This past weekend

So this past weekend was VERY eventful. First was the Colorado Romance Writers www.coloradoromancewriters.org (my home chapter) it was our annual retreat. This year we had it at the El Colorado Lodge in Manitou Springs, Colorado. There was a fantastic turn out. I think I might get my hands on a picture or two. This infamous retreat is where the stripper Kally pictures were taken (be nice I was still in a swimsuit) two years ago. We have a lot of fun. It’s a great way to spur your creativity. If any of you out there write, I strongly think you should attend a retreat. There is nothing like spending a little time with people of like mind and goals. It’s inspiring. Saturday night a group of us were having a great dinner when we were surprised by the GM of a certain restaurant (in case he didn’t want us to say where) who came and sat with us for like 40 minutes, just chatting up a storm. He was a really nice man with some great stories. He also, this last year was a player in the WSP in Vegas. How cool is that?! Then on Sunday I did my little presentation on Humor for Pikes Peak Romance Writers www.pprw.org I hope it went well, but… I really enjoyed meeting with the ladies. We had a great time together and then afterward, we went out to supper at On The Border. The waiter was very … nice. We had a good time. Thanks to PPRW for hosting me!

Romantic Times Update

As most of you know, I will be attending RT next year. We always have such a blast. So I have a four part news flash to share with you all regarding RT: www.rtconvention.com It will be held in Houston this year. April 25-29th.

1. I am a part of a panel group - the sexual chocolate ladies (Liz Andrews, Bev Havlir, Lena Matthews, Maggie Casper, Melissa Schroeder, Eve Vaughn and moi) We will have a open session on Friday called LICK THAT CRAVING. We are going to have a CHOCOLATE PARTY! There will be good chocolate, good company. We will be there to answer questions and meet one on one with the readers that just wanna come get a sugar fix! It will jazz you up Friday morning.

2. Mel and I will again host our private reader party. For those of you who went last year...it was fun right? Rib Rib. I make a killer marg. If you have interest in attending (it is a private party) let either Mel or me know. We will make sure to get you on the list!! Those who went last year know, we changed location at the last minute. You were either with us or didn't get to come...ahh....

3.I will be taking part in the booksigning

4. Now this is the coolest and newest addition to this. Perk up MEN! Mel and I have both been talking with Jo Carol at Romantic Times and we are offering to help promo a bit and get RT's name out there in the MR ROMANCE arena. Yep. That's right. It sounds dangerous, doesn't it? Mel and I have both agreed we will put something, some link up on our websites to talk about RT and if ANY MAN GOES AND PARTICIPATES IN MR ROMANCE AND TELLS THEM THEY DID IT BECAUSE THEY SAW OR HEARD ABOUT IT FROM MELISSA SCHROEDER OR KALLY JO SURBECK the two of us will have a lunch or dinner with you at RT. Huge incentive...right? We hope so. Hopefully we will be having lunch with a table of men!

Kally

MaryKay Sale (STATES ONLY)

It's time for my next MaryKay order - wow how time does fly as does that MicroDerm! I'll be placing an order this Friday. If there is anything that strikes your fancy and you are interested in (we have some neat new stuff and packages ) and get your order in by Friday you get 25% off. As always, no shipping. Order online at www.marykay.com/kallyjo On the site there is the virtual makeover - takes some time to load but a great way to mix and match for Fall!

We have new fragrances, new shaving cream, some great new colors. If you order one of the SETS either MicroDerm, any of the packaged sets, any, I will change the 25% discount to 40% off www.marykay.com/kallyjo


There are whole sets for BACK TO SCHOOL, those Fall and Winter WEDDINGS or any occassion - anniversary, birthday...

Jeff Strand, September 9th in Colorado

Sept 9, 2006 – Jeff Strand - "How To Write Almost Unbearable Suspense"
Suspense, done well, will tease your readers. Suspense, done extremely well, will torture them (but in a good way). Whether you're writing an all-out thriller or drawing out the tension of "Will the hero and heroine see each other naked?" author Jeff Strand will show you how your story can raise heart rates, cause excessive sweating, create stomach knots, and make your readers desperately race through the pages, dying to know what's going to happen next. You'll learn how to use characterization, humor, pacing, sleight-of-hand (or keyboard!), and numerous other techniques to make the predictable unpredictable and fill your novels with almost unbearable suspense.

Jeff Strand best known as the creator of Andrew Mayhem, hero of the humorous thrillers Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary), Single White Psychopath Seeks Same, and Casket For Sale (Only Used Once). His newest thriller, Pressure, has been hailed by The Horror Channel as "a masterpiece. You do not want to miss this book under any circumstances." Cemetery Dance magazine says "Strand performs an incredible balancing act between humor and horror. Belly laughs are followed by stomach-churning terror, frequently on the same page." He's less weird in person than you might think. You can visit his Seriously Whacked website at http://www.jeffstrand.com/.

Steve Irwin

It seems like all sorts of things have been going wrong. I really thought that now that we were in a different month it would stop, but maybe it's like a fast moving train and a little hard to slow down.

Steve Irwin, more affectionately known as THE CROC HUNTER died .

Some of you might ask why I'm sad about this. My older sister got me hooked on The Crocodile Hunter. She said "Kally, I have this guy you've got to see. You're gonna love him." And I did. I was blown away by watching his gentle soul in action. The love he afforded all creatures. As a romance novelist, it was fascinating to me to hear of Steve and his wife's romance and courtship. I loved his corny sense of humor and the fact that he just went right on being Steveo regardless.

He was one more of my heroes who have fallen this year. I know at least I will miss him.

Kally