Other people's research

I have discovered a great new use for Shelfari. Joanne Rock asked me if I wouldn't mind putting a few of the books I have used in my research. She then respond by putting a few of the books she used on her shelf. It is great to discover books that other writers have found useful or helpful. So I shall be putting books I use on my shelf...
As an aside, Joanne has her first anthology out --Bet Me and she is having a contest. Details are on her website.
Anyway, the vast majority of the books I use are now on my shelf on shelfari, so if anyone is interested, you can go and look.
It was very much a displacement exercise as I have not written nearly as much as I planned to. So I shall be working on my word quota.
Today my daughter had her riding lesson. She can now trot in a square. She is very pleased. Instead of writing, I read some more of Swain. I can understand why, despite his male chauvinistic approach, the book is considered to be a bible for commercial fiction writing. His section on pace in beginnings, middles and endings is brilliant. He has ideas both for increasing tension, and decreasing it. Apparently every time you switch view point, you decrease tension. This can be good. Too much tension can result in the reader becoming breathless. He uses the analogy of climbing a mountain -- not every section is as steep.

Coffee Time Romance prize

The blog about a day in my life is up at Coffee Time Romance. There is a chance to win a copy of The Roman's Virgin Mistress. I am currently hoping that someone will enter...

The Shelfari thing is slightly addictive at the moment. What books to put on my shelf. That sort of thing. Anyway, I find it interesting.

My daughter has finished HP for the second time. She read it once and then had to reread it. She thinks it is better than books 5 and 6. Perhaps equal to book 4. She also keeps teasing me with hints. Everyone is not as they seem. Umm, I figured that would happen. She was also very satisfied with the ending.

My editors' thoughts are supposed to arrive on Tuesday. They do like TD but have ideas on how it could be strengthened. This is what I like to hear. I want my books to be the strongest possible read.

I am feeling more positive about my current wip. The crows of doubt often attack at this stage. I don't think I am ever truly happy with a book until I have my editors' input.

Shelfari

And after myspace and facebook comes shelfari. It is a social networking group devoted to books and book groups. Jen Black sent me an invite and I finally decided to check it out and to join.
It is very easy to use. The navigation makes sense and I found my books quickly. It appears to be mainly US oriented but they do welcome users from around the world.
There are groups devoted to Historical romance, Harlequin and Silouette books, writing romance as well as a host of other genres.
I thought as an author and as someone who loves and adores books that it was worthwhile to belong. It is always pleasant to find more like minded souls.