Dealing With Life

If anyone still checks this blog, I thank you for sticking around during my absence. Right after my last post, life got in the way in triple time.

My niece was diagnosed with AML Luekemia, that was so scary, I can't even describe it to you. But after intensive chemo, which she is still undergoing, I am happy to say that she is now in remission. We just pray that she stays that way for the next five years, and then they can say she is cancer free.

My mother was diagnosed with a heart condition, the bottom half of her heart is only working at 30%. The call she got from the doctor after she had an ultra-sound on her heart scared the bejeezus out of us. They told her it didn't look good and was referring her to a cardiologist. That's it. Then we had to wait a month for the appointment. Scary time-thinking something is critically wrong your Mom. My Mom is one of the most important people in my life, the thought of something happening to her really floored me. It totally knocked me off kilter.

I said, triple time, didn't I? Yes, this whine fest is not over. The third problem was me. I had a serious case of writer's block. Even though I wanted to write, I couldn't. I would type something and then read it and hit delete. Nothing I put down sounded good to me and I seriously started to doubt myself as a writer. So I decided to step back from it, just to see if I could. And I couldn't. The stories I have started kept coming to mind and I would think of what I wanted to do with it and where I wanted the story to go, and even thought up a new story altogether. So, I am getting back in the groove, calling up my muse, and dusting off my mojo. Time to get back to what I love.

Here's to writers, doing what they love because they just can't help themselves.

Another Congratulations!

One of my critique partners, Pamela Bolton-Hollifield, has won the Royal Ascot contest! She just got the news tonight, and I am breaking it here for all of those stuck at home during the conference.

I am so excited for her, because she is such a wonderful person and truly deserves this. People, I am telling you, her story is one of the best ones going (think Kathryn Caskie and Teresa Medeiros meets Jane Austen). It is a lovely story with humor and emotions. I feel privledged to have read it. Hmm, yes, I guess I am bragging, but who wouldn't?

I am new to the whole contest scenario, but I am hearing that the Royal Ascot is a biggie and I am so proud of Pam for winning it! Let's all give her a huge congrats, because she really deserves it.

CONGRATULATIONS, PAM!

The Passing of a Legend

I heard today about the passing of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Another legend has passed into history. I still have my first copy of her book, The Wolf and The Dove, on my book shelf, tightly pressed between others to keep the covers in place because I've read it so much that I've worn them off.

When I first started writing it was because of Kathleen Woodiwiss and LaVyrle Spencer. I wanted to write a romance that touched people in the same way their books touched my teenage soul. I loved the eloquence that they wrote with and the emotion they managed to instill in the written word. They gave me a deep love of romance that is still with me 23 years later.

Words can never say how much I admire someone like Ms. Woodiwiss, who managed to write for all of these years, and kept her fans reading until the end.

I extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Woodiwiss family.