Well, here I am two weeks later with another free Saturday and once again, I'm pissing all this extra time away. I find it hard to berate myself for it though because yesterday I finished the second book in my Apprentice Angel series after going gangbusters on it all week. So, after I read through it a few times and polish it up a bit, I'll be ready to send it on to the publisher. Woo-hoo!

I don't know about all the other writers out there, but I have a sort of love/hate relationship with completing a book. It's like, "oh, thank God, I finished it," and then "oh, man, I hate to leave these characters behind." That's one of the reasons I love to write series books. For this one, the Apprentice Angel series, I have two written and I'm planning on doing three more. There is a central character, Mac, an unwilling and insolent Apprentice Angel, who will be in each of the books, and five recurring characters, the Archangels; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Haniel, and Uriel. In each book, one of them is key to the plot, but they all appear in every book if only for one or two scenes. That helps to ease the hate portion of finishing a book, but I have to wonder how I will feel when I write that last page of that final book. Maybe I should write a letter to J. K. Rowling and ask her how she handled it when she penned "The End" at the conclusion of the Harry Potter novels.

Another accomplishment this week; I sent off a short story to the print publisher who accepted my other short story for their Romance of My Dreams anthology. This one is for another of their anthologies; PMS-Poison, Murder, Satisfaction. (Don't you just love that title?) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will accept this one too!

The baseball season is slowly winding down and I hate that I don't live in Maine anymore. ESPN just doesn't cover enough of the Red Sox and Fox doesn't show anything much except Braves games. Trying to watch on Gameday's driving me crazy and I'm afraid next year I'm going to be forced to subscribe to MLB.TV just so I can catch some of the games. I've been suffering withdrawal symptoms since the opening day of spring training and they're only getting worse as we get closer to October. I hate that I missed seeing Lester in his first appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer or Buchholz throw a no-hitter or Ellsbury excelling in leftfield while Manny's on the DL or Beckett's league-leading 17 wins, or Papelbon's scary glare when he stares down a batter, etc., etc., etc. I miss hearing the fans yell You-ou-ou-ouk when Youkilis steps up to bat or watching Tek guide a young pitcher through a game or seeing Coco make a diving catch in centerfield or thrilling to Big Papi hitting one out of the park or laughing at Manny simply being Manny. Anyway, you get the message. Don't get me wrong, I love the mountains of North Carolina and I especially love being near my family once again, but I miss NESN and being able to watch my boys play just about any time I want.

Okay, time to do something with this wonderful gift of a day...or maybe not.

My husband is working a rare Saturday, thereby giving me an extra day to write, and I find myself putting off all the things I should be working on; writing the cover letter for a short story that's ready to be submitted, finishing the second novella in my Apprentice Angel series, polishing my YA novel that's almost ready to be sent off to a publisher...the list goes on and on. So, what am I doing? Playing around on the Internet, working jigsaw puzzles on line, looking up song lyrics that's another story), maybe, and this is a big maybe, going to the grocery store. I hate going to the grocery store so that probably won't happen.

I've come to the conclusion I'm a Procrastination Slut! And the more things I have to do, the worse it gets. It's annoying and debilitating and I don't know how to stop it. Well, that's not true, I do know how to stop it; choose one of the things that need to be done then get busy and do it, but here I sit, essentially wasting time while all the things that need doing go unattended.

Make a list, you say? I've tried that, but for me, a list seems to act as a jinx and I never get anything I've written down accomplished.

Exercise a little discipline, you say? Done that too. I've tried gritting my teeth and making myself work on the things I know I should be doing, but when you're a writer that's the last thing you should do...or, the last thing I should do. I've learned the hard way that forcing a story doesn't work. It's a surefire lead-in to writer's block and once writer's block comes calling, there's no telling how long it will stay or what it will take to make it leave.

I've even tried bargaining with my muse, but all she does is laugh and dance gleefully off into the shadows of my brain, leaving behind an echoing snicker that will, in time, drive me insane.

Arrgh! I hate this.

On the plus side, I'm somewhat grateful for the down time. It gives me time to enjoy the fact that the Red Sox just moved 6 1/2 games in front of the Yankees in the AL East with only a little over a month left in the season. Way to go, guys! In 41 years of being a fan, I've never been more proud--well, except for 2004 and you know what you did then!

Other than that happy bit of news, here I sit, wondering how I'm going to fill up the rest of this unexpected gift of a day. Maybe I should just treat it as every unexpected gift should be treated--be grateful for it and enjoy it to the fullest. So, I'm going to pour myself another cup of coffee, take it out on the deck and enjoy my freedom which is, perhaps, the greatest gift of all and something too many of us take for granted.

Enjoy your day!

I can't believe it's been almost six months since I posted anything on any of my blogs. I imagine most people know how it is, sometimes just the everyday busy-ness of life takes over and priorities have to shuffled around. Anyway, that's the only excuse I can come up with!

I have been writing, but not on Death by Rebellion. At last count, I was around 35,000 words and then it dried up. Why? Well, to be truthful, I'm thoroughly ticked at the publisher, and since they have a "first look" option on DBR, I decided to put it aside and work on some other things.

That, as it turns out, was a good choice. A few months ago, I happened upon a contest announcement on one of the many groups I belong to. The contest was titled "Zuzu's Petals" and it was with a new publisher, Twilight Fantasies. Well, "It's a Wonderful Life" is one of my favorite movies, and I had the beginnings of a manuscript which if changed a bit could be made to fit the guidelines. So, I opened the file, got busy, and a week later, had a novella for the contest. I debated with myself long and hard over sending it in--those vicious self-doubt demons!--then at the last minute, wrote the cover letter, attached the file, closed my eyes and hit the send button. A month later, they announced the winners and Woo-hoo! Unwilling Angel by Caitlyn Hunter won first place!

And, I have to tell you, these guys are quick! Within a week, I heard from the editor and shortly after that the edits were finished. Next, came the book cover, and it's a beauty! Now, all that's left to do is wait on the release which will be--drum roll please--September 19th. Told you they were fast!

It's wonderful, but it sort of makes me even madder at my other publisher. They've had Snow Shadows for going on seven months now and in all that time, I haven't heard anything at all, except for a message from my editor which was sent to my MySpace page--something I hardly ever check. I'm not a fan of MySpace, too much potential for creepy-crawlies to sneak into your computer system--saying that she would start work on Snow Shadows after she finished the book she was working on now. Well, woop-de-doo! I won't say anything else, except I'm beginning to feel a lot of doubt over whether this book will ever see the light of day.

Okay, another really good thing that's happened--I sent a short story to a print publisher for an anthology and received an email yesterday saying they would like to offer me a contract for it. I'm exhausted today from all that gleeful dancing yesterday. This is big, the next step in my writing life, and it's a big one too! I've got one ebook out, another coming next month, and the third coming soon--supposedly--and now sometime next year I'm going to have a story in print.

Where will I go from here? I have no idea, but I sure am having fun on the journey!

Final good thing and then I'll quit, the Red Sox are still in first place in the AL East! You rock guys! Keep it up!

I'll post the new book cover later!

As the subject line says, I haven't made much progress this week. Too busy working on my web site. I have found the time to go back through the first three chapters and clean them up a bit in preparation for a contest I'm thinking about entering.

Jillian and Dave just aren't speaking to me right now. That's the problem with relying on your characters as you write--sometimes they're strangely silent as if they don't want you to know what happens next. I could force it, but I've found it's better just to wait them out. Oh, well, maybe next week.

27,642 words, 90 pages

http://www.freewebs.com/caitlynhunter/index.htm

The Strike of the Housekeeping Gnomes

My house is a mess, a slovenly fray,
The housekeeping gnomes have flittered away,
They threw up their hands and threatened to strike,
I waved too-ta-loo and said “Take a hike!”

That wasn’t so smart, not the least bit wise,
As I look around and see with new eyes,
I understand why they had such a fit,
I should have listened, I’m such a nitwit.

Surfaces covered with inches-thick dust,
Coughing up motes to set sail on each gust
Dancing on sunbeams, they slither and slide
Seeking a corner to settle and hide.

Dust-bunnies capering under the bed
They know they are safe from the vacuum’s tread.
Meeting and mingling, they can safely mate,
And reproduce more, secure in their fate.

The dishes are mounded beside the sink,
Clothes tangled and twisted in a tight kink,
Mildew grows freely in the shower stall,
This place is a pigpen and worst of all;

The cat-box is filled to overflowing,
Its toxic scent is steadily growing
The cat makes his point; what a sneaky fox,
Protests by pooping outside of the box.

Okay, that did it, I understand now,
The gnomes were right, I can’t fathom how,
I let this go on, get out of control,
Living in squalor in a filthy hole.

I could, if I chose, give you a reason,
Blame it on Christmas, the busiest season,
But, that wouldn’t be true; not even close,
To lie at this time would only be gross,

Honesty, they say, will liberate you,
So I’ll give it to you, straight and true,
I wasn’t filled with the season’s bright glory,
My head was buried deep in a story.

So, listen up gnomes, I’m down on my knees,
I’m pleading for mercy, oh, pretty please,
I’m sorry for being a hateful shrew,
I’ll give you a raise and a bonus too.

Please come right away, bring the whole clan,
I’ll leave the door open, just do what you can,
To clean up this mess, get rid of this blight,
Oh! When you’re finished, please turn out the light!

My muse is calling in her siren’s voice,
I have to follow, there’s no other choice!
I beg your pardon, but I must depart,
To pursue the dream that lives in my heart.



This was something I wrote a little over a year ago when my muse was being exceedingly generous and my house suffered terribly. Boy, what I wouldn't give for a little of that right now--messy house and all!

Death by Rebellion is coming along very, v-e-r-y slowly. I haven't been able to get back into it since I got over the flu. Problem is, I haven't been able to get into anything. I hate times like this, all this non-productivity--is that the right word? Probably not, but my brain doesn't seem to be working well these days!--makes me feel like a slug.

I'm almost ashamed to post my progress, but here it is: 27,329 words, 88 pages. If this doesn't pass soon, I'll never get through with this book!

Another week has gone by and I still haven't hit 25,000 words, but I do have a reason. Last Monday was my mom's birthday and since I now live close enough to visit, I spent that day and the next in Knoxville with her and my family--quite a thrill after living in Maine for seven years and not being able to get home for celebrations like this because I absolutely hate flying. On Wednesday, I had two chats scheduled and wasn't able to get any writing done. Thursday, I woke up with the flu. Horrible!

So, anyway, I'm better now--finally!--and was able to top 24,000 words this morning. Jillian is just starting to fall for Dave and is fighting it every step of the way. She's toast, though she doesn't realize it yet. He, of course, has his FBI team watching her every move and he's hoping the killer/rapist will make his move soon. She's the perfect bait for this operation and he doesn't want to have to pull her or try to find someone else to fill the bill. It's just too bad he's already halfway in love with her himself, but he's not going to let that stop him--or so he keeps saying. We'll see what happens!

24,193 words, 79 pages. No chats scheduled for this week, so maybe I'll finally be able to top 25k!

Too many chats! Arrgh! How great it must be to be a best-selling author and not have to spend so much time promoting! I have another &%#$ chat scheduled today and don't have a lot of time but I wanted to get something down since it's been six days since I last wrote in this journal.

I'd hoped to hit 25,000 words by today, but it doesn't look likely. I topped 20,000 yesterday, and if I didn't have to spend all day "chatting" today, I might make it. Oh well. I suppose 6,000 words in one week is nothing to sneeze at!

20,243 words, 66 pages.

I finally finished the blurb, cover art request, and bio forms for StarDust. Yippee! Now, I can get back to DBR.
I have been writing—sporadically—and yesterday I was able to get a few hundred words down. I’m setting a goal for the next week. I want to top 25,000 words by next Friday if I can. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
I’ve finished the prologue and wrote a scene with Tess, the heroine from Death by Indifference. It was harder to get back into her mind than I thought it would be. For months while I was writing DBI, she was with me every second of every day and I thought I could slip back in without any problem. Should have known better. Perhaps she’s feeling neglected since I’ve written another book without even mentioning her and am just now bringing her into this one. Who knows? My characters, as I’ve said before, virtually write the story for me. They are very real in my mind and therefore, suffer from moods as we all do. Tess is on the verge of menopause, which makes her moodier than most!
Anyway, I’m at 16,523 words and 54 pages. This time next week, I hope to be over 25,000!

I haven't done much writing in the last two days, too busy working on the blurbs and figuring out what I want for the cover art on Snow Shadows. I hate query letters and despise synopses, but I absolutely abhor blurbs. It's hard enough condensing an entire book into a three page synopsis, but narrowing it down into a blurb of 300 words or less that sizzles enough to make someone want to buy your book is close to impossible. It took me almost two weeks to come up with one for my first book and now I get to do it again--yippee! Still, I'm not complaining. After all, if I have to do it, that means I actually sold another book. Who could whine about that?
I have been working on a prologue for Death by Rebellion--while taking breaks from writing the cursed blurb--so I have been making a little progress. It's only about 600 words, and it needs work, but at least I don't feel as if I've abandoned the book altogether.
14,529 words, 47 pages. Not much progress, but at least it hasn't come to a dead standstill.

Whew! What a day! Received a contract from my publisher today for my second book, Snow Shadows. I was so excited I couldn't concentrate on writing, but yesterday and the day before, I got about 4,000 words written so I wasn't too worried about it. Snow Shadows is the first in a four-book paranormal romantic suspense series about a group of Cherokee brothers who live on Eternity Mountain in western NC. They were cursed hundreds of years ago by the tribe's Shamans. The books are based--loosely--on an ancient Cherokee legend.
It's been a couple of days since I posted my progress on DBR. My husband was out of town Thursday and I spent the day completely immersed in the mss. Yesterday, I had an author chat in the morning, but I managed to get some work done in the afternoon.
Tess and Sam, the heroine and hero from the first book in this series--Death by Indifference--have just entered the story. I'm not sure where they'll lead me, I just know they have a tendency to take over and write the story the way they want it to go. I've been told that's not a good habit for an author to get into, but I find it absolutely fascinating when it happens. I've written six books now, three YA and three for adults, and I've only tried writing from an outline once. I was a total failure at it and ended up burning the outline and letting my characters take over for me. It's much more fun that way!
Anyway, I'm at 14,023 words and 46 pages. If I can keep it up, I might be able to finish this mss before I have to set it aside to work on the edits for Snow Shadows.

Finally figured out what the conflict in this book is going to be. The characters are taking shape and I particularly like Jill, the heroine in this one. She's repressed, wallowing in self-pity--though I have to admit she has good reason--and barely surviving. She's just decided the time has come to 'get over it,' before she ends up as empty as her life.
Dave, the hero, will win her trust and come close to claiming her love only to have it blow up in his face because he's using her as bait in an undercover operation.
10,016 words, 34 pages. Onward!

A couple of weeks ago, I started a new book, Death by Rebellion. It's a sequel to Death by Indifference, my first published novel.
I'm not the most disciplined writer in the world, and I thought it might be fun to see if posting my progress in a journal would help to speed the writing process a bit. Also, I sometimes get so focused on what I am writing at the present that my plot line suffers. I thought this might help to keep the characters, events, etc., straight.
Okay, the main character in Death by Rebellion is Jillian, a forty-five year old Georgia woman whose son recently died, after which her husband turned abusive. All it took was one time, and she packed her things up, got in her car and started driving. She didn't stop until she got to Maine. A tad eccentric, perhaps, but if she's learned one thing from her child's death, it's that life is short and you need to wring all the happiness you can out of it.
Okay, so she's in Maine, she's started a house-keeping business and has just landed a job with Senator Deschaine which she hopes will lead to more jobs. She's also just met the love of her life--though she doesn't know it yet! His name is Dave, and he's an undercover agent for the Maine FBI, trying to...that's all you're going to get for now!
23 pages, 6,483 words. Time to go back to work!