Thoughtful About . . . Umm . . .

Thoughtful About . . . Umm . . .

by | Jan 5, 2012 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized

It’s one of those days where I’m sitting here staring at my computer screen going, “Surely I have thoughts. Surely I do. I can be thoughtful about . . . umm . . . no, that’s stupid. But maybe . . . hmmm . . . no, I don’t think so.”
Yeah, little random in my thinking this morning. In a few minutes I have to get back to the final preparation for Walks Alone, so it’s all set and ready to go in ten days. Then it’ll be time to begin the school day–lots to do there. My little boy keeps begging me to find that one little Matchbox car he misplaced, and keeps chasing around the cats and scaring them under the furniture. So typical, LOL.
One fun thing, if you didn’t see it on my Facebook page. I’ve decided to participate in a neat little blog series this year, the goal to read a chapter from the Bible every day. I like the idea of having some accountability and discussion in my daily reading, so this just jumped out at me as a great thing to sign up for! If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s at http://mybible360.blogspot.com/. We’ve got some fun discussion going on so far. =)
Let’s see, what else is going on this first week of 2012? I’m still praying that the Lord will reveal a word to me to encompass the year. Anyone else doing this? Have you gotten one yet? I’d love to hear about it, if so!
Oh, and if you are or know a teen writer, I’m running a fun contest over at Next Gen Writers this week–send in a 50 word blurb about your main character and get feedback and possibly a proposal request from WhiteFire.
Okay, I obviously need more coffee. Brain is still so sluggish . . . hope everyone’s week is swimming along well!
Remember When . . . Things Got Interesting?

Remember When . . . Things Got Interesting?

by | Jan 4, 2012 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized

I looked down at my calendar this morning and realized that, round about this time in 1784, things were getting interesting for my characters. =) Within a day or two of this date, my hero had finally tracked down and come face to face with my heroine after a tense separation–and she had made her opinions on this action of his very well known.

The result was the scene snippet that was up on Shannon Vannatter’s romance blog last week, and I thought I’d share it today since it’s kind of a “This Day in Annapolis“ sort of thing . . . and because I need to get cracking on some editorial duties this morning. 😉

Speaking of which, WhiteFire’s next title is only 11 days away from its digital release, and the print version is available for pre-order on Amazon! Walks Alone is an amazing historical romance that will intrigue, surprise, and delight you as you journey with a determined immigrant from Holland as she makes her way to Denver City . . . and straight into a band of wild Cheyenne. =)

Now for that snippet . . .

from Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland

“I have heard enough.” She whipped
the blanket off her shoulders and folded it with a series of sharp,
angry motions.
He stepped between her and the door.
“This particular anger is more for Wiley than me, isn’t it? I had
no way of knowing you did not intend me to read it. So if you would
like me to deliver you home to Williamsburg so you can berate him—”
She slapped the blanket onto a chair.
“I will stay right here, thank you.”
Her anger was clear, yes. But more,
there was stony determination beneath it. “You mean it. Even
knowing how your family misses you—”
“Perhaps if my family had respected
my wishes and canceled the wedding plans, then I would not have to
stay away.”
He studied the upward slant of her
chin, the fierce burning in her eyes. She would not be budged. Which
meant he had two choices. He could give up and go home, convince
their families the betrothal was off. If he chose that option, then
he would in effect being saying good-bye to her once and for all.
Giving her her wish, which might be the gentlemanly thing to do.
But the light caught the depths of her
hair, and her eyes shone like moonstone. Her dress hung in total
disarray, but her spine was straight and strong.
Emerson dragged in a long breath and
cast his lot on the second option. “If you will not come home, then
I shall stay here.”
She blinked, as if uncertain she had
heard him correctly. “You…why in the world would you do that?”
His smile felt wry upon his lips.
“Because if you are the woman I begin to see you must be, then you
are worth the world.”
For a moment he thought he glimpsed
tears in her eyes, but then she averted them, and he couldn’t be
sure it was anything more than a reaction to the whiff of smoke from
the chimney. Her hands fisted at
her sides. “You have never lacked for
lovely words, Emerson. But it is too late. Go or stay, it is no
concern of mine.”
He inclined his head. “Then with your
leave, my dear, I shall stay.”
With all the lack of concern of a
British lady, she picked up her coffee and took a long drink. “Enjoy
the town.”
“I think I shall do so more this time
than ever before. Given the company.”
Her brows rose. “I know not what
company you have in mind, but I promise you it shan’t be mine.”
He pressed his lips together against a
grin. “Then I suppose you shall stay hidden in Randel House?
Because I assure you, darling, I still have friends enough in
Annapolis that if you step out to a ball or fete, I will have secured
an invitation to it as well.”
She looked as though she would have
liked to dash the cup to the ground. Instead she raised her chin.
“Very well. Enjoy the holiday celebrations too. But if you call me
‘darling’ again, ’tis the plank for you.”
A smirk sprang to his lips before he
could stop it. “You have pirates among your new acquaintances?”
“Scores of them.” She sashayed past
him with a smirk of her own, leaning close enough to say, “And
Cap’n Mobcap’s not one to be trifled with.”
He let her by, mostly so she wouldn’t
see his lopsided smile. Getting to know Lark Benton might be the most
enjoyment he’d had in ages.

Word of the Week – Motivation

by | Jan 2, 2012 | Word of the Week

It’s the first Monday of 2012, and though we may not all make resolutions, I imagine many of us are thinking about what we want to do differently this coming year, and what we won’t want to budge on. We’re embracing the idea of a fresh start in some areas and accepting the traditions as a way to motivate ourselves.
So I figured this would be a good word to share the history of today. =) Did you know that “motivation” wasn’t in use until 1873? Pretty late! And even then, it was only used in a literal, physical sense of “causing to move toward action.” The sense of “inner or social stimulus” didn’t come into play until 1904.
I discovered this last year when writing Annapolis and was baffled for a good long minute. My character was claiming that his friend would question his motivations. But if he couldn’t question his “motivations” in 1783, then what was he questioning?
Then I had a “duh” moment–he would be questioning his motives. “Motive” carried that very meaning since the 15th century. Which rather begs the question of why we ever thought we had to add that “-ation” ending to it, doesn’t it?
Which brings me back to one of my favorite quotations–I believe this is from Pascal, though I’d have to look through my old notes to make sure, so if I’m wrong, please correct me. I love this one because it’s basically saying “Don’t be pretentious, dude.” So a fun one to start off our new year . . .
“Think with deep motives–but talk like an ordinary person.”
Happy New Year!
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