July 12, 2006

STANDING OUT IN A CROWD

Been reading a lot today. Among the tomes –> two books about what makes a bestseller. Fascinating stuff. And all about as predictable as what makes that one lone poppy stick it’s head above all the others …

I did find this interesting, too … stole it from Isabel Swift’s blog. Isabel — Harlequin’s VP author, asset development — will be talking to this topic (Storytelling in the digital age) at the RWA gathering in Atlanta. Dang it. Wish I was going to be there …

Top 10 things to remember when telling stories in the digital age:

1. Great storytelling: foundation for everything
2. Bite sized, accessible, quick
3. Repurposed content
4. Portability (streaming, downloading, satellite)
5. Multiple layers (audio, visual)
6. World-building
7. Interaction connectedness, participation
8. Discovery, uncertainty, lack of control
9. Voyeuristic
10. Freedom

“Your story is no longer limited to being read from a printed page but can be experienced in many ways at many time across multiple media creating a rich layered story experience.”

—

My Path: Rainbow

My Distance: 53 mins

My Beat: Desmond Decker – You can get it if you really want it

July 11, 2006

POETRY IN MOTION …

That’s what it felt like. To be able to run again, among the wildflowers and the wind. I will never take for granted what it feels to be healthy, because for a human to run hard, and free, and long, is to feel the spread of vestigial wings. Ah … but I get corny, again . Still it was damn fine to use the old leg. Looks like it’s on the mend (take note, Bailey).

And on sad and maddening note — and I do have to mention this — it looks like us fine humans with all our scientific advancements and genetically-modified creations …. have allowed yet another beast to go extinct. The black rhino.

July 10, 2006

IT’S HERE!!!

July 9, 2006

LAZY DAY SUNDAY …

Okay, I didn’t quite do the Brunswick (but oh to sleep in such a relaxed fashion ), but I didn’t write either. I did a massive grocery shop down south, the big unpack, a major cooking-and-freezing session, and oversaw the vacuuming of the house . Whoo hoo, delegation is king!!

And as they say, a change really is as good as a holiday. Plus I discovered a new (to me) espionage-thriller author in the grocery store book aisle — Ted Bell. I’ve cracked open his PIRATE and am rather enjoying the British old-boy tone coupled with very contemporary plot. I’m a real sucker for a Bond type. And cloak-and-dagger spy thrillers. Suck me in every time.

All in all, not a bad day. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

July 8, 2006

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Point of View – from up here, from over the handlebars of my bike. Well worth it after the climb.

I took today off from writing — went biking and read instead (and did some way overdue chores, but we won’t dwell on that ). It made me realize just how necessary it is to step away from the computer every now and then. After a subtle shift in perspective, my mind is once again buzzing with new ideas …. or … maybe that’s the chocolate?? Whatever. I think I shall do the same again tomorrow, and hit things with a vengeance come Monday.

Maybe by then I can try a little run again, too. I’m in serious withdrawal because the leg is just not co-operating.

Off to start my new Linda Howard now…

July 7, 2006

Talkin’ to me …

Laird Hamilton. Above. Is talking to me right now. (Nothing new about that ) But so is the model below. And in my mind, together, they are starting to sing. These two images are among those going up on my inspiration board today. I love this part … the part where everything is possible …

Because the Sultan AAs are a wrap!! Only one more set to go — for RULES OF RE-ENGAGEMENT, my December book which, I was thrilled to notice, is now listed for presale on Amazon. So now it really is time to play with a few new things ….

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