I have to admit I have blogger's block. I suddenly looked at the calendar this morning and realized I had to write a blog! What am I going to say that will be witty, interesting and different. I have nothing! We have already talked about fall on the blog, rainy days (which we are having again this morning) and food!
What's left?
Books? I did that last month!
I don't have a clue how people can write daily blogs. All I have do is once a month and I'm blocked. My life isn't interesting enough to blog every day. It would go something like this: got up, fed the cat, the kids went off to school and I sat down to write. Hmm, I'm thinking that wouldn't bring readers back day after day.
I would love to hear from the readers of this blog. What do you like to read about from the banditas. Do you want to hear about our boring lives? Do you prefer guest bloggers? What topics make you come out of lurking to post a comment? Do the giveaways draw you out? (it's okay to admit it)
I do have some exciting news in my boring life. My editor sent my new cover for my April 2010 release, Something Scandalous. Isn't it gorgeous! The blue is fantastic. And according to some in the lair, backs are in. Not only do I have a back but a part of a torso too!
Here's the back cover blurb:
Raised as the youngest daughter of the Duke of Kendal, Elizabeth learns a devastating truth on his deathbed: he wasn't her father at all. And because the Duke had no sons, his title and fortune must go to his only male heir: a distant cousin who left England for America long ago. Anticipating the man's imminent occupation of her home, Elizabeth anxiously searches for her mother's diary, and the secret of her paternity...
Arriving in London with his seven siblings, William Atherton intends to sell everything and return to his beloved Virginia farm and his fiancee as quickly as possible. But as Elizabeth shows William an England he never knew, and graciously introduces his siblings to London society, it becomes clear the two are meant for each other. Soon, Elizabeth finds herself determined to seduce the man who can save not only her family name but her heart...
Now that I teased you with that, you have to wait until April.
So another tidbit in my boring life, I bought a new washer and dryer.
Are you ready for the next bit of exciting news? My 17 year old got his driver's license on Wednesday. So if you live in Maryland, watch out! I do like Maryland's teen driving rules now. A teen driver has to hold a permit for 9 months, take driver's education and have 60 hours of driving time in various situations.You are all officially caught up on my life. But still, I'd love to hear some answers to my questions above!
68 comments:
:D
Mine?
Nooooo, so close! Ah, well. Congrats, lime. You got plans for him?
I love hearing about your non-boring lives. They're interesting and often very funny. I do like guest bloggers, but it's nice to get some bandita time between them. Giveaways totally draw me out. Then again, almost every post you guys make does. I'm not saying you should cut back on the giveaways, though! Discovering a new author is even more fun when it involves getting something free. Pretty much everything is more fun when free stuff's involved, come to think of it...
Now that I teased you with that, you have to wait until April.
Not cool, Christie. So. Not. Cool. How am I supposed to be able to wait until April after seeing the best-of-both-worlds cover and reading the fantastic back cover blurb? *whines* I wanna read it nooooow!
Congrats limcello it was neck and neck but you won the day.
Christie
I visit the Bandits everyday and I am sure I have only missed about 7 to 10 days since you all started and that was because I didn't have a computer or some other reason I love all that you all offer us die hard Bandita Buddies from your family to guest bloggers and the prizes as well. You all make us feel so welcome and I love visiting.
I do love the cover of your new book and am looking forward to April so as I can read it, the way time is going so fast lately April isn't really that far away it is my birthday and wedding annivsary as well so it will be a great month.
I had to buy a new washing machine a few months ago but I don't own a dryer everything goes on the line in the back yard or in wet weather clothes horses inside LOL.
It is a bit scary when the kids start getting the licences isn't it 3 out of 4 of mine have theirs now and it really makes life easier hubby is so glad that he is not a taxi driver anymore LOL.
Have Fun
Helen
Christie - congrats to your son! Lol good thing I'm far from MD. As for blogs... yeah I couldn't do a daily one either. :P I'm bad about that. [Though I like to think I did ok on the guest blog post I had yesterday!]
I think giveaways always draw more people - although the Banditas is one of the few blogs I do try to visit daily.
I'm pretty ok with random - obviously ;)
WOOO HOOO, Christie!
That is one GORGEOUS and HOT cover!
Hey, I'm anxiously awaiting the answers to your questions because tomorrow (Sunday) is MY turn to blog and I haven't a CLUE what to write about. C'mon, BBs! Give me a topic, any topic!
AC
Oooh! So close, Lynz! Congrats limecello! :D
Christie, congrats on the cover and the new washer & dryer! Congrats to your son too! As for the great tease? *shakes fist* Is it April yet??
Ha! It's more like what DON'T I like to read about from the banditas?? I like 'em all. I drop by daily to see what's up unless I'm super busy...if I'm just busy, minus the super part, I still try to squeeze in a quick visit...even if I maybe shouldn't. :)
Lime, you've wrestled him out of Virginia's hands!
Ha ha, Lynz, so close and yet so far. Must have just been seconds between you!
Hey, it's wonderful to hear from you Diehards! I'm delighted that you like everything we give you! Christie, this was a great question! Actually as a visitor rather than a blogger, one of the things I love about the blogs is that there's 20 very individual points of view here. And throw in a few guests and it's even more. I honestly don't know how people who blog on their own do it - but getting ideas and energy from my fellow bandits is great for me here! And the Bandita Buddies always open new and interesting avenues of discussion too. It's really a joint effort from all of us, I think!
And I love, love, love that new cover! How sexy is that?
i love the book blurb! i am very much looking forward to reading your book christie and i love the cover as well... i visit you banditas pretty much every time i see a new post in my blogroll but i don't usually comment. LOL i admit giveaways draw me out into commenting more
Hey Christie,
Congrats to your son. It's nice to hear about what's going on with the Banditas. It's fun when we have guest authors to chat about their new releases and of course everyone appreciates the giveaways.
Congrats on the GR, Limecello.
Congrats on the GR, limecello!
Sorry, Lynz...so close to grabbing the bird. Sorry I teased you, too! I working on my proofs for this story and I have to admit I really like this story. When I first submitted it to my editor, I wasn't sure about it. But he loved it.
I'll try not to tease any more!
Helen, you are definitely in the bandita buddy list :)
And you're right about how fast time is going lately. I can't believe it's the middle of October. Of course it feels more like the end of November around here. Cold and rainy. I had to turn the heat on in my house yesterday. I've never had to turn it on this early. But it was nice not to have to get up and drive my son to work this morning. I'm starting to like this!
I'm pretty ok with random - obviously ;)
LOL, limecello! Glad to hear it since I'm a little random :)
AC, I do believe that is cheating :) Good luck writing the blog. Why is it that the ideas for a blog don't come until after I publish the one about nothing?
And thanks on the cover. I do love this cover.
Pissenlit, thanks on the cover. Sorry about the tease. But by my March blog, I'll probably be offering a give away of it.
And we're always glad you can stop by even if you don't get the chance to post. There are days I don't have the time either. I hate those days.
Thanks, Anna. Yeah, it is a sexy cover. I do like sexy covers :)
Hi Michelle, glad I drew you out today! We're always happy to see you!
Hi Jane, always glad to hear what you like from us. Thanks!
Morning All!
Congrats on grabbing the GR, Lime! Wow, you both posted at 12:54. Was there a struggle or was it a snatch and run? ;-)
Christie, love that cover! Love the blurb even more! Seven siblings to introduce to London society? Does that mean we might be seeing more Atherton siblings in future books? I haven't even met them yet and already I want more! LOL!
Y'all are my computer wake-up call every morning and I always find the blogs interesting. Even this morning when you thought you didn't have anything to blog about, you unveiled a gorgeous new book cover, shared an intriguing blurb, conveyed your pride (and anxiety) in your son receiving his driver's license and invited us to contribute by sharing what we like to see on the blog. I'd say all those combined make a darn good blog and exactly what I've come to expect from the Bandits!
Thanks, PJ! The back cover is a little misleading. She only has 2 sisters to introduce to society but has to figure out how to turn four rough boys into young gentlemen. The youngest girl is only 5.
Honestly, I haven't thought about doing their stories. Hmm, you may have given me an idea!
Okay, if I'm not on for a while it's because I've lost power. My neighbor's just had a pwer line come down so we might lose power when BGE gets here.
Great post, Christie with some great questions.
And I love your new cover!
I'm like you, I have no idea how some people blog every day. I know I couldn't do it. I think I'd worry about taking some of my creativity away from my writing. I know when I have a busy time blogging here and at Writers at Play, I am exhausted and struggle to get my daily pages in.
As a blog reader, I'll admit I'm a gossip *g*. I love to hear about everyone else's lives and thoughts. What may seem boring to you, isn't to us! And, as Anna said, I love the 20 different voices we have here. Sprinkle in some guests, who I add shamelessly to my TBR mountain, and it's hard to get bored in the Lair! IMHO of course *g*
Oh No on the power line! We don't seem to have that problem too much here. In Westerville generally a squirrel running on a power line will blow the transformer bringing every down for a while.
Isn't it eerie quiet when the power is out? And dark? The last time we lost power I was up early getting ready to drive about 3 hours for a speaking engagement. I got into the dark shower thinking surely the power will be back by the time I was done. Nope. Had to put my makeup on outside where there was some light. Had to leave the house before I could blow dry and style my stubbornly straight hair. Thank heavens I was stopping on my way to pick up a friend for the trip who is also a hairdresser. She worked miracles.
Guess I should address the issue rather than go off on tangents (grin).
I like that the banditas and bandita buddies are scattered across the globe and we get to see a bit of their lives. I love all the different voices! We get to share our common loves and celebrate our diversities.
That's a fabulous cover, Christy! Backs are big - and combined with chests? Hubba-hubba! I think 3D and tactile technology should be introduced to book covers - don't you think? Should would make those books fly off the shelves.
Hugs on the driving license situation. Yes it makes life easier no longer being the chauffeur - but everytime I hear a police siren when my kids are out on the road and everytime I hear of a bad accident in the vicinity of their apartments - I worry. Funny - I don't do that with my husband (grin).
Hi Anna, you're so right about it's hard to get bored in the lair. I love to read all the different posts.
Hi Donna, so far so good. We haven't lost power. I really thought the electric company would have to shut us down when they arrived but they didn't. My husband's office phone is down but the house phone and my phone are okay (they're cable phones). I still have flares up in front of my house and can't really see what's going on.
I don't mind if we lose power for a short while. With the remodel, we put in a generator so some things still run. There was one winter where we lost power for 2.5 days. That was not fun. And really cold!
Thanks on the cover, Donna. Hmm, 3D technology for book covers. That would get very interesting!
When I sold a book and realized I would have to learn to blog, I pretty much froze. I knew I'd have absolutely NOTHING to say. I was worrying MONTHS ahead of time.
So I started blogging about recipes, mostly, and got hooked. I'd forgotten how much I loved baking, even if the results are often NOT AT ALL stellar (but always plenty good enough to eat).
Moral of the story: when in doubt, bake.
But only once or twice a month. I couldn't do it every day, either. Blog OR bake, that is.
Like other readers, I love hearing about what's going on in everyone's lives. And interesting questions at the end make for such fun commenting. Oh, and totally agreed on the book recommendations! This blog rocks!
Limecello, congrats on taking home the rooster. Lynz, you were really, really close.
Christie, better blogging block than writers' block! That's a gorgeous cover, and the book sounds wonderful. You must be very excited to have things moving forward.
We also have young driver, though he's oddly lacking in eagerness about it. Better that, I suppose, than a desire to tear through the streets, but I find it a little baffling.
Helen, we appreciate the fact that you come so regularly. Lots of people come regularly and don't comment, which is fine, but the comments are how we know people are here, so to speak.
Forgot to say we need a new dryer, too, but it may have to wait. We have stackables, since we have no space for side-by-sides, and they don't make this model anymore. Urk.
Hey Lime! He's back with you again, the rascal. Congrats!
Hey Christie! Rock on wit' yo' bad self. Hey, it's like Seinfeld, blogging about blogger's block. Grins.
What wonderful comments and compliments everyone has. Thanks, everybody.
Barbara, had to LOL about "When in doubt, Bake!" :>
I'm so happy to have 19 other people to blog with, it would make me insane to come up with even two blogs a month, some months. I love all the guests too, and book recommendations. I also love hearing what my fellow Banditas have been up to. Since we're so widely scattered, geographically, it isn't as if we can just go out for dinner and catch up. (Altho I wish we COULD!)
Christie, FAB cover!! LURVE it and the whole book concept sounds slurpy. April you say? We have to wait till APRIL?? Jeeesh. Tease.
Barbara, you made me laugh. It's a disgustingly cold, damp day here so I decided it was a great day to bake. I'm off to make pumpkin bread!
Thanks, Nancy. My son wasn't crazed about driving either. It took him over a year on his permit and then I finally said he needed to get his license. Being a senior he's on a shorter schedule so all I was doing was driving him home from school and then to work. Weird having to text him to take an alternative route home from work due to the downed wire.
Nancy, the new dryers are great. I can't believe how little time is needed to dry the clothes. I'm hoping it shows in my electric bill (probably not since I had to turn the heat on already!)
Sorry, Jeanne, April it is unless you come over and read my proofs :)
Hey Banditas!!! I'm sneaking in here while I'm suppose to be working. But since it is Saturday, I doubt the boss will care too much.
Christie, I'm totally lovin' that cover!! And I can't wait to read this one. It sounds fabulous.
I'm so jealous of your new washer and dryer!! I really want to get new ones too, but the old ones (going on 20 years old) are still working just fine. Guess I better just wait until they break down.
While I might not stop in every single day, I always enjoy your blogs when I do get a chance to sneak in. It is just nice to be around a great group of ladies and see what everyone is up to.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Congrat Lime on nabbing the rooster! You just missed him Lynz! I didn't even try last night because I like to share the golden one! He gets spoiled if he stays in one place to long.
I love everything about this blog, the golden rooster, the Banditas lives, guest, and the prizes. Its a great place to come to. There is always something going on. I try to come by most days. Just keep on doing what your doing.
Congrat Christine on your new book! It looks like another fabulous on and April is not that far away and like Helen its my birthday so maybe I will get it as a gift from hubby or something although he doesn't buy me books. He says I don't need them.
Congrats on your son getting his license. I wish my son would get his. He is in college and I have to go get him when he wants to come home and this anoys me sometimes. He has had his permit I know for about two years, just want get out and drive.
I love variety which you guys do a wonderful job (and of course giveaways are always appreciated lol) but most of all you make us feel like we're all important :)
*heading for the car* I'll be right over, Christie! :> Can't wait to read this one.
Had to LOL about the drivers licenses. Your son and Nancy's boy are both driving in high-traffic areas. Always a little daunting.
Hi, Christie!
I love hearing about your lives &
they are not boring! When I say
lives, I mean your writing lives,
not your personal lives unless it
is something you wish to share.
Guest bloggers are nice, mixed in
among the bandita blogs. Love the
Launch Day parties - things really
get exciting! As for the giveaways,
I wouldn't turn them away. They
are just not primary! As for the
GR, he hasn't visited in a looong
time! And that's just as well, I
guard my chocolate stash fiercely!
Pat Cochran
Buffie, I promise not to let your boss know you sneaked in during work. Thanks on the cover. I'm totally loving it.
Our washer and dryer were working all right but there was an odd mold smell from the washer and my husband is very allergic to mold. So we broke down when Sears was having a great sale. I bought them online on Sunday evening and they delivered them on Tuesday. How great is that!
Hi Virginia, so glad you stopped by today (and every day as well). April is not far away, especially when I think of all the thing I need to do before then!
Honestly, we pushed my son to get his license. My husband works from home so there is almost always a car my son can use. I have spent the last two months doing nothing but carting him home from school and then to and from work. I have enough to do, that's why I forced the issue.
but most of all you make us feel like we're all important
That's because you are important, catslady! We wouldn't be here without our readers!
Just wait, Jeanne. You're sons are in far higher traffic area than out in my part of the state. I did make my son drive the capital beltway a few times even though he's far more like to drive the Balto. beltway.
Hi Pat, yeah, the GR does have a problem with chocolate. Although, I would welcome him here after Halloween. There's always too much leftover.
Hi Chritie
The problem with my son is he wants to set in front of the computer all day. He messes around with programming. So he don't want to get out and drive. He even has a car setting in the driveway a 99 Chevy Cavalair, not a new car but not bad, better then what I had to learn to drive in. The only time the car is driven is when I drive it to town so it not just setting in the driveway all the time. He just doesn't get out much. Everything is all about computers. He is twenty years old and doesn't drive. I am going to push the issue more when he is back home from college. He is going for a degree in Computer Science.
LOL, Virginia. Are you sure you're not talking about my son? He is going to college next year for video game programming. His life is computers and gaming.
Sounds like they are two of a kind to me. Because thats all my son wants to do! I guess its a good field to go into.
I know we may have pushed the computer issue with my son, because he has had one since he was young maybe 9 or so. When he was in early teens we bought him computer parts for Christmas and he had to build his own computer. But now he needs to know there is more to life then computers.
Christie,
I'm sending my laundry right over
:-)
I LOVE that cover (John DeSalvo..yummo)and I LOVE a hero who has to take care of his family...above his own needs until....until...the HEROINE arrives....
Jeanne, leave room in Christie's driveway...I'm rushing over too.
And hey, thanks guys for all the great feedback. I think we've definately built a community here and we love it!
Virginia, I feel your pain! The only reason my son didn't build his current computer was because once he priced it out, he could do just as well from Dell. And it is a good field to go into.
Jeanne and Joanie, come on over. I have warm pumpkin bread and banana muffins. I've had a great time baking today. Okay, back to my proofs now.
And btw, I had no idea that was John DeSalvo on the cover until Anna mentioned it.
Limecello, we're glad to see you here. I couldn't do a daily blog. I don't know how people do that. Doing a daily blog means not only coming up with 28-31 topics every single month but spending time on the blog that thus is not spent on generating pages. Or living life. Just couldn't do it.
Pissenlit wrote: Ha! It's more like what DON'T I like to read about from the banditas??
You do realize you've opened the door to all sorts of mundane blog posts? :-)
We're always glad to see our visitors, regular, recurring, and new. I think we all wrestle with topics from time to time.
Hi, Michelle--
I'm looking forward to this book, too. I love the blurb. Comments are great, but just coming by in lurk mode is great, too.
Of course, that's how I visit most blogs I read, as a lurker. :-)
Donna, it is eerie when the power goes out. Things get very quiet, as if people aren't venturing out for some reason.
We have steam heat and a gas boiler, so it always has hot water. But the pump that circulates it is electric. So we have hot water sitting in the basement and no way actually to use it.
Virginia, I'm going to push on the driving thing, too. Until mass transit improves hugely in the South, mobility will be dependent on cars. Driving is a life skill.
So your son's into computer science? Ours isn't sure what he wants to be but is leaning toward architecture.
When I went to college, I wanted to be a fashion designer. And every time I see Project Runway I'm so very, very glad I went another route. *g*
Christie said: Jeanne and Joanie, come on over. I have warm pumpkin bread and banana muffins. I've had a great time baking today.
On my way...bringing coffee...
Okay, a man just walked down the street dragging a cable. I'm assuming that is the telephone cable so my husband might get his office phone line back.
Now realize that the line has been down since about 9:30 this morning, I know they had to wait for the electric company but they were finished by 1pm.
Lots of things will get me to comment. *LOL* But the top ones are: a Cassandra post (the bull balls on pick up trucks and being rescued by farmer boys...and well, you know, Cassandra stories); blogs about food (I always have something to say about food); guest bloggers usually; and blogs about writing. (You guys write about the minutae of a writer's life and I love that stuff, but I also like blogs that talk about writing itself. Little writer hints.)
mshellion, I'll try to remember to post a writer's hint blog next month. That will give me something to blog about!!
Hey, Christie, don't tell me we have to wait until APRIL for this book! It sounds delicious...and do I scent a series in the making there? Love the cover, by the way, it is a really pretty blue.
Congrats to the boy on the driver's license. Woohoo!
Hellion said:
Lots of things will get me to comment. *LOL* But the top ones are: a Cassandra post (the bull balls on pick up trucks and being rescued by farmer boys...and well, you know, Cassandra stories);
OMG! Hellion, I'm honored that you list me as somebody you want to read! Even it if it is plastic genitalia for which I'm remembered. (evil grin)
Christie, I love the cover. Very sexy, and makes me want to read this book. It's a fantastic title as well. Sorry I'm a bit late to the party, but that seems to be the way of it for me these days. Maybe that will shift soon and I can be back into the lair parties in a timely manner. I'm missing me some cabana boys.
Cassondra said: I can be back into the lair parties in a timely manner. I'm missing me some cabana boys.
They mentioned missing you too, Cassondra. I'm pouting over it. They don't miss me when I'm in the cave. *frown* Harrrumpf!
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