I’m one of those authors who thrives on pressure. Unlike many, I like deadlines. They motivate me to work and get words down, no matter how much I might want to avoid writing on a particular day. But deadlines only work for me when they’re imposed by someone else — someone with authority. Like an editor.

I’ve never been able to hold myself accountable in the same way. It’s as though my subconscious mind won’t be fooled by anything that doesn’t come with very real consequences. Can’t meet an editor given deadline? There are real consequences to that. I might not get another contract. I’ll ruin my relationship with the publisher. My book might never see the light of day elsewhere.

But if I miss a deadline I impose on myself? Eh. No big deal. I can push it back a day. Or two. Or a week. Or a month. Before I know it, I’m twiddling my thumbs six months later because I’ve pushed that “deadline” back so many times I lost count.

According to its Wikipedia page, NaNoWriMo is “a creative writing project held annually in November in which participants attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in one month.” It’s a great way for writers to engage in a community of authors all attempting to do the same thing. And that’s commendable.

But there are no consequences for not meeting the 1,667 word daily goal. And instead of acting as a driving incentive, it’ll simply be pressure… for the sake of pressure. That has the opposite effect on me. It makes me stress out, wallow in guilt when I don’t make the word count (and that’s pretty much inevitable), and generally hate every moment of what’s likely to be an interminable month.

No thanks. For me, the best approach — aside from an editor-imposed deadline — is steady progress. A little bit of progress, every day. 500 words is great. 1000, even better. 1500? I love those days.

I won’t be writing an entire novel in the month of November. But you know what? That’s okay. I will be writing, and that’s all that matters.

(NaNoWriMo image by: mpclemens)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As always, Evanovich delivers a fast paced, light, easy read. I flew through this book. Unlike the previous installments, this one felt a little… fluffy. Perhaps it was because I couldn’t quite get into the main case. I liked the evolving relationship between Stephanie and Morelli, and as always, I had a few laugh-out-loud moments. Overall, another good installment in this series. (A)

View all my reviews >>

Image by Churl

My writing process has changed. I used to be a plotter, but lately, I find that trying to outline makes everything grind to a halt. So I’m embracing my organic writing abilities. I’m loving the discovery process–getting to know my characters, learning what makes them tick, putting them in situations new to me (and them) and watching them react.

So last night, I started working on a new novella. Today, I wrote 1,150 words and in the process, learned that my heroine performed a heroic act that she can’t escape, and that her father, who’s six feet under, still haunts her. (Not in a paranormal kind of way, despite my tendency to write in that genre.)

The hero remains veiled to me, with the exception of one careless remark he made to the heroine that gives me a hint about how his background is going to conflict with the situation in which she finds herself.

Word count total: 1,441 words (8% of projected 18,000 words)

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

rating: 5 of 5 stars
An excellent, approachable method for organizing everything in your life. Although Allen focuses mostly on getting things done in a corporate environment (which is helpful to me, too), a lot of his suggestions can easily be applied to every aspect of your life. (A)

View all my reviews.

Next year, I plan on listing a detailed breakdown of the books I read, once a month. Otherwise, it’s just too easy to forget to recommend spectacular books (and to steer you clear of others). In the meantime, though, here’s a quick list of my favorite reads of 2008.

I chose to narrow it down to one a month, for the sake of simplicity. In the order in which I’ve read them, here are my top 12 reads of 2009. And if you had any doubt my reading tastes are eclectic, well… yeah.

The Innocent Mage, by Karen Miller

I’m a sucker for a well-written fantasy tome, and Miller’s debut made my annual vacation in Mexico that much better. I tore through all 800 (or so) pages in a day and a half.

Betrayed, by Jamie Leigh Hansen

If you’re getting a little weary of the typical paranormal fare, run to your nearest bookstore and pick up BETRAYED. Jamie’s voice is dark and wonderfully evocative, and her characters are tormented beyond belief. Definitely my kind of paranormal!

The Passion Test, by Chris and Janet Attwood

This entire year has been, to some degree or another, about finding myself. I’m not sure I succeeded, but thanks to books like THE PASSION TEST, I survived the process (and the year) more-or-less unscathed.

The Death Artist, by Jonathan Santlofer

I love a good mystery! This one’s got blood and guts galore–and it’s probably more of a thriller than a mystery–but if that’s not your thing, try it anyway. The plot’s clever, the writing engrossing, and the characters fairly well defined. I couldn’t put it down.

Style Statement, by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte

All right, this one’s a little off the beaten path, even for me. But I was looking at my wardrobe and thinking “blah” (again), so I picked up this book and to my surprise, found myself enjoying it immensely. I learned I was a sensual artist at heart, and should dress and decorate accordingly. Who knew?

Overcoming Procrastination, by Neil Fiore

Ah, procrastination. Definitely my favorite past time. Although I haven’t yet defeated all my bad habits, I’ve gotten a lot better at doing tasks I should be doing first and using fun tasks as rewards. It’s a daily battle, really, but progress is progress…

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini

I had no intention of ever reading this book. And when my book club picked it, I stomped my feet and whined for a while before finally picking it up. But once I did, no one could pry it out of my hands. I cried, my heart broke repeatedly, and I absolutely couldn’t stop turning pages until the very end. Definitely a book that’s stayed with me, and will probably continue to haunt me for a long time.

Bound by Shadow, by Anna Windsor

I remember reading a book by Anna Windsor (then writing as Annie Windsor) years ago, from EC. It was my second ever erotic romance, and I adored it. So when I saw this one in the bookstore, I grabbed it on the spot. And I definitely wasn’t disappointed! Anna’s writing has matured, but her keen ability to tell a damn good story hasn’t changed a bit. I adored this book.

The Importance of Being Married, by Gemma Townley

Reading a great chick lit novel is such a guilty pleasure. When it’s done well, it’s like sinking your teeth in a giant chocolate truffle you know you probably shouldn’t be eating, but now that you have it, someone will have to pry it from your cold, dead hands before– *ahem* Right. The book. Excellent! Go read it. I need chocolate.

Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer, by Bruce Holland Rogers

There’s something so earnest about this wonderful collection of essays on writing. Dealing with a variety of topics ranging from neurotic fears to… well, more neurotic fears (and everything in between), this is the one book I read this year that I’d recommend to all authors, regardless of what genre they write in. It resonated with me far more than I’d expected it to.

Rejection, Romance and Royalties, by Laura Resnick

Another collection of essays from a published author, just as earnest and believable, but with a distinctly feminine edge. Also highly recommended to the writer focused on making a career out of writing for publication.

Vicious Vixen, by Shiloh Walker

Alas, the only true erotic romance in the bunch. (And trust me, that says a lot more about how little erotic romance I read than about the quality of erotic romance out there - okay?) It’s dark, edgy, violent, gritty… and absolutely brilliant.

There you have it. My top 12 reads of 2008. Do you have a favorite book you read this year? One that stands out above all others? Let me know — I’d love to read it in 2009.

I’m on a rapidly approaching deadline, so of course, I should have spent the evening writing. Instead, I spent the last four hours playing around with Photoshop.

I had a bunch of photographs that needed some touching up. Wanna see? The country where each picture was taken is below the image.

Mexico

Mexico

Romania

Romania

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

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Coming in January: Dirty Love

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

Isabel Warren wouldn’t dream of defying the morality statutes that forbid women over 40 from ever making love again. As a medical practitioner, she understands the need for laws preventing ‘dirty love’. The S.O.S. virus of 2030 left most of the male population infertile and turned human DNA into something resembling a microscopic jigsaw puzzle. The virus itself is undoubtedly dangerous, but older women are perhaps the most significant threat humanity has ever faced.

Yet knowing what’s forbidden and keeping her feminine urges under lock and key are two different things. Especially when Isy’s most recent assignment requires her to run intimate tests on Connor Flynn, a man sixteen years her junior who seems determined to prove she’s not the monster everyone else thinks she is. And if such delicious temptation wasn’t bad enough, she’s also got Trevor Jones to worry about. It seems he, too, is willing to risk everything to be with her.

Two men. One woman who could destroy them both… if they don’t destroy her first.

Look for it in January, at Amber Heat!

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