Dana

Dana's Blah, Blah

Dana's blog has moved to http://danadaviswriting.blogspot.com

Monday July 30, 2007

I am thrilled to announce that The Mask of Tamirella received honorable mention for teenage book at the 2007 Hollywood Book Festival. I was so excited to hear this news. Especially since I had email problems when they invited me to attend the festival and by the time I found out, it was too late. I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to attend but thrilled beyond the telling that Tamirella was honored. Also, a writer acquaintance of mine, Shelley Coriell, was a finalist for the RWA’s Golden Heart Award. Go, Shelley! Have a great week.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Okay, so we woke yesterday morning to find that someone had stolen our bench from our front porch. We filed the police report and it seems some kids have been stealing benches in the area and moving them to the desert washes. We're hoping the police can recover our bench but who knows. Of course, this means that some thief will become a character in one of my novels and end up with some very nasty punishment. Ah, the joys of being a writer. Put all those pesky and annoying people in a book and have at them.

I'm now about two thirds of the way through the first draft of Desert Magick: Desert Dreams. Haven't gotten much farther with Stardust, and am still looking for a new title, but I'm taking August off from my volunteer work so I can get more writing done and get started on that podiobook version of The Mask of Tamirella. Also, the place where I ordered my podcast equipment informed me they were moving warehouses and now every order made over the past two weeks is on back order. They promised I should get my stuff around the 30th. Grrr. I sure hope so.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Well, we had our first big storm of the summer last night. I was driving home from a local writers' meeting and got slammed by a dust storm, 25 mph winds, and rain, with all kinds of lightening bolts zipping around the valley skies. Great fun on the freeway, I must tell you. Especially when dodging debris and trying to keep the car from blowing into the next lane. Newscasters seem to disagree on whether this was the first actual monsoon, but as one reporter said, "If it walks like a monsoon...." I totally agree! The wet season is here. Woohoo! A great time to hide away inside the house and write. Desert Magick: Superstitions is out and about to various publishers and rejections are trickling in. Yep, that's all part of writing. Not so much the fun part, but a necessary step. Still waiting on new podcast equipment to arrive. Until then, listen in to the original chapter one on the Mask of Tamirella page.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 (P.S.)

Okay, I decided to post the original podcast of chapter one of The Mask of Tamirella. Please visit The Mask of Tamirella tab to the left to listen in.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th! We hit 115 on that day. We've now cooled off to a balmy 105 with rising humidity in preparation for the monsoon season. Bring it on! We're in desperate need of the rain. I just hope we get more rain than lightening this year. The last thing we need are more wildfires. Woke this morning to a bark scorpion hanging from the wall above my side of the bed. Luckily he didn't fall on me during the night or I probably would have been stung. That's the third or fourth live one we've had in the house this summer. They're searching for water and cooler digs this time of year. My friend's dog was stung last week but thankfully she's recovered--belly rub to Shelby. Well, still waiting on podcast equipment. Am leaning more and more to posting my original one so I can get that first chapter up. Have to listen to it again and make sure I weeded out all the clicks and hisses. Second book in Desert Magick series is coming along nicely and I hope to finish the first draft by the end of August. We'll see. For those of you in the eastern part of the U.S., send some of that rain my way, will you?

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Wow, it's July already! I would like to thank the women at the AAUW Conference who stopped by to chat and purchase my book. I would also like to thank the other authors for wonderful conversations. Thanks to Jennifer for inviting authors to participate and to Barnes and Noble for taking the time to sell our books. For those of you outside the Phoenix area, Saturday was another hot one here. When I left the conference around 3:30 p.m., my car's thermometer read 112. Yep, you read that right. And on the 4th, we're supposed to be a toasty 116. For those in the U.S., have a great 4th! If you're here in the valley, stay cool!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I promised to keep you posted on The Mask of Tamirella podcast trials. The new mike arrived today, without a cord. Naturally. Still waiting for the phantom power box and now have to scramble around to locate a way to plug the darned thing into my computer. Will probably have to invest in a tabletop stand, as well. I'm debating whether to just post the original recording of chapter one until I get the new one up. Is this how Stephen King started? Sure wish I had his paycheck.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Grrr. I'm in podcast hell right now and need a new microphone. The one I have causes way too much hiss that my program just can't get out without making me sound like I'm inside a space suit. Sigh. I've ordered the new mike. My goal is to have this first podcast up by the 30th. Keep your fingers crossed. I need some coffee!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Okay, so while I stated in an earlier blog that my latest sci-fi novel was tentatively titled Stardust, I didn't realize Neil Gaimon already has a novel with that title. Which means I need to figure out another. Sigh. It was a perfect title for my novel but, alas, not to be. And, yes, I'm still working on that podcast. Taking longer than I expected so keep checking back. I'm about halfway through the first draft of the second novel in the Desert Magick series and about 40 type-written pages into the sci-fi one now looking for a new title. To my niece Tasha, congrats on your graduation! Since she lives in another state, we weren't able to attend, but we watched it on the webcam the school provided and saw a great shot of her. Gotta love the internet. Also, one of our beloved keets died of a tumor this week. We'll miss her. Back to the writing grindstone. And a bit of caffeine to boot!

Friday, June 1, 2007

Okay, so The Mask of Tamirella trailer video is getting great comments. Thanks everyone! I'm just about ready to begin podcasting. Just have a few more tests to run as I'm still learning some of the editing equipment. Might have to buy a new mike. Keep checking back. The first audio chapter of The Mask of Tamirella should be online soon. I'm still waiting on another review and hope they have it published soon. Had our first scorpion of the year in the house a couple of weeks ago, alive this time. We had to chase it under the ping pong table and finally caught it under a glass. Fast little bugger! To Sky and Ted, good luck with your new library positions.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The Mask of Tamirella video is up. Check it out! Just click on The Mask of Tamirella tab to the left.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Well, Desert Magick: Superstitions is out and about in search of a publisher now. I'm concentrating on a line edit of an older novel, as well as finishing the second book in the Desert Magick series and getting on with Stardust, an urban fantasy. I've begun to get podcast equipment together and plan to podcast some of my work soon. Check back for a date. For those in the states, have a great Memorial Day weekend. To all my readers, keep those reviews coming!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Well, we're finally settled back into routine after our trip and getting some more household upgrades finished. I completed the final re-write of the first book in the Desert Magick series. After I do another grammar and spell check--yes those are important to editors--I should be ready to begin submitting the manuscript to publishers. Just as postage goes up, oh, goody. It's been over 104 degrees lately and we desert dwellers are looking forward to the coming cool-down into the high 90s. Have a great week.

Monday, April 30, 2007

Just returned yesterday from a trip to Ireland where I found the gravesites of several ancestors. What an exciting thing to walk where they lived and died. Hope all of you get the chance to take a trip to an ancestor's homeland. The people in Ireland were very friendly and helpful. I recommend a visit to Derry and the Causeway Coast. It's beautiful up there. My husband commented that a scene in one of my novels actually looks like a place on the coast of Ireland, which was exactly what I was going for. Guess I did my job right! While we were gone, Phoenix hit the first 100 degree day of the year and also got lambasted with a massive dust storm. Gotta love the desert. Back to work tomorrow.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Well, I just got home from the Arizona Book Festival and would like to thank everyone who stopped by the Arizona Authors Association booth and Changing Hands Bookstore booth to chat and purchase copies of The Mask of Tamirella. If you missed the festival, just stop by Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe and pick up your copy there.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Getting ready for the Arizona Book Festival coming up on Saturday. Changing Hands Bookstore will be selling The Mask of Tamirella at booth B1-4. If you're in the area, please come out. There are a lot of activities and speakers and a children's area. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 5, 2007

My husband's father had a heart attack and we spent a couple of days in Los Angeles this week. He's home now and we hope he'll stay healthy for a while. Meantime, everything is blooming here in the desert, creating color everywhere. I'm editing Desert Magick: Superstitions after getting a wonderful critique and hope to finish and have it ready to submit to publishers by the end of summer.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Thanks so much to all who came out to the Fountain Hills Book Fair on Saturday. Special thanks to those who purchased copies of The Mask of Tamirella from Gridleys of Fountain Hills. They will also be carrying the book in their store. I had a wonderful time chatting with everyone. Now back to the grindstone.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Okay, so I had to log on and let everyone know how my KFHX interview went. I want to thank Barbara and the others there for making me feel so welcome and comfortable. I believe I was on the air for 45 minutes. I had a great time chatting about my writing and The Mask of Tamirella, which Barbara just raved about. Okay, now I'm blushing. But it's a good shade of red. Thanks again to everyone at KFHX and to all the listeners who tuned in this morning!

Monday, March 19, 2007

Hope you had a great St. Paddy's Day. Catch me tomorrow on KFHX internet radio. I'll also be at the Fountain Hills Book Fair this Saturday. For those of you in the Phoenix area, please come. It's free and there will be several authors and booksellers there, as well as a children's area and workshops. See my Appearances page for details on both functions. Lots of stuff to do for these appearances so not getting as much writing done this week as I normally do. I went bike riding yesterday for the first time since my accident. A few twinges of pain but nothing more. Cooling off this week after getting near 100 degree temps. We're just not ready for the hot stuff, yet. Phew!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

I'm almost healed--woohoo! Feeling so much better physically, which makes me work better mentally. I finished the Desert Magick: Superstitions outline and now it's on to the synopsis. Been busy around here updating kitchen floor and bathroom fixtures, gardening, cleaning out closets for donations, and scheduling home maintenance stuff like a/c checkups. Supposed to hit 90 this week in the Valley of the Sun. We're all hoping the really hot weather doesn't come early this year. By really hot, I mean 110 plus degrees that we get in summer. Yep, it really gets that hot, and hotter, here in the desert. The stuff that chases the snowbirds back to their cool weather states.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

I'm still healing but at least I'm moving around now and taking walks on our beautiful desert trails. Almost finished with final edit and outline for Desert Magick: Superstitions then it's on to the synopsis so I can begin submitting. Once that's done, I can devote my time to my next project, Stardust, in which the characters are pounding at my proverbial back door to be let inside so they can boss me around while I write their stories. Yes, writers are absolutely insane.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

I'm still healing from that fall off my bike. I had no idea how painful bruised ribs can be or that they could take so long to heal. Feels like an eternity. In the midst of all that, we've been doing some home improvements and had workers in and out of the house for several days, which of course, interrupts my writing. Glad that's over now. Just got in touch with another long-lost cousin and found out she's a writing major in college. Guess it's in the dna! Have a great week.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Took a header off my bike on Sunday and bruised a few ribs. Still can't breathe or move without pain and am stranded at home since I can't drive right now. Ho-hum. Just found out an actor friend of mine from several years ago was in a terrible auto accident. Get well, Doug. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Submitting more work this week. Started work on the next Desert Magick novel. Working on first draft of my sci-fi novel, which is tentatively titled Stardust.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

I've finished another draft of Desert Magick: Superstitions and plan to get some comments on it before I do the final edit. I'm making good headway in my current sci-fi novel. I've also decided to write another book in the Desert Magick world so it just might become a series. Congrats to my cousin, Brandi, on the sale of her first photograph. You go girl! And congrats to another cousin, Yvonne, for her upcoming book publication. It's beautiful here this week, in the high 70s and low 80s. Desert dwellers are out and about everywhere. Including me. I'm mostly healed from that New Year's Eve fall, thankfully. Enjoy the sun! P.S. I recently found out that an article featuring me ran in the January 24th edition of the Independent. Unfortunately, I didn't know about this ahead of time and they somehow missed us during delivery that day. Hope some of you got a chance to read it.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Well, I'm getting more and more great comments about The Mask of Tamirella. I've been invited to appear on a local radio show. Check back on my Appearances page later for details. Still waiting to hear from a certain publisher about another of my novels. Marilyn, congrats on a great interview. To my brother, Jamie, congrats on getting that publisher's attention. Keep me posted. Looks like rain in the Valley of the Sun today. Stay dry out there.

Friday, January 19, 2007

A friend of mine caught an agent's attention with one of her books. Way to go Marilyn! Good luck with the interview today. All those in the Phoenix area, enjoy the wet weather. Reviews for The Mask of Tamirella are trickling in and they seem to be very positive. Thanks a bunch to all those who are contributing. Have a great weekend everyone.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Hope you survived the freeze! We had no water two mornings in a row, an unusual event here in the desert. After several days of cold temps, we've decided we're not cut out for cold weather living. Brr! But we've learned some new things, like you're supposed to detach your water hose and wrap exposed pipes before the freeze hits. Both of our hoses froze up. And that you should let your water drip overnight to avoid freezing and bursting pipes, not exactly welcome advice in an area that's currently entering a 12 year drought. We survived, though several plants didn't. We have one more night of freezing temps on the way, so we're staying inside near the fireplace and drinking a lot of hot cocoa. Great atmosphere for reading and writing. Still editing my current novel. The next one is coming along nicely, but since it's sci-fi, not fantasy, I do a lot more research to make sure I get the science right. Since I love research, it's great fun for me. Stay warm out there.

Thursday, January 4, 2007

Happy New Year! A local paper ran an article about me in today's edition. A shout out of thanks to the folks at the Independent. Doing a major edit on Desert Magick. And have started work on my next novel, which will be a futuristic sci-fi with dark overtones. Still waiting on word about several submissions. I'm having problems with my book cover uploading today, and for some reason I'm not coming up on google anymore. Have no idea why my website is suddenly not cooperating. Ah, so glam is the writer's life. I'm still sore from that spill I took a few days ago but healing nicely. The knee pain has let up so hubby and I can start walking again. Woohoo! Once my hand heals, I need to get back on the bike and back to the tennis courts. Dying to start kick-boxing again, too. A private note to Cynthia in Florida: got your email but my response bounced back due to your spam filters. Thanks for writing.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy New Year's Eve! I took a header on the sidewalk today, chasing after hubby. Took some skin off both knees and bruised myself in several places. Now I have two swollen knees and a sore hand. Sheesh! Put on some band-aids and headed out again to shoot a little b-ball. I lost, but I blame it on my injuries. Have fun ringing in the new year and stay safe.

Friday, December 22, 2006

My podcast interview is up and running. Check out my Appearances page to listen. Hubby is on vacation all next week and I'm taking off with him. Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Had my first podcast interview with some teens at a local high school. Very nice kids! Very motivated. I'd like to thank them so much for the opportunity to speak to the students. I'm also looking forward to their reviews of The Mask of Tamirella.

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Well, I was checking out some websites today and found that I'm listed on www.menieresinfo.com under their famous Meniere's Disease patients. So, I send a shout out to all my fellow Meniere's sufferers. May your dizzy days be few!

Monday, December 4, 2006

My Web TV interview is running for two more weeks. Be sure and check out my Appearances page for details. Well, I finally finished the first, very rough, draft of Desert Magick. Now, I'm going back to the beginning and fleshing out scenes and editing and doing a general re-write.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

My Web TV interview is up and running. I'm the featured author this week. Be sure and check out my Appearances page for details. Hope you tune in. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Getting some writing finished up before the holidays. Hubby has 4 days off and we intend to stuff our faces and have fun! Be sure and check out my Appearances page for details on my upcoming Web TV interview. I'm the featured author the week of November 27th. Hope you tune in. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Just finished editing an early novel and am now starting on the synopsis. For me, synopsis writing is much harder than novels and not nearly as much fun. I struggle with them each and every time. Sigh. To my friend, Phoebe: Good luck with the book signing. Also, a shout out to the library staff where I volunteer. Had another shift today. Such nice folks!

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Hubby and I attended the Arizona Authors Association Awards Banquet last Friday night to support fellow writers. Congrats to Sam, Pat, BetteLou and all the other winners! Thanks to those who stopped by my table.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Had my first ever taped interview this morning. Had a great time, thanks to Danielle Hampson and Raleigh Pinskey. They both made me feel very welcome and relaxed. Check out my appearances page for the interview information.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Just got back late last night from visiting family out of state. I'm taping an interview with the Arizona Authors Show on Arizona Web TV this week. Check my Appearances page for details. Took the day off today to spend some quality time with hubby. Back to work tomorrow.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Happy Friday the 13th! A good luck day. I just love it. Not much to report this week. Just working on Desert Magick and gearing up for a trip to visit my family. Am also doing a re-write of one of my earlier novels so I can begin sending it out after the first of the year.

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Desert Magick is going well. I'm about 2/3 of the way finished with the first draft. It's the first time I've written a contemporary novel and sometimes I feel a bit constrained by real places and topography. But I'm having a blast, nonetheless. I've also been submitting my writing like crazy this year and still waiting to hear from several editors/agents about some of my other works. One thing I've learned in this business is that rejection is common and expected, and everyone, even the most famous writers, aren't immune. I thank my career in the entertainment business for preparing me for this one. There are similarities that I've experienced between them. Now, instead of promoting myself, I'm promoting my writing. Appointments with agents/editors are very much like audition interviews, and I still get nervous when I have to speak to someone who can make or break my career. I doubt that will ever change.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Great turnout for the Glendale Library workshop today. I had a wonderful time seeing familiar and new faces. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table. Check out the Appearances page for photos.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Our parakeets have been a pain lately, landing on blinds and lights and artwork, where they're not supposed to be playing. Had to put bird away streamers around the house until they learn to stay off. Looks like bad disco decor. They've actually kept me running from my office to shoo them off the artwork and disrupting my writing. Amazing that such little creatures can distract me from my writing.

Monday, September 25, 2006

A writer friend of mine passed away. To Jim's family: My thoughts are with you.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Found a baby scorpion in the house. Luckily, he was dead and nobody stepped on him. The little ones pack quite a punch and are loaded with poison. Ah, the joys of living in the desert. It's just a matter of time until I get stung. I've heard that writers must suffer, but really....

Monday, September 18, 2006

One of our parakeets is directionally challenged and today I found him singing in the bath tub. You'd think with all their antics, I'd put them in my stories but I never have. Hmm. Something to think about.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

I survived my first book signing in Prescott, AZ and would like to thank everyone who stopped by my table to chat. The weather was great and hubby and I enjoyed the cool day. Check out the Appearances page for photos.

To catch you up:

Okay, so here's what's been happening in my life lately. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer in July and died within a week. We had her ashes interred in August and are still reeling from this tragedy. Thanks to everyone who sent cards, flowers and other well wishes. We lost two of our beloved parakeets this year and miss them very much. Now we have four, very mischievous baby keets. I was diagnosed with Plantar Fibromatosis, also known as Viking's Disease. No kidding. Supposedly, it affects people of Viking and Scandinavian descent. Guess that's a clue to my ancestry. This disease caused a benign tumor on my foot, right on my arch. Will have to get it removed when it grows larger. Not looking forward to that, I can tell you. During all of this, my book The Mask of Tamirella was being edited and published. I wanted to be excited but it couldn't have been worse timing, so the thrill of seeing my book go to print was a bit dampened. Life just gets in the way sometimes. We are now trying to get back to a normal life.

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