Jennifer Apodaca's Blog, page 167

Weekend Roundup

I had a good weekend. Saturday was shopping and lunch with a friend. I loved helping her begin her search for a dress for her daughter’s wedding next summer. She did the same for me for CPA Boy and Special K’s wedding. Then we had a great lunch (no dessert, big surprise, I didn’t want dessert, LOL) and talked like girlfriends do. Also she’s NOT a writer–I love my writer friends but it’s nice to get totally away once in awhile.

Sunday I cleaned then spent the afternoon thinking about my book and here’s the thing: It’s time to make the hard decision, one I’ve been subconsciously avoiding. A scene I love isn’t working. I knew this instinctively weeks ago and refused to listen to my gut. I kept trying to MAKE it work. That really annoys me. But being annoyed or mad at myself is a serious waste of emotional energy and time.  What I can do is learn from this. NEXT TIME, DON’T FIGHT MY GUT. Like all writers, I’ve developed an instinct from many years of experience and I need to respect that next time my instinct (gut) is trying to tell me a hard truth. So this week, I’m fixing it and moving forward. Finally.

And in fun news; we might get a special visitor this weekend. I’ll give you three hints. He’s super cute, cleans my kitchen floor and loves lizard hunting:

It’s Bailey Dog!

It’s not for sure yet, Middle Son is still making some plans. But it’ll be fun if it works out–it’ll be the first time we have Bailey since Wizard retired.

So how was your weekend?

Happy Friday & Writer’s Block

So last night at dinner, Wizard and I were talking about Writer’s Block.

But before I get to that conversation,  while I was cooking dinner Wizard got super suspicious. “What are you doing?”

“Cooking.” I was actually cutting up fresh broccoli to steam. We were having chicken, rice and broccoli.

But Wizard had a problem with that. However he knows better than to say, I don’t want vegetables because that conversation never goes well for him. Instead, he’s employed this new tactic of acting like I’m trying to get him fat. With vegetables. Seriously. So he says in a completely annoyed voice, “You’re making THREE things for dinner? Isn’t that too much? We agreed to cut back.”

I’m so on to him. “Oh don’t worry.”

Now he’s worried. “Why not?”

I held up the plate of fresh broccoli all prepped to steam. “I’m cooking this broccoli juussstttt to piss you off.”

He burst into laughter. That was the last I heard about the broccoli. He even ate some of it.

Okay so while eating dinner, Wizard says, “So what’s the deal with your book. I thought you were happy writing this.”

“I am.”

“Uh huh. You’re burping puppies and rainbows, Sunshine.”

“What???” I mean seriously, what?

“I didn’t want to say farting puppies and rainbows at the dinner table.”

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Anyhow…once I recovered, he said, “So do you have writer’s block or something?”

“Ugh, not writer’s block. Me and Batman pretty much agree on writer’s block.”

Now that Wizard had that visual in his head, he said, “So what is it?”

“Middle of the book craziness. Here’s the thing, Linc lost control of his bloodlust and tried to attack Risa (He didn’t touch her, she’s fine). He’s been working to build her trust and then this…so I have to figure out how to come back from that. I’ve written probably six different scenes, and now I’m taking apart three of them and putting those together into the scene I think will work. That will show that she was betrayed and upset, while understanding that this is his reality and WHY he needs her to break the curse that causes the bloodlust. This scene needs to have emotional impact and ultimately bring them closer together and build on their connection so the reader can feel it and believe in them.

But I won’t know if I’ve succeeded until I try to  write the NEXT scene. If I’ve hit the right emotions in my characters, then the next scene will practically write itself. But if I’m stuck and hating it, or feel like the scene is sinking in quick sand, then I did something wrong and have to go back for the millionth time.”

I blurted all this out in agonizing detail, then I looked at him “Does that make sense?” I don’t know. At this point I’m always feeling lost and unsure. Wondering if I’m in over my head and doubting even my ability to breathe without a cheat sheet.

I was expecting him to say, “You’re making this too hard or too complicated.” He’s told me that before.

But no. Instead he leans over and says, “Yep. You have to get this right or the rest won’t work.”

I swear, it was like a massive stone was lifted off my chest. Now let’s hope Wizard is right. Because you know, this is the same man who thinks vegetables are going to make him fat

So this weekend, I’m going shopping with a friend. Her daughter is getting married next year and we’re looking for the perfect mother of the bride dress. Plus we’ll have lunch. It’ll be fun!

What are you doing this weekend?

Wednesday Worthy

I’m feeling better! I wasn’t really sick, just sinuses torturing me.  I had this plan to write out a “What I’ve learned blog” on Sunday, but that just didn’t happen. So I don’t know when I’ll get stated on those.  Especially since the Wing Slayers have begun taking over my mind.

So as a little aside the Family (all three boys and their girls, myself and Wizard–who ignores a lot of email relying on me to read it all) were discussing on email a possible trip together in a few months. Middle Son said on this email loop, “I have to figure out what to do with Bailey.”

Special K, who already has the hotel picked out, told Middle Son that the place was dog friendly, and said, “Bailey can come with us for only $20.00 a night.”

Middle Son instantly replies, “Bailey doesn’t have a job, how can he afford $20 a night? I’ll ask him anyway…”

Special K replies  “Oh don’t worry, Bailey will work to pay that off.  He works as a cuddle professional and easily makes $20/hr.”

Middle Son’s Girlfriend jumps in with, “This is the only work he knows. He sleeps all day everyday!” And adds this pic:

I’m cracking up watching these emails fly through my inbox. The trip will be a quick couple day event, but with this group, I’m sure it’ll be entertaining. Of course Wizard is like, “We’re doing what???”

I simply said, “It involves wine tasting, that’s all you need to know.”

I thought I heard him mutter,  “And the location of the closest emergency room.” But I chose NOT to hear that. One time, ONE TIME I tear my Achilles dancing after having a little wine and he acts like I’m a danger to myself. Okay, there was also the time I broke my little toe walking by him. Literally, I walked by, caught my toe on his shoe and broke it. Two other people SAW IT HAPPEN and couldn’t believe it.

My doctor, however, now believes me. I swear he waits for me to come in with these stories.

But I digress, there will be no emergency room visits…everyone knows I refuse to go and hide injuries until someone accidentally notices I can’t walk and my foot, leg or whatever is swollen to twice it’s normal size

But enough of that. Let’s move onto our Wednesday Worthy Candidate:

So what do you think, is he worthy?

The Proposition in Portuguese!

Despite my headache, I’m thrilled to share the cover for THE PROPOSITION in Portuguese from my Brazilian publisher Editora Charme:

This is one of my favorite covers ever. It’s up for preorder here http://loja.editoracharme.com.br/uma-...  and will release on December 10, 2014!

Also coming in December is the German version from Egmont LYX. They are releasing The Plus One Chronicles in two books instead of three.

 

And the preorder link for that is http://www.amazon.de/Plus-One-Nur-bei...

Hope everyone has a great day!

Weekend Roundup

I’m late, sorry! Saturday was okay,  but I didn’t feel well yesterday and still have a headache today. How about your weekend?

Happy Friday!

Man I think I’m still full. Yesterday was our anniversary, so we went out to dinner. It was sooo good! Then Wizard insisted we order dessert. So we ordered chocolate cake to split (they have great lobster, but their dessert menu is limited). Anyway, I’m still full.

And I’m going to the gym today. I am! Maybe…

So yesterday I put a Happy Anniversary to Wizard post up on my personal FB page. Special K (CPA boy’s wife) saw it instantly. But Wizard hadn’t seen it yet and had no idea.

His phone dings a text and Wizard says, “I bet it’s Middle Son about going radio control car racing on Sat.” Then he looked at his phone and let out an exclamation of surprise. “It’s Special K. Hmm, that’s unusual in the middle of the day. Wonder what she wants?”

“I don’t know, read it.” And I totally did this completely believable innocent expression:

 

Wizard was too excited to read Special K’s text to pay attention to me. He read it out loud, “Hey Dad, you should get Mom a French bulldog for your anniversary. Mom would love it so much.”  Wizard is totally baffled, sort of like this:

He turned to me. “How does Special K know it’s our anniversary?”

I know,you’re all thinking, “Um, duh, she’s married to your son. Surely he knows and told her. But nope, the kids don’t remember our anniversary because we’ve never made it a big deal with them. We’ve always chosen to do something special for the two of us, even if it’s just dinner out together. So Wizard is puzzled. Then the light went on and he turned suspicious eyes on me. “What did you do?”

I burst out laughing. “I’m not telling, but I tagged you on FB.”

He found it instantly, I posted an old picture from out wedding from so very long ago. Our wedding pics are pretty bad, but he was still entertained by it. And evidently so was Special K., LOL! And for the record he texted her back that he got me a horse, not a dog. A Mustang.  He means the car. Which is a joke because I didn’t get a dog, horse or car. But I did have a great day and dinner with Wizard so I’m happy. (And for the record, we agreed on no gifts.)

This will be a working weekend for me. I  love this story, but I’m feeling around for the best way to tell it. It just takes time and focus. What are your plans?

Wednesday Worthy

I’m debating doing an occasional post about what I’ve learned as a writer, but I’m wondering if any of you really want to hear that? Speak up and let me know; yes, no or only once in a while. There’s no wrong answer

Now let’s move onto out Wednesday Worthy Candidate.

 

 

What do you think? Is he worthy?

Weekend Roundup

Hey guys! We went through eight (8!!!) bags of candy for Halloween. The adorable little (and big) monsters cleaned us out. And I learned something new about myself – I love Twix bars. How have I been missing out on this delightful treats? Cookie, caramel and chocolate all in one? This is a deadly combination for me. I might as well pull the solid crisco fat out of the pantry and layer it directly on my thighs.

And I absolutely refuse to discuss the Strawberry Beignet I ate on Sunday when I was out with Biker Witch. That was not my fault, but part of my “try new things” plan. Of course, this plan doesn’t include new exercise, LOL! Okay I do plan on increasing my exercise as soon as I’m physically able

Anyway, Halloween was good here and hope it was great for all of you.

Now lets talk about reading. I’m reading PRISONER by Annika Martin and I’m so sucked in. The things is, I should NOT like this book. It’s a dubious consent book, but the psychology of the heroine’s attraction and growing attachment to her kidnapper rings true to me.  So while reading this, I’m having this internal dialogue with myself about how I shouldn’t like this book, yet I keep reading. As a writer, I think it’s freaking awesome. A writer who is essentially capturing my attention against my will.

Just like when I read MISERY by Stephen King years ago. OMG that book terrified me and yet I couldn’t stop reading.

Does this ever happen to you guys? Do you get sucked into a book almost against your will?

And how was your Halloween and weekend?

Happy Friday & Halloween!

I’m back to work on the Wing Slayers and loving it even if my writing time is limited lately!

For all those who participate, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! This year it totally snuck (Wrong tense? Is snuck even a word? Can you all tell I’ve been working long hours today and totally wiped out?)  up on me. For fun, I thought we’d have a little Halloween Costume Contest. I asked the Wing Slayer Hunters if they’d model for us, but they pitched a total fit about having to put on costumes.

MEN! Such whiners.

But then I found volunteers totally willing to model costumes! Okay, up first is Candidate Number 1 modeling a very trendy Halloween Hat but he’s sad as no one is giving him treats. I’m on it, heading to my cupboard right now to get him a super yummy bacon treat. I think he deserves at least two treats for rocking this hat!

“Wait!” Phoenix yells out. “No one told me there’d be bacon!”

“Too late, dude. You had your chance. The bacon treats are all for the models!” Okay, so where was I? Oh yeah, Candidate number 2: He happily volunteered to be a witch or wizard, but I  think he tricked the cat into getting into the cauldron. Hmm, do we deduct points for meanness? Or add points for out-smarting a cat since that doesn’t happen very often?

 

And now for Candidate number 3.  This guy has just been waiting for an excuse to wear his spiffy new tux. But he got so tired putting it on, he had to take a nap. Not only is he styling his tux, but he’s totally got the whole nap thing mastered.

“I have a tux. Hell I have four tuxes.” Linc shouted out. “I could have modeled a tux. Do you have any more bacon?”

Ignore Linc. He’s just mad because Candidate Number 3 wears a tux better than him. Linc is a little vain. Let’s move onto Candidate Number 4: This little guy is super cool as Devil Dog. He could steal my heart any day, what about yours?

So there you have it, our four Halloween Costume Contest Candidates. Who is your choice of a winner?

Hope you all have a great Halloween and a terrific weekend!

 

 

I’m Back and Wednesday Worthy

Hey! I missed all of you while I was in Florida. It was an amazing conference that had excellent workshops, opportunities to brainstorm, see old friends and make new ones.  It was interesting how many of us are juggling to manage our careers, yet thrilled to be doing it.  I haven’t transcribed my notes yet, but I’m hoping to do that this week and get an outline of key things I learned. But I won’t bore you guys with a bunch of recaps.

I got crazy lucky with an amazing room and a slider overlooking the ocean. It was stunning.

It was so gorgeous. See those blue chairs? Those are collapsed cabanas, two of my friends and I took an afternoon off and hung out there in those for a couple hours. Total relaxation! The water was really warm, and we saw some dolphins playing out there. Seriously, I lucked out with the view from my room–usually when I travel I have a view of the dumpsters or parking lot :-). I turned on the TV only ONCE just to make sure it worked, the rest of the time I listened to the waves while I worked on some notes, email with my Brazilian editor, caught up on social media or one morning when I had time, I even did a tiny amount of writing. I’d love to have stayed there another week to write non-stop but real life demanded my presence. Plus I missed Wizard.

In other news, Wizard figured out how to make coffee all by himself! He did great on his own. He’s having no problem filling his time so far since he retired. He even tried to vacuum for me, but he only managed to do the upstairs because the power went out.

At least that’s his story, LOL! He swears the power really went out.

Okay enough of all that.  I have a Wednesday Worthy Candidate for you:

 

What do you think, is he worthy? And now it’s YOUR turn, how have you all been while I was away? I really want to know!