Crystal Jordan

Archive for July, 2007



Post-Conference Depression
Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

I’d like to talk about a little known affliction called Post-Conference Depression. It’s like postpartum depression, only not as bad.

You spend a week on a high so big you can’t sleep, don’t eat as much as you think you will, you’re just going going going for days on end. There are people you haven’t see in a year and won’t see again for at least a year. New people to meet and get stoked about seeing the next year, too. You don’t want to sleep for fear of missing something. You can rest later, right? Right.

Then you come home. Some of us to an empty house, some to a demanding family who hasn’t seen them in a week and doesn’t understand the life-and-career-altering experience they’ve just gone through.

So you crash. Hard. All the fun and stimulation and excitement of people who really understand what it means to be a writer and have all the demands, pressures, and ecstasy of the profession. You feel bereft and sad and a little lost.

It usually lasts a week or two, sometimes a whole month. You struggle to get back in your rhythm and write again. You’re stressed because you’re not as productive as you should be, which just makes you even more depressed.

Welcome home. Let’s all join hands on how down we feel right now. Returning to reality of your life sucks.

The Novelty Girls
Monday, July 16th, 2007

Back from conference! Doing my horny haiku thing over at The Novelty Girls.

Sunday Funnies
Sunday, July 15th, 2007

You Are Basic Panties


You are a laid back chick with a real natural beauty.
You can make unwashed hair and minimal make-up super sexy.
Men tend to notice you show the “real you” – and they appreciate it.
And while basic makes boring for some, it looks classic on you.
Pitching Today
Saturday, July 14th, 2007

I’m pitching a book to Silhouette Nocturne today at conference. I hope they like it enough to request the manuscript.

WISH ME LUCK! I’m sure I’ll need it because I kind of want to throw up just thinking about it.

Thursday Thirteen
Thursday, July 12th, 2007

Still at RWA Nationals…so I thought I’d give it a wee tribute.

Thirteen Reasons Conferences Rock

1. Meeting your favorite authors and try really hard to be professional and NOT gush. That last part is key.

2. Hanging out with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

3. Figuring out how the hell to pitch a book. Still working on this one.

4. Hanging out with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

5. Watching people sing karaoke in the bar.

6. Hanging out with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

7. Seeing your dream agent from afar and sighing wistfully.

8. Hanging out with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

9. Book-signing chaos of a bazillion authors in one room and you’re all racing to get the LAST COPY of your fave book.

10. Hanging out with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

11. Listening to keynote speakers who can actually make you laugh. This always surprises me and I expect to be bored. Who knew they were funny?

12. Hanging out with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

13. Drinking in the bar with author friends you don’t see except at conference.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Hump Day Hotties
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Today is the tribute to all things Australian and New Zealand.

Mad Madam M: Oh Jesse…while you look a bit camp in that tank top I really don’t mind. I’ve loved you in things a whole lot campier…like that Swiss Family Robinson miniseries Stranded! Good times, my friends. Good times!

Crystal: Isn’t he on House? I have no idea. He’s pretty. That’s all I need to know.


Mad Madam M: It is medically impossible for Dominic Purcell to button a shirt…if only Wentworth suffered from the same condition, every woman in America would be watching Prison Break.

Crystal: They are the second prettiest brothers on television…right after the brothers on Supernatural. It’s a religious experience.

Mad Madam M: *giggling* Sorry, I can’t help but laugh at the fact that Wenty is sitting on his coat jacket. But see what I mean about the shirt…I don’t think buttons can handle close proximity to Linc’s chest!

Crystal: It’s his super power. To make buttons fly off his shirt. Everyone needs a super power.

Mad Madam M: While many people know Julian from Nip/Tuck, he was the only redeeming part of Fantastic Four. I just kept my eyes fixed on him and thought of England!

Crystal: He was in The Profiler. I loved that show.

Mad Madam M: Sure he has all sorts of problems, but the boy knows how to play a guitar, sing, and adds fake hand claps to song. To be honest, that is all I really need to know!

Crystal: He’s one of my fave country singers. It’s just that much nicer that he’s pretty, isn’t it?

Mad Madam M: *attempts to blink but unable to do so* Oh the pretty!! *gives up and goes to look for eye drops in order to continue staring*

Crystal: Nice arms. And pecs. And…just fill in the blank with a body part and I’m there.

Mad Madam M: I’m guessing I will be all alone on this one, but for me, he was the only redeemable aspect of Coyote Ugly. *ducks to avoid incoming projectiles*

Crystal: I liked the soundtrack to that movie. The rest of it was…kind of dull. He did add a certain festivity to the movie though.

Mad Madam M: Oh how I love twofers…and boy is this one worth it. You get both Russel and Guy and in beautiful black and white!! (P.S. If you have never seen L.A. Confidential go and watch it at once. I can easily entertain myself with the pretty until you return!!)

Crystal: I’ll add it to the list of movies you think I should watch and I never will unless you sit me in front of a tv and force me to take time out of my life.

Mad Madam M: Oh Daisy…you are quite pretty on the eyes. Especially in 300 even if you did only have 1 eye by the end of the flick. Your awesomely ripped abs more than made up for the loss.

Crystal: It still cracks me up that Daisy is his nick name.

Mad Madam M: While not the best lean in the world, I would still give it an 8 out of 10. That’s a solid B and nothing to be ashamed of.

Crystal: Leaning is good. I like leaning. Now, if he put me between him and the wall and leaned that way, I’d be happy.

Mad Madam M: Even without the wig from LOTR or the leather coat from Bourne I would still willing lick every inch of your body. Call me!

Crystal: Amen.

Mad Madam M: He really did Rock Me!

Crystal: He’s very pretty…he just never seems to get the hair right. I can never figure that out. Doesn’t he have stylists for that?

Mad Madam M: *in a fake announcer voice* Let me present Flight of the Conchords! If you have never watched them or heard one of their songs go to YouTube right now and watch some of their videos. I can wait! *pulls out iPod in order to listen to music while I waiting*

Crystal: They’re funny. Really funny.

Mad Madam M:
Dear Hugh,

Can I call you Hugh or should I have used Mr. Jackman instead? Oh too late now, what’s done is done . I just wanted to write to let you know that I think you should try not to be so attractive and talented all the time. You are making other hot leading men look bad with all your action/singing/dancing skills…especially the other people in the X-Men flicks (with the exception of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen of course.) Anyhoo, you also seem like a really nice guy which doesn’t help. Nice guys never finish first unless you are Tom Hanks or Ron Howard. Perhaps you should meet up with Russell Crowe and see if you can work on your angry, douche-bag skills.

Love Alway,
Mad Madam M

P.S. On second thought…don’t change a thing! Like Mr. Rodgers would have said: I like you just the way you are!

Crystal: I’d do him against the wall. Him and the leaning tower of Daisy.

Sold In The Tempest!
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007

I sold the next mini-story in the Wereplanets series to Cobblestone Press Quarterly Magazine. How sweet is that? YAY!

It should release some time in September along with RG Alexander’s first short story called Nature Lover!

The Novelty Girls
Monday, July 9th, 2007

Lori and I are both at RWA this week and while the Mad Madam M will be monitoring activity at my blog this week, we’ve turned over the madhouse of The Novelty Girls to Dayna, Nonny, and Jennifer.

Y’all have fun…they’re giving away stuff and telling dirty secrets on us. Wenches!

Sunday Funnies
Sunday, July 8th, 2007

You Belong in Soho


Although you may not be a professional artist, you do dabble in one form of art or another.
And you indie culture of all kinds – from little botiques to art house films.

Not Going to RWA Nationals? Check This Out!
Saturday, July 7th, 2007

Not going to Nationals? Don’t worry…Romance Divas is doing the next best thing!

Romance Divas announces the first annual “Not Going to Nationals Cyber Conference” from July 11-15, righton the forum. Best of all, it’s FREE!

Just register for Romance Divas–membership is free, you just need to sign up! www.romancedivas.com if you have trouble with registration email night.diva.maria (at) gmail (dot) com

There will be workshops, Q&As, and giveaways each day. All you have to do is participate!!!!

Schedule:

July 11:
Workshop: PC Cast and Kristin Cast (topic TBA)PCCast.net
Q&A: Erotic romance with Portia da Costa and Madelynne Ellis PortiaDaCosta.com
MadelynneEllis.com

July 12:
Workshop: Book Signing 101: Tips to Help Make your Signing a Success by Jackie Kessler JackieKessler.com
Q&A: Legal Issues for Writers by Amanda Brice AmandaBrice.com

July 13:
Workshop: What to Expect After You Sign the Contract by Marley Gibson MarleyGibson.com
Q&A: TBA (either with an agent from the Larsen-Pomada Agency or a panel on multi-cultural romance)

July 14:
Workshop: Sasha White (topic TBA) SashaWhite.net
Q&A: How To Write Both YA and Adult Romance by Berta Platas BertaPlatas.com

July 15:
Workshop: Trim That Fatty Writing! by Rhonda Stapleton RhondaStapleton.net
Q&A: TBA (either with an agent from the Larsen-Pomada Agency or a panel on multi-cultural romance)

We also have loads of great giveaways, including books, critiques, coaching, and more!