A Break In The Weekly Meme...
This ROW80 writer has been stretching her writing muscles, and I've posted below another selection from my venture into all-things-poetry. It's rather addictive, if I say so, myself.
In writing news...
I busily write away on guest posts for my upcoming tour with IOBT! A Practical Arrangement will be featured around some fantastic blogs in the upcoming weeks. So...while I'm piling up the words, I have not begun another novel. Yet! But I've a few projects in the works. Excitedly, I sort through where, exactly, I'll set off for next. Historical writing has emerged as my favorite at this stage in the game, and I'm not at all surprised. But ... (there's always a but, right? LOL.) I've also been working on an entirely different project. Time will tell...
To all my writer friends, please excuse my lack of visiting around. I'll be back at it as the dust settles. A season of change has come upon me, and I'm burning the candle at both ends...and maybe the middle has caught fire, too. Oy Vey! But ...being the adventurer I am...well...I grab it up with all the gusto I can conjure.
‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’
Somber bitterness
stakes its claim,
nestles seeds of
wrath within fertile
wounds.
I am...
laid bare.
Vining tendrils grasp,
seeking purchase upon
facets of hidden self,
suffocating all within
reach.
I am...
afraid.
My soul cries out from
the darkness - 'My God,
My God,Why
Have You Forsaken
Me?'
I am...
separate.
Resounding yet gentle, His
voice whispers
in recesses untainted,
'Be still and know that I
Am.'
I am...
at peace.
© Nadja Notariani 2012
16 September 2012
12 September 2012
Nadja Wanders....
Hello, ROW80 writers and friends!
I'm sharing and such today at Wander Without Being Lost, with Christopher McQueeney! Stop by for a fun interview and a few pieces of flash fiction I've pulled out of the archives. Lol.
Updates...
* A Practical Arrangement has released! It's hanging out at Amazon and Smashwords. :}
* I have many posts to write for my upcoming blog tour. Phew! So... of course my computer decided to re-arrange all my documents saved to desktop. Ack! I nearly took a heart attack when I first glimpsed my new arrangement...thinking that I'd lost some things. Luckily, all is well. Just disorganized. *Crisis averted*
* I have entered an extremely busy season on life. Goals will have to be set if I expect to be productive. A new list will be posted for next Wednesday. Brainstorming begin.
* Exercise...hmmm. Not so good. *blushes*
* Blog tour is only about two weeks away! Innovative Online Book Tours will feature A Practical Arrangement! Exciting, exciting! Here's the upcoming schedule...
9/24 Arianne Cruz Guest Blog and Giveaway
9/25 My Devotional Thoughts Guest Blog and Giveaway 9/25 Sultry Storyteller Interview
9/26 All Things Writing Guest Post
9/26 Reading Romances Review and Giveaway 9/27 T B R Review and Giveaway 9/27 Free Book Dude Review and Giveaway
10/1 Queen of the Night Reviews Review, Guest Blog, and Giveaway
10/1 A Chick Who Reads Review, Guest Blog, and Giveaway
10/4 I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read! Guest Blog and Giveaway
10/4 Harlie's Books Review and Giveaway
10/8 Idenity Discovery Guest post
10/9 The Insane Writings of a Crazed Writer Guest Blog and Giveaway
10/9 The Bunny's Review Review, Interview, and Giveaway
10/10 Just Another Rabid Reader Review, Guest Blog, and Giveaway
10/10 My Cozie Corner Review
10/10 Reviews By Molly Review
10/11 Mademoiselle Le Sphinx Review
10/12 Reading on the Wild Side Guest Blog and Giveaway
10/12 Oopie Poopie The Bibliomaniac Review and Giveaway
Have a great day! ~ Nadja
I'm sharing and such today at Wander Without Being Lost, with Christopher McQueeney! Stop by for a fun interview and a few pieces of flash fiction I've pulled out of the archives. Lol.
Updates...
* A Practical Arrangement has released! It's hanging out at Amazon and Smashwords. :}
* I have many posts to write for my upcoming blog tour. Phew! So... of course my computer decided to re-arrange all my documents saved to desktop. Ack! I nearly took a heart attack when I first glimpsed my new arrangement...thinking that I'd lost some things. Luckily, all is well. Just disorganized. *Crisis averted*
* I have entered an extremely busy season on life. Goals will have to be set if I expect to be productive. A new list will be posted for next Wednesday. Brainstorming begin.
* Exercise...hmmm. Not so good. *blushes*
* Blog tour is only about two weeks away! Innovative Online Book Tours will feature A Practical Arrangement! Exciting, exciting! Here's the upcoming schedule...
9/24 Arianne Cruz Guest Blog and Giveaway
9/25 My Devotional Thoughts Guest Blog and Giveaway 9/25 Sultry Storyteller Interview
9/26 All Things Writing Guest Post
9/26 Reading Romances Review and Giveaway 9/27 T B R Review and Giveaway 9/27 Free Book Dude Review and Giveaway
10/1 Queen of the Night Reviews Review, Guest Blog, and Giveaway
10/1 A Chick Who Reads Review, Guest Blog, and Giveaway
10/4 I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read! Guest Blog and Giveaway
10/4 Harlie's Books Review and Giveaway
10/8 Idenity Discovery Guest post
10/9 The Insane Writings of a Crazed Writer Guest Blog and Giveaway
10/9 The Bunny's Review Review, Interview, and Giveaway
10/10 Just Another Rabid Reader Review, Guest Blog, and Giveaway
10/10 My Cozie Corner Review
10/10 Reviews By Molly Review
10/11 Mademoiselle Le Sphinx Review
10/12 Reading on the Wild Side Guest Blog and Giveaway
10/12 Oopie Poopie The Bibliomaniac Review and Giveaway
Have a great day! ~ Nadja
09 September 2012
Researching For Romance Writing: Advancing The Plot Or Skimping On Story?
Welcome back to Researching For Romance, a weekly
series revealing my fabulous finds for use in writing. Please feel free to
share any great sites that offer greater information on whatever topic is
featured. :}
Gratuitous Sundries...Or Great Crafting...
I happened upon an interview with George R.R. Martin, at The Atlantic, and I was struck by a comment he made to Rachel Brown.
'How do you make decisions about the depictions of sexual violence that you include in your writing?'
'Well, I'm not writing about contemporary sex—it's medieval.
There's a more general question here that doesn't just affect sex or rape, and that's this whole issue of what is gratuitous? What should be depicted? I have gotten letters over the years from readers who don't like the sex, they say it's "gratuitous." I think that word gets thrown around and what it seems to mean is "I didn't like it." This person didn't want to read it, so it's gratuitous to that person. And if I'm guilty of having gratuitous sex, then I'm also guilty of having gratuitous violence, and gratuitous feasting, and gratuitous description of clothes, and gratuitous heraldry, because very little of this is necessary to advance the plot. But my philosophy is that plot advancement is not what the experience of reading fiction is about. If all we care about is advancing the plot, why read novels? We can just read Cliffs Notes'. (I've highlighted these portions)
'A novel for me is an immersive experience where I feel as if I have lived it and that I've tasted the food and experienced the sex and experienced the terror of battle. So I want all of the detail, all of the sensory things—whether it's a good experience, or a bad experience, I want to put the reader through it. To that mind, detail is necessary, showing not telling is necessary, and nothing is gratuitous'.
This comment stirred my thoughts a great deal! Why do I read? Is it only to get to the point - or do I read for the journey?
Readers may prefer one or the other - there's no wrong way to enjoy a story! But writers' styles vary when telling a story. I love the details! Martin's comments hit the nail on the head for me - both as a reader and as a writer. I enjoy the journey, and I want to experience the setting, feel the characters' emotions, laugh with them - at them - hope, cry, and cheer them along the way. As a writer, I strive with every new novel to capture more fully the sights, smells, emotions, and heart of the story and its characters. To offer not only a story - but an experience.
What is your reaction to George R.R. Martin's answer? Why do you read?
~ Nadja
Gratuitous Sundries...Or Great Crafting...
I happened upon an interview with George R.R. Martin, at The Atlantic, and I was struck by a comment he made to Rachel Brown.
'How do you make decisions about the depictions of sexual violence that you include in your writing?'
'Well, I'm not writing about contemporary sex—it's medieval.
There's a more general question here that doesn't just affect sex or rape, and that's this whole issue of what is gratuitous? What should be depicted? I have gotten letters over the years from readers who don't like the sex, they say it's "gratuitous." I think that word gets thrown around and what it seems to mean is "I didn't like it." This person didn't want to read it, so it's gratuitous to that person. And if I'm guilty of having gratuitous sex, then I'm also guilty of having gratuitous violence, and gratuitous feasting, and gratuitous description of clothes, and gratuitous heraldry, because very little of this is necessary to advance the plot. But my philosophy is that plot advancement is not what the experience of reading fiction is about. If all we care about is advancing the plot, why read novels? We can just read Cliffs Notes'. (I've highlighted these portions)
'A novel for me is an immersive experience where I feel as if I have lived it and that I've tasted the food and experienced the sex and experienced the terror of battle. So I want all of the detail, all of the sensory things—whether it's a good experience, or a bad experience, I want to put the reader through it. To that mind, detail is necessary, showing not telling is necessary, and nothing is gratuitous'.
This comment stirred my thoughts a great deal! Why do I read? Is it only to get to the point - or do I read for the journey?
Readers may prefer one or the other - there's no wrong way to enjoy a story! But writers' styles vary when telling a story. I love the details! Martin's comments hit the nail on the head for me - both as a reader and as a writer. I enjoy the journey, and I want to experience the setting, feel the characters' emotions, laugh with them - at them - hope, cry, and cheer them along the way. As a writer, I strive with every new novel to capture more fully the sights, smells, emotions, and heart of the story and its characters. To offer not only a story - but an experience.
What is your reaction to George R.R. Martin's answer? Why do you read?
~ Nadja06 September 2012
A Practical Arrangement Release Day!
Confetti Pop! It's fabulous to finally share Evangeline Grey and Thomas Masterson with readers!
A Practical Arrangement ~ Buy At Amazon Practical plans go awry when prim sensibilities unwittingly capture the heart of a scandalous seducer.
I want to take this time to thank The Critique Chicks. You all dedicated time and care to my novel, and for that I cannot thank you enough! I'd also like to thank you, Julius, for giving me a wholly different perspective on scenes! To all my ROW80 friends - your support throughout the writing process is so encouraging. A huge shout out to Spellbound Scribes for friendship and support. And to those fellow writers who have gone above and beyond commenting and rallying - you know who you are - I am grateful for your friendship, your willingness to help, to promote, and to share. But most of all, I am thankful for the community you've offered me. I have grown so much because of you all. Of course, I must thank readers! Without you all, my stories would have no voice outside of myself. I appreciate your emails, your reviews, and your love for romance. Many, many thanks.
~ Nadja03 September 2012
Partners In ParanormYA: New Cover Reveals!
Please Give A Big Welcome To Partners In ParanormYA Today....
It's that time folks, the moment Gwen and I have been so excited for. Well, one of the moments. This Indie publishing adventure has been one thrilling moment after another. So here they are, our covers for GIVIN' UP THE GHOST and NEVERLOVE by Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown, respectively.
Friend or Foe?
Murder victim Bart Bagley is not content to merely roll over in his grave. He wants his murderer caught and he wants teenage ghost whisperer, Indigo Eady, to help him.
It becomes obvious that Bart’s temper lead to more than one disagreement, but is it enough to want him dead? With nothing but a cold trail and a hot list of “friendly” suspects, Indigo and her friends race to find the killer before they become the next victims.
Indigo Eady is not clumsy. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone. Can she help that the overactive spirit community of Sabrina Shores causes her psychic abilities to short-circuit? It’s unfortunate that her cute new friend Badger is often on the receiving end of her mishaps. At times, she is positively hazardous to his health. Even so, sparks start to fly in more than one direction...
For seventeen-year-old Abigail, one rash decision leads to an unexpected chance for redemption. At V'Salicus Academy, a unique institute where she trains to become an agent of heaven, she struggles with the pain of her past, the changes of the present and accepts a loveless future until her path – and heart – crosses with Basil’s.
Basil's off-chance slip of the tongue binds him to a life of servitude to the Devourer, the master of hell. His existence has no upside until a chance meeting with Abigail brings new perspective.
Keeping the truth of their present lives from each other brings disaster when secrets are brought to light and the life of Abigail’s mentor is put on the line.
Can Abigail and Basil save her mentor and salvage their love amid the chaos? Or will they lose it all, destined forever to NEVERLOVE?
About the authors:
Gwen Gardner
Running, writing and reading are my favorite things.
I am also a dreamer.
Have you ever told yourself that "some day" I'm going to travel or write or whatever it is that you are passionate about but can't do right now for whatever reason? You can go for years and years and keep telling yourself that "some day" you'll do it. Too often "some day" never comes. But mine did. I am a former Administrative Manager and Vice President of a successful swimming pool plastering company - until I woke up one day and realized that my "some day" had arrived. I quit my job, moved to the mountains and began to write. Crazy, I know. But even crazier? Is when you get to the end of your life and realize that your "some day" is too late. Life is much too short for that! So the adventure has begun.
GIVIN' UP THE GHOST is a YA paranormYA cozy mystery, the first in the Indigo Eady series, due out October 8, 2012.
Angela Brown
Reading and writing have been lifelong passions. It was around the time I gave birth to my forever-love, nicknamed Chipmunk, that I really took writing seriously. After all, how could I teach my child to follow her dreams if I hadn't tried myself?
As a YA fantasy/sci-fi reader and author, I favor the magical, mysterious, the darker side of life...even harbor a secret fright for things that go bump in the night.
NEVERLOVE is a special project spawned from a blog-challenge-turned-blog-opera, the Abby and Basil affair. It is the first in the Shadow Jumpers series and due out October 8, 2012.
Thank you EVERYONE for sharing in our cover reveal. Please feel free to share with others as well :-)
 |
| Mystery and mayhem teamed with heartache and overcoming. Follow PIP here. |
 |
| Corona Zschusschen |
Murder victim Bart Bagley is not content to merely roll over in his grave. He wants his murderer caught and he wants teenage ghost whisperer, Indigo Eady, to help him.
It becomes obvious that Bart’s temper lead to more than one disagreement, but is it enough to want him dead? With nothing but a cold trail and a hot list of “friendly” suspects, Indigo and her friends race to find the killer before they become the next victims.
Indigo Eady is not clumsy. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone. Can she help that the overactive spirit community of Sabrina Shores causes her psychic abilities to short-circuit? It’s unfortunate that her cute new friend Badger is often on the receiving end of her mishaps. At times, she is positively hazardous to his health. Even so, sparks start to fly in more than one direction...
.jpg) |
| Heather McCorckle of CP Designs |
For seventeen-year-old Abigail, one rash decision leads to an unexpected chance for redemption. At V'Salicus Academy, a unique institute where she trains to become an agent of heaven, she struggles with the pain of her past, the changes of the present and accepts a loveless future until her path – and heart – crosses with Basil’s.
Basil's off-chance slip of the tongue binds him to a life of servitude to the Devourer, the master of hell. His existence has no upside until a chance meeting with Abigail brings new perspective.
Keeping the truth of their present lives from each other brings disaster when secrets are brought to light and the life of Abigail’s mentor is put on the line.
Can Abigail and Basil save her mentor and salvage their love amid the chaos? Or will they lose it all, destined forever to NEVERLOVE?
About the authors:
 |
| Haunt me: FB, Blog, Goodreads |
Gwen Gardner
Running, writing and reading are my favorite things.
I am also a dreamer.
Have you ever told yourself that "some day" I'm going to travel or write or whatever it is that you are passionate about but can't do right now for whatever reason? You can go for years and years and keep telling yourself that "some day" you'll do it. Too often "some day" never comes. But mine did. I am a former Administrative Manager and Vice President of a successful swimming pool plastering company - until I woke up one day and realized that my "some day" had arrived. I quit my job, moved to the mountains and began to write. Crazy, I know. But even crazier? Is when you get to the end of your life and realize that your "some day" is too late. Life is much too short for that! So the adventure has begun.
GIVIN' UP THE GHOST is a YA paranormYA cozy mystery, the first in the Indigo Eady series, due out October 8, 2012.
 |
| Haunt me FB, Blog, Goodreads |
Angela Brown
Reading and writing have been lifelong passions. It was around the time I gave birth to my forever-love, nicknamed Chipmunk, that I really took writing seriously. After all, how could I teach my child to follow her dreams if I hadn't tried myself?
As a YA fantasy/sci-fi reader and author, I favor the magical, mysterious, the darker side of life...even harbor a secret fright for things that go bump in the night.
NEVERLOVE is a special project spawned from a blog-challenge-turned-blog-opera, the Abby and Basil affair. It is the first in the Shadow Jumpers series and due out October 8, 2012.
Thank you EVERYONE for sharing in our cover reveal. Please feel free to share with others as well :-)
02 September 2012
Researching for Romance Writing: Sex, Sensuality, Or Both!
Welcome to Researching For Romance Writing, a weekly meme where I feature my latest finds. Please feel free to share any links or tips you think will add to the discussion. Happy Researching!
For those new to this feature, I've listed past topics below.
Celtic Legend And Lore
History In Style: Seventeenth Century Dresses
Action Sequences MMA Style
The Claymore Sword
A Peek Into Riding Habits
Whiskey Making
Sexy Is Not About Looks
Barley Farming
Biting The Bullet
Sex, Sensuality, And More...Or Less: A Romance Writer's Investigation.
Writer's Relief posted an interesting article, Writing Sex Scenes: How Much Is Too Much? I'll hazard a guess that if you ask romance readers, you'll get a wide variety of responses. Sex and sensuality are no strangers to romance novels, it's expected within the pages of a good romance. The disparity comes when asking what constitutes 'enough' sex or sensuality. Some readers prefer great romantic tension and build up, but fade to black intimate scenes. Others prefer the same, but with the addition of a sexual scene or scenes - as the case may be. Readers of erotica want plenty of both - and more graphically depicted. Personally, I would categorize erotica as a separate sub-genre of romance, but the lines are blurred with the addition of the tag 'erotic romances', and therefore, I include erotica in my discussion, noting that I recognize the division.
Most readers I have spoken with conveyed similar sentiments. While they hold a certain personal preference, they are not opposed to more - or less - sensuality or sex provided the scenes are well written - and of course, that the story is one they enjoy. Nearly all expressed aversion to sex scenes slapped within a story simply to boast a sex scene. Sterile and clinical descriptions of the act likewise affected readers negatively. But, my research subjects are few - mostly consisting of romance reading friends. Menopause Maniac linked back to Daily Mail, where poll results claim a staggering 91% of the 400 women quizzed reported to have read at least one erotic book. More than two thirds, 68%, stated they would like to do so more often. Despite the small pool of readers polled, results suggest that readers welcome sex and sensuality in romance novels.
Erotic content in romance novels is on the rise. As a reader, I'm not opposed. But after asking around, one theme popped up over and again. Sensuality is the key. Sex in and of itself isn't what grabs readers up and carries them away. Rather, readers want to be caught up in romance, in sensuality and seduction. If along the way they indulge in a sultry sex scene, well...I haven't heard any complaints about that!
How Do You Feel About Sex Scenes In Your Romances?
~ Nadja
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