Writer's Dreams

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My husband's nephew died this morning.

He was a sweet "kid." Yeah, I still looked on him as a kid. He was just a young child when Richard and I first started dating. I guess that's one way we keep ourselves from realizing we've grown old. We never let the kids grow up in our minds.

He was quick with a smile, and that smile lit up a room. I don't know of anyone who didn't like him.

Little John worked at the largest casino on the Mississippi Gulf coast. He went to work this morning, as usual. He had a massive heart attack and died. Little John was 43.

My husband is taking it hard. He still has memories of taking the kids, John and his two sisters, to Disney World and car rides in his convertable.

I mentioned in an earlier post that my hubby and I took a trip to Tennessee and a side trip to the Smoky Mountains and a place called Cades Cove. Just off Cades Cover Loop Road is the Primitive Baptist Church and cemetery. One of the tombstones at the church belongs to Russell Gregory. Upon reading the tombstone I became curious and did some research.



This is an excerpt from The Cades Cove Story by A. Randolph Shields:

"Near the end of the war when the Union army was cleaning up the area with units in Knoxville and Maryville, the Confederates used the route through Cades Cove for escape. they usually followed the road through the "Flats of the mountians," locally called the Joe Road, camped overnight in the cove, proceeded by way of the Trough Branch Road (Parson's Branch Road) to the toll road (U.S. 129), and from there into North Carolina and on to South Carolina. One such unit, said to consist of about 300 men, some on horseback, entered the cove by way of the old Joe Road on a December afternoon in 1864. The unit broke up into smaller groups and scattered out over the west end of the cove to encamp for the night. One group made camp near the spring and down the hollow a bit from the house of Russell Gregory, who was away from the home when they arrived. Gregory returned home at dusk to find the army unit encamped just below his house and making supper of one of his calves. He fortified his courage a bit with the usual liquid, picked his rifle from over the door, and walked down the hill to demand payment for his yearling. The camp guard hardly hesitated when he saw the approach of a rifle-bearing native and proceeded to shoot Mr. Gregory, age 69."

I think the tombstone says it pretty well. Don't you?

For those of you waiting for Fugue Macabre: Bone Dance, the second book of the Fugue Macabre trilogy, I've got to apologize and ask you to wait a bit longer. I was never happy with Bone Dance even once I turned it in. But I put it off as just that little editor on my shoulder giving me a hard time. Then once my editors said, okay, and gave me a cover and release date, I figured I was just being silly. But I couldn't let it go. I kept worrying about it. Something just wasn't right. I knew it was missing something, but I couldn't make my brain wrap around it completely to see what it was.

Then my editor e-mailed me. She said they'd publish it if I was happy with it, but....

Yup, they noticed something was missing too. Being such a wonderful publishing house (Sapphire Blue Publishing), they brainstormed the story at a meeting and handed me the problem then said if you want, you can take a bit of time and fix it or we'll run with it as is. The way they see it, it's a good read, but could be better if I take care of this one little tweak.

Well, my reading friends, I'm tweaking away.

I'm begging for your patience a little longer. I promise you, it will be worth the wait. The story will be stonger and I'll be happier. And most important, you'll get a much better read.

Permission to forward is granted and appreciated.

Fourth Annual Dixie Kane Memorial Contest

New features and awards this year:


Top prize, $50 for the overall highest score in all categories;

Final Round Judges: both Kate Duffy, editor, Kensington Books and Pamela Ahearn, literary agent, Ahearn Agency will read the first place entry winners of each category with the hope of requesting a full or partial manuscript.

New prize classification: Honorable Mention in each category in addition to the usual first, second, and third place winners;

The entry fee is $15 per entry.

Deadline date is July 1, 2009.

The best promotion of the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest is the quality control survey the contest administrators conduct of its entrants each year. The survey results posted on our website indicate that the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest is a highly regarded contest with rave reviews from its entrants. Please visit the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest website to review those survey results at

http://solawriters.org/SOLAContest2009/Survey_Results.htm

Also, for more information and entry form, go to http://www.solawriters.org

Miscellaneous information about the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest:

You can enter more than one entry as long as you pay the entry fee for each entry and include the proper material for each entry. The entries can be mailed in one envelope or in multiple envelopes as long as the proper return postage has been provided for.

You may also enter a previously submitted entry that you have revised and would like to retest.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the contest coordinator at ngenovese@gmail.com

Nearly as old as time, Clan Moran has existed in secrecy in the bayous of southern Louisiana. Years after leaving her clan, Bobbie Luckman has been called back. Father and brother murdered, she is the last of the Moran bloodline and must return to become Queen Moran.

The Fugue Macabre saga returns May 19, 2008

Romance Junkies Blue Ribbon Reviews

Blue Ribbon Rating: 4


When Dr. Tabatha Gray returns home to New Orleans after years of living and practicing psychiatry in New York City. She finds her childhood home is falling into disrepair, her mother has become a recluse and her power of necromancy is becoming stronger and out of control. To top it off, Rhonda, Tabatha’s school yard nemesis, is begging Tabatha for help. When she discovers that a powerful group calling themselves the Guardians has begun targeting people with paranormal abilities and have threatened to harm Rhonda’s young son, Tabatha agrees to help Rhonda. Little does she realize that doing this favor will bring her to the attention of a man who is searching for a miracle.


Derek Bainbridge is a desperate man. As the lead detective investigating the brutal murders of several young girls in his district, Derek feels like he just can’t catch a break in this case. When he happens to overhear Tabatha performing a necromancy ceremony to raise Rhonda’s mother from the dead, he begins to form a plan to finally reveal the identity of the killer... a plan with which only Tabatha can help.

Working closely with Derek, along with Rhonda and Bobbie, a female shape shifter, Tabatha must learn to control all of her ever-increasing powers to connect with the dead in order to learn their secrets. It doesn’t take long for Tabatha to discover though, that the living also hide many secrets, including her new lover Derek.

FUGUE MACABRE: GHOST DANCE is a fascinating and thrilling offering from author C.J. Parker. With a fast-paced storyline, lots of action, and tons of heart-felt emotions, FUGUE MACABRE: GHOST DANCE hits all the right notes to make this novel a sure-fire hit with fans of both paranormal romance and romantic suspense.




By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Cheryl McInnis

Thank you, Cheryl. You made my week.

Available at: www.sapphirebluepublishing www.amazon.com

I love mountains. Tall ones, short ones, rocky ones, grassy ones, and snowy ones. I love them all. I'll be leaving the swamps of Louisiana for the Smokies of Tennessee on Saturday. Renting a cabin. No phone. No internet. Oh, all right, I'm taking my cell phone, just in case, but you get the idea. Just me and hubby with no interruptions. I'm hoping a bit of inspiration comes along and gives me an idea to set a story there. Then I can use the excuse to go back sooner than next year. And I can write it off as a business trip. ;)
So, anyway, I will be away for a week or so. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. With photos.

I love mountains. Tall ones, short ones, rocky ones, grassy ones, and snowy ones. I love them all. I'll be leaving the swamps of Louisiana for the Smokies of Tennessee on Saturday. Renting a cabin. No phone. No internet. Oh, all right, I'm taking my cell phone, just in case, but you get the idea. Just me and hubby with no interruptions. I'm hoping a bit of inspiration comes along and gives me an idea to set a story there. Then I can use the excuse to go back sooner than next year. And I can write it off as a business trip. ;)
So, anyway, I will be away for a week or so. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. With photos.

Billie Jo of Romance Junkies posted a review of my book Fugue Macabre: Ghost Dance. I just had to post it for you to read.

Title: Fugue Macabre Ghost Dance
Author: CJ Parker

DARK & EDGY - 5 out of 5

Blurb:
Dr. Tabatha Gray doesn't have a particular fondness for the dead, but the dead have a desperate affinity for her. Tabatha has always considered her ability a curse, but soon discovers it may be the only thing that can save her and her friends' lives.

Detective Derek Bainbridge tries to ignore the connection he feels for this possibly dangerous necromancer, but he instinctively knows she is the one person who can solve a string of brutal child killings.

Family secrets, lies and treachery combine to make Tabatha's efforts harder as she fights to save the Voodoo Killer's latest victim.

GHOST DANCE ROCKS!! On that note, if you do NOT like dark, edgy and sometimes scary, this book is NOT for the faint of heart. Since I absolutely love the really dark books, I was entranced with this. I have not been able to find a fabulous book that can shock or scare me in a long time and GHOST DANCE definitely gave me a thrill.

Thank you CJ Parker for writing a thrilling book that kept me glued to my seat and on edge the entire time I read it. You penned a fantastic tale of a forgotten genre that has not excited me in a long time.

Billie Jo

No. Thank YOU, Billie Jo. You made my week!

It was first draft drivel. I should have known better. But I did it anyway.

I went to a workshop over the weekend in Houma, Louisiana. Overall, I had a good time. Really didn't do much but sit back and listen to other writers talk about the business. But it was more entertaining than watching gulf or ladies basketball.

Now, you're asking why I'm down in the dumps, right?

The organizers of the workshop asked for the first page of a WIP. I've just started one and it's really in the "just write until you get the feel for the story" stage. I should have known better than to hand over that page. I was setting myself up for a reality slap. And I got it.

Molly Bolden (co-owner of Bent Pages book store), Cherry Adair (author), and Betsy Mitchell (editor-in-chief of Del Rey: Science Fiction/Fantasy) were the panel. Tina Callais read the entries, so no one knew whose were whose, thank God. As she went along she noticed time was running out so she decided to just read one or two paragraph from the pages at the end. Yes, mine was at the end. Would they have liked it better if they'd heard the whole page? Doubt it.

The point, boys and girls, is this. Don't, DON'T let anyone have a WIP page. It's not representative of your finished work.

Another thing that bothers me. Not all the entries were read because they ran out of time. Those whose work didn't get read had to have been disappointed. Maybe next time put enough time aside to get to them all. I won't enter again unless I have a decent page to offer. But if I do, I'd feel a bit disenchanted if it went unread. Even if it left me Down in the Dumps.

As most of you know, I have a workshop each week at http://xat.com/wordbox 8 Eastern, Tuesday nights.

This week's guest will be Lea Schizas. This is a link to her Web site. http://www.leaschizas.com/

A lot of you will remember Lea from the online conference. Those who don't, check her out. It's going to be a great evening filled with fun and we just may learn something.

Also, we have a few openings for guest speakers for the month of May and June if you're interested.

...is anyone else sick of seeing Obama every time you turn on the TV or open the newspaper? He is becoming a bore. What's wrong Mr. President? Don't you like the White House? Is something wrong with your desk chair that you have to hop on that plane and keep on the move? Or is it that you just get a kick turning on the TV, or opening the newspaper and seeing your face staring out?

We have real problems in our country. Can't you sit still long enough to work on them instead of being a talking head? You don't have to report your every move to us. Just get busy and fix this mess. And by the way, I'm a bit sick of hearing it isn't your mess, but inherited it from Bush. BS, Mr. President. The problems started way before Bush. This is a multi-presidential mess. Now hush and just do something about it. If you can.

Self, you need to get your butt in gear. If you don't write, you can't sell. If you can't sell, you can't make it to the NY Times best seller list. Oh, but wait. Newspapers are in trouble. Soon they will be no more.

I have a hard time seeing a world without my hubby sitting on the couch with a newspaper in front of him. Will he actually have to talk to me? Ha! There's always TV. I have no right to complain. If I'm not in front of this computer, I'm in some dream land trying to work out a scene or, like now, trying to figure out a way to rewrite the first two chapters of The Vision Master, all the while knowing I need to write Fire Dance to finish off the Fugue Macabre trilogy.

Tomorrow we're going to the casino. Nope. We don't have money for the machines, but we have coupons for a free buffet and $15 free play. Now, I'm not stupid. I know I'll end up putting at least a $20 in the machine. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I'd win enough to buy that Kindle I want so badly?

To be honest it's just getting out of this house which makes the trip important. And who knows. It may be what my brain needs to get started again.

Not trying to rush anything but I thought I'd announce:


I won the bid to have the EPICon in New Orleans next year!!! Woohoo!!

I'm open for applications for speakers/presenters. If you think you have a great idea, send me the topic, amount of time you think you'll need, (about an hour seems to be the norm) why you think you're the one to give this talk, and any A/V equipment you'll need. (These things cost money and I have to stick to my budget.)

Anyone want to volunteer? I'm taking names on that list, also. Anyone close enough to New Orleans to help on with foot work would be great, but not required.

It will be the weekend of March 4-7, 2010. Mark your calendars. Start saving that left over change. Plan to come party with us. Oh, yeah, and learn a thing or two about our business while we're at it.

Give me about a month and I'll have the beginnings of a web site up to keep everyone apprised of what is going on and little tidbits about New Orleans to entice you into coming.

Charlotte Parker
PS-Hm, wonder why that song 'I'm So Excited' keeps going through my head?

Fugue Macabre: Ghost Dance (Sapphire Blue Publishing)
Fugue Macabre: Bone Dance (Coming soon from Sapphire Blue Publishing)
Misty Dreams (Coming soon from The Wild Rose Press)

We've all said it. Too much to do, too little time. I'm in that conundrum of the phrase now. I've received edits on the second book of my Fugue Macabre trilogy, Bone Dance, plus my muse wants to work on a new book idea I have, working title The Vision Master, and I'm finishing up the last of the budget details for next year's EPICon in New Orleans. Oh, and I have to be a wife to hubby too, he's funny about that. With all that in mind I took the morning off to finally get a hair cut. It was way past time and way too long. As usual she cut it too short, but maybe I can wait even longer next time. ;)

I'd planned to stop off at my favorite coffee house, CC's, but it was closed. Like forever. Broke my heart. Was hoping to run into a local well known author and talk to her about being a presenter at EPICon. Guess I'll have to do it the new fashioned way and E-mail her.

Had to run to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions, found out one has become nearly impossible to find anymore. It is a generic for a more expensive drug, so they gave me the more expensive one, of course. Then told me even that was nearly impossible to come by and only had half a month's supply. I have to go to the doctor on Friday the 13th (don't you just love it?), I'll just tell him to come up with something else to replace it. Hopefully something that isn't $50 co-pay a month. Yikes.

Okay, that's my gripes for the day. Back to the edits.
Posted by CJ Parker at 9:53 AM 0 comments

Why is it that some days you can sit down and the words flow from your brain to your fingers and onto the page so easily? While other days you sit in front of the computer and everything that comes off your fingertips is crap. Today is one of those days. I've gone back to my plotting notes. I've reread what I've written so far. Nothing is helping.

I think I know the problem. I'm waiting for one final thing to come in so I can fill in my budget for the EPICon bid. Why the hurry? Well, they like to announce at this year's conference where the following year's conference will be. But until my budget is approved, I don't really have it in my grasp and they can't announce what isn't written in stone yet. This year's conference is in Las Vegas on March 5-8th. See my dilemma?

The budget is a guessing game for the most part. You have to estimate what you think airfare will be for speakers, editors, authors who haven't even been contacted yet or agreed to attend. You can't invite speakers until you know you have the conference, now can you? You have to figure out how many rooms are paid for by EPIC. You have to get estimates on what food costs will be for the different occasions.

This is what I'm waiting for. I've contacted the New Orleans Tourist Board and they are contacting hotels with the information. She said (Jennifer from TB) the hotels would probably call me with a few questions and then I'd get my estimates.

I know Mardi Gras just ended and the hotels were busy. I understand it takes a bit of time to figure out these things. But I need that information yesterday.

I'm going to try to write again. Sitting here doing nothing isn't solving the problem either, is it?

I changed from AOL to ATT for my Internet service a few days ago. I got fed up with AOL's problems and worse is that according to them it is always something wrong with my computer instead of AOL. Seems mighty strange the problem always fixed itself right after something new popped up on AOL.

Change can be hard. Having to learn a new system is a pain in the butt. Figuring AIM out so I can keep in touch with all my AOL buddies is frustrating. Trying to get all my favorite links into this system has proven to be harder than I thought, but I'm getting there.

I'm sure once I get the ins and outs of this new ISP figured out, I'll love it. I already love the fact that I click enter and what I'm looking for pops up before I can lean back in my chair to wait. I can watch my friend's book trailers now without waiting half an hour for the thing to download.

But alas, it's not helped me write. So I guess I should get back to it. After all my goal for 2009 is to write two books.

Oh, and to make my goal even harder to reach, I've volunteered to chair EPICon 2010 in New Orleans. My first hurdle on that is finding volunteers to help me. This can't be a one man (woman) show. Too much to do to pull this off than one brain and two hands could possibly handle.

If anyone is interested in doing a workshop or being a speaker, send me a bio, topic, how long the segment would be, any experience. You get the idea.

Okay, it turned out to be a bit more than just replacing one stint. I am now the proud owner of 5 stints and orders to change my diet. No more goodies for me.


Do I look happy about it?

I have to go in for minor surgery tomorrow. Nothing too serious. I have to have a stint removed and replaced. More of a pain in the butt than anything else. So, I'll be away for a few days but I shall return.