Hello again

We're still dealing with the aftermath of my grandmother's accident but I am home for a few hours and I wanted to pop in and say thanks to all my freinds--authors and readers alike--for the emials I've received with words of encouragement, support and smiles during this rather stressful time.

I got an email today that DID make me laugh and I wanted to share some of it with you.

The men and women of our military are AWESOME! They face each day with strength, courage, and even in the most horrible situations have an amazing sense of humor to help cope with the trying times.

"I can't hear you over the engines! What'd you say??"

Umm...yeah

YEEHAW!!!!

Tammy Faye's got NOTHING on ME!

Is that a puppy in your pocket or are you just glade to see me?

Oh...that's what I thought!

And finally...

Gotta run! hugz y'all!

JJ

Miss the Good Ole Days

A friend of mine is writing a hostorical novel. It's AWESOME but she had some questions and that got me thinking. The questions involved law and order. Basically what happened to criminals.

Now back then they did the RIGHT THING. There was none of this crap of the common man paying to keep these slime bags alive. You're a killer? Hang 'em high. You're a rapist? Hang 'em High. You're a child molester? Hang 'em.

Over crowding wasn't a real problem in those days.

Since we became so "civilized" crime is out of control, prisons are crowded to capacity, and there is no end in sight.

I've got news for you--I WISH the bleeding heart liberals would pull their namby pamby heads out of their asses. Why should people who can barely make ends meet be forced to support those who don't give a shit about other people?

People like Manson--the tax payers have had to provide him medical care, three squares a day, clothes, dental...and there are those who have commit NO crime who can't afford medical care. Where's the justice?

It just makes me sick to think about how people like us who are barely making ends meet due to job loses are forced to pay for the care and feeding of murderers, rapists, molesters, abusers, drug peddlers etc.

Time for a change!

Been MIA

I'm running behind in everything. I haven't posted a new blog entry since...wow! January! Shame on me. My February newsletter still hasn't been released, and it's been ages since I've checked MySpace.

Why? Writing--thank goodness! I've been buried in 5 different ideas and trying to work on them is like juggling burning elephants while walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon. So why am I working on them simultaneously?

Imagine this scenario: You have five children. Each one is shouting at the same time for something different; "Mom I'm hungry!" "Mom, it's time for football practice!" Mom, I need to get to ballet class!" "Honey? I'm home. When's dinner?" "Mom my car broke down and I need a ride to work."

Which one do you tell to shut it? And let's be honest, you might tell them to stifle, that doesn't mean they actually do. There's still the not-quite-beneath-their-breath grumbling.

That's what it's like for me. The voices nearly make me crazy--er, crazier. This (hopefully) explains why there isn't a new release looming in my future. It's mighty damn hard to get anything accomplished quickly.

Guess I better get back to the circus...

Tomorrow I'm blogging at Gems of Romance blog (http://resplendencegems.blogspot.com/) hope you'll stop by and say hello.

Huz and Happy Weekend!
JJ

Didja Miss Me?

It’s been so long since I’ve had a chance to get back in and do any updates. I’ve been busy in my other life and I’ve sorely neglected this one.

First and foremost, Heaven’s Torment was rejected—again…I’m wondering if it’s worth the stress and struggle to try and rewrite it again. I LOVE my demons but there’s just something about it that’s not clicking.

In order to force my muse into doing his part I tried a free type. This is where I empty my mind (stop that snickering!) open a blank file and just type whatever pops into my head. I turned on some music (As a side tracking thought, I found this AMAZING band! Nox Arcana—they ROCK!!!)

So turned on Nox Arcana, placed my fingers on the keys and suddenly my mind filled with images. Here’s the beginning:

Audra Atreyu passed between the rusted metal gates. One side hung askew from the decay. The monolithic mansion made of stone stood before her. It might have been glorious in its day but from years of neglect and abandonment; it was nothing less than a husk of its former self.

She climbed the crumbling stone steps to the battered and rotted wooden porch. The heavy oak door stood partially open as if to welcome her inside. She passed the barrier and scraped at the heavy cobwebs that brushed against her skin. Buried beneath the odor of mold was the distinct smell of death. She hated places like this. While they weren’t all mansions, they all held secrets clutched tightly as a child would hold their favorite toy.

At a rasping sound in the darkness, she froze mid-step and reached for the dagger in her waistband. She focused her attention to the location of the noise and through the darkness she spotted a rat as it raced across the floor to disappear into a hole in the wall. She shivered and relaxed slightly.

Her steps were padded as she searched the house for her target. This wasn’t how she enjoyed spending her nights. Damn rules. She couldn’t hunt during the day even though she know who her enemy.

Another sound drew her attention. A smile crept across her lips. There he was. The dagger didn’t make a sound as she slid it from the leather case and palmed it. The silver handle waved in perfect alignment with her hand. Fit like a glove.

Sounds pretty interesting, right? I’m not sure where, or IF, it’s going. But it was kind of nice to free associate again. I’ve been trying to stick with certain things and they just aren’t working.

Now to see if I can share any of the Nox Arcana music with you. I’ve checked YouTube and there isn’t any actual videos for their music. However, there are a couple that have plain artwork associated with them. So let’s see if I can get a couple loaded here.

The first is Transylvanian Overture


And next we have The Awakening


And finally Castle Dracula:


There are many more but I'll be content with those three--for now!

Have to run. See you all again as soon as I can.
Hugz
JJ