Fida R. Abbott's Blog, page 8

3 Point Alliance Associate Shared Her Thought about Novel Enthusiasm

Aubrey Baldwin is a 3 Point Alliance associate who likes reading. As an avid reader, she reads many books, especially about history. She will read any books that she thinks they're interesting and enjoyable to read, including novel Enthusiasm . Besides reading, she also likes crocheting. She lives in Coatesville with her family, her dog and cat.

Several days ago she shared her thought after she finished reading novel Enthusiasm and below we would like to share it to all readers:

1. What made you interested to read novel Enthusiasm ?  
I love to read. Fida is my co-associate. One day she mentioned that she wrote a book about herlife, so I was definitely on board to read it.

2. What was the best experience when you were reading it?
Knowing the author of the book was bonus.

3. What do you think about the main characters? Which is your favorite character? Why?
The characters were presented very well in the story. My fave was Fida Abbott. I adore her. 

4. What impact did you feel after reading this novel?
Our newfound friendship was the biggest impact. I got a new friend and learned more about her.

5. What do you learn from its story?
I learn that everyone has different life experiences in different ways but unique. Things that happen to them. As I was reading this story, I learned more about Fida.

6. What is the best part in its story?
Tough to say, because I enjoyed the entire book.

7. Would you refer this book to others/vivid readers? Why?
I would definitely refer novel Enthusiasm to friends, family, and co-associates.

8. Would you like to read if there is the second book of Enthusiasm saga ?
If there is a second book to the original Enthusiasm, I would like to read it. Every life has many chapters, and I enjoy reading her work. I definitely would read it.

Author Fida Abbott and Aubrey Baldwin at 3 Point Alliance office, West Chester, PA 
~ ~ ~
Enthusiasm won Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for category of novel, in spring 2010 from National Association of Book Entrepreneur (NABE). Enthusiasm is available to purchase at Xlibris, Amazon and other online book stores (hard cover, paperback, and e-book).



About the Author: Fida Abbott was born and raised in Indonesia, married to an American, and lives in Pennsylvania. She is a Director of the Online Writing Course (PMOH), www.pelatihanmenulis.com as well as KabarIndonesia, www.kabarindonesia.com, an online Indonesian news, based on the citizen reporter. Currently she works on her next book that will be published this year.(*)

Posted on Wednesday, March 1st, 2017

Readers' Testimonials

1. B.B. LeVan, PA-USA for novel "Enthusiasm"2. Marcella Vaughn, PA-USA for novel "Enthusiasm"3. Christopher Abbott, PA-USA for novel "Enthusiasm"4. Viviana Andrew, Malaysia for novel "Enthusiasm"5. Michael J. Talley, PA-USA for novel "Enthusiasm"6. Cathy Mc. Kittrick, MO-USA for "Fabulous Leftover Turkey"7. Agus Prihandoko, Surabaya-Indonesia for First Poem Anthology (Mini book)8. Tresia Neve, WV-USA for "What Prayers Does Mommy Teach Me?"9. Baik Bear, PA-USA for "What Prayers Does Mommy Teach Me?"

BOOK REVIEW: Cookbooks

Tumpeng, An Authentic Indonesian Food  1. Heni Kurniawati, Sidoarjo-Indonesia, December 2010 2. Viviana Widjaja, Malaysia, January 2011 
Fabulous Leftover Turkey
1. Maria Coleman, TX-USA, August 20092. Cathy Mc. Kittrick, MO-USA, June 10, 2009
This content requires Adobe Flash Player version 9.0.45 or greater. Get Flash

LIBERTY TAX ACTIVITY TIME: Special Opportunity for the Children to Learn

During tax season, Liberty Tax Office in Coatesville, PA (209 E Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA) will hold a special activity time for children. Meals will be provided by Lisa and Traci Morris of Filet of Soul. These events will be held after school and you must sign up your children to attend at 484-784-5261.

During the week, we will be teaching the kids how to create commercials, web design, game making, and mentoring. Guest speakers will be invited:
1. Fida Abbott is an author and her activity will help children create their own children's book about Coatesville. 
2. Lisa and Traci Morris will be holding cooking classes at their location. 
3. Kyle Hudson of WCHE will teach Radio Broadcasting and host kids on our local radio show.

Video Game Battles on the weekends!

Liberty Tax Activity Time is supported by Harry Lewis, PA State Representative.


(Posted on Thursday, 12/08/2016)

OPEN MIC NIGHT: Podcast by Fida Abbott (How to Self-Publish Her Books)

Author Fida Abbott had shared her experiences of how to self-publish her e-books/books in Open Mic Night, Coatesville Area Public Library, Thursday, December 1st, 2016 at 6.30 - 8 PM.

You can write a review at this link: Archive Online Library

BOOK REVIEW: Enthusiasm

1. Tribsa, April 2016, in English2. Sarah Loft, 2013, in English3. Sherrell Prefontaine, June 2012, in English  4. Kartini Magazine, 2012, in Indonesian5. Joeli Soetantyo, July 2011, in English  6. Writer's Digest, 2011, in English7. Heni Kurniawati, Sept 2010, in Indonesian8. Theivanai, Sept 2010, in English9. Milton Coyne III, Sept 2010, in English10. Ruth DP, Sept 2010, in English11. JM Northern Media LLC, Sept 2010, in English12. Marie S. Lupone, August 2010, in English13. Jawaban.com, June 2010, in Indonesian14. Kabari Magazine, May 2010, in Indonesian15. KabariNews.com, May 2010, in Indonesian16. Resources for Moms & Kids, April 2010, in English17. KabarIndonesia.com, April 2010, in Indonesian

Seven Ways to Win Over Romance Book Editors

Seven Ways to Win Over Romance Book Editor, written by Sheritha Singh caught my eyes. I wrote  several chapters for romance novel last several years, but I had to stop as I focused writing for the second saga book, Enthusiasm . The same thing happened, I had to stop after about 60% on the way of writing it. I followed my heart to start writing my third writing project that now is done 95%.  I know writing romance is not easy. So, what special things that made me interested to click and read her article? Here, I would like to share it with you. If you are a romance novel writer, you should read it too. 
The world’s largest publisher of romance fiction receives about twenty thousand unsolicited romance submissions per year. Editors often say that they judge the potential of a manuscript based on the opening lines. It isn’t surprising then that only a handful of manuscripts get requests for a full submission. Even then, not all requested manuscripts get published. Editors often wish budding authors would avoid a few common mistakes that weaken the potential of their manuscript.

Independently Acting Body PartsHis hands snuck around her waist.
Hands don’t act independently. Although editors place a lot of emphasis on showing NOT telling, it is important to take note of how body parts fit into a scene. A suggestion to correct the above-mentioned peeve is: She shivered when he curled his arm around her waist.

The hands have to belong to someone. Otherwise the original sentence would simply mean that the character has a detachable hand that is capable of acting on its own whim.
Marsden’s plain, brown eyes never once moved off my face.

Another common mistake writer’s make is when characters make visual contact. When writing romance, writers tend to place a lot of emphasis on the first time characters spot each other. Eyes roll or widen or lock. Again, the editor who pointed out the above-mentioned independently acting body part pointed out that the sentence literally translated that Marsden’s eyes were on the character’s face — kind of a like a fly or a spider. To avoid an independently acting body part the editor suggested:
His gaze never moved off her face.
Characters Interacting with Each Other Characters don’t only talk. They shift their feet, fidget with something or turn red in the face.  If you’re not sure, one editor suggests eavesdropping and spying on a few conversations. Take notes if you have to. You will notice that when people talk to each other, they react physically to the conversation, to the environment they’re in, and basically to what is happening around them. Trucks drown out conversation. Dogs bark. Leaves fall on their heads.

When writing group conversations, editors urge writers to consider all dimensions of the character during the scene. Remember characters are not made out of cardboard. They are three dimensional. They move and breathe, they have hard to break habits, and they feel emotions . . .
For example, when writing a group dinner scene, picture a normal dinner scene:
The shy nerd who isn’t sure how to strike up a conversation with his crush and toys with his food,
The couple who constantly glance at each other across the table and exchange secret smiles,
The unsmiling billionaire who doesn’t talk while eating. 

Characters don’t just eat during a dinner scene. They look around, they drink wine, they check their phone messages, and they try not to get annoyed with the person sitting next to them. A romantic setting may be described by incorporating scented candles, soft music, a table setting for two — don’t be shy to show the reader what the character sees and how the character reacts. Characters often have things playing in their mind even while interacting with each other — show it. A shy character may recall romantic disasters and may not be able to fully enjoy eating while having lunch with the boss she’s always had a crush on.

If the writer had simply used dialogue tags such as said, whispered, grunted, growled, etc. the reader wouldn’t be able to visualize who was doing what. Unnecessary dialogue tags also weaken a scene.
Elaborate DescriptionsModern day editors suggest limiting descriptions to two adjectives.  Anything above two annoys readers and editors alike.
She swung her long, shiny chocolate-brown hair.
An editor suggested leaving shiny out. The important thing is for the reader to visualize the character and create a mental picture.
Increase the Tension Between CharactersReaders expect the characters in books to establish an emotional connection between each other as the story progresses. Something — an inciting incident perhaps — should set the tone for emotional bonding. One romance editor suggests increasing romantic tension between characters through conversation where the conversation is laced with subtle references towards the characters’ impending relationship. This undoubtedly enhances the connection between the characters. Another editor pointed out that characters in a romance novel don’t end up in bed together after a few simple exchanges. They think about each other, they wonder if the other is a suitable choice, they have doubts, they worry about their insecurities — little characteristics that help writers to craft three dimensional characters that readers love. Add generous amounts of tension throughout your novel. The rules may differ for erotica-romance; however editors still look for that special emotional connection between the characters even if they manage to burn off some of the tension between them in bed.
Create Real CharactersCharacters experience failure at some point in their lives. They are not perfect. Readers want to know what ticks your character off, what scares the breath out of them, what makes them happy, etc. Readers want real, relatable characters who trip, tumble, choke on their coffee, have bad hair days, etc. Editors are more than happy to read about a character readers will connect with. See the following comment from the editor of my NA Novella, Moving In:
“I really like your characters in this one. I think I have told you that I think your readers are really going to connect with Lace. Her freak outs are so realistic, and I think they will find them very funny as well.”

Remember, regardless of whether your characters are paranormal, human, or alien, they must exhibit behavior that readers are familiar with.
Limit the BackstoryThis does not mean that the reader does not want to know what shaped your character to the point where he / she meets them in a book. The golden rule is not to dump information on your reader. Avoid telling. Backstory can be sprinkled in conversation, in the characters mental flashbacks, reflections or even the scent or taste of something.

The fresh scent of rain wetting the earth reminded Lace of the day Daniel dumped her. The rain washed her tears away and eventually the sun broke through the clouds and dried her face.
The reader can tell from the above scene that the rain made Lace recall her broken love affair.
Increase the Stakes For Your Main CharactersWhat does your character stand to lose or gain from the relationship? A common mistake writers make is that after their characters consummate their relationship, they lose the tension in their story. In fact, the stakes should be higher after making love because once the characters have given their all to each other, what else do they have to give? The post lovemaking stage is crucial for writers because more often than not, many ignore the potential tension such scenes may create.

The character with the most to lose is the one that has the highest stakes. It could be the hero who merely wants a one night affair and ends up with a pregnant lover. He cannot risk the scandal and neither does he want his child to face the same hardships he did growing up. What does he do? Marry his lover or take his child away? Since he was raised an orphan he wants his child to have both parents. What does he do? (*)

So, what do you think? Does it encourage you to improve your writing in romance story? I do.

OPEN MIC NIGHT: Come and Join!

Author Fida Abbott will present at Open Mic Night at Coatesville Area Public Library tonight. In this event she will share two opening paragraphs of one of her recent short stories she had just written.

The purpose of she is going to do that because she wanted to show how important the opening of any writing especially short story is. It must draw the reader's attention so they will keep reading till the end of the story.

Come and join us tonight at 6:30-8:00 PM at Coatesville Are Public Library (Cafe Room)!


BRING YOUR TALENTS, YOUR THOUGHTS, YOUR EXPRESSIONSHARE WITH US ON 1ST THURSDAY   SEPTEMBER 1st, 2016; 6:30-8:00 PM

Public Speaking

Rotary Club of Coatesville, District 7450; May 19, 2016; Special Guest Speaker for the event: Senior Honors Luncheon

Interview and Talk Show

* Talk Show, Radio SMART 88.9 FM Surabaya, Indonesia; Tuesday, April 4, 2012; 17.00-18.00 WIB-West Indonesian Time; Kampus Akademi Sang Bunda, Jl. Ciliwung 72 Surabaya.* The Author's Show; May 27-29, 2011; March 18-22, 2011 * Resources for Moms and Kids , October 2010.* Jawaban.com, June 13, 2010 * The Author's Radio, June 6, 2010 * Bluedreamer's Top 5; Saturday, May 29, 2010* Whohub, May 2010 * Resources for Moms and Kids , April 2010.* KabarIndonesia, April 27, 2016