I present to you one of my idols. The beautiful, talented, sultry Eartha Kitt.
Why was this woman so fabulous? How much more of her fabulous (outside of her Catwoman role) did I miss? And oh my god the pigtails with that song – she reminds me of someone I know …
… to your stressful job, your doomed relationship, your selfish roommate or your ungrateful house guests. Regardless of the situation, these are signals that it just may be time for you to consider leaving.
You can’t stop rolling your eyes behind their backs
They’re talking and you know you should give a damn – but you don’t
You dread waking up on the days you know you’re going to have to face them
You chase each encounter with a vodka double (or its equivalent)
You’re lying to them more than you’re telling the truth
Daily you fight the urge to throw up your hands and tell them you quit
You’re seeing or considering seeing someone else
If someone outside of the situation asks how things are going, you snarl and bark like a rabid dog
It’s nothing at all like how it used to be and you just don’t feel the same
Constantly you wonder if it’s worth the agony
You’d rather eat boiled liver smothered in lima bean gravy than try to imagine staying together forever
You’re ready to go as soon as you get there
You’ve completely lost all desire to try yet again to make it work. You’re so done.
(Before you worry, this post is just in good fun and I’m all well and good. Mostly. **throws back a glass of vodka**)
Whew, what a crazy bunch of days last week was! I’m still recovering, and feel as if I am a day or two behind. It’s Tuesday and I’m just now ready to sit down and talk about last week. Within a 7 day span I was out-of- state for a 3-day business trip, back home for a family-outing day, went to a 2-day writer’s conference and managed to get a few thousands words written on the current novella I’m working on.
So, in case you’re wondering how the writing conference went … Spring Fling 2010 was great! There were lots of great workshops on the craft and business of writing hosted by talented and best-selling authors. There were also book signings, give-aways and an awards ceremony. Meals were served at tables decorated with hot and sexy book covers. It was like a two-day sleep-over party for romance authors and I regret I’d never gone to a writer’s conference before now. I spent time with friends, made new friends, networked, learned a TON and got lots of new books to read. My live agent pitch went very well – I felt she showed real interest in the book I pitched and requested I send it to her. I conquered several firsts last week, and I’m pretty happy about that.
Here’s a picture of some of the great writers I befriended. I’ll name them if I get their permission! (But heck, I don’t even want to name myself hardly. Boy do I hate taking pictures!)
Alas, my lunch break has come to a rapid end and I must get back to the job. Must. Concentrate. On Work. Must. Not Think. About Writing.
Ha, you know things are hectic when I’m posting a Thursday Thirteen on a Friday. But better a little late than never, right?
Every year, the Chicago-North RWA chapter of Romance Writers of America holds a writer’s conference called Spring Fling. It starts today and ends on Saturday night, I’m going, and I’m giddy with excitement! Here’s why:
It’s my first writer’s conference ever
I’m scheduled to have my very first in-person pitch to an agent
I get to spend time with my wonderful writing buddy
Will spend time with some Windy City RWA author buddies, too
Chance to meet some editors at publishing houses I admire
Lots of great writing workshops
Books and book signings!
Get to show off my brand new author business cards
Hang out with published romance authors
Get practice pitching my work in person
There’s going to be a Chocolate Reception! (just the thought sends tingles up my spine)
The experience. I think this will be a good first experience for me: smaller, close to home and I’ll have plenty of awesome writerly pals there with me. Should make some of the bigger conferences seem less intimidating to me.
So I’m very much looking forward to two full days of networking and education on the business and craft of writing. I’ll post an update in a couple of days.
A couple recently asked my husband and I if we could share any tips on keeping our relationship fresh and growing. Here’s the answer!
Keep talking. Communicate about everything. Your feelings, movies, your dreams, your hobbies, your fears, your day, your past. Stay updated and keep learning something new about each other.
Find common interests. As the years go by, you may find that your tastes and interests grow dissimilar. Discover things that you both can enjoy, be it a TV show, a book, a video game, a dance class.
Try to change together. For instance, does one of you want to eat better and drop some weight? Make it a goal for you both to adapt healthier habits.
Be creatively naughty together. Who better to share – and perhaps try out – all of your wildest fantasies with than your other half? Share fantasies with each other. Watch them, discuss them, try them.
Visit someplace new together. See something new together. See each other in a different setting.
Never stop wooing. Each other, I mean! Keep going on dates. Come home with flowers, candy. Have candlelight dinners even when it’s not Valentine’s Day or your Anniversary.
Do projects together. Be it growing a garden or starting a side business.
Say what’s on your mind. Even if it is very profound. Even it is shockingly naughty.
Be spontaneous. Every once in a while, wear something surprising to bed, or show up at their office to take them out for lunch.
Take time off to just be with each other. Life seems to always be yelling “go-go-go!” Try to make some time for you two to do nothing but just be together.
Make each other laugh. It’s hard not to love someone who keeps a smile on your face.
Keep yourself fresh and growing. Take care of yourself. Learn something new, change up your hair, buy a new style of clothing. If you remain interesting and evolving then not only might your spouse notice and appreciate it, they may be motivated to do the same.
Be best friends. You never get bored with your best buddy, right? Work to ensure that your spouse is your very best friend, and your relationship will never grow dull.
A couple recently asked my husband and I if we could share any tips on keeping our relationship fresh and growing. Here’s the answer!
