Got it!

I got the new job! So you are now looking at a "new/old" first grade teacher for the school year 2012-2013. I honestly can't wait.

Of course, unless I win Mega Millions and able to write all day long. I think I'm going to organize a collection at the school.

Too short

I only have two books out, so take this with a "grain of salt". A number of reviews I've received have commented about the lengths of my stories. I've been hearing lately, "It's a great story. I just wish it was longer, so I could have more time with the characters." Not exactly a bad critiques but a critique none the less, so the question I have to ask is, do I try to stretch out my stories longer or will I lose something in the telling of the story?

I'm a little perplexed by this because I do write novellas. In fact, I enjoy writing them. To tell another truth, I sometimes enjoy reading them more than a full length novel. I'm not saying I'm any busier than anyone else but when I sit down and read, I enjoy being able to read a story in one or two sittings. I'm finding lately, if it takes longer, I start to skim the story. Not saying that I'm not interested in it but I just want to find out how it ends. I mean, I know how it ends; hero and heroine get together and live happily ever after, or at least for now. Those are the only types of books I read, a blog about that at another time.

Is the novella under appreciated?

MRD

Saddle Up blurb

I received my edits for my latest book Saddle Up last night. I am incredibly excited about this story. So I've attached the yummy cover and the blurb. It's still slated for release on April 13 but if I hear otherwise I'll let you know.

Tasha Lane never realized how boring her life had become until one phone call in the middle of the night totally changed it. Can this forty-two year old accountant put aside a nine-year age gap and perpetual “foot in mouth” disorder to find love and happiness with an ex-rodeo star turned rancher?

Three years ago, Devin Grant traded the rodeo circuit for a cattle ranch. If someone told him, he would fall in love with a woman he’d never physically met, he’d think they were kicked too many times in the head by a bull. When her brother is thrown from his horse, it was finally time to meet the sexy woman of his dreams and convince her, he was worth taking a chance on.

Can he convince her before she goes back to her boring life? Will she be able to overcome their age difference and her own insecurities?

Seriously bad blogger

I have been a seriously bad blogger lately. Sometimes blogging seems like a chore. I have so many ideas for stories in my head. Writing is easy for my in that respect. It's not the ideas that's the problem. Honestly, it's the time. Time, time, time... As with anyone who doesn't have the luxury of being able to stay home and write all day, I have to balance on the tightrope of time. Time for the day job, time for teaching a college course, time for writing down my stories, so the characters in my head stop screaming at me. Let's not even talk about time to have a life or clean my house. If someone actually came to the door, I would have to bar them from entry. Really, it is that bad! But who wants to clean or do anything for that matter when you come in from work at 6:30 at night?

I'm also interviewing for a new position on Saturday. I think it's time for me to go back to teaching little kids full time. Right now, I serve in a more professional development capacity for teachers. I'm done with that because honestly it's a lot easier dealing with twenty-six, seven year olds then just a few teachers.

Off to the day and then the night job today. Have a great day!
MRD

New cover-Saddle Up

Here's my cover for Saddle Up, I really like it. It's done by Beth Walker. Not only is she my editor but she is very talented when it comes to covers. She also did the cover for Fated Mates which I absolutely love!! What do you think?

MRD

Personal Day

Today, I took a personal day from work. In all fairness, I've had this day booked since August which seems like a lifetime ago. We have a huge wedding this weekend, so today I am very busy.

Here is the agenda for today:
1. Bank (need money)
2. Pharmacy (need things to pack, medications, and various things for the house)
3. Oil company- (On top of my hot water heater being on the fritz, I need oil in the tank. I've been without hot water since last Tuesday and now I'm so desperate, I'll pay anything to be able to take a hot bath!)
4. Have to bring the hubs to his doctor's appointment in the city. (So, yes, even on my day off, I need to drive into the city. Sucks!)
5. Find double stick tape for my dress. (As ironic as this is going to sound coming from me, my dress is too big in the boobs. I do have a back up dress but I would rather not spend the money considering I'm going to spend an arm and a leg at the oil company.)

I'm even tired just writing it.

MRD

Good news

Well, I have good news today. My editor liked Saddle Up (oh, BTW my husband hates this title). Her exact words were "I LOVED this story". So I was offered a contract and... a release date of 4/13/12! Talk about fast! I need to write my blurb and get in my cover questionnaire asap.

Now let's just hope the readers love it as much.

MRD

Super Busy Weekend

Despite being sick this weekend and not going to my local writers meeting which I was extremely upset about, it was an extremely busy weekend. Sick isn't exactly the word. Ever since last year, my left hip has been killing me. At the end of last year, my school received a new reading program and all of the boxes came in. It was up to me to move the boxes. I'm not alone, all of us did it, despite them being way too heavy and our union saying we shouldn't. We were expected to do and and we did. Well, apparently, I paid the price. Over vacation, I had an MRI done on my back. I expected the results to say that my arthritis had gotten worse. What it did show was that I have a herniated disc that's pressing on the nerve stem. Welcome pain for the rest of my life! So on Saturday, I was flat on my back and totally not in a good way.

On a good note, it forced me to type the remaining bit of Saddle Up, edit, and submit it to my publisher. All fingers are crossed that she likes it and offers a contract. Although, at this point, I want it to be one of the last contemporary book I ever write. (I know it won't be.) There is just so much competition for a contemporary book that sales on Irish Rising have been HORRIBLE! Maybe I was spoiled with Fated Mates. The sales of it while they dropped off have still been plugging along but Irish Rising...shudder, shudder, shiver!

So it's onward and upward into writing my Bound series!

MRD