The Eye of the Storm

My Latest Article at Her Nashville

2009-08-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

This month, Her Nashville is all about pets. The magazine is showcasing those lovable, adorable, playful little influences that can change your life with their unique brand of affection. My article about a very special little cat appears in the August issue. "A World of Love, Wrapped Up in Fur" is the true story about the fuzzy soul who changed MY life forever.

You can read the article here.

And if you're in the Nashville area, pick up your print copy of Her Nashville. It's a great read!

I'm a Terrible Blogger...But I Have Good News!

2009-08-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

I know I've said it before, but now I'm absolutely certain of the fact that I'm a terrible blogger. It's been well over a month since my last post (almost two months, actually, but why split hairs?), and though I've had plenty to say, I haven't had much time in which to say it. That's the cool thing about life these days...busy is very good. The flip-side is that I'm too busy to talk about how busy I am.

Wait...is that good or bad?

I find that I'm updating my Twitter account quite frequently...so if you want to follow me there, it would be much appreciated! Here's the link to my tweets.

Anyway, there is good news coming in from all sides. This past year has been a marvelous ride, as most roller coasters tend to be. Here are the highlights of the last few months...

The freelance business is booming. I am continuously surprised by this tiny little business, which isn't so tiny anymore. It's grown by leaps and bounds, and lately I've found that I have to turn down more work than I accept. On one hand I feel badly about that, because I know I am missing out on awesome projects...on the other hand, I absolutely LOVE the projects I'm working on right now.

I am very happy with the way things are going right now, and I count my blessings every day. I wake up each morning to the dream job, and every one of my clients is a joy to work with. No complaints here!

Vacations are good things. This summer the kids spent a month with their other Mom and Dad in Kentucky, so Chuck and I took the time for mini-vacations. One of the best ones we took was down to the Mississippi Delta, where we spent time in Greenville and Clarksdale. The land was beautiful, as always, and the towns were so quaint and lovely...but the big shocker came when we drove through downtown Greenville and saw so many of the businesses boarded up. It broke my heart to see what was once a thriving center of community now little more than a ghost town.

But beyond that, we had an excellent time throughout the month. It was nice to get away, take some deep breaths of other places and spaces, and come home with a feeling of calm renewal.

I'm still writing novels. In fact, I recently signed with an agent, and I am very optimistic about what we can do together. Ironically, this comes about a month before the surprising and unfortunate demise of Black Lace, where I am published under my pseudonym. The fact that most Black Lace authors learned about it through the media was an unfortunate insult added to injury...but in the spirit of Forrest Gump, that's all I've got to say about that.

The new novel is coming along nicely. Mississippi Rising is my latest, and it's at the halfway point right now. The trip we took down to Mississippi was the inspiration I needed to really get moving on this one. The follow-up book is in the planning stages already...it's going to be set in the flatlands, too.

And the big news for the hubby, of course (save the best for last, right?):

Chuck comes back to Cougar Hill! When Dickson County's longtime radio station closed in the spring, Cougar sports disappeared with it - but they are coming back this fall to a new station, 94.5 FM, "The Dove."

Chuck and all the Cougar broadcasting crew, including Randy Tidwell and Ed Sheley, will be coming back to call the games - and now they will have the power of 50,000 watts behind them, which means you can hear it throughout ALL of Dickson County, as well as surrounding areas. We even picked up The Dove in Kentucky over the weekend, so it's safe to say the coverage area is huge.

For more information on that, as well as an upcoming games schedule, you can log onto Chuck's website.

Football season is almost here...autumn is fast approaching...and that's the sweet sugar-on-top after a very, very good summer.

Come Hang Out With Me Next Weekend!

2009-06-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 27, I will be signing books at Sherlock's Book Emporium in Lebanon, Tennessee. Come out and hang with some really cool people - many of my fellow Music City Romance Writers will be on hand to sign their books. It's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Sherlock's Books. Lebanon, TN. From 1 - 4 in the afternoon on next Saturday, June 27. I'll be there to sign copies of Carolina Hurricane, as well as copies of the latest books written by my spicy alter-ego.

I hope to see you there!

Inspiration at Midnight

2009-06-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

Late last night, as I was crawling into bed after a long day, I was struck by the final plot point to my next novel. It's something I've been wrestling with for weeks, and I was right on the verge of giving up on the idea and moving on to something else when the flash of inspiration finally came.

I immediately wrote it all down, but any hope of sleep was completely shot. So I lay in bed (the mind was going a million miles a minute, but my body was tired) and worked through the novel in my head. Today I opened up the rough draft and got to work in earnest.

And over the last week, I've decided that I'm not a good blogger. Terrible, really. I only blog when I have something significant to say, and sometimes not even then, depending upon the mood of the moment. I know I should be more proactive about keeping this little corner of the internet up to date...I'm going to try.

Another Nashville Examiner Article on Yours Truly!

2009-05-18T04:29:00.001-07:00

How cool is this?

The lovely Paige from the Nashville Examiner has posted another article - this one is about my freelance work. We talked about ghostwriting, advice for up-and-coming writers and how I got started doing this writing thing.

You can see the article here - Spotlighting Freelance Writer: Shannon Dauphin

And if you need a good ghostwriter...well, you know how to find me, right?

Nashville Examiner Interview

2009-05-13T05:11:00.001-07:00

There's another interview floating around out there! You would think I talk a lot, wouldn't you? *grin*

This one is with the lovely Paige of Nashville Examiner. I talk about quite a bit of things, including my pseudonym (*gasp*), Killer Nashville, dreams and ambitions, and the book I would recommend to anyone who wants to be a writer.

Go here to read the interview...and it's only the first part, so stay tuned for more in the coming days!

Chloe Gets Into Trouble

2009-05-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

Well, not really. But she tried her best when she did this interview with MeanKitty! She told quite a few secrets in an attempt to embarrass me, which didn't work...so far. But she's just now enjoying her first taste of the spotlight, so you can bet she's not done yet!

Go here to read what Chloe had to say about yours truly.

Taking a Day in the Slow Lane...

2009-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a very good job of keeping up with this blog over the last week - which is a bit sad, considering I've had so much to blog about. Today is a quiet day, just me and the computer, which is why it seems like a day in the slow lane.

Last weekend was the Heart of Dixie Romance Reader's Luncheon, and I had a wonderful time! I love meeting new people, and this was definitely the place to do that. The lunch conversation was great, the book signing went well, and it was a creative shot in the arm to be in the room with such energy and excitement. I came home ready to write, but exhaustion kept me away from the computer - in fact, as soon as I got home I hit the bedroom and slept for ten hours. The energy has to run out sometime!

I spent the entire week writing up a storm on freelance projects. I wrote several articles about diabetes, started a proofreading project, and did research into building chicken coops. I learned quite a bit about hockey, universal design, and backcountry camping. This job is never boring!

I also made good headway on my next novel, which is nearing the finish line. I expect it to be complete by the end of the month. Then it's on to finishing the crime novel I have been batting around for the last year, in the hopes of having the manuscript complete before the Killer Nashville conference in August.

On Friday morning I accompanied my husband to a meeting with the potential new owners of the radio station. We were both impressed with the couple, who seemed to know exactly what they were getting into and had a strong, solid vision for the station and its place in the community. Wouldn't it be beautiful to hear WDKN on the air again?

Friday night was the Boy Scout Blue & Gold Banquet, where our son received his Arrow of Light. He was surrounded by family and friends, and took the charge quite seriously, as he should have. He was welcomed into his new Boy Scout troop with handshakes and smiles, and all weekend he has talked about what he has to do before he makes Eagle Scout. He's very determined.

Saturday rolled around and so did a beautiful wedding in Kentucky, where my ex-husband got hitched. I suppose it seems odd that Chuck and I would be in attendance at my ex's wedding, but it was a joyous occasion - and I firmly believe that he got it right this time.

This week? Writing. Nothing but writing. Full speed ahead!

Heart of Dixie Romance Reader's Luncheon

2009-04-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

Put a whole bunch of romance writers into one room and what do you get? The Heart of Dixie Romance Reader's Luncheon! Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the event, which will be held in Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday. There will be raffles, fun gifts, a book fair and signing, comments by Vicki Lewis Thompson, and of course, good food.

I will be there, so won't you join me? Register here to reserve your seat!

Memories and Drive-Ins

2009-04-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

Drive-In movie theaters are always so inspiring. They are a piece of Americana, their soaring screens tucked away in the tiniest towns, their concession stands long and low and flat, their grassy parking spaces wide and almost always surrounded by high tress, the better to keep the non-paying customers from creeping in. They are almost always old, their screens sometimes blemished, their speaker poles sometimes damaged, but these little imperfections just make the experience more interesting.

Watching a movie at a Drive-In Theater is a unique experience. Forget the jokes about parking in the back row and breaking in your backseat instead of watching the movie (though there are often those who do just that). Consider the great things you just don't get at any other movie theater. Here in the great outdoors, the smell of the grill makes your mouth water, and the cheeseburgers and corn dogs are served up in wax paper, the grease spots competing with the yellow pools of melted cheese that have slipped out of the bun. The popcorn comes in buckets and the sodas are the perfect antidote to the humid summer air.

Spill a bit of popcorn on your way back to the car? No problem - that's why you see so many birds flittering around, hoping to find their share. By morning, Mother Nature will have made certain that popcorn is nowhere to be found. In the minutes before the movie starts, as twilight kisses the screen and the stars come out, people get to know each other. The Drive-In is not a hush-hush environment like the cool, enclosed movie theater. Here, you set up your chairs and remember your mosquito spray and bundle up in blankets when it's a bit chilly and wave hello to your neighbors in the next car over. See someone you know? Stroll over and chat for a while. There are no ushers to give you stern frowns and remind you to be quiet.

Even the movie quality itself is interesting. These are not often first-run movies -- the Drive-In theaters these days run on a shoestring, so they get the new releases a month after everyone else has had them -- so the reels have been shipped here and there, have been cut and spliced, and have a grainy feel that would be unacceptable in the big movie theater downtown. But that quality is perfect in the world of the Drive-In, where everything is laid back and casual and fun.

Some of my most poignant memories are tied to Drive-Ins. I remember my very first Drive-In movie -- E.T. at the Calvert Drive-In. I remember being in awe of the bike that flew in front of the moon. I cried when E.T. had to go home. I ate enough popcorn to make myself almost sick, bummed my Mom's soda and got upset when my baby brother started crying. So I sat outside of the car instead, and that's when the true love of Drive-Ins took hold. I was slapping mosquitoes and listening to the crackly sound coming from the speakers and gazing up at the stars when the movie got slow. Childhood heaven was in that big grassy field with dozens of people around me and the big screen keeping me entertained.

I introduced my own children to the Drive-In theater when they were very young. In fact, my son was just over one year old when I took him to see his first Star Wars movie. I relished that fact, considering the original Star Wars movies had come out when I was too young to really notice or care, and now they were seeing a resurgence in popularity. My son wasn't interested in the movie, however - he was more interested in toddling around, which became difficult as darkness descended. As he came toward me, he tripped on the blanket we were using -- and his hard little forehead collided with the bridge of my nose.

The burst of pain was astounding, unbelievable, impossible. I tried to breathe through my mouth while I blinked back tears. My son's first trip to the Drive-In ended with my broken nose...not exactly what I had envisioned, as you can imagine.

Fast forward ten years to last night, while our kids sat in their folding chairs at the Pink Cadillac and stared up at the screen, mesmerized by the movie, their hands deep in popcorn buckets, blankets over their laps, occasionally laughing out loud, saying hello to friends who walked by, and now and then looking over at us with the expression that said, "Mom and Dad, isn't this just the coolest thing ever?"

Yeah, it is. It certainly is.

An Evening with Patsy Cline

2009-04-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Last night Chuck and I ventured into the heart of downtown Nashville for the opening night of "Always...Patsy Cline." The show stars Mandy Barnett as Patsy Cline and Tere Myers as devoted fan Louise Seger. It returns to the Ryman Auditorium this spring to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Ryman's renovation.

I had never seen this show before, and last night I was mesmerized. Mandy Barnett has won raves for her performance, but regardless, it's something you have to see to believe. She sounded exactly like Patsy Cline, and she looked so much like the legend that it felt like seeing a ghost onstage. Her voice has a power that can give you chills.

The show is based on the letters Patsy Cline wrote to one of her biggest fans. After meeting Louise Seger at a show in Texas, Patsy kept in contact with Louise through the years, right up until her life ended in the 1963 plane crash. What struck me the most about the premise of the show is how different things are now in the world of music. Patsy Cline was performing during a time when artists were accessible to fans, when the "crazies" weren't out in force at every show, when true, personal connections could be made between the ticketholders and those behind the microphone.

Several of us were talking about those "old days" during the intermission, and we agreed that with very few exceptions, that time of true connection might be long gone. It's a sad reality for the newer artists, I think.

Before the Ryman show we attended the opening reception for the Opry Originals store on Broadway. It's a lovely place, and the prices are quite reasonable - they could charge more and get away with it! I particularly like the clothing, especially the Manuel duds. Chuck loved the Hee-Haw section and we both fell in love with the Hatch Show Print posters, of course. Those are a big weakness for both of us.

Today I have caught up on articles, worked ahead a bit, and planned out next week's schedule. Things are looking busy, and that's just the way I like it!

Today's The Day!

2009-04-09T10:09:00.001-07:00

Today's the day to hear my dear husband's debut on KIX 96!

Crazy Chucky's Classic Country Corner will premiere TODAY at 1 P.M. central time. If you're in middle and southeastern Tennessee, you can listen to Chuck spin the classic hits from 1-3 on KIX - that's 96.7 on your FM dial.

He's not called the "Walking Encyclopedia of Country Music" for nothing...so give him a call this afternoon and see if you can stump him with some country music trivia!

Yes, I'm Still Writing.

2009-04-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

I haven't mentioned writing in a long time, but believe it or not, I'm actually putting pen to paper these days. Or fingers to keyboard. Or chalk to sidewalk. Whatever it takes to get these ideas out of my head and onto the page, I'm doing it.

My latest freelance work is going very well. I'm currently doing work for a company that I absolutely adore...the communication is great, the editors are superb, and the assignments are always interesting. I'm doing quite a bit of diabetic articles, but really, I never know what is going to show up in my inbox next. If only all freelance work could be this much fun!

I've done a serious overhaul of The Green Room over the last several weeks, and I'm more pleased than ever with the result. I've been working on this one for a long time, and it's gone through many transitions. I'm happy with where it is now, so it's time to start finishing up those other books that have been simmering on the back burner.

Tonight I'm working on an article about Grinder's Switch Winery, which is one of the coolest places around here. If you haven't had a bottle of Honeysuckle Rose, you don't know what you're missing. I might sip a bit of it while I'm writing the article...fitting, yes?

And Victory Again!

2009-04-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you might remember this post, where I declared victory over our electric bill by shaving 150 dollars off the total. This month we got our bill, and guess what?

Another 150 dollars gone!

We dropped from 500.00 two months ago to 200.00 this month. And that includes all the heaters we had running from time to time, as well as Spring Break week, when the kids were given rare full-access to the Playstations and televisions and DVD players.

The kids have really gotten into the act of saving money on the electric bill. They are sticklers for safety like I am, so anything that keeps the house safe and secure is a good deal, so far as they are concerned. So they have been vigilant about unplugging everything, about keeping heaters on low, and opting to bundle up instead of using heaters when they are comfortable doing so.

They have also started throwing open their curtains first thing in the morning, and with our tall windows, sunlight streams through and lights up the whole house. It's gorgeous...and it's free.

I haven't used my dryer in two months. So guess what? I'm going to move it out of here, make more room in the laundry area for other stuff, and put up a clothesline outside. I'm also going to put up a screen door in the back, so I can leave the doors open and let the air flow through from one entryway to another.

Yes, I'm already thinking of ways to save on air-conditioning...

This is so much fun!

Crazy Chucky is Coming to KIX 96!

2009-04-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Remember that good news I mentioned a while back? If you're in the middle Tennessee area, tune your radios to KIX 96 during Thursday afternoons. You're going to love it!

DAUPHIN SHOW TO AIR ON KIX 96 / CENTERVILLE

After an eighteen-year run with WDKN in Dickson, Tennessee, "Crazy Chucky" Dauphin is going south…..well, at least 30 miles! Starting on Thursday, April 9, the radio personality will bring his knowledge of the history of Country Music to Hickman County, as "Crazy Chucky's Classic Country Corner" premieres at 1pm on WNKX / Country Kix 96.7 in Centerville, TN. The two hour weekly program will feature classic performances ranging from the 1950s through the 1990s, and will also feature interviews with some of the artists that made the songs famous.

"I have enjoyed a long friendship with Steve Turner, as well as Mickey and Sheila, and I am honored to be a part of the programming of Kix 96. The station has long had a commitment to serving Hickman County, and I'm excited to be a part of that tradition. I have deep family roots here, and I'm very proud to be on the air in Centerville," said Dauphin.

The show will be somewhat different than most oldies shows, Dauphin adds. "You are going to hear a lot of songs that you know. That's a given, but I will also be featuring a few songs that you may have never heard of before. Also, if a song was released in the 90s, it could qualify as a classic, as well." The show will also feature guests from Dauphin's vast library of interviews. "I hope that all the listeners from the area will tune in to Kix 96 on Thursday afternoons and join me," he said.

Craig Morgan and Friends

2009-04-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

Anything with Craig Morgan is a good time - but add Blake Shelton and other rowdy friends to the mix, and you've got an evening filled with as much laughter as music. That was what happened on Tuesday night when Craig and his buddies took to the stage at The Renaissance Center in Dickson to raise money for the Craig Morgan Fund.

The day started out with the Charity Ride, which included lots of loud bikes and men who weren't afraid of the throttle - to put it mildly. Craig assembled some of the best in the Motocross world to participate in the event.

The concert was star-studded, too. It was in a "singers in the round" format to make for a very intimate acoustic show. The Renaissance Center is a perfect venue for small events like this, because every seat is has a gorgeous view. With less than 500 people in the theater, you can hear everything with utter clarity. I always love events at the Center.

On to the show...

Jason Michael Carroll
First, let me say this: Jason Michael Carroll's albums do not do justice to his powerhouse voice. His voice reminded me of sweet, warm honey...it's smooth and flows beautifully. The little nuances in his vocals don't come through on the record, so in order to get the full impact, you have to see him live. It's impressive!

Bucky Covington
Bucky knows how to work a crowd, and had the ladies in the palm of his hand. He's got a quick wit and a unique voice, a bit rough around the edges - but that's what makes it so appealing. He was a lot of fun to watch, and it was especially cool to see the utter happiness on his face as the audience sang the lyrics to "A Different World" back to him.

James Otto
The big man with the big voice delivered in a big way. His bluesy turn on "Damn Right" was gorgeous, but what I loved even more was his performance of "In Color," the hit he co-write with Jamey Johnson. That song is one of my favorites ever, and to hear James sing it was a real treat.

Kellie Pickler
She's even more beautiful in person than she is in magazines, and that's saying a lot. She's also one of the tiniest people I have ever seen. But she held her own with the boys, including a version of "9 to 5" that did its best to channel Dolly. And did I mention she's just flat-out beautiful?

Blake Shelton
Blake and Craig have been good friends for a long time, and their banter onstage was one of the best parts of the show. I've been a fan of Blake's stage show for a long time, but I've never seen him play an intimate show like this...he has even more impact when it's just him, that guitar, and that voice.

He name-checked Hickman County, which delighted several in the audience...and invoked the cuteness that is the chicks at Tractor Supply. Oh, and he's quite the poet...I think.

Craig Morgan
Speaking of poetry, Craig fired the first salvo with a poem for his friend Blake. But the real thrill of his performances was the introduction of a new song, "That Ain't Nothing." It will be on the reissue of his latest album, and it's a simple, straightforward country song - the kind that have defined Craig's sound over the years. He did a great job with it.

He's obviously proud to be from Dickson County...no matter what Blake says. *grin*

The goal of the Craig Morgan Fund is to raise money toward the building of Billy's Place, a home in Dickson County that will shelter displaced children while the foster care system works to place them. So many times children who are taken out of abusive situations wind up being shuffled from one home to another, or even taken to an office with the caseworker while they are waiting to be placed with a family. Billy's Place will provide those children with a warm, comfortable area to stay - one with playgrounds, warm beds, and as Craig put it, the aroma of fresh-baked cookies. The goal of Billy's Place is to make a tough situation easier for the little ones.

So not only was it a great event filled with fun of all kinds, it was for a good cause. It was worth every second and then some. My only complaint was that it was all over too soon. This was our second year to enjoy the event, and it has grown by leaps and bounds in that short period of time. I can't wait to see what it looks like next year!

"I bid you good afternoon, and take care."

2009-03-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Until I read the feature article in the Dickson Herald this week, I didn't know what Chuck's final on-air words were. This fantastic article cleared that up for me. When I read it, I was sitting in the car in the station parking lot, under the huge Dickson County mural on the side of the building.

"I bid you good afternoon, and take care."

That was the first time I cried over the demise of WDKN radio, so I think it's safe to say the shock has worn off. What is left in its place is a lot of anger, so much confusion - and now, finally, a building hope that maybe WDKN will find new ownership and come back to the airwaves with a stronger presence than ever before.

Last week, it was hard to imagine the ripple effect that would spread through the community. Now, it's very apparent just how much the station meant to those who listened, and even to those who didn't - someone called it a piece of "Americana" and I thought that was one of the most fitting descriptions I've heard. I've heard from one person who never listened to the station, but was furious at the fact that "another piece of America's heritage" is gone.

On the air for over fifty years, the station was the go-to place for everything from the obituaries to the high school football games. It was the home of Swap and Shop - where even if you didn't have something to sell, it was always fun to listen to what others were offering. It was the long-time home of the Cancer Auction, which meant so much to so many people. Old Timer's Day was always a huge deal at WDKN. The Christmas Parade always went right by the front doors of the station, and was always broadcast for those who didn't want to brave the cold and see it for themselves. The airwaves were filled with an eclectic mix of country music, from the newest chart-toppers to the old, obscure recordings that true country music lovers would appreciate. Artists loved the homey feeling of the studio and often stopped by to talk to listeners or just chat with the staff.

Though I'm not a native of Dickson County - and in fact, live one county over - the station has always held special meaning for me, too. I remember the first time I heard a certain DJ dedicate a certain song to his "special someone" - that someone was me, and that DJ would become my husband a year later. Our daughter's voice was often on the Roxy movie commercials, and our son made his share of appearances, too. Listeners and staff alike came out to our wedding and witnessed our vows. That radio station was a part of my husband, and by extension, it became a part of our family.

There are snapshots of this past week that will stay with me forever. Like the lovely elderly couple, both loyal listeners for years, as they cried over the fact that an important part of their day was gone. The thought of Warren Medley - one of the finest gentlemen a person could ever hope to meet - losing a job that had been a part of his life for over 50 years. The avalanche of emails from well-wishers and supporters that filled my husband's inbox every day. The phone calls, the cards, and the outpouring of concern that surrounded every one of the fine people who worked for the station over the years.

Most of all, very simply - the people. The community.

The big, beautiful, extended family that was WDKN.

The abrupt closing of the station has done a disservice to so many. What adds insult to injury is that these last few years, the station had more sponsors interested than ever before - I clearly remember the days when Chuck would come home, pleased as punch because he had broken the previous year's record of sponsorships for the ballgames, Old Timer's Day, and the like. The sponsors were there! The community stepped up and lent their support...and now they dial up static where the station used to be. It happened without the slightest warning. If that's not unfairness, I don't know what is.

At this point there is hope that a buyer will step up to the plate and return WDKN to its rightful place in the community. There are many people waiting for someone to bring it back...Dickson County deserves the unique voice that WDKN provided.

WDKN Story on NewsChannel 2

2009-03-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

For those who have just tuned in and heard the static on WDKN, here's a news story that explains what happened:

Dickson Radio Station Shut Down

I am working on a longer post on the subject...I'm having difficulty with writing it, for several reasons. I'll explain all that later.

But in the meantime, thank you so much - from all of our little family - for the amazing outpouring of support, love, and concern for Chuck. He's got big things in the works right now, so stay tuned (so to speak)...some announcements are coming very soon!

The Rumors are True

2009-03-19T21:36:00.000-07:00

Chuck has gotten numerous calls tonight asking if the rumors about WDKN are true. Unfortunately, they are. We now know that the station is going dark permanently. For Chuck, the numbness and shock haven't quite worn off yet, and I'm sure it's much the same for the rest of the fine and loyal WDKN crew.

There is an article on The Dickson Herald website about the closing right now - click here to read it. (Note: Updated with a new URL for the feature story.)

I'm sure that once the dust settles from all of this, I will write more about the situation. It's terrible to see over fifty years of a local staple come to such an abrupt end. I feel awful not only for the staff who kept the station going for so long (my dear husband included), but also for the great listeners who have held WDKN so close to their hearts for so many years.

Okay...that's all for now. More soon.

News on WDKN Radio in Dickson, Tennessee

2009-03-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Today my husband Chuck has been receiving many emails and phone calls concerning the radio station, and I've noticed hundreds of hits on this blog looking for information, so here goes: this is what we know.

- As of noon today, WDKN radio in Dickson, Tennessee went off the air. The decision was made by the owners of the station, and Chuck was informed of this a few hours before it happened.
- We aren't sure whether this is temporary or permanent. As soon as Chuck knows more, he will be glad to let you know.
- Any questions, concerns or comments can be directed to Chuck Dauphin, via phone or email. His email address is here. Alternatively, if you can't get in touch with him there, you can feel free to email me here and I will get the message to him.

To put it simply, this is a very sad day for Dickson County. It's a sad day for everyone involved.

The Dickson Herald will be running a story on this very soon, so keep checking the site for details. Beyond that, we will keep you updated as we know more.

"How Gardens Grow" in New Love Stories Magazine

2009-03-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Good news today! I got my copies of the March/April edition of New Love Stories Magazine in the mail, and my story "How Gardens Grow" is included. This is the first issue you can get on the newsstand, so be looking for it!

In the meantime, here's a preview of "How Gardens Grow."

***

David looked closely at the begonias. The large and heavy flowers nodded at the floor of the well-tended greenhouse. He lifted one and ran his fingertip lightly over the petals. It was a simple flower without much of an attitude, but the colors made up for it. This side of the greenhouse was awash in every color of the rainbow, a brilliant show if there ever was one. They would be gorgeous when planted along the walkway of the new hospital wing.

He stepped farther back to gaze at them. When his wife was in the hospital for her last cancer surgery, the new wing was being built. While Amanda slept in her medicated haze, sometimes David would spend hours on the bench outside, watching the machinery work, thinking of things that could be fixed, made sturdy and strong – and things that couldn’t.

His wife died two months later. He went through the motions of the funeral and the weeks beyond, then went back to work, where his old job quickly proved to be impossible. He found he had developed impatience with those who dwelled on petty things, and so being an attorney for those who complained because their neighbors played their music too loudly, well – it just wasn’t something David could do anymore.

He turned in his resignation and spent his severance pay on the greenhouse. It was the only thing that seemed to make sense anymore. He wanted to keep things from withering away – including himself. The only way he knew to do that was to watch things grow, every single day.

He was putting the begonias into crates for transport when Carrie walked in. She let the door close quietly behind her and listened to David humming along with some tune in his head. She watched his strong back as he lifted one crate after another onto a wheeled cart.

When she started working at the greenhouse a year ago, David had been very quiet and withdrawn, a man who shared his secrets only with the soil and the petals. He had been opening up more and more in the last few months, sharing parts of himself with a hesitancy that said he hadn’t shared them since his wife died. Carrie learned more about her and in doing so, learned more about David. She had come to enjoy the conversations, and she liked putting together the pieces of the puzzle that made up what seemed to be a very normal, but always very good, marriage.

Carrie wanted a marriage like that. She wanted a man like David. His wife had been very lucky, but Carrie hadn’t found the courage to tell him that yet. Something about the sadness in his eyes held her back from saying the words. She was afraid he might take them the wrong way, and retreat back into his dark and cold shell.

As if hearing her thoughts, David glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her.

“We did really well with the flowers for the hospital,” he said aloud. “Some joy for those who need it, don’t you think?”

***

There's more where that came from, but the only place you read read it is in New Love Stories Magazine...so put it on your list of things to get the next time you visit the bookstore!

Random Photos from Country Radio Seminar

2009-03-17T08:29:00.000-07:00

The man of the house wasn't in a picture-taking mood this year, so more than once he left the camera in the hotel room while he was out. The result is not enough pictures! But here are a few of the better ones.

Jake Owen

Miranda Lambert

Jimmy Wayne

Jessica Harp

Lance Miller

Victory!

2009-03-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I declared an experimental war on our electric bill. We decided to make a point of unplugging everything in the house, using as little power as possible, and even switching over to the curly light bulbs instead of using the old incandescent ones. We were militant about it. And it paid off!

Our electric bill has decreased by almost exactly 150.00!

*cue the happy dance here*

The cool thing about that is when you consider what we actually did use. We had to run the heaters in the house for several days, thanks to the freezing temperatures. We had one heater running almost nonstop, since we had a Momma cat with four brand-new baby kittens...and since this house can be drafty, we had to make sure the kittens were kept warm.

We ran the heaters more than we intended...more than we did the month before...and still saved 150.00!

It's even better when you consider that we haven't yet changed over to the curly bulbs in every fixture. We've been doing it slowly, but the bulbs are pricey, and frankly, we've got a whole lot of lights. Imagine when they are all switched over? Sweet savings, indeed.

We brought the bill down mostly by unplugging everything when it was not in use. And I do mean everything. For instance, I've always kept my washer plugged in, even when I wasn't using it. Since I only use it a few days a week, what good was that doing me? Now I unplug it when I'm done with a load of laundry and plug it in only when I need it. Everything else in the house is the same way - the computers, the televisions, the floor lamps, the phone chargers, the video game systems the kids love - it all gets unplugged.

The very cool added bonus to all this is the peace of mind. It is a very nice feeling to go to bed at night knowing that I can count the things plugged in on one hand. Since we live in a very old house, that makes me feel better about the risk of fire. If it's not plugged in, then it's not going to spark, flame, overheat, or anything along those lines. And more safety is always a good thing.

Now that we've shaved 150.00 off the bill, it's time to see if we can drop it down even more.

On another note, I promise to be better about posting this month. Or at least, I promise to try to be better. Coming soon are some photos from Country Radio Seminar, new information about upcoming projects, and a few public appearances to tell you about. It's shaping up to be a busy spring!

A Full-Scale Electricity Assault

2009-02-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Our family is in the midst of a little experiment.

Our electric bills have been creeping upward over the last few years, but the bill we received this month takes the "oh no how is this possible!" award. When my husband told me it was five hundred dollars worth of electric bill owed, I immediately descended into disbelief. Then anger. Then more disbelief.

And now, I'm turning my anger into action.

All this month, we are using as little electricity as possible. I have been scouring the internet for tips on cutting utility bills. I have peppered my friends with questions. I have even called the electric company to ask them what our minimum bill is, so I know exactly how much we have actually used...and of course, they couldn't give me a straight answer on that one. I thought about asking just how much the latest rate increase had added to our bill, but I know they wouldn't be able to come up with firm numbers for that either.

Thank you, TVA.

Anyway, here's what we've done so far:

- We're switching from regular incandescent lights to the curly ones.
- Unplugging everything.
- Hanging clothes to dry instead of using the dryer.
- Relying on the crockpot and electric skillet instead of the oven.
- Keeping the hot water heater at the optimum temperature for energy conservation (and it's already wrapped in an insulating blanket).
- Wrapping up instead of turning on the heaters.
- Sealing any drafts I can find.
- Turning off lights, even if we are in the room. (Do you really need the lights on to watch television? I don't think so.)
- Speaking of television and other electronics...when we turn them off, it's not just flipping a switch. We unplug them. All of them.

Right now, our house has juice flowing to four things: This computer (which stays in 'power conserve' mode and gets turned off when not in use), the refrigerator (an absolute necessity), the oven (only because I can't reach the plug), and the hot water heater. Everything else is unplugged.

This month our bill was five hundred dollars. Next month, I'll post how much the bill is...and if it's not substantially less, well...TVA, we have a problem.

Furry Little Angels

2009-02-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have had many pets - each one of them, from the tiniest kitten to the biggest, baddest dog, hold a forever place in my heart. So when I read this tribute to a lovely dog named Ben, I could relate to every last word.

Be warned: If you have ever basked in the warm companionship of a trusting little creature, you will cry as you read this.

Cooking Through Hard Times

2009-02-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

My grandmother was one of those old-fashioned cooks, the kind who could take a pinch of this and a pinch of that and turn it into a feast. She was up before four o'clock in the morning, every single day, to make breakfast for my grandfather before he headed out to the construction site. She always made the same thing: Eggs, homemade biscuits, bacon. In later years, her only concession to age was using canned biscuits from time to time instead of patting out the biscuit dough every morning. And there was always plenty of bacon left over for hungry grandkids who wanted a bit of a snack in the middle of the day.

She canned everything in the garden, that old pressure cooker rocking away on the stove, the quart jars shiny as the sunlight itself. As one of her helpers, I picked blackberries until my hands were purple, and then watched as she turned the fruit into jelly. Never jam, because my grandfather didn't like the seeds. Always jelly.

The shelves in the pantry were lined with food. The shelves in the basement were, too - quart jars standing proudly side by side, dusty after a time, but still perfectly good. The sound of one of those seals popping is something I will forever associate with my grandmother, standing over the stove, dumping green beans or corn or lima beans into a cast iron skillet.

My mother wasn't big on canning, but she was big on cooking. She learned from my grandmother how to make a little bit go a long way, and it served her well over the years - there are nine of us children altogether, spread out in age from 33 to 10. To say that my mother has been cooking nonstop every since the day I was born is, as much as anything can be, an understatement.

With such a large family, life was not always a bed of roses. Finances were often tight, and making the most of what we had was the name of the game. We didn't throw things out - we fixed them. We didn't replace the old with the new - we simply made it tighter, sturdier, stronger. Instead of lamenting the fact that our furniture was elderly, we celebrated the fact that it was handmade and had more character than anything La-Z-Boy could come up with. Instead of wishing for what others had, we rejoiced at our acres and acres of land, at the wide stream that flowed right through the center, at the countless rows of fruit trees, the fresh scent of hay in the barn, and the fact that we had more than enough food to eat like kings.

When times were really tough, that's when the women of the family retreated to the kitchen. That's when my grandmother would freeze tray after tray of biscuits and then tuck them into bags in the deep freeze. That's when my mother would make her huge pan of lasagna - to this day the best I have ever tasted, bar none - and freeze half of it. The jars in the pantry would multiply like rabbits, the side of ham in the shed would suddenly become two or even three, and the brown eggs laid by our hens out back would line the shelves of the refrigerator.

It was a woman's way, perhaps - my grandparents suffered through the Great Depression, and my grandmother often told stories of how they never had much of anything, but they always had plenty of food. That's what mattered - keeping your family going, no matter the circumstance. That was the woman's job in her day, and she passed that value down to my mother, who took up cooking with the same intensity during the times of hardship.

So is it any surprise that this morning, I found myself in the kitchen, flipping through Mother's old recipes? I pulled out the kneading board and the flour and started making up a tray of biscuits for the freezer. In the back of my mind I was going through the jars in the pantry, considering what we needed most, and what we had enough of to do for now.

It was prompted by a look at the news this morning, where word of hundreds of thousands of jobs lost was the top story. It was spurred by the fragility of things right now, by the fact that the whole world seems to be sliding down into an economic hole that is deeper and darker than we all initially thought.

It's funny how certain things are so ingrained in us. For me, reading about the unemployment rate and then going straight to the mixing bowls wasn't a matter of conscious thought. I just found myself in the kitchen, doing what my grandmother would have done, or what my mother still does - making sure that no matter what, our little family is eating well.

Not that I don't have faith in the government to work hard on getting us out of this mess...but in the meantime, I'll be much more comfortable with plenty of biscuits in the freezer.

Blossombones Winter Issue

2009-02-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite short stories, "On the Roan," is now available to read at blossombones! I'm happy to be included in their Winter edition with my little story about a few moments of bliss in an old house on Roan Mountain, Tennessee.

You can read my contribution here.

For the full list of blossombones contributors to this winter issue, go here.

"The Cameron Crowe of Country Music"

2009-01-31T17:48:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my husband Chuck received a copy of his official bio. Written by Phil Sweetland of The New York Times, it's a very good rundown of Chuck's work thus far. The first line made me glow with pride:

"It could be argued that Chuck Dauphin is the Cameron Crowe of Country music."

Sweet!

Here's the rest of the bio, for those of you who are interested in what my other half has been doing all these years:

Chuck Dauphin:
Much-admired Country
Broadcaster & Writer
Breaking New Ground in 2009

By PHIL SWEETLAND
Music+Radio contributor
The New York Times

NASHVILLE – It could be argued that Chuck Dauphin is the Cameron Crowe of Country music.

Like Crowe, the writer/director of Jerry Maguire and of the autobiographical Almost Famous about Cameron’s days as a teen-aged star reporter at Rolling Stone, Dauphin began his own career in music journalism at a very young age, and by age 17 was already a professional.

But Cameron was a Southern Californian whose passion was Rock. Chuck was and remains a small-town Tennesseean who lives and breathes Country.

Here’s a perfect example: When he was in just the ninth grade, Dauphin sent RCA Nashville head Joe Galante a letter containing 10 questions about the Country industry. Clearly impressed, Galante quickly wrote back and answered every one of the teen’s questions. One of the inquiries asked Joe how Chuck could get his foot in the door of the business, and Galante wrote back: “Work at a local Radio station and read Billboard to get the basics.”

Remarkably, Dauphin had started on that path when he was even younger.

“I used to badger the DJs at WSM-AM when I was about 10 or 11 years old,” Dauphin says. “Keith Bilbrey (the longtime WSM air personality) probably still has nightmares of me calling up and winning albums and concert tickets.”

At that young age, Chuck was already recording tapes of himself doing imaginary Radio broadcasts. As a professional, he’s not only living that dream but also showing a natural talent for multi-tasking that in these days of reduced staffs makes Chuck a hugely valuable asset.

He not only does morning drive at Country WDKN-AM in Dickson, but also is both a popular WDKN sportscaster and sportswriter for The Dickson Herald. And that’s just the beginning. Each July, WDKN does The Farm Tour in conjunction with the local agricultural community. Four school buses take folks to visit Dickson County farms, and WDKN covers The Tour live. For years, Chuck has sold the sponsorships for The Farm Tour, which has fostered tremendous support in the ag community for this unique promotion and real ag-business savvy for Dauphin.

Textbooks never did much for Dauphin, but liner notes on Country albums – still very much a presence in those 1980s days – captivated him. He read the notes on every album, and scoured every book about Country he could find in the library. The result was an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the music’s artists and heroes.

Ironically, it was Dauphin’s other passion – Sports – which got him his first broadcasting break. WDKN did play-by-play of the Dickson County Cougars football and basketball games. Chuck was a student there at the time, and WDKN wisely hired him as board operator for those broadcasts.

WDKN is also a Country station, and it didn’t take long for station management to recognize that this young staffer was incredibly well-versed in Country, and also possessed what Radio folks call great pipes – a terrific voice - to go along with a natural warmth and ease on-air.

So on July 4, 1991, Chuck began a regular air shift at WDKN, which he still has to this day. The very first record he spun that Independence Day was Dan Seals’s “Bop,” a former CMA Single of the Year.

While he loved broadcasting both music and Sports, another talent soon began to emerge – writing. By the middle of the first decade of this century, Dauphin had become one of the most admired writers on Country in the business.

“I never really thought of myself as a writer early on, aside from writing copy for Radio commercials,” he says. “But I became associated with New Music Weekly in 2001, and that ballooned into working for MusicNewsNashville.com and MusicCityNews.com.”

This new business enabled Chuck to develop his skills in what may be his favorite activity – interviewing. Soon, Dauphin was talking to George Jones, Loretta Lynn, and the creator of the legendary TV show Hee Haw, Sam Lovullo.

Here’s how Chuck began his MusicCityNews.com piece on the show, which many consider some of the finest work ever written about the Country classic: “It was 1969 . . . when man was about to take the first steps on the moon. There were two professional football leagues at the time. Richard Nixon had just taken over the presidency. And one night in mid-June, viewers watching the `Tiffany Network’ (CBS) might have been in somewhat of a shock when they saw the premiere of a new television series that would prove to be one of the best friends Country Music has ever had – Hee Haw.”

Chuck Dauphin has been another of Country’s best friends for a long time. And now he’s expanding his career footprint beyond Radio, into the exciting new vistas of both cable and network TV, feature and book writing, and long-form programming.

Television production and book writing require incredibly specialized knowledge, along with that gift for multi-tasking which Dauphin has in spades. So don’t be surprised if the next chapter of Chuck’s own life shows him rising from a regional star to a breakout one on the national media stage.

Lots of Progress, But All Out of Sorts

2009-01-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

These last few weeks, I have promised myself time and time again that I would update this blog, and then the evening rolls around and I never seem to get to it. I'm not sure why I'm in such a funk when it comes to updating this thing.

But now that I am logged in here, how about an update? I'm writing up a storm, as usual, and it's just as enjoyable as always. On the freelance side of the fence, I'm working with a company that requires many articles on diabetes, and that's right up my alley, of course - both my husband and I are diabetic. I love writing the articles, but the side benefit is that I am acutely aware of what is happening in my body, and I'm doing much better so far as medication and healthy diet are concerned. The writing is actually making me healthier. What a concept!

I finished a major rewrite of "The Green Room" (that title might not stick, who knows?) and sent it off to the agent, who will then send it off to the first readers, who will then let me know if I've done a good job. I hope I have. As I went through the rewrite, I found myself becoming attached to the characters all over again, and I hope to share them with the world.

I'm also working on my next novel, as yet untitled...but it's almost done, so I suppose I should come up with a title very soon. My hope is to have it polished and ready to go for the Killer Nashville conference in August. Last year I set a goal for myself to have it completed by then, and so far, so good!

On a more personal note, the big ice storm that hit Kentucky has been in the forefront of my thoughts these last few days. My mother and all my siblings (all eight of them!) were in the path of the storm, as well as my ex-husband and his fiance. They are all okay, thanks to the joys of kerosene heaters and nonperishable foods, but it's been a rough few days, and it just might stay rough for a while. I'm hearing estimates of up to two weeks before the power is restored.

When I was in college, our little town was hit by a tornado - the first tornado in 84 years, and it hits during my freshman year. It tore up part of the campus and left us without power for days. I remember the National Guard patrolling the streets, seeing the utter devastation all around us, cooking on a Coleman stove and learning to live by lamplight. It was an adventure, but it was difficult, too.

Back to writing again...

The Inauguration

2009-01-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

Last night I could hardly sleep. When I woke up this morning, my first thought was that today was different...that this was a historical day that I would never, ever forget.

Hope is a strange feeling when you haven't felt it in a while. It doesn't just happen...it's something that takes time to settle into. It takes time to believe it's really there.

Years ago I found myself tuning out anything regarding George W. Bush and his administration. It seemed every word out of his mouth was contrived, twisted, and self-serving. The word of the people would not be heard, so it seemed best to simply hunker down and ride out the storm until something different came along, something new and promising.

Today, when Barack Obama became our President, if you had been looking in my window you would have seen me jumping out of my chair, yelling at the top of my lungs, rejoicing.

I'm sure there are more eloquent words to describe that feeling of change. I wish I had the proper words to convey exactly how it feels to see a moment in history that means a better world for my children, a more beautiful place for my neighbors, a stronger country for my fellow Americans. I wish I could put into words the joy that made me jump up and down in my living room, screaming with utter happiness, and the relief that made me sink back into my chair and cry as I listened to every word of our new President's speech.

The world is different today. It's going to be different tomorrow. And the next day, and the next...today is the opening of a new horizon. Even the National Anthem sounds different today, as if it were a new song. I felt every word in a way that I haven't felt before.

I have never been so proud to be an American.

The Perfect Valentine's Day Present!

2009-01-18T09:53:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for the perfect Valentine's Day present for the lady in your life, look no farther! Hardworking women love to be pampered from time to time, so why not offer your lady love a nice bottle of bubble bath, a good bottle of wine, and plenty of time to lay back and relax with a copy of Carolina Hurricane?

For a very limited time, the price of Carolina Hurricane has been slashed. Just in time for Valentine's Day! Visit the Black Lyon bookstore to get a copy. Let the woman in your life get swept away by the story of Jordan and Amanda!

Again, here's the link to order.

Get it while the gettin's good!

New Love Stories Magazine

2009-01-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

My latest short story has arrived! "Glittering Like Pearls," the story of a husband and wife during the days after Pearl Harbor, can be found in the January/February 2009 edition of New Love Stories Magazine!

Here's a preview:

Her husband was twenty-five years old.

He had paid careful attention to the war in Europe during the last year. He had followed news of the battles on the radio and had even spent fifty cents of their carefully-saved money to get a subscription to the Atlanta Register. He traced the movements of the military by candlelight long after he thought she had gone to bed.

He had started putting by a little extra of everything. “Just in case,” he said. “Just in case you and the baby need it later.” She didn’t ask him what ‘later’ meant – she knew well enough. He had mentioned the war to her so many times that she finally snapped at him over dinner one night, startling the baby and turning her husband’s normally sunny disposition into a cloudy countenance.

“You are not going. Not until you have to,” she told him while fighting back tears and serving up carrots on the baby’s battered metal tray. “I love you more than life itself and you know I never stand up to you. But I am standing up now because there are some things a woman cannot keep silent on. The only people who will override me on this are Uncle Sam and the Good Lord. Until they have a say in it, you will not be going anywhere.”

It was the first time she had ever put her foot down, the first time she had ever taken charge of their marriage and informed him of the way things would be. He contemplated her reaction for the space of ten minutes. The baby gurgled and thunder sounded in the distance and Pearl tried to eat but couldn’t, and then he surprised her with a hand on her arm and his lips against her ear.

“If you feel that strongly about it, that’s how it will be,” he said, and that was the end of any discussion of her husband going across an ocean to fight a war.

But the war wasn’t across an ocean anymore.

You can find the rest of "Glittering Like Pearls" in the Premiere Issue of New Love Stories Magazine. It is nestled in among other stories sure to make your heart race!

Get your subscription here.

How Time Flies...

2009-01-16T08:27:00.001-08:00

It has been a long time since I put up any sort of blog post, and my excuse is...well, there is none. I've been working hard, writing up a storm, doing rewrites and edits, and taking time off to enjoy my family during the holidays.

I've also been taking a long, hard look at my career and deciding where I'm going. The interesting thing about my writing career lately is how it is changing. I have found a great niche as a freelancer, and I'm entirely happy there. I've also been taking a look at my manuscripts and deciding: What do I really love to write about? What am I doing with my career over the next five, ten, twenty years?

I feel more focused than I ever have before. I love the feeling that I have grown into my own as a writer, and I'm still seeing so much space to grow even more. So many things to try! So many options to be had. So much inspiration to soak up.

Such incredible opportunities are on the horizon!

So, I'm back. I might not be the best blogger, but I'm going to give it a good shot.

Long Time, No Blog!

2008-12-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a long time since I blogged anything here, and I apologize. This is the busiest time of year for us, but this year seems to be even busier. Now that the children are a bit older, they have their own things to do...parties to attend, parades to march in, and events to enjoy. Being busy is good, but it's also...well, being busy!

I've got a lot to share, including the great book signing with my fellow Music City Romance Writers, the jaunt we took to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and lots of news about great publishing stuff happening for both me AND the hubby.

I can't wait to take the time to sit down and share it with all of you!

More Inspiration...

2008-11-19T05:14:00.000-08:00

Inspiration is everywhere these days. We stumbled upon this big waterfall a few weeks ago...it's right down the road from our house. Can you imagine how big and beautiful it would be during the spring rains?

Inspired!

2008-11-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

The book signing on Saturday went so well, it sparked a new round of writing! I loved meeting everyone who came out to the store. By the time I left that afternoon, I had so many thoughts and ideas in my head from those great conversations.

I know I should have sat down on Saturday or Sunday and written about the book signing, but to be honest, I was too busy writing on the next novel. Ever since that signing, I've been working hard to get my freelance work done so I can just focus on the sequel to Carolina Hurricane.

I'm working more efficiently than ever, but it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day. I wake up in the middle of the night with plot ideas. I bounce out of bed in the morning ready to write. I crank up the music, sing along, and let my fingers fly over the keyboard. This is the best part of writing, the time when inspiration is bigger than anything else, and the ideas are so vivid and alive that I am absolutely driven to put them down on paper.

I was focused before, but the book signing made that focus even sharper. Meeting the readers and getting their input on the books I write is always the biggest catalyst for me...it shows me that I'm going in the right direction. And if I'm not going in the right direction, those who read my work never fail to show me the way.

I adore meeting those who read my books...and I can't tell you how much of an inspiration each and every one of you are. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I do.

Writing and Signing and Writing Even More!

2008-11-14T08:14:00.000-08:00

That's the story of my life, isn't it?

This week I've been writing up a storm, and I'm clearing out quite a few projects. I finally did finish that sales letter, as well as those articles I've been meaning to finish up. I've done quite a bit of research for two other projects, and now that the heavy lifting is done, it's time to put it all together and write it down.

I've been looking at my schedule for next year and making plans for what comes next -- it's going to be a busy year! Watch the "Upcoming Appearances" section on the sidebar to see the latest news on the when and where.

Speaking of upcoming appearances, I'm going to be in Centerville, Tennessee tomorrow. I'll be signing copies of Carolina Hurricane at the Town Crier Gift Shop in downtown. It's from 10 - 2...so why not take a nice, leisurely drive, stop by the store and pick up a few autographed books? One for you, and extras for your friends. After all, Christmas is just around the corner!

Thoughts on the CMA Awards

2008-11-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

Last night the CMA Awards were held in the Sommet Center...and of course, I have thoughts on the whole thing. In no particular order:

- I kept waiting for the lights to go out. After the day downtown Nashville had yesterday, nobody would have been surprised.

- Shania Twain was easily the most gorgeous woman in the place. Wow.

- Thank God "Stay" won Song of the Year over a piece of fluff like "Good Time." I was worried that Alan Jackson would win based on voting blocks or industry bias or something else that doesn't make any sense, and then I would have to hear that song over and over again for days on end, and I would have to live without country radio for a week. That would not be good.

- Speaking of Alan Jackson, what was that line dancing thing? The term "jump the shark" comes to mind.

- Peter Cooper snark is alive and well. Outstanding!

- Did Brad Schmitt actually say that this would be the first time Keith Urban performed sober? And then laughed about it? Brad is proof that some people should not be turned loose with a microphone in public.

- I love the new Rodney Atkins tune. I have lots of thoughts on that one...and so does my husband, which is why we spent quite a while after the show arguing about it.

- Four words: Kid. Rock. Standing. Ovation.

- Yes, that was Lil' Wayne. I love being surprised!

- Have I mentioned how much everybody in our house adores Miranda Lambert?

- Jason Aldean follows up a gorgeous album with..."She's Country." Huh? I don't even know where to begin with this...

- "Waitin' on a Woman" took Video of the Year. The first time I saw that video, it made me tear up. I'm sure the other nominees took one look at Andy Griffith sitting on that bench next to Brad Paisley and gave up all hope of winning the category. I mean, really...Matlock always wins.

- Entertainer of the Year went to Kenny Chesney...fourth trophy for that category, and well deserved. He is definitely the hardest working man in the industry today.

- And finally, I would like to thank Joe, Butch, and Renee...because no awards show is complete without it.

Writing, Signing, and CMA Week!

2008-11-10T11:20:00.001-08:00

This week promises to be a bit insane.

I've got a few projects going on right now, with the intention of having them done by the end of the week. One is that sales letter that seems to be taking forever and a day...another is a series of articles that have been languishing on my hard drive, waiting for some attention.

These are projects without deadlines, so I'm creating some. End of the week. No exceptions, no excuses.

In the meantime, I'm working on a few other things. I've started writing the second young adult novel, and it's coming along well. I've also started ghostwriting a short work targeted for the pre-teen set. I'm almost done with the co-written book on business (more about that soon), and I've tacked another ten pages onto my murder-mystery...which means I only lack about thirty pages to the finish line. Yay!

The book signing at Sherlock's Book Emporium was fantastic, and I'm all fired up to do more signings. This is a good thing, because I have a signing on Saturday! I'll be signing copies of Carolina Hurricane at the Town Crier Gift Shop in Centerville, Tennessee from 10 AM - 2 PM. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new people!

Of course, before all that happens, we have to get through the week...CMA week! With the exception of going into the city for the awards show itself, I would rather be shot than drive into downtown Nashville over these next few days. I bow down to those brave souls who work in the area, and I hope your car insurance is all paid up. Have you seen the way people drive when their more familiar roads are blocked off? Scary.

Now it's back to writing...I will finish that sales letter, I swear it!

Signing at Sherlock's!

2008-11-10T05:35:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I got together with the MCRW gang and signed books at Sherlock's Book Emporium in Lebanon. What a thrill that was! There was a great crowd, lots of new people to meet, and interesting books to share.

Jody Wallace did a great write-up on the event...she said it all better than I possibly could have. Venture over to her site to read all about the fun time we had.

More book signings are coming up...stay tuned!

Michael Crichton

2008-11-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

Author Michael Crichton passed away yesterday at the age of 66 after a long and private battle with cancer.

He was one of my favorite authors...I have every one of his books, and I've read them all cover to cover more than once. My favorite was Congo. His adventures pulled me out of my own world for a few hours and put me squarely into the one he created. I'm saddened to know there won't be any more of them.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Crichton.

The Dawning of a New Day...

2008-11-05T04:58:00.001-08:00

I remember the first time a politician's words made me cry. I was a child, sitting on the living room floor, watching television with my grandparents. Ronald Reagan was speaking -- whether it was live or recorded on the evening news, I don't remember. What I do remember is my grandmother crying, and my grandfather watching with rapt attention as Ronald Reagan spoke.

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

"Why is Mother crying?" I asked my grandfather.

"Because the world is changing for the better," Pa said. He explained that the events happening right then would mean a better world. I got a great impromptu history lesson, and I understood exactly why things would be different. I understood the journey it took to get there. When that Wall did come down, I cried like a baby.

Today, so many years later, hearing the words "tear down this wall" will still bring me to tears.

Last night I watched as Barack Obama gave his victory speech. The children were already in bed, having gone to sleep knowing that Obama would probably win the election. I listened to every word of that speech, and somewhere along the way it took me back to sitting on my grandparents' floor, listening to the sound of imminent change. I cried, just like my grandmother had, as I realized what it all meant for my kids.

I grew up during the time when the word "gay" was dirty, when the glass ceiling was too thick to see through, and when an African-American being elected president was simply a dream. Today's world is entirely different, and thank God for it!

My children might not know it now, but one day they will look back and see this as one of the defining moments in their history, when everything began to change. For me, it was when that Wall came down. For them, it will be the night a man stepped to the victory podium and everyone saw a future President -- no matter the color of his skin.

For the first time in a long time, I don't see simply a glimmer of promise for this country -- I see a whole sunrise of it. There is finally a bright light at the end of a very long tunnel. I believe my children will have a fresh future, a hopeful horizon, and a new mantra.

Yes, We Can.

Lee Ann Womack Album Release Party

2008-10-31T05:04:00.000-07:00

There is something thrilling about being in a room full of creative people. No matter how many times it happens, the energy is always there. One of my favorite things to do at music industry events is to simply walk around the crowd, drink in hand, listening to snippets of conversation, occasionally joining in but mostly just observing. My favorite part is when someone becomes so animated about a project, so thrilled about an upcoming album, that they get that look in their eyes, the one that matches the excitement in their voice -- that passion is addictive, and seeing it spread through the room is like magic wildfire run amok.

The Lee Ann Womack album release party was held last week at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. Martinis were everywhere, the catering was top-notch, and it seemed everyone who was anyone came out for the party. It's the first album Lee Ann has released in years, and according to the buzz, it was worth the wait.

The buzz was right. I've never been a die-hard Lee Ann Womack fan, but after hearing the songs from the new album, I'm planning to go back and listen to her other recordings. Most of the songs really hit home, and near the end of the show, I realized why: Every single track is about "real" life. There isn't a single soaring 'I cannot believe I'm in such deep love with this perfect person' kind of track. There aren't any throw-away songs, the kind that declare her 'country' side or bemoaning the 'terrible moment when you walked out my door'. The songs on Call Me Crazy are the kind of songs that absolutely everyone can relate to.

One of my favorites was "If These Walls Could Talk." It was a surprising twist on the old love-gone-wrong song, and oh, did it get my attention -- I felt those lyrics in my very bones. I've been that woman, standing in the middle of a room, angry words and pain everywhere. If those walls could talk, they would pray. Who hasn't been there? Apparently all of the crowd felt the same, because the enthusiastic applause began long before the song played out to the last note.

On the same theme is "Either Way," a song that slammed home just as hard, because it was probably what those walls would be praying about. The final line of the chorus is the kicker: We can go on like this, or we can call it quits..."I won't love you either way." Wow.

"I Found it in You" is the only up-tempo love song on the collection, and it's a beautiful one. It's not sickly sweet (an immediate reason to change the channel) and it's not too deep, either. It's one of those perfect songs for riding with the top down in the summertime, the radio cranked up, your love by your side. It might be the least country of all those on the disc, but it works, regardless.

"The Bees" is much better live than it was on the recording, and I can't figure out why. Lee Ann brought quite a bit of soul to it when she was onstage, and now that I listen to the recorded track again, perhaps that's it -- the emotion shines through when she's onstage, but on the record it falls flat. It's not a "miss" by any means, but it's not the best cut of the bunch, either.

"Solitary Thinking" is for anybody who has ever sat down with a bottle of the hard stuff, a whole lot of memories, and some major decisions. "Have You Seen That Girl" will touch anyone who wonders where their old self went. "New Again" is a song of hope, one that could mean so many things...it's open to personal interpretation, and being a collector of antiques, I totally understood how restoring that old cupboard could be much the same as restoring a broken heart. Sometimes all it needs is a vision of what it once was, and could be again.

My only disappointment was that it was all over too soon. I could have easily stayed for hours and listened to more of her lovely voice. My husband has been a fan of Lee Ann for years, and now I see why...her voice is stone-cold country, and her song choices are old-school. I went to the show as a skeptic and came back as as believer. The Call Me Crazy disc will be spinning in my house for a long time to come.

Back to Work...and Book Signings!

2008-10-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

I am now back up to speed with my writing, thank goodness. I'm working on another chapter of a book on business, as well as finishing up a sales report. I'm structuring a few articles, sending out all kinds of correspondence and actually getting a bit of work done on my new manuscript. Life is rolling right along!

One of the coolest things about being a writer is meeting new people, and book signings are my favorite way to do that. There are two big book signings coming up in November, and if you can join me, I would be thrilled!

The first will be held on November 8 in Lebanon, Tennessee. It's at a gorgeous place called Sherlock's Book Emporium. Don't let the name fool you, however -- they have much more than books to delight you! They have a theater, a cafe, all kinds of vintage games and collectibles, and...well, too much to mention! I'll be there with other members of the Music City Romance Writers, and we will be selling our books, talking to readers and having a grand old time!

Again, it's Saturday, November 8 at Sherlock's in Lebanon. Time is 1-4 PM.

The second event this month will be on Saturday, November 15 in Centerville, Tennessee. I'll be signing books and meeting readers at the Town Crier Gift Shop in downtown from 10-2. It's going to be a great day of meeting and mingling, so I hope you get the chance to stop by and say hello!

Again, for your calendars: Saturday, November 15 at the Town Crier Gift Shop in Centerville. Time is 10 AM-2 PM.

What better time to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping? The people on your list would love to find an autographed book under their tree!

Parental Responsibility: The Lost Art?

2008-10-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

This will probably be a rant. You've been warned.

Whatever happened to parental responsibility? I'm talking about the small, everyday things that pop up from time to time, the issues that have to be dealt with when you are somebody's parent. You have to deal with scraped knees, sleepless nights, days of worry, medical visits, occasional bad grades, peer pressure, those "oh, no, you did not!" moments. Everything from dirty diapers to that first spin with the new license in hand -- it's yours, baby. You signed up for raising and loving that child, and now you're expected to do just that.

So where is my rant coming from? Today, a teacher informed me that my ten-year-old son has been writing love notes to a ten-year-old girl in his class. This is the same little girl who has been writing notes right back to him, mind you. That little girl's mother went to the teacher and told her she was "uncomfortable" and "scared" about the notes, and asked the teacher to make sure it stopped.

There are so many things wrong with this, I'm not sure where to begin...

I find it interesting that in this day and age, when parents have to be more aware of their children and what goes on around them than ever before, a parent would bypass the option of going directly to the other kid's parents and go to a teacher instead. Why would anyone do that? Maybe I'm way off the mark here -- and correct me if that's the case -- but I learned this from my own parents. When there was a problem that arose during my childhood, my parents marched themselves right over to the other set of parents, a discussion was had, and the situation was sorted out. It was over and done, everyone was in agreement, and that was it. End of story.

Why didn't this parent come to me? Why did she find it necessary to go to the teacher instead? Especially since that parent and I ran into each other just last week, and she spent time laughing and joking with my son, with what seemed to be no cares in the world. This week, the words "scared" and "uncomfortable" are involved?

Is anybody else just as lost as I am?

I keep thinking that surely I am missing something here. Surely, there is a big red flashing neon sign that I just skated right by without noticing. Perhaps I was dreaming when I saw a letter here and there from the young lady in question. Maybe I was simply dense when I stood near that mother, spoke to her, smiled at her, and didn't notice the utter fear in her eyes? Could that be the case?

I'm verging into sarcasm here, obviously. But this is a very serious issue, one that I never dreamed I would have to deal with. In my little corner of the world, if you have a problem with someone, you handle it! You go to the other parent -- or the child, if they are old enough -- and you say: "Look. We need to talk. Do you have a minute?" And then you talk. You figure out a happy medium.

Is that really so hard? I always thought it was simply part of being a responsible parent. Hiding behind a teacher isn't the answer. The answer is to hitch up your skirt, take a deep breath, put on a smile and your decision-making hat, and deal with the problem.

If we as parents don't deal with issues when they arise, and deal with them properly, what are we teaching our children? That it's okay to let someone in a position of power handle things for you? That you don't have to follow-up with things personally, but you can slide by with letting someone else handle what should be your issue to deal with in the first place? That confrontation is a very bad thing, and that it should be avoided? That making decisions and working things out between two people is not worth your time?

Now is the time to teach them the right way to handle things...and that begins with setting the proper example.

Getting Back to Normal...

2008-10-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

And what a pleasure it is!

I have spent the day playing catch-up. Not with writing this time, but with the housework. My home looks like a tornado ran through it. I'm finding things entirely out of place, like the child's t-shirt on the dining room table, and the empty drinking glass sitting on top of the dryer. With the constant running we have done this past week, I have to say I'm not surprised.

In the midst of all this, I got a thrilling book idea. A doctor said something that stuck with me, then I read a snippet of a book that seemed to build on it, and voila -- sudden inspiration. Now, if I can finish cleaning up the house, I might actually sit down and write a few notes about it!

There were things I meant to post last week, and I completely forgot about them until now. There was the Lee Ann Womack album release party on the 20th, as well as a funny post about promotion...I'll get to those soon. I promise.

In the meantime, has anybody seen my hairbrush? Seriously.

Medical Merry-Go-Round

2008-10-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

The Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt doesn't look like a place where medicine reigns. The doors open to a grand staircase, one that looks more like something you would find in Disneyworld than in a hospital. Look around the lobby: There is a train set with buttons down low, right where little hands can reach. The train meanders over and through a mountainside, while children stand gazing up, mesmerized at the tiny people, trees, buildings and locomotives.

The chandelier outside the elevators looks like an alien with long tentacles, each holding a light, the colors bright and cheery. The elevators are portals into other worlds -- one of them has subdued lighting coming from the sides, an aqua blue floor and a ceiling with fish and ducks, lending an enchanting feeling of being underwater.

Later that morning, I noticed a crash cart in the corner of a room. Filled with supplies for that moment when the nurses and doctors might have to, God forbid, fight to bring a child back from the brink. Something looked odd about that crash cart, and after a few minutes, I realized what it was.

The crash cart was painted in bright primary colors. Even that very serious crash cart was designed to ease fears.

By that point, I wasn't the least bit surprised.

Our daughter wound up in Vanderbilt's Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital on Thursday. She was sent there by her pediatrician for yet another surgery, one that would hopefully bring the medical merry-go-round to a halt. It wasn't a "major" surgery, per se -- for the seasoned doctors there, her procedure was a walk in the park -- but for any Mom and Dad, there isn't much difference between "major" and "minor" when your baby is being wheeled into an operating room. Your child is sick, your child is hurting, and you want to make it better.

She has been sick for two months. She has endured two surgeries, days in the hospital, and enough antibiotics to kill off damn near anything in her body. Right now she is recovering, her temperature is normal, her body seems to bounce back from everything with the beautiful resilience of the very young. But there is still a fear in the back of my mind, the concern that says, "She was fine before, and then she wasn't. Then they said she was fine again, and damned if we didn't wind up in Vandy, and she wasn't. Now they say she's fine..."

You get the picture.

No one ever wants their child to be sick, but if it's going to happen, Vanderbilt is the place to be. From the butterflies on the walls to the clear explanations of every medical procedure, no matter how small, the atmosphere at Vanderbilt is one of equal parts caring and fighting. Caring about the patient, and fighting the problem. The air of confidence was everywhere. To parents who are stressed to the limit and scared of what the tests might show, that confidence is like a warm blanket on a frigid winter day, a soothing voice saying, "I understand -- and I'm going to help."

Our daughter is home now, and like I said before, her procedure was nothing compared to the things those doctors and nurses see on a daily basis. But for our family, it meant everything. We pray we never have to go through this again -- but if we do, our children will be treated by the best medical staff in that wonderland of butterflies, flower-garden hallways and "underwater" elevators.

When you walk the floors of the Children's Hospital, you know it's a facility of healing, a center of caring, a place of miracles. You can feel it. When a child is sick and you need some answers, I'm convined that Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is the best place to be.

On a Writing Binge

2008-10-22T10:07:00.001-07:00

These last few days have been full-steam ahead!

I've gotten up very early, sat down at the keyboard, and hit every project hard. Hard enough that I'm almost done with my deadlines for the next week and managed to add some serious word mileage to a few manuscripts. Yesterday was an almost 10,000 word day...today has been 6,000 words, and it's not even noon yet.

My fingers hurt. My arms hurt. My mind is running a million miles an hour and my keyboard can't keep up. This is a good thing.

Now, if only my printer would straighten out whatever attitude it has this morning, all would be peachy in my little writing world...

The Niagra of the South

2008-10-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

During our vacation this year, we took the kids to see Cumberland Falls. During my college years in Kentucky, Cumberland Falls was just a short drive down the interstate. After college was over, I would occasionally come back to the Falls with a pen and notebook in hand. I always thought of the Falls as a flood of inspiration.

I would sit on one of the big boulders that faced the Falls and write to my heart's content. If I sat close enough, the roar would drown out everything else, and I would have to stop writing within a few hours, thanks to the mist that made the pages of my notebook too damp to hold the ink.

Then I would wade into the waters above the Falls, feel the pull of the current against my bare legs, and simply listen to the rush of the water. When the rains were good, the water was so high as to almost pull me down with it, and the roar of the Falls was an all-encompassing thing, filling every crevice between thoughts until there was nothing left but the sound.

More than once, I stayed in the park until late at night, when the moon crept out from behind the clouds and hit the water at just the right angle, and everyone -- all of us who had braved the late night, the mosquitoes and the rustling of animals and the all-encompassing darkness of the mountain foothills at that hour -- would all gasp as the Moonbow rose from the water, a trick of the light, the moon bouncing from the Falls to create an optical illusion that looked so real, so solid, I felt as though I could reach out and harness the light with my hands.

It has been said that there are only two places to see the Moonbow. One is in Africa, at Victoria Falls. The other is there at Cumberland Falls, that humble little river gorge in Kentucky. Something about that fact is just as inspiring as the beauty of the Falls itself.

I stood on the overlook last week and took deep, cleansing breaths of that same mist. Though it has been a long time since I've done that, it felt just as familiar and natural as it always had. The flood of inspiration was still there.

Book Signing at Volume One Book Shop

2008-10-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Come out to see me tomorrow! I will be visiting Volume One Book Shop, a gorgeous little store in downtown Dickson, Tennessee. I will be there from 11-2 to sign copies of Carolina Hurricane.

So if you are in the mood to start your Christmas shopping, why not put a few autographed books on your list?

I look forward to seeing you there!

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert

2008-10-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night, we enjoyed an evening of great music with Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. It was the second show of their co-headlining tour, and the crowd in Pikeville, Kentucky got rowdy the moment the lights went down.

Miranda came out on the stage first, and she brought the fire with her. She plunged straight into the rockers that have made her famous, and proved she has the pipes...she didn't stop moving, and her voice never wavered. Her band was just as lively as she was, and it made for a great time on stage -- everywhere you looked, there was someone rocking hard.

The crowd favorite was definitely "Gunpowder and Lead." When she started to growl those lyrics, the place went crazy, and rightfully so -- she brought everything she had to the song. She's earned that rough and tumble reputation because she makes songs like that one so completely believable.

Miranda's name was on the ticket right beside that of her boyfriend, Blake Shelton. Blake brought attitude from the moment the stage elevator delivered him to the top deck, and when he launched into "The More I Drink," the crowd lifted their beer glasses in approval. From that point on, Blake belted out hit after hit without a pause, and it was obvious he enjoyed the hell out of it!

What I love most about Blake is that he's so versatile -- he can sing a tear-jerker like "The Baby" or a hilarious version of "Some Beach" and can make you fully believe in both of them. Sometimes artists tend to get stuck in a rut and play only what is proven, but Blake isn't afraid to take risks with his music. That's the kind of savvy that catapults acts to the "A" list.

The "A" list is where both of these talented artists are headed. It was never more obvious than when they slowed things down a bit and sat on stools in front of the audience, just the two of them and their guitars. Miranda has a reputation for being this "bad ass" kind of chick, but she reveals a softer side in her show, one that made me like her even more by the time it was all over.

One of the biggest highlights of the show was her performance of "Desperation," a song that showcases her lovely voice. They both paid homage to those who came before them with "Feelings" -- God Bless Conway and Loretta! The final highlight for me came when Blake pulled out all the stops on "Ol' Red" as the show closer.

The screams for an encore were deafening. My husband and I have been to more concerts than we can count, and believe me, that roar was one of the loudest we have ever heard anywhere. The energy that Blake and Miranda brought to the stage was infectious, and the crowd showed its appreciation in terms that would make a decible meter shiver.

Besides the great music, our kids wound up with some great memories. They had the chance to meet Blake for the first time, and seeing them speechless and blushing really took me back...it reminded me of meeting my favorite singers and songwriters when I was their age, and not knowing what to say or how to act. It was a sweet moment for both of them, and for Mom and Dad, too!

Getting to that show in Pikeville was a long drive, but it was worth every mile.

Writing and Recuperating...

2008-10-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

This week has been equal parts writing and recuperating. Writing up a storm, not only because it's what I love to do, but because I had deadlines piling up like I haven't seen in years. That's what a week or so in the hospital holding your baby's hand will do to you!

Speaking of our daughter, she's doing so much better. The stitches are out and the fever is gone, and now our only problem is trying to keep her from going overboard physically...the moment the stitches came out she thought it was okay to go swinging in the treetops and acting like a monkey, but it's not okay just yet!

The man of the house is on vacation this week, so we've taken a few trips. We visited Pikeville, Kentucky and enjoyed the Blake Shelton/Miranda Lambert show. Review and great pictures, coming soon! We ventured to Cumberland Falls, took a long drive through the mountains, and did some shopping at Pigeon Forge. After a day back home and a bit of writing work done, we are considering a trip to Amish country.

If you are in the Nashville area and considering a trip of your own, why not come to Dickson, Tennessee on Saturday and visit me? I'm doing a book signing at Volume One Book Shop in downtown, starting at eleven, and I would love to see you there!

More soon, but right now, I think I smell that wonderful Amish bread beckoning...

I Could Have Kissed the Front Door...

2008-10-07T05:37:00.001-07:00

Last week was long, trying, and not one I would like to repeat.

Our daughter landed in the hospital last Monday, with fever and pain and all kinds of icky things that didn't make much sense. It was a long week of pacing the floor after she was asleep, driving myself crazy with wondering what would be wrong, handling information coming at us from all sides, but most of all, just holding her hand while she dealt with all the procedures that would scare any eight-year-old half to death.

Our son was incredible with her. He did his best to take care of her. He cajoled her into smiles, decorated her room with balloons, played little games with her and ran to get anything she needed, whether it was a sip of water or a nurse. Every time he had to leave the hospital, he would hug me -- hard -- and whisper, "Take care of her, Mom."

Taking care of her was the only thing that mattered. But you can only be strong for so long, you know? After she went to bed at night, knocked out with pain meds, I would get in the shower and lean against the wall and cry. I'm one tough cookie, but bring my kids into the picture and I crumble.

Our girl has a beautiful, strong support system of friends and family, but the real strength comes from inside her. I watched her deal with everything thrown her way, and she handled it with such grace. It was humbling to see that quiet strength in a child so young, and it gave me a new perspective on quite a few things. The world looks entirely different when you see it through a child's eyes.

She's much better now, back home, no fever, no pain, only a tiny incision and stitches to show that she was ever sick at all. Now her biggest concern is when Hannah Montana comes on. The difference in her is astounding.

I'm so happy to be home, so content to have a healthy family around me. When we came home from the hospital, I really could have kissed the front door...I was so happy to be back, so relieved that she was going to be okay, and so ready to take on anything else the world might throw at us.

I'm so proud to be Mom to the most amazing kids I've ever known.

Wow...

2008-09-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the book signing...and on a Friday morning, nonetheless! It was wonderful to meet so many new people. And the good people at the Renaissance Center are always so professional and friendly!

We ran out of books near the end, and a few people had to go home without them. BUT! There will be many more signings. Check out the sidebar for the schedule. I will be adding a few more signings as soon as they are confirmed.

I am awed and humbled by such a book signing success. Thank you.

Radio Interview and Book Signing -- Tomorrow!

2008-09-25T14:48:00.001-07:00

For those in Nashville and the surrounding area, tune into WDKN 1260 to hear an exclusive interview with yours truly. This will be a very different kind of experience. I've been interviewed on radio more times than I can count, but never have I been interviewed by my own husband!

Tune in to hear all the inside information about Carolina Hurricane, and maybe even a few personal tidbits about my favorite radio guy as well. *grin*

After that, it's a book signing at the Renaissance Center's Virtually Unlimited Bookstore in Dickson, Tennessee. Bring your copy of Carolina Hurricane to be autographed, and while you're there, why not buy a few copies for your friends?

If you can make it to Dickson tomorrow, I hope to see you there!

An Interesting Week...

2008-09-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

This week has been a bit on the crazy side!

I've been very busy with one thing after another this week. Beyond my usual freelance work, I've been adding to my word count on the murder-mystery and the next romance novel. I'm also considering what to do when I'm finished with those -- another murder-mystery?

I've been fielding interest from queries sent out over the last few weeks, and things are looking very good on that front. I'll keep you posted!

I had a great time at lunch with one of my writer friends. We discussed story ideas, plots, and good places to publish short stories. I love the energy that comes from talking about the business of writing and publishing. It helps to light a fire underneath me, and I always write much more after a good discussion like that. The best part, however, is getting to know a fellow writer a little bit better.

We enjoyed the Jeff Fisher Show on Tuesday night at O'Charley's in Brentwood. Our son got all tongue-tied when he met the lovely cheerleader -- if only I had a video camera to preserve that for future blackmail purposes!

But we did get some great pictures of the Titans Radio team...Jeff Fisher and Mike Keith.

On the personal side of things, we've been dealing with a very sick little girl. She's been running a high fever and has been subjected to all sorts of tests to figure out what might be wrong with her. Today, finally, she's better. Her Momma and Daddy are beyond relieved.

And now...it's back to an afternoon of writing articles!

So...Are You Busy on Friday?

2008-09-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

If you're not busy on Friday, why not come out to my book signing?

Friday, September 26
10:30 - Noon
Renaissance Center
Dickson, Tennessee

It's a midday signing, which means you can stop by, say hello, get your book, and start reading it over lunch! As an added bonus, the man of the house will be there with me, so you can tease him about being my romantic muse.

So...if you're not busy...I hope to see you there!

Manuscripts, Agents and Music

2008-09-19T07:56:00.001-07:00

This has been a beautiful week!

I know I haven't been blogging much, so there's a lot to catch up on. Like the fact that the Pearl manuscript is already getting a lot of interest from agents! As some of you know, I spent the summer working with a fantastic co-writer on a novel called Pearl, a work of historical fiction based on the life of Pearl S. Buck.

We took some time to make a short list of agents, and the queries went out a few weeks ago. We've already had several requests, both for partials and fulls. In fact, we've had more requests than denials, a fact that thrills me to no end! Keep your fingers crossed for us...this is a story we really believe in, and we hope to find an agent who believes in it just as strongly as we do.

Printing out the manuscript and getting it ready to send is always a thrill for me. It's a tangible look at all the hard work we've done. Whenever I print out a new manuscript, I hold it for a moment, to feel the weight of it. My reaction never changes: In that moment, my first and strongest response is to write even more.

This week I'm writing on smaller projects and taking a breather from big ones. I'm working on a business book right now, but that's moving at about a chapter a week, which is a good pace for it. I've taken on a series of articles that I'm enjoying very much, because with articles, you never know what you're going to get. One week I might be writing about horses, and the next week I'm writing about microscopes or hang-gliding or going green. I like the challenge and the surprise of it.

Other than writing, things have been busy. We went to the Tennessee River Run this past weekend, and it was a perfect day for a concert -- warm, but not too hot, just overcast enough to keep the really bad sunburns away, and a crowd that was enthusiastic and friendly. We saw a local band called Littlefield, followed by Keith Anderson and Restless Heart. By then the moon was up and the stars were out, and it was time for Darryl Worley to headline his own event!

The money raised at this event is growing by the year, and it all goes to a very worthwhile cause. Go here if you want more information on the event. It is worth going, believe me...and the drive to get there is absolutely gorgeous.

Tomorrow is the Music City Romance Writers meeting, and then lunch out with a new writer friend. It's going to be a good end to a great week!

It's About Time...

2008-09-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

Well-deserved and long overdue!

From the press release:

"Sony BMG recording artist Craig Morgan was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry this evening during a special concert for U.S. troops at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The evening was a homecoming of sorts for the singer, who was stationed at Ft. Bragg from 1990 to 1992 during his ten-year active duty tenure in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Morgan will be formally inducted into the Opry family on Sat., Oct. 25."

Congratulations, Craig!

New Website!

2008-09-16T08:49:00.001-07:00

The new website is ready to go!

Here it is: Dauphin Freelance

This one focuses on my freelance writing, and offers some information about my creative writing projects as well. Take a look and let me know what you think...all comments and suggestions are more than welcome.

"Madeline" published by Espresso Fiction!

2008-09-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Today, Espresso Fiction has published one of my favorite short stories, "Madeline."

"Madeline" is the story of a woman at the end of her life, and a boy at the end of his, and how their worlds collide for the briefest instant, but in the most meaningful way.

Here's a preview:

The park was right next to the nursing home and often Madeline sat up in her bed near the window, looking out at the bright yellows and greens and oranges. The colors looked muted and pale to her old eyes and sometimes the sunlight hurt, but she didn’t mind. What she loved were the children who came to play on the slides and the swings, the tow-headed little boys and the girls with skinned knees showing under their starched skirts.

She woke to their laughter in the mornings. The staff used to bring her breakfast at six on the dot, but she was quick to tell them that while she might indeed be old, not all elderly rose at the crack of dawn craving scrambled eggs and decaf coffee. After a few weeks of patiently explaining this, the doctor finally gave in and let her sleep. Waking up to sunshine on her face and the laughter of children was one of the few treasures she had left after ninety-six years.

Madeline thought of her own children.

A mother remembers everything, especially the little things. She remembered the scar on Paul’s lip. He got it when he fell off the top of a slide. It was too big for his whole five years, and he learned that the hard way when he tumbled down the metal steps. That scar never went away, even when he was lying in the funeral home dead of a heart attack at sixty-two. Madeline saw the scar on the lifeless face of her son and suddenly he was a child again and the misery was gone, because surely if God could create a child He could also create a playground up in Heaven.

To read the rest of the story, venture to Espresso Fiction and sign up. This is a weekly story subscription service, so if you want to read "Madeline," you've got to get over there pronto! Once you've signed up, you can also read my interview with the site, and enter into discussions about the story with other members.

Let me know what you think?

A Good Day for Writing

2008-08-28T15:03:00.001-07:00

Today has been one of those beautiful days of writing, when the words flow like water, and the ideas come so fast I can't possibly hope to keep up, even when I'm taking notes as fast as my pen can write. The inspiration around me is as thick as smoke, and with every breath I take, I seem to fill my soul with a bit more of it.

The funny thing about all this is that I've been working on articles and technical reports all day. I've been doing research that includes looking at the Forbes' lists, which are definitely interesting, but not the kind of creative work that would normally trigger such a flood of inspiration.

Maybe it has to do with the cooler temperatures, and the fact that I went outside to the front yard swing to write for a while. Maybe it's the good conversations with writers lately -- and the wonderful dinner I had last night with my oldest and dearest friend, Sara -- that has jump-started this need to write, and write, and write some more.

Whatever the case may be, I'm taking advantage of every moment of it. I'm headed into the weekend full-steam ahead, with no obligations other than writing, and I intend to embrace that fact to the fullest!

It's one of those days that reminds me of how much I love what I do.

Progress Report and Life Happens!

2008-08-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Writing, writing, writing! That's all I've been doing since we came back from the family reunion on Sunday. I've been immersed in research for books, the writing of books, and the editing of books. Good times!

Everything seems to be on the right track. The business book is coming along at the rate of a chapter a week, and each one of them is shaping up nicely. The Pearl project should be wrapped up within the next few days. I'm also working on helping a client finish a novel, and that's going better than expected...that will be done within a few weeks. There are articles and columns coming due, and I'm ahead of deadline on those, in some cases by more than a month.

When my contracted work is done, I'm doing some writing of my own. Right now my murder-mystery novel is hitting its stride, and I'm doing a bit of work on the new manuscript, tentatively titled Iowa. (I guess I need to come up with a firm title for the murder-mystery, huh?)

And last but not least, my new website is almost ready to go live! I'll keep you posted on when that happens, of course. I'm thrilled with the way it looks.

When I haven't been writing, I've been busy with life. The family reunion was good, and we enjoyed seeing family members that we hadn't seen in over a year. The reunion was held at a resort owned by one of the cousins, and we spent a lot of time out on the water, playing on a sandbar, and the braver ones among us went tubing behind a wicked-fast boat. Alas, I was not one of those brave souls, so I stayed on the sandbar.

We came back home -- crashed, utterly exhausted after that six-hour drive! -- and last night we attended the Open House at our kids' school to meet all the teachers. School days are here again!

Rain is here, too. We're getting the remnants of Hurricane Fay, and though it might have been devastating for Florida, it's been a godsend for Tennessee. The trees actually look green again, instead of that drab color that says they have almost given up.

Tonight we're driving into Nashville to meet Sara, my best childhood friend. We've known each other for over twenty years. I was thinking last night about when I met her for the first time...we were both eleven, maybe twelve, and attending a school-sponsored function at Murray State University. She and I wound up sitting side-by-side in the auditorium, and our conversation was easy and fun from the very beginning.

I guess it goes to prove that you never really know...the person you just happen to sit next to one day could become a part of your life for the rest of your life. It's a good reminder to take nothing, not even the simplest encounter, for granted.

When Traveling Backroads...

2008-08-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what you can stumble upon if you're paying attention.

Stories, Stories, Everywhere!

2008-08-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic day for short stories!

I've received three acceptances this week:

My short story "On the Roan" will be featured in the upcoming issue of blossombones.

"Madeline" will be featured in the September 2nd edition of Espresso Fiction.

And finally, I just sold a short story called "The Sounds of Revenge" to a Penguin anthology...no title on that yet, and no set date for release, but I'll keep you posted.

The writing life is definitely great today!

Killer Nashville, Day Three

2008-08-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

My third day of Killer Nashville began with a presentation by several experts called "Getting It Right: What Law Enforcement Personnel Wish Every Writer Knew." It was an in-depth look at the things television, movies and even popular fiction manage to get wrong every time. It was also a look at the things that aren't often discussed, such as the high price of seeing so many terrible things in the course of a career. It was an interesting, eye-opening session, and I took a ton of notes.

After that, we headed home. There were some additional sessions that afternoon, but none of them were on the forensics track, and I was ready to head out. I had attended all the sessions I hoped to see. My mind was full of ideas and my notebook full of words. It was a good weekend.

If you are serious about improving your writing, or jump-starting your writing career, I firmly believe a conference is the best way to do it. The sessions are packed with tons of information, and usually there are different tracks that are tailored to the different stages of your career, from the beginner working on that first novel to the author who has been published over and over again. No matter what stage you're at, you will find something that suits your needs.

And the people! How much fun it is to meet so many people who have the same goals. You will be networking with people who are at every stage of the game, and every person you meet will somehow inspire you. I ran into some fantastic people with lots of big ideas, and I'm looking forward to staying in touch with them.

Bottom line: The Killer Nashville conference was one of the best ones I have ever attended. I learned enough to be satisfied, yet left wanting to learn so much more. It fed my writing career and fueled my passion. I'm definitely going back next year!

Killer Nashville, Day Two

2008-08-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

The second day of Killer Nashville started bright and early. I was part of the "Writing Effective Sex Scenes" panel that began at 8:30 in the morning. Nothing like talking about naughty stuff to jump-start your day, right?

We focused on several aspects of writing about S-E-X, but our biggest focus was on how to incoporate a sex scene into a novel without making it seem trashy, over-the-top or extra fluff for shock value. We talked about moving the plot along with the scene, about sexual tension and how important that build-up is to the story, and even the differences between men and women when it comes to what they want in a sex scene. It was good stuff. If you weren't there, well, you should have been!

After that I skipped back over to the Forensics track and attended the session on Fugitive Apprehension. It was interesting to see some of the different methods used by agents to track down the Most Wanted criminals. It seems to be a matter of research more than anything else, and gathering as much information as possible. As a trained researcher, you can bet this one set my mind racing as to what other methods might be out there, but aren't shared with the general public.

After lunch came the highlight of the Killer Nashville conference: An interview and forensics presentation with the founder of The Body Farm, Dr. Bill Bass.

First, let me say this: There is a certain quality among those who have made a living out of finding answers. They tend to have a curiosity that others simply don't have. These are the people who can become so excited, so passionate about what they do, that you can't help but catch their fever. When you have that kind of passion, what comes around the next corner is just as exciting as the anticipation of it. Is there any wonder the most curious among us become scientists, and wind up searching for answers that have the potential to change our world?

Bill Bass is one of those people. From the moment he sat down and started talking, he had a sincerity about his work that made listening to him a pleasure. It wasn't just that his work is interesting -- it's utterly fascinating -- but it was also that curious quality, that almost child-like "Look what we found!" thrill, that simply surrounds him.

I have been a fan of Dr. Bass for a very long time. My mother introduced me to his work during my high school years, when she was back in college and taking forensics classes. Law enforcement was always her passion, but when she spoke about Dr. Bass and his work, it was with a unique kind of reverence.

After listening to him speak that afternoon, I now understand where that excitement comes from. Every time he pointed to a new screen during his presentation, he had that "Look at this!" air about him, as though the scenes he had seen a thousand times before were still just as fascinating today as they were twenty or thirty years ago.

I was seeing these for the first time, as were so many others in the room. Dr. Bass made it clear during his interview, over and over, that he is a teacher. I think he was just flat-out happy to be teaching us something new. I know I was happy and grateful to be learning it, especially from a man I had heard stories about for so many years.

What could possibly be better than that? I was sorry when the session ended. I wanted more.

After listening to Dr. Bass speak, we took a break. Chuck and I drove about Franklin a bit, got some fresh air and talked about Dr. Bass and his work.

We came back to the Conference Center and I sat down for my book signing. There were several of us signing that day, and the turnout was good. I sold a handful of books, as did everyone else who was there, so I counted the signing as a success.

That night, we went to dinner at Sperry's in Franklin -- and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a classy place to dine. We were ushered into a private room (with Dr. Bass!) and spent the next few hours meeting new people and talking about everything you can imagine. Good food and good company!

We were exhausted when we came back to the hotel. This time, I didn't dream about anything. My head hit the pillow, and I was out. A tornado could have taken off the roof, and I probably wouldn't have noticed.

On to Day Three...

Killer Nashville, Day One

2008-08-18T11:42:00.001-07:00

This weekend was the Killer Nashville conference. It was held in the Cool Springs Conference Center of the Marriott hotel. We arrived bright and early on a Friday morning, breezed through the easiest registration ever, and settled down to the first session of the day -- Murders to Mummies with Hugh Berryman.

Any conference that begins with Hugh Berryman is bound to be a good one. Forensic Anthropologists tend to have a dry, witty sense of humor that comes across in their lectures, and sure enough, Mr. Berryman had us all laughing and shaking our heads at some of the stranger cases that have come his way over the years. He ended the session with a mystery, one that has driven Chuck absolutely nuts since the moment he realized there was no answer...as of yet, anyway.

My next session was A Writer's Guide to Explosives, taught by a very knowledgable and funny Bob Pollard. It never ceases to amaze me how much information can be packed into a little over an hour of lecture time. I can attend a lecture and learn more from that than I can from reading half a dozen books on the subject. Maybe it's just the way I retain information, but regardless, listening to him talk about how explosives act under certain situations, including interesting tidbits on why they might act differently, was mesmerizing.

After lunch, it was back to Bob Pollard, and this time he talked about arson. Again, fascinating. The pictures he showed made a few in the room a little squeamish, but he had warned us it would be graphic. There was a great deal of information writers could use, from the old wives tale about body positioning to how to pinpoint the origin of a fire.

The next session was on Firearms. Retired officer Ernie Lancaster was the speaker, and he came armed (so to speak) with all the basic information a writer needs to incorporate a gun into a novel. He explained about the bullet itself, the differences in a revolver and a semi-automatic (I've always been a revolver girl, myself), and dispelled a few myths about what you see in movies and television, versus what really happens when a bullet slams into the human body.

During that session, I immediately caught a few details that I had gotten wrong in my upcoming novel. I have since gone back and corrected those. Thank you, Mr. Lancaster.

The final session I attended that day was courtesy of Mike Breedlove of the TBI -- "The Art and Science of Interrogation." Again, this was extremely informative about techniques and how suspects will react in certain situations. The best part of it, however, was when he began to tell stories. I was absolutely mesmerized, and I know I wasn't the only one. That session could have gone on for the rest of the night and I would have stayed right there, listening to every word. Some of the cases he mentioned were fascinating mysteries, and all of the details he gave us about what to look for in a crime scene were very valuable.

Again, after listening to him, I went back to my manuscript and changed a few things. It was only day one, and already the sessions at Killer Nashville had remedied several small mistakes in the way I was writing my murder-mystery. How cool is that?

Chuck and I then went out to dinner, relaxed a bit, came back to the hotel and crashed. I was exhausted from all the information swirling in my head. My mind was racing all night, however, and I actually dreamed about a new twist in my plot. I had to get up at three in the morning and write it down.

And shortly thereafter, it was time for Day Two. I'll write about that in a bit.

Weekend? What's That?

2008-08-09T10:18:00.001-07:00

I don't have weekends this month! I've been busting my butt to get ahead on my work schedule so I can attend Killer Nashville with no worries about what deadlines are looming. The weekend after the conference, we're headed to Missouri for a family reunion, so I'll be burning the midnight oil to clear my schedule for that, too.

The week after that, things should slow down a bit.

Right now I'm almost finished with the second edit of the movie-to-novel manuscript -- I cannot wait until it's done and ready to go, so the screenwriter and I can tell the world about the cool work we've been doing on this!

I'm also working on editing and completing a futuristic novel started by a budding writer, one who has a great deal of promise. The humor in this book is so tongue-in-cheek, it's fun to go back and edit the chapters and catch things I missed the first time.

And the travel book! It's almost done. In fact, it will be done by the end of this weekend, if the gods of time smile down upon me and nothing goes wrong (fingers crossed). Then I get to start on Book Two and Three, which should be much easier, since the majority of the research is already there.

The Business Book is going well, too. That one is still in the beginning stages, so I'll talk more about it when things are rolling a bit faster.

I'm looking forward to Killer Nashville. There is information to be learned and networking to be done! I'm also going to appear on a panel called "Behind Closed Doors: Writing Effective Sex Scenes." I haven't served on a conference panel in a long time, so no doubt I'm rusty, but I'm sure it will be fun. Besides, who doesn't like starting out their morning with a little talk about naughtiness? *grin*

In the meantime, I'm going to be up at all hours, finishing all sorts of projects, and drinking too many sodas with my Excedrin. I can usually stay up and work like a madman until around three or so, when the caffeine crash finally comes and I look like this little guy:

But Lord have mercy, I love what I do! I can't imagine doing anything else. Even when I'm seeing pages of copy in my dreams and typing in my sleep.

A Good Week for Writing!

2008-07-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

It's one of those weeks when everything falls into place. Don't you love those?

First things first: Have you noticed the appearances section on the sidebar? I've got several new book signings lined up, and several more to come! I hope I can meet you at one of those appearances.

On to the writing!

I finally figured out the plot twist in my murder-mystery novel. It's been bugging me for well over a year (yes, it's taking me that long to figure this thing out), but thanks to some help from my genius of a Mom, I now know how it's going to end.

And no, I'm not telling you. You'll have to read the book!

I'm glad I worked that part out. I'm attending the Killer Nashville conference in a few weeks, and I really wanted to have a clear idea of where the manuscript was headed. Now I can choose my schedule to reflect what I need to learn in order to make the final chapters of this book a reality. I hope this conference will be what I need to get that ball rolling again. When so many writers are in a room together, the creativity and energy just explodes, and ideas flow like water.

An added bonus to the weekend: My husband will be there with me. Chuck is registered to attend everything, so he will be able to see first-hand what I'm learning. And I didn't have to prompt him to go! He made the decision -- and the reservations -- all on his own. I'm so excited to share this with him.

Never, ever underestimate the power of having someone firmly on your side, someone who believes so strongly in you and what you're doing. My whole writing life has changed for the better, because I have such an amazing husband who believes in me with all his heart.

Is there any wonder why I dedicate my books to him?

On the freelance front, things are clicking right along. The book on medical travel is going well, and making me consider where I might go to have that knee replacement that I will certainly have to have one day soon. I'll tell you this: It probably won't be happening in the U.S.

I'm also helping someone finish up their book, and that's an absolute thrill! It's a great feeling to take a project that has sat idle for a while, breathe new life into it, and then watch it grow. I think this one will be done sooner than either of us thought, because the author is so fired up about it now, and I'm really into the storyline. It's a great story with a lot of potential.

Other projects...the movie-to-novel book I'm working on is nearing completion of that final edit, and it's going well. I've also taken on a book about business, and I'm already enjoying it, even though I'm only a few days into the project. It's going to require a lot of research, and that's good -- more learning!

And finally, I've had a few more short story acceptances lately, one of them a very big one...no rejections this week, hallelujah! I'll fill you in on the details when I have more details to share.

Jason Matthews and Wynn Varble

2008-07-28T07:48:00.001-07:00

Songwriter Heaven!

I'm one of those people who pulls the liner out of the CD case and reads every word before I put the CD in the player. Liner Junkies might also be Songwriter Junkies like me -- the first thing I do when I open up that liner is scan the names of the songwriters, taking note of my favorites. It's an ever-changing list, but some names always stay at the top.

Right up there with the best? Wynn Varble and Jason Matthews.

The two of them played Saturday night at the Columbia Bicentennial Celebration. Town square was shut down for the evening while vendors set up on either side of the courthouse, celebrating 200 years with period costumes, displays of historic memorabilia, and good music. The night ended with the songwriters on the steps of the beautiful courthouse, and later, a fireworks display.

Earlier this summer, Chuck and I had the opportunity to spend time with Jason and his lovely wife, Debbie. Their passion for the music business is beautiful and contagious. I listened to them talk for hours about every aspect of it, and I could have listened for hours longer. It's wonderful when you meet someone you admire and find that by the end of the evening, you admire them even more.

I don't know much about Wynn Varble beyond the amazing songs he writes. I've heard him play a few times, long before I really knew who he was, and I was impressed every time. Wynn had a few cuts on the Kevin Denney release a few years back (I got hooked on "Cadillac Tears"), and that's also where I heard Jason's music the first time -- he co-wrote "That's Just Jessie."

At the Celebration they took turns with their songs, starting with Jason's "Break Down Here" and of course, "That's Just Jessie." I wasn't as familiar with all of Wynn's tunes, but I liked every single one of them, especially "Right" -- it's country with a healthy dash of smartass.

Their current hits? For Jason, it's "Country Man," recorded by Luke Bryan. For Wynn, it's "Waiting on a Woman," recorded by Brad Paisley.

We couldn't stay to see the fireworks display, but that's alright. Hearing good songwriters playing a few solid hits was enough. It's always a thrill to hear the songs that have become such mainstays on country radio performed by the people who wrote them in the first place.

Happy Birthday, Columbia!

Brick Walls

2008-07-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

"When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody's bothering you to tell you anymore, that's a very bad place to be. Your critics are the ones telling you they still love you and care."

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

"It's not about how to achieve your dreams; it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the dreams will come to you."

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

Randy Pausch, 1960-2008

Break Out the Champagne!

2008-07-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

Carolina Hurricane has garnered another great review!

This time it's courtesy of Cocktail Reviews, where they celebrated the book with an in-depth review and FOUR glasses of champagne. What an honor!

Here's a sip:

There’s a comforting quality about the story. Jordan and Amanda seem like real people, their actions detailed. The minutiae of their lives stands in opposition to the growing storm – control vs unpredictable nature. Later there’s the comparison between the real storm that brings them together and the storm caused by Katie that threatens to drive them apart.

To read the rest of the review, go here.

To get your copy, click here.

Whitney Duncan Showcase

2008-07-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed every minute of the Whitney Duncan showcase this evening. It's always good to talk with the fine people from Warner Bros. Records -- not only are they some of the friendliest and most down-to-earth people you will ever meet in the music business, you know that whenever they throw a party, it's going to be a good time!

The venue was Rocketown, a place I've always loved, perfect for intimate shows. Catering was by Monell's -- if you want southern cooking that tastes just like grandma's, that's the way to go.

On to the show!

I have to be honest: When I see another gorgeous blond singer, my first thought is 'Carrie Underwood clone'. It seems that whenever Nashville catches the scent of fresh blood (and massive sales), the crop of new talent seems a mirror image of what is already out there. Not good for all the pretty blond singers, no?

Whitney Duncan, however, is an artist who doesn't need to copy anybody. From the moment she walked onto the stage, she was confident and sure, engaging the audience with every song. She's got a huge voice for such a little body, and that voice keeps going...and going...and going. Even when she was out of breath from dancing around on stage, she still sounded perfect.

She performed a few songs off her upcoming album, ending with her new single, "When I Said I Would." The standout for me was "Little by Little," a song about rebuilding a life -- or a heart -- little by little, one brick at a time. I hope it gets released as a single, because it's the kind of song anyone can relate to, and she delivers it with a sense of introspection and heartache.

She also proved she can serve up a rockin' country song when she covered "Tulsa Time." As the hubby pointed out afterward, that song has been done over and over again, so it's hard for an artist to make it his or her own. Whitney made it work. In fact, she knocked that one right out of the ballpark.

Behind that killer voice lies a songwriter as well, for she co-wrote every song on her album. My only complaint is the usual one I have when I see something very, very good -- I wished it had been longer. Much longer.

Great venue, great food, great music.

Busy Days!

2008-07-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been full-speed ahead.

The big news: Our boy turned ten yesterday! He's no longer in the single digits. *sniffle* The party consisted of numerous pre-teen boys, all wired on birthday cake and ice cream, tons of pizza and even more soda, loud music, and a birthday boy who scattered all his presents on the living room floor to play.

By the time it was over, we were exhausted. "We" as in the parents, not the kids. There's nothing like a ten-year-old boy to make thirty-something feel ancient.

On the work front, things are sterling! The progress on the medical travel book is moving right along, and I'm wading through the research along the way. The other projects are in a good place right now.

The best part of the last few days is finishing up the movie-to-book manuscript I've been working on -- now I get to go back and edit, enhance, and expand. It has been a gorgeous project to work on, one of my favorites ever, and I'm looking forward to working on it a little longer. I've enjoyed every minute of this one.

More music this week -- tomorrow night is the Whitney Duncan showcase. Pictures and review in the days to come!

Keith Anderson at the Wildhorse

2008-07-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

I promised a review when I recovered, and...well, recovery is going to take a while. Not because of the lemon martinis, but because of the lack of sleep. The only thing that gives me a hangover faster than alcohol is not getting enough sleep.

No matter. It was worth the time!

In addition to catching a great concert, we were joined by my ex-husband and his very significant other for the evening. Our daughter was with us as well. Yeah...that's us. When it comes to extended families and friendships, we're like the Cash family.

Before the music began, our little girl enjoyed being able to go backstage and spend time with Keith, his publicist, and others -- she got her picture taken with him like a true little fan, in her pink cowgirl hat and all! The hubby will be doing an in-depth interview with Keith in the weeks to come, so stay tuned for that...I'll let you know when it's published.

On to the show!

Last night was Fisher Stevenson's first full-band performance. When we saw him perform during CRS, he only had two players backing him, I believe. He sounds even better with the full sound behind him, and he was just as personable. My only complaint was that his set was too short, but he was the first opener, so...I guess it made sense. Regardless, he rocked.

We didn't get any photographs of Chris Young, as we were having dinner up on the second level, back in the corner. We were surprised at how many cover tunes he did, considering he has two full albums of his own material to share (his sophomore album is coming out in October, I believe)...but regardless of what he was singing, he sounded fantastic. He brings to mind Kenny Chesney in his early days, way back in 1994 or so, when he was playing the Wildhorse on a regular basis. Chris Young has that same star quality about him.

Then it was time for Keith Anderson, and of course we moved downstairs for that! Keith's band is always dead-on -- he has one of the best road bands out there right now -- and I love how they are all equals, with one never upstaging another. They work the crowd like no other band I've seen, and Keith himself has a magnetism that fills the seats. (Fills them mostly with what my hubby called "Grade A Prime" women. Ahem.)

He started out with the title track of the new album, C'mon, and then peppered his usual standards with new songs. My favorite of the new ones has to be "Somebody Needs a Hug," a tongue-in-cheek tease that made me laugh out loud. He performed all the hits, including "XXL" and "Podunk." Keith was at his absolute best when he was rocking hard, and his "Three Chord Country" was just as hard-driving as ever.

The slower songs were a bit understated this time, and that was understandable -- his beloved mother passed away last week, and if I'm not mistaken, this was his first public performance since her death. The slow tunes didn't pack his usual emotional punch; instead, they seemed quieter and more poignant, as if the meaning of them was just a little closer to home.

And of course, he performed "Lost in This Moment" and "Beer Run." The cool thing about Keith is that none of his songs are filler. Each one of them is a standout all on its own, and he doesn't have to reach into a hat of fancy tricks to make the show work. The songs are solid, the band is powerful, and Keith's voice can hold its own throughout the night.

It was a good night. Keith Anderson is worth no sleep.

July, Already?

2008-07-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

I really should update this blog more often.

It's hard to believe it's already July. The year is halfway over. Of course, according to the man of the house, this is a good thing. There are only how many shopping days left until Christmas?

The biggest news of the week is our new vehicle. We indulged in a Jeep Liberty Sport, and we've spent the last week or so testing it out. We absolutely love it! Can you say power? The steering is also very responsive, and that will take some getting used to.

That bad boy can haul some antiques!

Moving from the driveway to the backyard, the garden is absolutely gorgeous. We will have the first of the corn in a few weeks, and already we have too much squash, as well as buckets of lettuce. The watermelons are looking good, too.

My tomatoes, however, didn't bother.

The children spent the weekend splashing it up at Holiday World -- while they were enjoying the Indiana sun, the hubby and I were in Georgia, spending the holiday with friends. We sat around the table and talked for hours, grilled out, played in the pool and ended the day with bottle-rocket wars (not for the faint of heart!). It was good to catch up and relax.

On the work front, things are clicking right along, and I've taken on a few projects I'm very excited about. One is a series of ebooks on travel-related issues, another ghostwriting job in which I will be finishing a novel for someone else, and in the meantime, the movie-to-book novel I've been working on lately is picking up steam.

I love being busy with one writing job after another, and right now things are looking very good on that front, indeed.

Chuck and I have made further plans about the book we're writing together, and this week we will get some information ready for the publishers. Keep your fingers crossed for us! This project is very near and dear to our hearts.

This week: Busy, busy! I'm putting my keyboard to the grindstone for the next few days, while the hubby is out and about, talking up sponsors for this football season. Then we're going to spend some rowdy time at the Wildhorse on Thursday, taking in a few of our favorites, Keith Anderson and Fisher Stevenson. Chris Young is playing, too.

I'll write up a review when I recover. Yeehaw!

George Carlin

2008-06-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

George Carlin, the maestro of all things profound, has died. He was 71.

I remember the first time I saw George Carlin. I was in college, ready to take on the world, absolutely sure of my position on things -- I knew it all, of course. But when I heard George Carlin, it was like lightbulbs went off all over the place.

Sure, he was funny. He was coarse. He didn't mind what came out of his mouth, and if you had a problem with it, that was your deal. The FCC even took a mighty punch at him, and those "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" went all the way to the Supreme Court.

And oh, boy...that was just the beginning.

George Carlin made an art form out of getting to the bottom of things. He turned your views upside down with his honest, straight-shooting monologues. I walked away from every Carlin show with my values questioned, my certainties shaken and my beliefs threatened. It wasn't just entertainment for a few hours. It was a profound questioning of the way things were, and it struck deep into the heart of anyone who dared think they had it all figured out.

I've always been fond of those who questioned authority. But it wasn't enough just to question it for the sake of going against the grain -- you had to know what you were talking about. That was the beauty of what George Carlin had to say. Before he hit that stage he knew his viewpoint inside and out, and he knew what the other side would think, too. He knew what he believed and he stuck to his guns. He didn't ask that you believe in the same thing. He simply asked that you be able to defend what you did believe in. That is always a beautiful and inspiring thing.

There are those who didn't like Carlin because he took his questioning so far. He was blasphemous and unrepentent. Religion was one of his favorite targets, and he uncovered hypocrisy with the glee of a child handed a fresh, new toy. He didn't have an answer to every question, and he never claimed to know it all -- he just had a question to every situation, and the desire to make someone think before they spouted off an answer.

He made me think. He proved to me that I didn't understand nearly as much as I thought I did, and I wasn't as smart as I thought I was. For a kid in college who has the world by the tail, it's a profound lesson: THINK before you speak. Don't accept what you're told just because someone who "knows better" told you it was the truth. Find out for yourself.

I have thought about this, and know it to be true: George Carlin was one of my heroes. I will miss his words -- no matter how dirty they could get.

Good News All Around!

2008-06-20T09:54:00.001-07:00

Things are looking good around here lately.

First, the Legends and Lyrics taping. How incredible! I had the best time. Kris Kristofferson is the master of songwriting...hearing him live is downright amazing. Randy Owen surprised me with his candor, and Patty Griffin's voice is beautiful. It was definitely a night to remember.

In writing news, I finished the book on going green. Yay! It was a long project, and I'm proud of the work I've done. But as soon as I was finished with it and sent it off to the client, I felt a little lost. It's done! What do I do now?

Now, I work on lots of other good things. I'm still working on that BIG novel project, and it's going very, very well. I'm also in the midst of a group of articles about marketing, and I'm working on a few topics as well.

I took the time to go back to Skipper's Compass today and read over what I've written so far...it's looking good, and I think I can get back to it next week, at least on a limited basis.

I got another acceptance! New Love Stories Magazine wants to print my short story, "How Gardens Grow," in one of their upcoming issues. Another of my short stories, "Glittering Like Pearls," will be in their launch issue, and it's great to know they loved my work enough to give it more space in their pages.

Oh, and I got more promotional goodies in the mail! These are for my freelance business. If you want a few good pens and other neat items, drop me an email with your mailing address and I'll send them along.

Other good news: Our little Chloe got a clean bill of health from the vet, for which we are very grateful. We had a scare with her last week, when she got very sick for no apparent reason...and when you only weigh a pound, getting sick like that is NOT a good thing. But now she's back to growling over her food and terrorizing the other cats, so all is well!

A Quiet and Productive Week

2008-06-13T08:29:00.001-07:00

This week has been rather quiet around the house, as both kids have been active with camp. Our son went to 4-H camp and our daughter to basketball camp, so I've had the days all to myself. It's served me well, as I caught up on several projects I had on the back burner, as well as making headway on projects that were on schedule, but could use a little pick-me-up.

I'm almost finished with the "green" book -- I'm just waiting on pictures and illustrations for it, then a final edit, and all is good to go! I've started a series of marketing articles, and I'm still working on the BIG novel project I mentioned a few weeks ago. Now that I'm really into the swing of that one, it's going very well.

I'm looking into creating a new website, one dedicated solely to my freelance work. I'll keep you updated on what happens with that.

This week has been a big one for songwriting junkies like me, between the husband's interviews and articles and a fascinating discussion with Jason Matthews and his lovely wife. And tonight it continues: We're spending an evening at the taping of the Legends & Lyrics Series, featuring Kris Kristofferson, Patty Griffin, Randy Owen and Jonathan Singleton.

Listening to Kris Kristofferson talk about songwriting? *swoon*

In other news: Took little Chloe to the vet, because she has something going all haywire...she can hardly eat and she sleeps way too much. She's now on antibiotics, and she hates them with a passion. She also hates having her temperature taken at the vet's office, as evidenced by the major bite she gave me when we tried it the first time. My finger still hurts.

We're watching the news a bit more lately...the floods in Iowa have our attention, as we know people in that area, and have family in upper Illinois. I couldn't help but get upset when I saw the story about the Boy Scout Camp that met the tornado...the fact that our boy is part of the Scout family, it really hit home. Those boys become so close, and those leaders become so attached to those kids. I can't imagine what those troops are going through right now. It makes me want to cry when I think about it.

When I mentioned it to a friend of mine this week, he was reminded of the Scoutmasters Benediction: "May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with you until we meet again."

God bless those little boys and their families.

Old House Blues

2008-06-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

I've often said how much I love our old house. She's a great dame of a place, built in 1901 with various add-ons throughout the years.

Much of her is original, which is the greatest part of her charm. She's got clapboard, huge windows in the original frames, hardwood floors that have been worn to a soft-as-silk shine by over a century of footprints.

And oh, the tongue-and-groove cedar...I could go on and on and on.

But today, this grand dame of a house is not my best friend. One little thing after another is giving me fits. Those windows, for instance -- those big, gorgeous, one-of-a-kind windows will not open today.

Absolutely not. No matter what I try, they won't come loose.

Someone made a big mistake years ago and painted most of the windows shut. I would love to know why they chose to do such a thing, because it had caused us more than a little grief. I've spent time with a putty knife and a hammer, getting the windows loose. Sometimes they open. Sometimes, they don't.

Like NOW.

If you heard someone screaming in fury a few minutes ago, that was me.

The man of the house has spent time today trying to find a screen panel that will fit our storm doors. Some jerk at Lowe's looked at him like he was crazy and said they didn't make screen panels to replace the storm door panels.

My response to THAT little tidbit was something I can't repeat here, but suffice it to say, he's wrong. They do make them, I've bought them more than a few times for my grandmother's doors, and to tell someone they don't make such things speaks volumes about that guy's ability to do his job.

Unfortunately, I can't turn this into a do-it-yourself thing, no matter how handy I am around the house...because they sell the replacement screen itself, in big rolls, but they don't sell frames. And the only frames I have are the permanent ones attached to the glass panels.

Who in their right mind sells replacement screen but not the replacement frame?

It's hot as hell today. With no air flow through the house, can you guess what the temperature in my office is? I've got two fans blowing that hot air around, and that's not helping.

Air conditioner? Sure...if I could get the windows open.

Those old floorboards are cool. Maybe I'll go lie down on them for a while.

As Lovely As Ever...

2008-06-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

This is the week of CMA Music Fest (formerly known as Fan Fair, and always known as Fan Fair by those of us who have been around long enough), and I'll be honest -- it would take a team of wild horses, a proclamation from Congress and an act of God to make me venture into downtown Nashville traffic this week.

I mean, have you SEEN lower Broad during Fan Fair? Good God Almighty.

This woman, however, was enough to entice my husband into town. She waved her upcoming record at him and that's all it took. He dove headfirst into Nashville's "drive if you dare" waters.

And well, really...who could blame him? What man wouldn't run when Faith Hill beckons?

He was impressed with the album, too.

Fifty-Two and Change?

2008-06-03T09:30:00.001-07:00

That's how much it now takes to fill up our gas tank.

We're talking a regular fill-up. Not one of those "I'm hoping to coast in there on fumes" kind of fill-ups. No, a reasonable, "we're under a quarter of a tank and it's time" kind of fill-ups.

My God, over fifty dollars? At two fill-ups a week, that's over a hundred bucks.

That's absurd.

I couldn't help but notice the price of milk, too. It's the same as a gallon of gas, sometimes more.

I had one of those deja-vu moments. I remembered watching television a few years back, one of those Dateline or 60 Minutes human interest stories. There was a mother on the program, and though I don't remember the exact circumstances she was in, I do remember her saying, "I have five dollars to my name. Do I put it in the gas tank to get to my job in the next town, or do I spend it for food for my kids? If I go to work, my kids go hungry. If my kids are fed, I lose my job."

I remember looking at my kids and feeling that woman's fear. What would I do?

I wonder where she is now.

Today, I see the gas prices going up. I see the food prices keeping pace. I see people being laid off, small businesses closing their doors, and all social organizations dealing with unprecendented strain. I read somewhere that the number of food stamp cases had hit a record high. I'm not surprised in the least.

The sad part is that NOBODY seems surprised. People are working harder, pinching pennies and cutting corners. They accept the fact that gas prices will rise over four bucks a gallon in the coming days. They accept that it will go even higher than that.

When it hits five dollars per gallon, will we still pay it?

Six?

When does it finally become too much, and we as a country begin to pitch the fit that the oil companies rightfully deserve?

Today, the cheapest gas around is 3.94 per gallon.

The gallon of milk in my fridge cost 4.45. I stared at it that price tag this morning. I had been thinking of pouring myself a glass.

I had water instead.

We're cutting back as much as we can -- like everybody is, I guess. We stay home more than usual. We make a point of eating at home instead of eating out. We clip coupons. We make our meals stretch into leftovers. We wrote off the thought of having two cars and decided to make it work with one. When we look at the possibility of replacing our current vehicle, one of our top considerations is the gas mileage it gets.

With two incomes, we are the lucky ones. But what happens to that hard-working single mother with a couple of kids, who not only has to worry about whether she can afford that price of milk for her babies, but has to wonder if she can afford the gas to get to the store at all?

I don't claim to know all the intricacies of oil and gasoline prices and the politics surrounding it all, but I do know this: The oil company executives don't have to worry about affording a gallon of milk.

CAROLINA HURRICANE is a Recommended Read!

2008-06-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Another fantastic review has come along, this one from Dark Angel Reviews. They made Carolina Hurricane a Recommended Read!

Here's a little snippet of what they had to say:

CAROLINA HURRICANE is perfect in every aspect. From the drama to the passion and romance, I was hooked from the very first sentence. Shannon Dauphin took me on a whirlwind (excuse the pun) adventure and showed me a wonderful couple who deserved a real chance at love.

Click here to read the rest of the review.
For those of you who love your Amazon, you can get the book here.

You can go directly to the publisher to get the ebook (or the print book, if you are so inclined), by going here.

I hope you enjoy it as much as Dark Angel Reviews did!

Progress Report

2008-05-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

I've been working my tail off ever since we got back from Mississippi, and I'm finally caught up -- I think.

I'm working on a series of short articles now, with a goal of finishing five per day. I wrapped up the last of a series of workbook rewrites. I can see the finish line on the Going Green book. The edits for A Week in the Snow are done, received by the editor and out of my hands. Yay!

I'm also starting on a novel that actually intimidates me. That has never happened before, and it's a curious feeling. I'm ghostwriting a novel about a literary figure, and it happens to be someone I admire greatly...it will be impossible to really do justice to her, but I'm doing my best.

Yesterday I took Carolina Hurricane posters to area businesses that are selling the book. I also ordered some delightful little "Local Author" and "Autographed Copy" stickers, and they look great on the covers. If you don't have your copy yet (and why don't you? Ahem!), you can get it here.

We Proudly Present...

2008-05-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

The newest member of our little family!

Her name is Chloe. Also known as Indiana Jonesette (for her utter fearlessness), Superkitty (for her ability to leap tall buildings...or at least tall pieces of furniture...in a single bound), and Fuzzybutt (that one is self-explanatory).

If you come over, be warned -- she will PURR all over you.

Mississippi, Lawmen, and Shiloh

2008-05-29T10:01:00.001-07:00

Over Memorial Day weekend we spent time in Mississippi, did some shopping and sight-seeing, and caught the new Indiana Jones movie. (We loved it, by the way.)

We also spent time at the 20th Annual Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival. Chuck took part in the bus tour that Friday morning, when Sheriff Pusser's daughter took them to the sites made legendary by the famous lawman. He said it was very emotional to see the different places that had marked events in Pusser's life.

I had no idea who Buford Pusser was until a few years ago. Granted, I knew the Walking Tall movies were about him. I knew he was famous for "carrying a big stick" and cleaning up a little town that was rife with corruption. That's all I knew, until Chuck told me more about him.

I've read quite a bit about him the last few days. I can't wait to read his daughter's book when it comes out later this year.

We also spent time at Shiloh National Military Park. Haunting. Beautiful. It's such a reverent place.

Seeing the graves of all those fallen soldiers was moving, but it was the open fields -- the beautiful, waving grasses, the majestic trees, the singing birds -- that really made me want to cry. As we went through the battlefield and explained to the kids what each of the markers meant, I was struck by how peaceful the place is.

Over 1700 soldiers died during the battle of Shiloh, and many of them were buried in mass graves. Marker Number Five points out where one of those mass graves lies. There is something so humbling about looking over that field, knowing the men who stood there in 1862 saw something most of us can only fathom.

Looking at peace and tranquility, in a place where there was once so much pain and death, is more humbling than I could ever put into words.

Bringin' the Good Stuff

2008-05-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hey, music lovers. Remember this guy?

I've been a big Eric Lee Beddingfield fan ever since my husband came home with his CD and said I had to give it a listen. Chuck is very good at recognizing talent when he hears it.

Tonight we went to Eric's album showcase at 12th and Porter. And I have to say...I haven't seen an artist bring a game like that in a long time.

You all know I'm jaded when it comes to music. Chuck is even more jaded than I could ever be. Neither one of us go into full-out gushing mode unless somebody is really, truly, absolutely above and beyond.

But we both sat there at the showcase, watching this guy lay out some of the best vocals either one of us have ever heard. His stage presence was addictive. No Pro-Tools here. No slick polish. Just a great vocalist laying out the goods.

It was awesome.

Watching the men and women from the record labels as they stared, mesmerized at first, dancing by the end, made it clear they saw the same thing we did. If they don't fight to sign this guy, they're crazy.

The album is good -- but it doesn't do him justice. If you want a taste of what he can really do, you've got to see Eric live. The man can bring it like nobody's business.

Listen to him here.

Writing. And Writing. And Writing!

2008-05-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of writing and research.

The coolest part of the last few weeks was going to my son's school to speak about writing. I figured I would explain a bit about what I do, maybe talk to them about what makes a good short story or novel, and answer a few questions.

Boy, was I surprised! The questions came from all corners of the room, rapid-fire, intelligent ones that proved they were paying attention. They asked things I never would have thought to tell them. ("How are books put together? How long does it take from the time you finish to the time it's published? What if you get stuck and you can't write anymore?")

They were so enthusiastic about it all. It reminded me of what it was like when I was their age, just discovering the power of the written word, when writing was the coolest thing ever.

Guess what? That was over twenty years ago...and it's still the coolest thing ever.

Lately, it's also the busiest time ever!

I've finished...wow. Three ebooks? Four? Lots of blog posts here and there. I'm almost finished with the first book on Going Green...with two more to follow on the heels of that one. I'm putting a ton of research into a "companion novel" I'm writing in conjunction with a screenplay by someone else. (Did that make any sense at all?) And I've been doing reviews, interviews, and such.

A wild few weeks for me and my loyal little keyboard.

I've reached the point in my freelance career where I now have to turn down projects. I hate to turn anything down, because I love to write and I love to learn about new things while I do it...but I'm so busy right now, I have no choice. I've built a reputation for turning in good quality work, and for never missing a deadline. I'm determined that those things will continue. I have to be careful about what I take on, so as to not compromise the quality of the work I have already committed to doing.

It's a fine balancing act, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Proud Momma Moments

2008-05-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

This week has been filled with those "proud momma moments." The children are in their final week of school, and that means lots of awards ceremonies, parties, and opportunities for them to show off what they have done throughout the year.

Our daughter was so proud of her Star Reader Award! She's always been a good reader, but this year she has really blossomed. She also brought home all A's this time. She freaks right out if she makes anything below a 90, so we weren't surprised on the grades. She's our little bookworm!

Our son has his awards ceremony in a few hours, where he will get the "Perfect-Perfect Attendance" trophy. He hasn't missed a single moment of school, hasn't received a single tardy, and has never left early. Sometimes it was a struggle to make that happen, as busy lives sometimes mean racing against the clock -- but he did it. Yay!

He also had his Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet this past weekend, where he moved up in rank -- and was awarded the coveted Patrol Flag. We knew he would move up in rank, because he had met all the requirements to do so, but the Patrol Flag was a shot out of the blue. It is awarded to the Scout who was the best example of following the Scout law throughout the year, and who went above and beyond to help others.

Our boy got the Patrol Flag! I'll admit it -- I burst into tears. Thank goodness the lights were dimmed for the Arrow of Light ceremony, so not many people saw me crying.

The best part of that day -- both our son's Scout ceremony and our daughter's Elementary School graduation -- was that they had both sets of parents there to cheer them on. My ex-husband took time off work, drove quite a long way, and was there to surprise them. He brought along his girlfriend Rhonda (soon to be his fiance...we hope), and the kids were just as thrilled to see her.

When it came time for the advancement of rank, the Scouts traditionally give an award to the Mother as well. This year, not only did I get an award, but Rhonda got one, too. Our son wanted to make sure she was included as a member of the family.

A few years ago, I might have had issues with something like that. I was a single mother for a long while -- just me and the kids against the world. I was overprotective, and the thought of letting anyone else that deeply into my children's lives was simply impossible.

But over the past year, I've watched them grow and mature into a couple of great kids, capable of making good, sound decisions. My son's choice to include Rhonda was a good one.

Two Dads. Now, two Moms.

Those kids are so spoiled...they have two of everything. *grin*

Seriously, though...I'm okay with that. I'm more than okay with that. Rhonda is good for them. I watched her beam with joy as our daughter showed off her Star Reader award. I saw her burst into tears of pride right along with me when our boy got his Patrol Flag. I have no doubt she loves them very much.

Hey, it takes a village. Thank heavens we have one!

A "Feel Good" Romance

2008-05-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Long and Short of It has reviewed Carolina Hurricane -- and they loved it!

Here's a snippet:

They experience several challenges that test their commitment and I was amazed by the sacrifices that each is willing to make to prove their love. The results of the actions are poignant and real and I was blown away by the emotions conveyed.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

I'm thrilled!

It's May/December Romance Month at Black Lyon!

2008-05-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Want to save money on good books? Visit the Black Lyon Bookstore!

The Artist First Radio Show

2008-05-09T05:47:00.001-07:00

Remember that little radio show I did a few weeks ago? Now you can listen to it online, or download it to listen at your leisure. Here's the link:

Artist First Radio Show

If that doesn't work, for whatever reason (and considering my lack of tech savvy, I wouldn't be surprised), click here to go to the listing of Artist First Recent Shows, and scroll down until you find my name.

Enjoy!

A Little Bit of a Movie...

2008-05-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

Teachers and Writers

2008-05-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my son's teacher asked me to visit the classroom and talk about what I do. She has a few students that show promise as budding young writers, and she thought some words from me would be good encouragement. It made me think about when I started writing, and the teachers who noticed how much I loved it.

Miss Molly asked me to write short stories for extra credit, and always took the time to mark them -- sometimes ferociously -- with her red pen. It did wonders for my skills.

The same with Mrs. Robichaud. She taught a valuable lesson I will never, ever forget. She walked into class one day and said, "I want you to write down how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

We all snickered. Gave each other looks. You know what it's like when your teacher gives you an assignment that seems ridiculous, or ridiculously easy. We all got to work, and most finished immediately, ripping the sheets out of their notebook with smirks, turning it in like they had this whole thing handled.

She took them with a gentle smile and said she would grade them the next day. It was puzzling...until the day came, and she walked into the room with a jar of jelly, a jar of peanut butter, and a loaf of bread.

She read each one of our essays, one at a time, and made the sandwich exactly according to the directions. As you can imagine, something like 'slap peanut butter on one side, jelly on the other, and put it together' was rather simplistic, and when followed to the letter...well, you get the picture.

It was like a lightbulb exploding in my elementary-school brain. I stared, absolutely mesmerized, as she went through the essays. I won't deny that mine turned out to be a mess, as I was one of those who didn't take it seriously enough. To this day, it is the most powerful explanation of detail I have ever seen.

My writing changed that day. I will never forget it.

I thought of all that when I made arrangements to visit his school. I hope those kids realize just how good of a teacher they have, and how her efforts for them just might be the catalyst that turns them into great writers twenty years from now.

***

Speaking of writing (how's that for a transition?): I've taken on a freelance project with a lot of promise, one that looks like sooooo much fun. It's also one I can't gush about too much here, because I signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement. But suffice it to say, I'm so happy to have the opportunity to do this!

It falls kind of flat when I can't talk about it, doesn't it?

Something I can talk about is progress. I finished an ebook today (woohoo!) and two articles. I've also started on two blog posts for next week (somebody else's blog, not mine) and finished the next two chapters on a book about going green (ironically enough, huh?). I will have another short rewrite done this evening. I also got three-quarters of the way through the edits on A Week in the Snow, which should be finished and back to the publisher next week.

Next...well, I don't know. But whatever it is, I'm loving it!

Green Equals...More Green?

2008-05-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have made a point of conserving energy in our household as much as possible. We do this in very simple ways -- we make sure the lights are turned off when we leave a room, we use the crock pot and bread machine instead of the oven, and we turn on fans in the house instead of the air conditioner. We've been slowly but surely changing over to the "curly bulbs" in all our fixtures. You know, the compact flourescent lights that look like big curls? Personally, I think they're downright cute.

Our efforts were made very clear yesterday when we got the electric bill...and it was the lowest it has ever been! It's been steadily going down these last few months, despite running the heaters in the house and doing things that you would think would eat up electricity like a child with candy.

Just goes to show...going green might save you some green.

A Little of Everything...

2008-05-05T06:38:00.000-07:00

That's what you get with this post. It's been so long since I posted something, I figured I would just throw it all at you, all at once. You're welcome!

The interview with Artist First went very well...time just flew right along, and I was surprised at how much I talked. We covered everything from kids to house to husband (there was a lot of talk about husband, being he's a radio guy and all). We talked about writing, upcoming appearances and inspiration. We even discussed Loretta Lynn and Hurricane Mills. It was all over the map and lots of fun!

For those who missed it, the show will be archived on Artist First any day now, available for free download.

In other news, the garden is almost done. We had a few days of frost last week (Frost! In late April! No!) and thank goodness I had been lazy, because nothing was planted yet. Now we're done with the corn, beans, tomotoes and peppers. Soon we will move on to the lettuce, squash, watermelon, strawberries, and all those other good things. We've planted quite a few new flowers in the beds, started at least four (five? six?) new pots, and discovered the battery-charged weedeater doesn't work nearly as well as the box claims it does. Big surprise, there.

We met up with our son at his BSA Campout this weekend and spent some very pleasurable time fishing in one of the most gorgeous lakes I've ever seen. We discovered the daughter can cast a line like nobody's business. We also discovered I can't fish worth a dime.

Oh, and I've been writing, too! Lots, actually. Right now I'm working on a series of rewrites (almost done!), a series of ebooks (the first one almost done), an outline and chapter synopsis for a very big project, and a 150-page book on the environment. I'm also slowly but steadily working on the edits for A Week in the Snow.

I'm also toying around with a short story for an anthology -- that one is rather low on my radar, so I'm not sure it will get finished in time. But that's okay. It's not like I have a deadline. The editor doesn't even know I'm interested in submitting!

This month is going to be busy. We're taking off for Kentucky this weekend (staying on the lake...always sweet), and then the next several weeks are packed with a little of everything, from the Boy Scout graduation to the Hula Party to the 4-H camp meeting. That's not to mention the ballgames and the work-related stuff here and there. At the end of the month, we're taking a trip to Adamsville for the 20th Annual Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival.

Oh, and did I mention I've written a book, and it's available now? Carolina Hurricane is available online at Amazon, Target, and other venues. It's also been released to bookstores, so if you don't see it on the shelf, request it!

If you're the kind who likes to read your books in electronic format, Carolina Hurricane is also available for download as an ebook. As an added bonus, if you email me the receipt showing you purchased the book, I will be happy to send you an autographed cover flat and other Carolina Hurricane items.

I'm off to write...more later!

Ahhhhhh...

2008-04-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

The sweet life of a Dauphin Kitty...that's our Tommy Hilfiger.

The Sour and the Sweet

2008-04-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a good week for writing. I've been hitting the edits on A Week in the Snow, and it's moving along nicely...I will probably have it finished long before I thought I would. I'm also working on three ebooks and a short story, and all of those are ahead of schedule, too.

The sour note this week was a rejection for a story I really love. I'm thinking on where to send it next, but I'm going to get another critique on it first, just to make sure there's nothing I'm missing...so if anybody out there wants to give it a look, drop me an email.

The sweet note was an acceptance for my "Glittering Like Pearls" short story! It will appear in the launch edition of Love Story Magazine. Yes!

Progress Report and Other Writing...

2008-04-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted a progress report. I like to keep up with them -- it keeps me accountable, I think. It's never a good thing to say, "Well, honestly, I didn't do anything at all on this manuscript. Nothing. Nada. Zilch."

But I have to admit, I haven't done anything on Skipper's Compass. Nothing. I've also neglected the Pearl manuscript all this week.

However! Other things have been happening. I finished my research on the Gold Rush and the story that came out of that is almost complete. I did a rewrite on a financial workbook (obviously, this is freelance work!) and proofread until my eyes were burning.

I also sent out stories for three anthologies. Got a very nice rejection from Crazy Horse, which means I will probably submit again. I got the edits back on my next novel, which was titled A Week in the Snow, but the editor wants a snappier and sexier name for the book. Which saddens me, because I'm rather attached to that title.

On Saturday morning I went to my first meeting of the Music City Romance Writers group, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The workshop on dialogue was helpful, and everyone was so friendly...I'm looking forward to the next meeting, and getting to know everyone a bit better.

The big surprise of the weekend was my husband's announcement that not only did he take care of my registration for the Killer Nashville 2008 Conference, but he also registered! It will be the first time he's gone to a writing conference with me, and I can't wait to see what he thinks. He's so supportive of everything I do in my career, and I love sharing my work with him. I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

Why the Killer Nashville Conference? I've had an unfinished murder-mystery manuscript hanging out on my computer for a few years, and this conference will be the push I need to get it done. I've always loved crime novels -- I get that from my mother, the forensics expert. I've always wanted to write one of my own.

Besides that, Bill Bass is the guest of honor! BILL BASS! When my mother went back to college, she would come home with her forensic textbooks, and story after story about what she had learned. Bill Bass and his amazing "Body Farm" were brought up again and again, and I grew into a fond appreciation of the work he does. I can't wait to hear him talk about it! We're going to take Mom to dinner with us that weekend, so she can listen to him as well.

Oh, and I'm going to be signing books there. More on that later.

I'm ready and raring to get busy with manuscripts this week, and attack more freelance projects. It's a good time to be a writer!