Amie Stuart ~ On the Back Porch

I’m over at SFC blogging about…BAD SEX!
And over at Naughty and Spice blogging about….blurbs…and showing off my new cover for MUS.

As reported, I managed 19 pages on Saturday. GO ME! A part of me wants to stop and edit, a part of me wants to push on. A part of me wants to work on sixty million other things. My editor wants edits LOL so I’ll be doing that tonight and tomorrow.

Speaking of bad….I really do have a reason to blog besides telling you I’m blogging somewhere else…..People, do your research. I know most of the folks who read this blog are seasoned authors (I assume so from who I see comment) so this is kind of preaching to the choir but you know if you don’t know something ask someone, or Lord GOOGLE IT! Yes I read contest entries this weekend. I had some wonderful entries that weren’t perfect and some perfect entries that weren’t wonderful and I had some entries that left me scratching my head.

I also finished Grisham’s The Appeal(thank you Lynn). While I really liked it a lot, I can’t really blog about it the way I’d like without posting a big-ASS spoiler, so I won’t. It was classic Grisham though….for the most part (but the large cast got real confusing real quick). One thing I can blog about is the stark contrast between the two opposing sides–the obscenely rich business owner with his trophy wife, and a child he doesn’t want and the poor, bordering on bankruptcy, trial lawyers who literally gamble everything to do what’s right and how important their family is to them. It was very day and night–and even more interesting after Shanna Swendson’s presentation on world building on Saturday.

SCREWED:

Happy Monday Pookas!!!! I’m over at SFC today taking it down to the bare bones. Stop by and play!

Accountability Update: Saturday I managed about 8 or 9 pages on SCREWED but I got TONS of plotting done which is mega-good. Page count isn’t as big a concern as I’d thought (but my fingers are still crossed. Makes typing kinda hard but we’ll figure something out). I am reminded once again why I said I’d never write suspense. *sigh* My goal this week is 19 pages. I’d like to cross that 100 page line.

Otherwise, I had a lovely afternoon out with Lyn and Dennie (we had to case out places for our May conference–stay tuned because Margie Lawson is coming to down! SWEET!)

Other than writing and plotting and cleaning out the DVR, I cleaned my room *falls down*, cleaned out the fridge, did most of the laundry and cleaned up the laundry area (and chewed the kids out about cleaning up after themselves and doing chores. Old rules are back into effect so look out!).

Also finished Patricia Briggs’ Moon Called–really enjoyed it and will definitely be picking up the next book (yes I KNOW I’m behind–don’t remind me).

And…….last but not least, *sob* my Kevin went on his first date. Okay okay so they’re JUST FRIENDS, but still… and she’s so CUTE!!!!!!!! *sigh* damn…..

So, what’s new in your world?

SCREWED:

Remember when I posted about Exxon’s record profit a few weeks back?

Check this out…..

General Motors reported a fourth-quarter loss of $722 million on Tuesday and offered more buyouts to all 74,000 of its unionized employees in another bid to keep its turnaround from stalling…(snip)For all of 2007, GM posted a loss of $38.7 billion, the biggest ever for an automaker.

Interesting…….in ways that turn my tummy.

Now on to the Mavericks attempt to get Jason Kidd. MARK CUBAN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SMOKING???? You’re trading off nearly the ENTIRE starting lineup for Jason and someone we’ve never heard of? WTF?!

Here’s the breakdown: He [Devean George]and point guard Devin Harris, swingman Jerry Stackhouse, center DeSagana Diop, guard Maurice Ager, two first-round picks and cash [reportedly 3 million dollars which is probably pocket change to Cuban] were to be sent to New Jersey for Kidd and forward Malik Allen.

The upside is, NJ will reportedly buy out Stackhouse’s contract so he can RETURN to the Mavs. I love me some Jerry. And don’t get me wrong, Kidd can play some mean ball (and he’s HAWT HELLO can I rub your head, sugar? *drool*) but he’s OLD!!!!!! Yes, he’s younger than me, but in basketball years, 30-something is old. Hello, did you see what they did to Shaq (who, btw, is like 35 or 36 and injured)?

Update from Bailey!:

The NBA will investigate the possibility the Mavericks and Stackhouse violated league rules with a prearranged agreement for the forward to return to Dallas after reaching a contract buyout in New Jersey and sitting out the 30-day waiting period, sources said. Several league sources said the NBA will consider forbidding Stackhouse to re-sign with the Mavericks this season as punishment for public comments the forward made on Wednesday that suggested tampering could have occurred.

If it comes to that, the deal is dead. Dallas owner Mark Cuban wouldn’t complete the trade for Kidd without a belief that he could bring back Stackhouse this season. Ultimately, sources say, Mavericks management decided that losing Stackhouse would be too hard of a hit to the Mavericks’ depth, too steep a price to pay for Kidd.

And then…….last but not least, Texas has finally rescinded a, ahem, personal massager law and Smart Bitches is celebrating. I think the contest is closed but no blog day should pass by without sharing this image.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office, which represented the Travis County district attorney in the case, has not decided whether to appeal, said agency spokesman Tom Kelley.

Um dude, might want to cut your losses, k? Cuz it was a stupid law to begin with.

It’s Friday. No writing, but I did start reading the bestest book ever last night! OMG I’ve been dying for some good chick lit women’s fiction. Okay fine, chick lit. I don’t care if it’s “dead”, because I wasn’t one of those folks who glutted myself on it in the first place. So anyway I started reading this book last night and I could TOTALLY see Mik writing this. It’s sarcastic, it’s funny, but it’s not bitter which is what makes it work especially since it’s a “post-divorce” story. And of course, it’s about something ALL WOMEN can relate to.

Last but not least, I’m gonna ask ya’ll to pray for my good friend Kody. He’s a young’un undergoing some very scary surgery on Monday. *sigh* (Aunt Amie Loves ya bud!)

I’m out…….have a good one.

That’s the smell of Fresh Fiction! Ya’ll stop by if you get a chance…I’m talking character names.

Sooooo I stayed up (way too) late last night watching LOST (from Wednesday and Thursday)…..I have to ask ya’ll something though, seriously. What writer’s strike?

Lost is back, Supernatural is back, LAO is on (and great so far if you havne’t checked it out), there are two new series starting up, plus Lipstick Jungle, Nip/Tuck is on, Prison Break, American Idol (and why do people say that Simon is mean? He’s not mean, he’s just honest), House is back and and and we even had a new Criminal Minds last week!!!!!

I finished His Majesty’s Dragon on Wednesday and all I can say is WOW! I really have got to get the next two books. I think one of the things I loved best (and found really interesting) is that it didn’t read like historical fantasy but historical fiction. The one thing that kind of bugged me…the dragons sounded so YOUNG–in some cases it fit and really if that’s my only beef, then puh-leeze.

Up next, I have no clue…I need to start on my RITA books though. But this weekend we’ve got basketball–what are you guys up to and what have you read lately?

Oooooooo I found out the Manuscript Mavens’ Valentines DayChoose Your Own Adventure is ON!!! They’ve kicked things off with Colleen Gleason…I”m up on Sunday so stay tuned and it runs through Valentines Day. It’s gonna be a gas!

Well…..it was bound to happen. I had my first DNF of the year. I read 35 pages (and no i wont mention titles, it’s not necessary IMO).

In other news I finished Holly Blacks IRONSIDE and really enjoyed it. I don’t think it was as good as the first book but it was GOOD.

Up next? Ummmmmm tough choice…..I’ve got Rachel Caine’s Ill Wind, the Magic Bites book I blogged about on Monday, which is actually a small book.

Yes, I’m writing.

We have basketball this weekend which means I have children so I have no idea how much writing I’ll GET done, but I’ve been doing a lot by hand and carting the Alpha Smart with me

We signed up for the Y last night…they were busy so I want to go back and get a tour and stuff. It’s literally on my way home (and the kid is excited about being able to go play b’ball to his heart’s content) so hopefully we’ll be spending a lot of time up there.

Otherwise, all’s quiet so talk amongst yourselves!

Pop by NAS to find out.

Last night I finished up Kitty and the Midnight Hour (thank you Jordan–I think she’s who recced it). Anyway it was, I confess, my first werewolf book in a really long time–like ten years? I Dunno but the last one was Susan Krinard. I’ll definitely be picking up the others…the best part for me was the radio show. I would have LOVED to have been a fly on the wall while she was plotting out some of those calls..I was laughing out loud.

I really like Carrie’s writing style–I almost said simple, but sparse is a better word. She doesn’t waste words, which I appreciate. The storyline is engaging, and interesting though I did have a few personal beefs with some stuff toward the end that I can’t say in case you haven’t read it.

Up next…….Holly Black’s Ironside or um something else out of my to be read stack

Hey I blogged at Southern Fried Chicas today. Ya’ll should totally go check out my 2008 goals.

Alright in an effort to keep better track of my reading, I’m going to start posting mini-book reviews as I finish a book. Let’s see how 2008 shapes up!

Even though I started EXTRAS in ‘07, I finished in ‘08 so that’s where I’m putting it. It’s the fourth book in the “Uglies” series but definitely stands alone.

Gaw, what can you say about Scott Westerfeld? If you read Uglies, Pretties or Specials then you know what I’m talking about. He’s a PHENOMENAL writer and Extras definitely delivers. If you’re looking for some great YA, with a romance, lots of adventure, fabulous word-building and just absolutely lovely writing, then you should definitely check it out.

Up next, Kitty and the Midnight Hour–which I’m totally loving!