Lacey Dancer's Blog, page 28

Saturday Finally

I love spring and smmer but finding a moment to just sit is getting more difficult every year.  This year the rains have come each day.  The grass grows while I sleep.  Between hopping on Mama Deere and Baby Deere, I jam in a few hours of writing.  For reasons known only to me, I was nuts when i thought this was a good idea, I have three books in various stages of writing.  Care Giving is the most urgent and another two weeks, may see it ready to go to the publisher.  Then it is Hot Diamonds, Cold Justice and Taking a Chance.  If I finish these by Christmas, I am taking a trip as a reward.  I’ll need it.

Fun Friday

What do you get when you put three men with a mission in a female free zone?  

For one night, no wife to console, no long legged girl friends to enjoy and no daughters to guide to womanhood.

This is the question of my writing day.  I have been pondering it for two days and only have a partial answer.  Since my grass is growing faster than usual and the mornings are cool enough to entice me outside, I have decided to take a break from the computer screen and put my hands around the steering wheel of one of my Deere’s.  I get some of my best ideas while doing chores.  I have to see what Jeff and company come up with as the three of them sit around the kitchen table and figure out how to find Carlo’s killer and stop the senseless killing of gem couriers.

While I am doing that, here are the last of research pictures of Thomasville, Georgia.  Both are street shots.

Writers Meeting Today

Thursday are always a bit hectic here.  The writers meet here at 3:30 so I really have to sit down to work and stick with it to get anything on the screen.  Hot Diamonds keeps giving me surprises.  This time it was a character I wasn’t expecting.  She is already proving to be fun to write.  Here’s a teaser.

“Jeffrey, you are staring.  I am too old a woman to be taken in by a young man flirting with me.”

He shook his head, smiling.  “You are too much of an expert for me to try.”

She laughed.  “I am that, young man.  I am that.  My first kiss was from a prince.  He was actually a frog in disguise but what do fourteen year old girls know.  I learned better.”

I haven’t forgotten.  Here is another reasearch picture from my trip.  There are apartments over many of the stores on the streets.  I am considering having the male lead in Taking a Chance using one for overnighting when he has to do business in Tallahassee.  I especially liked these homes because of the balconeys that overlook the sidewalks and the cobblestone streets.  Charm and romance all in one.

Halfway There

Hot Diamonds, Cold Justice is moving right along.  This excerpt is from a scene between long time friends.  See what you think.

“I had to see my son’s last moments.  I could not be with him but I could see him that one last time.  I saw Carlo struggle to help a friend, my friend and his.  I saw Jeff face a man down and then dip his hands in my son’s blood to try to save him.  I saw my friend’s face as he felt my Carlo die. I will not forget.”  He knocked back the Jack.  “I will not forgive those who took my Carlo’s life.”

Here’s the next research picture.  In this case the picture explains a lot about the town. Click on the image for a larger view if needed.

Tuesday Recap

Love starting a new book.  The energy is always pushing for just a few more sentences.  Here’s a short excerpt from Hot Diamonds, Cold Justice.

The thief backed out the store.  Jeff watched, as both men slammed the doors and sped away.  He was down on his knees beside Carlo before the tire screams died,  his gun dropping in an ever widening pool of blood as he tried to stop the life flowing out of Carlo’s body.  With one red smeared hand, he dialed 911 and put the cell on speaker.  He needed both hands to try to save Carlo from bleeding to death before help could arrive.

Can’t wait to see what this morning brings.  Will keep you posted and as promised and here is another picture from my research trip.  The next book will be taking place in this area of northern Florida. I can see scenes on this street, in these shops.

Loved this clock.

 

Research and Recreation Sunday

Sunday is my day of rest and recharge for the new week.  Resting has many forms depending on my mood.  This week, a friend and I headed for Thomasville, Georgia with no map and a new route in mind.  We ended up going straight into Tallahassee and through to pick up the Thomasville Highway.  Along the detoured but fun road we found two stores I wanted to visit.  Finally, stomachs rumbling for food we made it to our destination.  Will be sharing pictures this week of this truly lovely town.  Here is one to start.

This is the main street of town. Beautiful old buildings, lovingly restored house interesting boutiques.

Working on Endorsements for Care Giving

With a book like Care Giving: Real Life Answers, I thought talking to some experts in the various fields would be a good way to get feedback before I took this work to print.  So far I have one doctor on board and am talking to other sources.  I will keep you updated.  Right now I am also working on the index which is as time consuming as it is painstaking.  I think it will be worth it in the end for the ease of those who need this book.

MEMORIAL DAY

Today we celebrate and remember our men and women who serve our country in times of war and peace.  Their hearts, minds and bodies stand on a line for all of us each day now and every day in the past.  Because they fought when there was no hope, when there was no way to win against greater forces than they, we have our country, our freedom and our flag.  My father fought on Iwo Jima.  My husband served during the Viet Nam War and my brother served in both the Atlanta and Pacific Fleet.  Each left behind those who loved them, feared for them and were proud of them.  Each came back.  Blessed though I was with each, I cannot forget, nor do I wish to, those who have not and do not come back.  THANK YOU, THOSE WHO SERVE AND THOSE WHO WAIT.  WE ARE GREAT BECAUSE YOU SERVED.

Sunday, A Day of Rest

The first thing on Sunday after feeding my animals is visiting my local church.  We have a small congregation but a very loving one.  It is always a great way to start a new week.  After church, a friend and I love to have lunch at a favorite restuarant.  The food is wondeful, garden grown by the owner Wanda.  Better than home made because I don’t have to do the dishes.  Thought you might like to see our hang out.  Wanda is front and center behind the counter.  All those wonderful jars on the shelves in front are her own jars of goodies for all of us to enjoy.  Gotta love her peach milkshakes!

Donkeys and New Plot

Noelle and Mystic are half sisters, different moms and same dad.  I never see one without the other.  I wish I spoke donkey just to hear what they are talking about now.  What a way to start the morning, cool temperatures and a ride around the farm.  Love it.  Started a new book yesterday afternoon.  Murder and robbery in the first two pages.  Hot Diamonds, Cold Justice.  Chapter One starts now.