tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79949438665134829662024-03-16T00:08:13.156-07:00Belladonna's Been BadWhen I'm bad--I'm better, at least on paper!Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-40775103502847634962013-09-06T06:59:00.003-07:002013-09-06T06:59:53.393-07:00It's just food, Bella!<div class="MsoNormal">
I suppose that could be a funny title for a blog post, but
the fact is that a few years ago I could barely boil water. Yeah, there were
many trips to my parents’ house or my grandparents or one of my aunts. There’s
a lot of people in my family and most can’t cook for one but are more on the
level of feeding the brigade. Still, I was eating more and more take-out. That
wasn’t a good thing for me, the Type I diabetic. I recognized it pretty quickly.
So, what did I do? Nope, I didn’t buy a cookbook or three. I didn’t start
watching cooking shows on the television. Why? Because I am a diabetic and if
you’ve ever watched some of the shows on The Food Network, they are
cringe-worthy for a diabetic. A lot of diabetic cookbooks are designed for Type
II Diabetes. But, most importantly, why would I shell out the money when I have
a family who already cooks for someone like me. Truthfully, we are a family of
diabetics. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I waltzed into my parents’ house bright and early on a
Sunday Morning and asked my mother to teach me a few of her recipes. Here came
the issue—I hate the feel of certain things like raw meat, raw fish, couldn’t
crack an egg to save my soul, and I had no problem putting forth my disgust of
the art of cookery. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s just food, Bella!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mother about went ballistic on me. Seriously, I think
back then I was more wanting to watch the act than participate in the process.
Irish mom combined with non-cooking ½ Irish daughter= recipe for many an
argument. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, if one wants to learn how to cook, one must get one’s
hands dirty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That fateful morning and after paternal intervention to cool
certain hotheads, we sat down to make one of my favorites. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Braised Pork Roast with Whole Wheat Couscous. (This can be
made in a slow cooker, braised in a pot on the stove, or cooked in a pressure
cooker)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Spice Rub/Spice Blend</u>: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp. coriander<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp. cumin (ground)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp. paprika<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp. salt <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ tsp. cinnamon (a little more or a little less. My mother
uses 1 tsp. in her spice blend whereas I use a little less than that.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ - 1 tsp. cayenne pepper (a little more or a little less
depending on your taste)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
¼ tsp. ginger (ground)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mix together in a bowl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take a 2-4 pound pork butt roast with the bone in (I know it
looks super fatty, but you are going to need the marbled fat if you don’t
expect it to turn to shoe leather). Pat your beautiful piece of pork dry then
brush or rub it with enough olive oil to give it some shine—about 1 – 2 Tbsp. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The recipe for the spice rub is enough for a good-sized pork
roast. Rub the spice rub into the meat covering all sides and ends. I also rub
my pork on a plate as I will use the excess that falls off in the braising
liquid. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cover with cling wrap and put in the refrigerator for an
hour or up to overnight. This is a very forgiving rub and it takes quite
quickly to pork.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Time to braise</u>. NOTE: I do, on occasion, sear mine
off like my mother does, but it isn’t necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place rubbed pork roast in whatever cooking vessel you are
using. For this recipe I prefer to do this on the stove top but as I stated
before it can be cooked in a crock pot or in a pressure cooker. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Add to pork:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 14 oz. can of reduced sodium tomatoes (truthfully, it
doesn’t make a difference if you aren’t watching sugars and sodium what kind
you use)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 C. reduced sodium beef broth (again, if you aren’t
watching your sodium then whatever is on sale will do) If you do not have beef
broth, water works just as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1-2 bay leaf (depends on the size of the bay leaf)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Tbsp. cumin seeds<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp. coriander powder <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 star anise (if you don’t like the flavor of black
licorice, this can be omitted.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2-5 dried red chilies (if you don’t like heat, then just
sprinkle in a dash or two of dried pepper flakes or omit completely)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tsp. garlic powder or one clove of garlic minced. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, add whatever of the rub that has fallen to your plate.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Cook</u>: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bring all ingredients to a simmer and cover. Turn roast
several times during the cooking if you are using the stove top method. In the
final hour you can add onions, peppers and/or brown lentils if you want this
more stew-like. For the pressure cooker, make this on the side and add later. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the stove, the pork roast will cook up to 6 hours,
depending on the size of the roast. It cooks 8 hours in the crock pot. For a
pressure cooker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The roast will fall
off the bone when cooked. Do not let it go much further than this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Serve</u>: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whole wheat couscous or brown rice go well with this braised
pork but we often eat leftovers on rolls as a sandwich. I can’t attest to
whether it freezes well or not as we rarely have enough left to freeze. ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do hope you enjoy what is one of our Sunday dinner favorites. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bella</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-67180835691593947762013-08-11T07:08:00.000-07:002013-08-11T07:09:42.185-07:00Three Easy Steps to Penning a Catchy Opener<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not saying that this blog post is the end all and be
all for captivating openers, but it is the steps that I always follow: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Make it active—Active openers are, by nature,
attention grabbers. They put the reader right in the know and the go from the
start, which is imperative as far as I’m concerned. They also help to set the
tone for your story. I do suggest you stay away from cliché openers as they can
turn a reader off. It’s the—“Oh, I’ve read so many of these types of stories
before.” or “Not another one of these stories.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Watch your stack—If you’ve never heard of your
stack, it is the subsequent paragraphs following the opener. This isn’t just
for the beginning of the story, but I do this for every scene of the story I’m
writing. So, if we look at a proper stack—it is the first paragraph leads to
the next paragraph in a consistent order in which the story is built from line
one downward until the scene breaks or the chapter ends. I will go into this
more in a future blog post so don’t worry if you’re slightly confused. Plus, I’ll
be putting an example in this blog post so you can see my stack clearly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Word control—Lots of writers think they need to
put everything in the opening—actually you don’t have to do all your set-up
here. You just need to give enough information to get the reader hooked. I
would never recommend waiting too long to start layering in your information,
but at the very beginning isn’t the right place to do so. A simple rule of
thumb is in the first 13 paragraphs of any story/scene/chapter is to plant the
setting, plant the character/s, plant the plot/thematic premise for the chapter
and move on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><u><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You’re crazy. I’m insane. Let’s party.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, this is
just fucking lovely,” Sophia whispered under her breath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anger—white
hot and virginal—flowed through her system. She curled her fingers into a fist
as a tear of impotent ire traced down her cheek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Intent on
beating down the warding doming the supposedly ‘protected’ area, she rejected
the urge. It wouldn’t help the humans trapped within. No. Nothing could help
them now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not fairy
magic. Not the kiss of her kind, the Aos Sidhe, the fallen angels. Not even a
miracle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nadda, zip,
zilch. The plague was merely an indicator that a new curve ball was being
hurled at humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A quick prayer
flittered through her head, but she shook the supplication away. “What good do
appeals do them?” she wondered aloud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The stark, pale
face of a reaper lifted in her direction. The visage hissed at her. She knew
the damn creature was only doing its duty, collecting the souls of the dying
and ushering them on to their final destination, but the unadulterated hate
harbored in its glare stirred her fury higher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In truth, she
wanted to—no—needed to destroy something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her breath
came in harsh gasps as she forced herself to turn away from the sight of humans
falling over. Their bodies were covered with massive sores. The bloody, pussy
marks blared like overly-bright neon signs against the sickeningly gray skin of
the infected. Indeed, the sores were a warning that effectively said, “Touch me
and die, <i>horribly</i>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t do it,
Sophia,” Dexter Coorling stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do what?” As
if she didn’t know. Power of the awing type flowed through her system. Add that
to the fact that she was a member of the omnipresent kind known as the Aos
Sidhe made her a force to be reckoned with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have I achieved all my objectives? Yes, I believe so. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is my checklist:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Active opener – I started with dialogue which is always
active. I could have started with a thought or an action, though. Thoughts and
action are active as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stack – I’m fairly good at stacking. Most likely this is
because I begin with a firm concept of my story. If I’m stuck, I lay down a few
lines of dialogue and let the dialogue lead the characters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Word Control – Again, I’ve been at this a while and pretty
much can sense if I have enough information in the beginning to hook my reader.
The story above is part of a series, so I will have to make sure that I tie
back to the first story in the series. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Granted, I do have a little work to do on this opener to
remove my crutch/echoes, but I’m not worried about that now. I’ll handle those
minor issues in my next edit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, would you buy this book just on first peek? Questions
are always welcome. Comments are nice. No flaming. This is for educational
purposes and not to get your panties in a wad. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Until next time -- Happy writing, doodling or napping!<br />
<br />
Bella</div>
Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-81450545882083339472013-08-05T06:51:00.002-07:002013-08-05T06:51:30.710-07:00Memo from the Editor's Desk<div class="MsoNormal">
Memos from the Editor’s Desk #1:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s clear the air on a very touchy subject: Edits,
comments, and anger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations—you’ve written a story. Pat yourself on the
back, take a moment to enjoy the amazing feeling of accomplishment and then
go—I just love this story *breathy sigh*. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, you should love the story you worked so hard on.
If you didn’t adore every bit of it then why in the world would you spend
months or years writing it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, and this is the tough part—divorce yourself from your
story. I know that sounds harsh, and you don’t have to do this overnight. Take
some time. Let the story rest. Get all the things you loved about the story away
from you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may ask why? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s a clue. It’s a story. It isn’t a baby. You didn’t
give birth to it. Granted, it might feel like you did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, really Lee, why should I set my story aside? Why should
I take my manuscript to divorce court? I love it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know, but once your book is contracted to a publisher, the
hard work is about to begin. Yes, the hard work, which is not to diminish the
hard work you put into writing your story in the first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep this in the back of your mind when you are preparing to
open your first edit—the editor has a job to do and that is to edit your book. Forget
what your crit partners and loving family members have said about your story.
Editors are by nature very tough, or at least they should be. They should be
able to deconstruct your story and point out things you missed or completely
forgot. They should say, well you lost control of your conflict here or have
characterization problems there. After all, it is what they are paid to do.
Yes, grammar does come into this, but normally grammar is either handled as the
edits move along or in the final edit (otherwise known as the copy edit). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A true factor that authors forget is that this is not
personal. It isn’t that the editor hates your story or is out to demolish your
story. It is that they are doing their job. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never assume something about an editor because the moment
you start in with – but my crit partners just loved it or such, the editor is
on notice that you are going to be difficult. Remember, assumptions go both
ways. Taking it to your twitter or facebook, even couched in veiled words, “can
you believe my editor wants me to do this?”, is even worse. Now you’ve put the
whole publishing house on notice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Granted, you may not agree with a little or a lot of what
your editor wants done in some cases. Choose your battles carefully. The
switching of one little word isn’t going to make or break a story. Adding a
little to a sentence or a revision to that sentence isn’t a slap across your
face. It isn’t. I swear it isn’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Characterization is always a tough edit to go through. I
know that from personal experience. But, take a step back and say—is my
character actually out of character? You may find that the character has indeed
slipped from its arc. You may have done something like said the sky is green
the previous page and now its grey. These things happen. It is your editor’s
job to catch them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, Lee, I don’t agree with this one comment which leads to
this next comment, and then there’s this and that. What am I to do? I’m just so
upset about this, that I can’t think straight. Help!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, step back and remember—this isn’t personal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, look at the comments, but do so one at a time. Don’t
flip out because a manuscript has come in with a few or an infinite number of
comments in it—take it one comment at a time. You may want to reach out to all
your writing buddies, but unless you have one who can be totally unbiased, they
may just stir you into even more of a froth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are truly stuck, then it is best to ask the editor
for clarification. If you don’t trust yourself to do this and not get all
outraged, or the editor snaps back, then go to the editor-in-chief or senior
editor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has happened in the past that an editor and an author
just don’t mesh. This happens. Still, you should try to work through your edit
and with your publisher in a professional manner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can tell you—arguments really won’t get you anywhere fast.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Humble regards, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lee <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-82650929455904275782012-04-02T09:16:00.002-07:002012-04-02T12:04:16.965-07:00A heartfelt plea to my readers and my author friends.In as much as I hate having to bring things to the public arena, there are times when I must. This is not personal on many levels; it is a matter of principle and ethical behavior. <br />
<br />
With Decadent Publishing, it appears to be a lack of both from their side of it. <br />
<br />
This publisher treats what they deem as a problematic authors, namely me, as if I was born stupid and won't fight for my rights. I can only say, "Wrong. Very, very wrong." <br />
<br />
In December 2010 I entered into a contract with Decadent Publishing for my story, The Highlander's Time. The contract was a fairly standard "Royalty Paying" contract ie. a "For Sale" contract—3 years, 40% direct download/35% third party. It was the normal verbiage: Return of edits as specified by the editors (though they have it slightly oddly worded with an 'if they deem it needs edits' clause they will assign an editor), they'll provide cover art and an ISBN – blah, blah, blah. <br />
<br />
This is nothing unusual for me. I've read this contract about a hundred times, and signed each in good faith. Done deal. <br />
<br />
It even includes the normal – that the Publisher can reduce the price to stimulate sales… Their contract states this will not happen before six months of the release. <br />
<br />
Got it—no problem. <br />
<br />
I've had this happen before. You know—50% off and all that. No big deal. It is backlist at that point, and I'm moving forward. <br />
<br />
Not all that unusual, especially if you've only got a story or three at a publisher, and they are trying to actually STIMULATE your sales. <br />
<br />
Okay, we're all on board. <br />
<br />
Well, as with some new publishers—I can't and won't say it's all of them because I've only ever seen this happen with Decadent Publishing—we got into a row over a review. Yes, this is about a review. Sorry, I wish it was something so much more salacious than that. <br />
<br />
Ms. Olmstead released my name and that of another person to her authors who decided to all jump on the trash-them bandwagon. Note, and I hope all those who jumped on that snark-fest hear this, the other author didn't have any part of it. Shame on you. Shame. Shame. Shame. Must be nice to be judges on high. <br />
<br />
We both kept our peace during this incident. We did not comment in the threads. It was a matter of, "Why fight when the court of public opinion has already tried and convicted you?" <br />
<br />
There is no good reason to do that.<br />
<br />
So, we remained quiet. She wrote. I wrote. We moved forward. A simple and quite logical step to take. <br />
<br />
All the while I waited for The Highlander's Time to either be published or not. <br />
<br />
Lo and behold, it was published. I don't have an exact date on the publication because it just appeared out of the blue on their site. I never received a notice from Decadent that it was coming out. I actually found out when it showed up in a bulletin from All Romance e-Books saying 'Hooray, your book is out'. (Okay, it doesn't exactly say that, but I still have the bulletin for purposes of knowing when the contract might end—ballparking this one).<br />
<br />
Fabulous—it's out. Okay. Promote it. Do what I normally do. Sell some. Get some money for it. <br />
Good deal. Water is under the bridge and headed for the sea—all those lovely little euphemisms allowed. <br />
<br />
Truthfully, I was somewhat surprised that they even published it. Ah, but their contract states that if they don't pub a work in 12 months then the contract is void. Now, the whole, let's publish it, get some money out of it, makes sense. <br />
<br />
Here's the kicker. My book is now free if you buy another from their catalogue. Seriously. That's the price. And, you can't actually buy it even if you wanted it alone. You have to buy from the other stories in the catalog. Take a little .99 story and get a story originally priced at 4.99 for free. <br />
Talk about putting me in a really sick situation. If I complain about it on the web, I take money from other authors. If I shut up, I suffer through two more years under contract letting them give my book away left and right. <br />
<br />
If I didn't laugh at this point, I would cry. <br />
<br />
Still, the point is this—I never signed a "For Promotion" contract. I never gave them the right or the liberty to give my book away for free. They chose to do this on their own and without my consent. <br />
I signed a "For Sale" contract. That is a royalty paying contract. <br />
<br />
They've reduced the price on Amazon to .99, and I humbly ask if you are going to purchase The Highlander's Time you do so there. They've removed it from All Romance e-Books, and have it 'for free with purchase' on their website. <br />
<br />
What's an author to do? <br />
<br />
I know there is a great incentive to purchase another of their stories and get this one for free, but it comes down to ethics and a matter of principles. <br />
<br />
Will I earn any royalty from books downloaded for free from Decadent Publishing's site? It's pretty obvious that the answer is no. <br />
<br />
Will they do this to other authors? There are already five other books that are free with purchase, but I don't know these authors circumstances or if they allowed them to be used for promotion so I refrain from speaking for them. <br />
<br />
What I can say is I didn't give them this right to put my story at 0.00 and never would have. This doesn't do anything to STIMULATE my sales or my brand. This STIMULATES Decadent Publishing's sales. <br />
<br />
Truthfully, I would never, even if I thought I could get a contract with them, go back to this company. <br />
You'd think at this point that Ms. Olmstead would merely give my rights back and stop dealing with me. Truthfully, who wants to deal with an author who has lost all faith in a publisher and really has made very little stink about them?<br />
<br />
She has, on one point of that argument, given up. She never answers an e-mail I send to her. And, even when I've thanked her in the past for such things as loading the book on ARe or Kindle there is no response. When I asked questions regarding this incident about how I would make any royalty or how long the story will be for free--it has been nothing but crickets. <br />
<br />
This is my experience with Decadent Publishing. I will openly admit that I am probably the exception rather than the norm, and this is not meant in any way to minimize the relationships other authors have with Ms. Olmstead and Decadent Publishing. <br />
<br />
If you like her-hey, giggle about my sorrow and what's happened to me. No skin off my teeth, but don't cry when it happens to you. <br />
<br />
I've got twenty-four months of her giving my book away for free and I'll never see a red cent except if you buy it through Amazon. I'm almost certain she'll pull it down sooner rather than later on Kindle because this is now a case of holding a story hostage. I mean, she already took it down from All Romance e-Books. <br />
<br />
Does this sound like she's trying to get some profit from The Highlander's Time? <br />
<br />
To me it sounds like punishment.<br />
<br />
And the truth will always remain: I did not enter into a "For Promotion" contract. I entered into a "For Sale" contract. <br />
<br />
I'm not disgruntled at this point. I'm just stunned and really sad she's like this. <br />
<br />
Until the next story comes out…best!<br />
<br />
Bella<br />
<br />
Footnote: I received a response from Decadent through their customer service (of course there was no direct response from Ms. Olmstead)--we will only talk through lawyers. Fine. That's how it will shake out then.<br />
<br />
Footnote to the footnote: it is now removed from the Decadent Publishing website. Can you say--breach of contract and then some?Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-78042390747700260802012-03-16T05:10:00.002-07:002012-03-16T05:11:18.747-07:00A mountain of new releases from BelladonnaA mountain of new releases for 2012<br />
<br />
If you hadn't noticed from my last post, it's been a little crazy around here. If you missed any of my recent releases—I'll give you the rundown:<br />
<br />
The Perfect Gift – available from Cobblestone Press<br />
Holiday Exchange – available from Eirelander Publishing<br />
Cry Mercy - *hot off the cyber-presses* available from Cobblestone Press<br />
Protégé – available from Liquid Silver Books<br />
<br />
Also: Collaborating with Ashley Blade: The On Location Series.<br />
<br />
Safe Harbor – available from Cobblestone Press<br />
Layover – available from Cobblestone Press<br />
<br />
Wow, I'm tired just reading down that list. <br />
<br />
On top of that, (the craziness continues) – I just had my first audio book released. <br />
Holiday Exchange – available from Bahn Sidhe audioBooks<br />
<br />
Well, to say the least, right now I'm taking a little bit of a break. <br />
<br />
I hope you stop by my wonderful publishers and check out my recent releases. <br />
<br />
Until next time—Best!<br />
<br />
Bella<br />
<br />
www.cobblestone-press.com<br />
www.eirelander-publishing.com<br />
www.liquidsilverbooks.com<br />
www.bahnsidhe-audiobooks.comBellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-15479749054325765132012-03-10T13:50:00.001-08:002012-03-10T13:50:15.655-08:00Velveeta? Just Gotta Say!Velveeta<br />
<br />
A peek inside how my brain works.<br />
<br />
Lately, I've been working on a series of collaborative stories with the incomparable, and my dear friend, Ashley Blade. She's great and she's an extraordinarily lovely lady. <br />
<br />
I love these stories probably a little more than some of the others I've started lately. It might be why the other stories still remain unfinished on my hard drive. <br />
<br />
And, this might be why I've gained several pounds lately. I'm a munchy writer. This is not the exception this go round either. <br />
<br />
Last night I was working on the story and bam--hunger gnawed at me as I pondered the next story in the series. Finally, after about two minutes of struggling to get my head back in the story, I decided, food was a lot easier to be had than the elusive transition that was giving me fits. <br />
<br />
Which brings me to my blog post. Don't ask me what happened as I was rifling through my cabinets and cupboards for a snack or maybe a half-plate of deliciousness. It's dark in my cabinet so I normally just grab whatever my hand comes to first. <br />
<br />
First thing out – Manhatten Clam Chowder. Nope, not in the mood for that. <br />
<br />
Second thing – Rice a Roni. Maybe, but it was butter and herb flavor and I simply put had a taste for something else. <br />
<br />
There was much exasperated sighing at this point. I couldn't find the transition for my story and now food was eluding me. It wasn't as if I was going to make myself a five-course meal but just something to nibble on. <br />
<br />
Okay, so the story is still rolling around in my head and truthfully, sometimes, I don't understand how my brain works – Course Correction (working title for the story) equates to cheese dip. I smacked my lips and went – yes, that's what I want. <br />
<br />
Really? Okay, that was what I was thinking as I grabbed out the can of Rotelle. This spicy tomatoey yummyness is a whole other blog post. Then I headed to the fridge for my favorite of ingredients in cheese dip. <br />
<br />
Seriously, by this point I was thinking I might need real therapy. A story about a very logical character meeting her mate equates to cheese dip? Uh. Anybody know a good therapist. <br />
<br />
I digress and back to my blog post. I am a great lover of food especially snack foods. Munchy, crunchy chips, crisps are like my fav. Add cheese, well – we have a winner. <br />
<br />
My brain went, well, wacky as I grabbed some melba toast I had bought while I was at work the other day. Luckily, the box was not crumbs at the bottom. <br />
<br />
Cheese dip. Say it with me—cheese dip. <br />
<br />
I had all the appropriate ingredients. Cheese- check. Salsa—yep. <br />
<br />
Truthfully, what more could be in cheese dip? <br />
<br />
Okay, my rendition of cheese isn't surprisingly not really cheese. It's Velveeta. That long, yellow rectangle that vaguely resembles something like an oddly shaded mozzarella (sans the mozzarella taste) and an under-aged sharp cheddar cheese that's a little too squishy. <br />
<br />
The fact is-which shouldn't surprise anybody- Velveeta isn't really cheese. Well maybe it is. I think it might not be. Being that hungry, I personally didn't care by that point. Still, story in mind, and being about to go insane with hunger pangs, I chopped pseudo-cheesy wonderfulness and dropped it into a pot and added the whole can of rotelle.<br />
<br />
Stir. Stir. Stir. Box is staring at me. Stir. Stir. Stir. I finally give up and read the box, because stirring cheese dip while it melts is about as mentally stimulating as making instant mashed potatoes. <br />
<br />
The label isn't really all that helpful. <br />
<br />
It is a pasteurized prepared cheese product. I think this is the manufacturer's way of saying it was a science project gone wrong with stunningly serendipitous results. <br />
<br />
Looking at the ingredients label almost proves this point. After going through the list of nonmilk and milkfat stuff we are shown the obvious chemical additives to this wonderfully melty stuff that is a staple of tail-gate parties and chippy-dippy stuff the country over. Calcium Phosphate. Sorbic Acid (this is a preservative). Sodium Citrate. Sodium Alginate. Citric Acid. Enzymes. Apocaratenal (or whatever that word is). And, Annatto (which gives it color). Granted, the manufacturer is nice enough to tell the consumer it contains less than 2% of these ingredients. That's a relief. I don't think Kraft Foods would like to inadvertently turn consumers of this product into nearly embalmed zombies who glow orange beneath the full moon. <br />
<br />
Finally, I found something that says cheese. It isn't actually cheese either. It's a cheese culture which is used to start the culture process in all cheeses. It is also all the way at the end of the list—which if I understand the way this is supposed to work—cheese culture is the least amount of an ingredient Velveeta contains. I already know it is less than 2% thanks to the manufacturer putting it after 'contains less than 2% of' line in the ingredients list.<br />
<br />
So, in actuality, what is Velveeta, because let's be honest—it doesn't really sound like a cheese. Cheese should have great names like Gouda or Feta or Riccota. I think the only thing they got right was the 'ta' at the end. <br />
<br />
Spring forward to me indulging in pumpernickel melba toast and cheese dip. A quick internet search gave me the basic history. According to the Kraft website—Velveeta was first produced in 1918. So this is a pre-World War Two creation—and was most likely found in many a soldier's meal kits during the 'War to End All Wars' and its sequel because, and knowing my own habit for slicing into a block and placing the remnants into a zippie bag only to use the remainder a month later, it has a half-life of about a thousand years. It's spun off into a spread, shells and cheese and several other convenience packaged, prepare it because your kids won't eat anything else save Velveeta staples that take up space on many a mom or dad's pantry shelf. <br />
<br />
And I can attest to the fact it was more than a little yummy. <br />
<br />
This is a wonderful enigma of not cheese but is close to cheese and has been a part of my life since I was very young. By the time I put the leftover dip away, I really didn't care what it was made of, but I had accepted it into a very exclusive list. <br />
<br />
Drum roll please. <br />
<br />
Velveeta wins a slot in my rarely seen, because it is truly terrifying to imagine what it is like to be in my imagination, foods that I would take into space with me. <br />
<br />
It is also one of those foodstuffs I firmly believe will be around in the year 2100 and beyond along with SPAM, Rice-a-Roni and Campbell's Baked Beans. Why? Well, because all of them are also a part of my lackluster culinary arsenal. Yes, I love Spam—particularly Spam with Cheese – yummy. (But that too is another blog post).<br />
<br />
So, hat's off to Velveeta. It makes my list of something one of my characters will indulge in at some point in an upcoming story. <br />
<br />
I do ask you to shed a few tears for the manufacturer because you never know what I might do with it or to it. Velveeta glue—maybe? My character ran out of photon torpedoes and substituted Velveeta—you never know. <br />
<br />
What about you? What common foods do you think will survive and become a part of an intergalactic pantry? <br />
<br />
Leave a comment for a chance to win a prize. <br />
<br />
Until the next time – Best -- BellaBellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-7742090110338175922011-07-13T04:21:00.000-07:002011-07-13T04:21:58.490-07:00Primal Rage, Book Three of the Hellfire Club is out!Primal Rage – Book Three of the Hellfire Club Releases<br />
Today!<br />
<br />
And I’m so flipping excited I can’t stand it. If you fell in<br />
love with Duncan MacGreggor from Scream for Me, The One for Me and Ghillie Duhb<br />
then you’ll really enjoy his parent’s story-Primal Rage, Book Three of the<br />
Hellfire Club.<br />
<br />
The blurb to whet your appetite <br />
<br />
He’ll bring out the best and worst in her.<br />
<br />
A pariah amongst London’s elite, Julia Westchester has<br />
become the toast of Parisian society. She’s stunning, well-versed, and in high<br />
demand. Little does she know the real reason she’s garnered the attention of<br />
many a young man is that she’s half paranormal and about to enter her first<br />
mating season.<br />
<br />
The enigmatic leader of the harbingers of death, Dante<br />
MacGreggor, was promised Julia’s hand in marriage shortly after she was born.<br />
Now that she’s finally matured, he has to open her to the world of the paranormals<br />
and their mating rituals and protect her from his many enemies.<br />
<br />
Her predictions tell a grim tale. His foes don’t care. They’ll<br />
move mountains to have Julia for their own.<br />
<br />
Of course this blog post wouldn’t be complete without the<br />
cover art created by the amazing Anne Cain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhsRL3zlQac9GXD2dCMG3ON_Ka2xbG41kC0LuRAZVWg-Cs_9mGUbiLUnRVy8k11q6KofjIH_IDopZqoSn9FRmpHxJcSsBtJ6h6RByCynULwv2vLkrm0ku7LxVnmiu391p02mXX67sxtAZ/s1600/PrimalRage_pr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhsRL3zlQac9GXD2dCMG3ON_Ka2xbG41kC0LuRAZVWg-Cs_9mGUbiLUnRVy8k11q6KofjIH_IDopZqoSn9FRmpHxJcSsBtJ6h6RByCynULwv2vLkrm0ku7LxVnmiu391p02mXX67sxtAZ/s320/PrimalRage_pr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628794506204125506" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
More information to come!<br />
<br />
Best!<br />
<br />
Bella<br />
<br />
www.belladonnabordeaux.comBellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-27566218841512075062011-04-27T05:32:00.001-07:002011-04-27T06:16:06.198-07:00Who died and left you in charge of the morality police? – Just gotta say!There is nothing that pisses me off more than something like this: read article and see video <a href="http://www.wnep.com/wnep-sny-parents-buranich-english-teacher-writes-racy-novels-20110426,0,4057307.story">here.</a></p><br /><br /><p>Okay, let's be honest. Racy writing is out there. Some woman or man is busily clacking fingers against keys right now, laying down some words that they wouldn't necessarily use in mixed company. Hell, I would be if I wasn't typing this post (I do so love my rare days off). They may be a teacher, a secretary, a fireman, a cop – they could be anyone. That lovely older lady who greets you at Wal Mart-yeah, could be her.<br /><br /><p>My initial reaction to watching the video playback was, "Man, these women are prudes." Then, after thinking about it for a moment or three, I realized the author in question could be me. My response to that? "Go take a flying leap if you don't like what I write or for whom I write it." Writing is as much a part of me as breathing is to everybody else and passing judgment is to the morally self-righteous women who are currently going nuts over what a teacher does in her free time.<br /><br /><p>This is a case of offending people's morals. Am I immoral simply because I choose to write ménage or quarte? I don't think so. In my opinion, it's part of my job as an author to entertain my reader. My publishers and I very nearly go out of our way to tell a potential reader that a Belladonna book is not for the weak of heart. I'm totally okay if you don't want to buy my story because it's got sex in it. That's your choice. I'm not shoving it down anybody's throat that they have to read a Belladonna book for fear I'll unleash some crazed, intergalactic blood-sucking vampire on them.<br /><br /><p>Here's the part that pisses me off. These women are speculating that just because the author in question writes erotica or erotic romance she's a deviant. That she's sitting in her classroom imagining her students without their clothes on. That's flipping ridiculous and a huge jump to conclusion. Here's a clue for the complainers out there. I take photographs for a living. Some of the clients I have are over eighteen but most are not. I have never-swear on a stack of bibles-fantasized about someone who is my client. Have aspects of some of the older people I photograph made it into a story – most definitely, but those are character traits. A little nervous tick. A certain frown. The way someone laughs. Yep, blatantly have used those aspects of human nature.<br /><br /><p>As to the kids speculating what the teacher is musing over as she's lecturing on <em>Othello</em> – well, why are they doing that? Shouldn't they be more interested in learning? Shouldn't they have been taught by their parents that school is where you get an education? Where you sit with your mouth closed and books open? (Actually, I wish I had listened to my parents more when I was in high school.) Considering the amount of graphic content on the web--parents, don't kid yourselves, your children have been exposed to a lot more than you might think. A hot and steamy title wouldn't even phase them.<br /><br /><p>I confess, with humbleness, most of the sexual escapades my characters take part in I have never experienced. In fact, most of the experiences I've plopped my characters down in the middle of nobody has experienced. But here's another clue – it wouldn't mean diddly if I had lived through having symbiotic sand mate me to a starship captain (Intimate Space), or I had a hunky Highland Laird screw me (The Laird's Time). What I do in my free time is my choice as well as what I write is what it is.<br /><br /><p>Don't judge me. Don't speculate about the lovely older lady who greets you at Wal Mart. Don't get all uptight because your kid's tenth grade English teacher is writing for Ellora's Cave.<br /><br /><p>Just stop and get over yourself!<br /><br />Given all the problems we have with the American educational system, I think going nuts because a teacher is writing for Ellora's Cave is pathetic and narrow minded.<br /><br /><p>Okay, you tell me – do you think this is just a group of women getting fifteen minutes of fame because they're uptight or is this something I should worry over. *wink* You already know my answer to that.<br /><br /><p><br />Best, <br /><br /><p>BellaBellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-72962380625754951442011-02-10T06:05:00.001-08:002011-02-10T06:15:30.899-08:00Step Away from the Computer or Shoot Yourself in the Foot – the Decision is Yours.<span xmlns=""> <p>It's been a busy week on my blog. If you haven't heard about this, you can read the nine yards of 'oopsey-doodle, I'm making an ass of myself' <a href="http://www.karenknowsbest.com/">here</a>.<br /></p><p>I was reading this kerfuffle as an objective author who's received more than her fair share of 'less than glowing' reviews and shouting in my head to the author, "Stop. Stop now while you're behind."<br /></p><p>Temperance like tolerance are the better sides of valor. You have to take the good with the bad. Sometimes you have to bite holes in your tongue to keep from shooting yourself in the foot. Those are all things you learn when you take a dip in the professional author pool (or if you intend to walk out your door and deal with people in the real world). It's the whole "Stop. Stop now while you're behind."<br /></p><p>There are things you learn in this industry when it comes to reviews.<br /></p><p>First and foremost, buy yourself a pair of teflon-coated panties and get ready for the wild ride that is having a book out for public consumption and criticism. Never, ever take a bad review to the web and then call the review site non-professional. It comes across as an inability to work and play well with others. Aside from that, it's dishearteningly childish.<br /></p><p>Second, you are a professional who is running a professional business. You are the face of that company. You have to conduct yourself as you would if you were meeting with a client in the real world or having lunch with a potential business partner. That's a simple fact of running a business and it is imperative in this industry.<br /></p><p>Third, a bad review will happen. It's not a matter of 'if' but 'when'. Take it, nasty or great, for what it is worth. If it's tear-worthy and sucks the air right out of your lungs, get over it. If you get a glowing review, count your blessings and move forward.<br /></p><p>Fourth, if you haven't learned how to make lemonade from lemons, whip out a cookbook and do so real quick or just walk away. I mean that sincerely. Just walk away if you don't know how to take a bad review and make it into something fantastic.<br /></p><p>Fifth, but probably something that gets lost more often than not, it's a fricken' story. It's words on a page. It's however long it is. It's not a baby. You didn't give birth to it. It's a story, and hopefully not your only one. Reviews like edits are not personal. If you aren't prepared to separate yourself from those two simple facts do not walk but run for the exit.<br /></p><p>We can debate/discuss skin thickness all we want to when it comes to reviews, but the decision is yours to make. If you think you are going to just waltz through this industry with a stellar portfolio of 5 star/ribbons/puppy dog tails or whatever the review site uses to grade stories you aren't being honest with yourself. You will face the brutal reality that not everyone loves your story.<br /></p><p>But the decision is yours. Step away from the computer and all the trouble you can get yourself into by going on a rant about a reviewer or shoot yourself in the foot because your feelings were hurt. It's that simple.<br /></p><p>Trust me – opening the industrial-size can of worms that may happen if you do take your self-righteous indignation to the web is seriously not worth it.<br /></p><p>Best,<br /></p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-30628905320778716072011-02-09T07:32:00.001-08:002011-02-10T06:09:10.714-08:00Who the hell is peeing on my parade?<span xmlns=""> <p>Sometimes you read something and it's so true you just want to sit and cry then mix yourself a cocktail of rat poison and antifreeze. The blogpost I'm referring to is this one (warning – this blogpost contains several four letter words and the bitter truth). http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/01/20/no-seriously-im-not-fucking-around-you-really-dont-want-to-be-a-writer/<br /></p><p>Of course the author stayed away from e-publishing (for the most part). He's with NY, I get it, and that's not the topic I want to take on. Most every author who goes e-pubbed knows we're viewed as the steerage class on the Titanic. The NY authors glare at us as if we are ants which are begging for Raid to be brought out of the pantry and deserve to be given a double dose simply because we actually aspire to call ourselves authors. There's a truth neither NY nor e-pubbed authors can get away from: to compare the two is like trying to compare a Ferrari to a Cadillac. They are only slightly similar, but not very much.<br /></p><p>Nope, not going there with the whole why e-pub is great and NY is not. I'm doing the flipside of this argument. I'm doing the e-pubbed side.<br /></p><p>You think it's tough in NY? You think you see the iceberg in the distance and are screaming "hard to starboard"? Try swimming in the trash-choked, scum-coated ocean that is e-publishing. Come on, just stick a toe in the shark, piranha, and nasty skin-eating algae-infested water—I double dare you.<br /></p><p>There are many reasons writers go to e-publishing. Some don't write novel length. Some are way too racy for mass market unless they intend to have their book come out with a plain brown wrapper. Some have been rejected by every agent under the sun and now look to the web. Whatever the reason, we're here.<br /></p><p>Let's take a good, long look at e-publishing. And, people who know me know I love my e-pubs except for one (but that's a totally different rant which I will NEVER discuss on the web).<br /></p><p>If New York is getting tighter then e-publishing is caught in an orgy of whoever meets whoever and voila baby publishing house is born. Sometimes, these little houses pop up because, well hell, might as well put a name to my company, but I'm actually self-publishing. You know, ride out the tightening of New York because it, eventually, has to get better. Right. It'll get better when Hell freezes over and you build a time machine so you can travel ten years into the past to destroy the inception of the internet. And don't give me that trite excuse – why do I need a publishing house? Well, 99.9 % of authors need one to tell them their story isn't great. It needs editing. It needs a flipping major rewrite. It needs you to take this stinking pile of garbage and actually look at the thing not once but eight times. That's why you need a publishing house.<br /></p><p>It doesn't take a brain surgeon to open an e-publishing house either. Computer – check. Software – check. Internet connection – check. Build a website, make yourself some friends and there you go – you're in business.<br /></p><p>Some of these baby pubs are open for submissions with their no scat/orifice stuffing/rape for titillation stipulations. Here's the real truth--Authors don't know dick about these houses. Of course, there are those forum sites out there who will warn you don't go there and the likes, but then again, a lot of these forums are more to the point 'if you aren't with publisher XYZ then you aren't even third class, you're the barnacle on the bottom of the boat'. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Blah. Blah. Blah. Newbie authors read the posts and say – "it won't happen to me." They say, "But I have this book, and it's great. Okay, maybe not great, but in my opinion, it's worthy of a Pulitzer Prize and my crit partners just loved it."<br /></p><p>So with stars in their eyes and manuscript ready to be e-mailed, newbie writers and even some veterans go out on the web to peruse the multitude of e-publishing houses. The houses are just there—they're pretty, they sport flashy banners and scream, "We're different." They tote great tag-lines and seem so convivial. "We want to be your friend." "You'll love us here." Sure they're different, they love you, they want to be your best bud, and I have a big ship to sell you. Did I mention it sank a century ago? Huh? People died on it? Huh? Huh? It's being eaten as you are reading this post by iron-gobbling bacteria and said massive luxury liner won't exist in fifty years. Huh? Huh? Huh?<br /></p><p>The expiration date of most e-publishing houses isn't even that long. Some have stood the test of time, had problems, gone to ground and rebounded, but most won't be around five years from now. Hell, some won't be around five months from now.<br /></p><p>Here's the thing that sets e-pubbing apart from NY. There's always a house (new or otherwise) that will take a stinking pile of crap. Why, you might ask? Because they are desperate. Not believing me? Just look at some of the fly-riddled poopy piles that have been published lately. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, oh starry-eyed writer. They'll take a pitiful, riddled with typos/grammar errors/plot holes/poorly developed characters because they need to fill a slot.<br /></p><p>It's that simple.<br /></p><p>No math involved.<br /></p><p>Please don't delude yourself to think your editor will help you make your story so much better (this isn't exactly the norm but is beginning to really show up due to the lack of experienced editors). I can tell you, fighting with your editor is the best way to have them laugh at your manuscript and say, "take an effin' leap."<br /></p><p>Let's not forget the publishing houses. They employ editors who are predominantly writers. That's not a big issue in my opinion, but you have to recognize they are going to edit your story to fit the rules they've had drilled into their heads not from the publishing house they are working for but from their crit partners and/or other editors. Still, do these publishing houses train their editors? That's laughable. Most of these pub houses don't even have a style guide. They don't give their editors anything more than a formatting sheet, a list of a few simple rules which are predominantly 'don't piss off our authors because we need them' and then say, "have at it." **My best advice is to read a few excerpts from a potential publishing house and look for mistakes (that means turn off your reading cap and put on an editing cap) – if you find mistakes the publisher probably isn't ready for primetime. And if they only give you five hundred words in a 5k or above story excerpt – steer clear.**<br /></p><p>So, let's look at this from a hypothetical aspect. You have signed a contract, you've gotten your cover art (great or not), gone through your edits and are now sitting at the very edge of your release date—which should be called your 'damn, I'm screwed date'. Your elated but – oh, damn it, I have to promote my book which is now a bigger stinking pile of garbage because I fought with my editor or my editor didn't give a flippin' A (you just didn't see it, because you still think you've written the next best seller). But, because you are new, hope, faith and dreams of big money just suck you into the chasm that is actually having a book available for purchase from any number of third party sites and the publisher's website. Yep, there you are. You've been sucked down into the icy cold water that is the chilling reality of being an e-published author. You dream of the kaching, kaching, kaching of everybody from Seattle to Uzbekistan buying your book.<br /></p><p>And then you get your royalty statement.<br /></p><p>That first statement can be a real shock. I've had great ones and not so great ones. Sometimes I can afford a Starbuck's coffee because of my royalties other times I've bought a pair of designer shoes I've been eyeing. That's the nature of this beast.<br /></p><p>I was taught early, if you are in this for the money then you are in it for the wrong reason.<br /></p><p>You've got to choose – it's a love of doing this or the pipe dream of big money. Grab the lifeline that is actually learning the craft, implementing your new tools, growing as an author and leave the fantasies to the fools.<br /></p><p>For me, it's an easy choice. I love writing. I'm not doing it for the money. I'm doing it because that's what I do. I've never quit my day job with aspirations of becoming some big name on Fictionwise (shameless plug here – Intimate Space is number 9 on Fictionwise – lol).<br /></p><p>The truth for me is nobody is peeing on my parade; I've just never deluded myself to think I'm bigger than the sum of my characters, plots and sex scenes. Reviewers (and this is a totally other blogpost) love or hate my work. These are facts I can live with.<br /></p><p>Best!<br /></p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-22816286798243984642010-12-31T06:49:00.001-08:002010-12-31T06:49:23.219-08:00So long 2010. Hello 2011!<span xmlns=''><p>First, let me extend my warmest wishes to all my blog-followers, readers and friends for a very blessed and happy New Year.<br /></p><p>Lots has happened to me in 2010. I've learned a lot about not only myself the author, but myself the person. I've made great friends. I've lost some too. I've learned trust is a shaky thing—and online, it's nothing you can count on. Still, the good times out-weigh the bad ones. I look forward to making more friends in 2011. <br /></p><p>I give a lot of thanks on this day. To my readers for sticking with me when I make a mistake in a story, and have provided me with the constant support to move forward. To my editors, Maria, Toni, Sandi and all the great gals over at Cobblestone who've held my hand, and at times bashed me upside my pointed head to make my story better and my career stronger. To my Cover Artists, who are too numerous to mention by name, for my excellent book covers. To the Mother Ship who, to this day, reminds me that just because I've gotten praise, being a writer is a humble profession where what you think you know is a lot less than what you will learn. To my Publishers, Cobblestone Press, Eirelander Publishing, Liquid Silver Books and Whiskey Creek Press Torrid for their interest in my books and their continued support. <br /></p><p>2011 will be a challenge, one I look forward to. If you haven't heard, I've picked up two new publishers for 2011. Decadent Publishing and Breathless Press. And for those of you waiting for the next Kingdom of Stars story or the third installment in the Hellfire Club, they are coming. <br /></p><p>So, here's to 2010! <br /></p><p>Best to all of you!<br /></p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-63974218848859572122010-12-28T06:08:00.001-08:002010-12-28T06:15:13.332-08:00My Eirelander Publishing Books are on SALE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiupmVQhS6JafnnaPR3Fei9gQ3n8ItMMZyP6Rn8CdLQ3hf5ifQhRI1ZeMh5yhuhMc-eMm7CyvvOET26VwV-71rwSkHrb_6LuGvhOTH-y0xoKr-bvk7jLr9VFKkg8Zfdc6tbJH9V-69Mw7k/s1600/4x6valkyr+FINIS.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555735784062723970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiupmVQhS6JafnnaPR3Fei9gQ3n8ItMMZyP6Rn8CdLQ3hf5ifQhRI1ZeMh5yhuhMc-eMm7CyvvOET26VwV-71rwSkHrb_6LuGvhOTH-y0xoKr-bvk7jLr9VFKkg8Zfdc6tbJH9V-69Mw7k/s320/4x6valkyr+FINIS.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7baArfoqPY72jDL-R1uMu56RBqQmL8y9miGC6U2xbNitcVdZVfpXUsYzbyPn44pskf2xKZxoH4D1wJnYeuVlGfNgMmFWysYjpw3SVl_vzedAKuwqbh-jDf9d_MEe3OKpoN6FsV2Zj_bPT/s1600/4x6valkyr+FINIS.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAltPazu4aCUFKGf5DVJzTR9FljW12eER6E6fZ-JH0EeIloX0I1aLcts_UjcvDKrVDU1NtBdNF3gZnysg7to8iW89YMnGQcPmyO9C6lX-Z4Kd6fC6Dv6DI97PFjxYFjJZEU0nXP69K9yB/s1600/4x6CWF.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555735406221535154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAltPazu4aCUFKGf5DVJzTR9FljW12eER6E6fZ-JH0EeIloX0I1aLcts_UjcvDKrVDU1NtBdNF3gZnysg7to8iW89YMnGQcPmyO9C6lX-Z4Kd6fC6Dv6DI97PFjxYFjJZEU0nXP69K9yB/s320/4x6CWF.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span xmlns=""><br /><p>Hi all,<br /></p><br /><p>Just a heads up, my two stories at Eirelander Publishing are on sale for 20% off at their website and at select third party distributors.<br /></p><br /><p>For the Eirelander Site use the discount code: 48213416<br /></p><p>To purchase at third party distributors and check out all the titles Eirelander has on sale, stop by:<br /></p><p>All Romance e-Books<br /></p><p>Bookstrand<br /></p><p>1 Place for Romance<br /></p><p>Happy shopping and happy New Year to all,<br /></p><p>Bella</p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p></span></div></div></div>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-44355949634922840682010-11-23T06:20:00.001-08:002010-11-23T06:20:38.478-08:00Just Gotta Say!<span xmlns=''><p>There was a phrase taught to me when I first started to get edits. "Sit down. Shut up. And do the damn edit." I guess that's what you get when you come from a family of writers. You are told the blatant realities of this industry, whether you want to hear them or not. It was also part of the reason why I was reluctant to become a writer. I did have the horrifying opportunity of watching my mother and my aunts sitting at the dining room table discussing edits. The thing to remember are many of my early memories are of my mom sitting at a typewriter working through edits. <br /></p><p>The one thing I learned from those memories was edits weren't personal. Harsh comments were a part of the process. Getting her to work through the problems involved in the story was imperative to the editor making the story as great as it could be. That would be the editor's job. Teaching her how to improve her work was a part of the daily grind. <br /></p><p>Lately my mom has been driven to really start making noise when it comes to 'authors' who refuse to do edits or go running to their pubs when they get "there little feelings hurt" because they weren't told – "you're book is so great, I can't stand it". With all her experience, I suspect she's allowed to shoot off her mouth about this new trend in e-publishing where authors go 'boo-hoo' and get their way. And, with Nano coming to an end – it's only going to get worse. The publishing houses will be inundated with stories that haven't been edited or are just slapped together because, and theses are her words, "Congratulations, you managed to string fifty-thousand words together that make absolutely no sense". <br /></p><p>One side of her problem comes from 'so-called' pubs out there who will take anything just to fill a slot. Her fury level is on maximum with some of the quality coming out of e-publishing houses. Her words again -- "Watching paint dry is more interesting than this story." "If this editor knew a thing about actually editing a book, he/she would be dangerous." "It's obvious to me the author thinks they should get a pat on the head for being whatever to whomever with a story that stinks."<br /></p><p>That's my mom. Old school editor who would tell her authors, "If I haven't made you work at the story, I haven't done my job." Believe me; she's gotten enough e-mails to wall paper a room in which the author goes off on her for being so tough. Her response boils down to – 'and, what's your point'. Why, because she always knows why she's asking the author to do something. She always – always – always was trying to teach her author something they can improve. <br /></p><p>Here's the advice she's now giving her friends who are editors: "Make them cry. Make them work. Then, put the story to bed." That seems a bit harsh, but I understand her reasoning behind this. The current trend in e-publishing can't stay in place. If it does, e-publishing will simply go back to being known as 'the poorly edited drivel' that it was notorious for back in the day. The one thing both she and I understand, is the industry is changing. E-publishing has to come up to a bar set for them. If they don't, the NY houses who are now releasing digital format too or going to all digital will leave the e-pub houses behind.<br /></p><p>She finds fault with all aspects of the e-publishing industry. Authors who are with one-two-three-four publishing houses think they walk on water and don't have to work anymore. Publishers who are trying to be their author's friends rather than suck it up and make these 'employees' actually work for their money. Editors who are either afraid of giving a hard edit because they don't want to get blown out of the water by the diva attitude/ don't want to hurt the author's feelings/have the author blog about them (this drives my mother nuts because the professional behavior of e-published authors only sinks lower) or don't know how to edit. <br /></p><p>Now it's your turn. Do you think this is a problem or is my mom totally off base? <br /></p><p>Can't wait to hear your responses. <br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Best! <br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-25243172055193966162010-10-22T05:02:00.001-07:002010-10-22T05:02:18.768-07:00Belladonna is about to do Nano-Wrimo<span xmlns=''><p>There's no denying I need to give myself a kick in the butt right now. My brain is saturated with ideas for stories. I have nine project folders sitting on the corner of my desk. Character charts – done. World building sheets – ditto. Scenes are set up. Plots have been investigated. You may be asking yourself what am I waiting for? <br /></p><p>The answer is NANO (National Novel Writer's Month). This will be my first year trying to put down 2500 words a day. Not that it is out of the question for me to write that much or even more in a day. Still, I knew if I was going to take on this challenge, I better prep. So it's been ready, set, prep around here lately. <br /></p><p>Before anybody starts asking – Bella, you writing a novel? Nope. Never gonna happen with me. I'm a short format writer. That's where I'm comfortable and where I think my work shines. The challenge for me has always been to see if I can prove my plot in short format. <br /></p><p>My goal is very aggressive; some might say I'm crazy. I plan to complete two novellas (around 25K) and two super shorts (5-15K). One will be a fantahistorical tentatively titled Frost Bitten (bridge story between Primal Rage and its sequel). The other novella will be the sequel to Primal Rage. The two super shorts will be in the 'For Me' line but will probably go over 10K. I won't lie to you—that's a lot of words. Thus, that's why I've been doing all this prep work. <br /></p><p>Am I a little worried I might not make the challenge of 50K in the whole month? Somewhat. Unlike a novel writer, I've got a different set of problems. It's whether or not I can move smoothly between projects without losing steam or getting hung up on a plot. Then there's the fact I have stories selling at the moment. I could suddenly get derailed with edits or something like that. Life happens—but what if life suddenly explodes on me?<br /></p><p>Still, I'm up for it. Is anybody else doing Nano? What's your goal and what would you like to complete? <br /></p><p>I can't wait to hear your responses. <br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Best!<br /></p><p>Bella<br /></p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-43179432870943102002010-10-18T04:37:00.001-07:002010-10-18T04:40:05.709-07:00Great Review for Hell Rider<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFmx2tdHn_PRid1CfACEgdIYe1agPCKUh4ld71JIGJKa9Mt5ySBlgbMI2hA-TJTlPWKec09mwTocBjJBhOZu6Ho5zjYBGr7qCd5JB81Md9GKCNCy_j_EfDOhc7oRlLyJjb5QwRjJpwtQ0/s1600/HellRider_paintedsample.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529349353587270850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFmx2tdHn_PRid1CfACEgdIYe1agPCKUh4ld71JIGJKa9Mt5ySBlgbMI2hA-TJTlPWKec09mwTocBjJBhOZu6Ho5zjYBGr7qCd5JB81Md9GKCNCy_j_EfDOhc7oRlLyJjb5QwRjJpwtQ0/s320/HellRider_paintedsample.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span xmlns=""><br /><p>It's been a long couple of months here. I'm prepping for a writing cycle. I've got stories out selling. I'm working two jobs. Ugh, I'm tired of starting sentences with the word 'I'.<br /></p><br /><p>But great news hit my in-box this weekend, a fantastic review for book two of The Hellfire Club – Hell Rider.<br /></p><br /><p>Check it out here -- http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/hellriderbordeaux.htm<br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p>Have a great day folks.<br /></p><br /><p>Best!<br /></p><br /><p>Bella<br /></p></span></div>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-77580898596010039552010-08-24T07:40:00.001-07:002010-08-24T07:40:48.617-07:00Bella Bites Back<span xmlns=''><p>Okay, I'm pissed. One of the first lessons my mom gave me when I was moving into writing was this one. It should be noted that at that time, I was writing with her. Well, more like she was writing, and I was doing all the conceiving except for on a few stories. <br /></p><p>The lesson she taught me was this—<br /></p><p>Impact moment + back story +GMC= characterization. <br /></p><p>I was on her computer the other day and strolled across this blog site. <br /></p><p>http://www.zeemonodee.blogspot.com/<br /></p><p>You'll have to scroll down to her Wednesday 8-18 blog post to see what she writes. <br /></p><p>Here's the skinny. This chit was once my mom's prodigy. She was also her senior editor when she opened her own publishing company. She learned how to be a better writer and an editor through my mom. <br /></p><p>Six months ago, the twit started blogging about how she didn't have enough time for all her important mundane things. So, what does Mom try to do? She relieves some of her work load. Woman's response -- A temper tantrum that would have a two year old shaking their head and boom – she quits. Why? Because Mom was trying to give her a little breathing room. <br /></p><p>That's only the beginning. This twit went out of her way to destroy my mom's reputation (can you tell, I've got a lot of anger built up over this woman?). I'm saying destroy not only my mom's reputation but her company's too. Why, because people didn't all jump on board and cry for her. She's got an entourage of cheerleaders, but not everybody took her side. So sad—too bad. <br /></p><p>Now she's pandering Mom's lessons as if they are her own. I'm completely pissed and ready to go through the computer screen for a good, old-fashioned b*tch slap. <br /></p><p>Am I wrong to feel like this? Should I just forgive and forget or should I actually say something to the twit? <br /></p><p>*big sigh*<br /></p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-71310895225468263322010-08-20T04:16:00.000-07:002010-08-20T04:17:00.103-07:00Just gotta say...<span xmlns=''><p>A pet peeve of mine has made an unwelcome visit this past week. That of aspiring authors telling aspiring authors how they should write. This is the stupidest thing I've heard of. Why don't you ask a blind man to teach you how to drive? It's about the same thing. It's just when you actually crash, it can be a lot more painful for the writer because they don't know why they hit a tree. At least in a car, you can see the deer that cut you off.<br /></p><p>And it's not as if we can deny this is happening either. Look at all the crit groups for romance writers. Look at all the aspiring writer blogs who put up a snippet and then try to edit the work. It's so sad in so many ways. These authors are getting very little real education but when things go wrong (ie the rejection letters start banging at their front door) they have their cheerleaders in place. It's cruel, in my opinion, to have the people who helped drive them into a tree giving the standard, "the agent didn't know what the hell they were talking about" or "It's such a good story". <br /></p><p>Why is it so sad? Because the cheerleaders don't know better themselves. <br /></p><p>I'm not a know-it-all by any shade of the word, but I know someone who is. When you talk to my Mom, you might as well be talking to a walking, talking dictionary on writing. Yep, I got lucky. She had my back when I waded into the adult pool. Though, at times it was very painful for me to hear what I was doing wrong, I recognized the one thing she was doing – she was telling me exactly what I had to fix and how to do it. <br /></p><p>What can an aspiring writer do about it? Not much at this time. There are things you can recognize (and this comes directly from my Mom's playbook on making an aspiring author an author) – <br /></p><p>1. Know your specific problems when it comes to writing. <br /></p><p>2. Don't take it personally when someone actually does point out what is wrong with your story.<br /></p><p>3. Find someone who will help you fix the problem. Look specifically for consistent comments – these are normally what hurts the story. <br /></p><p>4. Sit down, shut up and listen instead of going "she doesn't like my story" or "she doesn't see my vision".<br /></p><p>Mom told me from the get-go that I was gonna get beat up. Whether it was from her or an editor, I should always look at what someone was pointing out and understand I need to learn how to fix it. <br /></p><p>So, what's your take on this? Has it become a real problem for aspiring authors to crit/edit other aspiring authors work or do they really help?<br /></p><p>Best, <br /></p><p>Bella<br /></p><p><br /> </p><p><br /> </p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-73399414513542837242010-08-17T06:44:00.001-07:002010-08-17T06:44:49.447-07:00Constitutional Russian Roulette<span xmlns=''><p>Welcome to the politics corner where I weigh in on this or that or the other thing that deals with the goofballs running our country and the loud mouths that are after our votes. Let it be known that I am registered a Democrat, but I have voted Republican. Anybody remember Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's run to become Maryland's governor – yeah, voted against her. <br /></p><p>Our politicians are losing their minds—some collectively, others individually. Heck, we have politicians all over the place right now. We have progressives wanting everybody to be as progressive as they are. We have the tea talkers out there drumming up lots of hoopla about how we must return to conservatism. We have congressmen and senators picking and choosing which amendment to embrace and which ones are not exactly what our Founding Fathers meant. It's a bloody mess. <br /></p><p>And when I said bloody, I mean the potential for terrible things to happen. Shoot, there's that Tea Party candidate out in Nevada (I will paraphrase this) – who understands how some citizens resort to second amendment solutions with the government. <br /></p><p>WTF! Doesn't she hear what she's saying? She is talking about guns and bombs and ugliness. Yep, that's the second amendment – the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Maybe she got confused. Maybe she thought it was the Right to Keep and Arm Bears.<br /></p><p>I don't mind a person who owns guns. It's allowed under the constitution. I've never understood the need to collect anti-aircraft weaponry, but if you got the cash, who am I? Still, do we want our politicians going – okay, I understand the people who might go shoot the members of Congress they don't like. *Shaking my Head*<br /></p><p>Let's take a look at the Fourteenth Amendment next. Recently, so many people have been screaming to repeal the Fourteenth Amendment. Other than it would take forever to actually repeal a constitutional amendment, this is one of the most important amendments to the country as a whole. This amendment includes not only the hot button 'birth right' clause which states children born here are automatically US citizens, but it also includes the equal rights under the law clause. Yep, we're talking civil rights here. So, if the people who want to repeal this amendment actually get their way, civil rights also dies. That doesn't sound very smart to me. <br /></p><p>Last but not least is the First Amendment. Holy Macaroni, Batman – that's the First Amendment. The one that defines the most basic of rights – Speech, Religion, Assembly – that would be that amendment. <br /></p><p>I get it. I so get it, that the Ground Zero Civic Center is a big deal, but seriously folks, there has been a Muslim Prayer Center in Lower Manhattan for forty years. It's still there. Our congressmen and women who speak out against it aren't doing it because it's only two blocks from WTC (considering the established prayer center is almost the same distance). They're doing it to stoke a fire and divide the country more. Come on. It's a Community Center. It's not about sensitivity to the victims. This is really hate-mongering. When you start saying a building a tenth of a mile off the northern corner of a property is an insult, you aren't doing it for any other reason than to rile people. Hell, you'd have to go out of your way to just fine the building they are tearing down. Yep, you'd actually have to leave the street on which the WTC will be rebuilt to get there. <br /></p><p>We can lay the Ground Zero Civic and Prayer Center in the realm of, if you really want to be insulted then walk the tenth of a mile and be insulted but you can't see it from the site and it cannot see the site due to the buildings in its way. What are these people who want to stop this do for an encore? Tell the Muslim families who visit Ground Zero to pray for their son or daughter, husband or wife who worked in the WTC that they have to cease and desist because it's offensive to all the other victims' families and friends? Really? Is that what the next act will be?<br /></p><p>I'm not insensitive to any one of the victims who lost their life in 9-11, but I can't see the point in the outrage or the proposed solution – Put the Mosque (which it isn't) somewhere else. The First Amendment allows them to build wherever they want to as long as the building meets ordinance. <br /></p><p>This comes down to a simple truth – you can't pick and choose what amendment works for you. Our government shouldn't either. <br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Am I off base? You tell me. <br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-27020776878954597722010-08-13T04:32:00.001-07:002010-08-13T04:32:40.439-07:00Just gotta say it<span xmlns=''><p>Major rant warning!<br /></p><p>Have you ever gotten so sick of someone whining and complaining? Of aspiring author bloggers going, "well, why doesn't the industry change, cause we all know I'm the next big star. The industry should come to me". <br /></p><p>Really? Are you serious? The agents should just flock to you? Publishers should beat a fast path to your door since you wrote a story? Reality check time, friends. This industry isn't going to flock to anybody. You gotta put in the leg work. Gotta do the grunt stuff. You have to show you work and play well with others. Ranting about how much you think the industry should come to you proves the last. Really, why don't you shoot yourself in the foot and then the head, because you are pretty much wearing a sign that says, 'unprofessional'? SHUT UP!<br /></p><p>The other side of this is rant is an author I follow who blogs everyday about how much work they are NOT getting done. This author is not the first and won't be the last, but it doesn't take long to start sighing. After the hundreds of excuses thrown out there, you just want to say – shut up and work on your WIP instead of putting nonsense on your blog. Do I really have to read your silly blog post on this is a fun link I found or how your kid is just driving you crazy or the hubby doesn't understand me? Seriously. Are you trying to say, 'my life sucks, so feel sorry for me'? Stop making excuses and knuckle down. That's what the rest of us have to do. WORK. Yeah, that's spelled W-O-R-K! As in do your job. As in get your story done. WORK!<br /></p><p>Don't get me wrong, there are a few bloggers I get into. They make their blogs entertaining. Romance in the Back Seat is one of them. Sandra Sookoo's is another. I used to follow Jessica Rabbit's blog until I lost all my bookmarks :( <br /></p><p>Maybe, I'm just tired of all the whining and complaining. Perhaps, I got fed up with the pity party mentality. I guess I should have given the bloggers who do bitch and complain thanks for at least making the attempt. <br /></p><p>But, is it worthwhile? You tell me. <br /></p><p>Until next time...<br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Bella <br /></p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-60526663776626004952010-08-07T05:22:00.001-07:002010-08-07T05:40:27.058-07:00Sci-fi Saturday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3DZQaCvR5ZhQz4WdCXRFRBxTcd6YOY96Ts9KkVGnSHoQOc3GEJtPbNz0gDx1zes-OT_do9WQHco9L9x8OLi3UiWBNZYQp_GalgRoDzy099pGTpU3NxEGJGTiegvNjLEU4McqfKUQuMsg/s1600/125x190_BB_IntimateSpace.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 125px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502643012651117746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3DZQaCvR5ZhQz4WdCXRFRBxTcd6YOY96Ts9KkVGnSHoQOc3GEJtPbNz0gDx1zes-OT_do9WQHco9L9x8OLi3UiWBNZYQp_GalgRoDzy099pGTpU3NxEGJGTiegvNjLEU4McqfKUQuMsg/s320/125x190_BB_IntimateSpace.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span xmlns=""><br /><p>Meet the Navorains.<br /></p><br /><p>The Navorains are an ancient culture and one of the founding members of the League of Sentient Beings (think Intergalactic council here). Their planet of origin, Lazarus 7, was abandoned 4000 years ago when their eco-system collapsed. The Navorains are adventurous and curious by nature. They were also brutally territorial until the planet they relocated to after the collapse of Lazarus 7, Navora, was destroyed by a weapon of mass destruction, the T-9 Planet Killer.<br /></p><br /><p>The League of Sentient Beings interceded before the remaining Navorains went on a blood feud against the Andromedains for destroying Navora. The Navorains were promised planets, riches, anything and everything to keep the mighty warriors with their immense and technologically advanced galactic class starships, the War Galleys, from warring against Andromeda. In the end, the Navorains remained neutral, but war was inevitable. The Last Great War broke out and lasted almost ten years. The death toll was too high to calculate, but the League of Sentient Beings understood that had the Navorains entered the battles, the final tally would have been far worse.<br /></p><br /><p>Without a planet, the Navorains now journey through space which they refer to as 'their kingdom'. Their mission is two-fold. They were charged with protecting the Outer Rim from intruders originating in unknown space. They are also in need of women to re-populate their dwindling numbers. Currently there are only 20,000 Navorains in existence—mostly men.<br /></p><br /><p>Intimate Space is the first installment in the 'Kingdom of Stars' series. </p><p>You can buy it here : <a href="http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/intimatespace.htm">http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/intimatespace.htm</a></p><p>I hope to have Sacred Space completed sometime this fall.<br /></p><p>Next Saturday, stop by and meet Coleverus Fis Tulden.<br /></p><p>Happy reading,<br /></p><p>Bella</p></span></div>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-42279352422647212902010-08-05T06:09:00.001-07:002010-08-05T06:17:30.032-07:00A quick reference to Primal Appetite and Hell Rider<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU6EImpN9NP_7UtwAouveYmwlzf0UDmJgTV9ohG6wTFatxRGHJbdO7KqTPTvOszyb5Qb7mAjMYHISyC7Wk2IDP_IJPpaJR3mtB3bdIk8vlnuhdMQnxr3GmiN_9RBapwwsBbiewrDT60gF/s1600/PrimalAppetite_cgriffin_coversample.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501913025483249378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU6EImpN9NP_7UtwAouveYmwlzf0UDmJgTV9ohG6wTFatxRGHJbdO7KqTPTvOszyb5Qb7mAjMYHISyC7Wk2IDP_IJPpaJR3mtB3bdIk8vlnuhdMQnxr3GmiN_9RBapwwsBbiewrDT60gF/s320/PrimalAppetite_cgriffin_coversample.jpg" /></a><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebLHs6ZddP7LxFzw8NMU0piP7eYcB_SCtAMJ6VqkEAMy4rcHUm08Sr5ysObt1WckelxAXCjEHSOqSv9_fcjs3HGya_eBOn_8annPHiwvQN75j4oJhXIVR8Rkrd2vEVGaHmE09IFrel1Fw/s1600/HellRider_paintedsample.jpg"></a></p><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501912701383148978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebLHs6ZddP7LxFzw8NMU0piP7eYcB_SCtAMJ6VqkEAMy4rcHUm08Sr5ysObt1WckelxAXCjEHSOqSv9_fcjs3HGya_eBOn_8annPHiwvQN75j4oJhXIVR8Rkrd2vEVGaHmE09IFrel1Fw/s320/HellRider_paintedsample.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><div><span xmlns=""><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Glossary<br /></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">From the Archives of the Great Goddess and the Library of the Borderlands<br /></p><p>Cu Sith – <em>'When man first walked the Highlands of Scotland a creature followed him on his many travels. Neither live nor dead, to see the massive wolfhound called the Cu Sith is to know you will die a painful death sooner rather than later.'<br /></em><em></em></p><p><em>*Created by the Great Goddess of the Tuatha de Danan, the Cu Sith cannot be killed.<br /></em><em>*They are the immortal enemy of all the were-kinds.<br /></em><em>*The Cu Sith is the leader of all paranormals who predict death. They are called the Harbingers.<br /></em></p><p>The Royal Strains – <em>'I proclaim a council should be convened of the strongest paranormals known to this world and the Borderlands. They shall be called The Royal Strains and through them, they will steer the future of all the paranormal kinds.<br /></em></p><p><em>*All are immortal and can only be killed or trapped by one specific method.<br /></em><em>*They gather together in the Council of the Seven Seals thrice each year to discuss the politics of the paranormal world.<br /></em><em></em></p><em><p><br /></em>The Fay – <em>'I say to thee, Morgan LeFay, go to a land far from this and save my precious Tuatha de Danan. There you will be forever young and guard the secrets of white magicke.'<br /></em><em></em></p><p><em>*The fay or fairfolk are the descendants of the Tuatha de Danan.<br /></em><em>*All male offspring from Queen Morgan LeFay's family carry a vile spirit known as the Dark Fey. They are dangerous, mindless killers.<br /></em><em>*The Fay are the immortal enemy of the Strigoi.<br /></em></p><p>The Strigoi – <em>'Beware your mortal roots, for they will lead you to ruin.'<br /></em></p><p><em>*Considered the strongest of the Royal Strains, the Strigoi are wielders of magicke and shifters too. </em></p><p><em>*They began the Second Angelic War by invading the Fay Realm in 1750.<br /></em></p><p>The Hell Riders – <em>'From the fires of Hell will come four riders who serve The Unholy Prince and his son.'<br /></em><em></em></p><p><em>*The Hell Riders are Satan's bounty hunters who collect the damned souls of those who have signed a blood pact with the Prince of Lies. They are charged with protecting Roshan, the son of Satan.<br /></em><em>*They cannot be killed because they are either dead or a deposed god.<br /></em></p><p>The Hellfire and Damnation Club – <em>'I give you a reprieve from your daunting duty. I give you the handmaidens of the Hellfire Club.'<br /></em><em></em></p><p><em>*Collected by the Hell Riders, the handmaidens sole purpose is to assist the Royals during the Black Mass Banquet which always follows a stressful day of politicking and negotiations.<br /></em><em>*The women chosen to act as handmaidens are the property of the Hellfire and Damnation Club. They are housed at Falstaff Manor and treated more like royalty than concubines.<br /></em></p><p>Knights of Eternity – <em>'When the Royals Strains gather they will be called by one title – the Knights of Eternity. Through their wisdom will the course be set. May they take great care with this burden and nurture the title they now hold.'<br /></em></p><p><em>*The Royal Strains were brought together by an edict delivered in a prophecy from the Great Goddess of the Tuatha de Danan. It forewarned of the next great paranormal war better known as the Second Angelic War. </em></p><p><em>*The Council of the Seven Seals is another name for the Knights of Eternity.<br /></em></p><p>Royal Djinn – <em>'For the light there is darkness. From the evil all detests save a few there is a Royal you must covet and trust.'<br /></em><em></em></p><p><em>*Roshan, the son of Satan leads the Royal Djinn. He was guilty at birth because he was born from the Original 'Get'.<br /></em><em>*He is both good and evil. He is also the keeper of the Hell Locker and protected by the Hell Riders.<br /></em></p><p>The Hell Locker – <em>'Gather all the vestiges of vile magicke, that power which rises from the depths of hell, and store the snippets of spells and the ingredients of potions in a box. Give the locker to the son of Satan for safe keeping. Pray, my Knights of Eternity. Pray, he never speaks of its location for if he does, not even I can save the mortal world.'<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>*The location of the Hell Locker is a secret. Prince Roshan refuses to speak for fear he might inadvertently disclose its whereabouts.<br /></em></p><p><em>*It contains all the secrets of Black Magicke and is considered the most dangerous artifact known to both the mortal and paranormal world.<br /></em></p><p>The Royal Dragul – <em>'Ye that are born from the union between Adam and his second wife will know great pain, but will understand the power of being the most prolific shifter. For within this gift lies salvation.'<br /></em><em></em></p><p><em>*Called the Blackbloods, the Royal Draguls can take the shape of any living thing including demon sects.<br /></em><em>*The common Dragul rarely leave their realm in the Borderland or the Carpathian mountain village they inhabit on Earth.<br /></em></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">For more information and to enter the Borderlands, visit my website. </p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://www.belladonnabordeaux.com/">http://www.belladonnabordeaux.com/</a></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Got a question about the Borderlands -- Don't hesitate to post it here!</p></span></div>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-69216588355195112402010-08-04T18:25:00.001-07:002010-08-04T18:41:15.126-07:00About Cooking with Fire<span xmlns=""> <p>Please refer to Time Magazine - Portraits of the Women of Afghanistan. </p><p>Note - this is not for the weak of heart. </p><p>You can access it here: <a href="http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,308943282001_2007270,00.html">www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,308943282001_2007270,00.html</a></p><p> </p><p>Yeah, this is a hot button issue. It's hard to understand on so many levels. Why are these women the way they are?<br /></p><p>Cooking with Fire was a story for me that epitomized my friends who were first, second, third generation Anglo-Indian. What I found is that the chances are the stigmas still hang over their heads. I couldn't get away from one truth, though. I believed that because women of this origination were immune to it in this country simply because they were born in this country. You'd think that wouldn't you?<br /></p><p>The fact is that it is as prevalent in this country as any other. Women of this origination are put to the same test. I'm sure that for as many women who will say they aren't there are just as many who get what I'm talking about.<br /></p><p>Cooking with Fire is a snapshot of this. It's what I see, and the dynamic that is happening. It isn't to say that all Muslims are this way. It's my way of saying that there are those who are that way.<br /></p><p>Recently, I had a friend who was born Islamic who had to have surgery. She was so upset. Not because the surgery was going to occur, but because her mother was freaked out because she'd have a scar. To me, it was a stupid argument. To her family, it was the end of the world, or in the very least, the end of her chances to ever being in a fitful marriage.<br /></p><p><br />This is what this story is about. This is what we, as American Women need to know. I'm guilty of this and it totally disgusts me that I am.<br /></p><p>We can't sit in judgment of these women, because we can't expect miracles. There isn't anything written in the Constitution that says – this is how you should act. Is it better in America for women of this origination? I think it is. Does it boil down to brass tacks? I'm not so sure.<br /></p><p>We are a culture of judging and then thinking about it. We don't understand something so whatever we're looking at is immediately screwed up and wrong. We need to stop that.<br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>My two cents—<br /></p><p>Bella<br /></p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-35295692891599213852010-08-04T17:55:00.001-07:002010-08-04T17:55:55.145-07:00Why I don’t blog.<span xmlns=''><p>I think this is the one of the toughest questions for me to address. It's not that I don't like talking. Shoot, I can almost out talk most people. I've got words to spare. I've got lots to say. <br /></p><p>Here's my problem—I'm notorious for speaking my mind. <br /></p><p>Ask me about politics – yep, I have an opinion. <br /></p><p>Ask me about world issues – sure as shooting, Tex, I've got an opinion. <br /></p><p>Do I have opinions, refer to the above.<br /></p><p>The fact remains. I learned a hard lesson on Facebook regarding actually speaking my mind. I put out my feelings. I got trashed. I got a whole bunch of cheerleaders going – you're nothing. Actually, I am something. I'm a person who should be able and allowed to say what I feel and when I feel it. <br /></p><p>So, the question then became—what the hell am I suppose to say? Or should I say anything? <br /></p><p>I can say my most recent release was a part of that. When I wrote Intimate Space I knew exactly what I was doing. It's a shot at so many issues that face us now. It's the things that we don't notice, but we should. And now, I'm working on the sequel. I like the story, but I've already been warned 'don't go hard sci-fi' and 'your readers won't get it'. What am I suppose to say to that. I'm supposed to dumb down my story simply because there is a attitude that readers are idiots? I don't believe that. <br /></p><p>I don't get it. I can't speak my mind. I can't write the story how it should be. I can't be the writer I want to be. I can't take on the issues I want to take on and put them into a context that is both entertaining as well as informative. <br /></p><p>From now on, I'm going to speak my mind. I'm launching a new chapter in my life. If you don't like what I have to say, please feel free to debate this with me. If you detest me because I am willing to go there, then that's your problem. <br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>The fact is, I'm Belladonna. I have opinions and I'm gonna talk about them. <br /></p><p>Until the next time – and no, I'm not gonna get sappy and thank you for hanging around, but I appreciate those who have followed me.<br /></p><p><br /> </p><p>Bella</p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-38420723535180812552010-05-08T04:53:00.001-07:002010-05-08T05:01:28.034-07:00Get to know the Elves<span xmlns=""><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;color:#ffffff;">The Elves </span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Expert hunters and the keepers of wisdom, the elves left Earth during the Great Reorganization of the Heavens two-thousand years ago. Even though each realm in the Borderlands is immense (see general information-Borderlands), the sheer size of the elvish community severely strained the elves. Within a thousand years, the elves were without a king and they warred amongst each other to the point their numbers were extremely diminished.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">There are some elf-sects with only one or two of their specific type left. The Ice Elves and Valkyr are two such examples. The majority of elves surviving today are the elusive Wood Elves.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Ruled by an Ice Elf, Soren Elfson, all earth-bound elves were recently recalled from the planet to Elfheim for their protection until the war with the land-walkers is over.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Immortal enemies are few for the Elves. They do not participate in petty conflicts and prefer to isolate Elfheim from all other realms. Though because of its close proximity to the four-corner realm of the Vampires, it isn't uncommon for a coven of vampires to travel through their realm, and normally the elves don't care unless the vampires feed within Elfheim.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Elf-males are cool headed and very logical while their female counterparts yearn for a man unafraid to show his emotions. This aspect has driven many an elf-maid to mate with a land-walker.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline;font-family:Palatino Linotype;" ><em><span style="color:#ffffff;">The Elves versus other Elves:<br /></span></p></em></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Once Soren Elfson ascended by the sword to the throne the elvish conflicts have cooled. The most dangerous time for the elves is during their mating season. Due to the limited number of elf-maids left they often have several elf-males courting them. This has led to deadly battles for a mate.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">When an elf-maid meets her life-mate she hears Skuld's Song. There is a caveat attached to gaining a life-mate: if the mate does not reciprocate the elf-maids love she will die a slow, painful death within the grey-fold (turns the maid to stone)(See Valkyr).<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;color:#ffffff;">They are their own worst enemies. </span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">The Elves Realm in the Borderlands<br /></span></p></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;color:#ffffff;">Elfheim<br /></span><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Realm #13<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">One of the farthest realms from Tir na nOg, Elfheim contains many of the architectural structures that were once a part of Asgard. An elf can only enter Elfheim across the Rainbow Bridge. After walking up a steep slope they will arrive at Ygsdril, the World Tree and the former home of the Norns. All Elves stop here to pay homage to the triple goddess who in ancient times produced the World Tapestry.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Guarded by magick, none are allowed to touch the World Tapestry except a direct descendant of Skuld, the Future Seer.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">After praying beneath the heavy branches of Ygsdril, the elf will continue to the Great Hall of Elfheim. This council hall is located a short distance from the World Tree and is where Soren Elfson meets with the Elvish Elders. All Elves returning to Elfheim are required by law to announce their return to this council.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Soren Elfson's castle is locate far to the north of the Great Hall of Elfheim in the icy wasteland which is a remnant of Ragnarok. This slice of land is a reminder to all the elves that the Goddess can giveth and taketh away easily.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">The Elves did not participate in the war of 1750. They had abandoned their seat in the Knights of Eternity during the Great Elvish War (Earth date: 1103). Their position in the Knights of Eternity was given to the Royal Werelions.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Today they are struggling to rejoin the Knights of Eternity.<br /></span></p></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">General Information<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Appearance: Varied as there are many different sects. If in their elf-form on Earth, they grow small fangs and pointed ears.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Greatest Paranormal Aspect: Hunting other paranormals. Valkyr, their ability to protect the body and souls of warriors.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Greatest Weakness: Slow healing and the greyfold.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Palatino Linotype;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Current Status: Many of the elf-sects are endangered.<br /></span></p></span><p align="left"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Get to know the other realms in the Borderlands on my website – www.belladonnabordeaux.com<br /></span></p><p align="left"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Best!<br /></span></p><p align="left"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Bella</span></p></span>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994943866513482966.post-66164076220319208092010-05-07T17:00:00.000-07:002010-05-07T17:04:22.594-07:00Just released - Valkyr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yPocC_tdVmqg4odY891l3sgKgIV7p03vJ5gmlCzpCzEvU0H40BOawvjI0vN703wuwHRLb9hqskXuy9hBdaR-Yn8hQDVhbc7-hgDH7Y-FHucpd8EFiQRc3XF2wfKEf1cmwTVQcwkA1RyE/s1600/2x3valkyr+FINIS.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468682786776916066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yPocC_tdVmqg4odY891l3sgKgIV7p03vJ5gmlCzpCzEvU0H40BOawvjI0vN703wuwHRLb9hqskXuy9hBdaR-Yn8hQDVhbc7-hgDH7Y-FHucpd8EFiQRc3XF2wfKEf1cmwTVQcwkA1RyE/s320/2x3valkyr+FINIS.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This is one of those stories that sticks with you, and I'm so excited that it is now out. </div><br />Available from Eirelander Publishing.<br /><br />Take an elf out for a spin. This is one hot ride and it is the first story in the 'Royals are back and they're pissed' series.<br /><br />Best!<br /><br />Bella<br /><br /><a href="http://www.belladonnabordeaux.com/">www.belladonnabordeaux.com</a>Bellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01659819995519071085noreply@blogger.com1