Category Archives: Uncategorized

Old fashion trip planning

It’s strange that with the use of the internet, GPS, and info on sightseeing spots on the web, Hubs and I sat together on the couch today with a giant road atlas open on our laps. For some reason, it’s easier for us to plan a trip with a road atlas. We used colored markers and tracked our way across the United States, circling tourist spots to visit, and camping spots.

When the time comes that our farm sells, we’re winging the whole trip. No reservations, no deadline, and no destination but the location of the state. Where in the state is anyone’s guess. We’re giving ourselves 30 days to have fun and find a house to buy. I think that’ll be enough time. It’ll be the longest vacation we’ve ever taken.

Now we just need to wait until we sell the farm. I’m not patient.

Have you ever taken a long road trip? What kind of things did you do along the way? What kind of things did you like to see/explore?

On the writing front, I’ve happily renewed my contract with Loose Id on my book Throwing a Kink in the Kidnapping.

I’ve received a joyfully recommended review from Joyfully Reviewed for Witness Bares All. Here’s a little snippet…

I found Witness Bares All to be a spectacular read.  The plot had a considerable mixture of danger and smoking hot sexual encounters.  I was hanging on the edge of my seat with great anticipation eager to see just how the storyline would unfold. – Read the rest of the review here.

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s catch up!

What’s happening in your life?

I thought it would be fun to catch up with everyone. Has anyone noticed their schedule slowing down with the arrival of Fall? Hm…me neither, but I’m hopeful.

Over the weekend, we cleaned out the RV (travel trailer) and winterized it. Since hubs has been working so much overtime lately and that doesn’t look like it’ll be stopping anytime soon, he’s going to miss out on hunting season. That means we’re done with camping until next Spring. The cleaning up process went pretty well, except for the little Styrofoam container of worm that I had left in the refrigerator. Little suckers were still alive too! I dumped them in the woods, and they live to see another day…until the next fisherman/fisherwoman digs them up, I suppose.

The weather has shifted, and we had wind and rain all weekend. Even today, I’m staying inside and writing after getting drenched doing chores this morning. Thankfully, outside chores don’t take very long anymore because we’ve downsized in preparation of selling the farm. We still have the chickens, dogs and cats, but no livestock. Makes me sad, but I know we’ll farm again once we find our new place.

On this week’s agenda, I need to go winter clothes shopping for everyone in the family. Not especially fun when you have three teen boys who believe flannel shirts and Levi’s are worn year round. Plus, I’ve promised hubs not to buy any more boots until I wear another pair out. (Don’t tell him, but I’ve been scuffin’ up my oldest pair of cowgirl boots over the gravel because I’ve got my eye on a new pair that is gorgeous!)

I’m okay…really!

After having a few people email me asking if I’m okay and mentioning that I’ve been quieter on Twitter and Facebook lately, I thought I better give you all a reason why that is happening. First off…I’m doing great! As some of you know, I also write books in the mainstream romance category under a different pen name. I keep the two names separate online, and that means I don’t always have some “Abby” news to share and I concentrate on my other pen name.

This summer has been a very busy time for my mainstream books. I’ve had/having 4 rereleases, and the first 3 books of a new series to promote. But, all is not lost for my erotic books. I did get an accept on Ana’s story (untitled) from Carina Press this summer, and I’m working hard on another erotic book as I type this.

Every so often, I do share a little bit about leading this duel role and I don’t mind sharing my pen name to others away from the public eye. If you’re a reader of spicy mainstreams, feel free to send me an email at abbywood@authorabbywood.com , and I’ll be happy to share my other pen name and books with you.

Most importantly, thank you! It’s always a nice feeling when someone asks how I am doing and to know that people care. Now that summer is over and things are slowing down, I’ll be getting back to my usual talkative self. :-)

Distancing yourself from your writing

The other day while on Twitter, I read a tweet of an author who claimed their “story” was their baby. I instantly felt compassion for her/him, because that baby is going to be badly abused. In a good way…but, I understand the feeling. Although, I cringe at the term “baby” being used.

Every story/book is special. I’m attached to the characters, the storyline, and the feelings that are develop over the course of writing a book. My emotions come out on the pages, and make the story personal. I’ve learned though that you need to distance yourself from your writing when you send that story to a publisher.

Your characters are going to be judged.

Scenes can be changed.

Your writing will be criticized.

That cover you have visualized in your head for months? Ain’t gonna happen.

Someone might even reject the whole thing.

Some or all of it will happen if you’re a writer. Everything I mentioned above will sting…sometimes it’ll reduce you to tears. No matter how much an author knows they are writing for money, for the love of the craft, and have a healthy grasp of the road to publishing, the process is a roller coaster of a ride.

Every step is necessary and needed. In the end, once you have that book/file in your hands. Then it’s your baby….until your next big story pops into your head. :-)

My friends have spoken…

Last week, I got together with six of my girlfriends for a little lunch and a lot of talking. When it got around to what I’ve been doing and what I’m working on (they caught me between projects), they gave me their opinion of what they’d like to read about.

I learn a lot from them.

Apparently, a man who takes charge and doesn’t allow his “girl” to dictate the relationship is high on the list of wants. They made it clear that he needs to be supportive of her career choices, her opinion, but overall needs to know where he’s going in life and willing to take care of her. (Let me say here that all of my girlfriends are independent women with jobs and could survive nicely on their own.) It was a nice way to hear that alpha’s are still wanted.

 

Two of my friends thought having a younger man pay attention to them was sexy, but only if he was a smooth talker and sophisticated (read rich!). Three friends liked to read stories where no age was mentioned. One friend openly admitted that a book with an older, sexy guy was the way onto her keeper shelf.

 

I asked them what kind of job/career their ideal man would have, and ended up with a myriad of choices. Cowboys, business conglomerates, professional athletes, and the guy next door. They weren’t picky, but assured me that the guy had to be confident in whatever he did.

 

When I asked about heroine’s, every single one agreed that she had to be down to earth, a regular gal, and have an inner strength…even if she was troubled or down on her luck. They want to read about a heroine who they can relate to and see themselves playing the “part”.

 

I walked away knowing that women want to dream. Their hero can be the “unattainable” guy and not someone they’d meet in real life. But, the heroine should be someone who could be their best friend in real life. Basically, it wasn’t something I haven’t heard before but as we talked my writer’s mind was in overdrive. I plotted ideas out in my head on the drive home. I cherish the lunches I share with friends. They have no idea how much they help me, and for that I want to say…Thanks, girls! I’ll see you on the 28th. Have the tequila and nachos ready, cause I’ve got a story I want to run by you. :-)

Assignment: Daydreaming and tongue skills

That’s the assignment I’m giving myself for the rest of the week. I’m jotting down ideas, mentally plotting stories, and refocusing. I knew my teachers were wrong when they used to slap their ruler down on my desk when they caught me staring out the classroom window, daydreaming. Losing myself in my head is a good thing. I’m juvenile enough to still stick my tongue out behind their backs.

Tongue out emoticon

A little tongue action goes a long way, don’t you think? The next time someone tells you no or to stop, stick your tongue out. Trust me, it feels good. And, don’t ever stop dreaming!