Tag Archives: Ann Videan

Women Entrepreneurs Conference and Book, Wow!

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Living Brave… Women in Business book debuts at conference

I attended a women’s conference Sat., Oct. 27, 2018, in Scottsdale, Ariz., that made my mind explode! The “Voices of Success” conference, forged around Hilda Villaverde and Mary Beth Stern’s new book Living Brave… Women in Business, took all 200 of us in the audience to another level in many ways. So much so, the authors received a standing ovation at the end of the day. How often have you seen that?

Highlights

  • Emcee Devita Lewis did an outstanding job keeping everyone interested and laughing, and the program moving briskly. Plus, she performs an amazing hula.
  • FABRIC and Labelhorde Founder Angela Johnson introduced us to twelve Arizona designers in an inspiring fashion show. One of the designers was twelve years old, others used fabric remnants to create envy-worthy multi-patterned garments, and all were uniquely innovative. (How I wish I’d taken photos…)
  • From the moist breads and muffins at morning break, through the  healthy fare at lunch, to the crunchy homemade potato chips and nuts in the afternoon… the food was delicious and healthy.
  • The selected women, whose stories also appear in the book, who shared their stories on stage These included the indomitable Disability Wisdom Consulting Founder Arielle Silverman; and speaker/consultant/coach Silver Rose, who shared steps for Socratic delegation.
  • Not to mention the other, nearly 50, women’s business success stories detailed in the book, which each attendee received at the conclusion of the day. Brilliant!
  • Arielle Silverman, founder, Disability Wisdom Consulting
  • Emcee Devita Lewis, with CoAct Commercial and iAloha Radio
  • Co-authors Hilda Villaverde and Mary Beth Stern with Devita
You, too, can benefit from the voices of these successful women. I highly encourage you to visit Amazon and invest in the book Living Brave… Women in Business, which I was honored to “shepherd” for Hilda and Mary Beth. Read it and reap. If you find it as inspiring and motivating as I did, please consider writing a short Amazon review. What other successful women’s books/stories/events can you recommend?
Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth strategy

Rugby intimidation and New Zealand magic

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Magical New Zealand forms the backdrop for my Delfaerune Rhapsody series. The land of the Maori. Are you thinking, “Maori? Wha—?” They are the native people of those majestic and diverse islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean.

One way the Maori have become better known in our current culture is through the All Blacks’s “Ka Mate,” which they perform as a group before each rugby match. This “haka“—traditional Maori war cry, war dance, or challenge—incorporates bulging eyes, long tongues, threatening stances, and shouts. Intimidating, right?

That’s why I pull elements from the haka to liven up my battle scenes, especially by my burned-out-rock-star-esque Dark Fae.

All_Blacks_Haka

haka

Rotorua, New Zealand “Hangi” village 3/2008 ©ANVidean

Also, many of the words I use in the stories come from the native people’s language. To represent “bad magic,” I use the Maori term “mākutu.” Another is “karakia.” It doesn’t translate exactly to “good magic,” but you can see how my use of it captures the spirit when you visit the official online Maori Dictionary.

Yes, that is a thing, and, if you click on the links I provide, you can read the Maori definitions and hear the pronunciations, too.

If you want a real trip, look at all the words that come up under “spell.” Don’t be surprised if you find a few more of these terms in my future writings.

What other words/translations do you know for “spell or “magic?” Please share!

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
ann@annvidean.com

Author, Song of the Ocarina
Author/illustrator, Enchanted Faerie Portals Coloring & Creative Writing Pages
Co-founder, Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy

Write. Edit. Publish. Word-of-mouth strategy.
Check out my Book Shepherding consultations.

 

 

Will this video shatter you, too?

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You may have seen this video, since it released in 2014, but I only ran across it a couple of days ago. I love its visuals, the music, the concept…

Lindsey Stirling is an amazing violinist, composer and dancer, and performance artist. So creative!

Combined with Lzzy Hale’s powerful vocals—best known in her lead singing/rhythm guitar role for the hard rock band Halestorm—’tis, well… shattering!

Can you suggest another cool video to share with us?

Book or movie? Choose your poison – ALWAYS.

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Videan's Party Tree hug

The party tree—where Bilbo celebrated his eleventieth birthday—on the Alexander Farm film set in New Zealand. Is the tree described better by Tolkien, or more poignant in the screenplay/on screen in the Lord of the Rings movies? Come share your opinion. And, bring your own favorite adaptions to discuss. Hobbiton photo: ©2008 ANVidean.

Lord of the Rings: Tolkein vs. Jackson, which do you prefer?
Twilight saga: Book series or film adaptations?
Bridges of Madison County: Read or watch?

For something a bit different to discuss at our June meeting, let’s compare the writing and stories in book(s) versus movie(s).
Should there even be a debate? Join us for the roundtable discussion in our June 2018 gathering in Gilbert, AZ.

Here’s the usual agenda:
11:30 introductions with writing tips
11:50 order lunch
11:55 writing discussion/sharing
1 p.m. pay individual bills and adjourn (to go write!)

Next gathering:
Thursday, June 14, 2018
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Cafe
207 N Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 962-4224

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Going” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, ann@annvidean.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
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ABOUT ALWAYS

Are you an established writer who:
• Needs contacts to help your writing?
• Wants advice about your writing?
• Likes to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Novel-inspired faerie art and books = November featured artist at Birt’s Bistro

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Our Absolutely Wild! Faerie’s Tales and portals are on display during November 2017 in the Birt’s Bistro gift shop in Surprise, AZ. You’ll discover faerie portal note cards, magnets, our coloring book with writing prompts, and Song of the Ocarina, book 1 in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my fantasy novel that inspired it all.

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Sculptor Cherie Scott, my business partner, hand created every original numbered and signed piece. You’ll discover themes like Halloween, autumn, and Christmas; plus books, s’mores, and Trufaela trees.

I wrote all the Faerie’s Tales and the novel, and illustrated the faerie portal coloring book and the coloring note cards, and other fantastical whimsy, including a few fractured Faerie’s Tales. (In one, Cinderella breaks free from Grimm’s and is running around placing one shoe on each eligible bachelor’s doorstep, trying to find a better life.} Delightful and whimsical, trust me.

I also promise Birt’s will surprise you. It’s worth a stop in to shop, browse the book store, and enjoy a scrumptious lunch—their chef is amazing. You’ll find Birt’s at 16752 N. Greasewood St. Surprise, Ariz., 623-584-0065. It’s open seven days a week, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. with Happy Hour on Fridays only from 5 –7 p.m.

P.S.
Every purchase benefits young writers and artists, per Absolutely Wild!’s mission statement. Come on out to support local art, local business, and young creatives.

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write. Edit. Publish. Word-of-mouth strategy.
Check out my Book Shepherding consultations.
avidean@videanunlimited.com

 

Needed! Creative pros to inspire young writers & artists

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Requesting professional creatives’ participation in a unique synergy arts book
to support young writers and artists.
Do good! Please share with the creatives you know.

P1370699We owe HUGE thanks to James Artimus Owen, author/illustrator of the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series for contributing his brilliant work (partially shown above) to jump-start our Storytelling Book of the Ancient Traveler.

It took only one small moment for each of us to decide to become a “creative.” Perhaps it involved a teacher or mentor, simple words of advice, or an unexpected opportunity. You can serve as such a catalyst for an emerging young writer or artist through our creative “synergy arts” book project.

Absolutely Wild! invites you to contribute one piece of writing or art to our one-of-a-kind, hand-bound, leather-covered book to benefit emerging young creatives. We are compiling writing and illustrations for The Storytelling Book of the Ancient Traveler with opening pages drawn and written by James.

We are inviting selected professionals like you, and also put out a call to young writers and artists to submit their work. Once all entries are selected and compiled into the original book, we will auction the volume and, if feasible, also print a paperback edition through Amazon.

Absolutely Wild! will use proceeds to benefit young creatives in unique and beneficial ways: perhaps scholarships or internships, or through viable charities supporting creative youth such as 826 National site, Young Authors of Arizona, or the AZ Consortium for the Arts.

You might consider one of these contributions:

  • A simple line or two of advice to inspire young creatives, above your signature.
  • A short story.
  • An illustration.
  • Both a story and an illustration.

Submission guidelines and other details are available on the AbsolutelyWild! “Fantasy With Purpose” webpage. Submissions may be emailed before our first deadline on Oct. 1, 2017. Subsequent entries will be considered in a rolling acceptance process with priority given to early submissions until Jan. 15, 2018.

With appreciation for your consideration and my warmest regards,

P.S.     The “synergy arts” project concept is the brainchild of Joanne de Biasi, and will be brought to fruition through Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy, whose mission involves supporting young creatives of all ages.

With gratitude,

Ann Narcisian Videan

Author, Song of the Ocarina
Author/illustrator, Enchanted Faerie Portals Coloring & Creative Writing Pages
Co-founder, Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy

Real deaf hero inspires a story hero

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Learning to re-sing after going deaf…
What Mandy Harvey went through to earn Simon Cowell’s heartfelt response in the video below, is exactly what my character Lark will be dealing with in Beat of the Pakiri, book 2-in-progress of my Delfaerune Rhapsody series.
How can Lark be “The Maestra” and write musical spells for the realm, when she’s deaf?
If you have suggestions, processes, or resources to help me make Lark’s experience feel authentic to readers, please comment.

Five huge reasons to leverage ebook preorders

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Mikk Stone by John Taylor

Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone, will play a major role in book 2 of my series: Beat of the Pakiri.  Illustration by John Taylor.

One of the greatest tips I picked up today from the Desert Dreams Romance Writers Association conference: the amazing benefits of setting up new book preorders. Jim Azevedo from Smashwords, gave an hour presentation on the topic, including the following compelling reasons to do it. (See Jim’s full article.)

Five Benefits of Ebook Preorders as a Book Launch Marketing Tool

  1. Preorders enable more effective advanced marketing.
  2. Preorders signal commitment.
  3. Simultaneous release at multiple retailers.
  4. Preorders can lead to better reviews.
  5. Fast track to bestseller lists.

I am definitely going to try this for Beat of the Pakiri, if for no better reason than to have a spike of sales on the first day the book is available when those early purchases officially post. Plus, it might actually make me set a schedule to finish the book by a specific release date! 🙂

Note: Making your ebook available on Smashwords, or other ebooks outlets, will negate any exclusive standing with Kindle Select on Amazon, so you will not be able to participate in Kindle Select ebook promotions.

Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.

Breaking news: Absolutely Wild! whimsy to benefit emerging writers

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What do you get when you combine the talents of two creative entrepreneurs, add a little whimsy and perhaps a sprinkle of magic, with the intent to support an important cause?

Why, of course, some very special hand-crafted faerie portals with Faeries’ Tales, and some lovely news coverage for Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy in Gilbert Woman magazine!

We’re so excited and honored to be featured on page 8 in Srianthi Perera’s beautifully written article (anyone who knows me as an editor, realizes what this means to me).

Such visibility moves us toward our goal of supporting emerging writers through organizations such as Young Authors of Arizona and 826 National. As our whimsical business grows, we plan to offer internships, mentoring, scholarships, and other opportunities for young authors. You can join us by subscribing to our e-newsletter or clicking “Like” on our Facebook page.

Abolutely Wild founders Cherie Scott and Ann Videan
Fae Environmentalists Cherie and Ann kick off
Open Mic Night with a chat about faerie whimsy

 

Also, this month, AW founders Cherie Scott and Ann Videan, showcased their Absolutely Wild! products at Open Mic Night at Dog-Eared Pages Used Bookstore in conjunction with the Arizona Consortium for the Arts. You can see what a creative blast we shared from the photos posted by Elena Thornton, founder of the consortium.

 

P.S. You can still find a hidden Absolutely Wild! mini faerie portal among the books at Dog-Eared Pages. If you find it, it’s yours, along with one of our Faerie’s Tales about the tiny creature who lives inside!