Ch-ch-ch-changes....

I decided that other template for my blog was ugly. So I changed it -- only this time, I was smart and saved all the code for the links first. It's amazing what going to bed early will do for your with-it-ness.

In other news, I am dismayed that the Chas are out on The Amazing Race, but their hearts just didn't seem to be in it. So I'm glad I didn't plan to go to TARCon...This One Goes To XI. What is TARCon? A bunch of fans who visit the Television Without Pity forums get together in a sports bar in NYC to watch the finale. I tell ya, ya wanna know excitement? It's great fun, made even greater by the eventual appearance of many of the racers, Phil (and his delightful aftershave) and the producers.

The Amazing Race was originally scheduled to debut on 9/11. When it did eventually make it on the air, its survival was somewhat precarious, until -- so legend has it -- the good folks at TWoP (specifically Miss Alli, the recapper) championed it. And ever since, in gratitude, the producers have come to TARCon.

Unfortunately, while this series has been pretty good, the early elimination of some of my favorite teams have made it less than great for me. In contrast, Survivor: Fiji, which started out so poorly, has come to be one of the best seasons of that show ever, coming hard on the heels of the previously outstanding season. I won't be surprised if Survivor finally wrests the Best Reality Show Emmy from TAR this year.

Tonight, Heroes. Also, 24. But I have to confess, I have fallen asleep during the past two episodes of 24. I just can't muster up the same enthusiasm. I think I miss Tony and Michelle too much. Also, I'm finding it hard to suspend my disbelief when it comes to Jack and his recouperative powers.

And of course, I'm working my way through what I hope will be the last draft minus one of the work-in-progress. I got a new writing book that's made me think of a couple of things in a slightly different light. More on that later this week, because now -- I've gotta get to work!

Insert, delete, insert, delete...

There are many, many things a writer can obsess about, but I have finally stopped worrying about whether or not my manuscript is going to be long enough. My first draft may very well be short, but I shouldn't panic because I will find many, many places that need, as I so helpfully note in the margins, "more." With every book, the manuscript expands, then contracts, then expands and contracts...kind of like I'm playing a squeezebox.

I have learned I can cut out whole scenes, and the book will not be too short. And not only can I, it's vital that I cut out anything that slows the pace. I will always find other places to add "more" that won't bring the story to a screeching halt.

I don't worry if my first draft is too long, either. My record is, I believe, 440 pages. This is about 40 pages too long. But that was fine, because it meant I had too many scenes doing the same jobs, so I combined some, and others just got cut entirely.

So now that's one thing I've stopped worrying about. But alas, there are plenty more!
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In TV news, you can bet your booties I will be clued to the TV for Survivor: Fiji tonight. That was a glorious tribal council last week -- it made up for my extreme dismay over the ouster of Michelle. Here's hoping for an Earl, Yau Man and Cassandra final three!
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P.S. Notice something different? I've changed my template because I've got a new book coming out in June -- THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT. Unfortunately, I shouldn't do such things when my sleep has been disrupted. I lost all my links, so I had to redo them this morning. But that's okay -- I streamlined them while I was at it.

I also updated my website's homepage this week in anticipation of the release of THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT, the sequel to MY LORD'S DESIRE.

Survivor: Nooooooo!

I tried to be positive today. I really did, and it was working, and then came the nail-biting episode of Survivor and alas, the ouster of Michelle.

Here's my theory about Dreamz: I think Dreamz is not strongly allied to anyone, with the possible exception of Cassandra. I think he's planning to vote out Stacy as soon as it's most advantageous to him. I also think Jeff asked everybody why they would vote off everybody else, and only Alex's response was shown in full, because he was so blatant.

So why did Dreamz vote out Michelle and not Stacy? By doing so, he tipped off Alex and Stacy that Mookie (who also has possession of the immunity idol) is not loyal to the alliance.

By voting off Michelle, he's broken up the alliance of Earl, Yau Man and Michelle -- and also made himself and his vote more necessary to the remaining alliances, especially if he and Cassandra are a voting unit. They go from being on the bottom of the totem pole to having some influence.

As upset as I was at Michelle's boot, this was one exciting episode. Yau Man continues to rock, I was actually feeling sorry for Boo...heck, they even had me feeling sorry for Mookie when he got back and everything was gone from Camp Comfy.

I gotta hand it to the producers - after a rocky start with the haves and have-nots, this is turning into a very interesting, emotional rollercoaster of a season!

Oh, and then Ugly Betty was a clip show. Ugh. At least I had The Office to bring the funny. And I wrote an entire chapter today.