Nicole Zoltack's Blog, page 54
March 2, 2011
Love Triangles
There are so many love triangles in books nowadays.
Elena. Stefan. Damon.
Bella. Edward. Jacob.
Sookie. Bill. Eric.
And so many more. Is it just me or do most of the love triangles focus on a girl torn between two guys? Why is that? Guys read, too.
Maybe one of my next books should be about a love triangle where the guy has to pick between two girls....
Do you like books that feature a love triangle?
March 1, 2011
New month, new goals
I can't believe it's March already. Wow, does time fly!
So now that it's the first, I thought I would write down my monthly goals.
I want to work on the rest of the stories for my new ebook series - What You See is What You Get. Can't wait for the first story - Seeing for the First Time - to be released on the 8th! The blurb:
Ever since she was six, ten years ago, Ana has to spend her summers with Gram. There's never anything to do, the closest beach is two hours away, and Ana's convinced her Gram is crazy. She's always talking to things that weren't there.
One day, Ana sees strange colors near Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can See them, and there are others who can. Ana's a Seer, too, she just hasn't seen her paranormal creature yet.
Gram gives Ana a book that explains about many different creatures: selkies, unicorns, vampires, and many others. The entry about werewolves mentions Ana's parents as famous werewolf hunters.
Now Ana's summer is turning more exciting and she plans on finding her paranormal creature. Even if it might prove dangerous… and deadly.
I also want to revise and polish Alexia's Pen and Hidden in Shadows, as well as find an editing job. And a secret project or two. :)
So those are my goals. What are yours?
So now that it's the first, I thought I would write down my monthly goals.
I want to work on the rest of the stories for my new ebook series - What You See is What You Get. Can't wait for the first story - Seeing for the First Time - to be released on the 8th! The blurb:
Ever since she was six, ten years ago, Ana has to spend her summers with Gram. There's never anything to do, the closest beach is two hours away, and Ana's convinced her Gram is crazy. She's always talking to things that weren't there.
One day, Ana sees strange colors near Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can See them, and there are others who can. Ana's a Seer, too, she just hasn't seen her paranormal creature yet.
Gram gives Ana a book that explains about many different creatures: selkies, unicorns, vampires, and many others. The entry about werewolves mentions Ana's parents as famous werewolf hunters.
Now Ana's summer is turning more exciting and she plans on finding her paranormal creature. Even if it might prove dangerous… and deadly.
I also want to revise and polish Alexia's Pen and Hidden in Shadows, as well as find an editing job. And a secret project or two. :)
So those are my goals. What are yours?
February 28, 2011
Creature Mondays
Credit for picture
The chimera is another creature from Typhon and Echidna. According to Homer, the chimera had a lion head, a goat middle, and a snake behind. Hesiod said the chimera had three heads and the goat head can breathe fire.
In Greek mythology, Bellerophon kills the chimera with the help of Pegasus. He attaches a block of lead to the end of his spear and shoves it into its throat. The lead melts and the chimera suffocates.
February 25, 2011
IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER
from a forwarded email that I thought was worth sharing
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' Asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here..'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr.. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me
With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and
moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket..
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.
They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..'
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.... Green stoplights on your way to work....
The fastest line at the grocery store....
A good sing-along song on the radio...
Your keys found right where you left them.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' Asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here..'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr.. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me
With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and
moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket..
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.
They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..'
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.... Green stoplights on your way to work....
The fastest line at the grocery store....
A good sing-along song on the radio...
Your keys found right where you left them.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!
And the winner is...
The winner of the $50 giftcard to CSN stores is...
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse!
Congrats, Angela! I'll be emailing you shortly!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse!
Congrats, Angela! I'll be emailing you shortly!
February 24, 2011
Contest Reminder
Just a little reminder that today is the last day to enter my giveaway for a $50 giftcard to CSN stores. Good luck!
February 23, 2011
Rerelease!
I have some release news. The first story I sold was "Little Cowgirl" (written under the name Nicolette Zamora.). It was written for Freya's Bower One Touch, One Glance anthology. Now that anthology has been re-released with a brand new cover and in print. So you can buy either ebook or a print copy.
Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned romance? Remember reading about a man's clothed physique, or how a fellow admired a woman in a pretty red dress? How about stories where couples fall in love with just one glance or that first gentle touch? Then open this anthology and enjoy 18 beautiful stories of love lost, love found, intrigue, heartache healed, the miracles of life, passionate admissions, and tearjerkers that make one sigh with longing. From best friends who find romance to time travel to a bit of Christmas magic, step into the realm of hearts on fire and love everlasting.Authors:Gwen Hayes, M.E. Ellis, Maryann Miller, Adelle Laudan, K. Starling, Trinity Blacio, Debbie Gould, Ava James, Faith Bicknell-Brown, Savannah Chase, Lisa Alexander Griffin, Kensana Darnell, Nicolette Zamora, Kathleen MacIver, Missy Lyons, and Jambrea Jo Jones
Ebook
February 22, 2011
News! Revealing a Secret Project
I can finally tell you all about one of my secret projects!Yes, only one . :) But don't worry, I have lots of things up my sleeves and you'll learn more about the others soon.
Anyhow, I signed a contract with Echelon Press. I'm one of twelve authors from around the world to participate in the exciting new Electric Shorts division. Written specifically for young readers, the Electric Shorts are high impact stories presented in a venue similar to that of popular television series. Electric Shorts will publish one story/episode each month in eBook. An Electric Shorts season will last six months. My first episode [Seeing for the First Time] in the "What You See is What You Get" series will debut on March 8, 2011.
Electric Shorts are written for readers between the ages of seven and seventeen with fast-paced and intense storylines.
Seeing For the First Time
Ever since she was six, ten years ago, Ana has to spend her summers with Gram. There's never anything to do, the closest beach is two hours away, and Ana's convinced her Gram is crazy. She's always talking to things that weren't there.
One day, Ana sees strange colors near Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can See them, and there are others who can. Ana's a Seer, too, she just hasn't seen her paranormal creature yet.
Gram gives Ana a book that explains about many different creatures: selkies, unicorns, vampires, and many others. The entry about werewolves mentions Ana's parents as famous werewolf hunters.
Now Ana's summer is turning more exciting and she plans on finding her paranormal creature. Even if it might prove dangerous… and deadly.
For advance review copies and requests for interviews and author events for any of the participating authors, contact Karen L. Syed at Echelon Press echelonpress@gmail.com.
February 21, 2011
Creature Mondays
Credit for picture
This week's creatures is the Cerberus.
Known as the mythical ancestor of the black dogs of European mythology. Cerberus is the hellhound that guards the gate of the Underground in Greek mythology.Cerberus makes sure that no living creature steps foot into the Underground and that no spirit escapes.
Hesiod said the creature is huge and fierce, with 50 heads. Also, that the creature is an offspring of Echidna, the mother of all monsters, and Typhon, one of the sons of Gaia. Most other writers said that Cerberus had only three heads, the tail of a serpent, and each head's manes contained snakes.
February 17, 2011
Giveaway time!
It's been a little while since I did a giveaway and since CSN Stores contacted me about giving a giftcard away on my blog, I thought it was kismet! Haven't heard of CSN? CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from kids' swing sets to stylish furniture to cute cookware! They have everything, even the kitchen sink! I recently won a blog contest for a giftcard from CSN and I can't wait to get my mini stepper!
One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to any CSN Store to purchase anything you'd like!
A few rules:
Must live US & Canada. (CSN ships to those countries.)
Does not cover any shipping costs but you can use it on ANY product from ANY one of their sites.
You can gain an extra entry by commenting on what you would love to have from the site linked above.
Ends on Thursday, 24th at midnight EST.
Winner will be announced the next day.
Must fill out the below form:
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One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to any CSN Store to purchase anything you'd like!
A few rules:
Must live US & Canada. (CSN ships to those countries.)
Does not cover any shipping costs but you can use it on ANY product from ANY one of their sites.
You can gain an extra entry by commenting on what you would love to have from the site linked above.
Ends on Thursday, 24th at midnight EST.
Winner will be announced the next day.
Must fill out the below form:
<p>Loading...</p>
