Today's my first day ever over at the Amber Quill blog. I'm talking about vampires--please come on over and chat with me!
And, once again, so you don't feel like your trip was wasted here, I'm leaving some eye candy for you. {grin}
Hot-hot-HOT!
Not too long ago, Kate blogged about unconditional love. It reminded me of the song When You Really Love Someone by Alicia Keys:
Cause you're a real man and Lord knows it's hard.
It's May 5th, and that means... Cinco de Mayo. Break out the margaritas!
In 1862, French troops under the direction of Napolean III, invaded Mexico. On May 5th, at Pueblo, Mexico, 4,000 Mexican troops beat the snot out of the 8,000-strong French and traitor Mexican army. This essentially kept Napolean III from supplying the Confederate army in the U.S. with supplies, which allowed the Union army to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. 14 months later, after the Union troops defeated the Confederates at Gettysburg, ending the Civil War, Union forces were rushed to the Texas/Mexico border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure all Mexicans received all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico City.
What would the U.S. (and Mexico) be like if those brave 4,000 Mexican soldiers hadn't faced down and won against a force twice their size? Hmm. We might all be speaking French today! Instead of English and Spanish.
Viva el 5 de mayo! (Which, interestingly enough, is celebrated more by Mexican-Americans than by Mexicans.)
I'm having my own celebration today. Yesterday, my critique partner and I plotted out the rest of Beyond the Beast, making sure it made sense and the story arc followed character motivations logically. Phew! Such a relief. Now I can forge forward. If I can stop focusing on my physical discomfort. Swollen eyes from allergy problems, bloating and cramping from, um, female problems, and fatigue from lack of sleep I attribute to both.
A margarita's looking better and better. . .
So come on over and visit me at Torrid Temptations. I'm talking about engaging the emotions of the reader. Help me out and come give your $.02.
But, first, enjoy the eye candy:
From Dawn at Love Romances:
4 Hearts!I have the greatest critique group in the world--Suz, Alison, Sara and Jane. It's so great to be able to meet every other Monday with these four ladies and know they not only appreciate my talent, but they will in friendship and with complete honesty let me know where I can improve my story and areas they think work especially well.
Yesterday we went over chapter three of Beyond the Beast. I've got areas to tighten, areas to expand. But, according to them, this story that's causing me so much trouble is working. And working well.
I'm now in Chapter Six and it's starting to come a little bit easier. Yay!
Another thing that's great about this group? They know I'm crunching to get this done. Where we usually critique one chapter every other week, they've all told me to send them whatever I have whenever I have it ready.
Putting a group of women together is a crap shoot. They can be catty and jealous of each other's success, or they can be supportive and encouraging. I lucked out. I got supportive and encouraging.
I love these girls. I really, really love them!
Hey! Anna J. Evans is blogging over at Torrid today. Go on over and say hi.
I've been thinking -- a lot -- about what the word 'nasty' means. Here's what I got from an online dictionary:
1) disgustingly dirty; physically repellent
2) morally offensive; indecent
3) malicious; spiteful
