Heidi Blackstone

More excuses

2007-08-01T02:35:00.000-07:00

I’m still not getting anywhere with Sven *sigh*
It’s been yet another one of ‘those’ weeks – and since hubby is jetting off tonight bound for China for 11 days on a business trip , I have this funny feeling that the next week and a half are not going to be any better *grimace*

A half-assed attempt @ a Thursday 13 :)

2007-07-26T00:50:00.001-07:00

Yes, I know, there are only 7 pics in this Thursday 13 - but hey, I told you it was a half-assed attempt :P

Not been a very good week :P

2007-07-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

I've visited both of hubby's grandmothers, been to a funeral, sat one evening at a 'shiva' (seven days of mourning held at the deceased person's house), spent endless hours online looking for cheap flights to S.A, spent about 5 noisy hours at a playdate with my daughter, done about 3 or 4 critiques for my crit partner, drunk obscene amounts of coffee, and only written about 100 words :P
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Aaahhhh - and other tales of woe

2007-07-18T04:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not doing so well on the Seventy Days of Sweat Writing Challenge :P

But I have good excuses...I swear. The biggest reason is that I'm sick - and it's hard to be creative when you have a runny nose and fever - blach!!!

Then hubby and I spent a whole morning at the IRS (with the runny nose and fever) sorting out my tax report for 2006. And although it was a pretty painless visit (as far as trips to the IRS go) I was glad to come home and fall into bed.

So my word count from Sunday hasn't changed much - I'm at 3743 - but I'm planning on putting up a big number tonnight and tomorrow :)

Cheers

Heidi

I'm signing up :)

2007-07-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

I'm signing up for Alison Kent's challenge: Seventy Days of Sweat

One of my biggest problems is sitting my ass down and putting up a decent daily word count (as you can see from how often I blog *EG*). And although I sucked at NaNoWriMo and Book In A Year didn't work for me - I'm hoping to get this one right :)

So, if you want to come along and see what all the buzz is about, check out Alison Kent's blog http://www.alisonkent.com/blog/

And check in here every now and again to see if I'm making my work count quotas.

Cheers

Heidi

13 Things I miss about living in South Africa

2007-06-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

Now a lot of this won't make sense to some of you unless you've been there...but indulge me...I'm feeling homesick.

1. Salt and vinegar Simba chips

2. Biltong - (Beef jerky) in Zim and SA it's what us kids cut our first teeth on :)

3. Changeable weather - Yeah I know...everyone in my hometown used to moan endlessly about it - but it adds something interesting. I mean, how boring is it to wake up every morning for 3 or 4 months of the year knowing without a doubt the sky is going to be cloudless and the temp is going to be between 100 and 115 degrees. I say "come on weather, surprise me" :)

4. Rain in summer - there's nothing better than the smell of rain as it hits hot tarmac.

5. Polite drivers. I tried to explain to my hubby (the Israeli) the idea of a fourway stop - That whoever gets to the junction first has right of way. He snorted and said "that would never work!" Well, it does...in a place where people don't use their cars like weapons and stab/shot each other over things like being cut off.

6. Waves at the beach. For those of you scratching your head over this one - in SA we have some of the best beaches and waves in the world. In Israel, we have the Mediterranean Sea. I make better waves getting in and out of the bathtub.

7. The school system - at least the one I was in. Where kids wore uniforms instead of thongs showing out the top of pants worn too low and teachers were 'Ms.' or 'Sir' and not 'Hey you' - I sound about 100 years old on this one :)

8. Personal Space. People here stand so close when cueing that they actually touch you - in SA there's this little thing called personal space *sigh*

9. Libraries - Huge Public libraries that you don't have to pay a yearly fee to be part of.

10. Good red meat - big juicy steaks that haven't been bled dry so that they can be considered 'kosher' blah!!

11. Crème Soda - It's a fizzy green drink that's to die for. Yes, I said 'green' but it's really good :)

12. Diversity and a spirit of acceptance - Yes, I am talking about South Africa - The New South Africa. One where people seem to be getting along - a lot better than anyone thought they ever would - where Sesame Street is in about 3 or 4 different languages at once and where the second or third question I get asked is never "What religion are you?"

13. Last but not least - my family and friends. The people I would sit up until two or three in the morning with just chatting about nothing in particular. The people who remember me when I was young and stupid and still love me.

I used to complain about the place when I lived there - I never knew how much I'd miss it until I left.

Heidi

13 things I'm going to be doing once school gets out

2007-06-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

1. Nothing!! whoohoo
2. and once I get bored of that I'm going to attack my TBR pile
3. finish plotting and get started on Wilde Nights
4. try and start editing Forever Fling
5. swim and swim and swim
6. catch up on the episodes of Lost (season 3 has been less irritating than season 2)
7. try some very late Spring cleaning and get rid of some of the junk cluttering our house
8. finish the mural I painted on my daughter's bedroom wall so she'll stop asking why Ruthie
doesn't have shoes (character from one of her fav books.)
9. catch up on all my emails and snail mail letters
10. watch too much TV
11. eat obscene amounts of junk food
12. burn home videos and send them to my mom – like I promised her weeks ago *blush*
13. relax and recharge before the dreaded 2007/2008 school year starts

How about you? What are you going to be up to this summer holiday?
cheers
Heidi

First lines

2007-06-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

Samhain's First Line competition has got me thinking about the all-important opening of a book. What catches a reader's attention? What is going to set your book aside from all the others? I'm guilty of picking up a book and after reading the blurb and ogling the cover, still been in two minds whether or not I want to spend my hard-earned money on it. So I've turned to the first page and read a paragraph or two. Now I'm not saying that this is a perfect strategy. I'm sure I've missed out on some fabulous reads this way – but I honestly haven't been disappointed a whole lot. Maybe I'm just too easy to please :)

You can tell a lot about a book from its first line. For example, if chapter one starts something like:

"Well fuck me," Mildred Cooper swore and loaded her nine millimeter.

You can bet that apart from a lot of swearing, the characters will probably spend a fair amount of time without their clothes on ;) And is probably going to be a book I'm going to buy :)

In my uneducated opinion, there are two main ways that start off novels. Authors either jump on into the middle of a scene with some dialogue and a tag, or they establish their setting right off. I've done both and I think both can be effective ways of grabbing your reader's attention.

But back to my question, what's going to grab attention from that first line? For me – it could be dialogue, descriptions, or just about anything that's going to get my brain asking questions. I think that's the secret. You have to intrigue your readers. Get them wondering what's going on right from the first whistle.

So, what do ya'all think? What grabs your attention in a first line?

Here's some of my first few lines...you can let me know if any of them would get you to read on :)

Body Guard
"Tyler Reid rubbed at the few days' worth of stubble darkening his jaw. "I don't do women, Bay. You know that."
He propped his mobile between shoulder and ear while his hands worked on a mug of much needed coffee.
"I'm really backed into a corner here brother, and -"
"Don't brother me. Find someone else."

The Forever Fling
Aidan James had never been one for ogling women. But the body a few meters in front of him didn't belong to any average looking female. Or at least the part of her that he could see couldn’t be called ‘average’.

Katie's Choice
Matt's second tequila burnt a trail down his throat and settled in his restless gut, along with the first shot he'd thrown back. He bent his head about ten degrees to the side, trying to ease the tension that'd taken permanent residence there. He hadn't slept in what felt like weeks but was more like two long days.

Looking forward to hearing what anyone else thinks.
Heidi

Lily-white people of the world unite

2007-06-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

And no, don't frown at me over the title….this entry is about us painfully pale people being discriminated against.

You see, its summer (duh)…and living in the Middle East that means temperatures in the triple digits from now until September! So of course, I dragged out my shorts and short skirts (at least those that still fit me *grimace*) and since then not a day has gone by that I don't get at least one comment about how white my legs are.

Now I know what you're all thinking. Everyone is white after a cold winter of jeans and long pants. But I'm one of those people that take white to a whole new shade.

These are just 2 of the comments I've heard this week.
# "God, put some long pants on or find me a pair of sunglasses – the glare coming off your legs is hurting my eyes." yeah…haha bloody ha
# "Oh, those are your legs! I thought you were wearing white tights under your skirt." - and this one was said by a 60 year old fellow teacher who doesn't know the meaning of sarcasm :P

Now, I have as good a sense of humor as the next guy - but really…I know I'm freakishly white. I get it. I'm genetically unable to tan. This is not news to me. So enough with the snowman jokes and the translucent skin comments.

I'm going to be showing off my lily-white legs with pride this summer – I invite all my fellow pale friends to do the same. And all you disgustingly tanned people…say thank you for the pigment you have and keep the comments to yourself *grin*

Heidi

Thursday Thirteen - just in time

2007-06-07T07:02:00.001-07:00

It's the end of the school year and I'm running around like a chicken minus my head - hence not much time left over for blogging.

But since I copped out of a TT last week I felt I better get one done today.
My 13 Favorite TV shows

1. Grey's Anatomy - makes me cry more than any show has in a long time.
2. The Amazing Race
3. Desperate Housewives - just because
4. Survivor - love the challenges - the backstabbing bit is usually when I go make coffee :)
5. Heroes
6. One Tree Hill – no, its not just a teeny-bopper show :)
7. The Biggest Loser - inspirational -makes me want to get up off the couch and do some exercise...well...maybe tomorrow.
8. The Simpsons - was one of my fav's when i was a kid and they still manage to make me smile
9. McLeod's Daughters - Aussie show about kickass cowgirls (with some sexy cowboys thrown in too :)
10. Lost - this is on the list but subject to change...I must admit I lost interest a bit in season 2 but season 3 has been better.
11. My name is Earl - the writers have great sense of humor!! And the actors totally pull it off.
12. How I met your mother - another great laugh
13. Doctor Phil - I love the way he just comes out and says what he thinks - no apologies - most hosts would be too PC. But then again, he's from Texas....where men are men and all that :)

So...see any of your fav's or anything I forgot to add?

Cheers

Heidi

My reading list

2007-05-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm getting down to the wire with Tequila…and wrote my butt off the last 2 weeks – hence no time for blogging J

I did find a little time to read - or rather re-read – Lora Leigh's "Nauti Bouy" Wow!! What a hot story!!! Lora Leigh manages to grab you right from the beginning and keep the adrenaline pumping throughout with action and emotion, and not to mention a hero that burns up the pages!

As for my TBR pile - well, it's a long list so I'll keep it short

Nauti Nights by Lora Leigh – more Nauti boys – need I say more?

Tamara's Spirit by Nicole Austin – hot sweaty cowboys J

A Tall, Dark Cowboy by Mackenzie McKade - title reason enough for me

Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James – more hot sweaty cowboys . . . mmm – this could be a trend J

Okay...gonna stop here...

So, see anything you've already read or anything that should be on here?

Cheers

Heidi

Copping out of a Thursday 13 today

2007-05-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

I had another week from hell…the summer holidays can't get here soon enough :P

So, I'm not doing a Thursday 13. I'm posting one or two of my fav hotties to compensate…and such nice compensation it is too J

Cheers

Heidi

13 Reasons why my Thursday Thirteen sux this week

2007-05-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

I had parent-teacher meetings all last night and am still buggered from trying to explain to some parents why their 'darlings' didn't all get 100%.
After parent-teacher meetings, I vegged out in front of the TV and watched the last episode of Prison Break.
I'm tired
I'm lazy – it's in my genes – I have a note from my doctor
my muse is off on an island vacation. She left a note saying she was sick of me farting around trying to get my act together so she took the hero from my latest novel, a bottle of sunscreen, and… well, not much else
If I make it to 9pm I wanna watch One Tree Hill – not work/write/think
It's Thursday – duh…and I'm starting the weekend early.
My bed is calling to me….honestly – I can hear it – Heidiiiiii
No one is actually reading this anyway so who the hell cares if I make it to 13 :P
We're throwing Jess a birthday party this weekend and I'm tired just thinking about all the stuff I have to get ready
because 13 is just far too many ideas to come up with
whoohoo – I'm at 12…only one more to go!
damn…I've run out of ideas

Thursday 13 - Song Lyrics that have stuck

2007-04-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorite lyrics from some of my favorite songs:

1 Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer

She says we've got to hold on to what we've got cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not. We've got each other and that's a lot. For love - well give it a shot

2 Garth Brooks - Friends in Low Places

Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots - And ruined your black tie affair. The last one to know, the last one to show, I was the last one you thought you'd see there

3 Garth Brooks - Cowboys and Angels

On the eighth day God noticed a problem, For there below him stood a cowboy alone. Stubborn and proud, reckless and loud, God knew he'd never make it on his own. So God looked out all over creation, And listened as that cowboy prayed. God took passion and thunder, Patience and wonder then he sent down the best thing that God ever made.

4 Black Crows - She Talks to Angels

She never mentions the word addiction, in certain company. Yes, shell tell you she's an orphan, after you meet her family

5 Bon Jovi – Lie To Me

I know I promised baby. I would be the one to make our dreams come true. I ain't too proud of all the struggles and the hard times we've been through. When this cold world comes between us, please tell me you'll be brave

6 Counting Crows - Round Here

Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white. And in between the moon and you, the angels get a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right.

7 Counting Crows - Anna Begins

"If its love," she said, "then we're going to have to think about the consequences." She can't stop shaking, I can't stop touching her and...This time when kindness falls like rain, it washes her away

8 Bon Jovi - It's midnight in Chelsea

The old man with the whisky stains lost the night, forgot his name. His poor wife will sleep alone again, and it ain't hard to understand, why she's holding onto her own hand.

9. Bon Jovi – Blood on Blood

Now Bobby, he's an uptown lawyer - Danny, he's a medicin man. And me, I'm just the singer in a longhaired rock'n'roll band. Through the years and miles between us, it's been a long and lonely ride but if I got a call in the dead of the night, I'd be right by your side. Blood on blood

10. Jason Wade – You belong To Me

I'll be so alone without you, Maybe you'll be lonesome too. Fly the ocean in a silver plane, See the jungle when its wets with rain, Just remember till you'll home again - You belong to me

11. Brookes and Dunn - "That's What She Gets For Loving Me"
She said what she wants is a man to be faithful, A true heart somebody willin' and able, To stay by her side through thick and thin, A tender touch every now and then. She's not hung up on fairy tales, Or some dream at the bottom of a wishin' well. Fancy cars or diamond rings, What she wants most are the little things. That's what she gets for loving me

12. Kenny Chesney - There Goes My Life

All he could think about was I'm too young for this. Got my whole life ahead. Hell I'm just a kid myself. How'm I gonna raise one. A couple years of up all night and a few thousand diapers later. That mistake he thought he made covers up the refrigerator. Oh yeah..........he loves that little girl.

13 Billy Ray Cyrus – Some Gave All

All gave some and some gave all. Some stood through for the red, white and blue, and some had to fall. And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties, and recall, some gave all.

See any of your favorites?

Cheers

Heidi

Whooohooo

2007-04-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

It's Friday!!About time too :)

So here's my Friday eye candy

Channing Tatum -

what do you all think??

On the downside, I only got another 3k done this week! My goal of 25k has never looked further away and the June 1 deadline is sprinting its way here Aack!!!

Am I just abnormally slow?? On a good week I can average about 4k. How about you??

Cheers

Heidi

13 Reasons why it's good to be a woman

2007-04-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this and I thought it would be great as a Thursday Thirteen - so here it is: 13 Reasons why it's good to be a woman...

1. We got off the Titanic first.

2. We can scare male bosses with the mysterious gynecological disorder excuses.

3 Taxis stop for us.

4. No fashion faux pas we make, could ever rival the Speedo.

5. We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves.

6. If we forget to shave, no one has to know.

7. We can congratulate our teammate without ever touching her rear end.

8. We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there.

9. We have the ability to dress ourselves.

10. We can talk to the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.

11. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we are aware that we will look like an idiot.

12. There are times when chocolate really can solve all our problems.

13. We can make comments about how silly men are in their presence because they aren't listening anyway.

Can you think of any more?

Cheers
Heidi

Inspiration

2007-04-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

This was the topic of discussion at one of the groups I belong to and I thought I'd bring it over here as well.

So where do authors get their inspiration from?

I've heard a number of different answers to that question. For example, I've heard authors say they get their ideas from shows or movies they've watched or from people and situations in their own lives.

Music can also be great for getting the ol' brain working. Once I get my current WIPs out of the way *dramatic sigh and shake of head* I have something I want to work on that came out of a Mr. Big song. I was driving to the shops one day when I heard

"Hold on little girl, show me what he's done to you.

Stand up little girl, a broken heart can't be that bad."

And bam! I suddenly had 2 more characters arguing in my head (as if it's not crowded enough!)

I know of some authors who find inspiration in a picture or photograph - although I usually spend far too much time surfing the net for a picture that looks like my characters after they've already set up house and started nagging for me to get started with their story.

Most of the time my stories start with dialogue. I'll hear a snatch of dialogue in my head and start thinking about who is saying it and why.

So how about you? Where do you get your inspiration from?

Heidi

2007-04-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

Mornin' all

It's Friday!! Whooohooo

And since yesterday's post was a little serious…I decided to liven things up a bit. And what better way then to post a pic of one of my favorite alphas. This is Michael J nice isn't he?

Cheers

Heidi

My first Thursday Thirteen

2007-04-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

About 2 months ago I had medical scare – which thankfully turned out to be nothing J But while I was waiting to hear that, I started thinking about all the things I'd want my daughter to know if I wasn't around to tell her. So I made a list…and no I'm not morbid – I just like to be prepared ;)

So, I'm putting up some of them as my

Thirteen Things I want my daughter to know

1. Don't waste your time trying to be like anyone else – you're the only 'you' there's ever going to be, and the world will be missing out if you don't concentrate on the being the best 'you' you can be.

2. People are going to say things that hurt you – this has more to do with them then it does with you. So take the good, ignore the bad, and pity the speakers of the ugly.

3. The man you chose to spend you life with will be the luckiest man in the world! If you're with someone who doesn't treat you like he believes this – take a second and third look to see if you should be with him.

4. Forgive. I don't mean forget – but carrying around hate or hurt only ends up making your arms tired.

5. Don't regret. In every bad experience or mistake, there is something to learn. Even if the only lesson is that you're strong enough to get through a lot…that in of itself is a precious thing to know.

6. Find something you love and do it – often. Too many people waste too much time waiting for tomorrow to arrive so they can get around to doing something they're passionate about. Don't be one of these people.

7. When something looks to good to be true – it probably is. This goes for people and opportunities.

8. Getting high on anything except life or love is cheating. The best feelings you're going to have are going to be naturally induced, not chemically. Anyone who suggests anything different is full of crap.

9. You are your own best judge of character/of a situation. When a little voice tells you something or you get 'a feeling' about something…listen! Even if you're wrong – it's better than making the mistake of going against your gut and doing something you don't feel right with.

10. Words are powerful. Use them carefully. A kind word from you may make someone's day – and an angry, hurtful word can't be taken back.

11. Believe in yourself! Even if you're the only one who does. Don't let the negativity of others stop you from trying. Even if you fall down – a failure today is better than endlessly wondering "what if…"

12. Everyone is unique – accept their uniqueness and yours. Diversity is a beautiful thing. Learn about, respect, and love the differences between us all. The world would be a boring place if there was only one color flower.

13. Don't be afraid of change. Make plans and have goals – but be flexible. Life is capricious. Don't be afraid to adapt and change your plans and goals accordingly.

Heidi
P.S This is my first Thursday Thirteen - so let me know how I did :)

My new motto

2007-04-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for this one Jan - you know me so well :)

Heidi

2007-04-09T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hope the Easter Bunny brought you plenty of chocolate and I welcome you all to adopt my tradition of "chocolate breakfasts" on and around Easter Sunday. After all, obscene amounts of chocolate can't be bad for you *BG*

Well, it's the last day of the Passover vacation and a tiny part of me just can't help but think that it's about bloody time - Hubby goes back to work tomorrow and on Wednesday morning Jess starts going back to daycare for 4 hours every morning and I'll get to write!! Whoohoo!!

Okay, so I know that I may sound like a terrible wife and mother but I'm trying to stick to the deadlines I set for myself and it's turning out to be quite impossible when a lot of the dialogue in my house starts something like:

"Heidi! Where is Jess's hat?"
"It's hanging on the exercise bike (AKA 'the coat rack')."
*60 seconds later*
"Heidi! This one has purple flowers. She wants the one with blue flowers."
"She's three, convince her purple flowers are better."
*60 seconds later*
"Heidi! It's a no to purple. We need the one with blue flowers - and now she wants to change her shirt to something that will match."

What I don't understand – besides where my three year old got so damn fashion conscious – is how authors with three and four kids manage to write enough to get published when I can't stick to my word target goals with only Jess running around.

Ggrrrrrr!!

Other than searching for hats with blue flowers and trying to write, I've been pretty busy. We've been to the Haifa zoo, kite flying in the Golan (north of Israel), camel riding in the Negev (in the south), to the beach, and hiking in the forests on the Carmel. And how could I not mention the amount of food consumed - all those coats are coming off the exercise bike...tomorrow *g*

Now off to help Katie convince Matt that kidnapping is rude *g*

Cheers
Heidi

My very first post - yay!

2007-04-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

I guess I should start out by introducing myself...I'm Heidi and I'm a romancoholic - and I'm not fussy about what my romance comes dressed as either. I'll read anything. Traditional contemporaries, historicals, erotica - bring it on baby!

I never had one of those moments where I 'decided' to write my own novel. As a teenager, my bedroom was forever littered with dramatic beginnings that never got further than the 'boy meets girl' moment. I simply had too many characters in my head, all demanding attention.

So apart from the fact that I hear voices, who the hell am I?

Well, I was born in Zimbabwe, schooled in South Africa, and currently live in the Middle East. Apart from moving from country to country, I've lived in 7 different towns and cities and moved house more than 20 times. Living like a modern-day gypsy means I can pack as well as a team of professional movers. Apart from my packing skills, I've been a horse trainer, worked on an assembly line in a factory, milked cows, worn an unflattering hat as I served in a fast food joint, and even did a three-month stint as a hostess in a jazz club in Japan. At the moment, I'm an English teacher, editor, and mom - and to keep the voices in my head happy...I write.