Isabel Roman's Blog, page 59
January 17, 2011
Monday Musings: A Day in the Life
By no means am I a full-time writer. I can't support myself on my writing income but would one day love to. So what's it like to live the life of a writer?
It's so unglamorous!
Get up and take care of dog. Food, walk, water, a little fetch. This is usually done VERY early in the morning. Try to go back to sleep, which usually doesn't work.
Breakfast.
(2)
Open file.
Yawn.
Stretch.
Get beverage.
Scroll to last 2 pages and read them to remind self where left off.
Open outline to figure out where story is headed.
Wish for nap.
Place fingers carefully over keys and pick up where left off.
Delete.
Try again.
Type, type type.
Lunch.
Walk dog.
Start it all over again.
Write, write, write.
Dinner.
Feed & walk dog.
Write, type, write, delete, type, forward motion! Ahead!
Crash.
The End
(2)
If work day:
Get ready for work.
Take puppy out once more.
Work.
Home & dinner.
Walk dog.
Open file.
Yawn.
Stretch.
Get beverage.
Scroll to last 2 pages and read them to remind self where left off.
Open outline to figure out where story is headed.
Write for 1-2 hours.
Crash.
Bed.
Crap, forgot to take puppy out! Taker her out...bed again.
Sleep.
Sleeeeeppppp.
And this is the glamorous life of a non-full-time writer. Exciting, isn't it.
It's so unglamorous!
Get up and take care of dog. Food, walk, water, a little fetch. This is usually done VERY early in the morning. Try to go back to sleep, which usually doesn't work.
Breakfast.
(2)
Open file.
Yawn.
Stretch.
Get beverage.
Scroll to last 2 pages and read them to remind self where left off.
Open outline to figure out where story is headed.
Wish for nap.
Place fingers carefully over keys and pick up where left off.
Delete.
Try again.
Type, type type.
Lunch.
Walk dog.
Start it all over again.
Write, write, write.
Dinner.
Feed & walk dog.
Write, type, write, delete, type, forward motion! Ahead!
Crash.
The End
(2)
If work day:
Get ready for work.
Take puppy out once more.
Work.
Home & dinner.
Walk dog.
Open file.
Yawn.
Stretch.
Get beverage.
Scroll to last 2 pages and read them to remind self where left off.
Open outline to figure out where story is headed.
Write for 1-2 hours.
Crash.
Bed.
Crap, forgot to take puppy out! Taker her out...bed again.
Sleep.
Sleeeeeppppp.
And this is the glamorous life of a non-full-time writer. Exciting, isn't it.
January 14, 2011
EPPIE
I'm still debating on whether to go to Colonial Williamsburg for the 2011 EPI-CON conference and awards. The Civil War anthology I'm in,
Northern Roses & Southern Belles
, is a finalist. All of which is very exciting, but the question is do I want to go down to Williamsburg in March?
Two years ago in May it was beautiful. Warm, a little rain, but perfect for walking around. March I'm not so sure. Must give this more thought I suppose.
Northern Roses and Southern Belles, available from The Wild Rose Press (e-book and print), Barnes & Noble (print only apparently), and Amazon (e-book and print).
In a country torn asunder--from the Canadian border to Texas, from Maryland to Arkansas, from the battlefield of Antietam to the Red River Campaign--brave men and loyal women see their lives turned upside down.
Peril lurks behind every tree and near every homestead, but the hard-fought love of a man and a woman surpasses all.
Six talented writers provide stories of romance and danger centering on Union and Confederate soldiers, spies, blockade runners, renegades, and battlefield nurses during a period of corsets, hoopskirts, and gentlemen callers.
Two years ago in May it was beautiful. Warm, a little rain, but perfect for walking around. March I'm not so sure. Must give this more thought I suppose.
Northern Roses and Southern Belles, available from The Wild Rose Press (e-book and print), Barnes & Noble (print only apparently), and Amazon (e-book and print).
In a country torn asunder--from the Canadian border to Texas, from Maryland to Arkansas, from the battlefield of Antietam to the Red River Campaign--brave men and loyal women see their lives turned upside down.
Peril lurks behind every tree and near every homestead, but the hard-fought love of a man and a woman surpasses all.
Six talented writers provide stories of romance and danger centering on Union and Confederate soldiers, spies, blockade runners, renegades, and battlefield nurses during a period of corsets, hoopskirts, and gentlemen callers.
January 13, 2011
World's Biggest Cave
This came out last week. The world's largest
cave is in Vietnam, Son Doong, a huge recently-discovered underground
labyrinth.
James Owen
for National Geographic News
Updated January 3, 2011 (Published July 24, 2009)
EDITED FOR LENGTH BY ME RED FULL ARTICLE HERE
At 262-by-262 feet (80-by-80 meters) in most places, the Son Doong cave beats out the previous world-record holder, Deer Cave in the Malaysian section of the island of Borneo.
Deer Cave is no less than 300-by-300 feet (91-by-91 meters), but it's only about a mile (1.6 kilometers) long.
By contrast, explorers walked 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) into Son Doong, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, before being blocked by seasonal floodwaters—and they think that the passage is even longer.
In addition, for a couple of miles Son Doong reaches more than 460-by-460 feet (140-by-140 meters), said Adam Spillane, a member of the British Cave Research Association expedition that explored the massive cavern.
Laser Precision
The team found an underground river running through the first 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) of the limestone cavern, as well as giant stalagmites more than 230 feet (70 meters) high.
The explorers surveyed Son Doong's size using laser-based measuring devices.
Such modern technology allows caves to be measured to the nearest millimeter, said Andy Eavis, president of the International Union of Speleology, the world caving authority, based in France.
Noisy and Intimidating
Son Doong had somehow escaped detection during previous British caving expeditions to the region, which is rich in limestone grottos.
"The terrain in that area of Vietnam is very difficult," said expedition team member Spillane.
"The cave is very far out of the way. It's totally covered in jungle, and you can't see anything on Google Earth," he added, referring to the free 3-D globe software.
"You've got to be very close to the cave to find it," Spillane said. "Certainly, on previous expeditions, people have passed within a few hundred meters of the entrance without finding it."
Bigger Caves Waiting?
Of more concern to the caving team were the poisonous centipedes that live in Son Doong.
The explorers also spotted monkeys entering through the roof of the cave to feed on snails, according to Spillane.
A biologist will accompany the team on its return visit next year to survey the cave's subterranean wildlife.
Eavis, of the International Union of Speleology, added that there are almost certainly bigger cave passages awaiting discovery around the world.
"That's the fantastic thing about caving," he said.
Satellite images hint, for example, that caves even larger than Son Doong lie deep in the Amazon rain forest, he said.
cave is in Vietnam, Son Doong, a huge recently-discovered underground
labyrinth.James Owen
for National Geographic News
Updated January 3, 2011 (Published July 24, 2009)
EDITED FOR LENGTH BY ME RED FULL ARTICLE HERE
At 262-by-262 feet (80-by-80 meters) in most places, the Son Doong cave beats out the previous world-record holder, Deer Cave in the Malaysian section of the island of Borneo.
Deer Cave is no less than 300-by-300 feet (91-by-91 meters), but it's only about a mile (1.6 kilometers) long.
By contrast, explorers walked 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers) into Son Doong, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, before being blocked by seasonal floodwaters—and they think that the passage is even longer.
In addition, for a couple of miles Son Doong reaches more than 460-by-460 feet (140-by-140 meters), said Adam Spillane, a member of the British Cave Research Association expedition that explored the massive cavern.
Laser Precision
The team found an underground river running through the first 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) of the limestone cavern, as well as giant stalagmites more than 230 feet (70 meters) high.
The explorers surveyed Son Doong's size using laser-based measuring devices.
Such modern technology allows caves to be measured to the nearest millimeter, said Andy Eavis, president of the International Union of Speleology, the world caving authority, based in France.
Noisy and Intimidating
Son Doong had somehow escaped detection during previous British caving expeditions to the region, which is rich in limestone grottos.
"The terrain in that area of Vietnam is very difficult," said expedition team member Spillane.
"The cave is very far out of the way. It's totally covered in jungle, and you can't see anything on Google Earth," he added, referring to the free 3-D globe software.
"You've got to be very close to the cave to find it," Spillane said. "Certainly, on previous expeditions, people have passed within a few hundred meters of the entrance without finding it."
Bigger Caves Waiting?
Of more concern to the caving team were the poisonous centipedes that live in Son Doong.
The explorers also spotted monkeys entering through the roof of the cave to feed on snails, according to Spillane.
A biologist will accompany the team on its return visit next year to survey the cave's subterranean wildlife.
Eavis, of the International Union of Speleology, added that there are almost certainly bigger cave passages awaiting discovery around the world.
"That's the fantastic thing about caving," he said.
Satellite images hint, for example, that caves even larger than Son Doong lie deep in the Amazon rain forest, he said.
January 12, 2011
Wednesday Review: Stieg Larsson
Subtitles can go either way. They make you watch the whole movie,
cause you have to sit there and read every stikin' line of a truly wonderful epic (
Hero
,
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
,
Curse of the Golden Flower
) but they also sometimes drag on (
Inglourious Basterds
which I enjoyed but it needed some serious editing).
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl who Played with Fire were awesome. I haven't seen The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, but once it comes out January 25, I'm there.
I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo when it first hit American bookshelves 2 years ago and loved it. I couldn't finish it fast enough, not because I wanted it to end,
but because I wanted to know what happened next. Actually, I listened to it. Why? You try pronouncing some of those names and places. It's easier when someone else does.
I devoured the other two in the trilogy just as fast and let me tell you, it's a darn shame there'll be no more in the series. They were just that good.
If you haven't read the books, watch out for those graphic acts of violence, and read for the mystery, the girl, Lisbeth, and the Swedish culture. Fascinating all round!
I don't agree with Hollywood about remaking this already stellar movie. I *heart* Daniel Craig don't get me wrong, but there's no need to make a Hollywood-ized version that will probably add unnecessary things in and take out what made this book and movie so awesome to begin with.
Hollywood, why not try a werewolf story instead? ;)
cause you have to sit there and read every stikin' line of a truly wonderful epic (
Hero
,
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
,
Curse of the Golden Flower
) but they also sometimes drag on (
Inglourious Basterds
which I enjoyed but it needed some serious editing).The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl who Played with Fire were awesome. I haven't seen The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, but once it comes out January 25, I'm there.
I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo when it first hit American bookshelves 2 years ago and loved it. I couldn't finish it fast enough, not because I wanted it to end,
but because I wanted to know what happened next. Actually, I listened to it. Why? You try pronouncing some of those names and places. It's easier when someone else does.I devoured the other two in the trilogy just as fast and let me tell you, it's a darn shame there'll be no more in the series. They were just that good.
If you haven't read the books, watch out for those graphic acts of violence, and read for the mystery, the girl, Lisbeth, and the Swedish culture. Fascinating all round!
I don't agree with Hollywood about remaking this already stellar movie. I *heart* Daniel Craig don't get me wrong, but there's no need to make a Hollywood-ized version that will probably add unnecessary things in and take out what made this book and movie so awesome to begin with.
Hollywood, why not try a werewolf story instead? ;)
January 11, 2011
Tuesday Comings and Goings
Today I'm over at Unusual Historicals talking about Errol Flynn. Stop on by! All this month we're talking about Hollywood's version of history.
OK, OK, really I'm talking about Rafael Sabatini and his high seas adventures that Warner Brother's made into movies staring Errol Flynn. I think someone else
played Captain Blood, too, but I don't count those. Because how can you compare the incomparable Errol Flynn to anyone?!
Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk, even Scaramouche staring Stewart Granger and Eleanor Parker.
OK, OK, really I'm talking about Rafael Sabatini and his high seas adventures that Warner Brother's made into movies staring Errol Flynn. I think someone else
played Captain Blood, too, but I don't count those. Because how can you compare the incomparable Errol Flynn to anyone?! Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk, even Scaramouche staring Stewart Granger and Eleanor Parker.
January 10, 2011
Monday Musings: Reading list
I need something to read. Any suggestions? I don't like not having a pile (physical or on the computer) to read. Makes me antsy. Romances, mysteries, foreign books translated into English (it's the only language I read *G*).
I'm pretty much open to anything.
Except biographies. Once in a while yes, but normally, I just don't care-I've enough family drama in my live thanks.
Here's what I'm reading now:
The Texan's Irish Bride by Caroline Clemmons
A Woman of Choice by Kris Tualla (I then plan on reading Kris's Prince of Norway and A Matter of Principle)
Maybe Robyn Carr's newest Virgin River? Hmm possibly yes. I still need more. Five books waiting for me is nothing. I need at least 12+ to make me feel better. Never know what mood I'll be in for bedtime reading!
I'm pretty much open to anything.
Except biographies. Once in a while yes, but normally, I just don't care-I've enough family drama in my live thanks.
Here's what I'm reading now:
The Texan's Irish Bride by Caroline Clemmons
A Woman of Choice by Kris Tualla (I then plan on reading Kris's Prince of Norway and A Matter of Principle)
Maybe Robyn Carr's newest Virgin River? Hmm possibly yes. I still need more. Five books waiting for me is nothing. I need at least 12+ to make me feel better. Never know what mood I'll be in for bedtime reading!
January 7, 2011
Friday Guest: Kristin Tualla
It's my pleasure to welcome Kristin Tualla today. She caught my attention with her blog choice of: Why Norway is the new Scotland. How could I not be intrigued? So please read through and learn why I now must read these stories, and have already started A Woman of Choice.
1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/ and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.
2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.
3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/
A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/
A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819
A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.
A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820
American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?
A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821
Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.
Cause tall hot Norwegien men? All over that...and you may take that statement as you will. :)
So, Norway is the new Scotland, huh? Prove it.
I'm not afraid to admit it.
When I began writing my very first novel for publication, I intentionally chose to write something other than the "kilted warrior." I wanted to be unique; I didn't want to be just another book in the crowd. A foin crouwd, to be surrre… but still. I wanted to create my own niche.
So I thought, who else is sexy? Vikings! Big, blond, buff, and beautiful, with oceanic eyes. But the Viking era was pretty harsh. And limited. And dirty. So Nicolas Hansen, my Norwegian hero, lives in the 1800s Missouri Territory. He (and all my Norse heroes to follow) are some version of big, blond, buff, and beautiful. Strong. Stunning. Smart.
Spectacular.
So, imagine my surprise when this creative streak turned out to be a hindrance! Publishers said, "We don't do American historicals… no one can sell Scandinavia… write Scotland, BUT Scotla
nd is a very crowded market… publishers LIKE their boxes…" I've heard it all.
Nonetheless, I stuck by my men. Especially when Nicolas told me (and his very surprised new wife) that he was a prince! Great-grandson of King Christian VI. Who knew? So in the second book of the trilogy, off we go to Norway in 1820 while Nicolas decides whether or not to be king.
I had been blogging about my heroes and my path to publishing, when the following article, "Common Mistakes by New Authors" by Irene Goodman, appeared in the September 2010 issue of Romance Writer Report (RWR) published by Romance Writers of America:
"It's always sad when an earnest author spends years working on something that absolutely no one is interested in except a few geeks or hobbyists. Let's say you want to write historical fiction. You need to understand that unless you are writing something very literary and high quality, you must pick a marquee name. If you fall madly in love with the life story of an obscure Norwegian king, please don't think that you are going to convince the world to love it, too. Furthermore, learn the market and what it requires. Commercial historical fiction is very female-driven. Even if the Norwegian king had some kind of interesting hook or quality to him, readers are more likely to be interested in the queen."
Hm. Coincidence? Possibly. Probably. Maybe not.
Make me more determined? Definitely.
It was back in 2007 that I was driving past IKEA when I heard a hyped-up commercial on the radio: H&M was coming soon! "Hmm," I thought. "These are both Scandinavian stores… I guess that's the next big thing."
And then it hit me. My hook. My brand. My big, blond, buff, beautiful heroes with oceanic eyes! Norwegian men are the next big thing.
"Norway is the new Scotland" was born. And it's growing.
So. Is it time you found a new brand of hero? Please allow me to help.
For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice - the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I'll give away three.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
In February at the end of my blog tour, I'll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here's how you can get in on that deal:
1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/ and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.
2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.
3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/
A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/
A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819
A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.
A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820
American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?
A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821
Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.
January 6, 2011
Thursday Progress: Dangerous Miss Hunt
Done. Finished. Complete. Finito.
So there!
Doing the happy dance now...
I do want to read through it once more, I'm sure there are spots that still need polishing, and I want to make sure the romance flows well from Point A thru Point D. The synopsis needs one more read through as well, and then it's off!
And only 7 weeks rather than the 6 weeks I'd estimated. Not too shabby considering I had to rework so much of it and do the beginning from scratch.
My title contest garnered a total of one person offering suggestions, so in honor of that, I've named Jared's butler Marlowe. He'll be making repeat appearances in the future three books. :) Thanks, Kit! (Kate, CMK...) No, I didn't chose one of those suggestions, but then I did offer limited information about the book and it did change from the time I posted that contest. Still, it's the effort that counts.
So there!
Doing the happy dance now...
I do want to read through it once more, I'm sure there are spots that still need polishing, and I want to make sure the romance flows well from Point A thru Point D. The synopsis needs one more read through as well, and then it's off!
And only 7 weeks rather than the 6 weeks I'd estimated. Not too shabby considering I had to rework so much of it and do the beginning from scratch.
My title contest garnered a total of one person offering suggestions, so in honor of that, I've named Jared's butler Marlowe. He'll be making repeat appearances in the future three books. :) Thanks, Kit! (Kate, CMK...) No, I didn't chose one of those suggestions, but then I did offer limited information about the book and it did change from the time I posted that contest. Still, it's the effort that counts.
January 5, 2011
Wednesday Reviews: The A-Team (movie)
As a child, I was a big fan of
The A-Team
. Every Saturday I
watched it on whatever station it ran. The last season aside, it was a great show I never tired of. It was what it is, and considering it involved mysteries, guns, war, lies, thugs, bullies, and yes even sex, it was still the kind of show that never loses its appeal.
Favorite line? Murdock's: (not quoted but from memory) Those who will be back will be coming back. But those who won't be back, won't be coming back. Now I say this because if you aren't back, then you won't be back. Understood? (It's the one with the soup kitchen.)
With a great deal of reservation, I watched the trailers for the movie. And fell in love. I HAD to see it, like pay for it in a movie theater which I rarely do ($10 a ticket? Out of your frakkin' mind). It was so worth it!
In one of the few remakes I can applaud, it took the qualities I loved from the original and modernized them. The humor was there, the comrade between the 4 of them, everything that made me tune in week after week to watch a show whose episodes were so similar that even as a kid I could tell that. I didn't mind that they took some of the iconic pieces from the show and did away with them. I liked the fact that they added them in! I liked that even the music was used, albeit in a slightly different manner. I loved BA's reasons for not flying. I loved the antagonistic friendship between BA and Murdock. I love Hannibal's plans, and I swear Liam Neeson channeled George Peppard. Bradley Cooper? Never heard of him before this (I didn't watch The Hangover though I may now) but yum. Just...yum. All in all, while I'm no fan of remakes, this one was spot on. Two thumbs up, definitely.
watched it on whatever station it ran. The last season aside, it was a great show I never tired of. It was what it is, and considering it involved mysteries, guns, war, lies, thugs, bullies, and yes even sex, it was still the kind of show that never loses its appeal.Favorite line? Murdock's: (not quoted but from memory) Those who will be back will be coming back. But those who won't be back, won't be coming back. Now I say this because if you aren't back, then you won't be back. Understood? (It's the one with the soup kitchen.)
With a great deal of reservation, I watched the trailers for the movie. And fell in love. I HAD to see it, like pay for it in a movie theater which I rarely do ($10 a ticket? Out of your frakkin' mind). It was so worth it!
In one of the few remakes I can applaud, it took the qualities I loved from the original and modernized them. The humor was there, the comrade between the 4 of them, everything that made me tune in week after week to watch a show whose episodes were so similar that even as a kid I could tell that. I didn't mind that they took some of the iconic pieces from the show and did away with them. I liked the fact that they added them in! I liked that even the music was used, albeit in a slightly different manner. I loved BA's reasons for not flying. I loved the antagonistic friendship between BA and Murdock. I love Hannibal's plans, and I swear Liam Neeson channeled George Peppard. Bradley Cooper? Never heard of him before this (I didn't watch The Hangover though I may now) but yum. Just...yum. All in all, while I'm no fan of remakes, this one was spot on. Two thumbs up, definitely.
January 4, 2011
Tuesday Comings and Goings
Today I'm over at Slip into Something Victorian talking about New Year celebrations. With really neat pictures and an article from ABC about the 1900 century-changing celebrations.
