Naughty Blog Hop

Well, I'm supposed to write about something Naughty... *big grin* oh but there's so much to write and so little time to write it lol

Ever done something a "little" naughty? Made out in a car at a rest stop, tell your kids you're going to the store, but you're really going to the coffee shop (well it's technically true ;P), or maybe it was skip a college class to go watch Phantom of the Opera in the theatres. *Hey, it was drama class I skipped, so it's not really that bad.*

In a romance book, it's always the good who win. But isn't it the good person who can actually be a little naughty--in bed or out--who actually thrills as? Something I noticed, especially in HEA romance, is we sometimes expect our heroes and heroines to be TOO perfect, allowing little to no human foibles. One fun thing of writing erotica, we're able to push the boundaries of what's naughty, and make them loveable for them being a little or a lot naughty.

Also, a strong woman, in her life and in her sensuality, has become more "common" and in my mind, makes them much more interesting to read about. Isn't it more satisfying to go through hell with a character and be with them as they marched out, head held high, the devil at their feet, the man at their side? No matter what it took, they did what had to be done. But they need a little weakness, and there's the hard part. You can't have them breaking down at important times. And for me, internal weakness that a character hides, or is able to get past to accomplish what needs to be done, is more heartbreaking than one who can't do what needs to be done because they allow it to overcome them. I have a harder time having sympathy for them.

Any Doctor Who fans out there? Ever seen the two part Santaran Episodes with Donna as the main companion and a reprisal of Martha? Donna doing what needed to be done, despite her lack of faith in herself, was a real moment of truth and strength. She overcame her weakness.

Has there ever been something exciting you wanted to do, but were too much of a coward? Did you overcome it then? Next time? Ever? I've missed out on a couple good things cuz I didn't go with my instincts. I learned my lesson-mostly-lol. Sometimes I still overthink instead of going with my instinct.

And this post is rambling into the three thousand posts I made in my mind but was  unable to finish and do what I wanted done. Sigh.

The big question is, what kind of naughty have you been? The good or the bad? :D and, feel free to share all and any deets you want. lol The one who shares the best naughty story will win a copy of The Captain's Christmas :) If we get enough lovely stories, I may have to give away Ravaged where I introduce the werebears in a teaser meant to make you want more.

And yes, I'm writing the full lenght story to go with the teaser. LOL it's just not next... ;-)

Also, Don't forget Breathless Press is having a wonderful blog hop with a great grand prize :) Don't forget to see all the hoppers and share a little holiday cheer!

Guest post, Raven MCALLAN

I have a great guest post :) It's a little different than the other Christmas promos, but a lot of fun! Please welcome the savvy and very prolific Scottish author, Raven McAllan, one of my fav new peeps I've met this year since becoming a published author at one of the houses she publishes through.

 

Oh what a lovely year.

 

Or—ohhhh…ooohhh…hoooo, Merry Christmas

 

And a very happy all year!

 

Because boy has it been a very happy year for me. I started the year with one book under my belt and will end it with…*drum roll*…*ducks rotten veg and ignores catcalls of greedy. I agree sorry but hey ho*… 17 stand alones, 7 anthos, 3 print, 3 free reads, and numerous flashes. (and 6 YA and a print under a different hat.)

 

Now before you all leave the blog, let me say how bloody lucky I feel. I never ever thought I'd get one book published let alone all these. They aren't all full length; in fact a lot are between 15-30k. A nice quick fill an hour read, something I enjoy.

 

It's not been easy, and there has been times I've wondered why the hell I was putting myself through it. But do you know? There is no way I couldn't. I have to write, and once I get to know my characters, that's it. I have to tell their story. Often I have no idea what it is until I start, and even then it can be nothing like I envisaged. The joys of being a pantster.

 

Take Stephen in The Perfect Gift. Did I know he was what he was? Did I heck. I thought his and Judith's story was a sweet romance. Ha, ha, ha. Once I began I realized it was no such thing, but oh boy I enjoyed writing it. It seems my Ladies of London (La Bella Isabella. The Best Man's Bridesmaid, and The Perfect Gift) are not so sweet and innocent as they seem.

 

Holly in Deck Mac Hall, is unsure of what she wants, or will accept but she knows the only person who can help her decide is Mac. If only he'd stop procrastinating (sounds like me on an oh-I'm-stuck day) and get on with it.

 

And once Christmas is over, I've a story in a very special book. Wine & Nine which is published on 28^th December. This book was conceived (sounds rude, I assure you it isn't—well not too rude anyway) around my kitchen table, way back in April when my lovely crit group met up. Over a very boozy few hours we decided to write an anthology, set in a pub in rural Scotland. Eight women on Magic Mac and his Mystery Tour's coach.  Because we all lead such busy lives, It's taken until now to sort it all out, but look for it on Amazon then. The cover is by a new very talented cover artist called Nicole Calder. I foresee we'll hear a lot more about her in the future. (www.nicolecalder.com )

 

Looking at my books and their blurbs, I seem to like feisty take no prisoner heroines. And hot, hot, hot, dominant men. I wonder if it has something to do with where I live? The land of brave warriors and not at all helpless lassies.

 

I live on the edge of a Scottish forest, in an area full of fairy stories and romantic novels. There's ony DH and me left at home, the children are off forging their own lives. Well we do have two cats, whose ambition in life is to kill the lap top and regain my lap.

 

I love all things Christmas. In fact I was considered a bit of an oddity… no agreeing thank you, in that I always asked for the tree to be put up before my December birthday. Then it was a tree for me as well as Christmas. I never minded waiting for a 'big' joint present on Christmas Day. We weren't well off and it was a way for me to get a bike, record player (yeah, that's how old I am) or watch.

 

Nowadays I'm lucky, I get two special days within a few weeks. And yes, I'm very thankful for all I get. I love presents but its not the cost, it's the fact they are made and or given with love.

 

However, the most important part of Christmas, is family. Sadly we can't always all be together, but I cherish any moments I have… (okay enough of the maudlin, or I'll be crying in the gin, and I was told that can't be the best part of Christmas…the gin not the crying.)

 

We have our traditions, and even the year all the kids were in various places around the world DH and I kept to them.

 

Dressing the tree with carols playing and a glass of Fizz in my hand…well nearby anyway. I do a wee bit of decorating each day for a week, until every room is decked in some Christmas finery. Yeah okay, overload, but hey it's Christmas.

 

Then on the day…

Fire lit, fairy lights on, Christmas music playing as we open our presents, turn and turn about. Then Bucks Fizz and smoked salmon for brunch. Dinner when I've cooked it. A chill-out count my blessings day.

 

(Okay I'll tell you a secret, I usually disappear for a few minutes and have a wee cry for my mum and dad who are no longer with us, and any friends and family I miss as well. It's my way of remembering them. Darn it I'm welling up as I type this …sorry)

 

And then it's boxing day, leftovers and hopefully a walk in the forest to make room for more…

 

Wherever you are who ever you're with or miss, peace and love to you all.

And I always remember the late, great comedian Dave Allen, who signed off with…

 

"May your gods go with you." Very Apt

 

Love R x

 

Oops Leona asked for a list of books out this month… feel free to talk amongst yourselves

 

I've started this list on 29^th November, because my free Christmas read from Evernight Publishing came out then… and there are so many due to all the delays and pitfalls the best planned publication dates can fall foul of…

 

Where There's A Will 29^th November (free read, Evernight Publishing

 

The Best Man's Bridesmaid 30^th November (Breathless Press)

 

Vanilla Free Christmas (anthology) 3^rd December (Evernight Publishing)

 

The Perfect Gift 7^th December (Breathless Press)

 

 

Deck Mac Hall 21^st December (Breathless Press)

 

 

 

Teaching Teacher 28^th December (Breathless Press)

 

Wine and Nine 28^th December (The Nuthouse Scribblers, available on Amazon)

 

 

 

That's it folks…

 

www.ravenmcallan.com

 

 

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=99

 

 

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/raven-mcallan/

 

Thanks Raven!

Lovely woman, even better writer. Here's her author page for Breathless Press :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas guest, Aurelia B Rowl

 

 

I have my next Christmas guest, Aurelia B Rowl visiting with us today. I've even captured her so you can see her just there.

 

 

I asked her to tell me something she loves about Christmas and this is what she shared:

 

As a mother, Leona, you can probably guess what I'm about to say...yes...Christmas is all about the kids. My first Christmas as a mother will forever be burned in my memory, and, somehow. they keep getting better. My children are now 5 & 3 (in fact they're just weeks off being 6 & 4) and they now 'get' Christmas; they fervently believe in Father Christmas and the joy and excitement on their faces on Christmas morning cannot be matched. This year it looks like my Christmas wish has come true as well. A year ahead of schedule, my debut release is out... just in time for Christmas...and of course, it just HAD to be a Christmas story. The magic of Christmas is alive and well, and long may it continue!

 

 

As you can see, she's a woman after my own heart :) You can read her official bio, but don't forget to keep scrolling for a look at her beautiful cover and a teaser about her Christmas story, Christmas is Cancelled.

 

Aurelia B Rowl is a contemporary romance author but you can also find her masquerading as Allie A Burrow, her raunchier alter-ego.

 

She lives on the edge of the Peak District in the UK with her very understanding husband and their two fantastic children aged 5 and 3, along with their mad rescue mutt who doesn’t mind being used as a sounding post and source of inspiration. They are all used to her getting too caught up with her latest writing project... or five!... and she is guiltily counting down the months until she has both kids at school full-time.  

 

To find out more about Aurelia, or to check out what projects she's working on right now, you can visit her website www.aureliabrowl.com

 

You can also find her hanging out on:

 

Blog – blogspot.aureliabrowl.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/aurelia.b.rowl

Twitter – @AureliaBRowl

Google+ – +AureliaBRowl

Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/aureliabrowl

Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/aureliabrowl

 

Now, onto this very special Christmas book... (we had some real winners at Breathless Press!!! Different lengths, genres, etc. you can't go wrong picking up the slew of them :)

 

 

Christmas is Cancelled

First, I gotta show you the cover:

 

Blurb:

 

Matilda 'Tilly' Carter didn't think her day could get any worse, but even Christmas had just been cancelled.

The one girl Dean Watson has sworn never to have—never even expected to see again—just flared back into his life and into his home—his sanctuary—like she belonged there. Christmas would certainly be more bearable with Tilly around though…

As the chinks in Dean's armor appear, Tilly seizes the chance to win her knight once and for all. She's not about to take no for answer—not this time—but Dean must resist, even as his heart rebels and temptation threatens to undermine his resolve.

Win or lose? Love or honor? Which will Dean choose? Assuming he gets a choice…

 

Sounds like a great read :) Who wants an excerpt? *grins* I know, we all do and here it is:

 

Tears welled in her eyes, clouding her vision. She turned and wandered blindly toward the exit as the first tear escaped, forging a track down her cheek for the rest to follow. Tilly took in a lungful of air and then another. Having made a spectacle of herself once already, she really didn't want to be the cause of yet another scene.

 

The crowds swarmed around her, with students and family members heading home for the holidays only adding to the usual rush-hour melee of commuters. They jostled past, threatening to swallow her whole, as they rushed en mass in the opposite direction, using their briefcases and suitcases as a battering ram.

 

It was suffocating. She had to get out of there. Breaking into a run, broken heel or not, she raced through the doors and out into the biting December chill. Her waterlogged eyes struggled to adjust to the dark, dreary sky after the bright station lights, but she didn't dare slow down, desperate to escape the throng of festivities and merriment.

 

Carol singers assembled outside burst into a jovial rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," full of joy and happiness. Didn't they know Christmas had just been cancelled?

 

"Ooof!" Tilly smacked her shin against the edge of a low bench, too dark to see as she tried to dodge the growing audience. She ended up sprawled across the bench, dropping the handle of her suitcase with a loud clatter.

 

At least the pain shooting down her leg gave her an excuse to be crying. Unfortunately, it meant she had to stop running too. Not good. Whenever things got too tough, too intimate, or too confrontational, you could rely on her to make a run for it. Running away was what she did best...

 

A tall figure loomed in the edge of her vision, something vaguely familiar about the man's loping gait. In an effort to see him more clearly, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, then cringed inwardly at the black streaks now etched all over them. Great. She could add impersonating a panda to her day from hell as well then.

 

The mascara stung her eyes, rendering her unable to focus properly. She blinked furiously as the man strode past her, talking into a mobile phone in a deep voice that resonated throughout her body and made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. A surge of adrenaline rushed to her legs, numbing the pain as her subconscious told her to run. Now!

 

The cloaked figure stopped mid-stride as if he'd heard her gasp. "Mike, I've gotta go," he barked into the phone, hanging up instantly. He backtracked until he was standing right in front of her, his tone changing from a growl to one of surprise. "Basmati?"

 

Great. She hadn't heard the nickname for years—nine years, four months and...sixteen days, to be exact—and even then, only one person had ever actually used it. She screwed her eyes tightly shut, shaking her head from side to side. No. No way. There was absolutely no way this could be happening to her. Not now. Not today of all days... Talk about kicking a girl when she was down.

 

Links…

 

Buy links:

 

Breathless Press (Pre-order now, download from 21 December 2012)

 

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16284007-christmas-is-cancelled

Thank you Aurelia for being a guest on my blog and sharing your fabulous story with us!

Dianne Hartsock and Shelton's Christmas

Hi there :) The first victim guest for my Christmas/Holiday madness is Dianne Hartsock. A lovely person in her own right, I think you'll fall in love with her character Shelton. Go here to see where the fun all starts. She's giving one (yes, you can choose-the first to get started or the next one in line)away to a lucky commenter who tells her their favorite holiday music : )

The cover is lovely, as always at Breathless Press, and well worth the lookie-lou here:

But, before you get to read the excerpt, I've asked Dianne to share something special, something of a favorite for the holidays, and this is what she shared with us.

Christmas Eve, My Favorite Part of Christmas

You know that song with the line 'the most wonderful time of the year'? Hands down, Christmas Eve is my very favorite day. At our house, December is the month of Birthdays and Christmas parties galore. Which are fun! Make no mistake. But Christmas Eve is the day to take a deep breath of crisp, pine scented air, enjoy the Christmas lights. Then breath out, relax, and live in the moment.

We always gather at my mother-in-law's house for dinner and presents and fun. The whole family is usually there! She makes clam chowder and these super yummy poppers for dinner. Oh, and homemade fudge and caramel corn for desert. Sigh…

This year will be extra-special for me. Both my children have moved away from home (boo) to go to college (yea!), but this Christmas Eve they'll both be at dinner, then spend the night at home and have Christmas morning with us. Presents from Santa and hot cinnamon rolls and all the rest.

So, I guess what this all comes down to is, having a day of delicious food and fun and time with family exchanging gifts of love is the best part of Christmas for me.

Merry Christmas!!

Thank you for sharing. What a lovely story. :D See? I told you she was great. And finally, I'll quite teasing you guys and let you get on with it. Here's the excerpt from her latest.

Merry Christmas, Shelton

m/m erotic holiday

 

Buy Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=10&products_id=402

 

Blurb:

 

Can Shelton and Nevil overcome the obstacles of a blizzard, a baby, and one hot redhead and find their way to a merry Christmas? 

 

Shelton and Nevil have rented a cozy cabin in the mountains in which to spend the Christmas holiday. Tree is lit. Presents sparkle. Shelton anticipates a very merry Christmas indeed. But then a blizzard springs up, landing a sexy redhead on their doorstep looking like trouble in a pretty package.

 

Tommy brings a message for Nevil, but when he first hits on Shelton in the shower, then offers to drive Nevil to his sister's side while she has her baby, Shelton begins to wonder just how this mixed up Christmas is going to end.

 

Excerpt:

 

Shelton snuggled into the soft quilts, safe and warm while the wind howled against the thick walls of the cabin. A stray gust blew down the chimney, causing the flames to dance and crackle behind the screen. Firelight flickered on the ceiling and Shelton watched it mingle with the blue and green reflections from the Christmas tree in the corner.

 

The clock on the mantle chimed midnight and he smiled. Christmas Eve. Nevil snorted and moved restlessly and Shelton rolled to his side, spooning up against the sleek body that even after two and a half years together could still drive him crazy with need. His darling sighed and settled back into sleep, and Shelton nuzzled his neck, pleasantly sore and sated from their earlier lovemaking.

 

His face heated as he recalled the things his lover had done with him. Shelton pressed his forehead into his darling's shoulder blade, slightly embarrassed even though Nevil slept and didn't see him. They'd spent the day cross-country skiing, then returned to the cabin and warmed up in the shower. Afterward, they sipped a bottle of wine in front of the fireplace.

 

Nevil had stolen a candy cane from the tree. "Desert," he explained, settling into the quilts with an arm across Shelton's bare shoulders. Shelton watched the red and white stripes disappear between his lover's perfect lips and his dick thickened. Nevil caught his rapt gaze, leaned over, and gave him a peppermint kiss.

 

"Taste?" he asked and held the candy to Shelton's lips. Shelton caught the cane between his teeth and his darling gasped slightly as he sucked with purpose on the sweet end. "Oh, lord," Nevil said, sounding breathless, and pushed Shelton down and straddled him. His hard cock pushed against Shelton's stomach when he stretched across him and licked at the cane still caught in his lips.

 

Removing the candy, Nevil gave him a deep, lingering kiss, then pulled back, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "I know somewhere else I'd like to stick this," he confessed and gave the candy a provocative lick.

Shelton blinked, though he shouldn't have been surprised by anything Nevil's wicked imagination suggested. "I'm not sure..."

 

His sweetheart chuckled, but his voice was a caress when he bent to Shelton's ear and whispered, "Let me pleasure you, love."

 

Dianne Hartsock

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/diannehartsock

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4707011-dianne-hartsock

 

 

Christmas is coming and see what I have!

I love Christmas! Lots of traditions galore. I've had a rough few months with my health, so I've not been writing or posting like I'd want to be. I have been editing like a crazy woman though!! This is going to be the first of many Christmas book related blogs :) I'm starting with mine that's already available for preorder and available on sale! $2.24, The Captain's Christmas is an exciting sci-fi adventure.

And, if you buy direct from the publisher, they have special sales happening for a limited time :) The more you spend, the more you save! It's really an awesome deal.

And the captain is a really awesome character :) Come and meet her! (blurb and excerpt on pub site)

I'm giving away a copy to a lucky commenter! The more the merrier. Tell me, what's your favorite and least favorite part of the holidays?

Guest Author D.F. Krieger

Have I got a treat for you!! One lucky commenter will win a five dollar gift card! But, first, lookie at ze vonderful co-ver! (sorry bad french accent lol)

 

 

  Too cool right?? Lovely author. Here's the blurb and an excerpt!

What's a man to do when the woman he's destined to mate is not only the strange one of her clan, she's also stubborn, strong-willed, exasperating, and rash? He loves her, of course! What's a woman to do when the man she's destined to mate is handsome, kinder than expected, and powerful? She gives him hell, of course!

Enter Nyna and Atian, two shifters of very different species, sworn to each other in an ancient pact that strengthens the alliance of their people. Atian expected a quiet, submissive doe when he met Nyna. What he got was a female deer shifter full of life and fire, who not only made him work for his right to claim her as mate, but who caught his heart and made it hers when she did so. The wolf in him rejoiced at having such a strong mate. But their joy was short-lived, for news soon came that Nyna's home tribe had been wiped out. Against her husband's orders, Nyna leaves to see it for herself and save who she can, unwittingly putting herself in mortal danger.

Can Atian get there before his beautiful mate becomes someone else's prey?

Excerpt:

When the cheers quieted down, he gestured at two villagers. They slipped off while he returned his attention to Nyna. "The Great Mother decrees that we are to honor both male and female, as one cannot exist without the other. I have just honored you, my wife, and now I would like to show your people that I honor you. When the dawn comes, some of my people will be taking gifts to the Awahi, as a bride-price. They will take meat, maize, and these…"

The two villagers who had left returned now. Each carried an armload of items. They knelt before Nyna and, with a flourish, threw open their bundles of furs to display the goods within. Atian was pleased with the gasp of surprise Nyna emitted.

He knelt to pick up each one of the items, hoping that she would be happy with his choices. "This is from the Churro. Your people will be able to make many warm blankets from the wool," he said as he picked up a ball of yarn. "The meat is bison. The hunt this year was good and will help the Awahi get through the winter. This powder is made from the maize and can be used to make bread." He sat down the pouch of ground corn and picked up another pouch, then loosened it and spilled the contents in his hand. Beautiful conch shells of many shades and sizes cascaded out, tinkling as they piled into his palm. "These shells come from far away. A village that we trade with and hunt beside during the bison hunt got them from a village that lives by the great waters. The Awahi can use them for decorations, medicine, or to trade for valuable goods."

Nyna reached a hand forward, her motions slow, her hand shaking. She selected one of the conch shells and studied it closer. "It is beautiful." Her words were no louder than a whisper of awe. "My people...The Awahi will be very grateful, but..." She placed the shell back into his palm with the others. "I think you honor me too greatly. I am not worth this bride-price."

Atian laughed, though his heart broke in two. How could this strong, proud female think herself of such little worth? "You are my wife, and it is my right to determine your bride-price if I so wish to pay it. To me, to the Wahya, you are worth this."

He dropped the conch shells back in their bag, then drug Nyna to her feet and ushered her to the dwelling they shared. His people, believing the retreat to be a sign of his intention to lay with his mate, picked up their festivities once more. Atian was relieved they didn't see what he had. The reason why he'd brought Nyna home.

A single tear that had slipped from her eye and slid down her cheek.

It broke his heart to see that tear and he resolved that tonight, he would refrain from mating with his wife, though his body yearned for it. Tonight he would envelop her in the shadows of his protection.

 

Publisher's Link (Breathless Press): and Amazon link

 

And if you can't seem to get enough of her, here's two more books! One is non-fiction and is focused on animal rescue. Hop to it and get a copy of your favorite today!

 

 

Ruff Love:

In animal rescue, no story ever has a happy beginning, but can they have a happy end?
Working animal rescue is never pretty, and not all animals get that perfect ending. Follow the stories of some amazing animals who not only had a rough life, but beat the odds and found complete contentment. Kittens, dogs, and even a bobcat fill these pages with their true "tails" of being rescued and getting that second chance.
Breathless Buy Link
Amazon Buy Link

And, don't forget this one:

Virtual Code: Infinity Love

Zayda, mourning the death of her husband, creates a virtual reality program that will allow you to make and interact with models that walk, talk, and appear like any one you want. There's one thing she can't tell anyone—the data she used to create her husband came from his personal data chip. Data chips are installed at birth in every person and are considered the center of the soul. Use of data chips in programming is forbidden.

When Meric is activated, he exhibits behaviors unlike any of the test models that lead her to question reality and whether some laws are worth being broken. Or perhaps it's all just programming...

Secret Cravings Publishing Buy Link
Amazon Link

Also, remember that it's usually better to buy direct from the publisher! Breathless Press has multiple formats, including epub for the nook and also the kindle format. (and they have a wonderful point system for you to take advantage of!)

So comment below for a chance at a five dollar gift card!




 

NaNoWriMo OOPS

YIKES I FORGOT TO POST MY TEN THINGS POST. *hangs head in shame* I will do it now. 1) Turn off your inner editor. I know. sucks. Make notes. Word commenter system worked wonders for me (one of the things I learned last year:)

2) Breathe. This may seem obvious, but think of the stress you get under pressure. This is the worst kind of pressure-the pressure to create. An intimate act that you are doing that you hope will eventually be printed by strangers and loved the world over. Or at least by enough people to keep you in ink and pepsi. (Uh, no Pepsi doesn't pay me for product placement. I live on the rez. Some stereotypes hold true.)

3) Find a rythym. A pattern. Whatever your pattern is. It helps me to twitter/blog and get my brain going. It gives my kids a chance to remember all that, oh yeah mom, I forgot to tell you stuff, and I'm hungry whines, and get it all out of the way. Then, when writing is underway, I can say with total assurance, I took care of this or that. That was my pattern. It helped. YOu may need to stay off the internet and use it as a reward. You know yourself. If you don't, you have a month to figure it out.

4) Quit freaking out about the word goal. It's not really that high. You may need to push yourself out of that comfort zone you've been in, but just do it. (Nike's not paying me either. Maybe I should apply?)

5) Make your daily word count based on weekdays/5 day week. That does two things. One, you have two days off if you succeed and you can look forward to that. It allows for birthday parties, school functions, what ever you need those two days for. Two, it gives you those days to make up something you missed because you got a flat tire on the way to a write-in or your kids' teacher calls and wanted to know why they thought Duct tape was an awesome disciplinary tool.

6) Prep meals and TREATS ahead of time as much as possible. Freeze cookie dough, muffins, whatever it is that you and your family like. They will feel less like you've abandoned them. I wasn't prepared last year, so the first week sucked, but I'm a quick learner. I spent one day prepping as many meals as I could for the next week. That included grocery shopping, and portioning out things in preperation. My first year was a real challenge because I had no oven or microwave-stove top only. A gas stove top. I'd never used a gas stove top before.

7) If you are having problems with the plot, or a chapter, write what you want to happen. I did this and before I knew it, I was writing again to the story. Granted, I had to edit out things later, but it kept my word count going and my stress level stopping. (Can you keep something stopping??? LOL)

8) Let no bad happen. If you can help it. I don't mean in your story. If you are writing horror. Write things as bad as you like. I mean, don't over stress the little things. Further, farther? OMG which is it? My story will suck now cuz I can't remember. Worst, worse? Everyone will think I'm an idiot. Okay, get the picture? QUIT IT. When this is over, I will steal a few wonderful language sites from edittorrent's grammar site and post them here so that you can fix it-LATER.

9) Keep networking. Keep talking to those people who have been your support all this time. It will relieve stress, give you companionship, and keep it all in good fun, which leads to my last rule.

10) Have fun. We're writers. Writing is fun. Yes it's hard work. Yes, it can tear us apart emotionally when things aren't loved by everybody and their dog PB. But over the top, it's fun. Why else would we do it? Half the time we are fighting sterotyping (that's not a REAL job & You're not Published? then you're not a REAL writer) and our families to buy the time we need. Not to mention jobs, illness, life's foibles. Why not have fun?

The original post for these is here and let me tell you, if you're doubting yourself or your ability, you really need to read it. Nano is what really put me into the writing groove and helped make it a priority. It's a little late to prepare all this BEFORE NaNoWriMo starts, but at least you can do them now.

Good luck with your endeavors this month. Who's with me?? :D:D:D:D

Nano! Nano! Nano! Nano!