The Sweetest Things

Writing progress has been slow this week.  By last evening, my seven-day-work-stretch left me *brain-fried*. Ha!  I stared at my pages, managed a few sentences, and ended up staring at television with Darling-Son-#1 and his girlfriend (I may re-name her DS#1'sDG - Darling-Son-#1's-Darling-Girlfriend ...or some such silly nickname/tag to keep all these people straight for readers.  Ha!).  It was a fabulous MMA marathon!  I did watch a number of fantastic fights. *Barbarian-At-Heart*  Darling-Daughter-#1 stopped in, adding to our number in the best way.

What I do know is this.  I have the most amazing children.  We talked, laughed, and enjoyed one another's company last evening with such ease and comfort.  We have endured many hardships, and open and honest discussion about those trials made me realize that however brutal they were, they strengthened the bond between us.  We are a safety net for each other - and within the walls of our home we find refuge together.  I am so proud to see they've taken to heart one of my treasured life lessons/philosophy.  Laughter, surely, is the very best medicine. Ahhh...the sweetest things.    

Darling-Daughter-#2 is back in Hawaii; deployment is ended!  To be able to talk on the phone, text whenever I find something humorous to share, and see her many photos posted on Facebook is sweet, indeed!  I have missed her so much.  A few short years ago, I felt little need to have a cell-phone - let alone a *Smart-Phone!* (I was still in the dark ages...bahahaha).  Now, it is a lifeline between daughter and mother.

I've had little time to sit and gab with my best girlfriends of late.  Carving out some girl-time this week was invaluable.  I also learned that a very dear friend will be in soon for a visit!  *Cannot-wait!*  The BFF and I cracked open a bottle of my Darling-Dad's homemade *Old-Vine-Zinfandel* ...and well!  Let's say a good time was had!  We laughed like ninnys, purging ourselves of negativity with dark hilarity and discussing the most delicious things that only BFF's can.  Sweet.

Temperatures will rage this day in NEPA, reaching the mid-to-high 90's.  Phew!  A friend generously invited us over to keep cool pool-side, so Darling-Sons, DS'sDG, and I will head over in a couple hours.  Relief will be ours!

Hope you all have a terrific day!

 ~ Nadja

On The Writing Front ~ Character Profiles

This is one Happy Writer!  

In my last post, I set a goal to complete my heroine's profile packet by the end of the week.  Two nights spent in *Nadja's World* has paid off.  Miss Juliana Adele Paxton has quirks, mannerisms, family relationships, temperament, and history mapped out on what used to be blank pages.  Today I begin the same process on the hero, Mikhail Zakarov.  I hadn't expected to progress so ...so fluidly.  Smiles mark the occasion.  

Character development interests me a great deal.  Authors seem to have such varied means to reach the same end.  What works for me may seem awkward or overwhelming or lacking to another.  Yet we all strive for the same goal, well developed characters.  I am amazed at the ability of some to begin writing and let the character develop as the story unfolds!  I've plugged this book before, and happily do so again..

Outlining Your Novel, K.M. Weiland is a fantastic resource.  The proof is in comments from readers.  They loved the results!  Evangeline Grey, her mother Opal, and the delicious Thomas Masterson came to life through the employment of Weiland's wonderful suggestions.  I heartily recommend this book.  

How does the process unfold for you?  Have a resource to recommend?  Leave a comment and I'll be glad to post a list of fellow author's favorite writing resource tips/books.  

I'm off to complete the domestic duties for the day.  I'll zoom through - anticipating my evening curled up with notebook and pencils.  Mikhail....  Hmmm.  What a nice thing to look forward to.  

 ~ Nadja

       

Switching Gears

Hi to all!  It's my Friday *WOOT!* so I'll be transitioning from banking balances, cashier's checks, and the world of numbers to Nadja's World, my cozy, comfy writing cave where I'll replace those numbers with letters, phrases, and the subjectivity of writing.  I'm so looking forward to my hours in the still quiet with my notebook and pencils.

This week, I plan to finish up my heroine's profile packet.  This will be a challenge, as I have a very busy work schedule after two *TWO!* glorious days off.  A day trip to a local lake beach will promote relaxation with my boys before my crazy return to work also.  Catching some sun next to the water sounds like a perfect way to *feel* summer...

A few new friends were found on Goodreads this past week, and I found out that The Historical Romance Critic  (Chris' reviews are found at Goodreads, but his blog has many wonderful reviews as well!) will read A Practical Arrangement ... (all smiles!)  I have done little promotion on my books, but have built on relationships, so I'll count it as a successful week.

Happy Monday!

  ~ Nadja

Plagiarism And The Modern Author

Hi, all!  Can you believe tomorrow is the 4th of July already?  Where is the summer going?  My boys finished up school late this year, having only begun their summer vacation a little over two weeks ago.  But it seems once Independence Day passes, summer fun flashes by in the blink of an eye.

Happy Independence Day!  

Today I am posting a link to Ruth Ann Nordin's post, We Are All Vulnerable To Plagiarism.  Her article on this recently-on-the-front-topic captured my interest, prompting me to ask her permission to share.  She generously agreed.  Her explanation of copyright and how to 'protect' your work before (although I am to understand James' work is protected) you ever find yourself in James' position is something worth looking into.  It is a shame authors must take such precautions, but having a legal standing should such a thing happen to your work.. enough said.  This is a topic I admit to having little knowledge of, and I wonder if many Indie-authors are as naive as myself, never imagining someone would have the audacity to carry out such a deception.  I suppose that is my biggest flaw - I don't consider or expect the worst out of people; therefore, when I encounter it I am wholly surprised.  Unfortunately, as authors we live in a world where we must face the fact that there are those who will (and have!) attempt to publish another's work.  

I followed Lorelei James' ordeal, reading and sharing the outrage of many fellow authors - and readers as well!  How awful.  To pour one's self into a story...and then to see it posted - with another individual claiming credit - well, this author would see RED.  That anyone would steal another's hard work is disturbing.  I am sorry for her troubles and wish all the best for Lorelei James.

 ~ Nadja

 

A Case Of Perspective?

This Day

A day flows by,
one flash in the pan
of life.  Tomorrow
holds better, some aver.

A week disappears,
seven spans linked
together, lost to
yesterdays for many.

A month becomes two,
time lost to nothing
but time, half a year
evaporated,
waiting...waiting.

In the stillness, I dream.
 
Today is good, I embrace it,
drinking in all it may offer, both quenching
my thirst and burning
my lips.
For tomorrow remains yet unknown,
and yesterday is a memory.


~ Nadja

Well!  What brings this poetic silliness?  My own observations.  What compels one to dwell on things past, to exist in limbo waiting for that 'good day' to come, while another accepts with appreciation of lessons learned, looking forward, eager and expectant toward what this good day will bring? 
This is the psychology I've pondered over the week.  Are some individuals 'wired' to experience emotion more intensely...or is it simply perspective?  Does the ability to freely 'let the past be the past' indicate lesser emotion, a lack of feeling?  Hmmm...food for thought, fellow writers! 

© 2013 Nadja Notariani, This Day        

Monday Musings

Beginning a new project is terribly exciting.  With my busy schedule, I'm employing tried and true methods.  My notebook, with its character profiles, research information, what-if pages (another 'thanks' to K.M. Weiland), and other sundries is my lifeline while planning a story.  My brain simply will not remember all the details and ideas I conjure.  Ha!  Character profiling for my new historical has me sifting through names, one of my favorite things!  I've narrowed my options.  I'm leaning toward Juliana and Mikhail for my heroine and hero.  <3

This past week was busy...and I mean BUSY!  My oldest son and I sealed the driveway and patched two dips, trying our hands at home maintenance.  Cold-Patch, giant rollers, and TAR.  ...um, yeah.  It looks fantastic, and handling the job felt good.  Yesterday was his seventeenth birthday.  Where did seventeen years go?  Oh my!  Darling Daughter #2 nears the end of her deployment.  I miss her so!  She's become quite well traveled, visiting Bahrain, Dubai, Philippines, and Guam to name a few.  She also became a Shellback....an accomplishment of the Naval Sort.  Haha.  School ended for my boys, and today was the first morning in a long while that I slept in.  It was sheer decadence to wake, roll over, and close my eyes for another half hour.  Today, I will paint my bathroom.  I've chosen a darker, bold color for the walls - a daring move for that particular room.  Ooh-la-la.  

I'd best get my buns in gear!  I've got things to accomplish.

 ~ Nadja

Pleased As Punch

Good Morning!  Hope today finds you happy and healthy...and offers you a fabulous story to read, write, and enjoy!

It's Saturday - a day off for many - but not for this Chickie.  I finish up my work week tomorrow afternoon.  Now, I suppose you all are wondering why I would title a post *Pleased As Punch* and then babble on about work...(and rightly so!) but the truth is, I enjoy my job!  Add in a mix of terrific co-workers with a fantastic sense of dark humor...and *VOILA*.  Heading in to work becomes a treat.  (although the public can be...(ahem!) ...well, enough said about that!

Still, the reason for my cat-like smile this sunny morning (Finally!  Egads!  It's been raining and dreary far too long!) is something entirely other.  Last evening as I propped in my bed with the newspaper...lightening struck.  Okay, Okay...not literally (Thank Goodness!)  but in the *SHINY-NEW-IDEA* sort of strike!  Last week, I shared my utter lack of progress and creativity on two projects I'd attempted.  It left me a little down to be honest.  That elusive *fire* ...well, eluded me.  Busy and stressful circumstances left no room for all-things-romantic to smolder and ignite.  Life has a way of settling down.  You adapt.  You accept.  You grow.  I decided to set a few small goals - one being that I would write a little every day - no matter what.  Another was to focus on *my genre*, historical romance.  And so, here I sit, pleased as punch.

An entire story premise page has been scribbled down into a new notebook.  Sticky tabs mark character outlines.  I began my heroine's profile packet.  I feel eager and excited about writing in a way I've missed.
It's a good morning.

  ~ Nadja