Romance. Where to find it...

Romantic Times
Stuck for ideas?
Hero needing to make a romantic gesture?
Heroine wanting to woo with her baking?

Have I found the site for you. I stumbled across this web page the other day and thought I should share.

http://www.romantic-tips.com/

19 Sleeps...

Romance Writers of Australia annual conference is on in just 19 sleeps.

My first, and I'm very excited.

With so much packed into just 3 days and nights, I imagine it is going to be a fun-filled, informative and exhausting experience. But one for which I can't wait. The conference organisers have done a wonderful job. Choosing the sessions I wanted was a difficult process - I need a clone to send to concurrent workshops!

And I'm looking forward to meeting the wonderful people I have met in cyberspace.

To everyone who is attending, I can't wait to see you all. For those who can't attend, I know you'll have a wonderful Clayton's Conference (quick, sign up if you haven't http://groups.yahoo.com/group/claytonsconference_group/ ) and hopefully we'll meet next year.

Back in the Swing

With the weather not being conducive to renovating, the kids health (touch wood) back on track and a few other cancellations I'm back in the swing.

And oh have I missed it. I've been editing and writing, and am happy with the progress of both.

I know that my swing will come crashing back down, it always does, but as long as that beautiful blue sky is enveloping me, and the thrill of the writing is pushing me on, I'll just enjoy the ride.

Tweeting

I confess, I'm a Twitter convert.

I joined with a bit of a twist of the arm by my CP, because RWA now Tweet. But I hadn't expected the benefits I would find.

It's kinda like sprinting, but a little bit broader. And anyone who has followed my blog would know how much I love to sprint.

Yes, I'm using Twitter as a sprinting board. I tweet my goal, and because I now have a grand total of 15 people following me, I report in how I went in achieving it - I feel like I'm being watched. I still get support, and a bit of a chat if I want, but because I can post more general goals (eg for the hour, the day, the week) it's more flexible than the sprint room on the RWA site.

I will still be sprinting. But this is a great alternative!

Stay in touch with RWA

For those of you who aren't aware, Romance Writer's of Australia now have their own blog and twitter.

Check out the blog at: http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/

And the tweets at: http://twitter.com/RWAus

(cross-post from Bootcamp 109 blog)

Twitter

Okay. My CP has managed to lure me into the black, cavernous cave of Twitter. If you'd like to watch me stumble my way around in the dark I think you need to know the following: @Anita_Joy - or just click on the link to the right *grin*

Always look on the bright side of life....

Monty Python summed it up beautifully.

It seems that just when I think I have my life as organised as it possibly can be with a young family, that curve ball comes rocketing through and everything goes out the window.

My writing has slowed (okay, if I'm going to be honest it is more of a stop then slow) but not because I don't want to be writing. It is constantly on my mind, my ms, my characters, my word count...

I feel guilty because you hear so often how 'if you want to write you'll find the time'. The reality is there is only so much you can do in a day. And it is made that much more difficult not being published - my writing is the career I want, but until it is my career, I can't make it my priority. Until then my young family, my husband, the house renovations etc etc all require my time with no excuse. And trust me, after sitting up half the night with sick children, dealing with tradesmen, kids, paperwork, housework etc - and trying to sneak in a few minutes with hubby, there is no time left.

I know I will eventually find the time. The renovations will one day be finished, the kids will get older, life will get more organised...

And if I look at the things taking my time, I shouldn't feel guilt or frustration: my beautiful children, my wonderful husband, the work making our house our home - you always need to look at the bright side of life!

The Proposal

Have you been to see The Proposal yet?

If you haven't I'm telling you to go! I haven't laughed so hard during a movie in ages.

The Premise (for the uninitiated): A pushy boss (Sandra Bullock) forces her young assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her in order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation to Canada.

It is a light hearted, feel good movie and it hits the mark. And don't think it's a chick flick, it's a comedy (my husband loved it as much as I did *wink*).

And while seeing a shirtless Ryan Reynolds is probably all it takes to sell the movie, I have to mention Betty White who managed to steal many of the scenes.






If only I could write a romance like this...