I’m working on a project without a contract or a deadline (other than self-imposed) and this has allowed me to be a bit of a slacker. But see, I’m using Scrivener to write it, and Scrivener has this awesome feature which allows you to put in your deadline, what days you’ll write and when to reset your count. Then it will give you a target of how many words per day you need to write.

I had a target of 4,000 something…NOT undoable. But I didn’t, for one reason or another, do it.

Today, the target says I have to write 10451 words in order to get back on track.

Umm…well, I already know I have plans for this evening which will prevent any sort of night time catch up (not to mention that I’m braindead at night now. Summer’s my time for late nights.)

So what I’m going to do today is turn off the internet. And write. All day. Starting in approximately 4 minutes from the time I’m typing this, until at least 3 pm, when I’ll be interrupted (and hopefully not before.)

I will drink coffee. And Coke Zero. I will eat carrots and hummous. I will listen to music very loudly. I will go to the bathroom a million times (see the coffee/Coke Zero sentence.)

But, I will write.

Now, I know I have the “luxury” of doing this as my full time job, which is awesome and all that, but even if you do NOT…you still need to write. Those of you doing NaNoWriMo understand this goal setting thing of a certain amount of words per day = a total amount by a certain time. I think it’s something like 1667 words a day? Or summat?

I’m pushing today for 10451.

Wish me luck. Even if I don’t make that amount, and it’s entirely likely I will not, since that’s a brain buster for me…but then again, it’s entirely possible that I WILL do it. But I’ll be brain busted tomorrow…However, I’m behind, I’m going to work.

I have no appointments until late today. I have no pupil dilation. I have no errands to run, bills to pay, books to balance. I have nothing to do but get down to it, and that’s what I’m going to do.

Also. This.

Just…this.

I’m talking about a numerically ordered grouping of items with a shared theme of some sort. Oh, like…a “To Do List.” For example, you can have a To Do List of people you’d like to sleep with. I believe this is also called a “Hit List.” (Not to be confused with a list of people you’d like to make sleep with the fishes.) Also not to be confused with the “Honeydew” List, which is a “Honey, do this” sort of thing. You can have a grocery list, a laundry list, that sort of thing.

I like lists. I like making lists. I feel accomplished when I check something off my list. It’s a tangible reminder that I have finished a task. I like making lists because it allows me the illusion of control over life — that I can put this, this and this down on a list and check off each item, HAHA, LIFE! IN YOUR FACE! I AM WORKING!

Today, I checked off an item from my list. It’s amazing how much better I feel when this happens. I still have many items left on my list, mostly stuff like “vacuum cat hair” “laundry” “clean toilets” “unpack suitcase” “pay bills” — but I also have “write 10 pages of superfunandseekrit project” — AND because I checked off finishing the final galley edits for ALL FALL DOWN, this means I can actually get to the writing of the fun and secret project! HOORAY!

Let’s pretend that the other items on that list aren’t there. Because I’m pretty sure I will not accomplish the vacuuming of cat hair today. I did clean a toilet. I am doing laundry.

LET ME WALLOW FOR A MOMENT IN MY GLORY OKAY!?!

I make lists to keep myself on track and organized. I like being on track and organized. When I am off track and not organized, I get cranky. I like to keep things in their place, where they belong. So today, hooray, for a few minutes anyway, I am feeling soundly grounded and where I belong.

For a few minutes, anyway.

M

Monday’s FREE BOOK is:
The Debutante’s Dilemma by Elyse Mady
Just type in the promo code DEBUTANTEFREE at checkout
http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=50C0978A-DAC7-44E7-B627-C26A520471C0

Tuesday’s FREE BOOK is:
Demon’s Fall by Karalynn Lee
Just type in the promo code DEMONFREE at checkout
http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=1E5A3A07-9BC7-4449-9B8F-377C21E2F664

Wednesday’s FREE BOOK is:
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Just type in the promo code TWISTEDFREE at checkout
http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=D79D7CD6-1BAA-4D2E-AE65-FF0E42F79BE7

Thursday’s FREE BOOK is:
Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
Just type in the promo code GALAXYFREE at checkout
http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=827CC21D-6F33-437A-977B-B0F291B70367

Friday’s FREE BOOK is:
Friendly Fire by Megan Hart
Just type in the promo code FRIENDLYFREE at checkout
http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=E1466469-DB0C-404F-A0AA-3491BB9E9B14

Four of erotic fiction’s most talented authors carry readers away with all-new tales of ecstasy that prove that the most delectable things in life come in threes…

In Emma Holly’s FLIPPING FOR CHELSEA, Shay and Liam shared an unforgettable night with their lifelong friend, Chelsea, awakening a rush of forbidden feelings—feelings they have to reckon with when the three reunite, and the unrequited lust between them is too much to bear.

Though Ava left her hard-knock Georgia childhood behind, she never forgot Luca and Angelo. Together they were best friends with a bond that could never be broken. But when she returns, the three must decide whether to face the fires that burn between them, or forgo their desires forever in Lauren Dane’s DIRTY/BAD/WRONG.

In Megan Hart’s JUST ONE NIGHT, fun-loving couple Kerry and Jeremy find themselves in a triangle of trouble when Kerry’s old crush, Brian, returns for a school reunion, and Jeremy gives her his enthusiastic approval to seduce him. But while Jeremy has no trouble sharing Kerry, Brian isn’t sure he can handle what’s coming.

Years ago, Walker walked out on Madeline when she needed him most. Now, the ex-Secret Service agent is back—hired to protect Madeline by her billionaire boss, Tony. Madeline is determined to make him pay for denying her desires—and she’s not above bringing Tony in to sweeten the deal in Bethany Kane’s ON THE JOB.

Hooray, hooray, today’s the day!

Excerpt from Just One Night:

“Gorgeous.” Jeremy looked over Kerry’s shoulder at their mutual reflection as his hands came to rest on her hips. The smooth fabric of her dress bunched a little under his fingertips.

At the heat of him against her back she shivered, studying herself with a jaded eye. She turned her face side to side, checking out the dangling bead and chain earrings that brushed her neck, bared by her upswept hair. At her makeup, applied a little more thickly tonight than was her norm. And finally, again at the dress that Jeremy had picked out for her. There was a lot of cleavage. She leaned back against him a little, meeting his gaze in the mirror.

“You think so, huh?”

He kissed the side of her neck. The swift, hot flick of his tongue created an answering pull in her cunt. Jeremy’s fingers slipped higher, over the dress’s sleek material. He cupped her breasts, pushing them together so they almost spilled out altogether. “Definitely. He’ll fucking love it.”

Kerry laughed even as her stomach took a slow, rolling tumble. “I hope so.”

“He will.”

“He wasn’t into me so much back then. What’s to say his tastes have changed?”

Jeremy tweaked her nipples, braless, so they stood out against the material. His breath gusted over her neck, and Kerry’s clit pulsed, just once. She shifted, the silk of her panties rubbing her bare pussy. Jeremy had shaved her nearly bare, leaving only a landing strip. She never shaved that close, just trimmed her bikini area and kept her curls close-cropped. This bare flesh against the silk was new. Exciting. Distracting.

“He could be gay,” Kerry added. “That would explain a lot.”

“Baby, a gay man would pop a rod at the sight of you in this dress. Brian Jordan doesn’t have a chance.”

She turned then to face him. Her arms slid up around his neck. In her three-inch heels she could look him in the eye. “Are you sure about this?”

Jeremy’s gaze flickered, but he smiled. He cupped her ass and pulled her close to him. He ground his crotch against her, his cock thick and hard beneath his jeans. “It’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Kerry nodded and kissed him. “Well…sure. But…”

Jeremy had dragged the admission out of her late one night in the summer heat, windows open and even sheets too heavy for sleeping. He’d been kneeling between her legs, lapping slowly at her clit. Teasing her toward orgasm, then pulling back just enough to keep her from surging over. He’d made her tell him secrets. The fact that she’d once dreamed of giving up her virginity to Brian Jordan had only been one of them.

“But nothing. You wanted him back then. You told me you did. And now’s your chance to get him. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing’s wrong with it. Just that…are you sure you’re okay with this?” She studied his face, looking for any hint or inkling of a lie.

Jeremy laughed and rubbed her ass in slow circles, then stepped back. “You’re still coming home to me, right?”

“Of course.”

“And you’re going to tell me every dirty, nasty detail. Right?”

Kerry drew in a breath at the thought of it. Not just of doing it – seducing and fucking Brian Jordan. Living out an adolescent dream. But of coming home and telling her boyfriend of eighteen months about it. “Most men wouldn’t be okay with their girlfriends fucking another guy. Much less want to know all about it.”

“What can I say? I’m not most men.”

She knew that already. Eighteen months in this relationship and Jeremy managed to surprise her almost every day. She wondered if she’d ever learn him the way he seemed to know her. “No. You certainly aren’t.”

He spun her around to face the mirror again. One hand anchored her hip. The other inched her skirt up over her thigh. His fingers traced patterns on her skin, then over her panties. Kerry watched, mesmerized, as his forefinger circled the silk over her clit with such a light touch she could barely feel it.

“Relax,” Jeremy said into her ear. “He’s gonna fucking love you. I told you that already.”

“I don’t need him to love me. Just want me.” Kerry shivered again at Jeremy’s brushing touch. She wanted to tip her hips, push her cunt into his hand. Get more. She didn’t. Every muscle in her body felt taut, tense. “Just for one night.”

CONTEST!

I have five copies of Three to Tango to give away. All you have to do is comment here about a crush, the “one that got away” or an old boyfriend/girlfriend you’ve never forgotten and why! If you had the chance for Just One Night…would you take it? (Assuming it wouldn’t ruin your current life, let’s make this a fantasy, okay?)

Comment to THIS post. I’ll choose five winners at random by Friday, May 6 at 5 pm. International’s fine.

M

Also, I can’t thank all of you enough who’ve participated in my “Spread the Love” event. I’ve been getting the BEST things in the mail, and you know…they don’t have to be expensive things. A letter, a drawing…I just got a pair of socks, hooray! And if you send ME something, I’ll send you something. It could be a couple of bookmarks or some other promo goody item, or something fun I picked up at the dollar store…you just never know. Who doesn’t love getting packages with surprises?

Also, I’ve had a lot of people emailing me or asking me on Facebook/Twitter if I’m going to ever do a booksigning in your town…the short answer is…probably not. The fact is, I don’t have book tours. I do occasional signings (when invited) within driving distance of where I live, or if I’m going to be at an event with a signing. The Romantic Times Convention, for example, which will be in LA this year. I’ll be signing there. If you’d like me to come to your town to do a signing though, or to speak to your writer’s group or your bookclub, never fear. It could happen! Check out more information here.

And really, it’s pretty easy to set up an online chat or conference call or video chat for your book club, and since that’s WAY cheaper than flying me out to you, or paying for a hotel room or whatever…well, I’m just saying it’s an option. Basic tools needed — computer with a video camera and internet — or just internet with streaming capability, if you don’t want *me* to see *you* we can do it that way, too. Email me at readinbed AT gmail.com if you’re interested! I don’t charge a single cent and I promise to put on makeup first.

Now I have to take care of the disaster that’s my desk so I can get some writing done today…

Yeah, that picture is upside down, and I don’t know why.

So a while ago, I got the most awesome fan letter, written by hand on pretty stationary with a fancy pen, in homage to my January 2010 release, SWITCH. (The heroine, for those who don’t know, loooooooves stationary. Me too!) I was so touched by that letter, it was so great to get not just a hand written note — but one that was hand written simply because of something I’d written! I loved it!

Then…just a few days ago…I got this:

Pretty ridiculously rad, amirite?

Not only was it hand written, but it came on a funky Patrick Bateman themed notecard!!! YESSSSSSS! And the letter part of it? SWEET. Referencing face rides and whatnot. LOVED IT.

So, here’s the thing.

I want to start spreading the love.

If you send ME a letter or a little package of something — doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I love the Dollar Tree! Or it could just be a note, a hand drawn photo, etc. A sticker! (No food, though, because I wouldn’t eat strange food that comes in the mail!)

You send something to me, and I’ll send you something back! It might be some bookmarks, a postcard, a funky set of stickers, a zany band…who knows? It could just be a hand drawn picture.

I draw the line at poetry written in blood on paper woven from your hair, and please please PLEASE…no photos of yourself without clothes on…I mean, people, let’s honestly be classy here.

You send something to me, I’ll send something to you. How fun is that?!

My address: Megan Hart

P.O. Box 4

Cornwall, PA 17016

There you go! Have at it! I make no promises on the amount of time for a reply or the contents of your envelope. Be creative! Have fun!

Hope to hear from you soon,

LYLAS,

M

Not so awesome when accompanied by “I’m going to pass” — because it was, apparently, TOO gritty and horrific.

Well, I was going for gritty, horrific, creepy and compelling. The well written I could only hope for. And to learn that someone actually thought it *was* all those things I tried for is very pleasing and satisfying and gratifying, because it means that at least I was judged, this work was judged, on what it IS and what it was MEANT TO BE…

Ultimately, it sucks hard and mightily that the editor passed on the book, because um, yes, I don’t write just for the praise. I do like to actually earn a living this way, which has to mean sales. So the rejection stung, as they nearly always do, just the way bad reviews do and which is why I try hard not to read them.

All in all, what are you gonna do? It’s not true that once you’re published you can just sell everything. People express surprise to me that I get rejected, and let me tell you, my lovelies, I not only get rejected, I get refused, declined and passed by also. It’s part of the job. The sucktastic part of the job (unlike the way cool parts like being able to stay home listening to Christian Bale singing the soundtrack from Newsies while I blog…I keep telling him to keep it down, but he’s saucy, that guy).

My work was called gritty and horrific, which is what I wanted it to be. It made someone shudder (presumably, or at least maybe gave her a small lip curl.) I’m really proud that something I did, words I wrote, caused a reaction. I always am. If you cry or laugh or get angry at reading one of my books, hey, that’s good. It means I’m doing something right.

Doesn’t mean I’m not upset by the rejection, but a Coke Zero and a Peanutty Bar (SO did not need that…gawd) and I’m back to work. Writing something that is ALSO going to be gritty, perhaps horrific, definitely disturbing if I can do it right. And it may also never get purchased, either. But I’m going to write it anyway.

Sometimes you just gotta do what needs doing.

M

Anyway, the Supernatural convention was super fun. I have to say, I wasn’t that jazzed about it, because once again…neither J was there. It’s pretty much the height of lame to have a fan convention without the two lead stars, isn’t it? The Js carry that show. That’s why I watch it. That’s who I’d like to see. But really, we all know I’d explode in the presence of Jensen Ackles, which wouldn’t be pretty and would possibly scar him for life, rendering him incapable of attending a fan convention ever again. So I guess it’s a good thing neither of them were there.

I wasn’t jazzed about going until the day before, when they announced Matt Cohen (aka Baby John Winchester) would be attending, presumably to help take the place of a couple guests who dropped out. We also got the bonus of Fred Lehne, aka the Yellow Eyed Demon. He was fantastic! Funny, personable, just an all around interesting guest. And Baby John? What can I say about him? If you’ve done any following of the con at all (and I’ll admit it, I never pay attention to con updates for cons I haven’t been to) he gave FREE HUGS. Umm….

Okay. I don’t like hugs. I mean, I’m not morally opposed to them or anything, I just don’t like to give or receive them, especially from strangers. Even really hot strangers. But what could I do? When Matt Cohen opens his arms and says “free hugs” what sane person turns that down? I think I got five hugs, total. That’s a lot of up close and personal full frontal body contact with a stranger for me. But I survived it! (And yes, he is really super cute, but also super funny, VERY sweet and quite entertaining.)

By the way, we all loved Matt so much we opted to go back and get a SECOND photo op with him and the four of us. Because he was just that fabulous.

Misha Collins. What can you say about him? I was there last year in NJ when he had his first con experience, and let’s just say he seems to have quite taken to it. He’s hilarious, not at all like Castiel (which um, makes sense, doesn’t it?) and he’s deliciously irreverent. I say delicious because that’s kind of a perfect word to describe him. DELICIOUS.  Mishalicious? I wasn’t going to get a photo opp with him because I got one last year, and had said, (stupidly) –why do I need another one? Umm…DUH. Because. I wanted one. So, I got one. It was the standard three seconds long. No big deal. I’d already spoken to him, albeit briefly, at the dessert party the night before. He sat right next to me, and I could’ve moved my leg away, but I did not. (Would you?)I’d already fondled the pie he left behind. I’d already asked him a question during the Q and A. And really, I don’t have a *crush* on him — love him on the show, think he’s a fantastic guest, but I don’t really have a crush.

Strike that.

Didn’t have a crush.

So I get up there, it’s time for my photo, it’s not a big deal. Really. You don’t have time to blink, much less have a conversation, or even be nervous. You’re cattle-shooted through the line, take your picture, you’re out of there. So I get up there, I get the instructions from the line monitor: “Go to Misha’s left side, then exit around the back.” No problem. To do this, you have to cross in front of him. So, I do. I say to him, “go to the left and then behind. I can manage that.” Yes, it sounded dirty, a little, but I didn’t mean it to. Pose at his left side. The flash goes. (This is literally 3-5 seconds, I’m not kidding) — I turn to him to say “thank you” — he looks at me. I look at him.

I am not even kidding you when I say I was utterly starstruck. Struck dumb. I think I mumbled thank you, I’m sure my mouth opened. I looked at him and was like…duhhhhhhhrrrrrmmmmmm…

I’m sure he gets that a lot. I’m sure to him I was just one more random, dumbstruck idjit. It was the longest 2 seconds of my life, staring into Misha Collins’ face.

(Misha, you’re awesome.)

The other guests, Aldis Hodge, Alona Tal, Rob Benedict, Katherine Boecher, Samantha Smith…also incredibly entertaining and interesting. There was so much that happened, I’m not sure I can even do any of it justice.

This was my second fan convention. The second without either of the Js. I had an even better time this year than I did last year, which was pretty stellar. But would I go again? I dunno. It’s a lot of money to spend without the Js there. (Though I guess I’d spend more if they were.) It’s fun and I go with friends and I have a great time, but…will I go again next year? I didn’t buy my seats in advance, so I’m risking not having as good of seats if I do decide to go. I can’t really decide until they at least put up the guest list. Misha makes it worth it, and so do the other guests, totally. But a Supernatural con without either Jensen or Jared just doesn’t seem quite right. So I might not. I had a really great time, I don’t regret it. But…not sure I’ll go again.

Now, though, I have to finish clearing off my desk, paying some bills, and get to writing!

M

I am bronzed an blonde (or at least freckled and faded) so c’mon over and meet me.

M

Ps that would be July 17th, Saturday. Helps to put the date!

I still get excited about the release of every new book, but by now, often the book release is buried in mundane life things like laundry and bill paying, or edits on another book. Lots of whatnot. I love when new book comes out, and I’m always excited and happy — but I sometimes…well…I sometimes *forget.* I don’t forget about the book, it’s just that by the time the book comes out, I’ve spent so much time with it, it’s on a TO DO list for me, it’s part of the job. It’s fun and exciting, yeah, but it’s not quite like the first time.

Then there’s EXIT LIGHT. Because it’s not just a book that I loved writing and wrote quite some time ago and never thought would see the light of day, or because it’s a venture into a genre I really adore (and in fact, really started in before being fortunate enough to get published with a different type of work) so it’s special to me for that reason. It’s not even because it’s a new release from a brand-new publisher that’s well on its way to making digital publishing more mainstream than ever before.

It’s because it’s a LAUNCH BOOK.

I don’t think I’ve ever been a launch book before! I AM EXCITE!

So, if you like paranormal fiction (that’s not erotic or a romance!) please take a few minutes today to check out EXIT LIGHT, releasing today from Carina Press.

You can find it at Amazon.com

and Barnes and Noble.com, too! (And right now, if you buy Barnes and Noble’s Nook, you get a $50 gift card! How sweet is that?”

Hooray!

M