Julia London's Blog, page 68

And We're Off!

By the time you are reading this, Dee, Kathleen, Sherri, Jacquie and I will be on our way to New York for the annual Romance Writer's Association convention.  Julie will be on her way to the beach.  I bet she packed less than us.

Each year, we go.  We would probably all put it out there that we go to stay abreast of industry trends, to have business meetings, and to attend workshops.  Which is true in large part.  There is a lot of business.  There is business.  We meet with our editors and agents.  We do videos for our publisher's websites.  We do booksignings to support the eradication of literacy (and if you are in the New York area, you should come meet 500 of your favorite authors–proceeds go to fight illiteracy.  Here are the deets).  We whiners are giving a workshop about being whiners (and if you want to know how to be one, come to our workshop at 9:45 Thursday morning).  We meet up with new authors and aspiring authors, we share what we know and what we don't know.  We are scheduled from the crack of dawn until the late at night, when we meet up and drink.  HA!

That's when we really get down to our reason for going.  We all have divergent goals in going, but we also have a common goal:  gossip.  That's what women do.  They get together with friends that they haven't seen in person all year, they hug, they check in on families and careers, and then they get down to brass tacks–good, juicy gossip.   I am not afraid to own it.  If I go spend a week in New York with 2500 of my closest friends, I better come home with some dirt.  I am not always successful, but if I hear any, I'll let you know .

We'll be around so stick around this week!

 

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About the Book Saturday

This week marks my Book 2 release in the Harts of Texas trilogy, Just Let Go… It's the story of Austen Hart, who has to return home to Tin Cup, Texas and face down his past and in return, reclaim the only woman who ever held his heart.

Just Let Go...

I had a lot of fun writing this one. It's a lot of small town community and fun Texas sayings. I love Texas talk. I love to say "fixing to," or "having a conniption" or "come a blue Norther" or any number of great ways to express the ordinary. I love how a Coke in Texas can be any type of soft drink, including Dr. Pepper. I love the way the kitchen is the heart of any Texas home.

Small Town Texas

So, my question for today, what fun expressions did you grow up with, or what fun sayings came from your roots?

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And We All Fall Down

So yesterday, I was running along, and at a street corner, I looked back to see where my dog was.  I tripped and fell down, catching myself with both hands and jamming both thumbs.  It wasn't really a bad fall — I've had worse — but of course there was some guy behind me walking his dogs, so he was treated to quite a little show.

So I got up and kept running, did the old, "shake it off," routine, more for pride than anything else.  I wanted to sit there and see if anything was broken.  I wanted to see if I was bleeding, because I did get a few scrapes.  But no, I kept going,which gave me the opportunity to think back in life of all the times I have fallen.  Have I ever fallen when I was by myself?  Once.  Down the stairs in the middle of the night.  All the other times have been in front of people.  Crowded venues, where everyone can see.  Never in the privacy of my own back yard.

I have fallen over the handlebars of a bike.  I have fallen on a child and somehow managed not to crush the poor thing by breaking my fall with my elbow.  I have fallen with a group of girls who was acting silly and gave myself a concussion.  I have fallen in a courthouse and on 6th street because of a curb I didn't see.  But I have never fallen walking around my own house.

What about your falls?  Private or public?  Embarrassing?  Injuries?  Have you ever jammed both thumbs on a day you have a deadline like I did today?

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Getting Ready

I'm in the midst of packing for the Romance Writers of America conference in New York next week and it's proving a daunting task.  Part of that is because of the baggage and weight restrictions placed by the airlines.  I don't want to check in more than one bag due to the cost.  Plus, between the checked bag, my carry-on bag, and my purse that's more than enough to schlep around.  But my check-in bag can only weight 40 pounds.  Ack!  That's definitely a problem because I not only have all my conference attire (which requires outfits for both day and evening), I'll be remaining in NY after the conference to visit family–so that's a lot of clothes.  I wish I was one of those people who could pack just one pair of black pants, one skirt, a few different tops, and a single pair of shoes and make 500 different outfits out of that, but that's just not how I roll.  Plus, I suspect I'll be doing a bit of shopping while I'm there, so I'll have even more stuff to schlep home.  I definitely see a trip to the UPS store in my future!  Darn the airlines with all their luggage restrictions!

Still, in spite of the restrictions and crowded airplane seating, I've always loved traveling.  I love going to the airport, love partaking of my pre-flight ritual of piling up on magazines then settling in with a venti decaf latte from Starbucks to flip through the glossy pages and people watch.  As for New York, I'm excited to see my family and to attend the conference where I'll get to reconnect with my writer gals, the Whiners, and meet readers. 

Do you like to travel?  If so, how to like to go–plane?  Train?  Automobile?  Horse and buggy?  What places are on your travel bucket list?  Or would you rather just stay at home?

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Happy Solstice

Summer Art Camp!

Well, it must really be summer (or at least, it started yesterday) because like Julia I forgot that it was my day to blog until about 5 minutes ago, and now I have to hop in the shower (no, I really, really do) and take the girls to art camp.

So lets talk about summer. What are your plans? Anything fun on the agenda this year? What's the best summer vacation you can remember?

Me, we're going to do the Houston museums, NASA, and Galveston. I'm excited about lounging on the beach (even bought a regular Kindle so I don't have to rely on the iPad in the bright sun). The girls are excited about the whole trip, but lately they've been talking about Moody Gardens. Rainforest enviroment and a penguin webcam. What's not to love?

Best summer vacation ever: That would have to be when I did the backpacking through Europe thing. Adventure, intrigue (was scammed out of sixty pounds), romance. And all in the days before cell phones. How did we survive?

How about y'all?

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Show Your Arms!

Not your actual arms. I mean your coat of arms. I'm fascinated that the duchess formerly known as Kate Middleton and her family had to come up with a coat of arms for her to take her title and place next to William. Or something like that. I'm not really up on the whys and hows of this story– and I'm finishing up the big move today, so not much time to research. I just know that the arms look like this:[image error]

And, as the story goes, the coat of arms displays three acorn sprigs that represent the three Middleton children – Kate, Pippa and James – and reflects the many oak trees in the English countryside village of Bucklebury where they live. Blue and red were chosen for the design, as they are the main colors in the flag of the United Kingdom. The coat of arms also includes a gold chevron, which represents Middleton's mother, Carole (her maiden name is Goldsmith). White chevrons on each side represent hills and mountains, a reference to the outdoor activities the family enjoys. It hangs from a blue ribbon, which indicates an unmarried daughter.

So I was thinking what my coat of arms would look like. Not the actual one. There are stores where you can research and find a coat of arms that supposedly represents your family name and buy it for a low low price of probably $99. 99 or something. But that wouldn't really represent me or my family, now, would it?

If I designed mine, I would have a lion to represent my daughter (a Leo). Maybe a dragon to represent my son, because he has always loved dinosaurs and that's pretty close (but cooler). Maybe a cardinal, because I consider them to be lucky birds for me. And an olive branch, because my husband and I are both middle children and tend to the peace-keepers in our families. I have no idea how it would all come together, but those are some of my thoughts for now.

What's on your coat of arms, real or imagined?

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Living It Up, Drive-In Style

Friday night we were looking for something to do, the kids were bored, and so we decided to drive about 45 minutes east to Warwick, NY, home of the Warwick Drive-In Theater. We've been there a couple of times before, but I always forget how fun it is – until I'm there.

The Warwick Drive-In

It's not quite the usual drive-in. There aren't radios on poles anymore. Now you drive up on the hilly lot (think stadium seating for cars), tune your radio to the correct station, and settle in for a first-run movie. The fun thing about having a CRV or station wagon is turning the car around and settling in the back cargo area with a blanket and pillows and kicking back in true comfort.

The first movie that we saw was Super 8. I was hugely surprised. I had heard almost nothing about the movie, but it was great! It's done by JJ Abrams (Mr. Lost) and produced by Spielberg, and it had a very ET vibe to it. According to the reviews (which I read after we saw it), Abrams did an homage to the older, more family-friendly kid stories and you can tell.

Joe and Alice

It's the story of kids making a zombie movie (Sherri, I thought of you), and then got caught up filming government secrets instead. I don't know if any of y'all have seen this one, but it's a great one for kids. The hero, Joe, played by Joe Courtney did a great job. He wasn't the director of the zombie flic, but the props and make-up dude. I always love the story where it's the overlooked kid who turns into the leader (and the romantic lead as well). The heroine was Elle Fanning, (sis of Dakota) who is fathered by the town outcast (who happened to be responsible for Joe's mother's death). It was a four star show for me. Kathleen says 'check it out.'

The second flick was Hangover II, which was painfully bad to moi and we ended up leaving about 30 minutes into it. However, to be fair to be the movie and to Hangover II fans, it was very late, and I hadn't seen Hangover I, so when the clock struck midnight, we decided to call it a drive-in movie night.

Hangover II

So, how about everybody else? Great weekend stuff? I know we had a TON of graduation parties in the neighborhood. Any other whine sisters celebrating the big graduation?

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A New Age

So I'm officially ushering in a new age for my career with my upcoming novella Daring!   Daring, part of the A-Tac series is only coming out in e-format and not as part of an anthology.   Priced at $1.99 it will be available in July from the usual suspects–Barnes and Nobles, Borders and Amazon, and also from other strictly e-sellers.  (Is that even a word?)

Here's the back cover copy (although there is in reality no back cover….)

As the former medical officer for A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college, Lara Prescott saved many lives. But the memory of the one person she couldn't save has brought her back into harm's way—and into the sights of a formidable adversary . . .

NOWHERE IS SAFE

Lara thought working a world away would heal her. Yet volunteering to treat the sick and injured in revolution-torn central Africa can't stop the shattering memories of losing the man she loved. A night with sexy security officer Rafe Winters seems the perfect temporary escape—until insurgents attack her clinic and Rafe becomes her only way to survive . . .

Rafe knows all too well that this beautiful young doctor is the insurgents' real target: her knowledge of America's espionage system makes her a valuable prize. Helping her flee jeopardizes his hidden agenda—but her unexpected trust in him sparks a desire to protect that he can't ignore. Now as their merciless pursuers close in, Rafe and Lara's only chance for escape will put everything they've sworn to protect—and their newfound love—on the line . . .

So are you in love with your e-reader?  Do you still read books in print?

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Daring

DARING….

As the former medical officer for A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college, Lara Prescott saved many lives. But the memory of the one person she couldn't save has brought her back into harm's way—and into the sights of a formidable adversary . . .

NOWHERE IS SAFE

Lara thought working a world away would heal her. Yet volunteering to treat the sick and injured in revolution-torn central Africa can't stop the shattering memories of losing the man she loved. A night with sexy security officer Rafe Winters seems the perfect temporary escape—until insurgents attack her clinic and Rafe becomes her only way to survive . . .

Rafe knows all too well that this beautiful young doctor is the insurgents' real target: her knowledge of America's espionage system makes her a valuable prize. Helping her flee jeopardizes his hidden agenda—but her unexpected trust in him sparks a desire to protect that he can't ignore. Now as their merciless pursuers close in, Rafe and Lara's only chance for escape will put everything they've sworn to protect—and their newfound love—on the line . . .

 

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Friday, Friday, what's not to love about Friday?

We are in the homestretch for the school year and I am SO ready for it to be done. Slowly the schedules are coming to an end. Soccer is over. Violin lessons have stopped for the summer. Drivers ed is a fait accompli. The only thing not over is my next book. I brainstormed with JK yesterday and got the handle on the plot(s) for the next trilogy and am ready to get started.

But so many things are currently distracting me. I have planted a small shade flower bed in my back yard, and even though it's not complete, it's complete enough to make me happy.

A Shade Garden in Progress

The bunnies are hopping through the yard, and I feel like a puppy, spying new things to watch.

I have avoided the gym for the past three weeks because I did something to a tendon in my hand. It's not a major problem, just a nuisance. Apparently when I run on the treadmill, I fist my hand too tightly. Yes, I have America's first running injury to the hand.

And then there are the kitties. Felix and Diablo are the new addition to our household, and sometimes I just sit and watch them play. They run and tumble, and Diablo is always looking for new places to explore. Yesterday it was the dryer. Thankfully I discovered him before he was spun-dry. I have forgotten about how fascinating cats can be.

Kitties in a Box!

Today's list is to put away some laundry, and work on the book. I have actually written page 1 and 2 (always a big milestone to get to page 2). But I think I may have to step away from the house and concentrate on the story.

So, what's on everyone's to-do list today? Anybody else getting spring fever in summer?

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