One thing I learned about myself was that I could never live in a tropical climate. The humidity slays me. My joints swell and my mind melts. I’m writing this at home in the Blue Mountains were the temperature is 11C but is supposed to feel like 7C. There’s a howling wind outside and I’m happy as a pig in mud. Cold weather suits me and my writing.

I was staying not far from Mullumbimby on a gorgeous property full of clumping bamboo which is the good bamboo that doesn’t run and become a pest. Now I’ve developed a lust for this plant. Since several varieties originate in China and cope with the cold, I’m busy devising a plan to grow some. The picture here is a bright yellow bamboo which was lovely but there was also a black bamboo with stunning green stripe. I feel an obsession coming on.

As to the goals, the main one is the erotic novella that I thought I’d finish on 9 January 2012. That’s looking more like 16 January 2012. Everything else recommences from tomorrow.

In November 2010 I got a part-time job which suits me down to the ground. So I had a lot to be grateful for in 2011. I earn enough money to live on and have a lot of space to write. But one of my worst character traits is self-criticism. Even though I substantially got my writing groove back after some years of letting life getting in the way, I still berate myself for not developing a consistent, reliable writing practice.

Nevertheless, I wrote half a novel, a couple of novellas and some short stories, but my inner critic tells me I could’ve done more. And she’s right, I could’ve.

So this year I’m putting forward some SMART goals. Goals that are specific, measurable, attainable realistic and time-bound. I like Paula Roe’s model so I’m following that.

Writing

• Do morning pages most mornings (see helpful blog post from Anne Gracie on this)
• Finish first draft of erotic novella by 9 January 2012
• Finish first draft of romantic mystery by beginning of April
• Finish four 25K erotic novellas by end of July (all of them already half done)
• Write 5,000 words a week
• Do not get onto the internet until words are done for the day
• Reassess goals for second half of year in July.

Promotion

• Write a blog post every weekend
• Contribute to The Coven blog every nine weeks and to the Hot in Oz blog (time to be determined)
• Get some advice from colleagues about developing a promotion plan (I am clueless about this)

Craft Education (developing/strengthening skills)

• Learn more about the self-publishing process
• Learn how to use Photoshop more effectively
• Re-design website
• Ask writing colleagues for encouragement/support
• Attend RWA Conference

Health/Relaxation/Inner Self

• Walk most days
• Do not drink alcohol during the working week
• Investigate the possibilities of body work/therapy during January

Outreach

• Do more balanced crits ie mention the good as well as the not so good.
• Continue being a judge in RWA comps
• Research and write on some craft related topics

So can I do all this? No reason why I can’t. We’ll see.

There are a variety of staged challenges and you can sign up to do some reviewing.

It will certainly challenge me to read more literary fiction which I’ve neglected over the past few years and some science fiction which I rarely read.

Have a look and sign up!

_______________________________________________

The rain cleared the next day and Thea wandered through the grounds peering into sheds and picking some bedraggled flowers. It was much better than she remembered. When the sun was out, it was spectacular. Her mind ticked over with possibilities. The idea of a bed and breakfast specializing in eco tours through Wild Rivers National Park looked more and more attractive. She’d get the place fixed up and a marketing plan written. First though, she’d figure out why Judith wanted to get rid of her.

Thea spent an amusing if sleepless night listening to the laughter and creepy howls of what she assumed was an attempt at a resident ghost. It made her think that an occasional murder mystery weekend or a ghost theme might be quite an attraction for the place. The people who didn’t want to go off trekking in the wilderness could play games and be warm while consuming fabulous food and wine.

She’d have to ask Judith for some suggestions after she worked out what to do about her. An environmental scientist who could cook like an angel was a definite asset. The fact that Thea wanted to spend a large amount of time picking her brain while wrapped around her, was neither here nor there.  Not that she really wanted to do much talking. Her mouth would be much better employed trying to taste every inch of Miss Judith’s glorious skin.

She made her way back to the kitchen, found a vase for the flowers and planned her next move. She didn’t have to wait long. Judith staggered in the kitchen with a pile of wood in her arms looking frazzled and tired. She’d ditched the grey serge for a worn pair of jeans that molded her every curve and a snug black sweater. It was still cold and Thea’s mouth watered at the sight of Judith’s nipples, tight and distinct under the wool.

“Morning. How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” Judith snapped. “What about you?”

“Perfect. There were a few noises in the night, but I just assumed they were the resident ghost and went back to sleep. I think that’s the best thing to do with ghosts, don’t you? Just ignore them and they either give up and disappear or settle in to become one of the family. I hope this one settles in. Has it been around for long?”

Judith glared at her and piled the wood into the wood box. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“No? I must be sensitive to ghosts then.”

She smiled at Judith who gasped and dropped the wood, peering at her hand with a curse.

“Shit! I’ve got a splinter.”

“Let me see.” Thea pulled Judith’s hand into hers and saw a sharp fragment of wood embedded in the base of her thumb. “Stand still, I’ll get it out.”

Blood welled out of Judith’s skin as Thea eased out the wood. She lifted Judith’s hand and sucked on it, swirling her tongue around the broken skin. She tasted of copper and salt mixed with panic. Thea moved closer, sliding her arm around Judith’s waist, while still licking her hand. When she moved her tongue to the inside of her wrist and felt her frantic pulse, Judith’s sharp indrawn breath sent a tingle of delight through her. She lifted her head from Judith’s hand and pulled her closer, her mouth almost touching Judith’s slightly parted lips.

“Is that better?”

“Yes,” Judith whispered, her eyes wide and round.

“Good.” She dropped her gaze to Judith’s breasts and smiled. “Very good. You should put something on it.” Stepping away from her, she picked up an apple from the fruit bowl and bit into it. “I’m going into town to talk to a few trades people. I want to get this place fixed up as soon as possible. Need anything?”

Judith shook her head. She seemed to be having trouble breathing.

“Okay. I’ll see you later. Look after that hand.”

This month I also decided to dip my toe into the self-publishing waters with Friends and Lovers: Two Erotic Tales available on Smashwords. The first tale is a previously epublished novella (f/f and m/f) while the second tale is a previously epublished short story (f/f).

Here is the blurb.

Two stories previously published as Playing with Trouble and Ghostly Desires. What do you get when Jake Horsley, Australia’s richest man, marries Chrissy, a hooker forty years his junior? Trouble. Especially when she also loves another woman. Honest and straight forward, Chrissy won’t lie about how she feels about Jen. But Jake isn’t worried. Chrissy is everything he’s always wanted, wild and unconventional. He knows he can’t limit her and doesn’t want to. Trouble however, has other plans. Jake’s son David, appalled by his father’s marriage, plots to hurt Chrissy. Protecting herself and those she loves will challenge everything she’s ever believed about herself and what she’s capable of.

Thea thinks a resident ghost is the perfect addition to the ramshackle mansion she’s inherited from her eccentric uncle. But sexy Judith, a ghost from her past, wants to upset her plans. Thea thinks it’ll be no problem.She’ll just get her into bed and win her over. Judith, however, has other plans . . .