I guess what I want to know is how you know “what” you’re going to write next from the genre or sub-genre to how you decide on who’s who in the book. How thought-out a process do you go through when you’re on to the next book? Or do you already have several story ideas in the queue so you’re just waiting for the time? 

After I got my cozy done and out the door, I pulled open a couple of manuscripts I’ve been working on a for a while—this is where my lack of plotter really curses my arse. When I get stuck, the book will often just sit. And while I may tweak a word here and there, I don’t make great progress. As is the case with the two books from a while ago. So naturally, I decided to start from scratch hoping that would start the mental juices flowing. Silly me thinking it would be so easy. I literally stared at a blank word doc page for days. Not a darn thing was coming to me. I would never call it writer’s block as I wasn’t writing anything. Hell, I didn’t know *what* I wanted to write.

Then luckily, in small, slow bits it came to me. I got the idea for the heroine. The hero was a little more illusive but he did finally gel into a tangible character and after doing a phone consult with my BFF, I hammered out as much of the plot as I am comfortable doing. But I have to tell you, it was a few scary days when my mind was totally blank.

I guess if this question was asked of me, my answer would be… “it just came to me”. That’s so not helpful is it. (and a wee bit scary that that was how my process worked this time around.) I’m not going to knock it, and lets cross fingers I can actually get this book moving along … my ADD has been so high the past few months it’s really sad. Anyhoo, is that how it works for you too, just comes to you, or do you have a dedicated process you go through?

As this is germ central (and finally getting better—of course the youngest who started all this was outside all day over the weekend because he’s back to normal) I have gotten very little done in the way of writing. I have been reading though—amazing amounts of downtime between bouts of “mo-om”… Reading is something I wanted to get more of done this year, so knockwood it’s going well. (And I received a lovely box of books in the mail today to read for a contest—I like books )

Anyhoo… not *really* trying to gripe, or have over-much to say, just letting you know what I’ve been up to (or not up to) since we last met, on the computer. I will crawl back into my rest-hole and curl up with my books and hope that my tummy ache is stress-related and not the next virus-victim in the McDHouse. Y’all have a good week and carry on ~

I don’t make resolutions, because as I’ve said on here before, I tend to balk at being told/suggested what to do even if it’s by me. I am my own worst enemy for resolutions. I don’t know why. Maybe the pressure is too great. Maybe I am just weird… So the new year doesn’t bring in this need to make right what the year before didn’t accomplish. Don’t get me wrong, I do always strive to do and be better. And I do set goals, but they tend to be a right here and now goal. Day by day sometimes minute by minute.

By my weird one day goal, I will say that over the holiday I finished up a manuscript I’d been working on (it’s a Cozy mystery, in first person no less… something a *little* out of the box for me) and I sent that puppy out to a Publisher. We’ll see what happens and I will keep you posted on the progress. All of that was with one day goals. Write X-amount today. Most of the days I did. Some I went way over. Some I only got a sentence or two, but I got through it.

So I am not going to ask you to tell me what resolutions you came up with for 2012. I will, however, challenge you to make daily goals. Even if they’re small. It amazed me how much I got done in little bits  (and let me remind you, two weeks of that time was with the kids home—4 boys are *not* quiet!). But … if you have goals that already work for you… go for it. See how much you can get done in 2012.

Still, it is a new year. 2011 is gone and done. I hope that 2012 is most productive for you all!

Last Christmas, we had a white one, this year, up ‘til now it’s been an overly wet one with rain nearly every day for the last two weeks. We need it, but it’s been somewhat gloomy—outside. We’ve been having fun since the kids got out last Friday. We’ve already watched Elf (“Santa? I know him! I know him!”). The eldest and I made the hubby watch Bridesmaids. He wasn’t as impressed as I hoped he would be, but I laughed ‘til I cried in a couple of spots (and the gag reel is even funnier!) As usual Spike TV has Star Wars on so when no one watching anything specific I pop it on there and hear Luke and Leia in the background.

I plan on making a bunch of cookies later this week and on Friday having a mini-turkey session. Not near as involved as Thanksgiving, but pretty close. Saturday we’ll head to church for Christmas Eve service then Sunday, oh Sunday I think we’ve (FINALLY) talked all the kids into sleeping in for a change. They used to wake us at five (yes five) and then we’d tell ‘em to hush ‘til six. The hubby and I were zombies the rest of the day thanks to usually staying up ‘til 2 or 3 wrapping gifts. I’ve got all but the two suckers I am hoping arrive in time wrapped this year so sleep will be my gift .

It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away and 2012 is a mere nine days (and change) away.

I hope you all have a wonderful time with your friends and family and have safe travels! Merry Christmas ~ Happy Holidays

The only decorations, my grandmother had an aluminum Christmas tree in the corner of the living room; that sucker was 30+ years old when I was a kid. When the cousins got there, we’d go chop down mistletoe from one of their trees. We’d stuff it in everything we could—even my granddad’s church boots—though we never hung it up, not a one of us wanted to get trapped underneath with a cousin… just saying… Oh, and my grandmother had a bowl of hard candies. You know the kind you see come out at Christmas. I am pretty sure that sucker was the same bowl for many, many years and we’d painstakingly pry one piece off, eat it and get a tummy ache—could be the copious amount of cookies we’d had before, but I’d like to blame the old candy bowl.

Every so often it would ice, not snow, just ice—the joys of west Texas—and we’d have to stay inside, but otherwise we’d ride horses, see who my granddad’s goat would knock down first and go to the neighboring town to the community center to see Santa (we’d always get a stocking full of nuts and fruit—which we would then peg each other with ). We’d play dominoes or cards. It was a real treat when one of the cousins finally got old enough to sit in the kitchen with the aunts and uncles and play hearts. This was way before handheld game systems or anything other than the old stick Atari so the cousins would use things we found in Granddad’s shed(s) to play with. FYI lawn darts and kids at Christmas… we were lucky to only hit one cousin—the youngest of course.

Up ‘til I was in high school, my granddad would hook up one of this wagons to the horse and we’d go around the town. Granted the population of Rotan back then was a little over 2K so it didn’t take all that long, but, wearing our Santa hats, we’d sing carols—I’m pretty sure my granddad turned his hearing aid off during the rides—and wave at the cars driving by or stop at a great-Aunt/Uncles and say hello.

I miss the Christmases with my cousins and grandparents and am a little sadder still that my kids won’t get to experience anything quite like it. But I have my memories … if only I had that darn aluminum tree… that would be awesome!

Naturally, my response to that was to create a twitter account. @DennieMcDonald (sorry for the wonky link… didn’t know how else to show it–showing my newbieness) I know there are a couple of people who are probably shaking their head with a long awaited, “I told you so…” Yeah, well, I am stubborn but I eventually come around. I had to do something to while away the day because he popped whatever mojo I had going (thankfully the power was back on the very next day). Now let me say, had he been sick, it would have been different. My mommy-mojo would have been triggered and I’d have been on tissue duty and wouldn’t have thought anything of it. But as I was in Denise-mojo…. the Twitter account.

I am still trying to get the hang of it and am only following a few dozen people (a couple the hubby just rolled his eyes at when I showed him). It is a little sad though, when you have to ask your teenage son how to do things. When I was his age, the hardest thing I ever had to explain to my mom was cruising up and down Forest Lane and then I totally downplayed what we did.

It is another vehicle to get in touch with authors and readers (and it removes a layer from celebs you might find interesting). It is kind of fun, but you *can* get swept away pretty easily. Hopefully it will also give me some much needed motivation and inspiration.

So that’s my new vice. Anything new with you?

There was a week of “stuff” to do from cooking the regular meals (do you know how much three teens and a ten-year-old eat al day long… let me tell you: A LOT!) and the little add-ons for Thursday. I made 2 bowlfuls of cranberry sauce, the hubby’s mostest fave green bean casserole (twice) and 12 dozen cookies. No, that’s not a typo, Wednesday was uber-cookie-making-day until just before Christmas.  Sadly, or happily—not sure what your view on it might be—most of the cookies are already gone (but they did go with us to the in-laws).  Thursday, we went to the BIL’s house for a day with the other McDs… We had all the goodies we have every year, got to see family and watched the Cowboys win (thank goodness… otherwise, it would have been a most unpleasant hour-long ride home).  It was a good and long day on Thursday—the dogs were very happy to see us come home. And I was glad that I didn’t know the neighbor was deep frying a turkey in his front yard until after I came home—sheesh!

Then it was truly rest day. And before you gasp in horror, no I don’t shop on Black Friday. Having worked in a mall all four years the hubby was in college, the last year being 8^1/2 months pregnant the day after Thanksgiving (and once a couple of years later at a Wal-Mart—with a two-year-old and one-year-old home alone with the hubby… you’d think his one time being with them like that was he hardest thing ever… ha!), I have seen enough Black Fridays that I will probably NEVER ever shop on that infamous Friday—in stores. Online is a whole ‘nother thing and yes I have started burning up the internet with purchases.

The weekend, we picked back up the regular routine: Kids, kids and more kids. And it’s when I got back to my reading and most importantly writing. After the week of family and food I have so much more to add in to my books now… bwaaahhh, er, um, “Any resemblance of the characters to actual people is purely a coincidence…”

Again, I hope y’all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. And if your family is anything like mine, use my motto: it’s all book-fodder!    Cheers!

His mother has since mended her tradition bending ways (mostly because it *is* more cost effective to make the regular feed—hell, I paid less than $10 for a 20lb. turkey—I even bought two). But still I endeavor to make the meal that Sunday before. Some is to make the hubby (and in turn myself) happy. Some is just to see if I can actually pull it off. It’s tough, but I manage.

I will admit, I use it to also get two families taken care of with one holiday. We usually see the hubby’s family on the actual turkey day, and my mom and brother often come over for our Sunday pre-turkey day. This year was a little hairy, though, as the hubby is a DEVOUT Cowboys fan—has been since he was single digits. And my brother (who was born and raised in Texas, so don’t ask me why) is equally obsessed fanatic for the Redskins; both who played the noon game this past Sunday (Cowboys won in overtime BTW—woot! Tied for first in their division… can you tell the amount of testosterone in my house?!?!) There was no snarling between the men, but I worried…. And once the eating commenced all was right (I think my brother ate third-helpings and took almost as much home with him).

So just to make you a little jealous of what you missed here , what you may expect in a couple of days or just impressed I managed to make it all (started at 9 am finished at five til six when we set down to eat) I made:

* Turkey w/gravy                    *mashed potatoes

*green bean casserole             *mashed sweet potatoes w/ marshmallows

*homemade cranberry sauce    *rolls

* jellied cranberries (from a can—I’m not that good)

*Jell-O w/ oranges & marshmallows        

*stuffing (just plain old Stove Top—that’s all the kids will actually eat)

*homemade pumpkin pie         *Cherry cheese cake (no bake—easy peasy!)

The funny thing, Monday morning, I was looking at my little turkey nutcracker (he’s so cute) and the springy turkey doorhanger and started thinking I needed to put the decorations away. Luckily before I actually packed them up for next year, I realized it was only Monday not Friday. My kids even got a little confused. We planned a family outing to the mall and the 15yo said he couldn’t believe I was going shopping on Black Friday (I worked it many years in a row while the dh was in college—never once have I actually shopped it) then he shook his head and laughed…  (and Oh yeah! we’ve got leftovers out the wazoo… I’m making turkey chili tonight…)

Hope you and yours have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving… gobble-gobble

Still, there’s something to be said for a paperback. And as a paperback hoarder, I love me some in-my-hand books (I think last count I was rounding the 1600 mark—like I said, hoarder). I love the feel and the smell of paperbacks. I love to look at a bookshelf and figure out which ones I’ve read, which ones I’ve reread and which is next. Granted, I am a *little* weird when it comes to books. Back when I only had 3 kids (there’s 4 now) my only out-of-the-house time was taking the boys to the library. I would start at one end of a section and work my way to the other end. I’d read 75% of the books in it, then move on to the next section. Truth be told, I still do that, but my trips to the library are fewer since I now hoard my own collection. I’m sure there’s got to be some program for excessive readers, but as I won’t go, don’t bother to tell me.

All this is so you understand why I was so excited to see RHINESTONE COWGIRL come out in print. The only thing better than paperbacks, are *my* paperbacks. and yes, I am totally biased!

Poppy Dumphy is Beverly Hills born and bred, and she has everything money can buy-except a connection with her father. After his death, she learns why and leaves her posh life to expose a long-kept secret.

In Rowdy, Texas, small-town living suits Cale Hollander to a comfortable T. He runs his ranch, helps his neighbors, and is wary of strangers. The former rodeo bronc buster wants to return to his first love-riding. The last thing he needs is a distraction in the form of a petite blonde.

The pair butts heads at every encounter as intensifying attractions-and mounting suspicions-flourish. Neither is prepared for the other as they fail in their fight with temptation. If they give in, will they both lose all they cherish when the truth comes out? Or can they build a life together better than either ever dreamed of? ** A BookStrand Mainstream Romance

for excerpt:

“Which one?” Cale snagged Poppy’s elbow and prompted her to start walking again, but just as quickly released her, not at all happy with the little zing that ran through his hand.

“Which one what?”

“Cabin are you staying in?” He tried to keep the sigh out of his voice.

“Oh. The one on the end.”

“My old house?” He let it slip out before he could stop himself.

“I thought you lived next door. I mean, at the next ranch.” She pointed toward his spread and deviated a little too much from the path.

He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her toward him. “Watch it. You almost ran into the tiller.” She had a good foot or two clearance, but one could never be too careful near such treacherous machinery—and he’d stick to that story if anyone asked. He would never admit that he yearned to touch her again. “I left home when I was seventeen.” He let his hands linger on her shoulder then down her arm. Had he ever touched skin so soft?

“You moved out?” she asked just above a whisper.

“My dad and I weren’t getting along.”

“Why?”

Cale shook himself. “Never mind.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She was quiet for a moment. “I guess you and… Mr. Morgan are really close.”

Great, just the opportunity he needed to show this woman he would protect his friend. “We’re very close. He’s like a father to me.”

Poppy stumbled.

“Careful.” Were his hands not still on her arm, she might have tumbled to the ground. Not for the first time, Cale wondered what really brought her to Texas. To Rowdy specifically. The woman hadn’t come prepared—hell, she’d driven halfway across the county with no AC in her car. She was up to something, and he was damn sure going to find out what.

They stopped at the little cabin at the end of the row. A small wall-mounted light did little to illuminate the woman’s face as she looked up at him, but he had a remarkable memory and could fill in what the light didn’t show.

“I uh…” A coyote yipped, and she all but jumped into his arms. “How close is that?”

* * * *

“Not too, don’t worry.” Cale’s breath ruffled the top of her hair.

Poppy could stand there all night, wrapped up in this man’s strong embrace. It had been so long since she’d had someone to support her in any way. Not that Cale actually wanted to be there, he was just doing what Gerri asked him to. If anything, it reminded her she wasn’t in Texas to find a beau. She pushed away. “I’m not worried. It just caught me off guard. Back home I ran into a mountain lion once.”

He snorted. “Really?” The small light cast an ominous shadow over his face.

“Yes. I was out walking my sister’s dog.”

“Mmm-hmm.” His eyes narrowed. “Where are you from?”

“LA. Well, Beverly Hills to be exact.”

If she wasn’t mistaken, he scoffed and said something akin to “Figures.”

“Good night.” He tipped his hat.

“Thanks.” Poppy pushed through the door. A wave of hot air wafted over her face. “Boy, it’s hot in here.”

“Turn on the AC.” He called over his shoulder.

“It was on when I left. I turned it up when I was talking to my brother.”

He sighed and turned back to her. “And you left it on?”

“It was hot when I got here. I’d driven all day without AC in the car and…” She stopped herself. She knew better than to whine.

“Do you mind if I take a look at it?” Cale stepped through the doorway.

“Please.” She turned on several lamps.

“Will you hold my hat?” He handed her the hat and went to work on the window unit. He had to duck down to remove the plastic cover.

Poppy slipped off her shoes and hopped onto the huge bed to watch. He was swift with his hands. The muscles in his arms and back rippled under his shirt. Despite the heat, a shiver ran through her. “Did I mess it up?”

“Looks like the compressor froze up.” Cale straightened up and rolled his shoulders. He looked at her and stopped for a minute and just gaped at her. “Hot.”

“Pardon me?” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

“It’s going to be hot. Until it’s fixed. I can’t do it tonight. It needs to thaw. I can look at it sometime tomorrow.”

“Oh. Gotcha. Okay. Thanks for trying.”

“I don’t think you understand.” He moved closer to the bed. “There’s no AC.”

Poppy fanned herself, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the stifling heat or the man standing a tad too close. “I get it. Hot. I’ll be okay.”

Cale stood there and watched her for a long moment. She’d never much thought about how sexy a man in boots and tight, tight jeans looked. Poppy’s gaze darted to his mouth. The man had sexy lips, too. For a moment, her mind flashed to what it might feel like for him to lean into her, press his hot mouth to hers.

“You need me.”

“I, uh what?” Poppy swallowed hard. She did need him, in so many ways she couldn’t even say but… how could he read her thoughts so clearly?

* * * *

“You need me.”

Cale watched her eyes widen. He wanted to laugh at the look on her face. He’d give just about anything to know what the hell she’d just been thinking.

“I do?”

“Didn’t you sign up for riding lessons?”

When she nodded, he continued, “Kib’s gonna be out of pocket for a while. I can help.” He couldn’t believe he just offered to take over. Sure, at first, it was more or less to get her reaction, but once the words were out of his mouth, he didn’t want to call them back.

RHINESTONE COWGIRL is out now in print and e-book.