I'm A Winner...

Its official. I've completed the NANO Challenge!

I'm starting to think I'm an odd duck....

It starts out innocently enough. You find yourself laughing at jokes no one else finds humorous. Then before you know it you're raving about stories most people don't find all that interesting. You are...an odd duck.

I'm beginning to come to the realization that I'm...different. I don't write in the same style as others, my voice is a little off. But I'm beginning to come to terms with this and I'm really trying to work this to my advantage.

Will there be a place on the bookshelf in your neighborhood bookstore for someone like me, the odd ducks of the world? Only time will tell but gees, I sure hope so.

P.S. Okay, so that's a penguin and not a duck. What's so odd about that?

Above All...Happy Thanksgiving!

With the approach of Christmas lets not forget the reason behind the celebration...

Above all powers, above all kings.
Above all nature and all created things.
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man.
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones.
Above all wonders the world has ever known.
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth,
There's no way to measure what you're worth.
Crucified, laid behind the stone.
You lived to die rejected and alone.
Like a rose trampled on the ground.
You took the fall and thought of me above all.

Believe...

High up on the mountain, the snow was falling harder. Strong gusts of wind, drove the flakes in first one direction and then another. The fierceness of the storm made it impossible to see or hear a single thing. Trees shivered against the cold wind, branches trembled.
And then there was a silence like none other. Like the silence before some life altering event. Even the angels were silent, waiting.
Every living thing waited for this moment.
The small compact car skidded on the frozen, two-lane mountain road.
Its driver hit the breaks, sending the car spinning out of control. Once, then twice, before plunging headfirst down the steep side of mountain.
The driver was too stunned to do anything more than glance at the girl by his side, as the end became apparent.
A group of aspen trees, half way down the mountain, was the only thing preventing the tiny car from finishing its downward slide into eternity.
And then there was silence again...and death, and the sound of angel wings.
The young man was the first to regain consciousness, his eyes searching the darkness for the girl at his side. His wife. She was not moving and he could not reach her. He could no longer feel his body.
Do not be afraid. Everything will be okay. She will be okay without you.
The comforting words came to him from close by. Part of his thoughts and he struggled to open his eyes. A faint shimmering image floated nearby, touching his hand. He could feel his hand. Feel the touch. It was real, after all. There really was such a thing as eternity, and angels. This unearthly being sent here to take him home was proof of all those things. He believed.
She will be okay without you. You no longer have to worry about her. Someone is coming to be with her. It is okay to let go of this life.
The young man felt tears, hot and damp against his cheek, but he was no longer afraid. The voice was guiding him, leading him home. Reassuring him, that even though he had to say goodbye to her, she was going to be all right. Chloe would be all right.
A shadow of a smile touched his lips, as the image before him grew brighter, the brilliance of it, literally filling the mountainside. Glowing with so much warmth and welcoming. Arms outstretched just for him. He was going home and it was okay. She was going to make it. That was all that mattered. He was going home, and Chloe would be okay.

Believe - a short story taken from the novel by Mary Eason - Standing on the Edge of Goodbye to be released through Wings e-Press, 2007

Sometimes A Little Nothing Is Better Than Something...

Its getting far too close to time for me to hear something from several publishing houses. Each day I say a little prayer before going to the mailbox. Today, nothing but junk! In my opinion, a little nothing is better than a whole lot of something, especially if that something comes in the form of a big fat R.....

Some Nice Comments From Kathryn Lye at Blaze Today...

I entered the Blaze writing contest in August and although I didn't come close to winning, (wah!!!) I did receive some nice comments from Kathryn Lye today. She thinks I have a fine, fun voice and an appealing writing style, (Thank you Kathryn!), but the story needed more and had some problems. But you know what, I'm okay with that...

Hopefully she will like the partial I have with her better.

Thanks for everything...

This week begins our Thanksgiving celebration in the US. It got me to thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for. And it started me wondering, when was the last time I truly gave something back. I'm not talking about giving money to the charities that require our help, but actually doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return. I'm ashamed to say, its been too long. Its time to change that. I hope each of you will do the same. Spend a few minutes examining your life, then stop by a nursing home or a homeless shelter and see where you stand compared to those whose needs are great. Its time to give back for all the things we have been given.

Some Good News...

Today, I received a request from Harlequin Intrigue for a partial of my Romantic Suspense Novel, FreeFalling. I'm very excited about this because Free Falling was my first attempt at creating a kick-ass heroine.

Still editing In Between Love and Hate for Desire. My goal is to have it out the door by the end of the month. Fingers Crossed!

Its always good to get a great review...

Please excuse a little personal bragging...





Ten Thousand Angels
ByMary Eason
Romance
Available now from By Grace Publishing

"This story is so very beautiful. It made me cry. I loved it and recommend it to everyone. "
Evelyn
Overall rating:

It's Veterans Day....

Today is Veterans Day...
Take a few minutes to consider where your life would be without the sacrifice of a vet. Some gave all. All gave some.
Make sure you thank a vet today for the freedoms we enjoy each day because of their sacrifices.

Do The Happy Bird-Toss Dance. Great News From Silhouette Desire...

I'm on cloud nine today after returning from the mailbox to find a request for a full manuscript on In Between Love And Hate...I submitted it to Desire after I saw the new guidelines. It seemed a good fit. Let's hope I'm right. Fingers and toes crossed. This story is also with Kensingston's Brava Line.

I'll be starting my polishing tomorrow. I still plan on keeping up with NANO challenge for Sight Unseen which is now at 35,000 words. I am having so much fun writing this suspense story that is geared for Silhouette Bombshell. I love this story.

Reflecting on rejection...

Today I had the chance to see the pain of rejection from another author's prospective. And it got me to thinking about how difficult it is at times to keep going as a writer. We've all been there. You send your precious baby off with such high hopes. You wait. Each day when it gets close to what you suspect will be the time of reckoning , you go to the mailbox with anticipation and trepidation. If you're lucky its a bill. If you're really lucky a request. And then comes the rejection. It sends you back at least ten steps for every single one you've fought hard to gain . There's anger, hurt, tears. Frustration. Loss of confidence. Thoughts of giving up even. But then you think about it and wonder, can anything else I do really fill me up like this?

If you're in it for good, the answer is no. No matter how long it takes. No matter if it never happens. The answer is no, because you can't give it up. It's just as much apart of you and the next breath you take.

Just cause...

Just because...

What I'm Reading Now...

I started Brenda Novak's Every Waking Moment yesterday. If you haven't had a chance to read this book you should. Its fantastic. I'm including an excerpt. The book is published through Harlequin's HQN Line.

Emma Wright has finally escaped the dangerous man who's controlled her every move for the past six years. Taking her five-year-old son, she has fled across the country — seeking freedom, safety and a fresh start. But Max's father isn't giving them up so easily.

Preston Holman understands the lengths a parent will go for his child. He's given up everything to pursue the man he believes killed his son.
When Preston meets Emma, he wants nothing to do with her or the boy who reminds him so much of his own child. Yet he can't abandon them — and as he's drawn into the danger that surrounds them, Preston begins to wonder if he's finally found something to live for beyond revenge.

Out The Door...

Today, I am preparing to mail, The Things You Think You Want, my Golden Heart Contest Entry for Strong Romantic Elements. I am pleased that the Vivian Beck Literary Agency has asked to review the full manuscript of this as well. It will be out the door, (with any good luck and the good Lord willing) on Monday.
Hope everyone is having a productive day out there....

Request From Vivian Beck Agency

Today I received a request for a full manuscript of The Things You Think You Want from Vivian Beck Literary Agency. And I'm going to be judging the Romancing the Tome Contest. I've entered the contest as well in a different category. Hope everyone is having a swell day as well.

Momma Said There Would Be Days Like This...

Every had a day like this? Well, today was actually not one of those. I'm pleased with my progress on NAMO and I got my Brava submission out the door. Now, to GH or not to GH?

Hum, maybe I need the gun after all...