Princess Complex

Doo, Doo, Doo, Looking out my front door...

2010-02-06T14:48:00.000-05:00

A major storm has hit the east coast. *sigh* Can I just state for the record how tired I am of snow. Sure it's pretty coming down. It's fun to stay snuggled under the covers watching movies while it's coming down. But, I've said it before and I'll say it again I hate the clean up. My previous complaint was that we wouldn't get enough to use the snow blower so I would wind up shoveling which I really hate. But this winter we're getting so much snow that I still have to shovel some because the snow is more then my snow blower can handle. It's either feast or famine. Well I've ranted about the weather enough. I'm going back to my NCIS marathon, but before I do I want to share a photo of the view out of my front and back door. Hence the homage to CCR as the title of this post. LOL! You'll have to forgive the gridlines of the window screen and my thumb in the shot. I'm still getting the hang of taking pictures with my cell phone.

So, if you don't live in the path of the storm, lucky you. If you do stay safe and warm.

Getting it in Gear

2010-01-21T15:45:00.000-05:00

It would be nice if I was referring to my writing but I'm not. Don't get me wrong I'm still chugging ahead in that arena, but as alaways it's slow going. I'm talking about finally getting out of the chair and getting active. I've been wanting to take karate lessons for ages, but, due to varying circumstances, was not able to sign up until recently. I've only been to about four classes so far, but I'm having a ball. Yes, it's a little bit of a system shock to go from minimal exercise to a very high energy/high impact sport, but the soreness is so worth it. Im' up and moving and toning up, and I'm learning something new in the process.
That's a big thing for me. If what I'm doing doesn't engagement mentally then I'll quickly get bored with it and sooner or later stop. That's why gyms have never worked for me in the past. Free weights, treadmills, whatever are so mind numbing to me it's not funny. The only thing I really enjoyed about gyms were the classes and even then I could take it or leave it. Personally, I really wish that there were more organized activities for adults. I've been saying for ages that if there were some sort of adult league team sport that was actually serious about the sport I'd sign up in a heartbeat. So I guess that's part of what makes karate so great for me, the people that are in class are serious about and dedicated to what they are doing. I want to learn not just be humored. Im' so thrilled that I've found that and that I'm able to do something that's interesting and get back in shape at the same time.
So my little piece of unsolicited advice find an activity that you enjoy, that engages your mind, and gets you up and moving. Regardless of whether it's Wii Fit, karate, riding a stationary bike, or walking, whatever works for you just do it and stick with it. Yes, I know that's Nike's catch phrase, but it's applicable. :)

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T07:00:00.001-05:00

Just a short note to say Merry Christmas everyone! Hope your day is happy, safe, and filled with wonderful things.

For your viewing enjoyment a little Christmas light show. You may have seen it before, but it's a favorite of mine.

Have a very merry one!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

2009-12-24T20:19:00.000-05:00

And all through the house not a creature was stirring except two crazy kitties. One of whom, is currently sitting with me attacking the tie on my pants.

Merry Christmas Eve! I can't believe another Christmas is here already. I love the holiday season. The music, the lights, the cookies and most especially the getting together with families and friends. This year is especially cool, because we will in essence have a white Christmas (a great holiday movie, btw). We haven't had snow either in the sky or on the ground at Christmas in a long time. So even though the snow is residual it will still help the day be "merry and bright" to quote the song.

For me Christmas Eve was a fairly easy day. I had some last minutes shopping to do today. My trek to the mall wasn't as crazed as expected and I must admit I really enjoy the newly remodeled mall. It's all shiny and bright. LOL! Suffice it to say, I succesfuly accomplished my shopping mission and I hope the gift recipient will be quite happy with this item. The rest of my day was spent getting a little work done. I've designed and manage websites for a few friends. While I did that, I enjoyed the GhostHunters marathon. I just love that show, coupled with the fact that I love television marathons. I've discovered a number of shows that became favorites because of tv marathons. It was nice to have a day to just unwind and not run around crazed.

At any rate, I hope everyone gets some time amongst the bustle of visiting family, cooking, and cleaning to simply relax and enjoy the holiday. Travel safely to wherever the day will take you.

"...Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight."

Random Disney Tip Wednesday

2009-11-25T21:15:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weekends at Disney World? Shocked the heck out of me. I figured it would actually be a slower time a year with families getting together for a big turkey dinner. The more I thought about that though the more it made sense. Maybe you're really not into cooking for the clan. If you can get that turkey dinner catered as well as enjoy a few days of fun in the sun, I say go for it. Not to mention that the magic of Disney makes the entire holiday season really special. I mean where else can you walk down main street, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, get snowed on, and not even need a coat. There are so many wonderful things to do in Disney during the holiday season. The one I previously described is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas part. It's so much fun. They make it snow on Main Street Magic Kingdom, keep the most popular rides open for guest to enjoy. They do family photos, and special holiday parade. It's a ticketed event so the crowd isn't outrageous. All in all, it's a good time.
Also, at EPCOT they have the candlelight processional in the American Pavilion. A change series of celebrity guests read the story of the nativity accompanied by a soundtrack chorus that performs a selection of seasonal music. Very pretty, very moving, again something worth checking out. When we went to see it last, Neil Patrick Harris was doing the reading. He did a wonderful job. Disney releases a schedule of which celebrities are narrating and when. I know some people that arrange their trip dates to coincide with the celebrity of their choosing. :)

If you're even remotely a Disney fan, you definitely need to get to the House of Mouse during the holiday season. The lights, the displays, the decorations, they all make the Happiest Place on Earth an even happier place to be.

Happy Thanksgiving All!

Merry Christmas to Me & Other Stuff

2009-11-24T23:42:00.000-05:00

I'm an electronic junkie. I love gizmos and gadgets that are shiny and high tech. That being said, I went to Barnes and Noble last night because I wanted to see the Nook in person before I invested. Well long story short, I wound up pre-ordering one and I'm so excited to get it. As I said, Meery Christmas to me and I'm very much looking forward to my present. P.S. My mom got one too. LOL!

Anyway, so what have I been doing in the last week or so? Well, that's a very easy answer. I've been procrastinating. I fully admit it. I've been doing a read through of my story before I send out to another house for consideration and for some reason it's taking me forever to get through the read. Read through's always seem to take forever. Creation is so much easier then editing. I know writers who prefer the editing process because at least the story is already on the page, but for me I prefer the freedom of letting my mind go where it will. At any rate, I'll get it in gear. I'm about a third of a way through so far, but I will get there within a week.

I will beat the procrastination bug. :)

Rejection Sucks, but...

2009-11-16T22:31:00.000-05:00

I received a rejection today on a novella that I'd recently submitted for consideration. Needless to say getting rejected sucks large, but the rejection is just a small, dark spot in the midst of some many bright, positive things. First and foremost, this story got me back into the game. With school and everything that's gone on I hadn't written much in a long time. This story was the first finished and submission ready piece that I'd created in ages. Second, just because it wasn't right for this particular project doesn't mean that it's not right for another house. I'll tweak it and send it back out again. On some weird level, I'm sort of looking forward to sending it out again. Finally, while this story was turned down, the door was still left open to me to submit other projects. It's nice to have the blow soften, by being invited to submit other projects directly to a specific editor for consideration. And again, that I'm totally stoked that I actually have another project that I can send it.

So as I said in the title of this post, rejection sucks, but ... when one door closes somewhere a window of opportunity opens.

Random Disney Tip Wednesday

2009-11-11T20:00:00.001-05:00

I am a huge Disney fan. I'm a card carrying Disney Vacation Club member, I visit the happiest place on earth as often as I can, and, as far as I can tell, I have more articles of clothing with Disney characters or logos then anything else. Don't ask me why, I just love all things Disney. It's probably that going to Disney is like stepping off the planet and into a world of joy and laughter for a little while. I think I have more fun at Disney as an adult then I did as a child.
Seeing as how I'm a huge Disney fan, I thought it'd only make sense to take some time to toss out some random Disney facts for your reading enjoyment. So I'm going to start with the castles. In Disneyland you have Sleeping Beauty's Castles. The design of said castle was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. In Walt Disney World Florida, you'll find Cinderella's Castle which stands more then double the height of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
In Cindy's castle, you'll find a couple of fun places to visit. FIrst it the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where you and your little girls and get the royal treatment make over. Personally, I think it's a fun concept and I'm totally going to get the princess updo one day, but I do miss the art and collectibles store that used to be there. Second is Cinderella's Royal table, formerly King Stefan's Feast, which is one of my favorite places to eat while at Disney (Tip: Make Priority seatings for dinner. It's the best meal to eat there, IMO). This restaurant is on one of the upper levels of the castle. You get an excellent view of Fantasyland out of the castle windows on this level. One other locale in the castle that not many get to see is the Cinderella Castle Suite. This suite was once intended to be a private apartment for the Disney family, but Roy Disney passed before it could be used. In later years, the apartment was remodeled into a site fit for, well, royalty. The only way you can stay in this room is to be randomly selected from all of the park guests.

Just a little fun tidbit about my favorite vacation spot.

Clearing the Creative Channels

2009-11-10T20:00:00.002-05:00

My first degree is in English, heavily focused on creative writing. I blame that for why I agonize over every word I put on the page. Makes it hard to get into the zone when you analyze and re-analyze every word you put on the page. Apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment, though, because as I've already mentioned I returned to school to get another bachelor's degree program in vascular ultrasound. I love learning, but I've had enough of tests and homework, at least for another ten years. LOL!

Still, I never cease to be amazed at how much school really does take out of you. As soon as I was done with all the work involved with that program it seemed as though the dampers that had had kept me from finding the words to put on the page came off. I really don't know what changed, but I started writing more pages per day then I thought I'd ever be able to do and I didn't even need to take long hot showers, to find the words. Don't ask me why, but when I'm really stuck a hot shower seems to be another way to help clear the creative channels and help me focus in on the scene I want to write.

I've managed completed two stories. One novel length, and one short story. The first story I completed was a M/M vampire novel which is still sitting on the shelf in need of editing, but I fully intend to get back to that soon. The next was a M/M short which I have submitted to Samhain for consideration for inclusion in their Angels/Demons anthology. Wish me luck, the acceptance/rejections will be going out relatively soon.

I've also managed to plot out my next story. It feels awesome to be writing and be productive instead of only being able to focus on it in dribs and drabs. Hopefully, I'll have new material out there soon.

Since Last We Spoke...

2009-11-09T20:51:00.000-05:00

A lot has happened in the year and a half since I last posted on this so I hope you'll forgive my total lack of communications. Let's see where should I start? Well, shortly after RT in Pittsburgh, I was accepted into a program at Thomas Jefferson University. So, I've spent the past year learning to be a vascular ultrasound technologist. I needed a career change and it seems that I've made the right choice. Never fear, I haven't given up on my writing, but a girl's gotta pay the bills.

Speaking of my writing, while I was in school I'd basically taken a hiatus form writing. It's hard to be creative when you've got homework, tests, and clinical taking up your attention and sucking the life out of you. Not to mention prepping for your registry exams which will make the difference of whether or not you get a job. For me, all of that was a tad distracting and sort of tamped down my creativity. I'm happy to say that it's back in full force now. Since my graduation and successfully passing my registry exams, I've completed two stories and I'm about to embark on a third. Guess those creative juices hadn't dried up, they were just simmering for a while. At any rate, it feels good to be back in the saddle again and I'm going to do my level best to be in touch more often.

RT Pictures, at long last

2008-06-15T19:40:00.002-04:00

I know it's been ages since I've blogged and since RT, but I finally managed to put a slide show together of RT photos. I had a blast, and these pictures will give you a small taste of some of the fun had and wonderful people I met.

Been a while...

2008-05-05T18:07:00.003-04:00

I know it's been ages since I've posted here. Between school and work, and everything else I have on my plate it's just been crazy. On the upside, I'm two weeks away from the end of the semester. Woohoo!!!

I was at RT two weeks ago and I had a blast. I'll have some photos to share soon, but in the meantime a friend found something really cool. One of the local Pittsburgh news affiliates did a slide presentation on their website and check out whose cover made the cut. :)

http://kdka.com/slideshows/romance.novel.convention.20.701520.html?rid=3
Free publicity is always good publicity.

More soon.

Rayna

Bitten by the Flu Bug

2008-03-12T21:51:00.002-04:00

I hate being sick. I hate the sneezing, coughing, and runny noses. I especially hate the raw skin on your nose from excessive blowing. Yes you can safely assume that I too have fallen victim to the evil flu bug. Why didn't you get a flu shot, you may well ask. I have an allergy to the medium in which they grown the flu vaccine. However, even it that weren't the case it wouldn't matter, I still would have gotten it, because unfortunately the strain of flu that is laying everyone low wasn't covered by this year's flu shot. If you weren't already aware, the flu shot that is given out each year is based upon the strains from the previous flu season. Apparently, this little vicious bug is a new kid on the block.

So I say all this to say what. Basically I've been sick as a dog and completely useless for a while. In fact, I had a chat at CoffeeTime Romance on the 26th of February and I was chatting away tucked in bed with a box of tissues close at hand. Picture if you will me typing a response, then hack up a lung, typing another response, and then violently blowing my nose. A lovely image, no? In retrospect it was sort of amusing. The upside is I'm now well on my way to recovery thanks to a big bottle of Robitussin and multiple boxes of Theraflu. As far as I'm concerned the makers of both medications should be canonized. So what's on tap for me now? Well my next major event will be RT, I haven't been in years and I'm really looking forward to going. I'm going to be signing on Wednesday night at their eBook expo, should be really cool!

I'll pop back in soon with more updates. Until next time, Stay healthy.

Chit Chat

2008-02-01T12:29:00.000-05:00

I had my first solo live chat on Jan. 30th. Talk about a good time, well after I got past the initial nerves. I got there a few minutes early, I mean since I didn't actually have to leave my house it would have been bad to have gotten there late. LOL! Anyway, when I arrived there were only maybe 2 or three people there and my thought was guess it's better then no one. I mean I'm a newbie author, very few people have actually heard of me yet. Still when the room started filling I felt marked relief and Crazy Mo, a fellow NJRW chapter member, was an excellent moderator as always. She kept the conversation lively and moving forward. There were no awkward lulls in the conversation.

It's sort of an odd feeling having people ask a bunch of questions about me and about my writing. I guess I'm still more used to being in the readers shoes then the authors shoes. Some of the questions were excellent and really required some thought. It was nice to finally meet some of the readers. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that some had already read my book before the chat. How cool is that!! On the whole it was a great time. I'm looking forward to my next on in February 26th at CoffeeTime Romance.

The Review Rollercoaster

2008-01-04T12:45:00.000-05:00

I love riding roller coasters. Not wooden ones, mind you, just the metal ones that will flip, dip, twist, and loop. Last spring, I went to Great Adventure, the Six Flags Park near me in Jackson, NJ. It was a special all coaster night. Which for the coaster lover that I am was totally awesome. I'm sure you're wondering where the heck I'm going with this and what it has to do with reviews. Well, I got to thinking, "A dangerous past time. I know.". Getting reviewed is a little like riding roller coasters to my way of thinking. For example, at this all coaster night I got to ride Kingda Ka. If you're not familiar with it here is the link. It's the worlds tallest, fastest roller coaster. There's not much to it, but what there is is intense. I remember waiting in line to ride this thing. Looking at the track, excitement and nerves tangling in my stomach. Then it was my turn and I get in the car and lock on the safety harness, "What are you thinking" screaming in my head. Then you leave the station house and you're at the point of no return, being launched into the sky.

Having your book sent to reviewers is a bit like this. You've got all of this anticipation and nerves as you check the net to see if reviews have been posted. You're sitting there thinking you must be crazy subjecting yourself to potential ridicule. Then you get reviewed and it can be as exciting as riding Kingda Ka or it can be like riding the Superman rollercoaster where all I could think was get me off of this thing now. I'm going to be sick.

For me my first review fell in the Kingda Ka category. I was so thrilled and excited to get 5 Angels from Fallen Angel Reviews. It makes you fell really good to know that people are reading and enjoying your creation. Now, I get to post this cool little graphic on my website.

If you'd like to read the full review Click Here

I know that not all reviews will be great and that I'll have some that make me feel the same way the Superman Ride did, but 5 Angels isn't a bad way to start.

A Year of Firsts

2007-12-10T23:26:00.000-05:00

A friend once said to me that I'll never have another first book again so revel in every moment of it. True words have never been spoken as far as I'm concerned. Don't get me wrong, I not saying that the blossom will have worn off on subsequent books, just that everything that surrounds the first book will just be a tad more special and moments I'll definitely never forget. 2008 will be a year filled with firsts for me and I'm really looking forward to it. So much so that I've already started in on those firsts.

As I've already said my first book released on November 21st. I followed that by having my first book signing on Dec. 2nd. It was in NYC at the New York Center for Independent Publishing. Apparently for the last 20 years they've been holding a book fair and conference for small presses and independent publishers and this year Linden Bay Romance/All Romance eBooks had a table. I had the best time hanging out with my good friends and fellow authors Tara Nina, CH Admirand, and Anne Elizabeth. Tara and CH were also signing, Anne came to visit and support us. My best friend, Michele, and her family also trekked into the city to support me. (They'd been wanting to go to the new Dave & Busters on 42nd Steet. I gave then the excuse they needed. LOL!) We laughed all day long and chatted with the people that attended the event. It really was a great time and I can't say how relieved I was to have my first signing with people I know and like so much. I hope to have some photos to share with you soon. I am so bad about bringing a camera with me. I must be because I really don't like be photographed, so I'm often at the mercy of my friends when it comes to getting shots of events that I attend. :)

Then on Dec. 5th, another good friend and fellow author, Caridad Pineiro, had me as a guest blogger. It was my first time guest blogging and I really had a good time. I got to talk to some of her fans about my book, and psychics, and their thoughts on the paranormal. Take a look! I gave away a free download of my book. If you weren't able to join in for that drawing don't worry. I'm doing the book-a-day at The Romance Studio on January 4th.

To circle back around to my original point, I really am looking forward to every event that I do in conjunction with this first signing. It will be a year full of firsts and I can't wait to experience every second of them.

WooHoo!! The Countdown Ends...

2007-11-21T13:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Ok, I realize it's the day before Thanksgiving, but today is an awesome day as well. Why because my very first book ONLY IN HER DREAMS released today from The Wild Rose Press.

Here's an excerpt of my book.

Here's a link to buy it. ***A little shameless self promotion cant' hurt***

I can't tell you how excited I am!! It's been such an incredible day. I've been getting messages, and phone calls from family and friends congratulating me. It's a really special day for me today. You on'y get this day once and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. Isn't this an fabulous way to start out a long holiday weekend?!

This is just the beginning really because a lot of other cool firsts are coming up very soon. I have my first book signing in NYC on Dec. 2nd. Then I'm going to be a guest blogger for the first time on December 5th. There are details on both events on my website, www.RaynaVause.com.

I'm going to keep this short but sweet. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Until next time!!

The Countdown Begins

2007-11-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

I got the best email over the weekend. My editor emailed me to let me know the my book, Only in Her Dreams will be released on November 21st. How cools is that. So please stop back by here, my site, or The Wild Rose Press's site for info on how to buy my book.

Click here to read an except

It seems things have really kicked into high gear since this weekend. I've already got a couple of book signings lined up the first of which is on Dec. 2nd in NYC at the 20th Annual Small Press and Independent Publisher Book Fair. I'm really looking forward to it. So if you're in NYC stop on by it's open to the public and then I'll be doing a little guest blogging. My friend Caridad Pineiro has kindly agreed to let me park on her blog on Dec. 5th. I'm really looking forward two it. I'm going to be talking about psychics and other weird happenings, it should be a lot of fun. I hope you'll stop by and say hello. Here's a link to her blog, she's an fantastic writer, not to be missed.

I'll have more details both here and on my website about all of my happenings. It should be a fun ride.

Talk to you soon!

NaNoWriMo and NJRW Follow up

2007-10-28T22:16:00.000-04:00

I finished with the conference just to get plunged head first into school work and work work, but I've finally managed to shovel out and I'm getting back into the writing swing. About time huh? To encourage getting some serious writing done, I signed up for NaNoWriMo. This is the first time I've ever done it so I'm really looking forward giving it a shot and seeing what I can produce. I tend to be more productive when I have someone I'm accountable to or if I've got deadlines. This will be great because it gives me both. Plus some of my Wild Rose friends have signed up as well so it will be sort of a team effort. If you're doing NaNo feel free to add me as a buddy my user id is rvause.

Also, I may not have mentioned it before, but RomanceNovel.tv came to the NJRW conference this year. The RNT team is such a great group and they are so supportive of the genre. I was really honored to have them do an interview with little newbie author me. :) Considering the line up of interviews they had it made me feel pretty special. The flip side of the coin is I'm not the most photogenic as far as I'm concerned which is causing me to be excited and at the same time dread seeing my interview. LOL! Anyway, the first segment from the conference is out I've embedded it here, but please do check out RomanceNovel TV's website they've got a ton of great interviews, plus forums and a bunch of other cool things on the site. This clip is of some of the authors that participated in our Literacy book signing.

Part 2 of the book fair will be posted this Friday, Nov. 2nd and other segments will follow as the weeks progress. I know I'll enjoy watching them all.

That's it from me for this post. To my fellow NaNoers - Good Luck and Happy Writing.

Celebrate, Good Times!

2007-10-09T18:06:00.000-04:00

I've been MIA the last few weeks because I've been neck deep in planning the NJRW conference. This past weekend was show time and let me say it was awesome!!
Now granted I was crazed for the better part Friday, but all in all the conference was a raging success. Of the three years that I've done this I have to say it was the best ever. I have to send a huge thank you to my committee you ladies rock! Outside of the success of the overall event I had a number of really cool things happen for me personally. First, I had two editor appointments. I got requests for fulls from both houses, but one definately sounded more enthusiatic then the other. Still, either way it's good to get a request. I rushed from my second appointment over to another conference room where I was interviewed by RomanceNovel.tv. They did an author on author in which Rita Award winning author Sophia Nash interviewed me. She also used to be a television journalist, I think she won an Emmy for her work. You should definately check her out. Still, it was very exciting for newbie author me to be interviewed. And let's face it free publicity is free publicity.

The next thing that happen was one of my speakers who I'm friendly with asked me if I'd be interested in being part of a panel workshop at National in San Francisco next July. I get a charge from that because I never really feel like I have much to teach people. It makes you feel good to realize you do have knowledge you can share with others tha tmight prove useful.

Later that evening, I went to dinner with the Christine WIthohn and the lovely ladies of Book Cents Lierary Agency. These are some of the funniest people ever. We dined and talked late into the evening and had a fantastic time. After that we went down to the conference after-party and it was still going strong. By the time I got home on Sunday I was completely wiped.

Thank you again to all who helped organize the conference and all that attended. You help create one OUTSTANDING weekend.

Back to School

2007-09-18T17:27:00.000-04:00

School is back in for me as it is for most other students. I have to say this has been the most unusual back to school that I have ever been through. I'm taking two classes one Oracle Database class and one on Adobe InDesign. I go to my first Indesign class albeit a bit late read that as really late) The professor was very cool about it. Class was interesting, homework assigned. Great. I come in the next week, late yet again, to find that I have a brand new teacher and we're starting from scratch. Okie Dokie. So I go through all the craziness and frustration of getting the right textbooks (don't get me started on the textbook buying debacle or the fact that the textbook industry is a racket). Then my new teacher informs me that she's using the book I already have. Grrr...
Ok, so I go to class the next evening. Let me preface this by saying I take night classes on Monday and Tuesday for wa and a half hours each night. Anyway, I go to my second class to discover that due to lack of enrollment it's being run as an independent study. What does this mean. I only have to go to class five times all semester. Ok, that was a pretty cool discovery. The down side is I'm largely on my own in figuring this massive program out. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

So let's add to the back to school craziness final prep for NJRW's Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. I'm the conference chair so I'm running around like a nut making sure everything is all set. Still the end result will be terrific. Oh and of course, edits on my book and working on a new manuscript.

Yes, folks I am insane. And now I need to go pay attention to what's going on in class. ;)

I'll Be Sailing....

2007-09-04T08:05:00.000-04:00

Somewhere beyond the sea,
Somewhere, waiting for me,
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing;

I've been humming that tune for the last few weeks. Why? Well aside form the fact that I do tend to enjoy Bobby Darin's music. I just spent last week on the high seas. For my 30th birthday Me, my Mom and some very good friends enjoyed 5 days of sun, sea, and sand. We had a ball! We were on Carnival Cruise's ship IMAGINATION. Here's a picture of her.
From what I can tell she's one of the smaller boats in the Carnival Fleet, she only holds about 3,000 people total.
As I was saying I had a total blast. I got to hang with my best bud Michele and her family. We went and visited a relatively new port of call Grand Turk Island. It's a lovely little island. It's only about 7 miles long and 4 wide. We took a historical bus tour which was nice because the bus was the only place that had air conditioning. We stopped at the old prison. Initially the biggest crime was public drunkenness so the jail was fairly small. It was funny when they were talking about jail breaks. Sure they happened but the island so small and the surrounding waters so treacherous where were they going to run to? Here's a picture of the main cell block.

Next stop was the island lighthouse. Ships complained about the dangerous waters around the island and demanded a lighthouse and then the islanders would purposefully leave it off so ships would wreck. Why? Because they used the wrecked boats as wood to build homes plundered cargo and it was also a way to ensure their salvage boats had work. LOL! Here's a picture of the lighthouse and of the surrounding waters. Don't let the beautiful tranquil waters fool you.

Next stop was Half Moon Cay. They pronounce Cay as Key, but hey it's spelled cay I'm saying cay. Anyway, I don't have any pictures from there because I was too busy swimming in the the crystal clear, but very salty waters, and snorkeling, and getting burnt to a crisp. Remember folks just because you can't reach the center of your back doesn't mean that it won't burn. I turned redder then Rudolph's nose, but I had a marvelous time doing it.

Then off to the Bahamas. This is my second time there and I have to say it was even better then the first time. We took a tour through the botanical gardens and to Fort Charlotte on a Segway. If you've never seen a Segway here's a picture. They are the coolest machines ever.
The historical sites and gardens were neat, but being this machine was the best of all. I totally want one now just to ride around the neighborhood.

Anyway, I could go on and on about all the good times we had and the fantastic food we ate, but I'll save it for another time. With my classes starting back up and summer heading into fall I'm just going to hold on to my memories of warm sandy beaches to get me though. Oh and of course I have to dive back into NJRW conference planning.

The Editing and the Ecstacy

2007-08-21T18:44:00.000-04:00

July and August have been hugely busy. First I'm the conference chair of NJRW's conference, so I'm neck deep in planning that. Then, after National I had to dive right back into edits on my book. OMG! Can you say painful. My editor sent me my edits in two parts I worked on an completed part one before Dallas. It wasn't bad at all. All things considered I got through them relatively quickly. Then part two arrived and I was thinking well I did a little touch up work on this section before I even submitted it so the edits shouldn't be too bad. UGH! Was I wrong, but it didn't all come from my editor there was equal parts things I was seeing ans wanted to fix as much as her. We use the track changes function in word for edits and they ask you to do the same with your changes so that it's obvious what you did. Let me tell you I had sections of that manuscript that were all the in blue which was the color I picked for my change. Finally getting through it and sending it in was such a relief I can't even begin to tell you. But, I made it through and I'm a stronger person for it. LOL!

So what else has been going on. I got the coolest news from my publisher shortly after RWA. As I'd been editing my word count was slowly but surely eeking it's way up. I was about 10,000 words shy of the word count to go into print and I was lamenting to a couple of friends about how I really wanted to reach that word count but I just wasn't sure I was going to get there. I mentioned it to one friend who is also with Wild Rose while at the national conference, the other friend I was talking to about a week or two later. The very next day I get an email from my publisher, they've changed the word count requirements and now books in my category will be going into print too! Let me tell you I called the friend back to tell her the news and then I sent the better part of two days randomly breaking into the 'I'm going into print' song and dance.

To get a visual it's sort of like the cabbage patch if you remember that dance, but not as smooth. You sort of make a double fisted punching motion to the right, center, left center. You make a circle away from your body then back in. Suffice it to say my Mother who was watching me do this all weekend was highly amused. I think if I kept going should would have paid me to stop. LOL!

So, Only in Her Dreams will first come out as an ebook then about six months later I'll be out in PRINT!!! How cool is that? To finally be able to hold my book. It's quite a rush.

Back From National!

2007-07-19T00:23:00.000-04:00

Ok it's been way too long since I've posted and I was waiting for a few reasons. First because I had a new website in progress and two I was heading to RWA's National conference in Dallas.

I;ve finally got the new site up and running take a look, let me know what you think. www.raynavause.com. The designer dida fabulous job and I'm just so excited about it. Also, I've got myself a book trailer. I'm a techno-geek, stuff like this makes me happy. I totally did a happy dance when I figured out some basic php and created a contact page on my site. LOL!

On to Dallas. It totally rocked! I had more fun then I've ever had at national. I was hanging out with the ladies from Book Cents Literary Agency. Christine is so terrific. She invited me to join her and her clients for dinner and OMG it was SO MUCH FUN!!! They are the best bunch of girl. Here is a photo that I stole from my new bud's, Kari Lee Townsend, website.

Kari and Barbie Jo are a riot.

So meeting them was really the highlight of national for me, but I also really learned a lot. There we so many great workshops chocked full of info. I'm really glad that I went and I'd encourage anyone who wants to write romance to go. Or course, in the process I came home with an even busier schedule then when I went. I have so much writing to do and I should probably get to it!

Talk to you soon!

My First Cover!

2007-06-04T23:09:00.000-04:00

I mentioned a blog or two ago about milestones about celebrating each step of the way through the publication of my first book. Well the next BIG milestone has arrived, my very first book cover and I have to say they did one heck of a job. I even have a blurb. Take a look:

I'm just so thrilled. I know that with every book that comes out from here on out I'm going to get such a charge out of getting my cover, but your first cover is something special. Getting the call/email, is mind blowing, signing the contract is so exciting, but getting that first cover...that's really something. It's the first tangible proof that you've done it. You've jumped that hurdle. You are now a published author and nothing can ever change that. Which is why it's an even bigger plus that I'm happy with it. I can't imagine what it would be like to get your very first cover and hate it. UGH! Nightmare.

So this is my cover let me know what you think? If you'd like to know more about Only in Her Dreams you can visit the books page of my website. There you'll find a book description. I know, I know. I'm badly in need of a site update. Believe me I'm working on it. :)

I've Been Tagged!!

2007-05-22T15:20:00.000-04:00

Looks like I was tagged by Lauri Robinson earlier this month. So 8 random facts about me, hmmm….

I have three cats only 1 of which I got on purpose. They’re my babies and probably more spoiled then some children.

I’m a pack rat, I love to collect things. Most of the things I collect, though, are Disney related, pins, snowglobes, hallmark ornaments.

I’ve never gotten rid of a single book. My collection goes all the way back to my very first romance novel. Actually, farther then that because I still have most of the story books my Mom read to me as a child.

I’m an only child.

I love vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. Unfortunately, I’m lactose intolerant. *sigh*… Ok, that fact doesn’t usually stop me.

My Two favorite Television shows are Bones and Dancing with the Stars. I’m totally signing up for ballroom dancing lessons one of these days.

I’d much rather be playing sports then watching sports. I’m partial to basketball, softball, and volleyball.

I played the flute until I graduated from High School. My high school didn’t have a regular orchestra, it had jazz band. That was a blast.

Here are the rules

In case I tag you, here are the rules:

Each player starts with 8 random facts or habits about themselves.

People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their 8 things with a copy of these rules.

At the end of your blog you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.

Don't forget to leave them a note saying they've been tagged.

I'm not really one to forward things on, but if you’d like to share your random 8, great! Feel free to respond here or post to your own blog. I’d appreciate a link back to me if you do.

So, Tag you're it!

Milestones

2007-05-01T16:29:00.001-04:00

There are so many different milestones that a person achieves in there life. There are some that are common to many and a huge amount more that a re unique to the individual. If you read my previous blog then you know that I achieved a HUGE milestone recently. I sold my first book. Well, between signing the contract and the publication of the book there are a lot of smaller milestones in between and I plan on celebrating every one. In fact I just achieved one recently. My author page and book blurb is up on The Wild Rose Press’s website. How cool is that! I have back cover copy. Yes, I do realize that I’m being a total dork about this, but I’m excited and having fun. :p
Here is the link, check it out:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/authors/RaynaVause.htm

So this is what has me doing a happy dance today. I’m so excited about the whole thing and I’m going to do my level best to enjoy every minute of the process.

So next on my plate, is a May writing blitz. Some of the ladies from TWRP garden of authors have gotten together to do a mini Novel in a Month type thing. I’m really excited about this because, I tend to need accountability to keep me moving forward at times and I have a story idea that I really want to get down on paper. This should be a lot of fun and highly productive. I hope.

It’s really amazing what a difference that one email/phone call/letter that says yes we want your story can make!

I'VE SOLD!!!!!!

2007-04-17T22:14:00.000-04:00

I've finally done it. After years of working and sweating I've finally managed to sell a book. I got the email on Friday, April 13th. IMO, Friday the 13th has always been a lucky day and this past Friday was luckier then most. It started by being awoken by an annoying telemarketer, but I didn't stay annoyed for long. In fact, a short ten minutes later when I logged onto my email. My day brightened significantly.

When I saw the message from the editor I'd been corresponding with I did not want to open it. I was just not in the mood for rejection, but I figured sometimes you just have to rip the band-aid off and get it over with. To my surprise and delight the message was the offer of a contract from The Wild Rose Press for my paranormal romantic suspense novel currently titled Only in Her Dreams.

Needless to say my excitement was off the charts. I grabbed the phone and called my Mom. I was talking so fast she couldn't understand me. She was the first of many excited calls I made that day. By the end of the day I was wiped from emotion overload. The next day I received a bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries from my two best friends in the world. They are truely awesome and they made this special event even better.

I can't even begin to say how thrilled I am to finally get to this point and I'm so looking forward to the road ahead.

A Bit of Mental Spring Cleaning

2007-03-27T00:27:00.000-04:00

I had meant to post something last week, but with everything that was piling on my plate from work, school, and some other commitments that I have there was just no time. It was just one of those weeks where you wished you had a clone because that was the only way you were going to get everything you needed to accomplished done. But, I made it through alive and in need of a serious mental health day.

I also had a false alarm last week. I got an email from the house that requested my book. If I’d taken the time to read the subject instead of just the sender before I got excited I might not have been quite so disappointed to realize that it was simply an acknowledgement of receipt from the requesting editor. In retrospect I have to laugh, but at the time it really wasn’t all that amusing. I have to say I’m looking forward to hearing from them, but at the same time if it’s bad news I’d almost rather get no response. As they say, no news is good news.

On a truly positive note, I was watching an episode of Bones over the weekend and got a spark of inspiration on how to fix a manuscript that I’d given up for dead. I’m really glad about that, because I really did like the main character in this book, I was just at a lose as to what to do next with her. So I sent out the chapters that I had edited to my critique partner. She’d never read this manuscript because we teamed up after I’d put this book in a draw, metaphorically speaking. It’s always so nice to get a fresh perspective on things. She came up with some ideas that never would have occurred to me, but really made some of the events in the scene gel.

After being so bogged down for the last few weeks, it’s nice to feel like things are clearing out, sort like I've done a mental spring cleaning. Now, fresh ideas are blooming, and I’m ready to get back to writing.

They've Got Mail!!

2007-03-14T18:46:00.000-04:00

Woohoo!! The manuscript is in the mail. I just finished up the final edits on the manuscript that was requested and emailed it off. It’s such a weight off my shoulders and (to borrow a line from Roswell) now I have this really cool window of time to obsess. Will they buy it, won’t they. Only time will tell.

Giving birth to your books takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but all the decisions are in the authors hands. But publication, unless you want to self pub, which I don’t, that’s entirely up to someone else. Don’t get me wrong if self publication is the way you choose to go, more power to you, it’s just not the route for me. I guess I need the validation that my talent is good enough for someone to want to buy my creation.

So now I wait with fingers crossed. Tonight, I play and I celebrate my accomplishment, and I do the critique on Shai’s work. (I know you’re reading Shai.) Tomorrow, I get back to my regularly scheduled writing program.

A Cosmic Balancing Act

2007-03-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

The cosmos seems to have a way of balancing things out, in the most interesting of ways. Yesterday, I was at work thinking about a test I have tonight in Advanced Java, when an email lands in my inbox from one of my partners for this group project I had to do for this same class. The project was due last Wednesday, but because one of the members of my group wanted to try and work out the last of the bugs with the program the professor generously gave us a few extra days, but said it was definitely due in by Friday. So we send to this third member if you want to work on it a bit more fine, just make sure you submit it by Friday. We followed up with is guy to ensure that he submitted the project and we just hear back from him yesterday. When I read his email I hit the roof. His response to our inquiry was yeah, how is that that section of the program you were working on going? Did you guys put anymore time into it? OMG!!! I wanted to strangle him. Not only had he not bothered to look at the section of the project we held up submitting for him to examine, but he was still diddling around with another piece of the project that worked just fine. I got in touch with the professor to let him know what was going on, but I was seriously pissed about this.

Then last night when I get home from class, I check my email again. A little over a week or so back, I submitted a query to The Wild Rose Press pitching a romantic suspense novel that I’d written. Finally, I had a response from them and WOOHOO!! They want to see the full of the manuscript. Now, I realize this isn’t exactly “the call” but still it’s a thrill to hear that someone is interested in seeing your work. Talk about a mood lifter. This is doubly exciting because this is a book that was tucked under the bed because it was just too short to submit to most publishing houses. I think it’s really cool that there are small presses popping up fairly regularly that are open to stories that are less then 65,000 words. This opens up all types of opportunities for writers.

Needless to say, I’m stoked about my request and as soon as I get through that Java test I have today, I’m going to get the manuscript sent off.

A Little Unsolicited Advice

2007-03-02T11:11:00.000-05:00

Whoever said anyone can write a book has never actually tried writing one themselves. It takes a very strong, very persistent person to not only start, but to stick with it for the long haul, in my opinion. Fortunately, for me I have a wonderful and supportive community of writers behind me to help and encourage me. Still, even with all of that help and support you have to find the motivation within yourself to get your but in the seat and write. I am the queen of procrastination. 'Just one more chapter of this book and then I'll get to writing', 'Just 15 more minutes of this game and then I'll start writing', After Bones goes off then I'll get to it.' Any of these excuses sound familiar? I know I've used them all then inevitably by the time I'm done 'I'm just too tired to be creative today, I'll get to it tomorrow.' It's a vicious cycle and it has nothing to do with not wanting to write and everything to do with not wanting to face that internal critic.

One of the biggest things that I've done since the last time I posted here is find a critique partner. I have to say that since we started working together my productivity have increase exponentially. I've even managed to get a query out on an old book that I thought would have to be tucked under my bed never to see the light of day. Yeah me! Working with Shai has been great. She's been terrific to critique with because she works with my voice and style instead of trying to morph me into something I'm not. I think in the end I'll have a better book because of it. I'd also like to think that I've done the same for her. I think that's the mark of a good critique group/partner. The last thing I would want is to be part of a group/partnership that tries to change my voice, and make me sound just like them or how they think I should sound. I've heard a number of stories like that. I think that's part of why I've avoided doing something like this for so long.

So, here is a little unsolicited advice. If you are a perpetual procrastinator like me, find yourself a critique group. Making yourself accountable to someone is the best way to keep you on track and if you're lucky you'll wind up in a situation that allows you to create something better then you could have created on your own.

Wow, I know it's been ages since I've posted here and I've made a pact with myself to do better in the future.

A relaxing Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T09:38:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is usually a hectic holiday or at the very least the start of a hectic holiday season. Cooking all day and cleaning in preparation for family is just too much hassle in my opinion. Don't get me wrong I like the big mean just as much as anyone, but all the work involved in the getting ready and then the cleaning up. UGH!! Which is why I'm happy that my holiday is a very low key affair. Me and my mom get our meal catered, ok we ordered it from Wegmans, and we eat turkey and have a movie fest. Today's fest will consist of RV then a House marathon. Who could ask for a better line up eight episodes of the extremely sexy Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. Wilson. YUM!! Don't get me wrong I think the show as a whole is wonderful. I love Houses surly nature, but Dr. Wilson is like icing on the cake or perhaps the cherry on top. So from me and mine, to you and yours, the happiest and healthiest of Thanksgivings. Now, I have some dvds to watch.

Paranormal Phenomenon

2006-11-09T21:32:00.000-05:00

If you love John Edward raise your hand! *Insert me waving my hands frantically* I used to love to watch Crossing Over and I just saw his new show one the WE network John Edward Cross Country. I loved it. I sat here laughing and crying right along with the people getting read. There is also another show with a female medium named Lisa Williams that I really want to check out. Yes, I am a sucker for all things paranormal. Mediums, psychics, tarot card readers, I find it all immensely fascinating. Here's the thing though, you couldn't pay me enough to watch a horror movie, but I'll watch a show about hauntings in a heartbeat and then spend the rest of the night paranoid as all get out that the nothing that my cat is staring at is actually a ghost that I just can't see. Dog and cats are supposed to be able to see spirits.

I think it's the 'what if ' factor of paranormal phenomenon that keeps me enthralled it's why I love reading paranormal romance. Anything is possible. What if this man really is connecting with a loved one that's passed on, what if that person really is still here watching over me. Of course, this also leads me to wonder if some lascivious spirit is living in my house and watching me shower. (Yes, this is how my mind works. ) I just love the possiblity of it all. Not the shower thing that's just plain creepy.

I like that there are no rules. You can make them up as you go. IMO as a writer paranormals gives you a lot of freedom to be creative. For me that's all part of the appeal.

Welcome Aboard!

2006-11-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new blog. You're brave to read on. In this blog you'll get to see the inner workings of my mind and believe me my mind is a scary place to be. LOL! Seriously, I'm ridiculously excited because I've been able to put my newly acquired web design skills to work and I've built myself a website, www.raynavause.com. I just finished bulding and uploading the last page, and I'm darn proud of it.

As you'll see if you visit my site, I'm as aspiring author and this site and blog will be chronicalling my journey to publication. Currently, I have a request for my WIP from both an editor and agent. Unfortunately, I still have a few more edits to do before I send it in. Add to it the fact that I'm woring towards a degree in computers and I'm very busy little bee.

So, this was just a quick hello and intro, now I have to go back to doing homework and my partial. Hope you'll stop back often, and I promise to try and write on a regular basis.

See you soon! :)