A Dash of Words with Loleta Abi Romance Author

Three Links 4/3/2020

Loleta Abi

Writing:

1. https://annerallen.com/2020/03/rescue-endangered-book/ “You’ve kinda/sorta finished your book/first draft/whachamacallit.

In drastic cases, it could even be an outline that’s gone off the rails and landed in a ditch.

But.” Oh, those “buts.” Don’t give into them. Carry on!

2. https://jamigold.com/2020/03/character-internalization-to-italicize-or-not-to-italicize/ “A few years ago, Marcy Kennedy guest posted here to share three writing problems we can solve by understanding internal dialogue. At the time, I gushed about her book on the topic, Internal Dialogue (Busy Writer’s Guides Book 7), and that book is still the best resource I know of for really understanding how to make our characters’ thoughts work for our story.

As Marcy says in her book, internal monologue (also known as internal/interior/inner monologue or dialogue, or just plain internalization) is:

“Internal dialogue is the conversation we have with ourselves, the running commentary inside our heads about our day.”

Internal monologue is a powerful technique to establish the story’s emotions, characterizations, motivations, story arc, etc. But many writers struggle with knowing how to use this technique.” I don’t use italics unless it’s telepathic communication between characters or unless something is intentionally emphasized.

3. http://booksbywomen.org/finding-balance-in-isolation/ “Last week, I had to issue a blanket threat: “The next person who tells me I should be getting so much writing done at home, I will ignore social isolation and get within 6ft to cut you.”

You see, like many writers suddenly thrust into our homes with our families, I’m not blessed with an abundance of time, space, and creative leeway. I’m not sitting around with hours in which I can expand my craft, dive into my story, and create something beautiful.

No. Instead, I have been dropped into the equivalent of an exam, where I haven’t studied a single day for the subject, and the answers are due in six minutes. And oh, yeah. I’m not the student. I’m the teacher.

My son’s school went on lockdown a little over two weeks ago with an indeterminate end date, and no clear indication of what the next two to six weeks would hold when it came to homeschooling. This isn’t the school’s fault, naturally. The Coronavirus epidemic has hit us all suddenly and with the force of an F-5 tornado, ripping all of our routines, schedules, and normal coping measures up by the roots and is rapidly flinging them at us like fence post spears. I feel like I’m constantly dodging anxiety, depression, and toddler tantrums, it’s no wonder I have felt like I have no time to write.” I’ve found less time as well. Although now that I’m doing visits for dr. via phone, that’s helped give me the time I’d spend driving to do things. The problem is there’s other things as well to do.

Research & Fun Bits:

1. https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/an-author-and-bookseller-give-a-masterclass-in-titles-book-covers-and-spines/ “What makes a good title and cover? What mistakes do authors generally make when devising a book title and how can they get a title that does the job well? What job is that, indeed?

How about covers? What conventions do you need to consider for both? Why have we made a special point about spines? And can you discuss book covers on the radio?

Yes you can!

That’s what I’m covering in today’s episode, with my co-host, independent bookseller Peter Snell. I usually describe him as asking the questions, with me providing answers, but today it’s more the other way around. Titles, covers (and spines – don’t forget the spines) are areas where authors can be too close to the work. The opinion of a sage and experienced bookseller, though, comes into its own.”

2. https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/all-about-reading-groups-and-writing-groups-ep12-free-podcast-for-writers/ “In this episode we’re spanning the entire spectrum of the book-reader continuum. What makes a good writing group? What makes a good reading group or book club? How do you organise such a group? How do you find a group that suits you? Should authors visit book groups or does it cramp everyone’s style? We have the answers!

My co-host is independent bookseller Peter Snell.”

3. https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2020/03/best-gadget-ever-well-maybe.html “All month we’ve shared our favorite hacks and gadgets, and I admit I’ve watched closely to see if any grabbed my particular interest. I’ve tried a few gadgets and apps in the past few years, but none have held my attention for very long. As the days of March passed, I realized that next to my laptop, the one gadget I use most is my Kindle Fire.

Of course, I use it for the obvious reason – to buy ebooks! My most recent acquisition was this book by Becky Clark. It’s an engaging and helpful read, and I’ll probably review it here soon.”

Some Things More Serious:

1. http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2020/03/31/my-statement-to-npr-on-the-internet-archives-emergency-library/ “o, unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you happen to be a normal human who doesn’t care about the weave and weft of the publishing industry, you may have missed that the Internet Archive has announced its “National Emergency Library,” removing lending limits on what goes out the door, so anybody can grab anything at any time. Problem is, a number of authors have discovered their books there, and orgs like the Author’s Guild, the SFWA, and the Association of American Publishers, have all submitted statements objecting to what is perceived to be an over-reach on part of the IA.

I called them a “pirate site” for it, which admittedly was a bit of a stretch (social media is not good for nuance, please accept my apology), but it remains clear just the same that what they’re doing appears to exceed their purview. Regardless, NPR had initially promoted this as a good thing a few days ago, and last night issued a follow-up article, in which I’m quoted, but I wanted to give my full quote here, as I think the full context is useful, if not essential.

That statement is:”

2. https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/local-excitement/ “We just had an earthquake. Early reports are a 6.5 centered in the backwoods of central Idaho. It shook our house in the Boise area, and made the chandelier over the dining table rock.

We also have a bell on a standout back and it was ringing. I immediately contacted our daughter, and she felt it in Sun Valley.

The west has many fault lines, but in nearly sixty years, I’ve never felt one. There really wasn’t any danger out here in suburbia. We aren’t near any tall buildings or anything. Honestly, I thought it was kind of cool.”

3. https://franceandvincent.com/2020/03/30/603/ “The night howls in triumph… pale eyes watch from the shadows…

It is the night of the Hunter’s Moon and the dancing ground should be alive with flame as the Foxes dance in the dark. But the dancing ground is deserted. They are gone. No earthly light pierces the gloom, only the sickly glow of a veiled moon. Don and Wen stare in disbelief.

Whispers in the shadows, a faceless voice, a tale of ambush and betrayal… of Foxes driven from their home and scattered, condemned to wander far from their ancestral lands. Charles James Fox wounded… none has seen him since that fateful night.

Will the Hunter’s Moon pass in darkness? Have the Demon Dogs succeeded in their mission to bring eternal winter to the land? Or will their celebrations be short-lived?…”

Teaser Fiction & Poetry:

1. https://susansplace.blog/2020/03/28/droplets-tanka/

2. https://rivrvlogr.com/2020/03/30/in-the-beginning-haibun/

3. https://www.djranch.org/2020/03/30/haibun-an-istj-introvert/

Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:

1. https://mariacatalinaegan.com/2020/03/31/true-love-series-by-debra-ann-kummoung-genre-historical-romance/ “From the family lives of the Bennet sisters and their characterful parents, to the hidden charm, grace, and elegance of the unflappable Mr. Darcy, it might seem as if fans of Austen’s timeless classic, Pride & Prejudice, know all there is to know about this truly great novel. However, within the pages of this much-loved book, there are questions which call out for answers… the greatest of which are: what if everything we believed to be true about the Bennets and their fellow characters was, in fact, a veneer for something quite different? What if the behavior and intentions of the iconic sisters was all an act? And what if Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and all the other refined gentlemen of Pemberley and beyond were not the genteel and mannered men we saw them to be?”

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