Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

1. You do not get stretch marks acquiring them.
2. They do not object to being told “go outside and play”…they do not get “bored.”
3. While they may smear their feces on the wall (as may children) they do not clog the toilet (twice) to the point of overflowing and flooding two (that’s right two) floors.
4. When their brother is being reprimanded for flooding of bathroom (which a chimpanzee wouldn’t do BTW) they do not call their best friend and hold up the phone so she can listen in.
5. If they did do any of the above–you could keep them in a cage for a week or at least until your sanity returned.

So, I missed the first week of The Biggest Loser, but how big of a stroke of GENIUS was it to do the whole black team thing with Jillian as their trainer? Seriously, cool. I was never a huge fan of Jillian but this is the perfect role for her. Really added something to the show, I think. And it adds another dimension of the human condition–the whole us against them thing people automatically fall into. It is just wild the psychology of it, isn’t it?

Now Beauty and the Geek. Another show that revamped a bit to stay fresh with a male beauty and a female geek. This should be interesting, but don’t you know that the hardest position to be in will be the female geek’s? The beauties always tend to be somewhat nurturing, helping their geeky partners, but I can’t see a male beauty being as good at that. And it may be harder for a male beauty to take intellectual advice from a female.

Should be interesting. And I do like that show–it is just sweet. Really, if you haven’t seen it, that is how I would describe it. The contestants always seem to really change and to value what they get there. It really doesn’t seem to be all about the money.

Tonight, the America’s Next Top Model, followed by Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl isn’t a reality show, but I set the timer to catch it anyway. It’s based on the rather controversial books of the same name. I tried to read one of them, just to be in the know, but they weren’t my cup of tea. The show probably won’t be either, but I thought I’d give it a look see.

Then tomorrow SURVIVOR! Need I say more? And this weekend a new show (not reality) called Reaper. Anyone seen the previews for it? Man’s parents sold his soul to the devil. Now the man has to go out and gather on-the-run souls for the devil. It reminds me a bit of the book I’m working on right now where my hellhounds are being called to the Wild Hunt which hunts down souls. Anyway, it’s a must see on my list.

Anything else you’re looking forward to?

Lori

We had a very Madison day today. Madison is frequently called the Berkley of the Midwest if that gives you any clue what I’m talking about. (We didn’t hand out flyers or stage a sit in, in case that is what you are thinking.) No, we went to the Willy Street Fair.

The Willy Street Fair is an annual event and one I’d heard of before, but for whatever reason we have never gone. This year we even got there in time to watch the parade–a short, but fun and eclectic event. It had everything from a bubble-blowing car to jugglers, unicycle riders, and a car covered with tiny statues and nicknacks. (That was my son’s favorite, because it had an elephant on it. Not a political statement by the car’s owner or my son. (G) )

The fair itself is made up of food booths, vendors and causes. I bought a lion key chain (see below) to benefit “African Youth Outreach“. The money goes to areas affected by aids. My daughter was given $325 of shredded dollar bills, and both kids got lots of tootsie rolls and fruit leathers. (Where else but Madison would they be handing out organic fruit leathers at a parade.) I resisted the urge to buy a political T that I thought my conservative dad wouldn’t get and might wear. (I am a good daughter.) And my husband resisted the lure of the $5 beer. (If had been warmer than 60 degrees that would have been a tough battle.)

Anyway, a good time was had by all and it really reminded me why I like this city. It isn’t generic. It has personality. And that is always a good thing.

Lori

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot. There was also a woman selling these purses that were the cutest things… Check them out. This one was my favorite. Isn’t that about the perfect purse for a romance writer to have? Except there was also a big one in HOT PINK. C’mon–someone reading this needs that!

Okay, this is rolling around blogdom, but really to good not to pass on again.

First full week of the new schedule. With days pretty much to myself, my goal is to get my writing work done while I’m alone. Then have the time my family is around to actually spend with them. There is one little problem I’m discovering though. I am too trained to write in short snips.

When I first started writing I had an almost two-year-old and a five-year-old at home with me. This meant writing in five or ten minute snips of time. Maybe if they really got involved in Maisy or playing dinosaurs or whatever, I’d get a solid half hour. Plus I had to keep the house clean enough we could walk through it. I was quite proud of my ability to write with the constant requests for juice and channel changes. But now I’ve discovered, my brain expects those little breaks. My dogs are quite happy passed out on the floor at my feet. The dirty dishes in my kitchen sink don’t clamor for my care. No one is the least bit interested in interrupting me…How am I supposed to write like this?

Sigh. Sad isn’t it? But there is some good news. I have a dentist appointment, a car to fill up with gas, and invitations to a birthday party to mail. So, a break is on its way. But then tomorrow will come and another big block of minutes to fill with writing–uninterrupted, blissful writing time. (insert curse)

Lori

Summer is officially over and the kids–both of them this year are in school. I thought this would happy days, but I have to admit sending my youngest to kindergarten made me a tad sad. Pathetic I know.

On the writing front, I’m busy revising the Wild Hunt, Venge’s story, and planning my fourth Nocturne. My FOURTH! And only one is actually out. Weird.

Part of my summer was spent in Yellowstone and Montana. (I’ll post pictures…) And while there I picked up a few stickers for my car. My favorites are those oval ones–you know the ones that used to only have big letters on them? Made me think how cool it would be to have hellhound ones. So, voila! I have them now. Check it out…

You can order your own at my CafePress shop…or wait for a contest here or on my site. I’ll be giving some away at some point.

I’ll check back in soon!

Lori