Damn it.

OY.

#1. Terri, thank you for de-vinegarizing. I think, like Hellie, I’m PMSing.

#2. Chance said: “Must remember J’s technique next time I want to start a rumble. Pretend like you’re being polite…”

You have my number and now I’m scared.

As for the rest of you, exactly. There are slew of wonderful writers with original approaches, but some, sad to say, are beating the dead horse that is this weary reader. Don’t over-sex me, over metaphor me, over vampire, zombie, Jane Austen werewolf me. Don’t hit me over the head with your own cleverness or the hate=good sex approach….

Just tell me a story that pulls on my heart. That’s all I ask. When I think about my favorite movies, they are all ones where I really cared about the character, or came to love them despite their faults. You can start off writing a jerk as long as he learns his lesson. You can even start off with the dimwit heroine as long as she’s lovable and progresses in some way.

Lastly, the thing I’ve REALLY had too much of is my kids’ fighting. 8 and almost 10. Girl and boy. Any suggestions (because I’m ready to drill a hole in my temple)?

Who can make you a frapaccino with nothing but some duct tape and a paper clip. He is the McGyver of baristas.

*sob

I have no girl scouts in my neighborhood. Gods, they actually encourage those munchkins to go door to door still? Here, they stake out the entrances to grocerie stores, backed up by fierce looking Moms who make it plain if one hand is laid on their children, they will pull out the uzi.

UZI! I used the secret word and win another apple fritter!

Kiddo’s BFF is a girl scout and keeps promising to bring the form for me to order. MUST HUNT THAT KID DOWN!

Breakroom is all stocked back up on chocolate, chips, and diet soda. Mutiny cut off at the knees.

Irish – I read that Balogh book many moons ago and it’s one of the reasons I went hunting for her backlist. Gosh, that was almost 10 years ago, I think. Those Mistress books were awesome. And partly because there weren’t a million out there just like them.

I think the couple who still don’t like each other much having sex makes for the great heartbreak stuff after. When my characters say, “We shouldn’t have done that,” it’s more because they know they are now in way too deep and getting hurt is nearly inevitable. They are pessimists, what can I say?