tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-209600452011-11-02T22:47:26.208-04:00award-wining author Mia Zachary's online diary where she ponders the meaning of life, strives to improve her craft and generally mouths offMia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.comBlogger1561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-16247303608423314532007-07-09T23:20:00.000-04:002007-07-09T23:27:10.535-04:00

So what do you think?I love the colors and the mood, even though I think her legs look a little weird.Overall though, I do think this cover captures the tone of the book very well.In case you haven't pre-ordered your copy, get on over to Amazon already!And for a peek behind the scenes, check out the SteeleMidnight.com website!

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-79515827694811251532007-05-22T12:22:00.000-04:002007-05-22T12:33:56.442-04:00

HERE'S THE DEAL:There are only NINE days left to make a bid/ donation to best-selling author Brenda Novak's juvenile diabetes auction. Her youngest son, Thad, lives with diabetes, so this is a very personal cause for her."I appreciate the support of the many people who have come together to make this happen. What an inspiration their generosity has been! In year one, we raised $34,982 that went

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-71791273463321917182007-05-14T23:13:00.000-04:002007-05-14T23:24:39.702-04:00

Even after you're written the manuscript, signed the contracts and cashed the acceptance check, somehow the book isn't 'real' until you see it listed on the Amazon website :)Here is an excerpt from SPIRIT DANCE, my novella in the Witchy Business anthology, which comes out in September. The jury is still out on the cover, but I guess the art department needed something that would be generic enough

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-68691027244631452642007-04-09T14:17:00.000-04:002007-04-09T14:21:20.049-04:00

I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with this blog. I've always felt blogs should be upbeat and fun and informative, but right now I need all of my strength and concentration to focus on whatever is going to happen for me and my son in the future. Without going into details, suffice to say my life style and circumstances are about to be changed. If anyone has any advice on how to be a single Mom

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-54070483165321356932007-03-16T08:23:00.000-04:002007-03-15T20:30:51.184-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSMy copyedits for Spirit Dance arrived on Monday- and they were so minor I got the done the same day!My brother (finally!) got a jobI met someone who might be able to help my mom find a home health aidI offered to do something for someone without expecting anything in returnGOOD ADVICE"Happiness comes from inner peace; Knowing that who you are now is the best person you can be on

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-31304786095427155112007-03-09T10:25:00.000-05:002007-03-08T22:42:19.684-05:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSAfternoon Delight was nominated for a Readers Choice AwardThe copy edits are coming for Spirit Dance with no revisionsI won a watch in a contestSomeone insulted me and ten people jumped to my defenseA lady thanked me for bringing her joyGOOD ADVICE"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.Small people always do that, but the really great makeyou feel that you,

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-32447584954196567382007-03-08T22:07:00.000-05:002007-03-08T22:22:07.957-05:00

Okay, color me surprised.Because while I got my wish and Antonella "looks good in a paper bag but can't sing her way out of it" Barba went home, and while it was a tough choice between Sundance and Sanjaya who I thought both sang badly this week, I would NEVER have believed that Phil Stacy would stay on the show after that god-awful rendition of a LeeAnn Rimes song while Jared Cotter was voted

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-85888339119046972272007-03-07T09:28:00.000-05:002007-03-07T22:18:07.674-05:00

GIRLSI was at a community association meeting and missed the first three contestants (Although based on the recap at the end of the show, I'm glad I missed Antonella, who I really hope leaves the show tomorrow).[Oh and by the way, does anyone else notice that Ryan shakes hands with and hugs the guys but doesn't touch the girls unless they ask like Lakisha did tonight?]Haley sang something I'm

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-11386680026431845122007-03-06T15:32:00.000-05:002007-03-07T09:38:02.202-05:00

And so we continue with last year's obsession. I have to admit though, that I'm still so committed to two of last year's contestants ( I loved some of the singers and can't believe others have record deals?!?! ) that I haven't full-heartedly adopted anyone from Season Six yet.Since IDOl will be on again tonight, I won't bore you with my assessments of the top 24 (plus I can't find all of my notes

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1172242990024964512007-02-23T09:54:00.000-05:002007-02-23T10:03:10.043-05:00

GOOD VIEW GOOD NEWSI start back to physical therapy for my back next TuesdayMy house is (mostly) clean and the laundry is (mostly) doneI went to a really inspiring sales training last nightI've gotten very positive feedback on the ASOM site GOOD ADVICE"she made it to that mountain peak that had seemed so far away! she leaped, danced and rejoiced! and then, quietly, holding a pebble from that

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1171855728747973352007-02-19T09:43:00.000-05:002007-02-18T22:28:48.786-05:00

Brenda Novak's Third Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research is in the planning stages. In 2005, the auction raised $34,982. In 2006, $62,706. That brought donations almost to $100,000! In 2007, Brenda is hoping to raise even more money for research. Help make it happen just by going shopping during the month of May (The auction works just like E-Bay).Here's my donation:"LAS VEGAS, BABY! To

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1170386394392307362007-02-02T10:15:00.000-05:002007-02-01T22:19:54.406-05:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSI twisted my back but the pain is much less todayI got my hair done yesterday and today I'm goiong to the nail salonTwo new people want to schedule jewelry shows with meI got back to ASOM and started editing todayGOOD ADVICE"Some days, you're not only a writer. Some days it's okay to be a good mother, a good daughter and a good [fill in the blank], and write just a little bit. "

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1170221601810360052007-01-31T00:23:00.000-05:002007-01-31T00:33:21.823-05:00

(the above image was an early test version but I needed a picture for this entry so there it it)It's ready, it's been uploaded and it is gor-geous!!Here's the link for the website I had designed for my October 2007 romantic mystery, ANOTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT. Barb Hoeter of RFDesigns did a fantastic job of interpreting my request for "sexy, sassy, edgy, typical Vegas" and I could not be happier

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1169765570597074612007-01-26T10:34:00.000-05:002007-01-31T00:23:10.293-05:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSI took the week off from writingMy CPs loved ASOM and gave me great suggestions for making it betterI like the three RITA books I've read so farMy jewelry business is off to a good start for the yearGOOD ADVICE"A writer has with [her] writing is analagous to that of a committed relationship, with the same joys and pains, pleasures and demands. Commitment entails consistancy,

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1169614077506055422007-01-23T15:38:00.000-05:002007-01-23T23:47:57.520-05:00

I got a contract addendum in the mail yesterday from Harlequin. I won't bore you with any of the details except the one that said the finished manuscript for ANOTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT is supposed to be 75-80k words.What the %$*&*(&&%^&^&???The manuscript I actually submitted was 100k words and the last chapters haven't been fleshed out!?!?Suffice to say I freaked out totally, wondering how in the

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1169209105329442282007-01-19T07:15:00.000-05:002007-01-19T07:18:25.346-05:00

The manuscript is done.The last ten chapters are in second draft, but hey, done is done.Now I'm completely done in, so I'm going to bed.To sleep. For a week.

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1167919759819475542007-01-15T08:09:00.000-05:002007-01-15T08:25:23.120-05:00

is my agonized scream of panic-filled anxiety. Today is deadline day and I'm not going to $$#%^&**$$ make it....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Unprofessional? That's up for debate. The bottom line is I need another dayor two to turn in a best effort so I'm taking them on the premise the editor would rather have Late then Crap.I had to take a break and read my

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1168554933702341522007-01-12T08:28:00.000-05:002007-01-11T17:35:33.716-05:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSIn this dark night of an impending deadline- bone weary, panicked and insecure- a faint light shines down, illuminating the summit and giving hope now that the goal is within sight. (Days left: 5. Pages left: about 75)GOOD ADVICEThe point is not to overcome your self-doubts about being an artist. The point is to move through your self-doubts. Many of us believe that "real

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1168399555642881462007-01-09T22:19:00.000-05:002007-01-09T22:25:55.656-05:00

Between all of the great food over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and the compulsive deadline snacking, I've put back on 10-11 pounds !@%#$%$&$#*&#^!!!That might not sound like much to you, but to me it's huge- pun intended. I worked really hard last year to lose 35 pounds and I can't believe how easy it was to pack some of them back on.So once my current book deadline is over in about

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1167974918561688602007-01-05T00:11:00.000-05:002007-01-05T00:28:38.580-05:00

This is supposed to be my Philosophy Friday entry but it's after Midnight and I have a January 15th deadline that it making me want to puke everytime I even glance at the calandar.I fell like this photo today, churning and seething with anxiety and waitin for lightning to strike, either in the form of inspiration for the next/ last chapters or as punishment if I miss this deadline after getting

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1167714209701158092007-01-01T23:04:00.000-05:002007-01-02T00:07:59.020-05:00

Why do we torture ourselves making up goals for the year? Do we really want to do these things or do we just feel obligated to make up some kind of list?Alright, in keeping with the spirit of masochistic tendencies, I'll name a few things it would be cool to accomplish:Lose the six pounds I've put on since ThanksgivingLost the pounds I put on last holiday seasonTalk about my CP Lisa's book so

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1166499475119254892006-12-18T22:24:00.000-05:002006-12-18T22:37:55.140-05:00

Though somedays, with the lack of sleep, I'm not so sure.I apologize for not being around in forever [and, yes, I do know my website needs a serious update] but I've been super busy with Life. I started a new job and am dealing with some family issues, as well as an overdue manuscript.Add to that taking my boys to New York City this weekend, all day Christmas Eve with my MIL, all day Christmas

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1162177926988980462006-10-30T10:04:00.000-05:002006-10-29T22:12:06.990-05:00

You say it's your birthdayNa-na na-na na-na na naYep the Big... Um... Not 30 Anymore. And yet I'm okay surprisingly. I usually spiral down into a deep depression around my birthday, especially 'milestone' ones.Not this year. I'm taking steps to make changes. My Mom said something in a casual conversation a few weeks ago that for some reason struck home with me. She said, "Go live your life". But

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1156961273866325642006-10-22T09:00:00.000-04:002006-10-29T22:04:40.406-05:00

Today, there is more hope than ever for people touched by breast cancer. However, there is still much work to be done to promote early detection and to help those impacted by the disease. To help make a difference, I'm participating in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Washington, DC on October 22, 2006.My last book, AFTERNOON DELIGHT, featured a one-year

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1161216607917475762006-10-19T07:55:00.000-04:002006-10-18T20:10:07.933-04:00

Thirteen Ways to Avoid Working on the WIP1 Blog hop and read a bunch of other Thursday Thirteen lists2 Go grocery shopping and read the nutrition labels on everything3 Return home and consider which combination of groceries to cook for dinner4 Call your mother who then proceeds to chat for an hour5 Call your mother back because you forgot to tell her something6 Get in 'brainstorming position' on

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1161096885511395402006-10-17T09:40:00.000-04:002006-10-17T18:55:05.020-04:00

The following ladies participated in my little prize giveaway so,MayRichelleMaureenJennyLamband Bamabellehave won an autographed copy of the Australian edition of AFTERNOON DELIGHT. Please email me with your addresses so I can ship your books. Congrats ladies, not only for winning but for making the people in your lives feel like winners, too!

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1160750833919099112006-10-13T10:14:00.000-04:002006-10-13T10:47:14.076-04:00

GOOD VIEW GOOD NEWSI bought some new jeans yesterday SIZE 10, baby!!!I signed on for this years's NaNoWriMoMy new web design was finalized and should be up soonThere's still time to win one of my booksGOOD ADVICE"A first draft is an anything goes space for you to roll up your sleeves and make a terrific mess... The first law of exuberant imperfection is essentially this: The quickest, easiest

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1160523608663734902006-10-12T09:04:00.000-04:002006-10-12T00:32:41.216-04:00

Thirteen chapters from thirteen guides toimproving my craft1."Writing Begets Writing, p35,WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT2. "Motivation: The Why", p31, GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT 3. "Scene and Sequel: The Two Keys to Strong Plots"p113, WD HANDBOOK OF NOVEL WRITING4. "The Building Blocks of Story People", p92CIG WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE5. "Writing About Emotion", p5CREATING CHARACTER EMOTIONS6. "

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1160501272050196522006-10-10T10:12:00.000-04:002006-10-10T15:42:20.980-04:00

Sorry I haven't been around- my Internet connection has been acting up and I've been going through email withdrawal!The mailman dropped off a box of books this afternoon, all the way from Sydney! So, I have 18 copies of the Australian edition of my last Blaze, AFTERNOON DELIGHT to give away.If you'd like one, all you have to do is answer a question. I'm in the mood to boost my self-confidence and

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1160139572210774832006-10-07T08:56:00.000-04:002006-10-06T08:59:32.230-04:00

Paperbackwriter had this link on her blog to a site that will generate your secret true love. I don't know about that, but lust? Yeah, baby!

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1160110626247559362006-10-06T09:31:00.000-04:002006-10-06T00:57:06.263-04:00

GOOD VIEW GOOD NEWSA good friend talked me out of what might have been one hell of a writers block [Thanks, Rachel!] Unfortunately I didn't write a single word on the WIP before the block dropped on me like a ton of bricks because my editor for ASOM got fired and I have no idea what is going to happen at the moment. So why is this good news? It's not, really. I'm just holding tight to the whole

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1160074125497833152006-10-05T09:42:00.000-04:002006-10-05T14:52:54.496-04:00

Because my little anger turned 7 years old todayThirteen Things about Mia's Son1. The 'counting method' didn't work2. I drank too much on Valantine's Day3. I had to spend six of nine months in bed4. I first saw him at sunrise5. He is the most beautiful child in the world6. He has my eyes, mouth and feet7. He has my temper and impatience8. He loves to read stories together9. He loves to draw

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1159892959287974002006-10-03T09:24:00.000-04:002006-10-03T12:29:19.306-04:00

current clothing: cami top and jeanscurrent hair: needs serious help [salon appointment tomorrow]current refreshment: Coke Zerocurrent annoyance: lack of personal assistantcurrent avoidance: cleaning house and answering certain emailscurrent smell: Johnson'd baby oilcurrent thing you ought to be doing: writing something other than a blog entrycurrent jewelry: earrings [never take them out]current

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1159556587632251012006-09-29T09:02:00.000-04:002006-09-29T16:08:01.086-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSWe survived the two tornados that touched down in our neighborhood last night!My husband's hand surgery went well this morning.My CP Melissa James' latest book goes on sale tomorrow!GOOD ADVICE"There's a transition stage that happens when a writer goes from not-writing to writing or back again. It's probably different for everyone (I get more of a jolt when I have to stop

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1159458687153676692006-09-28T11:00:00.000-04:002006-09-29T14:51:38.360-04:00

Thirteen Things about Mia Zachary1. I was born in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan2. My real name means 'new moon' in Japanese3. I've lived in four different countries4. I've visited ten others5. There are twelve more I still want to see6. I speak English fluently and get by in two others7. My first date with my DH was to a play about syphilis8. I married him 1yr and 13 days after our first date9. We

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1159227470680977922006-09-25T09:32:00.000-04:002006-09-25T19:43:29.173-04:00

I can't say enough about SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh. The world she created with such verisimilitude sicked me right into the story. The heroine is strong and wonderfully developed with a very believable conflict. But it's the hero, Lucas, I've been dreaming about long after I finished the book. Half- man, half panther and all sexy! Go treat yourself to this wonderful read!BACK COVER

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1158897936000452822006-09-22T09:44:00.000-04:002006-09-22T00:06:22.990-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSI sent Spirit Dance to my editor. Yeah.It was 10 days early. Yeah!I re-read HP5-OOTP and HP6-THBPGOOD ADVICE"Do you constantly compare yourself to others and then feel badly when compared to them? Comparison doesn't motivate us to do more or be better, instead it makes us feel we'll never be good enough and we aren't right now. Action: Write out the 5 qualities you like best

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1158896576163176352006-09-21T11:26:00.000-04:002006-09-21T23:42:56.183-04:00

I first picked up BAITED by Crystal Green because I've met her and she is just one of the nicest people. I took it to the cash register because I always buys books by fellow authors that I personally like. That is not however the reason I lost (excuse the pun) five hours of my life reading BAITED straight through in one sitting.BACKCOVERFROM INSTANT HEIRESS... Her billionaire mentor’s invitation

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1158758183295953662006-09-20T09:08:00.000-04:002006-09-20T09:17:21.340-04:00

It's gone! I'd finished my novella, SPIRIT DANCE, last Friday and sent it on to two critiquers, as well as going over it myself. The revisions only took a few days and I submitted the manuscript this morning. Yeah!So now I have a few days of quiet before moving on.Well, sort of quiet. The house is a mess and we have company coming this weekend and I've got some other writing business stuff to do

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1158266027559954022006-09-15T07:32:00.000-04:002006-09-15T07:28:08.993-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSThe manuscript for SPIRIT DANCE is finished!I'm going to send my son to school and then sleep all day!!GOOD ADVICEBack in JulyI started to sweat the fast-approaching October 1 deadline for a novella I hadn't started yet. (Well, actually I had a 6 page prologue in the point of view of a terciary character.) But nothing done on the main story. And there's another story I'm dying

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1158162633617202772006-09-13T09:36:00.000-04:002006-09-13T11:50:33.666-04:00

I'm starting the last chapter of my WIP with great hopes of finishing the novella by the end of the week!So to keep you entertained, go here:To see a trailer for the new James BondTo read a free story I started and helped writeTo get a preview of Melissa James' Oct releaseTo play a game based on a bookTo see writers in their natural habitatSpeaking of which... I need to get back to mine....

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1157749473805246512006-09-11T07:03:00.000-04:002006-09-14T16:32:05.940-04:00

Where were you the day our world changed?I was at home with my then almost-two-year old watching the Disney channel and had not one clue what had happened until my husband called about the first tower. I flipped the channel and watched in abject horror as, right before my eyes on live television, the second plane hit. As it was for many Americans and others around the world, the next couple of

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1157722072088618642006-09-08T09:21:00.000-04:002006-09-08T09:29:19.693-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSUumm..... Thinking......Dunno. In a bit of a mood today...GOOD ADVICEI can't seem to see the trees for the forest today.My CPs tell me that my current Work in Progress is very good but I'm all stressed out about how much still has to be written and the quality overall. Rachel thinks the level of story conflict works well; Lisa thinks there needs to be more deep and complex

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1157412596092885492006-09-04T19:27:00.000-04:002006-09-05T09:05:25.253-04:00

That was one of the late Steve Irwin's catch phrases, along with "Crikey! She's a real beauty!"He died today- or rather yesterday since Australia's time zone is 14 ahead of mine- in a freak accident caused by a sting ray's barb. Apparently sting rays don't sting unless they feel scared and Steve accidentally scared it. The toxin isn't poisonous but the stab through Steve's heart was.I have to say

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1157080271863916702006-09-01T10:56:00.000-04:002006-08-31T23:11:11.876-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSMy son is back in school so now I can get my afternoon naps backNow that I've gotten some sleep, the migraine headaches I've been fighting are goneNow that the migraines are gone, I've broken through my latest bout of writers block by resetting my personal deadline to a more attainable dateNow that I've given myself a break, I was able to write 10 pagesGOOD ADVICE"Take a premise

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1156899390417813572006-08-30T08:45:00.000-04:002006-08-30T14:19:41.793-04:00

(I would post the DVD cover but BLOGGER IS SCREWING UP MY IMAGES AS USUAL)SHE'S THE MAN is a retelling of Shakespeare's Twelth Night in a modern-day prep school setting. Tagline: Everybody has a secret... Duke wants Olivia who likes Sebastian who is really Viola whose brother is dating Monique so she hates Olivia who's with Duke to make Sebastian jealous who is really Viola who's crushing on Duke

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1156710286738296502006-08-28T08:11:00.000-04:002006-08-27T16:26:09.396-04:00

From the corporate press release: "Responding to reader demand for even more romance fiction in a digital format, Harlequin is launching the Harlequin Mini eBook. The Harlequin Mini Round Robin eBook is an outcome of Harlequin’s collaboration with its readers. These stories are launched by a published author, and subsequent chapters are created—and hotly competed for—by fans and aspiring writers.

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1156468353887618292006-08-25T08:52:00.000-04:002006-08-24T21:12:33.910-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSI've written 25 pages since last Friday!!!!I just started working with my own creativity coachI'm taking my son to the Renaissance Festival this weekendSchool starts on Monday!!!!!GOOD ADVICE"People often ask me how they can become more creative. By this they mean many different things; even if they meant just one thing, there would still be many different kinds of answers. For

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1156210441775712562006-08-22T09:26:00.000-04:002006-08-21T21:34:37.240-04:00

If Margery Casares is reading this blog, the French edition of 9 1/2 DAYS that I mailed to you was sent back as undeliverable. If you'd like it could you please email me a corrected address?Speaking of take-backs...Have you ever returned a book to the store where you bought it? I freely admit that I have. I read as much as I can and honestly have no idea how many hundreds of dollars I spend on

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1156103910922844322006-08-21T08:46:00.000-04:002006-08-29T21:04:33.373-04:00

Save a Writer, Buy a New Book! By Susan GableThe recent demise of yet another Harlequin line, this time the kick-butt heroine line Bombshell, got me to thinking, which, as anyone who knows me will tell you is always a dangerous thing. I heard from a number of readers who were surprised by the closing, because they had friends who just "loved that line!"I've also heard things like this: "I can't

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1155944419619825832006-08-18T07:30:00.000-04:002006-08-18T19:40:19.636-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD STUFFThere's only ONE MORE WEEK until school starts!!!I've written 6 pages so far this week and the week isn't overGOOD ADVICENOTICE: The Surgeon General has declared that creating schedules can be detrimental to your health and sanity, and that schedule dependence has been linked with weight gain, weight loss, hirsutism, hair loss, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, auditory

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1155679751160166272006-08-16T09:06:00.000-04:002006-08-16T11:26:18.906-04:00

I just got the news that my April 2006 Blaze AFTERNOON DELIGHT has been nominated for a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award!You can read the actual review here, and see the list of other nominees here. Then on Friday night at 9pm EST, drop by the Cataromance Pink Carpet Gala on their messageboards.Hope to see you there!

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1155493223514520842006-08-14T08:57:00.000-04:002006-08-13T14:22:53.773-04:00

Based on the amount of hype leading up to this book for the past year, I fully expected SECRET SOCIETY GIRL by Diana Peterfreund to grab me from the first page and hold me captive until the end. It didn't do that. The heroine, Amy Haskell, is smart, cool, witty and well-liked by almost every secondary character but I never felt like I connected with her. That is probably just personal bias since

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1155304274733420372006-08-11T09:30:00.000-04:002006-08-11T09:51:14.750-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD STUFFStarted writing the Sedona novella and am currently into chapter twoThe Precious Angel- after a very rough first morning- is loving summer day campMom will finally be released from post-operative rehab in about 2 weeksI submitted a new Blaze idea yesterdayGOOD ADVICE"Books saved my life. I am not being melodramatic. I had a miserable childhood. This was not necessarily anyone’s

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1155128197260628252006-08-09T08:54:00.000-04:002006-08-09T09:09:44.443-04:00

Paperback Writer had this to say on her blog this morning:"Going to the bookstore is like going to church. I'm surrounded by the people who share my convictions, and touch base with what it's all about for me personally. I miss being a bookseller so much sometimes. Man, I lived to work the floor and talk books. "I _so_ get that! I was actually just thinking about hauling my laptop bag and wip

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1154721915752749102006-08-07T06:02:00.000-04:002006-08-04T16:05:15.766-04:00

From Pajama Mama via Bethany Hiitola via Alison Kent"I christen today (and the next few days) “Bloggin’ Good Blogger Days” in the blogging community. Your mission, shall you choose to accept it (and you will), is to go to as many blogs as you can and point out at least one good thing about the author of that blog. Do your best to give them a warm fuzzy feeling. Show your appreciation, admiration

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1154609275233191532006-08-04T09:46:00.000-04:002006-08-04T10:39:15.226-04:00

So after talking with my Creative Partner, Lisa, I have a decision to make about writing conferences next year. Novelists, Inc. or RWA National?Blaze author Alison Kent had this to say on her blog the other day:"Except for editor or author dinners and publisher parties, I rarely walk out of the hotel. I don’t sightsee. I don’t consider conference a vacation (except this year when it was a

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1154609564104064102006-08-01T08:49:00.000-04:002006-08-03T18:04:16.880-04:00

Bilingual? Need a gift?I've got a few of my books that have been translated into other languages:Claimed as of 8/3 6pm-1 Italian edition of 9 1/2 DAYS [Ellie Lewis]1 German edition of YOURS IN BLACK LACE [Minna Puustinen]1 British edition of YOURS IN BLACK LACE [Pearl Elliot]1 Australian edition of 9 1/2 DAYS [Sue Ahn]Available-2 copies of the Dutch edition of YOURS IN BLACK LACE1 German

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1154295907559364502006-07-30T17:00:00.000-04:002006-08-03T08:48:38.540-04:00

{Blogger won't let me upload the cover- Sorry!]I first 'met' Barb Ferrer through an online writer's group on which I mostly lurked. Then the Universe granted me the pleasure of meeting her in person at a writer's conference in Phoenix. What a hoot- I think we were laughing most of the time we spent together.So having met her in person, I of course made a mental note to buy her debut book. I'm

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1154294421293969872006-07-29T23:07:00.000-04:002006-07-30T17:20:21.306-04:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steph and Di won!!!!!!!!!!!I'm so very happy for these two ladies- Diane Perkins on the left and Stephanie Feagan on the right. This is a picture of them at the RWA conference in Atlanta, holding their RITA Award statues.These are two of the nicest people you'll ever meet and I'm very proud to call them friends. After CPA Whitney ‘Pink’ Pearl blows the

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1154294981563550972006-07-28T14:21:00.000-04:002006-07-30T17:30:58.906-04:00

Are completely untrue. However, when I got to the house in Italy where we spent our vacation, I did think I'd died and gone to heaven. Take a look:The 6 bedroom, 6 bath renovated farmhouse sits on 50 acres (!) of hayfields, olive groves and vineyards. The weather was perfect the whole time we were there: 86*F-90*F with no humidity. The food was great, the wine was better and the people were

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1151079020819478662006-06-26T11:19:00.000-04:002006-07-03T19:54:31.060-04:00

(I'll add the book cover as soon as Blogger stops screwing the upload)I don't know why I picked this book up. Maybe because I'm in the final stages of settling my late grandmother's estate, which brought up extremely bad memories of my late father's death and my step-bitch's post mortum behavior....Anyway, I'm very glad that I did. Despite what I thought was a heroine who was a bit more innocent

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1151077346150583382006-06-22T11:40:00.000-04:002006-06-23T11:42:26.166-04:00

I'm clearing off my bookshelves to make more room for my TBR pile andI have a few books to give away to the first person who asks:2 copies of the Dutch edition of YOURS IN BLACK LACE1 Italian edition of 9 12/ DAYS1 German edition of YOURS IN BLACK LACE1 German edition of 9 1/2 DAYS1 Australian edition of YOURS IN BLACK LACE1 Australian edition of 9 1/2 DAYSJust email me with your mailing address

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1149779561929335952006-06-08T11:10:00.000-04:002006-06-08T11:15:58.463-04:00

They’re your neighbors, your aunts, your sisters and your best friends. They’re women across North America committed to reaching out and changing lives, one good deed at a time. Five of these exceptional women have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Harlequin More Than Words award. And once again five award-winning bestselling authors have kindly offered their creativity to write

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1149655424021911152006-06-07T00:30:00.000-04:002006-06-07T00:52:46.916-04:00

While I was at the Book Expo of America in D.C. this past May, I snagged an Avanced Reading Copy of SCOOP by Kit Frazier. The book won't be available until September, but I'm going to talk about it now anyway.This a soft-boiled mystery with a very likable heroine, although the author's website calls this chick-lit mystery. Although Cauley is a believable reporter, she's not the best detective (

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1149654278632884022006-06-06T12:14:00.000-04:002006-06-07T00:45:53.593-04:00

I never read young adult fiction-not since I was a young adult and Juldy Blume was all the rage- and I almost never pay the cost of hardcover books. I made an exception in the case of I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU by Ally Carter and I'm glad I did.I was intrigued by the premise of an international spy academy for teen-sged girls, but this book wasn't the James/Bond

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1148955338635109612006-05-29T10:13:00.000-04:002006-05-29T22:15:38.646-04:00

I know I owe you all a Philosophy Friday and I promise you'll get one... just as soon as I can sit at the computer without pain and keep a thought in my head despite the muscle relaxants.Damned lumbar disc.

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1148528140157632922006-05-24T22:10:00.000-04:002006-05-24T23:35:40.176-04:00

Whoooooooooo!Taylor Hicks is the 5th American Idol! I'm very happy for him but I hope/I hope/I hope that he is able to retain the things that made Amercia love and vote for him- his quirky individuality and love of performing. And I hope he does "Levon" and "Takin' it to the streets" on his first CD.As for the rest of the ridulously long 2 hour finale, here'sTHE GOODElliott singing "This House

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1148439094046456322006-05-23T22:22:00.000-04:002006-05-23T22:54:24.483-04:00

So, the last two contestants competed tonight and I honestly don't have a clue who will win.KATHARINE did "Black Horse & Cherry Tree" again and I think it was better than the first time. However, her rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" seemed off tonight- I'm not sure why. Her final song, rumored to be written for her [let me know if I'm wrong] was "My destiny". I can easily imagine this

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1148054113256367562006-05-19T10:02:00.000-04:002006-05-19T13:01:06.766-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD STUFFI'm signing Afternoon Delight tomorrow at the Book Expo of America. Tori Carrington, Brenda Novak and Gena Showalter will be there tooMy CP Lisa comes home from Fiji today (see photo above)I got a doctor's appointment for Monday for my back painGOOD ADVICEGoogle yourself and include the word 'blog' in your search to see what's out there about you. If you find yourself being

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1147832218446438772006-05-16T22:13:00.000-04:002006-05-16T23:07:36.216-04:00

My 6 year old son refused to watch tonight because Chris is no longer on the show. I'm sure though that his career is about to explode and not being the winner will not matter a bit.In my opinion, KATHARINE gave her best damned performance of the entire season tonight. (I'll get to that in a minute)ELLIOTT sang first, though, so I'll review him first. I agree with Simon that he started out a

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1147415093149486992006-05-12T07:22:00.000-04:002006-05-12T03:29:05.173-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD STUFFMy CP Lisa is off to Fiji tomorrow for vacationI booked my family's airfare to Tuscany for JulyThere are 12 bids for my Diabetes Auction giftImaginary rejection letters by famous authorsA secret vice- snarky comments about celebrity fashionGOOD ADVICE"The key to managing our writing fear, our 'page fright', is craft... Fear keeps you in the here and now. So stay in touch with

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1147316101342355092006-05-10T22:45:00.000-04:002006-05-10T22:56:54.483-04:00

So, okay, I was wrong. WAY wrong.I'm really glad that Elliott is staying another week and there was never any doubt about Taylor. But I am stunned, STUNNED I TELL YOU that Chris was voted off Idol tonight!Even the judges were stunned [Did you see that smirk on Simon's face when he said it should be Katharine going home? Did you see the anger in Simon's eyes when the real announcement was made?]

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1147232759793655422006-05-09T22:45:00.000-04:002006-05-10T00:18:39.350-04:00

I have a question before I get into my recap- what the hell has Priscilla Presley done to her face?? Those lips were scary.So, it was Elvis night on American Idol (thankya, thankya vey moch) and going into it I figured that Elliott and Taylor would do well with the material. I was both right and wrong.ELLIOTT didn't do well, he kicked ass and took names and made sure America knows his. This man

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146958971217890062006-05-05T07:38:00.000-04:002006-05-06T19:50:40.870-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSMy pollen allergy hasn't outright killed meI'm falling in love with my characters againA good friend and talented writer has finally decided to write againMy CP Lisa finalled in a contest with perfect scores!My scale says 157 and my pool is now open...but cold!GOOD ADVICE"Commitment is defined by action. The committed writer is the one who writes...You are actively entangled in

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146710136346216812006-05-03T22:29:00.000-04:002006-05-03T22:52:04.580-04:00

Well, I was right about Paris. I was right about her being voted off American Idol tonight. But I'm also right that we haven't heard the last of this talented little girl. Did you see how poised she was when Ryan told her she was going home? I think we'll be sining along with the radio to one of her CDs in a few years. I wish her the best of luck!Papaerback Writer thinks that reading is like

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146624263128978192006-05-02T22:43:00.000-04:002006-05-02T22:47:28.423-04:00

First let me say that I feel old!Tonight the contestants had to sing songs from the year of their birth and nobody was doing Frank Sinatra's "Summer Wind", the Supremes "Can't Hurry Love" or Simon & Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter". LOL They also had to do a song from this week's Billboard chart... none of which I had heard of except the Beatles "Something"... Ah, well. Onto my recap-ELLIOTT

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146183823595802082006-04-28T07:57:00.000-04:002006-04-27T23:24:19.310-04:00

Instead of offering advice today, I'm asking for it.The senior editor of Blaze has asked me for some things I need to decide if I can deliver.So do me a really huge favor- answer the questions below and tell me what you think and what you want. If you know someone who's read my books, send them over to give me some feedback too please.First, WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO BUY MY BOOKS?- - - You've read my

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146145592579770592006-04-27T09:13:00.000-04:002006-04-27T23:00:49.200-04:00

Not much to say this morning, and little time to say it, but for good reason:Mom's surgery went better than expected and she's being released from the hospital today! She'll have to go to a nursing/ rehab for six weeks of IV antibiotics therapy etc but I feel this early release is a good sign .In other news, Kellie was voted off of AI last night. As I've said before, I like the girl but it's been

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146060829360409372006-04-26T09:48:00.000-04:002006-04-26T10:17:19.316-04:00

There are several very cool contests you might want to know about:Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times are teaming up again for American Title III. This time they're looking for contemporary romance, including "chick lit, romantic suspense, paranormals, romantic comedies and anything that falls in between!" The deadline is June 1, 2006My own publisher is looking for a few good Blaze pitches.

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1146018995526119912006-04-25T22:17:00.000-04:002006-04-25T22:38:45.990-04:00

Tonight it really was all about love- I loved three of the performances; the judges loved two of the performances and in my opinion only love is going to move anyone to the next round.KATHARINE came out strong with what I thought was the best performance she's ever given. Usually too polished and controlled, I loved seeing her passion for the first time tonight as she belted out "I Have Nothing".

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145885127982100362006-04-24T09:04:00.000-04:002006-04-24T12:24:55.946-04:00

I just got back last night from the Phoenix chapter's Desert Dreams Conference. I had a great time and if you get the chance, I'd recommend going next year. April in Phoenix is just gorgeous, especially coming from cool, humid, drizzly Maryland.I want to express a special THANK YOU to chapter president Mackanzie McKade, Tina Conine and Pamela Osbeck and especially to Susan Lanier-Graham for

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145460323589147172006-04-21T08:30:00.000-04:002006-04-20T11:46:50.666-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSAce got voted off American IdolI'm in Phoenix for the Desert Dreams ConferenceI'm also spending time with my best friend, ScottI don't care what the scale says this weekGOOD ADVICEI'm running out to catch a plane, so the best advice I can give you is "Go do something fun with people you love!"

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145460092791785192006-04-20T08:14:00.000-04:002006-04-19T23:07:31.446-04:00

This is my critique group. [click to see enlargement]That's me sitting at the desk, struggling to get the images out of my head in the form of words on the screen.In the other chair is Lisa, struggling to get me to stop thinking so much and trust my talent.Behind me is the Fiction Fairy, struggling to push me out of my own way so she can tell me about this great new idea she has that will be

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145458087665912882006-04-19T10:47:00.000-04:002006-04-19T11:03:47.156-04:00

1) I try too hard to achieve an illusive perfection. I have to create an opening hook before I can begin a scene, be it action or dialogue, so I know where I need to start. That's probably why I haven't written anything on a new paranormal premise yet. Too many ideas and no idea where to begin yet. This is also why I write so slowly- I edit as I go and tend to agonize over word choice and

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145452663865831842006-04-18T21:35:00.000-04:002006-04-25T22:40:06.806-04:00

I forgot American Idol was on and so I missed CHRIS. Waaahh! 'Coz I'm told he did a really great job singing "What a Wonderful World"; that it really showed the audience what his voice can do.I did catch PARIS and I'm so glad. Simon is right- it is so weird to hear that Minnie Mouse speaking voice and then have the girl blow your mind with her singing. She did a great job, more so because she

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145328901819082722006-04-17T22:50:00.000-04:002006-04-17T22:55:01.836-04:00

Sorry I've been quiet today:My son was home for the last day of Easter break... and it rained so none of the neighborhood kids were outI'm revising my old 1st workshop notes for Phoenix as well as writing new ones for the 2nd one I'm now doingI'm trying to find airfare to Tuscany that won't require a second mortgageMy house seems to regenerate clutter and I can't keep upAnd yeah, I'd like to get

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1145036682235069902006-04-14T13:42:00.000-04:002006-04-14T14:20:18.066-04:00

GOOD VIEWGOOD NEWSMy jeans are baggy!!AFTERNOON DELIGHT has made the Bookscan Top 100 Romance bestsellers list for the past two weeks!I've been invited to Harlequin's autographing booth at the Book Expo of America My creative partner's book is going to be a launch title for the new Romance lineGOOD ADVICEIf you plan to/ dream of having a career as an author, there are several measurments of

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144898011481152592006-04-13T08:45:00.000-04:002006-04-13T10:12:48.056-04:00

My son is off school for the Easter holiday so I'm going to be lazy and send you around the blogosphere.Kelly Armstrong on just plain entertainingMelissa Marsh on talent vs craftJamie Sobrato measures successTen Things Lynn Viehl hasn't learned about writingThe value of critique groups from Diana PeterfreundJoy in the Box for Monica JacksonTake a few minutes to tell Harlequin what you think

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144896265476149742006-04-12T22:40:00.000-04:002006-04-12T22:44:25.636-04:00

Dammit!I was right- Ace is going to be gazing into the camera like a 13 year old girl's bedroom poster for another week while Bucky- who okay can't sing well but I still like his sweet personality- goes home.And he'll probably stay next week, too, because the theme is ballads from Rod Stewart's latest album and Ace is good at falsetto saccharine. Ugh.

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144809474461499602006-04-12T08:25:00.000-04:002006-04-11T23:03:53.946-04:00

So, okay, I didn't vote but, yeah, I still watched *blush*BUCKY did really well with a country version of "Fat Bottomed Girls" and I don't care what Simon thinks, I like his hairACE... needs to go model underwear. "We Will Rock You" is a sporting event chant, not a song to sing in competitionKELLIE was surprisingly good. As Simon said, her singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" should have been a disaster

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144733814555566972006-04-11T01:25:00.000-04:002006-04-11T09:31:51.980-04:00

Movie director Lucy Armstrong and Green Beret captain J. T. Wilder don't exactly get along at their first meeting on the set of the movie Don't Look Down. Lucy, a director of dog food commercials in New York, has come to the Savannah swamps to finish up the last four days of shooting -- only to discover that her ex-husband is the stunt director, her sister seems to be on drugs, and the stars are

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144636474556028962006-04-10T00:25:00.000-04:002006-04-14T19:33:29.740-04:00

I'm tired and my brain hurts from working on a new story idea. So I'll leave you with my short essay that was included in a charity anthology called CRUMBS IN THE KEYBOARD- Women Juggling Life & Writing. "Over seventy-five women authors share their courageous true-to-life stories of juggling life and writing in this special book dedicated to the support of women everywhere and to the education

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144445988968929072006-04-07T17:33:00.000-04:002006-04-07T18:08:02.240-04:00

GOOD VIEW(This is a photo I personally took last week of the Pontalba Apartments on St Ann Street, across Decatur facing the Jackson Square park. Sorry it's fuzzy but how cool would it be to live there?)GOOD STUFFStill feeling the positive effects of a great conferenceThe scale is back under the 160 markDoing great with the pre-creating stage of a new bookWent to settlement on my grandmother's

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144278822410409272006-04-06T07:12:00.000-04:002006-04-05T22:37:31.850-04:00

Thanks to Paperback Writer for the idea to opening lines. I'm also going to take the initiative and add closing lines for the same book because I read somewhere that you sell the current book with the opening line and the closing line sells the next book.RED SHOES & A DIARY:"What will it be like to have a physical encounter with a stranger?""He closed the journal with a grin. Yeah. Reality beat

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144289834103484272006-04-05T22:37:00.000-04:002006-04-05T22:34:44.833-04:00

Don't ever tell me that the producers of American Idol haven't got an agenda to make sure that the their chosen favorites stay on the show. I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist, but tonight's elimination was fucking outrageous.(And so were last night's clothes. I'd like to bitch-slap the stylist who jacked up Kellie's boobs in a low cut pretty red top but put Mandisa is that nightmare atrocity

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144156445409523462006-04-05T09:03:00.000-04:002006-04-04T22:49:19.203-04:00

One of the NINC @ Night sessions I went to was on story collage. Is it possible for something to be energizing and calming at the same time?I'd been working since January on a collage for my romantic mystery at home, and though I brought it to show, I had no intention of working on it at the conference. So I thought I'd just goof around and be social. A page from GQ magazine with the headline '

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144108908318585812006-04-04T07:50:00.000-04:002006-04-03T20:06:18.613-04:00

As I posted before, the Novelists, Inc. conference in New Orleans was really great and I highly recommend the organization itself as well as the weekend retreat.The all-day workshop was given by Pulitzer-prize winning auhtor Robert Olen Butler. He made it very clear that he writes literature, not 'entertainment fiction', however the workshop was still worthwhile. The best things I got from his

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144044598158256792006-04-03T02:07:00.000-04:002006-04-03T19:52:20.216-04:00

My week-long discussion about AFTERNOON DELIGHT and Life Lists is starting over at the eHarlequin message boards. You can get there from here and I'll post blog stuff later.And if you're one of the audio contest winners, I can't send you anything until I get your address!

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20960045.post-1144035532668175322006-04-02T23:00:00.000-04:002006-04-03T00:32:50.026-04:00

I just got home from the NINC conference in New Orleans. I'll talk about that more over the next week or two, but for now I just wanted to say a few things:1-The conference itself was really good but having my Creative Partner there with me made it great. If you have long-distance writing friends that you rarely see or even have never met, I can't recommend enough going to a writer's conference

Mia Zacharyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09581751782070739744noreply@blogger.com1