Two Days

When Trish and I started this writing war, we were focused on her two week deadline...in two days we'll have been writing for two weeks. I'm only half done, with characters who are in a steamy bathroom and not being steamy! Darned round characters. Flat ones you can bend at will, but ones who've become people to you, you have to let them do their thing. At least in a first draft.

Anyone else think Trish is going to pop up on Tuesday like toast, completed manuscript in hand?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS...

26725 / 50000 words. 53% done!

Where in the WORLD is Trish Wylie?

My writing challenge partner has gone MIA...I think she must either be

a. deep in the cave, about to pop up with a completed manuscript
b. researching the fun way...I wonder if she's taking flying lessons or scouting out skinny dipping locations
c. mucking out stalls while discussing plot twist options with Charlie...hmmm....this one may be too realistic to be an actual option
d. switching genres to write one of those hot westerns everyone is saying is the next big thing...except she's Irish with a penchant for millionaire bad boys...

FIRST IMPRESSIONS...

25021 / 50000 words. 50% done!

W

Remember that 1st grade homework question that stumped me? Darn thing was a trick question. A W has 3 angles and 4 sides. I was SO not amused.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS...

18051 / 50000 words. 36% done!

Trish hasn't been posting...I half expect her to pop up tomorrow with a completed draft!

Not much time...

My parents were in town, plus I had a baby shower for a friend today - yes, it seems most of my friends are breeding as well - so I didn't have much writing time. I must do better tomorrow. Can't have Trish catching up!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

4501 / 50000 words. 9% done!

Shower time!

I had my baby shower yesterday! I think everyone I know had fun shopping for baby girl clothes and shoes - my daughter already has a shoe collection! I was so touched by the effort put into some of the gifts. My neighbors made me a gorgeous scrapbook which will allow me to look like I have it all together through the baby's first year. She'll look back and either think I went crazy when she turned one or got lazy. I'm OK with that.

My aunt made the cutest knit dress. My mother-in-law went wild with booties, a quilt and an enormous Raggedy Ann. Raggedy Ann is so my thing. My cousin put together a bag of all the things I'll forget to pack when I go to the hospital.

It was lovely to have a day where all my girls could get together and celebrate our excitement about the baby. My brothers and their wives did all the planning for the shower, so it was also great to show off how wonderful they are to everyone.

All that...and still I wrote today...

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

3135 / 50000 words. 6% done!

Fiction Friday

The Romance Rountable is featuring some of my stuff for Fiction Friday.

Excerpts:
On Again by Jenna Allen
Unwritten Romance by Jenna Bayley-Burke

Short Stories:
71 Downtown by Jenna Bayley-Burke
A Familiar Ring by Jenna Bayley-Burke

FIRST IMPRESSIONS -- my parents are in town...this gives Trish an edge, me thinks...

1705 / 50000 words. 3% done!

She thinks she can scare me...

She has a deadline...I have a due date...who will finish the book first?

Fellow Modern Heat author Trish Wylie and I are each going to write a book in 2 weeks. Yes, it can be done. No, neither of us has pulled it off before. But really, what choice do we have? I'm guessing I have two weeks to hear back for the new editor on the partial I sent in. Since the baby is coming, if I want to write this story I'll need to get it done before she wants the rest of that book. No time to waste!

I'm running with a darker idea than I usually attempt. Starts with a funeral, swirls around the world of Jane Austen, and may just end up on an island. Not sure. I'll have to keep up with Trish somehow!

Today I am calling Jake & Lily's story First Impressions. Be sure to check my blog and Trish's to see how we're managing!

963 / 50000 words. 2% done!

FinDaBoo!!

That Trish Wylie is a slave driver. I know she has a riding crop, and I'm betting she knows how to use it if those of us who promised to Finish the Damn Book with the Pink Heart Society don't actually write a book this year!

I'm in serious need of a kick in the pants...since I've been on writing vacation for a month now! So, FinDaBoo it is!

I'll even follow the FinDaBoo steps:

What :: A fun & flirty MX
Where :: In my bedroom/office
When :: Naptimes & after the babes are in bed
Who :: I have a CP who is up to her curly hair in a romantic suspense, so she'll read this as payment...so I had better make it good. She's gone sci-fi so she deserves a light, sexy read as a break.
Why :: I write what I want to read. I've been down on myself because of my latest string of rejections, but I need to keep in mind that I write for me. Hopefully that old adage (and book) do what you love and the money will follow comes true this year. Otherwise...I won't be able to afford my book addiction!

Want to join in? Ally Blake is posting her tips on Saturday. Who else is on board? Bronwen, Sue, and many more who don't waste time on blogs. Smart chicks. Need help? Ally is doing a Between the Sheets workshop on her blog. Me? Yeah, I have a synopsis that squeaked by the CP...as long as I include pole dancing in chapter one.