Short Story for British anthology
The “word meter” is just to keep me honest, and embarassed, if I don’t make great progress over the next few days.

My email is still down. And I’m frustrated about it, but today I have a handle on that. I blogged at several of my favorite author’s blogs to assuage my NEED to connect with friends. I wish I could say I’m ready to knuckle under and write for the rest of the day, but my daughter has the day off, and she insists I need new clothes for a couple of upcoming conferences, so I’m going to put myself in her hands today.

I HATE shopping. Especially, for clothes. I get hot and frustrated and hate the lighting and the way everything fits (or more precisely DOESN’T fit). Plus, I like really bright colors and she reins me in with “You look dead” comments when I try to go for yellow or a neon green. Thankfully, she loves me in red, so I know she’ll let me have at least one bright blouse while she steers me toward the blues, which she says make me look pretty.

I’d love to be able to do all my shopping online, but unless I’m ordering something loose-fitting the fit is never quite right, so I have to actually try the clothes on. Blech. I have lost a little weight since the last time I went shopping, so I’m hoping for miracles–something that isn’t in the Women’s section or with a stretchy waist.

Next weekend, Shayla Kersten and I are heading to Memphis for a research trip. I want something really sexy to wear to the clubs I know she’ll want to hit (for research, of course!). I have this awesomely wicked idea for a new story. It came to me when I was trying to fall asleep the other night. I got so creeped out I had to get up and turn on all the lights then play with my computer until I was tired enough to go back to bed. The story will be set in downtown Memphis (no Elvis sightings, I promise–that’s for another book!).

So, there’s another reason I need something new to wear. I wonder if she’ll let me buy some Naturalizer shoes. Probably not. She’s young enough to still believe fashion trumps comfort.

I admit I’m an addict.

I have to have my email. The whole day I’ve been struggling with yanking my email down from the satellite. I’m absolutely certain something really, really important is coming my way and I CAN’T READ IT!! I NEED that spam from the penis-enhancement guys and the diet druggies. I can’t cope without hearing from by buddies.

Now, if I were a bit more focused, a lot more disciplined, I would have cut the umbilicil cord and simply worked on the short story I have to get out the door by the weekend, but I admit I’m weak. I need my fix! So, if you’ve been wondering where I was all day, I’m here, cursing and slamming my keyboard around my desk.

I promise tomorrow I’ll act like a real writer.

My productivity took a serious hit this week. Saturday I caught the flu. By Monday, I thought the worst was over, even logged onto my email for a while to see what was happening, but the screen swam before my eyes. I took the hint and went back to bed.

The good news is I lost a little weight. Not the way I would recommend, but from someone who’s always battling The Bulge, I like to find those little silver linings in every rainy day. I’m trying to do some light admin today–skimming email for anything I absolutely can’t ignore, paying bills that can’t wait, and readjusting the week’s plans (or rather, pushing off this week’s goals).

I had hoped to finish off a couple short projects this week, but I know my mind’s not really “there” yet.

Another good thing about laying around the house all week is I am caught up on all my TIVO’d movies and series shows. I even caught IDOL last night. Some of those guys can really sing! I love watching Michael Johns, but Jason’s song was really, really nice–and doesn’t the camera love his pretty eyes and skin? David Archuleta can definitely sing, but I’m getting tired of the shy, modest smile. Can’t he just give us a look that says, “Yeah, I know I’m the judges’ favorite to win, so go ahead and bite me?”

I watched the premier of New Amsterdam last night. I want to love it. I want a paranormal show to blow me away. I’ve had so many recent disappointments–the cancellation of Dresden Files (just when I was starting to think the lead was sexy) and the cancellation of Blood Ties (finally, a heroine who really looked like she could kick some serious ass, and not so cute I hate her!). I’m not sure New Amsterdam will make it either, because it was a bit of a snore for me to tell the truth. I wanted more paranormal, a hint of what his purpose is, and that “You will die when you find your own true love” thing was just dumb.

Maybe I’m just feeling grumpy because my morning coffee is starting to burble in my stomach. I should have gone for something a little more gentle to my system, but I want my life back to normal. Hope y’all are staying healthy and happy. ~DD

If any of you would like to call in to say hello or ask a question, I’d love to hear from you! ~DD

This Friday on The Reader’s Round Table
with Melissa Alvarez

Today’s guest on The Reader’s Round Table is author Delilah Devlin. Come on over to BlogTalkRadio at 11:00 AM Eastern Time to listen to the show, ask questions via chat or call in!

So, I was out at Angela Knight’s loop the other day and someone had posted a series of shots of this guy at a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show.

I had to stop and closely examine each one. Finally, a model with a body that doesn’t look he’s been “cutting” his abs with heroine or cocaine. I love his build, love the tatts, love the jaw and his “give-a-shit” expression. I’m going to have to paste his picture to my future projects book and see what I can work up with him in mind.

Any ideas what kind of character you’d like to see him be? Of course, lets add about 10 years and few character lines around his mouth and eyes. Maybe, in my mind, I’ll shave him bald and add a piercing or two. Mmmm-mmm. ~DD

Be sure to post! I’ve only awarded one of the four prizes I plan to give away in the coming days! (See 15 days/15 reasons post for an explanation of the contest)

All right, I knoooow! I totally fell down on the job, but I swear I have the best excuse in the world!

The week before last, I wrote 68 pages, last week 85, this week (up until yesterday) I wrote 67 pages–but I finished! I had a deadline to turn a book in over the weekend, and thank God it was a holiday yesterday! LOL Well, God gave me the extra day, because he played a joke on me Sunday when the power was out for 8 freakin’ hours! But the book’s gone, done, wrapped up, until my wonderful editor gets hold of it. Whew!

It’s a Western by the way. Three stories in one book, all tightly interconnected. Plenty of sexy cowboys, horses, a dash of danger, and lots and lots of sexy lovin’. I might actually have a release date for it that I can announce sometime soon. I’ll let you know.

So, back to catching up on reasons why you CAN’T MISS the book that will be out in just 6 days!!

Reason #8: NEW ORLEANS
Did you wonder what all that water stirred up and released? Did you know that demons love a city in chaos? One of them took advantage of those rising waters to escape, and he has a dark and dangerous agenda. The monster I hinted at in the first book will be revealed, and you might even hate to see him vanquished, because he’s hideously fun!

Reason #7: SHADES OF THE PAST
This book wanders between two time frames to tell Nicolas’s story, so if you love a cool urban tale, but also love a Medieval knight, guess what? You’ll get both in one book for the price of one! What a deal! You see, Nicolas is former Templar knight with a huge grudge against God for reasons anyone with a heart will understand.

Reason #6: ZOMBIES
Not saying any more. But you will not believe how they get intermixed with this complicated plot!

Go get your book ordered now–there’s only six days until its ready to ship! ~DD

I’ll be hanging out today at Lifetime Channel’s blog, chatting with readers and fellow RomVet authors. RomVets is a writers group made up of romance writers who are also ex-military. So come play! You’ll be surprised at the authors who are members! Here’s the link: Romance: b(u)y the book