what with saving damsels from burning buildings and all.

I'm chatting at the Samhain Cafe again, celebrating their 2nd anniversary. Also aiming to get another 1000 or so words done for the Na No.

Like any other Sunday really. Must have a day of rest one of these days...

Have a good one,

Sami

And So It Begins

Sami Lee — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:19:00 GMT

So today is November 1 and the first day of the Na No. I'd love to say it's going well but I'm here writing this blog so I think you can be the judge of how well it's going. I just wrote five hundred of the most painful words ever on a book I've now decided I hate. Then I spent some time designing a bookmark for Born Again Virgin. Then I ate something. Then I came here and did this. Now Princess Two is up from her nap and there goes day one of the Na No.

With any luck, tomorrow will be better.

Sami

Cheese of the '80's

Sami Lee — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:24:00 GMT

I was doing research, nutting out the details of the soon-to-be-edited ms, trying to get the exact lyrics of some cheesy 1980's love song that a character could sing while inebriated wearing someone else's wedding dress. Yeah, that's a long story. In the process I came across this link, and I've barely stopped laughing since, so I thought I'd share. Turn up the volume, trust me. If you, like I, remember the 80's vividly, this will bring back disturbing memories of dancing around the living room singing like a loon. When I tried it this morning, Princess Two screamed 'Stop!' so emphatically that any last vestige of hope for an an internationally successful career as a vocalist died.

I'll say nothing else other than to pose a question... can whoring actually be subtle? With a preacher man? What the..?

Only a few days left until Na No begins and I'm not at all ready. Preparation? What preparation? I've been singing bad lyrics all morning.

Sami