Jax's Artistic Journey...

First off a big CONGRATS to my friend, and co-founder of Romance Divas with me, KRISTEN PAINTER for scoring a 3-book deal for her Urban Fantasy with Orbit Books. You go girl! It was long overdue!!!! She's in good company with Laurel K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, Lilith Saintcrow, etc.

This is my second full week of work and I noticed I'm scheduled for 55.5 hours this week. Hummm, seems like this part-time job is really not part-time at all. I'm trying to figure out when I'm going to work on other commitments like web maintenance, book cover designs, and managing new web clients...all while working on my proposal. You see, I've been trying to finish my new proposal before I meet my agent at conference next week. I'm also trying to put together a 5-year plan regarding my writing future. Sounds like pretty heavy stuff––well, it is!

With everything that's been going on, I have started writing freehand again. Strange, but it's kind of liberating. Getting home late every night, I don't feel like being online for more than a few minutes at a time so it's a good change of pace to return to the pen and paper method. The free flowing stream of consciousness allows me to tighten up the ideas once I retype the story on my computer later. Actually, I've been scaling back on just about everything. I shut off all my yahoogroups and stepped away from my local chapters. Kind of like a decompression so I can focus on myself and what I need to do to move forward.

My current WIP proposal is totally awesome. I love the characters, the stories, everything about it because it's based loosely from a true story I heard....it's even more interesting for me. I can't wait to get it written so I can send to my agent. I think this is the one...hummm, I guess I say that about all my stories, but how can I not? I simply love all my characters so I hope it comes through in my writing. Wish me luck...now that Kristen has this killer book deal, I want one!!!! :P

Yep, sometimes it's good to move. I know, I just got here but if it's time, it's time. I must have 50+ boxes in the living room and I have a handful of office furniture. It's amazing all the crap I still keep and will have to go through when we get a permanent living space. I SO want an Eco-friendly, sustainable design home...it feels like so far in the future but it's going to happen damnit! :) Yes, I'll buy my own land and build my dream home without those darn HOAs. When I do, I'm going to throw a kickass housewarming party!

Okay, so I'm really exhausted and I have 3 more days to pack. Mr. Right decided that we should take the afternoon off to go see UP! Finally!!!! I have been so excited about that Pixar flick. It's the kid in me! Also, we found movers and after weighing the costs, it's better than having to rent everything individually and relying on just the two of us to get all the boxes and furniture hauled out. Back-breaking work should be passed onto stronger, younger folks. I'm feeling too old and after all the packing and lifting, it's hard on my body....I know we should ask for help, but we don't like asking friends and don't want to put them out. It's one of those things...although I have to admit, my friend Mark and Eden Bradley basically helped me unpack and pack all my stuff in LA while I was at work-- YOU GUYS ROCK! And then there's my buddy Nikki Duncan who helped me move into this place the first go-around, bless you! Heck, I've been there where I've helped people move several times and they never reciprocated the favor...but when you don't have to ask and they just do, those are totally awesome folks! No wonder I love them so! :) Memories, good times.

Have you ever looked around and felt that you have so much more to do even though you packed up about 85% of your stuff? I'm going through that right now. I'm getting all anxious and nervous which is stupid but I'm hoping that when I'm out of here, I will find some relief. Everything's going into storage because who knows when I'll move into a more long-term home. I'm just glad we'll be in civilization again! I totally love that. I can be minimalistic and I think I'm going to try to focus all my energies the next few months to create awesome projects!

Okay, got to finish packing! Special THANKS to everyone who purchased SUNSWEPT! It really does make a difference! :) Spread the word. LOL

Still living with this weird sinus/flu-like infection but packing continues...in addition to everything else I have going on...

I'm hanging in there. :)






At least yesterday I took a break because I felt horrible so my sister and I did an all day Burn Notice marathon. She got Season One for Christmas and then we watched Season Two through the USA Network online. We hooked the laptop to our flat screen tv and it was awesome! I had missed all of Season Two so it was nice to just OD on Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan). I really love that show!

Today, I'm back to the packing. Feeling like someone hit me in the head with a slegdehammer, my ears are muffled, and my nose hurts from blowing so much...alas, I've already brewed my yummy coffee and about to get the last stretch in as I have less than 3 days to pack. I know this week will pass in a blur so by this time next week I'll have a new zipcode!

If any of my friends are reading this...I am NOT neglecting you...I promise. Just sick, stressed, and not in the mood to talk to anyone.