Networking, Internet, and Relationships....

As an author I'm a member of several networking groups. I'm on Facebook, MySpace (apparently the last person), Twitter, LinkdIn, etc. On these sites I've met hundreds of fellow writers, some in my genre, others not. Networking is extremely important, but how do you keep everything in balance?

I'm a married mother of three, and slave to several pets including reptiles (those of you who own them know how much time it takes to care for them daily). I'm responsible for keeping up the house, laundry, dinners, grocery shopping, running errands, and a slew of everyday oddities. On top of these regular daily chores, I also have children who require medication, constant visits to mental health providers, as well as the usual pediatrician visits. I haven't even started the orthodontist visits, yet.

Now, with all those things going on I still have to find time to write, research, market, format, etc. Then I'm supposed to spend hours a day on these networking sites? How in the world does one do that? I get on Facebook and Twitter two to three times a day, check the first page, like and comment, then head back to whatever it was I was doing before opening Facebook.com. I try to read blogs, and have found some which are extremely entertaining or informative, but either don't leave a comment because I have nothing constructive to add, or someone else beat me to the punch.

Am I setting myself up for failure by not trolling every networking site and blog and leaving comments, "likes", or the good ole "lol" on every single post? Am I setting myself up to be seen as self-centered or a recluse? I definitely don't want the people I've built relationships with thinking I'm ignoring them, but my time is stretched so thin it's damn near transparent.

So, please, dear wise ones...how do you balance life, writing, and networking? Those of you who seem to be active on fifteen boards...are you retired with grown children, or did you find the secret for an extra hour in the day?

I've been interviewed....

Check out this interview done by the incredibly talented and absolutely beautiful erotic author, Gina Kincade. While you're there check out the rest of her naughty blog. Just sure there are no little ones around you...there are some naughty pictures, too. Enjoy!

How can you NOT be obsessed with vampires?

I'll admit, I've had quite a fascination - okay, obsession - with vampires for quite a while now. Technically since I was about twelve. Bella Lugosi intrigued me, but didn't quite push my buttons, if you know what I mean. It wasn't until The Lost Boys until I realized how very sexy they are.

Of course, they weren't too sexy when they vamped out and bit into the biker's skull, but they were still members of the Undead.
I began wondering at a young age what the pull was about immortality. Would anyone really want to live forever? I mean, think about it...everyone you know and love would die and you'd be left behind. You'd have to experience all the evil of the world for the rest of eternity (at least until the Apocalypse). But, if you could live forever as an incredibly beautiful, powerful, majestic, flawless creature such as a vampire would it change your decision? What about the whole blood drinking thing? Could you stomach it?

Here's my two cents...no way in Hell would I want to be a vampire...but I wouldn't mind being bitten by a few of them. Here's a few pics to prove how sexy these dark creatures are, and I'll start with my absolute favorite...Edward Cullen.

While some find his character to be a bit of a stalker, I find him to be romantic. I mean, a whole other level of romantic. And what about those eyes...yum!

Who could forget about the vampire Lestat...

and his brooding sidekick Louis?

Oh, don't worry guys, here's a few vampiresses for you....

Half vampire/half human Rayne is crazy beautiful!

Here's Aaliyah (RIP) in The Queen of the Damned. Anne Rice is the queen of vampire novels!

Get your fill now, because she is so NOT sexy as a vampire, but Lord, look at that body!


Enough of the girls...let's get back to the smoking hot male vampires who haunt my dreams!

Mmmm, Armand! I do believe quite a few hotties were in Interview with a Vampire. I mean, did anyone know who Brad Pitt or Antonio Banderas were before this movie?

Now Blade breaks all the rules. Not only is he a half breed, but he hunts and kills vampires. I'll forgive him...how can you not when looking at this pic?!

I've only recently begun watching the first season, but Vampire Bill has me hooked! Mmm, those eyes!

Here's another of my favorites, though not many people have seen Moonlight. Mick St. John, the sexy vampire!!!

And Gerard Butler in Dracula 2000. I'll confess, I love him in any movie.

Now, keep in mind, vampires are said to be first class lovers with unbelievable libidos. What woman wouldn't want to be ravaged by one of these sexy beasts. Every time I watch a vampire movie, (not the ones where they turn all gross and evil looking), all I can think about is their sexual prowess and the way they can glamor you into orgasm. Ahhhh.

I think I'm done for the night. I'm going downstairs to watch another episode of True Blood Gotta get my fill!!!

Stephanie Meyer, Rachel Vincent, Stephen King...oh my!

Someone recently told me they hated Stephanie Meyer's writing. "Why?" I asked. She couldn't give me a specific answer, other than she's tired of vampires and the writing was amateur.

It got me thinking...what is amateur writing vs professional writing? Of course, there are those who can write text books for students, but is that how you want to read a story? Or would you rather read a story and believe, to your soul, that it is being told my a seventeen year old girl?

Is it possible that Stephanie's writing is lacking, or that she very brilliantly told such a beautiful story that it sucked millions of readers in, regardless of their age. (Yes, I'm a Twihard.) Is it possible that Stephen King could be considered a mediocre writer, even by others in his genre? Sure he could. But, my real question is this...by what standards do we judge a writer, and how do we determine a favorite book, or author.

There is one commenter on my site who likes to bash writers, and pretend they are the last great writer. To be honest, I get bored when reading this person's little stories; they just don't suck me in. That, and it's written in first person; first person writing always reminds me of the little stories in nudey magazines.

I'll tell you how I decide who's my favorite, as opposed to who I'd never read another book by. The story. "Oh, CL. That's what we all look for; a really good story." Of course, we do. But, by what standards.

As I've admitted before, I'm a Twihard. I mean a really hard core Twihard. But, Stephanie Meyers isn't my favorite author. I love Rachel Vincent, and have devoured every book she has written. Why? Because I get sucked into her stories.

Writers suck as Meyers, Vincent, and King have the ability to suck you into a story so well, that when you put the book down, you forget the characters aren't real. I remember reading Stray by Vincent for the first time, and actually wondering how Faythe Sanders was doing after I'd put the book down hours before.
How about how every woman who's read Twilight fantasizes about finding their own Edward, regardless of the fact that he's physically seventeen years old. And regardless of the fact he was described as being as hard as stone and ice cold to the touch. Ew! Who wants to snuggle with an ice cube? Um, me if it happens to be Edward!

Well, here's my favorite part. This is where I ask you how you base your decision on your favorite author, or book? Do you guy by the goose bump factor? Or how about how many nightmares Mr. King's book gave you. Maybe it was a fear of an unknown, non-existent creature. Sound off and let us know...and don't forget to tell us who your favorite author is or what your favorite book is.