Hunted Lyon

I've been more scarce than usual.  And that's really, really scarce.

But I have a good excuse.  Really, I do.

You see, my NaNoWriMo goal this year was to have the novel I've been working on for four years finally ready for publication.  At some point, I had to quit mucking around and just do it.

So I did.

I'm excited about this book.  It's been a labor of love and I've learned a lot about myself in the process.  Namely, that I am who I am.  I can't imitate other authors.  People will either love my writing or hate it, but it's me.  The more I tried to be someone I wasn't, the more I hated the book. I dropped the pretenses and - viola! - I love the book.   I've learned to appreciate (even more so) authors who can paint pictures with their words, for whom flowery descriptions flow from their fingertips onto the page.  I have an editor who makes my writing much less clunky, but who doesn't try to change my "voice", for which I am forever grateful.

I'm blessed to be married to an incredible graphic designer who comes up with drool-worthy covers.  Heck, even if you hate the book, you have to love the cover.

I'm also blessed to have a daughter who is a total BA and was willing to become the "face of Stacy Lyon".  Note: Ashinator can, and does, shoot.  Rifle, shotgun, pistol.  Ambidextrously.  Don't mess with GunDiva's daughter.

Barring unforeseen catastrophes, HUNTED LYON will be available for purchase from Amazon on Sunday, December 1.

Hacked Again

This hasn't happened in a while, but one of my old blogs has been hacked.  I deleted HUNTED LYON over a year ago, but apparently someone has commandeered it and is posting some random shat.

I assure you, it is not me.  I deleted that blog long ago, so if it's still in your feed, please go ahead and delete it from your feed.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

(BTW, it pisses me off that I feel the need to apologize for something someone else has done.)

*Sigh* Another Year Dawns

It seems like I didn't have enough time in 2010 to get everything done.  I checked in with last year's resolutions and felt like it was a draw.  No surprise, I'm recycling all four of them for this year and adding one.

#1: Be healthier.  I semi-succeeded with this one, in that I ended the year weighing less than I started the year.  But I'm in worse shape, not better.  This year, I'll be turning the big four-oh.  I so want to hit my birthday forty pounds lighter than I am now.  Turning the big four-oh, forty pounds lighter.  Yep, sounds like a good omen to me :)  Going to check out a gym tomorrow; have to join one.  I'm too much of a wimp to 1) run and 2) run in the cold.  Screw that business.

#2: Write, write, write.  Re-query TALES FROM THE TRAIL.  Finish HUNTED LYON and begin editing it.  Get to work on the second book in the Lyon series, LYON'S ROAR.

#3: Spend more time with my little girl.  Because, let's face it, there's just never enough time to spend with the equine loves of our lives.  I'm even going to take riding lessons while she's at winter pasture so that I can utilize my seat better.  I ride okay and have lots of hours on the back of a horse, but I'd like to have better leg/seat control.  Estes is much better trained than I am; I'd like to be a worthy rider.

#4:  Continue my Master's program.  If I play my cards right and work my arse off, RockCrawlinChef and I will walk together at graduation in 2012.  How cool would that be?

#5: Be a better person.  I'm kind of a catty, snarky bitch.  I'm trying to learn to live and let live.  It's hard.  I've always spoken my mind, hurt feelings be damned.  I grew up believing that you say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said.  I still believe that, but I think I can learn a lot from my Southern friends who can tell someone to go right to hell, give them directions, and make them think it was their idea to begin with.  It's a skill I envy.  I want to be able to bless hearts with the best of them.

I'm Not Really Missing...

...I'm just posting more frequently at Hunted Lyon.  Come on over if you want a peek at what's got me so occupied this month.

I've got a great TST for this week; I just have to find time to sit and write it.

I'm trying to stay caught up on everyone's blogs, but not being very successful.  I'll be back to regular commenting in just a couple of weeks, I promise.