Ann Narcisian Videan's Blog, page 5

Coffee CommuniTea: Festive Cup Coffee, Highlands Ranch, CO

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Today’s Cup o’ Tea

Festive Cup Coffee – Highlands Ranch, CO

Don’t let the small storefront fool you. This charming spot houses not only an excellent and diverse coffee and tea bar, but a sizable and compelling gift and clothing boutique!

Perks (what I really like!)

The gift shop brims with wonderful finds: jewelry, clothing, household items, funny/inspirational desk and wall decor.
It’s quiet.
The comfortable seating and furniture lends well to either work or a “catch-up” with a friend.

[image error]Share a Cuppa

I find the owner—Anthony Whitham—his family and staff always kind, thoughtful and helpful.

Lexi (left) helped me on my last visit. She was so accommodating, plus a sweetheart of a person.

 

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

In partnership with a local, Colorado-based coffee roaster, Festive Cup offers everything from classic coffee to Frappe Brezzas. Those wanting an alternative to coffee can indulge in “Refresher” smoothies, teas, and other non-coffee alternatives.

My favorite, though… Tea Forté as their tea brand of choice. Per the company’s Web site, they are “known for the variety and unparalleled quality of handcrafted teas, design-driven accessories, exquisite packaging and opulent approach, Tea Forté re-imagines and re-defines the contemporary tea experience by delivering a delighting and luxuriant encounter.” All true, in my estimation.

[image error]Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)

Whether you want a place for your bridge club, expect to share a conversation with a loved one, or are looking for that perfect unusual gift that only independent gift stores offer, this is your spot.

It also serves as the perfect getaway for a short respite with a cool refreshing drink in the summer or a warm comforting cuppa in the winter.

The Grind (what I would change)

Nary a thing! I adore visiting this lovely get-away whenever I visit Colorado.

The Grounds (location)

Festive Cup nestles in the corner of an unobtrusive strip mall atop one of the rolling hills in Highlands Ranch—a community in Littleton, CO, of enough size to warrant its own zip code.

50 W. Springer Dr.

Highlands Ranch, CO 81029

(720) 627-5075

Tea Times (hours)

M–Sa. 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Su. 9 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Yelp rating: 4.5 stars from 35 reviews

 

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I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel and Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress in coffee/tea venues, so I found it natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

Real deaf hero inspires a story hero

Learning to re-sing after going deaf…

What Mandy Harvey went through to earn Simon Cowell’s heartfelt response in the video below, is exactly what my character Lark will be dealing with in Beat of the Pakiri, book 2-in-progress of my Delfaerune Rhapsody series.

How can Lark be “The Maestra” and write musical spells for the realm, when she’s deaf?







If you have suggestions, processes, or resources to help me make Lark’s experience feel authentic to readers, please comment.

Five huge reasons to leverage ebook preorders

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Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone, will play a major role in book 2 of my series: Beat of the Pakiri.  Illustration by John Taylor.

One of the greatest tips I picked up today from the Desert Dreams Romance Writers Association conference: the amazing benefits of setting up new book preorders. Jim Azevedo from Smashwords, gave an hour presentation on the topic, including the following compelling reasons to do it. (See Jim’s full article.)

Five Benefits of Ebook Preorders as a Book Launch Marketing Tool

Preorders enable more effective advanced marketing.
Preorders signal commitment.
Simultaneous release at multiple retailers.
Preorders can lead to better reviews.
Fast track to bestseller lists.

I am definitely going to try this for Beat of the Pakiri, if for no better reason than to have a spike of sales on the first day the book is available when those early purchases officially post. Plus, it might actually make me set a schedule to finish the book by a specific release date!

Publishing/charitable opportunity for young writers, artists, and creatives.

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Fourth annual Write On! workshop

A free book writing seminar (win #1) from four established local experts (win #2, all members of the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers. You have everything to gain (win #3) from the time you invest.

Nothing should keep you from RSVPing… right now. Just sayin’.

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Build readership through Wattpad critiques – ALWAYS

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I have just discovered Wattpad, thanks to our ALWAYS tribe’s “resident expert” on everything book-related, Karen Mueller Bryson.

The Toronto-based company offers a Web site “connecting a community of more than 45 million people around the world through serialized stories about the things they love.”  Basically, authors can upload books-in-progress, and receive feedback as they write. You can also read others’ books and provide feedback. The audience is young-ish, so young adult and new-adult works do especially well in Wattpad.

Here are the steps they recommend to get readers to notice your books on the site:

Update your stories regularly, at least once a week.
Make your stories stand out through use of keywords, visuals, and other media.
Talk to your readers.
Follow other writers.
Share stories on social media.
Challenge your writing by entering a Wattpad writing contest.
Learn from other Wattpad writers.

And, here’s another helpful article “How to Get More Out of Wattpad: 6 Authors Share Their Best Practices,” which I found particularly informative.

I’m going to give Wattpad a shot, and will keep you apprised of my experience as I go along.

Have you used Wattpad? What did you like best? What would you change?

Carpool Karaoke MegaMix 2016

Thank you, AnDyWuMUSICLAND. This is the best mashup I’ve run across, maybe… ever.

Of course, I am biased. I LOVE James Corden and Carpool Karaoke.

If you want a real belly laugh as a follow-on, check out the CK episode with Bruno Mars. Hysterical!

Do you have a favorite Carpool Karaoke? Share.

Breaking news: Absolutely Wild! whimsy to benefit emerging writers

What do you get when you combine the talents of two creative entrepreneurs, add a little whimsy and perhaps a sprinkle of magic, with the intent to support an important cause?

Why, of course, some very special hand-crafted faerie portals with Faeries’ Tales, and some lovely news coverage for Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy in Gilbert Woman magazine!

We’re so excited and honored to be featured on page 8 in Srianthi Perera’s beautifully written article (anyone who knows me as an editor, realizes what this means to me).

Such visibility moves us toward our goal of supporting emerging writers through organizations such as Young Authors of Arizona and 826 National. As our whimsical business grows, we plan to offer internships, mentoring, scholarships, and other opportunities for young authors. You can join us by subscribing to our e-newsletter or clicking “Like” on our Facebook page.

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Fae Environmentalists Cherie and Ann kick off

Open Mic Night with a chat about faerie whimsy

 

Also, this month, AW founders Cherie Scott and Ann Videan, showcased their Absolutely Wild! products at Open Mic Night at Dog-Eared Pages Used Bookstore in conjunction with the Arizona Consortium for the Arts. You can see what a creative blast we shared from the photos posted by Elena Thornton, founder of the consortium.

 

P.S. You can still find a hidden Absolutely Wild! mini faerie portal among the books at Dog-Eared Pages. If you find it, it’s yours, along with one of our Faerie’s Tales about the tiny creature who lives inside!

Join us for an Absolutely Wild! event to help local art and writing

A warm-hearted invitation for you…

Dog-Eared Pages’

Open Mic Art & Culture Talks

with the Arizona Consortium for the Arts,

featuring

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On Dog-Eared Pages’ Art Wall, we will showcase Cherie Scott’s faerie portal sculptures and Ann’s accompanying Faeries’ Tales, along with photos of the portals “in the wild” and other Fae whimsy. We will also talk about our plans to support young writers and local art.

[image error]Come get a free hug, some refreshments, and share in our art, Faeries’ Tales, novels, coloring books, notecards, photos, and drawings.



Th., Dec. 29, 2016, 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Dog-Eared Pages Used Books

16428 N. 32nd St., #11

Phoenix, AZ 85032

 

P.S. Save the date for our  Absolutely Wild! Artist’s Reception

Th., Jan. 12, 2017

4 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Readings, goodies, art, and more! Our work will be on display from Th., Dec. 29, 2016, through Th., Jan. 26, 2017.

Learn more about Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy.

“Crescent Kingdom” video world debut on #FirstDraftSeries

 

“Crescent Kingdom.” The title is cool. The lyrics are heartfelt. The music is fresh and unusual, with hints of the post-rock genre. Plus, the performance is in my home, and my son wrote and performed it all.

This is the first performance of Cutter Videan’s original composition, as videotaped by Natasia Hanratty in her #FirstDraftSeries. You’ll find Cutter’s band, The Darling Sounds featured there, too.

Listen to more of Cutter’s music on Bandcamp.

I have so many talented family members and friends I like to brag about. You must, too. Tell us about them…