Don't Free Me From Fifty

No lie, I’m super pumped about seeing Fifty Shades Freed. The first time I saw the commercial, my heart sped up and I felt such elation. How could I forget that it was Christian Grey time? Last year I couldn’t wait for my honey to get in the mood to see pic number two, so I went by myself. This time I’ve already declared that Saturday was dedicated to Fifty. I’ve already prepped her by renting Fifty Shades Darker last week (which I loved seeing for the second time). I’ll be a little sad once there are no more movies to experience, but like any good masochist, I’ll enjoy the sweet pain .

Spur of the Moment

You may or may not know, but every New Year’s Eve the SyFy channel has a Twilight Zone marathon. I make it a habit to watch at least one episode, my favorite episode, Spur of the Moment. For those who haven’t seen this 50 year old classic, I’m going to give you a spoiler alert right now. Spur of the Moment is about 18 year old Anne who is torn between marrying the man her wealthy father has chosen or instead defy dear daddy and marry her childhood sweetheart. Well like any good romance writer (and reader) I rooted for true love and hoped Anne married her blond sweetheart—at least the first time I saw the episode. And she did. But like any good Twilight Zone, things aren’t what they seem. Poor Anne, despite marrying for love, has actually made the wrong decision and in middle age has lived to regret not marrying her father’s choice. In fact, she’s literally haunted by her younger self and even though time after time she tries to right her wrong, there’s nothing she can do and must live with her decision. Moral of the story, watch what you ask for, you may get it. Or, don’t marry for love, it might not be a good idea. Or even, don’t marry at all, you’ll be miserable. None of these morals should seemingly appeal to someone who loves to write and read about happily ever afters. Perhaps it’s not a moral but simply the poignancy of not being able to keep one’s younger self from making mistakes, that I love. In the end, the moral or why it appeals to me doesn’t matter, next New Year’s Eve I’ll search out my favorite Twilight Zone and watch as Anne makes the wrong decision again and foolishly chooses love.

God, Sex and Hallmark Movies

Do you ever think God is trying to tell you something? I haven’t been putting the finishing touches to Eli and Mia’s story because I’ve been avoiding fixing the love scenes. Yeah, the sex is holding me up in my sexy story  I love love love reading sex scenes in books. Writing them, of course, is a whole other story. It’s like bathing with a swim suit on. You can get the job done, but not the way you’d want, at least not without a lot of work. So I’ve been doing everything except editing them, including watching a lot of Hallmark Christmas movies (they’re on 24/7). And I kid you not, as I’m typing this blog, the movie I’m watching is about a newbie romance writer who is scared to write and share her work. Which means she’s only ¾ the way done with her work in progress. Seriously. God is obviously trying to tell me something, so I’ve decided to listen this time. I suspect he’s been whispering to me for a while, but he’s finally decided to beat me over my stubborn head. As soon as I finish The Mistletoe Inn (it’s really good) I’m going to start tackling those sex scenes.

I Hope You Dance

I'll be honest, I didn't know what I wanted to write about in this blog post. Since last we met, a lot has happened. I lost a friend to breast cancer (too, too many people are dying from this disease), I missed out on a concert I'd been planning to see for 3 years (one day I'll see you Janet), I edged ever closer to my fifties (whatever happened to 30 being old ? :)), and I moved into a motel (only temporarily, thank God). Of course, of all of these, it is the loss of my friend that has affected me the most. So in remembrance of her, and to remind all of us that life is short and to enjoy it to the fullest, here is some Lee Ann.

A Little Help From My Friends

Every September I go into the Irish Hills of Michigan with my writer friends and we brainstorm new stories and write. And then we write and brainstorm more stories. It is 2 glorious days of being with my people and a better inspiration, I could not ask for. I hope your friends are as great as mine! Oh and as a teaser, I think I might be writing about an old hero whose story I've been kicking around for years. He's one to love for many many reasons, and though he has no name yet, he's known as Humpman at brainstorming. I'll let you speculate why :)

Labor of Love

You may or may not know, but I have a day job. And frankly, Labor Day makes me thankful I have that 9 to 5 (actually7:15 to 2:45). It reminds me that I don’t have to depend on my writing income to support myself and my household. Before I joined Romance Writers of America, I thought the life of a romance writer involved eating bon bons, wearing pink boas, and doing a lot of lounging. Every once in a while said writer would effortlessly tap out a book and then go back to eating those sweets. Now I know writing is a hustle, probably more than ever before. It’s definitely a labor. I’m okay if my day job is laborious but I don’t want my writing to become a chore. I want to write what I love and not worry about paying my mortgage. Don’t get me wrong, I’d trade places with EL James in a minute, but for now I’m happy being able to have the best of both worlds. Have a great Labor Day, hopefully you’ll enjoy it as much as I will (tapping away at my computer).

Butterfly Girl

Long time so no see my friends. I kid, I kid! I love this image. It reminds me that August is here and autumn is on its way. There is something very bittersweet in that realization. While it will be weeks before the leaves fall, once August is here winter seems so much more of a reality. August reminds me that I need to take advantage of the beautiful weather while I can. I hope you're taking advantage of all that summer offers!