Monthly Archives: March 2013

KD Lang’s “Hallelujah”— bringin’ up the tears

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Listening to KD Lang brings up the same emotion for me as viewing the incomparable New Zealand landscape. @2008 ANVidean

Listening to KD Lang brings up the same emotion for me as viewing the incomparable New Zealand landscape. @2008 ANVidean

KD Lang’s “Hallelujah” tops my list as one of the most beautiful renditions ever. Even better than Justin Timberlake‘s  “Hope For Haiti Now” performance, or the 15-year-old Bobby Andonov’s “Australia’s Got Talent” interpretation.

Ask me, and I’ll tell you…
Lang, a multi-Grammy award winner, is THE voice of the 1980/1990s generation, as Adele reigns as the voice of the current generation.

What control.

Unlike me. [Listening and clutching hands to heart in an unavoidable fan-girl moment replete with tears.] Squeeeeeeeeee!

Call for songs to add to a character’s iPod in young-adult fiction series

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My talented young friend John Taylor created this lovely illustration, showing the fae side of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. You can see more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/jktaylor.art.

My talented young friend John Taylor created this lovely illustration, showing the fae side of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. You can see more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/jktaylor.art.

One of my favorite things about writing the Delfaerune Rhapsody Trilogy is involving you in its creation. I’m asking readers’ input on certain scenes in the books. If you respond to one of my requests and I end up using it, I’ll credit your contribution in my “Acknowledgements” when the book is published. Those not used, I’ll add to the contributors page here on my blog.

Here are two areas for which I already need input:

1. A song to add to the heroine Lark’s iPod. I need a song of hope, but with a beat my character can walk to in a not-too-hurried rhythm. Give me a suggestion to fit into this excerpt:

“The entrance to the main path rewarded visitors to the garden with a stunning overview of the grounds. The mirror-like pond at the focal point, today reflected the fluffy clouds and blue sky. Several pebbly paths leading off into various sections of the garden broke between the flowerbeds and willow trees hugging the edge of the water.
“Nobody wandered the garden in plain sight, so Lark took a moment to plug in to her iPod. “SONG NAME” by SO-AND-SO spoke to her hopeful mood this morning. She allowed the music to set her rhythm, and walked around the pond and up a couple of the paths, expecting to run into B’rook at any turn.”

Thanks to those who already suggested songs on my Facebook post. If you want to add something new, please comment and makes sure to provide:

  • Full song name
  • Who performed/composed it
  • Description or even a few adjectives about the song, describing why it will work in this scene
  • Your name, or how you’d like to be identified in the blog or book
  • Your geographic location

(Just so you know, I may use your contact info provided via the comment to communicate with you about the book, but will not publicize it, or use it for any other reason.)

2. A recipe for my vegetarian fae to enjoy during a banquet. Please post your recipe comment to this request in my existing blog entry on this topic.

I will ask for your additional suggestions when needed as I’m writing, so stay tuned.

– Ann

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

Reader contributions to the DelFaerune Rhapsody young-adult fiction series

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You all make me happier than anything, even more than my tea addiction. (Photo by my tea-sharing friend Andrea Beaulieu.)

You all make me happy… happier even than my tea habit! (Photo by my tea-sharing friend Andrea Beaulieu.)

Huge thanks to my creative, supportive potential readers who contributed the following ideas to include in my DelFaerune Rhapsody novel series (in-progress). I could not do this without you!

– Ann

Critique partners

  • Dotti Enderle
  • Lisa Hood
  • Sheila Larkin
  • Angela Myron
  • Paul Narcisian
  • Karen Nunes
  • Sonya Weiss

Beta readers

  • Chelle Davis
  • Jennifer Hartz
  • Sara Rebennack

Maori and New Zealand words, pronunciation, and culture

World-building consultant

Cutter Videan
• Various Delfaerune, Fae, and plot ideas discussed over numerous Pei Wei lunches

Vegetarian recipes for the Noble Fae banquet scene

Joanne De Biasi
• Stuffed squash blossoms

Syd Hoffman
• Quinoa salad with organic peas and corn
• Spinach salad with onion, strawberries and balsamic vinegar

 Barbra Kebba Buckley
• Rice-stuffed grape leaves
• Nutmeat paté en croute
• Corn squash with piñon-nut stuffing

Songs for the heroine Lark’s iPod

Barbra Simon Anderson
• “Mummers Dance” by Loreena McKennitt

Deb Bader
• “I’m on my Way” by  The Proclaimers
• “Get on Your Feet” by Gloria Estefan
• “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers

Veronica Barrera
• “Song of the Lonely Mountain” by Neil Finn (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey)

David Campbell
• “Happily Ever After,” or “All About Us” by He is We

Eduardo Cervino
• “Rumba Azul” by Armando Oréfiche–The Lecuona Boys

Joanne De Biasi
• “Love on Top” by Beyonce

Karen Mueller Bryson
• “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

Cynde Cerf-Dehmer
• “Sunsets” by Powderfinger

Sandy Anders Crockett
“Protectors of the Earth” by Two Steps from Hell

Mark R.Hunsaker
“Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte’s (from his 1961 album “Jump Up Calypso”

Kathy Jones Miranda
“Your Heart is Black as Night” by Melody Gardot

Paul Narcisian
• “Runnin’ With the Devil” by Van Halen

Salih Rashid
• “Song for Mia” by Lizz Wright (folksy, sad)

Cassandra Reeves
• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

Marsha Sandoval
• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

Marcus Silving
• “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera

Kris Tualla
• “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers

Codi Videan
• “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Robert Videan
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Izzie

Fae version of roshambo (rock, paper, scissors)

Cherie Scott
fist with thumb up = tree houses creature
two fingers curved = ‘bunny ears’ creature eats leaf
thumb and forefinger in oval (kinda like holding a guitar pick) = leaf tops tree

__________________________

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

#8 Writing Tip: Why authors should research the rules, then ignore them

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You could follow every rule. Or, you could generate a little anarchy in your writing. Angel or “V,” which will you choose?
[My son portrays “V for Vendetta” with an unphased, visiting Halloween angel. @2007 ANVidean]

So many writing resources. So many how-to books. So many style manuals. As a writer, you could spend an entire life reading and studying, intimidating yourself so with everyone else’s ideas and rules that you never actually sit down to write anything from your heart.

One overarching fact crystalized in my head over years of writing/editing millions of words in business content and numerous novels — sometimes the best way to communicate an idea involves blasting away the rules and conventions with a creative blow torch. Creative license makes writing fresh… and, well… yours.

Don’t get me wrong, it is important to research and read when you’re a writer. You need to know the rules—at least the basics, so you can keep your audience intrigued. But, you also need to know when to bend or ignore those rules to best serve your own writing voice. (More on this in my #9 Writing Tip, coming soon.)

So, where to start? Here are a few of my favorite resources for learning writing basics:

For business:

For authors:

  • My favorite book for character development: Goal Motivation Conflict, Debra Dixon
  • My favorite book for plot development: The Writer’s Journey, Christopher Vogler
  • My favorite book on writing. Yes, it’s called On Writing, and it’s by Stephen King (of all people)
  • Books in the genre you’re writing. I’ve been studying Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Beautiful Creatures, and other young-adult novels.
  • Books not in your genre. What cool writing techniques, words, or ideas, can you glean from other authors and stories? New ideas formulate “outside the box.”

There you have it. A couple of great starting places. Now, go forth and create your  masterpiece… I’m eager to read it in your very own voice.

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S.  What writing resources are your favorites? Please comment below.

“Fearless” friendship and forgiveness — borrow it this weekend

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Read Rita's novel on Kindle. It's free March 8–12 in honor of International Women's Day on Friday.

Rita’s touching novel is free to borrow on Kindle March 8–12 in honor of International Women’s Day.

I recently had the pleasure of editing a debut novel by Rita Costick, Ph.D. Her thought-provoking book, Fearless: On the Wings of Forgiveness, makes a perfect read for anyone who believes in the power of friendship to see you through life’s challenges.

The book premise involves a heartwarming glimpse into the lives of five former female roommates who reunite for a long weekend at a beachside California vacation cottage and, while reconnecting after many years, demonstrate the healing power of friendship and the unquestioned stamina of forgiveness.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Rita is making available the Kindle version of Fearless for free this weekend — March 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 — at Fearless Kindle Edition. A print version is also available for purchase through Amazon Books at Fearless Paperback Edition.

I’ve enjoyed the privilege of editing a good number of novels in a variety of genres in recent years, and I can say without hesitation Rita’s novel is the most real, touching, and hopeful story I’ve edited. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out what readers posted on Amazon:

“[This book] reminded me that I need to take time to reflect, renew and rejoice in the wonderful friendships with extraordinary women who have helped me grow emotionally and spiritually.” —SGY
 
“In telling this story, the author reminded me how precious true friends‘ viewpoints can be in our lives, and the value of keeping these friendships intact, or re-establishing them if they have fallen by the wayside. Book clubs should consider Fearless because of the multitude of discussion possibilities.” —CLR
 
“It is a captivating story of how facing the truth and forgiving the past can set us free to have and be the life we desire and deserve.”—SL
 
“As a psychologist, I can say that Costick has a keen understanding of how a therapist’s life is enacted simultaneously on two very different intimate stages: the consulting room and private life. Even more to the point, Costick has a fine grasp of the complexity of crafting a life on one’s own terms.”—GG

See? A book you don’t want to miss.

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S.  Jot a reminder on your calendar right now to borrow Fearless: On the Wings of Forgiveness this weekend.

P.S.S.  Please share your gratitude for/experience with a specific friendship, a powerful forgiveness, or a moment of fearlessness in the comments below.