Quincy, Mass. by Childe Hassam

[Wikimedia]

More money, less happy

Since a new author is seldom wealthy, studies like this one are encouraging. It shows that once we have money enough to cover essentials, adding more money decreases our likelihood of "savouring" life. Even just thinking of money decreases "savour". So if savour is the ability to enjoy the present moment, the now of life, is money a "hurry up, we have more to do" intervention in our lives?

Talking about animals...

Over at BlogHer, ClizBiz has an interview with Dr Alan Beck that discusses interaction between humans and animals. Among other insights, installing fish tanks in nursing homes helped Alzheimer residents calm and eat more.

I'm struggling with this whole image html link thing. Hope it works, and if the click through has vanished, the cat is Piper http://www.lolcats.com/view/23311/ Cute cat.

Monday Mornings

I'm not a swimmer, but if I were I'd say Monday mornings are a bit like going down to the beach in winter, stripping down to bathers, dipping the toe in the water and hesitating. You're there, you're eager to swim, but you just can't quite make yourself jump in.

So at the moment, I'm wading. The water's about knee high. I'm doing all that essential but not quite writing stuff--email, Facebook, Twitter, updating this blog. A second cup of coffee and I'll have courage enough to charge the deep water.

Is there any cure for Monday mornings except for more coffee? Hmm. A laugh often helps. Maybe I'll steal five minutes to visit LOLcats?

The Little Pond, Appledore, by Childe Hassam

Happy weekend, everyone!

[Wikimedia]

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

For anyone into the Kate Daniel series, there's no need to read a review of Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews, they'll be auto-buying. The good news is they'll be delighted with the read.

Magic Bleeds is a fantastic fourth book. Characters intro'd in earlier books are included, so you can follow their journey, check they're okay, watch new conflicts develop. But the focus remains on Kate and Curran with revelations of their back stories, some hot new developments as their relationship matures and a swathe of possible future conflicts even as Kate's major issue (the Roland one driving the series) simmers with increasing tension.

The series is an adventure story with a romantic heart. It is about loyalty, choices and paying in pain for those choices. It's also about happy endings--something I hope continues to be true in the future. They're not roses and birdsong happy endings, but they're satisfying for the reader. Characters behave as adults (although I am slightly over the amount of physical damage Kate sustains and soldiers through in each book)--they're not perfect but working on it.

Vivid world building and an imaginative use of mythology are major pluses.

I'd definitely recommend Magic Bleeds to a fantasy/thriller reader, but I'd say "read the whole series".

Playhouses

Jaw-dropping playhouses--as in for kids, not theatres. Just wow.

Yet when we grow up we settle for painting the odd wall purple and hanging a print. I think it would be neat to live in a pirate ship.

There Are No Rules - The 3 Best Takeaways for Writers From BookExpo America

There Are No Rules - The 3 Best Takeaways for Writers From BookExpo America

On Amazon entering publishing and on the author-publisher relationship. Copyright, too.

Coffee time

coffee time
Originally uploaded by Koffiemetkoek

It's definitely that time of day!

They Are Coming!

They Are Coming!
Originally uploaded by BenTaher

BenTaher has amazing images up on Flickr. If you've got a moment, check them out. Beautiful, romantic, totally impressive. Captures the spirit of romantic Arabia--and don't let geographical quibbles get in the way. I know Libya is not geographically part of the Arabian peninsula.

Fingers in Ears

I'm going to squeal!

Amazon has The Price of Freedom available for pre-order. The cover image isn't up yet, but the novella is there!

Night Owl Romance seeking reviewers

The invitation arrived in my email and I thought I'd pass it on (permission to forward was included in the email). Although at this point I won't be applying to become a reviewer--you can see from this blog that I've become very slack on the writing of reviews.

Do you love to both read and write or know someone who does?



Night Owl Reviews is currently seeking reviewers for all genres. Reviewers need to be readers who love books and enjoy writing.


We do ask that reviewers do at least 3 books a month.


Reviewers select their own books from a listing of available titles


We review both print and ebooks and get books direct from publishers, authors and publicists


We review both small and big press titles


We review a wide range of genres including Romance, YA, Suspense, SFF and Mainstream


If your an author we have a free monthly promo space for one of your books


If you have not reviewed before that is ok. We are here to help train you.


Sign-up Now To Be A Reviewer!!!


(Feel free to forward this email)





Sincerely,


The Night Owl Reviews Staff

An Italian Garden by Chase William Merritt

Of such things are dreams made.

[Wikimedia]

Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show includes a gold medal winner from Australia this year. So I can't resist posting about it--although I do remember James May's plasticine entry a few years ago which kind of took the mickey out of the whole shebang. This year the upmarket inorganic "plants" are jewels--the garden comes complete with security guards ;)

Cold and Perfect, Alone

A mirror cannot love.
Its hard, reflective shine
rebuffs soft inquiry.
No one will learn its heart.

A mirror will withhold
itself; display your love
untouched by it, unwarmed.
Only broken mirrors live.

Free Classic Reads

Readprint.com has a simple, eye-pleasing layout and a lovely selection of old classic novels, stories, essays and poems. Delightful, serious, entertaining--you'll find something to enjoy. I saw Agatha Christie's "The Secret Adversary" (on my shelf as a favourite paperback) and clicked through William Blake's "I Heard an Angel".

Down by the river

Paddling Away

Still trying to understand Twitter

Since I'm more a follower than a tweeter, the thing with Twitter is that I want to follow interesting people. At first I thought this would happen organically. The people I follow would retweet amazing stuff and I'd add the original Tweet person to my "follow" list. To some extent this has happened, but less than I thought it would. Perhaps I'm not giving enough time/energy to Twitter?

So I went and looked at http://wefollow.com/ to cheat and grow my follow list that way. But then the weirdness of that struck me. If I'm going to follow a mass media channel (as some of these Twitter successes seem to be), Twitter is so not the medium of choice. I want something with actual sentences, pictures that don't need to click and open a new window.

All of which leads me to the unhappy realisation that I just don't get Twitter. I'm a tortoise. It's a hare.

What's in a Title?

Dear Author asks whether as readers we remember (and that includes recommend) a book by title or by author. In the comments discussion, readers add that cover art and description are also major memory triggers. But titles remain the definition of a particular book--and as a writer, I have to confess, I hate titles.

Like any reader, I love a great title. "Footsteps in the Dark" for Georgette Heyer's charming 1930s mystery--perfect. "Bewitched and Betrayed", Lisa Shearin's latest book, equally apt.

Ah, but coming up with a great title. Not so easy. As a writer, I struggle with titles. Ideally I'd like it to catch the eye, delight the ear, bring a smile and capture the essence of the story/poem. It's a lot to ask of a handful of words.

When it works, when the title adds to the total package rather than sitting there like a useless lump, then it's the best feeling. Very rarely it comes organically from the story, as with "The Price of Freedom". More often, it requires a great deal of ink and paper, scratching and scrawling, and strange grimaces, muttering and pleas to the editor that this story should be Untitled. Fortunately, editors don't respond to wild-eyed pleas. Unfortunately, novels can seldom use the cheating method of poetry and simply rip off the first line. Shame that, but it could be fun...

Happy holidays on Death Island

And when Death visits, he'll shake his head and say, "It never used to be like this."

BoingBoing points out a former bioweapon and animal disease research island is now up for sale. Mindboggling.

Eat Dirt and Smile

Fascinating study that the common soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, might reduce anxiety in people and increase their ability to learn. Is this why kids have a natural affinity with dirt? Might be part of the reason gardening is therapeutic.

Syria, the dead Cities, Sargilla.

Syria, the dead Cities, Sargilla.
Originally uploaded by french irish
Writing a novel set in Syria I'm learning more and more about a fascinating country. As I've said before--thank you to everyone who shares their photos and enables us armchair adventurers to "see" the world. My imagination is buzzing.

Inspired by Food

A friend just sent me a recipe for Syrian toast which is unbelievably decadent. It's from Delicious magazine (scroll down the page, it's the third recipe). Somehow drizzling honey and romance novels just go together ;) Cooking is the most indulgent of research and weaving mention of food into a novel adds a lovely layer of sensuous experience. Thanks for the recipe, Sis.

When the Lake Runs Dry

The red is reeds or grass growing on the lakebed where there ought to be water. We need rain.

How Old is Too Young?

GalleyCat raises the issue of an author's age.

Is a teenage writer's voice more genuine than an older writer writing for the same YA market? Is it better to write in the midst of teen angst, or looking back on it from a few years distance? Can a teen only write for a teen market (which seems to be the subtext of the discussion)?

Does age matter? is it shorthand for life experience and craft learned?

And like most things in pop culture, different answers suit different people--readers and authors. Although I am reminded of poets such as John Keats (died at 25) who wrote brilliantly.

Open Thread for Authors at Dear Author

I just posted about The Price of Freedom on Dear Author's Open Thread for Authors for June. It is an indescribable pleasure to present your own novella to the world. Happy, happy, happy, ...

I hope other readers are as excited as I am by the mysteries of the Middle East. Angels, djinn, curses and courage. I am having the best time writing my paranormal romance series, Out of the Bottle.

Busy on the River

YeZ the Green Car

If you only click on one link I share at this blog, be tempted now. An off-the-scale cute and scientifically wow green car--the YeZ

Carina Press is everywhere

Just saw the countdown to launch banner for Carina Press over at Dear Author as a sponsor ad. Such a thrill to see Carina Press at a site I read for book recommendations and general commonsense/information on ebooks. The launch is so close I can smell the rocket fuel burning.

I'm hugely excited. The Carina team has done an amazing job at a wicked pace. So excited.

Creativity and the Secret Life of the Writer

Over at the Guardian, Robert McCrum raises the question of where we develop creativity, where is the space to nurture inspiration? The discussion in the comments is interesting, partly because it reveals how differently people approach the question of being a writer (or any creative artist) and partly because of how varied is their definition and appreciation of creativity. So for some, blogging is writing. For others, it's not.

It fascinates me that a mystique still hangs around creative artists. In an earlier post I mused about writers as shamans--storytellers who give people a way of understanding and acting in their world. To my shame I haven't picked up and pursued this idea. But maybe this need for a shaman is the creative artist's mystique?

I should never...

...have counted the days till The Price of Freedom releases. 23 days. Less than a month. Hyperventilating.

Being an Author

Okay, 'scuse the vegie break. I'm now back on topic. Patricia Wrede has just blogged on the life of an author--it's characterised by "hurry up and wait". As she says, authors have to be patient.

Publishing schedules rule us, and not we, them. I guess like most occupations there is a certain tempo. Either you adjust to it or you die of hypertension. Umm. Well, maybe not die--but you get cross and change occupations.

I used to think being an author was a very solitary, independent, make your own rules kind of job. Maybe it is for some people, but what I've learned with Carina Press is a writer is part of a book team--other authors, editors, graphic designers, publicists, reviewers, and most importantly, readers all impact the writer's day. And personally, I love it.

Kale--No Aphids, So Far

I know kale isn't usually part of a herb garden, but I'm a natural rule breaker ;)

It's looking good and since it's one of my favourite winter vegies and almost impossible to find in the shops, growing it is essential. I don't know if you can see, but the copper wire circles keep the snails out. They love my kale, too.

Living in my own world

One of the funniest aspects of writing is how badly it throws off my sense of time. If I finish breakfast and start typing an evening scene in the novella, I emerge an hour or three later blinking and looking around for dinner--my imagination has convinced my body the sun doesn't know what it's talking about--it's not late morning, it's late at night.

Because I'm still learning the craft of writing, I read tons of advice. One bit that stuck with me--although I can't remember the reference for it--was not to waste inspiration by talking about it. When you're enthused about a story, write it. Don't talk about the story. Your enthusiasm is finite.

So I'm currently living my third angel and djinni novella, bubbling with enthusiasm for the Syrian setting, the crusader castle, the soldierly guardian angel who is re-learning tenderness, the beguiled but suspicious djinni,...it's an awesome story but I can't risk talking about it. I have to hoard my enthusiasm--selfish, selfish--and write!

Crusader Sea Castle

Crusader Sea Castle
Originally uploaded by ya.zan

Some photos are just magic because they invite you in.

Where do you keep your poetry books?

For me, it's as close to my TV-watching chair as possible. Then when the TV irritates me--I'm easily irritated--I have something to dip into. A quick dose of Ogden Nash and I'm all smiles again. I tend to buy poetry anthologies rather than single author works. I do the same with music--although the whole iPod single track purchases has rather changed that. Do you think the day will ever come when we buy poetry by the poem?

A Busy Morning

Checking out the comments on my Carina Press blog post, twittering, wrestling with Facebook, Tumblring, ... 2 hours have dashed away without me having a chance to breathe. Am I slow or is social media overwhelming? It's like opening the door to a polite knock and having the whole cast of Shrek rush in with Donkey screaming and kicking.

All of which is to say I doubt I'm going to get a substantive post organised for this blog today. I need to take a deep breath, calm down and turn off the Internet! I have a novella that needs writing--it's biting and clawing at me like a cornered cat. Time to let it loose.

New to Twitter? Like me

A list of people to follow on Twitter from Online Uni Reviews. Also, the conversations happening around @CarinaPress are fun if you're looking for reading/writing/crazy life discussions. Come and join in.

Carina Press Blog

I have a blog post up over at Carina Press. If anything, it understates how excited I am to be part of CP. If you click across, be sure to read the comments--lovely people have dropped by. Hey, why not add your own comment?

Romantic Arabia

The Middle East has some of the world's oldest civilisations. In addition to the amazing archaeology it has an awesome collection of myths and legends. It is romance with a capital R. I am delighted that Hollywood has recalled its early success with The Sheik (Rudolph Valentino in 1921) and is bringing back the romance.

We have The Prince of Persia from the makers of Pirates of the Carribean and Sex in the City 2 has its own Arabian escape--or should that be escapades?

I'm so excited. And I have my fingers crossed that my paranormal romance series Out of the Bottle sparkles with the same mix of magic and romance. It all begins with The Price of Freedom, released June 14.

Dance of Fish - Agate and Coral Necklace

Dance of Fish - Agate and Coral Necklace
Originally uploaded by Bunny_Nikisha

This is my "virtual" contribution to the Carina Press launch time capsule--a gorgeous coral necklace--and this photo really appealed as a way to illustrate my choice.

To celebrate Carina Press's launch, I'm hosting some amazing authors here at this blog in June. I've asked them to contribute something to the time capsule. It's all virtual (we're none of us rich), but it's fun. Look for some interesting answers!

The Calendar of Guest Authors is at the top right of this page. I hope you check back in June and join in the conversation. Maybe you'll have a contribution for the time capsule?

3 Wishes Bottle

3 Wishes Bottle
Originally uploaded by Sloe Djinn

This is exactly the sort of djinni bottle I was thinking about when I wrote "The Price of Freedom". Isn't it beautiful? The definition of romance.

From My Open Apartment Window

The nightly dance of city lights invites me in.
"Here I am," they cry. "And me, see me!"
Radiant seducers, confident lovers,
they reach out to the shadows,
reach out to me.

A dance of light from houses, streets and cars
in which hope is triumphant,
faith celebrated
and love sees the truth:

Each light is a soul.
Some will touch my life, grace it with joy.
Others I will touch, unknowing, in blessing.

We never know when, where or who,
but our lights illuminate--create--community.


[Not quite a poem yet, but I'm working on it!]

Relief

Relief
Originally uploaded by h.koppdelaney

There is some gorgeous stuff on Flickr. I'm stunned by how generous people are in sharing their creativity.

The Age of Curation?

Trundle over to Wired. Is the new catchphrase, Age of Curation?

The issue is organising and accessing information. And information includes things like this blog. In the mind boggling array of information on the Internet, how do we find stuff that interests us, people we respect, the (scary word) truth?

Curation might become the word of choice for describing this imposition of order out of chaos.

And then we'll have to deal with the fact that curation prioritises. And because only a limited amount of stuff (uh, information) can be processed by the human brain in 24 hours, the priotisation will in effect equal the disappearance of stuff. It'll still exist, but it won't be seen.

If no one sees a tree fall in the forest, does the tree exist?

Of course lots of stuff currently exists unseen. My presence on the web (like this blog) is barely read. I am a blip in a screen shower of supernovas.

Still, curation. What would you like it to direct your way, and what would you like it to bury?

Friends' social media presence, news, social commentary, glorious images, poetry, book reviews, humour. How do we decide what we want to see until we see it? But with google so embedded it's become a verb, are we happy for someone else (algorithms, in fact) to tell us what we want to see?

Curation. It's an interesting concept. And my old sociology training nudges me hard with Foucault. Knowledge is power, and power is knowledge.

Choosing an eBook reader

Dear Author addresses the question. American perspective. I think Australia might be about a year behind in tech adoption--don't quote me, though. I'm tech-challenged.

I'm Tumblr Re-Posted

Woohoo! 2 people reposted a Christina Rossetti quotation I posted to my Tumblr blog. I know other people have hundreds of reposts, but I'm excited to be a contributing community member. 2 reposts!!

Skippety Hop

My brain's in skippety hop mood today. As the random posts here show. Will be interesting what sort of writing I get done. Fortunately it's still first draft stage--so skippety hop may add some imaginative treasures--then again, in second draft I might scream at the screen, "What were you thinking?" Hmm. Do all writers talk to themselves?

Årsta Castle, Österhaninge, Sweden

Årsta Castle, Österhaninge, Sweden
Originally uploaded by Swedish National Heritage Board

Sometimes an image just makes me stop and stare. This design is so beautiful.

Space Travel

What if humanity does develop the technology to identify and reach a planet that could sustain Earth life, but initially that technology is one way only, ie the outward bound traveller can never return?

Would we send robots? prisoners? [I ask as an Australian, living in a society partly established on convict labour] What about volunteers? Would they be scientists? anarchists? religious believers (like desert hermits)?

Who would be sent on a one way journey? and what sort of society would they establish? What would be the effect on those left on Earth?

Death and the Maiden by Gladys Mitchell

I've been reading Mitchell's books for a few years now, picking up stray copies here and there. Reading out of order has a certain delight. You meet old friends in their younger years or unexpectedly learn what happened to a character from an earlier book.

Although Death and the Maiden hasn't become my favourite Mrs Bradley mystery, it is a first class insight into the post-WWII years in Britain. It was first published soon after the war ended and you can feel society jangling. Old patterns have been destroyed and new ones are still to establish themselves. The mystery itself didn't enthrall me, but I enjoyed the book.

Kairo : bords du Nil et Dahabieh.

Kairo : bords du Nil et Dahabieh.
Originally uploaded by New York Public Library

Made me think of Amelia Peabody and smile

First Drafts

First drafts are where the excitement of finally writing THE story spills onto the page. Everything tumbles out, including current preoccupations. So, if you've recently become addicted to eclairs--guess what? that's what's served at your Regency tea--whether or not its era accurate. Accuracy, character integrity, all of that's for later drafts.

First drafts are where ideas buzz.

Can you tell I'm loving writing the first draft of my third angel and djinni novella?

Your body and its Criminal Destiny

Well, not quite. Still, via MindHacks I stumbled on this NYT article on correlations between physical descriptors (height, weight, attractiveness) and crime statistics--also income. Includes random facts. I didn't know Americans were getting shorter.

I hope you've been following the Carina Press Blog

There have been some awesome posts by Carina Press authors over at the blog. They've introduced themselves, their (harmless) weirdnesses and their books. It's fun and you can make some great additions to your "Buy in June" book list.

Did I mention you can also win stuff?

Creating your blog banner

So call me obsessed with blog banners, but they are something you see as often as you blog, and importantly, it's the visual clue to readers who stumble onto your blog space.

Over at BlogHer Joelle Reeder tells us how to create our own look and feel.

I'm really happy with my simple beach photo. But I couldn't resist posting the link for more adventurous bloggers who share my tech ignorance.

Angel Thief to be published by Carina Press

So happy :)

Carina Press has accepted my second paranormal romance novella in the Out of the Bottle series. More angels and djinn! and this time with an Australian setting.

I'm delighted Deb Nemeth will be editing Angel Thief. If I could bottle her, I would. The label would read, "Editorial brilliance. Apply as needed."

The Two Wolves Inside Us

A short, sharp Cherokee tale. I enjoy wisdom tales that sting/challenge rather than patronise.

Lago Maggiore da Arona

Lago Maggiore da Arona
Originally uploaded by phototuscany.it

The breath of romance

A Place to Share Joy

Since creating a banner for this blog on the weekend I've been thinking about what this blog is. Forget the stated purpose: It began as a way of sharing my experience writing an urban fantasy novel. Among other things, I wanted to explore the introduction of numinous experience into genre writing. The blog has changed as I've committed my self to feeding it daily. It has shifted focus--but to where?

The answer is obvious. The blog is where I share the things that interest and delight me. Sometimes a note of complaint creeps in--which is very human. But the drive for this blog, what brings me to post day after day, is the chance to share whatever has caught my eye in the past 24 hours.

Grand Designs

If you're like me and obsessed with people's homes--the design, colours, how they use space, if they include eco considerations and how, the inclusion of plants, provision for pets, everything--then you probably also watch Grand Designs. The British program follows people's struggle to realise their vision for the home they're building. Awesome. The website is pretty cool, too.

Lighthouse

Paranormal Romance Novels

Dear Author asks the question of paranormal romance novels--are they still popular? how popular? are they something publishers are buying?

As a PNR writer it's a question of great interest, but I found I was actually reading the post as a reader. I was desperate to know if the market was strong enough to support the emergence of new talented authors who would make it onto my to-buy list along with the likes of Patricia Briggs. And the market is that strong. You could argue it's peaked, but you could also argue it's established itself.

PNR is mainstream acceptable.

There is a market, and therefore, a space for new authors as well as popular names.

So now all I have to look out for is the twists--as vampires and werewolves are fully exploited, what new categories of paranormal will take off? ::all fingers crossed:: let it be angels and djinn ;)

Of course, if angels and djinn aren't your thing (told you I was a poet! what a slack rhyme) Carina Press is launching with an impressive range of PNR from new and known authors.

Rejection Letters and Sunny Skies

I just received the nicest rejection email from Liz Smith for the stories I'd submitted to My Weekly. Maybe sounds bizarre, but it's quite made my day. An acceptance would have been thrilling, but a lovely rejection letter is...comforting. Reminds the neurotic in my writer that rejection of a story is not personal.

My favourite vase

In the shape of a hat, you fill the hollow with florists' foam and flowers.

Harlequin Backlist Goes Digital

It looks like the day I've dreamed of is nearly here. Harlequin is turning backlist titles into ebooks. No more haunting charity store book bins hoping. That said, they're talking mostly of books from 2000 and later. So I'll continue to hang onto my ancient Penny Jordans and Susan Napiers, the tattered and repaired Emma Goldricks, Jessica Hart, Sophie Weston, Cait London, the list goes on. But I'm truly pleased the recent backlist of favourite writers will become available.

Gardening

A huge, snuffly, stubborn nose
insists
on supervising my work.
Anyone want a dog?

Seagulls and surf

For thou hast procrastinated

Fascinating study that forgiving yourself an initial bout of procrastination makes it easier not to procrastinate in the future.

So when we beat ourselves up for not working, we make it more likely we won't work in the immediate future.

Oxfam shopping bag

Such a lovely design, I had to share it.

New banner

I try to stay off the computer on Sundays--have a sanity day--but I couldn't resist seeing whether a tech dumbie could create her own banner.

I'm delighted to say the instructions over at BlogHer worked a treat.

I snapped the photo at the beach, cropped it, added the text using picnik.com and voila! A blog banner.

Happy weekend!

Clean Hands, Clean Psyche

Apparently washing your hands does more than wash away guilt. It washes away doubt and thought about previous decisions. Who knew this minor, everyday action had such power?

So for all of us second-guessing our decisions--invest in a good quality moisturiser, because we're going to be scrubbing those hands :)

Dialogue

Dialogue mimics the rhythms and tricks of actual speech, but it's something different. For tips on writing it click over to Patricia Wrede's blog.

I like dialogue. It gives immediacy and dash to a story.

Crusader Castles in Syria

Krak des Chevaliers

Photo by Jerzy Strzelecki--thank you for sharing it!

[Wikimedia]

Syrian costume

Dervish, peasant, young woman, police officer.

Nineteenth Century German illustration of Syrian people

[Wikimedia]

Syria

Syria is the setting of the novella I'm writing. I'll be weaving modern day tensions with the romantic traditions of the region. Syria is a gift to writers. It's spilling over with history. Syria Gate provides a quick overview. This is a place where you can touch the ghosts of ancient civilisations.

Syria. I'm obsessed with these romantic images

In Syria - HDR
Originally uploaded by naheligi

Palmyra, Syria

Syria, Palmyra
Originally uploaded by richard.mcmanus.

Dust, glory, romance.

I'm so grateful to people who share their photos, particularly amazing ones like this that draw you into the experience.

Google Editions

Google Editions--being talked about--waiting for details.

Will the ebook go DRM free?

Exciting times to be an ebook author!!!

Short SF&F at Tor

Tor is accepting short fiction (under 12,000 words preferably) in science fiction and fantasy--well, duh. It is Tor.

Whenever I read posts like this I wish I wrote faster, smarter and sub'd with more confidence. There's a huge danger for writers that they try to "save" editors effort--the writer rejects their own story by not sub'ing it, even though the story is well written, polished to painful shininess and meets the submission guidelines.

If your story meets all the criteria, don't let a fear of rejection stop the sub. Although I admit this is big talk from a sub'ing phobic :)

Out of the mouths of babes...

This NYT article reports a study that reveals babies have notions of right and wrong. How early do we learn morality? How much is learnt and how much is refining what we're born with?

Using Tweets in your Novel

I always kinda doubted a popular novel could effectively weave in a tweeted exchange. However...on her blog, Ilona Andrews presents a twitter exchange between Kate, Curran and Jim. It made me smile, and I realised it worked because the characters are so well established, so strong, that Ilona brings them effectively through the terse medium of Twitter.

The question, then, is could a tweeted exchange develop/reveal character or does it lean on the fully expressed text around it?

[I've had a couple of posts recently ref'ing Ilona's blog. Well, I'm compulsively checking it, waiting for the release of Magic Bleeds]

L'Hermitage a Pontoise by Camille Pissarro

[Wikimedia]

Collecting Mania

In Australia the ABC has a tv show called Collectors and it's incredible the range of stuff people collect, from the sublime to what most people would throw away. I'm intrigued by the people who collect via colour. Doesn't matter the object as long as it's sunshine yellow or dental surgery pink.

At first I thought I'd escaped this mania to collect, but my conscience tapped me on the shoulder and said, Ahem. Normal people don't have multiple book shelves double stacked.

Oh, yes. I collect books. Fiction mostly. Paperbacks if possible--the silverfish aren't as keen to eat them and I can fit more in!

Do you have the collecting mania?

Dark Matter

It is the future you see.
Impossibly, the spaces between
could be nothing and explode into galaxies.
They could be the exhale
of gravitational inhale,
or just, debris
from yesterday's collision
between habit and reason
and dreams.

iPhone app for Romance Readers

I don't have an iphone, but this looks cool. Dear Author and Smart Bitches Trashy Books have created a To Be Read app for romance readers containing reviews and free reads.

Simply because I love the colour

Books Make a Difference

Copied from BlogHer. Give a child the gift of reading.

From May 3-28, together we (BlogHer and BookRenter) are working to make a difference in children's lives by generating new books for children who need them most -- via the nonprofit organization First Book.

Want to help? For every answer we receive in the comments to the following question, one book will be donated:

What book has had the greatest impact on your life?

That's right: All you need to do is leave a comment, and BookRenter will donate a book to a child in need -- up to 1,000 books.

Here's the link, again.

[There is a Mr Linky link somewhere, but it baffles me.]

World Environment Day, 5 June

What are you doing for World Environment Day on 5 June?

I'm not sure I'll manage much beyond a post on this blog--which is sad, but realistic--still just increasing my awareness of possibilities out there strengthens my hope in the future and my awe for other people's courage and determination.

Website update

I'm slowly building up the links page on my website. Rather than stick with writing and reading related sites, I've widened the net to include things I find interesting. I've just added virtual museum tours.

Virtual tours are much like real world visits--you mean to go but you keep putting them off because other things require attention. Still, when you have the chance, they're a great trigger for story ideas.

Renoir, By the Water

[Wikimedia]

Jewish Magic

Angels and Demons, Jewish Magic through the Ages is the Bible Lands Museum's newest exhibition.

What Makes a Bestseller?

Ilona Andrews discusses the question of writing a bestseller. Her answer? Accessibility.

Great answer.

It sells well because lots of people can find an "in". And once they're in, the book continues to deliver engagement.

When Blogs Look Empty

It can be real life intruding--how dare it!!

But it can also be a selfish wandering around the Net, enjoying other people's musings and creativity, but slackly failing to link back. Yep. I put my hand up today. I've had a lovely wander. Time to return to business.

I'll be updating my blog roll of Carina Press authors, plus thinking of writing, reading, life topics to post through the month. Any ideas?

Want to see a cute photo of heart throbs?

Before they're heart throbs.

So cute. Check out Leah Braemel's prep for her book trailer.

The Orchard by Camille Pissarro

[Wikimedia]

What's a book discussion without a librarian?

I'm adding Wendy the Super Librarian to the list of Great Sites, Wonderful People on the right sidebar.

Carina Press Authors

Life is full of unexpected joys.

When Angela James accepted my paranormal romance novella, The Price of Freedom, for publication with Carina Press I was excited because I knew it would be part of a great range of books, brilliantly edited, from a publisher I believed would soon establish itself as a trusted name.

All of this remains true. The surprise is the friendship, support, encouragement and laughter growing up between the authors.

Carina Press authors are lovely. You can find them hanging out at Carina Press's blog, also on Twitter (try searching @CarinaPress) and Facebook, and in the countdown to the launch of Carina Press those authors lucky enough to have their novels published in June are stealing the blog from Angela and introducing themselves. This is a great way to meet them, hear their stories and realise they're just like you and me--smart, funny, willing to share their laughter. Make some new friends, pop over and visit the Carina Press blog (and did I mention you can win ebooks?)

Plagiarising Reviews

The subject of plagiarising book reviews has come up a few places. As is often the case, it takes Dear Author raising the issue for me to actually stop and think about it.

And when I stop and think about it, I'm stunned.

To me, a review is part of my engagement with a book. It's an extension of my reading experience, a way to share that joy with others. To steal (plagiarise) a review is like wearing someone else's unwashed underwear--icky in a major way.

A book review is a window into another reader's experience with a book. It's something private that they've chosen to share. Why would you want to pass off someone else's experience as your own?

Romantic Times Conference

For those of us who didn't attend RT2010, Dear Author shares the experience.

I'm so grateful to everyone who takes the time to share stuff like this. It helps shrink the world.

Bewitched and Betrayed by Lisa Shearin

Bewitched and Betrayed by Lisa Shearin--read it. Loved it.

I don't want to say too much. I have a feeling I'd start sharing spoilers. Safe to say the action kicks off immediately and just keeps pumping.

The story felt really together. Character growth. Tons of imagination. Raine is a great lead character.

New York has everything, inc Lost Languages

From the NYTimes

People wanting to record dying languages are finding their speakers in New York.

[link found via MindHacks]

If you've ever worried about your privacy...

or if, as a writer, you've wondered how the hell anyone can "lose" themselves in camera-riddled England read this article about the newly released film.

Fascinating psychic cost of hiding.