I had my critique group today. It's alway creatively energizing to get with the core group, Linda Conrad, Sandy Madden, and Marcia King-Gamble. We have several others, but they can't attend on a regular basis. Sandy, Linda, Marcia and I each bring to the critiquing table a separate strengh so we're a good blend. They're also great for brainstorming new ideas.

We always begin with breakfast and sharing news, personal and publishing. Then it's on to each other's work. We each have an individual style so reading their works in progress is pure reading pleasure. As I drove home today, characters were coming to life in my head on an idea of mine that we had brainstormed.

Tuesday night I'm speaking to a local readers' group so I'm going to have to try to describe the undescribable...the creative process of how I get an idea.

:) Carol Stephenson

At long last I'm moving past hurricanes. On Friday my agent called to let me know I have my first 2 book contract for Silhouette Bombshell legal thrillers. I'll be continuing the adventures of the female partners of Dent, Rochelle and Stirling criminal law defense firm in West Palm Beach. The working titles are COURTING DISASTER and COURTING DEATH.

Woohoo!!!!!

:) Carol Stephenson

Today I went shopping at my local grocery store. Lo and behold, it had dairy products, fresh meats and some produce. Granted, pickings were slim but to be able to buy apples, bananas, lettuce, etc. was heaven. However, the first thing I treated myself when I got home was a tall glass of cold milk. I'd been rationing milk for cereal since the hurricane hit. To simply have milk to drink felt like such a luxury.

Funny how a hurricane and scarcity can change one's ideas of treats.

:) Carol Stephenson

is the soft click of power coming on. At 5:45 p.m. tonight after going 10 1/2 days without, my neighborhood got power. No more generators screeching, no more fumbling about in a dark house [although...how on earth did it get so dirty in 10 days time!].

This weekend, sleep. Blessed sleep.

:) Carol Stephenson

Nearly 80% of the intersections in Palm Beach County are without functioning traffic lights. That means 4-way stop rule is in effect. Ha!

People's definitions of how a 4-way stop works is totally different than the actual statue. First, you have those drivers who don't obey any type of intersection courtesy at all. By the way traffic accidents have taken a sharp increase since Hurricane Wilma.

Then there's those drivers who believe in the 'pod' system. Okay, the car in front of me has the right of way so I'll just ride on his tail and we'll go through the intersection in a pod of 4-5 cars at a time.

My personal favorite is the 'going my way' driver. If a line of cars from the opposite direction have the current right of way and are driving through the intersection, then that means the other drivers to my immediate right and left can't clear, so I'll just go ahead and scoot across the intersection myself.

Did I mention that traffic accidents are out the roof in my county?

:) Carol Stephenson, 10 1/2 days without power and counting

I'd be officially Baker Acted by now. I have a battery-operated TV but I'm using it only for news. So I'm running a constant stream of DVD's in order to keep my mind off the generators and still no power. I've already had a Harry Potter and Jackie Chan marathon. Right now I'm going through my Anne Hatheway movies [there are times when one simply needs light entertainment!].

Tonight I had to make another gas run and because I was desperately craving french fries, treated my dog and myself to a Wendy's hamburger. Thank goodness another cool wave is approaching so that the humidity will lower again. At this rate, though, I'm going to run out of DVD's and have to resort to my TV DVD collection, such as Avengers, MacGyver or Perry Mason.

:) Carol Stephenson, 9 1/2 days without power and counting

I didn't really want to break. With Hurricane Frances last year I went 8 days without power and then an additional 20 hours when Hurricane Jeanne struck.

The constant sounds and smells of generators running can give you a headache no amount of aspirin can relieve. The good thing is that the lines for gas are shorter with less waiting time. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go out again for gas, but it's not to be. Tomorrow night after work I'll have to scavenge for gas. The question then becomes how much to buy...just a few cans in hopes of power that in another day or six cans for another 3 to 4 day stint. Kinda of the glass 1/2 full or empty quandary.

:) Carol Stephenson, 8 1/2 days without power and counting

My work place got power yesterday so it was back to work today. Naturally, everyone had power but for two, including yours truly. It was the same last year with only 2 of us without power. You listen to the slight moaning of how awful it was to be without power for all of...one day, two days. Then the ever so slight smug but sympathetic comment of "Oh, you mean you still don't have power."

Sigh.

Then there's that moment when nearly every section of homes in your area has power restored when you get home except that small pitch black island of homes that includes your own.

Double sigh.

So you do the stiff upper lip while giving a silent grrrrrr.

Carol Stephenson, 7 1/2 days without power and counting

Anticipation. This afternoon power trucks from Ohio were in the neighborhood. With the number of poles down, some in people's yards, the power people would have their hands filled simply removing, straightening poles, let alone reestablishing power. However, anticipation still fills you because it means your neighborhood is being worked on. Then hopefully, just hopefully, power will be restored within the next few days. I spoke with a couple of the workers as I'm from Ohio originally and ribbed that Ohio's cold winters are looking better and better since this is my 3rd hurricane in 13 months. The workers told me to hang in there, which of course I am. I spent the afternoon raking the smaller debris from the yard so it doesn't destroy a lawnmower.

But in anticipation, I'm enjoying a cool brew [can't be cold as I had the generator off all afternoon] while watching the Dolphins on my battery-operated TV. Hopefully, by next weekend I can watch my games on the regular TV.

:) Carol Stephenson