FEVER WINNNNNNNNNN!!!

YIPPEE! We didn't go to the game since I was still under the weather, but I watched it online through WNBA.com's live access. I should say I watched what I could. I was so damn nervous, I kept the sound down and worked, but checked the game every couple of minutes. I watched the last five, though. :-) Phyllis and I will be out of town next weekend so will miss the October 4th game. They need to win at least ONE for us to go to the game on the 7th. I'd love it if they swept Phoenix, but I'm not sure that'll be happening. Just wishful thinking for a Fever fan. :-) Anyhoo... I'm so happy for Tamika, Katie, Tully, and the team for finally getting over the hump and making it to the Finals. At least they have a couple of days of rest before the first game Tuesday night. Go Fever!

Yay FEVER!

Phyllis and I went to the 2nd game of the WNB A Eastern Conference Championship tonight at Conseco here in Indy. It was a nerve-wracking game, but the Fever prevailed 76-72 (I think that was the score). Tamika Catchings, who for me, is the best womens basketball player that I've ever seen play, was fantastic. She was all over the floor. I was under the weather today and have a slight fever (cute, huh?), so we almost didn't go. But I told Phyllis, no, let's go. They had one of the biggest crowds that I've ever seen there. The owner flat out said if they don't win the whole thing this year, they're gone. I think that friggin' sucks. It's the most positive team here in Indy, including the Colts. A lot of parents bring their little kids to see the game, too. We'll be rooting them on again tomorrow night....

Went out tonight to celebrate

Phyllis got home today from Cleveland. I was so glad to see her when I got in from work. She wanted to take me out to dinner and a drink to celebrate Come Back to Me being accepted. We went to one of my favorite places to go here where we also go for karaoke. I ordered a Long Island. The waiter innocently asked (or so I thought) if I wanted a blue Long Island instead. It has Blue Curacao in it. The first one knocked me on my a**. When he came back after we'd eaten and asked if I wanted another, did I say no? HECK noooooooooo. lol I ordered another. Nothing like celebrating, huh? We decided to make this a tradition after every acceptance and release. Soooooooo, a few months from now after editing and it's ready for publication? Two more Blue Long Islands should do the trick. :-) Now it's on to watching the Colts tonight on Monday Night Football. I'll be a bit more subdued, I think...maybe. lol

Chilling out watching Bears-Steelers game

I'm taking it easy watching Chicago play Pittsburgh in the rain in Chicago. Sundays when the Colts don't play always seem to drag. Of course, that's fine. It's Sunday and it's raining here. And if it means I have one relaxing afternoon before going back to work tomorrow, that's good. I was told yesterday by Emily Reed my publisher that my newest manuscript, Come Back to Me, was accepted. Next comes months of editing, whenever we get started on it. Now that I've gone through the process once, I think I'll be a little better prepared for the time frame and how much work is involved in making the book the best it can possibly be. Jane Vollbrecht, my editor, is the best. She's teaching me so much...I look forward to learning more. Okay, I think I'll get back to reading Blayne Cooper & T. Novan's First Lady. It's the sequel to Madame President. I'm enjoying the two main characters and the read. I have so many other books to read from the Conference it's not even funny. AND I need to start on a storyline for the sequel to Playing for First. Can I quit my day job yet? hahahahaha

Enjoyable evening with Phyllis and Buddy

We had a nice swim...well, Phyllis and I had a nice swim. lol A nice dinner and then a very enjoyable walk here in the neighborhood. Okay, on a different note, I've decided someone needs to smack Kanye West upside the head. That's simply disgusting. I haven't seen the tape of what happened and I have no desire to, but to step up on stage and take away 19-year-old Taylor Swift's moment in the spotlight...it makes me want to hit something. Grrr... Anyway...how WUDE. There was a miniseries a few years back and this one character kept saying that. It's stuck with me since. Wude wude wude! Alrighty, I think I'll relax for the evening reading Missy Good's "Tropical Storm," the first in the Dar and Kerry series. About halfway through. After this, I need to get started on the sequel to Playing for First. Once I hear back from Jane and Em, I'll be working on the edit for my latest...I hope. lol Peace!

Had a fantastic time chatting with Lara Zielinsky

Lara and I shared a wonderful half hour chatting about Playing for First. We talked about where I came up with the idea, the editing and publishing process, and what my newest novel is about. We also discussed women in sports and the difficulties lesbian authors face when attempting to switch over to mainstream publishing, which my newest novel addresses. Here's the link to Lara's website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lara-zielinsky. Our interview is at or near the top of her list there on the right. It's a 30 minute show. At the end, I offer three free autographed copies of Playing for First to the first three readers who e-mail me at: ckpaynter@ckpaynter.com. If any of y'all are interested, drop me a line. Lara invited me back when my latest is further into production. I plan to do that since I enjoyed our talk so much Thursday night.

Today, we have friends coming over at one for a nice lunch. It's beautiful here today in Indy. Currently, it's 58 with a high in the upper seventies, low eighties. Have to take Buddy the Wonder Dog to his grandparents, though, so we can eat in peace. Take care all!

Interview tonight with Lara Zielinsky

A quick reminder that I'll be interviewed tonight on Lara Zielinsky's blog radio talk show, "Readings with Lesbian and Bisexual Authors." The show starts at 11:30 pm EST. Here's the link again: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lara-zielinsky. We'll be discussing Playing for First, my latest work, writing, editing, and publishing. I'll also have a promotional giveaway to announce, too. Hope you tune in! And if you can't stay up that late, Lara archives the shows on her website, located at the same link. Blessings to everyone!

Finished the rough draft!

I completed the rough draft on my next novel early Sunday morning at 12:30. Now it's a matter of polishing, repolishing it, and repolishing it some more before sending it in to my editor. And then, of course, it'll be a matter of edting, editing, and more editing before we get to the final product. Such is the life of an author.... I'm not complaining, though. I wouldn't have it any other way. Hope to write more this weekend. I'm taking a vacation day Friday to spend time with Phyllis and take a four-day weekend. We're planning on going to Metamora, a little artsy town about an hour's drive from Indy. The drive is always relaxing. However, good ol' klutzy me fell here at home about two weeks ago. I landed hard on my left knee and hyperextended my foot. Everything is still swollen. Since I'd JUST gone to have a foot x-ray not that long ago, I sure as heck didn't want to go again. I'm holding out until a doctor's appointment on the 17th. I'll ask about it then. Oh! Before I forget, I'm going to be interviewed by Lara Zielinsky on her radio blog show next Thursday night, September 10th, at 11:30 p.m. Here's the link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lara-zielinsky. It's a half-hour program. It should be fun. If you can't stay up that late, be sure and check out the archives section on Lara's website. For anyone out there reading this, too, I've started answering a "random question" from Blogspot. You can find it on my Profile page under the "About Me" section. It was a funny question this time--at least I thought it was funny. Check it out! Okay...back to "polishing."