So I'm going through my "I have submitted something to a publisher and I can't think clearly enough to write" phase. I really hate this phase because it is not so much of a 'writer's block' as it is a 'mental block'. Nerves getting the better of me. No matter what I try I can't seem to get past it. But I refuse to worry, things usually happen the way they were meant to anyway.
On a brighter note, I have been able to put in a ton of reading since the words won't come. This I have been enjoying immensely. Some good, others not so much. Either way it is good to get back to one of my favourite pasttimes.
Veteran's Day was entirely too short. I want more days off like that one.
And yes Amarinda, twice in one week. *grin* Don't have palpitations.
This weekend was a lot of fun for me. I went out with one of my friends from FAU. I hadn't seen her in a long time and it was fun hanging with her again.
Also, I got to try a lot of new foods/drinks. I don't eat a lot of things, but I am willing to try almost any food once to see if I will like it. It just so happens that I got to try quite a bit of new foods/drinks and some old favourites prepared by a new source.
I had a Manicotti Formaggio which is a pasta filled with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan cheese. Yummy. Ricotta is fast becoming my favourite kind of cheese.
I also got a Pumpkin Cheesecake from the same place. It was absolutely divine and I really enjoyed it. I had assumed originally that the flavour of the cheesecake and the pumpkin would not blend well. But was I ever wrong.
Later that day I had two drinks that I never tried before. The first was an Appletini which was delivered in a very girly cup, much to my displeasure *grin*. It was okay but not as sour as I wanted it to be (the menu said it was made with vodka and sour apples).
Anyway, the next drink I tried was a Blue Hawaiian which I didn't really care for. It is made coconut milk something and pineapple something with vodka. The flavours did not blend to my liking.
Also, the old favourite which I haven't had since I left Jamaica was the shrimp stir fry. It was absolutely good. I usually do not like shrimp unless it is fried. Seafood, unless fried, always gives me the weird feeling of still being raw *shrugs*. But they seasoned and prepared the meal really well. I even used the chopsticks which was exciting for me.
So for me the weekend was filled with friends, food, fun...Now how was your weekend?
Have a good Veteran's Day!
Nothing new to report...
But I wanted to wish those who are trick-or-treating a Happy Halloween!!
And for those who are not...
Just a general but no less enthusiatic HELLO!!
I have been so busy the past few weeks. I am doing my job and that of my boss who is out on maternity leave. I have also been out on jury duty. I haven't had time to read any of my favorite blogs and as you well know post anything on my own blog.
I have been trying to at least squeeze in some writing...as little as that has been.
I hope everyone is doing okay. Until next time...
Anika
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So everyone is in a panic because its a bad mamajama. In other words, he's big and mean and headed our way. The hope is that it will follow in Hanna's footsteps and miss us. Unfortunately, the hurricane is dead center of us and the thought is that it is highly unlikely we will be spared.
It is still five days away and therefore things can change (waters heating or cooling, wind change, or whatever else can divert the hurricane). So yes, we are in the 'Cone of Uncertainty' but anything is possible.
One of my publishers have directly on their website: "Due to lack of reader interest, we are NOT accepting F/F/M, one man with several women, or F/F." Sadly, I can't even say I'm surprised. I had already known this was an unpopular genre. But since it got me in the door, I can't really knock it.Frankly, I'm glad they placed this note on their website. There can be no doubt about what they do and don't want. Also, I am noticing more and more publishers have a big no-no for F/F romance. What I didn't realize is that that genre is c
onsidered male fantasy in the writing world? Go figure.
So what does this mean for me? I have noticed the difference in the sales for my F/F romance and my M/F romance. But luckily for me, I write in other genres or I would be lost. Nevertheless, I am glad I got the contracts for both those stories because no matter what they were good enough to be accepted even though their isn't a real big market for them.
By the way, instead of writing the blurb and synopsis for the story I'm working on I'm doing this blog. I am such a procrastinator.
Happy Labor Day!!
As a new author, I am learning something new all the time. In fact, in life the minute you stop learning is the minute you stop growing (my opinion). I have tried to read as much as I can about the market and when that doesn't work, I try to ask the authors who have been in the business a lot longer.
I am a very private person. And I think I have mentioned a time or two before that no one ever read any of my works until I started submitting my books to publishers. So having someone I know critique my work is very difficult for me, I haven't quite mastered that thick skin yet.
So anyway, I've been wondering: If we are our own worst critics, why bother with crit groups and/or partners? Are they truly necessary to become the best writer one can be? Is that the only way to be truly successful as an author?
Station in Kingston, Jamaica this past Monday (8/25/2008) to report an incident. Other than the actual reason for us being there, the visit was quite interesting.Second, this was found on one of the walls in the office of the same police station. Click the image to enlarge and read, it is very funny, well if you have my kind of humor.
I intend to have a wonderful weekend, and you should all try and do the same. :-)
The sculptor (Laura Facey Cooper) is quick to inform others that she did not embellish the female and male parts of the models she used. The people are real, she says, and they were already well-endowed.
old of confidential information and Victor loses a major lawsuit, he accuses Nicola of betraying him. His mistake leads to a major blow-up and break-up. Victor Weise is Nicola’s ultimate man. He’s intelligent, handsome, and the most arrogant man she’s ever met. But when Victor accuses her of betrayal, Nicola is determined to a make a fresh start. She accepts an offer for a teaching position out of state, convinced she needed to get as far away as quickly as possible.
But before she leaves, she gets a request to visit the Weise residence. Hoping to gain some closure, Nicola accepts. But Victor has some tricks up his sleeve.
Will one afternoon be enough for Victor to reclaim Nicola?
To read an excerpt and pick up your very own copy, click Reclaiming Nicola.
Hi all. I'm back from Jamaica and it's good to be home. We left Jamaica just in time to miss the new Tropical Storm. Gustav was on its way there, and it might also be headed to South Florida, no telling yet though. According to the forecasters, this storm will strengthen to a Category 3 Hurricane by the end of the week.
Everything went as best as could be expected with the funeral and all my family members have made it home in one piece. There were a few ups and downs along the way, but life isn't perfect and the unexpected always happens. It was good seeing everyone and sad that this was the occasion to bring everyone together.
h should have been lifted at 4 pm. We have been having sporadic rainfall and a lot of wind.
Broward County Libraries Division, my employer, has decided to close tomorrow (Monday, August 18, 2008) to the public because of the tropical storm threat. As an employee of the Library, I will be going to work for half the day to tie up loose ends and cover all the library equipment to protect against potential water intrusion, etc.
eople were stocking up on supplies to weather the upcoming storm. It took over an hour just to check out about ten items.
ckily, there are a lot more choices and places to purchase supplies in South Florida, and the US, which eliminates that worry.
ing, I was in Jamaica during Hurricane Gilbert which was in 1988. It was terrible, our neighbours roofs blew off and some other's homes got flooded. Everyone was okay and everyone helped everyone else. But since I was a child at the time, the worst thing for me was the corned beef sandwiches we ate all the time. Since the electricity didn't work, we were unable to cook. Plus, we didn't have any perishables either. Even now I can't eat one of those sandwiches without having bad hurricane flashbacks.
Anika Hamilton’s novella Good for Something had you hanging on for the happy ending with baited breath . . . Good for Something shows the reader how love can conquer all despite the odds. Ms. Hamilton successfully weaves a story that has you wanting to know that all things turn out for the good. 
I wanted to let you all know that my grandfather passed away on Friday, August 8, 2008. He was 87 years old, and he lived here in Florida with my parents. His passing was a shock even with his advanced age because he was such a stubborn old man.
One of my publishers is conducting a 500 words per day, 100 days challenge. The challenge began today and should end sometime in November. I'm going to do my best to stick to this challenge and not let writer's block or stress stop me. Especially since this is in line with the personal goal I have set for myself. You know write every day, so my goal per day is going to 500 words.The interesting thing about this challenge is the competitive nature of the other authors. Some of them are already very proficient in writing epics, of which I'm not ready to at
tempt right now, probably never will be. Anyway, it will be interesting to track the progress of everyone.
Good For Something is a suspenseful tale about love found in the most unlikely of places. Escaping from an abusive lover was Nicolette’s primary goal when she moved from Arizona to Florida. But finding Casey helped her to realize that love comes again when you least expect it. Nicolette also learned that no matter how far you run, your past can still catch up with you, but when faced with her fears, she courageously tackles them head-on. The sensuality between Nicolette and Casey is intimately endearing and mildly erotic. With the spurned lover stalking the women, Good For Something makes for a wonderfully entertaining read.
Fallen Angel Review - Good For Something
I just received the cover for Reclaiming Nicola, an interracial contemporary romance, from Siren-BookStrand. This book will be released in August.
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