tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62801349550151416192024-03-06T03:28:08.651+13:00Nicole MacDonaldReader - Writer - DreamerNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.comBlogger461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-91270305154603541672015-10-27T20:26:00.000+13:002015-11-02T10:54:16.361+13:00Something gorgeous!Quite a while back I was privileged to meet a local artist who'd gone out and created a children's book. And by created I mean written (all rhyming no less!) and designed an adorably quirky wee tale.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTdI6u5FCmYk7qrcthia5c7k7xOOR55WSLH42KtTI_P6zuZ8pWuVfvzWzsuGjldKVDCrVl77Xd_p53jZGE4KrtyRP-5lCni8q1QVXKzerPCI9-u7uKcjIkmdmqvmQD01UdqscaeLUo4wD/s1600/The+Wonderful+Waltons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTdI6u5FCmYk7qrcthia5c7k7xOOR55WSLH42KtTI_P6zuZ8pWuVfvzWzsuGjldKVDCrVl77Xd_p53jZGE4KrtyRP-5lCni8q1QVXKzerPCI9-u7uKcjIkmdmqvmQD01UdqscaeLUo4wD/s400/The+Wonderful+Waltons.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFDYauWOUzACvbDXRDesy06o5s8BSjLgg354GZRmdma3pLVJ-iXGlP8wOXbS4WZ6UznzRw0p9rLzqY3Qdz2i8cg2-NzhKxQXhqVWSwFVrz5riOw10wBY8c-01bQihoKdHVOsrCBvi5Shw/s1600/Inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFDYauWOUzACvbDXRDesy06o5s8BSjLgg354GZRmdma3pLVJ-iXGlP8wOXbS4WZ6UznzRw0p9rLzqY3Qdz2i8cg2-NzhKxQXhqVWSwFVrz5riOw10wBY8c-01bQihoKdHVOsrCBvi5Shw/s400/Inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
His unique style stuck in my mind and when I got an invite to a gallery of his work I was delighted to accept. After seeing his clever creations first hand again, I got thinking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3PGpTOpMd9L6P4VgEX1LDPXgCIvoXEkS8eSOv4TcY-uP68DhgmwI2DVDGCxIvr5-IZ20FO5ENWVo4UL4nS9u6CtrTO-AvfwPYpaLn91U5L6CpsWDhCSPJYtIi0hje8ZXLy1Er89w8E3U/s1600/Transformer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3PGpTOpMd9L6P4VgEX1LDPXgCIvoXEkS8eSOv4TcY-uP68DhgmwI2DVDGCxIvr5-IZ20FO5ENWVo4UL4nS9u6CtrTO-AvfwPYpaLn91U5L6CpsWDhCSPJYtIi0hje8ZXLy1Er89w8E3U/s400/Transformer.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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I've always wanted to have the girls in a cartoon style...<br />
We met up and nutted out a few ideas. Unfortunately things haven't worked out quite as either of us hoped for now, so we can't continue any further at this stage, but Anton has very generously allowed me to show you the beginning of the designs. Please keep in mind he never intended these for public viewing, but as 'drafts' go I think these are just gorgeous!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNJjgSHviUv-NrV-5g4wLRyyWEMhmTs-dKO-XvgiiVqGnR4CgfTsm_MyrRUl7vs45vBNA1GIaTmxY4-tdDmNPkhJtdTE4mekhZzcLY2nBZ-gEACDkBm7shCgyJtnzxmCB8-jwtKp_Qq0j/s1600/Final+shot+of+the+girls+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNJjgSHviUv-NrV-5g4wLRyyWEMhmTs-dKO-XvgiiVqGnR4CgfTsm_MyrRUl7vs45vBNA1GIaTmxY4-tdDmNPkhJtdTE4mekhZzcLY2nBZ-gEACDkBm7shCgyJtnzxmCB8-jwtKp_Qq0j/s640/Final+shot+of+the+girls+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just love the almost Disney cuteness of the girls here in these caricatures. He's captured a nice amount of personality in each image. Hopefully in the future we can see more of these ;D</div>
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If you would like to see more of Anton's work you can follow his facebook page <a href="https://facebook.com/AntonBecicArt" target="_blank">here</a> OR his blog <a href="http://antonbecicart.blogspot.co.nz/">here!</a></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-76120402353540475302015-10-04T20:57:00.000+13:002015-10-04T20:57:27.397+13:00iTunes – the ‘grown-up’ book store?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">I listened to my very first podcast last
week. A fascinating interview by <a href="http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2015/09/21/dont-go-exclusive-build-a-long-term-career-as-an-author-on-multiple-platforms-with-liliana-hart/" target="_blank">Joanna Penn, interviewing Liliana Hart about not going exclusive</a>. I thoroughly enjoyed listening away to two top sellers
discussing the various pros and cons of it all, but one thing caught my
attention. The comment was made in passing but it made me pause.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Is iTunes a more grown-up ebook store?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Stepping back from a writer's POV whereby I
always make more sales in Amazon, and instead, looking at iTunes from a reading
POV revealed some interesting points.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">iTunes keeps it clean.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">When you pop on to look at books, you only
see books, even if you’ve been shopping for music minutes prior. There is no
spamming of any sort (sorry Amazon, but that’s what it feels like most of the
time!). You aren’t cluttered with multiple suggestions, just a few titles – and
they are only driven by what previous customers bought. Unlike in Amazon, the top 100 is the
genuine, what readers bought and loved, top 100.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">That’s pretty rare nowadays.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The other really noticeable thing is the
reviews. While my number of book reviews is about on par with iTunes vs Amazon,
you aren’t bombarded with pages of other peoples opinions. Just a star rating
and three short snippets of reviews. There isn’t an option to vote on them or
comment on them. This is something I love. When there are SO many sites that you can
join if you want to discuss the books you love/don’t love, I don’t see the need
in clogging book sale sites with reviews. A simple star ranking is all I need
if I really want to see them. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">In a time where websites are trying to
combine everything to cover any and every potential whim of the customer,
iTunes feels like that favourite old bookstore.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">A
place of simplicity and most importantly, Books.</span></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-49872020680082126612015-08-17T18:58:00.001+12:002015-08-17T18:58:58.059+12:00Amazon Pay-Per-Page. The first month’s results are in!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The basics – in my opinion</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Is it worth having a novel in KDP Unlimited<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Yes</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Would you put ALL your works in<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>No</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Do you recommend KDP Unlimited for authors<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Yes and no ;p</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">On the weekend I finally got to see the
first month’s results of the new, pay-per-page system. In short, I’m sold.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Previously when my Trilogy e-set was read
on Kindle Unlimited it made $1.35 (give or take, depending on the fund for the
month and number of books read).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Now let’s be clear, that’s someone reading the
entire trilogy and earning me just $1.35.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><b>$1.35 for reading The Arrival, Awakening, and, Feel the Burn in one neat package </b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The same amount that all those ten page
erotic shorts earned that someone could read dozens of in a week/day.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">So Kindle Unlimited has never been a viable
earner to me, just a “bonus”. The only real reason I put the Trilogy e-set into
Kindle Unlimited is because I couldn’t face the thought of formatting the
varying contents pages for Smashwords Meatgrinder system *blush* sad but true.
I’m okay at formatting, but that system just makes me want to SCREAM!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Anyway, back to topic.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">For the last month when my book was fully read
(it comes to 1827 normalized KDP pages – about double what the print is) I
earned $10.50 a copy. This is at the July rate of 0.00575 per page.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-NZ">Yes, that’s right TEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY
CENTS!</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Even though my read numbers were no higher
than the month previous, the earnings were ten times better! It has
convinced me to keep the Trilogy e-set in Kindle Unlimited.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">All that said, for any authors considering
the shift I would urge you to consider only putting in ebook sets. You’ve more
of a chance of them being fully read (many people determinedly finish stories)
and that way you aren’t cutting off all the other ebook stores. I personally
will continue to keep my individual books on all platforms.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">How did you fare for the new system? What
would you do differently?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-37047398197875274762015-08-03T19:18:00.000+12:002015-08-03T19:18:18.198+12:00Amazon returns – a thought to ponder<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">Any author who has e-books in Amazon will
have experienced it at least once. A returned e-book. I don’t have a major
gripe with this as I expect there will be those occasions someone hits the
wrong button (the one click buy is very simple after all) and buys a book they
didn’t mean to. What I do have a problem with is the people clearly using the
system. The ones that buy a book in a series, read it, return it then proceed
to do the same for the next book. They’re fairly easy to spot if you check your
sales daily, there’s a day or two in between and suddenly a return and it
continues that way till they’ve finished the series.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I don’t like that. Amazon might as well be
supporting pirating of e-books with that sort of reader. I mean, I can’t buy a
new book from my local book store, read it then march back and return it for
the next in the series. That’s what libraries are for (and yes, my e-books are
available in libraries via Smashwords distribution).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">However, it has occurred to me since
observing the pages-read numbers of my trilogy for the last month, that Amazon
could monitor this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">For any book purchased you can’t return it
once you hit the 10% mark. Really, that’s what the sample is for but many
people don’t make the effort to read the sample. I think that should be
encouraged just a tad more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Seems pretty simple to me, and with
Amazon’s new page monitoring system I don’t see how this couldn’t be possible.</span></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-82198769941071312992015-08-01T20:11:00.000+12:002015-08-01T20:11:43.527+12:00My dream café<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mJlmZD1M4e8HP8rvUD5QF_cNFc-WhLUJH1bn9uIIvB1t6ijzF8gQV9s6ru7bg2ex12qF8Gu8VUlpGWJM_zLKck4v1pvN7UQ2YtHfyxCuWc9c0eYFsv9-ovPENgDJtQ19A9c1haWmlwqH/s1600/cozy+armchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mJlmZD1M4e8HP8rvUD5QF_cNFc-WhLUJH1bn9uIIvB1t6ijzF8gQV9s6ru7bg2ex12qF8Gu8VUlpGWJM_zLKck4v1pvN7UQ2YtHfyxCuWc9c0eYFsv9-ovPENgDJtQ19A9c1haWmlwqH/s1600/cozy+armchair.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I often write in cafes. My writing time
during the working week is an hour at lunchtime and whatever I can cram into my
evenings. When my lunch break comes along I trundle off to one of my regular
haunts with my laptop jammed under an arm (already on, primed and ready to go)
then order a pot of tea and settle down to write. This can understandably make
me fairly unsociable at lunchtimes and unfortunately prevents my current
attendance at a jujitsu class I really enjoy. But with a normal 9-5 job this is
the reality of a moonlighting indie author. I don’t make enough off sales<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to live, pay the mortgage, eat, etc. Not that
I mind in the least, but sometimes (school holidays..) I find myself
fantasising about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perfect</i> writers/readers café. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">(This is of course the plan for when I win
lotto ;p)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It’s tucked down one of the narrow alley
ways and you know when you’re getting close because you can smell the jasmine
that grows around the wrought iron archway that decorates the entrance. There
are pretty arched windows on either side of the door, large windows with
latticework at the tops. Window seats are fitted in the windows, so from the
outside you can see a reader ensconced in the pages of a novel, a steaming cup
of something hot tucked into a neat alcove within the window seat (don’t want
wet pages!). When you enter there is gentle music playing, no words just
instrumental that varies from gentle pipes, to classical piano, to meandering
drums with the occasional metallic chime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">You can choose to order something from the
counter – an array of delicious but simple foods, all gluten free. Food like
slow cooked risotto with chicken and leek, or potato gratin layered with cheese
and egg. Light and fresh salads with tart pickles. Duck fat roasted potato
wedges that crunch into soft fluffy goodness when you bite down. Mouth
puckering lemon tarts with rich almond and macadamia bases, or delicate
macaroons with pistachio fillings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Of course you can just pay for a pot of
tea. A simple price for one pot – or a slightly larger price for a bottomless
pot, with no requirement to buy food. Yes, you can sit there and write/read all
day long (if you have the time) while enjoying numerous pots of tea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Coffee, well that’s a specialty here in NZ.
I’m sure we could figure out a basic price for, maybe six coffees in a day?
Yeah, we’re addicts here ;p</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">There are a couple of companionable long
farm style tables, with long slab seats for those that want a little company.
Then there are the numerous large comfy armchairs scattered about, in ways that
allow you to feel in your own complete space, with pretty little tables tucked
beside and footstools if your armchair isn’t a lazy boy. Nothing matches, every
piece just adds to the country, heirloom, eclectic hominess of the space. Lamps
are dotted around the deliberately dim space, the dimness adding to the
cosiness. Every chair has a good light source, but in a way that it only lights
what you need. If you stare off into space no one really notices. Of course the
walls are entirely fitted with bookcases, stuffed full of well read books
you’re encouraged to read. The wifi is free as long as you buy something (even
the bottomless tea) and there are handy plug points and usb points all over the
place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Loud noise isn’t encouraged. This is one of
those spaces that attract those who just don’t really fit this reality
entirely, they’d rather live in the pages of a novel, or in creating new
worlds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">And best of all, there’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> a seat waiting, just for you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-42209536287586966412015-07-23T20:55:00.000+12:002015-07-23T20:55:13.104+12:00Wanting a new phone app addiction? Let me introduce you to VocabularyI’m always interested in learning new words, and quite enjoy reading the dictionary, but I’m really bad at remembering them. Frustrated with this, I had a hunt around for a tool that might help. I discovered Vocabulary. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR2yZ-ONDXSqLcNbPtt0tuHk98v_pQw8Jsob8PHQYiXZ4J09YLxrV0dkuAex-4vWa_MjCALcRwUTJV4HeSD4iaaDfMBIpj9-r7NIDyBMTpViQbXjrlO9Yu1VFbzeyGrh5zi_JJkNTAfCk/s1600/vocab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR2yZ-ONDXSqLcNbPtt0tuHk98v_pQw8Jsob8PHQYiXZ4J09YLxrV0dkuAex-4vWa_MjCALcRwUTJV4HeSD4iaaDfMBIpj9-r7NIDyBMTpViQbXjrlO9Yu1VFbzeyGrh5zi_JJkNTAfCk/s1600/vocab.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Look up a word. Learn it forever.</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Vocabulary.com is the quickest, easiest way to learn vocabulary. It combines the world’s smartest dictionary with an adaptive learning game that will have you mastering new words in no time.</h4>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORBVFqKSzKLus_4trrHcmCKFh6DlI43UQVcFY-v5hUcEQ0AQQaLzodx3ZDWyjTzgUvV_WMuieuEm7G1DBY51BSchMneZ4Td6BBLTb0yvjOHG5rnWv3RgkS_DZwgroc9Witt9oUiQEuaJD/s1600/vocab+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORBVFqKSzKLus_4trrHcmCKFh6DlI43UQVcFY-v5hUcEQ0AQQaLzodx3ZDWyjTzgUvV_WMuieuEm7G1DBY51BSchMneZ4Td6BBLTb0yvjOHG5rnWv3RgkS_DZwgroc9Witt9oUiQEuaJD/s640/vocab+2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It’s available on <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vocabulary.app" target="_blank">Android</a> AND <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vocabulary.com/id815218412?mt=8" target="_blank">Apple</a>, and via the google store cost me just $3.50 (nz). Holy heck this this application is addictive!<br />
It works like a game, challenging you to match a word to a meaning, to slot a word into a sentence, occasionally it smacks you with a ‘SPELL IT’ challenge, and all the while your personal award count goes up. You get awards for getting so many in a row right, you get awards when you ‘master’ a word, AND, even when you have mastered a word, they’ll still sneak it in occasionally to make sure you actually remember.<br />
I wish, so much, that I’d had this app at school!
If you’re looking to expand your vocabulary, test yourself, or if you suck at crosswords (*cough* me) and want something fun to do on the bus to and from work (when I’m not reading) this is it.<br />
<br />
<b><i>WARNING
You may find yourself tuning out all life around you as you attempt to navigate the next word. You may also find yourself screaming in fury at your phone when your stubby fingers accidentally hit the wrong answer. There are no do-overs in Vocabulary, just a cheerful ‘There you go, we knew you knew it!’ even while you swear and curse that you already knew it… *hee*</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1oX7XjvkZQrk_USSpd3NQAVCIr8cG9c8vRl33sU55324e4_JGaOKElaFoFJTPR0XQHiqe2jolAN6XzFhHEIYu_Bxtx9hUt6H_A2BMVGhxvtwQiCQ462G7a7RMQUesmaaUM2geXVSrAGI/s1600/writing+groove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1oX7XjvkZQrk_USSpd3NQAVCIr8cG9c8vRl33sU55324e4_JGaOKElaFoFJTPR0XQHiqe2jolAN6XzFhHEIYu_Bxtx9hUt6H_A2BMVGhxvtwQiCQ462G7a7RMQUesmaaUM2geXVSrAGI/s400/writing+groove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Writing woes</h3>
Not so much woes, just the realisation that in creating a story with many POV’s I have given myself the challenge of writing a book that is more like ten (or more – should count) stories entwined. This makes drafting a long process. I am wondering if I’ll have AfterBurn ready this year, and though the thought of not being able to really stresses me out, I want to get it right. So if it takes longer, it takes longer.
That said, occasionally I seem to stretch time and before I know it I have a draft. So who knows, only time will tell *grin* so far I’m at 80,000 words and counting. I think I’m about two thirds through the story, but with the varying lines I have to follow, I want to be careful not to miss anything. AfterBurn ties up everything so that I can proceed with the Voyager series without any lagging tales.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJpHoCx50TyRVKeVeIQ7_JTQgjCRNfyyXippOZWZ3bTCT6MzlaoTqZM6u8Vu3hbGQ2CXmGKj2TwCvhAP_fqC5pt2D0lvEZMpgd2r8GeKYr4bJslLY97mxFRyD1vjeNiRnGG25rBnD3JMx/s1600/kdp+select.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJpHoCx50TyRVKeVeIQ7_JTQgjCRNfyyXippOZWZ3bTCT6MzlaoTqZM6u8Vu3hbGQ2CXmGKj2TwCvhAP_fqC5pt2D0lvEZMpgd2r8GeKYr4bJslLY97mxFRyD1vjeNiRnGG25rBnD3JMx/s400/kdp+select.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Kindle Unlimited</h3>
I’m watching the numbers on my stats page with curiosity. I believe, at this stage, that this new version of pay per page should be far more profitable for me than the previous version. But with that said, I won’t consider making anything other than the book ‘sets’ available on Unlimited, simply because although 85% of my readers are from Amazon, I still cherish that other 15%. Amazon really would solve some issues if they dropped that exclusivity cause.<br />
<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-91220691501467818062015-06-23T19:48:00.000+12:002015-06-23T19:48:19.351+12:00Pay by the page – exciting or scary?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgLzOvcveOof8oYH_iJY6ES0kph6Ewh0Vt4tDrNhXDkZsEd9O5LIvf-zoFdJmkvqcvh2v6AWAgQC6IsdCKudUxyO7di2egsHak_nhixElMqjAQ9IG-hL1qLfs3AM9X3kCForIwoVE_cmw/s1600/pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgLzOvcveOof8oYH_iJY6ES0kph6Ewh0Vt4tDrNhXDkZsEd9O5LIvf-zoFdJmkvqcvh2v6AWAgQC6IsdCKudUxyO7di2egsHak_nhixElMqjAQ9IG-hL1qLfs3AM9X3kCForIwoVE_cmw/s1600/pages.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">As usual Amazon is tinkering away with
their creations. Currently KDP Select. Initially you got paid each time someone
picked out your book – whether or not they read/finished it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Now, from 1 July, your KDP earnings will be
based on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how many pages</i> a reader
completes. In theory this is to allow authors of full length novels to get an
appropriate payment when prior to this everyone got exactly the same, whether
you’d written a 10 page book or 1000.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">BUT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">If someone decides to grab your book and
only read a page then you will lose out where as prior you still would have
been paid the full amount. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Personally I think it’s a great idea,
however I do have to specify that I don’t rely on my writing income (still
moonlighting… *sigh* one day I’ll be fulltime!) so it isn’t going to majorly
effect me. It may not appeal to those writers who punch out a short story a
month just for KDP. Or it might, as long as they already have enough of a
catalogue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I do think it will be great for authors
(like me) who have their box-sets in KDP. But I wonder if people who have
compilation sets will benefit from it. Simply because I as a reader often only
read a single story from a compilation then set it aside for later. But I guess
as you can’t re-read a book on KDP, you have to buy it the second time around,
it might prove profitable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It’ll be very interesting to see how the
month of July goes for KDP writers! What are your thoughts?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-77818326220973389872015-05-24T19:36:00.000+12:002015-05-24T19:36:44.904+12:00Amazon KDP Select – why make it exclusive?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWLS-2_dbA_rJLCPbHBIESkH8NFZ7LTpX2U_dg6zB1VZPcOTh0gpIpyD2YMb-DYVWGQjVZsZ4ZAzBC1H3Nna94iTgYcORnjYaZfC6BGEpH6oFKcOjTHNG2q4VnV13fovKCL2QWZYhesY6/s1600/kdp+select.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWLS-2_dbA_rJLCPbHBIESkH8NFZ7LTpX2U_dg6zB1VZPcOTh0gpIpyD2YMb-DYVWGQjVZsZ4ZAzBC1H3Nna94iTgYcORnjYaZfC6BGEpH6oFKcOjTHNG2q4VnV13fovKCL2QWZYhesY6/s400/kdp+select.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I understand many authors curse Amazon’s
KDP select programme. I’m not one of them. But, I also don’t make a living off
my writing (yet! ;p) so for me, any sale is a good sale. When a book is ‘read’
by a reader that is part of the programme, I receive a small fee. It amounts to
about one dollar per read.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">For those that don’t know what I’m talking
about, Amazon KDP select is where you can sign up your books to be part of
Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited programme. Where Amazon clients can pay a nominal fee
to read as many books as they like. That said, they can only read a book once
on it, if they want to read it again they have to buy it. Still, for an avid
reader it’s a pretty awesome programme.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">To register your book as part of the plan
you have to have it sold exclusively at Amazon. And that’s the bit that seems
unnecessary to me. I think the programme would appeal SO much more to writers
if they could still make their works available to readers who use other
systems. I know Amazon wants to be the centre of the universe, but whether they
like it or not there will always be a number of other options.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Because of their strict rules regarding
this I only make my e-book set available on it, and each month I debate whether
or not it’s worth keeping it in. But I like that readers can just grab it,
almost like a library. It’s a service I think is such a good idea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It’s just this exclusion policy!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-91002293018385112192015-05-19T19:53:00.000+12:002015-05-19T19:53:36.131+12:00The simple pleasure that is Wattpad<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I know I’ve spoken about Wattpad before,
but I’m going to again. Mainly because Wattpad is one of my favourite places.
If you’re looking for a community of readers and writers with little to gain
from it other than the genuine pleasure gained from reading and writing, then
Wattpad is it. There are the usual forums and stuff, but I don’t get involved
in that. I just pop my work up - what I’m allowed to, be aware that if you use
KDP select like I do for my ebook set then you won’t be able to put all your
works up without violating KDP select rules. I can get away with having The
Arrival up in its entirety but that’s because it’s also available for free
everywhere. So if you have a free book, I’d suggest sharing it on Wattpad too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It’s a place where you get to genuinely
interact with readers – where they can comment on chapters, highlight
selections to share and message you privately or publically. Yes, like with
everything on the net there are always a percentage of trolls, but I find it
fairly small on Wattpad. Mainly (I think) because there’s little to gain from
it. Also, you can delete unhelpful/spiteful/unnecessary comments. Which puts
the control in the writer’s hands. I’ve found some fascinating pieces of
writing by authors on Wattpad and I know of writer friends who garner
inspiration and help from Wattpad buddies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It may not be to everyone’s taste, but if
you’re a newbie wanting to get feedback then I think Wattpad is a nice way to
start. Or, if like me you have a few novels out there, then it is another way
to reach readers. Wattpad is fairly teen – new adult (20’s) orientated but
other than erotica I think you could try a variety of genres out on it. It’s a
great way to get a feel for new topics that you’re testing the waters with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-57120013679806524422015-05-17T21:05:00.000+12:002015-05-17T21:05:53.316+12:00How to make a million dollars<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhMOW4GScxdaP7EHwFG3Cgp2AnhAbJMZ5shNITLw8JtEIlSXrTCgQnXZ-iiJqtT8LCtfCOKVf5hDSnuYJLW36ZBF7MF6yomGU3zBD6ZTQi03Ntco0zp4dpfmdcyvfOkhjWfy5xc4TU7Ue/s1600/million.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhMOW4GScxdaP7EHwFG3Cgp2AnhAbJMZ5shNITLw8JtEIlSXrTCgQnXZ-iiJqtT8LCtfCOKVf5hDSnuYJLW36ZBF7MF6yomGU3zBD6ZTQi03Ntco0zp4dpfmdcyvfOkhjWfy5xc4TU7Ue/s400/million.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I hate these types of headings. They are in
the same category as ‘how to lose ten pounds in two days’ or ‘How to work for
just two hours a day but earn BIG!’. It all comes down to that age old adage,
‘if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">We’ve had a few cases in the New Zealand
papers in the last few months of people falling for the same old scams. One man
was so convinced he tried to put a hold on bankruptcy proceedings (against him)
because he was going to receive a massive inheritance from a relative somewhere
in the UK (who he’d never heard of before he received the email.. requesting a
small fee to release the funds – naturally). Even when court officials and
police were trying to explain it was a scam.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I’ve seen it first hand too. I used to work
for a bank in their contact centre and had a call one day from a couple wanting
to know why their large deposit from an overseas account hadn’t come in yet. As
I got them to explain the full story my heart just sank. They’d received a
letter promising them winnings from a lottery (they didn’t even remember
entering it, fancy that!) if they could pay a small fee for ‘bank proceedings’.
After paying almost two thousand New Zealand dollars, as well as buying a fax
machine (remember those? ;p) so they could contact the lottery company easier,
they were patiently waiting for their winnings. Instead, I passed them onto the
Fraud team for the not so exciting news…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I’m finding the heading ‘how to make a
million dollars with e-books’ popping up more and more when I google various
things. Usually as those paid ads on the side of my search results. A little
investigation reveals the scam.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">You pay a fee to be sent a number of
“original” e-books and then YOU can publish them in YOUR name! Just slap a
cover on that puppy and you’re good to go. They also recommend putting several
of the series they provide you up as free e-books to attract more attention. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Guess which topics these “original” works
are usually about?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">‘How to lose weight fast’, ‘Why Gluten is
the enemy’, ‘How to turn your life around in ten days’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">All self help topics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">If you peruse the top 100 on Amazon you’re
almost guaranteed to spot one or two. They tend to sky rocket for a couple of
weeks then vanish as Amazon fields a mass of complaints when readers realise
they’ve been scammed after buying the same book from a different author the
week before. The offending books get pulled and the “author” banned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The short and skinny of how to make a
million dollars selling e-books?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Old fashioned hard work. If you’re lucky
someone of interest may spot you and point you out to everyone. Otherwise, just
old fashioned hard work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble *grin*</span></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-28906456102368068502015-04-19T12:44:00.000+12:002015-04-19T12:44:35.950+12:00Countdown special! Available NOW the BirthRight Trilogy complete set for just .99cGrab it while it's hot! I've popped the BirthRight Trilogy ebook set on a countdown special. For five days only it is available at the crazy price of .99c. That's a saving of $4.00! If you've been meaning to recommend it to a friend or someone you know, now would be the perfect time. Just an FYI, this is a Kindle (Amazon) only special - but remember you can download the kindle app for free for your computer/phone/tablet etc.<br />
<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-BirthRight-Trilogy-Boxed-Set-ebook/dp/B00PJSPW56/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0K4JJTK1GZ8BZYAW3WJ7" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/The-BirthRight-Trilogy-Boxed-Set-ebook/dp/B00PJSPW56/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0K4JJTK1GZ8BZYAW3WJ7" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtX3NCPDsXA-HcM-vMvZKhzcgk5I6EceeZ3L8kggKUuTeyHYzTodTYPukXI-N7eKVkpLMppCPJOT6AXj-VlUNVO81PHhepJEqKL__DUaluJ6ypVjxixNxfsb3eB_T1wrCAnLsMirvMsfJ3/s1600/omni-99c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have a great weekend everyone! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-13504378213345181432015-04-10T23:20:00.000+12:002015-04-10T23:20:26.218+12:00I’m back!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">If you follow my facebook page you’ll
already know this, but not everyone does *grin*. We arrived back at 12.15am the
Monday before Easter, having survived two long days of travelling combined with
funny tummies and stack-loads of hyper children on our night flight from
Singapore to Brisbane.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAGumPa8s8iGbzw3KdlZtYfrQVQ39XwIaRxDtSkuVuS8v2P_jO_UMiIK_LosoBa7qlges_HaFVfiScAuHgCCBLrTnGx_mmro3JIsK_ZEnr9WNakE5fLII5jOPwd1pu7Xl_as124WKN2Ji/s1600/close+up+pair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAGumPa8s8iGbzw3KdlZtYfrQVQ39XwIaRxDtSkuVuS8v2P_jO_UMiIK_LosoBa7qlges_HaFVfiScAuHgCCBLrTnGx_mmro3JIsK_ZEnr9WNakE5fLII5jOPwd1pu7Xl_as124WKN2Ji/s1600/close+up+pair.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The trip was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">After been worried it might not even happen
it felt positively dreamlike to step out of the doors of Changi Airport into
the steamy, heavy heat of Singapore. We stared at each other in astonishment at
what felt like such a strange sensation, as if we’d just stepped into a
steam-room in a spa and shut the door tight. I didn’t find it oppressive, like
many people warned we might, and my hair didn’t go haywire. But as it’s
entirely white now it tends to buck the norm, the wiry texture handles
anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">We grabbed a cab and zoomed off to our hotel,
both of us staring out the windows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Singapore is a living city, like nothing I
could have imagined. There is the constant sound of building and the
skyscrapers are all SO high! But what made us both gape was the amount of
greenery. Everywhere possible, and in many places I wouldn’t have thought
possible, they had plants growing! Even full size palm trees twenty stories up
a building.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0prfPM2YnL5XAoaFGBmtdPL9NXajCFC2EdvC98QBmIp9L23bGjc-7kHpfZ1ND39WVkrj7GpA8sQdDhhyphenhyphenOTSu6VJPxxpawIblngFE8qFIQT_g_ySaG-w4BGbv9cKp-N4pV8-w9yTxvBwD/s1600/Close+up+palm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0prfPM2YnL5XAoaFGBmtdPL9NXajCFC2EdvC98QBmIp9L23bGjc-7kHpfZ1ND39WVkrj7GpA8sQdDhhyphenhyphenOTSu6VJPxxpawIblngFE8qFIQT_g_ySaG-w4BGbv9cKp-N4pV8-w9yTxvBwD/s1600/Close+up+palm.jpg" height="400" width="369" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ">(those are real palms!!) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">We’d booked into the Holiday Inn Atrium, as
it was as close as we could get to where our friends (the bride and groom to
be) were staying. It was cheaper and only rated three stars so we weren’t
expecting anything too flash.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Nc6F0pErJGwjd-W67sgMMCHp5wAR8zVKC4ZZW6qkIXhKI2vcKGmDHnxcZAvNrcZp00KHKbrhiYZUBT9DpqDrVc8JZz8sXxbNGeLaonZ9AqAur5nhTKRgk0zD5-DMkp8WDbbCkGBdXQrZ/s1600/P1000332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Nc6F0pErJGwjd-W67sgMMCHp5wAR8zVKC4ZZW6qkIXhKI2vcKGmDHnxcZAvNrcZp00KHKbrhiYZUBT9DpqDrVc8JZz8sXxbNGeLaonZ9AqAur5nhTKRgk0zD5-DMkp8WDbbCkGBdXQrZ/s1600/P1000332.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (looking up in our hotel lobby)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Holy wow were we wrong!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The hotel was gorgeous and the staff went
out of their way to be helpful. We loved staying there and I’d stay there
again. The only downside was the bizarrely enormous kingside bed that felt like
you were sleeping on a thin foam mattress over solid wood. Just a tad hard ;p
and so big we could both stretch out spread eagle and barely touch hands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">That said, we were so busy during our week
in Singapore we barely saw our room. Even though Singapore hours are fairly
late (everything opens between 10-11am and closes between 7-9pm) we were up by
7am each day and off. We discovered a Hawkers market just five minutes down the
road and that’s where we ate breakfast most days. Hawkers markets are
fantastically cheap and the food is just amazing. For Glenn and I to enjoy a
good hearty breakfast with some freshly made juices on the side it would cost
between $9 and $12 dollars for both of us! We quickly found our favourites, the
crispy edged pork, delicious fried rice and vegetables and of course, fried
carrot cake. Which curiously enough doesn’t actually contain carrot but instead
a white radish.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ4U9xltGvjqApaKjv8DUnmdigivQFNPxH8Ii0XNKtdCFgPAATxk3K-ipS7Xk8cVfolglkrcajIFiwYy9eZPsz9U3-dLMU9hbl8zNVR0iSpM1aIDgPSAHBUVFTReCn79EtzGJ9DA4b7t_/s1600/fried+carrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ4U9xltGvjqApaKjv8DUnmdigivQFNPxH8Ii0XNKtdCFgPAATxk3K-ipS7Xk8cVfolglkrcajIFiwYy9eZPsz9U3-dLMU9hbl8zNVR0iSpM1aIDgPSAHBUVFTReCn79EtzGJ9DA4b7t_/s1600/fried+carrot.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (fried carrot cake with prawns)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The coffee I only discovered the day before
we left for Langkawi (*sob*). It is YUM! They create it like filter coffee in
tall, tall metal jugs with long skinny spouts. Once it has dripped through they
pour it briskly from one jug to another, back and forth, till it becomes
frothy. Then a generous spoon of sweetened condensed milk is plopped into a
mug, the steaming frothy coffee poured over it and then boiling water to top it
up. Utterly delicious.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJaC5xUUH9eOk2VGAhHZS2-eqBjESLKZ7tRb7HM5en6G52HoJwf5X_0D3KcwTFlb5Y6IogHR-agUQBJDaWPwmIhqP-Cy30jdq59gSGmc9BC3GqF_YrBmNc0euCuo1TQ-GdwlR9Oig669k/s1600/two+conservatories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJaC5xUUH9eOk2VGAhHZS2-eqBjESLKZ7tRb7HM5en6G52HoJwf5X_0D3KcwTFlb5Y6IogHR-agUQBJDaWPwmIhqP-Cy30jdq59gSGmc9BC3GqF_YrBmNc0euCuo1TQ-GdwlR9Oig669k/s1600/two+conservatories.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (the two glasshouses)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">During the days we explored the city and
visited some tourist spots. Garden by the Bays is awe inspiring with its two
enormous conservatories, one housing a mountain of orchards with a dramatic
waterfall and the other showcasing gardens from around the world. Then it was
outdoors to the stylised treetop walk.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3DQK2hT2DqtefpOOS6H4p_nsAojTUHWxf_W1mRmkluzrmPTgrn7wQr_1tRMX4uCvoCjTkQG60LBlbBzKQxxQhGFTSEe-T1SpLOLNmX0KI_WbqaPF3FmaSZAJNbwj13rIkPWbRS6PmTwZ/s1600/close+up+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3DQK2hT2DqtefpOOS6H4p_nsAojTUHWxf_W1mRmkluzrmPTgrn7wQr_1tRMX4uCvoCjTkQG60LBlbBzKQxxQhGFTSEe-T1SpLOLNmX0KI_WbqaPF3FmaSZAJNbwj13rIkPWbRS6PmTwZ/s1600/close+up+falls.jpg" height="400" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (Glenn in front of the falls)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE5xw5usiZ_t273pLOWDda0ktsU0WX-ODhQ6vXHAJystcPAs7kAtrowpOz_YCbwPrRPOlRCIdx_cboiEWkb8_4woGqORxpA-y3KAmYooTYidIKaMWgvK7s1S11xpRM01UeW89bY9qIklH/s1600/mountain+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE5xw5usiZ_t273pLOWDda0ktsU0WX-ODhQ6vXHAJystcPAs7kAtrowpOz_YCbwPrRPOlRCIdx_cboiEWkb8_4woGqORxpA-y3KAmYooTYidIKaMWgvK7s1S11xpRM01UeW89bY9qIklH/s1600/mountain+view.jpg" height="400" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ">(the other side of the 'mountain')</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">We tried out the Singapore flyer (ferris
wheel) which goes so slowly that from a distance I was certain it wasn’t
running. It did provide fantastic views but made us regret not going up to the
top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Still, if we’d gone up it we wouldn’t have
such fantastic photos of it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixJ63966qU0QyC8s2y4P-EPlPlmnipnsA17c88TzVbi9qEvzlNBUQjQYKUqk1Jx2QbIEy9PayHX_o9DHp4-HlRagIdldaai3fdRzDEyNu38K2sl4qbyrq74irJieFIWigs075PCsLEe8Z/s1600/flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixJ63966qU0QyC8s2y4P-EPlPlmnipnsA17c88TzVbi9qEvzlNBUQjQYKUqk1Jx2QbIEy9PayHX_o9DHp4-HlRagIdldaai3fdRzDEyNu38K2sl4qbyrq74irJieFIWigs075PCsLEe8Z/s1600/flyer.jpg" height="400" width="386" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Singapore Flyer)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXohGVJ8q2vVUoUbshDY9jJRbhZqjvqzh7ov23FRpXT1N4zgGbWO8sQKuRWlYPZ2hslWnvJP-7ho0_OJp_i2p11vCIdePQ8-9Tx9FmukCI6JnIUrSwGWV2lXz3OB3Ha1KQtGlZIumpW7I/s1600/marina+bay+sands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXohGVJ8q2vVUoUbshDY9jJRbhZqjvqzh7ov23FRpXT1N4zgGbWO8sQKuRWlYPZ2hslWnvJP-7ho0_OJp_i2p11vCIdePQ8-9Tx9FmukCI6JnIUrSwGWV2lXz3OB3Ha1KQtGlZIumpW7I/s1600/marina+bay+sands.jpg" height="400" width="362" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (Marina Bay Sands hotel)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Beneath the hotel is a mall (there are
malls EVERYWHERE in Singapore!) with such expensive items that the shop doors
are kept shut. If you want to enter you indicate to the person standing on duty
(wearing gloves) on the inside. It was bizarre but fascinating! We saw watches
worth more than our house and watched a gondola glide along the shallow canal
on the bottom floor.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX2QS6uZYhRRqZASKTSoM-AXsyvqJCw_lbsChgy1reiUydVhRTbjan-F0bIXzV7JUp1W6jJytd7Q-UmH_r56a-b8Y92UEa_9-yCttPGeI68kTJCTkt8ResE00fRrkEXy2y42oFAPD2dzn/s1600/chinatown1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX2QS6uZYhRRqZASKTSoM-AXsyvqJCw_lbsChgy1reiUydVhRTbjan-F0bIXzV7JUp1W6jJytd7Q-UmH_r56a-b8Y92UEa_9-yCttPGeI68kTJCTkt8ResE00fRrkEXy2y42oFAPD2dzn/s1600/chinatown1.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (Chinatown stall)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">China Town was exciting to visit, full of
noise, colours, and fantastic smells. We bought a bunch of gifts for people
there then spent hours wandering about. It was fun to get past the really
touristy areas into the darker and gritty areas. I discovered bubble tea in
China town, a cold tea drink with pearls of tapioca in the bottom and floating
agar agar jelly. I loved it (Glenn found the texture off-putting so stuck to
the pearl free drinks) and bought it everywhere I could.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitns5AJrj5zEfiEDjllnWz4A17mDI_7S2N95G_ogg85-yJzjbe_cICIaD5G4Dl_11PMQ0wNnpFcP7k_gpqB0JabyOqaiYS5fwol0YvFK0VI-LIbh8iJwG-dzbo4UrPdf_As4kCq4NdTht/s1600/milk+tea'.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitns5AJrj5zEfiEDjllnWz4A17mDI_7S2N95G_ogg85-yJzjbe_cICIaD5G4Dl_11PMQ0wNnpFcP7k_gpqB0JabyOqaiYS5fwol0YvFK0VI-LIbh8iJwG-dzbo4UrPdf_As4kCq4NdTht/s1600/milk+tea'.jpg" height="343" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (bubble tea)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Universal studios was a fun day out and our
last ride was the Jurassic Park river ride. We rode it with our friends and somehow
they stayed dry while both Glenn and I got soaked through *lol*.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvh0HZzwFrlCZ6kl-DogGIovt98J_xwRfzCLEJjb5oex1AGL70dUCFpFSs_sBlDe0cwMxSdljmWLuiJQ_pggxawFaddMv6reCTnxG9cRDobdSbILzgylhFZFmbgNoZcVn1sa2UU41tJU69/s1600/soaked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvh0HZzwFrlCZ6kl-DogGIovt98J_xwRfzCLEJjb5oex1AGL70dUCFpFSs_sBlDe0cwMxSdljmWLuiJQ_pggxawFaddMv6reCTnxG9cRDobdSbILzgylhFZFmbgNoZcVn1sa2UU41tJU69/s1600/soaked.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(both soaked through to the skin... oops)<span lang="EN-NZ"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The week in Singapore felt long, we
managed to cram heaps in. Then it was off to Langkawi, a little island that’s
part of Malaysia, for a week of relaxing and of course, the wedding! And before
anyone asks, no we didn’t elope ;p</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfgdKWtaHhfxUqalK9DHxDw1ljxOu7lx8beSYTTWKIOwFRbLrB1Y-hcyCVPUl9NXc5ijzEq-5dmF0SKIV6buFYQhvhHl-f89m37NoOW3jcEPb6HronI4pIygg8pPhbI-3_aEXxcm6W9c7/s1600/Langkawi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfgdKWtaHhfxUqalK9DHxDw1ljxOu7lx8beSYTTWKIOwFRbLrB1Y-hcyCVPUl9NXc5ijzEq-5dmF0SKIV6buFYQhvhHl-f89m37NoOW3jcEPb6HronI4pIygg8pPhbI-3_aEXxcm6W9c7/s1600/Langkawi.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ">(hello pool bar!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The resort in Langkawi was four stars and
fabulous. With the best buffet breakfast ever (and included in the special
price we got – WOO!) and, finally, a gorgeously soft bed! I actually had to
succumb to a nana nap on the first day. We saw monkeys on the first day, a
large family moving about and then not again for three days which left everyone
teasing us, saying we’d made it up (note to self, the best camera is the one
you HAVE…). But we showed them later on *grin*</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn73YDc0XOfnoqnIXqMh27vi1LRdpURrzc4965Meh2xqaAa4Asw3gqjZRYTTUno41gsBEQkd2s5oqMiLaLwUlmjSkC7gBhWi-C3Eb1z3azv7W7SMdxwCqQ7ouWoNnVsnXoBm9kndfKLgd/s1600/hello+monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn73YDc0XOfnoqnIXqMh27vi1LRdpURrzc4965Meh2xqaAa4Asw3gqjZRYTTUno41gsBEQkd2s5oqMiLaLwUlmjSkC7gBhWi-C3Eb1z3azv7W7SMdxwCqQ7ouWoNnVsnXoBm9kndfKLgd/s1600/hello+monkey.jpg" height="320" width="294" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(hello monkey!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"></span><span lang="EN-NZ">The resort was perfect for relaxing at,
with four swimming pools and a poolside bar in the infinity pool. We did a
couple of day trips into town for some more shopping and then it was the
wedding! It was funny when it finally arrived, realising this was reason we’d
actually come. The weather was perfect and the rain very politely held off till
the beach side reception was done. Then in true island style it hosed down
accompanied by thunder and lightning. The wedding itself was held at the end of
the pier and was just beautiful. Not surprisingly it was a very late night that
day!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqz4vu2Qxzyd7uDuSeGjJRX6IHbRuzpssZX9vrsTtAEuEXCAsASx8Bsts_FVNSBLpNkBdQMdn2X2i6tCqxe_7_fvyI-yIxrHAa7MS-y6QQBMRFUfelvBzGLQz-mOplcX2R22gtmb4XqAR/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqz4vu2Qxzyd7uDuSeGjJRX6IHbRuzpssZX9vrsTtAEuEXCAsASx8Bsts_FVNSBLpNkBdQMdn2X2i6tCqxe_7_fvyI-yIxrHAa7MS-y6QQBMRFUfelvBzGLQz-mOplcX2R22gtmb4XqAR/s1600/wedding.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">After that it was some more resting time at
the resort then off to the cable car. Which just happens to be the steepest
cable car in the Southern Hemisphere. I’m not the best with heights but was
fairly confident I’d be fine. Then there was a whole heap of deep breathing as
this thing just went higher and higher! It was amazing to do but I don’t know
if I’d be brave enough to do it again. Especially as coming down felt even freakier.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX5vme8eYC4IlG4JFbR1Ismw6ElFTk-Vre5t1pB2uiuQ0QZ0qO5oOdWiaCxEBDT1lk82vNsF_s0YqFh6iVNEp6_evWXGWo_a5wk0qfV2h_jkwSrG0PTE6dR5nqgnpLJ9M95kHRPzDjoLK/s1600/cable+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX5vme8eYC4IlG4JFbR1Ismw6ElFTk-Vre5t1pB2uiuQ0QZ0qO5oOdWiaCxEBDT1lk82vNsF_s0YqFh6iVNEp6_evWXGWo_a5wk0qfV2h_jkwSrG0PTE6dR5nqgnpLJ9M95kHRPzDjoLK/s1600/cable+car.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> (totally not freaking out.. hence Glenn's amused expression ;p)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Getting home to Wellington and its 15-20°c
temperatures after the steamy hot 30-40°c days we’d quickly adjusted to was a
wee bit of a shock *lol* and possibly why I’m still shaking off a cold I woke
up with last week.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It is fabulous to be home and though it may
take us a while to pay back everything, I’m so so glad we did it. Getting to
see our friends married and getting to experience such different ways of life
has been so inspiring. Now I have no reason not to get stuck into the draft.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Hoping you are all well!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-56847913030368015632015-03-13T19:06:00.000+13:002015-03-13T19:06:54.003+13:00A timely break<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8n5bpWDm79vJSfZNOM6jNcW8nGpvPx6aMoZzWn8wh5jpKiIIuR14oUkXbposp5Pn7Hn1KNGTlGT90EKCohU81LXRqnWjxJDRZni5QjUwYrB9T7JjhJOHk8TS9zM8HfNi_tgpM29pphAL/s1600/cloud-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8n5bpWDm79vJSfZNOM6jNcW8nGpvPx6aMoZzWn8wh5jpKiIIuR14oUkXbposp5Pn7Hn1KNGTlGT90EKCohU81LXRqnWjxJDRZni5QjUwYrB9T7JjhJOHk8TS9zM8HfNi_tgpM29pphAL/s1600/cloud-forest.jpg" height="395" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I will be AWOL for a few weeks as we’re off
to Singapore! A friend is getting married (and we agreed to this before we
bought the house… the wailing you can hear is from a rather depleted bank
balance ;p) so we are going to be there to watch this momentous event take
place!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">And no, we’re not eloping *grin*.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">This is the first three week holiday we’ve
had since … since .. actually we’ve NEVER taken a three week holiday before! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The plan is a week in Singapore and then a
week in Langkawi where the wedding will take place. Up until now I’ve been so
focused on scraping together the cash for this adventure that I’d pretty much
not thought about it. Seriously – at all! So the last few days have been this
weird bubble of utter disbelief – holy wow! We’re going to Singapore (shut-up
voice in my head that keeps prattling on about ‘Singapore = heat pump + shed +
window’). We did agree to the trip a good few months before buying the house…
And the bonus is the strict IBS diet my fiancé has to adhere to makes shopping
quite cheap (except for gluten free bread – HOLY BEJESUS that stuff is
EXPENSIVE!) so we literally can live off rice when we get back *lol*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">This weekend is going to be a crazy mess of
packing, hennaing my hair, checking and double checking everything (yes, this
is our first ‘big’ trip – how’d you guess ;p) and noting down everything to
tell my parents who are housesitting and looking after their grand-furbabies.
Sable is going to LOVE it as dad is an utter sook with her. She humours mum who
pats dogs on the head like a two year old learning to pat – that weird straight
up and down almost but not almost touching pat. Griffin (cat) usually flees at
the sight of strangers but in that idiocentric cat manner will appear magically
when my parents arrive. It still perplexes us but at least we know she’ll be
there demanding food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">When we get back we have another week at
home. I’m almost as excited about that – not so much the week, but the coming
back to our own home. It’s not in anyway a flash place but it’s perfectly
imperfect to us. And most importantly – ours! I thought I’d get over that
novelty, but after twelve years of flatting I just adore getting off the bus
after a long day’s work and walking down our street to our home *bliss*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I’m hoping to make use of the eight hour
flight from Brisbane to Singapore by writing, as well as some reading for
research (currently The Devil in the White City – intriguing!).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I am leaving Lisa in charge of my facebook
page for the Trilogy and she’s going to be awarding some sneak peeks to readers
via a competition of her own design. These are sneak peeks of the current
AfterBurn draft so keep your eyes open for that! I will pop on the page when I
can – hopefully to share some gorgeous pictures *grin*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Stay safe everyone and I can’t wait to tell
you all about it when we get back!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-76254367720594658092015-02-28T21:23:00.000+13:002015-02-28T21:30:59.350+13:00Indie reads I loved: Introducing Starcrossed Perigee by Tracey Lee Campbell<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<center>
<span lang="EN-US">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starcrossed-Perigee-paranormal-romance-trilogy-ebook/dp/B004XJ4USC" target="_blank"><img alt="www.amazon.com/Starcrossed-Perigee-paranormal-romance-trilogy-ebook/dp/B004XJ4USC" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt9JaKHuad8-q-q7jbTyjDUjknIMZMHvQ1jsDwv0Cgy7cI_47f5V_s6CYyiqAbBK1sa0H9ECGNXKtLAftFls_nirAoZN8ooI2McU-5blowEVXvvtfuusdIdvr_R5OF08uiEoSsaOeiHU-/s1600/Amazon+favicon.png" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starcrossed-tracey-lee-campbell/1101703688?ean=2940011284373" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starcrossed-tracey-lee-campbell/1101703688?ean=2940011284373" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTNk-2zNDkI7x2U-uSGGHxCGHNZ3qLP2OZscQ0_2fL1lHtIfM73PckcaPx_w3Ynz-rBDaTWZ8NNER06uX0HQqKFay3eNcaycAyUqMtwfUBe-hVdhnDx82W2omN6NR0gaCF82Hp665UPk8/s1600/Barnes+and+Noble+favicon.png" /></a><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56367" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56367" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaTk2Iz4ymKA3myEUNS8_dioSK5j9LCnmZbQ92HmbixIMnlzTDMA8GHE7_1rWZ6kuKGPteQDD1LESur3tMJmks1Vj3No5CMdCLOF13atTNZy4cGxj2AG1IX67fiGWdVJvH5Khx2szHUz0/s1600/Smashwords+favicon.png" /></a><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/starcrossed-perigee/id438025316?mt=11" target="_blank"><img alt="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/starcrossed-perigee/id438025316?mt=11" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9dEqpE1LusVq43ACmHoq2Q-XncYo5NpKCh9WtaN2SkMophMQw_xuFEqHm0lVq-Mec4_zOYhMoCEz3PBlyRHp4slTg7Glay5qv9MHwdCL_JFfbRBwMTtC6HrK9w8TkCONE5PKriG4c53k/s1600/iTunes+favicon.png" /></a></span></center>
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">Blurb:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Aric Brennan is a whisperer - a perfectly
engineered human/alien hybrid, designed specifically to charm and seduce. When
Lucy is stalked by his unearthly creators, she has no choice but to trust him
to help her navigate a way through a horrifying reality - a reality filled with
creatures which should really only exist in nightmares.<br />
<br />
"...His face drew nearer, and I caught my breath at the closeness of such
an impossibly perfect person. Despite every instinct which told me I was in
danger, I couldn’t help but stare back at him, and be pulled into the spell he
was weaving. The panic receded as I looked into his eyes and listened to the
hypnotic timbre of his voice. The room filled with a strange buzz which
permeated my body, vibrating and pulsing through every part of me. I didn’t
care - I was still listening to his voice. Paralysis overtook me, but I had no
will to fight it. The creatures moved closer and he backed away...”<br />
<br />
"Star-crossed - a pair of lovers whose relationship, ordained by the
stars, is thwarted by outside forces."<br />
<br />
"There are many things in this world, Lucy, that are not what they seem.
Humans go about their business with their heads in the sand. They have no idea
what's really going on."<br />
<br />
After surviving a peculiar and unsettled childhood, Lucy Doyle's relatively
normal teenage existence is turned upside down with the arrival of the
enigmatic, impossibly good looking Aric Brennan - her uncle's new ranch hand.
Lucy's suspicion that there's something 'different' about Aric is confirmed when
she learns that his uncanny ability to mind read and charm the socks off of any
female isn't just an accident - he was bred for this purpose. Aric is a
'whisperer' - a genetically manipulated human hybrid created by the Innaki - an
alien race involved in a sinister abduction program.<br />
<br />
When Lucy is stalked by Aric's unearthly creators, she must put her trust in
the charismatic, 'perfect' stranger, unaware he holds a chilling secret which
could destroy her world forever.<br />
<br />
If you're into X File type aliens and ufos, vampiric creatures, weird powers,
romance and fast paced adventure, then Starcrossed: Book 1 Perigee, by Tracey
Lee Campbell is a must read!<br />
<br />
"What girl wouldn't wish for the perfect guy? Unfortunately for Lucy, he
was created that way for a reason..."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>You can watch the book trailer for the book here<span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<center>
<span lang="EN-US">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWl8hhjwN5I" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWl8hhjwN5I" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TjGhKzt7OfePHLrVkHHnqxdFy1bO3w4QZ4Elsrd1y_-q94gtNtEgbXDNINO-WgwXfdxEENI3wheKWKVilLPlSFmah5Pq7ZvzWMMzJtmenRvrWM4x7TL80CIS_QZEmCzaC5atEvFzVHDx/s1600/Youtube+png.png" /></a></span></center>
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">My thoughts:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">While this book does fit the genre of
Paranormal Romance, it also fits Science Fiction and Action. It’s an easy start
as you meet Lucy, the main protagonist and then Aric, her love interest. There
are strong hints as to what’s going on before BAM it’s ALL going on! This book
is one that you want to devote a whole Sunday too (preferably rainy) because it
deserves to be read in one sitting. I loved this book (clearly – else it
wouldn’t have made my list!) and I’m delighted it’s going to continue. When I
read it, it wasn’t advertised as a trilogy at that stage. Tracey (the author)
did a fantastic believable job in creating an alien species that hides right
beneath our noses. Enough to make you double look certain things in life once
you’ve read it *lol*. Age wise this is appealing from YA up without the usual
trappings of YA that irritate the hell out of me. This is one of the books on
my re-read list for our holiday coming up soon (two week countdown! *squee*)
and I’m SO looking forward to it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I asked Tracey if she’d be interested in
writing a piece about the inspiration behind this book and the creating of it.
She very nicely obliged (thanks Trace!). Check it out below.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU"><b>Tracey:</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">A piece of writing advice which pops up
often is the simple recommendation to 'write what you like'. I fear in
admitting I 'wrote what I like' I'm going to out myself as a weirdo (I prefer
the term 'quirky'!) when I explain how I became interested in my book's subject
matter in the first place...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Starcrossed: Perigee is a young adult
romance novel based on the popular modern day alien/UFO culture. Think X-Files,
grey aliens, abductions, military intervention, mind control - all that cool,
weird stuff - I'm utterly fascinated by it. According to a media poll by Larry
King, 86% answered 'yes' to the question 'do you believe in extraterrestrial
life?'. Nowadays a good portion of the public also admit to seeing a UFO (despite
the risk of attracting and suffering the ridicule stigma) and I am one of them.
When I was a kid I saw a typical saucer shaped UFO hovering over a factory,
which was strange in itself, but even stranger because my mum, who was driving
at the time, swears she didn't see it at all. I'd bring it up occasionally over
the years, but I only had a passing interest. In 2005 I woke up one morning
with a clear memory from the night before of two typical grey aliens standing
beside my bed. They were bathed in a blue light and one was bent over peering
down at my face. It was just a tableau I remembered and I suppose it could have
been a dream, but it was different somehow - it was more 'real' than a dream. I
immediately got on the internet and began to research, and boy, did I open a
can of worms. The preponderance of evidence for extraterrestrial visitation is
remarkable and convincing if one only takes the time to set aside preconceived
notions and investigate the topic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">So that's how I came to decide on the topic
for Starcrossed: Perigee - I 'wrote what I liked'. I started with a number of
questions - who are these creatures and where do they come from? What is their
agenda? How do they control their victims? What is the government or military's
role in all this? Then I pondered moral/ethical/sociological implications, the
question marks such a scenario would leave over our world view, our history,
our religions, our relationships with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything
</i>in the world and universe around us<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i>
Finally, and most importantly because it is a love story, I wondered how this
alien abduction scenario would affect my protagonist Lucy - would she be a
victim or a fighter? How would she feel when she found out her beloved Aric was
really a genetically engineered 'perfect' man who'd assisted in the alien's agenda?
How did Aric feel about what he was made to do? Lots of questions, and they're
not all answered yet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still
slogging through the writing of book two in the series, called "Dark
Matter".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">I enjoy writing about Lucy's scary world,
all the more so because there just might be a bit of truth in it all! </span></div>
<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-24560702083849521342015-02-25T20:57:00.000+13:002015-02-25T20:57:33.058+13:00Being the odd one out<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLne9b0s09liE5PFfJ_k-jsd-glyI4JeBNBZFw6zDc6kcHeOoDtpiRCIpn5C_BR-_z3Y1UxkrPeingRJgNoiMoJ8H9pj7IOLwWY_s_wmIL1FFYnHsuyo6xxrv2NC0ZuAM3m4Ardwp13Bu/s1600/odd-one-out-group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLne9b0s09liE5PFfJ_k-jsd-glyI4JeBNBZFw6zDc6kcHeOoDtpiRCIpn5C_BR-_z3Y1UxkrPeingRJgNoiMoJ8H9pj7IOLwWY_s_wmIL1FFYnHsuyo6xxrv2NC0ZuAM3m4Ardwp13Bu/s1600/odd-one-out-group.jpg" height="459" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I read about the wee six year old Glenn
(name spelt the same as my Glenn, so I like him already) who had all the
invitees to his birthday pull a no-show. The parents of those invitees didn’t
even have the decency to RSVP an excuse! The majority of comments on the
articles about this show disgust and disappointment at such thoughtless
actions. But there are a number of commentators defending those who didn’t
attend because ‘the kid must have been weird or something’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Little Glenn has autism. Not so severe that
he can’t attend normal school though. Basically, Glenn is a little different
like so many of us out there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">When I was fifteen/sixteen I had a
sleepover at my home. A number of girls came. All of us were the ‘odd-ones-out’
at school, some of us odder than others but hey, it was about having a fun
evening. And we did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Being the odd one out can suck. But you’re
never the only one. The most interesting people in my life are those that are
the odd ones out. They are the people who dare to think differently because
they’ve realised that they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i>
different. And different is awesome ;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Dare to be the odd one out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-4391639339870832812015-02-12T20:57:00.001+13:002015-02-12T20:58:44.296+13:00Indie reads I loved: Introducing What I didn’t Say, by Keary Taylor<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKvsH_naNlio_BkTP0Sr6ZdPy9icd5gQ9Snk3u7C6Ru1OVXI2vZdaHykyFxjqvyEzfdjKuy3FKmZFzCttf6gNNG2keCzUpR6Dic99jmOcbAdfJnO32TwYMVAWVVOeL20J8-q4A6N3T8nj/s1600/What+I+didn't+say.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKvsH_naNlio_BkTP0Sr6ZdPy9icd5gQ9Snk3u7C6Ru1OVXI2vZdaHykyFxjqvyEzfdjKuy3FKmZFzCttf6gNNG2keCzUpR6Dic99jmOcbAdfJnO32TwYMVAWVVOeL20J8-q4A6N3T8nj/s1600/What+I+didn't%2Bsay.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">Blurb:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Getting drunk homecoming night your senior
year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a
car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat. <br />
<br />
His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been
in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too
late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again. <br />
<br />
When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to
learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited
to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching
out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha,
she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that
could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her
what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">My thoughts:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">This is such a simple yet complex story, it
sucks you in swiftly. Every page feels heartfelt and for me it really hit a
cord. I tend to avoid contemporary fiction, it’s often not my thing, but this
book caught me hook line and sinker. It’s written with a beautiful subtlety
that allows the characters to glow and I loved the innocence of the story. It’s
a believable YA novel that doesn’t rely on the usual tricks. This is a novel
I’d recommend for my friends with teenage daughters, it has a perfect mix of
family/strife/joy/love/laughter without any unnecessary additions that often
turn me off the current YA works. It’s a book you’ll re-read once a year and
happily recommend to others ;)</span><br />
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<center>
<span lang="EN-NZ"><span lang="EN-US">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Didnt-Say-Keary-Taylor-ebook/dp/B008177HVE" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/What-Didnt-Say-Keary-Taylor-ebook/dp/B008177HVE" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt9JaKHuad8-q-q7jbTyjDUjknIMZMHvQ1jsDwv0Cgy7cI_47f5V_s6CYyiqAbBK1sa0H9ECGNXKtLAftFls_nirAoZN8ooI2McU-5blowEVXvvtfuusdIdvr_R5OF08uiEoSsaOeiHU-/s1600/Amazon+favicon.png" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-i-didnt-say-keary-taylor/1110569223?ean=9781475156454" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-i-didnt-say-keary-taylor/1110569223?ean=9781475156454" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTNk-2zNDkI7x2U-uSGGHxCGHNZ3qLP2OZscQ0_2fL1lHtIfM73PckcaPx_w3Ynz-rBDaTWZ8NNER06uX0HQqKFay3eNcaycAyUqMtwfUBe-hVdhnDx82W2omN6NR0gaCF82Hp665UPk8/s1600/Barnes+and+Noble+favicon.png" /></a><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/what-i-didnt-say/id680258003?mt=11" target="_blank"><img alt="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/what-i-didnt-say/id680258003?mt=11" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9dEqpE1LusVq43ACmHoq2Q-XncYo5NpKCh9WtaN2SkMophMQw_xuFEqHm0lVq-Mec4_zOYhMoCEz3PBlyRHp4slTg7Glay5qv9MHwdCL_JFfbRBwMTtC6HrK9w8TkCONE5PKriG4c53k/s1600/iTunes+favicon.png" /></a></span></span></center>
<span lang="EN-NZ"><span lang="EN-US">
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<span lang="EN-NZ">
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-79138769671467540062015-02-02T19:35:00.000+13:002015-02-02T19:35:27.592+13:00Indie tip of the week: have you discovered Wattpad?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyKToM2npFrygR5PpZykQ_G5_CvtJhhu9FUSh0nBCwTiAlIvrpYQBYdkZdWisXMkPZd-OjO8Tl4juEk9WR3NrYzgHGFrbEEzhsqk7Z6RIcbqaiF8dPQ5PxkANPBbXcW-kLA5xiqSJansq/s1600/Wattpad+read.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyKToM2npFrygR5PpZykQ_G5_CvtJhhu9FUSh0nBCwTiAlIvrpYQBYdkZdWisXMkPZd-OjO8Tl4juEk9WR3NrYzgHGFrbEEzhsqk7Z6RIcbqaiF8dPQ5PxkANPBbXcW-kLA5xiqSJansq/s1600/Wattpad+read.JPG" height="312" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"> It surprises me how often I’ll chat online
with author buddies to discover they don’t know about Wattpad. Wattpad is a
fantastically useful platform for indies like us. Here’s the short and skinny
on the site.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Wattpad
is a place to discover and share stories: a social platform that connects
people through words. It is a community that spans borders, interests,
languages. With Wattpad, anyone can read or write on any device: phone, tablet,
or computer.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">As it says, you can read it on any device –
even some of the really slow phones can handle Wattpad. This is because it
keeps the HTML of the site as simple as possible. There’s no fancy chapter
headings or pretty POV changes like you see in the Amazon copies of my books.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Why Wattpad?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It’s free. It’s easy. It’s rapidly growing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Any work you put on Wattpad is read for
free – keep this in mind because if your works are in KDP Select you won’t be
able to put more than 10% on (same amount as a person can read in the preview
on Amazon). Many writers actually keep their work in progress on Wattpad,
interacting with interested readers as they develop their stories. If you’re a
person who requires constant feedback then this might be something you want to
consider.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Your work is protected, so no one can steal
it. That said, do be aware that anything on the net can be and is pirated – all
my books are pirated on certain sites. It’s just something you have to shrug
off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Like with any social network it’s all about
garnering followers so you can get ‘found’. I found a fairly simple way to do
this was to contact Wattpad to see if they would put The Arrival up as a
‘featured’ read. Anyone can have their work displayed as a ‘featured’ read,
your story needs to be complete and a good cover will help too. Then you just
email Wattpad and ask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The higher the number of ‘reads’ on a book,
the higher it will show in the rankings though Wattpad staff do work hard to
mix it up. You can choose to look for books with the lowest reads if you want
to find someone undiscovered. Wattpad is heavily used by tweens to young
professionals so YA stories do tend to do best on this platform.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">If you want to have a look I’ve included my
Wattpad profile <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/DamselinaDirtyDress" target="_blank">here</a> (it’s also one of the favicon in the top right – the W).
See if you can be the next Wattpad sensation!</span></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-45887085702411878602015-01-29T21:37:00.000+13:002015-02-12T21:07:25.845+13:00Indie reads I loved: Introducing Venomous (Alien Warrior Book 1) by Penelope Fletcher<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venomous-Alien-Warrior-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RG0IGH6" target="_blank"><img alt="www.amazon.com/Venomous-Alien-Warrior-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RG0IGH6" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIB0Al0hEUgrg3IUTwa_h1g2fuC-q9Wnv5f8q9C9Ra-vpswjj3yO2s_HojH32mo85qTIwl9h3WtUgMM4FOZt0-GamzOaOhQPzFaQEjim9pSmRVM9righguDxD8Cn9q3zLN-E-sz6RM3E1/s1600/venomous_ebookcover_final.jpg" height="640" width="371" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-NZ"><span lang="EN-US"><center>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venomous-Alien-Warrior-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RG0IGH6" target="_blank"><img alt="www.amazon.com/Venomous-Alien-Warrior-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RG0IGH6" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt9JaKHuad8-q-q7jbTyjDUjknIMZMHvQ1jsDwv0Cgy7cI_47f5V_s6CYyiqAbBK1sa0H9ECGNXKtLAftFls_nirAoZN8ooI2McU-5blowEVXvvtfuusdIdvr_R5OF08uiEoSsaOeiHU-/s1600/Amazon+favicon.png" /></a></center>
</span></span></b></div>
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">
</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">Blurb:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">"She
is mine to protect, mine to shelter, mine to feed and mine to cover. When she
is weak, I shall be her strength. She was stolen from her world by our captors.
Now her survival is my responsibility. It is her duty to endure my lust,
respect my nest mates and honour our union with offspring. I revere this giver
of life, as is the way."~</span></i><span lang="EN-NZ"> Venomous One,
formerly of Rök, enslaved gladiator <br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Six things a woman should not have
to deal with: 1) More than one barbaric alien lover/life mate. 2) Long term
stay on a slave planet where you’re one female amongst thousands of 'needy'
males. 3) Killer space pirates. 4) Psychotic mother-in-law. 5) Putting your
alien lover/life mates’ species under the threat of annihilation because you
ticked off the wrong Slave Chieftain. 6) A marauding overlord with a harem four
hundred strong who is determined to make you concubine number four hundred and
one. My name is Lumen. I am stranded in a galaxy far, far away and here be huge
f***ing aliens."~</i> Lumen Young, formerly of Earth, lost in space <br />
<br />
Abducted from Earth and transported to a slave planet in an unknown galaxy,
Lumen finds herself, shackled, naked and put on display before an alien horde.
Told the males will battle for the right to slake their lusts with her body,
she would become the slave of slaves. Venomous One, a proud warrior enslaved,
has given up hope of returning to his home world and finding a life mate. When
a female is tossed into the arena his soul demands he claim her. Winning his
mate by Right of Might, he vows to protect Lumen and be a good provider, no
matter how ugly her human appearance. Rescued by Venomous’ people, the couple
face space pirates, the condemnation of an alien government, galactic war, and
a deadlier threat from within the warrior’s own kindred. <br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warning:
violence, profanity and sexual situations with multiple partners.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-NZ">My Thoughts:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Originally I’d intended to introduce Lunar
Light, a short story Penelope wrote. But when I had a hunt for the blurb I
discovered she’d just released this book, Venomous. Caught by the intriguing
description, I bought the book and spent the next week squeezing in
reading time every where possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-NZ">I LOVE THIS BOOK!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">It starts off with one hell of a bang and
doesn’t stop. This is a rip-roaring adventure/sci-fi/romance like I’ve been
waiting for. The world building is phenomenal; the characters leap off the
pages. It is an irresistibly incredible read. But don’t just take my word for
it. This book was released on December 24 and already has OVER 200 REVIEWS!
With a 4.7 ranking!!! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I can’t wait for the next book – but don’t
worry if you hate cliff-hangers -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this
is a standalone tale within a series. Penelope was kind enough to agree to do
an interview, so after I finished the book I fired off a list of questions.
Below are her answers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-NZ">The short and skinny on this story = Buy
it, Read it, LOVE IT</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Interview With Penelop<b>e</b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">The
mixed themes/genres within your book Venomous are utterly intriguing. What was
the first scene that sprung to mind to create this tale?</span></b><span lang="EN-NZ">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The opening ‘mating’ scene. It was more
brutal in the original draft, but Venomous came off cutthroat, and closed off
emotionally. This is why I added his perspective. I touch in this in more
detail in a later question. I didn’t feel he suited Lumen, nor would she respond
well to the cruelty. I pulled it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way</i>
back. Good thing too, as many reviews have said this book is extreme in that
aspect. For it to have been<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> more</i> so
might have proved too distressing. Which is worrying because the third book is
going to feature a malicious anti-hero so … hmm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">You
play with a variety of ‘clichéd’ ideas, putting an original spin on each of
them. Which was your favourite to create?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I adore the ‘human woman is taken by alien
male’ trope in science fiction romance. Making sure the aliens in my universe
were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alien </i>was a blast! Aliens wouldn’t
look or think like us. Their culture would be such a shock, I doubt many would
fair well. We (as a spieces) barely tolerate people who are human and diferent.
We freak out over skin colour, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious faith
and scientific belief. The list is endless. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venomous, </i>I wanted it clear, while the Ra males might want to
procreate, and be compelled by their primal selves that they would not consider
a human beautiful for no good reason. The assumption human women would be considered
gorgeous by aliens reflects a misplaced sense of superiority about our status
in the grand scheme of the universe, in my opinion. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">I
loved the references from various shows that popped up – can you list the shows
you snuck in there? I’d love to spot them when I re-read the book.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I did use a reference from the show Big
Bang Theory because I wanted to highlight the difference between Lumen and Venomous
with as much subtly as I did obviousness. It was a way to differentiate between
human pop culture and the stoic alien culture. I don’t recall others I put in
there on purpose. If you find any let me know!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Lumen
is thrown into an extreme situation, can you tell us how she was first
abducted? Or will that pop up as a novella (hint hint!)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">These books are going to be longer length
(Venomous was 180k and that was after editing of scenes that didn’t push the
story forward). I was vague about her abduction as it made the book too dark. The
story started with Lumen being taken from earth, treated like cattle, branded,
stripped, debased, and experimented on. Not romantic in the least! I would have
had to be far more descriptive of her traumatised state by the time she reached
‘the pit’ and Venomous, meaning the mating scene would have been difficult to
move forward from (this was always meant to be a romance novel). I also kept
this part of the book brief as slavery is a difficult topic. I’m desendant from
mulatto slaves down my maternal line, and it disturbed me to research what my
ancestors went through, what people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i>
go through today. There are an estimated 29 million modern slaves around the
world <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>. Scary stuff. Should
any readers have further interest they can read here, <a href="https://modernslavery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Modern Slavery</a>. I doubt there will be a novella as my writing schedule is packed, and the
deleted scenes are too disjointed, so would need a major overhaul I don’t have
time to dedicate to *sad face*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Having
read the book, gifted it to a friend and recommended it to many others the
frequent question everyone seems to have is, ‘Is she writing the next one?’ So,
are you?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">YEAH! Sometimes my ideas don’t strike it
hot, so while I’ll still work on them, I try to push them down on the schedule,
so the more popular books are brought out more frequently. I have to write <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ash</i> first (Book Three in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dragon Souls</i>) as I fear those readers
will hunt me with pitchforks if I delay as I did with book two in that series.
As the response to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thunderclaw</i> was so
positive, it’s now number two on my list. A release later this year is looking
very firm, and I’ve got the working book cover ready.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlgVyP-ZhFinR9-8RzQu69943xtsCxmYM_zBenJewljN3jS0L8eraiJBF2Q6Ql4fpoJvaA_S3d_cYaMee7ozk_TsOzX0HWS4_x6Dzqzq65xVhA4O_t_RAVWid_Lzkt8OkDL5R63yI-soq/s1600/thunderclaw%E2%80%93ebookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlgVyP-ZhFinR9-8RzQu69943xtsCxmYM_zBenJewljN3jS0L8eraiJBF2Q6Ql4fpoJvaA_S3d_cYaMee7ozk_TsOzX0HWS4_x6Dzqzq65xVhA4O_t_RAVWid_Lzkt8OkDL5R63yI-soq/s1600/thunderclaw%E2%80%93ebookcover.jpg" height="640" width="371" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">How
much research, and what subjects in particular did you do for this book?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Most of it was organic, floating around in
my head like so much debris. I remember during the scene on the Trekker (Ra spaceship)
I kept thinking of my visit with my Dad to the old clipper ship Cuttty Sark
from the National Historical Fleet when I was younger (before it burned down).
I learned lots of ship terms from that visit I’ve just never forgotten. That’s
where the idea for pirates came from, if anybody wondered. Things that inspire
or move me get stuck in my brain. My family travelled a lot, and I was
fortunate enough to live for a couple of years in other countries (a few
islands in the West Indies and Ghana in Africa amongst them) as well as
different places in the UK. As a child, I was fascinated by other cultures. I
still am. I did Indian dancing for two years (like they use for Bollywood),
wandered into a Sikh temple once just to see what was up (as I was small and
curious they were okay about my missing headdress, explained their beliefs to
me, and gave me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prashad </i>(a delicious
sweet you eat with your right hand), so I was happy enough until my Mum hunted
me down). I’ve walked preserved war trenches in Belgium from WW1 (Ypres
Salient), which was freaky, and left me chilled all day. I looked into WW1, so
understand the human cost of sloppy/botched diplomacy, and it spews out ever so
often into my writing. I use public transport and do market visits whenever I
can when on holiday (as long as it’s safe), and I remember a particulalry bad
roadside market in Africa. With all the strange sights and smells, I puked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everywhere</i>, so Lumen on the slave planet
got a little of that. I’ve swum in shark/jellyfish infested waters with my
thrill seeker Aunt from a yacht to a small island off the shores of Antigua
(didn’t know they were shark/jellyfish infested until at the midway point, am
lucky to be alive) which was the inspiration for the Verak atolls as we swum
near/over reefs. I have visited the Caribs in Dominica (the remaining indigenous
people of the Carribean islands) and that was the inspiration for Lumen’s
physical appearance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I’ve interacted with dissimilar classes/ethnicities
of people, have so many experiences from my childhood and teenage years stored
that research is primarily to clarify techincal terms for things I’ve seen, so
other people might better understand what I’m conveying. Because writing is so
intensive, I’ve done little to no travelling in the last five years. But after
2016, I’ll be taking a break to wander for a bit as an adult.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">The
book is pretty darn massive (and yet still not long enough for this rabid
reader!) how long did it take to create?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Eight months. That was after I rewrote the
first 50k as Venomous One was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">evil.</i>
Jeez, he was such an evil sod. It wasn’t what I wanted for Lumen. She was
coming off as bitter and shrewish in reaction to his evilness. I came close to
scrapping the whole thing, but as I loved the general idea, I rewrote it
(writers will know how painful this was). So, though I had other projects to be
getting on with, I went back to the drawing board. I kept the core scenes the
same, but changed character reactions at pivotal points, which then changed the
novel’s tone. The result was my ‘between big releases’ 50k novel turned into a
monstrocity I had to force myself to end. I wanted to have Lumen giving birth, and
more time with Cobra, but we must remember at the time I figured the book would
get a few hundred sales then languish as some of my other more ‘out there’
books have. Putting even more time in when I had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ash</i> to be getting on with was voted as a mismanagement of time, and
as being successful as a self published writer is getting harder by the day, I
didn’t feel I was making sensible choices. Over Christmas, I was sad, because I
had fallen in love with writing Beowyn’s character, of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">possibility </i>of him, and wanted him to have a HEA. So…. I snuck in
that Authors Note to see if people would be interested in a sequel. Got my
answer didn’t I? *grin*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">While
there are rather a few explicit sex scenes in this book, do you consider it
erotic? It felt so absolutely Sci-fi romance to me I almost felt the ‘erotic’
genre didn’t deserve it!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">That is true to a degree, and I have
considered changing it when I pull out of Kindle exclusivity to publish the
book on the other retailers. I have readers as young as 11 years old as I write
young adult and new adult books too. I do feel a social responsibility to try
and separate out my more erotic adult fiction, at the least make it clear that
is what it is. I do have an erotica pen name, but<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Venomous</i> landed too much into the romance side of things. I know
there are parental controls in place, but young, determined readers can be very
resourceful (I was once one myself). Also, my aliens are<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> alien</i>, the sex is detailed, and some people find interacial sex
jarring let alone interspiecial sex with an alien race, sentient beings or not.
I just wanted to make it clear until the initial reviews came in, so people
weren’t caught too much by surprise. Many tend to ignore the warnings I put at
the bottom of my blurbs then complain the content was too explicit in reviews….</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Speaking
of sex scenes … How were they to write? (They are H.O.T!)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Why thank you. Aside from the first scene,
really fun. Most menage relationships feature detailed sex, but I find they read
quite typical to the point where I skip pages. Oral sex and self play are
underrated, and can be more intimate than intercourse. It was also funny. There
were times I’d turn around to my boyfriend and say, “Now, imagine we’re having
sex, and you have four arms, a forked tongue and there are two other guys with
four arms with us…” He’d stare, pinch his nose and sigh. And this is from a guy
who is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> used</i> to my weirdness, so I
knew I was pushing it. The only thing I stumbled over was using the Japenese
term <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bukkake</i> (do not Google it unless
you have a strong disposition). It literally means “heavy splash” and I thought
it was prettier than more vulgar langauage Lumen could have used during the
last intimate scene. But it’s being currently used in a, um, festishised manner
by Westerners.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">As
an indie author tackling a rather out there concept did you have doubts about
the story?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I worried over the first and third
perspective changes. I worried my aliens were too alien. I worried it was
stupidly long. Mostly, I worried over the opening mating scene. It was rape to
Lumen, by human standards, but to Venomous, in his culture, it wasn’t (though
he comes to realise it affected her horribly). I’m surprised people aren’t
slamming me down for it. As I said, I pulled it way back, and changed a lot of
what happened to tone it down, but still, it can be uncomfortable to read.
Readers generally do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> like when
the hero rapes the heroine (forced seduction in dark romance is popular at the
moment, however). I personally <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hate</i>
it, yet I wrote it into my story. Rape happens, and isn’t something people
should turn away from because it’s ugly. Silence gives abusers power, and even
in films, novels, etc, not acknowledging this contributes to passive acceptance
of how things are in the real world. I did read a review that insinuated Lumen
enjoyed her rape because she orgasmed. She didn’t enjoy it (this is made clear),
but this does happen to women, who then feel ashamed to speak about it in fear
of exactly that reaction, disbelief, blame even outright rejection of the claim
they were raped meaning it is underreported, and these women are not counciled
for it. This leads to severe psychological issues later on on the victims lives
because even they don’t understand it’s not something broken in them, but a
biological response. It’s due to the nervous system’s response during the
attack (blood rushing, nerve-ending sensitivity heightened from fear), and has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing </i>to do with the woman’s concious
state, which is confused and in turmoil. Often the mind shuts down to let the
body take over just to survive. The story didn’t lend itself to an out and out
explanation of this, and I didn’t feel moved to explain it in the afterword,
but I did have doubts people might not understand it, or why Lumen reacted the
way she did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Do
you read sci-fi, and if so who are your fav authors and why?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I do, and I’ve enjoyed books by a number of
authors. My fav’s (in random order) are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Syn-En Solution</i> by Linda Andrews, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Spawning </i>by Kaitlyn O’Conner, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Clan
and Conquer </i>by Tracy St John and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cottonwood</i>
by R. Lee Smith, but no one is on my Must Buy list. The genre is becoming more
popular, so that will probably change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">I
was delighted to see the multiple points of view in Venomous, why did you
decided to use them?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The story demanded it. After the big
rewrite, I realised Venomous’ voice was too strong to ignore, and his culture
was so vibrant, seeing it only from Lumen’s human perspective wasn’t enough.
Even Fiercely and Cobra snuck in there. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i>
writing Cobra’s chapter. He was such a sweetie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">With
such a massive story covering a vast number of species/planets/systems – how do
you keep track of it all?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">My mind vault. I haven’t written anything
down. I never do. The story is so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vivid</i>
in my imagination, and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>though a
completely different planet and culture, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thunderclaw</i>
is pretty much written in my head. I just have to get it onto the computer. I
outline plot points for subsequent books in a series to ensure I don’t wander
too far from the original story arc, but the smaller details I remember. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Venomous-Alien-Warrior-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RG0IGH6" target="_blank"><img alt="www.amazon.com/Venomous-Alien-Warrior-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RG0IGH6" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gMZo-w5pN_qBl1YFICMDqAVy4oB2xyRp5XSnupUnUb_9F5U8hpDd0K64PErdKC7_XRMLL6eLDiOMO1psqK2SPujOiJnXBODCFpUN-9MJgfOJJxpdbeGE2Ahx-FHG3AMCDAFRdyWuAQZf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-18+at+10.08.51.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Venomous
is skyrocketing on amazon.com – that must be a rather dizzying experience, have
you hit these numbers before (and if so, with which books?)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-NZ">Venomous</span></i><span lang="EN-NZ"> hit a 210 ranking on the .com side, and was ranked number one in
some aggressive genre Top100 lists for over a week, which I think was its peak.
Crazy, as I expected it to hit the 10k’s for a few months. The category I’d
like to do well in is impossible to come out on top of at the moment, in any
case, as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Outlander</i> series by
Diana Gabaldon is entrenched there. Fingers crossed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thunderclaw</i> does better. Only my books <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Compel</i> and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Enchant</i> did
similar/better than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venomous</i> in
release month (on Kindle), though at lower price points ($2.99). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Compel</i> was in the .com Top100 storewide
for a handful of days in 2011. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Burn</i>
was in the overall 100 of the US, UK, CA and AU iBookstores a year ago
(Jan2014), but the sales numbers in comparison are smaller to reflect Apple’s
market share.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">I think I’m shocked the first in a series
priced at $4.99 is holding its own against authors who are more experienced in
the genre. I wish I felt happier about it, but I’m already on to the next one,
anxious to get lost in one of my worlds again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Thank you for having me (again). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Thanks for doing the interview, Penelope, it was such a pleasure to read Venomous and I CAN'T WAIT for Thunderclaw!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-51997508082001221712015-01-26T19:38:00.000+13:002015-01-26T21:01:23.788+13:00Five common errors shown in movies, perpetuated in books<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span lang="EN-NZ">When I began writing book two of the
trilogy, Awakening, I decided I needed to ‘walk the talk’. After a bit of
googling I discovered an instructor in sword-play quite close to where we live,
so set off one Monday evening to try it out. I loved it! But was a little
dismayed to realise I needed to go home and rewrite the just completed first
three chapters.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Why?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Those darn Hollywood movies, that’s why!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">All the things I thought I knew about
sword-play were learned from devotedly re-watching Lord of the Rings, The
Princess bride, and all manner of action films. For those of you basing your
descriptions on such things, here’s a couple of pointers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Swords don’t weigh as much as a bloody big
axe. More like a steel baseball bat (at a push). The hour long lessons didn’t
leave me with trembling arms that I could barely lift. I did occasionally
notice a little discomfort the next day, but what you’d expect from a light
work out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">There is no pushing blades against one
another, straining with effort to push the opponent’s blade down. Why? Because
in this case the opponent allows Mr Mighty to shove, using the momentum to flip
his sword out and lodge it in Mr Mighty’s head/shoulder/neck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Here’s five more inaccuracies shown in
movies (and books)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-NZ">This is a broadsword</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WTPIUJ5pX9SCTE_WXhLklClq0YKTxYczcl0TrXB8IYBdzVm2aV4WfM2h1BHsv1-3cTO2xnuQX4BPt4QIZkK-P5x4xUbTSG3foNS71LVUC5ix7YFONkc-7cWpBORUVH-v6wiXU5rfK5dE/s1600/Longsword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WTPIUJ5pX9SCTE_WXhLklClq0YKTxYczcl0TrXB8IYBdzVm2aV4WfM2h1BHsv1-3cTO2xnuQX4BPt4QIZkK-P5x4xUbTSG3foNS71LVUC5ix7YFONkc-7cWpBORUVH-v6wiXU5rfK5dE/s1600/Longsword.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-NZ">No, actually THIS is a
broadsword. That, is a long sword</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJS2_VO5DxIhtNfIDBWI48YhN6ANPPTGtEpwJmG0ZRPH_tz_TczO2ZXiPjvGFPgrWk27f_DhmvGMI768IzI8khxvWvbQsMxhQjsWkMz2aPSIiosSI81Se6rEGZdZbnll3GH4LhaAMfbAH/s1600/Broadsword+Wiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJS2_VO5DxIhtNfIDBWI48YhN6ANPPTGtEpwJmG0ZRPH_tz_TczO2ZXiPjvGFPgrWk27f_DhmvGMI768IzI8khxvWvbQsMxhQjsWkMz2aPSIiosSI81Se6rEGZdZbnll3GH4LhaAMfbAH/s1600/Broadsword+Wiki.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Again THIS is a long sword.
If you want to refer to a massive sword with two or one and half handle grip,
this is what you want. A long sword – not a broadsword. </span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7KmEthwQqRE2FVO6tJojBwpu9CnOoYuGQb3G9a7gOX3qz1ZcA-E4GZzo0-fm3YE4_G5PNiPlb6qMPPzKKQSQ1srXSSL_zh6m0O8ZByBL-F5ufTxeZultSxoJ-x2uKhHsiwsrUhtafoUb/s1600/longsword_nr_2___1_by_qualcuno-d54kxlk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7KmEthwQqRE2FVO6tJojBwpu9CnOoYuGQb3G9a7gOX3qz1ZcA-E4GZzo0-fm3YE4_G5PNiPlb6qMPPzKKQSQ1srXSSL_zh6m0O8ZByBL-F5ufTxeZultSxoJ-x2uKhHsiwsrUhtafoUb/s1600/longsword_nr_2___1_by_qualcuno-d54kxlk.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-NZ">AR = Assault rifle or Automatic
Rifle</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span lang="EN-NZ">AR actually stands for
Armalight Rifle – the company that developed it in the 1950’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc1gYIvTt8cqrrvBTwgnw2RPtVcDO6rAgKNRNURM3WyhhMjpgiLDtH58t861hW7XSwjXSDLi2hY7QFi0IwrAY-fykCpTzkOOn3IIEjEvv0maFRVZ84x2oPx7KISHPVVi1yQ__8O6rYYIL/s1600/Armalite_Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc1gYIvTt8cqrrvBTwgnw2RPtVcDO6rAgKNRNURM3WyhhMjpgiLDtH58t861hW7XSwjXSDLi2hY7QFi0IwrAY-fykCpTzkOOn3IIEjEvv0maFRVZ84x2oPx7KISHPVVi1yQ__8O6rYYIL/s1600/Armalite_Logo.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-NZ">The glamourous scientist who
stuns with her looks (and skin tight pencil skirt, sky high heels and perfectly
situated blazer enhancing her bosom but cinching her waist).</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-NZ">The chances of this, unless
the person attended university </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Doogie Howser style and completed their PhD by 16 giving them just four
years work experience before the ‘real world’ are very, very slim.</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Basically,
any scientist worth their weight is at the very least going to be middle aged.
True, this doesn’t stop them wearing the above described outfit, though sky
high heels in the lab would be rather frowned upon…</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQz1U0U-MVcYXptho6d153-ySQMAXSGEzKgORpbupojvuCZ8PtxpybTtwzgXxuwBidj8gZZ-Lw0XMpQLLW99w4S00bvKK32_xkrdkouFEOrklj0PD27m_6gsdSn5x45mZhsfHKbAHYodz/s1600/Felicity_Smoak_(Arrow)_002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQz1U0U-MVcYXptho6d153-ySQMAXSGEzKgORpbupojvuCZ8PtxpybTtwzgXxuwBidj8gZZ-Lw0XMpQLLW99w4S00bvKK32_xkrdkouFEOrklj0PD27m_6gsdSn5x45mZhsfHKbAHYodz/s1600/Felicity_Smoak_(Arrow)_002.png" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-NZ">A silencer will stop a gun
making a sound.</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-NZ">No. If this is part of your
master plan, scrap it now. Silencers (known as suppressors in real life) were
designed to help reduce the amount of noise produced by some guns. But they
only do that – reduce, not silence. If you shoot a gun with a suppressor
attached, anyone within hearing distance will hear it. It just won’t be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">quite</i> as loud.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIr1ToDRrlEpMoN-WZsWwMoERDQ2psFzG605aFcuZf85Zoe8ASFfBlnowvwFzm8YJOssR_rk6m9Lb4-_W1wzzkQpCZRP3eA0tr4opdfT1eOBWncuELg-NVwF2lCeQJpEp_o2uWHmnrBO9/s1600/Archer+gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIr1ToDRrlEpMoN-WZsWwMoERDQ2psFzG605aFcuZf85Zoe8ASFfBlnowvwFzm8YJOssR_rk6m9Lb4-_W1wzzkQpCZRP3eA0tr4opdfT1eOBWncuELg-NVwF2lCeQJpEp_o2uWHmnrBO9/s1600/Archer+gun.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-NZ">Shooting a vehicles fuel tank
will cause it to explode in jaw dropping awesomeness.</span></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span lang="EN-NZ">Unfortunately no, this doesn’t
work. The mythbusters team was rather excited to try this one out. Turns out
the bullets simply travel straight through. No fire, no explosion. Boo ;p</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aGYvGWVOYXFqW_Ilnq3XUAn3clDNDTQ02BzgYiyyMA9zcs8HAFoooj_KeM_X-PAvTCZWPLk-J5IgMbGYSgQY4htAurl5f1ksuDIFITY-Sjg5u6QLlhI6MJf8qZuAa4WPOYce0DJluJgo/s1600/exploding+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aGYvGWVOYXFqW_Ilnq3XUAn3clDNDTQ02BzgYiyyMA9zcs8HAFoooj_KeM_X-PAvTCZWPLk-J5IgMbGYSgQY4htAurl5f1ksuDIFITY-Sjg5u6QLlhI6MJf8qZuAa4WPOYce0DJluJgo/s1600/exploding+car.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">There’s too many more to count, do you have
a favourite? Share it in the comments!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-64230062115053405822015-01-23T22:31:00.000+13:002015-01-23T22:31:05.532+13:00An eerie beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fmOS0HLnwhlpPM4DJ5KRfkL6CylPOx2bN9cUeTTrFOQkF5-QXTLrpKecOytvR9YtKRnGplKxZM_UOiFaRgpSMs89l3nOzYQwUU9wU6h2lYizBNL8NcAZrmcS4nvGjWw-0z4mGrFL2mWM/s1600/bat+embryo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fmOS0HLnwhlpPM4DJ5KRfkL6CylPOx2bN9cUeTTrFOQkF5-QXTLrpKecOytvR9YtKRnGplKxZM_UOiFaRgpSMs89l3nOzYQwUU9wU6h2lYizBNL8NcAZrmcS4nvGjWw-0z4mGrFL2mWM/s400/bat+embryo.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spotted this on Pinterest and couldn't take my eyes from it. It is images of a bat embryo. I find it enthralling!</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-23625375703062253912015-01-20T20:35:00.000+13:002015-01-20T20:35:20.139+13:00Indie reads I loved! Introducing Children's book, The Magic of Windlier Woods, by Nancy Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEcYcMTdp-lPVEo_HLJWcAY7X1YQd04Tdd4AytFkWLEISinGIVfO1nAorOOy1KVfk6TzlC9S5f6rICfBbCKa6VoTxHbAml2ol3cRLBmSJgAGRywi5x4bXG_4E93WTsT40gYWnVPXkAJy3/s1600/Magic+of+windlier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEcYcMTdp-lPVEo_HLJWcAY7X1YQd04Tdd4AytFkWLEISinGIVfO1nAorOOy1KVfk6TzlC9S5f6rICfBbCKa6VoTxHbAml2ol3cRLBmSJgAGRywi5x4bXG_4E93WTsT40gYWnVPXkAJy3/s1600/Magic+of+windlier.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><center>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Windlier-Wood-Adventures-Newert-ebook/dp/B004X6MGZE" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Windlier-Wood-Adventures-Newert-ebook/dp/B004X6MGZE" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt9JaKHuad8-q-q7jbTyjDUjknIMZMHvQ1jsDwv0Cgy7cI_47f5V_s6CYyiqAbBK1sa0H9ECGNXKtLAftFls_nirAoZN8ooI2McU-5blowEVXvvtfuusdIdvr_R5OF08uiEoSsaOeiHU-/s1600/Amazon+favicon.png" /></a></center>
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</div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blurb</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Newert, an erbit of Windlier Woods, is concerned. The magic of his world
is seeping away. He struggles to open a portal to another world,
believing that this will restore the magic of Windlier Woods. Assuming
the big red truck is magical he returns to his world with the truck and
its driver. Thus begins Newert's misadventure. What will happen next?</span></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My thoughts</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really enjoyed reading this story and so too did the kids I babysat. It's a proper adventure with an adorably stubborn protaganist thrown into a spectaular world that he can't make any sense of. I have always hoped there might be another follow up or two about wee Newert and his adventures. If you're wanting a fun, classic styled tale of mystery, magic, and heroics, then this is a tale for you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I asked Nancy to explain where the adorable idea of Newert came from, here's her words</span></span></b><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to thank
Nicole for adding 'The Magic of Windlier Woods' to her favorites list. It means
a lot to me. When my children were young, at bedtime we made up stories. One
night I invented Erbit, and we shared story ideas for his adventure. Each night
a new element was added until you have the children's story as it exist now.
This is the only children's story I have at the moment though now that I have
grandchildren new ideas for more adventures with Erbit are being formed. I am
currently working on the sequel to my epic fantasy, 'The Treasures of
Carmelidrium.' I hope to release the sequel, 'The Rise of Lord Sinon,' this
fall. If you want to read more magical stories from me, I'll be posting a flash
fiction faerie tale on the 20th of each month on my blog. Here are all the links
to my e-books.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055OHYDM#%20%20The%20Treasures%20of%20Carmelidrium%2099cents" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">The Treasures of Carmelidrium</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Wisteria-N-R-Williams-ebook/dp/B00NXFP7SE/%20%20Free" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romancing Wisteria </span></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trapped-Memories-Linger-Ghostly-Encounters-ebook/dp/B00O2BJ7IO/%20Free" target="_blank">Trapped memories linger</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're interested, you can follow Nancy's blog <a href="http://nrwilliams.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">here</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-74431817802096028512015-01-13T19:25:00.000+13:002015-01-13T19:25:54.557+13:00Indie reads I loved! Introducing Children's book, Bloated Goat by Manley Peterson<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWuZHDJ0kxVJSaxZwl1qxalj16EWG185V-dI2jJWhyphenhyphenvolFF8AmMnN5Hs3OBP0qs1f0-DHUCvU7ZfthT6gcb8xbepDgBnG0ZgP-z1LtVc7JNlwOd6J87erOlF4439owD6UMEd2xiKqruzA/s1600/Bloated+goat+complete+72+dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWuZHDJ0kxVJSaxZwl1qxalj16EWG185V-dI2jJWhyphenhyphenvolFF8AmMnN5Hs3OBP0qs1f0-DHUCvU7ZfthT6gcb8xbepDgBnG0ZgP-z1LtVc7JNlwOd6J87erOlF4439owD6UMEd2xiKqruzA/s1600/Bloated+goat+complete+72+dpi.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><center>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bloated-Goat-ebook/dp/B0044KM1CW/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Bloated-Goat-ebook/dp/B0044KM1CW/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt9JaKHuad8-q-q7jbTyjDUjknIMZMHvQ1jsDwv0Cgy7cI_47f5V_s6CYyiqAbBK1sa0H9ECGNXKtLAftFls_nirAoZN8ooI2McU-5blowEVXvvtfuusdIdvr_R5OF08uiEoSsaOeiHU-/s1600/Amazon+favicon.png" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bloated-goat-manley-peterson/1100126319" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bloated-goat-manley-peterson/1100126319" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTNk-2zNDkI7x2U-uSGGHxCGHNZ3qLP2OZscQ0_2fL1lHtIfM73PckcaPx_w3Ynz-rBDaTWZ8NNER06uX0HQqKFay3eNcaycAyUqMtwfUBe-hVdhnDx82W2omN6NR0gaCF82Hp665UPk8/s1600/Barnes+and+Noble+favicon.png" /></a><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/34716" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/34716" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaTk2Iz4ymKA3myEUNS8_dioSK5j9LCnmZbQ92HmbixIMnlzTDMA8GHE7_1rWZ6kuKGPteQDD1LESur3tMJmks1Vj3No5CMdCLOF13atTNZy4cGxj2AG1IX67fiGWdVJvH5Khx2szHUz0/s1600/Smashwords+favicon.png" /></a></center>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="color: black;">Blurb</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="color: black;">Get
ready to enjoy a gut-busting adventure full of crazy forest animals and
hilarious dialogue. You’ll meet Granny Hammy, Cocky Doodle, Bloated Goat, and a
wide assortment of other wacky characters as they romp around the forest. It
seems everyone wants to get Bloated Goat for one reason or another, but you’ll
have to read the book to experience the explosive ending.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>If you enjoy Pixar and Walt Disney films, you will definitely enjoy Bloated
Goat.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">You can check out the author<span style="font-family: inherit;">'s blog <a href="http://manleypeterson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> if you want other zany reads<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="color: black;">My
thoughts</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="color: black;">I
adore Bloated Goat – it’s the story I re-read when I want to laugh aloud at
well written nonsense. Yes it’s a children’s story but its quirky sense of
humour appealed so much to me. I think I can safely say if you enjoy Monty
Python you’ll very likely find this a hoot. It has a similar eccentric style. I
read this book aloud to my dad when my mum and brother were having a
rip-roaring argument outside the cabin (aww family ;p) and he thoroughly
enjoyed it *grin*</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-49747903189391313962015-01-12T20:10:00.000+13:002015-01-12T20:28:22.209+13:00The threat that looms over most writers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h_8Cz7CJZwT2toO-ALcXFeq8bB6sNwf23xQI5ClAerJvE25stcefWPipbrVq70D63F8wBqph_26yMhXvkGreSeZ82M411O7I1zQ856tLYqNy1L3KtLFEVTUsTmk9yw04Nlcg9JFntunM/s1600/the+odd+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h_8Cz7CJZwT2toO-ALcXFeq8bB6sNwf23xQI5ClAerJvE25stcefWPipbrVq70D63F8wBqph_26yMhXvkGreSeZ82M411O7I1zQ856tLYqNy1L3KtLFEVTUsTmk9yw04Nlcg9JFntunM/s1600/the+odd+thing.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">The siren song of a good book. The urge to
be lost in someone else’s world when you really should be developing yours. No
truly good writer can be thus without first being a reader. And that, fellow
readers & writers, is where the trouble begins…</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ">So to help with your 2015 reading list (not
so much your writing goals) I’ve created a category in my pages menu that is
devoted to Indie reads I loved. I’m going to work through the categories
introducing you to the book, with a brief review (more gushing) as to why I
love it. Possibly an author interview too, we’ll see who’s interested!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
be clear – these are ONLY indie reads I love. I’m not starting a review site as
I really don’t have the time (see first paragraph for clarification). If you’re
a new indie desperate for a review you are welcome to contact me (contact form
in pages menu) but I make no promises. I am picky and have specific preferences
;)</span></div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-50764156108911245682015-01-11T20:29:00.001+13:002015-01-11T20:29:20.043+13:00Think graffiti is nothing but nasty scribbles? Think again!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is some strikingly beautiful creations by Luis Seven Martins, a Brazillian graffiti artist. I wish I could see graffiti like this on the walls in Wellington!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe6rQP4dME1JW2jnI1l5YoMdSrvYmOWWDkvUWseYTUFxhVpCnaba9rkD8RHsnXSXZ-K2jXRI9dpM51uCDUfxbfXtuzmgFTJrEURSgFTAjGunuaUYeMao_lST24fIHcnnah17gXliDs-Qp/s1600/Graffiti+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe6rQP4dME1JW2jnI1l5YoMdSrvYmOWWDkvUWseYTUFxhVpCnaba9rkD8RHsnXSXZ-K2jXRI9dpM51uCDUfxbfXtuzmgFTJrEURSgFTAjGunuaUYeMao_lST24fIHcnnah17gXliDs-Qp/s1600/Graffiti+birds.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280134955015141619.post-69177468586590252702015-01-11T11:31:00.000+13:002015-01-11T11:31:02.605+13:00Full Steam Ahead<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This fantastic image titled Full Steam Ahead is by Antonio Caparo, it was part of a four poster collection to inspire teen readers - pretty cool!</span><br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazTL8uYaMyMQXUQNSDRIDrcM6lGa_Xph53Ouc-yQY5PJrNAolV4SpKTmG9Q5SJ4922Pyp3vaG_PjRt2B_k-z7NhanftVVOjYUS-80Z_BSs1lHVPxkUIDOwHKrpbTHKwD-tE9Bww6EZHaL/s1600/Flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazTL8uYaMyMQXUQNSDRIDrcM6lGa_Xph53Ouc-yQY5PJrNAolV4SpKTmG9Q5SJ4922Pyp3vaG_PjRt2B_k-z7NhanftVVOjYUS-80Z_BSs1lHVPxkUIDOwHKrpbTHKwD-tE9Bww6EZHaL/s1600/Flying.jpg" height="640" width="443" /></a></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17648307410383451558noreply@blogger.com0