Register for Desert Dreams Writers Conference

Looking for a great writing conference with solid educational programming and plenty of face time with editors and agents? Then register now for the Desert Dreams Conference, scheduled for April 4-6, 2008 at the San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona.

Speakers include Sherrilyn Kenyon, Carly Philips, Mary Jo Putney, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Cheyenne McCray, Jennifer Ashley, Lori Wilde, Brenda Novak, CJ Lyons, Jade Lee, Brenda Joyce and more...

Editor/Agents attending include Leah Hultenschmidt of Dorchester, Toni Plummer of St. Martin's, Joanna Raisanen of Harlequin, Rachel Vater of Lowenstein-Yost, Bob Mecoy of Creative Book Services, Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency, Jessica Faust of Bookends, Inc., and Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary Agency.

For more information check out Desert Rose RWA.

Destiny and Writing

I haven't spent a lot of time writing the last few months. Life has presented some unusual challenges and I've not made writing a priority. The last month, however, I have been writing. I've plotted 6 novels. I've rewritten the beginning of a novel that I originally wrote months ago. I've written new pages in a voice far different from the voice of past work. I think it's stronger this time. I hope so. Surely, I've learned something in all this time.

So why have I suddenly found my voice and started writing again? Why are the stories that I worried were dead for a while coming back like a movie running non-stop in my head? I think it's destiny. From "1001 Meditations" I found this entry:

Communicating with a future self can calm the anxieties we experience in the face of the unknown. Close your eyes and imagine that standing before you is an eighty-year-old, who looks strangely like you. Encouraged by the reassuring look in their eyes, you introduce yourself. They tell you that they are the embodiment of your destiny. You converse with them, asking for advice about your life's direction. After the conversation your future self hugs you, whispering words of encouragement into your ear before slipping into the distance. Comforted by their words, you walk forward into your future with greater confidence and trust.

I have pushed the fear behind me. It's time to walk forward into my future with confidence and trust. And I can't wait to introduce you to my new characters...

Life Changes So Fast

It's been months since I've written. I've found myself traveling all over the country, I spent time in London and I have a new granddaughter and daughter-in-law. My son married his long-time girlfriend just yesterday. They have a beautiful little girl, Zoe Elizabeth, who joined her two brother -- Nathan (almost 3) and John (15 months) at home. It's so much fun to be a grandmother.

We will celebrate our Christmas together tomorrow. It will be different for me, not having my son with me on Christmas Day. But it's magical that his family has grown and they are all so happy. I have to count my blessings.

In the midst of all this, I am still writing. I had a few months where I didn't work on my novels. I was busy with my travel writing (check out my new blog at http://www.travelwithsusan.blogspot.com/) and things were just crazy. But those stories were in my head. And the characters wouldn't leave me alone. I'm back at work on book one in my 6-book SEAL series. No, I do not want to be another Suzanne Brockmann. No one can write like she writes. But, I have my SEAL team, I know my guys, I have a rich history for every one of them and I can't wait to see where they take me.

Happy Holidays everyone and happy writing.