Monday, April 25, 2011
What is Name Day?
It is an old European tradition. Every day of the year is someone's Name Day. People all across Europe have been celebrating their first names for centuries in the same way you celebrate your birthday.
Today, April 25 is name day for Lesa, Lesley, Leslie, Lesly, Wilfred, Wilfredo.
To find your name day check out: http://www.mynameday.com/index.html
I've never heard of this before, but someone mentioned Happy Name Day and I checked it out. I like the idea.
My name day isn't until Sept. 4th. Guess I'll have to wait until then to celebrate.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
Six sentences from Connection of the Minds due to be released in Sept. from MuseItUp Publishing.
“No!” Rebecca sprang up in bed. Hot searing pain bore into her shoulder. What was happening to her? A warm sticky substance flowed from her shoulder. Oh God, there was going to be blood. From the feel of it, lots of blood.
I hope everyone has a blessed and happy Easter.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
New Book Review for Stranger on the Shore
Book Review: Stranger On the Shore
Yesterday I had the pleasure of reading Roseanne Dowell’s short romance novel, Stranger on the Shore. It begins with a fairly common idea: a man and a woman, strangers, find themselves taking shelter from a storm while chemistry blossoms.
I found Jordan to be a likeable, realistic character. Her backstory is presented smoothly and provides insight into her reluctance to let this “too good to be true” man into her heart.
Because the book was so short, I felt it didn’t dig into Philip’s character as deeply as I would have liked. However, Stranger on the Shore is definitely an enjoyable read and offers a sweet, romantic conclusion. The plot sweeps right along to the end without any slow spots or abandoned story arcs. It’s clear that Dowell has studied the art of writing and trimmed this story to its best form. The action reminds me of Michael Swanwick’s quote about short stories; they should be “like a knife--strongly made, well balanced, and with an absolute minimum of moving parts”.
Great details abound and put readers right in the little house with Jordan, allowing us to enjoy “the sweet smell of cherry wood” and the yellowed paint on the cabinets. Dowell has a gift for creating vivid images that make the story feel real.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance!
Full disclosure, and all that: I'm an editor at Muse It Up Publishing. However, I haven't edited any of Roseanne's work!
http://freelanceandfiction.weebly.com/1/post/2011/04/book-review-stranger-on-the-shore.html#comments
Yesterday I had the pleasure of reading Roseanne Dowell’s short romance novel, Stranger on the Shore. It begins with a fairly common idea: a man and a woman, strangers, find themselves taking shelter from a storm while chemistry blossoms.
I found Jordan to be a likeable, realistic character. Her backstory is presented smoothly and provides insight into her reluctance to let this “too good to be true” man into her heart.
Because the book was so short, I felt it didn’t dig into Philip’s character as deeply as I would have liked. However, Stranger on the Shore is definitely an enjoyable read and offers a sweet, romantic conclusion. The plot sweeps right along to the end without any slow spots or abandoned story arcs. It’s clear that Dowell has studied the art of writing and trimmed this story to its best form. The action reminds me of Michael Swanwick’s quote about short stories; they should be “like a knife--strongly made, well balanced, and with an absolute minimum of moving parts”.
Great details abound and put readers right in the little house with Jordan, allowing us to enjoy “the sweet smell of cherry wood” and the yellowed paint on the cabinets. Dowell has a gift for creating vivid images that make the story feel real.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance!
Full disclosure, and all that: I'm an editor at Muse It Up Publishing. However, I haven't edited any of Roseanne's work!
http://freelanceandfiction.weebly.com/1/post/2011/04/book-review-stranger-on-the-shore.html#comments
Legal Declaration
As of this date, April 20, 2011, I, Roseanne Dowell, and author of the novels,Time to Live Again, Designed by Destiny,both romance novels and Another Day - women's fiction, and Shadows in the Attic - a paranormal romance nowconsider all rights with regard to said books as having been completely and
fully returned to me from Red Rose Publishing. I declare that as of this date, I am the sole owner of all such rights, without any exceptions, to all the books. I have no further connections, legal, copyright, or otherwise, with Wendi Felter and Red Rose Publishing. I'm not responsible in any way, legally or otherwise for any action on the part of Red Rose Publishing or Wendi Felter.
fully returned to me from Red Rose Publishing. I declare that as of this date, I am the sole owner of all such rights, without any exceptions, to all the books. I have no further connections, legal, copyright, or otherwise, with Wendi Felter and Red Rose Publishing. I'm not responsible in any way, legally or otherwise for any action on the part of Red Rose Publishing or Wendi Felter.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
Another six from my WIP
Still…this time her instincts told her someone was in the house. Something told her to make the call. Another creaking downstairs confirmed it. Someone was definitely in the house.
Meghan hurried back to bed and lifted the receiver from the rotary phone. Fumbling with the dial in the dark, she cursed herself for not replacing the old relic and prayed she’d find the correct holes.
Still…this time her instincts told her someone was in the house. Something told her to make the call. Another creaking downstairs confirmed it. Someone was definitely in the house.
Meghan hurried back to bed and lifted the receiver from the rotary phone. Fumbling with the dial in the dark, she cursed herself for not replacing the old relic and prayed she’d find the correct holes.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Book Martini Reviews: Review: Stranger on the Shore
Book Martini Reviews: Review: Stranger on the Shore: " Title: Stranger on the ShoreAuthor: Roseanne DowellPublisher: Museitup PublishingPublication Date: March 2011ISBN: 978-1-926931-39..."
Best of March 2011 15
Apr 2011 Zenobia Renquist
The Best of March 2011:
Best Cover
Stranger on the Shore by Roseanne Dowell
Dark Obsession by Suzanne Rock
Best Overall First Chapter
Stranger on the Shore by Roseanne Dowell
Check it out at http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/2011/03/stranger-on-shore-by-roseanne-dowell.html
Apr 2011 Zenobia Renquist
The Best of March 2011:
Best Cover
Stranger on the Shore by Roseanne Dowell
Dark Obsession by Suzanne Rock
Best Overall First Chapter
Stranger on the Shore by Roseanne Dowell
Check it out at http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/2011/03/stranger-on-shore-by-roseanne-dowell.html
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Praise for Marie Higgins
In this fast paced world of free love and sex, it's refreshing to come across a romance with no sex. Such was the case of Marie Higgins book Hearts Through Time. This was a tender, sometimes humorous, love story about a ghost from 1912 and a reformed playboy lawyer. Abigail Carlisle is stuck for a hundred years in a building formerly owned by her father. She enlists the help of Nick Marshal - a reformed playboy, who rents space in the building, and is the only one who can see her. Of course it took a bit of time to convince him she was really a ghost. But she finally manages. Through the course of his investigation - which isn't easy by the way - after all it is a hundred year old murder - they fall more and more in love. With every clue uncovered, she becomes more and more alive. Without giving more away, I can only say from page one I couldn't stop reading. A real page turner. I really enjoyed this book. It is refreshing to read a romance that doesn't have explicit sex scenes. Proof that a romance book can be enjoyable without them. Kudos to Ms Higgins.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Public Declaration
As of April 11, 2011, I, Roseanne Dowell, have no further connections, legal, copyright, or otherwise, with Wendi Felter and Red Rose Publishing. I consider all rights returned to me and I'm not responsible in any way, legally or otherwise for any action on the part of Red Rose Publishing or Wendi Felter.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
I've decided to do another six from my upcoming release Double the Trouble.
Imagine finding a dead body in the cemetery - above the ground. That's exactly what happened to confirmed bachelorette, Kate Wesley, when she returns to her hometown and opens a Florist shop after a five year absence, Content with her single life, she doesn't need or want a man. The fact that suddenly two are vying for her attention annoys her. The fact that one is her ex finace annoys her even more and worse, he's the detective in charge of the murder investigation.
Already the police were checking the body for vital signs.
“She’s dead all right, sir,” one of them said.
“It isn’t unusual to find dead bodies in a cemetery, but it is to find one above ground.” Adam smiled at his own joke.
Kate cringed. He hasn’t changed much. Still made jokes at the oddest times.
Imagine finding a dead body in the cemetery - above the ground. That's exactly what happened to confirmed bachelorette, Kate Wesley, when she returns to her hometown and opens a Florist shop after a five year absence, Content with her single life, she doesn't need or want a man. The fact that suddenly two are vying for her attention annoys her. The fact that one is her ex finace annoys her even more and worse, he's the detective in charge of the murder investigation.
“She’s dead all right, sir,” one of them said.
“It isn’t unusual to find dead bodies in a cemetery, but it is to find one above ground.” Adam smiled at his own joke.
Kate cringed. He hasn’t changed much. Still made jokes at the oddest times.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Blog Hop
This week's question for the Blog Hop is: Are you a plotter or a panster? Do you plot your stories ahead of writing? Or do you write and see what happens? (Writing “by the seat of your pants”.) Why do you work that way? What are the benefits ...and drawbacks?
I am and always have been a panster. I know my hero and heroine and the beginning and end of the story and what happens in the middle is as much a surprise to me as it is to my readers. I work that way because it works for me. At one of our RWA local chapter meetings, the speaker suggested if we never tried plotting a story to try it. She suggested we write a synopsis and then plot out each chapter.
I figured what the heck. I've never done it, but I'll try almost anything once. The speaker (and several other members - plotters- all agreed that was the way to write. According to them, you wrote a better story. So I sat down and wrote a synopsis and plotted out my story and then I sat down to write.
It went well for while, but then I hit a snag. The story was stuck. My hero and heroine wouldn't talk to me. I couldn't move the story forward. I was seriously blocked. Every day I opened the program and stared at the screen. I read and reread what I had already written - I always do that to refresh my memory. Then I stared at the screen. I knew what was supposed to happen next, but for some reason it didn't work.
No matter what I did, I couldn't write the next sentence. So I did what I usually do when I'm blocked. I moved on to something else. I revised an old story and submitted it. Then I came back to this one. Nothing, nada. The characters wouldn't speak to me. So again, I found an old story, expanded and revised it and submitted it too.
This went on for over two years. I just couldn't make happen what was supposed to happen. About six months ago, I was emailing my writing buddy and ranting about this story and how frustrated I was. Suddenly in the course of composing the email, I started asking what if. What if this happened or what if my heroine did this or my hero did that and walla - the story started to move forward. I put the synopsis and plot outline out of my mind - at least for the most part - and the story went off in a whole differrent direction. I even introduced a new character.
I'm still not finished with it, but at least it's going forward now.
I can guarantee I'll never plot another story, nor will I write a synopsis first. No thanks, for me it doesn't work. Maybe there's benefits to it, but I benefit better by letting my characters guide me. Are there drawbacks to writing this way? I haven't found any. Being a panster works for me.
I am and always have been a panster. I know my hero and heroine and the beginning and end of the story and what happens in the middle is as much a surprise to me as it is to my readers. I work that way because it works for me. At one of our RWA local chapter meetings, the speaker suggested if we never tried plotting a story to try it. She suggested we write a synopsis and then plot out each chapter.
I figured what the heck. I've never done it, but I'll try almost anything once. The speaker (and several other members - plotters- all agreed that was the way to write. According to them, you wrote a better story. So I sat down and wrote a synopsis and plotted out my story and then I sat down to write.
It went well for while, but then I hit a snag. The story was stuck. My hero and heroine wouldn't talk to me. I couldn't move the story forward. I was seriously blocked. Every day I opened the program and stared at the screen. I read and reread what I had already written - I always do that to refresh my memory. Then I stared at the screen. I knew what was supposed to happen next, but for some reason it didn't work.
No matter what I did, I couldn't write the next sentence. So I did what I usually do when I'm blocked. I moved on to something else. I revised an old story and submitted it. Then I came back to this one. Nothing, nada. The characters wouldn't speak to me. So again, I found an old story, expanded and revised it and submitted it too.
This went on for over two years. I just couldn't make happen what was supposed to happen. About six months ago, I was emailing my writing buddy and ranting about this story and how frustrated I was. Suddenly in the course of composing the email, I started asking what if. What if this happened or what if my heroine did this or my hero did that and walla - the story started to move forward. I put the synopsis and plot outline out of my mind - at least for the most part - and the story went off in a whole differrent direction. I even introduced a new character.
I'm still not finished with it, but at least it's going forward now.
I can guarantee I'll never plot another story, nor will I write a synopsis first. No thanks, for me it doesn't work. Maybe there's benefits to it, but I benefit better by letting my characters guide me. Are there drawbacks to writing this way? I haven't found any. Being a panster works for me.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
Six more from my soon to be released book, Double the Trouble.
The nerve of him. Coming in here telling her what to do or not do. Who the hell did he think he was? She slammed the pot on the table a little too hard and it broke. “Damn it!” She turned to face Adam when he followed her.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Origin of April Fool's Day
Origins of April Fool's Day
April the 1st
The first of April, some do say, April The 1st
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
-- Poor Robin's Almanac (1790)
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows
himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare - As You Like It (Act V, Scene I)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Origins Of April Fool's Day - April 1
What is April Fools Day and how did it begin?
Well, that is a very good question. The origin of this holiday is rather uncertain.
However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar
the date for the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st.
During that time in history there was no television or radio so word spread slowly.
There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those who
merely forgot.
These people were considered "fools" and invitations to non-existent parties and
other practical jokes were played on them.
"All Fools' Day" is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes and
sending people on a fool's errand.
Others believe that the origin began with celebrations at the Spring Equinox.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April Fools Days History
ANCIENT ROME
The custom of playing practical jokes on friends was part of the celebrations
in ancient Rome on March 25 (Hilaria)
The timing seems related to the vernal equinox and the coming of spring
a time when nature fools us with sudden changes between showers.
and sunshine.
ENGLAND
In England, tricks can be played only in the morning.
If a trick is played on you, you are a "noodle".
Widespread observance in England began in the 18th century.
SCOTLAND
In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long and you are called an
"April Gowk", which is another name for a cuckoo bird.
In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long.
The second day is called Taily Day and is dedicated to pranks
involving the buttocks.
Taily Day's gift to posterior posterity is the still-hilarious
"Kick Me" sign.
FRANCE
In France, the April Fool's is called "April Fish" (Poisson d'Avril).
The French fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs
and when someone discovers this trick, they yell "Poisson d'Avril!"
SPAIN
Dia de los Santos Inocentes is held in Spain on December 28th.
This is The Feast of the Holy Innocents.
It is celebrated similarily to April Fool's Day, with practical jokes.
AMERICA
The English, Scotch and French introduced the custom to their
colonies in America.
One of our forefathers' favorite jokes was to send someone
on a "fool's errand."
For example, one might have been asked to go out and obtain a copy
of "The History of Adam's Grandfather," or bring back some
"sweet vinegar."
MEXICO
The "foolish" tradition is celebrated in Mexico, too, but on a different
day and for different reasons.
"El Dia de los Inocentes," which is December 28, was set aside as a day
for Christians to mourn Herod's slaughter of innocent children.
Over time, the tone of that "unluckiest of days" has evolved from
sadness to good-natured trickery.
Reprinted from http://www.southcom.com.au/~seymour/aprilfool/april.htm
April the 1st
The first of April, some do say, April The 1st
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
-- Poor Robin's Almanac (1790)
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows
himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare - As You Like It (Act V, Scene I)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Origins Of April Fool's Day - April 1
What is April Fools Day and how did it begin?
Well, that is a very good question. The origin of this holiday is rather uncertain.
However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar
the date for the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st.
During that time in history there was no television or radio so word spread slowly.
There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those who
merely forgot.
These people were considered "fools" and invitations to non-existent parties and
other practical jokes were played on them.
"All Fools' Day" is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes and
sending people on a fool's errand.
Others believe that the origin began with celebrations at the Spring Equinox.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April Fools Days History
ANCIENT ROME
The custom of playing practical jokes on friends was part of the celebrations
in ancient Rome on March 25 (Hilaria)
The timing seems related to the vernal equinox and the coming of spring
a time when nature fools us with sudden changes between showers.
and sunshine.
ENGLAND
In England, tricks can be played only in the morning.
If a trick is played on you, you are a "noodle".
Widespread observance in England began in the 18th century.
SCOTLAND
In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long and you are called an
"April Gowk", which is another name for a cuckoo bird.
In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long.
The second day is called Taily Day and is dedicated to pranks
involving the buttocks.
Taily Day's gift to posterior posterity is the still-hilarious
"Kick Me" sign.
FRANCE
In France, the April Fool's is called "April Fish" (Poisson d'Avril).
The French fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs
and when someone discovers this trick, they yell "Poisson d'Avril!"
SPAIN
Dia de los Santos Inocentes is held in Spain on December 28th.
This is The Feast of the Holy Innocents.
It is celebrated similarily to April Fool's Day, with practical jokes.
AMERICA
The English, Scotch and French introduced the custom to their
colonies in America.
One of our forefathers' favorite jokes was to send someone
on a "fool's errand."
For example, one might have been asked to go out and obtain a copy
of "The History of Adam's Grandfather," or bring back some
"sweet vinegar."
MEXICO
The "foolish" tradition is celebrated in Mexico, too, but on a different
day and for different reasons.
"El Dia de los Inocentes," which is December 28, was set aside as a day
for Christians to mourn Herod's slaughter of innocent children.
Over time, the tone of that "unluckiest of days" has evolved from
sadness to good-natured trickery.
Reprinted from http://www.southcom.com.au/~seymour/aprilfool/april.htm
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