“Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
~Steve Jobs
You’ve left a mighty legacy behind. Thanks, Steve, and Godspeed.
I am so thrilled to be a part of the Harlequin/Mills and Boon family! It all happened because and fellow writer, Cora Zane, told me about the Medical Fast Track, an event the Great Britain branch of Harlequin/Mills and Boon offered to writers in the autumn of 2010.
The Medical Fast Track offered a quick turn around response to submissions, any length from a synopsis and one chapter, to a full manuscript, if the story was submitted within a specific time period. The minute Cora told me about this opportunity, the muses starting singing in my ear. One very short chapter and even shorter synopsis later, I had my idea turned into the beginning of a story and emailed off to the editors for review.
The answer was quick. Close, but not quite. The editorial, a full three single-spaced pages was almost as long as the entry and chock full of good advice. And at the very bottom of the editorial letter was an invitation to send in a new story idea. If I could get the second idea in before the Medical Fast Track even was over, I would get a quick response.
So I turned in 2 new first chapters w/ synopses. In return, I received two detailed editorial letters. If I wanted to work on either entry, the editor (at this point, I proudly started saying my editor) would be pleased to see the first three chapters. She preferred to see the entry with the smart-mouthed diagnostician first.
So, far the next nine months (yes, you read that right-9 months) I wrote and rewrote, learning enormously along the way. Then, two days before the biggest romance writers’ conference in the land–I got THE CALL. My editor wanted to by my book–and the other one I’d sent the initial chapter and synopsis for.
I am proud to announce that my very first Harlequin / Mills and Boon Medical Romance, titled The Baby Who Saved Dr. Cynical, will make it’s debut in the U.K. in February 2012.
Hopefully, it will be the first of many books to come for my new-found family.
Today is day number 38 of temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Yesterday we were w/out electricity, therefore w/out A/C. So I’m officially declaring the kitchen closed due to heat wave.
But cooking isn’t my only hobby. :Taking deep breath here: I confess. I’m a couponer, too. I will spend hours scouring the Sunday paper to save twenty cents on yogurt. But it’s not the kill. It’s the thrill of the chase, right?
Did you know you can get coupons and discounts on restaurants, too? And not just the chain places.
And this time, I’ve done all the hard work for you! Here are some legit coupon places that have discounts for restaurants in all price ranges.
Red Plum These are the guys who do the coupons in the paper.
Coupons.com Mostly for groceries, they have occasional fast food restaurant coupons
AllYou Not really coupons, but a list of chain restaurants that have ‘Kids Eat Fee’ nights. (LOVE this website. It’s so –pink! Be sure to explore. It even has a book club section!)
Restaurant.com I just found this one as I was researching this article. Narrowed down the choices to my local area and found discounted gift certificates to my husband’s favorite restaurant, Nicky’s! I’m bookmarking this website now!
Woman Freebies.com I signed up for the newsletter which sends me more restaurant deals than I find on the website. Just got some great Quiznos coupons from the newsletter. (The website looks a lot like coupons.com but in different clothes)
I saved my all time FAVORITE for last:
Groupon –LOVE Groupon for all kinds of stuff. Had two massages and more than three meals for half price in the last month alone. I really like that it’s location specific so I can get discounts for local places, not just chain stores.
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