Morning Folks, I'm reminded of the song by the Bangles, Just Another Manic Monday . Although, my Monday isn't manic, there are times I can relate to that song. Yesterday my editor gave me a call (Isn't that sweet of her?) She's one of those types who wants to be helpful without being hurtful (I've seen some agent blogs that are like that). She paid me one of the nicest compliments. She said that she liked my story and said it was a good read (never mind any mistakes I made, and I'm sure there's several, since I sent her a basically unedited first draft--although I had changed some things, it's still wasn't fully edited and basically first draft). My biggest goal with my writing (aside from improving, growing and learning and hopefully one day getting published) is for readers to enjoy it. I write stuff I enjoy writing and reading, and it's one of the nicest things a person could say to me is that they liked it. It makes me smile and feel on top o...

Happy Sunday Evening One And All, This is one of those "personal" posts to get to know me and in turn for me to get to know you better. If you're dating or married or have a great (TRUE--as in happened in real ife) love story to share, this is the posting for you! Here's the catch: you have to write it as you would a novel. I'll be nice and go first LOL: It was an ordinary evening on March 3, 2003. I was upstairs getting ready for my date with my tall, dark, handsome hero. He had promised me that we would "officially" get engaged one day and I was wondering if this was the day. He arrived before I was ready. Figuring he wouldn't mind if I took my time, I finished my make up, made sure I looked good (or at least good enough for me), then I bounced down the stairs. Saying goodbye to my parents, I got into his car to head over to his apartment to watch You've Got Mail. It wasn't the first time we'd seen it, but it was a favorite of mine, a...

Afternoon All (or Evening, rather), I mentioned in a previous post that writing and reading are like air to me. Sure, I still need oxygen, but without writing and reading my life just isn't the same. There's something about entering a bookstore or a library that feels like I'm approaching old friends. You walk along the aisles, taking in that lovely smell of books, leather, (in some places, coffee), paper. There's an elegance hanging in the air. The anticipation of finding a gem yet to be discovered, or seeing something you've been waiting for on the shelves is almost enough to throw you into a gallop, except, you still feel that instead of drawing attention to yourself, you'll blend in with the tomes around you. Finding your favorite section you're drawn into a world apart from your every day cares, joys, sorrows, concerns, whatever. You're in the book zone. Time has no meaning, it all melts away. Oh yes, I'm definitely familair with that feeling. W...

Good Afternoon Folks! This posting is coming at you courtesy of Regina's question posted in my comment section under yesterday's post. (Kudos go to Regina for asking the question and helping to inspire this post!) Wow. You people have got to continue writing awesome comments...sometimes I don't know what I'm gonna say on any given day and then...WHAMMO! I read my comments and I think, "Hey! That would be a good post." I'm enternally grateful. Alright, Regina's question was in regards to some Paranormal novels to read (particularly a series I'm reading now). So here's what I'm gonna do: I'm gonna given a list of some of my favorites and anybody who's interested can choose what you want. No pressure, your choice: First and foremost my foray into paranormal and fantasy probably started with fairytales. If you haven't got a background for that, just look at any Disney movie like Cinderella, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, The Lion...

Good Morning Folks! I'm excited...why? Well, years ago the only vampire fare available was stuff like Buffy or Anne Rice books, but now there's a whole slew of vampire/paranormal stuff with a whole range of emotions and stories. (And I'm not usually into vampire stuff) But now there's a lot of other options out there. There's several choices and routes in the whole paranormal world. It's a big genre. I've recently started Michelle Rowen's book, Lady And The Vamp and I went nuts right from the beginning. She's got he own spin on vampire things and I'm already hooked (only 13-14 pages into it!) Apparently it's the 3rd book in a series, and I didn't know that. I thought it was the first one, but I'm still enjoying it. Bitten And Smitten is the first one...but I can always go back and read that one. I might as well finish the one I've got since I'm already into it. The really cool things about fads in books is if you're ...

Good afternoon, folks... I have about 10 minutes before I have to run like the wind and get ready to run errands and cook/bake. My dad is coming over this evening to eat dinner with us, and I'm making an alfredo sauce (yes, from scratch, I have a nice receipe) and a brownie pie that looked pretty simple. (I love to cook/bake, but I like to have them simplified. Sometimes I just don't have the time to put together that wonderful Carrot Cake found in Joanne Fluke's The Carrot Cake Murder or the Apple Spice Cake found in Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries) So I'm glad I found something simple. Anyway...real quick...What's everybody currently READING (NOT working on). If you look on the sidebar I always put what I'm currently reading. Right now it's Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. I've read it before, but I really like it. So it's your turn. Whatcha reading? Have A Tall Tale Thursday Afternoon/Evening!

Good Morning Everyone, Whew. I just got done reading all the blogs I follow (it took awhile LOL, since I was also commenting on the new posts or answering questions). But I'm not complaining. I like seeing what everyone is saying on any given day. It's fascinating. Let's figure this post is sort of in conjunction with yesterday's post . However, I'm taking it in another direction this time. I'm a daydreamer. Like the "What if" questions that pop and bounce around in my head I'm often lost in thought. Sometimes about something that's going on, a story I'm working on or a possible story. You know that feeling...when you've got a glimmer of an idea and you're just making out the vague shapes of the characters and hearing their dialogue. You think "Oh my, oh come on...this is great...but...I need more...I need something concrete..." so you keep up with the vein of thinking going "yes, better, here it comes!" Then ...

Good morning folks! It's not yet 9:00 a.m. in Texas and I've finished my coffee...although I'm wondering if this is going to turn into one of those "Two-Coffee Days". So far I'm managing without the second one. Go me! Anyway...the title of this post might be a bit confusing. Genre being your life? Huh? You lost me, Bethany! Here's what I mean... A comment on my last post made by J.J. triggered the idea for this post (so kudos go to her today). She mentioned she's writing a YA Paranormal filled with religion, legend, Indiana Jones elements (I'm guessing action/some type of discovery), etcetera. Ironically, I wasn't confused. She had me at YA Paranormal. My brain started clicking with all the possibilities that would fill the pages of her novel. In short, I'd pick it up, have a look and probably read it. I read a lot of Paranormal/fantasy. Some ghosts. Some vampires. Magic. Fairytales. Time travel. That kind of thing. For example: I got...

Good Morning All, Oh boy to be young and full of energy (I'm thinking "The Energizer Bunny" at this point). Too bad the stuff can't be bottled and sold (and imbibed). I'd take some and sell it! I watch my son running around and I sit there thinking, "Where does he get it? Is it something he stores up somewhere inside? Why doesn't he share?" Oh well, I rely on liquid energy--coffee. Still...it would be nice to have an unlimited source of energy. Agree? I've been doing some heavy-duty editing on Conjure A Man so there's no new developments. I'm still trying to figure out how to improve the later chapters and everything. Fortunately, fellow aspiring author, and someone I consider a friend in the writing world, Tess, has been a huge help in that area. She's given me good critique and helpful hints. According to what she's told me, I've been able to do the same for her. (Which, I'm glad, I like to be useful and helpful). ...

Good Morning Everybody, Today is probably a 2 coffee day. Why? Because my coffee is almost gone and I still don't feel very awake. It could be that my son woke me right in the middle of a dream (odd dream, but still, I was in deep sleep at that point) or it could be that it would've been nice if I had fallen asleep earlier. 11 p.m. isn't too horrible in my house for going to bed, just doesn't always meant that by 11:30 I'm asleep. I just don't fall asleep quickly. Do you? I admire those who do (my husband is one of those people who can lay down and 10 minutes later be asleep...I don't know how he does it). Are you that type or does it take you awhile like me? I haven't been doing a lot of writing on Conjure A Man because I've been doing mostly editing and rewrites. It's kind of helping me because now I can go back to the beginning, see what was the strongest writing and maybe fix up any problems I'm having with the later chapters. I'm al...

Good Morning One And All! If you haven't already, you'll notice I don't have a photo of myself up on my blog, yet. It's not because I don't intend to put one, it's because I haven't an updated (or one that I'd like to put up) available at this time. I have to get it taken, but I'll get that done eventually. But speaking of photos...are any of you all photogenic? Because I'm not! LOL. There's been some interesting photos taken of me over years. Ones where I'm caught with my eyes closed, or I wonder why I had that (whatever expression it was) expression on my face! LOL. But there's people out there that just stand in front of the camera and deliver a pretty picture nearly every time! That's impressive. And not me. In my internet travels I've noticed some very nice pictures of various bloggers put up. I sit there wondering if that was the first try or if they had to take several just to get the one. (I'd probably have to ...

Good Morning All! Like I've said before I have a goofy sense of humor. Apparently it's not just found in my "comic relief" characters, but even in my parenting style. Today I was helping my son with someone and I started dancing around with a wash cloth (never thought that would be a popular dance style, did you? Well, I think we should call it doing The Wash or something like that). Anyway, my son was cracking up watching me. As a parent you have to wonder if the kid is laughing with you or at you. I figure a little bit of both. When he gets older I'm sure I'll hear "Jeez, mom, you're so weird!" So, I figure while he's still young enough to appreciate my comic genius I'd take advantage of it. Plus it's good fun. And I love making him laugh and smile. (It's a great feeling). I've appreciated everybody's comments on yesterday's post. Be sure to vote on the poll found in the margin of my blog about current movies. It e...

Good Morning Everybody! This post is going to be a little bit of a plea. A plea for my fellow authors out there to be professional. To go through this road of working to be published in a fashion that is professional, and congenial. Authors (Writers) are in this world of writing together. We aren't islands. The Simon & Garfunkel song I Am A Rock doesn't apply here. Writers are operating in the same world as each other (and sometimes in the same genre or category). Sometimes what one of us does can impact another (either positively or negatively). Case in point: If you're a writer who thinks that they should be able to query any agent or publisher without strictly following their submission guidelines, that your story is so good that they're going to want it regardless of what they feel will sell or what they personally want to represent, then you're making it harder on the rest of us (especially new authors). I've noticed post after post by agents and publi...

Hi Everybody! I thought this would be a perfect time to introduce some of our favorite characters that we've created (whether you finished the manuscript or not) might we meet some of your favorite characters? (you don't even have to say what story they're from). Here's some of mine from various mss'es that I've either finished or still need to finish: Bast Cantrell -- loyal friend, humorous, supportive and madly in love with his wife (Alexia). A man, but can change into a jackal, he makes a good hunting partner to predators who live near him. The Fairies Of The Seasons--These little creatures (well not always little) are good guides when you're on a quest or in need of matchmaking purposes. They also are a bit on the mischevious side. Noelle "NJ" Manchester--Fiesty, independent and not given to "fairy tales". She's loved by her brothers and male friends--thought of as "one of the guys", but also has a feminine side. Pierre ...

Good Morning All! It's Wednesday, which means the week is half over. Yesterday was interesting. My husband had off, but I didn't see him much during the day because he and my son went out to the Arboretum to have some guy time. I saw them around 3 p.m. (they left around noon). After that, took a shower, and off we went to one of the Libraries. Then to the grocery store, and home again for dinner and to sit down and watch "Wolverine And The X-Men" (the cartoon). My husband and I are both "X-Men" fans. Wolverine has made it on my husband's list of "scoundrels" (included on that is Han Solo, Duncan McLeod--"Highlander TV Show", Indiana Jones and I think a couple of others). Today my husband is back at work, so my son and I have to entertain ourselves. LOL. It's also exercise day, so I'll have to turn on my exercise DVD and workout. (uncoordinated and all!) Yesterday I managed to do some editing on the first chapter of Conjure A M...

Good Morning Everybody! The "deleted" (I'll explain the quotes in a minute) scene I put up yesterday got such wonderful feedback. I'm truly humbled by it. Thank you everybody! (I know there's cosmetic errors in this, like I said, it hadn't been fully edited), but it was edited as I posted it (long story about that...here's the short version: for some reason I can't copy and paste from my word processor to my blog, so I have to type it up from the printed page, weird, huh?) And yeah, if think there was a problem with it, feel free to tell me. I mean, how else will I improve if I don't know what needs improving, right? Those of you who posted a comment will be happy to know that I found a way to put it in (that's why I put deleted in quotes) . I did some thinking about it and realized "Wait, no, it could go in. I'd just have to figure out whether I want to keep it in a new chapter or put it in the previous one." (I'm thinking o...

Hi Everybody! Good heavens, I've been a crazy-busy blogger today! But with good reasons. Today has been sort of eventful with all the stuff to talk about. And this particular post is special. I could've saved it for tomorrow...but who knows what things will pop up in my head tomorrow? So you're in for, what I hope you'll think of as a treat. I was working on Conjure A Man today (after a whole weekend of not working on it at all, bad Bethany!) And I came up with this scene. Now I kinda like it. I think it's reasonably good. The unfortunate thing is, I think it happened too early in the story. So I had to cut it. I might use it later on in the manuscript, but for now I've put it in its own file to keep on hold just in case I need it. So a thought occurred to me. Why not post it on my blog? Who knows? I might use it, I might not. If I get enough favorable feedback I just might, if not, I'll probably keep it out. First things first: Characters: Delaney--a witc...

Hello Again! I know I have a post already up for today, but I couldn't resist talking about this: I was on the Twilight Lexicon (yes, I am a " Twilight Saga " (by Stephenie Meyer ) fan). In one of their postings, they were talking about a show coming out this fall on the CW, The Vampire Diaries based on the books by L.J. Smith . I haven't read the books, so I couldn't tell you what they're like; but based on what I'm hearing they are very different from "Twilight" (which is totally fine). People commenting on the Twilight Lexicon were speculating that The Vampire Diaries were only becoming a show because "Twilight" was so popular. Well, the books of The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith were written before "Twilight" even came out. Of course it could be that "Twilight" was so popular that others thought they'd jump on the band wagon, but let's take a look at some of the vampire history in our culture: Buffy a...

Good Morning All! Ever walked into a doorway? Perhaps a tree trunk? Maybe you strolled right smack into a telephone pole? I'm a klutz. Yes, I admitted it! I've walked right into doorways, walls, a tree trunk, edges of tables, and other furniture. I slammed my toe into the edge of my bed (very painful, by the way). My best friend, Sarah kept me from walking into a telephone pole our senior year of high school. So can you laugh about it? Or are you too embarrassed? I get it. It is embarrassing to be that klutzy. You want to be taken seriously. You want people to see you as this professional writer (or whatever you do). Yet, you can't help it; you're just not light on your feet. (P.S. I did take ballet...apparently it didn't make me any less clumsy LOL). If you're a woman you walk down the hallway wearing heels. Confident, because you've walked in heels before without a mishap. Then it happens. Your foot turns the wrong way, and you almost land on your face. Yo...

Good Evening All! Well...today has proven interesting. For one thing I woke up from having a dream about my Dad baptizing my son in a swimming pool at night, during 60 degree (or slightly warmer) weather. My husband looked at me and said "Oookay." I figured out where the swimming pool figures (saw one on the way home from the Library yesterday and wished with all my might that there was a swimming pool--that didn't cost much and that we could go to--near my house--that wasn't "This neighborhood's pool ONLY"). As to my Dad baptizing my son part...I have no idea. As far as I know my Dad has never baptized (nor been given the authority to do so) ever. Color me confounded. As to the rest...well this morning I finished reading Kerrelyn Sparks' How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire . I thought it was so much fun (loved Gregori, he was hailirious). So, I looked up the next one on the online catalog for my Library, only to find out there's 19 requests for i...

Good Morning Everyone! I just finished reading Ciara Gold's Celestial Dragon . It was a fascinating story. Generally I don't read too many futuristic novels, but I liked the element of fantasy and some romance mixed in. She has another one that goes with Celestial Dragon called A Noble Sacrifice , which I think I'll read. I'm interested in her time travel one, On The Silver Edge Of Time since I like time-travel romances (ever since reading Lynn Kurland's time-travels). Usually I don't go for books with men or women on the cover. I'm drawn to gardens, pictures of castles, that sort of thing. I like the whole fairy tale thing best; but if I've read something by an author that I liked, sometimes I just go for it. I like a lot of different things. Speaking of fairy tales, if you haven't checked out Pink Bug's fairytale in her blog post, Fairy Tales...and Hairy Snails I recommend it. It's a different look on the classic fairytale. And if you ...