tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87604583983961756572024-03-06T12:02:30.323-08:00Writing in NevadaTami Cowden dicusses juggling her two personas: romance and mystery writer and lawyer in a high-powered law firm.Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-74152148240578586542011-04-06T21:15:00.000-07:002011-04-06T21:33:31.916-07:00No more WRITR for me.See that license plate up there? I don't have it anymore. It is gone, gone, gone. That's because it was on the car that was stolen a week ago. Get this - it was taken from a parking garage that I was paying to use while I attended a hearing for the day job. That's right - my car was stolen from across the street from the courthouse. And the thief PAID to take it out of the garage. The car was insured. But the plate is gone. Even if I get the car back, the plate will apparently forever be on the "stolen" list. Like writers do when they experience tumultuous emotions, I tell myself I can use this experience. I can use that initial feeling of disconnect that emerged as I realized other car were now parked where I left my car. The optimistic belief I must have parked on a different floor that slowly seeps away as I wonder up and down the levels of the garage, to be gradually replaced with the sense of total bewilderment at the realization that someone truly has stolen my scratched and dented 5 year old PT Cruiser. The offense experienced when the first question asked by police is whether I was behind in the payments for the car (to be fair, I was offended because I thought they were suggesting I arranged to have the car stolen for insurance money, but I later realized, they were asking in case it had been repossessed.) The frustration as I waited for hours to make the official report. The hope at hearing that cars are recovered 75 percent of the time. The eagerness at each unfamiliar phone number that shows up on the caller ID (might be Metro saying they found the car!). The disappointment when that call does not come. Someday soon, a car thief will meet an untimely, but painful end in one of my stories. Or perhaps that car thief will merely end up making personalized license plates.Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-64230789406613907352011-04-03T09:40:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:09:26.903-07:00Planning to write - a first for me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT195_U9wnPnBxpTMbrATiMtk14R1vKBlekYjpsiZ3azgpd6svqpIj0d6IDfKzUBft9LoX_3RI6QJKpT-pIduDQ3cQxSA6lGnsxSHBNnZJamAHkffsCKAB4vAnDujS7QbUoluyijpZVIM/s1600/Break+into+fiction.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591399788403589042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT195_U9wnPnBxpTMbrATiMtk14R1vKBlekYjpsiZ3azgpd6svqpIj0d6IDfKzUBft9LoX_3RI6QJKpT-pIduDQ3cQxSA6lGnsxSHBNnZJamAHkffsCKAB4vAnDujS7QbUoluyijpZVIM/s200/Break+into+fiction.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>I am what is known as a seat of the pants writer, aka a "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pantser</span>." That means I sit down and write. Many writers are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pantsers</span>, and we all share a similar <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span>: we cannot plan ahead, because the ideas only come in the midst of the writing itself. Most of us have a general idea of where the book is going, but now how it gets there. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Some also say that if they do plot a book in advance, they are then bored with it, and cannot actually write it. I do not say that, because I have never actually managed to plan an entire book in advance. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But lately, I haven't been sitting down and writing much - or at least, not writing fiction. So I am going to try something new. Actually, I am going to do two things. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>First, I am going to try to plot a story in advance. It may be a short erotic piece, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tentatively</span> titled Stolen Kisses. Or it may be a full length sweet story, Auntie Mom. (I learned how to consider and present two side of every argument in law school. That is likely why I can write both sweet and erotic fiction...)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In the same time frame, I am going to take a mystery story for which the first draft is almost finishes, and fill out the templates for that story. I believe that this will help me 1) finish that damn book, and 2) help me revise that damn book. I want this one done by June 1, by the way, so the clock is ticking. The working title of that book is My Dog Carries a Knife. </div><br /><div>To help me in this experiment, I am using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Break-Into-Fiction-Steps-Building/dp/1605500151/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301849099&sr=1-1">Break into Fiction, 11 Steps to Building a Story that Sells</a>, written by <a href="http://www.marybuckham.com/">Mary <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Buckham</span> </a>and <a href="http://www.authordiannalove.com/">Dianna Love</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What I especially like about this book is that its templates (and, more importantly, the questions the author must ask and answer in order to fill out the templates) directly tie the concept of the turning points in the plot into the character arc. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of course, the need for that connection is something I have understood, and even taught, for years. But I find it very difficult to do in advance (because of that whole <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">pantser</span> thing). So I am hoping that by forcing myself to think about these question in advance, and answering in few short sentences, I will get enough information down to guide me in my writing and make it easier for me to sit down. But it will not provide so much information to me that I will find it tedious to actually write a story I already know.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I typed up the templates shown in the book. (No, sorry, I will not send them my templates to you. It is OK for me to do that for my use - I <strong>bought </strong>the book. But it would not be OK for me to give other people copies of Mary and Dianna's copyrighted material. ) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wish me luck. And keep me honest - inquire regarding my progress!</div>Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-84701000752177627162011-03-31T06:14:00.000-07:002011-04-03T09:14:15.336-07:00Villains Available on Kindle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vy9TaPBFQ8UAvOxxpsiKbbJkoAWM0DXeKDvguEWuI5XM1IxKISmHByFtdWS-TtfWCKl3lMxSVQaNjWv6ra7XWzU3DgeGnWdyjTqzPhE5s-nV-E3CR8Z04ilJJ0grXrwts7phzH1UejM/s1600/Villains+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591389790336576898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vy9TaPBFQ8UAvOxxpsiKbbJkoAWM0DXeKDvguEWuI5XM1IxKISmHByFtdWS-TtfWCKl3lMxSVQaNjWv6ra7XWzU3DgeGnWdyjTqzPhE5s-nV-E3CR8Z04ilJJ0grXrwts7phzH1UejM/s200/Villains+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>Finally. To everyone who has ever asked about when the Villains book will be available, I have an answer. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Heroes-Sixteen-Archetypes-ebook/dp/B004SY9JCE/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_3">Fallen Heroes: Sixteen Master Villain Archetyhpes</a> is now available in a Kindle version. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Writers-Guide-Heroes-Heroines/dp/1580650244/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1">The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes</a> has been available on Kindle for awhile now. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Cool cover, huh? It was done by romance author <a href="http://www.lexvalentine.com/">Lex Valentine</a>, at <a href="http://winterheart.com/category/covers/">Winterheart Design, </a></div>Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-70141999951425700932009-01-18T18:45:00.000-08:002009-01-18T19:22:36.190-08:00Cool house, cool writers<div>Last Friday, I had a great time at a reception to celebrate the release of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Las</span> Vegas Business Press Book of Lists 09.<br /><br />The event was held at the <a href="http://marquisvegas.com/">Marquis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Las</span> Vegas</a>, in a 10,000 sq. ft. model home built with green technology. The place is a net-zero energy home, and was pretty much the coolest place I've ever seen. The house was featured in the <a href="http://www.lvrj.com/furniture_and_design/37759789.html">Saturday </a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><a href="http://www.lvrj.com/furniture_and_design/37759789.html">RJ, </a>where the combination of the latest building trends, combined with vintage Vegas decor, was applauded.</span><br /><br />As I traveled from room to room, with its seamless transitions from outdoors and back inside again, in between the oohing and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ahing</span> over the water features, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">square</span> toilets, and beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">firepits</span>, I had the chance to meet some of the Stephens Press Authors. Steven <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kalas</span> was there, signing his book, <em><a href="http://www.readhumanmatters.com/">Human Matters</a></em>. Heidi Knapp <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Rinella</span>, author of <a href="http://www.stephenspress.com/personalfavorites-chefs.html">Personal Favorites, The Chefs of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Las</span> Vegas</a> was also present. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMYeSmSVzyc2-EI2u-6Q4ObjpKcWzGNDhiEAjM1aTx8VHeeq4BpsWeKFfm-1KI0yntGfNa4cMvlkquHwVD5Dmm5nMszxRUVLQSpSkdRX8cCm81Qmy-fyT5JWS15-NggRJyORLr1LMs64/s1600-h/SSS.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292839202720687826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMYeSmSVzyc2-EI2u-6Q4ObjpKcWzGNDhiEAjM1aTx8VHeeq4BpsWeKFfm-1KI0yntGfNa4cMvlkquHwVD5Dmm5nMszxRUVLQSpSkdRX8cCm81Qmy-fyT5JWS15-NggRJyORLr1LMs64/s200/SSS.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And I finally picked up a copy of <a href="http://www.sunsinsuburbia.com/">Sun, Sin and Suburbia</a>, Geoff <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Schumacher's</span> book about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Las</span> Vegas history over the past 50 years or so. Since I am in the process purchasing a piece of that history, in the form of a house in Paradise Palms, it seems a good book to have.</div>Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-50106714002346707652008-08-27T05:59:00.000-07:002008-08-27T06:12:19.375-07:00When worlds collide<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJyOATByznKyXNIrTZ0z57lmNUV7Dp8_gpz10sbcNmQ7nOsi6ENtS_ncV28hZpMQW3e-hIs-KX8nJW9UDV7lRlRaUrlEzbcyaur-S9JbnjuiewwCI47srQjyoJiUwx8L3pKpZdIcNngI/s1600-h/lavo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239184418480856914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJyOATByznKyXNIrTZ0z57lmNUV7Dp8_gpz10sbcNmQ7nOsi6ENtS_ncV28hZpMQW3e-hIs-KX8nJW9UDV7lRlRaUrlEzbcyaur-S9JbnjuiewwCI47srQjyoJiUwx8L3pKpZdIcNngI/s200/lavo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Sometimes my lawyering and writing worlds mesh.<br /><br />For example, I contribute articles to a website entitled <a href="http://living-las-vegas.com/">Living Las Vegas</a>. So I decided to do an article on a just-opened restaurant/lounge/nightclub here in Vegas, called <a href="http://lavolv.com/">Lavo</a>.<br /><br />How does someone like me know about Lavo, the coolest place in town, created by the same group that owns <a href="http://taolasvegas.com/">Tao Las Vegas</a>, the other coolest place in town? Simple -- because my firm represents that group in some ongoing litigation. In fact, one of my very best briefs came out of that bit of representation.<br /><br />And so, last night I found myself venturing into the domain of the beautiful people. Hey, I was “on the list!” Plus, I have the stamp on my wrist (didn’t wash off!) and the plastic bracelet to prove it.<br /><br />Okay, let’s be real. I don’t drink, can’t dance, and abhor crowds. Nor am I in my twenties, blonde, or suited to wearing anything with spaghetti straps or four inch heels. So I won’t be imposing on my clients to get on that list very often. But it was fun to be among the cool crowd for the night.<br /><br />The more adventurous among you will love it, though. </div>Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-75620228327673314542008-08-24T21:26:00.000-07:002008-08-24T21:39:52.592-07:00A bad week coming upThis week is going to be bad for fiction writing. I've several briefs coming due in the next ten days or so, so my creative energies will be focused on legal issues.<br /><br />The good news? I passed the 200 page mark on My Dog Carries a Knife.<br /><br />Oh - and I'm being interviewed on the radio tomorrow with Lisa McLaun, who blogs at<br /><a href="http://compassionate-news.blogspot.com/">http://compassionate-news.blogspot.com/</a> We talking about blogging!<br /><br /><a href="http://knpr.org/son/archive/detail.cfm?ProgramID=1404">Monday, August 25th at 10:00am on KNPR 88.9FM</a>,<br /><br />I've been playing with Facebook. I've much to learn when it comes to that stuff!Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-24637716293799352652008-08-17T21:31:00.000-07:002008-08-17T21:32:24.763-07:00I'm baaaackkkIt's been awhile. Day job has been busy. But I'm back. Since I last posted, I've written about 50 pages in My Dog Carries a Knife. Slowly, but surely....Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-9516738686937599742008-06-09T16:30:00.000-07:002008-06-09T16:31:06.896-07:00Sunday progressNote the increase of 8 pages in my progress list. It's not much, but it's something.Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-39519824245994439842008-06-06T11:03:00.001-07:002008-08-17T21:34:29.864-07:00Getting copies of my own books<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTJJFLYONIrZi6krOINftOWn5ryO5AFxuJEyCdsk3oYhsXM7O8qIKOZNxfHZF669nbXwIT_VBouemUxtXJPXbrGfLfiQi8h50XgRHGsNKJQy_eQ6Xx2VUR-2ikfbwWnGeZdgftuw2UzY/s1600-h/1580650244.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208831051145728226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTJJFLYONIrZi6krOINftOWn5ryO5AFxuJEyCdsk3oYhsXM7O8qIKOZNxfHZF669nbXwIT_VBouemUxtXJPXbrGfLfiQi8h50XgRHGsNKJQy_eQ6Xx2VUR-2ikfbwWnGeZdgftuw2UzY/s200/1580650244.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I never thought this would be a problem.<br />Or, at least, not for what I refer to a “the Archetype book” – <a href="http://www.tamicowden.com/archetypes.htm">The Complete Writers Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes.</a> Back when I was on the writing conference circuit, I would order box after box of these things, usually by letting my editor at Lone Eagle know I needed them. That worked until about 2005 or so, when Lone Eagle, which had previously been sold to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IFilm</span>, was sold to a new company.<br />But by then, I was working full time as a lawyer again, and had stopped going to so many workshops. I was no longer selling the books myself. I had a case or two left from conference days, and occasionally dragged a few along when I spoke locally. And every now and again, someone would decide that paying full price for the book with autograph was better than the steep discount Amazon offers. [I’m flattered!]<br />But in April, just before the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Las</span> Vegas Writers Conference, I discovered (or perhaps was reminded?) at the last minute that I need to bring my own books. And <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">AACK</span> – I only had 11 left. Well, those went quickly.<br />And then there were none. I mean –I do not even have a copy for myself, other than a manuscript copy. And I am speaking at a few writing venues in the coming months.<br />Well, I can, of course, just buy it at the store like everyone else. In fact, I could buy a bunch a copies at Amazon for that nice discount. Amazon’s good, but hey – I can get it half price!<br />If, that is, I just figure out who is selling them days. Seems Lone Eagle keeps getting passed along to bigger and bigger publishers.<br />My royalties come from a company called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nielson</span>. But apparently that’s a dead end for buying the books.<br />After four phone calls, and four emails –all to different people and companies, I finally tracked them down. Turns out that <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/">Random House</a> now owns <a href="http://www.watsonguptill.com/">Watson-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Guptill</span></a>, who in turns owns the Lone Eagle imprint. Or so they say.<br />But, the good news is - my books are on the way.<br />Whew! </div>Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-20043831538402173602008-06-05T10:13:00.000-07:002008-06-05T10:29:07.589-07:00Back in the saddleWell, so much for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sacrificing</span> all for the client. I tried, really I did, but the brief was not coming together in a way that I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">could</span> consider anywhere near my standards. Truth, I was just too sick. <br /><br />Fortunately, illness is an acceptable excuse for an extension. And thank heavens for paralegals who can put together a request, because by the time I was ready to admit I couldn't get it done, I was in no shape to do even that. B<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ut</span> I have a great appellate paralegal named Martha, who got it done for me. I was out on Monday, and was even sicker on Tuesday.<br /><br />I came in to work yesterday, but that was mostly to get my hours for the month of May in. I was way late. It may seem crass, but the truth is, if we don't send bills, we can't pay our own. And the computer needs the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">electric</span> bill paid. Plus, I might get yelled at if I don't get them in.<br /><br />While at work yesterday, I was able to put out a few fires that were still smoldering from my absence, review a court order that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">gaveth</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tooketh</span> away (mostly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gaveth</span>, fortunately) and then went home to bed again.<br /><br />Today, I am back. I still fear I'll lose a lung with every cough, but at least I can still up straight. more importantly, I can think straight.<br /><br />Meanwhile, my latest contribution at <a href="http://living-las-vegas.com/">Living <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Las</span> Vegas</a> is up, a paean to Boyd School of law, celebrating its 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> anniversary. See <a href="http://living-las-vegas.com/2008/06/boyd-law-las-vegas/"><em>Law School, Vegas Style</em></a>.<br /><br />But have I written any fiction?<br /><br />Of course not.Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-17537522676872896522008-06-01T09:17:00.000-07:002008-06-01T09:27:31.688-07:00Sundays, briefs, and illness.This year, Sundays have been the most productive for me, in terms of my fiction writing. This is because my critique group meets on Sunday afternoon. Each member is expeted to bring up to 10 pages of new material.<br /><br />What this means is that I am generally writing those 10 pages Sunday morning. Sounds stressful, but it has worked. We've met 14 times, and thanks to that critique group, I have written 138 pages of <em>My dog Carries a Knife. </em><br /><em></em><br />We are not meeting today, though. My husband, Steve, was planning to run a marathon in San Diego today. But he got sick, so we cancelled the trip. <br /><br />That turned out to be a good thing for me, because I had an appellate brief due Monday. The calendar in my head, which I should NEVER trust, said that brief was due June 11. Fortunately, the calendar that appears at my desk had a reminder about this brief. <br /><br />Of course, I am sick, too. Slight fever, very sore throat, cough, aches and pains, etc. But the brief is due. And so I will write it today, polish it tomorrow, and file it. <br /><br />I will not work on my book.<br /><br />I <em>will </em>feel guilty for the five minutes it took me to write this post, when I could have been researching cases or outlining the brief, or whatever.Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8760458398396175657.post-29856970110744920842008-05-31T12:06:00.000-07:002008-05-31T12:32:46.410-07:00Welcome!Welcome to the first post of my new blog.<br /><br />This blog is about trying to maintain my sanity while pursuing my day job as an appellate lawyer at the Nevada law firm of <a href="http://kkbrf.com/">Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw & Ferrario</a>, while also pursuing a career as a writer.<br /><br />The blog is called Writing in Nevada because I do a lot of that - write in Nevada, that it. I live in Henderson, Nevada (essentially a suburb of Las Vegas). I work in Vegas, at the Howard Hughes Center, which is not far from the Strip.<br /><br />And I write.<br /><br />In my job, that is pretty much all I do - write briefs. That is by choice, by the way, so don't feel sorry for me. I actually bargained for the option to not go to court; it's part of my deal with my boss. I actually don't mind appellate court, but I hate district court. Too much time spent waiting. In appellate court, things are scheduled and there are time limits. Patience is not one of my virtues.<br /><br />Other writing I do at work consists of a blog about appellate law and legal writing (and whatever else strikes my fancy) and the occasional law related article.<br /><br />When I am at work, I might be writing articles for <a href="http://living-las-vegas.com/">Living Las Vegas,</a> a website that reveals what life is really like here in Vegas. Or I might be working on my fiction. I am a published romance writer. My first novel came out in 2005.<br /><br />I also like mystery, and am currently working on what I hope will be a series. It features a divorce lawyer who ends up owning a wedding chapel. She also ends up with a basset hound named Columbo. I like bassets. Expect to hear about my two bassets. A lot.<br /><br />Here's the thing. I have a fairly good success rate at selling my work. I sold my first short story to the first magazine I sent it to (for $500!). My coauthors and I sold our first nonfiction book for writers to the 2d publisher we sent it to. I sold my first novel to the second publisher I sent it to.<br /><br />So why haven't I sold more books? Simple - I spend more time writing briefs than I do writing books.<br /><br />So my solution to this dilemma - create something else to write instead of books.<br /><br />Okay, sounds stupid. But what I am creating is accountability. With this blog, I am promising the world that I will keep writing the fiction. Help keep me honest!Tami Cowdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00437156913380151833noreply@blogger.com0