Marta Szemik's Blog, page 4
March 30, 2013
Happy Easter
Wishing Everyone a Happy Easter, filled with Love, Laughter and Joy. May You and Those You love find the meaning of sacrifice, hope and forgiveness.
March 18, 2013
Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest
I've been fighting a flu for the past week and a half so I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to participate in this exciting blogfest hosted by none other than Alex J. Cavanugh. Thank you Alex!
I'm feeling a bit better, but still with a fever. Hopefully some sun will warm up my bones and make me all healthy:) To top it off, I ventured out skiing this past Saturday with the family to finish off the skiing season.
That's right, me, with a fever, skiing (a bit drugged on all the advil) with the family. Hey, I couldn't miss the end of the season, could I. When I get a chance I'll post some cool pictures and maybe a video:)
Now, here are my top ten favorite movies: ) These are in no particular order, as that would be way too hard!!! They all touched my heart and have been part of my life in different ways.
Back to the Future: Only because I watched it over one hundred times as a kid, but it's a close call with number two. (source)
Lord of the Rings Trilogy: I don't think I have to explain this one (source)
Twilight: Yes, please feel free to squirm, but I wouldn't be a writer if it weren't for this movie, so it really means a lot to me.(source)
Titanic: I went to a midnight screening with my hubby and left pretty early in the morning. It's one of those movies a box of tissues is necessary. (source)
Aliens: My fave when I was in school. I still love Aliens and can watch it over and over again. (source)
Dirty Dancing: makes me feel very warm and fuzzy inside. (source)
The Never Ending Story:I think this is one of the first fantasy movies I've watched.(source)
Star Wars: What George Lucas did for the movie industry and effects will go down in history. I adore Star Wars! (source)
Labyrinth: I bought this one just last year for my kids and they loved it as much as I did when I was young. And David Bowie never looked hotter (even in tights)(source)
Ever After: I don't know what it is about this movie, but yes, I own this one too, and can watch it over and over again.(source)
Stigmata: I know, quite different than the other ones, but I really love this movie. It sends chills down my spine every time I watch it.(source)
Too bad we can only pick ten. There are tons more I love. I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone else picked!
Are any of these your faves?
This is a blog hop. Feel free to click below to follow the other participants.
I'm feeling a bit better, but still with a fever. Hopefully some sun will warm up my bones and make me all healthy:) To top it off, I ventured out skiing this past Saturday with the family to finish off the skiing season.
That's right, me, with a fever, skiing (a bit drugged on all the advil) with the family. Hey, I couldn't miss the end of the season, could I. When I get a chance I'll post some cool pictures and maybe a video:)
Now, here are my top ten favorite movies: ) These are in no particular order, as that would be way too hard!!! They all touched my heart and have been part of my life in different ways.
Back to the Future: Only because I watched it over one hundred times as a kid, but it's a close call with number two. (source)
Lord of the Rings Trilogy: I don't think I have to explain this one (source)
Twilight: Yes, please feel free to squirm, but I wouldn't be a writer if it weren't for this movie, so it really means a lot to me.(source)
Titanic: I went to a midnight screening with my hubby and left pretty early in the morning. It's one of those movies a box of tissues is necessary. (source)
Aliens: My fave when I was in school. I still love Aliens and can watch it over and over again. (source)
Dirty Dancing: makes me feel very warm and fuzzy inside. (source)
The Never Ending Story:I think this is one of the first fantasy movies I've watched.(source)
Star Wars: What George Lucas did for the movie industry and effects will go down in history. I adore Star Wars! (source)
Labyrinth: I bought this one just last year for my kids and they loved it as much as I did when I was young. And David Bowie never looked hotter (even in tights)(source)
Ever After: I don't know what it is about this movie, but yes, I own this one too, and can watch it over and over again.(source)
Stigmata: I know, quite different than the other ones, but I really love this movie. It sends chills down my spine every time I watch it.(source)Too bad we can only pick ten. There are tons more I love. I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone else picked!
Are any of these your faves?
This is a blog hop. Feel free to click below to follow the other participants.
March 6, 2013
Social Media - IWSG
Today is the first Wednesday of the month and so comes time for our monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group.
Thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh Every month writers post their doubts, concerns and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Others offer assistance and guidance in the comments.
For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.
Over the past 6-8 months I've pulled back from a lot of my social media. At the time, I didn't realize I was doing it, but time only allowed me to write, not "socialize" too much. I've been writing quite a bit, trying to concentrate on that part of my career, but I do want to get back to blogging more regularly, my Facebook, twitter etc... I miss connecting with people out there the way I used to.
But (of course there is a but) I'm so afraid it will cut into my writing again. I've tried allotting time for social media, but that does not work for me. What it boils down to is how much of social media is enough so that it does not jeopardize my writing time. I don't want tto use FB or Twitter because I have to - I want to do it because I want to.
How do you balance the writing and socializing on the net? What are your insecurities this month?
Thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh Every month writers post their doubts, concerns and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Others offer assistance and guidance in the comments.For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.
Over the past 6-8 months I've pulled back from a lot of my social media. At the time, I didn't realize I was doing it, but time only allowed me to write, not "socialize" too much. I've been writing quite a bit, trying to concentrate on that part of my career, but I do want to get back to blogging more regularly, my Facebook, twitter etc... I miss connecting with people out there the way I used to.
But (of course there is a but) I'm so afraid it will cut into my writing again. I've tried allotting time for social media, but that does not work for me. What it boils down to is how much of social media is enough so that it does not jeopardize my writing time. I don't want tto use FB or Twitter because I have to - I want to do it because I want to.
How do you balance the writing and socializing on the net? What are your insecurities this month?
February 25, 2013
Neumarian Uprising!
Neumarian Uprising
We need your help! Thanks to our spy, Ciara Knight, we are able to communicate with you today via blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social media.
The Neumarian uprising has begun. We are fighting for freedom and equality for all, but we need your help. Ciara informed us that you might want to know more about the uprising and why we ask you to risk your lives for our cause. To answer these questions I’ve agreed to let Ciara tell my sister’s, Raeth’s, story about her captivity. It will be free for you on a site called Amazon until March 1, 2013.Our spies have told us this will help spread the word and find more recruits for our rebellion against the tyrannical queen. You can help by simply downloading a free copy of Weighted,
a prequel to the Neumarian Chronicles. If you are intrigued and wish to follow our uprising, Escapement, book I of The Neumarian Chronicles, will be available for only $2.99 until March 1, 2013.
Escapement is told by Princess Semara. Don’t hold the fact Semara is a princess against her like I did, there is more to her than you can possibly imagine.
Here is a brief explanation of her telling of our uprising:
Ten years after the great war of 2185 the queen’s reign is threatened by uprisings and fear. In celebration of my sixteenth birthday it is my duty as princess to sacrifice a slave to be initiated into the ruling council, solidifying my mother’s empire. When my own erratic powers surface I’m captured and tried for treason. Slaves hate me, my mother wants me executed, and my only chance of survival rests in the hands of a young man, Ryder Arteres, whose sister I sentenced to death.If you’d like to see a peak into our world, please view this short clip on You Tube.
If you are now ready to join our fight, please add Escapement to your TBR shelf on Goodreads here.
Shout out on all your social media sites, and tell everyone you know to stand up and fight.Be Bold.Be Brave.Be Free.In the name of the rebellion,
Ryder Arteres
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Escapement can be found at Amazon.
February 21, 2013
Annalisa Crawford's Cover Reveal!
I love this cover! Annalisa, you've done a great job and you're such a good writer. I'm so honored to be part of the reveal and can't wait until Monday!
A couple break up on a rainy night; a runaway longs to go home; a woman finds comfort from eating lunch as her best friend lies in hospital; a teenager feels oppressed by her father. All of the characters in these stories are trying to find their place in the world, attempting to find connections that matter with the people around them.
This collection brings together prize-winning and published stories from the past twenty years: the ‘greatest hits’.
That Sadie Thing and other stories will be available onKindle from Monday 25th February 2013.
Annalisa Crawford lives and writes in Cornwall with a good supply of beaches and moorland to keep her inspired. She finds endless possibilities in the relationships between people. As this collection testifies, she has been writing for twenty years - but doesn't feel a day over twenty-one.
Find her on her blog, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.
A couple break up on a rainy night; a runaway longs to go home; a woman finds comfort from eating lunch as her best friend lies in hospital; a teenager feels oppressed by her father. All of the characters in these stories are trying to find their place in the world, attempting to find connections that matter with the people around them.
This collection brings together prize-winning and published stories from the past twenty years: the ‘greatest hits’.
That Sadie Thing and other stories will be available onKindle from Monday 25th February 2013.
Annalisa Crawford lives and writes in Cornwall with a good supply of beaches and moorland to keep her inspired. She finds endless possibilities in the relationships between people. As this collection testifies, she has been writing for twenty years - but doesn't feel a day over twenty-one.
Find her on her blog, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.
February 12, 2013
Congratulations!
Congratulations to all the winners of Follower Love Giveaway Hop. An email will be sent to you shortly :) If you would like to be informed of future giveaways, discounts and new releases, sign up for my newsletter here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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February 6, 2013
Insecure Writer's Support Group
Today is the first Wednesday of the month and so comes time for our monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group.
Thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh Every month writers post their doubts, concerns and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Others offer assistance and guidance in the comments.
For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.
As I'm editing one book and writing another I come to realize the insecurity of sharing my work with others will never disappear. The closest thing I can compare it to is showing your first born to the world for the first time, the world making a face and pointing a finger, asking "What is that?".
*hesitates* Me: "It's my baby."
The World: "That's one ugly baby."
*eyes gloss over* Me: "How can you say that about MY baby?"
The World: "Because it's ugly."
*tears begin to stream* Me: "It's so mean of you to say you don't like my book think my baby is ugly, take it back. Read it again. Look at him/her again."
This conversation goes on for a while until I have the world convinced my book is awesome baby is the cutest baby in the world.
So, what are your insecurities this month? Are you afraid someone will call your baby ugly *aka not like your book*?
Thank you to our host Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh Every month writers post their doubts, concerns and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Others offer assistance and guidance in the comments.For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer your own words of encouragement and/or assistance.
As I'm editing one book and writing another I come to realize the insecurity of sharing my work with others will never disappear. The closest thing I can compare it to is showing your first born to the world for the first time, the world making a face and pointing a finger, asking "What is that?".
*hesitates* Me: "It's my baby."
The World: "That's one ugly baby."
*eyes gloss over* Me: "How can you say that about MY baby?"
The World: "Because it's ugly."
*tears begin to stream* Me: "It's so mean of you to say you don't like my book think my baby is ugly, take it back. Read it again. Look at him/her again."
This conversation goes on for a while until I have the world convinced my book is awesome baby is the cutest baby in the world.
So, what are your insecurities this month? Are you afraid someone will call your baby ugly *aka not like your book*?
February 4, 2013
Follower Love Giveaway Hop
A Big Thank you to Kathy from I Am A Reader Not A Writer for hosting another great Giveaway Hop!
Fill out the information below for your chance to win a copy of Two Halves and/or Two Equals. We'll be drawing three ebooks of each. (Remember, first one, Marked: A Two Halves Novella is for free)
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Happy Birthday to My Hubby!
When I said in my last blog that everyone in our family mated in late spring, I meant it!
Today, it's my Hubby's Birthday :) I know he'll be reading this sometime today, and in his honor, I'm posting one of his favorite songs.
Michael, may your day be blessed with sunshine (even though they are forecasting -21), love and memories which will be kept for a lifetime. May you feel younger than you did a year ago and be happier than your happiest. Thank you for your help, love and support. Enjoy!
p.s. Later on today I will be doing a second post as part of a giveaway, so please do come back and spread the word :)
Today, it's my Hubby's Birthday :) I know he'll be reading this sometime today, and in his honor, I'm posting one of his favorite songs.
Michael, may your day be blessed with sunshine (even though they are forecasting -21), love and memories which will be kept for a lifetime. May you feel younger than you did a year ago and be happier than your happiest. Thank you for your help, love and support. Enjoy!
p.s. Later on today I will be doing a second post as part of a giveaway, so please do come back and spread the word :)
January 28, 2013
All you need is.... .... time
You thought I was going to say Love, right?
Well, sometimes it is all you need, but man, I've been so busy with family, birthdays, trips etc, that finding a spare moment to just sit and do nothing is a luxury. It seems like everyone in our family decided to mate in the spring so that their birthday would be January, February, March and April. So a couple more months to go through with the Birthday parties, and we'll have a month or so break, and summer will be around the corner.
But, in all the busy time, I had a chance to see an awesome video. I know it's not Valentine's yet but I'd thought I'd share this video. I saw the interview with this guy on CNN and just to give you some background, he met his wife at the theater academy the kids at the end of the video were from. They wore the same uniforms the couple had when they met.
Ladies, get your tissues ready, and make sure you watch the full video or Tom Fletcher, The Wedding Singer. Enjoy!
So perhaps it's true, that All you do need is Love
Wasn't this the most romantic gesture you'd ever seen? Did you enjoy the performance?
Well, sometimes it is all you need, but man, I've been so busy with family, birthdays, trips etc, that finding a spare moment to just sit and do nothing is a luxury. It seems like everyone in our family decided to mate in the spring so that their birthday would be January, February, March and April. So a couple more months to go through with the Birthday parties, and we'll have a month or so break, and summer will be around the corner.
But, in all the busy time, I had a chance to see an awesome video. I know it's not Valentine's yet but I'd thought I'd share this video. I saw the interview with this guy on CNN and just to give you some background, he met his wife at the theater academy the kids at the end of the video were from. They wore the same uniforms the couple had when they met.
Ladies, get your tissues ready, and make sure you watch the full video or Tom Fletcher, The Wedding Singer. Enjoy!
So perhaps it's true, that All you do need is Love
Wasn't this the most romantic gesture you'd ever seen? Did you enjoy the performance?
