Friday, February 24, 2017

Book Titles: How I Choose #MFRW

Welcome to week eight of the MFRW 52-Week Blog Challenge. Any author can join in at any point in the challenge. FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE.

Dozens and dozens of story ideas are all around and I usually record them in a handy notebook in my purse or in a notepad on my nightstand. I have no problems meeting characters who introduce themselves to me asking that I tell their story. But titles for their stories--not so much. There's where my difficulties start.

Sometimes family and friends will make suggestions if they've  read an excerpt or my plot notes. It's like I have some sort of block when it comes to naming the book. As a result, I usually give tentative titles like Mariah's story or write a short sentence for the title until I can think of one which I'm embarrassed to say takes months.


Do you have trouble coming up with titles? What is your process for naming your books? Tell me in the comments.





Friday, February 17, 2017

Me, Music And Writing, Oh My!--#MFRWauthor

It's week 7 of the 52-week writing prompt challenge. Today's topic: Music to write by.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE CHALLENGE.

Music. The great ice breaker. There are no words to describe how much I love it. It plays a huge part in my daily existence. A chilled glass of wine and music are a great stress reliever, a way to soothe anger, slow a galloping pulse when something monumental happens, and calm frayed nerves after a long day at the evil day job or when stuck in  5 o'clock p.m. traffic.

Depending on the song, music helps me to write scenes, sometimes whole chapters. At times a particular song may be the music theme for the entire story. I listen to the chosen song a few times to get a bead on my character's emotions and then proceed to write. For example, the song Hello by Adele (click here to watch the video) was perfect for creating a scene in my WIP where my female character meets the man she never stopped loving years later after a painful break-up.
(College.USAToday.com)
As for listening to music while I write... it has to be classical played softly. My favorite is Fur Elise (click here to listen) by Beethoven. If it's classical, I don't run the risk of singing and dancing and then no writing is done.

What about you? Can you write and listen to music at the same time?







Tuesday, February 14, 2017

3 Romantic Couples of the Ages #ValentinesDay #Romancefortheages

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today let's talk about love. Boy meets girl. Love at first sight. Enemies to lovers. Broken-heartedness and devastation at love lost.  Celebrate with me the giddy highs and pulse pumping excitement of love found, the joy and gladness of enduring love,  and the ravaged, depressing lows of love lost of three couples of the ages.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony 
(photo: 20th-century fox /rex features)

The true love story of Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra and Roman general Marc Antony is one of the most intriguing and memorable of all times.

Cleopatra began her reign of Egypt when Julius Caesar put her in power over her husband (and brother) Ptolemy. She charmed him and their affair continued until his death three years later. Caesar's death caused a civil war in Rome between Octavian, his grandnephew, and Antony, his cousin.

Antony suspected Cleopatra was involved in his Caesar's murder and demanded she appear before him to explain herself. They fell in love at first sight. He spent the winter with her instead of fighting and ruling his empire.  Their affair outraged the Romans who were wary of the growing power of Egypt.

The couple was defeated in battle by Octavian (named later changed to Augustus) and they each committed suicide, Antony, by falling on his sword and Cleopatra, by putting an asp to her chest. Theirs was a tragedy immortalized by William Shakespeare.


Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal  (photo: museyon.com)

Shah Jahan, 15-year-old ruler of the Mughal Empire married Arjumand Banu, a teenage girl in 1612.  She was renamed Mumtaz Mahal and became Shah Jahan's favorite wife.

She died in 1629 while giving birth to their 14th child. He was devastated. His grief affected him both emotionally and physically but inspired him to create a fitting final resting place for the love of his life - Taj Mahal (photo: Wikipedia).

Shah Jahan became ill and was overthrown by his eldest son. He lived the rest of his life under house arrest in the Red Fort of Agra.

Legend has it he planned to build a replica of the Taj Mahal in black marble for himself on the opposite bank of the river Yamuna but construction never commence. He was laid to rest beside his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.








King Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari (Photo: martingracephotography.com)

King Ramesses II, also known as "Ramesses the Great," was the third Egyptian pharaoh of the 19th dynasty. He reigned from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C. At age 14, he was appointed prince regent by his father Seti I. Ramesses ruled Egypt for 66 years and 2 months. He was reported to have lived to 99 years old.

He led military expeditions into the Levant, reasserting control over Canaan and also led expeditions into Nubia. Inscriptions commemorate these deeds at the temples at Beit el-Wali and Gerf Hussein.

One of many great Nubian queens, Nefertari reigned from 1292 B.C. to 1225 B.C.  She is heralded as the queen who married for peace. Her marriage to Ramesses II began as a political move, a sharing of power between two powerful leaders. No only did it grow into one of the greatest royal love affairs in history but it brought the hundred year war between Nubia and Egypt to an end.


Their story was an armistice that lasted over a hundred years. Even today, a monument stands in Queen Nefertari’s honor. If fact, the temple which Ramesses built for her at Abu Simbel (photo: Delange.org) is one of the largest and most beautiful structures ever built to honor a wife.





Please check out my other Valentine's Day posts. Great gift ideas (here) and romantic destinations (here).

Friday, February 10, 2017

My Hobbies #MFRW #MFRWAuthor

Welcome to week 6 of MFRW 52-week blog hop. This is my first post. 



What other things do I like to do when I’m not writing? I love science fiction shows so my favorite to watch is the Star Trek franchise—all of them: the original series, the next generation, deep space nine, voyager, enterprise. Plus, I like watching the movies. I plan to write science fiction romance one day.

Next, I love genealogy. Searching for family, the known and the lost,  and researching the period of time they lived in and hopefully finding that some played a small part in the happenings in their area like a couple of two times great grandfathers involved in a battle involving their town just after the Civil War ended. A two times great grandfather of mine,  a minister, was a founding member of ministers’ conference in an area of the state where he lived. Also a three times great grandfather who was a founding member a city in my state.

I love curling up with a book in my favorite chair with a hot cup of tea and read. Rainy days are best for getting comfortable and reading.

Thanks for reading about my hobbies.  Please be sure to check out the list of blogs below to find out what other authors do when not writing.


Please stop by again!





Click here to check out other blogs

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

3 Romantic Destinations to Celebrate Love

Honeymoons, anniversaries and just because romantic destinations to celebrate love and togetherness. Any one of these locations can start a couple on the road to initiating life together or renewing relationships.

Camino Real Acapulco Diamante (Mexico)

Acapulco is still a popular place for newlyweds to celebrate their new life together. The warm water is ideal for swimming and snorkeling as the temperature hovers in the 80s throughout the year. The prices are affordable as well and are good for couples on a tight budget.

Camino Real offers rooms overlooking the private Pichilingue Beach, fine dining, as well as a variety of activities.

The hotel is convenient to clubs of Acapulco by night and beautiful beaches by day.

This hotel was once the honeymoon destination of John and Jackie Kennedy.  Camino Real's website.



Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Canada)


Situated on the edge of Lake Louise, the Fairmont Chateau offers great winter sports creating a honeymoon haven for snow bunnies. 

Winter activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as ice skating and dog sledding.

Guests can set off for a romantic sleigh ride into the wilderness or get pampered in the hotel's spa. The lake setting makes the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise a popular honeymoon or anniversary spot in warmer months as well. Guest can take advantage of such activities as horseback riding, hiking, and white-water rafting.  Fairmont Chateau's website.



Four Seasons Resort - Hualalai (United States)


The ultimate honeymoon page, Four Seasons resort offers a rental car, a romantic private dinner on the beach (one night only) and daily breakfast. First-floor rooms have a private outdoor shower. 
Guests can indulge their senses during the day lounging by the adult-only Palm Grove Pool or exploring the King's Pond pool before heading to the spa for a couple's massage. Or, unwind at sunset at the Beach Tree Bar enjoying a mai tai and then going to the second-floor Makai Terrace for an intimate dinner overlooking the ocean. 

    Wednesday, February 1, 2017

    4 Gifts Ideas for Valentine's Day

                                                                (Image from travel.jumia.com)

    It's always stressful to pick the perfect gift you think your man or your lady might accept with joy and excitement for those special days like birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. So much thought goes into your choice. Will they love it? Will they tolerate it? Will they hate it?

    Here are four gift suggestions to consider for the one you love on Valentine's Day:

    Couple Love Hug Mugs (Amazon.com). For those days or nights, you share a cup of coffee, tea, milk or apple cider for breakfast, lunch, picnic or cuddled before a crackling fire.












     I Love You and Love You More Pillowcase Pair  (Amazon.com).  For making a day of it in bed or wrapped around each other snuggled under the covers.                        












    His & Her Matching Set. Titanium Stainless Steel Pendants (Amazon.com)  Engraved around the rim of each pendant is the phrase, "The World Looks Wonderful When I Am With You."










                                                              Kisses 4 Us- A Box of Fun, Flirty, Romantic Kisses for Making Kissing Fun (Amazon.com).  Perfect for Date Night, Anniversaries, Romantic Game Playing, Enhancing your Relationship.









    Whether you privately express your love and affection to your significant other or proudly show the world, I hope these four suggestions will help prompt a few more romantic ideas for you.

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