Isabel Roman's Blog, page 60
January 3, 2011
Monday Musings
January 3.
2011.
New day, new week, new month, new year.
Not much has changed.
I still spent yesterday writing all day. To be fair, I spent New Year's Eve partying and New Year's Day recuperating/Christmas partying/shopping.
What does this year hold in store for me? Yeah yeah if I knew that I'd be rich. I know what I'd like it to hold. Happiness, health, sanity, prosperity, and good friends and family.
I hope your new year holds everything you want from it! Go after it, whatever it is.
As for my Charity One-liner, Two whole people commented, so $10 goes to The Children's Aid Society. Maybe I'll try again not during the holidays when more people aren't crazed.
2011.
New day, new week, new month, new year.
Not much has changed.
I still spent yesterday writing all day. To be fair, I spent New Year's Eve partying and New Year's Day recuperating/Christmas partying/shopping.
What does this year hold in store for me? Yeah yeah if I knew that I'd be rich. I know what I'd like it to hold. Happiness, health, sanity, prosperity, and good friends and family.
I hope your new year holds everything you want from it! Go after it, whatever it is.
As for my Charity One-liner, Two whole people commented, so $10 goes to The Children's Aid Society. Maybe I'll try again not during the holidays when more people aren't crazed.
December 31, 2010
Happy New Year!
2011 is upon us. Still no flying cars, trips to the moon, or the complete
eradication of poverty. On the plus side, also no World War III, nuclear destruction, or all out annihilation. Have to look on the bright side, eh?
This coming year I'm devoting to my 1922 Prohibition series, finishing up my Dark Regency story (and plotting the 2nd in that series) and possibly finally getting back to that Egyptian Contemporary Paranormal.
Anything beyond that is a bonus, though I also want to plot out a semi-traditional Regency (meaning no paranormal, no erotica, but plenty of sensuality and twisty red-herrings).
You? Plans, plots, ideas, goals? Hopes for the upcoming year? Happy, Healthy, Safe 2011 to all!
eradication of poverty. On the plus side, also no World War III, nuclear destruction, or all out annihilation. Have to look on the bright side, eh?This coming year I'm devoting to my 1922 Prohibition series, finishing up my Dark Regency story (and plotting the 2nd in that series) and possibly finally getting back to that Egyptian Contemporary Paranormal.
Anything beyond that is a bonus, though I also want to plot out a semi-traditional Regency (meaning no paranormal, no erotica, but plenty of sensuality and twisty red-herrings).
You? Plans, plots, ideas, goals? Hopes for the upcoming year? Happy, Healthy, Safe 2011 to all!
December 30, 2010
Thursday Progress
Last week I wrote how I "finished" my Prohibition story and was spending the next several weeks editing it.
I'm doing just that. Yup. Even with the cold (hey, it didn't snow this year!) ad general craziness of the holidays. Editing.
No more gutting, no more re-writing, just editing. It's a lovely concept. Hoping to get through it before too long, but I don't want to rush; on submission is ever perfect, but I would like this one close. I'm really hoping the editor I'm sending it to accepts! :)
12 Days of Christmas with my Four Calling Birds story
Merry SeXmas with 2 stories: Memorable and Red Bow
I'm doing just that. Yup. Even with the cold (hey, it didn't snow this year!) ad general craziness of the holidays. Editing.
No more gutting, no more re-writing, just editing. It's a lovely concept. Hoping to get through it before too long, but I don't want to rush; on submission is ever perfect, but I would like this one close. I'm really hoping the editor I'm sending it to accepts! :)
12 Days of Christmas with my Four Calling Birds story
Merry SeXmas with 2 stories: Memorable and Red Bow
December 29, 2010
Wednesday Review: Kinght and Day
I do not like Cameron Diaz. I really don't. (My opinion but) she can't act and her
face is often frozen in one expression no matter the emotion. Despite his personal life I probably couldn't care any less about than I already do, I think Tom Cruise is a fabulous actor.
Knight and Day was a funny and enjoyable movie. The middle seriousness needed to be cut, it wasn't a serious movie. It was all in jest, all tongue-in-cheek and it should have stayed that way. I was a little annoyed with the parts when either he or she were knocked out and it was a weird drug-induced montage about what happened in the interim, but alas. I guess they didn't want to...slow the story down? No idea, it was weird. However, other than that saggy middle problem, I think the humor was dead on, it played to, off of, and made fun of a great many spy movies. Probably why I enjoyed it so much. So no, despite my utter dislike of Cameron Diaz, and the fact that the middle needed re-editing, I do recommend this. Just remember to take it as it is and for what it is. Completely irreverent.
face is often frozen in one expression no matter the emotion. Despite his personal life I probably couldn't care any less about than I already do, I think Tom Cruise is a fabulous actor.Knight and Day was a funny and enjoyable movie. The middle seriousness needed to be cut, it wasn't a serious movie. It was all in jest, all tongue-in-cheek and it should have stayed that way. I was a little annoyed with the parts when either he or she were knocked out and it was a weird drug-induced montage about what happened in the interim, but alas. I guess they didn't want to...slow the story down? No idea, it was weird. However, other than that saggy middle problem, I think the humor was dead on, it played to, off of, and made fun of a great many spy movies. Probably why I enjoyed it so much. So no, despite my utter dislike of Cameron Diaz, and the fact that the middle needed re-editing, I do recommend this. Just remember to take it as it is and for what it is. Completely irreverent.
December 28, 2010
One-liner charity event
Long, long ago (not that long actually) a local writer's group had a fundraising contest for the holidays: The best first sentence. I didn't win, I don't remember who did or what their line was, but I sorta recall mine.
It involved a naked man beneath the heroine's Christmas tree where she found him Christmas morning upon waking and went like: There was a very hot, very naked man lying beneath her Christmas tree.
There was more to the story, a real plot actually, though don't ask me what their names were. The heroine's best friend and the hero's best friend smuggled the very drunk hero into the heroine's home as a Christmas surprise.
This is the last week of 2010, and there is always a need to help others. (Heartwarming story here as to why I'm doing this and why I love this country .) Just
because you're tight this year doesn't mean there aren't families who can't afford the very basics for their children. I'm a big believer in education, it's the only way to elevate our society and prevent street gangs from recruiting.
I usually donate to esoteric charities, but this year, for every person who leaves a one-liner, I'll donate to The Children's Aid Society .
It can be from a story you never finished, the best opener you never used, whatever. But it has to be yours, it has to be posted here, and it has to be by 5 pm on 12/31/10.
DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to ignore cheesy openings like this one (see picture to the right →). They have to be legitimate story openers. If you have a cheesy opening (see picture to the right →) please include the next line for clearer explanation.
For more information about why I picked The Children's Aid Society, click here .
It involved a naked man beneath the heroine's Christmas tree where she found him Christmas morning upon waking and went like: There was a very hot, very naked man lying beneath her Christmas tree.
There was more to the story, a real plot actually, though don't ask me what their names were. The heroine's best friend and the hero's best friend smuggled the very drunk hero into the heroine's home as a Christmas surprise.
This is the last week of 2010, and there is always a need to help others. (Heartwarming story here as to why I'm doing this and why I love this country .) Just
because you're tight this year doesn't mean there aren't families who can't afford the very basics for their children. I'm a big believer in education, it's the only way to elevate our society and prevent street gangs from recruiting.I usually donate to esoteric charities, but this year, for every person who leaves a one-liner, I'll donate to The Children's Aid Society .
It can be from a story you never finished, the best opener you never used, whatever. But it has to be yours, it has to be posted here, and it has to be by 5 pm on 12/31/10.DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to ignore cheesy openings like this one (see picture to the right →). They have to be legitimate story openers. If you have a cheesy opening (see picture to the right →) please include the next line for clearer explanation.
For more information about why I picked The Children's Aid Society, click here .
December 27, 2010
Dark Desires of the Druids: Temptations and Treachery I a...
Dark Desires of the Druids: Temptations and Treachery
I admit, this was an additional story. I'd always wanted to tell Isadore's story, but the overall arc of my Druids was a trilogy. Then I realized just how perfect Isadore and James were together. How could I resist? Especially when prim & proper Isadore wanted more--more action, more adventure, more romance? I caved, and James Blackthorne did, too. *G*
Only available in ebook form: here and here (for only $2.49) and anywhere else you can buy ebooks.
Pppssst...have you entered my Title Contest ?
Excerpt:
James hovered over Isadore's chair, feeling protective toward her, and the need to distance Dinshaw from her. When they'd come up with this plan, he hadn't counted on Dinshaw being taken with Isadore. Or Isadore's reaction to him.
The council was gone, as was his carriage. Takoda lurked outside, and Irisi was back at Morgana's house pretending they were all there.
"I think everyone believed our little scene," Dinshaw said. He grinned at Isadore and James wanted to rip him to pieces.
"You've very convincing, Allen," James said, deadpan. "I almost believed you."
Dinshaw merely grinned and said to Isadore, "I'll be at the North American with my business associates. Will the two of you lie in wait?"
"Maybe not lie in wait," Isadore laughed. James saw red. "But we'll be here should anyone try to enter your home."
"Is there anything else we need to do?" he asked, pathetically excited over the entire endeavor.
"No." James stated. "Wouldn't want you to be late."
"No, no," Dinshaw said, standing, "of course not." He kissed Isadore's hand, smiled down at her. James grabbed his arm and hustled him out of the room.
"We'll be here," he repeated. "Make sure you protect yourself, don't go off alone. And don't come back too soon."
Dinshaw nodded, gathering hat, cane, gloves. "Oh, I'll be several hours at least."
"Excellent."
James hung back from the door, making sure no one saw him. The entire point of their plan was to make Dinshaw's house the most appealing tonight.
"I'll be back late, Alfred!" he called to his butler. James rolled his eyes. The door closed behind Dinshaw with a decisive click.
"There was no need to push him out the door," Isadore said from beside him.
"Yes there was."
"Oh?"
"I didn't like the way he looked at you," he growled, pulling her to him.
"James," she chuckled, "he's a consummate flirt, nothing more."
"I don't care," he whispered against her mouth. "I've become very possessive of you." He pulled back and looked at her. "I hope that isn't a problem?"
He wasn't sure he cared if it was. Isadore was his. In their short time together, he'd grown closer to her than anyone in his life. He wanted her more, he needed her more. The only thing stopping him from beating Dinshaw to a bloody pulp was the knowledge they needed him, and his house, for their plan to work.
"No," she whispered. "But it might be when I return to England."
"If I let you go."
Only available in ebook form: here and here (for only $2.49) and anywhere else you can buy ebooks.
Pppssst...have you entered my Title Contest ?
Excerpt:
James hovered over Isadore's chair, feeling protective toward her, and the need to distance Dinshaw from her. When they'd come up with this plan, he hadn't counted on Dinshaw being taken with Isadore. Or Isadore's reaction to him.
The council was gone, as was his carriage. Takoda lurked outside, and Irisi was back at Morgana's house pretending they were all there.
"I think everyone believed our little scene," Dinshaw said. He grinned at Isadore and James wanted to rip him to pieces.
"You've very convincing, Allen," James said, deadpan. "I almost believed you."
Dinshaw merely grinned and said to Isadore, "I'll be at the North American with my business associates. Will the two of you lie in wait?"
"Maybe not lie in wait," Isadore laughed. James saw red. "But we'll be here should anyone try to enter your home."
"Is there anything else we need to do?" he asked, pathetically excited over the entire endeavor.
"No." James stated. "Wouldn't want you to be late."
"No, no," Dinshaw said, standing, "of course not." He kissed Isadore's hand, smiled down at her. James grabbed his arm and hustled him out of the room.
"We'll be here," he repeated. "Make sure you protect yourself, don't go off alone. And don't come back too soon."
Dinshaw nodded, gathering hat, cane, gloves. "Oh, I'll be several hours at least."
"Excellent."
James hung back from the door, making sure no one saw him. The entire point of their plan was to make Dinshaw's house the most appealing tonight.
"I'll be back late, Alfred!" he called to his butler. James rolled his eyes. The door closed behind Dinshaw with a decisive click.
"There was no need to push him out the door," Isadore said from beside him.
"Yes there was."
"Oh?"
"I didn't like the way he looked at you," he growled, pulling her to him.
"James," she chuckled, "he's a consummate flirt, nothing more."
"I don't care," he whispered against her mouth. "I've become very possessive of you." He pulled back and looked at her. "I hope that isn't a problem?"
He wasn't sure he cared if it was. Isadore was his. In their short time together, he'd grown closer to her than anyone in his life. He wanted her more, he needed her more. The only thing stopping him from beating Dinshaw to a bloody pulp was the knowledge they needed him, and his house, for their plan to work.
"No," she whispered. "But it might be when I return to England."
"If I let you go."
December 26, 2010
Boxing Day!
Boxing Day has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were
needy and in service positions. The European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages. Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.
needy and in service positions. The European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages. Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.
December 24, 2010
Happy Christmas!
Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas to all. I hope this holiday season brings peace, happiness, joy, and togetherness to you and yours.
What's your favorite Christmas song? So very difficult: My top 3 are: I'll be Home for Christmas sung by Frank Sinatra, The Christmas Song, as lo by Frank, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams, and OK, my all time favorite is honestly Merry's Snoopy Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen. And pretty much anything by Nat
King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby...oh White Christmas. Can't forget that one. I love the classics.
Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas hands down.
Favorite Christmas Cartoon? Charlie Brown's Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman (I love Jimmy Durante as the narrator). I enjoy the others, too but those are my tops.
What's your favorite Christmas song? So very difficult: My top 3 are: I'll be Home for Christmas sung by Frank Sinatra, The Christmas Song, as lo by Frank, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams, and OK, my all time favorite is honestly Merry's Snoopy Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen. And pretty much anything by Nat
King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby...oh White Christmas. Can't forget that one. I love the classics.Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas hands down.
Favorite Christmas Cartoon? Charlie Brown's Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman (I love Jimmy Durante as the narrator). I enjoy the others, too but those are my tops.
December 23, 2010
Thursday Progress
On the side of my blog, I have the progress of three stories.
The Egyptian Contemporary
is currently on hold though I'd love to revisit that and soon. My
Dark Regency
is next on the list of things to complete and I'll get to that within the next several weeks, probably the second or third week in January. It's thoroughly plotted and outlined, all I lack is time.
(Isn't that a song?)
And I'm happy to say I'm finished with my Vintage 1922 Prohibition Story ! Now when I say finished, I mean I'm done ripping it apart and gutting the original story. It was gory.
By finished, I mean I'm done rewriting it and will now spend the next 2 weeks polishing it one final time for submission. Ah, the things you wish you'd done before Christmas week.
No matter, I'm very pleased with this story, I know I can add a few more things here and there, and will do so no matter the season.
What are you doing this week? Shopping? Wrapping? Baking? Cleaning house? Crashing on the couch and hoping it'll all be over soon?
(Isn't that a song?)
And I'm happy to say I'm finished with my Vintage 1922 Prohibition Story ! Now when I say finished, I mean I'm done ripping it apart and gutting the original story. It was gory.
By finished, I mean I'm done rewriting it and will now spend the next 2 weeks polishing it one final time for submission. Ah, the things you wish you'd done before Christmas week.
No matter, I'm very pleased with this story, I know I can add a few more things here and there, and will do so no matter the season.
What are you doing this week? Shopping? Wrapping? Baking? Cleaning house? Crashing on the couch and hoping it'll all be over soon?
December 22, 2010
Every Man Dies Alone: Wednesday Review
This is not the sort of story you want to read during the holiday season. It's damned depressing and makes you want to stop reading. But it's also exactly what the holidays, indeed what living, is all about. When you think of holidays you think helping those in need, caring, sharing, (and singing Christmas carols/watching Christmas cartoons but that isn't the point here).
Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada in about a couple in Nazi Germany who try to inspire resistance in Berlin. I debated long and hard over what to write in this review. There's a lot going on, it's deeply emotional, scary, inspiring, and one of the best books I've read in ages. I went to Amazon and B&N to see what other people wrote about this in hopes i could better articulate my thoughts. Publisher's Weekly put it best, and that's probably why they're paid the big bucks:
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. This disturbing novel, written in 24 days by a German writer who died in 1947, is inspired by the true story of Otto and Elise Hampel, who scattered postcards advocating civil disobedience throughout war-time Nazi-controlled Berlin. Their fictional counterparts, Otto and Anna Quangel, distribute cards during the war bearing antifascist exhortations and daydream that their work is being passed from person to person, stirring rebellion, but, in fact, almost every card is immediately turned over to authorities. Fallada aptly depicts the paralyzing fear that dominated Hitler's Germany, when decisions that previously would have seemed insignificant—whether to utter a complaint or mourn one's deceased child publicly—can lead to torture and death at the hands of the Gestapo. From the Quangels to a postal worker who quits the Nazi party when she learns that her son committed atrocities and a prison chaplain who smuggles messages to inmates, resistance is measured in subtle but dangerous individual stands. This isn't a novel about bold cells of defiant guerrillas but about a world in which heroism is defined as personal refusal to be corrupted.
I can't put it any better than this except to say some lessons should never be forgotten.
Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada in about a couple in Nazi Germany who try to inspire resistance in Berlin. I debated long and hard over what to write in this review. There's a lot going on, it's deeply emotional, scary, inspiring, and one of the best books I've read in ages. I went to Amazon and B&N to see what other people wrote about this in hopes i could better articulate my thoughts. Publisher's Weekly put it best, and that's probably why they're paid the big bucks:
From Publishers WeeklyStarred Review. This disturbing novel, written in 24 days by a German writer who died in 1947, is inspired by the true story of Otto and Elise Hampel, who scattered postcards advocating civil disobedience throughout war-time Nazi-controlled Berlin. Their fictional counterparts, Otto and Anna Quangel, distribute cards during the war bearing antifascist exhortations and daydream that their work is being passed from person to person, stirring rebellion, but, in fact, almost every card is immediately turned over to authorities. Fallada aptly depicts the paralyzing fear that dominated Hitler's Germany, when decisions that previously would have seemed insignificant—whether to utter a complaint or mourn one's deceased child publicly—can lead to torture and death at the hands of the Gestapo. From the Quangels to a postal worker who quits the Nazi party when she learns that her son committed atrocities and a prison chaplain who smuggles messages to inmates, resistance is measured in subtle but dangerous individual stands. This isn't a novel about bold cells of defiant guerrillas but about a world in which heroism is defined as personal refusal to be corrupted.
I can't put it any better than this except to say some lessons should never be forgotten.
