|
|
Friday, February 26, 2010
Plotter or Pantser?
Recently, on one of the yahoo writing groups which I am of member of, there was a discussion about whether it was necessary
to outline or not before beginning a story. The questioner then wanted to know, if the writer did outline, what method was
used. How detailed it needed to be. What was the difference between an outline and a synopsis? Etc...etc...etc.
Asking questions are great. I’m not trying to discourage that in any way—that’s how we learn and grow.
But can I just say if there is one thing I have learned over the years, every writer has their own technique. What
works for one person, does not mean it will work for the next. You, as an artist, need to find what works best for you. Be
it a lunar calendar, diorama, software program, a storyboard, or maybe no outline at all, and that's okay. And
if you’re one of those people who can’t write without a map, then all right, play around with a few ideas until
you find your perfect method.
So for today, I won’t reveal my writing technique. Try to figure
out for yourself what works best for you. Imitating someone else's system will not benefit you in any way.
|  |
|
Thursday, February 25, 2010
No Kingdom, No Crown; Only Love & Romance
When I was very young I loved to read fairy tales. I think that is why I love I this next story so much, because over
the years different versions of this tale have been told and retold. How much of it is truth and what is embellished remain
to be seen.
Today we wrap up the most romantic couples through history with Prince Salim and Anarkali.
1. Prince Salim, son of Mughal Emperor Akbar, fell in love with the lovely slave girl Anarkali. Ashamed by their
son's love for a common servant, Akbar and his wife Jodha forbid Salim to see her. Rather than obeying, Prince Salim organized
an army and declared war on his father.
Akbar defeated his son and then demanded that Salim either surrender
Anarkali or be executed. Prince Salim elected to die, however, Anarkali could not allow her love to be killed. She came out
of hiding and gave her up life in exchange for one night with Prince Salim. After their one night together, Akbar had her
buried alive in a brick tomb that still stands today.
Hmm...can two people on the path of love be stopped? As
I said, there are variations of this story, but the tomb really does exist. It was once surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Inside it is inscribed:
"I would give thanks unto my God unto the day of resurrection
Ah! could I behold
the face of my beloved once more"
Just how much is fact or fable, you will have to decide for yourself...so
did I cover your favorite romantic couple? If not, who are they and why?
To read more about this couple:
Prince Salim & Anarkali A Love Story
Anarkali
| | |
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
My Dearest Dream, I Have Loved Her A Long Time
2. Czar Nicholas II & Alexandra Feodorovna— Nicholas, the future Czar of Russia, fell in love with the lovely
German princess, Alix of Hesse (Alexandra Feodorovna). Against the wishes of both families—the Queen said she was proud
of Alix for standing up to her. Something many people, including her own son did not do. Nicholas's father refused the
prospect of marriage to Alix—at first. The couple, well-known for their public displays of affection were determined
to be together. When the Bolsheviks took the Russian royal family captive, Alexandra and Nicholas were executed. They loved
together, ruled together and then ultimately died together.
I have always been fascinated by their story. Their
end is...so sad.
To read more about this couple, check out the following links:
Alexandra Feodorovna
Nicholas II of Russia
| | |
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The American Jezebel & the Great Western Bluebeard
3. Because of an effective campaign strategy, Rachel Donelson Robards and Andrew Jackson come to us as the most romantic
pair in presidential history. Although their marriage was slandered for political gain, their love endured, becoming legend
for romance novels and even a Hollywood feature film.
Almost two years into their marriage, Andrew and Rachel
Jackson, discovered she was still technically married to her first husband, Lewis Robards. No one knows why Robards waited
so long to obtain a divorce, perhaps he wanted revenge on Rachel for offending his pride. But finally in 1793, the courts
granted him a divorce when they found Rachel guilty of adultery and desertion.
Rachel and Andrew remarried for
the record, but they were tormented for the rest of their lives over the complication at the start of their marriage. Andrew
Jackson believes the malicious gossip spread by his political rivals contributed to his wife's death. Rachel died in 1828,
one month after Andrew Jackson won the office of U.S. President. Mourning her death for the rest of his life, he never remarried.
To read more about this couple, check out the following links:
Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson A Love Story
Andrew Jackson Biography
Rachel Robards Biography
| | |
Monday, February 22, 2010
What A Meeting!
4. Lord Horatio Nelson & Lady Emma Hamilton — Emma was married to Sir William Hamilton, while Lord Nelson
was married to Lady Fanny Nelson. Emma was so taken with Lord Nelson, she fainted against him when they first met. The two
lived together with Emma's husband for several years in an audacious affair that captivated London(can you image?).
Evidence suggests that intimate relations between the two had begun and the outcome was the birth of Emma's daughter,
Horatia, in January 1801. Nelson doted on their daughter from a distance, while Emma was left to cover-up the child's
parentage and a second pregnancy.
After the Admiral's death during the battle of Trafalgar, an unsealed letter to
Emma was found on his desk. It stressed his love for her and their daughter.
Hmm..are you noticing a pattern here?
A lot of these couples are married to someone else when they finally meet their true love...
To read more about this couple, check out the following links:
Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton
Lady Hamilton
Lord Horatio Nelson
| | |
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Writer's Rap
Check out this funny video.
Erin Dealey is a published author of children's
books. Some of her published credits include Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox and Little Bo Peep Can't Get to Sleep.^^
| | |
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Pimp My Novel blogspot
I came across a really interesting blog the other day Pimp My Novel. It has a lot of great information.
The following link is a post for Romance-genre specific sales. Check it out. Very informative.
| | |
Friday, February 19, 2010
Love Potion of the Week--Aqua Mirabilis
The 17th-century panacea for restoring vigor and refreshing the spirit. Aqua Mirabilis comprised equal quantities of
cinnamon, ginger, thyme, rosemary, grated nutmeg and galingale root, all finely ground and steeped in claret for a week. The
wine was then strained and a glass taken daily.
A daily glass of wine to restore vigor? Hmmm...not sure how
well that would work. Next week, I will finish the most romantic couples through history. Have a great weekend.
| | |
Thursday, February 18, 2010
British Library to offer free e-book downloads
How exciting! More than 65,000 19th-century works of fiction from the British Library’s collection are to be
made available for free downloads this spring. Read more about it here...Times Online free e-books
| | |
Impelled to Renounce the Throne
5. Prince Edward & Wallis Simpson—the marriage of Prince Edward and Wallis Warfield Simpson sparked sensational
headlines in newspapers around the world and made considerable changes to the British monarchy.
Edward first
met and was attracted to Wallis Warfield Simpson, a married woman, in 1930. They had a somewhat public, non-secret affair
for nearly seven years. Wallis, an American who was unable to be a British queen, divorced her husband in 1934 (yes, she was
another married married woman when she met the Prince). Edward became King in 1936, but to be with the woman he loved, he
abdicated the throne.
After the abdication, the two were exiled from Great Britain.
| | |
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
He has the Most Pleasing & Delightful Appearance
6. February 11, 1840 at St. James Royal Chapel the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was solemnized. They
quickly settled into married life and were as happy as two people could be. When advisers urged the Queen to assert her authority
as head of house and nation over every subject (including her husband) she would reply, "I have solemnly promised
at the alter to obey my husband, and I would never consent to limit or refine away that obligation."
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert alike, accepted their duties. They had a deep respect and affection for each other. During
their union, they had nine children. When Prince Albert died of typhoid fever in 1861, Queen Victoria was devastated. From
that day forward, until her death in 1901, she wore black.
And I thought I wore a lot of black! Tomorrow a romance
that ignited sensational headlines around the world and changed the British monarchy.
| | |
Monday, February 15, 2010
You Alone Can Rule My Heart
Back to our romantic couple countdown. Next on the list:
7. Napoleon Bonaparte & Josephine de Beauharnais—when
one thinks of historical love figures, Napoleon & Josephine are usually the first names that pop to mind. There are varying
accounts of how these two met, but one thing is for sure, Napoleon was instantly smitten. Josephine wasn’t so certain.
Historical documents prove, Napoleon had quite a way with words and while away on military campaign he sent Josephine passionate
love letters. Still it took him years to woo her. But woo her he finally did. They were crowned Emperor & Empress of France.
But theirs, too, was a stormy relationship, full of drama and infidelity. When Josephine could not produce an heir Napoleon
left her for another woman—but he never got over her. He carried violets from her garden in his locket until the day
he died.
And now I'm off to work on my synopsis. If anyone has any suggestions on how to improve this awful
step in the writing processing, I'm all ears...my synopsis sucks!
| | |
Friday, February 12, 2010
To My Sweetheart A Greeting
In 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as a day to honor St. Valentine. And early on, the holiday became a day to
exchange love messages. Recorded evidence of Valentine cards can be found in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1667. In the 18th
century handmade Valentine’s card were exchanged. Some quite elaborate, including delicate hand-cut paper lace, or complex
pin-pricked designs. The late 18th century saw the beginnings of manufactured Valentines: black and white lithographs with
hand-colored decoration and printed verses. The earliest manufacture of embossed Valentines was by a firm in London in 1803.
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? With the traditional flowers, chocolate and/or dinner...or do you do
something different? My best Valentine's gift came 27 years ago--my daughter. Happy Birthday Hon!
Want to
read more about the history of Valetine's? Here are a couple of links:
Valentine's Day Virtual Museum
Valentine's Day
| | |
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Chaucer's Love Dish
Below is a new love potion. This recipe is found in To the King’s Taste, the cookbook prepared for Richard
II, by Lorna Sass in the 14th century
Chaucer's Love Dish
60 ml dried crushed rose petals
375 ml almond milk
2.5 ml cinnamon
2.5 ml ginger
10 ml rice flour
100 g fresh dates
45 ml
pine kernels
To garnish: fresh rose petals
Soak the dried petals in almond mild for 10 minutes and
then add the cinnamon and ginger. Cook for 5 minutes over a low heat. Blend the rice flour with a couple of tablespoonfuls
of cold water. Add it with the dates and pine kernels, stir well, and pour into two bowls. Decorate with the rose petals.
Rose petals re-hydrated in almond, pine kernels and dates--Yuck...where did these people get their sense of taste?
What do you think? Would you down a bowl of this concoction all for love?
I'll continue with
the best romantic couples through history on Monday.
| | |
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Will the Real Antony & Cleopatra Please Stand Up?
8. Even though Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor played our next couple in the movies, their relationship doesn't
come close in comparison.
The romance of Mark Antony & Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, might have changed the
world, if Antony had succeeded in winning sole control over Rome with Cleopatra as his Queen. He could have changed the course
of the Roman Empire. But to break them up, war was waged against them. These two were so entranced with each other, when Mark
Antony left his wife Octavia for Cleopatra; her brother Octavian brought the Roman army to destroy them. However, these two
lovers were so dedicated to each other, rather than be apart, they committed suicide.
| | |
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
This Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Most of us are suckers for a good love story. Good thing too, or else my writing buddies and I would be in trouble!
But when that love story is based on real people, we like it even more.
Can you imagine having war waged against
you because you fell in love? Or being so dedicated to someone, sucide was preferrable to living without them? There have
been some historical figures whose honest and true love stories hold sorrow, pleasure, longing and redemption but each testify
to the superiority of true love. Their stories can truly spark the imagination for someone like me. Over the last days of
February let's look at some of the greatest love stories through history.
9. Richard Burton & Elizabeth
Taylor-when their love story began they were both married to other people. Their attraction and sexual chemistry could not
be contained. They married, but their relationship was tumultuous and they divorced only to remarry less then a year and a
half later. They starred in many movies together including one about our next couple...
| | |
Monday, February 8, 2010
Angelic Love Pest or Martyred Saint?
Who is the most famous figure of Valentine’s Day? Valentine, the priest in Rome, who was cruelly executed on February
14, 270, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Claudius II--or Cupid, the cute, loveable, winged mischievous
trickster? The God of love…
Although the day is named for the martyred saint, I decided Cupid is probably a
better known figure. So who is this angelic love pest? His arrows are filled with desire and flow with love, but pierce with
pain. As I mentioned he is winged, which speaks to the spiritual side of love, yet there is the danger of falling…so
if you have ever celebrated the joy or suffered from the sorrow of a romantic relationship, you too have been touched by Cupid
arrows.
Which figure do you think represents Valentine's Day best? Cupid or Saint Valentine?
| | |
Friday, February 5, 2010
A Regency Love Potion
Ingredients
One peer of the realm (the older his title the more reputable, therefore the more
advantageous the match)
One marriageable-age daughter (seemingly respectable, but preferably with secrets to
uncover)
Directions
Mix in a splash of Season and whip it all together in...
Special Equipment: a candlelit ballroom, a moonlit balcony, a lantern-lit footpath, a sunshiny horse
path…well you get the idea.
| | |
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Love Potions
February, the month of love. So thinking along those lines I thought I would share weekly love potion recipes. Some
of these secret potions have been in use for a thousand years and are said to have magickal properties.
John Partridge, physician to King Charles I, advocated this recipe-Cardamom Syrup. Both King and physician spent time
at the court of Louis XIV when love potions were in high fashion.
CARDAMOM SYRUP
15 ml (1 tbsp) each of cardamom , cinnamon and nettle seed
slice of root ginger, finely chopped
15 ml (1
tbsp) of chopped sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias)-if available
125 ml (4 fl oz) water
125 ml (4 fl oz)
honey
Mix the dry ingredients with a little of the water to make a paste, add the rest of the water and liquidize.
Simmer for one hour and then add the honey. Store the syrup in a labeled jar or eat immediately with apricots or peaches.
| | |
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
E-book Pricing Snafu
How many of you read about the snafu between Amazon and Macmillan over the weekend? The whole issue revolved around
the $9.99 price point Amazon had set for e-book's. Amazon has ruled the e-book market until the I-Pad came along to finally
shake their stronghold over the industry. With the emergence of the I-Pad, Macmillan now had a bargaining chip on their side
and Macmillan didn't blink.
Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent for the Curtis Brown Agency sums it up much
better than I can on his blog. He has some really great information there.
You can read all about: The Kindle Missile Crisis
And: What Should an E-book Cost?
| | |
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Groundhog Day
Today is Groundhog day. Do you wonder, as I do, how this furry little animal got his job as a weather forecaster? The
tradition dates back 123 years to 1887. It shares similarities with Candlemas Day (also celebrated today).
According
to the folklore, once the groundhog emerges from his burrow and fails to see its shadow, winter will end soon and it will
leave the burrow. If the shadow is visible, the groundhog will return to the burrow and winter will continue for six more
weeks.
A tiny hill called Gobblers Knob in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania holds the largest Groundhog Day celebration,
but celebrations take place all over the U.S. and Canada.
For more groundhog lore visit Groundhog Day
| | |
Monday, February 1, 2010
Where Do You Get Your Story Ideas?
When people discover I write, they often ask "Where do your story ideas come from?" For me, that is a hard
question to answer. Usually a specific scene will pop into my head. Sometimes when reading (historical lore) or maybe while
listening to music. My stories are character driven. I visualize a character in a similar situation as the song or history
scenario suggests. Once I have visualized the scene, I develop the characters, building a story around them as I go.
Sounds simple, huh? It's not. I have tried to write outlines and plot out my stories, but it is a huge waste of
time for me. I don't stick to them. I'm very much a "fly by the seat on my pants" type of writer. Although
I have tried to change this. I have taken plotting class after plotting class and read multiple books, alas to no avail. I
have now embraced the fact I'm a pantser. (But I'm not so chaotic in my everyday life!)
|
|
