What Women Really Want

Right here and now I'm going to tell you men what women really want. I'm going to lay it on the line so that there are no more mistakes. Men complain that they need to know what we want, well I'll tell you. First off I must say that every time I go into a bookstore there is a book claiming to tell men the secrets of what women want.

What bothers me about these books is that men write most of them. I also know that most men who think they know a lot about women gather information from their friends who claim to be experts just because they've been in a lot of relationships. Uh, this should be a clue that they don't know anything about women. Because if they did, they'd still be with the first one they hooked up with and not have a list of seven failed relationships right? Right.

Men can't tell men what women want just like women can't tell women what men want. You have to be the gender to know what the person expects in terms of a significant other, love and life, etc.

Men you want to know the secret? Want to know what women really want? Well here it is…we want you to be real. Doesn't seem like a big whopper does it? No and you don't have to waste your time buying those thick books by nerdy P.H. D's. I cannot believe that for centuries men have yet to figure it out that women want honesty above anything else. I cannot tell you how many times a man has tried to pick me up with some low-life line or a straight out lie. Granted, there are superficial women who are just out for a man with a certain type of car, bank account and status. But most women who are looking for a guy for the long haul just want you to come to them correctly.

Now hey, it's not to say that you shouldn't have a car, good education or a job. Let's keep that straight. If a woman can work the man can too right? If she's making a salary, she should expect to be with a man who's making one too. And also, we like men to realize that we're not out to compete with them despite being independent. We just want our piece of the cake too. Now back to the issue…

Women aren't easily impressed so don't bother trying. I know for a fact a man shouldn't try to impress me because there is only one man in the world who has ever impressed me and that's Michael Jackson. No one else has ever knocked me off my feet the way he has. So you can forget trying to impress unless you can do the Moonwalk, sell billions of albums worldwide, dance without breaking a sweat and become incredibly famous. In other words forget it. And I don't like someone who tries to " impress " anyway. Most women aren't going to be easily impressed by a man no matter what you have. That's just how women are. So men ditch trying to impress us and just be who you are. If you drive a beat-up Pinto, don't say you drive a 2005 Navigator. If you live with your mother, don't pretend she's your landlady. If you live in a one-room apartment, don't say you live in a mansion in the richest part of town.

Let me back it up, there is something that impresses me. A man that is honest, respectful and can come to me with confidence is very impressive. So yes, that's impressive to me. And I try to bring the same to anyone I meet. Women want men who are real. Ditch the lines. Ditch the personas. Ditch the act. And believe me you won't ever have to wonder what women want ever again. Because if you follow this simple rule men, you'll be with the woman you want for life.

Ciao!

Kings of Comedy & Barbershop: Total Disappointments

Look I'm different from most people. I don't go for that obvious comedy. You have to come with something intelligent and funny to make me laugh. Last week I bought Kings of Comedy for the first time. I saw it the other day for the first time. Needless to say I was disappointed. The between shots with Bernie, D.L., Cedric and Steve just talking were funnier than their standup. I was shocked! I mean come on! These guys are usually hilarious but they weren't on this stage on this DVD.

By the middle of the DVD all I could think of was one thing…" Where the hell was Chris Rock when you needed him? "

Now the funniest hand down was Bernie Mac. I mean Bernie never disappoints! He could make a corpse laugh. But what surprised me was that Cedric and D.L. weren't as funny as I thought they would be. I knew Cedric way back in the day when he was on BET Comic View, D.L. too. Goodness it hurts to say BET. Anyone who knows me now know I am anti-BET all the way. I wouldn't watch BET if my mother were on it! But back then BET was good, before it was taken over by millions of spoiled, no talented rappers and dancing sluts. Okay, back to my point…D.L. and Cedric are funny people! But I wasn't feeling them on this and obviously the audience wasn't either from the lack of laughter.

Cedric spent his time dancing and told his jokes like he was on his last leg. He wasn't even enthusiastic. This wasn't the Cedric I know. Maybe he was nervous, but still his job was to make the audience and me laugh. Especially after cranking out money to buy this DVD. And D.L. was a little funnier than Cedric but he wasn't half as funny as his HBO comedy hour. Man he rocked with that! The only thing he did that was funny on Kings of Comedy was when he talked about the audience members and the part about his grandmother and Viagra. Other than that, total disappointment. He should have spent more time dissing the audience.

Steven Harvey…well what can I say about Steve? I've seen Steve's HBO special too. That's why I can't understand why he sucked so much on Kings. I know it's not just me because a lot of people said the jokes weren't as good as they hoped. I hadn't seen this for five years and finally when I decide to give it a shot I am totally disappointed. I mean, Steve's part was so unfunny I wanted someone to come and shoot me. Shoot, wasting all that time with that section about old-school music. Did we need to see him up there dancing? Spike directed this fiasco you'd think he'd given Steve hints to keep the jokes coming and stop all this filler busting. And another thing, you get Steve, the most ignorant one of the group to be the announcer? His grammar is so bad I had to put the caption on to understand what he says. Shoot I'm southern and I don't talk like that! I don't know if most of it is a put-on or what but he needs to cool it with some of those backwoods words. Especially if you're gonna be up there hosting a comedy show. Man oh man…

But yes, the " Bernster " brought it home. Bernie was funny from the time he got on stage to the time he left. I mean it was nonstop laughter. If it hadn't been for Bernie's section I would have died of displeasure. I just hate that they saved the best one for last.

And for the record, I hated Barbershop. I saw it when it first came out on DVD. I didn't even see the second one. Maybe it was better than the first. At least Queen Latifah was in that one. She's funny! The only part I liked about Barbershop was when Cedric talked about Rosa Parks and you see all the trouble he got into for that. Other than that, total disappointment. Why? Oh let me see. Maybe because it was a stereotypical mess that relied on race jokes (not talking about the Rosa thing. I saw nothing wrong with that. I'm talking about the men talking about sisters and etc.), ass jokes and sex jokes. Oh and Anthony Anderson playing a dumb criminal didn't do a thing for me either.

To me these were two films pumped up by a bunch of hype. Show me real substance and then I'll be the one pumping it up. Save the drama for yo' mama and save the empty hype for someone else.

My recommendation is to skip Kings of Comedy and get Queens of Comedy! I saw that on Show time and I loved it! Mo' Nique's a riot! Man she's funny!

The Stacy Experiment: Could I Be His Victim Too?

Caught, actually taped a film on Lifetime tonight starring Jamie Luner.
The film was called, " Stranger in My Bed ". She played a battered wife who faked her death to get away from her husband. Being a writer, my mind drifts twenty-four seven. I can watch a movie, read a book or even ride in a car and my mind instantly goes from reality to " what ifs " and " what would happens ", you get the drill right?

How much do we really know about ourselves huh? How much do you know about yourself? I thought I knew myself but as I get older I find myself questioning decisions I've made and thoughts I've had. Who the hell do I think I am? I always said that I would never let a man hit me. I always said I would be one of those women who wouldn't ever let a man hit me. I still say that. I shout that it's the woman's fault for letting that happen. But how do I know what I would really do?

You ever just drift and start examining yourself out of the blue? I mean the kind of person you are. I'm talking the deep sh*t. You ever do that? How much do you really know about actions you would or wouldn't take? What bothers me is I don't know myself as much as I think I do. If I’m unsure about things I have said, then that tells me I don't know myself. And how can I judge someone if I don't know myself? I was watching that movie and I wondered, " Why wouldn't I let a man hit me? " How do I know for real that I wouldn't? I've never been in that situation but I have been frightened. I've been in situations where I felt I would have been kidnapped. I've had men approach me and scare me half to death in situations that could have led to rape or worse. I have been that scared. I have had men use their power, or at least try to, to control me.
I have been so scared that my mind and body literally shut down. I've been so scared that I've dreamt about what almost happened even months after it was over. I have been that scared to where I've given people's actions control over me. So I was sitting here tonight and I thought that maybe all of us women who give the advice to other women to leave the men that do this to them are hypocrites. At least I think I am now. Hell I don't know what I would do if I'd be in that situation! Yeah I'm strong, tough, and big. I talk the talk and walk the walk but would I still do that in that situation? Would the strength I have compare to what he would have, being able to capture my fear and use it to control me? My rule, if he hits me once, I'm gone. I was raised that a man's hands are made to hold you, not hit you. I also know that if any man laid a finger on me my father and every other male in my family would tear him limb from limb. But still…

How do I know?

Until I've been in that battered lady's shoes, and I hope to god I won't ever be. How do I know how I will react? How do you really know? How much do you really know about yourself when you get scared? I spend my life giving advice but how do I really know? Maybe I will be just like the women on television, stripped of self-esteem, stripped of pride to be beaten. And look at how I've been going through life right? I always thought that women who were beaten were women who didn't know better. I always thought women who were beaten didn't have sense or didn't have brains enough to get out. See, how I judged? Because I always thought a strong, smart woman couldn't be beaten. I always thought she'd be smart enough to not put up with it. That comforted me because I could use my education and my upbringing and strength to hide that underneath all those attributes I was still just a woman. And could easily be as intimidated by a man as other women could.

Some of those battered women aren't all uneducated housewives who had babies at fifteen. Some of them are executives, college graduates, doctors, lawyers, counselors, actresses, singers (that I admire like Tina Turner) and yes, even authors.

I sit here, two seconds away from balling because the fact that I don't really know what I'd do in any situation scares the hell out of me. So I ask again, how well do you know yourself? And please read this and fully get the point before you answer. Because my true point is that I don't think it's possible to know anything anymore, until you've experienced it.

Life has really begun to scare me. I sometimes ache to be a little girl again. I sit here in isolated fear of myself now. Isn't that crazy? I feel like a stranger because nothing seems to make sense sometimes. Okay, I know authors aren't tip-top in the mental department but I never thought I'd feel like this. I'd never thought I'd feel so unsure towards myself. What's worse, not knowing yourself or thinking you know yourself? I really wouldn't know. I don't know. But from now on I will think of this moment and these thoughts as much as I can.

Peace…

Reasons I am Glad to be a Child of the 80's and Teen of the 90's Part 1: MUSIC

Man oh man I was lucky. I look around everyday and think of the rich history I have because I grew up in the 1980's and 90's. Why? Because today doesn't offer half as much in terms of music, television, fashion, movies or anything like it did back then. I feel sorry for the kids of today and those after them. They are growing up in a superficial, sexually driven, untalented and explicit world. At least I can say I actually heard good music and caught a couple of good movies in my lifetime. Can they?

If you look at how music was alone, you can see how much better things were back then.
Music used to be good. Besides the artists who have been around for at least five years, what have you got? Anyone can make an album these days it seems. Hence, " American Idol ". Record companies no longer work to find talent but relies on a Fox television show. Sure, some of the contestants may be talented but do we want to trust a music industry that relies on a reality show. Man when I was growing up we had good music! In the eighties everyone was a New Edition fan. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing about Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike! And let's not forget Ralph and Johnny too! See, good music? We had Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Pebbles, Babyface, Whitney Houston, Guy, Heavy D., Stacy Lattisaw, Cyndi Lauper, Sting, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Pat Benetar, Phil Collins, The Gap Band, Prince & The Revolution, Morris Day & The Time, Luther Vandross, Queen Latifah, Moni Love, Vanity 6, Roger Troutman, Curtis Blow, Run DMC, Tone Loc, Young MC, Al B. Sure! (Night & Day was the jam!) Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Digital Underground, Gloria Estefan, Kid N Play, Salt N Pepa, Sheila E., LL. Cool J. and more great talent. See, good music!
In the nineties we had Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Brandy, Monica, Mya, Aaliyah, Jennifer Lopez, TLC, SWV, Monifah, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Dionne Farris, Des'ree, The Cardigans, Immature, Kris Kross, Wrecks N Effect, Blackstreet, Backstreet Boys, EnVogue, Hi-Five, Tevin Campbell, Usher, Jade, Toni Braxton, Silk, Shai, Boys II Men, Another Bad Creation (ABC), Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Montell Jordan, Maxi Priest (what happened to him?), Maxwell, D'Angelo, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Mary J. Blige, Diddy/Puff Daddy, Tupac, De La Soul, The Fugees, Marky Mark, R.E.M., etc. I'll be here all day!

The sad thing is, is that most of the artists coming out today won't be around. I am just glad I had a chance to grow up during real music. Even rappers took the time to make good music back then. Artists wanted to please their audience. Today all they care about is money. You watch, only about a handful of today's new music makers will be around in five years. Shoot five…let's try two. Some have already fallen after only their second album. It's pitiful when you can't tell one group or singer from the other. It's downright pathetic when people don't remember you after two years.

Thank goodness real music is captured on CD's or else we'd all be lost.

Fighting for Women's Rights Ain't Easy These Days

I'm outspoken when it comes to the rights and ways of women to the point that some have even labeled me a feminist. I don't hate men in the least. I just want them to step aside and let women do what they were meant to do: be ourselves and be appreciated for that.

During my fight to uphold Women's Rights from my end, I sometimes wonder why. You see the fight only works for women who respect themselves and get respect in return. Looking at this jungle we call a world today, I'd say it's less than sixty percent of women who know the real meaning of respect. What's sad is there are even less that care.

It's hard to fight for the rights of women when they dress like hookers. What in the world is going on today? When I go out I see more butts and boobs at the store than I could on Skinemax AKA Cinemax late at night. I swear I didn't think pants could get so tight. I didn't think shorts could get so short. I didn't think skirts could get so high. I didn't think it was possible for breasts to stand up fifteen inches higher than the beginning of the blouse. Hey, I love to show cleavage too. But there's a difference in dressing sexy and trashy. That's some women's problem today. They don't know the difference. Sluts are not sexy. Women who express themselves and their femininity without showing every crease of their behinds are. I tell you it disgusts me. It's bad enough men dress like they get their clothes out the dumpsters. At least they're covered, most of the women aren't.

And what could be another reason it's hard to fight for our rights? Oh let me see…could it be legs opening and staying open for men you don't even know?

Men have it easy these days. A man used to have to buy you dinner and date you at least three times before you even kissed him. I must be old-fashioned to believe this is a good thing. Now-a-days men don't have to fight. Seems to me all you have to do is be a man and a woman is on her back before he can say, " What's your name again? " Look you can sling it, fling it, and flip it in any man's face you want. That's your business. But what's with the pregnancy thing? Why is every woman getting pregnant from casual sex? Hello I thought something like condoms were invented. Some women use the excuse that it was the man's fault. No it was yours. If you'd had respect for who you were and the female race you wouldn't have four babies by four different daddies. Why do we fight for rights then throw them away?

What about the new " booty call " issue? Isn't this just another term for being a " ' ho for the night "? Don't dress it up. No one bought you dinner. No one took you out. This is just some man who got bored with his wife and wants to come to your place at two in the morning, hit it and go back home to the woman he loves and respects. What's so pitiful is that you brag on the phone to your friends. Hello! Uh, you were a ' ho for the night and didn't even get paid. Why are you bragging? You need to go to church and pray because you gave it up faster than the music world dumped Hammer. And this stuff about having sex so a man will pay your bills…I won't even touch that sick theory.

Be a half-a-ho all you want, just don't mess it up for the rest of us who are doing all we can to show the world we deserve to be treated in a certain manner. Keep your legs closed unless you can support the babies. And please stop having baby after baby just so you can collect government money. I think the government's finally onto this. And believe me it would be the first thing this new administration has been able to figure out without a pencil drawing since they arrived.

Four different babies by all those men, it's no excuse! Shoot even the homeless shelter gives out condoms! If you can't do the time then don't do the crime.

I know, I know. I shouldn't let this get me down. I'm a better person than that. But sometimes you can't help being pissed when you see someone not even trying but just going deeper into the abyss of nothingness and expecting others to help. I am sure I am not the only one sick of this. Then again, it's not my life. I just don't want any of this rubbing off on the decent women who work hard to obtain a decent lifestyle and image. Like I said, be a ' ho, just make sure it doesn't come down on all of us.

And another thing, these terms like " baby mama ", " baby daddy ", " booty call ", should not be encouraged. If you don't know why then you've got a real problem.

Now " marriage ", " responsibility ", " celibacy ", those are better words. Yep, much better words.

That picture is a new image of me by the way, Bootsy in all my glory.Later folks!

Slap Monica's Best on Your Summer Hit List!

The summer's almost over but I bet you'd like to bring in the Fall and Winter with some good reading material wouldn't you? Confused on what types of books to buy? Not sure which authors will grab you from your summer boredom and thrust you into a Winter Wonderland? Well I got just the books for you!

I am personally recommending that everyone who loves literature, anyone from all walks of life should enjoy Monica P. Carter's top sellers, " Sacrifice the One " and " As if Nothing Happened ".

" As if Nothing Happened " is a tale of how fast close life-long female friends can grow apart. But as they grow and struggle to regain the closeness they once shared, they end up learning about themselves just as much as they do about one another. This is a veryr strong, exciting story folks that will leave you breathless with anticipation! I could read up to four chapters at a time. That's how much I didn't want to put the book down! This is one of my favorite new reads! I fell in love with it instantly! Take it from me, and I know good books, " As if Nothing Happened " is the story that anyone will enjoy!

" Sacrifice the One '' is a hard-hitting realistic tale told from the eyes of a neglected child who grows into a strong yet confused young woman. Follow Seta's life as it seems she goes from bad to worse, entering dangerous and often misleading situations. Will this young lady ever gain the love that has been the cause of all her pain? Read the book to find out.

You can read more about Monica P. Carter on her site:
http://www.rootskypublishing.com/default.php

You can order and buy her books wherever they are sold. Happy hunting and I hope you find yourself a new Monica Carter fan as much as I do!

Countdown to Stacy's September Contest!

My super September contest comes in a few weeks! I am not unveiling what type of contest it is yet but it's going to be out of this world! The winner will receive some magnificent prizes that will make them happy for years to come! This will be my third contest and I've enjoyed every one. I can't wait to share the details. Be sure to check into my site: http://www.stacy-deanne.net for details. I will let you know when everything will begin!

As for my recent contest, Havana Nights/Divas II, I have a Grand Prize Winner and one Runner-up! There is still room for another runner-up for your free Janet Jackson Live in Hawaii DVD! Come on folks, the contest ends soon! Just go to my site and if you think you have the right answer, send it in and you may be the second runner-up. It would be a shame to waste that great prize. If you're a Janet Jackson fan and want that free DVD, hurry while the chance lasts!

Photo Image, Miss Ashanti (Concrete Rose album image) Scanned by Stacy-Deanne.
Is Ashanti your favorite Diva of the New Millennium? Then get my book to read about Ashanti's climb to fame and how she dealt with it.

Divas of the New Millennium is the hottest music book of the season!

Later!

Some Things You Can't Apologize For

I know this for a fact because I've had something very hurtful said to me by someone who was supposed to love me years ago and I never have forgotten it. Slowly I may forgive but I will never forget. My point...

Where do people get off saying things they know are going to be offensive and thinking apologizing is enough? Yes I am referring to Pat Robertson and everyone else who's opened their mouths out of stupidity. Frankly I think Pat said it mostly to get attention. Please don't tell me this man is so dumb that he truly didn't believe people would be offended about his remark on assasinating Chavez. No matter how much we dislike a person, once you get to wishing them dead then there is no hope for you. Normal, compassionate people don't do this. Especially if they are a man of religion. It's not just Pat either. I've noticed in the last three years that public figures think they can say what they want if they apologize afterwards.

There was a D.J. who offended Jews about two years ago. He apologized.
There was a D.J. who offended Hispanics, calling them wetbacks. That was around February. He apologized.
Recently a sports critic shouted racial slurs about Hispanics. He apologized.
The Mexican President denounced blacks. He apologized (at least I think I heard he did)

Where will it end? Don't you see it won't. I just have to say this, if you're all big and bad and you want to say something offensive, have the balls to stick by what you said even when the sh*t goes down! The worse thing you can be is a wimp. Since you obviously want to shout slurs, make fun of ethnic groups or tout death tactics, then take your punishment as you get it. And know that apologizing for some things just won't wash. Because when it comes to things like this, you were THINKING it before you even said it. And you can't apologize for thoughts. It's what makes us, us.

So don't be surprised if you offend an entire group or nation of people and they don't jump up and down when you apologize. I notice the dumbest people can't ever seem to keep their mouths shut. I could form a list but I would be here all year.

Now let me go back to work on my book...

Legendary Actor Brock Peters Dies

Brock Peters who was known for his portrayal of an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman in the infamous " To Kill a Mockingbird " has died. Peters appeared in a lot of numerous andnotable film and television roles.

I very much respected him. He accomplished many great if sometimes overlooked roles in mainstream cinema.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_en_mo/obit_brock_peters

I Feel Him Feeling Me

Someone has a crush on me. I can feel it. Seems like every time I move I feel his eyes on my skin. When I lay my head on my pillow I feel him imagining he's near me, wanting to touch me. I walk through a cloud of ecstasy that he's produced. I don't know why but something is strongly telling me this. I would give in but…

On one hand he could be the man of my dreams. On the other he could be a deranged stalker. What's so weird is that we're connected already because I can feel him, feeling me. He buys my work. Oh yes, he does. I can feel him turning the pages. I feel his delicate fingers creasing the corners. How his mouth must curve into wicked smirks as he fully takes control of what I've given him. Who knew reading could be so erotic? I tell you there's something mesmerizing about being wanted from a far. And we've all wanted and have been wanted haven't we? Me, the object of his desire, perhaps?

Am I the goddess ruling his dreams? I bet I am. When he gets into bed does he feel me, feeling him? Does he sense me sensing him? How does he deal with it? Does he bathe himself in the wishes of my kisses? Calms his mind in the imaginings of my sweet caress? What keeps his fingers roaming? What keeps his body hard? Who knows? I must be a bad girl, hoping he'd take it a little farther but knowing I'll retreat because I could never give him all of me. And that's what he wants you see? That's most surely what he wants. I wish to cut through these powerful feelings he's holding me with. I want to banish this mental tug of war. I could see myself becoming his slut for a day. Succumbing to his every will for a long magnetic night, only to hate myself for a lifetime.

Oh I tell you I hate to lose to anyone. I can't lose to him. If so then what's the need of further existing? Because if he gets me I'll not only lose my soul, I'll lose the chance of being watched by him again. And I can't give that up. It's the most exciting thing I've ever experienced.

I like it.

Bootsy returns...

My Weekend Agenda Accomplished: Well At Least Half

Hi Everyone,

Whew! This Houston sun will kill you I am telling you. I go out for a few days then I'm sick and weak because the sun down here just drains you. It's been a heat index of 108 for days! Did I accomplish my great agenda? Most of it I am glad to say.

I did a lot of work on the bio. I also relaxed to watch the new DVD's I bought. I didn't clean my bedroom but two out of three ain't bad right? (Laughing). I should be finished with the bio in a few weeks, hopefully. Unless something else comes up. I can't say enough about this sun. I mean, it's horrible. It gives you a headache like you wouldn't believe. I'm sitting in the air constantly but even central air means nothing compared to Houston's heat and humidity. Well, you just have to see what I mean. See you!

I still don't see how people in Houston can ride around with their car windows down and no air on. I know gas is high but please! I've been frying like bacon!

My Weekend Agenda

I have my weekend all planned out and I am sure you all know that most times when people say this, they end up doing something they hadn't planned on anyway, or doing nothing at all right? Right. But I vow to continue work on Jessica Simpson and to relax (which is something I usually don't do). That's pitiful isn't it? That you have to plan to relax? I also bought a huge stack of DVD's. Not new movies but some of my old favorites. Since I am an eighties buff I bought a lot of eighties comedies like Rhinestone. You know that bomb of a movie with Sly Stallone and Dolly Parton? Hey I love this movie and I'm not ashamed of it even though the critics tore it apart. But still, it's an eighties classic. Come on, anything with Sly is a classic right? I also bought Clueless. I used to have it on VHS but threw it away years ago when the tape messed up. It's not that I watched Clueless a lot but the tape wore out and now at least I have it on DVD. I bought some other things too. I also bought a new album, one I've been wanting for months. So yes I plan to relax. I also need to clean my bedroom. From the way I'm feeling the only thing I plan to do tonight is take a nap. Talk about tired. This Houston sun will kill you! I am not sure if I'll blog tomorrow or not but if I do have something important to share I'll definitely be back before the weekend's over. Suddenly I've run out of words. I didn't think writers could do that. (laughing)

Have a good weekend!

The lady in the picture...hmm? Well if you don't know I'm not going to tell you. She's one of my favorite singers. Someone I admire very much. You'll just have to guess.

Shop & BUY Shelley Halima!

Hi folks,

My writing pal Shelley Halima has a great shop selling merchandise for her books, " Azucar Moreno " and " Los Morenos ". She's one of the hottest authors around. Not only is Shelley making her mark in fiction she is also a songwriter and my girl is writing her own screenplay! This little lady is moving places and I suggest you move with her. Shelley's gotten rave reviews from book critics and readers! Her books are at the top of my list and I suggest each and every one of you visit: http://www.shelleyhalima.com to see what this hot author is really all about!
When you're there, check out her blog and her shop.

Get her books AND her merchandise! She's hotter than hot and you don't want to miss her!

A Lot of Good Things Going On PLUS Stacy-Deanne Declared New " Author Diva "!

Hi folks!

As you can probably tell, I am in a much better mood. I had the blues this weekend. I'm doing pretty well today. I've been working hard on Jessica Simpson. Creativity is just pouring out of me today. The image to the right is one of her album covers by the way. I think she has a beautiful voice. You'll be seeing a lot of Jessica on my blog as well as other artists I've written about. I plan to keep my blog around forever and I hope you guys enjoy it. I want to keep you up to date with my projects from start to finish to when they get out to the public to how they sell!
Also others I like will be featured in my blog. And of course my alter ego, Madonna (laughing) will pop up a lot.

I'm featured in a new article today. Yep, a piece shared with Michael Jackson where I am declared new " Author Diva ". That's right! I always knew I was a diva at heart (laughing). What an honor. Check it out here: http://www.eurweb.com/story.cfm?id=21837

I'm also spotlighted on Disilgold, one of the biggest African-American literary magazines and organizations: http://www.disilgold.com

My cousin emailed me saying he finds it weird to have a celebrity in the family. (Laughing) I never thought of it that way. I will soon compile things to send around to both sides of my family in terms of my interviews and such. I also hope YOU guys go and check out my site often. AND SIGN MY GUESTBOOK!

I was bored yesterday but I feel better today. My hand's not bothering me as much either. Hopefully it's getting better. I don't know if I mention it but I plan to start my fan club soon. There's a lot that goes along with that. I will decide membership fees, merchandise I'll give to members and so on. It takes a lot to run an official fan club even when it's your own. Good there are folks around who'd like to help. I will let people know more about that later. Right now that's up in the air but seeing how the book is selling so well internationally and I've acquired a fan base, I should have a fan club don't you think?

Anyway, it's storming in Houston. I won't type long for fear the electricity might go out. Maybe I'll blog again later or catch you all tomorrow, hopefully.

Best wishes!
Bootsy

Dangerously Bored

Isn't it funny? I got all this work to do yet I'm bored. I am completely bored. Saturday I worked a lot on Jessica Simpson. Sunday I took a little break due to my injured wrist. A few months ago I hurt my wrist and since then I've been nursing a painful hand. The pain is going away but I notice it hurts after I type a lot so I had to take a break from the Jessica Simpson thing Sunday. I will try to continue it tonight but I am not feeling very well. I believe my wrists have both become injured due to all the typing I do from day to day. I believe I've set up that hand syndrome, I forgot the name but it's the one they say you get from typing a lot. I haven't worked on the Mafia novel much at all. I can't get my thoughts together lately. I think my body's craving a break that it's never had. I've worked straight for years so now my body is crashing, yearning for some kind of relaxation. Well I just wanted to blog today because I like to keep it current. It's good to have a diary of some sort and I like the fact that others can read it. I'm too lazy to keep a handwritten diary so this is working out very well. I will keep you all posted on how the biography is going up until when I turn it in and all. I hope you're finding my life interesting. At least the parts I am willing to share.
Bye for now,
Stacy

Image above is Janet, Miss Jackson if ya' nasty. Scanned by Stacy-Deanne from Janet's Live in Hawaii DVD.

Divas of the New Millennium- AD 1

From time to time I will run ads of my books for promotional reasons and because I want you to BUY them. What else would be the point? So you will see this ad many times throughout this blog as a reminder.

Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez & Mya:
Divas of the New Millennium
By Stacy-Deanne, Kelly Kenyatta, Natasha Lowery & Kwynn Saunders Colossus Books 2005 ISBN: 0974977969 $16.95

Available online and off anywhere books are sold!

Order now straight from Amber Books: http://www.amberbooks.com

" Divas of the New Millennium " is one of the biggest music books of the season!

Completely sold out at the 2005 Harlem Book Fair!

Is an International Best Seller!

" Brings together music's young powerful women "
---Billboard Magazine

" Divas of the New Millennium Rocks! "
--- Customer reviewer (Amazon.com)

Formerly a Right on! Magazine bookshelf Pick of the Month!

" Very Informative! "
---Best Selling Author & Bella Online Music Editor Sheila M. Goss

Finally there's a book that puts music's biggest female stars in one place AND in your hands… " Divas of the New Millennium ". Get it, if you dare.

And be sure to visit http://www.stacy-deanne.net for more information and enter Stacy-Deanne's Havana Nights/Divas II contest as the final days near!

Images are the book's front and back covers

All Work & No Play

Well, you may not hear from me tomorrow (Saturday). Wait a minute. It's already Saturday isn't it? If I do get on the Internet I probably won't get a chance to blog. I have to admit I love blogging so far. I can see why it's taken the web world by storm. Tomorrow I'll be reminded that I am a writer and the little vacation I took should now be over. I will be working on the Jessica Simpson biography all tomorrow. I told my publisher I'd have it in some time in September and I plan to do that. I'm almost done with it but there's a little more research and fixing up to do. Then I will let it breathe for a few days before editing it...then the rest is history.

I am a workaholic so I always feel guilty when I take vacations (laughing) no matter how much I need them. So tomorrow I plan to plunge into the work if it kills me. After all it's Saturday so it will be easy to relax and work. Besides the biography is pretty stress-free. Writing it relaxes me. And with the recent development between Jessica and the press, her biography's getting more exciting all the time.

Stacy

Minority Female Celebrities Lose the Mainstream Battle but Gain Acceptance that Matters

Let me introduce these lovely ladies to you: Raven Symone, Brandy, Selma Hayak, Selena, Aaliyah, Alfre Woodard and Regina King

I came across an African-American Entertainment blog. What caught my eye was the recent article about Raven Symone. Until I read it, I didn't know how out of touch with Raven I was. I am not a big Raven fan but I don't have anything against her. I didn't care for her on The Cosby Show and I don't watch her recent shows but she seems levelheaded and I see where she's coming from. It's good to see a young woman raised with true morals. In the article I am speaking, Raven brought up an issue that has been in the minority community for years.

Why aren't female minority celebrities given as much media attention as their white counterparts? Simple, because no one really cares.

Oh of course we can get on the cover of Latino Magazine and Ebony Magazine but what does that mean? It means a hell of a lot to our communities, and us but why do a lot of blacks and Hispanic superstars (women) still feel left out? I believe that's the way it's always been and the way it always will be. Minority celebrities state that the young white female celebrities are the media and world's obsession. And I have to say that they are right. It's never changed and it never will change. Aside from Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce Knowles, how many minority women stars can truly say the main media accepts them?

When I say " main " I mean magazines and shows geared towards mainstream celebrities. Of course it's no secret that white is right, especially in the entertainment world. Or hell, anywhere really.

Now I finally see why blacks and Hispanics have our own channels, magazines, pageants, radio stations, comedy shows and networks. Because if it weren't for these promotional outlets, would anyone really know who we were? A person can be a superstar in the Latino and Black communities but still unknown to mainstream, which consists of a primarily white audience. The perfect example is Aaliyah Haughton.

Aaliyah was the first celebrity I ever mourned. I always listened to her music in high school and beyond because we were the same age but I didn't expect that her death would hit me as hard as it did. Something came over me and I began to think of Aaliyah as a relative instead of a celebrity. What hurt the black community and me personally was the " slap " in the face Aaliyah received from mainstream media. Oh sure the music networks did a couple of shows and showed some videos but she wasn't truly getting love from anyone except BET and other networks that were geared towards blacks. They played her songs on black radio stations but others…forget it. It was like no one had died. The funny thing is, Aaliyah had just as many white fans that adored her. She also had a strong following overseas yet could you believe that some mainstream (white) journalists poked fun by wondering what the big deal was because she wasn't " anyone important " or " famous "? Well some said that and worse. It caused heat from the black community and leaders like Al Sharpton who pointed out that our celebrities mean a great deal to " us ", if not to " you ". We all know that if Aaliyah had been more mainstream AKA Britney Spears that her death would have been on the cover of every newspaper, magazine and there would have been endless tributes. The black community has done loads of tribute for her since her death. But not too many in " mainstream " media knew that, shared that…and frankly cared about it. And why should they? Aaliyah didn't mean two sh*ts to them. Sad but true.

Brandy has been singing and acting for over eleven years but how many mainstream magazines like Vogue or Entertainment have you seen her on? Hasn't been that many has it? She's recently gotten married. Did you know that? Yeah the blacks know it, but what about the rest of society? As famous as Brandy is, none of this will ever make headlines. Yet if Britney Spears stubbed her toe it would be on the cover of Time Magazine. We know all about Britney's baby, what she plans to name it and how much her stomach weighs. I don't think many people even know that Brandy's husband is a famous NBA player or that they recently moved to New York. Once again, I'm sure nobody even cares. Brandy's not important. But Britney is. Britney's always been.

Alfre Woodard and Regina King are veteran actresses that starred in hit films. It wasn't until Jerry Maguire that mainstream even cared to mutter Regina's name. And since then they haven't said two words about her. Regina and Alfre, fine actors they are just don't cut it. Selena was murdered. Funny she wasn't known too much outside of the Latino community until then right? You ask people who Selena is they say " the person Jennifer Lopez played in the movie ". Now isn't that pitiful? She means a little bit more than that to us.

What about Selma Hayek? She looks just as gorgeous if not more than the white actresses of today. She gets parts but is she considered mainstream? Nope. And probably never will be. But who cares? Believe me they don't want to be accepted. They just want to be respected. That's a different thing altogether. Vogue and Elle Magazine could use some " color " and a little more" depth " if you get my drift.

Simply it could just boil down to the fact that none of these women are society's idea of beauty. They're not blond, blue-eyed or skinny. Or it could just be that they are minority women working in a white man's world. The entertainment field will always be a white man's world no matter how many people buy into it. But come on, no one needed this pointed out to them right? Flip through a magazine, turn on a major music station and turn on the television.

You'll see the real deal. And if you can't see it or don't see it after all this time then your eyes probably aren't opened to what's really going on. Or it could just be the other reason…you simply don't care.

The link to the Raven article I mentioned: http://blackinformant.com/2005/07/24/the-medias-obsession-with-skinny-white-girls

Photos are shots from the Internet such as publicity shots, etc. Scanned by Stacy-Deanne and not linked from websites. The photos are the property of their owners and just used for the purpose of this post.

My Book Featured in a Giveaway

YES YOU CAN GET AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF " DIVAS OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM " SIGNED BY YOURS TRULY!

Sheila M. Goss is holding a contest/giveaway that includes the public's chance of winning autographed copies of in demand books. I participated by donating a book. You can get " Divas of the New Millennium " signed by me. Visit her blog for details. It's a great blog by the way and I visit it regularly.

I don't know how long this will last so get your chain-blogging butts to this link now!

Sheila's Blog: http://sheliagoss.blogspot.com/2005/06/are-you-email-junkie.html

Some of the blogs haven't been working with their links so if this one doesn't work you'll have to do a Yahoo or Google search on Sheila M. Goss or something. You'll have to look around her blog and maybe scan her archives to find the contest information.

Don't Worry:
I will get to some events too or heck I may even bite the bullet and have a little tour. I don't know what I will do at this moment but I know I plan to meet my fans on the road! Don't worry, whatever I chose to do will be fun and creative.
Always keep in touch with my blog and my website for updates on what I am doing.

Okay you can go back to your own lives now...

Stacy & Justin

Stacy-Deanne: ALL THE FACTS

Jump into my mind if you will. Here's a questionnaire I've posted that I did with Justin for you blog lovers out there. If you're already familiar with me, you already know some of this. If you're just getting to know me, then you'll definitely find this interesting and I hope it will turn you into a potential fan.

Justin: Your name is very pretty. What's with the hyphen?

Stacy: It's French and thanks for the compliment. People seem to be confused by my name. I didn't think they would be but they are. The name has a hyphen because it's my first and middle name combined to become my pen name. It's pronounced, " Dee-Anne ", not " Dean " though some people may think that. I don’t know how really. How many Deans are spelled with " NE " on the end? And if I were a female with the middle name " Dean " you'd think I advertise it? The hyphen is to show that this is my middle name and not my last name. Think of Ann-Margret. But in real life I am just plain ol' Stacy or Bootsy.

Justin: You seem very confident about your height. How tall are you and did you always like to be tall?

Stacy: Good question. I'm 5'11 and yes I love being tall now. It's given me the opportunity to do things others can't do like go into modeling. Tall people get loads of attention and I love that. When I step into the room heads turn. I don’t get lost in the crowd and I find more and more that men though sometimes intimidated by tall women, are fascinated with them too. Every short woman I've ever known says they wish they were tall like me. I didn't always love to be tall because when you're a child you see differences as setbacks. A lot of the kids wanted to be tall like me but it wasn't easy being the tallest girl in your class or sometimes in the entire school. It wasn't easy being taller than most of the teachers and the boys. It was hard at that time but I never shied away from it. Now I love it. Tall is a sign of a beauty. The most beautiful women in the world are tall. Go figure.

Justin: You are very attractive and you've modeled. With these attributes, are you more comfortable with yourself than you used to be?

Stacy: Thanks for the compliment. I think I am more confident. But I always seem to see faults with myself. My mother gets on me about this all the time. She always compliments me and feeds my self-esteem but I always had low self-esteem so I may look good to you or other people but I may go to the mirror and see a million things wrong. I realize this may just be in my mind and that it's not healthy but it comes from demons inside. Sometimes I wonder if those demons will ever go away.

Justin: How did you get into modeling and where did you model?

Stacy: I worked the full-figure circuit being as curvy as I am (laughing). Seriously I started with contests here and there. I modeled for web sites that sold lingerie, clothing and things like that. I never made a dime from it or anything because I was just starting out so a lot of it I did as exposure. I also did it in between marketing my writing so I never got a chance to get an modeling agent or anything like that. I still want to go back to that if I get the chance. I am set to take some more photos very soon.

Justin: You are a " Jacqueline of all trades " aren't you? You're not only a writer and model but you are also a landscape photographer. How in the world did you get into this?

Stacy: Simply, I started taking pictures on trips during vacations. I studied the pictures and realized I had an eye for spotting great scenes. Everyone else felt the same way. At first I thought I'd just snapped a shot but when I looked at what I'd done, the photos spoke to me. That's when I knew I had a flair or talent for taking great photos. I started taking photos around Texas and I'm putting together a portfolio or photo book that I want to get published one day. I am also interested in anyone who would like to use my photos for books, etc. A sample of my photography is available on my website.

Justin: How does it feel to be a best selling author at only 27 years old?

Stacy: Honestly it hasn't set in yet because I don't think of it that way. I worked very hard on my work so I am glad to find success after struggling all these years. Sometimes I'll be going along and I might go, " Hey the book is doing pretty well. " But I don't sit there and say, " I'm a best selling author! " I'm low-key so I handle things silently. Other best selling authors may go over that and think that makes them bigger than life but I'm too busy working to even think about it. I'm very happy the book has gotten the acceptance it has. Now let's pass it on to my upcoming fiction work then I will shout it from the ceiling! Fiction is my game so my novels are where my heart lies.

Justin: Is it true that most of your fiction characters aren't minorities?

Stacy: Yes. Most of my characters are white. For some reason I find it more comfortable and easier to put white people in the situations my characters face. You have to stay true to real-life with fiction stories and some of the things I have people doing would not be things that minorities would do because it doesn't fit our character to do them. Plus, all the books I've read and loved were books with white characters. That's what I was around, what I liked to read and what I saw on television. Anyway, my characters are just people I make up. They have nothing to do with me. I love writing about characters of all different backgrounds but I don't feel that just because I am of a minority race my characters have to be. Anyone can relate to my work and as long as I am satisfied with it, that’s what matters. I get praise for being able to separate what I am from what I write. A lot of authors can't do that. Just think of Stephen Spielberg. He deals with films geared towards blacks all the time. Just because he's Jewish doesn't mean his characters have to be. It's what fits the story that matters.

Justin: You already have one novel published and you are on your way to having a Latino love story published, what's the other fiction you have on the way?

Stacy: I have been writing fiction for eight years. I only wrote biographies because I was interested in the people I wrote about. It's not like I set out to write a biography. I'm not interested with a lot of people anymore. I'm so into what I am doing and since having my novels published is what will truly make me happy, I'm going into that again, full-time. That's what I am, a novelist. I will always be that. Writing biographies no longer holds my interest. I am doing Jessica Simpson now because she interests me. I may have one biography left in me after that but I am definitely moving on and quitting the biography-writing business in 2006. If I do write a biography in the future it will be because someone really blows my mind. I've written about all the people that I want to write about. It's time for me to write about what really makes me happy, my fiction.

Justin: Do you feel you have a better chance to go further now that you've accomplished so much as a writer?

Stacy: Yes. Just being published is an accomplishment for any author. The writing world is tough and I don't think people outside of it realize that. I hope I can use my latest accomplishment to tackle things I hadn't been able to in the past. I have a lot of plans like doing screenplays, movie deals, owning a magazine that I want to accomplish. This all takes time but I am more patient than I used to be.

Justin: Are you married?

Stacy: I don't discuss my love life in public.

Justin: All I asked was if you were married. Can't you just divulge that at least?

Stacy: I could but that's my business. Why should it matter if I'm married or not?

Justin: Do you have kids?

Stacy: No.

Justin: Are you married?

Stacy: Give it up. (Laughing). Some things aren't safe to reveal.

Justin: Why would that not be safe to reveal?

Stacy: Because you have to be careful what information you loan to the public. The people in my personal life are the only ones that need to know certain things. There are a lot of creeps and stalkers that approach authors. Some things open the door for that attention. I know it can happen anyway but I'm staying safe. Plus I like holding onto a little mystery.

Justin: Come on, can't you bend the rules a little bit?

Stacy: No, let's move on, Justin.

Justin: How did you get the nickname " Bootsy "?

Stacy: My mother and father called me Bootsy and my dad always called me " Bozo the Clown ". I used to hate that nickname but it doesn't bother me now. I used to walk down the halls and he'd yell, " Booooozoooo! " at the top of his lungs. Talk about weird. I have a long list of nicknames but Bootsy and Bozo are from my childhood. I'll always be Bootsy no matter how old I get.

Justin: What's on your recreation agenda right now?

Stacy: Traveling. As soon as I get some of this I am doing out of the way I'm going to take a long vacation! It's way overdue.

Justin: You've always lived in Houston. You ever plan to live anywhere else?

Stacy: I've always wanted to live in England. I have an uncle in France. I am sure I will probably leave Houston some time in my life. I'm too creative to stay in one place my entire life.

Justin: Thanks for doing this Stacy. I wish you well. You got any last words?

Stacy: Yeah. Could you turn up the air?

The End

Image above is me of course in my normal habitat

The People That Really Matter

I was bothered today. I'd been thinking. Someone made me reexamine myself and even second-guess myself. I had actually gotten worried that people saw me differently than I really am. I left the computer for hours. I rested and spent time kicking back watching television. I saw the bigger picture. The bigger picture is, I can't help how others see me. People are going to see you how they want to. Most times it has nothing to do with the person you really are.

Coming to this realization made me feel much better. I can't stop people from having their opinions about the way I act or how they think I feel. No one can assume such personal things about another person. Unless you are in a person's mind, body and soul, you can't possibly judge them. Knowing that now I feel good. Why did I spend one moment thinking about this? This is just normal behavior when dealing with other people. They may not understand you or fully get where you are coming from, but that doesn't make that your fault. It may not make it the other person's fault but I shouldn't beat myself up, and second-guess the person I am because of something someone suggests or says.

As long as the people close to me, the people outside my career, the people in my family, the people that I love know the real me and understand me, I'll be okay. No one else matters. It's all about the people who love me because they are the people I will need and have for a lifetime. The people who truly love me will always understand. And that goes for you too.

Be your own person and don't let anyone ever make you feel like it's bad to be who you really are.

With Love,
Stacy

This " Thing "

Okay that is it. I will no longer deal with this " thing " again. I keep getting into it and it ends up the same way each time and I am sick of it. I believe I am on a higher plane than the others involved in this " thing ". It must not be for me because it always ends up the same way. I am tired of moods getting twisted and things taken out of context and I always seem to do something wrong so I won't be doing it anymore.

I will focus on writing my books and getting into fun activities. This " thing " I am speaking of is not worth it and it may be great for a lot of people but not me.
I don’t want to get locked into " that " world. I really do think I am just so different from others that I clash whenever I try this " thing ". I don't find it relaxing at all and I am sick of dealing with the attitudes and behavior changes.
I will find something else to take up my time when I am not writing. I will not be involving myself in this " thing " anymore. It makes me uncomfortable.

I bet you wish you knew what I was speaking of don't you? Well I won't say because it's too personal. Just know this, I'll have more time to blog. Cutting this other " thing " a loose will give me back the time I had before. I don't want to get sucked into that world like so many other people.

And I am just sick of dealing with it. I'll find an activity that's fun for me. I've had it with that " thing ".

Image above is Madonna from 1994's Bedtime Stories, scanned by Stacy-Deanne

Lil' Mo- In a Class All Her Own

I try to recommend good products like books, albums and movies from time to time. Who knows I may start reviewing things for the blog. My first recommendation goes to an artist who is an artist within herself…Lil' Mo.

This is Lil Mo. You owe it to yourself to get her albums. I hadn't when they first came out and I regretted that I let a couple of years go by before I did. Truthfully, I didn't take her seriously at first because she hadn't really made any songs of her own. With her albums she stands on her own two feet and does not rely on studio tricks or millions of guest spots by producers or rappers. She proves she can hold it down all by herself and she does with no problems. She always did guest hooks and rapped wherever I heard her. She's a phenomenal singer. Both albums are to die for and perfect example of today's R&B at its best.

Lil Mo sets her own standards. Her vocals shine within each song. I will forever be a Lil Mo fan and will never make assumptions about an artist again. She is in a class all her own. Whoa she can sing! Lil Mo fans already know this. You should too. If you value anyone's opinion about good music, value mine. Believe me I know good music!
Do yourself a favor and get both of her albums:

Based on a True Story
The Girl Next Door

Should be a big hit with R&B fans that have yet to truly discover her talent.

Above image is Lil' Mo from her The Girl Next Door album. Scanned by Stacy-Deanne.

Fans

I know I haven't been in the business long but I think being in the business since 1997 (released my first novel in 1999) gives me some incentive into the writing world right? I'm still young and was young when I started writing professionally, but that doesn't make my opinion of what others think about fan mail insensitive. It just means that I don't understand how others can find fan mail or responding to it such a hindrance.

Some time last year I read an author's response to a book tour he was on. He was a best selling author. This had been his first book and he seemed to think he was Jesus resurrected for the literary world. I just got this by the way he spoke. He was so arrogant I couldn't believe his publisher could even deal with him. And remember this, this was just his first book. So he went on and on complaining about his fans at his signings asking him the same questions over and over. Questions like why he wrote the book, how he got his ideas, when did he realize he wanted to be a writer. Nothing that surprised me. What the heck did he expect fans to ask him about, his weight?

I just couldn't believe that all he could do was complain about his fans. He went on and on about being tired of asking the same questions. It's funny how he thought he was so important and famous, yet I didn't know his name then and I can't even remember it now. My point is, to people who frown down on their fans, how dare you? I treat each and every person with respect and kindness. I especially hold the thoughts of my readers and fans close to my heart. I would never ever be rude or show unkindness to someone who took the time to support me by reading my work. I would never do that. But I see that a lot of authors don't feel the same.

Some people bitch and moan about having to read fan mail. Yes it does get to be a hassle and it does get to be a drain, but would it hurt to at least read the damn thing when you get the chance? I think of how writing a fan back means so much to them and how they adored my work or me enough to contact me. I'm probably busier than a lot of people and when I can't answer mail or something I'll make sure someone will take care of it for me. I at least read the letter. I at least hold my fans in high regards and at least look at their letters.

I am extremely thankful for everyone all over the world, wherever who has taken the time to read my work and who has possibly become a fan. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. And to you people too selfish to correspond (by even a form letter) mind you. Or for those whose heads are just too big to see the bigger picture, Remember this.. you wouldn't be where you are without your fans. They buy our books. They support us. They look up to us. They inspire us. Shouldn't our appreciation automatically come along with that?

I wish it did on everyone's part. I for one love getting fan mail. I love having fans and I love my career. I guess that's enough for me.

Above image is Bel Biv Devoe from their Masters collection album, Scanned by Stacy-Deanne

Living The Way I Want to Live

I am truly content with myself right now. I feel confident in my career, well sort of but that's not the main reason I am enjoying growing up. Each year I settle into the person I was meant to be. From now on I will do what's right for me and not let anyone else dictate my decisions. I will live life the way I want to live it, no questions asked. I will not put myself in uncomfortable situations. I will stick to my decisions no matter what others may think. I will not give it a second thought to do things just because I feel I should. If I don't feel it's important or the right thing for me I will not do it. That goes for my career and personal life. I can only live my life for me and I am going to start doing that right now. The only person I have to answer to will be myself.

I crave independence. I wallow in strength. Finally, after all these years I am truly content.

I hope you all are too.

More Events...

I had a RSVP to attend an upcoming writer's event. It seems like it would be fun but once again I have to pass for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is traveling. The time has changed when authors lived in New York. Authors live everywhere now and I believe all authors should be given a fair shot when it comes to these events. Every single event is in New York. New York may have been billed the " literary " state but I think it's time that changed. It is so hard for authors such as myself to travel to New York at the spur of the moment. I'm in Houston. I would need months to prepare. I used to not think about it but really, I feel like other authors are being ignored when it comes to these events. The powers that be should sit down and realize that they need to get out there and generate in other cities. Some authors events haven't had the attendance from authors like they had in the past. I believe this will lessen more because authors have gotten to where they are not going to shovel tons of money to trek across states to involve themselves in an event. The reason, why should they when you can promote just as well on the Internet now? Authors have very busy lives. You'd think the literary world would realize this at some point right? Also, the events may be good to expose authors to other authors and fans but you can have events in your home city or home state that do that.

My main concern is that author events need to be created in ALL major cities because it's only fair. Authors outside of New York have to spend tons of money on hotels and traveling then you have to learn your way around the place. New York authors don't have to go through this trouble. They already live there so it's no biggie for them to go to every event thrown there. They also aren't out of much money, IF any because there is no traveling involved. I have made up my mind. I am not going to break my back making plans to go to events that are just too out of reach. If I really feel the need to go, I will. But until I see literary events spread equally among other places other than New York, I guess I'll forever be a mystery. My fans will have to catch me in Texas.

The woman in the photo is Madonna and you better recognize.
WORSHIP her, LIVE her, LOVE her!
Image from 1990's Immaculate Collection, Scanned by Stacy-Deanne

FAQ'S

1) What inspired you to become a writer?

The feeling writing gives me. Writing truly makes me happy. I'm not doing it for the so-called glamorous reasons a lot of others do it for. I like those benefits, too, don't get me wrong. But I write because it's the only thing I felt I was put on earth to do.

2) What do you hope to accomplish in your career?

I hope to gain fans that will love me long enough so that I can truly show them my appreciation by touching their lives with stories and books to last a lifetime.

3) What are your favorite hobbies besides writing?

I am a landscape photographer and model. I haven't modeled since 2000. I entered a modeling contest in 2003. I lost but I didn't care because I turned around and got the best publishing contract in the world. I am scheduled to do some more photos in September. I have a lot on my plate so I have to manage my time wisely.

4) What can you say to aspiring writers?

Stay true to your style, be patient and know that in this business there are no guarantees. But you should always believe in yourself and if you want it, don't give up.

5) What are you working on now?

Two biographies and a novel. The biography is on Jessica Simpson. The novel is a modern-day Mafia saga that I describe as, " The ' Godfather ' of the new millennium ".

6) What other works will you be releasing soon?

A Latino love story that's a modern-day " Romeo and Juliet '. I'm very excited about the expectations of it.

7) What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

I hope I'm living a fun, stress free life to the fullest. By then I also hope to have my own magazine.

8) What's something you've always wanted to do but was afraid to try?

Singing. I can sing and I've always wanted to have my own rock band. If I get over singing in public, I may go after that dream. Hopefully when I am older I will be a little more comfortable with myself to do those things. I also want to start my own nightclub.

9) What's something you would do if you had the chance?

Probably acting. I'm a comedian at heart so I think I'd do great at my own sitcom. Now a days it would be easy. Once you establish a following in one venue, you can transfer that to do other things. I'm not saying I wouldn't be scared (laughing). But I guess I would try out doing a scene or too for a movie or something. Writers have been appearing on television more and more. Some have recently done cameos on soaps and such. Maybe I'd do that too if asked.

That Vibe of Time That Stands Within Me

Lately I've been thinking about my childhood, the things I did, the things I enjoyed, the things that went together to form the woman I am today. Before I claimed my middle name for anything. Back when I was just plain ol' Bootsy to everyone who knew me. One of the most important details about me is my love for music. I am an obsessive lover of music to the point that I've used it to identify me completely. Music has been my friend for my so-far lifetime and it will be my friend forever. So I'm feeling like the traitor I am because lately, and I mean the last few years since growing into full-fledge womanhood and beyond, I'd abandoned one particular artist who has always meant the world to me. Cyndi Lauper.

I grew up on Cyndi, being a former child punker. I jumped around when I saw her on television even though I probably wasn't more than six when she first came out in 1983. I used to know everything there was to know about her but have forgotten as time rolled on. I hadn't realized how much power those artists I sincerly love had over me until I played Cyndi today and she put me " back in my place ".

I slipped in the CD, She's So Unusual Lauper's debut and for most punk fans, her best. My emotions ran sky high. When " Girls Just Wanna Have Fun " played I sung along, remembering when just the sound of Cyndi's voice used to send me in sweet, pleasureable convulsions even when I was too young to understand what she was saying. Listening to that put me back to the days when I jumped on the bed when that video played. I worshipped Cyndi's multi-colored hair and beaded, tramp-hung bracelets. I thought she was the cat's meow, " Queen of White Girl-Punk Soul " while most people around me found her just plain, strange. And yes she was but none of that mattered to me. I can't express how listening to something I hadn't heard in years opened me inside.

I had began to forget who I really was. I keep seeing myself as this " author ". I was telling my mother today that I actually saw my full, birth name on something, not my pen name and had to actually remember it was me. That's how out of touch I have been feeling with myself. Outside of the books I feel like I have no life sometimes because for the last nine years the books have been my life. I put everything into my writing and I needed one thing, just one thing to bring me back to who I used to be. And that was Cyndi.

Then the CD slipped into one of my all-time favorite sex anthems in the world, " She Bop ". Now I feel silly since I know what the song represents. I used to sing it freely as a child not knowing what the hell I was actually saying. All I knew was that it was one of my favorite songs and whenever Cyndi bopped, I made it a vow to bop along with her. Then " Time After Time " played and I just lost it. I actually thought I would cry hearing this ballad. This song has meant so much to me. I used to lie on my mom's lap as a little girl and we'd watch that video on MTV. Back then MTV played only videos and most times the hottest ones a million times a day.

I remember every scene of that video though I haven't seen it in years. If hearing these songs could fulfill the void I didn't even realize I had, I can't imagine how seeing some of those old videos would effect me. You know I don't think I could bear it. Then I put in another Lauper CD and listened to " Goonies " R " Good Enough ". Some people make fun of this song, calling it one of Lauper's cheesiest, but I loved it. I fell in love with it back in 1985 when I sat my little tail cheeks down in that movie theater to see the film, The Goonies. Back then I thought Corey Feldman was the hottest thing since vanilla ice cream and hadn't paid Josh Brolin an ounce of attention. My how things change huh?

They could have had a little black or Hispanic boy in the film. Okay I guess we had to settle for the Asian boy but still...
Hell they could have had a little girl in there too! What girls can't be goonies too? Anyway...

The fact is that I hadn't really forgotten who I was outside of being an author. I just needed someone to bring me back to who I was. Someone who could make me appreciate what I'd gone through and what I've done to get down this recent road. When I hear Cyndi's voice I go into overdrive with excitement. I can't tell you how every word of her songs pushes me back into a life I thought I'd never find again. Because of that Cyndi will always be bopping along. And as long as " she " bops, you can best be sure that Stacy or Bootsy will proudly join her hand in hand, motion in motion, song in song, celebration and celebration...and " bop " along with her. Yeah, you can always be sure of that.

Images are from Cyndi's She's So Unusual album, scanned by Stacy-Deanne

Yippee!

I can officially relax! I found out I was putting unneeded pressure on myself. I can't tell you how good it feels to know this. Why? I thought I would pop because of everything I was worrying about! Turns out I no longer have to worry about half of that. I feel like a weight has been lifted. I can now cut all that extra baggage away. I can fully relax. I was running here there and everywhere thinking I had to put everything on my shoulders. But no more! I have been unleashed.

I really needed this revelation. Now I can concentrate on the books I'm writing now and I don't have to scramble around like I have been, worrying about things that I didn't need to worry about. What a relief! I can finally relax! Whoo...it's like a big burst of fresh air. And I deserve it. I've been working too hard.

Bye!