Gemini's Wisdom

NEW SITE!!!

2007-06-03T23:04:00.000-07:00

SEE BELOW FOR REGULAR POSTS

FYI: My author site is being re-vamped, which means my blog is, too. For those of you that have me on your blogroll as Gemini Wisdom (http://geminiwisdom.blogspot.com), you will need to change it to Celise Downs (www.celisedowns.com/blog).

The new site will be unveiled this week and in honor of the new site--not to mention my birthday--I will be giving away plenty of goodies.

Stay tuned for updates.

Movie Queue: Spiderman-3

2007-05-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, Thomas Hayden Church

I've been remiss in posting my movie reviews. Case in point, this very review for Spiderman 3. The hubby and I saw this opening weekend and I'm just now putting it up. My bad. I'm sure you all that wanted to see it have seen it by now, but I'm still going to have my say.

It's the third and final installment about your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman, and Peter Parker (Maguire) has seemingly found a balance between superhero life, his personal life with Mary Jane Watson (Dunst), and the continued animosity with Harry Osborn (Franco).

Until two events happen: 1) the man who really killed his uncle, Flint Marco (Church) escapes from prison and 2) an alien goo lands on Earth and manages to somehow attach itself to Peter. The host symbiote feeds on negative feelings and we soon see a change in Peter. His Spidey suit turns black and he's gaining more confidence. But the more he wears the suit, the more the changes become obvious. And not in a good way: The emo hair-do flopping over his forehead, eyeliner rimming his eyes, more confrontational, less caring of others feelings, etc.

Some of the changes were hilarious. Like the scene where he's walking down the street, goes into a store, comes out wearing a snazzy suit and then...well, you've seen it, right? But then they took it overboard and made it Cheese Corny. You know what I'm talking about, right? The Jazz Club Scene? It sort of stopped the flow of the movie--to the point where you were asking yourself "And the point of that was...?"--and then abruptly picked up. I realize they were trying to convey how the symbiote was changing Peter, making him say and do things he normally wouldn't do, but I think the Jazz Club Scene should've ended up on the cutting room floor.

All in all, I'm sad to see this franchise end. I liked the special effects for the Sandman and Venom, as well as Harry's costume. I just wasn't quite expecting the ending.

"Too Cute" Bonus: Mary Jane and Harry dancing to Chubby Checker in Harry's kitchen.

Bonus Trivia: Did you know that Tobey Maguire is a father of a 5 month old girl named Ruby Sweetheart?

Review: 3 1/2 Snaps Up

What's your 4400 ability?

2007-05-28T01:20:00.000-07:00

The first time I played, I was a healer (Shawn).

The second time, a mind control master (Isabelle).

If you liked Heroes, you're going to like The 4400: Over a period of decades, 4400 people disappeared from various locations around the world. In 2004, they were all brought back to Washington State in a ball of light. After they got back, they discovered that they had been taken by people from the future as a way to avert a global catastrophe. People who gave them special abilities.

The new season starts June 17 on the USA Network. Check it out.

Characters welcome.

Change is a-comin'...

2007-05-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

And hopefully it'll be this week. As you can see from the above post, my author website is being re-vamped. It's been a long time coming, too. Two months to be exact. I was hoping to debut it sooner, but the company I went thru had to do some restructuring--and some catching up--and my designer had to step back from my project because nothing was turning out the way it should.

I know all about that stepping back thing.

But today she sent me a link of what she's done so far and it's FREAKIN' AWESOME. I'm dying to see the rest of the pages (the Book pages in particular). I had a vision of how I wanted this site to look. I had specific details for each page and specific images that I wanted to appear on each page.

My designer took these instructions, ran down the court, jumped off the trampoline...and slam-dunked it!

I can't wait to see the finished product and show it to all of you.

Hope you like it.

Note: I blogged about this a couple of months ago. If you'd like to read the explanation behind it all, go HERE and HERE and scroll down to the bottom.

What I've Done...

2007-05-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

EDIT: I finally got a chance to read the jacket. In particular, the Thank You's from each of the band members. Did you know that lead singer Chester Bennington has 4 children? And one of them is named Draven. Very. Cool.

...is bought Linkin Park's new CD "Minutes to Midnight."

LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE. IT.

These guys are my #1 favorite group for one reason and one reason alone:

consistency.

I have all of their original CD's--and by original I mean original, not the remixes--and there is not one song I would skip over. More often than not, there are certain songs that I play over and over. And this time is no different. #7 Hands Held High is my all-time favorite on the new CD and the first time out, I played it 5 times in a row. I get chills and a tear in my eye every time I hear it. Powerful, powerful song. Besides #7, these are my other choice picks:

#1 Wake - It's instrumental and I always like these type of interludes.

#2 Given Up - this song is a total rush-head-bangin'-mosh pit-"break-your-neck" song. I put this one on repeat at least 3 times.

#4 Bleed it Out - I call this the "Yee-Haw" song. It's a knee-slapper. I can see them singing this at their concert. This was a 3-peat as well.

#6 What I've Done - the current single that's being played on the radio right now.

These guys said that they have a different sound this time around, but the DJ's were skeptical. "What I've Done" could be another "Numb", so it's understandable they would think that. Hell, I admit, I was thinking the same thing, too.

And then I heard the rest of the CD.

This group has never let me down musically. I never get tired of hearing their other songs on the radio and I doubt I ever will. What's even better is that when you see them live, it's like listening to their CD. Consistency. That's what's going to keep me coming back. If you're a long-time LP fan, you're gonna love the new stuff.

I can't wait to see them when they roll thru my hometown in August. It's gonna be freakin' AWESOME!

Review: 5 Snaps Up

Done and done

2007-05-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

It's that time again, folks. Show finales. All my shows went out with cliffhangers that'll keep me anxious to see the new season. When The Hubby and I started dating, I pulled him in to watching "Buffy", "Angel", "Smallville" and "Alias." It was a way for us to spend time together. We started watching "Supernatural" and "Bones" together. He doesn't watch "Heroes", but he watches "24". No, that wasn't me. It was his best friend, J. I don't know what season it was, but he soon started talkin' smack about "Smallville" and their "Freak of the Week" episodes. I have to agree, there were a lot of those random-villains-with-special-abilities-due-to-the-meteor-shower storylines. The writers must've felt their ears burning on that one and the episodes got better, but The Hubby still talks smack. Out of all of these shows, "Supernatural" is my favorite. Why, you ask? Well, let me give you ten:

10) It comes on after "Smallville", so I don't even have to change the channel.

9) There's a possiblity their demon hunting could land them in "Smallville." At least Dean would be in familiar territory.

8) Even though it's their job to hunt demons, Sam and Dean managed to fit in one nookie session. Dean got lucky first with an old girlfriend (who happened to be African-American!) and I was beginning to wonder if Sam was ever going to get any. He did. Unfortunately, he had to kill her (werewolf thing).

7) The fact that they play classic rock'n'roll like Journey, Stix and Foreigner. During the opening scenes of the finale last week, they played "Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas.

6) For the first time since I've watched this show, an episode two weeks ago actually made me scream out loud. Yeah, I know. Go figure.

5) While most of the episodes have dark undertones, there were a couple that were quite funny. In particular, the one case that led them to a movie lot. A movie lot where they give tours. LOL. You should've seen the look on Sam's (Jared) face when the tour guide said "...And now we're going to the set of Stars Hollow where they film 'Gilmore Girls.' Maybe you'll get a chance to see some of the stars."

4) The different identities--and the names--they come up with. It's not all hunt and kill, y'know. They gotta do some snooping around and they have to get creative. Like when Dean came up with Agents Smith and Wesson. And signed a credit card slip with the name D. Hasselhoff.

3) The Winchester Demon Hunting Car: a jet black Dodge Charger. Dean hates flying.

2) The show reminds me of of the male version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

And the #1 reason why I love "Supernatural":

The eye candy that is Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester)and Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester). I was into Gilmore Girls for a minute or two but stopped watching it by the time Jared came along. As for Jensen, he started out on soaps (Days of Our Lives) before playing Jessica Alba's brother in "Dark Angel" and then Lana Lang's boyfriend on "Smallville".

SO....inquiring minds want to know (well, my inquiring mind, that is): What's your favorite show and why?

Hometown Girl Does Good

2007-05-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

Draven will be happy to know that I've been watching A.I. for the past couple of weeks. Admittedly, I was hoping Melinda would win, but I think it's great that our very own Jordin Sparks won. The youngest at 17. Very cool. And she's so pretty, too.

During the last two shows done at the Kodak Theater, the camera kept flashing into the crowd and I managed to catch a few famous faces:

The Hoff (aka David Hasselhoff)
Jennifer Hudson
Marlee Matlin
Jeff Foxworthy
David Allen Grier
Jerry Springer
Rick Schroeder

Who did you see?

The Year 2007 Overview: Gemini

2007-05-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

Today marks the first day for the sign of Gemini. My birthday is next month (the 5th) and according to Astrology.com, this is my yearly overview:

Gemini thrives on change, variety and mental stimulation. You will attract these in all areas of your life, making for a very exciting year. Use your talent of looking at your emotions objectively to come to terms with them when you don't understand logically what's going on in your life. Emotions are like events to you, and you have the ability to categorize them well. Your ability to feel connected with people will help keep strong relationships going this year. Treat life's challenges as projects and you will inevitably figure out what's going on.

You will make long strides in your career this year -- as long as you keep faith in yourself. The energy you put into your work will allow you to experience many material blessings in your home environment. Pay close attention to your own creative ideas. Many new inspirational ideas are coming your way and you will benefit by putting your ideas into action in your career. It's important for you to be recognized and feel appreciated for your efforts. (In summary, I hope this means I'll be getting an agent this year)

You attract a variety off people with your great charm, and you have a natural ability to gain admiration. You'll feel energized by the opposite sex. For most of the year, communication will be top priority, and you'll be asked to articulate your inspirational ideas in some kind of writing project. Friends and family are key in helping you manifest your desires, especially in the latter part of the year, and the chance to deepen your relationships with them makes you very happy!

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #40

2007-05-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail today from Dunow, Carlson & lerner Literary Agency:

Dear Celise:

Thanks for the chance to consider Draven Atreides, Teenage FBI. This is a great idea, and I love the title. I'm sorry to say, though, that I didn't fall in love with the narrative. It feels a little overwritten to me--to my ear the scenes tend to overexplain what's happening, and also at times I think the narrator's sensibility comes across as older than her age.

I won't be surprised to heart that you find others to disagree, and I do wish you all the best with this.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Carlson

Driving in Phoenix

2007-05-18T22:41:00.000-07:00

My friend, Davi, sent this to me the other day. For us native Phoenicians, this is completely true. For all visitors, snowbirds and random vacationers alike, read and learn:

1.You must first learn to pronounce the city name. It is: "FEE-NICKS."

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 a.m. to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 p.m. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101 your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered "Wussy."

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East Valley SUV-driving, cell-phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cows, horses, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, crows, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the I-10 are the same road. SR-202 is the same road as the Red Mountain Freeway. Dunlap and Olive are the same street, too. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. I-17 is also called the Black Canyon Freeway as well as the Veterans Memorial Highway. And if all of that isn't enough to remember, SR-51 has recently been renamed to Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy to pronounce. Lastly, Thunderbird Road becomes Cactus Road, but Cactus Road doesn't become Thunderbird Road where it dead ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be flipped off accordingly. If you return the flip, you will be shot.

12. Most important: For summer driving, it is advisable to wear oven mitts on your hands.

Thank you for visiting Phoenix, Arizona. It's a dry heat.

June Bug

2007-05-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

Remember that car trouble I had mentioned not too long ago? Well, I got rid of today.

That's me me in my new-used, black 2005 Volkswagen Beetle! I've been wanting one ever since they came out. After eating breakfast with my parents and long-time family friends (a Mother's Day tradition for over 10 yrs, I think), the hubby and I went to the Volkswagen dealership to test drive one. I've never driven one before, but Draven has one. She seems to have so much fun tooling around in her purple one, it made me want to get one even more.

The intent had been to just test drive it. They don't call them salesmen for nothin'. The next thing I know, we're makin' deals and trying to get monthly payments below $300 (which we did. Thank God for the hubby). For the record, black wasn't my first choice. In fact, it wasn't on my list of choices at all. I was looking for a 2000-2003 certified, automatic with a lighter color paint job. I never wanted to own a black car in the desert, but....it's growing on me (the cloth seats and CD player have been a big help). And not in the way fungus grows on toenails, either.

Abs. Flatter-than-roadkill abs

2007-05-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

I love entering contests where books are the prize. Especially books I like to read: adult romance series books. Jill Shalvis was giving away copies of her new book, coming out next month, on her blog and all you had to do was post a comment.

So I did.

AND LOOK WHAT I WON?!

A half naked guy.

To read about.

And drool over (see inarticulate blog title).

I was going to buy this book towards the end of the month (I go to eHarlequin.com to get my fix of the monthly series books), but free is even better.

Especially when you get to drool over the cover.

And eventually read it, of course, once you get past that cover of abs. Flatter-than-roadkill-ripped-to-shreds abs....

Writing Movement Update

2007-05-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's been good, y'all. It must be all the faboo writing vibes you've all been sending me. As of today, here's where I'm at:

56/66 pages to be completed by 5/31

I forgot what reward I chose when I completed this deadline, but I think it was a picnic in the park with my hubby.

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Request #13

2007-05-10T19:35:00.001-07:00

YAY! Via email today from the Prospect Agency:

Dear Celise:

Thank you for your recent submission, Draven Atreides, Teenage FBI: A Royale
Pain, to Prospect Agency. I'd be pleased to consider your complete
manuscript. Please send it via mail and I will get back to you as soon as
I can. I will respond to your submission by email or phone so there is no
need to send an SASE. I also ask that you inform me should there be any
change in the status of your submission.

All best,
Emily Sylvan Kim
Agent

Truthfully, I'm almost afraid to send it now. Yes, now, that I know that it needs some...adjustments. Sigh.

A little update

2007-05-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post on here--and MySpace--about my booksigning event I had on Saturday. Sorry. My bad. It was hosted by the Arts Council for Youth and it was fun. Except for when my tent almost blew over. That was not so fun (damned sandbags). Anyhow, we had an excellent spot near the Main Dance Stage. Besides the books, there was music, art, food, a raffle, and plenty of dancing. You can see photos from the Arts Jam Festival HERE.
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I started another AuthorMBA online workshop this week: Feng Shui for Writers: Move Your Stuff, Make a Sale. Sounds cool, doesn't it? I couldn't pass up the price. Why are you taking this, you may ask? Besides the fact that it's geared towards writers and us writers need all the creativity flow we can get? I'll give you one good reason: have you seen my office? I don't write in here, I type in here. It's obvious I'm in dire need of help and Bella Andre is going to show me what I need to do. I'll be sure to share the results--the suggestions, that is. Not so much the actual physical results. That could take a minute. Or two--with all of you when the class is over.
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A guy contacted me through my Flickr acct yesterday. He's doing a special project on his website about movie studio theme parks and there's going to be a section about the Foxploration Tour in Rosarito, Mexico. He saw my 'great' pictures (the hubby and I took this tour on our honeymoon last year) and asked permission to use them and name me. How coolio is that? "Sure thing, dude," I said. Well, I didn't say the dude part, but close to it. You can check out the photos HERE.
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The writing deadline (scroll down to read) I mentioned not too long ago is now under way. Even though I had a bit of a head start when I made the first deadline (33 pages already completed), I'm finding that I'm writing more than my daily quota of 1 page a day. During the week, that is. I have an hour for lunch at my new job and I consider that to be Prime Writing Time for me. On good days, I can crank out 2-3 handwritten pages. On the weekends? One page. It's been going quite well, although Draven isn't happy. With the way she's been acting up, you'd think I'd ruined her whole life or something. Such is the life of a writer. Lucky me. I'll post a Writing Movement update later this week.

S to the A to the R to the K

2007-05-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

I have been uplifted. I have been bathed in the warm and loving light that is SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) and have been refreshed. This woman is one of my favorite authors and I gave up watching Heroes tonight so that I could see her at Changing Hands Bookstore. She's on tour promoting her new book Fabulous Friendship Festival: Loving wildly, learning deeply, living fully with our friends.

I had brought my camera with every intention of getting my picture taken with her, but my batteries had gone dead (GARRRGH!). Probably from being overworked at my booksigning event on Saturday. So you'll just have to take my word for it that this woman is phenomenal by checking out these photos from her Succulent Pajama Party last year. For those you of that don't know---and have probably guessed by now--I HEART SARK. I discovered her through my best friend, who loaned me SARK's book, Succulent Wild Woman, and I've been a devoted follower ever since. If there was a cult in which SARK was the leader, I would happily drink the "special Kool-Aid" and live on her Magic Cottage compound forever.

Her books, e-newsletter and merchandise (her calendars have designated "Nap Days." How coolio is that?) are just as wonder-full and color-full (literally) as she is. Her words of wisdom are scattered around my office and master bedroom. I've applied her method of micromovements to my writing (you've seen the posts entitled Writing Movements, right?) and it's helped me so much. I was able to tell her--and thank her--for that this evening.

There are some naysayers that don't like SARK. For what reason, I have no idea why (but I'm sure it's a stupid one). But if you're into funny, 'color-full', quirky, uplifting, non-clinical, unpreachy self-help books, then you need to check out SARK.

She will change your life for the better. I promise.

Apparently, there really IS justice in this world

2007-05-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

And it starts on my birthday, no less. In Yahoo Headlines today: Paris Hilton going to jail for 45 days

"Hilton... must go to jail on June 5 and she will not be allowed any work release, furloughs, use of an alternative jail or any electronic monitoring in lieu of jail, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer ruled after a hearing." YES! (Snoopy dance inserted here)

"As a city prosecutor said during closing arguments that Hilton deserved jail time, Hilton's mother, Kathy, laughed. When the judge ruled, Kathy Hilton then blurted out: "May I have your autograph?" Way to go, Mom. Whether that was meant to be sarcastic or not.

"Paris Hilton was among a series of witnesses who took the stand during the hearing. She maintained she was unaware her license was suspended and thought she was allowed to drive for work purposes." Work purposes? Since when is club hopping, shopping, and attending fashion shows considered to be work, you twit?

"She said that when an officer who stopped her in January made her sign a document stating her license was suspended, she thought he was mistaken and did not actually look at the document...A copy of the document Hilton signed on Jan. 15 was found in the car's glove compartment, court papers say." That'll teach her to sign something while she's drunk.

45 days. What will she do without makeup and Versace?

When my hubby takes me out for the requisite birthday dinner on that day, I'll be sure to raise my glass of red sangria and toast the Justice Gods.

45 days. All is right in the universe.

Not gonna happen

2007-05-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

In Yahoo Headlines today, Prosecutors want Paris Hilton in jail.

As much as we'd all love to see this, it's not going to happen. Which truly pisses me off and I'll tell you why.

Going to the closet and pulling out my soapbox.

~ "Hilton, 26, pleaded no contest in January to reckless driving stemming from a Sept. 7 arrest in Hollywood. She was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines." She's a Hilton, for crissakes. They couldn't come up with a more expensive fine than $1500. That's chump change.

~ "She was pulled over by California Highway Patrol on Jan. 15. Officers informed Hilton she was driving on a suspended license and she signed a document acknowledging she was not to drive, according to court papers."..."Hilton's spokesman, Elliot Mintz, said at the time she wasn't aware her license was suspended". So what the hell did she think she was signing? Her autograph for the cops kids?

~ "Prosecutors say by signing the document after the first incident Hilton knew she was not allowed to drive." Well, duh. She's not only blonde, but she plays it up to the hilt, hoping to get by.

~ "They also note that as of April 17 she had yet to enroll in the alcohol education program." Did I mention that this is Paris Hilton? She wouldn't be caught dead going to a lowly alcohol education program. Unless it was held inside a store on Rodeo Drive, that is.

So they want her to do jail time because "she was pulled over by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies on Feb. 27 for speeding and driving without her headlights" and therefore violated her probation. Understandable. Driving at night without your lights on? That's dangerous. She could've hurt somebody. So, the prosecutors want her to stay away from alcohol for 90 days, wear a monitoring device to see that she complies (that's hot!), and suspend her license for an add'l four months. They need to revoke it until she's 40. She's a danger to other drivers on the road. Revoke her damn license and make her get a friggin' driver. Hell, she can afford it.

"These violations demonstrate Hilton's disregard for the vehicle laws of this state as well as for the conditions of her probation," the court filing said. "This court should ... include imprisonment as a condition of reinstating her probation."

I totally agree and would love to see this prissed-out blonde party girl in an orange jumpsuit, but like I said. It's not gonna happen. It's amazing the shit actors and actresses get away with these days. Just because you're worth millions of dollars, does not mean you're above the law, people. If she were my kid, I'd cut her off.

"You had one chance to get your shit together and you effed up. You want to break the law? I'm gonna get all Disturbia on your ass. House arrest, baby. We're slappin' a pretty little bracelet around your ankle that you can accessorize to your heart's content, but you ain't goin' nowhere. I'm sorry, what was that? You're 26 yrs old? Well, honey, stupidity is ageless. And apparently it's something you've inherited from your father's side of the family. Why can't you be more like your sister?"

Stepping down off the box and putting it away.

I think I'm done now. For reals.

Draven's On The Case

2007-05-02T23:09:00.000-07:00

Draven Atreides, the main character from my YA series, now has her own little slice of heaven in cyberspace. Go visit her HERE and show her some love. We can play nice, people. I know this. Our parents didn't raise us to be Neanderthals.

I said OUR PARENTS DIDN'T RAISE US TO BE NEANDERTHALS. GET YOUR BUTTS ON OVER THERE. DON'T MAKE ME HAVE TO TELL YOU TWICE!

A Whole Latte Trouble

2007-05-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I'm working on the first draft of Book Two in the DA series. A Whole Latte Trouble is about drugs. Guns. And rock'n'roll. Just kidding. Actually, it's the first two, money laundering...and one of Draven's favorite places. Shhh! Don't tell her. At least, not yet. She's going to be highly ticked when she finds out.

As a writer, one of the many things I love to do is research. Even though I write fiction, there's always a bit of truth in my stories. Well, in all stories for that matter. Dan Poynter has a great e-newsletter called Publishers Marketplace where you can place an ad if you're looking for info. That's where I found the owner of a gun shop...who also knew a little sumpin'-sumpin' about drugs. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but among other things, he gave me a couple of links to check out. One of which was the DEA website.

But I digress.

The one subject I didn't know a whole lot about was money laundering. I was under the mistaken impression that it was like embezzlement, but it's not. It took a little bit of time, but I found a pretty comprehensive money laundering investigation site that also covers the additional aspect of hidden assets. Basically, money laundering is the criminal practice of filtering funds gained illegally, such as through the sale and distribution of drugs (“dirty” money), through a series of transactions in which the funds are “cleaned” so that they appear to result from legal activities. One of the more common methods is wire transfers (y'know those spammy emails you all get from people in foreign countries?)

So here's the sitch: there's this guy that owns a few businesses who, well, dabbles in other stuff. To hide the extra cash he's making from the stuff he's been dabbling in, he has to do the Greenback Shuffle. Now, more often than not, the employees get screwed. Harsh though it may sound, it seems that employees are always the last to know. It could take years for them to find out what happened, in which they'd have to hire a private investigator to conduct an unsolved crime investigation to get the answers.

That's not going to happen this time. You know why?

It's Assignment #2 and Draven's On The Case.

H2O on the rocks, please...

2007-05-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Featured Headline today: Water Facts and Fiction: Do you really need eight glasses of water a day? Is bottled water better than tap?

I love water. Water is my favorite drink. Now. When I was young, I drank nothing but grape juice. And it had to be the Welch's Grape Juice from the big can (y'know, like what Hawaiian Punch used to come in?). None of that frozen crap. But that's when I was young.

Now, it's what I drink the majority of the time. Plain, not flavored. Preferably ice cold or on the rocks. Not shaken. Not stirred. No lemon slice. I wake up thirsty and it's what I crave. I've even dreamed about it once or twice. Arizona is to water what famine is to Africa: it's the first thing we fret about. Screw rising gas prices, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE GOING TO DO WITHOUT WATER? You need a 24oz Thirstbuster filled to the brim with Mountain Dew to get you going in the morning? I need to chug some water. I drink water with sweets (cake, pie, candy, etc), not milk. Because milk makes me thirsty for water. Shrugs. Go figure.

Needless to say, I was a bit appalled when I came to this part of the article:

"To date, no independent investigation has shown that bottled water passes more safety and health checks than tap water. In fact, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) tested 103 brands of bottled water and concluded there was no assurance that water out of a bottle is cleaner or safer than water from the tap. Another of their conclusions didn't surprise me either: They estimated that 25 percent or more of bottled water is nothing more than tap water."

Are you shit-ting me? You tell me this after we've been buying 3 cases at a time of Kirkland brand bottled water for who knows how long? The tap water here is craptacular, hence the need for bottled water. And yes, I can tell the difference. You can practically taste the organisms in our tap water, should you be brave enough to ever drink from a drinking fountain or your faucet.

Did you notice that they didn't list what brands they tested? Pretty convenient, don't you think?

So am I to assume that Evian's pure mountain spring water from a man-made lake in a tiny little village in France isn't as pure as we're led to believe?

I think I was better off being ignorant.

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #39

2007-04-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail today from The Park Literary Group:

Dear Author,

Please forgive this impersonal note regarding your query, which we have considered but must decline. As we receive a tremendous number of queries, we are unable to respond to each submission individually, but we thank you for the opportunity to review your work.

We encourage you to keep writing and to try other agents.

Sincerely,

The Park Literary Group, LLC

As I sit here and type the words from another one of those litte postcard-type, well, cards, I'm reminded of something I read not too long ago. One of the blogs that I read on a regular basis had a guest agent one day. Agent X said that they wouldn't represent an author who badmouthed an agent in a blog (makes sense) or if they put that they've been rejected 20 times. "I guess it's a good thing I didn't submit to this person, then," I thought. While Agent X is entitled to their opinion, to me it seems kind of close-minded. I mean, so the author got rejected 20 times. Do you know why? Maybe the author was getting form letters just like this one. Granted, I could be shooting myself in the foot posting all these rejections on here. Especially since some of the responses have come with specific reasons for why I was rejected.

But to pass over an author because they say they've been rejected a certain amount of times? And you don't why? That's stupid and close-minded thinking, IMHO. In all the rejection letters I've received so far, I noticed that agents tend to say the same thing over and over: This is a subjective point of view. Just because I think this way doesn't mean another agent will. Subjective. I understand this word. I don't think Agent X does.

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #38

2007-04-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Via email today from the Heacock Literary Agency:

Dear Author,

Thank you for seeking us out. We appreciate each author who takes the time to learn about our agency and send a query letter. Each letter is read when it first arrives. We keep those that warrant further consideration, and we send immediate responses to those that don’t seem like they will be a good match with what we are currently seeking. Editors inform us of the publishers’ needs and thus we continuously fine tune what we invite. Sometimes we hope that if we hold onto a letter that the timing will work out better later on. We apologize for the delayed response especially since we don’t have better news.

At present, we are regretfully going to pass by the opportunity to consider your work for representation. The query letter has to strike a chord which leads us to believe that we will not only resonate deeply with the material but also will be successful in selling it in the current market conditions. Out of necessity, we are frequently forced to pass by material which shows potential. We recognize that in doing so we miss opportunities to represent fine and worthwhile material, but we also trust that if you persist you will eventually connect with the right agent at the right time for your success.

You may have already found an agent by the time this response reaches you, or you may well find that another literary agent will react with enthusiasm for your work. We suggest that you contact the Association of Authors' Representatives at http://www.aar-online.org/ for a list of members. Each member of that organization subscribes to a strict canon of ethics.

We send you every good wish for success with all of your writing endeavors, and thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Catt LeBaigue, AAR
Author's Representative

Commitment-phobe of the deadline variety

2007-04-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Since around Jan of this year, I've been taking workshops through AuthorMBA. This month is no different. Sort of. I took a two-week workshop called Snap Planning: 6 Steps to a High Impact Career Plan. Here's the blurb:

Beginning writers and bestselling authors alike can benefit from having a simple, inspiring career plan to guide them. Whether you’re working toward that first sale or aiming for the NY Times bestseller list, knowing where you want to go and how you plan to get there can make all the difference in achieving your goal. The Snap Plan is a short and sweet, high impact career plan… a snapshot of your purpose, vision, brand, goals, and much more. It’s everything you need to help you stay focused and motivated, all on one sheet of paper. What more could a busy writer ask for?You’ll leave this hands-on workshop with a complete, personalized career plan to help you stay on track and pursue your goals with confidence. If you’d like to take your writing career to the next level—whatever level that may be—let the Snap Plan be your guide!

With all the worskshops I've taken through this website (their blog has a perm link in my blogroll), I've come away with something new. Every. Single. Time. All of the worskshops are very hands on. They post 3 times a week and we have homework on each of those three days. I learned a lot about myself as a writer in the previous workshops and this time was no different.

In fact, it was a little bit of a struggle. More so than all the others.

Lecture #7 had to do with Production Goals, Milestones, Intentions: goals to work towards and set target dates to finish by.

My Production Goal: To finish a first draft of Book Two in my YA series by 11/01.

My Milestones:

Milestone #1: complete first 66 pages by 5/31

Milestone #2: complete second 66 pages by 8/31

Milestone #3: complete third 66 pages by 10/31

I've written about this before, so you know that I don't do deadlines very well. It reminds me of being in school and the pressure to finish a homework assignment by a certain time. Also, I'm a worrier, and when the little things happen in my personal life, I'm thrown off my creative game.

Like the fact that I need to look for a steady 40 hr work week type of job and then get a new car once I do. Yeah, hearing that my transmission is failing, two of my 4 cylinders are misfiring, all the mounts are out and to fix it all is going to cost me $3000-$3500 was something I so didn't need to hear right now.

But I digress.

The month of May is going to be a fresh start for me. It's going to be about commitment, achievement and determination. I made the commitment to finish the first draft by 11/01 and I am determined to prove that I can achieve that goal. Or come as close as possible. If I can do this, then I know that WHEN I get that book deal, I'll be able to accomplish what I say, when I say.

Be forewarned: from May to November, you'll be seeing more Writing Movement posts. If not everyday, then at least on a weekly basis.

I can do this.

I will write one page everyday. Even if it's crap (which it probably will be).

I will reach my first Milestone deadline.

I will take a moment to reward myself for reaching my first Milestone.

Words of encouragement and plenty of good writing vibes sent my way will be much appreciated.

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #37

2007-04-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail from Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. This was after she had requested a partial and then the full MS.

Dear Celise:

Thanks so much for letting me review your material for Draven Atreides, Teenage FBI: A Royale Pain, which I've now had the chance to read. Though there was certainly a lot to like here, we have decided, after careful consideration, that we are not the appropriate agents to represent this book.

I really enjoyed Draven as a character, and her friends are hysterical-modeled on My So-Called Life, no? (yes) The novel also presents a good twist on a popular genre. The tone is a lot of fun, and I do think you're a great writer.

That said, the pacing was a big problem for me--in many sections, the level of description went too far to keep the novel moving along at the right speed, and, consequently, I didn't find myself completely sucked into the plot.

In order to take on a client, I have to be absolutely head over heels about the project--and you deserve no less from your agent. I do think it's possible you could get to that point with Draven Atreides if you did some revising, and if you choose that route, I'd love to take another look. I'd also be delighted if you'd keep me in mind for other projects.

I do thank you, sincerely, for thinking of us and letting me review your work. I hope that I'll hear from you again, but if not, I do wish you the very best of luck in your search for representation.

Best regards,

Lauren

This makes the third offer for a re-look. Not bad, I guess. As soon as it's been slashed to hell and back, I will be resubmitting to her. Definitely.

And yet another light at the end of the Rejection Tunnel...

2007-04-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

I gave my niece a copy of DA Book One to read and this is the email we exchanged:

Me: So, how are you liking the book so far? I'm thinking about creating the blog for her and wanted to know how soon before you'd be able to start contributing to it. Let me know. Thx.

TK: well im sort of in the middle but i had to stop because my american lit teacher said that we have to choose an american author and read their book for the class so i chose you (since i think you might be american but i dont know for sure!! lol!) we have to tell her who we choose in a week and a half. i would be done with it by then so im waiting so i can finish it in class or it wont count. its hard because its getting really interesting and i hate to stop when its good so... yeah but i want to put your name as the author so i had to stop.

I wonder if this is how other YA authors feel when family members (teens in particular) want to use their books for a class.

I am highly flattered.

And quite ecstatic (although I'm expressing that emotion on the inside).

Maybe this will garner a class visit. How coolio would that be?

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #36

2007-04-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

Via snail today from Folio Literary Management:

Dear Author:

Thanks so much for sending your query, and for offering me the chance to consider your material. Unfortunately, your project does not seem right for me. Since it's crucial that you find an agent who will represent you to the best of his or her ability, I'm going to have to step aside from asking to represent your material.

You should know that my decision reflects my present work-load, and the type and amount of material which I'm presently representing. It does not reflect on your material, and I certainly encourage you to continue to seek representation, especially since this is such a subjective business--what works for one agent or publisher may not work as well for another (I'm afraid, though, that I cannot recommend someone for it).

Best of luck!

Regards,
Erin Cartwright Niumata

In the Doghouse

2007-04-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

My Mom sent this to me and I laffed for a good minute...especially when I saw the picture attached. I had to post it here because this could totally be my cat. And with her attitude, I could see her doing this...

Dear Dog...

I am soooo sorry about you being sent to the dog pound for the broken lamp
which you did not break; the fish you did not spill; and the carpet that
you did not wet; or the wall that you did not dirty with red paint....

But things here at the house really are calmer now, and just to show you
that there are no hard feelings between us, I am sending you a picture, so
you will always remember me.

Best regards,

The Cat

This makes up for Rejection #35

2007-04-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

Another satisfied customer...

Hello,

My daughter's friend bought "Secrets and Kisses" for her as a surprise gift and now I have to carve out some time, especially since she raved and Ooo'd.

Stopping by your site (can never be too careful these days), I was happily surprised to see your site was "teen friendly" and absolutely wonderful!! I adore the graphics on both your websites...as do my niece, daughter, and their friends (brats who peek over my shoulder when I am on the PC just to be nosy)...LOL Who did them? You? And , if so, how? What program did you use? If not, is it someone who would do them for someone else for a reasonable fee? LOL They are all sooo cute.

The mother of a new fan,
K

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #35

2007-04-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail today from the Laura Dail Literary Agency. It's been a while. I was starting to wonder...

Dear Celise,

Thank you for the opportunity to read DRAVEN ATREIDES, TEENAGE FBI: A Royale Pain. You have a good idea and I enjoyed Draven's irreverent tone and her overall personality. However, I felt that the dialogue often felt forced which took away from the flow of the story and the sometimes overdrawn descriptions detracted from the pacing of the plot.

I am sure that my loss will be another agent's gain and I wish you the best of luck in finding the right home for your work.

All best,
Tamar Ellman

Movie Queue: 'The Last Mimzy' and 'Pathfinder'

2007-04-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Starring: Karl Urban, Moon Bloodgood, Russell Means

A thousand years in the past, a young Norse boy is left behind when his clan shipwrecks on the Eastern shores. Despite his lineage, he's raised by the very Indians his kinsmen want to destroy. Years later, when they come back, he wages his own personal war against them.

It was no '300', that's for sure. That movie rocked and any type of war-like movies that are released after that will never compare. Truthfully, this movie kind of reminded me of "The Last of the Mohicans", but Daniel Day-Lewis was the better Eye Candy with his long hair and muscular physique displayed in faux animal suede chaps.

It started out slow, with the action picking up when his kinsmen came back to finish the job they started. Geez, this is tough. I don't have much else to say except I wasn't all that enthused.

Review: 2 Snaps Down

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starring Timothy Hutton, Joely Richardson, Rhiannon Leigh Wrynn

Two children discover a mysterious box that contains some strange devices they think are toys. As the children play with these "toys," they begin to display higher and higher intelligence levels. They soon realize that the toys were sent from the future and they were sent for a purpose. I got a chance to see this movie for free (Yay for the AMC Movie Watcher Card) and I really liked it.

I'm not ashamed to admit that while I am a teeny-bopper flick watcher, I will also see certain kiddy flicks too. And, depending on what animated flick Disney puts out, I might check that out as well. This movie had shades of "Labryinth" and "E.T." Movies where kids are the heroes and plots that make you really believe that we cannot be the only beings in the universe. The main focus was on the children, specifically the little girl, Emma. Within the box of "toys" (read: geode-type rocks) she finds a cute Peter Rabbit type of stuffed animal named Mimzy. It teaches her things, mainly about why she was sent there, but the situation quickly spins out of control when the new toys cause a city-wide power outage...and the government tracks the source to their house.

Kids will definitely like this movie. Even if you don't have kids, this is still a cute movie.

Review: 3 Snaps Up

Vincent Chase, Henry Fitzroy, and former DEA agent, Jane Vasco

2007-04-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

What does all that mean, you ask?

New shows added to my already full roster of viewing pleasure:

Entourage - The hubby and I somewhow got sucked into the soap opera that is Vincent Chase's (Adrian Grenier) life and ended up watching the last few episodes of Season 3. Season 4 has just started. He downloaded the episodes we missed of Season 3 and we watched those before the season finale of 3. Last night, we marathon-watched Season 1. It is officially official: We love Vince, Turtle, E, Drama and even the neurotic asshole that's his agent, Ari Gold. Even his gay male assistant is good for some laffs.

"I can't believe you like this show. This is more like a guy's show. What with all the guy stuff they talk about," says the hubby.

"Hel-lo, I'm watching it because of Adrian," I tell him in my best "duh" voice. "And because it's funny."

Granted, there's a lot of guy stuff and more often than not, I'm shaking my head in exasperation at what they say, but it's still good t.v. watching. It's always interesting to see what famous actor/actress I'll see in the next episode. If you're not already watching this show, you need to. Sunday nights, HBO.

Blood Ties - Vicki Nelson is a former cop-turned-detective and Henry Fitzroy is a 450 yr old vampire/graphic comic book writer. He helps her out on her cases, which more often than not, turn out to have some supernatural aspect to them. This is a new series that just started last month, I think, on the Lifetime Channel and are based on the "Blood Books" series by author Tanya Huff. I was a GINORMOUS fan of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel". When these shows were cancelled (and there was no closure for "Angel"), I went thru withdrawal for about a week: "What am I gonna watch now?" Luckily, "Supernatural" started up soon, so I was able to quit the therapy sessions. This show, however, feeds my "Angel" addiction. Henry is a different kind of vampire, not as broody as Angel, and I've still got the Eye Candy Factor, so that's all that matters. I don't know how long this series will last, but I'll continue to watch it until it gets cancelled (knock on wood). Sunday nights, Lifetime Channel.

Painkiller Jane - This new series (based on a comic book. Shocker there) on the Sci-Fi Channel just started last Friday and stars that actress from Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. She was the Terminator in that movie. Anyhoo, in this new series she plays DEA agent, Jane Vasco. Until she's forcibly recruited to a covert government unit, that is. A unit that tracks, contains and if necessary, eliminates--"neuros": individuals with superhuman neurological abilities. She got her nickname, Painkiller Jane, from her father because she was mentally able to push thru the most painful situations. Interesting thing is, Jane has an ability of her own: she's unable die and can heal herself. Unfortunately, the pain is very real, so it's not the Neato!-I-wish-I-had-that-superpower kind of ability. Can you guess why I was intrigued by this show? I'll give you a hint: Sydney Bristow + Buffy Summers = two strong females who know how to kick ass and take names. I'll watch it till it gets cancelled (knock on wood). Friday nights, Sci-Fi Channel.

MY REGULAR SHOWS -
Smallville
Supernatural
Bones
Heroes
Lincoln Heights*
Wildfire*
Kyle XY*
The 4400*

*Denotes the seasonal shows that are shown during a certain time span and then don't come back until the following year. Way irritating that, but still watchable.

I THOUGHT it was about support

2007-04-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was in a 4-week workshop during the month of January that helped women who either wanted to start their own business or needed some ideas for their current business. There was about 10 of us in that workshop and I got in thru a scholarship (a value of $250). I met a great bunch of women in that group so this post isn't going to reflect all the other women in the group...just the one who sent this email to me:

Hi Celise!

I donate money, time and Ladies Who Launch scholarships to women and others in need to Pay it Forward. I am volunteering to raise money for the WEF www.wefphx.org, Women's Enterprise Foundation-whose mission is to support and inspire women entrepreneurs with scholarships and grants that enable them to further their education, leadership skills and opportunities to succeed. I have made a commitment to play 100 holes of golf on April 20 and sponsored myself for $1/hole for every hole I play that day. Will you please extend your generous heart and sponsor me for the same?

I wrote her back and said:

I'll make a donation for you if you make one for my niece (you got the flyer right?) see below post. How does that sound?

She emailed me back on Thursday and said:

Ahhh, I've already committed my dollars to WEF. Thanks for the consideration, Celise.....

Well, of course you've committed your dollars to WEF (smacking my hand against my forehead.) How silly of me to think otherwise. How silly of me to think that you want me to help you with your cause, but you can't do the same for me.

I'm sorry, did I miss something here?

I help you, you help me. Seemed like a fair trade to me. Was I wrong?

Aspiring Drama Queen

2007-04-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

She was born the year I graduated from high school.

She's smart, talented, funny and has a great sense of humor.

She's the inspiration for my YA series.

She wants to be an actress/photographer when she grows up.

This is my niece and she needs a favor from you. If you can help in any way you can, we would greatly appreciate it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE OPPORTUNITY

Hello. My name is Takenya Mayberry. I'm 17-years-old and I am an aspiring actress trying to get discovered. I have attended and currently am attending a performing arts high school were I get to do what I love everyday...act!! I recently went to an audition, like I have been for about five years, and I got my first callback from A.C.T. (Academy of Cinema and Television)! A.C.T. is a private school that teaches young actors how to perform in front of the camera, as well as teach you everything you need to know about the film industry. You can only attend A.C.T. by invitation. They hand select unique, talented, and dedicated youth to come and "experience" A.C.T. I have been blessed enough to be one of the few teens chosen to attend A.C.T.! At this private school I am guaranteed an audition every week with casting directors who represent 20th Century Fox, MGM, Disney, Nickelodeon, and many more! The casting directors come to A.C.T. looking for fresh faces and pure unique talent. I am more than positive that this is my time and my chance to get discovered, and I am not going to let ANYTHING get in the way of my future! This is an opportunity of a lifetime!!

MY MISSION

Due to the fact that A.C.T. is a private school and not a talent agency, the tuition ranges from $1,950-$11,900 for 20 weeks-3 years. I must admit that my family cannot fund my journey through A.C.T., but it's only a temporary roadblock. The amount must be paid in full, so I am doing all I can to raise enough money to attend in September 2007. I am not here to beg you for money. I am here to find someone who is willing to invest in me and take a chance. My family believes in my talent and I have faith that I will go far with A.C.T. I know we can make this happen one way or another, no matter what! I know that this is my time to succeed!!

If you would like to help in any way, please contact my father, David Mayberry, at (602) 349-3836.

Thank You
God Bless
Takenya Mayberry

I KNEW IT!

2007-04-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

In Yahoo headlines today Birkhead is the Father.

(In a singsone tone of voice), "I knew it, I knew it".

I kept saying to myself that it was his. There was no way she was Howard's child. The man is stone-cold ugly, his eyes bug out, and his nose is a bird's beak. She resembles Larry in the eyes and the nose.

Good on you, Larry. Now all you have to do is keep her out of the clutches of her Gramma.

Why that woman thinks she deserves sole custody is beyond me.

Is this Fate or what?

2007-04-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

In Yahoo headlines yesterday: Dreamed up phone number leads man to a bride. Did any of you read about this? Hopefully the link is still good, if not, you can go over to Skylar's and read the full article. That's just straight up wildness, but you'll know it'll make a great story for them to tell their kids.

For those of you that don't know, I met my husband thru Matchmaker.com. And instead of summarizing how we met, I'm going to cut and paste the story I put up on our wedding site (courtesy of AZ Weddings.com):

HOW WE MET:

Almost 5 years ago, Steven and Celise met online at Matchmaker.com. After her 7-day trial period had expired, Celise decided to renew for 30 days. In her search for Mr. Right, she had five dates, one guy who stood her up, and one persistent suitor who gave her the willies (and ended up being reported and kicked to the curb by the moderator). A few days before her 30 day renewal, she received an intriguing email from a guy named Steven. In the subject line, it read "Your smile..." and when she opened it, the message continued with "....is captivating me."

Her captivating smile grew bigger as she read the rest of his email. He seemed handsome enough (she only emailed prospects who posted their pictures), so she checked out his profile and emailed him back. She told Steven her 30 days would be up soon, that she wasn't planning on renewing, and gave him her personal email address. They had been corresponding for a week when, on January 12, 2001 ( a Friday), Celise and a friend of hers went dancing at a club in Scottsdale. Standing at the railing, watching the dancers on the floor, Celise happened to glance to her left and saw a cute guy wearing a brown shirt with Chinese dragons etched on it.

"Cool shirt," she told him as he walked by.

The guy grabbed her hand and said, "Thanks. Do I know you?"

"Uh, no," Celise replied. She would've remembered meeting this cutie--line or no line.

"What's your name?" he asked.

Being a single female in a meat market...er, that is...a nightclub, Celise NEVER gave out her real name. She's a writer, after all. And a fiction writer, at that. Making up names is her forte.

"Isis," she stated.

"Oh. I'm Steven. You look just like a friend of mine. Sorry," he said, then walked away.

A while later, Celise glanced over her shoulder and saw Steven standing by the bar. Frowning in confusion, she mouthed "I thought you were leaving?"

Steven walked over and asked, "What?"

"I thought you were leaving?" she repeated.

"Oh, well, my friend Sean is still talking to those two girls over there. He's probably telling them about the school we're going to," he explained.

"What school is that?" Celise wanted to know.

"Rainstar University," he told her, staring at her intently.

"Really? I have a friend that goes there," Celise said.

"Really? Huh."

During the course of their conversation, Steven tried to drop as many hints as possible. Tried being the key word here because, unfortunately, not even Vanna White could've bought Celise a clue.

"Do you mind if we keep in touch?" he asked as a last ditch effort. "Would it be all right if I got your phone number?"

"Sure," Celise agreed.

At the bar, she asked the bartender for a pen and proceeded to write her REAL number and her FAKE name. (At this point in her life, Celise thought if he calls, he calls. If not, so what?). Needing to find out if this was "Internet Girl" (as his friend, Sean, referred to her), Steven leaned in close and asked, "Do you like oatmeal?"

Celise froze.

She'd recently spoke of her love of oatmeal. And she'd recently mentioned that to only one person. She turned to look at him in disbelief, feeling her jaw drop open and swing down to the floor. Well, maybe not that far down. More like just past her kneecaps.

"Are you...?"

Steven nodded, smiling.

"From the...?"

Steven nodded again, his smile growing wider.

"Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod," Celise shrieked. Repeatedly. For ten minutes.

Truthfully, Steven enjoyed the exchange. Her emails made him laugh and her current reaction was no different. She was obviously shocked. Conversing with her after that revelation proved to be interesting, seeing as how almost every other word was "Ohmygod." At least until she stopped freaking out. And even then, she was saying it every 5th or 6th sentence.

Their first date was the following Saturday, where Steven brought her a single red rose. They tried having dinner at P.F. Chang's, but the wait was too long. So they dined at Red Lobster then saw a movie. It was the best date of Celise's entire life. Steven had a great time, too.

Celise knew she loved Steven after just one week, but didn't want to say the magic words until he said them first. Steven said the magic words a month later, but it was worth the wait.

THE ENGAGEMENT (also taken from the wedding website):

August 19, 2005 - Tucson Omni Resort in Oro Valley, AZ

After a wonderful--and pricey--dinner at the hotel restaurant, Celise and Steven went back to their casita for dessert. There, on the cozy balcony, she opened the plastic container of her favorite pie--Marie Callendar's Cream Cheese Pie--and found a beautiful diamond ring resting on top.

Down on one knee beside her chair, Steven asked his beloved to marry him. And crying as if her heart would break...with happiness, of course...Celise said "Yes."

Then, with a sheepish laugh, Steven says, "I'm sorry, babe, but I don't know what finger it goes on." That's all right. Celise still thinks he's the bomb diggity.

A few more details:

~ I had no idea Steven was going to be at the nightclub that night and vice versa. He had given me his phone number in an email he'd sent that day, but I didn't check it until the next day.

~ The owner of the place where Steven works does an Employee Appreciation thing every year. We get to stay at a nice hotel for the weekend, eat a nice dinner the following night and get a certain amount of money to spend on whatever we want at the hotel. The Tucson Omni happened to be the hotel of choice that year.

~ He asked my Dad's permission in the DVD aisle at a store on Luke's Air Force Base. My Dad's retired military and sometimes they go there to buy stuff. I wanted to get a laptop and my Dad told me I could get one for cheap, no tax, on the base. My Dad's response? "It's about time."

~ A couple of weeks before the trip, I happened to be throwing something away in the garbage in the kitchen and happened to look down to find an empty water bottle from The Shane Company. At that point, I didn't know if he'd actually bought the ring or had put in on layaway.

~ I knew he was going to ask me to marry him sometime that weekend and thought for sure it was going to be while we were eating dinner.

~ The fake name I gave him at the nightclub, Isis Black Hawk, became the name for the character in my second book, Dance Jam Productions. Except I changed her first name to Mataya. You can visit her HERE.

with a Berry on top...

2007-04-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

In Yahoo news today "Halle Berry honored with Hollywood 'Walk of Fame' Star".

How. Coolio. Is. That?

Who cares if you're an "emotional retard," Halle. You deserve this.

Now go home and celebrate with your drop-dead gorgeous man.

HELP NEEDED: The Dark Side Takes A Walk

2007-04-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

My Hubby as Darth Maul. You can check out his website HERE.

On April 14, 2007, the Troopers of the *Arizona Dune Sea Garrison (DSG) will be entering the MS Walk on the Wild Side for the sixth time to raise money to fight Multiple Sclerosis. Each year, the team making the 6.1 mile trek under the Arizona sun in full armor, and while last year they collectively raised over $4000 to aid in research for a cure, this year they've set their sights to the much higher fund raising goal of $20,000!! They can do it, but they need your help!

Click HERE to be taken to the team's page on the MS Society's own secure website. Once there, you can choose which trooper you'd like to support and make the donation there in their behalf.

*The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it is Lucasfilm's preferred Imperial costuming group.

The Girls in Cyberspace

2007-04-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Click on pic to visit Mattie Black Hawk

The main heroines from my first two novels now have their own little corner of cyberspace (truthfully, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Like, when the books first came out? Duh). Please show them how kind the the cyberworld can be and go say hello.

I SAID GO NOW, PEOPLE. DON'T MAKE ME TAKE OFF MY BUNNY SLIPPERS!

Click on pic to visit Skylar Knight

Movie Queue: 'Shooter' and '300'

2007-04-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

Starring Mark Wahlburg, Danny Glover, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Tate Donovan

Bob Lee Swagger (Wahlburg) is a former Marine Corps sniper who's left the military after a mission gone bad. He's reluctantly pulled back into service by a Colonel (Glover) under the guise of stopping an assassination of the President before it happens. Double-crossed, shot and the star of a nationwide manhunt, Swagger begins his revenge, which will take down the most powerful people in the country.

First of all, it was very unusual to see Danny Glover without Mel Gibson at his side. The last movie I saw him in was, what, Lethal Weapon 3? And how bad is it that I had to look that up because I couldn't remember the name of the movie! He's done some other behind-the-scenes stuff since then, but I was shocked to see him playing one of the bad guys.

Second of all, Bob Lee Swagger? WTF?! Are they serious? Come. On. I'm wondering how many takes they got thru before all the actors could say that name without cracking up. Or snickering.

All in all, it was a good action flick. Lotta things being blown up (great for the guys), some good muscle-y shots of Mark Wahlburg (great for the ladies), and reason number 15,021 for why I never enlisted in the Armed Forces (nice try, though, Dad).

Review: 3 1/2 Snaps Up

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West

The hubby and I saw this movie opening weekend. Which was, what, 3 weeks ago? And I'm just now writing about it? Yes. Don't ask why. We had wanted to see this at the IMAX theater.

When we got there, all three showings were sold out. Sold. Out. I kid you not.

However, I'm glad we didn't see it there because I would still be deaf. My hair would still be blown back. And my face would still look like I'd had some serious plastic surgery. So, here's the blurb about the movie:

In the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.

Let me tell you what I remember:

~ a sea of KAPLOW! six-packs and men dressed in suede briefs, sandals and capes

~ freakin' awesome fighting scenes shot with a Sin City-esque feel

~ a sea of KAPLOW! six packs and men dressed in suede briefs, sandals and capes

~ some dead bodies

~ a freakishly tall man with a deep voice wearing more jewelry than any woman in the known universe. As it turns out, he's about an 8 1/2 on the Taster's Choice Scale of Hotness.

~ a sea of KAPLOW! six-packs and men dressed in suede briefs, sandals and capes.

~ Keanu Reeves' younger brother, a la Bill and Ted's (the dude on the left). Go see the movie to get a better look at him and you will completely understand. He's a 9 on the Taster's Choice Scale of Hotness.

~ some more dead bodies

~ some more freakin' awesome fighting scenes shot with a Sin City-esque feel.

~ Gerard Butler and his orgasmic Scottish accent

~ and did I mention THE SEA OF KAPLOW! SIX-PACKS AND MEN DRESSED IN SUEDE BRIEFS, SANDALS, AND CAPES?

Was I the only one thinking "Do they ever get cold?"

And was I the only one thinking "Spartans are the only men in the entire universe that can look sexy while wearing sandals?"

I know I wasn't the only female wiping drool off my face. I mean, GAWD DAY-UM.

"What else has he been in?" my hubby whispers to me. In reference to Gerard Butler, that is.

"Nothing you'd remember seeing. Or have seen. But he's got a great set of KAPLOW! six packs," I whisper back.

"Hey, it's Balromir's brother from Lord of the Rings," my hubby whispers to me again a little while later.

"Huh. So it is. He also played the monk in Van Helsing. Y'know, Hugh's sidekick?" I whisper back.

Pause.

"He's got a great set of KAPLOW! six packs, too."

THIS MOVIE ROCKED! I'm sure it was hard to detect. We're buying it when it comes out.

Review: 5 KAPLOW! Snaps Up

Movie Queue: 'Blades of Glory'

2007-04-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Starring: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Craig T. Nelson

It feels like forever since I've done a movie review. I've been seeing them, though. I thought I might mix it up (I know I'm getting tired of posting all those damn rejection letters) and throw some "good times" up in here.

The hubby and I went to see this on Saturday and we laffed our asses off. For anyone that's been reading me for a while, you know that I love ice skating. LOVE. IT. Tried it myself, hated it, but love watching it. I'm glued to my T.V. during the Winter Olympics and I'm home on Sundays during the winter when they show the competitions in between.

I had to see this movie.

Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell) and James "Jimmy" MacElroy (Heder) are rival male ice skaters. Chazz is the rebel-break-all-the-rules-showboat skater who's an admitted sex addict (one of the many hilarious scenes includes him hitting on Nancy Kerrigan). Jimmy is the total opposite: perfectionist-by-the-book skater who's fashion sense tends to lean towards more...er...girly colors. When they get into a scuffle on the podium during a medal ceremony at a competition, the skating "tribunal" (which consisted of such skating greats as Dorothy Hamill, Brian Boitano, Nancy Kerrigan, and Peggy Fleming)bans them from skating for the rest of their lives.

Until a Jimmy MacElroy stalker (who's "getting tired of stalking a has-been celebrity") finds a loophole 3 yrs later: they're only banned from male singles skating, not pairs.

What ensues, of course, is massive stomach cramps and aching cheek muscles from laffing so damn hard. Something like this would never happen in the skating world in real life. If it did, Rudy Galindo and Brian Boitano would've jumped on it a long time ago. It was an interesting take on pairs skating and brought up a good question about the rules for pairs skating and the sex of the pairs:

How receptive would people be to a male/male or even female/female pairs skating team?

BONUS MOMENT: Olympic skater Sasha Cohen catching Chazz's jockstrap and then gleefully sniffing it before screaming, "I LOVE YOU CHAZZ!"

Review: 4 Snaps Up

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Request #12

2007-04-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

Via email from Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary Agency:

Dear Celise,

I’m writing on behalf of Jennifer Carlson to thank you for contacting her regarding DRAVEN ATRIEDES. Jennifer would like to review the manuscript for possible representation. Could you please send a copy to our address below? If you’d like your materials returned, please include return postage, and please mark your manuscript “requested material.”

Thanks again, and let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Jeff

These seem to be so few and far between, as of late, that I thought I might actually start numbering them now when I post here.

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #34

2007-04-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail from Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents Inc:

Thank you for thinking of Brandt & Hochman in connection with your writing. I have read and reviewed your query, but I'm afraid I am currently overwhelmed with commitments to my present clients and am unable to take on very little if any new material. I'm afraid I just would not be able to give your work the time and attention it deserves. I am so sorry.

Thank you again for giving me this opportunity. I wish you the best of luck in placing your work elsewhere. I regret that I can't help at this point.

Sincerely,
Gail Hochman

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejections # 32 & 33

2007-03-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail from Gina Maccoby Literary Agency:

Dear Author:

Thank you for your letter which we read with interest. We regret, the press of our current commitments is such that we cannot offer to read your work.

Please accept our best wishes for success with your writing.

Via snail mail from Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency:

Dear Author:

Thank you for your submission. I am sorry that I cannot invite you to submit the rest of your work, and I regret the necessity for this form of reply.

Sincerely,
Miriam Altshuler

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #31

2007-03-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Via email today--on my Dad's birthday no less--from PMA Literary and Film Mgmt:

Dear Celise,

Thank you for your recent query letter and your interest in PMA. We are always eager to hear from writers who are serious about the business of writing; unfortunately, we do not feel that PMA is the right company to represent Draven Atreides, Teenage FBI: A Royale Pain.

We have to be very selective of what we choose to represent, and all of our decisions are based on a frank assessment of the current needs of the literary and film markets. The fact that this work doesn’t fit our narrow criteria for representation does not mean it couldn’t find a home elsewhere. We urge you to submit your work to other agencies or management companies that may be more suited to this type of material.

Best wishes,

E.M. Blake, Submissions Evaluator

HOLLA BACK!

2007-03-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

If you're in the area--or want to enjoy the beautiful weather by taking a road trip--be sure to swing by my table and say hello!

Sunday, March 25th - Globe Centennial Book Fair, Globe Senior Center 579 S. Broad St, Globe AZ 85501, 10am-6pm. Vendors and authors will be on hand for this special book signing and sale event. Special displays and more are planned. Stop by my table and sign up to win a large square stone pink bangle watch. FREE ADMISSION.

Sugar, we're goin' down

2007-03-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Rejection #29 (Roman Group..see post below) was both disheartening and uplifting at the same time. This was the first agent--EVER--to make the offer of calling them up to "chat about it."

Which I'm going to do, BTW. I emailed him back pronto and wanted to know what day and time was good for him.

He's also the second agent to offer to read it again if another draft was done. Out of 30 rejections.

I think getting these rejection letters and reading the same thing over and over again--"great voice, great concept, but the pace moves too slowly"--has stunted my creativity to continue with Book Two. I feel like I mentioned her assignment too early in this one and now I don't know where to go from there.

It's kinda like the episode of Smallville the hubby and I watched last night. It showed Clark getting a serious smackdown--pun intended--by WWE's Kane. And then the beginning credits rolled. When the show came back from commercial, it began from a "46 hrs earlier" standpoint. The story worked backwards.

Should I try that with Book Two as well?

This is really hard. I mean, really, really, (TWO MORE REALLY'S IN A WHINY VOICE INSERTED HERE) hard. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I keep thinking that I'm going to quit after 100 rejections, but seriously? I don't think there are 100 agents out there that rep YA. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong here). When I get notified of recent YA sales, I write down the name of the agent and the agency. I recently bought Jeff Herman's Guide to Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2007 and despite the puny section of literary agents, I actually found some in there that weren't on my list.

Right now, I'm just thinking that maybe I should hold off on submitting to this new list of people until I've done a second draft.

What do you think?

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejections #29 & 30

2007-03-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

Via email from the Roman Group:

Hello Celise,

I have read the first 100 hundred or so pages of your manuscript and I'm afraid I'm going to pass at this time. I like your concept and characters. However, the pace is too slow. This is a YA novel about an undercover teen FBI agent so the story should move. We don't get a hint that something is going down or wrong until around page 75 where Draven meets her fellow student in the spa with her and he is like "you've got to get out of her now." We need to have something happening in the first chapter to keep YA readers reading. You've got the concept and the characters. We need the pace and plot to move swiftly. This could be an episode of Kim Possible and if you've seen that cartoon you'll note that is moves.

If you do another draft I'd be happy to look at it again or if you want to chat with me about it feel free to call.

Best,
-Nicholas

Via email from Lowenstein-Yost Associates:

Dear Celise,

Thanks very much for sending me your synopsis and first 50 pages.
Although I really likes the cadence and authenticity of the characters'
conversations - I just can't get behind the plot. There are too many
loopholes in the story for me.

I'm sure you've heard the "agenting is very subjective" bit before, but it
really is true. Although your project is not right for my particular list,
it very well could be a perfect fit for someone else.
I wish you tremendous luck in finding the ideal advocate for your work.

Sincerely,
Zoe Fishman

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #28

2007-03-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Via email today from Anderson Literary Mgmt LLC:

Dear Celise:

Thanks very much for sending us your query which I have now had the chance to read.

I’m sorry to say that I don’t think we're the right agency for your story. Having the right agent is an important match – as important as author and publisher – and it is also a very subjective decision. So I encourage you to try other agents and wish you every success in finding the best representative for your work.

Sincerely,
Michelle Humphrey

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejections # 26 & 27

2007-03-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail from International Creative Mgmt:

Dear Ms. Downs:

Thank you for sending the opening pages of DRAVEN ATREIDES, TEENAGE FBI. I really like the premise and the characters you've created (they put me in mind of the cast of "My So-Called Life" for some reason), but I found the story itself a bit slow to develop.

Of course, this is only one person's opinion-and based only on fifty pages at th at. Another reader will surely respond with the unreserved enthusiasm you deserve.

I wish you luck and thank you again for the opportunity to become familiar with your writing.

Sincerely,
Tina Wexler

Okay, I am SO starting to see a pattern here. I'm thinking that I seriously need to take that other agents advice and cut, like, 5000 words. I think this is the third agent that's commented on the hook not happening quickly enough. And for the record--yes, Draven's friends are based off the ones in the show "My S0-Called Life". That used to be one of my favorite shows (probably because it had eye candy like Jared Leto) way back in the day.

Via snail mail from Curtis Brown LTD:

Thank you for your interest in Curtis Brown Ltd. Unfortunately, I do not feel that I am the right agent for your work but wish you success in your search for representation.

*I can't read the signature.

This was another one of those small, generic postcard-y things they mass generated. There wasn't even a "Dear Author/Writer" salutation on it!

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #25

2007-03-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Via email from Lit4:

Celise, the writing and storytelling were close to getting me interested in reading more but ultimately I was not sufficiently "hooked." Good, in this business, is still often not "good enough" but perhaps it's just purely subjective and you'll get better responses from other agents.

Good luck with this one.

I am open to seeing more from you (either your next novel once completed or if it turns out you revise this novel's opening chapter).

-Justin

We Bequeath to you...

2007-03-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

My Dad called me the other day and told me he and my Mom were updating their wills. Nothing has changed, of course. They're leaving everything to me and my older sister. But it hadn't been updated since 1984-85. That's a long ass time, considering I was entering high school at the time. Some of my Dad's assets include two classic cars: a 1928 (I think) Cadillac and a 1933 Ford. The Ford is complete (although it took him 5 years to build. From scratch) and he's starting on the Cadi, he told me, next month. Since he was able to get a hold of me first, he gave me dibs on the cars.

I took the Ford. You can see why I chose it by clicking HERE.

There's also the house, whatever cars they have at the time, my Mom's jewelry, some cash, a timeshare, art...and whatever else they've amassed in their 40 odd years of marriage. We won't have to worry about how or where to bury them because that's all been taken care of. Their plots have been paid off. They'll be buried in the same cemetery where my Gramma (my mother's mother) was laid to rest, but in the military section.

"So, they're gonna play 'Taps' and everything?" I asked him.

"Yep," he said.

I'm not looking forward to that.

"This is probably a crazy thing to say, but I really hope you two go together," I told him.

He didn't think I was crazy.

"Your mother and I were talking about that the other day and we said the same thing," he said.

I told my hubby what I said and he gave me the classic "Why the hell would you say that for?" look.

Well, let me tell you. Unlike other children out there, my sister and I have a great relationship with our parents. We love hanging out with them. Every time we get together there's always loud, uproarious laughter. So loud, I'm sure the neighbors can hear it. I think I'm the luckiest woman in the world because, compared to my other friends, I have the greatest parents in all the universe.

And through the years, there have been several close calls with my father. The first time was his minor heart attack at the age of 48. I think I was still in high school at the time and it scared the shit out of me. That's when I started thinking "What's going to happen to me and my sister if we lose them?"

My Dad is 63 now. And a prostate cancer survivor.

My sister and I are grown up now. We've gotten married. She has kids and Hell will freeze over-twice--before I ever go down that road. Our family is no stranger to death. I've lost both grandparents (my mother's parents), a grandmother (my father's mother), a cousin, an uncle...I no longer worry what's going to happen to my sister and I because we have special people in our lives that will help us pick up the pieces once they're gone.

Yes, it would be devastating--crippling, really--if they died together. But that's the point. They'd be together.

The grieving process would be so much easier for the ones left behind. We could grieve for both of them instead of just one. I can be such an emotional basketcase sometimes, I don't think I'd be able to handle just one death and then have to go through it again when the other one passed.

It hasn't even happened yet and even as I sit here typing this, tears begin to form and my throat closes up.

I don't like to think about death. Especially the ones of family and close friends. I dwell on my reaction too much. Will I sob hysterically or not at all? Will I scream in pain and lock myself in our room or suck it up and put on a brave face? Will I be able to get up at the service and say a few words or hope that others will do it for me? I really don't know what will happen, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

For when they die, it won't be the material things they bequeath to me that will have any importance.

It'll be everything else.

AND THE WINNER IS...

2007-03-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone! It's time to pick the winner of The Perfect Giveaway Contest. There were a lot of great answers--some truly funny ones--but all the ladies seemed to be diggin' the "tall, dark and handsome" rescuer. And now, without further ado--and much shuffling of paper slips in the hat--the winner of the autographed advanced copy of Alison Kent's upcoming release, A Perfect Stranger is...

MAUREEN

You have until Monday evening to email me your mailing address. Congratulations!

Thanks to all who entered.

And a wonderful special thanks to Alison Kent for letting us give away her book. I'm looking forward to reading about another SG-5 guy.

THE PERFECT GIVEAWAY

2007-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

THIS STICKY NOTE WILL REMAIN UNTIL ST. PATTY'S DAY

SEE REGULAR POSTS BELOW!

One of my favorite romance authors, Alison Kent, allowed 30 of her regular bloggers to give away copies of her upcoming book, The Perfect Stranger (April '07):

Some like it hot. The men and women of Alison Kent’s sizzling SG-5 series like it hotter. In this all-new novel of steamy suspense, the jungle is the only place wild enough for a hotshot helicopter pilot and a renegade rich girl with one hell of an agenda…

Bachelor parties are fun, as long as you’re not the poor sap getting hitched…or slipped a Mickey and waking to discover you just became the poor sap. Not to mention that your “wife” is pregnant, and if you don’t go along to her village to meet the in-laws, the nice police comandante will be muy unhappy. Just another day in the life of helicopter pilot J. Jackson Briggs? Not so much. His Smithson Group gig wasn’t supposed to be dangerous, but the the woman who drugs him, then knocks him out, then drugs him again certainly is. She also may or may not be a nun. She’s definitely a lying, scheming, lethally gorgeous…American. Jack’s light years from believing the story Jillian Endicott gives him about her noble cause in the sweltering wilds of San Torisco, but he knows one thing: he’ll get the truth—and plenty more—from her, one way or another…

Being an Endicott of the Boston Endicotts taught Jillian plenty about the haves vs. the have-nots—and made it easy to choose sides. But there’s nothing easy about her mission in San Torisco, and things only get harder when Jack Briggs is thrown into the mix. Six-foot-three of big Texas mouth and big…other things…Jack’s pegged her as a bored little rich girl. Hey, he can think what he wants, as long as he does what she wants. Do unto others what needs to be done—that’s Jillian’s motto. Problem is, Jack knows how to push her buttons from minute one—and the closer he gets to pushing her over the edge, the more she wants him to…

Now under dark velvet cover of jungle nights, two rebels with a cause are going deep—and falling hard—for the perfect stranger…

Here's the question: You were kidnapped and have just been rescued by the perfect stranger. What does he look like?

~ Post your answer in the Comments Section

~ One random name will be chosen on MARCH 17TH, ST. PATTY'S DAY!

JUST A REMINDER

2007-03-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

Are you an adult romance fan?

Do you dream of being swept off your feet by a hunka-hunka piece of eye candy?

You still have time to win it before you can buy it: an advanced copy of Alison Kent's upcoming release, A Perfect Stranger.

A name will be drawn THIS SATURDAY, and one lucky winner will receive the autographed copy I hold in my hot little hands.

Will it be YOU?

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #24

2007-03-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Via snail mail from the Joy Harris Literary Agency:

Dear Writer:

Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, I am afraid given today's publishing climate we would not be able to get you the attention from a publisher your book deserves. Please forgive the form letter, but the volume of query letters we receive obliges us to respond in this manner.

We wish you the best with your work.

Sincerely,

The Joy Harris Literary Agency

I am still keeping my head high after receiving two requests from two different agencies for the full MS...after they had requested partials in the beginning.

The new me...soon Part 2

2007-03-14T18:54:00.000-07:00

In reference to Part One of this post (see The new me...soon a few posts down), I said that I would post other pictures as JD sent them. So, here's the latest:

<= This image is going on my Links Page. Hence the laptop computer.

And this image is going on my Contact Page (minus the cartoon bubble, that is)

GOING TRADITIONAL STATUS REPORT: Rejection #23

2007-03-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

Via email from Lyons and Pande International:

Dear Ms. Downs,

I was pleased to receive your query for Draven Atriedes, Teenage FBI: A Royale Pain. I felt that it showed much potential. Unfortunately, your project does not meet our needs at this time. Good luck with your work and your search for representation.

All the best,

Elisheva Weiss
On behalf of Ayesha Pande

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Request for the full MS from Laura Dail Literary Agency:

Hi Celise,

If it's still available, I would love to take a look at the rest of DRAVEN
ATRIDES, TEENAGE FBI: A ROYALE PAIN. Once again, please send a hard copy to
the below address, making sure to write, "requested materials" on the
packaging. And if you want your manuscript returned, please send sufficient
postage.

I look forward to hearing from you.

All best,
Tamar

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Request for a partial from Lowenstein-Yost:

Dear Celise,

Your novel sounds interesting. Please email me the first 50 pages and a
synopsis.

Thanks very much.

Best,
Zoe Fishman

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

Rejection #22 via email today from Trident Media Group:

Dear Ms. Downs,

Thank you so much for sharing your manuscript DRAVEN ATREIDES with me. After careful consideration I regret that I am not the right agent for your work. I think the idea at hand is wonderful and imaginative, but for me the voice did not grab me to the extent that I had hoped it would. Of course this business is highly subjective and I wish you continued luck and success in your search for a literary agent who shares your passion for the work at hand—surely you deserve nothing less.

Best,

Alyssa Eisner Henkin

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Rejection #21 via snail from Barer Literary LLC:

Dear Author,

Please forgive this impersonal note regarding your query, which we have considered but must decline. As we receive a tremendous number of queries, we are unable to respond to each submission individually, but we thank you for the opportunity to review your work.

We encourage you to keep writing and to try other agents.

Yours sincerely,
Barer Literary LLC

This letter was more like a rejection flyer they probably had made up. Interesting, to say the least.

The new me...soon

2007-03-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

When I decided to revamp my business site, I was looking on istockphoto for ideas. During the search, I didn't really know how I wanted it to look. Fortunately, that decision was taken out of my hands when I decided to go the traditional route with the DA series--and looking for an agent. I put Celise, The Business Owner on hold and focused on Celise, The Writer. Which meant re-vamping my author site. After only having it for a year. And after somehow deleting the blue stripes on the sides. I must've done it by accident while I was updating the content. Oops, my bad.

Anyhoo, it's a woman's perogative to change her mind and I think it's time for a change. The one I have right now was designed for less than $200 by people who weren't really web designers: just great artists. I'm not complaining or talkin' smack, I'm just considering this site to be a Starter Site. I wanted a cartoony feel and didn't really get it because I didn't have the money to pay for it.

But I do now (Thank you, IRS refund).

That's not to say that I wasn't happy with the results. I was. At the time. You get what you pay for and in the back of my mind I knew that I was going to change it up sometime. Just not this soon. Deleting those blue stripes and leaving nothing but blank peach space lit a fire under my butt to get things moving. After looking at other authors' websites, I began to get an idea of how I wanted mine to look. I kept seeing really cool blog designs--and the same designer--over and over again:

SwankWebstyle

Long before I decided to use them as designers for both of my sites, I switched to their hosting services. Emily will be my designer and I can't wait to see what she comes up with after I bombard her with images and content. She's going to start on it in a couple of weeks.

In keeping with the cartoony feel--and the cartoonish image of me--I wanted to find an illustrator who was good at drawing cartoonish people, with the finished product being completed in Photoshop. Not so much a caricature, but life-like humans. I placed an ad on Guru.com (if you need someone for anything, just post your project on here and watch the bids roll in) and put about 10 "Possibles" in my Favorites.

And chose JD Massie. I liked his graphic design work, particularly how he drew the Batman and Robin. It's what I was looking for.

I've commissioned him to do 6 different poses of me--describing each pose in great detail--and this is what he's done so far:

This was the initial picture he came up with, just to see how close he was to the image of me. The Hubby thinks he got the eyes right, but nothing else. I didn't want an exact replica of me. Just something more real-looking than what's on the site now. I love it and it's currently my default picture on my MySpace page.

This one is going on my Home Page. This image is going to rest on top of my name. It's kinda like a "Welcome to my site" pose, y'know?

This photo is going on my Newsletter Page, where you can sign up to receive my monthly newsletter, The 4-1-1 on Celise.

These have been uploaded to my MySpace page as well where they will be interchangeable with the other photos. I'll post more as he creates--and I approve--them. But I can't wait to see what they look like on the finished site. Everyone will be invited to the enveiling and I'll be giving away prizes, too.

So, what do you think?

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

It's Rejection City, y'all. Three in one day. Oh, lookee there, an oven with the gas turned on...

Rejection #18 via snail mail from Barry Goldblatt Literary LLC:

Dear Writer,

Thank you for your interest in my agency. Unfortunately, your manuscript doesn't sound like something that's right for me. I wish you the best of success in placing your work elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Barry Goldblatt
Barry Goldblatt Literary LLC

Rejection #19 via snail mail from Jane Rotrosen Agency:

Dear Celise,

Thank you for your query. I'm afraid DRAVEN ATREIDES, TEENAGE FBI: A ROYALE PAIN just doesn't sound like my cup of tea. With regret, I must step aside.

Needless to say, you should not accept this as the final word. Ours is a highly subjective field; another reader may see immediate possiblities.

I appreciate your interest in our agency. Please accept my best wishes for continued sucess with your writing.

Sincerely,
Christina Hogrebe

Rejection #20 via e-mail from The Lazear Agency:

Dear Writer:

Thank you for your recent query letter.

I'm afraid that at the present time we are unable to encourage you to submit your work to us for further consideration. Our decision is based upon our commitment to the needs of our existing clients as well as our perception of the current publishing climate.

We do wish you the best of luck with your marketing efforts and thank you again for contacting the agency.

The Lazear Agency

I don't think I'll reach that head-in-oven-scenario until I get my 99th rejection.

This is why I write

2007-03-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Celise,

Last year I had bought your first two books you had published for my daughter, Sarah's*, birthday. We had talked on Blogger ( I was Life in a Blender) and you sent her a little package with the first chapter to your next book.

I just wanted to tell you how you and your books had a profound effect on my daughter (and I didn’t even know it until last night). I was helping her set up a myspace account, making sure it was safe and secure and we were filling out her interests. She listed your books as some of her favorites and then in the “Who I’d like to meet section”, she listed you. I asked her why and she said because your books are awesome and she wants to get her hands on everyone you write.

She is only 11 years old. She LOVES to read and she has even tackled older books like Pride and Prejudice, etc.

Her birthday is coming up in June and I wanted to order any books you have since the first two. Could you please let me know the titles and how I can order them?

Thanks so much. Keep up the good work, you have made quite an impression with my daughter and that means a lot.

*name changed to protect the innocent.

I emailed her back right away and told her that I would--of course--friend her daughter. That's a no-brainer. I also informed her of my agent search and where they can keep track of the progress (both here and MySpace). It's stories like this that remind me, once again, why I write. Why I'm searching for an agent. Why I sometimes suffer through 6 months worth of writers block. This totally made my day today. Well, this and another requeset for a full MS.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Request for a full MS from the Roman Group (after requesting the first chapter yesterday):

I like this so far. Could you please send the full manuscript to me at 25 Rosehill Ave., Tarrytown, NY 10591 with a SASE if you want it back.

Best,
-Nicholas

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Rejection #17 via email today from the Larsen-Pomada Agency:

Thank you for sharing your work with me. I know that writing a novel is a time-consuming and emotional process, so I appreciate the effort you have expended to reach this point in your publishing journey. Alas, I must reject what you have been kind enough to submit.

Like the rest of the arts, publishing is a very subjective business. Even though the founders of the agency have written or coauthored 14 books, most of which have been successful, they still get rejected. And although we have sold books to more than 100 publishers since 1972, our clients’ work is still rejected. Nor do all of the books that we sell succeed.

Michael, Elizabeth and I are eager to find new books and writers, and we love to get excited about them. But the only way we can make a living is by selling books to the large and medium-sized New York publishers, and selling small books by new writers to big publishers is becoming more difficult. So finding new writers is the hardest part of our job. And it’s getting harder.

Like editors, we receive thousands of submissions a year and reject more than ninety percent of them. This forces us to use a form letter. But rejecting manuscripts that become successful books is a publishing tradition.

Assume we’re wrong. Persevere until your books reach the goals you set for them. I can’t suggest a publisher or an agent who might be interested in a particular writer’s work, but directories, your publishing network, and the Association of Authors’ Representatives might lead you to the agent you need. Persistence rewards talent. I can’t make a living saying no, but as author Joe Girard says: “Every no gets you closer to yes.”

I wish you the best of luck with your writing career. Our website has information you may find helpful—-www.larsenpomada.com.

Elizabeth and Michael are co-founders of the San Francisco Writers Conference held on President’s Day weekend in February. Please visit www.sfwriters.org for info. Michael is the author of How to Write a Book Proposal and How to Get a Literary Agent. With Jay Conrad Levinson and Rick Frishman, he is coauthor of Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work.

Laurie McLean
Associate Agent
Larsen Pomada Literary Agents

This is the longest rejection I've received thus far. And the most daunting. It's comments like this selling small books by new writers to big publishers is becoming more difficult and this Like editors, we receive thousands of submissions a year and reject more than ninety percent of them that make authors turn to self-publishing. The quote was a nice touch, I might have to put that "Persistence rewards talent" phrase on a plaque or something. I feel other snarky comments coming on, so I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Received a request for the full MS via email today from Dystel & Goderich (after they reviewed the first 50 pages):

Dear Celise:

Thanks very much for sending the first 50 pages of Draven Atreides. I’d love to read the rest—would you please send?

Best regards,
Lauren Abramo

whoooooo-hoooooo!

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status report

2007-03-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Received a request for a partial today via email from the Roman Group:

Morning,
I'll take a look at the first chapter. Please send via email as text in the email.

Best,
-Nicholas

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

Rejection #16 via snail mail today from The Chudney Agency:

Dear Celise:

Thanks for sending in some material on Draven Atreides for me to review. Regrettably, I am unable to offer to see additional material.

As I represent Michael Spradlin and his Spy Goddess series with HarperCollins (which is now in development to also become a manga series), I feel that I shouldn't also consider yours. I think you might be better off with another agent who might not already have a spy related series.

Your writing is very strong, but a couple of things: there may be a feeling right now that there are enough espionage books on the market (sometimes it is all about timing), even though your character is African American-which is great. Also, I feel that based on what I reviewed, you should trim your novel down by at least 5000 words. You tend to have scenes go on much longer than they need to, like the banter between the friends about the spa. You also describe certain things, like on page 41, when she is making tea. As this is such a mundane task, why describe the entire process?

If this series doesn't go anywhere, and you have something else in your imagination, please keep me in mind-although I do wish you the best of luck with this.

Sorry for the disappointing news, but I'm sure you will find an agent who is better suited to representing you.

All the best,
Steven Chudney

You're going to think I'm crazy, but this is the best rejection letter I've received so far. It's not your typical form letter. In fact, it's the most personable one I've received. So far. I love the fact that he included some constructive criticism, something to keep in mind for the future. And he's right, I do have a tendency to be too descriptive. I'm working on that and I'm glad he pointed it out. There may be a feeling that there's enough YA espionage out there, but there's not enough multi-cultural YA espionage. And I plan to fill that void. Don't make me get out my soapbox and turn this into a racial issue. Because I will go there. So an author of his is going to have a manga series, huh? Well, my series is going to end up on the WB. So there.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

Rejection #15 via email today from the Halyard Agency:

Dear Celise,

Thank you so much for considering Halyard to represent your novel,
however, I'm afraid DRAVEN ATRIEDES, TEENAGE FBI: A ROYALE PAIN isn't a
good fit for the list I'm building. I know how much work goes into
researching and querying an agent, and I deeply appreciate the time
you've taken to contact me. I hope you find the agent that's right for
you, and wish you the very best of luck in your search for
representation.

Sincerely,
Alaina Grayson

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Rec'd request for a partial yesterday via snail mail from Scott Treimel NY Agency:

Dear Author:

Thank you for offering us the chance to consider your work. We will be glad to see DRAVEN ATREIDES: first 50 pages and synopsis.

We might be able to respond sooner, but we require a 90-day (from our receipt) exclusive, during which time you cannot show work to other agents. Should your work be on submission to a publishing house, or already have been considered by a publishing house, please list which house(s) and which editor(s) below. Enclose this letter with your submission.

Submissions must be available for our representation as we do not compete with other agencies for work we elect to represent. Be sure to include full contact information with your submission.

Thanks again for thinking of us.

Sincerely,

MaryLeigh K
Assistant to Scott Treimel

P.S. Don't forget the SASE with your return address. Note: metered postage is refused by the postal service.

First off, let me say that I was glad to actually see an SASE in the mail that wasn't delivering a rejection. I skimmed over it, making sure that "Yes, it's really not a rejection." When I read it again, I realized I had a dilemma on my hands. For the record, this happens. Granted, this is the first time, but ti's part of the process I hear. I took my dilemma to one of my YA forums and got some great feedback (including a link to a chat room where one of the topics of discussion is about agents.) If you've been keeping track of all the previous Status Report posts, then you know what my answer will be.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today, I submitted to...

2007-03-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

A+B Works
Langtons Int'l Agency
The Lazear Agency
Roman Group

Calendar of Events: Booksigning

2007-03-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

If you're in the neighborhood, please come out, tour some Victorian Homes...and shop.

March 4th, 2007 -

20th Annual Coronado Home Tour/Street Fair: 10am-4pm, Coronado Park - Palm Ln between 12th St and 13th St (just north of McDowell Rd)

TOUR ADMISSION: $12.75 - Buy tickets online HERE or day of event.

Street Fair is FREE to the public.

Sign up to win a free gift! Do not have to be present to win.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-03-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Received partial request via email today from ICM (International Creative Mgmt):

Thank you for your query. I'm intrigued. Please send the first 50 pages via post to ICM's new mailing address (below).

Sincerely,

Tina Wexler

100 in 100

2007-03-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

I'm stepping up and taking on a new writing challenge. Courtesy of the moderator on my Teenlitauthors forum, we have been asked to write 100 words per day in 100 days. We'll be allowed one flex day (read: the writer's universe has tilted on its axis and everything in our real lives is going to hell in a hand basket) and have to check in every 10 days. Which means I'll be posting Writing Movement entries around that same time as well.

So, I'm thinking this goal is a lot more attainable than, oh, say, 50,000 words in 30 days (NaNoWriMo).

Spiral notebook....check

Mechanical pencil and extra lead....check

Quiet place to work....check

1 hr for lunch=prime writing time...check

Praying that I can break thru this little ---itty, bitty, really---bout of writer's block in starting Chapter Three...ahem, I'm working on it, damn it! Throw me a frickin' bone here.

Movie Queue: 'Music and Lyrics'

2007-03-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Starring: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnston

First off, I would like to say that I saw this movie with my niece last Saturday. We had a female bonding day and decided to have lunch together and check out a movie. She was born towards the end of the 80's (1989), so needless to say, she got a kick out of the opening scene. If you're a product of the 80's, like I am, you'll get an even bigger kick out of it because it brings back some memories.

Alex Fletcher (Grant) is a washed-up 80's pop star (see picture) who's reduced to gigs at reunions, county fairs and amusement parks. He's given a chance to make a comeback when reigning songstress Cora Corman invites him to write a song and record a duet with her. There's just one tiny--itty-bitty, really--problem: he hasn't written a song in years. Scratch that, he's never written a song. Oh yeah, and it has to be written within a matter of days.

Enter Sophie (Barrymore), his plant lady. When she makes a suggestion regarding some lyrics, Alex immediately hires her on to help him. After some initial protests, she agrees and what ensues is a humorous 72 hr scramble to come up with a song.

I love Hugh Grant movies. His comedic timing is always "spot on":

Sophie: "That's a nice thing to say from a man who wears tight pants."

Alex: "It pushes the blood to my heart."

Romantic comedies suit him and if he ever decides to try to step out of that genre, it could possibly kill his career. The same goes for Drew. The few times she's tried dramatic roles it's never worked for her. She's got a natural flair for comedy and has a warm, endearing demeanor. My favorite movie of hers, hands down, is Never Been Kissed ("I'm not Josie Grossie anymore!") and not because it had hottie Michael Vartan in it. It's not. Really.

And just like in That Thing You Do! the songs--the one they write together and the 80's hit Alex had with his band POP-- are catchy and you find yourself humming them once the movie ends. I'm looking forward to this movie when it comes out on DVD. I bet there are going to be some great bloopers.

Bonus Treat: Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are actually singing. And they don't sound too bad, either.

Review: 4 1/2 Snaps Up

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Rejection #14 via email today from Barron's Literary Mgmt:

Thanks for sharing this project with me. Regretfully, I'm not going
to be the right agent for your project, but see what others think.

Adele

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Received request for partial via email from Lit4:

Feel free to send a first chapter as a WORD (.doc) file.

LOL. Short but sweet. It was the shortest query letter I've ever written and the shortest response I've ever received.

Will you PLEASE sex me up

2007-02-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Does this guy look familiar to you?

No? Look closer. Study his face for a minute. How 'bout now? Do you know who he is?

Okay, I'll give you a hint: Back in the 90's, he was a member of a popular band that had a popular song called "I Wanna Sex You Up."

And so the lightbulb clicks on. If you said Color Me Badd, then you're absolutely correct. I have their first album amongst my CD collection, I'm sure. This is Bryan Abrams, the sexiest member of the group. At least, in my opinion. I had a serious love jones for this band and this guy: the face, the goatee, the sexy as hell voice. I'm tellin' you, this guy could sing the Yellow Pages to me and I'd be screaming like a banshee. He's the inspiration behind Kedren Price (the male lead in my first book, Secrets and Kisses); and his fellow bandmates were Kedren's best friends. I considered him to be the lead singer of the group, even though they all took turns singing.

My husband heard their song on the radio the other day and decided to Google them to see what they were doing now ( I really miss that VH1 show, "Where Are They Now?"). BTW, Sam Watters (the one with the curly hair) is married to American Idol finalist Tamyra Gray.

I don't know about the other guys, but Bryan is making a comeback (I will SO buy his CD when it comes out) by putting together a solo album, writing an autobiography, and doing a VH-1 Reality show. Yeah, I tripped out on that last one and you'll see what I mean when you click on it.

After all this time, he still sounds great...if not better.

Welcome back, Bry.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today, I submitted to...

2007-02-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

Robert Astle & Associates Literary Mgmt
Barron's Literary Mgmt
Lit4
Halyard Literary Agency
Herman Agency

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

Request for a partial via e-mail today from Laura Dail Literary:

Dear Celise,

If it’s still available (hell yeah, it's available), I would love to take a look at the first fifty or so pages of your manuscript. Please send a hard copy to the below address, making sure to write, “requested materials” on the packaging. Finally, please be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and if you would like your work returned, sufficient postage.I look forward to hearing from you.

All best,
Tamar

Calling all Starbucks lovers...

2007-02-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

If Starbucks could make it, what would would be your ultimate drink? What's in it and what would it be called?

There's a $20 Starbucks Gift Card in it for you if it's drinkable. Seriously.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Rejection #12 via snail mail from Collins Literary:

Dear Celise,

Thank you for your query letter with regard to your work DRAVEN ATREIDES, TEENAGE FBI: A ROYALE PAIN. Unfortunately your novel is not right for Nina at this time. We wish you the best of luck finding a suitable agent and publisher for your work.

Best,

Matthew Elblonk
Assistant to Nina Collins

AND

Rejection #13 via snail mail from Dunham Literary:

Dear Writer:

Thank you for your inquiry. We are sorry that we cannot invite you to submit your work or offer to represent you. Moreover, we apologize that we cannot respond in a more personal manner.

We wish you the best of luck elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Dunham Literary

I must admit: at this point, I dread checking the mail everyday. Especially when I see the SASE's. Recently, I saw my Ladies Who Launch Incubator moderator at a sales seminar last week. I was catching her up on my agent project and she tells me, "100 is a good round number. Once I get 100 no's, I stop. But you don't have to stop at 100 rejections. You could submit directly to publishers." I could do that. Just not with the bigger houses. But it gave me something to think about. 100 rejections, huh? Well, I've got 37 more to go.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Rejection #11 via snail mail from Triada US Literary Agency Inc (handwritten on the back of my stationary):

Dear Celise:

Thanks so much for sharing your partial with me. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't quite as taken by the protagonist as I had hoped. Good luck and all best.

Uwe

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Rejection #10 via snail mail from Fletcher & Parry LLC:

Dear Author,

Thank you for sending us your query letter. We appreciate getting to take a look, but it just isn't right for us.

We're sorry, but sometimes we must pass on books, even good books, that we feel are either out of our range or would require an amount of attention we cannot provide at this time. In addition, we can't afford to take on projects that we're not absolutely confident we can sell. But we very much hope that you will find an agent with the right enthusiasm for your work.

We wish you the best of luck with your writing. Thanks again for letting us consider.

Sincerely,

Fletcher & Parry

Handmade Warmth

2007-02-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Gaby over at Forever 17 who made me this WONDIFEROUS scarf in my favorite color. I know what you're thinking:

"Why the hell would she need a scarf in Arizona?"

I'll tell you. Because it's 60 degrees and rainy today. Tomorrow is going to be 71 degrees and sunny. That's still cold to me. Compared to all you other East Coast people, I have no right to bitch about being cold. 60 degrees is probably summer weather for all of you. But this has been our coldest winter ever (which means we'll be living in Hades come summertime), Gaby was making these scarves for people, I requested one.

And then promptly forgot all about it.

Until I went to the post office today and picked it up.

Didn't she do a great job? Thanks again, Gabster. You SO rock!

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

Rejection #9 from Victoria Sanders & Associates (wow, that was quick):

Dear Author,

Please forgive this impersonal note. We receive a tremendous number of query
letters and are forced to focus our attention on a limited number of
projects. We regret that we must decline the offer to review your work. We
encourage you to keep writing and we wish you every success.

Sincerely,
Victoria Sanders

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Rejection #8 via snail mail today from The Evan Marshall Agency:

Thank you for writing to us about your work. Unfortunately, it's not right for us, but we appreciate your thinking of us and wish you success.

Sincerely,

The Evan Marshall Agency

This is what you call a "standard rejection form letter", which is "standard" procedure in this type of business. Standard and impersonal, yes, but it's the norm. Call me twisted but I like to receive rejection letters that start out with "Dear Celise."

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today, I submitted to...

2007-02-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

Victoria Sanders & Associates

okay, so maybe my search isn't quite over yet.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Rejection #7 from Janklow and Nesbit Associates:

Dear Ms. Colston,
Thank you for your email regarding your book DRAVEN ATREIDES, TEENAGE FBI. I'm afraid, however, that commitments for my current clients leave me unable to take on much more at this time. I appreciate your thinking of me, and wish you the best of luck in your search for representation.

Cheers, Kate Schafer

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today, I'm submitting to...

2007-02-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Park Literary Group LLC

This is the final agency on my list. Now, I'll just be waiting for responses.

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

Rejection #6 from the Liza Dawson Associates:

Celise,

Thanks for sending me DRAVEN ATREIDES. There's so much that works well here, including a strong voice, lively dynamic among the characters (Draven, Poe, and Ricky), and lots of punchy dialogue. Unfortunately, the plot develops a bit slowly for my tastes and as a result, I might not be the ideal champion of this manuscript. I am sure other agents will feel differently and I thank you again for thinking of me. Good luck and feel free to send along any future projects.

Best,
David

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today, I'm submitting to...

2007-02-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Chudney Agency
Barer LLC
Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency
Jane Rotrosen Agency
Irene Goodman Literary Agency

GOING TRADITIONAL: Status Report

2007-02-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Rejection #5 today from the Caren Johnson Literary Agency:

Thank you for sharing your work with me. Unfortunately, it was not a good match for CJLA, and I will not be able to offer you representation.

I hope you excuse this form letter but it is really only representative of my lack of time and not a lack of respect for you or your work.

Please understand that there are many reasons why I must turn down potential clients. I look for work that grabs my attention and emotions, and that I think will do well in the current publishing and bookselling market. But sometimes I even have to pass on a well written, marketable project simply because it is not within my realm of expertise and would be better represented by another agent with different tastes or experience.

Thank you for sharing your submission with me and I wish you the best in your search for the right agent.

Best,

Caren Johnson

Smells like teen spirit and ballroom dancing

2007-02-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Late last night, I was watching the American Ballroom Championships on PBS. Ballroom dancing to me is like watching ice skating. I don't love it like I love ice skating, but I like watching it because there are similarities: different categories, pairs teams, flashy costumes, and mistakes. Although the mistakes here involve collisions and possible wardrobe malfunctions (I've never seen that happen). But it's dancing. And I like anything that has to do with dancing. One of my favorite movies is Strictly Ballroom.

There's this one portion of ballroom dancing called "Showcase." This is like exhibition skating with judges. They get to pull out all the tricks, choose less traditional ballroom music, step outside their comfort zone, perform lifts, etc. This one couple (I don't remember their names) did the foxtrot. To Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." It. was. freakin'. AWESOME. I have never seen anything like it, but it worked for them. The guy came out first, hair spiked up, sunglasses, ripped jeans and a Nirvana concert T-shirt. His partner came out next dressed like Madonna back in the 80's: raccoon eyes, hair fluffed and teased, bright lipstick, black cutout gloves, black legwarmers, white flowy skirt (because, y'know it is ballroom), belt hanging low on her hips, black t-shirt with the arms cut out. Very 80's.

For those of you not familiar with the ballroom term, go HERE, but basically it's a combination of slow and quick steps. At one point, you stop in one place and jump up and down in a sequence of footwork before moving on. Very elegant and neat to see when it's done in a group setting (high potential of collisions with this dance, too), but when it's done in a headbanging style, just jumping up and down in tune to the music, it's Very. Cool. Needless to say, they won that portion of the competition. One of the reasons I like watching ballroom dancing, is because they broadcast it on a station that has no commercials. It's the public access station where it takes donations from the viewers to keep it going and bringing in quality programs.

Now, if only they could do the same for ice skating competitions...

Movie Queue: 'Ghost Rider'

2007-02-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes, Peter Fonda, Sam Elliott, Wes Bentley

This is the movie description I saw on Yahoo Movies: "A motorcycle stuntman, Johnny Blaze, makes a pact with a dark force, selling his soul to save his girlfriend. When the bargain goes sour and the girl isn't saved, Blaze is transformed, gaining raging superpowers. Based on the Marvel comic series." DISCLAIMER: SPOILER AHEAD.

The words highlited in red means whoever wrote this was totally misinformed.

As a teenager, Blaze (Cage) was part of a Father/Son motorcycle stunt show in a circus. He found out his father was dying of cancer and sold his soul (inadvertently it seemed to me) to the Devil (a well-preserved Fonda) to cure him. But he dies anyway during a stunt. He doesn't gain his powers right away, despite what the above blurb implies, but he has to leave his girlfriend behind because of it.

Fast forward some 15-20 yrs and Johnny Blaze has a stunt show whose popularity rivals Evil Knievel. At a performance, he meets up again with his former girlfriend, Roxanne "Roxy" (Mendes), a T.V. reporter. But before he can even go on his first date with her, the Devil pays him a visit and calls in his favor: retrieve a stolen scroll with the names of a thousand souls on it and destroy Black Heart (Bentley). Oh yeah, who happens to be his son. For the record, that's when his "raging" powers kick in, but only during the presence of evil. In the meantime, he gets a little help from a cemetery caretaker (Elliott, who looks the same now as he did back in the 80's as Patrick Swayze's best friend in Roadhouse); turns out he's former Ranger-turned-Ghost Rider, Carter Slade, who stole the scroll the in the first place. Now, Blaze needs it to save Roxy after she's been kidnapped by Black Heart.

There are some funny parts--besides the ones they showed in the trailers--like his penchant for eating red and yellow Jellie Bellies out of a martini glass, his bike looked real cool in Vengeance Mode, and on a scale of one to ten, the Cheesy Factor was about a five. All in all, it's not one of the best Marvel adapatations I've seen. Which is probably why there was no cameo of Stan Lee.

Review: 2 1/2 Snaps Up

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today I'm submitting to...

2007-02-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Dunham Literary Agency
Barry Goldblatt Agency
Jennifer Dechiara Agency
Ricia Mainhardt Agency
Folio Literary Agency
McIntosh & Otis
Natasha Kern Literary Agency

GOING TRADITIONAL: Today, I'm submitting to...

2007-02-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Scott Treimel NY Agency
Nina Collins Agency
Fletcher & Parry
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents Inc
The Joy Harris Literary Agency

It's ironic that my 300th post was an agency rejection (see yesterday's post). Somehow, the hoopla that comes with writing the 300th post seemed diminished by the rejection that's bothered me the most. So far.

GOING TRADITIONAL, Status Report

2007-02-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

My fourth rejection from the Donald Maas Literary Agency:

Dear Celise:

Many thanks for sending along the partial of DAVEN ATREIDES.

I’ve now had a chance to review, and unfortunately have decided to pass, in the end. While I found this material nicely written, with an interesting concept and fresh voice, I felt these opening pages didn’t quite establish the hook and conflict quickly enough.

Thanks, again, for thinking of me, and very best wishes on your agent search. Please keep me in mind for future submissions.

- Stephen Barbara
Donald Maass Literary Agency

Check'em out

2007-02-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was reading the Pump Up Your Online Book Promotion blog yesterday and in one of the posts, she supplied a LINK where you could type in your book title and see which libriaries have your books. How coolio is that? Let me tell you:

Secrets and Kisses (my 1st book) is 13 libraries:

Phoenix Public Library - Phoenix, AZ (Whoo-Hoo! This is the main branch)
Buckeye Public Library - Buckeye, AZ
Chino Valley Public Library - Chino Valley, AZ (Because I met the YA buyer while being stuck in traffic coming in from Prescott. Huge accident. We had to stop and get out for almost a half hr and he noticed all the signage on the back of my car. Lucky me, I had brochures of my books at the time.)
San Diego County Library - San Diego, CA
Grant County Library - Ulysses, KS
Parmly Billings Public Library - Billings, MT
Mid-Continent Public Library - Independence, MO
Lakeland Library Cooperative - Grand Rapids, MI
Genesee District Library - Flint, MI
Middle Georgia Regional Library - Macon, GA
Toledo-Lucas City Public Library - Toledo, OH
Noble Inc - Danvers, MA

Dance Jam Productions - (my 2nd book) is only in 4 libraries:

Phoenix Pub Library - Phoenix, AZ
Buckeye Public Library - Buckeye, AZ
Chino Valley Public Library - Chino Valley, AZ
Genesee District Library - Flint, MI

Yes, I'm definitely going to do some follow up with the other libraries. So, if you recognize any of the above libraries, please feel free to visit and check out one of my books. Or you can buy them by clicking on the links.