Best Laid Plans...

The intentions were there, and I did much this weekend, but I didn't get to half of what I wanted to. I finished only one chapter of revisions this weekend (and to put a positive spin on it--at least I don't have a deadline looming for this manuscript and I CAN take my time.), but I finished a book (reading), played some awesome volleyball (two games out of three), and did two loads of laundry (it never ends--AARGGHHH). I also bought clothes for the kids, chauffered them all over, and got food into their stomachs. And now that it's Sunday afternoon, I'm waiting for the free time that is mine, Mine, MINE! I still need to do the grocery shopping, attend a parent function for the girls' school, more laundry, homework from the class I'm taking, critiquing for my critique partners (we meet tomorrow), and do more revisions. Oh yes, and there's still the school week up ahead and the class I have to teach. And I haven't gotten around to posting my new cover on my website.

Whoever decided 24 hours in a day is enough was cruel.
--Gabi
www.gabianderson.com

Ahhh, Friday

Yes. Another weekend to rejuvenate the senses, refresh the creative well, recover from the work week...

Oh, and I've received the cover for my next book, Temptation's Warrior, and will be making the valient attempt at loading it onto my website this weekend. (www.gabianderson.com)

--Gabi

It's in the Cosmos

Have you ever noticed that ideas seem to occur to everyone at the same time? Like the year they had two volcano movies, and the next year when they had two asteroid movies. (I'm not sure about the chronological order, so feel free to set me straight...See? I've been reduced to begging for comments.) Last night my daughter was watching the Lion King, and I realized it was the same plot as the current book I'm reading. Not that there's anything wrong with it. It happens all the time. Depending on whose theory one ascribes to, there are only seven, or three, or one plot out there with which to write our stories. Think about it. How many stories are there about an orphaned child who lives with guardians who don't like him/her? Let's see: Cinderella, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, Annie, and on and on. Right now I'm brainstorming ideas for my next novel, and I've came up with an idea for the heroine, only to discover the same backstory information in "By the Waters of Babylon" by Stephen Vincent Benet. (My story has a totally different plot, but the same set up.) This is one of the phenomena I love about writing; if you give twenty people the same idea, you should get twenty different stories from it. (Unless one of the writers is a plagiarist, but that's a whole different monster.)

My current reads are: The Runaway Duke, Goddess for Hire, a bunch of short stories: "The Lottery," "One Thousand Dollars," "By the Waters of Babylon," "A Rose for Emily," and "A Sound of Thunder" (Hey, I've read them before, but I have to refresh my memory before I can teach them to my students).

--Gabi
Read an excerpt of my latest novel, Temptation's Warrior, at
www.gabianderson.com

No cure needed

I admit it. I am a reading addict. If I can't read daily, I feel as if I've forgotten something. Laundry can be piled up in the bedroom ('cause that's where laundry goes, don't cha know?), but I'll be lying on the bed getting my five minutes of reading in before I have to go to sleep so I can wake up for my day job (See my earlier post on being a night owl). Right now, I have a stack of books to read, an unusual occurrence in my house, because I don't often have a TBR pile. I read too quickly. But having returned from Reno and the RWA conference with a bunch of books, and then the school year starting up the following week, and finally finishing my WIP, I've only been able to get through four of the books so far.

Well, only 174 school days to go until summer vacation.

--Gabi
www.gabianderson.com

Oh, the tears...

I've finished my WIP (work in progress)--The Stone Key, the rough draft--and the most curious thing happened as I was writing the last chapter (There's a epilogue as well, but I'm talking about the last full chapter). Now, I've made myself laugh while writing (my sharp wit, you know), and I've even made myself cry a few tears when I wrote a tender scene in Yours Always. But last night as I was typing, I was sobbing. I mean couldn't-see-the-keyboard-grabbing-the-tissue-box-blowing-the-nose-dripping-everywhere sobbing as I wrote that final scene. What a catharsis. It was fabulous. I have no idea if my emotional rampage translated onto the page, but what an experience. I was worn out afterwards (or afterwords, as the case may be --see, it's that sharp wit thing). We had to have pizza for dinner.

Now let's hope I can find a publisher to buy it. Paranormal anyone?
--Gabi
www.gabianderson.com

Hi ho, hi ho...

The juggling has begun. I'm trying to convince myself that getting up an hour earlier and using that time as a strict writing time is a good idea and will not turn me into a dreaded "morning person." No, really. I love the night (must be the Hungarian blood--you were aware that Transylvania was a part of Hungary for a long time and that the people living there consider themselves Hungarian, right?) but unfortunately, society doesn't work that way. For some reason, one is admired if one is a morning person, but reviled if one is a night owl. Did you know that Churchill used to sleep til noon then work until two in the morning? (At least that's what they said on a radio program last week.) I've written most of my books between the hours of 6:00PM - 2:00AM.
Sigh.
--Gabi

With the big boys, uh, girls

So this blogspot thing has attracted some big names in romance. Not only do some of my favorites have their own site at squawkradio.blogspot.com, but I just discovered Jennifer Crusie has recently joined up, too. I feel like I'm in with big fish. OK, so nobody reads my blog, but I was here before Jennie.

Now if only someone would visit me...

On the writing front, I've got one chapter and the epilogue to write, and the rough draft of my WIP is finished.

Current reads: Harry Potter #6...again, Ain't She Sweet...again, but that's because I'm leading a romance readers'group this week and that's the book I picked.
--Gabi

Check out the web site

I was able to upload the prologue and first chapter of my upcoming book to my web site. If you want a preview, log onto www.gabianderson.com and you can read the opening of TEMPTATION'S WARRIOR.
(Yeehaw, I'm not as technologically challenged as I thought.)
--Gabi

My Reno Report

Wow. The Reno Conference was terrific. I met Susan Elizabeth Phillips, briefly, at the Literacy Signing ( a huge autographing party where all the proceeds go to literacy causes). She was spectacularily polite when I told her I'm starting a readers group at a local library and AIN'T SHE SWEET is our first read. I also met Patti Berg, a lovely lady; Elizabeth Bevarly, who remembered me from some e-mails we had exchanged a few years ago and took time to encourage me (made my conference, really); and I saw Lori Wilde again, who continues to share her insights and encouragements. Thank you ladies. Of course, I must also mention Jodi Thomas, a dear friend who offers support whenever I need it.

While the hotel was a bit smokey (What can one expect from a casino?), the service was the best we've ever had, and I can't recall a single elevator incident. Even checking in on Wednesday afternoon was smooth with a wait of no longer than five, if that, minutes. The workshops were interesting, the speeches inspriring, and the RITA/GH Gala awesome.
And I only lost $20 gambling. I have no luck. Not bad, not good. None. I really think I could get a job as a cooler (if you can remember that movie).

More later as the bags still need unpacking.
Happy winding down of summer,
--Gabi

I'm baaaack

Whew. I made it. In the past three weeks, I've been to five states, including Hawaii (which I must say was wonderful.). The RWA National Conference in Reno left me energized and ready to write. Unfortunately I still have unpacking to do, so all the reporting will just have to wait. Until then, dream on.
--Gabi