Jude’s Blog

Archive for May, 2009

• I agree @LorelieBrown: @mcvane @jane_l *whispers* I saw the pic. @rebyj was wrong. she looked cute but woulda been sexy pic in ’40s only. #
• Best part of the movie. @nettagyrl: Grease 2 – A Cool Rider. Michelle Pfeifer singing a song about a cool rider. ♫ http://blip.fm/~7cgly #
• This is my signature song when I do karaoke. Actually had a friend request I go out this weekend and sing it. ♫ http://blip.fm/~7chge #
• Got my first article published at News Blaze. Please read and RT: http://newsblaze.com/story/20090531101752jude.nb/topstory.html #
• ppl seem to change their friends as often as they change their underwear. @VictoriaDahl: Why are ppl I’m following disappearing from my list #
• That is weird then. Why WOULD they block you? hmmm… @VictoriaDahl: no, I mean I haven’t unfollowed but they’re not there anymore! #
• Probably a glitch though. I think twitter is very close to having a major crash! @VictoriaDahl they’re not there anymore! #
• Daily A-Z: E is for Eclair. An eclair is basically a fancy donut. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten one though. Guess I like the basics. #

I have just had my first article published with NewsBlaze.com. Be sure to check it out at http://newsblaze.com/story/20090531101752jude.nb/topstory.html. It’s all about Self Publishing and how it’s grown during the last decade.

I’ll be sure to post on a regular basis when one of my articles gets published with this e-newspaper. Let me know what you all think!

• Hell that’s WHY I follow you! @jane_l: i’m going to start #RRTheatre. Will B tweeting abt bad porn&tarot cards. Pls consider unfollowing #
• @jane_l OMG, so the “hero” plays with guns? #
• LOL…sure thing! @jane_l Plus looks like a model=safe #RRtheatre #
• Well, I’m right there with ya! @bookwhore OMG.Corky Nemic is in this!I loved Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.I think I just dated myself big time #
• Oh yeah strawberry beer rocks! RT: @bookwhore: Mmm… Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager. Very very nice. #
• Oh yeah. It’s a microbrew. I don’t think any of the big names make it…yet? RT: @RoseMarieWolf: @judel Strawberry beer? Really?? #
• Dang, now I’m in the mood to go out looking for it @limecello @RoseMarieWolf @bookwhore strawberry beer is one of the few i’ll drink @rebyj #
• Oooh, that’s right down the street! @bookwhore Brother brings it home from work. He’s in specialty foods at Whole Foods Market. #
• Yeah, let’s all get sloshed together! @limecello if i’m all drugged up & can’t drink the least i can do is get everyone else sloshed! #
• Ooh, haven’t seen that yet! How about pumpkin beer at Halloween? Surprisingly good! RT: @rebyj: @judel raspberry beer is YUM! #
• Hubby has made a request for ginger beer ??? Any1 heard of that? @RoseMarieWolf: Count me in! @limecello @bookwhore @rebyj #
• As long as it’s lager and not ale, I’m willing to try any flavor. @RoseMarieWol I am intrigued by different beer flavors… #
• @jane_l If you want anyone’s opinion, I feel it’s too retro and a bit shapeless. Another color would be better. IMO #
• LOL so true! @rebyj I turn twitter on and what do i see?? the @jane_l and @victoriadahl romance has moved on to sharing sexy photos online!! #
• Eeeeeeewwwwww RT: @bookwhore: Apparently Neanderthals disappeared because Cro-Mag’s ate them… http://tinyurl.com/ozacm2 #
• Yes, baking is much nicer than cooking. @rebyj considering actually COOKING but there IS a package of chocolate chip cookies somewhere #
• My stomach is growling but waiting for lunch. I’m going to a pig roast later. #
• No need to be embarrassed. You looked cute. @jane_l That was supposed to be a private DM to @victoriadahl. Am horribly embarrassed. #
• LMAO!! So mean! LOL @VictoriaDahl @jane_l @ElyssaPapa You can delete tweet, but Ely already using pic as wallpaper. #
• Dang, you can’t delete pics there? Sheesh, I notice that anyone can embed pic elsewhere! @jane_l trying to figure out how to delete pic. #
• Having a bad day? Best way to handle it. LOL http://yfrog.com/13gt9p #
• Oh so no prob us all using it as desktop? Looks like it’s still there though. @jane_l it’s deleted don’t care that Ely has as desktop pic #
• I’ll see if I can find ur email addy RT: @jane_l: @judel can u email me link? I thought I deleted it. #
• Maybe u should use twitpic from now. Lot easier to delete!! LOL RT: @jane_l: @judel I found it and deleted it. It exists no more. #
• I’ve made book trailers of a few of my books. Check them out! http://www.veoh.com/group/judesplace #
• I laugh everytime I look at that pic! RT @smokinhotbooks lol I could have used this twitpic yesterday #
• I second that! @foulpapers @VictoriaDahl @jane_l Kudos to you both. Although, can’t help thinking the world is losing out on some funny. #
• Yeah, the sparkly vamps aspect was a bit corny. @bookwhore: @mcvane The teen girl fantasy of sparkly vamps who can go into the sun (cont) #
• I hated the end of that movie. If he had waited 10 minutes, the sun would be up! grrrrrr @mcvane @bookwhore 30DoN…The ending surprised me #
• I disliked 30 days of night so much that I posted a review on my forum: http://tinyurl.com/nnukos @mcvane @bookwhore #
• Yeah, I guess that’s a good way of looking at it. LOL…thanks for RT btw. @mcvane: 30 Nights of Day is, in essence, a cat-and-mouse game. #
• I’ve got a question. Is o_O supposed to be someone raising an eyebrow?? #
• Makes more sense, still bad @mcvane it would be another two or three hours before the sun rise. Film didn’t clarify that. @bookwhore #
• LOL When is there ever a cure for vampirism? @bookwhore @mcvane He sacrificed himself. There was no magical cure. #
• Daily A-Z: D is for donut. Why are these so good? Especially when they’re filled with creme. I usually have to avoid donuts. Too much fat. #
• I guess I haven’t come across one yet. @bookwhore If an author wants to cure her vampire, she’ll find a way. The genre is unbelievably fluid #
• @literaryhall You got hate mail for that? Guess they should be allowed to run around having babies all the time that get put to sleep? Gee! #
• @VampireFaust Ooh, sounds like Underworld. Looking forward to seeing it. #
• @bookgasm Really? I was wondering if DMTH would be any good. I’m seeing Star Trek tonight. #
• @bamgalace Well, there is a second vote for DMTH. Guess it’s definitely worth a rental then. My hubby will not want to see it. LOL #
• U missed all that? lol j/k Jane RT: @mcvane: @jane_l You bought a retro swimsuit? You have a good taste! Which colour? And era style? #
• Watched the original Little House on the Prairie pilot today. Dang, you were young in that show! @MelissaEGilbert My secret is love. #

• They came upon a pier and Leo ducked behind a column. Viv stepped into the surf to avoid him jumping out at her. As someone jumped out #jrf #
• in front of her, she screamed and fell back into the water. Laughter and applause erupted around her as her best friend held out a hand. #jrf #
• “Damnit Tina!” Viv threw a handful of sand as she jumped to her feet. Her friend laughed and embraced her. “Sorry, hun, couldnt resist.” #jrf #
• As she looked around at all her friends emerging from behind the pier, Viv scanned their faces for Leo. “Couldn’t have done it w/o my…#jrf #
• …accomplice,” Tina snickered, pointing over her shoulder. Relief flooded Viv as she locked gazes with him. “How did you know I’d come?” #jrf #
• Leo winked at her, “Tina said u couldn’t resist me.” Viv gasped, her mouth agape as she swung on her friend. “You didn’t!” Tina laughed. #jrf #
• “What can I say, I know ur type, girl!”She swung her arm around Viv’s shoulders and squeezed.”Now, lets go eat some cake and get drunk.” #jrf #
• “My type?” Viv gaped, her cheeks red as beets. She avoided looking at Leo as Tina steered her through the pier’s columns. A beer… #jrf #
• appeared in her hand, and Viv took a big swig. A long table covered with food had balloons tied around it. She shook her head in awe. #jrf #
• “U mad at me?” she sucked in her breath at his words. Not turning around, she shrugged. “Not really.” He nudged her face toward him. #jrf #
• “Liar…couldn’t help it though. Tina swore me to silence. I hope ur happy with surprise?” Viv finally smiled at him and nodded. “Yes.” #jrf #
• “I thought u didn’t like to follow the rules,” she teased. He looked puzzled for a moment. “Only with my friends.” Leo’s expression… #jrf #
• …softened as he moved closer. “Happy Birthday, Viv.” She felt his breath on her face as his lips gently touched hers, his warm and soft. #jrf #

I wanted more than just my twitter tweets, so I decided to write a short article on what I feel differentiates a story from a novella, and a novel.

There are many online publishers now-a-days, and they all have word length requirements. Most want a minimum of 60,000 words but will accept a range of less to a bit more. There is no set in stone cutoff for when a story becomes a novella or when a novella becomes a novel, since every publisher is different. I use the following cutoffs in my own writing, since they are even and tend to work well for me.

A story is the smallest of the three, of course. It usually only has one plot, maybe one smaller sub plot. Not enough words to go into too much detail with characterization or back story information. It starts quickly, gets straight to the point and then ends. I feel that a story is any amount of words up to 10,000. Some publishers will increase this number anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 words, but I feel that anything in the 5 figures deserves to start with “novel”.

A novella can provide more detail. It’s a wannabe novel that didn’t quite reach its full potential. It can have a few sub plots in addition to its main plot. It is basically a short novel. Some people call these novelettes, but I think the proper term is novella. I use the word range of 10,000 to 50,000. Some publishers will say a novella goes to 60,000, since they don’t feel any novel should have less than that amount of words.

A novel is any full length story at least 50,000 words (at least 60,000 by some publishers). There is no maximum amount of words. Of course, if the book is too long, you risk boring your reader. Sometimes less is more, and I know that I don’t usually pick up a book that’s too big. You have to remember your audience when you write a novel. If you can’t tell the whole story in less than 100,000 words, you might consider breaking it up into a trilogy or a series.

• Just got Some Like it Wicked and can’t wait to dig in! @TeresaMedeiros #
• I’m sure I will. Haven’t read one of yours yet that I didnt enjoy! @TeresaMedeiros Thanks for getting SOME LIKE IT WICKED! Hope you enjoy it #
• I thot fiction writing only had the one space too. @LorelieBrown …twitter and fiction…keep dropping one of the spaces after periods. #
• Not new as far as I know. An editor informed me @LorelieBrown @madmumbler (new?) standard for fiction writing is one space after period. #
• It makes the format tighter. I prefer it now. @LorelieBrown new to me, then. lol I only started getting “serious” about my writing… #
• Ooops, I just realized I took the #jrf hashtag away from a Jewish site. Sorry guys! Search for Jude’s Romance Fiction blurbs @jiction. #
• I love how you follow just about everyone following you. That’s so nice! @nettagyrl Keep the follow friday recommendations coming #
• Yeah, what is with that? LOL @kirstiealley OPINION, avatars of OBJECTS like vegetables and fruit and such,don’t always get FIRST look see.. #
• Twit stalking! LOL New fav phrase! @nettagyrl …realized I am no one special, … plus I love twit stalking hahaha #
• @nettagyrl What makes me sad is when I follow someone I converse with and have similar bios, but they don’t follow me back! #
• @nettagyrl LOL I guess they think THEY’RE something special! #
• LOL funny but true…and that’s just SAD!!! @kirstiealley land of the pediphile home of the perv. #
• AGREED! It IS NOT that hard to change the brown box! Jeesh! @kirstiealley don’t always get FIRST look see..same for brown box #
• Doesnt look like ur having that problem @nettagyrl So here is hoping I get quality people…who don’t mind following lil ‘ol me back! #
• which is why I don’t follow the spammers! RT: @nettagyrl: @judel lol which is good i guess. except for people who wanna spam a lot. lol #
• This is the Twitter Hottest! @RealHughJackman [pic] http://ff.im/3niOZ #
• @wolverine_team http://twitpic.com/66inu - Ooooohhhhhh #
• It’s hard to give a hater a hug, since they don’t tend to hug back! blah #
• @nettagyrl boo is right, but reading their bios is usually a great clue! #
• hmmm…wondering how difficult it will be to add a sex scene in 140 characters. #jrf @jiction #
• Please visit http://bit.ly/OzKE
  to find out how you can read all my novels for free! #
• Twitter Survey: Of all your followers, who would you most like to meet? I choose @nettagyrl cause she loves erotica and always replies to me #
• What do those stand for? @KeiraSoleore Esp when I tweet dwts or sytycd #
• LOL That’s how I pick names for my characters. @Sonja_Foust Am I the only one loves reading about baby names but no desire to have a baby? #
• I guess noone else wants to meet their followers. lol RT: @nettagyrl: @judel lol u got that right! u too cuz ur too funny! #writersrock #
• Who is the funniest celebrity on twitter? @kirstiealley she’s Cra-Z #
• Heck I used to have my SS# on mine. DOH! @DrWicked How did checks last as long as they did?…a piece of paper with all my bank acct info. #
• Why do these bother ppl so much? I just ignore the ones with ads! LOL RT: @wecomparebooks: STOP THE AUTO DM’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #
• LOL Had no idea what it meant! LOL Thanks @keristevens I know YOU already got it that Ashton Kutcher’s twitter ID @aplusk is “A plus K”. #
• Well, I hope mine didn’t piss off anyone! LOL @bookwhore OMG… I hate auto-dm’s. I’ve actually blocked a few people because of that. #
• @KeiraSoleore LOL Thanks, I should have know that. dwts DID look familiar. #
• Reminds me of when collect agcy kept calling for wrong person. Jeesh! @williger Calling 4x/day to push early renew is borderline harassment. #
• Yeah, those are irritating. I don’t do that. @bookwhore I’ve gotten several that are about what the person has for sale of some such thing #
• wtf? RT: @Wolverine_team: и почему мужики такие блять идиоты??! #
• LOL I called and tld agcy to stop calling. @williger: about 2x a week I get collection calls for Vicki Spina. Any clue who she <– nope #
• On Friday? yuck RT: @bamgalace: ugh, laundry day. #
• Daily A-Z: C is for candy. What is your favorite candy? Mine is definitely chocolate. Hard to ruin it. Except by adding coconut. blah #
• LOL I procrastinate. RT: @bamgalace: @judel I like to get my icky chores out of the way so I can fully chillax on Saturdays and Sundays… #
• Is there any other kind? LOL Yummo! @bridgemama DARK Chocolate! #
• Hmmm…I just had a wicked thought. bwahaha @The_Grilldog put caramel on anything and I’ll eat it! #
• @followbackgurl you’re supposed to be able to follow 2,000 people. If you can’t, file a support ticket with twitter. #
• ur are making me laugh alot today! @The_Grilldog I never procrastinate, I should have written that sooner. #

• Hate the sneaky ones that follow you first and then unfollow after you follow them. @nettagyrl unfollowed some folks who…follow/unfollow. #
• Yeah, I get what you’re saying and agree. @nettagyrl I am a writer who follows writers & other cool folks #
• I thought a polly wog was another term for sperm? LOL @kirstiealley …I like this new name for a vagina..A POLLY WOG… #
• #liesgirlstell no, foreplay isn’t important. #
• @jane_l something wrong on romancetweets.com. Get error when trying to view people’s profiles. #
• Jude’s Forum: Cry Sanctuary by Moria Rogers: Hopefully this will be the first of many book reviews .. http://tinyurl.com/lxttx5 #
• Wow, I just noticed that my twitter page is rated 5 PR on google. woo hoo…quite a jump when it was 0 the last time I looked. #
• I only block when it’s porn / dating. @KeiraSoleore Do you allow most follow requests through or are you more circumspect on whom you block? #
• @jane_l I notice error is fixed. Looking good. #
• Endorsement? I think blurb IS proper though. @DrWicked proper name for the one-liner author recommendation on a book’s cover?Besides blurb? #
• Jude’s Forum: Cry Sanctuary by Moira Rogers: Hopefully this will be the first of many book reviews .. http://tinyurl.com/n65f8r #
• Your phone corrects you? Like we don’t have enough real people doing that? LOL @jenniferweiner Blackberry just corrected “teh gay”… #
• LOL Oh that’s subtle! @KeiraSoleore used to have protected account until recently.Then I wanted *koff* @jane_l @angelajames *koff* to follow #
• @TeresaMedeiros Sorry, I ate all the chocolate already! via http://twib.es/AQR #
• Yeah, makes u wonder how they got the job. RT: @mcvane: @MoriahJovan @redrobinreader But not all editors are qualified either. #
• Daily A-Z: B is for biscuit. I just love flaky biscuits covered with butter and honey. Dang, I may have to go make some. Mouth is watering #
• ooooh, sausage gravy on biscuits is the BEST! Yummy! @breakfasttweets I love fresh biscuits with sausage gravy but I don’t bake #
• That’s funny. Got the same tweet twice. LOL @The_Grilldog I love fresh biscuits with sausage gravy but I don’t bake, my wife bakes, but #

• Viv didn’t open her eyes until they stopped moving. Taking a breath, she looked around. “Where’s the party?” She stared at the ocean. #jrf #
• “Down by the shore.” Leo slid off and held hand out to her. Viv took it slowly, scanning the beach for signs of life. The crashing of #jrf #
• waves the only sound. He led the way, and she bit her lip. “Where is every1?” Had she made a mistake going with him? Leo smiled at her. #jrf #
• “Trust me.” Viv frowned but followed. He removed his shoes, so did she. The sand filtered through her toes, the sun warm on her face. #jrf #
• “Leo, I don’t see anyone,” she cursed the fear in her voice. He frowned but caressed her arm. “The party is down the beach. Trust me.” #jrf #
• “You said that already,” she replied with a tremulous smile. He nodded and gestured toward the shore, holding out his hand. Feeling a #jrf #
• bit reckless, Viv consented. Though as they walked together, leaving wet footprints behind, she realized he’d never asked her name. #jrf #
• She looked down at the wet sand. “So do you make a habit of picking up strange girls?” Leo’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying you’re #jrf #
• strange?” Not expecting the question, a bark of laughter escaped her lips, relaxing her immediately. “I think you’re the strange one.” #jrf #
• “Why do u say that?” She shrugged. “U don’t even know my name.” Leo looked at his feet and chuckled. “Yes, I do, Viv.” Her eyes widened. #jrf #
• “How do u know that?” She sputtered, her toes sinking into the sand like roots. Leo laughed, walking along the shore. “You’ll find out.” #jrf #
• He turned about 20 feet ahead and held out his hand. Puzzled, she followed silently and kept an eye out for the so called party. #jrf #

• Book was spooky, not the movie. @bamgalace …watched IT the other night. I distinctly remember it scaring the crap out of me as a child. #
• My fav Angel episode was when Buffy visited and he became human. Oh, I cried at the end!!!! @nettagyrl Can look at that Vampire all day… #
• @Alyssa_Milano Those pics are great! Thank you for sharing. #
• #3stalkerwords “It wasn’t me.” #
• Can you sort it by date? RT: @jackiebarbosa: …save a downloaded file without renaming. Now is hiding in temp folder and I CAN’T FIND IT. #
• Dang, I missed Medium last night. Any of you watch it? #
• Yep, bought the first season for that episode. LOVE IT! RT: @nettagyrl OMG! Ur so right!!! Wasn’t that a beautiful episode? #
• I have never read her. Guess I should? @bookstorechick: Speaking of Nora Roberts.. Sold more of her than anyone else last month by ALOT. #
• You just said a mouthful. and when he and buffy fight? OH! @nettagyrl lol Yeah and I so love when Angel Gets all evil. He does bad so good! #
• Dang, I think I need to go put that episode on. LOL @nettagyrl Love the whole can’t have sex with the slayer lose my soul. That is a curse #
• Had no idea. At least it was picked up!!! RT: @ArkansasCyndi: @judel U know NBC dropped Medium and CBS picked up? #
• @ArkansasCyndi Darn, that’s when Dollhouse comes on! #
• LOL All I have is the tshirts and one action figure! @nettagyrl Buffy/Angel TV show. I refuse to tell you the collectibles I have. lol #
• LOL RT @aplusk Ok now I feel like a teeneage girl I take it back. I take take it back! Damn you 140 characters of streaming consiousness. #
• Good point, and it was just a joke! @aplusk you really think illiterate people are reading tweets? RT @andiebaby923 This is a bit cruel. #
• They were not twins. @SmartBitches @jane_l @angelajames @vicoriadahl please refresh blocked memory: was “Flowers in the Attic” twincest? #
• RT @jane_l & @SmartBitches R doing a twitter directory 4 rom rdrs/authrs/editr/publishrs/publicist. Want 2B in it: email litte.jane@gmail #
• @kirstiealley “A Day in the Life Show” Should be called Closet Gooo!!! #
• @kirstiealley I just hope I’m not the only one who misread the instructions. LOL #
• RT @jane_l Big props to esosoft.com for getting @smartbitches & my new directory for romance set up. Stay tuned for http://romancetweets.com #
• Follow @diddy? wtf? He has no updates! What ru following? RT: @JeffreyWagner: RT @Hitman1971 BIPOLAR DAY UNFOLLOW @APLUSK FOLLOW @DIDDY #
• LOL…just a wtf moment when I saw all those followers!! @Hitman1971 mix up i think ignore lol)) @JeffreyWagner I’m not following Diddy #
• No, and I’m so sad about it too! Kelso ignores me! LOL @Hitman1971 Does @aplusk give you Tweets yes or no?? #
• Gasp Sputter…YOU TEASE!!!! LOL via http://twib.es/SquawkRadio #
• I’m following you back! RT: @Hitman1971: @judel sorry, following you now by the way ) ) #
• Loved it, @TeresaMedeiros, though I have to admit to lol when William Shatner came up. via http://twib.es/SquawkRadio #
• PRICELESS! LOL RT: @Hitman1971: http://twitpic.com/62iir GOING HOME HAD ENOUGH #
• @TeresaMedeiros Looks like you deleted both links though. via http://twib.es/SquawkRadio #
• Thx RT: @Hitman1971: @SLegard @k8dt @onlinedesign @judel Rt loves #
• RT @TeresaMedeiros Twitter eating links to new Teresa Medeiros Guy Candy video! Will try again. Retweet if you enjoy! http://bit.ly/BvQFb #
• Daily A-Z: A is for apple. They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I like to put peanut butter on mine. You should try it. #
• Actually I have. We both doubt it! LOL @MamaBee4 … If you & your better half signed up to eharmony… Would you even be a match? … #
• LOL Not worth thinking about it. Afraid to find out! RT: @MamaBee4: @judel LOL! Thus the scary part… LOL! ;o) #
• #3breakupwords “I need satisfaction.” #

• “I’m not dressed for a party.” His gaze traveled her body before he shook his head. “You look hot.” Viv blushed redder but smiled. #jrf #
• “So do you.” She said it fast and shrugged. Leo rewarded her with a smile. “You ready to check out?” Viv nodded and led the way. #jrf #
• Leaving the market, Liv doubted her decision. She didn’t know Leo, so should she go with him? He took her hand, and she forgot her fear. #jrf #
• Leo stopped at the curb. Viv looked in shock at the motorcycle. “That’s yours?” He nodded, and she bit her lip. She’d never been on one #jrf #
• before and feared it more than just a bit. “Maybe we should take my car?” Leo laughed and pulled her closer. “Live a little, it’s fun.” #jrf #
• He stowed their bags before mounting the cycle, holding out his hand to her. Viv nervously licked her lips. Was it living or insanity? #jrf #
• Swallowing fear, she swung her leg over the cycle wrapping her arms around Leo’s waist. Viv sighed at feeling the muscles his shirt hid.#jrf #
• “Shouldn’t you wear a helmet?” He shook his head, “Don’t much like to follow the rules.” Leo said with a laugh as he gunned the cycle.#jrf #
• Her arms tightened around him to keep from falling off. Viv’s scream was a mix of excitement and sheer terror as he raced for the hwy. #jrf #
• She feared opening her eyes, her face buried in his back. She felt him shake with laughter and almost pinched him, tightening her hold. #jrf #