As a writer (theoretically, at least), I think about my characters even when I am not actively engaged in continuing their stories.

With my new schedule (working four days a week at an office now, continuing other freelance projects), I am thinking WAY more than writing these days. Which is fine, only thinking doesn’t do much for word count.

I think, and most of all worry, about my characters, who are alive in my head, at least. Are they okay? What will happen next to them? It’s been a long time since they’ve eaten, are their tummies growling?

I am in the middle of at two books; in one, the hero and heroine are on the NYC subway following a fight with demons in a Chinatown restaurant. In the other, the heroine is grappling with her ex’s debilitating illness, visiting him in the hospital in an unfamiliar city.

As one friend pointed out, that’s a long time to be in a hospital. It’s been at least six months since I’ve done anything but think about those characters.

I picture my characters frozen in their time, rather like the fighters in Asian films who get frozen in mid-air while fighting. (Side-note: For some super heroic action and adventure, often with romance, go delve into wuxia films, which feature the heroic adventures of martial artists).

I need to rescue them, though, bring them back down to the ground, or out of the subway or the hospital. As I become more accustomed to my schedule, I am going to look to Carolyn for inspiration, who is also a working mom who writes whenever she can find time, and produces actual books each year, not just leaving her poor characters to be suspended in neglect.

That’s one of my goals this year, to integrate writing into working. Meanwhile, think happy thoughts for my characters, who really deserve some love after all this time spent alone. I hope next week to be able to report–proudly–that I have gotten some writing done.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year! And good luck to everyone else out there with New Year’s Resolutions.

Megan

Happy New Year!

This year has flown by–my son started middle school at a new school (in)conveniently located at the end of Coney Island in Brooklyn, I began a new job, my first time in an office in almost ten years, I have a wonderful agent who is working hard on our behalfs, I got to see friends at RWA National this past summer, plus had the delight of having Risky Carolyn visit (note to Carolyn: The Pop Tarts store closes down today for good. Sorry.).

And there was media of all sorts; as is usual, I buy in a timely manner, but I don’t necessarily read in a timely manner. So on my TBR pile is The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, The Black Prism by Brent Weeks (hardcover, no less!),and N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, to name but three of the highly anticipated (by me and others) books I own, but have not read.

So what did I read? I did read a lot, and some of the books actually did come out this year. I devoured Anne Stuart‘s House of Rohan series. While I don’t think these are her best, they are still pretty awesome, and I love Stuart’s heroes–usually beyond ruthless (also, Ruthless is one of the three titles in the series).

I read the first Cara Elliott, To Sin With A Scoundrel, and adored it. It’s really lovely when your friends write books you love, even if you weren’t friends with the author. I kept up with the J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and started her Fallen Angels series. Yes, there are massive flaws in the books, and no, I don’t care. I love Ward.

Ilona Andrews Edge series began this year, and it’s an entry in what I think is a new genre, rural fantasy. It’s set out in the Louisiana swamps, and has lots of magic as well as gators and unpleasantly murky water.

Elizabeth Hoyt‘s Wicked Intentions was really good, I have been a Hoyt fan for awhile now, but this surpassed my expectations. Didn’t hurt the hero was right up my particular alley.

Sarah MacLean‘s Nine Rules . . . and Ten Ways . . . were both fun and yet substantive, with really lively characters and a deliciousness imbued throughout the whole book.

Um . . . I’m realizing I read a lot, since I’ve barely skimmed the reading surface. I also devoured more of Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, started Suzanne Collins‘ Hunger Games trilogy, Eileen Wilks‘ Lupi series, Jo Nesbo, Larissa Ione, Carolyn Crane‘s Mind Games, and a whole bunch more.

In music, I fell in love with The XX, Nikki And Rich and Miike (sic) Snow.

This is the year I discovered actor Tadanobu Asano, with whom I am currently obsessed, and also the year I got to see Richard Armitage in MI-5. Le swoon.

I’m looking forward to more glorious fun in 2011. Happy New Year!

Megan

First off, thanks to all who suggested titles–facetious and not–for my Secret Scot Baby story last week. I compiled a list of them and sent them off to my agent for her review.

Second, I have done no writing this week. None. Nada. Zilch. I have barely even thought about writing either. This is because,

Third, I have taken on a part-time job that has me trekking into an office three days a week. It is working with something I love (books and romance), but it is a big change. I expect I will adjust in the next couple of weeks, but for right now, it’s been all I can handle to dress like an adult and show up somewhere on time.

Fourth, those pesky holidays. Yes, I love them and all, but they take a lot of work, especially since The Particular Spouse is . . . particular. I have failed at finding the perfect black sweater vest, a wooden iPhone case and a particular NY Knicks jacket (no, he never visits over here, so no spoilage). I have succeeded in getting some cooking gadgets and books, and I plan on buying a particular type of super-peaty Scotch, but I am not sure that will suffice.

And Fifth–wait, is there a fifth? Oh, yes, a fifth: My agent is out with two manuscripts, both of which are in various stages of consideration, and I am hopeful of some positive outcome with one or both of them. I’m not holding my breath, and I know that my writing won’t sell at all unless I actually write, so I am planning on doing some writing this weekend with my friend Liz Maverick, while the Frampton Boys are out of town.

Sixth, who’s the hardest person to shop for on your list? What are you getting them?

Megan