C. Elizabeth's Blog, page 6

Writing a Perfect Valentine

Today I will be giving tips on how to write the perfect Valentine on CTV Edmonton News at Noon. You get to see what I plan on saying first, right here. (Am I nervous. YIKES!!!) If you want to write your own perfect Valentine, you'll have to be willing to strip away that protective guard we hide our feelings behind to protect us and unveil your vulnerability.  That is step one.

Next, start writing using basic words, such as love, kind, and happy.  Then explore the thesaurus to change it up a bit.  So, instead of writing "I love you" jot down "you are my passion" and continue writing little quotes that directly relate to how you feel.  It won't be an easy task.  Conveying emotion paper is difficult even for a romance writer, but it can be done.  Go with your gut, listen to that inner voice and I guarantee that what you will end up with, is a Valentine your love will hold onto for years to come -- after all, isn't life all about giving of one's self?  I think so.

Have a great day and weekend.

At Least Michael Terrance is Honest

I don't know what it was, but something hit me when I was watching TV.  There have been some reviewers and readers that have brought attention to Michael's temper in Absolute Obsession.  Yes, I'll agree that, at times, it's scary, but the man would never hurt Rose and is a romantic to a fault.

The thing is, Michael could have easily been portrayed as a perfect lover and husband, but that wouldn't be him.  He insisted on being truthful about the man he is and wanted me to write his story honestly.  Quite frankly, that honesty and temper gives him depth -- he is real when he enters your mind and I can guarantee, that you'll want to know who he really is.

Would I change Absolute Obsession for those who insist on bringing light to the negative -- never!  Michael's story is exactly that... Michael's story and it couldn't be written any other way.

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The Secret to Romance

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many are thinking about what is an appropriate gift to buy for the one they love, some may be worrying that they can't afford those expensive gifts and some will simply buy whatever is out there on the shelves.  It's all very nice and we do appreciate it when we receive those gifts.  However, when looking upon that empty box of chocolates, after popping the last succulent one into our mouth, is that our romantic quota for the year?
 
I believe there is a misconception as to what romance truly is.   Romance isn't diamonds, jewellery, boxes of chocolate, flowers, or anything of the like -- it isn't defined by material goods, or a dollar value.  Romance is a soft touch as you pass by, a wisp of a kiss just so you can be close, a hug with a snuggle into the nape of my neck, listening when I have so much to tell you and yes, my favorite, the sweet nothings whispered in my ear -- that is romance.

So for all you men out there who are struggling to figure out what to get, the above is the gift that keeps on giving and will immortalize you in our hearts.

Have a great day.

A Humorous Antidote

What kind of person would I be if I couldn't laugh at myself?  I had the occasion to do just that yesterday, especially when I knew the looks and snickers were directed at me.

Again I was at the gym (yes, I'm addicted) and you can just imagine my surprise when the gym pants I pulled out weren't mine.  Somehow a pair of my mom's sweat pants got into my drawer and made into my gym bag and of course, I wouldn't look closely at them -- heck they were in my drawer! Anyway, my mom wears a few sizes larger than me and because there was no way I was going to go all the way home or skip the gym, I put them on... they slid down, I pulled them back up, they fell down again.  So with them crumpled on the floor, I put my workout top on, which is spandex and fits snugly, then tucked my pants under my shirt -- it became my belt.  Unfortunately the pants were very baggy and... too short, I looked like a wanna be Erkel, all that was missing were the suspenders.  Needless to say, during my whole workout I was constantly tucking my pants under my belt-shirt.  You can just imagine the looks... it was hilarious.

How did the pants get in my drawer? The conclusion I could come up with is:  Last summer my mom stayed with us for a couple of weeks and somehow those pants in these past months made it from her house, to our spare bedroom, through the laundry, then into my drawer -- the strange thing; it took them six months to make to my dresser -- spooky.

Keep on laughing

Have a great day and week-end.  

Words of Commendable Encouragement

At the beginning of this month, when I went to gym, I noted something a tad different -- it was busier.  My guess was because of all the New Year's resolutions that had been uttered the weeks prior to January 1, 2012.  Some of the new faces were there simply to get in shape, maybe tone and do a little weight training.  Others were there to lose weight and feel better about who they are -- it is to those that I give the following words of encouragement, as I myself was once a very large woman.

I know what it feels like to walk in the gym and not have that perfect model body (not that I have one now mind you).  The embarrassment, the feeling of inadequacy, the stares from those who have those perfect bodies, all those horrible feelings that are added to the already crappy pile of sh** you place on yourself.  What I want you to know is this:  I do look at you when I see you working hard on the treadmill, or the bike, or jogging, or ... Well you get the picture.  But I'm not thinking what you think I'm thinking -- I'm not thinking "how could someone let themselves get like that" (I know all too well how easy it is) or "that's disgusting".  No, I'm not thinking that at all, what I'm thinking is "good for you", "keep it up", "don't let the skinnies get to you" and I'm trying to get up enough courage to approach you, to give you a high five and encourage you to keep going -- keep going! You've already taken the hardest step. You go guys and gals!!!!

Have a great day

Titles

I've heard it said, on numerous occasions, that one of the hardest things, for some authors to do, is pick a title for their masterpiece.  Up until now, I found that interesting, because for me, the titles were always the next thing that popped into my head after the first paragraph did.  However, the bunch that took the stage this time are stubborn.  Yes, another book is on the horizon and the story is being told, but my characters have yet to reveal the title and honestly, it's driving me crazy. Arg!!! (I think they're rebelling).

As their words flow across the pages, the fact that their story doesn't have a name is never far from the forefront of my mind. Which, of course, means, I'm constantly shushing them when my brain decides to change direction and runs through a plethora of possible titles.  In essence... this bunch has me struggling.  Hmm, maybe I'll push them to the back of the line and see who's next.  I'm allowed to do that, after all, I'm the author.

Have a great day.

What Do I Do Now?

The weekend went well and Soul Control is now in the hands of the judges at Amazon. Fingers crossed that my *##@@ 300 word hook sends it the second round and if not... well, we won't think about it.

For the past couple of months I've been working on Soul Control and it is now fully and utterly complete.  I've read over and over, and I don't think I can tweak it anymore.  Now what do I do? 

Well, I'm simply going to give my brain a rest, even though I'm certain others are already sneaking in the back door and will soon step on stage, wanting their stories written -- until then, I'm going to enjoy the silence, because it will probably only last a day, if I'm lucky.

Have a great day.

Nathanael and Saydi in a Contest

Well, I'm a bit nervous for Sunday night.  Why?  Because I'm going to enter Saydi and Nathanael in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. Yes, I believe they're story is that good.

Because it is not a contracted work nor a published work yet, I am eligible to submit it and am very excited/nervous.  So guess what I'll be doing all weekend.  Yes, the dreaded of all things... a 300 word hook, which of course runs along the same as a (gasp! Choke!)... query.

Wish me luck. Oh! By the way, the title of Nathanael and Saydi's story -- Soul Control.

Have a great day and weekend.  

Share A Blessing

This morning we woke up to minus 26 degrees Celsius and it's been like that for the last few days here in the great white north.  Yesterday morning was even worse, we woke up to minus 33 degrees Celsius and with the wind chill, it was minus 41... Yes you heard right and the day before that it was a balmy minus 28 with a wind chill that put us at minus 30 something.  Brrr! These kind of days make me wonder why I live here.  However, they also help me realize how blessed we are.

Why do I bring this up?  Because it's on these days that the homeless sit heavy on my mind.  Have you ever noticed during the warm days their out and about, doing their daily routines?  Such as finding bottles to make enough cash for a meal, maybe scoping out a certain area they want to claim for a nights rest, they're there in plain sight -- but it's on these extremely cold days that those same people become invisible.

They hide from the cold, trying to find a place to stay out of the wind and when it's this cold, it's almost impossible to scour the back alleys to find those ever elusive bottles they so desperately need.  Not only that, let's face it, we all hunker down inside, not wandering to far from the comfort of our warm buildings, complaining how cold it is and whining to management to turn the heat up, so we don't have wear that sweater that's draped over the back of our chair.

On these days, the homeless' fight for survival, is no longer to get through the next twenty four hours, it's trying to get through the next minute, hoping a hot meal might be on the horizon or better yet, that they make it through the night. The reason they're there is not for me to question nor judge, everyone's story is different and it would do some of us good to remember that 60% of middle class families (yes people you know) are one paycheque away from homelessness themselves.

We are blessed with our ability to be able to give a toque, mitts, scarf or maybe, something as simple as putting those empties out in a back alley instead of taking them to the bottle depot.

Have a great day. 

New Year - New Me?

It is a new year and most have made resolutions, whether they're successful or not, remains to be seen.  Did I make a resolution?  No, but I did make myself a promise to change something that I noted about myself (yes another discovery, geez!).  What I noted since writing, is I found myself somewhat shy.  Actually, it felt like I was in highschool again, a place where I was enormously shy.

When did I discover this?  Well, it took a small thing to enlighten me to such a huge problem -- my eyes would constantly stay on the ground, in a room of strangers and I would only engage them if they approached me or if I had no choice, such as a clerk at a store.  Then upon further investigation, it came to light that even at my book signings, I simply smiled, but would never approach someone unless they took an interest.  Not a good place to be when you're an author.

Truly, I don't know where it came from, because after highschool I conquered that stigmatism and became quite outgoing (no, not annoying outgoing).  So, whatever triggered my old ways I'll  never know.  All I know is...I'm going to change it with one eye contact and one smile at a time.

Have a great day.