Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the Luck of the Irish be with you today! I'm not Irish, but I do love this holiday. Not only is it an excuse to just have some fun ;-), yes, it's true, I've been known to drink a green beer or two, but the day is also a sure sign that Spring is just around the corner. And after the long winter we've had, I'm really ready for Spring. I also happen to love Shamrocks. I think they are so cute, and so green!

Again, I have to apologize for being absent from my blog. Shame on me. But, I have been busy working on a the sequel to Cowboy Fling. Yep, that's right. Country Fling is close to being done and I hope to have some news to share regarding that book soon. I've also been very busy doing a lot of web site work, and have joined forces with five other authors to bring you a new site with all kinds of exciting things. I'll tell you more about Authors By Moonlight very soon.

In the meantime, here is a little Irish verse for you to enjoy today!

May good luck be with you
Wherever you go,
And your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow.

So, how about you? Do you like having a little fun on St. Patrick's Day? If so, what do you like to do? Drink that green beer I mentioned? Eat corned beef? Kiss the Blarney Stone?

Have a Happy & Safe one!

Off to See Stephanie Bond!

Hey, bloggers!

I'm sorry I've been absent for a few days, but my father has been ill and in the hospital. I am just now catching up on a few things and getting back to some normal "writer stuff"! I'm excited that this weekend I'm going to get the chance to attend a two day writer's retreat featuring author Stephanie Bond! I have heard Stephanie speak many times on tape from the RWA conferences, but I've never had the chance to hear her in person. She does some great talks on not only the craft of writing, but the business side as well. This Saturday she'll be talking about the difference between a good book and a great book, self-editing, and minding your writing business. Look out Stephanie! I have a few questions for you.

I'm also looking forward to a girl's night out with two of my writing pals, Margaret and Noelle. I'm sure we'll do a lot of brainstorming and share a ton of laughs. Ah, this means no cooking, and no wrangling the kids! Woo-hoo! But I'm sure very little sleep. ;-)

So, are you a Stephanie Bond fan? If so, tell me which books of hers are your favorites. I personally can't wait to get signed copies of her two Voodoo books---In Deep Voodoo, and Finding Your Mojo. Right now I'm in the process of reading Got Your Number!

And just a quick heads-up. I have a new contest coming to my website, http://www.sherryjames.com, in November. Be sure to check in to see how you can win a signed copy of Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge and other goodies!

Sherry

Office View

I think it's always kind of fun to discover where fellow writers create their amazing stories. Many love coffee shops, but since I'm not a coffee drinker that holds no appeal for me. I prefer the solitfude of my own home. These days I mainly write my books on my lap top so I can be portable. With small kids, being portable is very important! I need to be near where the action is. But when I can, I go to the quiet of my office, carting the lap top with me. This is where my desk top computer sits waiting for me, too. I handle the majority of the business side of writing on my desk top. I like keeping that precious lap top as clutter free as possible! Plus there's something mental about keeping the lap top for writing only. I try not to play there. That's reserved for my main computer. My desk top computer also handles all of the email I receive, is the holding cell for all the web sites I maintain, and dutifully stores all the photos I take, plus is the home of my book covers, pub photos and all that good stuff.

One of the things I love about my office is the view I have. Especially this time of the year. It might not be a mountain top dusted with snow, or a lake dotted with sparkling gems courtesy of the sun, but to me, it's just as beautiful. It's a corn field. Yes, that's right. A corn field. I get to look over a vast field of corn and watch its progress throughout the growing season. I get to witness the first sprouts of spring, the first touches of yellow as the tassels emerge, and watch the deep, rich green of the leaves transform to a sea of gold that puts me in the mood for scarecrows and pumpkins. I love to watch the late afternoon/evening sun highlight the west side of the trees and throw shadows to the east and across the road. On days the weather cooperates, I love to open the window and be serenaded by a chorus of crickets chirping. They are usually accompanied by a little wind rustling through those drying corn stalks, making a beautiful autumn song. An extra bonus is the feel of the cooler breezes sneaking in and wrapping around me. Add a little music, a favorite candle, and I'm ready to write my fingers to the bone!

Do you have a favorite view that inspires you?