Isabel Roman's Blog, page 64
November 9, 2010
Slowly editing
In reading the Prohibition era story over several obvious problems jumped out. Man, am I ever glad there's time to correct these? When did I decide it's a good idea to start with back story? When was it every okay to use an information dump?
Delete.Delete.
Delete.
Phew! And 3000 words gone. Just like that. 9000 left to cut! But that's all right, now that the opening chapters flow better, it's easy enough to see where the rest of the story is going and let it go. Things are cut, there are extraneous details that no long fit and that can happily go. That'll cut thigs down significantly.
Delete.Delete.
Delete.
Phew! And 3000 words gone. Just like that. 9000 left to cut! But that's all right, now that the opening chapters flow better, it's easy enough to see where the rest of the story is going and let it go. Things are cut, there are extraneous details that no long fit and that can happily go. That'll cut thigs down significantly.
November 8, 2010
Fall vs Summer
Brr, the weather has changed! I miss summer's warmth, and while fall is
pretty and all, this weather is not.
Five things I love about summer in no particular order:
□ Beach. I love and adore the ocean and would live there if I could. One day!
□ Traveling to places where I don't need to bundle up to see anything.
□ Museums, they always seem to have the best stuff on display during the summer.
□ Sitting outside and enjoying my yard. This summer's atrocious heat wave aside, it's great to sit out there in the morning/evening and just relax
□ Longer days. Ben Franklin's idea of daylight savings is all well and good when it works in your favor, but I don't think he had no idea how hard it is to get up for work when it's still pitch-black outside!
OK, and a #6…the warmth. Yeah, yeah this year's atrocious heat wave aside, who likes being cold, all bundled up against the frigid winter, head down , not looking left or right or up, but down so your nose doesn't fall off, with 7 feet of snow and blistering cold winds? NO ONE!!
What about you, what season do you like best and why?
pretty and all, this weather is not.Five things I love about summer in no particular order:
□ Beach. I love and adore the ocean and would live there if I could. One day!□ Traveling to places where I don't need to bundle up to see anything.
□ Museums, they always seem to have the best stuff on display during the summer.
□ Sitting outside and enjoying my yard. This summer's atrocious heat wave aside, it's great to sit out there in the morning/evening and just relax
□ Longer days. Ben Franklin's idea of daylight savings is all well and good when it works in your favor, but I don't think he had no idea how hard it is to get up for work when it's still pitch-black outside!
OK, and a #6…the warmth. Yeah, yeah this year's atrocious heat wave aside, who likes being cold, all bundled up against the frigid winter, head down , not looking left or right or up, but down so your nose doesn't fall off, with 7 feet of snow and blistering cold winds? NO ONE!!
What about you, what season do you like best and why?
November 5, 2010
Review: Hungry for your Love
Just found a new review for my
Zombified
story in
Hungry for your Love
from Bitten by Books. Overall, they gave it 3.5 Tombstones, but specifically of Zombified:
Yes, there are others that stand out, but I'll let you read the review yourself.
The collection does have several excellent pieces that stand out from the rest. In Zombified by Isabel Roman, an FBI agent and a doctor with a family connection inherit an unusual old mansion in the wilds of Martinique.
Yes, there are others that stand out, but I'll let you read the review yourself.
November 4, 2010
Cleaning house
I am one of those few people who stops following. Actually, I shouldn't say 'few'-for all I know, there may be more out there but from everything one hears (form the mysterious they) not a
lot of people take the time to stop.
So this week I did that. Pared down some of the things in my writing world to make it a wee bit more managable. I stopped following 12 blogs that I either never read or which haven't been updated in months. One was nearly a year. I still follow 42 blogs, but I know those aren't updated every day so I consider that list semi-managable. And maybe I'll actually comment on more of them now, too!
lot of people take the time to stop.So this week I did that. Pared down some of the things in my writing world to make it a wee bit more managable. I stopped following 12 blogs that I either never read or which haven't been updated in months. One was nearly a year. I still follow 42 blogs, but I know those aren't updated every day so I consider that list semi-managable. And maybe I'll actually comment on more of them now, too!
November 3, 2010
Late Halloween gift
Halloween came and went this year and I totally missed it. I watched It's the
Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown both nights it was on. And yet did I buy Halloween candy? (Nope, neither for me nor for the kiddies who came round, causing me to hide in my house and pretend the dog didn't bark at every child who knocked.)
In honor of my complete disregard of this holiday, which I normally enjoy very much! I'm giving away a free PDF of any one of my
stories to the person with the best 2010 Halloween story. It can be real, made up, a combination of the two, but it must be fairly short and MUST be posted by midnight EST today, Wednesday November 3, 2010.
The winner will receive his or her choice of any of the Druids stories, the EPPIE finalist Northern Roses & Southern Belles, the werewolf anthology with my story, Shadow State, the Russian historical, Kiss of Scandal, or any other story (short or anthology) you see on my site.
Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown both nights it was on. And yet did I buy Halloween candy? (Nope, neither for me nor for the kiddies who came round, causing me to hide in my house and pretend the dog didn't bark at every child who knocked.)In honor of my complete disregard of this holiday, which I normally enjoy very much! I'm giving away a free PDF of any one of my
stories to the person with the best 2010 Halloween story. It can be real, made up, a combination of the two, but it must be fairly short and MUST be posted by midnight EST today, Wednesday November 3, 2010.The winner will receive his or her choice of any of the Druids stories, the EPPIE finalist Northern Roses & Southern Belles, the werewolf anthology with my story, Shadow State, the Russian historical, Kiss of Scandal, or any other story (short or anthology) you see on my site.
November 2, 2010
FINALIST for the 2011 EPIC Anthology Award
AHHHHHHHHH!!!! OK now that I have that out of my system...:)
Northern Roses and Southern Belles is a finalist in the 2011 EPPIE Awards for Romantic Anthologies! We've received several
great reviews, including a 4 star review from Romantic Times. It's very exciting, and the annual conference is in Williamsburg, VA. I may have to go!
From the official EPIC email sent to The Wild Rose Press:
Northern Roses & Southern Belles , available in print and e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Wild Rose Press, and All Romance E-books.
Northern Roses and Southern Belles is a finalist in the 2011 EPPIE Awards for Romantic Anthologies! We've received several
great reviews, including a 4 star review from Romantic Times. It's very exciting, and the annual conference is in Williamsburg, VA. I may have to go!From the official EPIC email sent to The Wild Rose Press:
EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Coalition™ (http://www.epicauthors.com/) is delighted to announce that your entry, Northern Roses and Southern Belles, is a finalistin the Anthology Romance Category of the 2011 EPIC eBook Awards Competition™.
I have attached a copy of the finalist logo. We encourage you to post this to groups and websites, insert it in newsletters and promotional material as your badge of honor, sharing that you are part of a select group of great eBook publications.
The winner of EPIC's 2011 Anthology Romance Category will be announced at our annual conference, held in historical Williamsburg, Virginia, March 10-13, 2011. Come join us: mix with your peers, attend wonderful workshops, eat fabulous food, learn more about EPIC…and discover the winners of our growing eBook competition.
Northern Roses & Southern Belles , available in print and e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Wild Rose Press, and All Romance E-books.
November 1, 2010
Excerpt Monday
This is an excerpt from my environmentalist story. I'm all about recycling, clearing up the trash, generating less trash, and basically saving ourselves from ourselves. The Pacific Vortex? Disgusting and we need to desperately do something about that. Cleaning up Hawai'i's dirtiest beach, Kahuku? I had no idea Hawai'i even had a dirty beach. Hawai'i Five-O never showed
that.
Hot Waters from the Green Love Anthology :
"I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I expect it will be years." Turning to face him, she swallowed hard. This was more difficult than she'd thought. Never seeing him again panicked her. "You aren't the kind of man to wait years for a woman." As the words left her mouth, her heart constricted. "My contract was up weeks ago. We were just too busy in bed to notice."
"I noticed," Aidan snapped. "I didn't care."
She said a silent "Oh," and gathered her clothes.
"It's that easy?"
Turning sharply at his question, tears welled in her eyes. "Don't. I've made my choice."
"To leave what we have? To throw away everything we've created together? This is not something you're going to find again." His hands were still balled into fists at his side, and he held himself stiffly as he spoke. Aidan had formidable control, she knew first hand.
"I know." Her hand shook as she picked up her clipboard. Only years of training kept her voice even. "I know. But when people say they want to make a difference in the world, they're usually blowing smoke out their asses. This is real. I know how to do this. My work . . . will make a difference."
"There are others," he snarled, closing the steps between them. His hands lay hard on her arms, and he shook her once. "You can teach them, train them. It's not your job to save the whole damn world." Aidan's warm hand cupped her neck so she couldn't avoid his harsh gaze. "We can't lose this."
On sale now for $2.49
Overall 4 Cups of Coffee from Coffee Time Romance:
Ms. Roman has written an emotionally and stimulatingly charged story full of love and sensuality. This was not only beautifully composed but the type of tale I love to read, where you can connect with the characters. This story was easy to read from beginning to end and the conclusion of it will not leave you hanging, which made me a very happy reader.
that.Hot Waters from the Green Love Anthology :
"I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I expect it will be years." Turning to face him, she swallowed hard. This was more difficult than she'd thought. Never seeing him again panicked her. "You aren't the kind of man to wait years for a woman." As the words left her mouth, her heart constricted. "My contract was up weeks ago. We were just too busy in bed to notice."
"I noticed," Aidan snapped. "I didn't care."
She said a silent "Oh," and gathered her clothes.
"It's that easy?"
Turning sharply at his question, tears welled in her eyes. "Don't. I've made my choice."
"To leave what we have? To throw away everything we've created together? This is not something you're going to find again." His hands were still balled into fists at his side, and he held himself stiffly as he spoke. Aidan had formidable control, she knew first hand.
"I know." Her hand shook as she picked up her clipboard. Only years of training kept her voice even. "I know. But when people say they want to make a difference in the world, they're usually blowing smoke out their asses. This is real. I know how to do this. My work . . . will make a difference."
"There are others," he snarled, closing the steps between them. His hands lay hard on her arms, and he shook her once. "You can teach them, train them. It's not your job to save the whole damn world." Aidan's warm hand cupped her neck so she couldn't avoid his harsh gaze. "We can't lose this."
On sale now for $2.49
Overall 4 Cups of Coffee from Coffee Time Romance:
Ms. Roman has written an emotionally and stimulatingly charged story full of love and sensuality. This was not only beautifully composed but the type of tale I love to read, where you can connect with the characters. This story was easy to read from beginning to end and the conclusion of it will not leave you hanging, which made me a very happy reader.
October 29, 2010
Uplifting pictures
A friend sent me this forward and I thought I'd share a couple here. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
October 28, 2010
Conference workshop
Now that my brain is no longer fried from the great weekend at the NJRW conference, I can honestly say that the workshops I managed to get to were worth it. I met a lot of great people and had a blast.
I also got to pitch to some wonderful editors and will be sending them my stuff ASAP. (Except that 1920s story I have to cut by 10,000 words and edit since I finished it and shoved it aside months and months ago.)
I also got to pitch to some wonderful editors and will be sending them my stuff ASAP. (Except that 1920s story I have to cut by 10,000 words and edit since I finished it and shoved it aside months and months ago.)
October 27, 2010
Complicated Courtship
Complicated Courtship
is a short story about Kirsten, a staunch patriot during the American Revolution whose fiance has stopped paying attention to her. She
fears he no longer loves her but isn't willing to let it go. Seducing him on the advice of her stepmom, Kirsten realizes it isn't that James no longer loves her, but that he's being blackmailed by a British officer. Excerpt:"If you'll excuse me, I'm gong to look for James." She saw Margaret nod serenely from the corner of her eye, but focused her attention on the Lieutenant.
He sputtered a little. "Isn't it proper for the two of you to meet here in the parlor?"
"Oh, it's no bother," Margaret said casually. Waving a dismissing hand she added, "Let the young couple have a few moments of privacy."
Nodding to her stepmother, Kirsten quickly exited. Her footsteps echoing sharply in the hall, she wasn't paying attention and ran straight into James' chest.
"Oh!" she gasped, looking up at him.
His arms steadied her, and Kirsten swore she could feel his touch through her many layers of clothing. Caught in his intense blue gaze, all she could think of were the things Margaret told her. For a heartbeat, his face showed his emotions, and it was the James she remembered. But then he closed himself off, and she wondered if she'd imagined it.
Breath short, she shakily stepped backwards. His hands stayed on her waist for a moment, before he, too, moved away.
"He's an insufferable man," she managed. Her voice sounded breathless, and she had to clear her throat before going on. "I don't know how you stand him in your house."
He looked to the side, and she wondered what he thought. "He'll be gone before long."
Opening her mouth to say more on Leftenant Cromwell, Kirsten changed her mind and stepped closer. This was her chance. Ignoring the nerves in her stomach, she said softly, "I hope for nothing more," she turned his face to hers, wishing she was taller, "than for your attention."
James' surprise gaze hurt, but she went on.
"I've missed you," she whispered, threading her fingers through his queue. His unpowdered hair was soft beneath her fingertips. "I don't see why we have to be apart until our wedding night."
fears he no longer loves her but isn't willing to let it go. Seducing him on the advice of her stepmom, Kirsten realizes it isn't that James no longer loves her, but that he's being blackmailed by a British officer. Excerpt:"If you'll excuse me, I'm gong to look for James." She saw Margaret nod serenely from the corner of her eye, but focused her attention on the Lieutenant.He sputtered a little. "Isn't it proper for the two of you to meet here in the parlor?"
"Oh, it's no bother," Margaret said casually. Waving a dismissing hand she added, "Let the young couple have a few moments of privacy."
Nodding to her stepmother, Kirsten quickly exited. Her footsteps echoing sharply in the hall, she wasn't paying attention and ran straight into James' chest.
"Oh!" she gasped, looking up at him.
His arms steadied her, and Kirsten swore she could feel his touch through her many layers of clothing. Caught in his intense blue gaze, all she could think of were the things Margaret told her. For a heartbeat, his face showed his emotions, and it was the James she remembered. But then he closed himself off, and she wondered if she'd imagined it.
Breath short, she shakily stepped backwards. His hands stayed on her waist for a moment, before he, too, moved away.
"He's an insufferable man," she managed. Her voice sounded breathless, and she had to clear her throat before going on. "I don't know how you stand him in your house."
He looked to the side, and she wondered what he thought. "He'll be gone before long."
Opening her mouth to say more on Leftenant Cromwell, Kirsten changed her mind and stepped closer. This was her chance. Ignoring the nerves in her stomach, she said softly, "I hope for nothing more," she turned his face to hers, wishing she was taller, "than for your attention."
James' surprise gaze hurt, but she went on.
"I've missed you," she whispered, threading her fingers through his queue. His unpowdered hair was soft beneath her fingertips. "I don't see why we have to be apart until our wedding night."
