Yesterday, I wrote 20 pages. PAX 3 is due on May 31. That is 19 days and 100 more pages from now. You know, if I was obsessively counting and worrying about it. Due to my propensity for finishing books in a last-minute rush, I am finishing it in a last-minute rush. (Dear Editor, this is such a flippin’ lie. I am eating bon bons and polishing my already-completed story. Never fear.) I’m writing 20 pages again today and 20 more tomorrow. I need to leave time for the bon bons and polishing.
I would like to say this is unusual, but it’s not, thus the term propensity. I do this repeatedly. Kinda like, every time. I spend months writing (and excruciatingly rewriting) the first half of the book, and weeks writing the second half in a mad rush. This is some kind of self-torture for crimes committed in a past life. Or maybe I just need a deadline looming over my head like a guillotine in order to get off my ass.
IN OTHER NEWS! I have been offered a weekly online read at eHarlequin! There have been times in the Days Of Yore when I wrote entire BOOKS for what they are paying me to write a 10,0oo-word story. God Bless Harlequin. (Actually, I think Harlequin IS God, so wouldn’t that kind of be like blessing themselves???) There isn’t even an Art Fact Sheet. The weekly read will run in eight installments during July and August, and the story will be a PAX “prequel” about the early days of the PAX League. It’s the story of Diamond Chavez and Nick Hawke, and the mission to save one baby who could save PAX and maybe the world. It’s a tall order for a short story. I’ll just repeat what we say here at PAX headquarters: We Save The World So You Don’t Have To. It’s exhausting. 
GIVEAWAY! To celebrate my 20 pages yesterday and my 20 pages today (this is an affirmation that I *will* write 20 pages today!) AND my PAX prequel–three autographed copies of my sexy romantic comedy Her Secret Stranger are up for grabs! Post here! Three winners will be picked randomly by my 13-for-one-more-day son tomorrow morning (when he will be FOURTEEN)! It’s kinda like he’s giving you a present. And trust me, that would never happen. If you want your comment to be counted as an entry in the giveaway, be sure to say so when you comment.
And be sure to check out my article “The Eyes of Love” (all about Hot People!) at Romancing the Blog today!
Michelle says:
It’s good to hear that I’m not the only one who does this!! (Note to the editor waiting for my stuff–really, no, it’s finished. I, too, am eating bon bons.)
So, did the 8th graders read the Forbidden Chapter Ten?? 😯
On May 12, 2005 at 6:30 am
Laurie says:
Best of luck with your 20 pages today and tomorrow! Make time for lot’s of ice cream and cake!! I’d love a chance to receive “HER SECRET STRANGER”. My sister’s b-day is today, thanks for reminding me to get a card and to call her!!
On May 12, 2005 at 6:37 am
Gina says:
Congratulations on the prequel and good luck with the 20 pages today! I’d love to be in the running for the giveaway as well.
On May 12, 2005 at 6:57 am
Joely says:
Way to go, Suzanne! Good luck with the 20 pages today and the deadline.
On May 12, 2005 at 8:29 am
Mary says:
Congratulations, Suzanne. You always amaze me. You are funny, bright and such a good writer! And generous, too. Put me in the running for a book.
On May 12, 2005 at 8:47 am
Caro says:
Good luck on the pages — and congrats on the 20 pages yesterday! I love days like that, though I don’t necessarily like the idea of writing them on a deadline. Sometimes, though, the most amazing things seem to come out of those bursts. Oh, and I wouldn’t mind being in the running for a book. 🙂
On May 12, 2005 at 9:06 am
mary beth says:
Woo Hoo Suzanne! 20 pages is great. I can’t believe you can do it several days in a row. 😛
Wait, it’s you. Yes I can.
Put me in the running for Her Secret Stranger too.
I can’t wait to read the prequel.
On May 12, 2005 at 9:13 am
Jill says:
I didn’t get past the fact that you WROTE 20 PAGES in one day …
On May 12, 2005 at 9:21 am
Beth C says:
20 pages? In one day? 😯 You are my hero. Congrats on the on-line short story. That’s FABULOUS!
On May 12, 2005 at 9:33 am
Sonja (from HCRW) says:
Ooh ooh pick me pick me, 13-for-one-more-day son!!
Congrats, on the high page count, Suzanne. 🙂 (I bet I know who’s winning BiaW this week! Go girl!)
On May 12, 2005 at 9:49 am
Kelly says:
Suzanne, I always reread, and reread, and reread my pages. It takes me forever to get to the end because I constantly edit. It’s a curse, I say. Grrr. = )
Great post of RTB!
On May 12, 2005 at 10:56 am
Cheyenne McCray says:
Enjoyed your bog entry at Romancing the Blog today! Congrats on the 20 pages and good luck with the deadline. I have the same deadline (well, June 1st) for this rewrite, and oh, thank you SO much for reminding me what little time I have left. 😛 Good luck with your deadline and congrats on the Harlequin PAX prequel’!
On May 12, 2005 at 11:04 am
Mary Stella says:
I bow to the 40 pages in two days! That’s incredible!! Congrats on the PAX prequel, too. What a great idea from the publisher.
On May 12, 2005 at 11:52 am
Sharon says:
Wow lots of good news! The online read will be great for the series!
I’d like to celebrate by winning your cool book
On May 12, 2005 at 12:23 pm
Crystal* says:
I absolutely love the PAX concept.
Twenty pages in one day? Do you simply threaten everyone’s life or what? I would love to know. 😈
Sounds like something I would love to implement here.
I would love to be in the drawing for you book. 😀 Thanks!
Grins*
On May 12, 2005 at 1:02 pm
Sasha says:
Great Job onthe pages, Suzanne! And congratulations on the prequel! So cool!
On May 12, 2005 at 1:03 pm
Amy K. says:
Congrats on the online read! I’ll definitely be looking for it. 🙂
I have to tell you I’m relieved to hear your “method” of getting a book done. I do the exact same thing (minus the official deadlines, oh and the book-on-the-shelves part.) I wish I could think and figure out the darn story faster.
And I’d love to win your book, so please sign me up. 🙂
On May 12, 2005 at 1:08 pm
Steph T. says:
Love your editor letter! *clapping*
On May 12, 2005 at 1:13 pm
Robyn says:
Congrats to you and a happy birthday to
your son. Please consider me for the
book giveaway ‘Her Secret Stranger’ and
count this as an entry.
Happy 14th birthday to your son.
On May 12, 2005 at 2:02 pm
Tori says:
20 pages in one days is bloody amazing!!! You’re my hero!!! (Heroine?)
(I’d love a chance to win, too!)
On May 12, 2005 at 2:03 pm
Carol says:
Congratulations on the prequel and Happy Birthday to your son! I’d love a chance to receive “Her Secret Stranger”. Thank You! 🙂
On May 12, 2005 at 2:06 pm
Beth says:
Congrats… and keep them coming.
🙂
On May 12, 2005 at 4:54 pm
Suzanne says:
Thank you, everyone, for the congrats and the encouragement! I did manage to turn out 16 pages, but I’m done in now. I hate it when I don’t make my daily goal. 😥
On May 12, 2005 at 5:22 pm
Alyssa says:
Congrats on the online read. I’ll look forward to reading it!
🙂
Alyssa
On May 12, 2005 at 9:20 pm
ruby55 says:
Wow. I can’t write any fiction. How can you write 20 pages a day? I know you’ll do it though.
Congrats also to the newly-minted FOURTEEN-year-old. Way to go! I’d love it if you drew my name. You must be really proud of your mom.:wink:
On May 12, 2005 at 11:18 pm
Teresa H says:
Congratulations on all those pages and for the prequel. WTG! Happy Birthday to your son. I’d love it if he drew my name to win. 🙂
On May 13, 2005 at 4:09 am
Anna says:
Awww, what’s four pages between friends? You’ll do 20 today, easy. 🙂 Imagine yourself sitting back later today, feet up on the some item of furniture the kids aren’t allowed to put their feet on, sipping on something cold and chewing those bon bons, because you wrote twenty pages and deserve a break!
Am I too late for the draw?
On May 13, 2005 at 5:06 am