Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Here's Hoping...

That you're seeing this blog.  :)  The transition from old to new has been a little bumpy, but things are smoothing out.  I'm so grateful to all of you who are trying to stay on the bull till the buzzer sounds, to use rodeo vernacular.  It's been quite a ride and I hearby award you all a virtual belt buckle.

Yesterday was an excellent writing day, and I hope today will be, too.  I am So Close to finishing "Big Sky Mountain"--just three chapters to go after this one.  

I've received an exciting invitation to attend the rodeo in Reno, Nevada this June--very excited about that.  I'll fill you in on all the details as we go along.

In the evenings, I've been working on *artist trading cards.  It just seems to unwind my busy brain, and I like trying out different mediums--this time, it's Adirondack Ink, the kind used by the inimitable Tim Holtz.  I've made some interesting backgrounds just by dropping different colors of this ink (wear gloves if you use it.  I had to do some serious scrubbing to get the colors off my fingers last night) onto plain white *ATC blanks and letting the colors spread into each other.  Cool!  Some of them were too dark--I'll paint or gesso over those because I can't bear to waste good paper.  And these cards are illustration board, so they hold up well to transition.

:)  I sure hope I'll be able to say the same about myself.

Much love and enjoy your day.  The sky over Spokane hasn't made up it's mind yet, it seems--sunshine or rain?

Either way, it's all good.

Be blessed.  

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Monday, March 26, 2012

Rain/Snow Mix

This is the craziest spring weather.  Yesterday, it was so sunny and beautiful, it looked like June.  Today, we're back to the lion aspects of March. 

I worked on Saturday, but Sunday was quieter.  I watched "Oprah's Master Class"--Jon Bon Jovi has certainly held up well, hasn't he?--and several episodes of "Long Island Medium."  I get a big kick out of Theresa Caputo's personality--I'd love to meet her some day.

I'm so close to finishing this book--it should be done by the end of the week, Good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise.  :)

We're still going back and forth with the big switch to the new website, but I think the dust is finally beginning to settle.  Like most trying things, it will be well worth the effort in the end.

So, I'm off to spend the day in Parable with Hutch and Kendra and a host of fun characters I'm looking forward to introducing you to. 

Be safe, be well, and be kind.

We're all in the same boat.

Friday, March 23, 2012

I Sure Hope You're Seeing This

Confusion reigns, but I think we're almost over the rough spots, website-wise.  Some of you are finding this blog--God bless you--and others are out there asking where the heck Linda went.  I'd be among the latter, since I'm not computer savvy.

All I can say is, please hang in.

Very soon, my first ever vampire book, "Forever and the Night", will be available on Nook at a bargain price.  After a month, it will also be on Amazon.  The other three books in the series will eventually be offered as e-books, too.  What an exciting time we live in--so many options!

I love my e-reader, especially on airplanes, but I've got to tell you, I still love, love, LOVE book stores--an electronic device cannot replace the tactile joys, like touching a book, feeling its heft in your hands, and even the scent of the paper.  Browsing is more fun in a book store, too--all those colorful covers, all those rows and rows of delicious possibility, not to mention human contact with a friendly staff and other book lovers.  I can't imagine a world without book stores, can you?

We have snow on the ground today, here in Spokane, and the sky is overcast.  Oh, well.  I can make the sun shine in Parable.  :)

God bless you all, and have a great weekend.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Snow Again!

A beautiful snowfall happened in the night--it's especially lovely out here in the country, with all the trees draped in delicate lace.  I'm as eager for spring as anybody, but I'm bound and determined to enjoy and appreciate what's happening Right Now.

Work on the book continues--I'm so near the end, and that's always a bittersweet feeling, wonderful, but also a parting of sorts, from these story people I have come to love.  My characters always become intimate friends and somehow, when they go off into the world, like children starting college, it's never the same as when they lived at home, so to speak.

Alas, a new batch of characters are waiting in the works, and I know I'll fall madly in love with them, too.  And there's the bright side--after every ending, there is a new beginning, in writing and in life.  I'm a Square-one girl for sure; I love new beginnings--I've been reinventing myself on a regular basis all my life.

I hope you've all checked out the new web and Facebook pages.  They present a much more accurate view of who I am now, today, and that matters to me.  They've been working out some bugs with the website, and I hope you'll all be patient while they smooth down the rough edges.

That's the place to get information about this year's round of scholarships for women, and there will be lots of videos, photos and contests, too.

That's the news from my writing desk--time to turn on the happy lamp and head for Parable.  :)

May God bless you, now and always.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Lost Blogger Found

What a crazy, wonderful week this has been. 

The new website has been a bumpy road, but it's just beautiful and so much more "me".  (How I wish I were as young and skinny as I am in those pictures on the old one.  :))

Things are hopping over on the new Facebook page, too.  Soon, we'll be giving away signed books and other goodies.  Stay tuned.  :)

The first two days of this week were taken up by doctor appointments--don't worry, all the news is good--so I'm running a little behind on just about everything else in my life.  It seems, as the old saying goes, the hurrier I go, the behinder I get. 

Still, I am filled with hope. 

The weather continues to be unpredictable--that's spring for you, I guess.  Sunshine one minute, rain and/or snow the next.  At least it isn't boring.

That's the news for today, folks.  Thanks for sticking with me while we jump a few hurdles with the new website, Facebook page, and this blog.

You're the best.

Monday, March 19, 2012

"Big Sky Country" Cover Reveal

For a look at the cover of my new book, "Big Sky Country", a June release from Harlequin's HQN imprint, click on: http://harlequinblog.com/

I'd love to know what you think.

We're undergoing some major transitions here, switching over to the new website--still http://www.lindlaelmiller.com/.  If you're having problems accessing it, please hang in--there have been some 'technical difficulties'.  I personally love the site--it's so much more up-to-date, the Real Me, as of 2012, for better or for worse.  :)

I've been working like crazy on the new book and have therefore neglected the blog in recent days.  I will do better, I promise.

The weather can't seem to make up its mind today--storm or sunshine?  At the moment, we're definitely enjoying the latter--I won't even need to switch on my happy lamp if this keeps up.  :)

The flu is behind me at last--boy was that wicked.  Hate to think what it would have been like if I hadn't had the shot.

Sister Sal has a new shop on Etsy, and she's doing some great things with recycled sweaters.  Check out ThankfulRose at Etsy.com.  Both my sisters are artists--Pam does polymer clay and mosaic--I'll find out the name of her shop.

Monday is always a crazy day around here.  We've got one horse with foot trouble, and my CPAP machine needs to go in for repairs.  Alas.  It's all good.

That's the news.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Writing and Writing!

I'm feeling so much better, and I'm really into the book, so this will be short. 

Bernice and I went for a walk this morning--the sky is overcast, and we've had a few flurries of snow.  I can't figure out if March came in like a lion or a lamb.  :)

Mary Ann brought me a shamrock this morning--what fun.  I have some orchids on the kitchen windowsill, and a plant my brother and his wife gave me several years ago is now so big that we had to move it from my room to the living room, where the ceiling is higher.  It's thriving in the new place, so happy to be able to stand up straight.

That's the news, my friends, such as it is.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Definitely On the UpSwing

I rested all weekend, resisting the urge to dash all over Spokane doing this and that, in order to conserve my energy and strength.  Now I'm pretty tired of resting.  :)

We've had very typical spring weather of late--rain alternating with brilliant sunshine--and the robins are back, so that's a good sign.  The horses are probably looking forward to their summer schedule, when they  can stay in the pasture all night or step into a stall, as they choose. 

I'm listening to a Nicci French novel on my iPod--it's called "Blue Monday" and it is certainly intriguing.  The setting is London, and there's a lot of suspense--I like those qualities in a book.  :)

It's back to the book today, and I am SO excited.

That's the news, friends.  Be well, and if you're sick--stay home.  :)

Friday, March 09, 2012

Better--REALLY ;)

It's been a long week, friends.  I'm feeling LOTS better today, but I plan to lay low because if I get over ambitious, as I am known to do, I might lose the ground I've gained.  So, much as I would love to go out and enjoy this lovely sunshine, I'm staying close to home.

I'll be back on Monday.

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Wicked Sick Yesterday

Just when I bragged about feeling better, I got slammed by this crazy flu bug.  I was slathered with Vicks, dosed up on Advil, and flat on my back for most of the day. 

I managed one brief walk with Bernicie because the weather was so fine and she was so hopeful, but I wasn't entirely sure I'd make it back to the house, I felt so weak. 

Mostly, I caught up on Oprah's Master Class--episodes on Reba McIntire (a favorite of mine) and Morgan Freeman (ditto--and I once saw Mr. Freeman in person in Atlanta.  He was getting out of the same elevator I was entering.)  Very tall, very handsome, very dignified.  His story, like Ms. McIntire's, is truly an inspiration.  I also watched Oprah's visit with Paula Deen--that lady is a kick, angling for catfish in her nightgown.  Thank heaven for TIVO, because without it, the TV pickin's are rather slim, to say the least.

Sam, I'm taking your recommendation and looking for "Call the Midwife".  Love that English stuff.  :)  (Especially high tea at the Park Lane Hotel, the big red buses and the food hall at Harrod's.)

Maybe I'm due for another trip to London.  :)

Once I get well, of course.  And finish the books on my docket.

Today, I plan to write.  We'll see if God has the same plan.  :) (He often overrules my 'great ideas'.)

That's the news, folks.  Thank you so much for your kind comments and get well wishes.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Feeling Better

But probably still contagious.  Yikes.  I was so determined to finish my Photoshop class, but I'd hate to make any of the others sick.

The weather is gloriously beautiful today.  Bernice and I will definitely get in our walks--I'll just be moving a little more slowly than usual.  :)  I'm a great believer in fresh air and exercise being good for what ails me, so off I go.

I fully intended to write yesterday, but I just wasn't well enough when push came to shove.  So I did the only reasonable thing--I watched the entire first season of "Downton Abbey" on my iPad, via Netflix.  I am officially addicted to that show!  Maggie Smith's performance alone is worth the time investment and the costumes are absolutely wonderful.  The story is intelligent and makes you really care about the characters---I actually cried a couple of times, I was so moved.  If there were more TV shows like this, I'd watch something besides "Who the Bleep Did I Marry?" and "Forensic Files"--the last series on a par with D.A. was "John Adams."

I am back to work today, but moving slowly.  :)

And that's the kitchen table news for today.

Monday, March 05, 2012

Back Tomorrow

I have a bad case of the flu and I wouldn't want you to catch it.  :)

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Spring is Coming

Officially, the greening-and-blooming season arrives on March 20 this year--19 days from now.  Looking out over fields of admittedly beautiful (sigh) snow, I find that hard to fathom.  I'm ready to walk confidently around the pasture, instead of looking out for icy patches and mud puddles.  :)

I had another excellent writing day yesterday--I'm sure loving this book, and sure eager to share it with you.

The first of the new series, "Big Sky Country", will be available in June--the last Tuesday in May, actually--and I can't wait to introduce you to my Parable people--and the ones who live thirty miles away, in Three Trees, Montana. 

I watched "Sliding Doors" on my iPad last night, using Netflix.  I really enjoyed the innovative plot--a woman living two separate lives, simultaneously--it's the kind of story, along with time travel, that excites my imagination.  Being on a Netflix roll, I watched a documentary after the Gweneth Paltrow film, followed by a biography of Jordan's Queen Noor.  And then I slept--Bernice and the kitties had long since conked out--and woke refreshed and rested and very ready to write.

Which is what I'm going to do right now.  :)

Make it a good day.  Remember, it's a choice.