I comz in peezz

New author=kitten
Publishing industry professionals=big dogs

There is no telling which way this is gonna go. Could be BFFs or a new stain on the carpet.

One more time with the Query, please

I can't thank you guys enough for your comments on my first attempt. Here is the revised query. Feedback on what you think is welcome. Is it gripping? To much? Not enough?

Feb 27 _ Thank you again. Post taken down for professional reasons.

Writing a query...what do you think?

Thank you for you help. Post taken down for professional reasons. Feb. 27

Say what??

The Ohio and Texas primaries are coming up and since I’m in Ohio the political adds are getting thick on the air waves. Some of them make me feel funny inside. You know, like when you go over a hill top in a car going to fast. LOL

Local ones are often amusing. The national candidates are the best though. Talk about creative writing. It’s amazing.

I’m not saying a thing about who I like or don’t like. Just commenting on the amazing fiction, perhaps we could call it inspirational writing. Sometimes I wanna stand on my head and see if it makes more sense reading it that way.

Humph, it's still winter.

I want spring. I want flowers and humming birds. Gardens and weeds. All of it.

I miss sitting on the back patio after weeding my herb garden. This year my daughter and I are planing a fairy garden. We saw it on one of those gardening shows and fell in love with the idea. It can be done as small as a potted plant dish or so large as to walk in it. We have the room to do the large one, so gonna do it. I hope. The key is making it surprising with hidden delights.

What are you looking forward to doing in Spring?

Metal heart throb

I slept through the end of the show so hopefully I missed the really good part. Coz if I didn't, things ain't looking good.

But what does look good is Kit. Yummmm... A Muscle Car on illegal steroids and I like it. Kit should have had a deeper voice. Perhaps we could have a computer clitch and get his vocals lowered. Muscle Cars should sound deep and dark.

Shhh, I'z bean'n followed

This is not Pebbles, but I love the expression. Puggles are amazing little people.

I had no idea what I was in for when the cutest puppy ever captured my heart. Two pairs of slippers, for every member of the family, the undercover of a living room chair, the batting off the bottom of my box spring, the chewy demise of many Barbies and several Polly Pockets, as well as the sad death of a few stuffed toys later, we can’t imagine what we did with our time before she arrived.

Pets aren’t really pets. People are the ones blessed with their fearless, loving hearts. They teach us the important stuff. Here are a few.

Snow is the best stuff for run-hopping.
Every morning is a happy time.
Family is worth dieing for, or at least barking your head off to protect.
All food is good if it’s on a human plate.
Licking said plate is polite. Indicates appropriate appreciation.
Teaching child person to pick up toys is easy. Toy left out, toy gone.
I’m always happy to see you.
Naps are best shared.
Trash cans MUST have secure tops.
Any time we spend together is good.
It’s never a bad time to say I love you.
Sharing everything we own builds character.
I don’t care what you watch on TV, as long as we are together on a comfy chair.
Comfy couch is better with all family members in it.
Mud is fun.

I’d love to see what your pets have taught you.

working title HUSH BABY SLEEP

Read at you own risk, unedited. I enjoyed this and wanted to share.

“Do you know what I see when I look at you?” she started.

Cord resisted the urge to run a hand through his hair. “No.”

“Give me your hands,” she requested softly.

He held them up and Kelly grasped them letting him take her weight as she slid both knees onto the couch, straddling his hips. She sat back on his thighs and laced their fingers together. Holding his hands her eyes studied his face.

Cord didn’t move. She was touching him. His body tightened as he savored the feel of her weight on him.

“I see midnight in your hair. So dark the black becomes purple when I glance away and I have to look again. My fingers want to touch it to feel the night. Your eyes are the steel gray of winter morning. Lush lashes can’t soften the coldness there, but when you look at me they become the color of steam rising from the fire within.”

Her voice moved through him, a melody of sounds that almost drowned her words. It was intimate, softly open.

Letting go of his hand, the back of her knuckle feathered down his cheek. “High cheek bones, a straight, arrogant nose and those amazing lips. The close cut beard brings night’s shadows to your face without disguising its strength. A male face that is so perfect it’s a mask, except when you look at me.” Her eyes lingered on his lips a moment then met his gaze as she continued.

“I refuse to believe the honor that holds you still under my hands is some programmed thing. I feel your body shudder and I’m not so ignorant as to think it’s some sweet emotion moving you. The choice to give me this freedom is one you are making every second, isn’t it? Comparing your self with a drug addict is unacceptable. Please, do not do that.”

“What would you like me to do then?” Cord asked tightly.

Kelly let go of his other hand. As her hands settled on his shoulders in light exploration, she smiled into his eyes. “Like yourself a little,” she murmured.

Cord leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. His hands started at her knees and slowly glided up silky flesh, curving around the back of her thighs to pull her up and into his body. She rose and flowed over him just like he’d asked her to with the gentle pull. Keeping his eyes closed to give her a little more gentleness, he grimaced sadly.

“Kelly, we both know what you’re doing. If even half of what I’ve said is true, you need me to protect Minuet. Knowing your response is what feeds me, strengthens the beast, you are willing to try. If you want to ascribe some sort of honor to me because it helps you deal with this, I’m all for it.”

Her hands framed his face as she demanded. “Open your eyes. Look at me.”

His lids lifted in lazy senuality. Her face hovered over his and there had never been a sexier sight than Kelly panting slightly and little bit mad.

His caress was bolder as knowing fingers played over soft inner thighs and then trailed down her legs to casually caress the backs of her knees and upper calves. He could feel her pulse quicken, the sweet fire of desire was well kindled low in her belly. But he would keep building it. Carefully, slowly, knowingly drawing her deeper and deeper into the sexual abandon.

His body drank her pleasure and he’d take that substance from her until she was helpless in a sexual frenzy. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to get more of her and when he was done, there would be nothing she wouldn’t do for him.

He knew exactly how to get what he needed from a woman. But she had no idea what he’d take from her. She was already feeding the beast, giving him her soul. What she asked of him was impossible. She’d understand that eventually. He was a user and she was the drug.

The Man with the Hat is back!!

Putting a big red heart on the calendar, May 22. You will find me in the theater with the man. OMG I love him!

Action, history, a little bit of paranormal, I don't care where I have to put the beleif that must be suspended, I'm chucking it and enjoying the show! I know, they go over the top, but I love watching HIM do it. I might even take M&Ms in with me because that's the only thing that could make an afternoon with Indi better.

There you have it, fangirl crush.

Valentine Kizzzzez

It don't matter who your friends are so long as everyone understands the importance of nap time.

Thank you to everyone who's stopped by this site. Your support and encouragement made my life much happier and often stimulated the muse. It's all good!

Happy Valintine Day

Gail

Valentine E cards WARNING from FBI

The following is copied from the FBI warning page: http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm

Investigative ProgramsCyber Investigations
Cyber Investigations Home
New E-Scams & Warnings
STORM WORM VIRUS

02/11/08—With the Valentine's Day holiday approaching, be on the lookout for spam e-mails spreading the Storm Worm malicious software (malware). The e-mail directs the recipient to click on a link to retrieve the electronic greeting card (e-card). Once the user clicks on the link, malware is downloaded to the Internet-connected device and causes it to become infected and part of the Storm Worm botnet. A botnet is a network of compromised machines under the control of a single user. Botnets are typically set up to facilitate criminal activity such as spam e-mail, identity theft, denial of service attacks, and spreading malware to other machines on the Internet.

The Storm Worm virus has capitalized on various holidays in the last year by sending millions of e-mails advertising an e-card link within the text of the spam e-mail. Valentine's Day has been identified as the next target.

Be wary of any e-mail received from an unknown sender. Do not open any unsolicited e-mail and do not click on any links provided.

If you have received this, or a similar e-mail, please file a complaint at http://www.ic3.gov/.

So I have this card sitting in my inbox. I'm afraid to open it because it simply says its from Hallmark, no name. Arrrrgggg

Be safe out there folks. Computer "forking" can give you CyberAIDS.

Alphas are sooo sweet, and then they are not.

Okay, post is back, but still unedited. Read at your own risk.
Working title: HUSH BABY SLEEP

Kelly smiled, it was a bit sad but there was humor as well. “Dragons don’t know everything?” she teased gently.

Cord moved closer. He had to. Her teasing, the humor drew him. “Explain it to me. Use small words.”

Her hands rested lightly on his chest, not pushing him away. “Artificial insemination. We were ready to start the next week. But then I couldn’t for a long time. Do I need to explain?”

“No,” his hands were on the wall on either side of her head. He was leaning down, his mouth a few inches from hers. “You waited ‘til you were done mourning? Are you still in love with him?”

“I will always love him,” she confessed softly. “He’s part of my daughter.”

Cord let the hushed purr of her words sink in. He waited for it, any minute that confession should back him up off her. It didn’t. He didn’t care. Not even a little bit. That was then. He was now. Well, he did care. He was glad he didn’t have to take her from a man. It would have been difficult for them both.

Shadows and reality were swirling, merging. Suspicion raked his predatory senses, this story had the smell of an old evil in this age. The rose petals overwhelmed even that stench. Everything was wrong with the way he was reacting. She was taking up to much of the present. He couldn’t back down. Getting what he needed was more than a compulsion.

Cord nudged forward just enough to brush his hard length into the cradle of her hips.

The hall was lit with a single nightlight. There were no windows and even if there were, it was just before dawn. The top of the stair well enclosed them in intimate darkness. He could feel Minuet sleeping undisturbed at the other end of the hall. Molly was doing something down in the kitchen that involved a lot of muttering.

Cord’s hands left the wall to press her palms into his flesh. He dragged her hands up his chest. Wrapping them around his neck as his body slowly crowded her, trapping her against the wall. His hands trailed down the undersides of her arms, coming to rest on the sides of her breasts, thumbs caressing in lazy sweeps.

Kelly didn’t stop him. Her large violet eyes were watching him but there was no fear, no rejection as he wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed his body to her from knees to chest. Nor was there any doubt of his response. His hips rocked into her abdomen and he watched her eyes. It was her mouth he should have been watching. Lush lips opened in a tiny gasp as she felt his full length.

That was his, the air she breathed and he had to have it. His mouth took hers and he couldn’t be slow any more. He’d given her every opportunity to object, to stop him. She’d accepted.

His lips on hers weren’t near enough. Firmly pushing into her mouth he was rewarded with her muscles relaxing as she opened for him. Her taste, her delicious, addictive taste exploded through his senses as he delved into her. She tentatively sucked his tongue and all hell broke loose. She triggered a chain of responses he’d never experienced before. Lust back drafted through him with white hot demand.

He ripped his hands off her, flattening them on the wall beside her body. The rush of sexual aggression left little besides the drive to complete his possession of her. He was dimly aware his reaction could manifest in talons to insure she did not evade him. A low growl rumbled around them as his weight shifted into her, pinning her beneath him. Muscles tensed in his neck as his mouth pressed down, trying to get more, taste more and there was nothing, nothing he wouldn’t do to have this woman.

It was her soft, wheezing moan as she struggled for air that shot through his response. With a stifled roar he wrenched himself off her, flinging his body to the opposite wall as he stared at her blankly.

Kelly was panting softly, her eyes wide as she watched him. Cord had no idea what his expression was but it couldn’t be good. There was a flicker of fear in her face, but then it was gone. Damn it, she should be afraid. He was freaking terrified of what had almost happened. Almost? No, it had happened and there was no going back. Why? Why hadn’t Marelda told him?

“I’m sorry,” he ground out softly.

“For kissing me?” Kelly whispered back.

“No, baby. For much more than that,” he ran a hand down his face and tried to make sense of the changes he’d just forced on both of them. The secret kept from him within his own body. Marelda and her cohorts were indeed brilliant. He’d known they were masters of nuance, their end plan lush with detail. This detail changed everything and he hadn’t known about it. Ignorance was his only excuse and that was a damn useless set of words. He had to explain it to her.

“You didn’t offend me,” she continued softly.

Cord managed a half smile. “I will, give me a minute.”

I haz bestest friends

One of the most difficult things about being a young writer is finding people who are both able and willing to critique. Some authors are perfect enough not to need other eyes looking at their work and asking why the hero never put down his coffee cup? Personally I NEED input on every manuscript.

New authors have asked me how to find this person or group of magical people who read for me. I never have a good answer. It’s a personal journey to find the right chemistry that helps the writing. I point that out because a critique partner has the power to hurt a writer in every way. It’s a very delicate balance.

I am so grateful I’ve found mine. But it wasn’t something I could have predicted happening. Critique partner relationships are a lot like a marriage. They require honesty, support, ruthless honesty, encouragement, repetitive honesty that is not a peronal attack, tolerance and did I mention honesty?

The critique reader can’t be afraid to point out problems. The author must be able to accept those comments in the way they were intended, as help. Also its soooo important for the critique partner to spend as much time letting the author know what works. The balance is critical.

I know of no formula or method for finding what works for a writer. All I can say is keep looking if you don’t have this type of support yet. You will find what fits.

I have to add, there is no way to thank my critique partners enough.

Sparkling Review makes a girl smile

Stealing Carmen was a work from the soul. One of those stories that knows what it wants and flows out of the author almost effortlessly. I have had this experience twice and marvel at them both. I can't explain them...I longingly wish every book worked that way. They don't.

Wrote SC in a week. It was contracted and fully edited in a little over thirty days from the date I started writing. The same thing happened with Romeo, however it took a little longer in the edits for that one. I was a very new writer.

Came home and found another glowing review for Stealing Carmen. Makes a writer's heart glow.

5 BLUE RIBBONS from ROMANCE JUNKIES http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/contemporary/Stealing_Carmen.shtml

"STEALING CARMEN sizzles and snaps with electricity!" Sarah W. at Romance Junkies Reviews

Stealing Carmen has also received the following:

5 KISSES from TWO LIPS REVIEWS

5 CHERRIES from WHIPPED CREAM

5 STARS from REVIEW YOUR BOOK

That's what muse does. There is no explaining it.

Writer angst

I’ve been working on a book. Okay, yes, I have several books in progress, but this one has been in my mind for years. So with this one my brain shorted out and I wrote the opening while channelling a repressed, repetitive inner child. Several people commented that it didn’t sound like Gail Faulkner wrote it. It sounded like someone trying to be Gail Faulkner wrote it. AAAAAKKKKKKK

I had no idea what to do with that. So I tried to be more me. Yeah, that’s like trying to look sober when you’re not. It never works. Or so I’ve heard.

I’m not sure what this condition is called but its related to writers block, just add stupid and there ya have it. Needless to say, it is discouraging. Finally I gave in and rewrote the beginning, changing the events, not just the words. My critique partner has it. If this round is still stupid the dang thing goes in the drawer. Ninety seven thousand words of garbage. La deep sigh.

Above is simply random sharing with no real purpose except grumpy writer angst.

Supper Bowl Party...

Is hard to make it to the game. Perhaps I shudda no eats dat third bowl.

Regular life to resume after recovering from having fun and junk.

It was that day...

Was up at three a.m. to write. Figured I'd take a nap later after the girl child is off to school. Looked out the window at six a.m. and see we are having the mother of all ice storms. Of course school is canceled.

Forgot the cable repair man is coming until you Mr. Handsom repair guy is at the door. I'm in sweat shirt and flannel jammie bottoms, my writer's uniform. I pretend I meant to wear that while stud muffin man strides from my bedroom to my basement and back outside for half an hour. Puppy is trying to climb him, and I'm predending yelling my head off at her is working. Girl child desides it's time to learn ironing and puts up the ironing board right in his path of endless room walking.

Grab puppy on the next pass. Make girl child take down ironing board amid a fit that humiliates me.

Repair man leaves. Have serious talk with child. Child then desides she's going to go live with Grandma. I'm about to help her pack. We finally come to terms with the fact that I'm her Mom forever so she has to be my child forever. I sit her at kitchen table with bowl of cerial and go get that shower and change of clothes I need so desperately .

Returning I find her having dumped a bag of tiny styrophome balls all over the table and floor. Puppy is trying to eat balls. Child also has other items she's conducting "experiments" with. Tiny balls attract static and are clinging to everything.

I turned around and shut bedroom door to compose self. Open it again to find child trying to vacuum balls but all she's managed to do is open vacumm and dump old dirt on top of balls. Now puppy is gagging and about to throwup on said mess.

Repaired vacuum and captured all remaining balls and old dirt. It was only elleven a.m.

It was that day...

Added Feb 2, ...the next day:

I wrote this because I had done so privately to a friend, looking for sympathy, and she had the good sense to laugh at me, the child, the puppy, everything.

Laughter healed me. Moms don't need sympathy. We need friends who help us laugh at ourselves.

I adore you all for laughing with me while realizing I really did think my head would explode.