Into the Woods

Moooooooooving

2007-06-01T16:48:25Z

This journal has moved to http://www.ameliajune.net/blog
The archives remain available for your reading pleasure :)

Thursday Thirteen

2007-05-31T19:00:27Z

Originally published at Seducing Seshat. Please leave any comments there.

(I apologize for all the bajillion posts today–I’m messing with the new blog which requires lots of posts)

Thirteen Things about me because Bookshelf Elf tagged me</p>

1. I’m a plus sized girl
2. My husband paints my toenails
3. I dream right before I wake up in the morning
4. It’s over 100 degrees where I live
5. Fiddling with code and websites makes me headachey
6. I love the radio show “Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me”
7. I drive two hours a day during the school year
8. I usually wear jeans–like 90% of the time, even to work
9. I have a strange fetish for office supplies
10. I read young adult books, and I love them
11. I have all the seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation on DVD
12. I have an Anne Bonny action figure (and I <3 my friend desertbell)
13. My kids' artwork covers the walls in my hallway and much of my living room, instead of the "real" stuff

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

150 Books, May’s End

2007-05-31T17:28:49Z

Originally published at Seducing Seshat. Please leave any comments there.

Part of me really wants to count this awesome Harry Potter fanfic I’m reading–it’s easily novella length. But anyway…

# Succubus Blues, Richelle Mead (excellent)
# Broken, Megan Hart (another fantastic book)
# Carnival, Elizabeth Bear
# Double Fudge, Judy Blume
# Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman
# The Finishing School, Michele Martinez
# Wolf Tales, Kate Douglas
# The Gunslinger Born part 3, Peter David and co.
# The Gunslinger Born part 4, Peter David and co.
# The Grail King, Joy Nash
# The Ghost Brigades, John Scalzi

I didn’t really read a bad book this month, though The Finishing School left me a bit irritated with the retarded romance angle. She should have stuck to the mystery and left the heavy handed lurve story alone. But otherwise, good stuff all around.

I’m also testing my wordpress to lj thingy, so if this goes awry, blame Canada.

Apologies

2007-05-31T14:36:21Z

Livejournal's CEO apologized for the whole deleting journals thing here.

I'm glad there is a thought behind things, not just "hey some group says they don't like these journals so we'll get rid of them!"

I don't envy the position of anyone who has to chose between freedom and safety, but I hope next time they err a lot more on the side of freedom.

Slightly related: I'm in the process of moving my "professional self" over to Wordpress. I'll let you know when I have more to say about that. :)

No one left to speak for me

2007-05-30T18:40:02Z

I think pedophilia is wrong and bad and those people should be put away.

I also think freedom of speech is the most valuable freedom I have as an American. I believe that to the extreme, actually, down to Imus and company. I don't like what they say, but then again, lots of them don't like what I say, either.

I believe in a child's right to grow up without being assaulted. Shit I believe in an ADULT's right to not be assaulted. But that doesn't mean I think Eminem should be silenced when he talks about touching little boys and pushing pregnant women down the stairs.

And I think that the LJ deletion thing is a bunch of bullshit, too. I was hoping it was just rumor, until I came across this post: http://catrinella.livejournal.com/151812.html

I have stuff on my interest list that is illegal in some states, and subversive in most. AND I like the LOTR movies. Look out, I might be next!!

Back up your journals, folks, this one looks legit and you never know who you might offend next!

...so take off all your clothes

2007-05-29T21:22:03Z

It is so frikking hot where I live now. Bleh. Even the dogs want to hang inside, which never happens during the winter.

And summer has officially begun, judging by the playstation I hear in the other room. Writing will be come that much more challenging, but I will prevail!

Those of you with Google smarts--my site has totally disappeared if you google "amelia june". I know it is in their database and being crawled, but for some reason it just vanished--even six and seven pages in you can't find the main site. WTF?? All kinds of other references and this blog come up, but not the main site. So...irritating.

Lastly--I just finished The Grail King by Joy Nash. I met her at RT and snagged a signed copy of her book after it won the best historical award there. I really enjoyed it, actually, though I'm not usually a fan of historical romance. Something about Druids does it for me, I guess--all that magic and sex and hot hairy action :) Guess I'm behind the curve on Arthurian-era stuff. Anyway, I recommend it for a fast and sexy read with real meat behind it, plot-wise. Can't wait for her Immortals book to come out!

More later

2007-05-29T16:06:45Z

Now, a meme from syrinxkat

70%

Hope I don't lose my membership card :)

Working!

2007-05-27T17:55:06Z

Husband kindly took the baby swimming so I could write this morning, and the result was about 1500 on the Jason Factor sequel.

I love that guy. (by that I mean Jason Bell AND my husband, LOL)

Who wouldn't love a hot and oversexed bounty hunter at their beck and call?

Science and Faith

2007-05-26T17:14:30Z

Learn the difference between a hypothesis and a theory before you tell me that evolution is "just a theory". Because it makes you sound stupid.

0.0

2007-05-25T17:08:51Z

Triple X is on the best seller list at eXtasy. I think I could faint, or something. Thanks to all of you who bought a copy--you rule the school :)

And if you haven't bought a copy yet, here's a handy buy link (thanks to authorm for reminding me that it is helpful to post a buy link, LOL.

My friend and fellow Whisperette Veronica has a new release today, too--a cheap read that is sure to please (and I know, I've read her stuff. She's naughty.) Here's her handy buy link.

The other Whisperettes, PG Forte and Melissa Glisan also have newish releases and up and comers. Check out our website for all the skinny--I happen to be in league with some amazing writers, lucky me!!

I thought I'd post an excerpt of Triple X, since it is Friday and I'm in a good mood.

Once inside, they sat on the couch and shared one more glass of wine.
Abby felt flushed and lightheaded, but not drunk. On the contrary, she
was hyper- aware of everything from Jordan's hand on her bare knee to
the dark flecks in his green eyes. She had always known him to be good
looking, but now she experienced a rawness, a sensuality from him that
she had not seen before.

He reached over and tucked a finger under her chin. Lifting her face
to his he kissed her again. This time, his kiss was hungrier, and his
tongue searched hers. They explored each other's mouths, tasting every
breath and sigh. Jordan moved his hand from her chin to her hair and
plunged in at the nape of her neck. Taking a handful he pulled gently,
tilting her head back further, opening her up more to his exploratory
kisses. She felt a rush of heat below the waist and realized she was
dampening with excitement.

Jordan leaned forward, pushing her backward on the couch until she was
on her back, with him above her. His hand stayed in her hair and held
it firmly. She liked the tension, the added dimension of feeling to
their heated kisses. She felt her breath begin to quicken with arousal
as Jordan pressed into her. She could feel him against her, his cock
hardening against her hip. Surprising herself at her own boldness, she
reached both hands under his shirt and ran her palms over his chest.
He had just the right amount of chest hair to run her fingers through.
Good, she thought, semi-hysterically, "I'm so glad he's not a wookie."
She started unbuttoning his shirt, realizing his other hand had moved
from her knee and was up under her blouse. She arched her back to
allow him better access and he stroked her lovingly.

Jordan began to lay small kisses all over her; her eyelids, her
forehead and cheeks. He pressed his mouth to her neck just under her
ear, then whispered, "I can feel your heart beating in your throat,
the flush on your neck. You're so beautiful, Abby, I want to taste
every part of you." He pulled back a bit and looked her in the eye. "I
can start now, if you like."

"Let's move to the bedroom," she said, "and do this thing right."
He rose, taking his hands out from behind her. He held one out to her
and she took it and stood to join him. Clothes askew, they both moved
into Abby's bedroom and sank down on one of her few indulgences-her
queen sized pillow top mattress. Jordan pulled off his shirt and then
reached over to Abby and lifted hers over her head. This was always
the tough part for her, being a bigger girl. She was not personally
uncomfortable with her looks-life was way too short for that. Still,
she had a little voice of doubt in the back of her head each time she
was nude in front of a lover. Jordan backed up a bit and looked at
her, really looked at her bare chest.

She started to squirm under his scrutiny when he said, "Yes.
Beautiful. I knew it. Your skin is so warm and soft, and good God,
your breasts are magnificent." Abby smiled, embarrassed that he could
please her so but pleased nonetheless. "I need more of you."

He reached his long arms around her and effortlessly unhooked her bra.
Her breasts sprang free and Jordan leaned down to kiss each one
gently. When she sighed her encouragement, he cupped them in his hands
and licked and sucked at her nipples until they became hard and
sensitive to touch. Abby enjoyed his ministrations, the sensations
growing in her belly. She felt as though a fire was slowly burning
there, sending tendrils of flame up her spine and down into her pussy.
Her panties were more than damp now, and she could feel her clit
throbbing gently with anticipation.

ameliajune @ 2007-05-24T11:14:00

2007-05-24T18:30:27Z

Thirteen things I wish I could say out loud

1. I'm not afraid, let's do it. All of it. All the ways we want.
2. I miss who you were when you were nicer.
3. You're okay the way you are, but how you act isn't always okay with me.
4. Make a fucking decision.
5. Stop yelling at your baby, it doesn't help and can only hurt.
6. Sometimes I feel this friendship is one sided.
7. I love you, I think you're wonderful, and I wish you'd be honest with me about your life.
8. Fuck off, you fucking fuck. I never want to see you again.
9. You are hard to help. Tell me how.
10. Break the fuck up already.
11. Saying you are a good parent and BEING a good parent are different. Show the fuck up--not just when it suits your schedule. Always.
12. I want us to be closer but we have little in common.
13. If you talk about fat, calories, diet, points and weight anymore, I'm going to ice pick myself in the eyeball. But I still love you.
bonus level
14. If you want me to do it, you need to reciprocate. I don't work for free anymore.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Hm, that was more cathartic than I realized, actually.
Also, my triceps hurt. Swimming, while lovely, kicks my ass!

Strange

2007-05-23T17:22:23Z

In the excerpt I posted yesterday, I used the word "strange" twice. I seem to recall making fun of myself in the past for overusing the word "strange". It now officially goes on my "words I love too much" list.

Also on the list are "well" and "just". I LOVE to start dialogue with "well" as in, "Well, I just got started and now I'm going to talk about something else."

BTW, I also blog weekly at the Wicked Whispers blog. This week's topic is "the book I've always wanted to write", plus I got to pick the weekly hot guy for Wednesday--Ed Norton. Mmm, Edlicious.

And now, off to work. Must...get...wordcount...

Some days

2007-05-22T17:51:27Z

I crack myself up. I often wonder if anyone else would laugh at the same stuff I do. Then I stop caring.

from Ghost of a Chance, chapter 2 (PTB=powers that be):
<">
The PTB’s official stamp was embossed on the bottom in gold; a strange conglomeration of religious symbols including the cross, star of David, star and crescent, lotus flower, om, the flying spaghetti monster and pink unicorn. Also, strangely, a duck. Emily still hadn’t deciphered that one.

I'm up to 600 words today already! Woot! I'm also very happy I'm actually writing a book with a title. That never happens.

Getting back to work

2007-05-21T22:48:56Z

I have got to get to work--eXtasy needs (and may even want, bonus) more of my stories :)

So I have to write! I also have this non-erotic (perhaps) project that I love going on.

Therefore, I am declaring the next month and a half a 25K self-challenge. By June 30 I want to see 25K words I didn't have before, probably split between two projects.

Why half of usual? Because the spawn are home from school, that's why. I won't cry if any more words appear, though.

I'm actually hoping to catch some of the Script Frenzy wave, without actually writing a script. Are you guys doing it? Can I join any of you in writing challenge chats/meetings? Group activity is always good (no the current projects are not menage. Maybe. Probably not, anyway).

I'll post progress on my profile page. Feel free to nag me. I officially started today, finished chapter 1 of Ghost and started chapter 2.

(PS: for those who will find it funny, I'm calling this my summer self challenge. SSC. Hee.)

(PSS: I doubt a writing challenge during summer vacation is either S or S, but it is C. *snicker*)

Meme

2007-05-21T16:25:43Z

I'm not cheerful this morning, but I'm online and working so that is good!

Here's a silly meme:

Who Should Paint You: Andy Warhol

You've got an interested edge that would be reflected in any portrait
You don't need any fancy paint techniques to stand out from the crowd!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Thursday Thirteen

2007-05-17T17:20:01Z

Thirteen things about my writing process

1. I need critique

2. The smaller grammar rules evade me. And are at least partially subjective, which makes me wonder about calling them "rules".

3. I can't write sex with people around me that I know.

4. I work best in the morning.

5. It is very, very easy to avoid writing when I feel like I suck.

6. I can write 1000 words in one sitting, when I'm feeling like I don't suck.

7. Writing more than 1000 words requires a break for movement/coffee.

8. I think my best writing is erotic.

9. I think my worst writing is a story's beginning.

10. I have no objective idea whether I'm a "good" writer.

11. I really, really enjoy the magical "writing is weird" moments that come from the muse, not me.

12. I like to write characters in situations, which means I have a harder time with overarching plot and theme.

13. I'm lucky I get to write stories, whether they ever go anywhere or not. I love the process of creating a world and the people in it.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Gina
2. Rhonda
3. Diana C
4. Michelle
5. Who else?

Edits!

2007-05-16T00:42:37Z

I got re-edits on The Jason Factor--small editor preference type things. So that should be out fairly soon, which is happy-making. I heart eXtasy Books. They are wonderful to me.

I hope to work on a sequel. And this other book. And edit Kiara's pants off. And yet, I've been avoiding writing. Blarg, I think I hit a writing low point but I'm ready to get back to it. This other book is pounding on my head--"write me write me dammit". I hate it when characters get uppity.

Time to use some action verbs!!

Vegas

2007-05-13T14:50:10Z

I had to be in Las Vegas the last couple days--family emergency thing. But we did sneak away to ride Star Trek: The Experience.

I actually had to close my eyes for most of it because of motion sickness, but what I did see ruled. And I got to be on the bridge, which ruled hardcore.

I don't care if I'm already married--someday, I'm totally getting married there.

We also ate in Quark's bar, which isn't as impressive as I hoped but does have gigantic bubbly drinks and food like "Targ Ribs" and "Hamborger". Hee.

Because I don't gamble or drink excessively, I really don't see the point of Vegas in general. I can see shows other places, ride roller coasters other places, and go to nightclubs other places that aren't so fing hot and crowded and pricey. The casinos are cool to look at, but once inside it is all the same: more gambling. Woo.

If grownup playing is sex, drunkenness and lighting money on fire, I can stay home and do all three for cheap! Perhaps I'm missing something, having only been there for a day and most of that was at a funeral.

Furry?

2007-05-10T23:00:12Z

I'm reading this book that has:

1. An angsty anthropomorphic wolf/man. With a giant doggy dong.

2. Magic life bonding love developing sex in the first five pages.

3. Wolf on wolf/man ass fucking.

4. I'm not even sure wolf man consented to said ass fucking, though he doesn't seem unhappy about it.

5. Magic clothing removal.

6. About three pages of plot in the first 66.

7. I'm pretty sure there's going to be BDSM in the near future. And a M/WM/F sandwich. Or maybe it's W/WM/F. Or maybe WM/WM/F. Who knows, maybe even WM/WM/WF?!?!?! Maybe...all of them, bwaha.

Thinking objectively, the book is ridiculous. And yet, I fucking love it so far. You never can tell what will trip your trigger, I guess. Plus I met the author in person and I'm so glad I did it before I read her books. Not sure I could look her in the eye without giggling hysterics now.

Over the hills and far away

2007-05-09T15:31:05Z

Is it just me, or does the dude who narrates Teletubbies sound a lot like The Operative?

The kiddo's fever is finally down. He wound up with an ear infection and potential sinusitis. Also gigantic tonsils which were causing him a lot of pain. Poor dude. He seems better this morning, finally.

Being trapped at home watching Teletubbies has given me a lot of time to think about the new book I'm writing. I think it will be a neat one--deciding how the afterlife looks is really fun. I need to commit to a certain word count per day, though, or I'll just fantasize about jobs one would have after death all day long. I'm going to shoot for 800/day. See how that goes.

a tease and stuff

2007-05-07T23:23:46Z

I have good news. But I can't share it, teehee. Soon. I can say this: the writing biz, she is a fickle lover. Very fickle.

In not so fun news, my little dude has a nasty virus with a very high fever attached. And barfing, because what is our house without a good barf episode? Poor little guy is very lethargic and basically blah. So he's watching a lot of TV which I never let him do normally. I am again reminded how much I loathe that whiny kid Calliou. *shudder*

We're getting a spring stormy type thing, which is a nice break from the heat.

Wish me a good night's sleep--last night we were up at 4 a.m...

Show not Tell Edits

2007-05-06T22:21:06Z

The sentence in the grammar question below became a short paragraph:

“How could we forget with one of you reminding us all the time?” retorted Kiara.
"If we didn't remind you, you would forget to be eternally grateful." Maya smiled serenely from her seat on the floor, and Kiara stuck her tongue out at her.

I'm hoping this illustrates the good humor, rather than having to tell the reader she has good humor.

I'm always excited when I can add useful bits of writing. I like the way this reads better, and I upped my wordcount (I'm a sketchy writer, so adding detail is always a challenge for me. I tend to forget other people can't see what I do in my head ;)

meme gank

2007-05-06T21:11:58Z

from cookie_chef

I took the "The Nine Muses" quiz on gURL.com
		My muse is... Calliope Calliope is the patron goddess of epic poetry. She is often depicted holding a writing tablet and wearing a golden crown, for she is the oldest of the muses and their leader. Her name means "The Fair Voiced," but Calliope inspires eloquence in writing. Read more... Who is your muse?

I could use her help right this second, actually.

Let's call it grammatically confused

2007-05-04T21:14:26Z

Not plain and simple idiocy, okay?

How would you punctuate the following:

“How could we forget with one of you reminding us all the time,” retorted Kiara, but with good humor.

??

Is it as is, or is there a question mark in there? And if so, do I capitalize Retorted? And really, are all those dialog tag adjectives necessary?

I hate editing $@*#$(@#)!

150 Books, April's End

2007-05-04T15:56:38Z

I'm not, so far, keeping to my schedule, but I'm not doing too badly either. I'm definitely reading more than last year, so while I might not hit 150, the idea is still working out well.

Here's the list:

# Dragon Rider, Cornelia Funke
# She's On Top, ed. Rachel Kramer Bussel
# Fool Moon, Jim Butcher
# The Gunslinger Born part. 1, Peter David and co.
# The Gunslinger Born part 2, Peter David and co.
# Obsession, Jonathan Kellerman
# Dirty, Megan Hart (this book fucking rocked, seriously)
# Old Man's War, John Scalzi
# Down the Rabbit Hole, Peter Abrahams
# The Dollmaker, Amanda Stevens
# Dead Man's Party, Stephanie Vaughan

Half way through Succubus Blues, Richelle Mead
Half way through Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman

Two of those are comic books, so they sort of count. They are as long as a novella, given all the prose in the back of them. As an aside, those comics totally RULE. Old Man's War was also really good, and I highly recommend it.