Nadia Lee's Blog, page 16

Recipe: Shio Koji Chicken Ball Soup

I got this recipe from Hero Material's friend. We tried it twice, and both times it came out well, so we wanted to share.

Ingredients

4-5 tbsp of shio koji

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp cooking sake

200 g of minced chicken (or ground chicken)

1 tbsp of finely chopped or minced ginger

10 cm of green onion, finely chopped

2 heads of bok choy

1/2 carrot (peeled)

1 pack of enoki

1 Asian leek (you can just use western leek or green onion if you can't find the Asian leek)

5 cups of water

Instructions

Chop up bok choy into bite-size chunks. Make sure to separate out the head part and the leafy part. Set aside.
Cut carrot into 5mm-thick half-moons. Set aside.
Cut the root of enoki and throw it away. Then cut the enoki in half. Set aside.
Slice the leek into thin diagonals.
Put the ground chicken into a bowl and add 2 tbsp of shio koji, 1 tbsp of minced ginger and 10 cm of finely chopped green onion. Mix them well and make them into small chicken balls.
Pour 5 cups of water into a deep pan and bring it to boil. Dump the chicken balls one-by-one into the boiling water and let them cook through.
Put the vegetables in the following order: carrot pieces, leek, enoki, head part of bok choy, then the leafy part of bok choy. When you add the vegetables, make sure that the carrot is soft enough for you before adding the rest.
Once the vegetables are cooked, add 1 tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tbsp of sake and 2-3 tbsp of shio koji. Makes 2-3 servings. You can serve it with steamed rice on the side if you'd like.

Note

You can add more chicken balls without adding more broth. If you do, make sure to adjust the amount of shio koji, ginger and green onion for the chicken ball mixture.

Metric conversion for Americans

200g = 7oz

10cm = 4"

5mm = 0.2"

I hope you enjoy this soup!

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

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Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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How Our Body Language Can Shape Who We Are

I want to share an incredibly inspiring and fascinating talk by Amy J. C. Cuddy about how our body language can shape who we are.

Most of us think that others look at our body language to judge us. But we too unconsciously are affected by our own body language and act accordingly. Our body language governs how we think and feel about ourselves.

So watch this amazing talk on body language and see how you can make yourself more confident:

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Published on January 15, 2013 18:00

How I Plan to Spend 2013 (Writing-Wise)

resolutions

Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope your 2012 ended on a lovely note, and you're all ready for another productive and exciting year. I'm planning to do some serious work this year, mostly on improving my process. Looking back on the hours and time I spent on my projects, it's obvious that my process for drafting and revision is flawed and extremely inefficient.

This basically means I need to think about how I can write more efficiently. That won't always involve my sitting in front of a computer and typing away. Sometimes planning may be more important (and more time-consuming) than the actual drafting itself. But that's okay if it results in a cleaner and better first draft that won't require months and months of rework.

I'm hoping to have four books written, including the current WIP plus an Ever After novella. My family and I are also moving in January, but hopefully it won't suck up too much time, though I'm definitely budgeting at least 2 weeks of non-writing time for the big move, getting things cleaned up, etc.

What is your Number One Professional / Career Goal for 2013?

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Published on December 31, 2012 17:00

What Inspires Me

My post on my life inspiration is on Mina Khan's blog. Check it out! (Bonus: It has a picture of The Boy...! )

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Published on December 17, 2012 03:28

Seven Things I'm Grateful For in 2012

Instead of my usual how I'm doing with my writing and life, I decided to post about what I'm grateful for this year.

My awesome family for being supportive and fabulous, despite a lot of ups and downs this year.
My great writing buddies, esp. M&M Writers -- Amanda Bonilla, Amanda Carlson, Shawntelle Madison and Sandy Williams.
Book bloggers and reviewers and Twitter and Facebook buddies for great book recommendations, wonderful conversations and support.
My agent for being awesome and patient.
My readers who are just plain awesome (and have excellent taste!

)
Romance Divas and the Indie Romance Ink gang for invaluable information and keeping me sane.
Finishing house hunting, which was extremely stressful and took a reeeeally long time!

I'm hoping for a healthier and more productive 2013. (I was sick 9 out of 12 months in 2012.) And I can't wait to move in 2013!

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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A HAPPILY EVER AFTER OF HER OWN (Ever After 1) Cracks Three Genre Lists on Amazon

A Happily Ever After of Her Own cracked three separate genre and subgenre lists on Amazon. Thank you so much!

P.S. If you haven't had a chance to grab a copy, the book is still on sale (66% off), but only until November 30. Thanks!

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Published on November 29, 2012 06:50

How to Create a Sexy and Heroic Frog Plus a Giveaway

I'm on Book Lovers Inc today, discussing how I created a sexy and heroic frog for One Kiss. Go, read and comment for a chance to win a copy of One Kiss!

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Published on November 28, 2012 20:30

The Next Big Thing: Untitled Contemporary Romance (sequel to Carnal Secrets)

I saw this meme(?) over on Leah Braemel's blog, and I wanted to participate (she tagged only one person and whoever wants to join the fun).

10 Questions:

What is the working title of your book?

None. I don't always have a decent working title for the book until I'm done. I'm calling it "Kerri & Ethan" (the BFFs of h/H from Carnal Secrets). If you have any brilliant suggestions, feel free to leave me a comment and let me know!!!!!

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I always wanted to write Kerri and Ethan's story. I just needed a good idea that would work for both first.

What genre does your book fall under?

Contemporary romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

I have no idea for Ethan Lloyd (hero) because I actually found a stockphoto that I thought was a good representation of him. Maybe Matt Damon (I'm very partial to his acting).

As for Kerri Wilson (heroine), Christina Hendricks.

What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?

A driven woman, who copes with fear of rejection by seeking companionship and intimacy from men she won't form any long lasting attachment to, has a fling with an arresting man who wants to strip her to her very soul.

Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?

I'll send it off to my agent when it's ready and see where we want to sub it to (or self-pub). It'll depend on how we can reach the most number of readers.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

About a month, but I spent four weeks on character sheets and plotting, etc. before I started drafting it.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'm a terrible judge of this since I'm so biased. I'd say any really sexy contemporary romance novels with boss/employee, well-meaning matchmakers and a horrible family scandal that kicks off the story.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My Husband Got a Family. It's a very long Korean drama, but I loved it so much.

What else about your book might interest the reader?

If you like reading about a sexy billionaire whose greatest strength and weakness is his intense need to provide for those he loves and a woman who has everything but a job, home and man, you'll enjoy Ethan and Kerri's story.

Mini Excerpt:

This is an unedited except. It may be changed or even deleted from the final book.

“I see.” Kerri nodded. She wasn’t too worried about the job itself. She knew she could handle it. But the rest of the package she wasn’t so sure about. A place to live. A no-strings-attached temporary arrangement with a guy who made her wet with just a look. “I need to think about it.”

“I understand.” Ethan glanced at his watch. “I’ll give you a minute.”

“A minute?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Not really a difficult decision, is it? Just a yes or a no.”

“Can I take the job but refuse to live with you?”

“Sorry. Package deal.”

Of course.

He rose and came over to her seat. One large hand rested on the back of her chair and another on the table, effectively trapping her. The blood in her veins warmed and surged. If he pulled back just a little and bent his head, he could kiss her mouth. That seemed like a delicious option, and she angled her face just so, letting her lips part slightly in invitation.

He didn’t even flicker an eyelash. No, he wouldn’t kiss her no matter how blatant the signal…not unless she gave him the answer he wanted.

Did she want to sever whatever connection they had?

Manageable or not, he wasn’t going to be a permanent fixture in her life. He’d be a temporary arrangement—a fling. After her doctor’s orders had rendered virtually all of life’s pleasures off-limits, surely she could indulge just a little bit? Ethan’s family’s business couldn’t be that complicated; it wouldn’t take more than a few weeks to go through their books.

“Time’s up,” he said. His eyes were locked on hers.

He hadn’t even glanced at his watch.

I'm supposed tag four writers, but I know everyone's really busy w/ holiday stuff, so I'll let people who are interested in participating join in. All you have to do is link back to this post and answer the questions above.

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ever After Bundle: Books 1 & 2

One Kiss (Ever After Book 2)

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own (Ever After Book 1)

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Published on November 28, 2012 04:41

Why Simon & Schuster's Archway Publishing Is Bad for Authors

I had to comment on the deal that Simon & Schuster Archway Publishing is offering to authors. No matter how S&S tries its best to package it as "self-publishing" it is a vanity publishing venture, designed specifically to make profit by taking money from authors, not selling books to readers.

I've created a handy cheat sheet / chart below for you. You can see that S&S's Archway Publishing offers the worst of the both traditional publishing and self-publishing: You'll pay for everything; you'll have no control over anything; and you'll have to split your profit with the publisher.

Do not sign up for it. There's no reason to pay someone $2,000-$25,000 to format and upload your book on Kindle. (Since S&S plans to outsource everything for Archway Publishing, you won't get the kind of editing and cover art that S&S's traditional publishing program offers.)

Furthermore, you do not need to use service providers like S&S's Archway publishing to get noticed by a traditional publisher if that is one of your goals. They are already watching Amazon's Top 100 list. The self-published novelists who got snapped up by traditional publishers did not use vanity publishers.

Trad Pub
Vanity Pub
Self-Pub

Who pays for editing, cover, formatting, layout and all the other costs related to publication?
Publisher
You
You

Who selects the team/people for editing, cover, formatting, layout and all the other activities related to publication?
Publisher
Publisher
You

Who controls editing, cover, formatting, layout and all the other activities related to publication?
Publisher
Publisher
You

Who controls your book's price?
Publisher
Publisher
You

Who gets paid by the retailers?
Publisher
Publisher
You

Is the money from retailers split between the publisher and author?
Yes
Yes
No

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own , a Paranormal Romance

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

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Related posts:
Harlequin Horizons = Vanity Press

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Published on November 27, 2012 18:24

How I Boosted My Productivity for NaNoWriMo 2012

This year I was able to draft and do the first major round of revision on my manuscript during NaNo. I wanted to share two books that helped me achieve that, so that you too can boost your productivity whether you're doing NaNo or not.

First up is 2k to 10k by Rachel Aaron.

2k to 10k is a short ebook on how to increase word count (and hopefully your output consists mostly of the words you can keep) and revise. Her section on increasing productivity for the actual drafting phase is excellent, and many would benefit from reading it, not just for future NaNo challenges, but for general productivity. (I presume you want to write more and better all the time, not just in November.)

I personally found her advice on revision particularly helpful since I always struggle with it. I'm extremely inefficient with revision (my process is atrocious, trust me). I can spend 1-2 months on drafting a novel, then spend the next 12+ months on revision!

I usually end up feeling sick to my stomach at the idea of having to look at the book again by the time I mail my manuscript to Madam Agent. I know it's something I must correct for my own sake since it's holding my productivity back and hurts my career.

Anyway, changing something you've been doing for a long time can be difficult, but I know I can do it. I've done it before, and with the practical tips and guidelines, I know I can master the revision process.

I recommend 2k to 10k highly for not only prepping for NaNo, but for the post-NaNo months when you revise your NaNo manuscript. (And it's a steal at only $0.99.)

Be A Sex-Writing Strumpet by Stacia Kane is something I wish I'd read years ago. I always struggle with sex scenes -- which is terribly frustrating for a romance writer who includes sex scenes in many of her books -- and I needed to find a way to write sex scenes better and faster.

The book is actually a collection of blog posts Stacia wrote, and the organization may be less than ideal (or formatting not up to your standards for those of you who want an uber-nice ebook). But the information in the book is 100% worth the price.

Be A Sex-Writing Strumpet isn't just for romance writers, since she also talks about sex scenes for other genres.

So if you don't have a lot of confidence in writing sex scenes or want to improve your sex scenes, try Be A Sex-Writing Strumpet.

© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.

Sign up for News from Nadia Lee to receive emails about her new releases, fun contests, giveaways and appearances!

Books Available by Nadia Lee

Ashwyn: Cinderella Retold with an Erotic Twist

The Last Slayer , an Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Carnal Secrets , a Contemporary Romance

Destiny Entwined , an Erotic Romance

A Happily Ever After of Her Own , a Paranormal Romance

How to Format Your Manuscript for Kindle and Nook: 3rd Edition

This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator or via the BlogBurst network, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us so we can take legal action immediately.