Where did all my cool dreams go?

I've always been one to have vivid dreams, and be able to recall them with clarity. Everyone single detailed could be called upon in my waking hours. Not anymore. Now, if I dream something that seems remotely interesting, I have to roll over in the middle of the night and write it out on a notebook perched on my nightstand.
Someone told me once that I needed to remove all electronics from beside my bed, so I did. The only thing left on my nightstand is my alarm clock...no change.
I've tried reading, or not reading before bed. Writing and not writing, watching television, and...well, you get the point. Obviously, not every dream is worth remembering, but some of my best plots and story lines have come from a dream at some point in time or another.
Don't know where I'm going with this other than venting a little frustration. I still get ideas flooding my consciousness at neck breaking speed, but it was so fun when a whole book would play itself out in my sleep. I miss my wonderful, wacky, sometimes erotic dreams!

I've had better days!

The proverbial bull in the China store...that's me! Today, being the good wife that I am, I brought my laptop downstairs so my husband could sleep in on his vacation. I set the laptop on the couch, got up to get more coffee. On my approach to the couch, I tapped my long, monkey like toes against the laptop, or so I thought it was my laptop. Wrong, it was my flash drive.

Long story short, my flash drive is broken. Did I mention that all of my work is on that thing? I was able to recover my current work in progress from the laptop, and my nonfiction proposal and the revised The Reluctant King Reece from the sent box in my email. But all of my other work is now gone forever. I could spend hundreds of dollars to pay someone to save it all, but I have yet to win the lottery.

Can someone pass a tissue? And a beer?

Dear God, thank you for inventing Fridays!

Stephen King describes his muse in his book On Writing as a gruff man with a cigar hanging from his lips. He says his muse only comes after he's sat working for a bit. I tried my hardest to picture my muse in his way, but alas, the female and male brains really are completely different.
 
My muse, in my head anyway, looks a little like Amy Lee from Evanescence with blag wings. In my head she's beautiful but as an aloof as a cat, only popping in when she feels I'm worthy of her presence. Though she may not appear everyday, I'm convinced she's at least sending a friend, or fellow muse to watch over me, because though my current story may not flow as easily, something always seems to find itself screaming to put down on paper, or screen if you will.

Even as I sit here, at 7:03am, and before I've had so much as a sip of coffee, my brain is reeling with elements of both my current work in progress and possible future ones. I had started the sequel to The Reluctant King Reece months ago, but the more I think about it, the less I like the momentum of the story, therefore the rewrite is beating against the inside of my skull.

First things first, though. I'm determined to complete Repeated Life within the next few weeks, so if you call or email and I don't get back to immediately, you would be correct to assume I've got the laptop propped on my knees, my eyes glued to the screen, and my fingers are working feverishly on getting out as much as possible.

Until next time, have a great Friday. It's supposed to be a beautiful day.

Ugh, the sun isn't even up yet!

I've never been a morning person. Anyone who knows me will say that's an understatement, but honestly, it's the best I can do this morning. I didn't get to sleep until late, and as usual couldn't stay asleep. Then, my damn alarm started buzzing in my ears to drag me from a rather interesting dream...though I can't remember what the hell it was about.

This time of year has always saddened me. We have to get out of bed and get active before the sun is up, and frankly, I think it's for the birds. There should be a law against having to get up anytime before 8am.

So, here I sit, at 6:50am, on Thursday morning, trying to focus on the computer screen with sleep, itchy, swollen eyes, and at the same time I have to make sure the kids are dressed properly and ready for school, all while appearing cheerful and loving. Bah Humbug! I want to go back to bed.

On another note, I've sent the revised edition of The Reluctant King Reece and was asked for the exclusive first read. That's good, right? In the meantime, I'm hard at work on a complete rewrite of Repeated Life, which I'm contemplating renaming, though I haven't made up my mind yet.

Wish me luck, y'all. It's gonna be a long day. I will take a nap today, whether my family and friends like it or not!

Teeth Chattering Tuesday

I officially turned my heater on yesterday morning. This morning isn't a whole lot better. But, alas, the weatherman says not to be dismayed, as the warmer temps are returning this week. Either way, it's damn cold out right now.

So, I'm a little confused. If we're supposed to be afraid of global warming, where the hell is this unseasonably cold weather coming from? And according to the movie, The Day After Tomorrow, we're looking at another Ice Age. Whatever. I say live your life to the best of your ability, everything in moderation, and don't worry about tomorrow...it may never come!

On to a more cheerful topic...the agent whom I've been speaking to for the last few months has requested an exclusive read of the revised version of The Reluctant King Reece. Of course I'm going to oblige. I like her, not just her talents, but her extremely likable personality! Everyone knows how hard it can be coming across a complete stranger with whom you can totally mesh. Yeah, I know I'm rambling...It's seven in the morning, and I'm wrapped up in a robe. I don't think well in the morning, so deal with it!

Have a great day, y'all, and don't forget to head over to clparks.com and take a peak at the first chapter of The Reluctant King Reece.

My first published short story!

Here it is...my first short story. I have nothing to do with the print format. Hope you enjoy, and feel free to go and leave a comment! http://themomoreader.com/?p=354

Raise your hand if you missed me!

Ok, do you really think I can see your hand?

It's officially October, well, it has been for a few days, and the weather is absolutely amazing. A little cold last night, but all the better to snuggle with the hubby! Almost finished with revisions of The Reluctant King Reece, then on to the dreaded edits! Why is it all the best ideas flow when you should be focusing on an old story? I have a thousand stories floating through my head, and all I can do is jot them down on a notebook. I've been contemplating a writing program, but I'm still researching the ins and outs, pros and cons. Any suggestions would be great!

I've reserved my copy of Stephen King's On Writing today, and after I drag my tired butt upstairs to get cleaned up, I'll be heading to Borders to pick it up. I'll also be picking up my autographed copy of Legal Guardian by Beau Woodall. I was just informed it's sold out at my local Borders, but they're ordering more copies. It's also available on Amazon.com, so make sure to order your copy today!

Now, back to the juicy stuff...I'm completely rewriting Repeated Life, so those of you who've had the opportunity to read it are in for a surprise! I've added a lot more paranormal/fantasy element to it, so it's more my style than before. Don't worry, it's still heavy on the romance, just a lot more exciting, and faster paced.

Stay tuned for a sample chapter of Repeated Life!