Now that I have a few books under my belt, I think I have even less conviction and confidence in my work. I think, "What am I doing?"

I know this is a constant struggle for writers after talking to several of my friends, so I am not terribly surprised, but it is still hard to overcome the dreaded doubtmyselfitis.

Having said that, I have been working on a couple of polishing revisions of a book I want to send out SOON and I think, it's not so bad. But I don't know. . . It has all the right parts girl meets boy, boy acts all crazy and girl and he spilt, girl kicks bad guy's patootie and boy realizes he cannot live without her--see it's all there. I even let Ames read it and made changes, grudgingly at first even though I knew she was right.

So why am I afraid to put it out there? Why do I think it will be met with, um sorry, you suck. . .

Whoever said it was easy to write books, show them to me so I can kick their patootie!

Labels: writing

-Tomorrow Jill's new book SMART AND SEXY goes on sale at Amazon.

Flying Solo Is Way Overrated

Noah Fisher has worked for months to make Sky High the most prestigious charter airline in California. He’s long overdue for a break—something involving ski slopes, cold beers, and hot ski bunny babes, not necessarily in that order. The itinerary doesn’t include being hijacked by Bailey Sinclair, gorgeous widow of one of Sky High’s wealthiest (ex-) clients. But here they are, and being crammed in a cockpit with the scared, stubborn, unbelievably sexy former model he’s been fantasizing about invokes Superman tendencies that could get Noah in serious trouble.

Bailey is desperate to find the stash of money hidden by her conniving, thieving late husband—before the bad guys he owed find her. It’s a long shot, but nothing compared to the gamble she’s taking by being so close to Noah. Every minute in his company has Bailey thinking about doing crazy, reckless things like touching, grabbing, kissing…and oh wow, being kissed right back. Suddenly, seat-of-your-pants seems like the only way to fly, and maybe it’s the altitude playing tricks, but this is one trip she never wants to end…

I have read many of her books-I am a humor gal, love the books with the humor-and Jill is great at that! (I wanna be like her when I grow up!)



If you have not read her, you really need to.
Pre-Order anyone........





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Labels: good reads

I registered my precious littlest McDonald for KINDERGARTEN today . . . the last one yet to enter the Hallowed Halls of Academia.


The last little dude left to keep me company all day.


He's going to be going to school five days a week . . .YAY!

Labels: blubbering

So. . . I cut my finger opening a can of Mac-n-cheese for Mini-me. . . only I could gash myself and dump processed cheese all over me in one oh-so-gracious move - GAW!

and to go with that, the Scooby Doo bandage cut's poor Fred's head off when wrapped around my finger. . . a crying shame!

You know what I miss . . . squirrels. My neighborhood is less than a decade old and none of the trees are overly big. I miss the bushy tailed critters--birds, I could use a little less of.

Just because they make an outfit in your size DOES NOT mean you need to purchase it and wear the disgrace in public. . . s'all I am saying.

A Mini-me will not bother you when you got nothing going on, but the minute you start to edit your book (or write a blog post), whamo-bamo mom I-need-your-undivided-attention RIGHT FRIGGIN NOW won't shut up!

What irks you? Think about it and get back to me. . . . . . . . . . . .

Labels: blather

This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School (California) staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework.

The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their classes.

The outgoing message:

"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection:

* To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1

* To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2

* To complain about what we do - Press 3

* To swear at staff members - Press 4

* To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5

* If you want us to raise your child - Press 6

* If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone -Press 7

* To request another teacher, for the third time this year -Press 8

* To complain about bus transportation - Press 9

* To complain about school lunches - Press 0

* If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's' lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!


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Labels: mom stuff

The Inn Crowd by Denise Belinda McDonald
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 1-59998-440-7
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50
Publication Date: March 20, 2007 (in e-format – print version September 18, 2007)
Cover art by Anne Cain

What do you get when you have a beautiful B & B owner, an incognito movie star, his entourage and a leather wearing, hairless pooch all staying at the Wild Rose Bed and Breakfast?

Jamie Crawford needs time to unwind after his last movie. His sudden bump from B-list to A-list actor keeps him too busy to take time for himself. When an opportunity arises for him to sneak into a small Texas town and for some much-needed R & R, he snaps it up. The last thing he expects is to meet the beautiful owner and fall almost instantly head-over-heels.

Lorenna Beauchamp runs her inn and has time for little else. And that’s the way she likes it—until her stunningly handsome new guest piques an interest she thought long dormant. She breaks all her rules to get close to him. Imagine her surprise when she learns that not only has Jamie been hiding his identity, but he is one of the most sought after celebs.

Jamie has to persuade Lorenna his feelings are true while he convinces himself that loving someone isn’t detrimental to his career. Can Lorenna get past the lies and her mistrust of all things Hollywood to give Jamie a chance?

Read an Excerpt


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Labels: MY BOOKS

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly."

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece."

They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.

Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line," . we talk to everybody!

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.

When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way.

To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!

And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."

Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !

If you're a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it. We all know you got here as fast as you could.

OH AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY Little Brother! LOVE YOU!


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Labels: from my Yankee aunt

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:
Clean skin.
A winning smile. T
hat unforgettable Southern drawl.

Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!"

Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your Momma?"

Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint

Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts :
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind

Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly

Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna

Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform.
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food

More Suthen-ism's: Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.

. . . stay tuned for part two


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Labels: from my Yankee aunt

And might I remind you, The Inn Crowd releases NEXT WEEK from Samhain Publishing in E-format.

(I can't get the pics to work--sorry!)

“The Inn Crowd” by Denise Belinda McDonald
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 1-59998-440-7
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50
Publication Date: March 20, 2007 (in e-format – print version September 18, 2007)
Cover art by Anne Cain

What do you get when you have a beautiful B & B owner, an incognito movie star, his entourage and a leather wearing, hairless pooch all staying at the Wild Rose Bed and Breakfast?

Jamie Crawford needs time to unwind after his last movie. His sudden bump from B-list to A-list actor keeps him too busy to take time for himself. When an opportunity arises for him to sneak into a small Texas town and for some much-needed R & R, he snaps it up. The last thing he expects is to meet the beautiful owner and fall almost instantly head-over-heels.

Lorenna Beauchamp runs her inn and has time for little else. And that’s the way she likes it—until her stunningly handsome new guest piques an interest she thought long dormant. She breaks all her rules to get close to him. Imagine her surprise when she learns that not only has Jamie been hiding his identity, but he is one of the most sought after celebs.

Jamie has to persuade Lorenna his feelings are true while he convinces himself that loving someone isn’t detrimental to his career. Can Lorenna get past the lies and her mistrust of all things Hollywood to give Jamie a chance?

ENJOY!

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Labels: MY BOOKS

And Happy Birthday to the father-in-law!



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Labels: Chica day

For some time many of us have wondered just who is Jack Schitt?

We find ourselves at a loss when someone says, 'You don't know Jack Schitt!'Well, thanks to my genealogy efforts, you can now respond in an intellectual way.

Jack Schitt is the only son of Awe Schitt. Awe Schitt, the fertilizer magnate, married O. Schitt, the owner of Needeep N. Schitt, Inc. They had one son, Jack.

In turn, Jack Schitt married Noe Schitt. The deeply religious couple produced six children: Holie Schitt, Giva Schitt, Fulla Schitt, Bull Schitt, and the twins Deep Schitt and Dip Schitt.

Against her parents' objections, Deep Schitt married Dumb Schitt, a high school dropout. After being married 15 years, Jack and Noe Schitt divorced. Noe Schitt later married Ted Sherlock, and because her kids were living with them, she wanted to keep her previous name. She was then known as Noe Schitt Sherlock.

Meanwhile, Dip Schitt married Loda Schitt, and they produced a son with a rather nervous disposition named Chicken Schitt. Two of the other six children, Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt, were inseparable throughout childhood and subsequently married the Happens brothers in a dual ceremony. The wedding announcement in the newspaper announced the Schitt-Happens nuptials. The Schitt-Happens children were Dawg, Byrd, and Horse.

Bull Schitt, the prodigal son, left home to tour the world. He recently returned fromItaly with his new Italian bride, Pisa Schitt.

Now when someone says, 'You don't know Jack Schitt,' you can correct them.

Sincerely,
Crock O. Schitt


(My mother is seriously WARPED)


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Labels: mom stuff

Essential vocabulary additions for the workplace (and elsewhere)!!!

1. BLAMESTORMING Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.

2. SEAGULL MANAGER : A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.

3. ASSMOSIS : The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard

4. SALMON DAY : The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.

5. CUBE FARM : An office filled with cubicles.

6. PRAIRIE DOGGING : When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.

7. MOUSE POTATO : The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.

8. SITCOMs : Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What Yuppies get into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.

9. STRESS PUPPY : A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.

10. SWIPEOUT : An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.

11. XEROX SUBSIDY : Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.

12. IRRITAINMENT : Entertainment and media spectacles that are Annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them.

13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE : The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.

14. ADMINISPHERE : The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.

15. 404 : Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error Message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested site could not be located. 1

6. GENERICA : Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.

17. ! OHNOSECOND : That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake. (Like after hitting send on an email by mistake).

18. WOOFS : Well-Off Older Folks.

19. CROP DUSTING : Surreptitiously passing gas while passing through a Cube Farm.


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Labels: mom stuff

. . . you know what that means . . .

chica you, chica me: Chica Blog!


Come see me.

Labels: Chica day

A sick child prevented me from doing what I had planned today, poor little guy … don’t know if he just totally overdid it yesterday or if he’s getting another cold, but he couldn’t even sit all the way through lunch and had to lie down—his cheeks are getting redder by the hour and he feels a little warm.

So I donned my fuzzy Minnie Mouse slippers, am keeping an eye on Spare and am hunkering down, going through all my “semi-finished” works and thinking over what to do with them. Recently, I learned of a great opportunity at Har/Silh. They are taking submissions of a 2 paragraph synopsis for romantic suspense stories and will draw five for a chance to pitch your completed book to an editor—I have one that just might work.

And according to Ames, according to Jordan, then next big thing to hit after the blending of urban fantasy (genre blending—uber hot right now) will be stories of the psychic nature—follow the TV trends and you will know what will hit big in books in the coming years, according to these women. So I am thinking of a story I plotted with SJ and BC. We were actually doing to try to write the thing all together but well, we were too busy to get together and work on it—such is life. Now before you go thinking I am trying to steal thunder from the other two ladies, I don’t even have the notes from that. Lost it but good! But the overall idea I kinda remember and I think it would make an interesting story. And besides as I have always said, you take one story outline and give it to several different authors and you’ll get several different stories—I believe that to be true!

so. . . . . . Working on working . . . gotta start somewhere.

Labels: writing

Earlier this year, my publisher sent out an e-mail for a publicity opportunity. One of the e-bookstores, All Romance E-books, who carries Samhain titles offered an author spotlight. They wanted pieces 200-2000 words long. I thought, "What the heck."

I sent them Hudson Flotsam. Yeah, okay, I hadn't consdidered the fact it wasn't so much a romance and they asked if I had something else. Well, no... I tend not to do short pieces. But not one to pass up an oppotunity, I sat down pen to paper (okay it was really fingers to keyboard) and voila, Hooky was born. They took it! I was so excited.

Yesterday, I received their weekly newsletter and my little piece was in there - YAY ME!

(and I even got an e-mail from someone yesterday telling me they liked it. . . UBER-COOL!)

Labels: writing

So recently, Ames, Mik and I visited another chapter on the far side of town from us. I talked, a lot. I won't say the entire way, as they both have a lot to say, too. But I talked, a lot. I can't stand being around people and having quiet. CANNOT STAND QUIET WHEN OTHER FOLKS ARE AROUND.

Shocking, I know--those who know me are aghast in horror at my confession--*snort* as if they didn't know. . . .

I can be quiet. Ames and I have been to enough concerts and I can get through an entire set without blabbing. Let's look past the fact that she probably couldn't hear me. . . .

I remember one time coming home from a meeting, I immediately called SJ (talked to her the entire way home, even driving alone, I don't really like quiet) and I passed a car-load of folks who had been at the same meeting. They sat in quiet. None of them were speaking. I couldn't believe it.

I don't know why this is. Not them not talking, no, I mean my propensity to talk all the time. As a matter of fact, as Ames and Mik and I were leaving the restuarant after our meeting, I apologized for talking so much. Ames just shook her head and me at smiled (she's way used to it). Mik asked Why? Why was I apologizing. . . don't know the answer to that, but I felt silly for talking so much. Maybe being a Stay-at-home-mom I crave adult time and the DH can only take so much of me before he tunes me out (you know you do hon!). So when I am finally around a person who doesn't think Sponge Bob is the bomb, I can't help myself!

Labels: gal time