I'm blogging today at my crit group the Passionate Critters - please come by, say hi and leave a comment!

Gallivant ~ v ~ To go about in search of amusement.

Would you believe Halloween in one of my favorite holidays? There is just something magical about this holiday and you don't have to be kid to enjoy it, I love dressing up in my medieval queen gown and greeting the trick-or-treaters at the door. So, today in celebration of All Hallows Eve, I give you a few reasons why this holiday is tops on my list:

PUMPKIN CARVING!

This year hubby picked my favorite halloween theme!

(Carved with love with his dremel!)

THE COSTUMES! Okay, dork alert...I love to get dressed up and we've hosted our share of spooky themed costume parties and kids parties alike. While my favorite costumes usually involve hoop skirts or miles of fabric - the hubster would probably rank the year I was Pocahontas as his number one choice

THE CANDY! Be honest...who doesn't buy an extra bag of their favorites to hide and keep all to themselves? (Although to be fair, I do stash my favorites in my desk drawer all year long, so why should this candy-celebrating holiday hinder my normal activities?)

THE DECORATIONS! Besides the fun pumpkins and ghosts I love walking through the neighborhood on Halloween and seeing the creativity of my neighbors. From spiderwebs to fake limbs appearing to poke through their front lawns - it's fun!

THE MOVIES! I love the halloween movies like "Hokus Pokus" and "Casper" - but will never be caught watching things like "thirteen ghosts" (man that movie scared me silly, I couldn't sleep for days which is why I no longer stay in the room for those frightfests. I'll never forget when I was 17 and my boyfriend didn't drive, I carted the group to the movies to see "The Howling." After being scared shitless, I had to drop off the friends one by one until finally I had to drive home alone in the dark with nothing but my teenage overactive imagination. I think that was the last scary movie I saw while not safely tucked in my own little house or with someone to wrap me up tight and kiss my fears away when it's all done and the credits are rolling.

What do you love most about halloween?

Hmmm...awake yet?

I have no idea when this was taken or for what movie, but damn...

A few stats:

Born December 3, 1968 in Indianapolis, IN. Thanks to his father's job he holds a dual citizenship with the United States and Canada and speaks fluent French. Stands an imposing 6'3.

I'll admit I'm a Brendan Fraser fan, and if his name is in the credits, I'm there! (Which is why I'm pretty perplexed over that photo above - did I miss my chance to see two-hours of him dressed like that?)

So, he's had some less-than-memorable roles (Looney Tunes, Bedazzles and Dudley-Do-Right to name a few.) Spend an evening with him in Blast from the Past or The Mummy and all is forgiven.

The father of 3 young boys, he's one actor known for being approachable to fans and for being quite down to earth.

I believe you have a responsibility to comport yourself in a manner that gives an example to others. As a young man, I prayed for success. Now I pray just to be worthy of it. ~ Brendan Fraser

Happy Monday!

Facade ~ n. ~ The exterior front or face of a building; an imposing appearance concealing something inferior

 
glitter-graphics.com

Agree? Disagree? Personally, I love to talk books and authors. I love to talk to authors about their books too!  I will confess to being a book junkie. I usually read two to three books at a time, with one ebook always on my Palm, one on the table next to my bed and one in the bag I take to work. A girl can't find herself without good reading material, can she?

Yes, most of my books of choice are romance novels. But, I do read some non-fiction and plenty of writing craft books. I don't read horror or thrillers or really anything with too much blood (and let me preface that by saying, a few papercuts would probably be too much blood for me )

So the question for today is, when you read are you in it for the story? Are you looking to be entertained or educated in some way, whether it's learning a tidbit about history or how something works? Do you want to connect with the characters in the book and feel something as you read?

As a parent, I'm constantly trying to engage my kids in different types of books. Right now their imaginations are ripe for the adventures of science fiction and mysteries, the kind of books that make them ask questions and send them on quests for more information. But, the library faces fierce competition from video games and phones that can play music, surf the web and practically do their homework for them no matter where they are.

When I was young, I brought a book in the car everywhere we went. I was never bored because I always had something to read - the librarian at my school knew me by name since I was frequently dropping off and checking out.  I encourage trips to the local library but my kids rarely take me up on the opportunity to go there - "it's boring, we have to be quiet, it smells funny"...GASP

What are you reading now? Here's what's currently around my house:

Ebook on my palm:  The Centurion and the Queen by Minnette Meador

On the nightstand: Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

In my bag:  Red Kiss by Deidre Knight

Have a great weekend!

When I first decided to add a blog to my website I reminded myself readers would come here to spend a few minutes with a romance writer. They'd come to share a few laughs with an average American mom with one husband, three kids and a crazy cat from the NY suburbs. I reminded myself there are two things that can quickly turn a readership off from a light and fluffy romance writer's blog - religion and politics.

Now, don't misinterpret that to mean that I don't have strong religious and political opinions, because I do. So much so, in fact, that I have a new personal blog in the planning stage that will let me discuss those two topics in great detail. Rest assured, I will NOT be posting that link here at the Saucy Scribe!

But in the meantime, I have two things that have been nagging at me so much lately and a clip I saw last night pushed me over the edge and I'm here to blog about them, I hope my readers will indulge me this one political post.

Would you believe the First Amendment is my favorite? Hmmm...as a writer and a blogger, I would guess that would not come as a shock. It's a fundamental right of all Americans, guaranteed by our constitution. I don't think it matters what side of the political fence you're on either, extreme left, far right or everything in between - we should all be able to get behind this. So, why is our goverment at this moment waging war on FOX news? I feel they are venturing into dangerous territory here and I'm flat out scared for what it would mean to the country if they continue on this path. The First Amendment gives me the right to read whatever books I choose, disagree with my government and shout it to the world when I agree with them. The First Amendment allows me to write erotic romance, it allows me to read political blogs and watch any news channel I see fit. I might not agree with you, but I would fight for your right to express it. I'm begging the government not to trample on that. For a democracy to work, ALL voices should be heard. Debate is the cornerstone of our great society.

Would you believe I support our armed forces? I hope you not only believe it, but are a supporter as well. Supporting our troops is NOT the same as supporting the cause.  You don't have to agree with the wars, you don't have to be a democrat, republican or independent to know that our fighting men and women are there for US. They are there, shedding their blood and putting their lives on hold for ALL OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. OUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM! Our armed forces don't make policy, they don't choose war over peace. They are doing a job, they are following the orders of the people we elect. You don't agree with the cause? Get out and vote.

Supporting our armed forces means giving them the right tools to do the job in the field. I don't think any decent human being would deny them the right to be prepared for the battles ahead. We live in a great and wonderful country, with every technological advance at our disposal - I'm begging our government to stop the bi-partisan bickering, and do the right thing. Stop wasting time and give our men and women what they need to not only complete their mission, but to bring as many home alive as possible. Every one of those soldiers in the field is the son or daughter of our family, friends and neighbors. When a community loses a loved one - we all feel it! They are all missed.

You might be a Glenn Beck fan, you might not be (and that's your RIGHT to choose!), but he aired this at the end of his program last night. I hope you'll watch it and then go to http://www.milmoms.org and show your support any way you can. (and if you're a mom or at the very least, have a heart...grab a tissue)

And while I'm on a roll. God Bless America! (since I've already crossed the line with my political post, why not toss some religion in there too!)

Looking for some sauce to start your day? Today is my scheduled day to post over at the OtherWorld Diner.

Show me some love and come on over!

http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2009/10/from-jack-o-lanterns-to-souffle.html

I've been a bad blogging girl. In my defense I have been working my butt off with revisions before sending in the cleanest copy I can for my requested full. But is that a good excuse to leave my readers high and dry for the entire week (or more?)

While I get my blogging cap on straight for next week, you can get your Saucy Scribe fix by hopping over to my local RWA chapter, Dunes & Dreams blog!

Happy Friday!

Ebullient ~ (adj) ~ exuberant, enthusiastic, boiling up or over

glitter-graphics.com

So, here I am the last few days playing the musical car game with the family. (just a note here - I do NOT look like Betty Boop and I do not drive a sports car.) Two out of our three cars need repairs, so needless to say the last few days have been exhausting and hectic trying to get everyone everywhere they need to be. No easy task I assure you!

Since I'm the one with the most flexible job (read that as if I don't show up - they could sit a monkey at my desk and it would be business as usual, sad I know...) I'm the one who has been all over town several times a day to the tune of 200 miles one day alone. But what did I discover on those long road trips to pick-up and drop-off?  PLOTTING!

I turned off the music and let my imagination entertain me for miles. To my surprise an entire plot unfolded as I sped along the highways and backroads (okay, for all you cops out there, I did not speed...I'm not a pedal to the metal girl  )

I know I've heard some people plot while on the treadmill, or walking the dogs, or even doing the dishes - so whatever works for you that's great. But it seems that driving opened up a whole new dimension for me and I am so excited about my next project.

Yes, I watched the faces of people driving past me (and again, since I don't speed - a lot of people pass me  ) - I'm a writer, which translates to people watcher. Facial expressions interest me and I love to make up stories about the jerks texting while driving (and not to get off track here, but has everyone noticed how frequent this happens? I can't believe how many people text while driving - it's really scary out there!)

So tell me, how do you plot? Do you employ the quiet technique or do you get inspired by music? A long drive or a short walk?

Lately I've been looking for things to get my kids to think outside the box and not rely so much on the suggestions forced into their minds via video games, youTube and the television.

I've managed to get them at least noticing the clouds - and that's one step forward for me. There have been the moments in the car when they spot something in the clouds and comment on it. And from the plane? What things you can spot from high above, and how different they look from those heights.

Now with the fall coming, it's going to be harder to get them to sprawl in the grass (and since I'm not a big fan of bugs and seem to get worse with each passing year...) a picnic blanket is now okay with me!

 Watching the clouds is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. While your body rests and soaks up the fresh air, your mind is running away with possibilities we all can find in those white wispy creations. From fire-breathing dragons to giant hippos - it's all there for you to enjoy and it doesn't have to make sense.

So while you're taking time to smell the flowers, or taking in the crisp fall air - don't forget to look up!

Enjoy the weekend.

Daft ~(adj.) ~ Silly; insane

 Are you giving enough attention to the setting in your story?  Are you putting the reader exactly where they need to be to invoke the emotions necessary to your plot and characters?

The fog. Trees bent at sinister angles. Imagine the shadows, the dampness on your neck. Is there something moving in the distance? Is your heroine really alone?

On your next pass through your edits, remember to check for some setting elements to bring your scene to life.

 How about this one?

A New England road, can you smell the crisp fall air? Your vision should be filled with bright reds and honey/brown leaves. Hear the crunch of leaves at your feet? This time of year brings to mind pumpkins, Thanksgiving and sweaters. Nights by the fire and sweetly scented sap pockets that snap to life as the fire roars in either a hearth or an outdoor firepit. There's just something magical about a fall fire, roasting marshmallows and flannel blankets - don't you agree?

Secluded tropical island oasis? Relaxation and margaritas. Skinny dipping, maybe?  What emotions and sense can this scene stir up?

Do you want to dive into the refreshing water or are wondering if you've been separated from your tour group and are lost without a cell-phone signal to save you?

Do you feel the spray of water against your cheek? Into cliff diving and have never seen or more perfect spot...you eagerly make your way to the top of those falls and prepare to leap. Standing at the top, the crash of water below beckons to you, taunting you to make the leap. You feel invincible, carefree and in total control of your next move as you balance on the rocky ledge. Heart beating wildly, your chest constricts. One deep breath, arms out wide - you push off the slippery moss covered rocks and for one moment in time, you're a bird, weightless and soaring toward the water below.

 Is your character daring or timid? Have they been dared by friends below to make that leap? Or have they sought out the danger all on their own, with no one to witness?

Doesn't matter. What does matter is that the reader is there. Feels the spray of the water, senses the sinister shadows in the fog and can imagine the foliage, crisp and colorful without leaving their favorite chair. Your job is to invoke the imagination of putting the reader where your story is.

Are you doing it?