Inspirations:

  • It is said that good things come to those who wait. I believe that good things come to those who work. - Wilt Chamberlain
  • A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit. - Richard Bach
  • You don't find time to write. You make time. It's my job. - Nora Roberts
  • Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. - Buddha
  • Luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it. - Denzel Washington
  • I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying. - Michael Jordan

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I'm Moving!

I'm moving....my home on the web, that is.

I've put this off long enough because : I DON'T LIKE CHANGE!

But it's time to close down my pretty pink blog because:

MY NEW WEBSITE IS UP! Here's the link: http://www.wendysmarcus.com/
And now I have a pretty new blog...which is Wordpress...and I'm working hard to get the hang of it.

I know you're all busy, but if you could delete my Must Have Romance link from your blogs and add my new link, I'd greatly appreciate it. Here's the link to go straight to the blog: http://wendysmarcus.com/blog/

Thanks so much and I look forward to chatting with you over there!!!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

I'm Happy to Report:

I'm happy to report my post, How Realistic is Too Realistic, on the Medical Authors Group Blog on 1/6/2011 is presently ranked the most discussed blog post on the eharlequin.com blog homepage! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check it out.

I got a sneak peak of the 2in1 cover I'll be sharing with Janice Lynn come June 2011. It's fun and flirty and everyone I've shown it to loves it. Unfortunately it's not in a format I can post to this blog. My editor is on the lookout though. As soon as I can I'll upload the cover for you all to see.

I am back to writing daily and am currently immersed in chapter 5 of book 2. I feel a sex scene coming on. Must get back to work.

So what are you up to? Sticking to your New Years resolutions? What have you accomplished so far?

Thursday, January 6, 2011

I'd Appreciate Your Input

Hi All!

I'm blogging over at the Harlequin Medical Author's Group Blog today (1/6/11). The title of my post is: How Realistic is Too Realistic? I'd really appreciate your input on where you draw the line as far as realism in your reading. Here's the link: http://community.eharlequin.com/content/medical-authors-group-blog. If you can't stop by today, it's not too late. The post will be up through Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who's already visited! And I know some of you have trouble posting to the the eharlequin site. No worries.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Bring it On!

Today is day one of 2011, the year I will officially become a published author, and I am anticipating lots of busy days ahead. You see, there's book 2 to write (BY MARCH 1st), my website to get up and running, and promo for When One Night Isn't Enough, my debut novel coming out in the U.S. in July 2011 for any newcomers. There are ads to place, postcards/bookmarks to order, and blogs to write for my debut blog tour. There's the author book signing my local library scheduled when they made me AUTHOR OF THE MONTH for July. (How exciting is that?) Then there's RWA national where I may be signing my new release, which quite honestly, scares the confident right out of me.

But getting published has been a goal of mine for a few years now so I say BRING IT ON!

In preparation for my new year, I spent part of last night cleaning out my office. I sorted through dozens of judge's score sheets from contests I didn't win, or even place in. In fact, I found results from one contest  where I finished second to last. (In 2008) And if I can go from a second to last place finish to published in three years, YOU CAN, TOO! If you take the time to learn from the the judge's suggestions, study books on the mechanics of writing, attend conference workshops and take online classes to hone your writing skills. (If Christine stops by, maybe she'll post the link to some upcoming online writing workshops she's coordinating.)

On some positive notes:
- My editor liked my chapters 1-3 and I am deep into chapter 4. It's 1,500 words a day or no downtime reading for the entire month of January! Then I'll have February for fine-tuning/final editing. (Don't tell anyone, but I purposely stuffed my muse with so many chocolates and cakes this holiday season, she'll be too weighed down to travel.) 
- My web designer, Diane, is amazing and as difficult as I've been because I can't seem to pinpoint exactly what I want, she has come back time and time again with new templates without complaint! (At least she doesn't complain to me.)
- My editor tells me that while she hasn't yet seen the cover for the 2in1 UK version of  When One Night Isn't Enough, she's heard very favorable reports. Apparently the art department gave it a very contemporary even chick-litty feel. I can't wait to see it!

For the month of January I plan to blog every Sunday. I hope you'll stop by to see what I'm up to, and keep me up to date with what's going on with you! I'll also be blogging on the Medical Authors Group Blog on the first thursday of every month, starting on January 6th. If you have time, I hope you'll visit me there. Here's the link: http://community.eharlequin.com/content/medical-authors-group-blog

So, what are you doing to get your new year off to the right start? What changes are you making to achieve the goals you've set for yourself?

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I Hope This Makes You Smile

Hi All!
This joke came across my e-mail and I found it so funny I had to share. (Maybe it's the nurse in me, but I think it has universal appeal.) I hope it makes you smile. Let me know what you think.
Wishing you a safe and happy new year!

So here goes: (And remember, this is a joke, not a pharmacology lesson.)

All drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name.

Example, the trade name is Tylenol and it's generic name is Acetaminophen.. Aleve is also called Naproxen.
Amoxil is also called Amoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen.

The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra..

After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin.

Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.

Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer..

It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one.

Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of 'cocktails', 'highballs' and just a good old-fashioned 'stiff drink'.

Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: MOUNT & DO.

Thought for the day: There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2020, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.

Monday, December 20, 2010

A New Inspiration

I am happy to report I've finished the first three chapters of book 2 and they are with my editor awaiting approval to proceed with the rest.

I found a great quote I will be adding to my inspirations, but wanted to share it here so you don't miss it:

It is said that good things come to those who wait. I believe that good things come to those who work. - Wilt Chamberlain

Happy, Healthy Holidays to all! I look forward to chatting with you in the New Year!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My First Interview!

Hi All!
My writing friend Janet has posted an interview with me on her blog. There's an excerpt from my first book, When One Night Isn't Enough... if you'd like to take a look. Here's the link:
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com/ 

So, after reading the interview, I realize I need to take more time to make myself seem interesting and funny. (And limit my use of the word while.) I'm a work in progress.

My muse has seen the error of her ways and has returned to me. I am busy writing and am once again hopeful I will be able to meet my March 1st deadline for book 2.

Happy Healthy Holidays to you all. During this busy time of year, don't lose sight of what's important. Love. Family. Friends. Happiness. And taking the time to enjoy them.