Didn't want to miss a ROW80 check-in, so I'm waving frantically to everyone!
It's been a busy week with family visiting. Swimming, picnicking, and a trip to the Big Apple has consumed my days. It was so exciting to be able to take my niece to NYC for her first visit. She ooh-ed and aww-ed as the city skyline came into view - and nearly plotzed when we rounded the corner of Fifth Avenue and she spied the windows of the American Girl store!
My nine-year old loved Central Park, climbing on the rocks and feeding the ducks (he's a nature boy!) - and he fed birds in front of the Public Library building. But his favorite adventure was the Liberty Island tour - well, the boat ride! Ha.
Anyone who claims that city folk are indifferent hasn't had our experience in the city! We had dashed in crazy manner to Battery Park to catch the last ferry, but as we arrived, the guards informed us that the last ferry trip had just sold out. Two guards watched on as my son struggled to contain his disappointment, and they allowed us to go down to the railings to gaze out at the Statue Of Liberty across the water. A few minutes later, the younger guard approached and informed us that we were going to be their guests, courtesy of his father, who was the other guard! They ushered us on board - and made the day of one nine-year-old boy. It really touched my heart. I don't know their names, but I'd like to pray blessings upon those two men!
In other news...writing related, that is...
* Browsing my Amazon books to see if anything of interest was happening, I discovered a smile worthy new review of Claiming The Prize! Read Review By SunFlowers. It boosted my morning considerably. :}
* Less than 40 pages remain in my typing saga. It will be completed once company departs for home tomorrow. I will be finished by Sunday, making my two week goal just in the nick of time! :}
* I've roughed out an idea for my Erotic Anthology submission, and will begin more detailed planning once A Practical Arrangement is in the hands of beta readers. I still have to name my characters and complete profiles, but this will not be as detailed as usual since the submissions will not top 15K. I'm looking forward to this project a great deal.
* Research is extremely interesting about now... I've begun reading My Life As An Indian by J.W. Schultz. Absolutely enjoyable account of one young man's life and adventures with the Blackfeet Indians!
I sure hope the sun is shining on all my ROW80 friends this week. Happy and Productive Writing!
Not only is it a ROW80 check in, August's IWSG posts are up! Now I'm not sure Wednesday in and of itself holds special meaning aside from being 'hump-day', but add in two great groups of writers posting on their weekly and monthly ventures and Wednesday seems almost a bit sparkly - and much more interesting.
Insecure Writers Support Group... hosted by Alex Cavanaugh
July has been a busy month for this gal. Two stints at the ocean, one to the lake, camping, a luau, nightly coffee and workouts with 'bestie', DS#1 and his new job, dog-sitting for DD#1, and three trips to visit DD#2 in Maryland stole the seventh month right from under my nose! I can conjure no serious regret, as it was glorious. 'GLORIOUS,' I shout with little tempered abandon.
Which brings me 'round to my point...really, there is a point, I promise. :} With all my travelings, with my boys eager to boogie-board 'just-one-more-time-Eema-please', with push-ups and yoga poses, with visits from family, picnics with friends, and all the trappings of summer, I despaired of getting any 'work' done.
Work. Another four-letter word... At least when it comes to laundry, dog-hair, and sand stuck to the bottom of the tub. But I realized something amazing and wonderful over this past month. Despite all the busy chaos life chose to heap upon me in spades, I didn't falter on my writing goals. The reason being is simple, causing me to wonder why I hadn't understood myself better in the first place. I don't really consider my writing work. I like to do it. I enjoy it.
Many of you may shake heads and sigh with knowing smiles at my epiphany. I won't mind if you do. Better than I have traveled this path, learned this lesson. We make time for the things that are dear to us. Writing is one of those things, for me.
Thankful. If I'd never faced down insecurity, never mustered the chutzpah to write that first sentence, paragraph, chapter, novel - I'd not be here today writing this post. I'm so very thankful I did. And I'm glad you all did too.
A Round Of Words...
* Sixty pages remain in the Typing Saga of A Practical Arrangement. My fingers refuse to obey at this point in the process, mixing up letters and such. I believe my spell check may revolt or even go on strike. Perhaps that little program feature will form a union and demand extra pay or something. Ha!
* I exercised this morning after a week long 'epic-fail'. I feel much better.
* Social goals have been met.
* Cooking will begin in earnest as my brother and his family will arrive Saturday for a five day visit. My menu is planned loosely. DD#2 will arrive home on Friday as well for the weekend. It will be a very busy - very full - house!
* I will begin a beta read for a fellow author once my company departs. I had the pleasure of reading the first few chapters a while ago - and cannot wait to delve into this story.
* Cover reveal for A Practical Arrangement will occur on or around 20 August! I'm on pins and needles while I wait.
After Wednesday's discussion of encouraging responsibility, and after sharing one example of a young rap artist attempting to do so through the arts, I wanted to share one of my favorite songs. I'm a longtime fan of the band, Rush. They capture the message perfectly.
On The Goals and Writing Front...
* The typing continues. Strangely, my word count calculations were waaayy off. I've only typed 73 of 165 written pages as of Friday night, yet have over 22k wracked up in words. This may end up a novel after all...How about that? :}
* I've written my blurb and sent my images to my cover designer. She'll turn my eclectic, hodge-podge collection into something lovely that I'll gush over. I. Can. Not. Wait.
* No new recipes cooked. I'll do little but type until I finish. It's lunch meat, PB&J, and hot dogs on the grill.
* I've not exercised in five days. Unless you count finger exercises. They do count, right?
* Social goals - check
* I need to type up some new Researching For Romance posts. I've been neglectful while finishing my WIP. I've some great topics to share, and I'll get to work after I finish this blasted typing ...and the subsequent edits that will consume my next few weeks.
Favorite color: I don’t really have a favorite. I tend to favor warm colors, although my bedroom is painted 'jungle-river-green'. It's soothing.
Favorite animal: Dogs come to mind immediately - my German Shepherd is my 'Putchka'...and I could squeeze him to pieces. :} Birds of prey fascinate me, hawks and falcons especially.
Favorite number: Hmmm. I don't think I have a favorite number...never really thought about it. But like Raelyn, even numbers sort of seem nicer than odd ones. Why? Who can guess!
Favorite drink: As much as I love my coffee, TEA. "Ditto" If we're referring to alcoholic drinks, I have to go with Guinness.
Favorite passion: Reading, writing, and cooking. To get lost in a good story...sublime...to eat while doing so, more sublime.
Giving or Receiving: Giving, definitely.
Favorite pattern: I have seen this question before and wondered 'what the heck is a favorite pattern?' Ha! After seeing Raelyn's answer, I smacked my head with my hand and laughed my unmentionables off. …Toile. I've always liked this print.
Favorite day of the week: Saturday.
Favorite flower: Lilac, Daisy, and Queen-Anne's Lace (which is a weed, but I like it)
Fabulous Blog Ribbon
Five fabulous writing moments:
The first sentence written in a new WIP. It opens the door to a new world.
When the perfect banter between characters flows from my mind to the paper.
Seeing a new cover for my finished novel. It's pretty and new and shiny...Love it!
Becoming so immersed in my story that I 'see' the characters and setting in my mind's eye, hear their secret thoughts and desires, feel their emotion.
Writing “the end” on a first draft.
Five things I love about writing…
The moment a project is finished, published...Satisfaction, indeed!
Deciding which project to take on next. So many ideas...
When the words come and come, my pencil leaving a trail of graphite as I furiously scribble words onto crisp, white pages.
Researching new topics. I ♥ The Google.
Sharing my stories with readers.
Five things I hate about writing…
Typing my manuscript. Oh! The typing...:{
When I hear crickets instead of prose...
Having to force myself to hold a character's secret. I confess...I'm ready to spill it all right away. This is a tendency I have to fight against all the time!
Those moments when 'Inner-Critic' rouses her minions, 'Not Good Enough Today' and 'Not Good Enough Tomorrow'.
The filth-and-filth-foul typing.
I'll leave you to decide if you'd like to participate! Don't forget to stop by fellow ROW80 blogs over the weekend. Happy Writing!
Marcy Kennedy posted Are You Brave Enough To Take Responsibility For Your Actions earlier in the week. This sparked no small helping of contemplation on my part. Owning actions requires thought, reflection, and an honest assessment of one's character and choices. I've found some great quotes on the subject. My thoughts rippled out in a number of directions, but an interaction with my son narrowed my focus for this post.
One of my teen aged son's favorite artists released a song confronting the idea of owning your actions, taking control of your future, accepting responsibility for the state of your life, changing destructive behavior and daring to become something better . He shared the video with me; it impacted him - I was intrigued, shocked, stunned, saddened, maybe even uncomfortable - and in some way, encouraged. This video is not for the faint of heart; it graphically points out self-destructive attitudes and actions prevalent in our culture in the harshest of terms. Still, despite my conflicting feelings, I applaud this young man's willingness to confront issues he knows his fans wrestle with on a daily basis. I'm fairly certain his message will not be appreciated by all, and would venture that his stand will earn him no small amount of censure. But with what kids experience in schools and in interactions with peers, a dose of reality - even if delivered in such bold fashion and especially because it is delivered so - may be the antidote to misguided perceptions.
Additionally, it reminded me that words have real and undeniable power. Will I use words to encourage? To inspire deep thought? To evaluate and discuss ideas? To promote responsibility?
Watch if you dare. I've stated my feelings...how does this evocative video affect you? Do you think this young rap artist will reach teens through his daring message? Does his acknowledgement of his own perceived blame influence your reaction? Will his lyrics impact his audience and encourage self-responsibility or will his message be dismissed as inflammatory rhetoric? Do artists, whether writers, rappers, or sporting icons bear a duty to promote self-responsibility through their work, words and actions?
*Warning* This video contains graphic language and may not be suitable for all audiences.
This added to my reflection on the subject as a whole. As authors, we influence. I especially appreciate the great burden Young Adult authors face when crafting stories. While I do not write YA fiction, many fellow ROW80's do. Have you confronted any of these issues in your novels?
For readers dealing with the issues found in Hopsin's video, how best can authors craft characters they can relate to? That will inspire them? Are any ROW80 authors writing in this genre (sub-genre) of YA fiction? If so, would you be willing to share your experiences and struggles in forging a connection with your audience?
Phew! This has been a weighty subject to explore. Comments are welcome; please be respectful.
On Goals And Such...
* Pop That Cork! A Practical Arrangement is finished. I penned the words, 'The End', last night. Woo-Hoo!
* Oh, wait. That means I have no excuse now. The typing begins in earnest. Sigh. I will allow myself two weeks to complete this odious task.
* Exercise was a flop this week. I managed one workout. But I did go to Atlantic City to the beach with my boys, my brother-in-law, and his boys. (The two things have nothing in common, but talking about the beach makes me feel better.)
* My cover designer, Elaina Lee at For The Muse Design, has penciled me in. This is one of the most exciting parts of my job as a writer. I should have a cover to reveal by August 20th.
* Social goals were not met this week. With company visiting, my trip to Atlantic City, and the dog crisis, I checked out for a few days.
* I did cook a delicious dish, although not a new recipe. Spicy Corn Chowder is a favorite in this house, and we had a few days of very cool weather. I didn't mind cooking on those days! The heat is back with a vengeance. It was takeout tonight. Lol.
Today will be filled with conflicting emotions in the Notariani household. Late last night, DD#1 woke us with a dreadful call. Her puppy, around 16 weeks old, had to be put down. Jeckyl (his name) had become ill. Rather than wait until Monday, she took him to an emergency vet. Unfortunately, he had Parvovirus. It's awful when a beloved pet is so ill. The vet explained that he likely had been born infected. She's heartbroken. Her older dog has been vaccinated, but there is still a small risk that she could be infected. She'll find out Monday when she goes in for her test.
I regularly dog-sit, and that put our own Shepherd at risk. He, too, has been vaccinated, but we took him today for a test. Thankfully, he tested negative. Parvovirus is extremely contagious - and infections take over quickly. Treatment ranges from $1000 - $4000, so it is quite expensive. There is no cure for parvovirus; instead, symptoms are treated through antibiotics and IV fluids. Sometimes, plasma is given as well among other meds. Full treatment boasts a 75% survival rate, but the $60 (max) vaccination fees pale in comparison to the high cost of treatment. It is imperative to have your pets vaccinated to prevent this devastating illness.
As hard as it is, 'Life Goes On'. Today, DD#1 is at work, but we have all shed some tears for the adorable little puppy that we lost.
I haven't been able to conjure any words today. Tomorrow will be better.
Welcome once again to mid-week check-ins for ROW80!
This week has had its ups and downs for this author. I am currently reading my entire story to capture the right ending...well, drama before the ending. I'm always seeking the HEA...lol. One of my struggles in writing novels is crafting the climax. Phew! I'm a drama hater. At least excessive drama, but within a novel, we love those precarious moments when we wonder if the characters we've grown to love can ever overcome the adversity thrust into their lives, right? I think...I ponder...I imagine all sorts of scenarios to employ. I sputter and balk. It comes, but slowly. That's where I'm at right now. Then, I'll pop the cork on my last bottle of Gewurztraminer and celebrate before edits begin in earnest.
But this week has been fun filled as well. We hauled our cookies back down to Maryland on Friday to pick up DD#2 and schlep her home for the weekend. We've got to get in lots of time with her - because we won't see her for months in the near future. I know the base now like the back of my hand...lol. :}Unfortunately, there was a problem with her paperwork, and that will delay her entry into the Academy for a year. It was the Navy's mistake (the paperwork showed up two days after they pulled her...Arrrgghhh!), and they have been wonderful with her over the entire incident - and we are firm believers that everything happens for a reason. So, she's off on a new adventure for a year. Of course, driving to get her meant driving back down on Sunday to schlepp her back again. We had a fun day, exploring more downtown and checking out the shops and enjoying a wonderful meal! In a few weeks, we'll repeat the entire process. :}
Company arrived last night, so we're entertaining for the week. We'll have short break before more company arrives on August 4th. It's busy, but we love seeing our family.
Here's how my week stacked up.
* Broke 35K in my current historical novella.
* Small edits (and notes for scene adjustments made on first 7 chapters) done as I've read through.
* Still no images found for cover. I'm struggling to find exactly what I want for this cover. I've a great deal of 'maybe this would work', but nothing that screams, 'Aha! Found it!'.
* I've been approached to work on an erotic anthology, and I'm quite excited at trying my hand. The goal is to write something that captures the essence of early (say 1930's) erotica, which I find an exciting challenge. I'm thinking of creating a piece based on Song Of Solomon, but that is yet to be determined.
* Exercise goals have been met. Upper body workouts leave my shoulders aching, but I'm noticing greater definition in my triceps and biceps. After completing the ab series, I actually find myself looking forward to the ab sets within this workout - as they feel like breaks! Now that's progress...ha!
* Social goals are on track.
* I will begin my second professional edit at the end of this month/beginning of next month.
* I've noted that I intend to read Game Of Thrones over the summer. So far, I've read next to nothing. I've got to take some time out to relax and read for enjoyment. Hmmm...almost forget what that feels like. lol.
How have you measured up to your goal list this week?
Sexy Versus Attractive - A Romance Writer's Investigation ...
I read a great post at Book and Trailer Showcase, What Makes A Man Sexy? A great post for any interested. Here's the thing...a man can be attractive without necessarily being sexy just as a man can be sexy without being what one might call handsome. This got my wheels turning. Why is this? And what constitutes sexy?
What I consider sexy may or may not appeal to another - but universally, attractiveness knows no class boundaries, no cultural borders. Evolvify posted scientific information in a post titled, Male Physical Attractiveness To Women: You Shallow, Shallow Women!. This post is quite informative but lengthy. The studies cited are fascinating, and I found some useful knowledge. For instance, women are able to judge physical strength just by seeing images of the face - and, women universally find certain physical attributes pleasing. Also, and more surprising, the correlation between physical attractiveness and 'mating-success' (science's term, not mine, people) is clear. The question remains, do attractive males 'mate' better than their less attractive counterparts, or is the female perception of physical beauty a powerful enough incentive to believe that is the case? I suppose I'll never know.
The site Jezebel featured a Scottish study revealing another interesting facet of this ongoing conundrum. It seems that the preference for more attractive faces is based on the perception of physical prowess. Protection and security seem to be major factors in women's 'natural selection' process. This did not surprise me, but rather validated what I've known all along. Sensitive smenchitive! Women want a big strong man to protect them. I know I'll hear an argument - and for certain all women do not want the same things - but the data is in, ladies. We've been outed! Ha!
All this information is to lay the groundwork for our study on sexy, which is another thing altogether - yet it is inextricably connected to attractiveness. Sigh.
sexy[ˈsɛksɪ]
adjsexier, sexiestInformal
1. provoking or intended to provoke sexual interest
a sexy dressa sexy
book
2. feeling sexual interest; aroused
3. interesting, exciting, or trendy a sexy projecta sexy new
car
Now, there are a great many words above to catalogue this one word. Why? Because 'sexy' is a state of mind, and each of us finds unique things 'sexy'. Personally, the way a man speaks contributes to whether I find him sexy or not. That sweet spot of commanding but not tyrant-y, arrogant short of arse-hole, calm yet firm and sure of the words he chooses - Ah! Sweet Mercy! I'm a puddle. I also find a man who speaks little to be sexy. There's something about not knowing everything rattling around his head that's appealing. Keeps me guessing. Suggests he's taking it all in and cataloguing it - perhaps for future use. But go to far...and I get a sense of backward and insecure - which is not sexy at all! Context is another factor in sexy-speak. There's a fine line between sexy and crude. Those who cross it are forever lumped into the 'thanks, but I'll pass' category.
I've posted this image before. This guy radiates sexiness. Body language - check. Oh! That hand! Blow Me Down!!
Inviting. Luring. Confident.
Now that I've read the studies, I see that his face suggests strength, as do those lean muscles. Gah!
Swagger (as Book And Trailer put it) is another piece of the puzzle! An athletic prowess elicits a strong reaction from this girl! Phew! I enjoy the male form most when watching it perform physical feats successfully. MMA is my favorite sport for just this reason. Exacting control over one's body, skilled movements, precise timing, strength and flexibility all suggest both physical and mental strength....and mental strength is extremely sexy!
Eyes convey great emotion, and I'm a sucker for a pair of dark, deep pools. Brown is my favorite! Naveen Andrews played a character named Sayid on Lost, and this character was sexy, indeed! Sayid was a thinker - and those eyes spoke, maybe bellowed, volumes about the things he didn't say. And let's get down to the nitty gritty of sexy...he portrayed a controlled brutality that curled my hair. Oh! Wait! My hair is already curly. Lol.
Hmm. Brutality can be sexy. Very sexy. Mirko Cro-Cop is a fine example of that trait - in his prime, of course. Possessing that killer-instinct and knowing when, where, and how to use it...Well!
Another trait I find extremely sexy is a laid back nature. Comfortable in any circumstance. Matthew Goode portrayed just such a fellow in the movie Leap Year. And that kiss at the dinner table? Ohh-La-La! I'll have what she's having, thank-you. Ha!
Declan (the character Goode plays) is cheeky - and oh-so-darned-cute. Take a look-see...
So, ladies...(and any man brave enough to have read this far...lol) What constitutes sexy in your eyes?
~ Nadja
