Once Upon A Kiss Celebration Week - Day Five

In Once Upon A Kiss, which is coming out on Wednesday, August 25, the hero, Joe is confined to a wheelchair because of an injury he received while serving in Iraq. Coincidentally, while writing the book, my local grocery store was collecting donations for people in wheelchairs. I thought that was too strange to ignore, so I donated often.

I'm not sure if the Wheelchair Foundation is the same charity, but I think it's a worthy one, nonetheless. So, I will be donating a portion of my royalties per book to this organization until I have enough to pay for a wheelchair for some deserving person somewhere in the world ($150). It's bad enough to need a wheelchair, but to need one and not have one...?

If you had a spare $150, which charity would you give it to? Why? Any comment enters you to win one of my books. (Winner to be announced Wednesday, August 25.)

I May Be Addicted

I just submitted "My Secret Sweetheart," a second story to Gia Portfolio, editor for True Experience magazine and True Romance magazine. I had a lot of fun writing it and if it sells, I'll make about $200. If I keep this up, I'll have the money to pay those hefty show choir fees. Woot!

Since I finished my first round of edits on Once Upon A Kiss, I wrote a thousand words for a new "True" story. I'm finding that part of the fun of writing these shorts is that, because you must write in first person, I'm getting to try on all these different voices. "A Gigolo of My Own" was told by an older woman. "My Secret Sweetheart" was about a young , principled schoolteacher. This new story features a cynical young woman who falls in love with a stuntman. I have no idea how it's going to end other than it being happy. But then, I never do. That's half the fun, discovering the plot as I go.

Sale!

I got word today from Johnene Granger of Woman's World magazine. They are buying my short romantic story, "Truth or Dare!" I am still on cloud nine. I intend to remain there for a while.
This means a seventh feather in my cap and $800. Wonder if I can justify a Sony eReader...

Economizing

Times are tough. I'm always looking for ways to cut back and recently we eliminated our monthly Arrowhead water delivery and replaced it with a PUR water dispenser. By doing so we're saving $190 over the course of a year. :)

Do you have any tips for me on how to save in other areas?