Nicki Elson's Blog, page 48

Sway in the Summer Breeze

Last Tuesday, Omnific Publishing released two Summer Lovin' Anthologies---one sweet as a Summer Breeze and one hot & steamy as a Heat Wave---to benefit breast cancer research through the Save the Ta-tas Foundation.  For the project, thirteen authors, nine editors, and two graphic designers volunteered their time and talents to help a great cause in the funnest of ways. Our cover designer, Stephanie Swartz, is a two time breast cancer survivor. 
Each anthology contains a collection of summer-themed short stories.  My story "Sway" is in Summer Breeze.   Here's a snippet about the story as well as the song it shares a title with. (I may have listened to it over and over and over again while writing...and then once more.  So that's my question for you---what songs have seeped into your writing?)
Swayby Nicki Elson
Summer evenings get interesting for three octogenarian sisters when a dreamy crooner shows up outside one of their bedroom windows.




To learn more about the anthologies and meet all the authors, visit Summer Lovin' Books.

The Summer Breeze collection of sweet summer romances brings together seven of Omnific Publishing's authors for some "breezy" romantic reading. In just one book, you can find Carol Oates' Irish mythical storytelling, Jennifer Lane's sassy swimmer, and Hannah Downing's second chance at first love. While Nicki Elson spins a beautiful tale of remembered love, Killian McRae employs a modern twist with her technology-based romance, and Sarah Glover tells the story of best friends' summer discovery. Rounded out with Susan Kaye Quinn's glimpse into the next chapter of her Life, Liberty and Pursuit gang, this anthology offers something for everyone to get lost in this summer.


In the Heat Wave anthology, you'll find six steamy romance stories by some of your favorite authors for some "heated" reading. Fans of paranormal romance will enjoy Robin DeJarnett's vampire lovers and Lisa Sanchez's unexpectedly compatible lovers. While Debra Anastasia transports you to a long ago time for some steamy romance, Jessica McQuinn brings you back to the hot protectors of modern day. BJ Thornton and Kasi Alexander dip into the exotic with their touch of super sexy. There's something in this collection to get every reader's temperature rising!  


Meet an Author Monday is now hosted by Lisa Sanchez at her Romance Author blog where she's hosting a Sizzling Summer Author Extravaganza all month long!
Please hop on and hop along to mix & mingle w/ other authors.

Light Up Those Skies, America!

This is my cheesy tribute
 to the country I was born in
and that I love
and that I learn to appreciate more and more each day. 

Our path hasn't been perfect.  We've made mistakes along the way. 
But we stand strong.
United in our vision, even when our methods diverge.

A baby in the grand scheme of things,

I'd say we've done pretty dang well.


A nation that is truly under God can never fail.  
(Look, I know "well" and "fail" don't rhyme.  It just sort of happened.)
Enjoy those weenies, everyone!

How to Get the Best Edit Evah!

I've got a guest post today over at the Savvy Authors website in which I dish out ten quick tips for giving your manuscript a final polish before it goes into editing.  Just thought I'd pass on some things I've noted through my editing role that've helped me with my own writing.

Arg! I just noticed a problem w/ my post over there.  The strikeouts for my example were eliminated, so it's a little confusing.  I've notified my contact, but until it gets straightened out, this version of points 6-10 will be easier to follow:

 For the points below, I'll use the following excerpt (in which it will become abundantly clear I spent way too many hours reading Archie comics at my grandma's).  There's nothing wrong with the excerpt grammatically, but I'm sure you'll agree it can be improved.  We'll refine it in stages.
Excerpt
            Joe wanted to go to the pool. "Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?" he asked as he pointed his thumb in the direction of the local swimming pool.             Alex wasn't sure whether he wanted to go.  He scratched his head and said, "I don't know, Joe.  Why do you want to go to the pool?"            Joe answered.  "Because it's hot at the pool, Alex."            Alex turned his head and looked at the thermostat. He was confused. "It's only seventy degrees, Joe.  That's not hot."            Joe rolled his eyes.  He reached out and put both hands on either side of Alex's face.  He turned his friend's head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool.  Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.              "Like I said, Alex—it's hot at the pool," Joe said.                Alex smiled. Now he wanted to go to the pool. "Let's go to the pool, Joe."              
6. Eliminate unnecessary physical movements
As writers, we picture everything as it happens and we want to convey our vision to readers so we tend to over-describe physical movements.  But spelling out every little detail will not only bore readers, it'll break the flow.  If the action can be assumed or it doesn't add any new information to the passage, carve it out.   
Excerpt refined (step 6):
            Joe wanted to go to the pool. "Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?" he asked as he pointed his thumb in the direction of the local swimming pool.             Alex wasn't sure whether he wanted to go.  He scratched his head and said, "I don't know, Joe.  Why do you want to go to the pool?"            Joe answered.  "Because it's hot at the pool, Alex."            Alex turned his head and looked at the thermostat. He was confused. "It's only seventy degrees, Joe.  That's not hot."            Joe rolled his eyes.  He reached out and put both hands on either side of Alex's face.  He turned his friend's head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool.  Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.              "Like I said, Alex—it's hot at the pool," Joe said.                Alex smiled.  Now he wanted to go to the pool. "Let's go to the pool, Joe."
7. Eliminate redundant narrative that's covered in the dialogue or elsewhere.

Excerpt refined (step 7):
            Joe wanted to go to the pool. "Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?" Joe he asked.             Alex wasn't sure whether he wanted to go.  Alex He scratched his head and said, "I don't know, Joe.  Why do you want to go to the pool?"            Joe answered.  "Because it's hot at the pool, Alex."            Alex looked at the thermostat. He was confused.  "It's only seventy degrees, Joe.  That's not hot."            Joe rolled his eyes.  He turned his friend's head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool.  Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.              "Like I said, Alex—it's hot at the pool," Joe said.                Alex smiled.  Now he wanted to go to the pool.  "Let's go to the pool, Joe."

8. Eliminate unnecessary dialogue tags
If it's obvious who's saying it, you don't need a dialogue tag.

9. Cut back on names in dialogue
Using names in dialogue is another natural tendency in writing that doesn't work so well for readers. 
Excerpt refined (steps 8 & 9):
             "Hey, Alex, do you want to go to the pool?" Joe asked.            Alex scratched his head and said, "I don't know, Joe.  Why do you want to go to the pool?"            Joe answered.  "Because it's hot at the pool, Alex."            Alex looked at the thermostat. "It's only seventy degrees, Joe.  That's not hot."            Joe rolled his eyes.  He turned his friend's head away from the thermostat. He turned it toward the pool.  Two scantily clad girls were paying their pool admission.              "Like I said, Alex—it's hot at the pool," Joe said.                Alex smiled.  "Let's go to the pool, Joe."

10. Vary sentence structure
Not every sentence can begin with a participial phrase; neither should they all be short and direct nor predominately long and winding. Our excerpt has a lot of medium-sized, simple sentences that make it somewhat dull, so I've changed things up and added variety.  

Final excerpt:
            "Hey, Alex, do you want to go swimming?" Joe asked.            Alex scratched his head. "I don't know.  Why?"            "Because it's hot at the pool."            Alex looked at the thermostat. "Since when is seventy degrees hot?"            Joe rolled his eyes.  He turned his friend's head away from the thermostat and toward the pool where two scantily clad girls paid their admission.              "Like I said—it's hot at the pool."             Alex smiled.  "Let's go swimming, Joe."
This final excerpt is a lean and mean  74 words versus 156 in the beginning excerpt—that's half!  And has it lost any substance at all?

This Ain't My Gramma's Breast Form

In preparation for the impending release of Omnific Publishing's two Summer Lovin' Anthologies on July 5, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Save the Ta-Tas Foundation, many of us participating in this week's Meet an Author Monday blog hop have breast-cancer related posts.

Mine is about all the wonderful products available these days to make life after breast surgery more comfortable and just as active as the survivor wants it to be.

I'm extremely (and inexplicably) fortunate that in the minefield of breast cancer, my only close encounter has been through my maternal grandmother.  She had a successful single mastectomy before I was even born, so the only thing I remember about it are the times she'd pass around her breast form at family parties. 

You heard me right.  She'd gotten a new, satin, pillow-like thing that she was ever so pleased with because it was soft and not itchy.  Apparently describing it wasn't enough for her, because I clearly remember her reaching into her bra, pulling it out, and saying "Here, feel it."  (Trust me, that's not something easily erased from the memory banks.)

So now, 30+ years later, it's kind of cool that I find myself working part time for a boutique that specializes in after breast surgery products, including breast forms. And boy have they come a loooong way. 


My grandma's breast form was essentially a pillow she'd stuff into the empty side of her bra.  Today, forms are made of a soft silicone that's molded to recreate the natural appearance and movement of a woman's breast.  Newer innovations---including some based on NASA technology---adjust to temperature fluctuations and thus reduce overheating and chill. 

Besides making a woman feel more comfortable cosmetically, breast forms are weighted to restore balance, help maintain shoulder posture, and increase physical comfort after surgery.

Breast reconstruction has also come a long way, but it's still not for everyone.  Some women aren't candidates for reconstruction for reasons like not having enough remaining muscle tissue on the breast bone; others elect to not go through another---often more demanding---surgery right after a mastectomy or lumpectomy.  And so, proper-fitting breast forms remain an essential part of life for many women after breast surgery.  

But that's not all...Other products available to make life a little easier after surgery  include:(the leading manufacturer is Amoena)
Bras and intimate apparel - feminine and comfortable apparel to accommodate breast forms and allow for various levels of activity.   

Swimsuits - lots of cute styles with a pocked to hold a breast form securely in place.  Waterproof forms are also available

Post-operative products - for immediately after surgery, Amoena (and probably others, I just don't know them) offers soft cup, front closure bras, drainage pouches, and compression products.

Accessories: inserts, pads, creams and other enhancements (e.g. prosthetic nipples) for your breast form.

A couple more things a lot of people don't know: Insurance plans cover at least part of the cost of a breast form, which can get pricey ($300-$475) AND bras.  As of the date of this post, Medicare typically covers one form every 2 years and six bras every year. A prescription from a doctor is required if you plan to file with your insurance company.

Boutiques: You don't have to get fitted for your products at a sterile clinic or pharmacy.  Certain cutie cute boutiques have certified fitters on staff and provide these services in a much more appealing environment.   Check with boutiques in your area to see if they can accommodate your insurance, but even if they don't---if they're sweet like the girls I work with---they just might give you a fitting and then you can take that information with you to the pharmacy.

This is the last time the Meet an Author Monday blog hop will be hosted at Cali Cheer Mom cuz as of July 1 she'll move to Lisa Sanchez Romance Author, where she's kicking things off big w/ the Sizzling Summer Author Extravaganza!

And cookies out to these darlings who came by to visit me at Thoroughly Smitten:Carol Oates
Suze @ Girl Wizard Jen Edomonson @ Fineline Antiques
Jennifer Lane
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Tara Tyler
Anne Gallagher @ Piedmont Writer


Find the Blog Hop Linky at Cali Cheer Mom

Thoroughly Smitten

I've just started a monthly series over at Thoroughly Smitten.  Each month I'll be spouting my opinions on a different fictional couple—those iconic romantic duos we love to love…or not.  This month is Harry & Sally. 

If you care to stop over & leave a comment and vote in the poll, there just might be a cookie in it for you on Monday. ;)   

-Nicki

Not Quite a Rockstar

A rockstar would probably be miffed at seeing her name on the marquis just above "Dog Training"...not squeal with glee and demand a photo.

A rockstar would probably expect people to show at her gig...not exclaim "Really?!" when told there were fourteen registrations plus walk-ins.

A rockstar would probably have rehearsed ahead of time...not relied on the grace of God and the wonderful questions and insights from attendees to keep the presentation flowing.

A rockstar would probably have a whole stable of pens ready for merchandise signing...not wait for one of the purchasers to say "You're going to sign this, right?"
 
And I'm guessing a rockstar doesn't need to grasp on to her own hands during the "show" to keep them from wildly flailing about. 

Ah, but a rockstar probably doesn't give out cookies, either, does she?  I do. :)  And today I'm giving them out to fabulous authors Trisha Wolfe and Killian McRae for helping my pea brain to finally grasp the definition of Steampunk.

Definition by Trisha (author of the upcoming The Crystal Pendulum , steampunk/paranormal romance):
A genre based on the question what if? What if Victorians were given our technology, how would they use it and how would it look? I write Steampunk Fantasy AU. So I take this questions further. What if we chose to use steam power instead of electricity, how would our future look? 

Definition by Killian (author of  12.21.12, romantic suspense):
Steampunk is an alternative reality, usually but not always in the past, in which the primary source of energy is steam power. It's very Victorian grunge, usually, though it can really be set in any time period or in a fantasy setting. Some recent movies that were steampunkish: Sherlock Holmes (the one with Robert Downey, Jr), Wild Wild West, Howl's Moving Castle, Stardust... There's also oilpunk, dieselpunk, neuropunk, cyberpunk (i.e. The Matrix), etc.

Thanks, ladies!  Here, have a cookie.  

Now that I've started handing out cookies on my blog, I'm not likely to stop, so watch for more cookies in the future.  You may even get one yourself.  (And geophf, darling, if you're still out there, please take one...and then sixty-eight more. ;))

And here we are at Monday again - time for authors to hop on and hop around to see what's new with other writers around the blogosphere.

In anticipation of the upcoming Summer Anthologies to support the Save the Ta Tas foundation, next Monday a bunch of us will be writing posts about breast cancer awareness from our own personal perspectives. If you'd like to participate, just write up a post and join the hop Monday, June 27.

Linky at Cali Cheer Mom Blog

Meet Sweet Authors & Bloggers

I have seven things to tell you today:

1. The super sweet & fun Tara Tyler has given me the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award, and that's why I'm telling you seven things about myself.  Thanks, Tara!

I pass the award on to my 10 newest followers because I think its incredibly sweet that they were willing to put their tiny faces in my sidebar:

BrittaAlison MillerM.J. FifieldCiara KnightFilho De DeusObo (Can't find you on Blogger to link to :( )Stephanie (Can't find you either :(  :( )RolandJo SchafferSchaeeza
2. I've got lots going on around the blogosphere this summer and I'm going to use this opportunity to list it all here (mostly as a reminder to myself, ehe).

3. I'm participating in the Sizzling Summer Author's Event at Lisa Sanchez's blog throughout the month of July.   The event will be loaded with guest posts, giveaways, and lots of fun, and so my guest post on July 21 will appropriately be titled: "Authors Just Wanna Have Fun."

4.  On July 1 I'm doing a guest post at Savvy Authors.  For this one I'll be coming from an editor's point of view and will offer easy tips to authors on "How to get the Best Edit Ever." 
 5.  On July 5, my short story titled "Sway" will be released by Omnific Publishing as part of the Summer Lovin' Anthology: Summer Breeze to benefit breast cancer research through the Save the Ta-Tas Foundation.  Omnific is also releasing a Heat Wave anthology with stories of a spicier variety.  On June 27, a bunch of us will do special posts on breast cancer awareness from our own personal perspectives.

6.  The Three Daves book trailer has been entered into the July trailer contest at You Gotta Read Videos.  It'll post there on July 9, and voting is between July 21-26.  Don't worry, I'll remind you. ;)



7.  TODAY, I'm participating in the Meet an Author Monday blog hop hosted by Lisa Sanchez at the CaliCheer Mom blog that will soon be saying buh-bye. 

Hop along to see what's up with authors on the list, and if you're an author---please add your name. :)

It's All Fun & Games

My typical response when anyone says, "Hey, wanna play **insert name of game here, any game at all**?" is a groan.  I don't know why, I just don't care for games. Maybe because the words "Its your turn" always seem to interrupt my conversations.

Regardless, I have signed up for Alex J. Cavanaugh's It's All Fun & Games blogfest in hopes that someone will come up with a game that'll strike my fancy. Good luck with that. 

For my part, I've selected three games I can be talked into with a minimal amount of arm twisting, so maybe you'll like them too:

Drink!  You know the game---where every time somebody says a certain word or does a certain thing, you take a drink.  For example, let's spice up this blogfest and everybody take a drink whenever Alex says "Ninja"!  We ought to be schnockered by noon.

Bananagrams  It's a lot like Scrabble but much faster.  Everybody works on their word puzzle simultaneously, so there's none of that forgetting you're even playing a game while you wait eons for the other players to finally spell out a flipping word.  And to make the game even better---the letter tiles come in a canvas ba-na-na!


Liars Dice  As featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest when Will Turner faced off against Davy "do-you-fear-death" Jones.  The rules are simple, and skillful lying can easily beat luck, so yeah, once that arm's twisted I have a lot of fun with this one.

To keep playing this bloghop, visit anyone below:

How 'Bout an Old Fashioned Game of Tag on Memorial Day?

I've been tagged by the wonderful Kittie Howard, so now you'll be subjected to a few random tidbits about moi. And guess what...
come close now...You're It!
When you get the time, please answer the following 8 questions at your blog and then tag some others (I think 5's the rule, if you're the type to abide by those sorts of things).
1.  If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be?

My dad's 65th birthday. A big group of us celebrated Dad's big day at the Beirgarten restaurant in Epcot's Germany, where Bavarian beverages flowed, the kiddies rocked out to polka music, and we were all abundantly relaxed and happy.  The very best thing was the smile that didn't leave my dad's face the whole night.   

2.  If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

I would arrange it so my other brother & his family and my sister could've been there...and maybe transport us all to a genuine biergarten in Bavaria. 

3.  What movie/TV character do you most resemble in personality?

Whoever Courtney Cox plays, apparently.  I've been told I remind people of Monica on Friends (I actually was hyper-organized once upon a time) and now I've been told her mannerisms on Cougar Town are just like mine. 

4.  If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would it be?

I don't think I should tell you...because what if it happens? 

5.  Name one habit you want to change in yourself.

I wish I didn't love toast slathered in butter so very much.

6.  Describe yourself in one word. 

Busy.


7.  Describe the person who named you in this meme in one word.

Compassionate.

8.  Why do you blog?  Answer in one sentence.

At first because I was pretty much told I had to, but now because it's fun and other bloggers motivate me and provide a unique window into real life in the outside world. 

Happy Memorial Day!And God bless soldiers and vets worldwide who've abandoned the self to defend and protect what is right and good. 

Blog Buddies -- They're not just on the Internet!

We did it!  Ever since blog friend Michael Di Gesu and I discovered our birthdays are only three days apart---and that he's in Chicago and I'm in the western 'burbs---we've been talking about getting together.  And last Friday we made it happen.  Of course we made it happen; we're both stubborn Tauruses (or would that be Tauri?), after all. This is us at the Grand Lux Cafe on Wabash
I'm happy to report that Michael is just as lively, open, warm, and wonderful in real life as he is on his blog.  The conversation and laughs flowed easily all through lunch...and about 45 iced teas/Diet Cokes. But that wasn't enough, so after
having the waiter snap a photo of us, we wandered over to a Starbucks that had the most AMAZING view of Wacker Drive and continued the conversation.   If you ever get the chance to meet up with someone you've clicked with in the blogosphere, I highly recommend it.  Thanks for the fun, Michael!
During A to Z, Michael won a copy of a soon-to-be-released Summer Anthology, and now I get to tell you  a little bit more about it.  The authors of Omnific Publishing have all come together to write summer-themed romantic short stories to benefit a very cool breast-cancer charity, Save the Ta-Tas.  This is a non-profit foundation that raises funds to support innovative initiatives, such as funding independent breast cancer research. 

Our stories will be divided into two collections, a Young Adult "Breeze" Anthology, and a steamier "Heat "Anthology. Both anthologies will be available for purchase from July 1 - September 30, 2011, and all proceeds will go to Save the Ta-Tas.  I adore the story this summer theme inspired me to write, and I can't wait until it's out in the world and raising money for breast-cancer research (no, it's not set in the 80s, and yes, it's in the "Breeze" Anthology).
Here we are at Meet an Author Monday again, hosted by Lisa Sanchez.  Please link in and hop along to see what's up with these awesome authors: