Next Top Title Blogfest

I had big plans to participate in the Next Top Title Blogfest. I was going to use it as an opportunity to force myself to come up with an amazing title for my still untitled romance series and individual novels of said series.

But guess what?

I couldn't think of anything. Sad, huh?

I can think up a whole book (well, more than one, actually) but I can't think up a few words to call it (them).

*sigh*

Eventually each book and the entire series will have a name. Unfortunately, it's not going to be today.

But just because I was a *blogfestfail* doesn't mean you shouldn't go check out the rest of the entries - go now - right here!

Creativity Workshop: Weekly Roundup

I totally forgot to post this on Sunday, or even Monday. So this week I'm super late.

Last week's goal was to write in the western genre. As I think I mentioned, I have an idea for a western novel, so I was going to bypass short story and instead begin this novel. I managed a short-story length start - about one chapter - and I'm happy with it so far. I still need some plot work, but I have a good idea where it's going, I just need more detail.

So I would say I met last week's goals to my own satisfaction.

And since this is the end of the first 4-week block of stories, I would give myself a B grade. I dropped the ball in week 3, so had to rearrange my goals - leaving out the detective genre altogether. But I accomplished what I set out to in sci-fi, horror, and western, however I didn't link them the way I intended using the motif of doors. Oh well.

This week I'm supposed to begin work on the second set of 4 stories which will focus on emotion. My original goal was to write 4 stories focusing on emotional extremes all in contemporary settings and linked by main characters being members of the same family.

So far I have absolutely no ideas whatsoever and it's already Tuesday. I guess I'd better get brainstorming.

Here's where I make all my sad and pathetic excuses: Um, trying desperately to work and scrape together enough money to pay bills. Stress of said underemployment is causing my nerves to fray. Working hard on edits and revisions of novel. Doing critiques for some crit partners. Still wanna write on the sci-fi and western novels I started in weeks 1-4. Etc.

But...sometimes stress is the best inspiration. Anybody else get flashes of genius when you're mired in mind-numbing, stomach-churning stress?

Me too.

Okay, so that's it for this week's roundup. There'll be another one next week, and I'll try to post it as close to Sunday as possible!

Paying for Good Service

This is another golf course story.

Sunday I was working the course, and it was a pretty good day. Then I run across a couple of guys on the 7th hole who give me a load of crap because I didn't attend to them earlier (I generally stay away from hole 1 and 2 cuz people just left the clubhouse and they won't want anything yet...same with 9, 17 and 18 only because they're heading into the clubhouse soon.)

Giving me a load of crap the minute you get my attention isn't necessarily a good idea, especially if you're still on the front nine, because you've still got a lot of holes to golf.

These guys were loud and obnoxious and clearly not serious golfers. They were driving around like maniacs in the golf cart whooping it up. I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd tricked the cart out with a gun rack and antlers on the grille.

So I sell these guys some beer and they give me more crap about staying close by cuz they're gonna want lots of beer through the whole course. Then...they stiff me on the tip. Nothing, nada. I'm making a whopping $7 per hour, so I'm depending on tips to boost my income.

I go on my way, not feeling the least bit inclined to follow these jokers around.

When I make it back to the clubhouse, they've finished the 9th hole and they're at the clubhouse being loud and buying more beer. They give me yet more crap because they had to wait until they got to the clubhouse to get more beer (a mere 2 holes).

They go on their way, and after I reload the cart, I head out as well. I meet them again on the 11th hole. They buy more beer and stiff me on the tip again, but insist I follow them around so they can keep a steady supply of beer flowing.

My first thought is: Why don't you buy more than one at a time?

My second thought is: Why in God's name would I follow you around if you're not tipping me?

Driving the golf cart at a golf course will quickly turn anyone into a tip whore. I'm no exception.

So I don't see these morons for the rest of their time on the course, until I meet them up at the clubhouse after they've finished. They see me drive up and throw their hands out, shrugging, as if to say, "where they hell have you been, sweetheart? We needed beer!"

I just gave them my sweetest and most innocent smile and said, "Sorry, guys, it's been a busy day."

I taught them the most important lesson on the course: You pay for my service. I go where the money is.

So there you go, lesson learned.

Beach Scene Blogfest

We have Rachel to thank for the Beach Scene Blogfest. Go check out her site for links to the rest of the beach scenes.

Mine is pasted below. It is from my second novel-in-progress, which has yet to be edited in any way. The set up is this: Rand is the antagonist (a rogue fae-turned-human), Victor is his shaman/sorcerer. They are on the hunt for a special mermaid whom they have finally located on a tropical island.

What is it, Master?

Let’s get a lay of the land, locate the mermaid. The instant you see her bind her magic.

How are we going to keep her from bolting?

If you work quickly enough you can get her magic bound and then transport us before she can escape.

Yes, Master.

They explored the island, which was fairly small, sticking to the beaches near the water. The sand was a nearly blinding white in the bright sunlight. A little over halfway around the perimeter of the island they found Naida frolicking in the surf near the beach with a couple of dolphins and a half dozen other merpeople. She threw her head back, laughing as she played. Rand was pleased to see she was completely disregarding her own safety.

Let’s wait until she comes closer to shore.

Yes, Master.

They held back, staying over the shore, paralleling the group as it made its way toward a nearby lagoon. Rand’s luck held as they took a break from their abandon for a rest in the shallow water. Naida and a couple of the other merpeople drifted lazily along the surface, laughing the entire way, until they reached the secluded beach where they collapsed in a wanton heap, their tails still slapping in the surf. Naida continued to giggle, as she tried to catch her breath, her skin and hair glistening with salty sea water.

They were completely unaware as Rand and Victor approached them, they were so absorbed in their hedonistic pleasure. This was going to be much easier than Rand could have hoped. They drew nearly close enough to reach out and touch them.

Now, Victor.

Victor didn’t even answer, throwing first a disabling spell then a binding spell and before Rand could utter another word Victor had transported them back to his chamber. Slightly disoriented by the sudden change in scenery, Rand was nevertheless happy to see Naida flopping around on the floor appropriately like a fish out of water, rage glowing in her turquoise eyes.

Dream Sequence Blogfest

Thanks to Amalia T. over at Good To Begin Well, Better to End Well, for hosting the Dream Sequence Blogfest.

This is my teeny tiny entry.

Holly was dreaming of Shadow. In her dream, he was sweet and kind instead of aggravating. She smiled and sighed as he took her in his arms and held her. She didn’t care that it felt like giving in, it was where she belonged. He wasn’t condescending or possessive, he just fit. In her dream, he kissed her and she sighed his name. He kissed her again and she kissed him back. He tasted so real. His lips were soft and strong so she wrapped herself around him, and was rewarded when she heard him growl her name as his tongue snuck into her mouth. She pulled him closer.

Go to Amalia's blog and check out all the other entries. You won't be sorry!

National Donut Day

Friday is National Donut Day and I can't even begin to explain how sublime that is. And although I adore carbs of all kinds, the best of the best, in my opinion, are donuts.

So pass me a chocolate glazed chocolate cake donut, or an apple fritter, keep one for yourself, and enjoy the celebration!

(I LOVE this pic. I just want to roll around in all those donuts. OMG. It's donut heaven).

Speculating on the Fickleness of Fate

This story is not in the least bit related to writing. It isn't even related to the golf course which was, in fact, quite dull this weekend. Although my buddy Chuck was golfing on Monday. "Hey, it's Maggie!" says he. "Well, Margaret to most of the world, but Maggie to me." Oh my.

In fact, this story is related to my day job which I dislike in general, but which I'm grateful to have after being unemployed for two months.

So today I'm hard at work at my Cinderella drudgery when Outlook chimes in that I've received a new e-mail. Usually work-related e-mails consist of "this account's account specifics have been modified. Be sure to study the changes!" *yawn*

However, this e-mail said "new job posting." Okay, says I. I shall check it out. Which I did. And it was a job I'm qualified for and which would pay by the hour rather than production. Trust me when I say, this is a good thing.

The job announcement clearly states "you must be an employee of the company for 90 days before applying." I've only been with the company for, like, 17 days. But I think, I'm a rebel. What does it hurt to ask, right?

I send HR a cheerful e-mail enumerating my qualifications and attach my resume (which, by the way, they gushed over when I applied for my current job).

I get an e-mail back from HR person #1 who says, "you have to be with the company for 90 days before you can apply."

I send her a polite e-mail back saying, "this is the kind of job I wanted when I applied to the company but there weren't any available, so I took my current job with the understanding that if anything became available I'd be considered."

I get an e-mail back from HR person #2 repeating the 90-day company line.

Okay, I thought. So much for that.

Until later in the afternoon when I get another e-mail from HR person #2. "Good news! As of today the 90-day rule has been abolished. I've forwarded your resume to the hiring manager!"

I was like, huh? How coincidental is it that the very day I apply for a job I'm qualified for, but I haven't been with the company long enough to apply for, they decide to do away with said 90-day restriction?

I'm thinking one of two things is going on here: 1)Fate is messing with me - setting me up for another cosmic practical joke. The 90-day restriction is lifted but I still won't get the job. 2) Or, I'll get the job and it'll suck worse than the one I have now.

Generally speaking, I just don't trust Fate. It reminds me way too much of Death in Final Destination; it has a sick sense of humor and it stalks you relentlessly.

However, we shall see what happens. Stay tuned for the scintillating details (I know you're hanging on the edge of your seat....)