Jax's Artistic Journey...

Still feeling craptastic but I still have an optimistic outlook on everything thanks to this quote from Thoreau. It always makes me warm and tingly all over and I totally agree with him!

Besides having bad sinuses, feeling not so good, and fighting other long-term ailments...I'm particularly pleased that the new vegetarian (sometimes seafood) diet is working well for me. I just need to get more supplemental vitamins. I can tell that the change in my eating habits is doing wonders for me mentally but it may have been a bad time to start something new. That doesn't mean I don't plan on staying on track--I am going to very disciplined about it. On the writing front, I haven't been as productive as I'd hoped but I managed to get all that other freelance stuff done...just at a much slower pace. Snails pace to be exact.

While being laid up, my mom's obsession for Asian Dramedy series has rolled over into my life. There is nothing better than this type of time suckage. These silly shows take you on an emotional rollercoaster. If you've ever seen these types of shows which is basically a soap opera or RomCom tv series, you'd understand how easy it is to get roped in. I can't explain it but the silliness mixed with love story (emotional and passionate) and over-the-top humor just
makes being sick kind of fun. I know, I'm a dork. :) I never thought I'd enjoy these shows but I'm pleasantly surprised.

Okay, time to rest up. I need to save the energy for the big deadline push this week. No time to stay out of commission for long. Duty calls.

Bundle up & have a cup of tea!

Nothing soothes a sore throat better than a spot o' tea with lemon...and lots of honey. I've been feeling my immune system starting to crap out. Although I've taken preventive measures, I think the yo-yo hot and cold weather has really screwed up my sinuses and everything else. It doesn't help that I don't sleep much and I'm up at the butt-crack of dawn to shuttle kiddies, run errands for the parents, and working my bum off on graphic projects--yeah, it does take its toll on the body--but I've decided I'm just going to stay in bed tomorrow and recuperate. I'm definitely going to be doing edits and then I'll start working on another sucknopsis before starting my proposals. Recently, I've been brainstorming with the nieces, boycrazy and indiechick, about which YA story I'll be writing and I think I found one. Originally I was going to re-work my paranormal YA but now I'm going to do a contemporary because they're a huge fan of Japanese teen angsty/romance anime and Korean dramedies. I caved in and told them I'd do a sort of rags-to-riches/Cinderella tale.

Right now I feel 50% certain I'll be going to RWA Nationals and hope things will work out so I can up the percentage...I had originally planned on attending some smaller conferences but a part of me felt sad about missing this particular one. I've been attending Nationals annually since joining RWA 5+ years ago. What sealed the deal was speaking to some friends of mine and realizing it's one of the few events I'd see all my friends in one place. Of course, I'm going to be penny pinching every day until then. I believe, on average, I've spent a little over $2,000 each time. This includes: registration, airfare, hotel, food & outings. Hey, I never said conferences were affordable, things certainly add up! That's why authors save for these events because it pays off in the long run. I've met amazing people and so many contacts with editors, agents, publishers, and especially readers. I love signing at the Literacy for Life event just so I can see my readers face-to-face. It's the most amazing experience. So even if I have to forgo getting a new pair of jeans or blingy, sexy stilettos, it's definitely worth it.

I am feeling the wave of weariness so I'm going to turn off the lights and hopefully get some peaceful shuteye. Yes, I need to recharge my batteries so I can have the energy to be productive.

Hope you're bundled up and keeping positive (and productive)!

It's that time of year again when Romance Divas offers it's Valentine's Day Free Reads. This year I've got a short contemporary up and it's HOT HOT HOT!

I'm very proud of the story called UNINHIBITED because it's my second short that's written in first person. I adore the story because it's funny, sexy, serious and filled with emotion...or I think it is. LOL

UNINHIBITED is about a passionate chance encounter between two strangers at an art show that turns into more than they bargained for. Lucian offers her one night of pleasure with no strings attached, but Kennedy discovers one night isn't enough to satiate her desires for him.

When she musters up the nerve, can he accept the new terms her heart has set for him?

I hope you'll tell me what you think of it because when I'm writing for readers, it's all me--from the story, formatting, to editing--so please forgive me for any typos or grammatical errors. After re-reading the story a few dozen times, you tend to overlook the obvious :)

Hope you enjoy it! HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEARS and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Why aren't you at Dark & Stormy Romantic Suspense to read my interview???? If you've been there, THANKS!

I'm talking about Paris and how it influenced this story....

There's still time to win my eBook BRUSH STROKES.

I'm not talking about what you're thinking...naughty, naughty. I'm talking about finally sending my paranormal proposal to my agent! Yes, I know--and she still loves me even though I dragged on it. How was I to know life would get in the way???

Anywoo, I'm very excited because somewhere between the 9th and 10th re-write I fell in love with the story all over again. I can say that I learned a very valuable lesson about this project: NO MORE PANSTERING! <-- You heard me, I will start outlining from here on out. Why? Because the sucknopsis sucked the life out of me and it's not necessarily easier when you've written the chapters in a proposal. Well, especially in paranormals when you need all the world building done up front so you don't get confused or miss out on the important stuff. I've heard horror stories about readers pissed off at the authors for breaking the rules in their own world so I'm going to try not to do that. But if I do, please forgive me in advance.

You don't know what a relief it is to put yourself out there, in a genre not your own, and feel like you owned it...well, in terms of finishing it with satisfactory results. I'm a contemporary author but this story is really special to me. Why? Because it challenged me on all levels and I lived to tell about it. I'm just nervous about phase two: Nabbing an editor for the project. I really really want to see this thing find a good home and I hope whoever takes it will see this world the same way that I do...right now, I'm just focusing on the single title and not the series because I think I'd have a heart attack if I think beyond that--doesn't mean I'm not already fleshing out the next two books in my head. Hey, gotta be prepared :)

Anyway, I celebrated the proposal sendoff by going shopping and it felt so darn good. Imagine what I'd buy when I get some contracts in! Now for the wait. I must confess...I'm ter-ri-fied. But don't think I won't deny it if word gets out...LOL

It's February and the month of amour! It's also the approach of the Chinese New Year and the year of the Tiger. I guess that would mean celebrating two holidays on February 14th.

But as much I would like to snap my fingers and make everything perfect with the world, the truth remains that all the fixes will come at a snail's pace...Well, this weekend we're having our 'Bon Voyage' party for my brother-in-law. He's deploying to Afghanistan for a year...we're just hoping there's no extensions at the end of that 365 days. The tensions are high but all I can do is be proud that he's serving our country and pray that he'll return safely to his family. So instead of moping and feeling stressed, we're going to make sure he'll have a great time. I'm sure it'll make the deployment a little easier.

This doesn't mean I don't have priorities. I've got quite a full plate and feeling a bit overwhelmed, actually. I just need to step back and take a deep breath before jumping in. For now--I'll dream of that secluded paradise where peace and calm exists, where ideas flow freely and accomplish everything without the pressures of life.

Well, on a fun note, I'm sharing my horoscope with you...

The Pig

Known to be sentimental creatures, you have to learn to put off your sentimental ways to find some unexpected successes in your line of work and your love life for 2010. The alignment of the stars will bring you utmost luck for the coming year so expect some monetary windfall coming your way. It is important for you to stay away from carbonated drinks in the upcoming year for you will be vulnerable and open to intestinal and digestive problems. However, besides that, 2010 might prove to be a healthy year ahead for you.

Read your horoscope HERE.