Once upon a time there was a princess (everygirl wants to be a princess!). She wanted to write for a living.
Her dream was to be able to make up magical stories that would impress thousands of wonderful people in the kindom she lived. She lived in a wonderful place she liked to called Earth.
For many years the princess dreamed that one day, one day she would be a super star and adored by many who loved her stories and willed her to make up more magical stories.
She had written some and published a few, her few fans that had read her stories so far enjoyed them and she was eager to write more.
The words flowed onto the screen of the laptop before her, coffee was drunk and chocolate was consumed by the truckload.
Then along came an evil prime minister who bought along taxes to her land increasing the cost of living, so much so that the princess had to go out and help her prince plow the fields and bring income into the castle so that they could eat and sleep in a comfortable castle.
As she plowed the fields her neck ached, her shoulders burned from the tension of being hunched over all day as she earnt the few gold coins that would enable her family to eat. She kept dreaming of the day that she will be able to sit at her desk overlooking the mountains and write on her laptop with coffee in hand, spilling out a wonderful magical story that will entertain an audience.
One day the princess will get her dream, she is working on it, bit by bit. Day by day.
As we all know. Fairytales all have a happy ending.
Happy Reading
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
My trip to Sydney
Last month I went to Sydney for no other reason than to enjoy and relax with my best friend! (Thank you to my husband for giving me a leave pass.)
Arghh!!!! (With a smiley face )
Yes it was nice.
Very nice indeed. I enjoyed it immensly.
I had a great room with a fabulous view.
Got to see the Harbour Bridge (even went under it) and went passed the Opera House. It is wonderful to be able to see these sights and say yep done that and tick it off the bucket list.
After the cruise we began to look for some places to grab a bite to eat, but all we kept finding were places to drink. (Of course we obliged!)
Holidays are always special and I was lucky and grateful to have had this special holiday with a long time friend who is a very generous person.
Well that was my holiday and now. Back to the bum on seat regime.
Til next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
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| It was windy on the sightseeing cruise. |
Yes it was nice.
Very nice indeed. I enjoyed it immensly.
 |
| The gorgeous view from my room. |
 |
| Cruising passed the Opera House. |
 |
| Very late in the evening after a few glasses of wine. |
After the cruise we began to look for some places to grab a bite to eat, but all we kept finding were places to drink. (Of course we obliged!)
They always say that holidays go too fast and this was no exception. We were planning on doing a few other things around Sydney but after a big night and a little hangover in the morning. A sleep in and a massage and a trip to the hairdressers was called for.
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| Hair done, dressed up and out for a gorgeous 5 Star restaurant meal. |
Well that was my holiday and now. Back to the bum on seat regime.
Til next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Get Ready, Get set.... Almost NaNoWriMo time!
So tomorrow is the start of NaNoWriMo.What is NaNoWriMo, I hear you ask.
Well NaNoWriMo stand for National Novel Writing Month and it happens every year during the month of November to encourage writers to write. (Possibly because the most of us procrastinate)
The aim is to write a 50,000 word novel in one month, that being the month of November. On facebook there are a few support groups designed for this and writers groups who also support it including my own writer's group.
Last year I tried, but only got out a mere 1300 words. Hmmmm...... Can I do better this year? I certainly hope so. I really am going to try for it this year. I havent signed up on the official website, but I am going to have a damn good go at it anyway. 50,000 words I am fairly sure I can do this in one month. Time will tell.
Not quite sure what I am going to write. I don't een have an idea which for me is unusual. I was thinking that I may write a horror thriller, something along the lines of zombies and ghouls, ghosts and such. That may be because it is halloween and I am influenced.
Perhaps I may do a children's crime and detective story, when I was little I loved reading mystery novels. Trixie Belden, Famous Five, Secret Seven, I even read Agatha Christie and I loved them all. My son aged twelve, nearly thirteen is into shows at the moment that involve solving a crime and each time my dog disappears he looks for clues as to where his whereabouts might be.
So with less than twelve hours before NaNoWriMo begins, I am up in the air as to what I am going to write.
That is a mystery in itself!
Til next time
Happy Reading
Friday, August 10, 2012
Addicted to Pinterest
I have to admit this. I am addicted to Pinterest.
I love the ideas that come from there and if only time would permit to make all the great arts and craft stuff on there, not to mention the food. OMG the food, some of the food looks so damn delicious that I could eat it right off the screen if it were possible.
So yes I am on there and I have pictures of my books and pictures of books that I have read and liked and then there are some stuff for dreaming and wishing. Things like that dream home, you know the one you will buy when you win tattslotto or marry that rich billionaire, and lets not forget the fantastic ideas for getting fit.
Hmmmmm...........
Yes I think I spend way too much time on the computer, *nerd alert* or at least it was when I went to school, nowadays I'm probably in with the cool group for spending so much time on the computer. I like to call it research if I am not writing.
The pinterest thing has me captivated I try a few of the things on there and some that I say 'yeah I'm going to do that'. 'Yeah I'm a gunna'. Gunna do this and Gunna do that. One day I will surprise everyone and actually do something. My Dad's is surprised that I've written a book, well actually I've published two, written four (two at the editors) and three on the go. I'M DOING THAT!!!!!!
So back to pinterest, I love it. I think it is the best thing since sliced bread it brings the world that much closer, but its a big world and we don't have a lot of time to test all the ideas out and then recently I came across a website/blog ,funnily enough on Pinterest about a woman who tries some of the things on Pinterest, let me say that she holds nothing back on her thoughts about the idea or product, whether it worked or not or whether it was hard or easy or just plain stupid. I find her to be funny with a dry sarcastic wit, but I believe that she is being totally honest and sometimes in this world its hard to find someone who is honest.
Have a look at her website, if swearing offends you, the "f" bomb in particular, then may I suggest that you don't look.
http://pintester.com/
Till next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
I love the ideas that come from there and if only time would permit to make all the great arts and craft stuff on there, not to mention the food. OMG the food, some of the food looks so damn delicious that I could eat it right off the screen if it were possible.
So yes I am on there and I have pictures of my books and pictures of books that I have read and liked and then there are some stuff for dreaming and wishing. Things like that dream home, you know the one you will buy when you win tattslotto or marry that rich billionaire, and lets not forget the fantastic ideas for getting fit.
Hmmmmm...........
Yes I think I spend way too much time on the computer, *nerd alert* or at least it was when I went to school, nowadays I'm probably in with the cool group for spending so much time on the computer. I like to call it research if I am not writing.
The pinterest thing has me captivated I try a few of the things on there and some that I say 'yeah I'm going to do that'. 'Yeah I'm a gunna'. Gunna do this and Gunna do that. One day I will surprise everyone and actually do something. My Dad's is surprised that I've written a book, well actually I've published two, written four (two at the editors) and three on the go. I'M DOING THAT!!!!!!
So back to pinterest, I love it. I think it is the best thing since sliced bread it brings the world that much closer, but its a big world and we don't have a lot of time to test all the ideas out and then recently I came across a website/blog ,funnily enough on Pinterest about a woman who tries some of the things on Pinterest, let me say that she holds nothing back on her thoughts about the idea or product, whether it worked or not or whether it was hard or easy or just plain stupid. I find her to be funny with a dry sarcastic wit, but I believe that she is being totally honest and sometimes in this world its hard to find someone who is honest.
Have a look at her website, if swearing offends you, the "f" bomb in particular, then may I suggest that you don't look.
http://pintester.com/
Till next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
New book out soon
Hello all,
Not sure if I have shown you the cover of the new book that will be out soon.
Chance at Love.
Not sure if I have shown you the cover of the new book that will be out soon.
Chance at Love.
I love the cover.
I will be posting more about the book soon.
I just wanted to show you the cover. :)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
My Sons and Karate
It has been almost a year since I posted about Karate and the fact that my sons were going to join and my hope that that would stick with it.
Yesterday (sunday) My eldest son competed in his first karate tournament, his expectation and nerves were high, I had the same nerves but my expectation were not that high.
When my son was born no one prepared me for the moments when as a parent you fret for your child and have to allow them to be a person, yesterday my son went through a range of emotions, and learnt a lot, the first being he was not as good as he thought, some may think this a bad thing. But he learnt that he has to work hard for something he really wants.
He thought that he would receive a bag of trophies not because he thought he deserved them but because he thought he was good. (I like his air of confidence and knowing that he may not do so well as his coach warned me that he may not go so well, I was not about to burst his bubble). Yesterday was a lesson learnt hard by him and tonight for the first time he went to the second karate practice for the first time. His determination to win is high.
Yesterday I rode every emotion both mine and his, I felt his nerves and I felt his disapointment as he walked away with a lot more than he came with but not something he expected, I was proud, as proud as any mother could be, it takes a lot to get up and go in a competition, and I only wish he could feel how proud I am of him.
One year ago the both of my boys joined Karate and in that time they have together gone up one belt and one of them have competed in a tournament, both are proud of their achievements and it has given them something that I as a parent could not give them, an accomplishment of acheiveing something.
Again I hope for the same thing as this time last year. I hope they continue with it.
Til next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
Yesterday (sunday) My eldest son competed in his first karate tournament, his expectation and nerves were high, I had the same nerves but my expectation were not that high.
When my son was born no one prepared me for the moments when as a parent you fret for your child and have to allow them to be a person, yesterday my son went through a range of emotions, and learnt a lot, the first being he was not as good as he thought, some may think this a bad thing. But he learnt that he has to work hard for something he really wants.
He thought that he would receive a bag of trophies not because he thought he deserved them but because he thought he was good. (I like his air of confidence and knowing that he may not do so well as his coach warned me that he may not go so well, I was not about to burst his bubble). Yesterday was a lesson learnt hard by him and tonight for the first time he went to the second karate practice for the first time. His determination to win is high.
Yesterday I rode every emotion both mine and his, I felt his nerves and I felt his disapointment as he walked away with a lot more than he came with but not something he expected, I was proud, as proud as any mother could be, it takes a lot to get up and go in a competition, and I only wish he could feel how proud I am of him.
One year ago the both of my boys joined Karate and in that time they have together gone up one belt and one of them have competed in a tournament, both are proud of their achievements and it has given them something that I as a parent could not give them, an accomplishment of acheiveing something.
Again I hope for the same thing as this time last year. I hope they continue with it.
Til next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
Friday, July 6, 2012
Reviews and Criticism
Last night I attended the local writer's group and a few of us got around to discussing reviews and whether as an author we listen to them or as a reader we listen to them.
This was quite an interesting look at myself and I'll explain why.
When I first published my book five years ago, almost six. I was immensely proud of the huge achievement I had accomplished, I loved my book I had put so much into it and I wanted other people to love it as much as I loved it, I had grown attached to the characters and to me they were like an extension of my family. After all I had lived with them every day for a whole year as I wrote and I had been through all of their ups and downs.
So when the critics came out and critiqued on everything but the storyline or the characters, I was left devastated, one critic hated the ending, one said there was too many swear words, one said that the boss Steve was so far from reality it was not funny. The boss in the book is actually toned down from some of the bosses that I have had in real life and yes I drew the character from reality.
I was waiting for at least one good compliment, one that said they loved the book despite the mistakes ( a long story cut short ~ my computer crashed just before it went to the typesetter for printing losing all of the work my editor had done. I had to cancel the print run and the book launch and the media or run with it and hope for the best. I hoped, of course in hindsight I should have cancelled and taken my time. Lesson learnt.) It wasn't to be. The people who loved my book weren't queuing at my door trying to bust it down to tell me how much they loved my book the characters and the storyline.
Ego, self esteem and confidence go hand in hand and some have a chest full of brass and any negative criticism is rebounded by a barrier, however I am not that kind although I have been told many a time that I appear that way and I know that I have written about this before because I still battle with my own self confidence and the older I get the more I know that I know so little.
So we talked about that self confidence as I caught the tale end of the story of Enid Blyton a much loved children's author, I know she was one of mine and it astounded me that she had confidence issues.
Are we writers so egotistical that we require that constant supply of good criticism. My jury is out on that. I have put this out on the world of facebook asking other authors how they feel about it and so many have said that they simply don't listen to the negative feedback. And this is where I was taught that if there is a negative comment or constructive criticism take it on board and learn from it.
However, when it comes to one's opinion who's to say what is right and what is wrong, orange as a colour for one person is abhorrent whilst another may love the colour.
So the other day I received a review and a comment from a reader saying how much they loved my book and how much they loved the characters. Of course my chest filled with pride and after five years almost six, the people who love my book are starting to knock on my door to let me know.
The point I want to make here is that whilst one person hated the ending of my book stating that it ruined the whole book, another loved the ending stating that it was the best part and eagerly wanted to know what was happening in the next book.
Oh yes one person's junk is another man's treasure, opinions differ. If you love a book and love an author. Tell them. I guarantee they will love you for it. :)
Til next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
This was quite an interesting look at myself and I'll explain why.
When I first published my book five years ago, almost six. I was immensely proud of the huge achievement I had accomplished, I loved my book I had put so much into it and I wanted other people to love it as much as I loved it, I had grown attached to the characters and to me they were like an extension of my family. After all I had lived with them every day for a whole year as I wrote and I had been through all of their ups and downs.
So when the critics came out and critiqued on everything but the storyline or the characters, I was left devastated, one critic hated the ending, one said there was too many swear words, one said that the boss Steve was so far from reality it was not funny. The boss in the book is actually toned down from some of the bosses that I have had in real life and yes I drew the character from reality.
I was waiting for at least one good compliment, one that said they loved the book despite the mistakes ( a long story cut short ~ my computer crashed just before it went to the typesetter for printing losing all of the work my editor had done. I had to cancel the print run and the book launch and the media or run with it and hope for the best. I hoped, of course in hindsight I should have cancelled and taken my time. Lesson learnt.) It wasn't to be. The people who loved my book weren't queuing at my door trying to bust it down to tell me how much they loved my book the characters and the storyline.
Ego, self esteem and confidence go hand in hand and some have a chest full of brass and any negative criticism is rebounded by a barrier, however I am not that kind although I have been told many a time that I appear that way and I know that I have written about this before because I still battle with my own self confidence and the older I get the more I know that I know so little.
So we talked about that self confidence as I caught the tale end of the story of Enid Blyton a much loved children's author, I know she was one of mine and it astounded me that she had confidence issues.
Are we writers so egotistical that we require that constant supply of good criticism. My jury is out on that. I have put this out on the world of facebook asking other authors how they feel about it and so many have said that they simply don't listen to the negative feedback. And this is where I was taught that if there is a negative comment or constructive criticism take it on board and learn from it.
However, when it comes to one's opinion who's to say what is right and what is wrong, orange as a colour for one person is abhorrent whilst another may love the colour.
So the other day I received a review and a comment from a reader saying how much they loved my book and how much they loved the characters. Of course my chest filled with pride and after five years almost six, the people who love my book are starting to knock on my door to let me know.
The point I want to make here is that whilst one person hated the ending of my book stating that it ruined the whole book, another loved the ending stating that it was the best part and eagerly wanted to know what was happening in the next book.
Oh yes one person's junk is another man's treasure, opinions differ. If you love a book and love an author. Tell them. I guarantee they will love you for it. :)
Til next time
Happy Reading
Valissa
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