Dakota Rebel

I'm toying

2012-01-22T08:25:00.000-08:00

I am toying with an idea to sell some of my awesome dresses and costumes here on my blog. When I went to RT 3 years ago (WOW! 3 years already. Sheesh.) I spent a small fortune on these clothes. I was a size 14/16 then. And the clothes were either worn once or not at all. They are in beautiful condition.

I have shoes that have never been taken off of carpet because no matter how much I LOVE them, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will NEVER walk in heels. So I have size 8.5/9 shoes that are also brand new available.

With all of the conventions coming up this year I thought my fellow authors might like a chance to snag these fancy clothes at a fraction of what I paid for them.

What do you think? Is this something anyone would be interested in playing along with?

XoXoXo
D

2012

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Evo Today

2011-12-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

I'm over at the Writer's Evolution blog today. All week we have been sharing our goals (dare I say RESOLUTIONS) for 2012. Stop by and share your own goals with us.

XoXoXo
D

Visions of Sugar Plums

2011-12-23T03:57:00.000-08:00

XoXoXo
D

My love/hate relationship

2011-12-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Pinterest? If not, prepare to have all of your time sucked away as you discover the wonders it holds.

Pinterest is an online pinboard. It's like a memory board that holds unlimited amounts of pictures so you can look back through them at any time. If you are on a website and see something inspirational, but you don't want to be bothered to bookmark it or print it out, no worries, Pinterest to the rescue. After you sign up you download the pinner to your toolbar. That way, no matter what website you are on, you are able to 'pin' images to one of your boards. This handy dandy program will even let you select which of your boards you would like it pinned to.

I can hear you now, "Well, I only need one board." Riiiiight. I thought that too. I even named my first board "Awesomesauce" because that covers all bases. I knew I would only be pinning things that were awesome so this board would be all encompassing.

Except....

Well, I should probably separate the food from the generalness of Awesomesauce. That way when I want to look for a specific one I can just go to that board and find it instead of sorting through all of the many images I would have on the awesomesauce board.

And while Halloween and Christmas ARE pretty awesome, they really should be segregated so when I need decorating ideas I can find them easily. And that way when people search for Christmas my board will come up.

Aaaand, Harry Potter is pretty fucking sweet and I could group all of my HP pics together so when I am in the mood to go to Hogwarts all my pics will be together.

Now, since I've given food it's own board and the only pictures I pin to it are of super fattening items, I should have a board devoted to exercise and pictures of skinny bitches. So I'd better make a body inspirations board.

And then I was off. I have 17 boards and for a good, long while I was a pinning fool. One good thing to come of having my computer crash is that I was able to cut Pinterest cold turkey.

Now that I know I can live without it I find that I am not spending as much time on there as I used to. Though, after going through my boards for posts I'm thinking a night of pinning may just be in my future.

Do you want to come play? Request an invitation on the site and they'll let you right in. Then follow me, Dakota Rebel.

XoXoXo
D

Evo Today

2011-12-14T06:55:00.000-08:00

I'm over at the Writer's Evolution blog today. We're talking about pride and what we've done this year to be proud of. Stop by and take a look, let us know what you're proud of too.

XoXoXo
D

You don't know Dakota - Part One

2011-12-09T04:36:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to share a story about myself that I don't think I've told you before. It's nothing earth shattering, but it still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

A long time ago a friend decided he was going to teach me how to drive a stick shift. We headed out to the country in his car so that I could take my time and not impede traffic. Me being a city kid, was quite distracted at first with all of the farms and their animals. At sixteen I had never seen a pig in real life and was thrilled to see my very first live one standing at the edge of a fence.

But we weren't there for sight seeing, we were there so I could learn to drive fast cars.

We started slowly. Just learning the clutch and driving slowly down the dirt roads. When I was ready for some more speed I shifted gears and we started going faster.

I'd like to pause now and explain that a lot of farms in Jackson County have peacocks. I'm not really sure why, but they just run around out there and they are everywhere.

So I'm driving, going about 45 mph when I see a group of peacocks in the road ahead. They are still pretty far up so I'm not really worried. There is plenty of time for the birds to scatter. Before long we are almost on top of the idiots and they still aren't moving. I slam on the breaks, forget the clutch, stall the car and skid sideways in the gravel. The birds still don't move.

Dougie is screaming at me but I can barely hear him over the sound of the blood pounding in my ears. Finally I steady myself and look over to see him FUMING mad.

"What the fuck were you waiting for?" he asked.
"I thought they'd fly off," I explained calmly.
"Peacocks don't fucking fly!"

Oh.

In my defense, how the fuck was I supposed to know that? Seriously? They're birds. They have feathers. Penguins I get, how could they fly? But I just assumed that peacocks would use their damn wings. But no, they are so fucking stupid that not only can they not fly but they can't even manage to run away when a Lumina is barreling toward them.

To Doug's credit he did not force me out from behind the steering wheel. He gave me the opportunity to redeem myself.

"Ok, just back up and straighten out the car."

Great. Lesson resumed. It went something like this:

Start the car.
Put it in reverse.
Hit the gas.
Stall.
Put it in park.

Start the car.
Put it in reverse.
Hit the clutch.
Let go too soon.
Hit the gas.
Stall.
Put in park.

Start the car.
Put it in reverse.
Hit the clutch.
Hit the gas.
Move three inches.
Get so excited I release the clutch.
Stall.
Put in park.

I glanced over at Doug to see his face so red I was surprised that smoke wasn't rolling from his ears. I can tell he is so done with this lesson.

He was very sweet though. Very politely he asked me to get the fuck out of the car and let him drive home.

I never did learn how to drive a stick. But I learned a lot about birds that day.

XoXoXo
D

Evo Today

2011-12-07T05:54:00.000-08:00

I'm over at the Writer's Evolution blog today. We are all following up on how we've done with our 2011 resolutions. Did I keep mine? Hmm....let's go see shall we.

XoXoXo
D

Anatomy of a Book - Mitch

2011-12-05T03:18:00.000-08:00

Depending on how this post works out, I think I might do the occasional breakdown of my books. Sharing with you how the idea came about, what I was thinking when I wrote it, my personal favorite lines from said book, etc.

I am going to start with Mitch.

Blurb:When mortal Bounty Hunter, Mitch Baine, decides to spend one night breaking all the rules with a sexy masked vampire, he has no idea that the stranger is Jarrod Axlerod, lead singer of the famous band Heartstrings, or that he will be contracted to kill Jarrod the very next day. Mitch has been trained to believe that the only good vampire is a dead on—a lesson cemented into his brain after years of killing them on contract for the US Army.

But his feelings toward the creatures begin to change after spending an incredible night at the masked ball. When he receives his newest contract, he is horrified to see that the vampire he has been hired to kill is none other than Jarrod Axlerod, the sexy vampire he has just broken every one of his personal rules with.

Mitch was originally published with another publisher. Now it has been revamped (pardon my pun) and re-edited for release with Resplendence Publishing.

Mitch had many inspirations. I had just watched the entire series of Queer as Folk and was not very happy with the way it ended. I wanted some of the characters to get the happily ever after I wanted them to have. With a vampy twist of course.

This one came pretty easily for me. I fell in love with Mitch and Jarrod right away. Their against the odds, not to mention against the rules, love was right up my alley. And adding Reagan a young, pain in the ass sister gave it a depth and dimension that I like to think resonates with people.

In fact, I fell so in love with Reagan while writing this book that I knew she was going to need her own story. Her book, Reagan (creative right?) should be completed soon and will probably be released in 2012.

Mitch was the second full length novel I'd ever written. It's quite daunting for me to take on such large projects. I've written a lot of shorts and a lot of novellas, but big ass novels are time consuming and brain draining. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE doing them, but they have to be carefully undertaken.

I am not one to outline much. But if I'm going to do a novel I have to have a vague idea of what is going to happen at the beginning, the middle and the end of the book. With Mitch, I thought I had all of that. Then I got a note from my editor politely informing me that I forgot to end the book. I'd pulled a Stephen King and stopped writing instead of giving all the characters a real finish.

I believe I ended up adding about 5,000 words to what I had thought was the end of the novel. And my editor was so right. The ending is much stronger with the additional chapters. In fact, one of my favorite scenes ended up being at the end of the novel. Unfortunately I can't share that one here because that would give it away to anyone who hasn't read it. But I can promise you, if you pick up a copy, you will like the end also.

Some of my favorite lines from Mitch:

"So this band… Reagan says they’re brothers, like the Osmonds.”

“My brother,” she paused to kiss my cheek, “is a big queer. A raging homosexual. Haven’t I ever told you that? He sucks more cock than you do.”

“Hey, Captain America.” His voice brought me back to attention. “You look like you’re going to eat me. And not in the fun way.”

These characters were so fun for me to write. I loved the dialogue that flowed from them. I don't know if its true for all authors, but I find that my characters take on their own lives, their own manner of speaking. I like to just let everything go and see where the story takes me. Yes, as I mentioned above I know where the story has to end up eventually, but it often feels as if I am not really driving. I'm just a navigator, gently nudging the characters toward the end of their journey, but letting them pick their own route.

So that is the anatomy of Mitch. I hope you've enjoyed taking this journey with me. If so please let me know and I'll try to do this again in the future with some of my other works.

XoXoXo
D

Writer Humor

2011-12-01T04:24:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to share some of my favorite jokes related to writing. I hope you get a good chuckle.
*************************************************************************************

A writer died and was given the option of going to heaven or hell.

She decided to check out each place first. As the writer descended into the fiery pits, she saw row upon row of writers chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they were repeatedly whipped with thorny lashes.

"Oh my," said the writer. "Let me see heaven now."

A few moments later, as she ascended into heaven, she saw rows of writers, chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they, too, were whipped with thorny lashes.

"Wait a minute," said the writer. "This is just as bad as hell!"

"Oh no, it's not," replied an unseen voice. "Here, your work gets published."

*************************************************************************************

There was once a young man who, in his youth, professed his desire to become a great writer.

When asked to define great, he said, "I want to write stuff that the whole world will read, stuff that people will react to on a truly emotional level, stuff that will make them scream, cry, howl in pain and anger!"

He now works for Microsoft writing error messages.
******************************************************************************

Three guys are sitting at a bar
#1: "...Yeah, I make $75,000 a year after taxes."

    #2: "What do you do for a living?"

    #1: "I'm a stockbroker. How much do you make?

    #2: "I should clear $60,000 this year."

    #1: "What do you do?"

    #2: "I'm an architect."

The third guy has been sitting there quietly, staring into his beer, when the others turn to him.
#2: "Hey, how much do you make per year?"
#3: "Gee... hmmm... I guess about $13,000."
#1: "Oh yeah? What kind of stories do you write?"

************************************************************************************

Q: What does Santa call his wife at tax time?
A: A dependent Claus.

******************************************************************************************

I hope you enjoyed the giggles.
XoXoXo
Dakota

Evo Today

2011-11-30T08:53:00.000-08:00

I'm over at the Writer's Evolution blog today. All week we are sharing our favorite recipies. Stop by and get some good food, some humor and maybe share some of your own holiday favorites.

XoXoXo
D

Ghost of Blog Posts Past

2011-11-28T02:43:00.000-08:00

When I started this blog it was originally titled "My Life in the Slush Pile." It was the place I would come to vent about rejections, discuss how my current WIP was going, talk about submissions and looking for publishers. Back then I'd only had a very short story published in an unheard of chapbook. I'd never been paid for writing before.

I started writing Sweet Dreams in 2007. Through the blog I made new friends, found a few contacts, and got some good tips from authors who had stumbled upon my new venture. It was all so new and exciting to me. In October of 2007 I submitted my very first book to Total E Bound Publishing. And can you believe they accepted it? It was one of the best days of my life. I was an author. An honest to God AUTHOR. Someone was going to edit, clean up, teach me and publish an entire book that I had written. And then they were going to PAY ME when people bought it. And you did. You went out and you bought Sweet Dreams and I got an actual ROYALTY CHECK. I had made it. You all helped me make it.

Fast forward five years with me. I've got a new blog address, the old one was compromised by myself when I vomited personal information all over it in a fit of rage and sadness. Good riddance I say. Though there are times it might be funny to take a peek back at what my fears were then compared to what they are now. But whatever. Now I'm just Dakota Rebel. I've got lots of stuff published with several different publishers. Most of my original friends are still here, and I have been blessed to "meet" so many more of you.

You all are the reason I am still here. The reason I still put fingers to the keyboard and bare my soul through my characters. If it weren't for you all I would probably only write Harry/Draco fanfic and be bitter about my lack of success. But I don't have to be that way. Because you like me. You really like me. And I love you all right back.

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and encouraged me in this endeavor. It has been one of the most thrilling experiences of my life and I just can't wait to see where the next five years will take me.

XoXoXo
D

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T02:38:00.000-08:00

Evo Today

2011-11-23T06:50:00.000-08:00

I'm over at the Writer's Evolution blog today talking about what I'm thankful for. I'd love for you to stop by and share your thankfulness with us.

XoXoXo
D

It's the most wonderful time of the year

2011-11-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

I could regale everyone with the usual "Oh my goodness I have a blog" post, but by now you all know how unfaithful I am to the blogger and you've accepted that about me. So I'll just jump into a regular post like it hasn't been months since I last shared with you.

I love Christmas. I don't know if I've ever told you all that before. My favorite thing about Christmas is going overboard on my friends. (Though this year I have been completely and utterly topped in that department by my best friends Brynn Paulin and Bronwyn Green who were WAY too generous to me this year. But I cannot tell you how much I appreciate their thoughtfulness.)

Usually under our tree there are stacks and stacks and stacks of gifts for everyone. I LOVE to buy for people. I like to think that I am an excellent gift picker. Often I will pick up little things all year and stash them away. That way when December rolls around and I pull out package after package of gifts it looks like I've spent a fortune but really it's been so spread out I barely noticed the money missing at all.

This year however, due to unforseen circumstances coupled with extreme laziness, I have actually just recently started my Christmas shopping. So I've been bargain hunting like a maniac so that I can still spoil the hell out of my friends and family, but keep it under control.

My current plan, and I'm hoping it will work. Is to find a great big box for everyone, fill it with all of the little things I've bought them, then wrap the giant container. That way it will seem to the casual observer that everyone got one big gift each, but then they will start pulling out a ton of smaller wrapped gifts. It's really the little things that give me joy.

What is your favorite part of Christmas? Is it the family dinners, the family fights, the presents, decorating the tree? What is that one thing that always sets your heart thumping and confirms for you that 'tis the season?

XoXoXo
D

I'm up for an award!

2011-09-17T16:56:00.001-07:00

Blood of the Fallen is up for a Bookie Award! If you read it and loved it I'd sure appreciate if you'd go vote for it. http://authorsafterdark.blogspot.com/ Click the link to go to the survey page. Blood of the Fallen is up for Demon Novel of the year

My Favorite Wedding photo

2011-08-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

Work work work

2011-07-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy little writer bee lately. I now have a new book scheduled for each month through the rest of the year. My next title comes out in a couple weeks from Resplendence Publshing. Quarantine (See the shiny cover. OMG I love it.) is a sexy little read about a were-cougar who gets it on with three gorgeous younger men. I had a lot of fun writing this book and I really hope you'll pick up a copy and love it to pieces. (Official Blurb below.)

This is part of a new series of shifter books I'll be writing. The series is called Jericho Falls and if you're interested in learning more about it I gave it it's own blog. www.jerichofallsseries.blogspot.com.

I also have a couple more covers I'll share with you later. (Can't give away all of my blog material in one post. It's hard enough to remember to come back every day.)

Quarantine Blurb:
A cougar, a bartender, a vet and a college student get stuck in a bar...

What starts out sounding like a bad joke turns into a nightmare when Jo Champlain finds herself quarantined in a bar with three sexy strangers just days before her sixth full moon as a were-cougar.

On the run from the man who infected her, she enver imagined she would end up stuck in the small town of Jericho Falls with nothing to fill her time except being seduced by three younger men. She tries to keep the truth about how she ended up there from the men but with the full moon upon them Jo soon realizes that she isn't the only one who's been keeping secrets.

I'll be back with an actual release date soon. I have it written down somewhere, but I'm just as scattered offline as on so forgive me.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Rambles

2011-07-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

I don't do a lot of promotion. Obviously I am shite at keeping up my blog. I let my website expire so at the moment I don't even HAVE one of those. I don't do the loops anymore. I barely even read other people's blogs. This is not the way to be a big time author.

But honestly, this year I have been having so much fun just writing, I don't feel like taking time away from that to remind the world that I am a writer.

I don't think this post is going to have a point, but honestly when do they when they come from me?

I do use twitter. If you'd like to come follow me I @DakotaRebel. I might not follow you back but I always try to respond to mentions if you want to ask a question or something while you're there. I have a rule about not following more than 25 people. I don't have a TweetDeck so I have to read it on my phone and for the most part I only tend to follow people I know personally. And Jim Gaffigan. But I sort of know him by association so it TOTALLY counts. (His sister worked with my mom. See, it's like we're family.)

Anyway. I am struggling to get a grip on where I belong. I am no longer hating my day job, so the push for full time writer status is not as hard as it was a year ago. I could live with writing part time and working full time now. I like to pay my bills on time and not wonder if my royalty checks will cover groceries for the next three months. (For the record, at the moment they would not.) I think I may be...*Gasp, comfortable.

I write books when I can, and I can take my time and focus to make sure they are good and up to the standards I hold my boys to. I don't have to jump at every opportunity because I can afford to wait for the next one.

What's my point? I don't have one. Not even a little. I'm just telling you what's in my brain at the moment. I promised to try to blog more, I didn't say it had to be nobel prize worthy words.

Anyway, if you haven't picked up Blood of the Fallen yet what the hell are you waiting for? If you follow my blog I assume you like my books and this one is a doozie. I promise. Drake and Elijah are quickly becoming my new favorite boys. You should really purchase a copy. www.resplendencepublishing.com.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'll try to be more coherent next time.

XoXoXo
D

It's release day!!!!!

2011-07-13T04:32:00.000-07:00

ZOMG! I haven't had one in so long. I've forgotten how exciting this is. Run over to Resplendence and pick up this book for me, won't you?
Blurb:

The concept of Armageddon has been thrown at international arms dealer Drake Brokk his entire life. But he never expected to find himself in the middle of it.
When Elijah Abrams, a fallen angel disguised as an FBI agent, tells him the ultimate battle is threatening to explode Drake has a hard time accepting it. He certainly can't believe it's up to him to stop it.
Armed with only an ancient sword, a kleptomaniac elf and his wits, Drake seriously doubts his ability to win the battle between good and evil. And he knows for sure there is no weapon forged that could keep him from falling for the fallen angel.

XoXoXo
D

Where the hell have I been?

2011-07-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well, the good news is that I've been writing. I know that is a poor excuse for abandoning my faithful followers of this blog, but honestly I've been super busy.

Between the day job, the baby, the soon to be teenager, the hubby and all the writing I just haven't had time to come update you all on it. I do sincerely apologize for my absence and vow to try to do better in the future. (I know I know, you've all heard that BS before.)

So, what have I been working on? Well, my next book will be released on Wednesday, July 13th from Resplendence.

Blurb:

The concept of Armageddon has been thrown at international arms dealer Drake Brokk his entire life. But he never expected to find himself in the middle of it.
When Elijah Abrams, a fallen angel disguised as an FBI agent, tells him the ultimate battle is threatening to explode Drake has a hard time accepting it. He certainly can't believe it's up to him to stop it.
Armed with only an ancient sword, a kleptomaniac elf and his wits, Drake seriously doubts his ability to win the battle between good and evil. And he knows for sure there is no weapon forged that could keep him from falling for the fallen angel.
I've been told that this is my best work so far. Of course, the people who told me that also tell me I look thin and that my hair always looks great, so take that praise with a grain of salt.

I love it though. It was a massive labor of love for me. To go from an extreme dry spell to a full on novel was a challenge but thankfully I believe it's worked out beautifully. I really do love these men and hopefully you will too.

In August I will have yet another book coming out. (See, I told you I've been working over here.) This will be the first in a new series of shifter books for me. I don't do shifters very often, but I'm very fond of this new series and I think you're really going to like them too. More about that later, (see, I'm setting myself up to come back and post for you.)

At the very least I'll be back on Wednesday to remind you about Blood of the Fallen.

Love you all and thanks for your patience with me.

XoXoXo
Dakota

April 23

2011-04-23T04:45:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was my birthday. Mr. Rebel and I went out to dinner with a couple friends and we had a lovely time.

It didn't feel like my birthday though. I'm not sure if that bothers me. I guess it does since I'm bothering to actually blog about it. This is not to say that I want to feel older. Between the Tweenage girl and the baby boy I feel old enough as it is. The lack of sleep is really starting to mess with my head. I have become accustomed to looking at the world through half-open eyelids. At any given moment I could close my eyes and pass out from exhaustion. But I don't. I grudgingly push through my days and try not to cry in relief when 9pm comes and I can get a few hours of sleep before T wakes up.

What's my point? I suppose I don't have one. If anyone is wondering why I haven't written any books though, that would be why. It's hard enough to string coherent sentences together about things that are really happening. Making shit up is even harder.

I hope you all are doing well, sleeping good, and for my writer friends I hope you're getting actual work done. Me, I'm going to beg my son to stop whining and let me close my eyes for just a minute. It can be his birthday present to me.

XoXoXo
D

I forgot I had my own blog

2011-04-02T09:57:00.001-07:00

Okay, not really. But it's been well over a month since I came here to post anything. Things have been hectic. With the new baby and work being so busy and trying to write books again, there just hasn't been time to stop by and say hello.

I finished my first book of the year in March. (Yay.) It's not scheduled for release until November, but I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible. I'm sure there will be a big reveal about it later in the year. Possibly with contests and freebies and goodies.

Now I am working on a new M/M novel. It should pan out to be pretty lengthy and if I can keep the story going as strong as it is now it might be even better than Mitch and To Hate and To Hold. My beta thinks so anyway. And that is MIGHTY high praise from her let me tell you.

That's about it really. Wow. A month and a half and I have nothing exciting to report. That is sad.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T01:53:00.000-08:00

Whatever your preferences this Valentines Day, I hope that you all love and are loved by your valentine.

XOXOXO
Dakota Rebel

Winners and Losers

2011-02-04T03:43:00.000-08:00

I am currently winning the weight loss contest at work. I am down 6 pounds in 4 weeks. It's pretty exciting. I can feel the difference in my clothes already. It's crazy that such a little amount of weight loss can be so noticable. It feels really good. Of course, last night I ate a bunch of cookies and then had McNuggets for dinner. But hey, everyone deserves a cheat day once in a while. Today it is back on track for this girl.

I've started a new book. Well, it's something that's been rattling around in my head for a while. My goal is still five new books this year so I'd like to have it done by the end of February. It will be another short one so that should be totally doable. It's called The Pit Boss and I'll have more info for you later.

That's about it for things here. I know, the exciting life of an author, right? Honestly I just work the day job, hang with the family, sleep when I can, and write in any spare minute that springs up between those things.

But it's a pretty sweet life if I do say so myself.

xoXoXo
D

Day Job Weight Loss

2011-01-16T02:42:00.000-08:00

At the day job a group of us have decided to play Biggest Loser. We all weighed in officially on January 6th and the person who loses the most weight by March 3rd wins. There isn't a prize except to try to be skinnier by spring. For most of us that is enough. And the friendly competition is a good motivator.

I won last weeks weigh in having lost 4.5 pounds in the first week. Not too bad if I do say so myself. This week I knew I had to kick it up a notch. It won't be enough to replace fast food with turkey sandwiches. I have to exercise.

Yuck.

BUT, on the bright side my mom let me borrow Zumba. I LOVE this informercial. All those women (and men) dancing the pounds off, chiseling their abs, and they are having so much fun doing it. So my mom bought it and never used it so I asked her to bring it over. I put in the DVD this morning and watched the basics. This DVD shows you how to break down the moves to understand them better.

Or I guess that is what the DVD does for people who have coordination and a brain. I cannot have both a the same time. I cannot keep up with these girls. I can watch their muscles moving as they dance and I KNOW that this would work. But I just can't do it. My body does not do what their bodies do.

They say they break every dance move down into 3 easy steps. The problem is the HUGE jump between steps 2 and 3. Like they need to add steps 4 and 5 so I can see where they got from march in place to jump around and wave and clap like a spaz.

The most frustrating thing is that I want to do it. I want to move my body like that. I want to HAVE a body like that. Like I said, you can see their ab muscles moving as they dance so you can tell the program is doing what it says it will do. I just don't know if I can pull it off.

I took the DVD out and put in the Stott Pilates DVD I used to do. I remember liking it a lot and I even lost weight doing it. But after watching all those Zumba people having fun the Pilates fell a little flat.

I want to do something fun. Something that will hold my interest and help me lose weight and actually stick to it. One of my resolutions was to get healthy this year. Part of that includes exercising. I guess I'll just have to keep getting up at 4am so I can try to figure out dance moves so I can get toned like those Zumba girls.

If you do Zumba or know someone that does let me know what their results have been like. Maybe if I know that someone has done this and succeeded I will try harder to learn the dance moves.

Or maybe I'll just go get a donut and a cup of coffee and watch Vampires Suck. Who knows? It's Sunday. Even God got to rest.

XoXoXo
D

Of Fanfic and other woes

2011-01-11T03:45:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that I have mentioned my love for fanfic here before. Probably even specified that I adore Harry/Draco fanfic the best. Well that little hobby reared it's ugly head again and I can't get enough of it.

I spent weeks trying to locate one particular story that I remember reading the last time I got my panties in a twist over the innapropriate pairing. I couldn't remember the title, the author, any specific LINES that I could google. Just key words that I would type into Google and then proceed to go page after page of results trying to find something.

Finally I hit on the magic phrase that brought me to a web page of someone also begging for any information on this story. And lo and behold...someone answered! So I got to find the fic too. And I read it. And it was lovely.

Now I believe I have move past the rereading of old favorites and on to new and exciting fics. I was not aware that people are still writing these. It's pretty cool to see stories that were just posted in November. New is good.

I bounce between fanfiction.net and restrictedsection.org. I like the amount of stories on fanfiction.net, but I'm a dirty girl and they don't allow anything above an "R" rating there. So I like to pop over to the restricted section to check out some heavier stuff. What can I say? I'm an erotica author, why on Earth would I want to read tame? That's right, I wouldn't.

No point really, just wanted to share.

XoXoX
Dakota

As long as the file is open it counts as working right?

2011-01-09T03:19:00.000-08:00

My current WIP has been sitting open on my computer for two days. It is minimized to the bottom bar, but it's open...just waiting to be maximized. Yesterday I got three pages done. I had been hoping to finish the stupid thing this weekend, but it really doesn't look like that's going to happen.

I don't have a definite length I'm going for, but from the feel of the story I probably have about 30 pages to go. I could crank that out today if I was feeling the end of the story, but I seem to have stumbled into a road block. I know what NEEDS to happen, but that doesn't mean the characters are going to cooperate.

It's early, really early for a Sunday. But I suppose it's time to put the coffee on, grab my Fang Banger mug, or is it the badass Dakota Rebel mug today? Probably both. Yesterday I started with one, drank a bunch of coffee and put it in the dishwasher. Then Mr. Rebel got up and made more coffee. So on to mug #2.

Have I mentioned that I have the best friends in the world? Those bad ass mugs were Christmas gifts from Brynn Paulin and Bronwyn Green. Along with other cool things. They are awesome. The people AND the mugs.

Well, I should probably take advantage of the quiet while I have it and try to get some writing done.

Have a wonderful week,
XoXoXo
Dakota

New Year, New Blog

2011-01-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

I revamped the blog for 2011. I'd love to know what you think.

I will also be trying to update my website and actually use it toward some sort of potential. I don't know what all that entails, but stay tuned cause I might have a brain flash.

I don't know if anyone stopped by the Evo blog to check out my goals for 2011, so I'll share the big one here.

By December 31, 2011 I plan to have five books and five shorts written. I am well on my way with my first book of the year (which will probably be the last released) half way completed. It is a sexy, M/M retelling of a classic. I don't think we've made the official announcement yet so come back often for the big reveal of what classic tale is getting the Dakota Rebel touch put to it.

Then there could be another retelling coming. I know, I know, it's sort of cheating. But not really. It's not like it's fanfic. It's just taking a well known theme and making it MINE. So watch out for my menage take on Snow White. (I know right! Wicked cool.)

This year will hopefully be more productive for me. I hope to blog more, write more and get more connected with my fans. I also hope to get my hands on a few book pirates and throw their asses in jail. I'm not sure how I hope to achieve that, but we should all have big goals to strive for and that one is mine.

So to you and your friends and families have a fabulous 2011 and make sure you keep coming back to see how I'm doing and check out my release schedule so you can pick up your spankin' new Dakota books as they are released.

Love and hugs
D

New Year

2011-01-05T02:26:00.001-08:00

We're talking resolutions over at the Evolutions today. Stop by and share yours.

I have a cover!

2010-11-20T14:52:00.000-08:00

It goes with my new book! Clandestine, the third book in my Lost and Found Series releases on Wednesday. I'm so excited. Stop by www.resplendencepublishing.com to pick up your very own copy.

XoXoXo
D

Ethan and Jamie Suck

2010-09-11T13:43:00.001-07:00

And not in the cool vampire way, or even the kinda naughty gay way. No I mean they suck as in they are horribly impossible men who are pissing me off. Royally.

Obviously I am stuck on the stupid book right now. I have banished myself to my desk with my soundtrack and my diet coke and nothing is happening. The boys are not talking, to me or each other. The story has stalled and I am trying really hard not to smoke too much. (Smoking helps me write but I am supposed to be quitting or at the very least keeping myself on my low level nicotene run.)

I shouldn't even be here right now except I need to get my fingers used to typing again. I am hoping that posting a blog will get my mind in the writing mode.

But I'm not really feeling this either. *Sigh

XoXoXo
Dakota

Come Deconstruct my Desk with me

2010-09-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

I am over at Writer's Evolution Blog today showing off my messy desk.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Soundtracks

2010-08-29T11:03:00.001-07:00

There have been lots of blogs on the subject of soundtracks given to books. Some writer's cannot write a book without noise, some can't work if it is not dead silent. Until recently I could write under any circumstances. I love to be able to create a soundtrack for my work, but there are some books that just don't lend themselves well to music. Ultimate Ultimatum was a silent book. It was a big ass struggle too, but there could be no noise going on while I finished it.

I bring this up now because today I start writing again. Yes, that's right, the foot is down and I am doing it damn it. But first, the soundtrack. Actually I am simultaneiously uploading music to ITunes and working on the WIP. And posting this blog. It's partial avoidance. Yes, I am not, at this particular second, working on the book. But my mind is working on it, so it totally counts. (I have to say that because Mr. Rebel reads my blog and I would hate to have him think I am still avoiding. I love you sweetie. Kisses!)

And I am working on the book. No really, I am. I have gotten a couple thousand words written while I put together a playlist that will keep me focused on the plot. It's hard because the baby is crying and I want to hold him and coo to him and kiss him and forget all about Ethan and Jamie. But that would actually be irresponsible of me. The Mr. has the baby and is enjoying every second of it. I am to work on books so I can be a stay at home mom who carpools and does T-Ball (apparently) and also happens to write erotic gay romance on the side for money.

So I am listening to music and creating playlists and trying to get Ethan and Jamie to move their damn plot already so I can get to the good stuff. Not sex actually, in this case the good stuff are the parts that are already written in my head and need a spot to be plugged into.

Basically this post has no point except to say hi, I am still here, I am still a writer, and hopefully by the end of the year you will be seeing Ethan and Jamie again.

XoXoXO
Dakota Rebel

Repo The Genetic Opera

2010-07-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this movie? If not I really think you should. It is a rock opera with the strangest ensamble cast ever. Anthony Stewart Head, Sarah Brightman, and Paris Hilton get top billing in this strange, B-Movie style gore filled musical. It is amazing.

Anthony Stewart Head (best loved, in my opinion, for playing Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is the father of 17 year old Shilo. Her mother died when she was born and Nathan (Head) keeps Shilo locked up due to a blood disease that makes it dangerous for her to leave the house.

But Nathan is also The Repo Man, the legal assassin for the company GeneCo. In the future surgery is a way of life. You can get your vital organs replaced on a line of credit through GeneCo, but if you can't pay your bill then the Repo Man will come take the organs back, in an utterly disgusting, blood spewing, skin splitting fashion. It is disgusting, but it is that over the top gore that is more funny than nasty...at least to me. And I will tell you, I am not a fan of the gore. But for some reason this movie makes me so happy I can overlook the organs and blood and alley surgeries to watch it.

Sarah Brightman plays Blind Mag, the voice of GeneCo. She has special prostetic eyes that glow and do all kinds of weird things. Her voice is beautiful and she is amazingly gorgeous in this movie. Mags is planning to leave GeneCo but the owner has it in her contract that the eyes belong to the company so if she goes...she cannot take them with her. I really adore her character in this movie. She is smart and ballsy and I LOVE her clothes.

Now, I'm sure you didn't miss the fact that I mentioned Paris Hilton above. Paris plays Amber Sweet, the daughter of the owner of GeneCo. She is addicted to surgery and to the street version of Zytrate, which is a pain killer taken from dead bodies by the graverobber (shown in the pic with Hilton). Paris is shockingly good in this movie. I was absolutely stunned that she could act, even if in this type of movie the acting is not even remotely important. She was good and she looked phoenominal.

This is one of those movies that is straight up beautiful. The way it is shot, the costumes, the choreography, the lighting. All of it is just beautifully orchestrated. I was disappointed by the lack of special features available on the DVD. (I am a big fan of commentary and I'm always bummed when a movie that I love doesn't have it.) But there are two cool little featurettes showing the movie's progression from stage to screen and the history behind the Repo Man.

So if you get a chance check this movie out. It's really good. I'll be returning it to Netflix on Monday so there should be at least one copy available soon.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Ultimate Ultimatum

2010-07-28T17:32:00.001-07:00

Ultimate Ultimatum is available now!

Blurb:

Annabelle has been dating Mike, Kyle and Josh at the same time for quite a while. She believes they are all happy with the arrangement until one night they drop an ultimatum on her. They inform her that she will have to pick one of them or they will decide for her. Torn by her love for all of them, she figures that she would rather be alone and heartbroken than to have to choose between them. But when the time comes to share that decision with the men, she finds out they’ve had a different plan in mind the whole time. One that will ultimately satisfy all of them.

Excerpt:
“Annabelle,” Mike’s voice was soft against my ear. “Sweetie, are you all right?”

“No, I’m not all right,” I said as I struggled to get my bearings. The guys had apparently picked me up and set me on the sofa while I was out. Now, they were all sitting on the floor next to me. “What the hell happened?”

“You walked into the room, swooned and fell down,” Kyle laughed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I didn’t swoon,” I growled through clenched teeth. “I do not swoon.”

I wasn’t even sure what a swoon was. I had read the term in romance novels, and it certainly didn’t sound like something I would ever do. Women with corsets that were too tight swooned. A woman walking into a room to talk to her boyfriends about the future of their relationship didn’t.

Except as soon as I remembered why we were all here, I felt myself start to sway slightly. Fortunately, the thought of fainting in front of them again was so horrifying that it shook me straight, and I was able to catch my breath before embarrassing myself any further.

“Okay, you fell face first onto the carpet in the most spectacular belly flop I’ve ever seen on dry land. Does that make you feel better?” Josh asked.

“Not really,” I said with a sigh. “Look, I obviously don’t feel good. And as fun as it sounds to sit here and ruin my life tonight, could we maybe reschedule this little anti-love fest for another evening?”

“No,” Mike said shortly. “We’re going to work this out tonight. Look, Annabelle, I’m sorry to put you on the spot like this. But we’ve got a pretty big stake in this too, and I think we’ve waited long enough for your decision. So just tell us, who do you want to be with?”

“Mike!” Josh barked loudly. “Could you be a little more sensitive?”

“I’m just frustrated and scared okay,” Mike said with a sigh. He turned to me and took my hand. “You know that I love you. And I know that you love me. I’m just scared that maybe you don’t love me as much as I thought. So I figure if we do this quick, like a band-aid, we can all start the healing process.”

“Well, let’s see.” I sat up and took my hand from him. “We can’t band aid this situation. I haven’t chosen anyone. I love you all, and the fact that you say you love me and then force me to make a decision like this, well, it makes me ill.”

“What are you saying?” Josh asked. “You don’t want any of us?”

“No.” I felt the tears welling up again. “I want all of you.”

Mike and Josh sighed happily in unison, as if they had been holding their breath and were relieved to finally exhale, and Kyle started laughing. I looked at each of them in turn, confused beyond reason at their reactions. Anger, sadness, anything but the ultimate looks of relief on their faces would have made sense. I got the feeling I’d been the brunt of some horrible joke.

“I told you she’d never pick between us,” Josh said after a minute. He turned to me and smiled. “You really do love all of us, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do!” I hoped the incredulity was apparent in my voice. “I don’t understand why you all look so relieved about this. I have been a wreck for a week knowing I was going to lose you, any of you. And now you all look incredibly pleased with yourselves, and it hardly seems appropriate given the ultimatum you threw at me.”

“Annabelle, don’t be mad.” Mike, at least, had the decency to look at the floor when he said it.

Well, that was promising. I couldn’t recall a single time anyone had said those words to me, and I hadn’t ended up pissed off beyond all reason. They were obviously up to something, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what that would be. If they’d chosen which of them was allowed to stay with me, I couldn’t imagine the other two looking so happy about it.

I watched them closely as I promised myself that no matter who they’d decided was the ‘winner’ none of them would be with me after this night. They had no right to choose for me, and seeing as I couldn’t have all of them, then I wouldn’t have any of them. I would just shatter my heart into three pieces, let them keep their share and walk away broken.

When I didn’t say anything to him, Mike continued.

“Josh and Kyle and I have been talking quite a bit over the last few months. I called them and asked them to meet me for drinks one night so we could talk about our relationships with you. It’s clear that none of us is willing to lose you, even if it meant sharing you forever. But none of us are happy with the way things are.”

He was talking in circles, and that alone was enough to get the anger stirring in my chest. I am not a patient person under the best of circumstances, and this was about the worst situation I could think of to be shoved into so blindly.

“We all want to spend the rest of our lives with you,” Kyle said. “But that isn’t going to work if we each only see you a couple of days a week. You can’t build a life together if you spend forever in date mode.”

Apparently, my absolute confusion was plain on my face because Josh smiled softly at me and leaned over to kiss my forehead.

“What we are trying to explain is that Mike, Kyle and I want to be with you. All of us, together.”

He said it as if it were as simple to understand as two plus two. But all I could do was stare blankly at him as my mind struggled to catch up to the punch line.

“I don’t understand,” I said finally when no one decided to elaborate. “You just told me last week that I had to choose one of you, that you wouldn’t all date me at the same time anymore.”

“I did say you had to choose,” Mike said. “But that was only to see if you really loved all of us equally. We already knew, but we weren’t sure enough to spring this idea on you right away. We had to know that you had thought about it, really thought about it, before we asked you to move in with us. All of us.”

It was the first time in my life that I’d felt as if someone had turned off all the lights in my brain, and it left me in complete darkness. I finally understood what they wanted, but couldn’t really wrap my head around it.

“All of you?”

“All of us,” Kyle said. “Josh and I will move into Mike’s house with you, and we’ll all be together. Equal partners in one relationship.”

“What about sex?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. It was rare that I looked at any of them and didn’t think about tearing their clothes off, but to be offered the chance to be with all of them, at the same time, it was too much to imagine.

Josh laughed and kissed me quick on the lips. “That’s my girl.”

“The sex part is really up to you,” Mike chuckled. “However, you want to handle it is fine with us.”

“Really?” If I hadn’t been a little angry still, I might not have been so crass about the situation. But they had put me through a week of hell only to tell me that they were going to be grown ups and share me in a way that I’d never even thought possible. So I figured a little payback was in order. “What if I want the three of you to fuck while I watch?”

Mike went pale as a sheet, Kyle turned bright red and Josh laughed so hard tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. I said nothing, waiting for it to sink in that I wasn’t completely kidding. When they’d all returned to some semblance of normal Josh cleared his throat and answered my question as best he could.

“We never really discussed that. None of us is naïve enough to think that we can be with you and never end up touching another guy. But I don’t think having sex with each other had ever entered into our minds. I’m sure that’s something we can talk about later if it’s really that important to you, but for now, I think we’d all prefer if we could focus on you.”

“How very diplomatic of you,” I said with a smile. It was a better answer than I’d thought they’d give me. And besides, if I was honest with myself the thought of all three of them focusing on me sounded pretty damn good.

“If it would help to ease your mind, we could practice and see how it goes before you decide if you’ll accept our offer.” Mike said it so calmly and rationally I knew he was serious, and despite all of my anger and confusion about the situation, my panties went damp at the thought of it.

“Can we do that?” It was barely a whisper, but I got an immediate reaction to let me know they’d all heard me.

Josh was closest, and he claimed my lips with his own. My arms instinctively went behind his neck holding him close against me. As his tongue swirled against mine, his hands gripping my hair, a second pair of hands slid up my thighs.

“Get her on the floor,” Kyle growled. And just like that, I was theirs.

I hope you appreciate this

2010-07-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Because it made me laugh out loud and everyone at work knew I was doing something not work related.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Thanks Bron

2010-07-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

I got tagged by Bron as a versitile blogger. The rules state that I have to share 10 things about myself that people may not know. As I am an open book this may prove difficult, but I'm a team player so I'll be a good sport and try.

1. I saw Robin Hood Men in Tights in the theater 42 times when it was first released.

2. I have had the same best friend since 3rd grade. (For anyone who is counting that is 22 years.)

3. My best friend was the officiant at my wedding to the Mr.

4. I have had 28 different jobs (not counting writing). The longest of which I am currently still at and has lasted 4 years. The shortest of which was less than one 8 hour shift.

5. I have a paper problem. I adore notebooks and I buy them all the time. The sad thing is that I rarely write in notebooks because I have a beautiful laptop that I adore. Yet, I still spend money on notebooks just to own them and their beautiful covers.

6. I LOVE to drive. If I am bored I prefer to get in my car and drive around with no destination than to do just about anything else. My car is my happy place.

7. Infomercials suck me in. I own a Magic Bullet System. And an Ab Circle Pro. My mom has a Bender Ball. I have Winsor Pilates DVDs. And Biggest Loser Yoga DVDs. I have a food dehydrator. I want a Jack Lelane Juicer. And a Mr. T Grill. I got over the Ronco Knives after reading a lot of reviews from people who have never actually received their blades but paid a ton of money for them. My daughter has Moon Sand that she never plays with and Goo that sticks to her hands and she is not allowed to play with. She wants Cuponk, but I refuse to support the idiot that is encouraging children to enhance their 'throw the ball in the cup' skills so that when they hit college they will kick ass at beer pong. Plus, that guy is going to make a million dollars from idiots who pay $20 for a plastic cup and a ping pong ball. I cannot condone that. Even I have a line.

8. I love cartoons and comic books.

9. I am a toy collector. Most of my toys are Nightmare Before Christmas, but I also collect Dallas Cowboys football players (okay, I have two. But I would get more if they were out there.) I like action figures and I refuse to take them out of their boxes. They live on shelves in my library/office and they are beautiful.

10. I love pictures of nature but hate to be outside. I can google pictures of trees, winter scenes, autumn beauty, and tropical destinations for hours. But I cannot stand bugs and heat and all the nastiness that comes from actually being IN nature. Yuck.

So there you go, 10 things you may not know about me. I am not going to tag anyone because Bron knows all the same people I do so there is really no point. But if you want to share some little known things about yourself I would LOVE to hear them.

Bonus 11 - I am nosy as hell and love to hear secrets about other people. Even mundane stuff.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Ultimate Ultimatum Update

2010-07-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

My shiny new release date for Ultimate Ultimatum is August 25th. I should have cover art available to show off in the next couple of weeks.

Still super excited.

Yay me!

XoXoXo
Dakota

Wow

2010-07-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

So I finished a book today. And I submitted it. And it was accepted. Can I get a Woop Woop?

The last book I finished was way back in February, so this is a really big deal for me. I'm super excited to have finished this one. It was a long time coming, especially for as short as the book is.

Ultimate Ultamatum is scheduled for release in November, but stay tuned here as I might be able to push that date forward a little if everything works out.

XoXoXo
Dakota

A new time waster? Awesome!

2010-07-08T03:27:00.000-07:00

So I found this new site. Sh*t my kids ruined. It makes me happy and terrified all at the same time. If you take a gander over at page four you will find the description for my so-far favorite picture below. OMG, this site will make you lock every sharpie you have away until your child graduates high school.

Incredible!

2010-06-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hats off to rebelliouspixels for this amazingly put together work. This was freaking awesome.

XoXoXo
D

Happy Father's Day - To Mr. Rebel and all the other fabulous Dad's out there.

2010-06-20T03:38:00.000-07:00

XoXoXo
Dakota

Of Nail Polish and other stories

2010-06-18T04:48:00.000-07:00

So, O.P.I. came out with a line of nail polish based on the new Shrek movie. And I wanted it. I wanted it BAD. I searched the internet...scoured in fact, but to no avail. Could not get my hands on this polish. Amazon had sets of small bottles, but only in four colors and I wanted all six. They are too cool not to own.

So I hit up Facebook. I posted that I needed to get my hands on this polish and could anyone out there help me. And someone did. My current favorite person in the world Teresa works in a salon and tracked down all six colors for my finger painting enjoyment.

Today my nails are "Who the Shrek Are You" green. (That is not my hand in the picture, but that is what color my nails are.) O.P.I. also has: Fiercly Fiona (yellow), Funky Dunkey (dk purple), Rumples Wiggin (light purple), Ogre the Top (dk. blue), and What's with the Cattitude (lt. blue).

They are very, very cool. I love these polishes and only wish I could still reach my feet so I could paint my toe nails again. I need a pedicure like crazy. My feet, when I can see them beyond the bump, look like ogre toes. It would be fitting to paint them with the Shrek collection. Plus I could use the massage. Though, did you know, that because of all the nerve endings in the feet pregnant woman should avoid having the areas between their ankles and heels rubbed because it will cause contractions? I did not know that, and thank goodness for the internet. What did we do before the magic answer box?

One of these days I might be brave enough to put up a picture of my bump...but I wouldn't hold your breath. If it wasn't for the fact that it's there because of my son I would completely hate it. As it is, I try to ignore it as much as possible. Which works until I run into things like door frames because I am bigger than I remember being. Sometimes I feel like a cat who had it's whiskers trimmed. I should fit in the space between the bathroom stall door and the toilet, but for some reason I just don't anymore. It's crazy.

What was I talking about? Nail polish. Right. So that's was pretty much it for the nail polish story. I got new polish and I love it and I'm incredibly grateful to Teresa for tracking it down for me.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Unheroic

2010-06-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

Today I am over at the Evo Blog yakking about what heroes are not allowed to do. Stop by and say hello.

Mixy Things

2010-06-14T03:53:00.000-07:00

Royalty checks and Amazon.com. Oh yeah.

So I'm not sure if I mentioned it but the Mr. and I are going to have a baby. And since it has been 12 years since I last partook of this particular journey we have no baby stuff left. All of the gear has been donated, given or thrown out. Which is fine because at this point I'm sure it's all been recalled and we should give our Heavenly thanks that Jr. wasn't killed by her pacifier as an infant.

Anyway, so we had the shower and it was LOVELY. Our friends and family were incredibly generous toward our coming baby boy. We received almost everything we need. But of course there are always a few things that end up still on the list of needs.

This is where Amazon comes in. I can get almost everything we need for an incredibly low price AND I will get free shipping. I can even buy formula and diapers on Amazon. And if I sign up for automatic delivery I get an extra 15% off. Talk about convenient and helpful. These people know how to treat parents right.

I know I sound like a commercial, but I'm really excited to finish up all of the baby shopping in one place without having to lift, bend, or travel from my desk to do it. If I could figure out budgeting I would do more of my grocery shopping on Amazon too. Eventually I will find a way to do it, in the end laziness will always win.

Well, it's Monday. Yuck. The Jr. is out of school on Thursday then leaves for Washington and New York on a trip with my parents. She is very excited and I am so happy for her. But I will miss her like crazy. At least it is only a week.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Nature

2010-06-09T04:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it is no secret that I am not a fan of 'outside.' But here's the thing, I love to look at pictures of nature. I just don't want to be out in it. As a Taurus I can still appreciate the beauty of our Earth. So here are some pictures that I'd like to share with you that I think are breathtaking.

Maternity Clothes

2010-06-07T03:55:00.000-07:00

So, we all know that the big companies are just out to make money and they don't really care about the consumer. So this post should come as no big shock to anyone. But I am going to bitch about it anyway because that is my right and this is my blog and my belly is growing to epic proportions and very little can cover it anymore. So here I go.

Maternity clothes are really expensive, and not very attractive. For something that most women only have to wear for 6 to 9 months the cost and ugliness of them is incredibly unfair. I mean come on, we already feel huge and puffy and unattractive, so why on earth would you only offer us pink and blue nightmare clothing to accentuate our unhappiness with our bodies? AND you are going to charge and arm and a leg for them? Come on!

Now, another problem I have is with the QUALITY of these garments. Again, these companies know that you are only wearing them for less than a year, so they get to skimp on the quality of the item being manufactured. So by month 4 I have maternity jeans that are frayed, the elastic is almost shot and there is nothing I can do about it. Even companies with incredibly lenient return policies won't take clothes back past 90 days. They just tell you that you must be putting them on wrong and there is nothing they can do about it. Well excuse me, but I have been putting on my own pants for almost 30 years and I am well aware of how they work. But alas, they just get me to spend another $30 to $50 on jeans that will only be in use for another few months. Bastards.

It's not fair that they can take advantage of women like this. Millions of women are pregnant at any given time. So you would think that maternity clothes would be a big market. But you wouldn't know it from the 'selection' most stores offer. Generally when shopping for maternity clothes I have found one tiny corner of a store, behind the racks and racks and racks of baby sleepers, where they have crammed one style of jeans, one style of khakis and a few ugly ass shirts for preggies to choose from. And if I'm lucky I can find sizes larger than a six, but that has to be on a really good day.

My mother was kind enough to drive me 30 miles to the only Old Navy store that carries maternity clothes. I got to walk out empty handed because, alas, I am not a size 2 and that is pretty much all they had. A few 4s and maybe a medium size shirt. But that's it. NOTHING for real women. It was incredibly frustrating.

It would be nice if someone out there were to make attractive maternity clothes that were affordable and made well. I can't believe how huge of a favor this is to ask. Motherhood Maternity makes nice looking clothes...but I will not spend $200 on a pair of jeans that I will only wear for a year. No way in hell. I won't drop $50 on a white dress shirt to wear to work. It's just insane.

Please, someone out there, hear the cries of the pregnant woman. We are having babies. Babies are expensive. We cannot afford to spend too much money on clothes when we are trying to pull together a nursery, plan for unpaid time off work, and spend twice as much on groceries because we are hungry ALL THE TIME. Some brave clothing designer must be willing to help us out.

We are broke but we are loyal. If you make us clothes that are affordable and hold together we will, en masse, rush to the store to stock up on good quality jeans and t-shirts. We will ooh and ahh and tell our friends about the color choices you offer us. We will encourage all of the pregnant women we see on the street to go check out your options and purchase plenty of them. Please, oh please, won't someone come to our aide? My belly does not define me, do not make it define my fashion sense.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

If I wasn't an author

2010-06-04T03:38:00.000-07:00

There are so many things I wanted to be 'when I grew up.' And many of these things were decided in my twenties, not necessarily when I was in kindergarten. Below are a few things that I honestly thought I might attempt but then, you know, life got in the way.

Oceanographer - I love sharks. They are my favorite Discovery Channel topic. If I got to choose how I was going to die, I'd like to be eaten by a Great White. This dream died for many reasons. One, it's not all swimming with sharks and dolphins. I would have to touch fish. I would have to learn about the insides of all kinds of underwater animals. Honestly, I couldn't even work at Sea World so bad is my hatred of non Dolphin or Shark water life. So that was a total pipe dream. But I still would like to be eaten by a shark.

Egyptologist - This one I would still love to do. I am an armchair expert on certain periods of Egyptian history. I absolutely love it. The history, the artwork, the mysteries. I want to dig through sand and find new tombs. I want to stand in rooms that have not been occupied in centuries. The height of excitement for me could be to brush sand off of objects with a paintbrush for hours. This dream still haunts me. I cannot afford to go to school for a subject that does not really need anymore archaeologists. I don't have the time or the patience for it. I just want to be paid to study a moment in time that I already study with complete fascination and love. Is that so wrong? I didn't think so.

Wedding Planner - This is another one I would still love to do. I think that if my mom and I teamed up and got a business license this is something we could totally pull off. Of course, it's the start up capital that is the problem. Planning my own wedding was a lot of fun. Planning other people's weddings would be even better due to the fact that I wouldn't have the stress of being the bride on the same day. Since both my mother and I are creative people I just know we would KILL at this. And maybe if things work out in the future it is something we still may try our hands at.

Professional Gambler - This one would be a lot of fun. But since most of it is luck (I know that poker is a skill, but it is not a skill I am strong in. So for me, it's luck) it's not a very stable lifestyle choice. If I were to win a couple hundred million dollars I might try it for a month and see what happens, but I couldn't seriously support my family on Let It Ride and Roulette. No matter how much fun I would have trying.

So, there are just a few things I would have liked to have tried over the course of my younger life. I can't say any of that would be better than being a wife and a mother, but it might have been fun to check out a few of them.

How about you? What did you want to be when you grew up? What could you be doing right now if you weren't an author?

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel
www.dakotarebel.com

Happy Birthday Bronwyn Green!!!!

2010-06-03T03:39:00.001-07:00

I hope you have a fabulous day love!

XoXoXo
Dakota

Overhaul

2010-06-02T04:07:00.000-07:00

So as you can see I've completely changed the blog again. I keep hoping that if I update it and make it all pretty it will convince me to spend more time here. And if I am spending more time here perhaps you all will spend more time here too.

I am contemplating joining in the Monday Minute Fiction that Brynn and a few other wicked talented authors are doing. It sounds like a good way to stretch the writing limbs after so long of not using them.

I will admit that I have, slowly, started writing again. But I don't want to talk about it anymore than to say I am doing it. I refuse to jinx it. I am doing it, it is going well, thank you for your help and your patience during these last few months.

There are things that I must do if I am going to get back to be a real writer again. Things that involve more than just words on paper. Though that is the very best place to start. I will have to commit to blogging again. I will have to attend chats, do promo, and become involved in the writing community again. But mostly I will have to stop shutting myself down. I can't say it was on purpose, but I can no longer lie and say I haven't been avoiding my friends for the last few months. Brynn came to see me a little while ago and it was like a magic charm to spend time with her. I started writing the very next day. I cannot count it as a coincidence.

I will leave you with this. I am not making any promises. I am just saying I will try to be a writer again. I will try to put words on paper. I will try to spend time with my friends. I will try to be active on loops and read blogs and I will try to be shiny, happy Dakota again.

What else is there for me to do. This not writing thing is just not working out for me. I was born to do this, but that doesn't mean I don't have to work at it. It is a job and it is time I got back to treating it that way.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

WTF

2010-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Let's file this under What the Fuck shall we? This dude free fell from the top of the Eiffel Tower to hit a ramp on rollerblades. And lived. And set some sort of stupid record.

He is lucky he didn't shatter his ankles before he died in bloody heap. Somewhere in France his mother is STILL screaming at him. And his friends moms are cringing because their kids are the type of boys that if Jean Claude or whatever his name is jumped off the Eiffel Tower...well they just might too.

Just more proof that boys are dumb.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Thank you

2010-05-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

I would like to take a moment today to thank the brave men and women who choose a life of service to their country. Thank you to my friends who risk their lives to ensure that me and my family have the basic freedoms that we so often take for granted.

Thank you for being strong enough to fight for people who too frequently forget the reason we are allowed to stand on our soapboxes and bitch about our government without fear of repercussion or death.

Thank you also to the mothers and fathers who allow their children to do what we all know needs to be done, yet rarely have the guts to do ourselves. Thank you for being strong enough to give your babies up to protect our country.

Thank you to all military personnel for continuing to fight for what is right, even when the country you are protecting stands behind you and trivializes the war your friends are dying in. Thank you for having the courage to ignore the hate mongers and plow on with strength and dignity.

Thank you to the gay men and women who serve our country knowing that not everyone supports your right to love whomever you choose. Thank you for agreeing to hide who you are and what you believe in because you believe in our country and our freedoms more. Thank you to the few soldiers who do know that your military brothers and sisters are gay and proudly serve beside them anyway.

Thank you to the fallen who died to protect our liberties, to protect our freedoms, and to protect our borders.

There is too much American blood spilled on foreign soil for us to forget the men and women who shed it. Please thank a veteran today. Please think about those brave soldiers who gave their lives so that your family could continue to live in a free society. Please don't ever forget that when you exercise the freedoms our constitution protects, there is a pound of flesh and a gallon of blood that was taken from our military to make those rights possible.

God bless our soldiers. And God bless the United States of America.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Porn for Pregnant Women

2010-05-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

I write erotica...okay, so I used to write erotica. And hopefully I will write it again soon. But that's not my point. My point is, I like to think that I know sexy when I read it, when I see it and when I hear it.

The above commercial came on the TV the other day and I almost wet my pants. I have had two cravings that I have not given in to. Coney dogs and beer. The coneys, whatever. I can live without hot dogs. But the beer. Oh goodness the beer. I want one so bad. It sounds good, when people around me are drinking it the smell is amazing. It looks so pretty all bubbly and light in their glasses.

I am a Guiness girl at heart, and that is what I want more than anything. So far everyone around me has been polite enough to not drink it in my presence. It's hard enough to avoid regular beer. But if I were to see and smell a pint of Guiness I might just flip my lid and hurt someone.

The baby is due in August and I am seriously considering having someone sneak me a beer into the hospital. I think that after the hell I am about to go through I will have earned an ice cold Guiness.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

WIPS and day off

2010-04-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Jr. and I are both off tomorrow. This means there will be copius amounts of sleeping in to be had. However the Jr. wants to stay up late, and as it is almost 9.30 and I am about to pass out on the couch, I think this idea is getting nixed right quick.

In writing news...well nothing has really changed. I went through my WIP files (yes, plural) and read a bunch of partially written stories, bits of scenes and clips of dialogue. I have some WIPS that are completely done save for the sexy scenes. I have sexy scenes with no plot. And of course I have random clips of words and phrases in files that don't really belong anywhere. None of these can be tied together into one story or book of course, cause that would be too easy. Mostly I am just testing the waters. I am back to wanting to write, so I suppose that's better than nothing. But I am still not in a mindset to get actual word count down.

Blogging has gotten easier. I have stuff pre-posted for the Evo blog and I am here occasionally too. Mostly I just miss the freedom of typing. I love to type, always have, and since I don't write anymore I like to stretch the keyboard muscles to keep them loose just in case.

In baby news, we are having a boy! Names are still being kicked around, or as I told the Jr. tonight, names are still in negotiation. We do have colors picked out for the nursery and we have started our registries.

Any way, I am exhausted and about to leave the Jr. to figure out her bedtime alone cause I don't know how much longer I can keep my eyes open. Being pregnant is exhausting.

XoXoXO
Dakota

Of fanfic and other fancies

2010-03-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

So, I took partial advice from all of you so kind to stop by with your words of encouragement. I have not forced myself to write and I have started to read fanfic again. I know you all said to try writing it, but I prefer the reading of it. I haven't in a long time and it is actually pretty nice to have new material to read and I rediscovered an old obsession.

I just love Harry/Draco stories. The dirtier the better. There have been a few favorites over the years that I have re-read occasionally. But this time I have done more indepth searching and discovered new authors. Many of whom are extremely talented and tell quite the good tale.

There was a time when fanfic would inspire books. A certain fanfic about my favorite boys actually spawned my favorite novel. But it is not always this way, mostly I read it for fun.

My publishers and editors have been very understanding and agreed to float the third installment of Lost and Found. It will happen, I just don't know when. At this point I have begun to think about it again, I just can't seem to make myself actually write it.

At this point I have random notes typed out. Chunck of dialogue. A sentence here and there, none of which connect to each other. But the stirrings are there. It's not enough to make me relax into writing again, but hey...it's something.

Of course when I eventually get back into it I may look back and not remember why I typed "rimming against coffee table" or "how did he not know you were gay?" But for now, I am counting those notes as progress. As steps in the right direction.

Thank you all again for stopping by to talk me down off my ledge. It is such a relief to know that I am not the only person going through this, that there is a way back, even if the tunnel looks pitch black at the moment. I will keep slowly feeling my way until I catch a glimpse of that light again.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Dilemma

2010-02-25T18:12:00.000-08:00

I don't feel much like a writer lately. Probably because I haven't written anything in so long. I've had to pull my current WIP from it's line up with the publisher because I know I will not have it finished in time.

Things feel very strange for me on the writing front. I know that a lot of it probably has to do with being pregnant. My hormones are making me crazy and as Brynn pointed out, there is a parasite sharing my brain. That is to say that coherent and I do are not always mixy things lately. And that does not bode well for deadlines.

I do occasionally sit down to write. I can stare at a monitor for a good long while until I finally sigh and give up without having touched the keyboard.

In fact, the most writing I have done in months has been posted to blogs the last few days. And while it feels good to string sentences together again, none of it is helping to exercise my creative nerve endings. I still have no drive to write.

It has been suggested that I try something in a different genre, which was a fabulous idea...in theory. Unfortunately there are no characters speaking to me. I don't know if they felt the need to vacate my brain when I became pregnant or what. But it's really annoying and lonely in my head right now. As a writer I have become accustomed to voices in my head, and now that they are gone my world is oddly silent and a little spooky.

This isn't like writers block. I don't know if I even believe in writers block anymore. This is something totally different and completely terrifying. It feels as though someone has taken my ability to write away. Imagine how you would feel if you woke up one morning and that thing, that spark, that little whatever it is that makes us authors was just gone. You sat at the comptuer and it was like you didn't know how to even turn it on. That is how I feel every day.

I belive I have discussed on the blog before that when I am not writing my mood becomes very foul. And right now it is really bad, my head is not only devoid of voices that are not my own, the ones that are mine are saying very ugly things to me. All the time. I try to keep my anger and frustration hidden away so as not to take it out on innocent people who have done nothing to deserve my wraith. But the bitching manages to slip out anyway.

So my question is this, what do I do now? Does anyone have any advice on how to get that spark back? Where do I find my characters? It seemed like such a silly question when people asked "Where do you get your ideas?" or "How do you create your characters?" It was like asking a fish how it breathes with gills. It knows and it thinks you are silly for asking. Doesn't everyone know how to breathe with gills? But now I find myself on the other side, only somehow it's worse. Because I don't just need to know where YOU get ideas, I need to know where to find my own.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

The Return of Brian and Justin

2010-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time I wrote a book. It was a book that had to be written because I didn't like the ending of the original story. You wouldn't recognize my book for it's inspiration, but I always knew they were there, below the surface. Since they didn't get what I wanted them to have the first time around, I changed the plot so that they could get it when I wrote it my way.

The book is Mitch, though to be honest Brian and Justin are almost always in my head when I write. Lately though they have been absent, and I have not written. In an attempt at some sort of inspiration I returned to old faithful...otherwise known as YouTube. I have been watching videos compiled by QaF fans. These genius people take clips of the show and meld them together with music to make 3 - 5 minute mini movies. And for the most part they are phoenominal.

Having spent years searching and watching these clips, it always amazes me when I stumble upon a new one. Such as the one below. It is saaaaaaaaaaaaad. Of course, I am pregnant and super hormonal, but still, consider yourself warned.

As always, if you don't like M/M, don't want to watch men kissing each other and being naked together...well honestly, what are you doing here in the first place?

No blogging no writing

2010-02-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

I haven't written or blogged in quite a while. The only posting I do anymore is over at Writer's Evolution.

Having just gotten married in October, then getting pregnant in November, it's been a busy couple months. I am trying not to use all of this as excuses, but a lot of it can't be helped.

There were things I wanted to do this year that have not happened. I haven't finished a book this year. I haven't gotten back to doing the Aural Sex podcasts I wanted to do. I have barely been in contact with friends. And I haven't kept up with blogging.

What have I done this year? Well, I've managed to hold on to the day job, joy. And sleep. I've slept a lot. I am so exhausted there are days I want to cry from it. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done, it's just one of the many annoying things about being pregnant. Right there along with being moody all the time. August cannot come freakin' fast enough, let me tell you.

So what's been up with you? Does anyone even stop by anymore? I've been absent so long it would serve me right if I'd lost all of my readers.

XoXoXo
Dakota

I am Wonder-Full

2010-01-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

Today I am a wonder writer over on Brynn's blog. Go check me out!

Not All Who Wander

2009-12-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

Blurb:
Sara lands on Wyspa and is found by two handsome men. The men are convinced that she is the answer to their prayers. But she is not so sure.

After years of traveling the world Sara is scared of being trapped on the island forever. Her new friends will try hard to convince her that ‘Not all Who Wander are Lost.’

Available today at Resplendence Publishing.

Old Faithful

2009-12-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

We all have those movies. They could be our favorites, or secret loves that we aren't even aware of. Flip through the guide and find that even with 1000 channels, there is nothing on. But wait, what was that on History? Is that? Yes. Yes it is.

Tombstone. Old reliable. The movie I can watch over and over again and never be bored. It may not be something I put into the DVD player and watch, but if it is on TV, it's going on that station. Everytime I watch it I get caught up in the lives of the Earp brothers, the romance between Wyatt and Josie. The sadness that is...Mrs. Earp and her slow decent into drug addiction. And it's pretty much the only movie I love Val Kilmer in.

Another favorite standby is Goodfellas. Again, I watch this every time it happens to pop up on my TV Guide. It is especially funny if it is on network TV as the interesting substitutions they use for cuss words can be hilarious. The bleeping is not nearly as fun.

Then there are the DVD movies. The ones I put on when there is nothing else to watch. Dracula, of course. The Corpse Bride and Nightmare Before Christmas are also fantastic stand bys. I could watch Gone with the Wind every day.

Now, I have to explain something here. The Mr. and I own lots of DVDs. I think we figured it around 300 or so. Maybe more, I can't remember. It's a bunch. And while we can get down on Robot Chicken and Step Brothers almost any night of the week, when it's just me, I tend to dig a little deeper.

Tonight, it's Meet Joe Black. I fucking love this movie. It is a beautiful story of love and family and forgiveness. It is touching, it is sad, it is hilarious. It has everything. Including Brad Pitt pre-beardedness. No goat face to be seen in Meet Joe Black, no sir.

I was debating between this and The Secretary. Another cult fave of mine. That one is pure sexy. Electric. Hot.

But it's all a question of mood, isn't it. Do I want something funny, something sad (yes, I sometimes crave sad movies, I'm a masochist), something romantic, something dark. Tonight I wanted it all, so Meet Joe Black it was.

If you have never seen this movie I highly suggest you get it. Watch it when you have a few hours to devote to it. You must pay attention to the subtlties of it. It is beautiful. Even the freakin' cinematography was amazing. And I never notice that stuff.

Basically I signed on to tell you that I love this movie. I am supposed to be working on Clandestine, that's really why I locked myself in my room with the movie in the first place. But I want to get lost, I want to be swept away by this wonderful story. So perhaps I will work, or perhaps I will watch Anthony Hopkins learn the truth about his life one minute at a time.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

COVERS

2009-12-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

DONE!

2009-12-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

Join Me

2009-11-27T17:48:00.000-08:00

Join the Rebel Alliance! I have started a Yahoo Group and a Facebook Page for fans of Dakota Rebel. Together we will be strong in our...strength. Or something.

Mostly I am avoiding this book. Not for much longer I promise. It has to be finished and turned in in the next couple of days. But I figured what the hell, I'll see how many fans I can get. Not too productive on the WIP but highly entertaining.

You can request to be added to my loop here

And if you would like to be my facebook friend search rebel-alliance @ hotmail.com and I will confirm you. Just please mention that you are a fan or a friend in the message section so I know that you know who I am.

My hope is that Dakota's Rebel Alliance will catch on and people will read more of my books and come visit me at book signings and stuff.

So that is my evening. Finishing up the final touches on my FB and my new loop and then finishing up Not All Who Wander.

I have gotten some cover art that I will share with you when I get the final versions. So stay tuned for more Dakota News!

XoXoXo
D

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

Go buy this book. It is fantastic. Seriously. Click the cover to read the blurb, the excerpt and then to purchase.

Yay Bronwyn! Happy Single Title Release day!!!

XoXoXo
Dakota

How can I help?

2009-11-18T16:02:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to show values to my daughter. Explaining that we should give because we are fortunate to have jobs and family and a support system that not everyone has. We have donated food to the Goodfellows. We have discussed the fact that maybe this year Santa can skip our house to focus on kids who don't have parents that can spoil them the way the Mr. and I can spoil her.

But I've felt I should do more. I think about it a lot. But I rarely act on it. And I'm not sure if that makes me a bad person or if I'm just lazy. I need to not just think about things like this. I need to act on them. We should all act on the need to do good. There are so many people out there that need help. If we can help we should.

I am going to start by adding this link. Anissa Mayhew is not a friend of mine. But she is a friend and loved one of other people. She and her family need help. Please, if you have the means to help click this link and learn how you can. Then forward the link on in your own blogs, on your loops, to your email groups. Forward this on so that we can help this family in their time of great need.

And remember to give thanks that you and yours have your health. During the holidays we sometimes get so busy and frazzled that we forget how fortunate we really are.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Holy Crow!

2009-11-16T15:40:00.001-08:00

So I just clicked over to see my publisher's website. Tropical Hedonism is on the bestseller list over at Resplendence!

I'm so excited. Thank you to everyone who has picked up their copy. I really appreciate it.

Next month the second installment of the Lost and Found series comes out. Not to give away industry secrets or anything but I am still furiously working to get the book finished. Hopefully I will have it done this week. And then I should have cover art available for you to see soon.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Christmas Shopping....Check

2009-11-10T04:36:00.000-08:00

I shop early. And often, let's not forget often. I LOVE to Christmas shop. It makes me really happy to be allowed to buy things for people. I do that all year long, but they are more accepting on this day than on any other.

It is November and I am almost finished shopping. There are two people left to buy for. Isn't that insane? Even to me that is pretty freakin' impressive.

One of the people left is the Jr. and I usually don't stop buying for her until Christmas Eve. Notice I didn't say stop shopping. Nope, I should quit about the third week into buying for her, but I never do. Spoiling her is one of my true passions. I love that I can buy her things and watch her excitement as she rips the paper off the packages. *Sigh. I love Christmas.

Now granted, this year was easier than others. Like most people we have scaled way back. So the piles of presents I usually bestow upon people will be smaller. But I am not saddened by this because I believe the quality may be better than ever. Because there is less to spend, more thought had to go into finding that perfect gift for everyone on my list.

I think this recession is awful, but if we learn things from it than perhaps it is not a total loss. Quality is so much more important than quantity. Not just with presents obviously. In all things, we should put more thought into what we do, what we buy, CERTAINLY what we eat. But that is a blog for a different time.

Mostly I just wanted to brag that I am almost done Christmas Shopping!

Yay me!

XoXoXo
D

#18 Baby!

2009-11-05T14:26:00.000-08:00

So I wandered over to All Romance EBooks to check out how Tropical Hedonism is doing. And lo and behold there it was on page 2! It is the number 18 best seller at the moment.

It would mean so very much to me if anyone interested in this book would wander themselves over there and purchase their very own copy. I would so love to see this book hit the bestseller list over at ARe.

The pic above is a link to the site. There you can check out my blurb and an excerpt. If you love hot M/M then you should really think about getting yourself a copy of Tropical Hedonism. It was awarded 5 flames from ARe so you know it's spicy.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T02:46:00.000-07:00

Newsletter Updated

2009-10-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

My November Newsletter is up. If you're interested check it out here.

The problem with inspiration

2009-10-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

So last night I caught an episode of Queer as Folk on Logo. And I have been sucked back in. It's like I never gave the obsession up. I swore I would watch it only while I was writing. But then the writing gave way to watching and I only got a couple hundred words done.

But I'm still writing so I guess I shouldn't look this gift horse in the mouth. The book is going pretty well too. I like the theme and I like where it's going. So I'm trying not to push it. If I let the story keep flowing I will be more likely to finish it and not freak out.

So I am watching Queer as Folk, the WIP is up, but it is not currently demanding my attention. I'm going to watch the rest of the episode and probably fall asleep.

Tomorrow is one of my best friend's birthdays and Saturday is Halloween! I can't believe October is almost over. It has flown by so fast.

XoXoXo
Dakota

I'm writing

2009-10-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I really am! I'm so excited. I have almost 10k done on the new WIP and it's going fabulously. If I can keep this pace up I will be done by early next week and I will be able to send the book to my editor. She, by the way, will be thrilled that I have finally turned something in. Even if it is a month late.

OMG! I am watching TV as I type this and I HAVE to see the movie The Fourth Kind. That looks freakin' creepy. Especially since it is apparently based on true events. That's insane! Here:

Holy crap right!?! I am so going to see this movie. I have been wanting to see that Paranormal Activity movie, but we've been too busy to think about going to the movies. Hopefully that movie will be as scary on DVD as it is supposed to be in the theater.

That's not my point. Not that I ever stay on topic.

My point is that I am writing, I am on a roll, and I got married last Saturday. :D

If you are interested I will have pictures posted on the Evo blog tomorrow. Go check out my bad ass dress.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

I has a book out today!

2009-10-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

I mean, Tropical Hedonism was released today by my shiny new publisher Respelendence. Yay!

I'm pretty excited (even though I totally forgot it came out today). I haven't had a new release since April, so this is an awfully big deal for me. Especially since I am also getting married this week. It's about one of the biggest weeks I've ever had in my life. Second only to the week my daughter was born.

Please, please, please go buy my book today. Buy several and call it a wedding present. :D

It's a pretty sexy M/M. So if that's your thing please check it out. If it's not your thing...well, it should be. lol.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Congratulations Herta

2009-10-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

2009-09-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

I used to be funny. In fact, my bio (which hasn't been changed since I wrote it two years ago) blantantly tells that I will be the first to say how very witty I am...or was anyway.

Remember when people used to visit here? I was bookmarked for goodness sakes! Friends and fans couldn't wait to come see what hilarious and relevant thing Dakota had to say today.

Now, I am neither funny nor relevant. And yet, I continue to post away in hopes that someone new will stumble across my blog and say "Gee, she sounds like someone who used to be really funny."

Okay, that's not really why I post here. I'm not really sure what keeps me coming back. Perhaps because I cannot let go. Or maybe I do believe that now that fall is coming the blogs will come back.

Is it just me or does it feel like blogs are floundering? The number of readers doesn't seem to be there anymore. And not just my blog, I know it has sucked ass lately so I do not include myself in the faltering of the blogosphere.

It just seems like people are finally bored of listening to strangers ramble on about their jobs, their families, whatever. They have finally realized that everyone is really just a person like them who happens to have time to post about it on the internet.

Woopdie doo.

I'm cranky. And again...not funny.

Perhaps a small haitus would be good for me. Go away until something funny happens. Or maybe like writing I just need to work through it. Write the bad until the good comes.

Or you can just go visit other blogs and stop here once a month to see if I've gotten my head out of my not funny behind.

XoXOXo
Dakota Rebel

Time flies

2009-09-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

when you're having fun. Unfortunately it drags slower than molasses in January when you are at a job. There was a time when people took pride in their work. They may not have loved their job, but they went to work every day and did their best because that is what you should do. But lately I've noticed that everyone pretty much does the least amount they can to get by. This is why communism doesn't work. Sorry, that is a discussion for another day.

Damn, I never should have brought these cookies to work. I am going to eat them all and gain five pounds then my dress won't fit. Ugh, but they are so good.

Off topic, my bad.

I'm having trouble focusing today. Mainly because there are a million and one things I would rather be doing than sitting here watching the clock tick to 8am. In school I would get a sick pass and go home to go back to bed. Can't really do that once you are a grown up.

Sigh. I have no point.

xoXoxo
D

One more month

2009-09-17T04:49:00.000-07:00

So far so good. The Mr. still seems to want to marry me, so that's awesome. The Jr. is loving middle school and has a tournament coming up. Things are going pretty well, if a little hectic.

I have finally started writing again. But don't tell anyone okay? It's sort of supposed to be a secret. Especially since I am not working on what I should be working on if working is going to occur.

Other than that not much is going on. Got my first contract revision for a book going to Audio. Very exciting, though it might sound weird to hear my books being read aloud by a stranger. Who knows. "Famous" authors have it done all the time. I guess I can do it too.

Pirates are still bastards. Found a site with over 150,000 illegal downloads of my books. Hate you all. Hope you drown in a vat of acid you theiving jerk heads.

But yeah, other than the that it's pretty quiet. Like the eye of a storm. The wedding flurry will be upon us soon. I just want to get down the aisle and hear the love of my life say "I Do."

He is my happily forever after and I am so lucky for it.

XoXoXo
Dakota

NEWSFLASH!

2009-09-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Holy shit people, our president is a human being! God forbid. What the hell have we done electing a human man with thoughts, feelings and opinions? Have we learned nothing from the JFK debacle? Did the soaring economy of the Clinton administration teach us nothing? What the hell?

So, the top news story of the hour is that President Obama called Kanye West a 'jackass."

And?

Kanye West IS a jackass. Millions of Americans have called him a jackass in the last 24 hours. And over the next few years, millions more probably will too.

Okay, so I guess the President should be more careful with his words. Perhaps he could have said that Kanye West was a 'donkey' rather than the slightly offensive use of the word 'jackass.'

I know I've said before that I wouldn't use this blog to rant my politics. But I don't feel this is politics. I feel this is the media attacking someone for saying out loud what we are all thinking.

I'm just sayin', maybe we should step back and realize that it is 2009 and if the president wants to call a jackass a jackass, then maybe that's actually a good thing. If it was Bush he may have called him a leprachaun and chased him down trying to steal his gold.

XoXoXo
D

PS Please click the links

2009-09-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Visit often. Click my links. Free for you fun for me.

Ever have one of THOSE days?

2009-09-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

You know the kind I mean. Work is crazy, don't feel well rested, dress shop screws up your daughter's bridesmaid dress, your minister asks if you would mind if he had a mohawk for your wedding. One of those days.

That is my day. That has been the last couple days actually. My head feels like there is a timer slowly ticking off inside. Like any day I am going to blow a gasket. I can feel it. There is all sorts of things behind the door to insanity too. Not writing, not sleeping well, wedding stress, work stress. When that timer dings...look out for flying shrapnel. It's going to be ugly.

I just hope that it is not directed at anyone. There is not a single person who deserves my wrath. Everyone has been just wonderful to me. It's all internal problems that no one can fix, no one can make go away. I am doing it to myself and I just need to relax before I have a total melt down and scare and/or hurt someone I love.

There has to be a swimming pool around here I can smoke and drink in right? That sounds like the best thing ever at the moment. Float on a little floaty, smoke a cigarette, sip something with booze in it. Maybe booze AND ice cream.

I need a vacation. Real bad. A pampering one where I don't have to do anything, promote anything, nothing. I cannot wait for my honeymoon. It will be so nice to get away with the Mr. for a week and not have to worry about anything but each other. *Sigh.

Come on October!

XoXoXo
Dakota

For the Mr. :D Love you honey

2009-09-11T13:04:00.001-07:00

We can't always be right okay!

2009-09-11T10:28:00.001-07:00

Web Comic Bliss

2009-09-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

Go here. Go often. Waste time.

D has a happy!

2009-09-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

This is the goddess Nekhbet Relief. But for today I will call her "Ms. Editor." Why? Because my editor is a goddess who gave me relief. I won't go into all the fuzzy details, but suffice it to say (is that right? Hmm, things look different than they sound in your head. Like 'segue.' Never in a million years would I have thought to spell it that way. Go figure.)

ANYWAY, suffice it to say I have one less thing to stress my ass out before the wedding. Because she and her adorable boss are just about the best things ever.

Today is going to be an interesting day. There are all kinds of secrets that will begin to unfold today and we'll have to see what happens when all the dusts settle on the various parties involved.

I am going to go to work at the day job, play Vampire Wars, and check into work on YoVille. Hopefully today will be a lovely stress free day.

I wish the same for you.

XoXoXo
D

I can't

2009-08-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

So, you know the old saying "Whether you think you can or you think you can't you're right?" Yeah. Well I can't.

What can't I do? Write sex. I can't do it. I have been writing around it, which is fine. But now there are just empty spots in my books where I need to go back and fill in the sexy time. Unfortunately, there is no sexy time. I just stare at the screen until I want to scream or cry or both and I shut it down again.

This is a problem.

My spiffy new editor is being super understanding about my lack of sending books that are due RIGHT NOW, and I appreciate that. But this has to get done. There are three books due. One is done except for the romantic gang bangs that need to happen. One is sputtering along at an AGONIZINGLY slow pace. And one is not started. At all. And that's the one I really want to write, but I haven't.

I think I will go ahead and start book three tonight and see what happens. If I write sex in that one then I know there is just a problem with the plots of the other two and that's why the sex won't write. If I can't write the sex in this book either...I guess I hang up my hat? I don't know.

This isn't the same as writer's block. It's not that I can't write at all. I can...sort of. I can't write a specific aspect of the books. And it's a pretty important aspect considering they are erotic novels. Not very erotic if the characters never make it past caressing chests.

Better look out because I'm gonna say fuck.

FUCK.

This sucks.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Creativity lives....um, somewhere I'm sure

2009-08-12T12:28:00.001-07:00

Is there anything better than a new box of crayons? The smooth, waxy smell. The possibilities of creativity are endless. And if you get a shiny new My Little Pony coloring book too, oh my goodness there is just nothing to compete with that.

Maybe I need a new box of crayons. The writing is like a lawn mower that just won't run. It sputters, it runs a little but then you try to move it and BLAM, dead in the...well lawn. I am sputtering. I get clips of dialogue. Sometimes a paragraph or two. But nothing as cohesive as I'm accustomed to.

I read the other day that you can't wait for the muse, you have to sit and wait until you get your pages out. Well I am past waiting for the muse. My muse hates these books, there is nothing I can do about that. The WIPS must go on, and they will.

The muse. She is a sneaky bitch. She keeps trying to curtail me. She'll dangle a story idea in front of me and as soon as I snatch she tells me "Good luck dumbass, I'm out. Have fun with your 16 WIPS. I'm going to get more ideas so I can keep torturing you."

Fine, whatever, I'm over her. In fact, I may just go out shopping for a new muse. Someone a little more to my tastes. Someone who is more into what I want to write than she was. (See, she is already dead to me. Heartless hag.) I think I need some gay muses. What? I'm not being greedy, they come in pairs.

Some cute dark haired/blond boy action would do me some good I think. Might be just what I need to get my boys in the mood...if you know what I'm saying. (If you don't then you probably shouldn't be here.)

XoXoXo
D

I think this post just changed my life

2009-08-10T11:17:00.001-07:00

http://aiminglow.com/2009/08/dear-31-we-need-to-talk/#more-755

Crappy Saturday

2009-08-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

This is the weather map over Michigan. Obviously the rummage sale that I have been busting my ass to prepare for has been cancelled. They've rescheduled the karate portion of it for the 22nd. But there won't be as many people vying for my cool ass jewelry as there would have been today. *Sigh.

It is a rainy, nasty day and I should be using this as an opportunity to get some writing done. But honestly, I just want to play Vampire Wars and YoVille on Facebook. I won't, because that would be irresponsible. But I want to.

I've opened and closed each of my WIP files twice already today. No changes made. Again I say *Sigh.

What a crappy ass Saturday.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Shuffling things around

2009-08-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Still crazy hectic around here. But the rummage sale is tomorrow so I will be able to sell off all of the jewelry I've made and stop making it for a while. I like doing it, but the quickest way to make something not fun anymore is to make it a job.

The writing is sluggish. But I have managed to work a few things out. I started a new book "Ultimate Ultimatum." It should be a scorcher...and there is a GIRL in it! Who is not some gay guys sister. What is this world coming to?

There was a shuffle that happened today that I am pretty excited about. I got a new editor at RP. I have been fortunate enough to work with both of the editors I have had there so far and they have both been great friends. But the original editor is so swamped she needs to unload and I was happy to help her with that. Hopefully we will be able to keep our friendship strong even though we are not working directly with each other.

Tonight I am going to hang with the Mr. We are getting pizza and watching Miss March. The Jr. is at Nerf Wars tonight so we will have a quiet night at home, just enjoying each other's company.

Have a great weekend if I don't come back to post before Monday.

XoXoXo
D

Kansas, writing, magnets and all kinds of other stuff

2009-07-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

So here I am updating my blog. It seems silly really since most of the people I know are too f'ing busy to visit. But just in case someone can pull their head out of their laptop for five minutes and check up on me here I am.

I had a fabulous time in Kansas. Though the drive home was enough to make me reconsider my feelings toward the friendly skies. That is a long fucking drive folks, especially when you decide to start it at one o'clock in the morning after a faboo viewing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The viewing took place here and I have to tell you HOLY FUCK is this place awesome. We are going to start a campaign to convince AMC to put one of these in Michigan. At least one. Maybe twenty. I would go to the movies WAY more if I could watch them in this environment.

Let me set the scene for you. We recline in plush leather armchairs while cute boys bring us Guinness, Dinner, Dessert and popcorn. They arrive at the push of a button to refill our drinks, take our orders, rub our feet...okay, so I made that last part up. But I would throw in an extra twenty if they would. The rest of it is all true. And I got to enjoy the second viewing of Harry Potter this way. It made the movie even better.

I think I mentioned this before, but I'll share again. I have to see all Harry Potter movies twice in the theater. The first time I am too pissed off at the deviations from the book to fully enjoy the movie. The second time I can focus on the humor, the special effects, and the hotness that is Daniel Radcliffe. And seeing it in a leather recliner with a waiter bringing me sugar every half hour, yeah it was a really good time.

The rest of the trip was good too. I finally got to meet some people face to face that I have been loving on for years. Carol's readers were so sweet and funny it was a great time. But I would be lying if I didn't say that when I think back to Kansas, that theater will be in the forefront of my memories. *Sigh

On the even bigger plus side is that I have started writing again. After spending days on end with Brynn, JP, Carol, Sunny and a whole bunch of other amazing writers I could feel the pin pricks of the need to write running down my spine. Then after an hour long...okay, closer to two I suppose, conversation with my shiny new editor it struck me. I wrote almost 3k yesterday and really should be writing right now too. But I have the weekend and I am convinced that I will probably finish a new book by Sunday. *knock wood *fingers crossed

Right now, well after I post this, I will go back to making magnets and necklaces for the rummage sale I was talked into participating in next Saturday. It should be a lot of fun and I will be selling things from my store and my moms. Should be a good time. And when there is down time I will have my laptop and can write then too.

I hope that once I get back into the habit of writing I will once again be that prolific author everyone remembers from last year. This year has just been a rough one and it's time for me to stop wallowing in self pity and change things. I am a writer damnit, and writers write. So that is what I will do.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Week...hmmm, maybe MONTH in review

2009-07-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

I have been a bad, bad blogger girl lately. Clipped posts, depressing news, nothing happy or positive to share. It is my way of "if you have nothing nice to say..." But I need to stop being so...blah.

There is too much in my life to be happy about. To be grateful for. This self-pity shit has to stop. Right? Right.

I have a beautiful, smart, funny and talented daughter. I have a GORGEOUS, funny, sexy, sweet (too sweet to me really) fiancee who loves me and understands me like no one else. I have amazing friends, a strong family unit, and fabulous fans who put up with my mood swings. I really don't deserve any of these people, but I am fucking happy as hell that they hang around me.

So why so depressed? I'm not really. I'm sad about my Dad obviously, but other than that I'm just moody. The not being able to write books anymore thing is really frustrating. The creeping deadline is terrifying. I have a sick family member that I am very worried about. Our wedding is flying up on us and I don't feel even remotely prepared...even though I know that we are in really good shape. It's just my paranoia I'm sure.

But I will get better. And I will shut the fuck up about it. I need to focus on all of the positive stuff that I have and let the rest go. Maybe it's what my writing needs too.

This weekend is my first step. I will be going away with a few other writers and readers for a relaxing retreat. I am really excited about it. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to go, but at the last minute everything clicked together and I figured 'fuck it.' So I'm going.

I will be quiet for the next week or so, but I suppose you're used to that. See you when I get back.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

2009-07-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Click here and scroll down. I was flabbergasted and blown away. Isn't this the coolest?

Who would have thought little ol' me would be for sale there? Huh.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Vampires

2009-07-20T09:59:00.001-07:00

I was vampire before vampires were cool.

Today

2009-07-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today is my Dad's birthday.

I miss him so much.

XoXoXo
Dakota

Oh my F'ING Goodness!!!

2009-07-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

I'm on Amazon! Me. With a single title book! There it is. Click HERE and you will be magically transported to the largest, maybe a little evil, internet super store AMAZON.COM. Where my very favorite book To Hate and To Hold is listed for sale. On Amazon. Can you believe it? I can't believe it.

I bought 2 copies today. And I may go back and buy a hundred more. Probably not, but I am just so freakin' excited. If you have been waiting to pick up a copy you should click the above link and pick one up.

If you have read it, and liked it, feel free to leave me a GLOWING review on Amazon. If you read it and hated it please ignore the review function. But feel free to pick up a copy in print and see if you like it better a second time. ;)

Can you tell I'm ecstatic? No? Shut up, yes you can. Quit pulling my laria.

Also, after you pick up a copy of the book head over to my etsy store and check out (read purchase) some jewelry. (What? I have a wedding to pay for.)

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

2009-07-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's finally here. After a ridiculously long wait, and then a longer delay so they could make the movie a "Summer Blockbuster" Harry Potter FINALLY comes out tomorrow. Okay, well technically Wednesday, but I will be at the theater to see the 12.03am show, and I will get there around 11.30 pm Tuesday night, so I'm counting it as Tuesday.

I may be the biggest dork ever, but I am so excited I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight. Really. I LOVE these movies. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Even though they always end up pissing me off because they are too different from the books, I still love them.

As an author I feel obligated to be angry on J.K.'s behalf when they screw with her vision. But as a mother I have to say that the Jr. wouldn't sit through the nine hour movie that would ensue if they actually filmed every scene in each book. So it is a trade off and I'll just enjoy the movies and try to forget how much better the books were...until I re-read them all again.

In other news, I started my own jewelry line. I love etsy, and I love glass tile pendants, so I have started making them. I have my own store. You can go here and check it out. I just listed a few things to see how it went, but hopefully later it will be really successful and everyone will want to get their hands on Rebel Jewelry.

So check out my jewelry and tell me what you think. Eventually I will figure out how to do book covers and will be marketing to my fellow authors. That is still a big ol' work in progress though...and I still have some books to write. So wish me luck.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

What do muses have against sleep anyway?

2009-07-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

Why is it that your muse will strike at the dumbest times? Like 4.30 am on a work day? On a FRIDAY? It's just not fair. He never wants to show up in the middle of the afternoon when I'm...oh, I don't know...working on a BOOK. No, he wants to come play at the ass crack of dawn on the day I am trying to catch a few extra hours of sleep.

Oh well, I mean hey, I'm not complaining that he handed me a dream with a full book in it. I just think his timing could have been a little better. I am SOOOOOO not a morning person. But I am up, showered, and dressed at 6am. That is just wrong. Wrong I tell you.

But on the plus side I do have a faboo new book to work on. One that isn't contracted, isn't due on any certain date, and will probably be finished before the two I absolutely DO have to write because they are contracted and their due dates are racing up on me.

I got a notice today that my wedding is 3 months away. How rude is that? I mean sure, if you were say paying attention and planning stuff that would be a handy little update. But if you are flying by the seat of your pants, undecided about such important things as CENTERPIECES and FAVORS, such reminders are a big kick in the teeth followed by an elbow to the gut. Oy vey. 3 months. Really? Where the fuck did the summer go?

This means that I also have two books due in the next 3 months. One of which I did finally fucking start, but the other one I have not. I need to get off/on my ass and do some writing. On books that have to be written, not just the ones that want to be.

So happy Friday everyone. With any luck I will be pounding away on my keyboard all weekend. Maybe I'll see you around.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Wednesday Funny

2009-07-08T12:35:00.000-07:00