I seem to be a sporadic poster these days. Gosh, life is just busy. Since I have nothing new to report, I’m going to send you to people who do.

Joan has a great post on her blog today about blog feeds. I admit to knowing nothing about this…but now I do!! Go read it and add a feed to your blog. (I plan to.)

Karin’s talking about erotic romances on her blog. Interesting read for those of you who write in the same genre.

Over at Romance Worth Killing For, Elisa’s talking about fear. I admit to having many fears. Still have to figure out which one to fess up to on the blog.

And finally, go over and congratulate Teri on her first sale!!! Awesome news for Teri. I’m pumped for her.

Any news to share? I’d love to hear what you’re up to.

This is totally off the writing topic, but I thought I’d share a few of my new favorite things.

1. My Computer. Okay, not new, but I’m thrilled to have it back. For some reason I couldn’t ever download the new version of windows before, and when it went in for service, they put the new version on. Very cool. Now, if my files get decoded, I’ll be thrilled. Cross your fingers.

2. Victoria’s Secret Bare Bronze . Moisturizer with a hint of self tanner. Ever since I had a melanoma, I can’t really spend a lot of time in the sun. But my pukey-white Irish skin misses that golden summer glow. This is the first self tanner I’ve found that not only looks natural, it also smells good, too. Definitely worth the money.

3. Acne Free Skin Care System. I’ve used ProActiv for years but recently ran out. I decided not to order it again because I was stockpiling the toner and you can only buy it in a 3 part system. It’s also expensive and I hate paying for shipping every month. While at Costco though, I came across the Acne Free system which is comparable to ProActiv. The plus is you get twice as much for half the cost and it actually works BETTER. After only a week of using it, my skin looks incredible. If you use ProActiv, consider switching.

4. Sheer Cover Makeup. Also something you have to order, but they send you a three month supply so you’re only paying shipping once ever three months. This makeup is great. Goes on light and smooth, covers everything and looks completely natural. You hardly know you’re wearing it. A friend of mine shells out big bucks for Bare Essentials. This stuff is cheaper and works better.

5. Land O’Lakes Sugar Free Whipped Cream. I can only find this at Walmart, but it’s worth the trip across town. Mmm.. tastes great and is perfect on a cup of hot coffee. Also satisfies the sugar cravings so I don’t eat a pound of chocolate chip cookie dough.

6. Hollywood Fashion Tape. My dear friend and Nationals roommate, Alice, gave me a handful of these little white sticky tabs last year in Atlanta when we were getting dressed one morning. These things are AWESOME and I now use them all the time. Got a gap in the front of your blouse? You just stick one of these puppies between the buttons, stick the other side of your shirt to it and it holds it closed all day long. Also works if you have a dress or blouse that keeps dropping down to reveal a little too much cleavage. Just stick the tab on the outside of your bra, press your blouse to it and voila. Instant magic.

Okay, your turn. What are some of your new or not-so-new favorite things? Can be writing related or non-writing related.

While at the gym this morning, I had an epiphany. An entire book popped into my head. Characters, plot, conflict. Opening scenes, turning points, big black moment, resolution. The entire thing. This has never happened to me before. Not with such utter clarity and well-developed GMC. The problem? It’s not the genre I write.

The book is paranormal. I write romantic suspense. Technically, the book would be paranormal romantic suspense because I can’t write a book without murder and mayhem, but it’s definitely paranormal. And if you can’t tell from the picture I uploaded here, it deals with one of my favorite topics: Greek Mythology.

I could see this being a series. If, of course, someone loved the first idea enough to take a chance on it. There are big possibilities here but I’m hesitant to mention it to my agent at this point. I need to mull it over more. Plus, it’s completely different from what I’m writing now. And I keep hearing over and over about “branding” as an author. Especially as a new author.

On the flip side, this could be the biggest form of avoidance behavior on the planet. I’m struggling through the wip. I love the idea, love the characters, but this book is KILLING me. It’s much more complicated than anything else I’ve ever written, bigger all around. At times I have these thoughts I should shelve it and work on it when I’m a better writer. And then I tell myself writing it will MAKE me a better writer. Such a conundrum.

My agent probably thinks I am the slowest writer on the planet. At this point, she’s not far off the mark.

And yet…this new paranormal idea continues to percolate in my head…

Anyone ever go through a similar situation? Are you writing in two genres or do you primarily stick with one?

Yes, it’s really me. Not Memorex. Shocked, aren’t you?

Vacation was fabulous. Hawaii was beautiful and warm and utterly relaxing. I have pictures to share, but don’t have them uploaded yet. I want to go back. In fact, I told DH anytime he wants to take a job transfer to the islands, I’m there.

In other good news I finally have my computer back!! Yippie-skippie!!! Yes, it’s been four loooong, heart-wrenching weeks for me without a computer. DH is thrilled I won’t be confiscating his in the evenings anymore. During those four weeks I learned some interesting things about myself… I NEED the Internet not only to converse with my writer friends and stay in touch with happenings in the world, but also for research. I am a “research-as-you-go” writer. Not being able to pop over and check a city or location KILLED me. I honestly don’t know how writers functioned before the invention of the Internet. I also learned writing long-hand is a lot of work. Very hard for me to do. For some reason my hand and pen just can’t keep up with my brain. Typing is much easier for me. Because of this I found it really easy to find “other” things to do instead of write. I’m so thrilled to have my laptop back now and am hoping I can really jump back to work.

On the agenda today? Reconfiguring my computer, uploading programs and software and wading through the backup files. I’ve been promised all my files are there, but they won’t be organized in any folders…just random files I’ll need to pull and categorize on my own. I have a feeling that will take a while. I have six CD’s to work through. Also on the agenda is blog-hopping a little, catching up with friends and wading through emails. I’ve been totally out of the loop.

Oh, and today was my day to blog at Romance Worth Killing For in case you missed it. I’m talking about delineations within the romantic suspense genre. Would love to get your view and opinion on the subject.

I’m so glad to be back. Everyone fill me in on what you’ve been up to during the last month.