I happen to like that David Bowie song. At least the title. Occassionally, in my life, it’s applied to me. I’m quite happy to say that I’m in one of those periods now.

Late last year, we started renovating the house. Parts of it at least. First time in the nearly 10 years I’ve lived in the house that we’ve made major changes. Frustrating, annoying and expensive, yes, but the end result is something to look forward to and it’s not that far away now *crosses fingers* renovations will include a new office space for yours truly.

In December, I bought a new car. An ‘08 Mustang GT. Sweet! Bright orange that sometimes looks yellow.  Gaudy and loud? yes. Impractical, yes, but what the hell? Read the rest of this entry »

What do I mean? I finally did my income taxes (I get a refund-finally!), I’m getting back on track with my writing, I’m helping set up some things that will let me play in various areas, and I found someone to help me with promotion work. This is a good thing for me. I’m forgetful. I have Blondeheimers, and rumour has it that it doesn’t get better with time. *grins*

April is a crazy month for most people. It’s tax time (if you’re in the US), it’s spring because it really starts to feel spring-like(unless you live near the Great White North– then I think you’re doomed to semi-eternal darkness), Mother Nature likes to change up the spring weather with rain followed by sun followed by gods only knows what they call it. Then there’s the start of convention season. This year, I’m bummed, I can’t do anything- but that said, I’m saving up for next year. I can do that now I got my refund and such. But convention season is craziness personified. If you’re an innocent bystander, you know that those people must be nuts to be talking about how much sex you give or not give, how much touching is good versus overdone. *grins* But once you find yourself caught up in it– conventions are a blast. (Try bartending for a small one sometime. You’ll never look at editors, agents, authors the same way again– I swear!)

April is the time of year when you finally get over the blahs of the deepest winter coat that Cerridwen, the Celtic goddess has tossed throughout the land. We’ve done the introspection, pared away the dead wood, and now we’re ready to start fresh. In some ways– this is truly our new year for those who are solar based. (I’m Celtic based– so come Samhain– I’m partying hard. LOL) This is the time when the need to be outside outweighs my need to keep my sinuses safe. I love starting back up on my walks. (I’ve gone out twice for short ones, but took two separate ways to get to them done.) Seeing nature bloom, even in the ever-blooming state of Florida is a joy. There are shades of any season, but April for me is when things truly come back alive.

This is a crazy month. Embrace it and do something totally zany at least once. Make a small change and stick with it until the end of the month. You’ll feel like you’ve truly accomplished something if you do. It’s the little things that make a huge difference. This is truly the time to embrace this changeable time-for if not now, when the world is changing its skin– then when?

Buy it now at Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.net/detail.aspx?ID=698

BLURB:

The legacy of the evil witch has left Meg with a heck of a lot of power and influence in the southwest United States. Much to her dismay, this means that just about everyone thinks she’s a shoe-in to be the next grand dame.

What they don’t get is that the last thing Meg wants is to be grand dame. She grew up watching her mother rule the paranormal community in the northeast US and it was enough to show her that she didn’t want that kind of responsibility.

Terrance B. Sharpe proclaims himself to be the man for the job, however. He’s even leashed the matriarch of L.A.’s very powerful lion’s pride as a display of his prowess. It’s through him that Meg meets an actor she’s panted after for years. One of the lions, Logan Lockhart, not only makes her girl parts happy, he also fills her in on a thing or two about Sharpe that she’d rather not know.

But what the heck is she doing paying attention to Logan when she’s already got two luscious shifters to call her own? Michael and Rudy are doing all they can to help her out, but Michael, as usual, has his own goals that don’t always mesh with Meg’s.

What’s a girl to do when she’s been handed a lion’s share of power on a silver platter?

I’m in the middle of the 70 days of sweat.  It’s a writing motivator that’s kind of like nanowrimo (national novel writing month-write 50K words in 30 days).  With the 70 days of sweat, you have a personal goal to make.  For me it’s 1200 words a day.  I don’t make it most days.  Is it an unattainable goal?  No.  It’s just harder for me than it was before.

You see, I didn’t take into account my toddler suddenly decided every moment was B and Mommy time.  It’s an amazing thing to watch him become his own little man.  I also didn’t count on an increased workload at the day job OR my normally amazingly supportive husband missing me so much he’s asking me for a non-writing vacation.

It pulled me up short (which doesn’t take much, as I’m a little over 5 feet…it’s okay, I won’t continue until your done groaning at the bad joke…*drinks a bit of tea* Good?  Okay).  My husband misses me and my toddler is wanting Mommy and B time.  Even my dog is showing the strain of not enough pats on the head.

I’m currently in deadline (what else is new LOL) and working to get books to my editors by the middle of the month (one this weekend, the other next weekend).  After that I’m taking my 70 days of sweat goal and shifting it.

Write something every day.  My goal is to just write, when I can, but do it either later at night, at my lunch break, or with snatches of time during my hours home from work. If this works out and I’m more productive, it will be my ritual.  If it’s not more productive, come middle of May, I’ll ramp up my routine again.

Sometimes it’s good to take time off and relax.

What about you?  Do you ever take a vacation?  And what do you do to relax after the strain of a deadline?

Have a great week!

Dawn Montgomery, Angel of LAW

The venue and dates for the Australian Romance Readers convention have been announced…

It’s so exciting! We have MaryJanice Davidson, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Stephanie Laurens confirmed as key notes!

Go to the blog and find out where and when…

www.australianromancereaders.blogspot.com/