Fabulous Friday at the Cave~With Nina Simone

Go on. Get you some.

~~Cherie Noel

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for a lot of things.
Coffee.
Writing.
Rain.
Sun.
Coffee.
My kidlet.
My friends.
Love.
Coffee.
Joy.
Peace.
Health.
Did I mention coffee?
My smexy muse.
My attitude-generally, I'm a cup is half-full kinda gal, at least when it's not runneth-ing over. Things have been amazing lately with my writing, and I am super grateful for that.
I am thankful for so many people. Ones Who came for a reason. Ones who came for a season.


Hoping you have lots of wonderful things to be thankful for as well!

~~Cherie Noel-who even on her day of thanks is writing, lol

Tuesday's Tale: Once Upon a Time at GRL via The Scarlet Letter

Today's Tuesday Tale is being Told over at The Scarlet Letter....
go, go, go and get you some NOW!!

http://scarlettiebooks.com/thescarletletter/category/guest-blog/

JUST DO EEEEETTTT!! It's a fully articulated (get it? artic--oh, nevah mind) Fall Party of Fun and Awesomesauce!

I'm sharing space with some of the movers and shakers of the e-world, specifically those who live and breathe in Romancelandia.

NaNo, oh my NaNo, whither art thou?

I am up to my ears in edits.
This is good for the stories being edited.
This is bad for my NaNo word count.
Therefore, I am going to get editing as quick as I can, and just promise myself I will finish my NaNo project as quick as I can.
It's awfully cute, and deserving of being finished and pubbed as quick as possible.

So, off I go to the Writing Cave: Editorial Section.

Later, Babies...

Nano Day 14: Beginning in the Middle

Today I begin working on my Nano story. Oh, don't get me wrong, I started right at the beginning of the month... and then I got side tracked by another, earlier deadline which I have just finished up writing the piece for.

So, in reality, Nano is starting for me today. I'd best get hopping. I haven't even anything exciting to share with you as far as works in progress, as I've decided to suspend my normal blog story for the month of November.

I'll be starting back up with the Wednesday Work in Progress and the other regularly scheduled events on December 1st, but for now I'm just scrambling to get caught up and back in the running to complete my Nano story on time.

Later, babies. And if its any consolation, the story I just finished is 30k of warrior vamps and pretty Cuban boys. :)

Very Important PSA-Regading Hurricane Sandy and LGBTQ people and families

Yes, it's still NaNo time.
Yes, I'm still hard at work on that.

But I have to take a moment to try to get this info to as many peeps as possible. Please read, and share with anyone who might need it. Please. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart. I copy pasted it from an email sent to me.

~~Cherie Noel

Dear Cherie,     While many of us are still basking in the glow of our historic wins on Election Day, it is important to remember that many of our friends and family are still struggling, and will for many months to come, to recover from Hurricane Sandy and this weeks winter storm.  Over the past few days Marriage Equality USA has worked with many national and local organizations to put together this statement of resources addressing the unique challenges for members of the LGBT community affected by this disaster.  As someone who has worked in disaster management for seven years, I know how difficult this time can be and please feel free to reach out to me personally by replying to this email if I can be of any help to you or your family and please share this with others who may find it useful.   In Solidarity,    Brian Silva Executive Director, Marriage Equality USA JOINT STATEMENT REGARDING THE DESTRUCTION OF HURRICANE SANDY AND WINTER STORMS AND CHALLENGES FACING LGBT PEOPLE AND FAMILIES Recently we have seen massive destruction across the eastern United States as a result of Hurricane Sandy and winter storms.  But in the midst of this tragedy we have also seen a tremendous outpouring of support and generosity within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. In an effort to support those affected, the undersigned organizations have compiled the following list of resources for any LGBT people and families who may be facing additional challenges in the face of this disaster. EQUAL ACCESS FOR LGBT PEOPLE AND FAMILIES We know that because same-sex relationships and transgender identity often are not recognized and respected as others are, it can make accessing assistance during times like this even more difficult.  Here are some key contacts and guidelines to help you and your family: The American Red Cross has a non-discrimination policy in accessing its shelters and applying for disaster assistance.  LGBT people and families should be able to register and be housed as families and with access to facilities appropriate to their gender identity in their shelters.  If you feel that you have been treated unfairly, first contact the shelter manager.  If that does not help, or you are unable, please contact your local Red Cross office or the Corporate Ombudsman at 202-303-5399, 866-667-9331 or  ombudsman@redcross.org. FEMA also has a non-discrimination policy in accessing disaster relief.  Assistance covers the entire household regardless of who is living there and their marital relationship, and of every person's gender identity.  For more information go to  http://www.fema.gov/civil-rights-program.  If you feel that you have been treated unfairly contact their Office of Equal Rights at 202-646-3535. How families are treated can vary from state to state when it comes to disaster assistance.  If you feel that you have been treated unfairly based on your sexual orientation, marital status or gender identity, contact any of the following for help: Your local legislative representative or state office of civil rights. Your local ACLU affiliate, which can be found here:  http://aclu.org/affiliates.  Lambda Legal's Legal Help Desk, which can be reached toll free at 1-800-542-8336 and at  http://www.lambdalegal.org/help.  If you have difficulty getting through on the toll free number or by email (which are supported in NYC), feel free to call the Help Desks of any of the regional offices in Atlanta (404-897-1880), Chicago (312-663-4413), Dallas (214-219-8585) or Los Angeles (213-382-7600). For those in New England states, the Legal InfoLine of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders at 1-800-455-GLAD (4523).    WHAT CAN I DO? We encourage all members of the LGBT community to assist in the response and recovery any way possible, including: DONATE: Consider supporting the American Red Cross or one of the many local LGBT organizations in these communities whose mission has been impacted by the storm VOLUNTEER: Consider giving your time if you live near the impacted area.  For volunteer opportunities contact your local government office, or state or local LBGT organization  ADDITIONAL LGBT RESOURCES If you or a young person you care about is having trouble coping or is thinking about suicide, please call these free and confidential services, available 24/7: The Trevor Project's Trevor Lifeline (1-866-488-7386) for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) LGBTQ adults 25 and older and non-LGBTQ people Local bar associations and relief agencies may organize legal support resources in the coming weeks to assist with insurance claims and other legal needs not caused by discrimination.  Your LGBT community legal and advocacy groups may be able to provide information about those resources when they become available. Local LGBT Centers also carry extensive resources on a variety of issues that may be of assistance to those affected by disaster.  Find your local center athttp://www.lgbtcenters.org/Centers/find-a-center.aspx Your state LGBT organization may be able to provide help and resources.  To find your state LGBT center go to www.equalityfederation.org Empire State Pride Agenda (NY) Disaster Information - http://tinyurl.com/espa-sandy ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THOSE IMPACTED American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/find-help Find an Open Shelter Register or Search the Safe & Well Listing Disaster Recovery Guides Federal Disaster Assistance - www.disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362 SAMHSA provides 24-hour disaster crisis counseling at 800-985-5990, text "TalkWithUs" to 66746, or visit www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24 hour Disaster Distress Helpline can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help Government Resources (State) Pennsylvania Information - http://tinyurl.com/czfdud8 New York Information - http://www.governor.ny.gov www.mta.info www.nyc.gov/em New Jersey Information - http://www.ready.nj.gov Connecticut Information - http://tinyurl.com/dyela2g Rhode Island - http://www.riema.ri.gov Delaware - http://dema.delaware.gov Virginia - http://www.vaemergency.gov North Carolina - https://www.nccrimecontrol.org During times like these, we are proud to stand together as an LGBT and allied community to help our friends and neighbors.  We wish you all a safe and speedy recovery. Signed, Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Lambda Legal American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force National Center for Transgender Equality Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund The Trevor Project Equality Federation Parents, Family, Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) GetEqual CenterLink Empire State Pride Agenda Garden State Equality

Nano Day Six: AAAAAACCCCKKKK ~~the blue screen of death...

Today's Nano endeavors were beset with computer issues. :(

*insert sad panda face*
*points up... oh look... points to the left... I did*







I still call it a win though. Clocking in at  655 words for the day.

That's after two blue death screens and an accidental computer wipe.

Thank goodness the Nano story was backed up.

I'm done for the night. Off to play a game with my kidlet.
*insert playing panda*
I would call him happy panda, but he is clearly Playing Panda.
:)
~~Cherie Noel

NaNo Day #5~On a wing and... less than two hours of sleep!

Okay, so no actual wings were involved.
There was slightly less than two hours of sleep though.
Still and all? Got my tooth shaved at the dentist. Dude, the shaving cream for teeth is really nasty. No, really.
Got over 1,600 words in despite being bombarded by lack-o-sleep stupidity and a woefully long list of errands to run...

I'm very proud of my little handful of words. It wasn't writing up a storm, as I told a friend, but well, more of writing up a very small shower. :) But words are words, and they all add up in the end, right?

Okay, I'm off to bed now. Gotta get up early, get some writing in, do some edits, vote, maybe do a little laundry. Normal everyday stuff. Pick out classes.

I'm gonna see if they have a knitting class. Or one in cleaning and exercising effectively in your sleep, so all of my awake time can be split between doing fun stuff with the kidlet, writing, and caring for my sweet (if imaginary) cabana boys.

Catch you tomorrow, babies.

For now? If you gots a dream, and you haven't got there yet?
Go on.
Get you some!

~~Cherie Noel

Hurricane Sandy Relief Story Auction~~Get You Some

Hurricane Sandy Relief - Story Auction Rules/General Information

Go here Now!! STORY AUCTION AT BABES IN BOYLAND!!!

Hey, all! In case you missed the info, Babes in Boyland is hosting a charity auction for Hurricane Sandy Relief... and they will be auctioning off stories in exchange for donations to assist with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The auction listings begin in the post below the one I've linked to. Please read the entire linked post before bidding.

**Auctions will be open from now to 7PM CST on Friday, November 9th.**

Thank you! Muah!!

NaNo Days Three and Four: Wrestling the Weekend for Words

Weekends are family time here in my house. Last night was movie night, and today weekly cleaning. Okay, the routines are fairly new, but the need for family time is an ongoing thing, and my kidlet and I are trying for a more cohesive, pre-planned time to just do fun stuff together.

These goals do not leave a lot of time on the weekend for writing.

Joe is resting, so as to be ready to help me jump back into the fray on Monday. I've been sneaking in two or three hundred words here and there, but not much else. I'm not giving up, or even adjusting my goals downward for this month... I'm just trying to be realistic about what I'm doing. I'm also seeking that ever elusive little imp, balance.

Wish me luck. if things get straightened out, then by mid-week next week, we should be back to regular programming here at the Cave, in addition to the NaNo updates.

Ciao for Now, babies. Hope your having a sweet Sunday.
~Cherie Noel

Friday: NaNo Day #2

Not much time, and really, the only tale to tell this month is am I writing. Yes. Starting Word Count for the Bunny Business project I'm working on... 1.068.

With that, I'll get back to work. If you're writing for NaNo as well, good luck friend!

I leave you with one of my favorite writing buddies... Joe~at the Ready...

Joe keeps me cabled up, and oversees all my energy needs. He's truly invaluable!



~~Cherie

Thursday: NANO Day 1

I've just a moment to say I am both excited and scared to be doing NaNo again this year. I crashed and burned last year, and want to do better this year. At least this year I have a writing buddy... well, he's more tech support than anything else... 

I'll be posting snippets from the work, and bits and pieces about what the process is like for me here. 

Today at the Cave is: Cold. Rainy. Perfect weather for a serious (or goofy, haven't decided which yet) writing day. I'll stop back in later with a word count, but for right now it's at zero for the event, day, and month. Let's see how well I do with changing that. :) At least I found so good pics to inspire me... like the fellow to the right here. He looks just like the pic in my head of Lewis, one of my mc's from the project.  

Good luck to all my fellow writers, and here's hoping we all end the month with fabulous new books. 

Me? I gotta get hopping on writing my story... Bunny Business. 

~Cherie