This is one happy Nadja..........
Hello to everyone from A Round of Words ! I am quite pleased to say that Claiming The Prize, my first novel is finished! Finished I say! (I'd say it again in all capital letters if that wouldn't be just going too far.....) Almost nine months after beginning, I look upon three notebooks full of the lives of characters I imagined and articulated into the written word. It's damn satisfying.
A new chapter in my world begins, as I now start preparation for publishing. Within six weeks, I plan to deliver the work to my critique partner to begin the process of editing. I happen to have a terrific critique partner whose judgement I value highly, and her skills with the English language and eye for the well written story are an invaluable asset to this project's success. My beta readers will be helpful as well in offering thoughts and impressions as they sink their teeth into the novel for the first time. Better finally get typing...a goal I left in the dust back at this round's genesis.....Oh the shame! Well, not really. If I had truly been ashamed, I would have remedied the situation long ago. But it's all water under the bridge, so to speak, and I'm actually looking forward to getting it done now that it is the next hurdle in the path to publication.
Her Dark Baron, my novella, is such a delight to write, that I want to set a goal for it's completion. I'm thinking I'll set the deadline for six weeks from today. That will allow me a week for each chapter's writing....(I'll be typing like a madwoman, so I don't want to over do it with the writing goals) It's always better - for me- to set a very realistic goal that I outshine than to set a goal that I struggle to accomplish. It's really all about enjoyment for me, and I am loathe to turn a practice I so enjoy into a monkey on my back. So, a goal it is, but an easier one.
Hope everyone is racing toward the finish line of goals and deadlines as we approach the end of this Round of Words. ~ Nadja
05 June 2011
02 June 2011
Something Worth Sharing........
As I made my weekly rounds visiting fellow writers this evening, I stopped by Pavarti Devi's page. I hadn't been by in a few weeks, and frankly, I was curious as to what she had been posting. I've been following her in her quest to publish her newest book, Shadow On The Wall.
Now, she and writer David Beem have teamed up to offer information and community to indie authors at Escapist Press. It's a new site, and few articles are up, but what I read was informative and clearly explained. Check it out, especially if you are considering indie publishing as an option. As I approach my own novel's conclusion and prepare to navigate the world of self-publishing, I appreciate their efforts to gather and discuss the options available to Indie Writers.
~ Nadja
Escapist Press Home Page Header.........
Now, she and writer David Beem have teamed up to offer information and community to indie authors at Escapist Press. It's a new site, and few articles are up, but what I read was informative and clearly explained. Check it out, especially if you are considering indie publishing as an option. As I approach my own novel's conclusion and prepare to navigate the world of self-publishing, I appreciate their efforts to gather and discuss the options available to Indie Writers.
~ Nadja
Escapist Press Home Page Header.........
An Author Co-OpEscapistpress is an artist's co-op where you can find the village it takes to write a successful book. We believe that the landscape of the publishing world is fundamentally changing. These changes afford the opportunity for like-minded professionals to strengthen promotional activities as never before.
Escapistpress fosters relationships and promotes members both within our organization and in the publishing world at large by banding together and sharing resources.
Poised to champion Indie Writers and encourage professionalism and excellence in all we do, Escapistpress is the place to find well-researched, immersible books that entertain, period.
Escapistpress fosters relationships and promotes members both within our organization and in the publishing world at large by banding together and sharing resources.
Poised to champion Indie Writers and encourage professionalism and excellence in all we do, Escapistpress is the place to find well-researched, immersible books that entertain, period.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
01 June 2011
Checking In On The First Of June, 2011
Today marks the first of June, and I'm thankful that the summer months are finally here. We actually have been able to use our patio set for eating dinner outside and sitting around after the sun's intensity has faded in the evening... (it's been in the 90's for most of this week, but I'm NOT complaining). My umbrella had an awful encounter with a mighty gust of wind this spring, and it ended up in my fencing, torn and ruined. So.....I've been shopping for a canopy, but haven't purchased one yet. This may be the week for it.....
I have surpassed the 300 page mark this week, bringing Claiming The Prize within two scenes of its conclusion. My goal for finishing my first novel is June 23, 2011, and I see no reason why I won't be ahead of schedule, barring some fantastic occurrence. The past few days have been slow progress in writing. My boys have all been infected with a bug, striking them down with fever and stomach aches. With that going on, of course, we had an important appointment that could not be changed. Why is it that no one gets sick when I have nowhere to go? And why did the dog get sick right along with them? It's a conspiracy, I tell you!!!
One new development on the writing front is that I'm considering an open ended scene for the novel's final page. There is something about leaving the reader to decide what they think happens in the future that seems to hold a certain appeal to me at this moment. It's kind of like one of my favorite lines from a movie, "It's not in my nature to be mysterious, but I can't talk about it." Fun stuff to stew on over the next week.....
Her Dark Baron continues to be an indulgence I sneak in around pages in the novel. I've not added more than 600 words since Sunday's check in, but those 600.....they've been a delightful diversion - so has planting my yard with summer blooms. I'm an impatient girl....What I mean is I like impatiens....
They continue to be beautiful well into the autumn weather, and you cannot kill them. Even when wilted and half dead looking a splash of water will revive these hardy blooms in no time. This is the flower for me. My husband may have a green thumb, but that is one gift I do not possess.
Hope everyone from A Round of Words is having a terrific week and enjoying the beautiful weather.
~ Nadja
I have surpassed the 300 page mark this week, bringing Claiming The Prize within two scenes of its conclusion. My goal for finishing my first novel is June 23, 2011, and I see no reason why I won't be ahead of schedule, barring some fantastic occurrence. The past few days have been slow progress in writing. My boys have all been infected with a bug, striking them down with fever and stomach aches. With that going on, of course, we had an important appointment that could not be changed. Why is it that no one gets sick when I have nowhere to go? And why did the dog get sick right along with them? It's a conspiracy, I tell you!!!
One new development on the writing front is that I'm considering an open ended scene for the novel's final page. There is something about leaving the reader to decide what they think happens in the future that seems to hold a certain appeal to me at this moment. It's kind of like one of my favorite lines from a movie, "It's not in my nature to be mysterious, but I can't talk about it." Fun stuff to stew on over the next week.....
Her Dark Baron continues to be an indulgence I sneak in around pages in the novel. I've not added more than 600 words since Sunday's check in, but those 600.....they've been a delightful diversion - so has planting my yard with summer blooms. I'm an impatient girl....What I mean is I like impatiens....
They continue to be beautiful well into the autumn weather, and you cannot kill them. Even when wilted and half dead looking a splash of water will revive these hardy blooms in no time. This is the flower for me. My husband may have a green thumb, but that is one gift I do not possess.
Hope everyone from A Round of Words is having a terrific week and enjoying the beautiful weather.
~ Nadja
29 May 2011
Sunday Check-In & Updates!
Memorial Day Weekend Is Here....... Remember. 
My family has strong military ties. My maternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theatre. My great-uncle was commissioned an officer in the field during that same war. My father served in the U.S. Navy. My step-father served in the Navy and spent time in Vietnam as a medic on river patrol boats. My husband was also in the Navy as was his father. Thankfully, all returned home safely. This is not true for all servicemen or women. Now, our daughter is serving our country in the U.S. Navy as well.
When we debate the issues that our nation faces, let us remember that many of our countrymen died to maintain the freedom to do just that! We may bicker, argue, protest, support, plant signs in our yards, and say or write what we want to because someone fought and gave their life to protect that right. Without their sacrifices, their bravery, their willingness to accept the call to protect and defend, we might not be in a position to give voice to our mind's thoughts, dreams, or hopes.
Remember them.
Novel News
Claiming The Prize is nearing completion. I will not stay within my original 80,000 word goal, but will most likely end up between 82,000-85,000 words. I have only 15 pages to reach my estimated 310 pages, and I'm not sure I'll be able to finish in quite so few sheets of paper. You'll not hear a complaint out of me. I'm ecstatic to have had so much material to write into the story. (Besides, maybe editing will 'clean it up' a little.......)
Chapter two is just about finished in Her Dark Baron! Allowing myself 25,000 words in this first novella is shaping up to be a fantastic goal. I plotted out ten chapters of ten pages each, which will produce about 20,000 words. The additional 5,000 are bonus 'freebies' that I can utilize if/when necessary. Chapter two is one of those scenes that require a bit more......maybe 500 extra or so.
Through conversation with a fellow writer and friend, I am learning a great deal about the various formatting requirements needed to upload one's work for publishing. Generally, I learn by doing, so it all sounds like 'Greek' to me at this point. Once I navigate this daunting process I'm sure it will seem quite simple, but right now, 'sweating bullets' is an apt term to describe my feelings about this upcoming task.
Writing such different 'heroes' in my two current projects is absolutely satisfying. One is open and straightforward, the other is dark, haunted - if you will-, and mysterious. It provides me options, and I like options. It also allows me to continue working when I need to think out a scene in one project. My husband asked me this week if it is confusing to maintain two separate story lines in my mind simultaneously. For me this hasn't been a problem (at least not yet...). So I ask, " Do you write more than one story at a time? And if so, has it ever been a problem for you?"
Have a great week of writing everyone. Don't forget to stop by fellow Round of Words participant's blog pages!
~ Nadja
My family has strong military ties. My maternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theatre. My great-uncle was commissioned an officer in the field during that same war. My father served in the U.S. Navy. My step-father served in the Navy and spent time in Vietnam as a medic on river patrol boats. My husband was also in the Navy as was his father. Thankfully, all returned home safely. This is not true for all servicemen or women. Now, our daughter is serving our country in the U.S. Navy as well.
When we debate the issues that our nation faces, let us remember that many of our countrymen died to maintain the freedom to do just that! We may bicker, argue, protest, support, plant signs in our yards, and say or write what we want to because someone fought and gave their life to protect that right. Without their sacrifices, their bravery, their willingness to accept the call to protect and defend, we might not be in a position to give voice to our mind's thoughts, dreams, or hopes.
Remember them.
Novel News
Claiming The Prize is nearing completion. I will not stay within my original 80,000 word goal, but will most likely end up between 82,000-85,000 words. I have only 15 pages to reach my estimated 310 pages, and I'm not sure I'll be able to finish in quite so few sheets of paper. You'll not hear a complaint out of me. I'm ecstatic to have had so much material to write into the story. (Besides, maybe editing will 'clean it up' a little.......)
Chapter two is just about finished in Her Dark Baron! Allowing myself 25,000 words in this first novella is shaping up to be a fantastic goal. I plotted out ten chapters of ten pages each, which will produce about 20,000 words. The additional 5,000 are bonus 'freebies' that I can utilize if/when necessary. Chapter two is one of those scenes that require a bit more......maybe 500 extra or so.
Through conversation with a fellow writer and friend, I am learning a great deal about the various formatting requirements needed to upload one's work for publishing. Generally, I learn by doing, so it all sounds like 'Greek' to me at this point. Once I navigate this daunting process I'm sure it will seem quite simple, but right now, 'sweating bullets' is an apt term to describe my feelings about this upcoming task.
Writing such different 'heroes' in my two current projects is absolutely satisfying. One is open and straightforward, the other is dark, haunted - if you will-, and mysterious. It provides me options, and I like options. It also allows me to continue working when I need to think out a scene in one project. My husband asked me this week if it is confusing to maintain two separate story lines in my mind simultaneously. For me this hasn't been a problem (at least not yet...). So I ask, " Do you write more than one story at a time? And if so, has it ever been a problem for you?"
Have a great week of writing everyone. Don't forget to stop by fellow Round of Words participant's blog pages!
~ Nadja
25 May 2011
Back to My Regular Rounds.......
It's Check-In Day At A Round of Words in 80 Days !
Wednesday is upon us once again.....Where did the week go? It's the march of time. I turn around twice, and yet another seven days have escaped me. You'll tell me to bite my tongue, but before we know it summer will be in full swing, and autumn will be looming on the horizon. I know, I know....stifle it.
I've written over 20 pages this week in Claiming The Prize, putting the novel's finish line in plain view. Woo-hoo! I've got less than thirty pages to wrap up my first novel! Astonishment, pride, anxiety...these all swirl in my mind as I come closer to the goal each day. To put it mildly......I'm over the moon!
The novella progresses as well, with chapter two half-way complete. I should finish it by the week's end. This baron of my conjuring is delicious to write, and I may or may not be infatuated with him myself. No matter, he will be available to all readers in the near future, and if you enjoy a true alpha-male as much as I do, you're going to love this guy.......
I'm eager to get back to my writing. I'd love to be in a position next Wednesday to post that the novel is finished......Better get cracking!
~Nadja
23 May 2011
Monday's Makeup for Sunday's Slacking........
The Back Story Behind The Inspiration For Claiming The Prize...........
For the first time, I missed a check-in for A Round Of Words in 80 yesterday..... Not something I normally allow to happen when I make a commitment. However, yesterday was a big day here.
My fourteen year old son had his wrestling banquet, and as the secretary of the club I had quite a busy day in preparation. The event came off without a hitch (thank goodness). The banquet marks the official end to the wrestling season, and I, along with fellow board members heaved a sigh of relief. I love wrestling....really. It is the most intense sport I've encountered with my sons. We've been through football, baseball, soccer, and basketball seasons, which were perfectly agreeable, but nothing compares to wrestling....at least for this family. We've yet to watch him compete in his MMA career, so I reserve the right to amend my above statement. (He is currently begging us to enter him in his first jiu-jitsu tournament....we're still considering)
Freshman don't always move up to the varsity team. Competition for limited weight slots is fierce, and often freshman struggle to compete against older, stronger upperclassmen. Add in that our son is a very young freshman, and the odds go down further. But, his coaches brought him up to the varsity squad after he won his wrestle off against a returning senior. He was over the moon....and so were we. Soon, however, he began to learn just how tough it was to compete on this entirely new level.
He ended the year with a .500 win stat and a 3.82 GPA, earning a spot on the District II Academic All-Star First Team for 2011. He earned an Iron-Man after attending every team practice (Mon.-Fri from 3:30-5:30pm, Saturday practice or tournament), every team meeting, and not missing a match for the season. He was also awarded the Varsity Rookie of the Year for 2011. The 2011 Team Season Statistics revealed that he placed second on his team for Most Takedowns and Most Technical Falls, and third in the categories for Most Escapes, Most Near Fall Points, and Most Pins.
Forgive my gushing .......(mothers are allowed), but the reason I bore you all to tears with my recitations is this. The world of gymnasiums, wrestling, weightlifting, singlets, jiu-jitsu, Maui Thai kickboxing, boxing, takedowns, reversals, pins, wins, losses........that's my life! It inspired me to write the theme into my first novel.
Certainly I've never wrestled, kick boxed, or submitted anyone in my life, but I've watched my sons do all these. The wins fill you with pride for the hard work they've had to put in to have that moment of glory, and your heart breaks when they come off the mat full of emotion after a tough loss. They push themselves to get 'one more rep' on the bench press, one more takedown, one more pound off, one more 'A' in the classroom, one more win. They deny the urge to 'hang out', like so many other high school students. They get up at 4:30 a.m. to spend the day sitting in a gymnasium (and so do you) to watch them wrestle for 18 minutes total. They sometimes say, "Mom, you're the best! Thanks for coming to all my matches. Lot's of my teammates don't have anyone there for them."
The intense emotions surrounding this world are what I've set out to capture in Claiming The Prize. With only twenty to thirty pages remaining to write the novel to it's conclusion, I sure hope I succeeded. ~ Nadja
For the first time, I missed a check-in for A Round Of Words in 80 yesterday..... Not something I normally allow to happen when I make a commitment. However, yesterday was a big day here.
My fourteen year old son had his wrestling banquet, and as the secretary of the club I had quite a busy day in preparation. The event came off without a hitch (thank goodness). The banquet marks the official end to the wrestling season, and I, along with fellow board members heaved a sigh of relief. I love wrestling....really. It is the most intense sport I've encountered with my sons. We've been through football, baseball, soccer, and basketball seasons, which were perfectly agreeable, but nothing compares to wrestling....at least for this family. We've yet to watch him compete in his MMA career, so I reserve the right to amend my above statement. (He is currently begging us to enter him in his first jiu-jitsu tournament....we're still considering)
Freshman don't always move up to the varsity team. Competition for limited weight slots is fierce, and often freshman struggle to compete against older, stronger upperclassmen. Add in that our son is a very young freshman, and the odds go down further. But, his coaches brought him up to the varsity squad after he won his wrestle off against a returning senior. He was over the moon....and so were we. Soon, however, he began to learn just how tough it was to compete on this entirely new level.
He ended the year with a .500 win stat and a 3.82 GPA, earning a spot on the District II Academic All-Star First Team for 2011. He earned an Iron-Man after attending every team practice (Mon.-Fri from 3:30-5:30pm, Saturday practice or tournament), every team meeting, and not missing a match for the season. He was also awarded the Varsity Rookie of the Year for 2011. The 2011 Team Season Statistics revealed that he placed second on his team for Most Takedowns and Most Technical Falls, and third in the categories for Most Escapes, Most Near Fall Points, and Most Pins.
Forgive my gushing .......(mothers are allowed), but the reason I bore you all to tears with my recitations is this. The world of gymnasiums, wrestling, weightlifting, singlets, jiu-jitsu, Maui Thai kickboxing, boxing, takedowns, reversals, pins, wins, losses........that's my life! It inspired me to write the theme into my first novel.
Certainly I've never wrestled, kick boxed, or submitted anyone in my life, but I've watched my sons do all these. The wins fill you with pride for the hard work they've had to put in to have that moment of glory, and your heart breaks when they come off the mat full of emotion after a tough loss. They push themselves to get 'one more rep' on the bench press, one more takedown, one more pound off, one more 'A' in the classroom, one more win. They deny the urge to 'hang out', like so many other high school students. They get up at 4:30 a.m. to spend the day sitting in a gymnasium (and so do you) to watch them wrestle for 18 minutes total. They sometimes say, "Mom, you're the best! Thanks for coming to all my matches. Lot's of my teammates don't have anyone there for them."
The intense emotions surrounding this world are what I've set out to capture in Claiming The Prize. With only twenty to thirty pages remaining to write the novel to it's conclusion, I sure hope I succeeded. ~ Nadja
20 May 2011
Friday Blog Hopping......
Welcome Hoppers!
Thanks to Elizabeth Sharp at Sharp Words for hosting ..........
Her Post For Friday, 20 May, 2011.......
There are so many great authors who have inspired me over the years. I often wonder what it would be like to spend a day with them. If I could spend a day with only one, it would be so hard to choose. But in the end, I would have to go with JRR Tolkien. The man was seriously a genius and I imagine his brain would be kind of like mine, seeing something mundane and ordinary in a way no one else could even imagine. I can tell he is a very visual person, like me, by the vivid descriptions in his books. And I would also love to hear his opinion of Peter Jackson's interpretation of his vision.
So if you could spend a day with any author, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Thanks to Elizabeth Sharp at Sharp Words for hosting ..........
Her Post For Friday, 20 May, 2011.......
There are so many great authors who have inspired me over the years. I often wonder what it would be like to spend a day with them. If I could spend a day with only one, it would be so hard to choose. But in the end, I would have to go with JRR Tolkien. The man was seriously a genius and I imagine his brain would be kind of like mine, seeing something mundane and ordinary in a way no one else could even imagine. I can tell he is a very visual person, like me, by the vivid descriptions in his books. And I would also love to hear his opinion of Peter Jackson's interpretation of his vision.
Hhhmmmm.....This is not an easy question to answer, because while I enjoy many authors' novels, I really don't know a thing about them personally. Spending a day with them would certainly be enlightening, but what a debaucle it would be to discover that I disliked the person behind the stories. Would it ruin my opinions of 'post visit' works? I wonder.
That being said, .....here goes.....
Mark Twain. From the essays, short stories, and novels I've read, I believe that we would spend an enjoyable day in crotchety-like comraderie over social ills, stupidity, philosophy...etc., etc.,.....
His dark humor and dry wit make his writings some of the best I've read. Personal favorites I would recommend are:
1. A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court
2. Advice To Young People (A commencment speech he once gave....no kidding)
3. The Story of The Bad Little Boy
4. Extracts From Adam's Diary
5. Eve's Diary
Elizabeth's featured blogger for today is M.G. Ainsworth at Writing After Nine , so stop by and visit.......
Don't forget to follow the rules......
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It's that simple.
Have a great weekend..... ~ Nadja
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