I don’t usually write about politics and serious matters, but I am as concerned about the recession as everyone else so I wanted to pass on this information. CNN is running a special – Road to Rescue: The CNN Survival Guide — that I think might be of interest to those who are struggling. You can get information at http://www.cnn.com/Specials/2009/news/road.to.rescue/

In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is suffering hardship

Beth Ciotta is a guest blogger today. I love meeting authors who are just as wild and wacky as I am, and I have to say that comedy/suspense writer Beth Ciotta seems to fit the wild and wacky mold. In fact, to hear her tell it, she may be a candidate for my group therapy sessions, only I might need three chairs for her. She certainly seems to have three very distinct females living in her skin.   Beth is published in contemporary, historical, and paranormal romantic fiction. Currently, she writes for Medallion Press and HQN (Harlequin). EVIE EVER AFTER, the third book in a contemporary trilogy for HQN hits shelves March 1^st. You’ll have to check out Beth’s website – it is loads of fun! www.bethciotta.com Take it away, Beth. . .

Fate is a curious and marvelous thing.  When afforded the opportunity to guest blog here, I jumped at the chance.  My first thought was, “Wow. I get to play on Charlotte Hughes’s home turf.  How cool is that?”  My second thought: “This is fate.” 

Allow me to pull up a couch and explain.  

First up, Beth-the-entertainer. I grew up convinced I was going to be a star. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to pursue singing, dancing, or acting, so I dabbled in all three instead of mastering one. The result was a multi-skilled entertainer who made a decent living for thirty years (I started young!) as a variety performer. The star thing was a bust, unless you count the time I appeared in a casino showroom singing back-up for boxer Joe Frazier. But I digress. Thanks to years of experience, this Beth is confident and animated.

Enter Beth-the-writer.  She’s always been a part of me, but didn’t come alive until my passion to perform started to fade. Good timing, because, by the time I’d honed my writing chops enough to land a publishing contract I was nearing my 40s and losing performance gigs to women in their 20s. Not that I’m bitter. Okay. I’m not bitter now, but as it was happening, I confess, I was, um, crushed. I ended up pouring my heart, soul, and angst into a story and Evie Parish was born. A washed-up veteran performer looking for passion and purpose who ends up signing on with a government agency to bust nefarious scams. Utilizing my entertainment background and whacked imagination, I wrote three adventures for HQN Books, rediscovering passion and purpose right alongside Evie. In private, this Beth is insecure and introverted. In public, Beth-the-entertainer sneaks in morphing me from chicken to ham.

Meet Beth-the-library-assistant. Needing to supplement my writing income and unwilling to don cheesy costumes to perform singing telegrams, I applied for a fulltime position at my local library. Talk about a dream job! I’m surrounded by books. I get to talk about books. I get to recommend favorite authors who are also, sometimes, bonus, friends. This Beth is motivated and confident. Er, except when a patron brings a paperback to the desk, asking me if I know anything about this author’s work, and that author is, um, me. Just one instance of my worlds colliding. I guess I shouldn’t complain. Although there are days when I don’t know who I am, at least I’m a happy nutcase.

Ah, fate.      

(Storytelling comes naturally to veteran performer and award-winning author, Beth Ciotta. Limiting herself to writing one sub-genre does not. A creative spaz, Beth is published in contemporary, historical, and paranormal romantic fiction.  Currently, she writes for Medallion Press and HQN (Harlequin). EVIE EVER AFTER, the third book in a contemporary trilogy for HQN hits shelves March 1st. )

Here is what I am writing about at my next stop on the VIRTUALLY NUTS tour (the Lipstick Chonicles):

 I don’t know about you, but I haven’t felt passionate about anything since Jiffy peanut butter came out with a low fat brand.   

Seriously, though, we have to hold tight to the passion that led us to write in the first place. Nobody has ever succeeded in anything they didn’t feel passionate about. Famous actors, athletes, and visionaries like Bill Gates, and, yes, published authors would never have found the motivation to work tirelessly at what they do unless they first felt the desire in their hearts.

 To read the rest of the post click on the link below:

The Lipstick Chronicles

“You will love these characters down to your soul…witty and charming and thought provoking and downright hysterical.”

By Angie at Night Owl. To read the whole review visit Night Owl.

Wouldn’t you know it…  This morning in a phone conversation, I told my mom I had to start exercising. I even put on exercise clothes.

But first, I went online to check my E-mail. And it’s a good thing I did because AOL Health had an article, “Exercises You Can Stop Doing.” I don’t know why I was so relieved to see it since I haven’t been doing any exercising, but at least I haven’t been causing myself bodily injuries like those idiots who work out every day.

Truthfully, I sort of wore myself out talking about all the reasons I needed to exercise, then looking for something to exercise in; plus, I had to find my running shoes, no easy task in my closet. I don’t know why they’re called running shoes. The last time I remember running is when I was a kid, and I was being chased by a big dog at the time. Instead of calling them running shoes I should call them ’sitting at the back of my closet doing nothing shoes.’

I think I’ll put off exercising until I’ve had a nap.

If you want to get rich in Beaufort, SC, go into yard care, contracting, or appliance repair.

I haven’t had a vacation since I don’t know when, but my yard guy goes to Florida or Vegas every few months, during which time my grass grows knee deep. The guy who works on my appliances is a member of the Yacht Club and sends his kids to private school. You can’t afford a handy man unless you make seven figures. Last year, I tried to hire a guy to make an emergency repair in my house, and he told me he only did emergencies for clients who kept him on retainer. Don’t even try to hire somebody to clean your house around here. They set up an appointment, go room by room, and give you an estimate of what it’s going to cost. For a minimum of $25 per hour, tax free, they’ll agree to do light cleaning. It takes me an hour to straighten my house before they show up, IF they show up. I have to make all the beds, take out the trash and items to be recycled. I am given a list of cleaning items they prefer using. I don’t dare ask them to clean my windows or they’ll walk out and tell all the other cleaning people how unreasonable I am, and my name will be mud in this town.

Oh, and these people don’t have to wait two months for a book contract to go through; then, another two months for payment. You’d better have your checkbook in hand before they come through the door.

I’m definitely in the wrong business!

I am so thrilled to have Peggy Webb as my first guest blogger. Not that she really needs an introduction; she has many devoted fans who flock to the stores the minute her books land on the shelves. I’m one of them!

On a personal note, I’ve known Peggy for, well, more years than I can remember. We’ve truly shared the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to publishing. The thing that ANNOYS me about Peggy is the fact she is able to come up with awesome titles. Unfortunately, when I need a good title, she draws a blank. Some friend, huh?

Anyway, I’ve asked Peggy to tell everyone about her new book and what she does when she’s not writing. See, unlike me, Peggy has a life.

So, if you’re looking for a warm, funny, cuddle-up-in-your-favorite-chair kind of read, be sure to check out ELVIS AND THE DEARLY DEPARTED. Once you get a taste of this very talented and prolific author’s books, you’ll come back for more. I know I do!

Mississippian Peggy Webb is the author of 64 novels, including  DRIVING ME CRAZY, which was submitted for a Pulitzer. Beloved for her comedy and lyrical writing, she has turned her talents from romance to mystery with her debut Southern Cousins Mystery Series. She will be our first guest blogger next Tuesday.

Okay you guys, I know you’ve done at least ONE crazy thing in your life. Or maybe you have a crazy friend or family member. I certainly do! Some are so kooky they make me look normal. Scary, huh?

I plan to post the anecdotes on my website under Group Therapy. If you’d like to remain anonymous, that’s fine; otherwise, I will assume you want me to tell the world.

I am going to be doing a few new things with my blogs. First, I am networking with other blogs. I will also do a blog tour of seven or eight sites. I’ll inform readers in time for the release of my second book in the CRAZY series, book #2 titled NUTCASE.

Since I know many fine writers, I plan to offer guest blogs so be sure to keep an eye out.