What has led to my emergence from my cave??? Book 7 is DONE!! Hip, hip hooray!! (Well, it’s almost done—once my editor, Emily, reads the manuscript, I’ll still need to make whatever changes she requests, but not a problem!! The sucker’s got a beginning, a middle, and an end and there was a point in time when I seriously wondered whether it would!!)

The above aside brings me around to something that I have lying on my desk. A couple of years ago when I was attending Malice Domestic, one of the venders was selling buttons with sayings on them. Now I’m not a big fan of wearing buttons personally, but I am of sayings. And here are the ones that I just HAD to buy:

“…and it’s finished! It only has to be written.” (That one’s flipped through my mind quiet a bit over the last few months!!!)

“How many writers does it take to change a light bulb? Never mind that—let me tell you about MY light bulb!” (Okay, does this mean writers can be a little self-absorbed? Umm…well…sort of! In our defense, I think we just get so wrapped up in the characters and the worlds that we’re creating that we like to talk about them…a lot!!!! )

And last but not least, at this point in time:

“Another deadline, another miracle!” (Self explanatory!)

Anyone else have any sayings that they’d like to share?? I’d love to read them!

Take care and have a good one!

Shirley

Sorry for my long absence!!! I don’t know where the summer went! The older I am–the faster time seems to fly! (That sounds so like something my mother would’ve said…scary! 8)) Anyway, here’s a quick update.

I just returned this week from RAW (Readers’ Appreciation Weekend) sponsored by author Lora Leigh. I had a great time—I met a lot of fantastic readers, hung out with some old friends, and had the chance to talk with the other authors attending. It was fun, stimulating, and at the same time, relaxing!

And speaking of relaxing—I needed a little R&R! I’m knee deep into Book 7 of Ophelia and Abby.(The manuscript is due November 15th…yikes!) In this one Ophelia, Abby, and Tink return to Abby’s childhood home in the mountains of North Carolina, and everyone finally gets to meet the infamous Great Aunt Mary! And Aunt Dot, a favorite with the readers, is going to be making an appearance, too.

Next weekend, I’m heading to St. Louis for an event at the McClay Branch Library in St. Charles and my first Sci-F/Fantasy convention—Archcon 32. Laurel K. Hamilton is the featured guest of honor, and my one of my blogging buddies over at Something Wicked, Angie Fox is going to be my partner in crime for the weekend! It should be fun and I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of readers!

Other changes over the summer, as many of you know, I’m now working with Dorine and Angie at Millennium Promotions. (Angie designed this website—didn’t she do a fantastic job??? 8)) We’ve some exciting things planned…a Myspace page and a Yahoo group (announcement only) with notices of what’s going on, latest contests, and new releases. Hopefully, the Myspace and the Yahoo group will allow me to be more consistent is staying in touch with all of you.

And speaking of releases—THE WITCH’S GRAVE is available now for pre-orders!! It actually hits the bookstores at the end of December, and I’m really excited about its publication! I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!

Last but not least, a special thanks to all of you who entered our mystery contest!! I’ll be announcing the winners when I return from St. Louis, (I know I’m late with this…go figure! )so stop back to find out if you won! (I will be emailing the winners!) We’ll also be announcing the winner of “You’ve Got to Have Friends” contest soon, so if you haven’t entered, you still have time! And, since October is almost upon us and that is Ophelia and Abby’s month, we’ll be announcing a new contest then, too.

That’s it for now—thank you all for your patience and your continued support!!!

Best,
Shirley