Gabi Stevens's Blog, page 10

Favorites

The most interesting thing about having written a collection of short (short) stories is how everyone has a different favorite. I like them all but even I have a couple that stand out as my favorites. The people who have previewed the stories all told me they enjoyed the entire collection, but X is their favorite. X has been different for each person. One friend like the first in the collection; my husband liked a totally different one. I find it so interesting that our tastes can vary so much. I also find it wonderful.

Why so wonderful? There are books people rave about that I couldn’t finish. (You know the one I’m talking about, Monique.) There are books I obsess about that I can’t get others to read. What it shows is that there is room for everyone out there in the world of books. You may not like my books, but you’ll rave over someone else’s. Some author might leave you cold, but my books will carry you away to that magic world where you forget yourself. It’s all good.

If we all liked the same thing, we’d all have to read (and eat, and view, and furnish our houses with) the same thing. Yuck. How boring. While I believe there is value in having common experiences in a culture , i.e., certain books, films, etc. that everyone has read or seen, you are still allowed to pick your favorites. And pick your unfavorites. Taste and sharing them or arguing over them makes life interesting.

Have I mentioned I don’t like olives?

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now:

This Case is Gonna Kill Me by Phillipa Bornikova

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan MacGuire

A Game of Thrones  by George RR Martin (reread)

Giveaway!!

I’m doing a giveaway.

Buy one of my Gabi Anderson books: Temptation’s Warrior, The Falcon and the Wolf, To Tame a Rose, A Matter of Convenience, A Matter of Pride, A Matter of Honor, or the boxed set of The Destiny Coin series; and I will send you a hard copy of The Wish List, the first book in my Time of Transition series by Gabi Stevens.

Available now

Can you see behind the mask?

 

Now here are the perimeters, barriers, the shortcomings, whatever you want to call them: the Gabi Anderson books are only available in ebook form, but you can get them at Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and iBook, so you have to buy them in that form. Then you have to send me an email at GabiStevens505@gmail.com with the title of the book you bought and your address. Only the first fifty responders will receive a book. I am opening this internationally, but be warned: your free book is coming to you on a sloooow boat if you don’t live in the US or Canada. Otherwise it’s coming to you in a sloooow truck.

 

If you don’t have an e-reader, you can download reader aps onto your computers or tablets (For free I believe, and no, they aren’t paying me money to say these things) If you have a Mac you already have iBooks.

So, did you need something to read? Here’s your chance.

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now:

Three Weeks With Lady X by Eloisa James

Don’t Know much about History: Everything you Need to Know about American History… by Kenneth C Davis

Book stories

I just read a blog at B&N about lines that book lovers get that annoy them. It reminded me of a story that happened to me that I’m still flabbergasted about, so I thought I’d share.

Many years ago, I read Ken Follet’s Pillars of the Earth. Loved it. In fact I liked it so much I thought it would be a great gift for my brother-in-law who enjoyed the middle ages and even did some creative anachronism stuff. For his birthday I tracked down a hardcover first edition of the book and sent it to him. He read it and enjoyed it.

The next time I saw him, he proudly told me that he had wanted to share the book with his fourteen-year old daughter, so he had painstakingly went through and whited out the lines he thought were inappropriate.

Now it was his book, and I totally believe in loving books to death, i.e. breaking the spines, re-reading until pages fall out, writing in the margins, etc., but censorship, not so much. I also understand wanting to protect a young lady from certain content, but if that’s the case, she was too young to read the book.

The incident has remained with me as something I  shake my head at.

Do you have any book horror stories?

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now:

Actually I’m revising my own work right now, a straight fantasy, and enjoying the heck out of it.

Nothing

I haven’t blogged in a while because I feel as if I have nothing to say. Nothing thrilling has happened to me (other than a sprained finger from which my wedding ring had to be cut–and yes, I’ve seen the video about taking a ring off without cutting it and tried it; didn’t work–and I wouldn’t call a sprained finger thrilling); I have no words of wisdom to impart; my every day life isn’t interesting (and I prefer it that way–remember that old supposed Chinese curse, which has no verifiable Chinese origin: May you live in interesting times)–you don’t really want to hear about my calling the plumber for a leak; and I have foot surgery tomorrow (no big deal; no, really; the doc said the surgery itself takes about fifteen minutes) but I don’t like to share such personal inform here ( see what I did there?). The only other going on in my life right now are my allergies.

So I got nothing. I’m working on a straight fantasy– I guess you’d call it an urban fantasy, but it isn’t as gritty as expect urban fantasies, and I’ve got a collection of stories that are creepy, definitely NOT romance, coming out in May under a different name, and I will tell you about those, but not now (Really; if you’re expecting romance from these stories you will be sadly disappointed. My husband read them and now he’s afraid of me).

Oh, and buy my books (snicker).

Sometimes nothing is nice–for me. It’s relaxing. But sorry if you had to read this post about nothing. Maybe I should let Pixie blog for me again.

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now:

He Drank and Saw the Spider by Alex Bledsoe

New E-Book

Ever Yours is the release for eBook of my award-winning historical romance.

Can you see behind the mask?

A mysterious bequest sends the outspoken and vivacious Lady Ivy St. Clair on an errand to the wilds of Wales. Although weather and circumstance conspire to trap her, Ivy embraces this last gasp of adventure before she has to settle into marriage. Even if she must contend with the Monster Earl.

Scarred and disfigured in a carriage accident, Auburn Seaton, Earl Tamberlake, prefers solitude to society. Aware of the moniker the ton has given him, he embraces the darkness. When Ivy disrupts his world, he is forced to confront the shadows she reveals and face the light—the light she embodies.

But she has a duty to her family that doesn’t include him. Besides, no one can expect her to choose a monster. Can one?

At Amazon, Nook,  and soon to be on Kobo and iTunes.

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now:

The Emperor’s Conspiracy by Michelle Diener

Stung by Bethany Wiggins

Life after Life by Kate Atkinson

 

The things that shape us

 I was the child of immigrants and we didn't have lots of money when I was a child. And I lived in the poor section of an affluent town. At school there were always events, requirements, projects, trips that I either couldn't participate in fully. You know the old meme about Crayola crayons vs, Rose Art? That was my life, but we didn't even have Rose Art quality crayons.

One school I taught at had a blanket field trip form so the teachers/advisors could take their classes to a nearby coffee house/bakery. My kids were always begging me to take them. I never did, because I knew what it felt like to drink only water while everyone else had sodas or ice cream or lunch.

As an adult I've never had to worry about any of this. My kids got Crayola crayons and wore clothes that fit them (don't get me started on hand-me-downs when I was taller than most of the older kids we knew), but I have never forgotten what it feels like not to fit in.

Here's another perspective on this topic. When Elite Parents Dominate Volunteers

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:

All Beautiful Things by Nicki Salcedo

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Prodigal Mage by Karen Miller

The things that shape us

I was the child of immigrants and we didn’t have lots of money when I was a child. And I lived in the poor section of an affluent town. At school there were always events, requirements, projects, trips that I either couldn’t participate in fully. You know the old meme about Crayola crayons vs, Rose Art? That was my life, but we didn’t even have Rose Art quality crayons.

One school I taught at had a blanket field trip form so the teachers/advisors could take their classes to a nearby coffee house/bakery. My kids were always begging me to take them. I never did, because I knew what it felt like to drink only water while everyone else had sodas or ice cream or lunch.

As an adult I’ve never had to worry about any of this. My kids got Crayola crayons and wore clothes that fit them (don’t get me started on hand-me-downs when I was taller than most of the older kids we knew), but I have never forgotten what it feels like not to fit in.

Here’s another perspective on this topic. When Elite Parents Dominate Volunteers

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now:

All Beautiful Things by Nicki Salcedo

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Prodigal Mage by Karen Miller

NaNoWriMo

I did it. This is the first time ever I've signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and so far I am loving it. Let me give you my take on it and why it's working for me.
First off, the idea of writing 50,000 words in a month is not so daunting for me. I've done it before when I had deadlines and books due. The fastest I've ever written a book (rough draft) was two months. That was with A Matter of Pride and I just wanted to see if I could do it. Turns out it was one of my favorite books. (see the Pretty Baby post). Maybe it was because I knew what was going to happen (not plotting--I don't do much extensive plotting; I just have a general idea of what the story will be) and didn't leave myself time to second guess what I was putting on the paper. So this year, after many month of writing heartaches and pain, I needed something to kickstart my writing again. I had been plodding along, but I just wasn't feeling it. My daughter (one of the twins) is also a writer. Not published yet, but she is working on her second novel. She signed up for NaNoWriMo and asked me to as well. What the hell, I thought. So I did.The thing about me is that I have an enormous responsibility streak in me. When I sign up for or commit to something, I do not shirk my duties. (Thus when I quit my volleyball team earlier this year--long story--you know it was a major issue that caused me to do that. Okay, you only have my word for it, but honestly, it was a big traumatic deal for me.) As soon as I signed up for NaNo in October, I started regretting it. Writing really did break my heart this year and last--several times--so I wasn't eager about doing NaNo. And then I started.OMG (sorry). It's been fantastic! Not only have I reached the goal every day so far, the joy is back. I'm having such fun. Yes, it's work; yes, it's hard; yes, I've taken wrong turns and had to delete scenes; but I've always managed to make forward progress and like what poured out on the paper. I can't believe how much I look forward to facing the page (yes, I'm hand writing it, then transferring to computer) each day. That responsibility gene may have kick started me, but now it's me and I'm loving it.Now I also have to make a confession. You're supposed to start Nano with a brand new work, from the beginning, with nothing written on it yet. I'm a rebel. I had a half finished novel that I'm working on, but honestly, 50,000 words is 50,000 words. I don't need validation from the website, I don't need to win any prizes, I just needed that responsibility gene to kick in (That gene is also why I'm so good on deadline--in ten published books, I haven't missed one yet and turned in nine of them at least a month early. Yes, I was that freak in high school and college who turned in term papers early too. Except once, when I wanted to experience what an extension felt like. I hated it. I had a semester and turned it in a week after the due date.)So my words for today are done, I'm looking forward to tomorrow, and now I'm off to play. Or do laundry. Unfortunately real life does like to intrude.--Gabi
Books I'm reading now
A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin

NaNoWriMo

I did it. This is the first time ever I’ve signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and so far I am loving it. Let me give you my take on it and why it’s working for me.

First off, the idea of writing 50,000 words in a month is not so daunting for me. I’ve done it before when I had deadlines and books due. The fastest I’ve ever written a book (rough draft) was two months. That was with A Matter of Pride and I just wanted to see if I could do it. Turns out it was one of my favorite books. (see the Pretty Baby post). Maybe it was because I knew what was going to happen (not plotting–I don’t do much extensive plotting; I just have a general idea of what the story will be) and didn’t leave myself time to second guess what I was putting on the paper. So this year, after many month of writing heartaches and pain, I needed something to kickstart my writing again. I had been plodding along, but I just wasn’t feeling it. My daughter (one of the twins) is also a writer. Not published yet, but she is working on her second novel. She signed up for NaNoWriMo and asked me to as well. What the hell, I thought. So I did.

The thing about me is that I have an enormous responsibility streak in me. When I sign up for or commit to something, I do not shirk my duties. (Thus when I quit my volleyball team earlier this year–long story–you know it was a major issue that caused me to do that. Okay, you only have my word for it, but honestly, it was a big traumatic deal for me.) As soon as I signed up for NaNo in October, I started regretting it. Writing really did break my heart this year and last–several times–so I wasn’t eager about doing NaNo. And then I started.

OMG (sorry). It’s been fantastic! Not only have I reached the goal every day so far, the joy is back. I’m having such fun. Yes, it’s work; yes, it’s hard; yes, I’ve taken wrong turns and had to delete scenes; but I’ve always managed to make forward progress and like what poured out on the paper. I can’t believe how much I look forward to facing the page (yes, I’m hand writing it, then transferring to computer) each day. That responsibility gene may have kick started me, but now it’s me and I’m loving it.

Now I also have to make a confession. You’re supposed to start Nano with a brand new work, from the beginning, with nothing written on it yet. I’m a rebel. I had a half finished novel that I’m working on, but honestly, 50,000 words is 50,000 words. I don’t need validation from the website, I don’t need to win any prizes, I just needed that responsibility gene to kick in (That gene is also why I’m so good on deadline–in ten published books, I haven’t missed one yet and turned in nine of them at least a month early. Yes, I was that freak in high school and college who turned in term papers early too. Except once, when I wanted to experience what an extension felt like. I hated it. I had a semester and turned it in a week after the due date.)

So my words for today are done, I’m looking forward to tomorrow, and now I’m off to play. Or do laundry. Unfortunately real life does like to intrude.

–Gabi

Books I’m reading now

A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin

Secrets in Books

Oooo, that sounds so ominous. Well, if not ominous, important, and actually this post is neither. But as I was re-reading and getting A MATTER OF HONOR ready for publishing as an ebook, I remembered so many things that were going through my mind as I was writing the novel. So I thought I'd share some of those secrets. A Matter of Honor: book 3 in the Destiny Coin series
First, I have to tell you about the heroine's name. Lorane didn't just pop into my head from nowhere. When I was a young girl, I was given a doll by bachelor friend of my parents. Yes, the bachelor part is important because he didn't have children, so he really didn't have any idea what an appropriate toy was for kids. He gave my sister and me dolls--dolls that go on display, not the kind you play with. These dolls had big eyes and were very stylized. My sister destroyed hers pretty quickly, but I had mine for years (even after I gave her way too much makeup with a marker). In fact my kids can remember that doll because I still had it as an adult. She fell apart about 15 years ago, but that doll was named Lorena and she lives on in my heroine.
The second secret about Lorane is that she was the easiest character I have ever written. Why? Because she's my husband. Okay, that sounds weird, but her focus-driven ways, her interest in science and her dedication to her work is as familiar to me as my own quirks because I've lived with them since I was married. My husband is just as focused, just as dedicated to his work, and can be just as, hmmm, shall we say unconcerned?-- about the real world as Lorane can be in the novel. The only time a review has ever truly hurt me was when one reviewer said she didn't like Lorane because she dealt with absent-minded people all the time and they drove her crazy. It hurt because my husband is such a wonderful man, so loving, so caring, but if I depended on romantic letters or gifts to show that he loved me, I'd be waiting a loooong time. Of course, I also think intelligence is the sexiest thing out there, more than abs, roses, or spewing poetry. Nerd girl here.
Another secret: To this day, I don't think I could recognize poison ivy. (You'll have to read the book to see why this is ironic.)--GabiBooks I'm reading now:
A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin