Nadia Lee's Blog, page 19
July 9, 2012
Giving Up Coffee
Angela James mentioned on Twitter that she quit drinking coffee, and that it made a big difference to her. I wasn't a coffee drinker until I was 27 or so, and up until I got hooked, I'd never really felt the need for it, though I'd occasionally indulged in green tea and Diet Coke.
So I timed my detox period around my vacation in May to Korea. I quit drinking coffee one week before my trip to Korea, then I didn't drink any while I was in Seoul, then voila, two weeks over! 
I think it helped me fall asleep better. I used to lie in bed, wondering why the hell I wasn’t asleep yet! On the other hand, it's been terrible for me in the mornings when I didn't get to sleep very well, courtesy of The Boy. (I'm wondering if he's teething again -- he's due to get his first molars soon -- since he's awfully restless at night.)
One thing I'm trying to do is drink more water every day, though I haven't been too good about that. I have no idea why. When I was working my day job, I was drinking over a gallon a day. My coworkers used to joke about my "jug." I don't think anything has changed that much between now and then. Maybe I'm just old and forgetful now. 
© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.
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Books Available by Nadia Lee
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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July 5, 2012
Hot July!
Hello, everyone. Can you believe 2012 is more than half over?
June was a super productive month. Not because it was that special (it was the same old same old), but because I read The Power of Habits, and used some of the tips and tricks mentioned in the book. I highly recommend it to anybody trying to change any bad habits they may have. Best tip for me: before going to bed each night, make a list of what you’re going to do the next day. Then do it. Works wonders.
The sequel to The Last Slayer is with two betas right now, plus I received feedback on my other novel from Agent. As usual, she had some really good comments.
And I'm working on the final book in The Last Slayer trilogy since the second book sort of ends in a cliff hanger. So I don't want to have a long period between the second and third book release dates.
I have three main writing-related goals for the month of July:
Finish the first draft of Slayer #3 (untitled).
Revise the sequel to The Last Slayer per beta feedback.
Revise the other novel project per Agent's feedback.
On more personal front, The Boy is walking a bit more now. It's kinda cute. He's not super fast or anything, and his balance is still a bit wobbly, but he’s getting there.
And sometime this month, Hero Material is traveling to America on business, leaving me alone with The Boy for about six days. In Japan, you traditionally bring omiyage (souvenirs) for your friends, family, etc. after a trip outside the local prefecture. What should I ask him to bring?
Finally, I'm trying to read some really intensely romantic romance novels. If you have any recommendations, please comment and let me know!
© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.
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Books Available by Nadia Lee
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:
The Second Half of 2011 Is Here!
A Quick Update
Hold on, September!
July 3, 2012
English Test
Question 1 -- Correct the following sentence:
LOL
© 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
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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June 22, 2012
The Boy at the Aquarium
It was his 1st time. He loved Nemo (clown fish). 
(We were supposed to take a picture together, but he decided to stand up and block most of his mommy. I had to hold him so he didn't lose his balance and fall since the small wooden ledge around the tank was about 4 feet off the floor.)
© 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
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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June 15, 2012
Kyobo Books, Korean Bookstore
I'm finally getting around to posting a few pics from Korea.
So here's the 1st one -- Kyobo Books. I went to the main one in the basement of the Kyobo Building. This particular bookstore has over 2.3 million books.
Kyobo building -- it's a big building, though the one that's even bigger (the bluish one) is owned by Dong-Ah News (newspaper company).
Entrance:
Kyobo ereader display --
Closeup of Kyobo ereaders --
Kyobo v. Kindle --
Kyobo keyboard -- its keys are so small, I don't know if I can really use it
Kyobo ereader screen -- it's not bad, but I didn't find the display good enough for Korean text (I do read Korean pretty well)
Kyobo book displays -- BTW, there are lots of this kind of displays to showcase select titles.
Kyobo display of JKR's Harry Potter series --
Kyobo book slip to help you find any title you want -- it tells you exactly how many copies are in the store, plus the exact location in the store plus a small map so you can find it easily (sorry it's wrinkly b/c it got crushed in my bag)
Kyobo has one of the most amazing inventory tracking system. I bought two books entitled The Woman Who Made a King.
I'll post more photos of downtown Seoul later.
© 2008 - 2012 Nadia Lee. All Rights Reserved. Visit nadialee.net for more great content.
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Books Available by Nadia Lee
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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June 7, 2012
Romance & SFF Readers Don't Care About Cover Design or Good Writing?
From "The Amazon Effect" written by Steve Wasserman:
But as Amazon's six other publishing imprints (Montlake Romance, AmazonCrossing, Thomas & Mercer, 47North, Amazon Encore, The Domino Project) have discovered, in certain genres (romance, science fiction and fantasy) formerly relegated to the moribund mass-market paperback, readers care not a whit about cover design or even good writing, and have no attachment at all to the book as object. Like addicts, they just want their fix at the lowest possible price, and Amazon is happy to be their online dealer.
As a romance writer, I find the comment offensive.
As a reader of romance, fantasy and SF, I find the assertion that I don't care about cover or writing at all doubly offensive. What am I? A drug addict desperate for the cheapest dope I can find regardless of the quality?
I really hope it reflects the personal belief of Steve Wasserman, not other publishing professionals he's interviewed for the article. Otherwise, publishing's in trouble, not because of Amazon, but because they don't respect their readers.
© 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
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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June 1, 2012
This Month's Resolutions
Write / revise more.
Exercise more.
Sleep is overrated.
© 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
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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May 31, 2012
Happy June, Everyone!
I must start this month's note by saying I'm sorry for missing last month's update. May was just too hectic. The Boy got bronchitis at the end of April, and with our trip to Korea and all, he had to basically stay out of daycare until May 18th, while we were planning our trip and getting our paperwork, etc. ready. Meanwhile Hero Material was really sick -- high fever and so on -- and there just wasn't any time for me to do everything I needed to do.
By the time we returned from the trip, it was too late to post an update. So that's how I ended up with nothing for May.
Now you may be wondering, "Why did you go to Korea, Nadia? Isn't your baby a little too young for an international trip?"
The Boy was exactly 11 months old when we flew out. So he was a bit young, and to be honest, Hero Material and I were not planning to travel overseas until The Boy was at least 3 years old. But my younger brother was getting married, so we had to go. And we are so glad we went. The wedding was stunning, and it was great to see my family and relatives. The Boy was a superstar; he did very well on the plane and at the wedding. And he got hugged by everyone, which he adored. I posted a few pictures of The Boy in Korea here if you want to see.
On the writing front -- I finally sent off a new novel to Agent. It's a futuristic romance set (mostly) in Tokyo. I like the project, and I hope Agent likes it too.
As for the sequel to The Last Slayer -- I'm doing another revision, which is about 75% done. Once I hit the 100% mark, I plan to send it off to a pair of fresh eyes for input. The plot and basic structure probably won't change at this point unless people tell me I messed up something really bad.
With the Boy back in daycare and my having recovered somewhat from the trip, I'm hoping that June will be more productive (and less sleep-deprived). I hope all of you have a lovely month.
P.S. Don't forget -- A Happily Ever After of Her Own and Carnal Secrets are still on sale on Amazon, BN and All Romance eBooks!
© 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
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:
June! June!
Happy October!
Lovely June
May 25, 2012
Neil Gaiman's Commencement Speech
Brilliant!
© 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
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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May 24, 2012
The Boy's First International Travel (with Pics!)
The Boy enjoying his formula.
The Boy checking out his in-flight bassinet. (Strangely Asiana didn't provide it on our return flight, saying that he's suddenly too big for it. O_o)
Doesn't this look like he's playing poker?
The Boy at his uncle's wedding. (It was beautiful BTW.)
The Boy at a restaurant.
The Boy with two young women in hanbok (Korean traditional dress).
© 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
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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