That is the number of words I’ve written on my current WIP (that is the documented number, the actual number is probably well over 200,000).  No, I don’t have one huge novel.  I don’t even have a complete novel.  That is the number of words I’ve written over the last 2 years and 7 months on many, many versions of the same story.  The amount is equivalent to two novels.  So, I’ve written two whole books just get to the half way point of what should be my final version of this story.

One one hand it utterly depresses me that I’ve written so much on one (incomplete) story.  On the other hand, during those 2 years and 7 months I went through an emotional pregnancy then the birth and baby stages of my son who turns two this month.  I’m actually pretty impressed I got so much done with all that going on.  But the fact still is, I should be done by now.  I’m giving myself one month to get it done.  One month!  No excuses!  My poor characters deserve their happy ending!

Is it because I write contemporary and like the escape of historicals?  Is it because historicals have gotten hotter than they used to be (I tend to like my romance with a good amount of spice)?  Or are historicals more accessible or prevalent in e-format?  Or am I just seeking them out more?  I think the answer is a mixture of all those things. 

While some historicals (especially Regencies) can all blend together at times, I think it is just nice to escape into another world, another time, for a little while.  I believe the societal rules of those times not only provide a jumping point for conflict, but (for me) it is fascinating to see how the characters live within in those rules and, especially, how they break them.  I have more thoughts on that, but I’ll save that for another post.

What’s more prevalent on your bookshelf or e-reader?  Do the genres of your e-books vary from your paperbacks?

We went to the happiest place on Earth, Walt Disney World.  We have The Girl who is five and The Boy who is almost 2.  Normally, I wouldn’t dare a WDW vacation with a child so young, but we have family in Florida which makes the trip easier.  The Girl loved Magic Kingdom as she is a big princess fan.  The Boy enjoyed it about as much as a child his age would.  There’s one thing you should know about my children, falling asleep in strollers have never been their thing.  The Boy didn’t even like sitting in the stroller so he moved from one set of arms to another – all 25 pounds of him.  By the last day of our vacation, we were thoroughly tired of playing pass the baby.  Despite the challenges, we did have a wonderful time and I can’t wait to visit again.

For a romantic like me, Disney World is like the mothership calling me home.  It’s the place where dreams come true and it’s full of happily ever afters.  How coud I not get completely caught up in the magic that is Disney?  So, naturally, I’d hoped I would come back from the vacation with extra inspiration and motivation.  Alas, no.  After such a long writing break and the craziness that is traveling with children, I feel more disconnected from my story than ever.  I know I just need to get back into the swing of things, but first I must decompress from my vacation.

I’ve been exercising almost every day.  I love Wii Zumba, but I’m fairly certain I look like a complete idiot while doing it.

While Champagne and I love each other, we really don’t mix well.  It is something I’ve known since 1999, but conveniently forget whenever I’m in the presence of the intoxicating bubbly.  I will endeavor to remember from now on.

My mother visited and not only did I get a date night with my hubby, but I got two dates with my computer and some much needed writing time.  I also had a lunch date with my mother then we sat in the third row and watched the awesomeness that is Wicked.  If you haven’t seen this play then you must find a way to do so.  It’s funny and touching and just plain amazing.

I’m kicking ass on my revisions.  I’ve had a particularly good day today.  I’m so pumped I hope to get in some more writing before the day is done.

That’s it for the high points (and low, ahem, evil Champagne) from the last 18 days.  Until next time…

Last year I bought a free or .99 book on my Kindle and I wasn’t particularly fond of the characters, but the premise of the next book sounded promising (plus there was a small story arc that was being continued) so I bought it.  It was worse than the first book.  The characters and story weren’t nearly as interesting as the back cover blurb made it sound.  By then though there was a side character in the books that truly intrigued me.  He was, of course, the dark mysterious, brooding type that I just love in my romance heroes, but his story was the last in the series.  So what did I do?  I bought the third book just so I could get to the fourth (yes, I have to read a series in order.  I’m OCD like that).  Third book wasn’t interesting at all to me as the characters didn’t appeal, but my brooding hero became even more intriguing.  So, I finally got to his book and…yeah, it fell flat just like the previous books (though I believe I liked that one the best).  In the end, I willingly spent money on books I knew I wouldn’t like just so I could see how all the characters got their happily ever after.  I’m such a sucker. 

And I’m doing it again.

I recently read a book that had me feeling absolutely nothing.  I wasn’t able to really care for the characters.  I didn’t feel the attraction at all and this is all because the author was telling instead of showing which kept me from truly engaging with the characters.  But I’d bought the second book in the series when I’d bought the first so I went ahead and read it.  The connection was not there at all, but there were story elements in both books that interested me and a story thread that continues to the third and final book.  I know I will not like that book.  I know it will be a waste of money.  But, damn it, I’m curious as to how the story will play out.  My optimistic side is clinging to that curiosity, telling me it might be better this time.  It’s oh so tempting to find out.  But, no!  I won’t do it.  Courtney, step away from the book!

After I had my much-needed Americano in hand and my netbook was fired up from its month’s sleep, we just stared at each other blankly.  I had no idea where to begin.  I couldn’t even remember how I’d left things.  My whole story seemed to blank from my mind.  But after a few wasted moments, I took in a deep breath and start thinking on all the tweaks I wanted to make from my month break and my story came slowly back to me (it probably didn’t hurt that the caffeine started to kick in too). 

After making a few notes my friend and fellow writer, Shellee Roberts, showed up and provided a welcome distraction from my date.  We spent almost an hour talking of much more interesting things than my story, like her current work in progress and The Vampire Diaries.  Eventually, I got back to my neglected date and started to write.  I got in one little scene reflecting the changes I wanted to make.  It wasn’t much progress, but it was something.  As I sat there wondering what to tackle next, a light bulb came on.  I figured out the perfect tweak for my story and it made so much sense that I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it sooner.  I’m really excited about this change even if I’m not looking forward to the revisions that need to be made to accommodate it. 

Overall, I think my date went well and was much as I expected it to be - a slow, but promising start back into the groove of writing.  Tomorrow I begin a writing challenge with some fellow writers that will give me just the push and support I need to get through these new changes.

In October and November of last year, I spent many a hour at coffee shops with my netbook writing away to get my manuscript prepared to enter RWA‘s Golden Heart contest.  As soon as the contest was in the mail, my netbook and I parted ways for a much needed break.  With December and all its craziness behind me, it is time to get back into the groove of writing.  Stay tuned to hear how our date went.

I suppose this might seem more daunting than a few specific goals, but I’m just not seeing it that way.  There are always things I want to improve on and this year I’m determined to touch upon them all.   I’m actually very excited about 2012 and when I envision the end of the year I see myself happy with my accomplishments.  I guess you could say that I’m pretty determined to be better. :)

Since my last post I’ve gone through 2 Goal Checkpoints.  Some goals have done well, others haven’t.  For the most part I’m behind on everything, but still trying to keep things in mind and will continue to work harder on goal completion.  I’m finding it is really hard to work during the summer when I’m getting no real down time during the day unless I completely ignore my children.  But I can do better.  My latest attempt is to work to achieving 5 pages a day which seems to be the secret to success for many published authors.  I’m going to work my way up to 5 pages and start with 2 and already I’m behind.  I completed 3 and a half on Sundy, but nothing on Monday.  Let’s see if today I can make up for my lost day. 

For the most part lately, I’ve been reading.  I’ve enjoyed 6 books in less than a month.  Most were Regency historicals which unfortunately after several in a row have all blended together.  But I remember enjoying them all and even introduced myself to three new (to me) authors.  And tonight I hope to attend my local RWA chapter meeting which would be the second meeting in 14 months that I’ve been to.  Very exciting for this stay at home mother. :)