The writing world has lost a great writer this week. Sidney Sheldon died of complications from pneumonia at the age of 89.  He had a long writing career. He started writing for plays on Broadway, wrote over 200 shows like I Dream Of Jeannie and then went on to write 18 wonderful books. I remember watching an interview he did a few years ago where he explained why he left TV writing.  The characters in his book talked to him but he didn’t have to deal with actors who thought they knew more about the characters than he did.

I have a favourite of his books, If Tomorrow Comes.  I also loved to watch the TV movies they made of his books.

What was your favourite show, TV or TV made movie of Mr. Sheldon’s books?

Do book reviews influence what you purchase at the store?  I never read reviews.  However if it’s on the book cover then I’ll read them.  I do know there are people out here who only purchase books who get high reviews.  Now what do you they do when t two reviews of the same book contradict each other? They’d have to make up their own mind.

My question to you is do reviews influence what you purchase?

Ok, let’s dream.  What would you do if you were to win the lottery and didn’t have to work? Would you travel around the world, start your own company, give it all away? What would you do?

I would have to say I’d give up my mortgage paying job for certain.  Although I’d miss the people I work with I’d still leave.  Now what would I do?  I’d centre my time around writing of course, but I’d also do some traveling.  I’d go to Hawaii, Dallas and probably Australia.

What about you do?

Have you felt like you are turning a new leaf or page in your life? I’ve only felt that way a few times in my life, but I knew when I felt them.  That’s how I felt last night.  I hope this new beginning is a great new adventure.  I turned on MEN IN TREES last night and took close to 30 minute break from writing and realized the underline message of the show was about turning a leaf too quickly.

So here’s to turning a new leaf!

I’m a huge fan of series.  However I have to read it in sequence.  I get really mad if I read out of sequence. I’ll also wait until I have all the books in the series before I start reading, well most of the times.  

I just finished the latest in Hannah Howell’s Highlander series (and blogged about it at http://www.romancereadersblog.com/).  I’m looking forward to Patricia Grasso’s next Prince book in her series.

My question to you is what series have you read and look forward to reading?

Do you want to make someone’s day? Here’s how you can.  A 7 year old boy in Ottawa is battling cancer and has been for well over a year.  His name is Shane.  He has a wish that you can help fill.  He wants to get the biggest amount of greeting cards to make the Guinness book of record.  If you want to send in a greeting card and help this young guy you can send your card to

Shane

c/o KISS FM

2001 Thurston Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 6C9

What do you do when you have to do something you really hate doing?  Usually I just make myself do it. I just can’t stand procrastination. However there are exceptions.  One of them is editing my work.  Yep I can come up with some pretty creative reasons for not sitting my butt back into my writing chair.  What kind of reason?  Let’s see, it’s time to wash my walls, clean my house thoroughly or go through my clothes.

What has been the most creative thing you’ve done to delay doing something you didn’t want to do?

I spent most of my weekend watching the Canadian National Figure Skating event.  This is where the world’s team is decided.  I’ve attended these events in the past. Last year it took place in Ottawa and it’s quite exciting.  However since the retirement of Kurt Browning and Elvis the crowds aren’t as big.  You could really tell on TV that the event hadn’t sold out in Halifax. That’s too bad.

The skating itself was exciting.  I wished I could look so graceful on ice. I’m lucky I don’t land on my butt.

So what did you do this weekend?

I’m sorry if your post didn’t make it to the site.  They weren’t deleted on purpose. I changed servers and not all the posts made it over. So if your post isn’t here I do apologize.

Now I’m all for finding new talent.  Do I believe in American or Canadian Idol? Yes, look at where Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Kalan Porter are. If not for American or Canadian Idol these singers wouldn’t be where they are today this quickly.  That being said, I hate watching the tryouts.  All they are showing are the bad auditions.  A lot of people are saying they aren’t showing any or very little of the good singers.  Why? Well to get ratings.  Will I watch the top 30 or even top 10? Probably not, I didn’t watch American Idol the last two years.  

Do you believe watching the bad auditions of American Idol entertainment or just a waste of time?