Deb and Bev, thanks so much. I know neither of you are romance readers, but it's got some mild snark, too. The mystery is fairly mild, though, which is what worries me, and while my editor loves the first 300 pages, it's the wrap-up (which she'll get on Monday, too, and send right to the copyeditor after she reads it -- hopefully) that is making me nervous.

Cinnamon poptarts:

Deb, I just saw you mention the Johnny Cash story in Bitches -- could I read it? I don't know if it's too late for beta-ing, but I'd love to read just for enjoyment.

And Susan, no big at all. I know how busy you are!

I had skipped earlier and went back to give people's stuff the time it deserved. I loved Victor's piece and Liese's stuff was gorgeous. Erika, do you need another beta reader? If not, can I read it anyway? Please? I really liked what you posted.

Congratulations, Amy. I know that's a weight off your shoulders. I'd like to take a look at it, although it will probably be several weeks before I could give you any feedback. I'm not really a romance reader, but I am a Crusie and Evanovitch reader, so I have some sense of the genre.

Amy, sure, I'll send it.

Ok. take a deep breath and spit out all liquids before reading.

Amy, profile addy?

Deb, yup.

And thanks, Ginger!

Challenge #34: First Impressions

We don’t meet for several hours after his arrival. The anesthesiologist, overeager and easily rattled, knocked me out completely when I protested the first slice of the surgeon’s blade. When I do see my baby, I’m still foggy and sore, and I’m grateful Stephen is the one to bring him to me.

He’s round and golden, eyes squeezed shut beneath the bright lights, a ridiculous striped cap pulled over his head. He’s wrapped snug in a blanket, a tiny, perfect bundle that suddenly looks very much like a chrysalis. I wonder fleetingly what kind of a human he will become.

Heh. Joanna came out with the hiccoughs. We proceeded from there.

I do love that piece, Amy.

I'm just thrilled with the edits, Deb. Completely. Why do I have such transition problems? Is it a writing problem or because my brain just hops from thing to thing(all those jump-cuts on the crime shows) Or is it some sort of brain-damage thing? Ginger, I really would like to hear what you think. I'll send it on.

erika, I just emailed you; in looking at the attachment, I noticed a spot where I got clumsy and double copied a couple of paragraphs. It's the bit about the Bic-blackened teeth. Also, there's a closing parenthesis at the end, which is now just a fragment, since there's no opening parens; that should come out.

I think your transition thing has to do with the way you personally focus on stuff. I love transitions, love writing them, and rarely have trouble doing them, but I tend to want to focus on a single shiny thing, and very little distracts me from it. I suppose that's a good thing, in writing terms, but who knows?