A Dash of Words with Loleta Abi Romance Author

Three Links 11/8/19

Loleta Abi

Writing:

1. https://www.janefriedman.com/for-writers-silence-might-not-be-golden/ “For Writers, Silence Might Not Be Golden After All

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Donald M. Rattner | 5 Comments

Living area and deck. Architecture and interior design by Mark Dziewulski Architect. Photography by Nico Marques.

Today’s guest post is adapted from My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation, 48 Science-based Techniquesby author and architect Donald M. Rattner (@donaldrattner). Illustrations are courtesy of the designers and author.

As an architect and the author of a book about the psychology of creative space, I have long wondered why contemporary creatives cluster so willingly in noisy coffee shops. Granted, there’s scientific research that caffeine fuels the imagination, but doesn’t the surrounding din interfere with their ability to think creatively such that no amount of chemical stimulation can compensate for the distraction?

Certainly, many eminent writers from the past shunned clamor. Consider Marcel Proust. To remark that the French writer was sensitive to auditory interference would be an understatement. The man was positively neurotic about it. He treated the bedroom in his Paris apartment where he wrote like a sensory deprivation chamber—shutters closed, drapes drawn, the walls lined with sound-absorbing cork. It wasn’t enough. He wore earplugs too.

Anton Chekhov was similarly beset by hypersensitivity to sound. So was fellow obsessive Frank Kafka, who described his condition in his signature surreal style by saying that “I need solitude for my writing; not ‘like a hermit’—that wouldn’t be enough—but like a dead man.” Sadly, by the time he got his wish, it was too late to do anything about it.”

2. https://annerallen.com/2019/11/writing-that-first-chapter/ “I’ve had questions from several writers recently about how to approach a first chapter. New writers hear so many rules about what they must do in the first line, first paragraph, and first chapter that they can feel paralyzed, afraid to write a word.

Let’s hope that NaNoWriMo is helping some of you fight that paralysis!

Yes, there are a lot of rules about writing a first chapter, but the truth is there are as many ways to start your novel as there are writers.”

3. https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/does-age-matter-for-writers/ “Hi Rachelle, I’m 62 and about to retire; I’m preparing to dedicate my retirement years to writing full-time. I wonder whether “age discrimination” would enter into my efforts to get published. I realize the quality of the product is the most important thing, but do you think my age would detract from consideration of my manuscripts?

Dear Rachelle: I’m 16 and have written two novels. Should I mention my age in query letters? If I do, will it be a problem?

? ? ? ?

I think most agents receive these questions occasionally, from people at both ends of the age spectrum. And it’s no wonder — in this age-conscious society, it’s a perfectly legitimate question. I don’t think age is a big consideration, and as far as I can tell, most agents hold similar viewpoints.

→ The book is still the main thing.”

Research & Fun Bits:

1. https://stevelaube.com/alternative-using-comments-write/ “In my blog post on this site last week, I shared the practices of a number of my wonderful clients who have found the word-processing comments feature useful, not only during the editorial process but even as they write (see that post here). But others take a different tack, for various reasons, as you’ll see in their comments about comments below:

I do not use tracking for notes when I write. Here’s why. If I make a change, it notates it on the side and drives me batty. I highlight the part I want and put my note to self between **these** (Cindy Sproles, author of Liar’s Winter).

I don’t use the “comments” feature as I write, but after my rough draft is finished, I use a comment balloon as an electronic Post-It Note for marking the spot where I need to resume writing. I also use it as a reminder for where my critique partner left off, so I know which chapter to send her next (Rebekah Millet, www.rebekahmillet.com).”

2. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/11/5-things-id-go-back-and-tell-baby-writer-me/ “Do you ever wish you could go back and have a chat with “Baby Writer You?” I think about that sometimes, about the things I’d tell that shiny, awkward, clueless soul.

But like parenting or dating, or any other hands-on life thing, you have to figure it out for yourself. Like learning how to adult, until you really get the hang of it, you don’t know how much you don’t know.

Besides, shiny “New Writer You” wouldn’t believe you anyway.”

3. https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/11/06/book-marketing-engineer-your-book-launch-success-with-a-diy-strategy/ “Those who want to write a book believe that writing the book is the hardest part. Those who have written a book soon discover that marketing the book is actually the bigger challenge.

There are a host of reasons for this, including that many writers prefer the intimate, one-on-one relationship with their keyboard over shouting anything about themselves or their book to anyone… However, your success is entirely in your hands and forethought and pre-planning your book marketing strategy will go a long way to achieving your goals.”

Some More Serious Things:

1. https://mybipolarmind.com/2019/11/02/guest-post-bipolar-ii-by-adrienne-morgan/ “I started feeling depressed around age 14. I thought it was normal teenage hormones. My behavior at this time changed drastically. I had always been a “good girl” but suddenly switched into a pot-smoking, beer-guzzling party girl. I was also sexually promiscuous. In those days, all of that was taboo.

When I was 22 I finally saw a psychiatrist. I had heard about Prozac and wanted to try it. I also began psychotherapy. My party-hard lifestyle was in full swing. I tried every drug, short of heroin. I did so much Ecstasy that I’m now convinced it caused brain damage.

At age 30, I was the oldest female I knew who wasn’t married or engaged. I had been so busy partying, I never bothered with a relationship. But now I wanted a family. So I reinvented myself back into the good girl and started looking for a suitable husband.”

2. https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2019/11/03/angel-messages-november-3-2019/

3.

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://phillipknightscott.com/2019/11/02/if-dreams/

2. https://rachelpoli.com/2019/11/03/short-story-sunday-289-notebooks/

3.

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. http://lizlovesbooks.com/lizlovesbooks/latest-reads-a-deadly-divide-ausma-zehanat-khan/ “In the aftermath of a mass shooting in a mosque, small town tensions run high. Clashes between the Muslim community and a local faction of radical white nationalists are escalating, but who would have motive and opportunity to commit such a devastating act of violence?

Detectives Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty from Canada’s Community Policing Unit are assigned to this high-profile case and tasked to ensure the extremely volatile situation doesn’t worsen. But when leaked CCTV footage exposes a shocking piece of evidence, both sides of the divide are enraged.

As Khattak and Getty work through a mounting list of suspects, they realise there’s far more going on in this small town than anyone first thought…”

2. https://mariacatalinaegan.com/2019/11/03/the-viola-valentine-mysteries-by-cherie-claire/ “From award-winning novelist Cherie Claire comes
a new paranormal mystery series.

They say there are blessings from Hurricane Katrina. For Viola Valentine of New
Orleans, it was losing her dead-end job and leaving behind a loveless marriage
and an overbearing family.

But the storm also blew open a psychic door. Now she sees ghosts who have died
by water.

As she enters her new career as a travel writer, solving mysteries that appear
with apparitions everywhere she goes, the one person she hopes to speak to — her
daughter who died of leukemia years before — continues to elude her.

Or does she?”

3. https://pitchwars.org/cover-reveal-laura-browns-a-perfect-mistake/ “Falling for someone you shouldn’t is a problem, but when your lives are thrust together at every turn, it makes keeping your hands off them a whole other thing entirely…

When social worker Nica Anders indulges in one night of sexual passion with delicious Deaf man Cam Thompson, the last thing she expects is to see him the next day while visiting her dying client, Cassie. How was she supposed to know he’s Cassie’s grandson? And now, despite the ethical implications and constant interference from Cam’s family, it seems their attraction just keeps on building.

Steamy, touching, heart-warming. A much-needed #OwnVoices romance that will go perfectly with a plate of chocolate brownies and a glass of wine!”