12 August 2012

Another Step Forward

Sunday Morning Smiles For Fellow ROW80 Writers

Another week has sifted through our fingers, the days slipping by with uncanny speed!  But I've a light heart and satisfied grin plastered upon my face.  The Typing Saga has ended.  Today I begin my read through before sending off my latest historical novel to beta readers.  Edits loom ahead, but apart from a few scenes I may add, critique issues that are brought to my attention, and basic grammar/punctuation proofing, A Practical Arrangement is finished.  I foresee no major changes to be made, and that has me smiling like a ninny!

Evangeline Grey spilled onto the page with ease, her staunch manner and easily ruffled sensibilities leaving great opportunity for my hero, Thomas Masterson, to antagonize her at every opportunity.  I loved the chemistry between these very different personalities.  As the story progressed, not only did they soften toward one another, they came to view their relationships with others with new understanding.  This is a story of the human condition in all its splendor and vexation.  It is a love affair borne not out of heated passions and initial attraction, but from an unlikely alliance brought about by necessity - and a bit of conspiring.

 
A Practical Arrangement © Nadja Notariani 2012

۩ A Practical Arrangement, Nadja Notariani ۩

Miss Evangeline Grey, intelligent and sensible, has no desire to marry, her reluctance born from the dire warnings of her overly emotional mother. Her father has other ideas, however, and decrees that unless she weds by the spring, he will choose a husband for her.
Prim and proper Evangeline accepts her father's issue with little more than mild alarm. Knowing herself plain of face and sharp of tongue, she believes herself capable of warding off any perspective suitor. Her plan goes awry when the scandalous seducer, Mr. Thomas Masterson, visits her family's home, for Thomas has learned that he must procure a wife to receive his full inheritance.
When he discovers Evangeline's predicament matches his own, Thomas determines to orchestrate a practical arrangement. A war of wit and word results, and Thomas finds himself ever more beguiled by the soft heart he discovers under Miss Grey's stern, inhibited exterior. Patiently, he endeavors to gain her respect and awaken her passions. As tenuous trust blooms between the rake and the reluctant, unfortunate events – and Thomas' past reputation – threaten to destroy the peace and happiness he has found within the bonds of his Practical Arrangement.

On The Writing Front...Upcoming Goals List

*  Read at least once, maybe twice before sending A Practical Arrangement to beta readers.  This is to be completed by next Sunday at the absolute latest.  I would like to have this accomplished by Wednesday.

*  Beta read a novella I've taken on for a fellow writer and have critique sent by next Wednesday.

*  Reveal cover for A Practical Arrangement on or about 20 August.

*  Create top tab on my page for cover and blurb.

*  Continue to visit five blogs Monday through Friday to check in with writer-ly friends.

*  Once the above goals are accomplished (apart from cover reveal) begin edits in earnest.  Obviously, I will need beta and critique feedback to complete, but in the meantime, I'll make hay while the sun shines. 

*  Complete outline and character profiles for Erotic Anthology project.

*  Begin writing a piece of 10K - 15K for submission.

*  Link up with BTS.

*  Submit a guest post I've been invited to write.

*  Write a few Researching For Romance posts as I've new material to share! 

*  Continue Native American research, which is more like fun that work!  Compile notes for future novel.  Gah!  I'm so excited about this.  Shiny New Idea has struck me like a lightening bolt.

 ~ Nadja
        

15 comments:

  1. Nadja, your busy-ness left me winded and your list of goals left me breathless. You've got a lot going on.

    Three cheers for reaching The End for the first draft of A Practical Arrangement. With the blurb you shared, it sounds like a wonderful read. I'm so excited for you!

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    1. Oh, thanks, Angela! I'm reading away...finding all those extra spaces and typing guffaws...such as 'he' where I meant to type 'she'. Arrgh. lol.

      I've got a busy few weeks coming up. I'll fire up the Keurig and load up on coffee. Ha.

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  2. Oh, wow, the amount you've managed to get done this week makes me feel ashamed of my relative lack of progress haha Congratulations on finishing another WiP though, it must be such a great feeling to have another completed book. Good luck for the rest of the round :)

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    1. Almost finished! I've the polishing to complete. :} Thanks, Rebecca. Great to see you!

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  3. Wow, another novella done! Awesome!
    I love cover reveals ... can't wait to see yours!
    Lots to do this week, but I'm sure you're gonna kick butt!
    Have a great week!

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    1. Yes!! This was supposed to be a novella, but has morphed into a full length novel.
      ...no one has ever accused me of having too little to say...lol.

      Have a great week, yourself!

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  4. Wow! You've been busy! Makes me want to get crackin' today. Thanks for the motivational arse-kicking I needed :)

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  5. Ooh, I can't wait to read Practical Arrangement! It sounds like it will be loads of fun to read, especially since it was so easy for you to write. Those books that seem to pour out of us seem to be the best ones. :)

    Good luck with all your goals this week. You have so many!

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    1. I can't wait for you to read it either...lol. Thanks, Lauralynn.

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  6. Congrats on finishing the first draft and cheers to your awesome work ethic! Not even taking a breath, you're keeping your head down and pushing on! I wish you the best with A Practical Engagement!

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    1. You are so sweet! I'll take all the help I can get! :}

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  7. Congratulations on finishing! It sounds like a great story and I loko forward to reading it. Having said that I need to read Claiming the Prize which is somewhere on my smashwords. Am not good at reading on a computer but for you, I will make an exception ;)

    Sounds like you are a busy bee as usual and I hope everything goes really well this week :)

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    1. I struggle to read on the computer too, Em. It bothers my eyes, and besides...I can't curl up in my hard, uncomfortable computer chair. Sigh.

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  8. I just love it when a writer falls in love with her story as you have in A Practical Arrangement. What that tells me is that because the story means so much to you, you have given us your best work. Best of luck with your beta readers.

    Karen

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    1. Thanks so much, Karen. I did love writing Evangeline Grey. She deployed a harsh and staunch manner to hide her own discomfort - it made her loveable to me. ♥

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