The Owl Ate My Homework

My Scotch terrier is the master of his domain. No bunny crosses the patio without being barked at. No cat or bird escapes the same fate.

Last night, he jumped against the arcadia door and shadow boxed with even more enthusiasm (and higher volume) than usual.

When I looked out, there was an owl sitting on the patio! I've never seen an owl anywhere other than in a tree, so assume this one must have been heat-stressed.

The owl disappeared about an hour later, but there wasn't a lot of work getting accomplished in the meantime.

There HAS to be a story in there somewhere; doesn't there?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

A True Love Story

One of my neighbors lived the kind of love story most of us would be proud to plot. Almost.

A nasty divorce robbed her of the ability to love and trust for decades. Then, she met a special man who was patient enough to wait for her heart to sing the same song his did. Friend. Travel Companion. Whatever she was comfortable with, was the role he played.

If any of us had plotted this love story, our hero's loving patience would have been rewarded and the couple would have lived happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this love story had a far different ending. My neighbor had just started telling people that her special man had proposed when she was diagnosed with a serious illness.

Her special man was never a heartbeat away during treatments. Time after time, they thought they were winning the battle only to have the insidious disease ambush them again.

My neighbor lost her brave battle his week.

There was no wedding, no happily ever after ending, BUT here's no doubt this was a true LOVE story!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

When Real Life Comes Crashing Down

I'm not at my brightest and best first thing in the morning. When I peeked out the living room window Monday, it took me a minute to figure out what was wrong with the still dark view.

Finally, it dawned on me. The streetlight didn't usually float so low over the bushes in the front yard.

I spent almost an hour on hold trying to convince a customer service representative that the pole presented a safety hazard for two reasons. First, it was impossible to determine exactly where it would land when it stopped going lower and lower. Second, there was still power to the pole.

When the crew came out to cut the power and safely lower the pole to the ground, I tried to get an idea of when there would be light (not to mention identification for the streets again.) No such luck.

I spent over an hour on hold again today ... ever so "efficiently" using my telephone handset speaker feature so I could "work" (or TRY to) while I waited.

The pole is supposed to be replaced in 10-20 business days. Until then, it will be pitch black out there. There must be a story idea in there somewhere!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Getting Respect for Working at Home

Maggie commented on a recent post asking for strategies to deal with people who don't understand that working at home means you can't just drop everything and visit.

Sometimes, the guilty parties aren't neighbors or friends from across town. They are our soul mates and children!

It may take some time to convince your significant other that working at home does NOT mean you have time to drop the car off to be serviced and run other errands.

Establish a signal (a red scarf tied to a doorknob, etc.) so kids know if you're working on something that can't be disturbed or if you're available to hear the details of their day at school.

Setting parameters and employing a few simple strategies can help you teach others to respect your work at home schedule.

Is there a "safe" time when you know you won't be working? If so, tell neighbors and friends you'd love to visit with them then. If your "schedule" has a habit of spilling over to nights and weekends like mine does, gently explain that you'll get back to them as soon as you have a moment to call your own.

Invest in an answering machine (remembering to tape a professional message just in case you get THE call from an agent/editor/publisher) or get caller ID so you don't have to interrupt the flow of words to answer the phone. Either strategy will ensure you don't miss an urgent call from a family member.

Standing up for yourself and setting parameters will help others understand and respect what it means to work at home. There's another important benefit too ... YOU may wind up with an enhanced respect for your own work schedule!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

How Many Hats Did You Wear This Week?

A small percentage of very successful authors have "people" to take care of all the pesky little details of the business of writing.

The rest of us wear all the hats necessary to keep the firm of Me, Myself, & I running smoothly.

That means it's our job to write, proof, and submit manuscripts. We can't just delegate the task of keeping track of where those manuscripts are submitted and where they should go if they get rejected.

We review the contracts, sign, and return them. We deposit the checks when they arrive and pursue payment when those checks don't come.

This has been one of those weeks when I've juggled too many "hats" and can't help but wonder what it would be like to have "people" to expertly handle unpleasant tasks.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Work Habits of the Not So Rich & Famous

Back in the days when "work" consisted of the assignments teachers doled out and my bosses were my parents, I couldn't do homework unless the TV or stereo blared.

I stopped getting complaints about my dubious study habits when I consistently made the honor roll.

Now that I'm the boss, results are still important. It's OK to emulate extraordinarily productive writer Michael Bracken and work on multiple projects at the same time IF I actually finish and submit those projects on a timely basis.

I give myself permission to do a load or two of wash during working hours ... unless all I've accomplished at the end of the day is laundry!

Are you an easy going boss who doesn't grumble so long as the work is getting done, or a no nonsense boss with all sorts of rules like no e-mail until the day's quota of words is finished?

You're the only one who can decide what kind of boss you need to be to encourage yourself to get the job done.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Modern Technology Not Always Best

Even though I started writing in the Dark Ages (i.e. when only the very rich and famous owned computers,) I've become accustomed to going from first draft to submission ready manuscript without ever leaving the computer keyboard.

Almost. When it comes time to proof and polish a manuscript, the computer leaves a lot to be desired.

Spell Check can't tell the difference between "there" and "their" in the context of a sentence. It just knows both words are spelled correctly. Grammar Check seems to offer the wrong advice more often than the correct choice.

When I print out a hard copy, I swear I spot errors that I never noticed on the computer screen. I've learned the hard way that it pays to put that marked up hard copy in a drawer while I work on other projects for as long as possible without missing a deadline. Coming back with fresh eyes, I spot more things that need fixing (like using the word "hard" three times in the same paragraph!)

What tricks of the trade do you employ to be sure you only send out your very best work?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

The Customer Is Always "Write"

There's an old saying in the retail trade, "the customer is always right."

Mrs. Smith brings back an obviously used item and demands a refund saying she's changed her mind and purchased another brand elsewhere. She's been a good customer for years so the shop owner swallows hard, pastes on a smile, and "cheerfully" hands over the money.

I couldn't help thinking of those words this week as I struggled to please a particularly picky editor.

Most of the time, an extra set of eagle eyes spots mistakes I wish I'd caught myself. I appreciate the opportunity to polish my work before it's published so readers see only my very best work.

Most of the time.

"The customer is always right," I reminded myself as I agonized over the requested revisions. "The customer is always right," I repeated as I gave the piece a final proof before hitting "send."

The editor returned the piece with another full set of requested changes. I couldn't manage to paste on a smile as I grumbled "the customer is always right" over and over again. Finally, I finished and sent it off confidently believing it would prove satisfactory.

No such luck. It bounced back in record time with still another litany of changes.

Not even bothering to repeat the sacred mantra, I somehow managed to force myself through the motions and sent it off for the third time. Luckily, the third time was the charm.

I'm not sure the finished product was superior to what I initially submitted. There's not a shadow of a doubt that the payment won't begin to cover all that extra time and effort.

Maybe, just maybe, I learned something from the agonizing process. Ultimately, the customer (editor) IS always right.

Taking the time to satisfy that customer instead of giving up and sacrificing the sale may well be what separates wannabe writers from published authors.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Summer Fun & Summer WORK

Writers who have kids home from school for the summer and writers whose only "kids" have four feet and fur have something in common. Most confess that it's hard to work while the house is full of creatures who don't!

Is noise the primary distraction? Try earphones and your favorite music.

Are you jealous of the splashing in the pool or other summer fun? Try staying up an hour later, getting up an hour earlier (or both) to work and then take a well-deserved break to join in the summer fun.

Keeping lots of low calorie cold drinks handy (like iced tea/herbal fruit infusions, iced coffee, or fresh lemonade/limeade made with artificial sweetener) will help your fingers fly over that keyboard.

And if all else fails ... put those creatures to work. The youngest of children can probably handle a simple task with a bit of guidance. How about those repetitive chores that waste valuable writing time like putting address stickers on query/manuscript envelopes or straightening up the to be read mountain? Older children might enjoy doing some market research (or other research) on the internet.

Those furry "kids" can help too. My dog cocks his head and listens intently when I read my work aloud. I know it's time to revise when he treats me to a bored yawn and walks away!


May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

No Longer Lonely

So wonderful to see so much activity on this blog for a welcome change.

Do you have children (or grandchildren) home for the summer? Keeping them happily occupied and helping them retain what they learned during the school year can be a challenge. Follow this link for some simple (and hopefully useful tips.)

http://www.ehow.com/how_5075746_keep-kids-sharp-schools-out.html

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Testing 2, 3, 4 ... Anybody Out There?

Just checked the database and noticed I'm the ONLY blogger signed up for June.

Looks like I'm the only one visiting the Blog site too. No comments and no posts other than mine for quite a while.

Are Sweeter Romantic Notions authors too busy to read, comment, or write for the Blog?

Is this something that's outlived it's usefulness for the group?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Once Upon a Time

Memorial Day marked the official start of summer. When your grandmother or great-grandmother was a small girl (probably wearing a gingham dress and pigtails tied with matching ribbon,) the holiday marked the first day that it was acceptable to wear white shoes just like Labor Day meant it was time to pack those shoes away.

That rigid rule disappeared somewhere along the way. "Ladies" stopped wearing white gloves to church every Sunday and doing laundry on Mondays too.

Do you ever weave old-fashioned customs and traditions into your modern romances to give readers a taste of what it might have been like to walk a mile or two in another woman's white shoes?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

What Are You Working On?

I'm working on 800 word romances for a certain glossy magazine you see at the supermarket checkout line every week and 3,000 word plus stories for the "Trues." Half of my works in progress are geared to December holidays. The other half involve back to school themes and dealing with the lingering impact of summer flings.

What's taking shape on your computer?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Too Quiet Out There

Mid-May reminds me of those ancient B-movies where one character points toward the jungle and says, "It's too quiet out there."

Usually active writer's loops slow to the speed of thick molasses. The only posts seem to be from those on Daily Digest who are concerned because they haven't received anything in over a week.

Friends and colleagues who normally drop a line or two several times a week haven't sent anything in ages.

Is it tight deadline crunch time for everybody? Maybe it's the real life world of graduations, weddings, and scrambling to make plans for students who will be home all summer that's keeping everybody BUSY.

Whatever the reason for all that quiet, do hope things are going well in your author's life ... and your "other" life too!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday is a special day for those who've given birth to flesh and blood children with sticky fingers and sweet kisses.

There are some fascinating similarities between mothers and authors. Both produce unique creations after a long (and more than just a bit uncomfortable) process. Both agonize over the present and future welfare of children/brainchildren. And no matter how painful and downright scary it is ... both must encourage offspring to fly away from the comfortable nest to "live" independently.

Happy Mother's Day to those of you who will be celebrating with breakfast in bed, hand-painted coffee mugs, and specially made cards.

Happy Mother's Day too to those whose only stretch marks came from branching out into a new genre or market.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Can You See Me Now?

It happened again. I read the daily digest for one of my Yahoo groups and TRIED to visit the group on the website to check for updates.

"Hi, Susanne" appeared at the top of the screen indicating I was logged in, but I couldn't access the group files.

"Join this group."

Anybody know the secret to getting out (and staying out) of Ya'Hell?!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

What's the Difference Between Published and ...

What do you call a writer who ignores rejections and keeps writing? Published!

I read these inspiring words on one of my writer's loops this morning and had to share.

Congratulations to Mitzi on the news her novel has been contracted by The Wild Rose Press and thanks for the reminder that the difference between published authors and unpublished ones is often the stubborn persistence to keep writing and submitting.

May the Muse be kind!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Customer Service?!

If somebody put a gun to your head and demanded that you describe the Author's Life in two words, chances are your response would be "Effective Communication."

That's why it's so frustrating to deal with "Customer Service."

I belong to online writers' loops for different genres and rely on the ability to check messages more frequently than the daily digests pop up in my e-mailbox so that I can take advantage of editors' last minute calls for stories, etc.

All of a sudden, NONE of my groups recognized me as a member. I couldn't even log into my Ya'hell account to see what was wrong.

I sent a professional e-mail clearly stating the problem and waited for assistance.

Days went by with no response. Finally, I got an e-mail indicating they would be ever so happy to help if I answered the secret security question ... which turned up as a blank space in the e-mail.

I responded that I would be ever so happy to answer the secret security question IF they would be kind enough to provide it. The response contained a line of gibberish that didn't even resemble a question!

Taking matters into my own hands, I did what any hacker would and patiently tried everything I could think of to access my account until I finally succeeded.

That should have been the end of the story, BUT I got an e-mail from Customer Service indicating they would be happy to assist me with my need to change my password. I replied that the password wasn't the problem (and never had been.)

Of course, the next e-mail I received informed me that my password had been changed!

Maybe effective communication isn't an integral part of this author's life after all.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Paying the Piper

For those of us who write in the United States, this is the weekend for more than Passover matzo ball soup and colorful Easter eggs. It's time to file income tax returns.

I never dreamed I'd be happy to fork over money to Uncle Sam, but must confess there was a wonderful sense of satisfaction in seeing the bottom line profit on my Schedule C (self employment income.)

Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Spring!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Facebook, Twitter, & Time-Challenged Author

Like most authors, I follow more online writer's loops than I can count on the fingers of both hands. I love the sense of community and the ability to share market information but struggle to find time to scan the posts daily.

My e-mailbox is crammed with invitations to be somebody's Facebook Friend and follow somebody else's Tweet.

Must confess that I can't possibly accept those invitations and still find time to write.

What's the secret? Do other authors have magic day stretchers I don't know about? If not, does all that networking substitute for writing revenue generating projects?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html