High-Tech Workshop

This past weekend I had a great time presenting a workshop on building websites and book video trailers to the authors at Dallas Area Romance Authors, a chapter of Romance Writers of America. I took my tech guy, Scott, with me because I had designed a multi-media presentation with DVDs, Internet, PowerPoint, and sound. It got pretty complicated, but worked great. We only had a couple of glitches (like losing the Internet connection) but, hey, it was a great time for a bathroom break while we fixed it. About 60 writers, very enthusiastic and they laughed in all the right places. Thank heavens. Here's a picture.

It's a Hot Time in Texas!

My second book, A Hot Time in Texas, is available on Amazon.com----3 weeks early! Hard to believe it's already here. I haven't even been able to finish all my promotional ideas for A Different Drum and now I need to start on the second one. Who'd would ever have thought that I'd have THAT problem! What an embarrassment of riches.

I feel so blessed this summer with all that's happened with the books and the documentary for Good Sam. I'm just trying to maximize the potential of all this. I would hate to feel like I did with Cherish that I just never did enough.

So, here I am, thinking I will keep a low propfile about Hot Time for a little while until Drum gains a little more ground.

So everyone, keep it under your hat.

Incredible Review for A Different Drum

The release of the book has been amazing. Several book signings and parties with friends and family. And yesterday I got an incredible review from an online review site call Between the Lines. The reviewer Jade Ryan gave me a TOP PICK, which I've come to understand is rare --better than 5 stars!

Here's an excerpt and link to the whole thing.

"About one chapter into this book, and I was hooked. I snarled at my children who dared draw my attention away."

http://blog.lyndacoker.net/2009/07/13/wrdf-review-of-a-different-drum-by-cindy-causey.aspx

I'm on cloud nine about this and wanted to share with all of you my great news on this crazy wild journey.

At Last!

The book is here. Well, not here exactly since my author copies haven't arrived yet. But it's THERE. For sale on The Wid Rose Press.com (here's the link)

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/a-different-drum-p-1260.html?zenid=8b2a81d844f9c1de0fd3eeabafc0eef3

and Amazon.com. Here'sthe link:

http://www.amazon.com/Different-Drum-Cindy-Causey/dp/1601544502/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243786212&sr=1-12

It's complete with a review from the fabulous LJ who was the first one to get a copy. I've spent the last couple of days, between working, trying to get the word out via about 2,000 social networking sites and vehicles. GEEZ. I wanted to post a little more info here, so I needed to wait until I had the time.

I put up the trailer on YouTube. Here's the link, in case you haven't seen it a thousand times already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dg3iJilcaQ&feature=channel_page

I have to say the whole thing is a little overwhelming. It's the ending (or the beginning) of a really long journey which started when I woke up one morning in 1995 with a story in my head that had to be written down. I never fancied myself a fiction writer. That was the year I sold my serious non-fiction book.

Fiction is so, so made up. It's fanciful, fun, and frolicsome--at least in my head. I know there are serious fiction writers out there who can make me cry and think and change my mind. But that's not me. I'm afraid it never will be. Oh sure, I have serious thoughts, God knows. But I save those for my non-fiction writing. My fiction will forever be light, airy, funny (I hope) and quirky.

I hope you'll check out A Different Drum. I hope you like it. I'll hope you'll come back for more in August when A Hot Time in Texas will be out.

So, the original purpose of this blog was to follow the process of getting a book published. That purpose is fulfilled and now Sensible Shoes will morph into ---who knows? I appreciate those of you who have followed along. I hope you'll stick around for whatever's next.

God's Beautiful World

I just came back from five glorious days with friends in Flagstaff, AZ. Here are some pictures. Amazing.

AUTHOR COPIES READY

Hi! I can now buy the first author copies of my new book A Different Drum. These are the print version of the book, which is so exciting. The book will be available to buy on May 29 via electronic or print. I'll send an email to the entire world then!

For Erin and Sarah

We just finished celebrating our daughters' birthdays with a lovely, fattening, delicious dinner at Red Lobster. It's difficult to get us all together these days and we didn't have Molly and Beau due to other plans, but we were thrilled to get the five of us, including Adam, plus Sarah's Justin.

Sarah is 25 and Erin is 28 this year. Hard to believe since they came to me fully formed when Sarah was 8 and Erin was 11, part of my new, blended family when Scott and I married 17 years ago.

Erin and Sarah lived with us for a number of reasons, but it was always a joy for me as they are amazing women as they were amazing girls. But they were my stepdaughters, not my daughters really, since they had a mother, Robin, who loved them happily, deeply, completely.

And they loved her, too. How could you not since Robin was an angel among humans.

And then she died, suddenly, horribly, unexpectedly and the girls became mine. It was unspoken, mutual, easy. . . a passing of the torch from a woman I loved to me. A bequest which I embraced and have rejoiced in ever since.

Robin would be so proud of her girls. They have graduated from college and are living full lives, discovering their talents, gifts and potential more every day. They are like her in different ways. Erin has her beauty and her courage. Sarah has her compassionate spirit and her gentleness.

I have them both now, a gift from their mother to me, that I unwrap with gratitude on their birthdays.

Our family is different, many will say. But it is also seamless, beautiful, complete. We are blessed indeed.