I do have to say.......the women on Cedar Key know how to have a good time! I attended the fashion show and luncheon yesterday sponsored by the Cedar Key Women's Club.  It was very well attended with only a few empty seats.  All the proceeds will go toward the Scholarship Fund for Cedar Key High School.

The food was SO good and I was really impressed with all the work the women went to in the preparation.  There were all kinds of salads......pineapple salad, pistachio salad, pasta salad, deviled eggs, sliced turkey.  The table was just full of yummy foods and the dessert tables......all the items there (made by the women of Cedar Key) would rival the finest bakery!  We were informed that each exquisite dessert contained no calories.  Have a feeling that was a white lie.

There were also many vendor tables to browse.  Selling items like jewelry, body oils, really cute tee-shirts done by Joyce, who was my pen and ink instructor.  (I bought one with red hats on it)  And my friend, Rachel, had a table with her beautiful Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls......all hand made.  Talk about talent!  Of course I couldn't resist buying one for my granddaughter.

And then the fashion show began.  The clothes all came from De Je Vu......the consignment shop downtown.  All of those models could have strutted any Paris runway...........

This was Ingaborg wearing a nice blue outfit with matching hat.

This is Miss Tacky Tourist (played by Eileen) who provided the comedy for the show.  She created a lot of laughter with her jar of pennies and pushy ways.

Judy modeled a Red Hatter outfit.

Joyce modeled one of her "one of a kind" tee-shirts that she made.

And we even had a couple of French Poodles sporting some jazzy neckwear.

The Grand Finale was all the models coming out to sing.  To the tune of "We're Having a Heat Wave" they sang, "We're Having a Hot Flash" which brought forth a lot of chuckles.

It was all a lot of fun and I must say the women in this community are not only quite talented but also very giving of their time to put together such a great show.

However, I got home and Brie overheard me telling Ray that two Poodles were in the show.  She wasn't happy.  I think her nose was out of joint.  So I scooped her up in arms and told her that with a face like this, maybe she'll be in the show next year!

My friend, Joyce, has been staying all week at her house next door to me and we went to the fashion show together.  She called me the other morning, said "have you got a minute?  Come out to your driveway."  I did and this is what I saw............

This is Beans, wearing the sweatshirt that Joyce bought her at De Ja Vu.  Is she tres chic, or what?  I have a feeling Beans and Brie will be chattering all year about being possible models for next years fashion show.

It was a fun day and nice break from my writing.  Today though, I'm back to work on my manuscript.  So I'll see you here next time...........

MAKES FOR A VERY DULL PERSON . . .

I spent the entire weekend either pounding the keyboard working on my manuscript or involved in business-related stuff for my writing.  But I'm pleased to say the manuscript now has 126 pages completed.

However, I played hooky yesterday and Ray and I attended a very nice luncheon at the Island Room.  It was a benefit for the Children's Summer Program at the Arts Center.  The food was yummy, the socializing enjoyable and it was good to chill out a bit.

Today and tomorrow I'm back to work, but I'll be taking Thursday off.  The Women's Club of Cedar Key is having a luncheon and fashion show.  I think it'll be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to that.

I wanted to mention for those of you that volunteered to be judges for the Florida Writers Royal Palm Literary Award.......only a few entries have come in so far.  But the contest is open until August 1, so I'm sure it won't be long till you find some of the entries in your mailbox.

And to answer the question of a recent commenter........Yes, my character of Sydney in my novel is age fifty-two and yes, I agree.......We do need more characters in that age group written both for fiction and for film.

And for the second part of the question......."Who would you wish to play her in a movie?"  Actually, while writing the novel, Sydney was a bit blurry in my mind physically.   I could "see" her hairstyle and her facial expressions, but I seemed to "see" inside of her more than I saw her outside, if that makes sense.  I was so easily able to get inside her head, so to speak.  So I knew her very well emotionally, yet her physical appearance seemed to be generic to me. 

But as I came to the end of the story, all of a sudden I saw Sally Field as my Sydney.  Her mannerisms, her expressions, those kind of things seemed to be my character.  So if the novel was to ever make it to film, I'd probably see Sally Field in my mind.  But of course.......it wouldn't matter at all, I don't think, because I tend to doubt that authors are consulted for casting.  But since this question was brought up, with more thought, I've also come up with the following actresses who would be a very good Sydney.......Marlo Thomas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Diane Lane and of course Meryl Streep.

Most of you have never read the original manuscript, but my character of Sybile Bowden (Sydney's biological mother) is larger-than-life and from the moment I created her, I only saw one person in my mind that was Sybile..........Shirley MacLaine.  My Sybile is crusty, bold, outspoken, selfish and a woman who lives life on her own terms.  I never once saw anybody but Shirley MacLaine in my head as I created her and watched her grow throughout the novel. 

Interestingly enough, Book #2 is a sequel to the first one, and I have the character of Monica firmly in my head.......I see Naomi Judd.  Monica is Sydney's daughter and Book #2 is her story and from her point of view. 

So there ya have it........any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section.  Eventually I will answer them as time permits.  See you here next time............

Yeah....what's that saying about the best laid plans?  Well, I'm afraid mine fell apart and despite much excitement, I didn't get to Orlando to see Menopause the Musical after all.

I had been fighting a flu since last Sunday and thought Tuesday evening I felt good enough to go the next morning.  I suppose I could have pushed myself, but I normally don't do that.  I usually "listen" when it's time to slow down and stay balanced.  So that's what I did.  Yeah, I was terribly disappointed to miss it but felt it more important to stay put, rest and get better.  Not to mention, I sure didn't want to pass it on to the other women.  And I'm now feeling much better and back to normal.

You probably saw on the news that Florida got hit pretty bad with rain, gusty winds, tornados, etc.  I could NOT believe the rain!  Cedar Key got six inches.  I seriously debated if we'd have to start building some arks.  Although most of the dangerous weather was just north of us, we were okay here on the island.

Despite feeling pooky, I still managed to have a very busy week doing "stuff" in this process of my book being published next spring.

I've been working on getting blurbs from other authors for the book jacket.  Kensington said they'll be getting some for me also, but for me to try as well.  So all those years of attending writers conferences, networking, etc. is beginning to pay off!  I managed to secure commitments this past week from 3 well-known authors and I'm quite thrilled about that.  I have about 5 more that I'll be contacting.

I also have given some serious consideration to hiring an independent publicist.  Yes......Kensington has a PR department and will be setting up some promotion.  However, one must be realistic.  They can only do so much.  I really want to give this book as much of a chance as possible.  I'm motivated and ready to do a lot of the footwork, but.......I need some help.  I've been in touch with a top publicist and was enthused by what they offer, etc.  I'll be signing a contract with them probably around August after we have a book cover.  They'll be instrumental in setting up book tours, media, contacting book sellers, etc. for me.  And all of that leaves me more precious time to keep writing.

I'm also in the process of getting a graphic designer to revamp my author website.  All of the above is very time-comsuming, but don't think I'm complaining.  I'm feeling very blessed to finally have the opportunity to get all these things in motion.

A lot of my week was also spent doing what I love so much.........writing.  I've managed to now complete 113 pages of Book #2 for a first draft.  The story is moving along well and I'm pleased with it.

I've also touched base with some other authors, one of which is also on board with Kensington.  And I'll be talking more about her and others on future blog entries.  But I have to say, all of them have been so kind giving me advice, explaining the publishing process to me a little bit better.  And I'm really proud to be connected with such talented and kind women.

That's it for this time.  I have a busy week ahead with some community events squeezed into my writing chores.  I hope all is well with you and I'll see you here next time when I'll answer a commenter question about "Who would you wish to play Sydney in a movie?"