Okay — I resisted…I really did. Though I’ve had a computer since 1988 (aka the Dark Ages of the pre-Windows computing world), I could be called a Luddite by some who have observed my resistance to certain forms of technology. Yes, it’s true, I do not want an electronic book-reading piece of machinery. I like turning the physical pages of a physical book as I read. I cannot edit my work on the screen and must print it out to really get a clear look at it and pick up errors. I don’t like to have a Bluetooth receiver on my ear and prefer the old-fashioned, operator-style, one-sided, over-the-head kind of earphone. And right now, my son is in the process of moving photos from my old phone to a flashdrive so I can access them…because he knows how to and I can’t fathom it…

So it was with great trepidation and suspicion that the first inkling of desire flared within me to get an iPhone. I watched my eldest son and his wife using theirs with gleeful enthusiasm over the last two years — they IM’ed each other and friends, they sent photos, they search the internet, they found directions and maps and restaurants and on and on… Having tremendous fun and being productive all at the same time. And I began to covet one.

Still, I told myself, I didn’t NEED one. I had a cell phone for phone calls and text messages, a laptop to be productive when I traveled, a camera to take photos and an iPod to listen to all my music or watch movies or TV episodes. Why did I need another piece of equipment?

Then, just before my phone’s contract was up, I began to think that maybe, just maybe, it might be fun to have one. I wasn’t sure so I began to question my son more about how to do what he did with his and what else I could do IF I had one. His wife, clearly and confidently an Apple afficionado for years, added in her helpful comments and encouragement.

Just before Christmas, I made the decision to take the plunge….but timing was the issue. You see, at the same time I was struggling to finish a book that was due in mid-January. As I tumble and race towards ‘THE END’, I am more easily distracted than during the rest of my life (when I am only just easily distracted) and I knew that a new toy to play with would destroy my chances of finishing the book on time. Dear hubby, misunderstanding my intentions, picked up the new phone the night before we left on our trip to Disney World (where I finished said due book after pulling a couple of writing-through-the-night sessions).

Finally, I turned the book in, joined the family to finish out the vacation fun in WDW and then got my son to set up my new iPhone . . . and it’s been quite an adventure since then!

I think it qualifies as a full-fledged addiction now — I find myself checking email, texting friends, IMing friends, downloading apps (there is the cutest game called snowfight to play!), identifying and downloading songs, and, oh yeah, making phone calls, too! I’ve opened emails, webpages, maps, and photos. I’ve plotted paths and played games. I even made dinner reservations and ordered from several online merchants with the touch of a finger on a screen. And did I mention I make phone calls, too? LOL - I did!

So, I’ve boldly taken a step forward in my comfort with technology….my iPhone makes it easy to multitask and makes all kinds of things easier for me….Gosh, who knows where this may lead?

Are you a Luddite or a Techie or something in-between? Post a note and let me know and I’ll pick one winner to win an ARC of my upcoming BRAVA novella “A Storm of Love” in UNDONE!

Terri’s next two releases are both shorter works — “A Night For Her Pleasure” in PLEASURABLY UNDONE from Harlequin Historicals and “A Storm of Love” in UNDONE from Brava in May. Check out her website for more info — www.terribrisbin.com

I am writing this from the Happiest Place on Earth — Walt Disney World in Florida — and have decided to show you a place where a writer should not come when on a book deadline. Oh, I had all good intentions, but you know what they say about good intentions and where they really lead…they lead to deadline writing mania. LOL!

In spite of my best efforts, I am way behind on the book that’s due yesterday, so I’m going to share some photos with you that I’ve taken so far here. I arrived last Wednesday for a work/conference and am staying for a family vacation…but because of that deadline I mentioned, the family is currently running around Disney World, Animal Kingdom to be specific, without me.

So — here for your viewing pleasure. . . .

We’re staying at the Contemporary Hotel and my room is as far as you can get from the main tower and still be on the grounds! That is the connector channel between Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon right there. I keep forgetting that boats filled with people with cameras in hand go floating past my very large glass doors…..

Although the Christmas season ended a couple of weeks ago for most us, it still lives on in Disney World as the decorations are removed slowly. We watched (and darn it! no camera in hand) as they placed the huge crane that would lift the LED-decorated top spire off Cinderella’s Castle and replace it with the ‘normal’ one until the autumn. Garland and holiday lights are still visible in many places.

Although winter made inroads into Florida last week, our first day here, at Epcot, was stunning — sunny, crystal-clear, and temps in the low 70s. I snapped this photo just as the monorail crossed in front of the Spaceship Earth. Looks like a postcard - huh?

Try as he might to avoid photos, hubby capitulated after my sixth attempt to get a photo with a Disney character. Fearing who else we might meet up with as we strolled through Epcot, Mary Poppins seemed the least dangerous. LOL!

And now we come to one of the real reasons I like Epcot so much — MEN IN KILTS!!! Yay! OffKilter is a Celtic rock band from Canada who appears in the pavilion between Canada and the United Kingdom in the World Showcase. They perform most days and play a variety of Celtic, rock and Canadian Celtic rock music. High energy but they do wear biker shorts under their kilts, thereby destroying the myth about men in kilts. . . not that I LOOKED or anything…

My family left me behind today to finish my book — going off to the Animal Kingdom to see the wildlife…and other creatures. WDW conveniently provided me with my own view of the wildlife — out the window of my room! Since I have no idea what kind of waterfowl this is, other than one capable of scaring the pants off me when it walked in front of my door, I’ll reward someone who can tell me what it is!

Post a note and let me know and I’ll pick a poster and send out an autographed book and a special WDW souvenir to that person. (Since I don’t know the answer, you don’t even need to be right — just make a guess and you’re eligible to win!) I’ll show the photo down at the docks to the WDW peeps and find out the correct answer before I leave here on Wednesday!

So, from the Happiest Place on Earth, I’m signing off to get back to writing! See you soon!

Terri

Terri has just received the coverart of her next release - a Harlequin Historicals anthology - PLEASURABLY UNDONE will be available in April 2010 and features her short story - A NIGHT FOR HER PLEASURE for the first time in print! Check out her website for more info — www.terribrisbin.com

How is it possible that we’re nearly to the end of November and no one is mentioning Thanksgiving Day? I see a bunch of posts about Christmas approaching, but it looks like we skipped a holiday! I know the stores jumped almost from Labor Day straight through to celebrating Christmas, but we don’t have to, do we?

So, let’s pause for a minute and focus on Thanksgiving!

For me, November is such an up-and-down month — my dad died in November, but my youngest son was born; I sold my first book in November while I was recuperating from breaking my back…also in November; I was diagnosed with cancer and then cleared of it in November. So, I usually begin the month with a bit of trepidation but it ends on a good note….Thanksgiving.

I have to admit, I do like the day. I like cooking and the wonderful smells that fill the house all day. I like having my boys (and their girls) around, watching tv — usually a continuous stream of football games– and then eating. And then, when everyone has gone home and the aromas still linger, I know that there are plenty of leftovers to last through the whole weekend.

Of course, I really do appreciate that for a time, we focus on all the things we’re thankful for. And I have many, many things to be thankful for….another contract, good reviews, good health, family, friends and on and on…. To help you celebrate this holiday before we all begin charging towards Christmas, why not post something that you are thankful for and I’ll pick 2 posters to award signed copies of something I’m also thankful for — my new book is coming out next week!

So, please take a moment and post one thing you’re thankful for in the comments and I’ll choose the two lucky winners!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Terri B

A STORM OF PASSION, Kensington Brava, will arrive on shelves just before Thanksgiving — next Tuesday — and Terri hopes you’ll all give it a try. Visit her website at www.terribrisbin.com for more details about the book and upcoming signings and blogs.

Is that correct? The term for a group of crows is a murder, so is a group of writers a conference? LOL! Actually, yes it is — and in New Jersey this weekend, there will be a big group of writers gathering at a conference to listen, learn, talk, network, schmooze, discuss, whine, gripe and celebrate. Some are published authors, some are yet unpublished, but all will be there to learn about the art and science and the industry and market of romance writing.

I’m heading to the New Jersey Romance Writers annual conference on Thursday! I’m glad because I haven’t been able to attend in a couple of years, but disappointed because I can’t stay for the whole weekend. But during my time there, I am soooooo looking forward to seeing old friends, talking to industry people and, even more, I’m looking forward to learning.

I always try to stop in at one workshop at any conference because I am always learning. I usually find that every other writer has a different way of approaching each facet of writing — every writer has their own ‘tricks of the trade’ and I love finding a new way to plot, or to write a synopsis, or to develop characters or to strengthen the emotional relationship, etc. More than once, I’ve heard something that gets me past a block or a problem and make my story better.

Every profession has professional conferences or conventions or gatherings — does yours? Tell me why you go to yours, whether or not you enjoy attending or even why you attend readers’ conventions and I’ll choose one poster to receive a ‘hot off the presses’ copy of my upcoming December release - A STORM OF PASSION - from Kensington Brava.

Have a great weekend!

Terri B

PS — For readers in the Edison NJ area — there’s a fabulous Autographing Party at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel on Saturday, October 24 at 4:00pm and it’s open to the public!! (Part of the proceeds are donated to Literacy projects in NJ.) The featured authors are Allison Brennan, Karen Rose, Angela Knight and Jennie Crusie, plus dozens of NJ and visiting romance authors. FMI visit www.njrw.org

I can hardly believe it, but in two short weeks I’ll be in Scotland! I’ve been planning and dreaming of this trip for a long time because 1) I’m staying long enough not to have to sightsee every day, and 2) I’m touring the islands and the highlands instead of the big cities. The Inner Hebrides, the Outer Hebrides, the Orkneys and lots of places north of the Highland line are my targets on this trip. This photo is the view of Oban Bay on the west coast of Scotland — my first stopover on my trip. From here I’ll be touring Argyll, Isle of Mull, Iona, Kilmartin Glen and lots of places (including one of my favorites - Dunstaffnage Castle in Lorn).

One of the great things about visiting Scotland now is that Homecoming Scotland is going on all year and I’ll be taking advantage of some of their events along with some from the Blas Gaelic festival. Two clan ceilidhs, a Gaelic Mass on Skye, a Dougie MacLean concert in Inverness, an Alaisdair Fraser concert in Dunfermline and am open to any other special events I find.

I’m actually on a search for Viking sites, ruins, places, museums, information and history in those parts of Scotland. Since a couple of my upcoming books are set while the Norse still ruled or controlled the Western Islands, I’m focusing on those during this trip. And yes, I’ll be taking notes and tons and tons of photos.

And, after days of walking, sightseeing and researching, I’m ending my stay in a small village of Loch Ness…a few days of R&R before returning home to a very hectic autumn. This will be my view out the window of the place I’m staying on the loch:

So, I’m organizing and studying maps (did I mention I’m DRIVING??), putting travel stuff in my suitcase as I remember it and even dreaming about the trip now. I’m getting myself into a Scotland frame of mind…now where did I put that bagpipe music? And Gerard Butler’s address?? Hmmmmm…I must have it somewhere……

Terri’s first Viking-era romance, A STORM OF PASSION, is scheduled for release in December 2009 followed by the second, A STORM OF PLEASURE in October 2010. Visit her website - www.terribrisbin.com - for more info on all her releases and to follow her adventures in Scotland through her web news blog.

PS — Terri apologizes because she still can’t figure out how to insert photos of appropriate sizes into her posts in the right places! She promises to learn ASAP……LOL!

I’m just back from the annual Romance Writers of America’s conference, this year in Washington DC, and I’m not sure if I’ve survived yet or not! I need about three weeks of sleep before I decide. Because I serve on the Board of Directors, I began the DC Conference four days earlier than most attendees, which means I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since early July!

But, I wouldn’t change a thing because, in addition to having a wonderful time as a romance author at the conference (meeting with my agent, my editors, my fellow Harlequin and Kensington authors, signing books, etc.) I let my inner fan girl out several times.

At the Literacy Signing on Wednesday, I got to chat with some of my favorite authors — Anna Campbell, Heidi Betts, and so many more. Then I ran into Veronica Wolff and Monica McCarty, authors of some of my favorite Scottish historicals and time - travels, in the lounge, finally met THE Stephanie Laurens, chatted with Madeline Hunter and Victoria Alexander in the hallways and got a bunch of books signed by Avon authors Julianne MacLean, Margo Maguire, Sophia Nash, Kathy Caskey, Jenna Peterson, Lorraine Heath, and more. I met up with a bunch of former ‘Rising Stars of Romance’ authors who belonged to a loop for first sale authors with me and who were all nominated for this year’s RWA RITA awards — Julia London, Kerrelyn Sparks, Jacquie D’Allesandro, Cynthia Sterling Myers, Eloisa James and Brenda Novak.

My most fun fangirl moment was finally talking to Gena Showalter about her ‘Lords of the Underworld’ series. I really am enjoying her series (I absolutely LOVE dark, tormented heroes and hers are really dark and really tortured!) and I turned into a gushing fan when I introduced myself to her.

But, the most incredible moments came, not when I was being a fangirl, but when I got to meet some new authors…and some really new ones at that. Margaret Mallory whose first book, Knight of Desire, was just released. Barbara Momjen, a fellow Beau Monde chaptermate, who just sold to Harlequin Historicals’ UNDONE line. And Jeannie Lin, who not only won the RWA Golden Heart for best Historical Romance manuscript, but who also sold that manuscript to Harlequin in the same week!

And, of course, I was thrilled to meet with readers and writers who have read my books. I signed for the public at the Literacy Signing (where more than $60,000 was raised for Literacy funding) and for conference attendees at the Harlequin signing. It was fun….it was fabulous….it was exhausting! LOL! It used to be a lot easier when I was younger….

So, have you ever attended a conference or convention and had a fangirl moment? Met your favorite author? Or anyone famous? Tell me about it! I’ll pick a winner to receive a signed copy of my July book and something fun from the conference….

Terri

Terri’s July book, THE CONQUEROR’S LADY, hit the shelves and online booksellers a few weeks ago, following the digital release of her short Harlequin Historicals Undone A NIGHT FOR HER PLEASURE. Her next release is her first Kensington Brava book, A STORM OF PASSION, in December 2009. Visit her website for more info about her books, contests and news.

Since I’ll be blogging all over the place during the next two months (to celebrate the release of my ebook short story and my July Harlequin Historical), I decided to share with you all some of the most wonderful historical trivial details I’ve discovered while writing the books. Lots of readers ask me where I get my ideas and how I do my research, so I thought I’d share some interesting tidbits o’ history with you all.

So, let’s talk about DALLAS — you know — the blockbuster of a tv series about the oil barron and his family who lived on Southfork Ranch in the Big “D”….and how it could have been set in the medieval time period. Once I started researching the main historical figure of the Middle Ages for my new trilogy, (um, that would be William the Bastard…er…the Conqueror) I was struck by how much his life and exploits resembled a modern day primetime soap opera…like DALLAS.

William the B…Conqueror was born out of wedlock to a father who it is suggested did not marry his mother to avoid in-law problems over property and titles. (Sound like the whole Barnes-Ewing feud?) After William was born, his father married off his mother who bore two more sons for her husband. Though raised by his mother, William became duke at age eight when his father died while on a Crusade to the Holy Lands. (Um…didn’t Jock Ewing disappear and die mysteriously, too? Hmmmmm)

Then William quickly learned about the ruthlessness needed to claim and hold power–his first three guardians were killed and nobles throughout Normandy jockied for position to try to take control of the duchy. Finally, with the backing of the king of France, William took control and ruled with an iron fist. (Hmmmmm…didn’t JR push Bobby out of control of Ewing Oil to take over the company?) After winning his first battle he retaliated harshly against anyone who did not support him. (How many competitors did JR ruin, drive out of business, and/or destroy for trying to beat him? Hmmmmmm?) And there is a story that William had the hands cut off of those villagers in Alencon who taunted him before he attacked by beating on leather hides in a not-so-subtle insult about his illegitimate origins — William’s mother was supposedly the daughter of a tanner. (JR could have learned a thing or two from him, huh?)

And, as JR had poor Cliff Barnes to push around and pick apart, William had Conan of Brittany (one of many actually). Conan and William circled each other for years, invading or threatening to invade each other’s lands, supporting each other’s enemies, undermining each other’s power, vying to be the most powerful nobleman on the continent. When they couldn’t take direct action against each other, they used whatever was at their disposal — other people usually — to do the job. Finally, when William warned off any of his enemies, and allies, from attacking Normandy while he was on the Pope-sanctioned invasion of England in 1066, Conan told William he planned to attack as soon as William left! (C’mon — think about how many times JR lured Cliff in and then stomped him into the dirt?! I mean really!). So, want to take a guess what happened to Cliff…er…Conan?

He was poisoned — apparently the LEATHER gloves he received as an anonymous gift were impregnated by poison. As I said, William could have taught JR a thing or two about how to get things done.

So, why is any of this of interest to me? Well, I set my upcoming trilogy - the Knights of Brittany - during William’s conquest of England. The three Breton knights who fight in William’s forces were freed up to do that by Conan’s death and his successor’s alignment with William. So, William’s problems with anger management and control issues gave me the idea for the setup of my story! Woohoo!

I hope you found that interesting? Let me know!

To celebrate my June and July books, I’ll be guest blogging all over the place and continuing my stories about historical trivial details that I’ve learned researching for my writing. I hope you’ll stop over on my website to see where I’ll be and I hope you’ll stop in and comment or visit one of my chats and say hello!

Terri

Terri’s first short story (and first only-ebook release) is coming out today - June 1 - and will be available at www.eharlequin.com and at other online booksellers. A NIGHT FOR HER PLEASURE, a Harlequin Historical UNDONE, will be available in a number of digital formats and will introduce the rest of the Knights of Brittany. THE CONQUEROR’S LADY, her July Harlequin Historical, is about what happens when not only cultures but also strong-minded, courageous, loyal people clash and love is in the mix. Visit Terri’s website - www.terribrisbin.com - for links to her new books as well as info about upcoming blogs and chats!