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Historical Novelists Unite!

Facepalm!

I was invited to speak to a lovely group of historical novelists tomorrow and I’m a bit on the nervous edge of it all. The last time I wrote an historical romance novel was in the good ol’ days of college. That artifact is lingering under the bed, as they say, and it might need to stay there. However, I was able to wrangle a wonderful writing colleague from SFA-RWA, Kristin Ramsdell, to join me and we’ll do our best to power through and help these people out!

After that, it’s polishing, more submitting and prepping for NaNo!

Monroe out:)

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Underground

So yeah, I went UG for the sake of my writing and working sanity. But, I’m still alive and in fact, those very words are what motivated me to post something before the Weekend of Awesome. Writing and Pearl Jam. It’s on. Just the jolt of soul-rejuvenating ROCK that only they can bring and I need at this precise moment in life. As you fellow writers know, music is our muse for the imagination.

I’m ready to \m/ and write.

Monroe out:)

 

Pearl Jam “Black” MTV Unplugged

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Post-Birthday Madness

It’s been a while since I posted anything, but it has been a necessary quiet, as submissions are handled and the birthday celebrations were underway. I’m pleased to say that my beautiful family, friends, my man, coworkers, Twitter friends were all showering me with love and support. Mysterious texts always create a story in my head, but that will do for book four, maybe?

Until I crawl out of the writing cave, here’s the latest song to keep me going and typing! RIP Adam MCA Yauch!

Monroe out:)

BEASTIE BOYS – Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win (w/ Santigold)

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Submission Time

Now that my grandmother’s memorial-party is complete, it’s high time to get back to the novels and riding that glorious wave of momentum from conference. Still reading all the new, wonderful books I acquired from the debut and veteran authors I love, but this week it’s back to my own words. The song that has me in shivers follows below. It’s in a scene for a hot, steamy car ride between my hero and heroine… if you know what I mean? 🙂
Monroe Out!

 NERO – “PROMISES” (SKRILLEX REMIX)

You got me so wild,
How can I ever deny,
You got me so high,
So high I cannot feel the fire.
And you keep telling me,
Telling me that you’ll be sweet,
And you’ll never want to leave my side,
As long as I don’t break these…

Promises, and they still feel all so wasted on myself

You got me so wild,
Why should I be so surprised?
You got me so high,
Don’t you see it in my eyes?
And you keep telling me,
Telling me that you’ll be sweet,
And you’ll never want to leave my side,
As long as I don’t break these…

Promises, and they still feel all so wasted on myself

They are so wasted on myself

Promises, and they still feel all so wasted on myself 

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Happy Birthday Leos!

It is officially the birthday month for some incredible people, some no longer walking this earth. As I wait for my ride, I just quickly want to wish an early Happy Birthday to my grandmother and Adam Yauch. There are no words to describe what she meant to me, and we will celebrate her life this Saturday, which would have been her 90th. And in honor of what Yauch and his bros, the Beastie Boys, and their music gave to me, I will blast Licensed To Ill during the dance portion of the party! May you both rest in peace.

Monroe out:)

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Thank You RWA 2012

Sitting at John Wayne Airport, snuggling up to my new pile of fresh Romance novels, I am still overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance and generosity of this magical world of authors. Our genre ROCKS! And just as the excellent, best-selling Robyn Carr cheered us, I will write regardless of lists or reviews or the many years it may take to “break out”! Because really, quitting is never an option.

Great to see all the familiar faces from SFA-RWA.  And now, it’s back to the real world of editing and submitting!

Monroe out:)

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Pitching Forward

It’s after midnight at RWA 2012 and I’ve had a fantastically full day of workshops and making connections with great potential. Top prizes of the day go to the lovely ladies, Erin Knightley and Poppy Reiffin. Erin is a winner for not only being awesomely generous with her time and expertise on pitching, but fundamentally changing my cynical view of people in general. Total strangers two days ago; she seemed to recognize something in me that called to her to “pay it forward”. She graciously spent some much needed quality time listening and working over my newest novel. And Poppy is just full of WIN for many reasons, but today, she urged me to take a risk and go with confidence in my work.

No matter what happens from here on out, this day has proven that if you take a risk and reach out, the universe can bring incredible people into your life. Thank you ladies, thank you.

Back to the grind tomorrow, so it’s time to sign off.

Monroe out:)

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RWA 2012! It. Is. On.

Just back to the hotel, and the first day of RWA 2012 has been a gem. Met great writers (shout outs to my SFA sisters and my peeps from all over the country), hordes of romance novel fans, librarians and the staff couldn’t be better.

I’m looking forward to all the workshops and panels for the next couple of days. After only two hours of sleep since seeing the President of the United States speak back up in Oakland, this post has a short life. Brain function is registering at LOW.

Check out Catherine Bybee and Erin Knightley… lovely ladies indeed.

Monroe out:)

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PBO Visits My Hometown!

Two times in the same year, within a few months of each other, I have the privilege of seeing and hearing my president speak in the Bay Area. Last time, with the generosity of a dear friend, KH, I was even able to meet him. And for those two or three seconds of sincere greetings and handshakes shared, there was magic. I saw what everyone else saw or sees when they meet him, he’s the genuine, stone-cold master! He really cares and wants to get in there, take care of business and make this country better and more than it has ever been. I will keep fighting to help him in this task, but in the end, it helps not just me, but all of us. I’ve long had my fill of the selfish, not caring about your fellow human being attitudes.
Soon, I will post an excerpt of the story about that meeting and the amazing tail of sharing the moment with my Grammy, aunt and besties KD & RL. Hopefully, tonight there will be just as much uplifting moments from and to the crowd of supporters and maybe some shifting in the “right” direction for any non-supporters or on-the-fence voters.

My freedom to write this blog and pursue my dreams of publishing hinge on doing my part in this election and I can only hope others feel the same.

 

Monroe out:)

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY STONE!

Thank you for everything you and your music have given to me in the past 25 or so years, and what it continues to provide, which is nourishment to my soul.

I wish you many, many happy returns.
Today’s song of choice: GARDEN – Pearl Jam

The direction of the eye
So misleading
The defection of the soul
Nauseously quick
I don’t question
Our existence
I just question
Our modern needs

I will walk…with my hands bound
I will walk…with my face blood
I will walk…with my shadow flag
Into your garden
Garden of stone

After all is done
We’re still alone
I won’t be taken
Yet I’ll go…with my hands bound
I will walk…with my face blood
I will walk…with my shadow flag
Into your garden
Garden of stone

I don’t show…
I don’t share…
I don’t need
What you have to give…

Ooooh, I will walk…with my hands bound
I will walk…with my face blood
I will walk…with my shadow flag
Into your garden
Garden, oohhh
I will walk…with my hands bound
I will walk…into your garden-
Garden of stone

“G” isn’t just for Gossard, it’s also for genius!

Monroe out:)