July 2008

The hot days of summer are great for writing. I'm not an outdoorsy girl, so summer days are spent reading and writing. I'm finishing up my manuscripts to pitch at RWA National at the end of the month, revising some older stories I have hopes for, and trying to lose the winter weight gain so I can wear all my nifty conference clothes. This year the conference is in San Francisco, so just an hour away. That means I can get all the books I want and I won't have to worry about shipping them home or adding too much weight to my baggage. Yeah!!!

June 2008

The month of summer beginning, vacations, swimming, and graduations. My DS graduates high school this year. For the first time in 21 years I will not have to drive a kid to school this fall. No more room mother, field trip helper, or parent volunteer. I'm a little sad a part of my life is ending but oh so glad another is beginning as my little boy goes into the world and I have so much free time to write.

May 2008

At the Black Diamonds Chapter meeting we set goals for May with each other. I have promised to write 45,000 words and finish Witch of My Dreams.

April 2008

This year is flying by. Before I know it time for National will be here. My story Witch of My Dreams is coming alone, also the rewrite and editing of Dangerous Shift to make it large enough for Single Title.

February 2008

Been a busy start to the new year. Working on Witch of My Dreams, a short story, and newsletter columns for my RWA chapter. I've signed up to do 70 Days of Sweat and I'll keep track on this site to show my progress. To stay on track I'll do 1,000 words a day.

December 2007

The year is winding down and a new story is gearing up.  I'm aiming for 4 months to finish a first draft of Witch of My Dreams.

Happy Holidays!!!

November 2007

Yet again it is time for Nanowrimo.  I did 33,000 words last year, so my goal this year is to beat my own goal.  Chris Baty, the founder of Nano was at our Black Diamond Chapter meeting.  Very funny guy and very inspirational to get our butts in chair, hands on keyboard.  Happy Nano and happy writing to all.

October 2007

I know!! I skipped September. Once I shipped off the requested fulls to the agent and editor I took a break, but now I'm back at work on Witch of My Dreams: featuring Sarah Wild, a witch who desires to be wanted for the woman she is, not the powers she possesses, and Miguel Montoya Hawkfire, a man who wants to find a woman who sees beyond his Native American/Hispanic heritage to find the real man inside.

August 2007

I know it appears I skipped July altogether.  It passed in a whirl as National approached, I went there, then seriously decompressed on my return.  The kids are returning to school and I plan on making writing my first priority each day.  My page output has tripled since I returned from Dallas and I plan on being like a little train and staying on track.

June 2007

Summer arrives, and with it the need to be more disciplined as your children are now at home and underfoot all day long. Some writers take a break at this time, but I need to keep up the momentum I've built the last few months. Still 5 pounds to lose and tummy to tone and National is 6 weeks away. Like the little engine...yes I can, yes I can!

May 2007

Spring has been skipped once again in my part of Northern California. Last week it was raining and 45 degrees, this week it is hot and hitting 90. Moving along with Dangerous Shift, new excerpt is up on the Excerpts page. Planning for my Black Diamond Chapter's first contest is a go. Entries should start arriving this coming week. Getting very excited about National Conference and still trying to lose those 10 pounds so I can fit in my conference clothes.

March 2007

A death in my family made me put this website on the backburner. But, as time passes I find myself wanted to be more involved with this and my blog. Dangerous Shift is moving along, taking some neat workshops, registered for RWA National, and really enjoying my writing and my writing friends right now.

January 2007

Well, a bright new year has started and the work has begun on Dangerous Shift. I'm very excited about this story. It is paranormal romantic suspense, something new for me. With a kickbutt heroine, something really new for me. The story is moving along in exciting, unknown directions. At RWA things are started to heat up for the upcoming National Conference in Dallas, Texas. Really excited about that too.

December 2006

Well, Nano is over and I accumulated 23,000 words for my GH entry Tempting Adam.  It is finished and sent off to RWA for the contest.  Now I just wait and work on Dangerous Shift, my next W.I.P. Nano was such a learning experience. I didn't think I had it in me to write towards a deadline, but when I knuckled down and put my nose to the grindstone, and any other cliche you want to mention, I got it done.

October 2006           

The retreat was an awesome event and I really enjoyed giving my first workshop. I sent in my entry fee for the Golden Heart Contest so I'm writing up a storm. Signed up for Nanowrimo (Naticnal Novel Writing Month) as well for November 1 - 30. I'll keep everyone up to date on that progress as well. Cooler weather and busy days. I love autumn.

September 2006

September is a busy time right now.  Our Black Diamond RWA Chapter is having a retreat in Lake Tahoe at the end of the month and I've agreed to give a workshop. What was I thinking ?!!  It will be titled "Beyond the Box" How to promote yourself and your book. Also, time is ticking for the Golden Heart, RWA's premiere contest. Entries have to be complete, so I'm scrambling to polish my entry or entries, if I finish both. Wish me luck!

July 2006     

Results are in. I finished second in the Dixie First Chapter Contest. No request for a full, but I think a strong showing for Tempting Adam's first contest. Thank you to the judges, the coordinator, and Tina Columbo the final judge. It was a wonderful experience.

June 2006    

Tempting Adam has finaled in a contest.  I received an email this week.  Tempting Adam finaled in the Dixie First Chapter Contest run by the Magnolia State RWA. Yeah!!!  Now on to the editor for final placement, although I'm so excited just to final.  This is the first contest I entered with Tempting Adam.

May 2006

My name is Jill James, and I'm a romance writer.  It took me a long time to acknowledge those words, to be willing to say they are me.

I belong to Romance Writers of America, and several chapters: From the Heart online chapter, Black Diamonds Chapter; I'm the vice-president of that one, and Passionate Ink Special Interest chapter.

I've been writing since I was a very little girl.  My first manuscript was typed on an electric typewriter with a manual return.   My wonderful husband bought our first computer so I could write my stories.  Now we have two desktops and two laptops.  Ahhh, the wonders of the modern world!

I'm not published...yet...in the romantic fiction field, but have several completed manuscripts and several in the works, so please join me on this journey to publication.

Jill James