Brain Drops

A Month of Letters

2012-02-01T19:59:00.002-07:00

I'm participating in the Month of Letters Challenge.

What about YOU??

Is It Me?

2012-01-22T17:01:00.001-07:00

I love these fish! (click on the fish tank with your cursor to feed them)

Tina Visits the ACFW Blog

2012-01-20T18:59:00.005-07:00

Using GMC To Meet Your New Year Resolutions

Cooking In Yankee-Belle Cafe Today

2012-01-14T14:43:00.002-07:00

Stop by for a taste!

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T09:59:00.005-07:00

We have a huge party going on in Seekerville today. 24 hours of fun and prizes. Don't miss it.

Merry Christmas Friends!

2011-12-23T20:17:00.002-07:00

The best part of this writing journey has been all the wonderful folks I have met.

Thank you to Stacey & Co. for this lovely ornament!

Recipe for Happiness

2011-12-02T23:27:00.008-07:00

A good book and my Chicken Tortilla Soup (featured today on Yankee-Belle Cafe)

I’d like to be very clear that I no longer cook. I served my time and now I only “cook” that which is absolutely necessary for survival and is quick, easy and tasty!

First gather your ingredients:

Bear Creek Tortilla Soup Mix (Wal-Mart carries this or you can get it on Amazon)
Tyson Southwestern Chicken Breast Strips (frozen)
Shredded cheese of your choice
Avocado
Tortilla chips or strips
Lime

Sour Cream is optional
Cilantro is optional
Sometimes I add chopped green chilies to increase the spice level

Add eight cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil and add your soup mix, stirring well until powder is dissolved.

Reduce heat to medium and add frozen chicken.
Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Ladle into bowls.

Cut a slice of lime and squeeze the juice over the hot soup.
Sprinkle with chips and cheese.
Top with sour cream, and slices of avocado.
May top with chopped cilantro.
Makes eight servings. (I double the batch for company.)

Goes well with deadlines and is especially yummy while you are reading my latest release from Love Inspired, Oklahoma Reunion.

Oh, and you can always use your leftover turkey and make Turkey Tortilla Soup!

Lessons Learned 2011

2011-11-26T20:35:00.003-07:00

Fun Times in T-Town

2011-11-01T11:04:00.007-06:00

Getting lost is just part of the fun, right? So we had a LOT of fun.

We went to Braum's three times.

Toured Phillbrook Mansion.

Visited the Will Rogers Museum.

We also went to a Margaret Daley booksigning. (okay we got lost again but we found Margaret)

Had dinner at Goldies with Margaret, Vickie Mcdonough, and Carla Stewart. (fried pickles)

Did I mention we snuck into the former City of Faith Hospital where I used to work.

Booksigning at Steve's was fantabulous. Saw my nursing buddies and Seekerville buds. A shout out to Carol and Andrea who drove from Missouri and Vince and Linda who brought us fudge.

Then dinner at Mazzio's. It doesn't get any better!!

Thank you, T-Town.

More pictures here.

Tulsa World

2011-10-17T21:19:00.003-06:00

Thank you to Joannie at Steve's Sundry for getting Mary Connealy and I in the Sunday, Tulsa World -check it out here. Scroll down.

Tulsa Here We Come!!

2011-10-08T22:17:00.004-06:00

Tina Radcliffe & Mary Connealy will be signing at Steve's Sundry, Books & Magazines, Tulsa Oklahoma on
Saturday, October 22 from 1-3pm.

Don't miss it! We have a special friend stopping by and you are invited to join us afterward for a field trip to Mazzio's Pizza. Click on our ad to enlarge and print!

Can't make the signing? You can purchase Oklahoma Reunion on Amazon here or Christianbook.com here.

Have You Got A Story?

2011-10-08T08:51:00.005-06:00

Are you ready to send it out into the world?

Then have I got a contest for you!

Query Letter Contest!

Deadline Monday, October 10th. Enter your one-page query letter and the last page of an unpublished and completed manuscript targeted at Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical or Love Inspired Suspense. The top five finalists will then go to Love Inspired Senior Editor Melissa Endlich for judging. The winner will be announced on December 4,2011 in Seekerville's Weekend Edition.

The winner will have an opportunity to avoid the slush pile and submit their
first three chapters and synopsis to Senior Editor Melissa Endlich by snail
mail. The price is right too!! This contest is FREE!

Oklahoma Reunion

2011-09-08T04:16:00.003-06:00

Thank you to Philosophy of Romance for the generous review of Oklahoma Reunion!

Stop Monkeying Around

2011-08-18T22:53:00.003-06:00

Have I mentioned I like monkeys?

Now I just have to figure out how to make one the secondary character in a novel.

Current State of Mind

2011-08-06T20:13:00.002-06:00

ACFW Book Club Voting!!

2011-07-06T08:11:00.005-06:00

Okay peeps, voting time. I just received an email that The Rancher's Reunion is up among many other distinguished books as a November possible pick for the book club.

Here's the notice I received today. (Egads, only four days left. You don't have to be a member of ACFW -just join the book club.)

The ACFW Book Club is currently voting on the book we will read in NOVEMBER 2011 and YOUR book is on the voting list. Feel free to tell other ACFW Book Club members to vote and join the fun! It’s OK for you to vote for your own book too!!

I wanted to let you know the ACFW book club is voting on your book Now and will do so until JULY 10th. We are thrilled that you have submitted your book to be in the running. Here is the link to the http://groups.yahoo.com/poll group/acfwbookclub/surveys?id=2376541

Or if you are not a member, join here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acfwbookclub/

New York Public Library

2011-07-05T07:20:00.007-06:00

A little bit of heaven from my RWA NYC Conference trip...

click on photos to enlarge

Gearing Up for the RWA NYC Marathon

2011-06-07T07:44:00.008-06:00

Gearing up for the RWA Conference.

This burbs girl learned her lesson at BEA.

Check it out here.

I am walking daily to prepare for the heat, cement and mileage of the conference in the Big Apple.

BEA OR BUST!!

2011-05-22T03:59:00.002-06:00

Headed to NYC and BEA!

Road trip with Ruth Logan Herne.

Hope to see you there!

You can keep up with our adventures in Seekerville.

Seekerville Kindle Extravaganza!

2011-05-01T20:04:00.004-06:00

Seekerville is participating in the Brenda Novak's Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes 2011. Don't miss our Kindle Extravaganza!

Do You Believe In...

2011-04-15T19:00:00.004-06:00

The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead.-Wikipedia.

Support Your Local Library!

2011-04-10T14:43:00.003-06:00

This is National Library Week.

Say thank you to a library professional!

Manners?

2011-04-01T11:14:00.006-06:00

Are courtesy and good manners dead?

Didn't your momma tell you if you can't say something nice, keep your big mouth shut?

Possibly only Italian mothers passed that gem on.

Expectation!

2011-03-25T13:01:00.005-06:00

Lately I have been overwhelmed with feelings of

EXPECTATION!

Things are about to bust loose.

Blogging Fun

2011-03-09T07:40:00.006-07:00

Today Seekerville is helping to host Barbara Vey's 4th Anniversary Bash. Stop by, comment and you could win a Kindle.

This is a photo of the beach BEFORE the party started.

Later today I'm hosting the Musings blog while Momma Sara is on maternity leave.

Stop by...

Libraries Rock The Rancher's Reunion

2011-02-25T11:54:00.016-07:00

What a thrill. Tulsa City-County Library carries my debut release The Rancher's Reunion.

And a shout out to Cheryl the Librarian for taking time to chat with me today!

Many thanks to my local favorite library-Bemis Public Library and all the wonderful folks there (Mary, Steph, Marsha, Phyllis, Joan, Nancy F) who support romance and a special thank you to Kim, who purchased The Rancher's Reunion for the collection.

Thank you to Jane (my wonderfully supportive SIL) for letting me know her library, Pierce County Library System , also carries my book!

TWO WEEKS LEFT!

2011-02-12T01:15:00.003-07:00

The Rancher's Reunion launch contest ends soon!

Don't forget to enter.

13 winners

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2011-02-06T09:02:00.004-07:00

Just when you thought it was safe to venture outside the space ship, another storm hits.

Brr! Freezing here in Denver and the snow just keeps on falling.

Staying inside and writing today!

Do You Scrabble?

2011-01-30T16:03:00.001-07:00

50 POINT BONUS!!!!!

Does it get any better than this??

More Fun with The Rancher's Reunion

2011-01-26T21:11:00.004-07:00

I'm excited to be a guest on Patricia Woodside's blog, Readin N Writin with Patricia. Stop by on Thursday January 27th for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My First Sale." And I'm giving away a copy of The Rancher's Reunion.

If you're considering joining the Love Inspired monthly book club, so your books can be delivered right to your mailbox each month, here's the link and a nice little promo for my book.

Thank you to Morgan, editor of the RT BOOK REVIEWS Magazine web edition for this great opportunity. Check out the interview.

The Rancher's Reunion PR

2011-01-16T12:40:00.004-07:00

I'm at the Crafty Ladies of Romance's newly redecorated blog spot today, Sunday, January 16th. Stop by for a chance to win The Rancher's Reunion and check out the Will Sullivan Interview!

Beginning Tuesday, January 18th, visit RT BOOK REVIEWS Magazine web edition at Author Home Page for my Debut Author Spotlight interview.

eHarlequin has a great interview blog called Pubbing 1.0 and 2.0. "Our pubbing 1.0 blogs share stories from authors releasing their first book with Steeple Hill to show how they managed to break in." Stop by on Friday, January 21st for this special interview.

Stop by Petticoats & Pistols on Saturday, January 22 where I'll be visiting and giving away The Rancher's Reunion and revealing that I'm really a Rhinestone Cowgirl. Things could get messy.

And don't miss the great reader pictures on The Rancher's Reunion website www.thesullivanranch.com (Be sure to check out Vince & Rose!)

Brain At Rest

2011-01-08T09:37:00.005-07:00

The brain is currently at rest, getting caught up with life...

Favorite vegetative fun?

CAKE BOSS!!!

Public Apology to FedEx

2010-12-18T14:54:00.003-07:00

I'm sorry for answering the door in full writer mode.

Please forgive me.

I told you not to look.

But you only laughed.

You're not laughing now.....

e-Harlequin Community Annual Open House

2010-12-12T08:25:00.005-07:00

And I'll be there with The Rancher's Reunion.

Here's the link to all the fun. Community Open House.

The Rancher's Reunion Contest Opens Today

2010-11-30T21:17:00.006-07:00

www.thesullivanranch.com

Thanksgiving with Frank & Harry

2010-11-24T20:40:00.004-07:00

New England Style Gourmet Steamer

A gourmet meal for two in 25 minutes!

**Available for take out only**

Our steamer bucket includes:

Two 1 1/4 lb. live Maine Lobster

Catch of the day or shrimp

Seasonal shellfish

Corn on the cob

Come on, admit it. Doesn't this sound better than a cooked bird?
I've cooked enough birds in my lifetime to feed the entire state of Oklahoma and frankly I am over it.

The problem is every time I open the fridge I look into the pot and see Frank & Harry.

They look at me with their beady little eyes and beg for a stay of execution.

This is not turning out as I had planned.

My friend S says it wouldn't be so bad..naming them and all, but I probably shouldn't have
created a back story for them.

I'm thinking she's right (after all she was right about the whole British thing).

This complete gourmet bucket is layered in seaweed and ready to steam!

What To Do On Sunday in Colorado

2010-11-21T10:37:00.002-07:00

Revisions.

Yes, and I'm two thirds through. Yippee!

So in the meantime you should wander over to my web page for some good news or visit Seekerville for even more fun!

Happy Sunday from Colorado!

Oh, and I'm south of Denver between Aurora and Castle Rock.

Where's Tina....

2010-11-17T09:52:00.005-07:00

Can you find me?

(If you do, I'll give you a copy of The Rancher's Reunion, autographed-perfect for a stocking stuffer for Christmas, since I know you already pre ordered your own copy.) We can chat over a decaf latte!

Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch. (more on Tattered Cover here)

Warning!!

I wear silicone earplugs. Do not approach without warning flags. I will not hear you.

A Great Day In the Neighborhood

2010-11-13T23:43:00.003-07:00

is when the UPS guy rings your doorbell and brings you boxes...from Harlequin.
The grin just never fades!

Happy Writer

2010-10-26T20:10:00.004-06:00

Take one Stump Tea Pot from For Life.

Add Egyptian Chamomile Tea from Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea

and a copy of Melissa Senate's The Love Goddess' Cooking School and
Cheryl Wyatt's A Soldier's Reunion....

(all (tea and books) bought at The Tattered Cover bookstore) and you have a happy reader/writer.

It's real!

2010-10-23T17:32:00.005-06:00

The Rancher's Reunion.
My beautiful cover is here.

Dream for an Insomniac

2010-10-09T20:19:00.004-06:00

Okay, yes, it's a movie.

But I want to know what's on your bedside table?

What reading are you catching up on?

In The Beginning...

2010-10-03T10:46:00.010-06:00

I don't mind telling you that starting a new project makes me a little nervous. Okay, very nervous.

......................................

I'd rather be editing. And trust me I have a closet full of manuscripts I could revise.

.......................................................

Starting a new story is like preparing for a blind date. I have butterflies in my stomach and I'm tense and yet still a bit excited about the possibilities.

....................................

I'm meeting new characters. Will readers like them? Will I like them? What if they don't behave? What if I get...STUCK??

..................................

Argh!

More Birthday Fun...this time

2010-09-25T11:16:00.003-06:00

the location is Seekerville, USA.

The Seekerville party schedule is now up. Our birthday bash is October 1-31. We have an awesome line up of guests...Steeple Hill Assistant Editor Emily Rodmell, Bob Mayer, Stanley D. Williams, Patty Hall, Nancy Kress, Debra Dixon, Caroline Tolley, Jeff Gerke, and the Usual Suspects.

Don’t forget our pre-party guests, Avalon Editor Lia Brown, authors Angi Morgan, Sara Mitchell & Barbara White Daille and our exciting post-party guests include authors Alicia Rasley, and Cat Shield.

Stop by for a chance to win CRITIQUES, GIFT CARDS, BOOKS and the GRAND BIRTHDAY PRESENT--a Kindle loaded with Seeker books.

HB 2 ME

2010-09-16T09:22:00.001-06:00

The End

2010-09-13T19:39:00.004-06:00

The lovely thing about typing, The End, besides the obvious is cleaning and reorganizing my office.

Check out these great file folders I found at Paper Source.

Dream as if You'll Live Forever, Live as if You'll Die Today.

2010-09-06T11:27:00.002-06:00

I HEART ETSY

2010-09-04T10:45:00.016-06:00

I'm not a big jewelry person, but I love the items offered by the wonderful artisans at Etsy.com

Here are two of my favorites from my trinket box:

Sand & shells in a message in a bottle necklace from Danikamon to remind me of Unpubbed Island

And a monogrammed typewriter key necklace from KeysAndMemories.

On my wish list? This necklace from ERia Designs.
Yes, with Tina not Elaine.

The Ghosts of Conferences Past....

2010-08-23T17:30:00.004-06:00

Booksellers Best

2010-08-07T08:51:00.003-06:00

Congrats to the winners of the Booksellers Best Awards.

But a special shout out to Glynna Kaye, Sharon Sala and Marilyn Brant.

RWA Nationals NYC 2011 NEXT..

2010-07-31T21:25:00.009-06:00

Totally enjoyed the photos and the Tweets of #RWA10.

Thank you to those who generously shared.

Clicking my heels and planning to be live in NYC for RWA #11

Maybe with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes?

Let's Do Lunch

2010-07-28T17:50:00.003-06:00

It is so rude to text during lunch.

Liminal Space

2010-07-19T22:06:00.003-06:00

Stop by Seekerville for further musings on closed doors and open windows...

Closed Doors, Open Windows...

2010-07-14T20:50:00.006-06:00

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us"
~ Joseph Campbell

Personal Goals

2010-07-09T21:54:00.003-06:00

I will read Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy.

I WILL read them all before I see the movies...

The Girl Who Played with Fire is out TODAY.

The comments in The Times on Larsson are fascinating.

Cool Stuff For Writers

2010-07-07T20:58:00.002-06:00

Check out these cool notepads from
Holiday Matinee.

Balance

2010-07-04T14:46:00.007-06:00

So I can write or have a life or diet and exercise.

Occasionally when I am very, very focused, I can handle two out of three.

Never all three.

Why is that?

Drama Queen

2010-07-03T17:15:00.003-06:00

I'm writing for three days straight.

Sounds dramatic doesn't it?
It's not. But it is no personal hygiene, no cooking, and living on cinnamon toast and Diet Pepsi.

What are you up to?

I hope this blog never takes off or I will have to actually work at blogging.

Until then I can just dabble.

Back to the book. Ta Ta!

Copy Edits

2010-06-29T19:03:00.003-06:00

Today I mailed off copy edits. My very first.

I would like to salute copy editors everywhere. Especially mine.

May you continue to make me look good. God Bless you one and all.

Iced Chai Latte

2010-06-23T20:58:00.003-06:00

My sister pointed this out to me....

65 grams of carbs

Life can be so unfair.

Critical Revision

2010-06-20T19:09:00.008-06:00

"Once a solution has been obtained it is then necessary to explore the extent to which it effectively solves the problem and where necessary revise it. Although more attention has been given to the moment of inspiration during the act of insight than to any other stage of invention, it is this process of critical revision that is usually the longest, most difficult and costly stage."

Genius is 1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration.

Thomas Edison

Okay, I feel better.

Stop by Seekerville

2010-06-16T09:31:00.002-06:00

For today's post on You. The Writer.

"Croutons," she breathed.

2010-06-13T20:59:00.003-06:00

What do you eat when you are in the ZONE?
The writing zone.

Today, it was croutons.

Yes. Just croutons.
From the bag. I ate 1/2 a bag of whole wheat, herb croutons

They were inspirational.

(BTW, don't you love the fact that the h in herb is silent?)

Rules

2010-06-12T12:58:00.005-06:00

Is it me?

50 Simple Rules for Making it as a Writer.

FIFTY??

This seems a bit excessive!

Tick Tock

2010-06-07T18:45:00.000-06:00

I am currently trying to find more hours in my week.

A week has 168 hours
I work the day job 52 hours.
Sleep 49 hours
Commute time 9 hours a week.

Total of 110 hours.

Leaving me with 57 hours I am obviously wasting.

First Drop

2010-06-06T13:07:00.005-06:00

Welcome to my Brain Drops.

Nothing is simple with technology anymore.

Nothing.

Next on my list is to learn how to create a simple Blogger template in html.

In my spare time.

Do you think we might be over teched? Excessively engaged in social platforms?

Suffering from TRIBE saturation?

OVER CONNECTED?

I'm starting to think so...