Jax's Artistic Journey...

Wow, time suckage...I've been having long days of training and getting back to work will take some getting used to.

I was off today so I tried to squeeze in all my urgent errands into just a few hours. My simple black dress is at the seamstress being altered for RWA and I even did a little shopping...

Too bad there's no R&R in my future...but I will be pleasantly surprised when I am able to indulge at a spa again. Okay, I hope to get a few pages written before the night is over because it's been too long since my last writing session. I have lots of great concepts and now it's time to finish the darn proposals...

Well, I've got a lot to plan out for the conference including sight seeing, agent meeting, publisher parties, and all the fun that comes with seeing friends. It's going to be good for me and I'm hoping that I will be ready and packed by the time I make it to the airport...

Gotta get back to the things on my priority list. Hope I'll be blogging again real soon. :)

I'm over at HOOKED ON ROMANCE on Monday and talking about 'surfing'...it's going to be a good start to pep up your week. Don't miss our July 6th Guest Blogger, USA Today Best Seller, NALINI SINGH. She's going to be stopping in all day to answer your questions! :)

Also, I'm scheduled to be Spotlighted and blogging at LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS from Monday through Friday. If you want more inspirational blogging, you'll find it all week long and will be eligible to win my SUNSWEPT eBook.

I'm sure this is going to be another productive week for you. Enjoy the nice weather. I have to tell you that 108 degree weather here makes me want to hibernate indoors. However, I'm certain my day job will keep me plenty busy and I won't even notice :)

My buddy TechGirl is so good at manipulating me.

You see, we are two peas in a pod. We love volunteer work (whenever possible) but she's waaaay ahead of me in those endeavors and she motivates me to make a difference. She's good for the soul! TechGirl has coerced me to set a goal to travel with her to Africa next year. She works with a non-profit called The Slate Foundation (one of a zillion organizations she's with) and is a part of the team to create a sustainable design for the school room. She's also going to help build it with her group if all goes well on the funding end. Where do I come in? I'm going to tag along as a teacher..or chef...and pitch in where I can. If it's going to be green-lit and the plans are concrete, I will be off in the wilds for a few weeks and roughin' it with her. So excited about getting my hands dirty with manual labor, living off the earth, and just doing something to help others. That is, if I can get everything ironed out in the 'personal obligations' department...this trip would be a complete dream! Of course, I will document the adventures of Jax & TechGirl!

Here's sprinkling sunshine on you for the rest of your week...

<---See those awesome words? I've always loved them and they put a smile on my face. In fact, I would say I try to live by them. There's no greater joy than believing in a better tomorrow...

Well, I finally found a part-time job that will utilize my graphics and photography skills. Once I accept the offer I'll be in the world of the working class again and it's going to take a little getting used to. I've been spoiled the last two years trying to be a full-time writer. Unfortunately, my timing was a tad bit off. If not for the lousy economy, things would have moved faster for me but I am just going to go with the flow. I'm really not discouraged because I might as well pick up a trade while I'm waiting for NY to come calling. In the meantime, I'm still writing and with the 9-to-5, it's going to light a fire under me. I still plan on getting some eBooks out and maybe by that time my agent will give me some much needed awesome contract news. I'm finding that it's going to be a much needed challenge.

With the new scheduling, I may be blogging much less but I hope my life will be much richer.

I'm over at HOOKED ON ROMANCE and talking about romance. If you want to pop by for a Monday visit at my other blog home, please do. I need the love. :)

Wishing everyone a happy week ahead! Make sure to enjoy the beautiful weather if you've got it. If it's still raining in your neck of the woods, sounds like a great time to grab a book from your TBR stash and curl up with a blankie. I suggest some chamomile or green tea (add some cream) accompanied by those yummy shortbreads...

Wow, what a great Friday! I'm honored that my friend KWANA passed this award on to me and I'm still doing the happy happy dance, and feeling all tingly inside. I guess my ramblings aren't too boring after all...thank you everyone who visits my blog, whether you are a voyeur or a commenter...I Luv Ya! It's the reason I keep going....



"This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Just so you know, it's really hard for me to narrow down the 8 people from the list of all the wonderful and talented friends I have that also deserve this--but know it's not for a lack of luv. :) I chose these folks for their commitment to their craft, even when life gets in the way of their art..but they prove that they can overcome anything!

Jeannie Lin
Kelly Gay
Nikki Duncan
Kelley Nyrae
Marcia Colette
MG Braden
Ember Case
Dara Edmondson

Don't break this pattern, so please pass along to 8 other friendly bloggers!

On the writing front, doing good. I wrote a few pages on my short story. Yes, I'm producing as fast as I can so I hope to be able to give you guys some happy submission updates if the publisher decides to pick it up! Hey, I need some more book releases--can you blame me? LOL

Have a great weekend everyone! I'm going to be hanging out with friends on Saturday and laying poolside. Gotta keep the tan intact for conference... :P

This image was calming so I thought it was a good lead into my ramblings today...

So I've been going to a few interviews since I'm looking for some extra cash. Mainly I need to build up the savings again and tuck away some for a nice Eco-home. Let's not forget the absorbent amount of money for promotions and conferences. I took almost 2 years off to write full-time and it's not exactly paying the bills yet--so I'm getting back to Corporate America to build up my 401K. The economy seems to be picking up ever-so-slightly and I'm very optimistic...however, it's daunting when there are group interviews and about 30-50 candidates vying for the same position. It was an interesting experience and right off the bat about half of the candidates were recently laid off from their jobs. It's a jarring realization but I'm hoping there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. It's strange to be wearing suits again because I've been living a sort of Bohemian existence but all that's going to change. My mind keeps wandering to something more artistic but either I'm underqualified or overqualified. Oh well, I will make the most of whatever I finally score.

With the move I had a lot of catch-up work to do. I'm finally back on track and ready to write. It seems like forever since I worked on a story but now I'm more re-energized than ever. I've got several proposals that are twirling in my head and for the first time in a while I'm excited. :) Woohoo! I hope to finish my short story to send out to an editor in a week or so, which was delayed because of life, but I know it's got real potential.

Next, I am going to get creative again. I let my camera sit out for too long so my fingers are itching to take a day trip around town to take photographs. I'm going to make artwork with the images and perhaps get a little inspired in the process. Whenever I watch those interior design shows on HGTV, I feel like I want to jump up and renovate. Unfortunately I'm renting a place so I will reserve the enthusiasm for my next home which will be a condo or townhouse. I am thinking big on the Eco-home once I can sink a lot of money into doing it right :)

Okay, enough rambling, I am going to write.

P.S. Don't forget to visit HOOKED ON ROMANCE because Thursday Catherine Spangler is guest blogging. She's awesome ... so you paranormal lovers should stop in! Besides, you'll get a chance to win her current print release TOUCH OF LIGHT.



**Art piece by digital artist Kaycee Kennedy**