Cherished Memories

Today my daughter turns 14! My baby girl? She can't be. It can't possibly have been 14 years ago that I drove to the hospital with my father for my very organized c-section. After all, I remember everything about that day like it was yesterday.

My husband and I already had our eldest daughter - we were total helicopter parents too. We worried over her, how she was going to handle having a new sister, being separated from me while I was in the hospital (I'd never left her - she was 18 months old) - all sorts of things. To make it easier, my husband stayed with her and my father drove me to the hospital. Once daughter 1 was in bed for nap, my husband would come to the hospital in time to be there for daughter 2. But he ran late... so late that my father was growing paler and paler with every second. He was not hospital operating room material - but I knew he would go with me if my husband didn't make it. When the nurse handed my father scrubs and told him where to change, he straightened his shoulders, patted my shoulder, and told me he'd be right back.

Ten minutes later I was in the operating room and my husband, not my father, joined me. Five minutes after that we were both happily crying a little as our second child, a beautiful baby girl with a full head of hair and reassuringly functioning lungs announced herself to the delivery room.

I remember everything about that day like it was yesterday - not 14 years ago!

It's hard to accept that my baby now plays the viola with skill, reads like she's racing to the next one, loves all things giraffes, and cooking and cleaning (I have no idea where she got her love of cleaning?).

There are memories that are so vivid that I feel like I've been transported back in time, engaging all my senses. And I cherish them, holding on tight so that they don't dim.

I know I'm not alone so share! What's one of your favorite, most vivid, memories?

Thanks for letting me share mine with you. And Happy Birthday Baby Girl! I'm so proud of the amazing young woman you are! You are a gift to everyone that knows you!

Bring on the cake and champagne! The PP is one year old!!!

Happy Anniversary to the

Plotting Princesses!

On July 28, 2011, we launched our first post.

We've grown many followers here and on Facebook.

We've hosted many authors and

written some intriguing posts.

And had tons of fun!

Thank you to all who have made this possible.

Party on!



TIME FOR SOME TEASERS - by Kathy Ivan

Well, here it is late July and lots of romance authors are swarming Anaheim as I write this post. The Romance Writers of America's annual convention is taking place this week. Industry professionals, published and aspiring romance writers all together under one roof. It gives a whole new meaning to "Magic Kingdom."

For those of us who didn't make the trek out to Nationals, I think its time to share some snippets of our current stories with our readers. You don't have to be a Princess to post up to ten (10) lines from your current story. Give your fellow romance aficionados' a glimpse of where the muse is taking you.

In the comment section, give your name, the genre of the story, its working title, and NO MORE THAN ten (10) lines. Just a brief moment of magic to whet our appetites for more.

I'll start us off below.

Get to Know: Mindy Hardwick & Weaving Magic

A big PP welcome to Mindy Hardwick! Let's get the inside scoop:

How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  I took a leap of faith and trusted a net would appear.  I was a middle and high school teacher, and although I enjoyed my students, I kept feeling not quite satisfied. I went back to school for an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and afterwards, left teaching to write. I published freelance articles for about seven years before my books published.

What are your three favorite books of all time?

1. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
2. The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein
3. Homecoming and Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt

Mindy Hardwick

Morning, afternoon, or evening person?  Morning

Music--with or without? What kind?  Without

First or third POV?  First

How's tricks? Do you juggle multiple projects? Lots of multiple projects! Right now, I’m working on drafting the third story in a contemporary romance novella series, drafting a children’s chapter book, and brainstorming for a contemporary romance.

What's harder: beginning, middle, or the end? Middle

PP gal Vicki Batman: I've got the Giggles over Mr. Sexy Runner

I've got the Giggles over Mr. Sexy Runner

At least three times a week, I work out at Jazzercise. My route there takes me along the west side of the small lake in my neighborhood. Eventually, the road connects with a main street, then another. I reach my destination in fifteen-ish minutes.

So what does this have to do with "giggles" and "Mr. Sexy Runner, Vicki?"

Most days, I pass Mr. Sexy Runner. LOL

One particular morning, a dark, heavy fog reached the pavement, blanketing everything. Ghostly, tree trunks stretched skywards, their limbs resembling thin fingers eventually disappeared in the mist.

PP Kathy Ivan has Most Excellent News!

Congratulations, Kathy Ivan!

Your story, Desperate Choices, placed FIRST in the Long Suspense  category in Oklahoma Romance Writers of America's first annual International Digital Awards contest.

Signs from the Universe

I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason and the Universe sends messages. We just have to be paying attention to receive them.
In May 2011, I got laid off without warning. It was the first time I’d been without a job in, oh, twenty years. It was probably one of the most stressful times of my life. With a few little enjoyments thrown in. Like I got to pick up my son from school the last month. We hung out together a lot. We made numerous trips to the library. All the while, I looked for work and sent my resume out to about a hundred places a month.

Meanwhile, I started writing. But I found I had a hard time focusing on the writing because I was so worried about the bills and the money.

Get to Know: Cynthia Woolf & Tame a Wild Wind

Welcome, Cynthia, to the PP. Let's get to know you:

How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  I am lucky in that I am able to write full time. 

What are your three favorite books of all time?  Honors Splendor by Julie Garwood;  Gentle Warrior by Julie Garwood;  The Lyon’s Lady by Julie Garwood.

Basically anything by Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, early Amanda Quick.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person?  Early morning person, I mean really early, like 3 AM.  I get more done at that time of day than any other.  When you have insomnia you don’t sleep much.  J  So I get lots of writing done.

Music--with or without? What kind?  I don’t use music when I write.  I know that a lot of people do.  Two of my critique partners listen to music when we do our “just write” sessions.

The Top Ten Reasons BEEF STOLEN-OFF Will Sell

I am so insecure when it comes to my own writing. I have another book coming out this year and three coming out next year. I couldn’t suck, right? Yet, insecure me sometimes looks over my shoulder to make sure someone isn’t chasing me to take it all away. Last year when LIVER LET DIE first came out I put together this top ten list, and I decided that it still applies—maybe even more so. At the time I whined about the fact that Berkley bought three books from me after only reading three chapters and that I was  worried they wouldn’t like the finished project. Thankfully, they loved that first manuscript as well as the next two. I am currently working on Book 4 in the Clueless Cook series for them and just recently I signed a two book deal with Midnight Ink for my paranormal mainstream mystery series.  Now, I can’t seem to get my rump in gear and write those stupid books, so I’m whining again.

I WANT MY HAPPILY EVER AFTER - By Kathy Ivan

Let me preface this blog by stating: I am a hopeless romantic. A card carrying, flag waving, cry at sappy commercials romantic. A good love story makes me happy. Watching the characters meet, connect, argue, fall in love, these are all things I thoroughly enjoy reading. There's nothing like a wonderfully romantic story to make me feel good inside.

Now here's my RANT. I want my happy ending. Like any modern day fairy tale, give me that Happily Ever After. I know the trend with chick lit and women's fiction can often be happy for now, and that okay, but when I'm reading a book regardless of the specific genre, that has been touted and categorically stated to be a romance, you darn well better give my that satisfactory conclusion, the hero and heroine professing their love and wanting to be together forever.

Fireworks Anyone?

Happy Birthday America!  It's almost the fourth and this month I wanted to do something a little different.  I want to hear from you what you love about living in America.  We say we're the greatest country in the world, but I want to know what makes you appreciate living here.