Marta Szemik's Blog, page 14

Is it getting hot in here?

WORD FOR THIS POST:


Luscious (adj): 1.highly pleasing to the taste or smell: luscious peaches. 2.richly satisfying to the senses or the mind: the luscious style of his poetry. 3. richly adorned; luxurious: luscious furnishings. 4. arousing physical, or sexual, desire; voluptuous: a luscious figure. 5. sweet to excess; cloying.
There's a reason for this word today! It's Valentine's Day! Today I'm joining a romantic group of blog hoppers to share a kissing scene. The full list of participants can be found here. [image error] The following kissing scene is taken from a dream sequence in my novel "Two Halves".  This scene continues when the pair dancing at a night club. Hope you enjoy!   "He took my finger to his lips and kissed it, then kissed a second one, and a third one. He continued kissing them until I wanted his lips to kiss more than the fingers. The music was fast, but we moved to our own beat, following the rhythm of our hearts. The floor was empty. We were the only ones in the club. He took my face between his palms—where it belonged. I tangled my fingers into his soft hair. He gently placed his mouth over my swollen upper lip; I did the same to his lower lip. Our kiss was gentle, and I wondered what feelings a fiercer exchange would bring. How blissful could the pleasure of fully kissing William be? I arched my back toward him, signalling for more. His hands glided up my body and held me tight, his contours pressed full-length against mine. All the contours I longed for."Now hop over to the other participants to read their kissing scenes ;)
  HAPPY  VALENTINE'S DAY!   Do you have special plans for tonight with your other half?

Origins Blogfest

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Origin (n): 1. something from which anything arises or is derived; source; fountainhead: to follow a stream to its origin.

Today I'm participating int the Origins Blogfest. The brain child of DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, Co-sponsors: Alex J. Cavanaugh, Katie Mills aka Creepy Query Girl and Matthew MacNish at The QQQE.

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Click on any of the above for the Linky List and check out the origin or other writer's dreams (I don't know why I couldn't find the code).

As for me, I've told this story before and I still get the goose bumps thinking about it. Especially since this weekend was a very special weekend. Why? Breaking Dawn Part 1 came out on DVD and my family watched it twice. 
It may seem like mad to some, but the Twilight Saga is very special to me. Why?


In March 2009 I just moved to a new city due to hubby's work. It was our first week at the new house and he rented Twilight the movie. I said "What's that?" (Yes, I lived under a rock.) He said "You like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I read there are vampires in this one so I thought you'd like it."

Then, he poured me a glass of wine and went to put the kids to bed. I watched the movie by myself, loved it, saw that it was based on a book and ran to the computer to find out more. That's when I found Stephenie Meyer's website. I read her biography and how she got to write her novels. I could see myself right there in her shoes *sighs with daydreaming eyes*. I decided I would write a novel too.

The funny part is, just like Ms. Meyer, I had a dream. The first paragraph of Chapter 1 of Two Halves was that dream. I didn't see the characters, but I saw myself as a half breed vampire, who couldn't scar, yet she foresaw it happening. (Yes, Twilight had a huge impact on the dream) I went with that idea for the book.
Twilight changed who I am. I still get the same tingling excitement each time I watch the movies and I want to write. I need to write.
Three years later, Two Halves is published, will be followed by a Novella this spring and a sequel. 
On January 21st, for the first time I called myself an author when asked what I do for a living by a new hairdresser.  It was one of my proudest moments.
What is the origin of your writing?
Have you joined the A-Z Challenge?

Giveaway Winners!

I am happy to announce the 5 winners of a signed paperback copy of Two Halves.  Ready?

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the newsletter and participated in the giveaway.

Chosen randomly in no particular order:

1. Kara D.
2. Kristy M. from Helena, MT
3. Susan S. from New Buffalo, MI
4. Kris F. from Dupont. WA
5. Sandra F. from Kingston, PE

You will receive an email from me shortly, with a confirmation.
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy the adventure:)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Characters in Trouble & Featured Blog

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Infamy (n): 1. Evil fame or reputation. 2. The condition of being infamous. 3. An evil or criminal act that is publicly known.

Today's featured Blog is: Roland D. Yeomans,.
Please visit Roland at Writing in the Crosshairs. He has a special gift on his site for everyone :)

Then come back here.

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for one of five signed copies of Two Halves. I must say that the turn out has been amazing. I am so happy to have heard from so may people who love reading. I may have to do a special surprise next week. All winners will be announced tomorrow (Saturday) and emailed.

Now, onto my troubled characters. Last weekend I started a new WIP. It's been going so well, I think a bit too well, because I got the characters into so much trouble right off the bat, I will have quite a challenge getting them out.

I believe I created conflict immediately because I've known these characters for a while now. They're already developed. I know their quirks, characteristics, reactions, likes, dislikes, abilities etc., it was natural for the story to flow. And of course, I made the worst thing that could happen to them possible.  Now, on to saving them. It's awesome!

Do you like getting your characters in trouble?
Have you signed up for the A-Z Challenge yet?

Author/Writer Resources

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Gerontology (n): The scientific study of the biological, psychological, and sociological phenomena associated with old age and aging.

Some interesting things about this past weekend which made it seem like a long weekend, and it wasn't. Then we'll go into Author/Writer Resources.

- got a flat tire on the highway
- celebrated two birthdays in the family
- started a new writing project which is going very well and became my current WIP
- answered A LOT of emails regarding the giveaway (which is great!)
- autographed 6 books (2 of the people I knew) - these were my first autographs. If anyone has a suggestion what to put in besides your name, let me know :)
- watched Johnny English (hubby almost fell of the couch laughing at one point)

On the top bar I've created a new page called "Resources". There, you will find links which helped me  research writing, publishing, querying etc. These links will be updated periodically. There are a lot of them that are not up yet and I hope to have the page complete within the next couple of weeks.

If you have suggestions or comments regarding these, send me an email.
I hope you find the links as helpful as I have. If there is any advice I can give to anyone, is read, research, question and explore.

Have you signed up for the A-Z April Challenge yet?
(you will see this sentence at the end of each post this month)

Writing Ideas...

Struggling to find a great writing idea? 

Visit my guest post today at the wonderful Ciara Knight's blog where I share a secret to finding those ideas. 

Where do you find your ideas? What inspires you?

And something funny for the weekend from my oldest one who's learning about mushrooms in school:

"Mommy, what did the mushroom girl say to the mushroom boy?"
"What?"
"You're a fun guy!"

Insecure Writer's Support Group

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Lethargic (adj): 1. of, pertaining to, or affected with lethargy;  drowsy; sluggish.

Before moving to an insecurity I discovered a few minutes ago, just a quick note to say that the Giveaway or 5 signed copies of "Two Halves" begins today and runs until Feb 10th. Fill in the form on the sidebar to enter and/or see full details above (or click here). 

*  *  * 
[image error]  Purpose of Insecure Writer's Support Group: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
We post on the first Wednesday each month and if you'd like to join, you can do so here. Yes, you heard me correctly at the beginning of the post. I discovered a new insecurity a few minutes ago. I know this post will not be published until Wednesday morning, but I'm sitting here, on Tuesday night when I should be sleeping. 

Why? 

Because my memory is failing and I think it may be first of the many signs of Alzheimer's (yes, there is family history of the disease which makes it even scarier). It was only Monday that I posted the activities for February and one of them included the first Wednesday of the month. Well, here I am on Tuesday evening, finishing a nice shower, getting ready to put on my PJs and hop into my overcrowded bed (kids like to fall asleep there). 

Then, it hits me: the first Wednesday of the month is tomorrow! Now, don't get me wrong, I like blogging. I love writing and hearing the clicking of the keyboard under my fingers. There's nothing better than connecting with others in the blogosphere to hear their stories, share accomplishments and sometimes failures. But when I realized I could have done this earlier in the day because I had time (which does not happen often), it bothers me that I didn't. 

I feel better now, the clicking has soothed my own annoyance. But the insecurity of forgetting something within a few hours of planning it, is awful.

In fact, sometimes that's my greatest fear - forgetting to pick up the kids from school, or failing to put on shirt after changing in a fitting room of a boutique (wait, that actually happened, but I'm not sharing more than this-for now).

A failing memory is not pleasant, and speaking from a writer's perspective without undermining the disease, it's an insecurity I'm dealing with this month. There are so many plots, characters, descriptions, settings, etc we need to remember while writing, that...

... wait, what was I saying? 

A Giveaway

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Gnostic (adj): 1.pertaining to knowledge.2.possessing knowledge, especially esoteric knowledge of spiritual matters.3.( initial capital letter ) pertaining to or characteristic of the Gnostics.

Some things happening in the next few weeks:

Today: Sign-up for the A-Z Challenge begins
February 1st: Insecure Writer's Support Group
February 13th: Origin's Blogfest
February 14th: Kissing Scene Blogfest

Oh yes, almost forgot (not). To celebrate Two Halves and its paperback format, on the link above you will find information on a Giveaway of 5 signed copies of  Two Halves.

The promotion will run from Feb 1st-Feb 10th and the 5 winners will be announced on this blog on Feb 11th.  I will ship internationally.


Feel Free to spread the word!


February will be my "NaNo" month as I will try to finish a half-done novel and catch up on my words. Since we are in the leap year, that gives me 1 extra day this month. I spent most of January editing and now that I'm done it's time get some words on the computer. 


What are your plans this month?

Featured Blog and A Surprise...

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Languor (n):  1. lack of energy or vitality; sluggishness. 2. lack of spirit or interest; listlessness; stagnation. 3. physical weakness or faintness. 4. emotional softness or tenderness.

This word is for those who asked me this week - you know who you are ;)

The featured blog for this Friday is:
Bob Mayer's Writing forward at: http://writeitforward.wordpress.com/

I don't get involved in publishing politics, but I do like reading about the "World of Publishing" from both traditional and indie sides. In my opinion the more information, the better. If you scroll down to Jan 24th post, the Day 1 recap of the Digital Book World is there along with some information on SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Now for some exciting news, I received this in mail on Monday from Lightning Source! I didn't share it earlier, because I was in big time editing mode and couldn't break away. But, here it is (picture me jumping up and down and squeaking!)

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Those fingertips you see all over the book are my kids. According to them I made them famous because their names are on the dedication page and in acknowledgements. It was the cutest and most honest excitement I've seen in a long time. Both wanted to take it to school to brag. I didn't let them, as that's my only copy for now, but maybe for a show and tell in the future - we'll see.

The best part: I think they realized that if you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it. I could see it in their eyes. The hope of achieving what they want was awesome!

It still seems surreal that my novel is in print.

Now where can you buy it? Here, so far and it will begin trickling in to the rest of the world as well, but slowly as the catalogs are updated.

To celebrate this, I will be doing a giveaway of 5 signed copies of Two Halves. Details will be posted on Monday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

A-Z Video Challenge

I know this is an unscheduled post, but it's not too long:)
As you will notice at the A-Z April Challenge site, my first video is up:)
Yay!
I'm very proud of it, as before January 17th I never even opened Windows Movie Maker. With some playing around, this was the result.



Now, with some great stock photos I'm pretty sure I'd be able to make trailers for my books so I'm very happy I did this challenge. Not that I'll do the trailers now (in full editing mode now), but certainly in the future.

Learning every day!

Are you joining the Challenge?