Interesting Quotes

NaBloPoMo Post #6

If you have been following my blog or following me on Twitter, you already know my love for great quotes. t If you'd like to check out my favorite quotes on writing, they are in this post.

I thought it's time for more great quotes.

The important thing is never to stop questioning. ~Albert Einstein

Be who you are and say what you mean because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss 

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. ~Steve Jobs

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. ~Marie Curie

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ~Elanor Roosevelt

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. ~Mark Twain

Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay it's price. ~Sun Tzu

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. ~Confucius

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. ~Sun Tzu

Do nothing that is of no use. ~Miyamoto Musashi

 

Pen vs. Computer Writing

NaBloPoMo Post #5

The pen is mightier than the sword. But the computer might be mightier still.

In retrospect, it took me by surprise that I now prefer to write on computer nowadays rather than on paper. Up to a few years ago, I loved filling pages and pages with the ink in my scribble. It felt good to run my hand over those pages and feel the clean dark rows of ink indentations. It was exciting even.

I've also loved stationary all my life. All kinds of stationary. I remember visiting my grandma's job and leaving with a load of pens and little notebooks that her co-workers would give to me. Shopping for back to school used to be my favorite kind of shopping because I would get to pick out fun new folders and buy lined paper.

But now I barely write on paper. I might take notes here and there if I'm in transit or somewhere the computer is not accessible. It might be because I work with computers all day long and it's more of a habit now. It might be that the words on the computer screen come out nice and clean, and I don't have to try to figure out what my own hand wrote a day ago. And if I have to correct something, it won't get messier because I have to cross something out and write over it. I'll just delete it off the page and write new words in its place. It might also be that I type over 70 wpm and it's just faster. Whatever it is, writing on the computer is definitely my preferred method of writing today.

Then again, I never thought I would be able to not read books that weren't on paper. And here I am, happily reading books on my Nook more and more. I still love the feel of a paper book in my hands. I still love to buy new notebooks from time to time. But reality is, I have adjusted to the electronic versions quiet well.

Friday Art and History Feature - Leonardo da Vinci

NaBloPoMo Post #4


Leonardo Da Vinci

 Two interests have always followed me throughout my life, since I was a little girl - writing (and reading) and art. I remember my mom taking me to all of the museums and exhibitions in Kiev (where I was born and spent my childhood) during the day before school (my school had two shifts, morning and afternoon).
I also remember buying every possible art book that I could find and being fascinated by artist biographies. I painted a little myself as well, mostly watercolors.

One of the artists that influenced me the most is Leonardo Da Vinci, the ultimate Renaissance man. His creativity, ingenuity and an amazing thirst for life have become an inspiration to many generations.
He remains an inspiration to this day. Much of his life, however, remains a mystery.

Mona Lisa

Leonardo's most famous works are Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. Everyone is familiar with them. However, there's a tremendous body of work beyond that.

The Last Supper

 Leonardo was born in 1452 in a Tuscan town of Vinci, to a wealthy notary by the name of Pier da Vinci and a peasant woman by the name of Caterina. At the age of 14, he became an apprentice in the workshop of the artist Verrocchio. During his life, some of the most powerful and influential people of the period served as his patrons. The list includes Lorenzo di Medici, Cesare Borgia and Francis I of France, with whom he became good friends at the end of his life. He died in 1519 in France, under the protection of Francis.

During his life, Leonardo was involved in engineering, medicine, architecture, mathematics and anatomy. His famous notebook, which he wrote using a special code (you can only read it in the mirror), contains detailed drawings of anatomical structures, archetectural designs and engineering inventions. In fact, Leonardo designed a helicopter that, if built today, would be able to fly.


Leonardo's helicopter

 Vasari, the most famous biographer of Renaissance artists, described Leonardo da Vinci as possessing “outstanding physical beauty”, “infinite grace”, “great strength and generosity” and “regal spirit and tremendous breadth of mind”.

Anatomical studies from Leonardo's notebook

As much as is known about this amazing individual, there’s still much mystery surrounding him. For example, it is possible that he was a vegetarian. His spiritual believes are not clear. Even though he lived in Christian societies, it seems that his believes were much more agnostic. Since expressing this would be seen as heretical, it is thought that he hid messages about his believes in his artwork. This was part of the inspiration for the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Another mystery that still remains is Leonardo’s sexuality. Many historians believe that he had a few homosexual relationships throughout his life, especially with his two students Salai and Melzi.

Leonardo Da Vinci, possibly the most versatile genius in history, remains an enigma.

Vitruvian man



My Ideal Writing Space

NaBloPoMo Post #3

Having an appropriate and cozy work space is important to about anyone. However, nobody needs it more than someone who creates, especially a writer. Yes, it’s true that writers can write just about anywhere – in the train during commute to or from work, in a doctor’s office waiting for an appointment, on a plane during a business trip or sitting on the bed while holding the laptop on…well, the lap.

But every writer dreams of an ideal writing space that will inspire them and spur productivity. I can think of a number of variations that I would love to have for myself. Here's a few.   

                    

One is a small cozy office with one wall being a floor to ceiling window, looking out into a beautiful green forest and far-off blue mountains. It is a picture of calm and idyll. There’s a small dark mahogany desk that fits a laptop and a few papers. There’s also  a cozy armchair by the window and lots of bookshelves.

Another is very similar but with an ocean view. I love open spaces and light. The space itself doesn't have to be big. Large spaces can be crowded and uncomfortable and small spaces can be open and light. It's all about the design and the feel.

I also love clean simple modern lines and even though a city view would not be my number one choice, it has its appeal for me as well, especially considering that it’s an inspiration, in a way, when some urban fantasy.

Here are a few more pictures of what I think are great writing spaces (or the views from the writing rooms).

 Until I can create one of my ideal writing spaces, however, I will continue to happily write on a little portable table by the bed with my hubby working a few feet away on his computer.

What is your ideal writing space like?

My Favorite Writing and Writer Blogs - Part I

NaBloPoMo post #2

Writing oriented and writer/author blogs can be a great source for learning about the writing craft, fun ideas and much inspiration.

Here are a few of my favorite writing/writer blogs:

Write it Sideways - Writing Advice From a Fresh Perspective. Lots of fresh content continously

Rachelle Gardner Literary Agent - Writing and Publishing advice from an agent's perspective

Story Treasure - A fun informative blog by Sonia Lal

Backstory - Where authors share secrets, truths, logical and illogical moments that sparked their fiction or memoirs

Writer's Write - Your One Stop Resource for Information about Books, Writing and Publishing. Daily Content.

Author Heather McCorkle - lots of tips and advice for writers, writer support and information on Heather's writing

Check out all these great blogs for a little (or a lot of) writer inspiration. Part II coming soon with more great writing blogs.

Share your favorite writing blogs!

NaBloPoMo

Well, I have an extremely busy and ambitious writing month ahead of me, it seems. On top of doing the "unofficial" version of the "NaNoWriMo" (in other words, just pushing myself extra hard on writing this month - working on book #2 with Tina Moss and on my individual WIP), I have also comitted and signed up to participate in NaBloPoMo - a committment to write a blog a day for a month.

I love the idea of prompts and so a number of the NaBloPoMo blog posts this month will be writing on these prompts. This is in addition to any other posts I have planned for the month. Hope I can manage to do all of the above, so any encouragement is strongly appreciated.

And so, here's the 1st NaBloPoMo post.

Prompt #1: What is your favourite part about writing?

I have loved writing ever since I could remember, ever since I picked up a pen and learned to write my first words. Between 10 and 13 yeas old, I had a notebook where I continuously wrote a story about  a girl that was based on my own life. The girl in this “novel” had the same hobbies, interests and activities that I had. I even had occasional family readings wich my super supportive parents and brother had to patiently suffer through. In high school, writing essays was my favorite school activity and encouragement from a couple of wonderful teachers  helped. Now I write urban fantasy and paranormal romance and I’m having the time of my life (yes, Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies).

My firmly believe that my love of writing came out of my love of readings. My thirst for books is absolutely insatiable and has been since I was about five. I love loosing myself in the different worlds with all of the feelings and emotions, adventures and action that go with them. Some would say it’s escapism at its best. I think it’s much more than that.

When I write, I experience similar feelings. There are stories inside my head waiting to be told and it’s an amazing feeling to have them down on paper. I also would love to have my novels do for others what other people’s novels do for me. The greatest satisfaction for me to get from writing woud be for someone to lose themselves in my stories, whether it’s just for fun or to help someone through a rough patch, to  fall in love with my characters and go through the ups and downs with them.

Writing is also thereputic for me. It makes me feel pumped, optimistic, ready do anything (at least when my writing actually comes out the I want it to). It makes me want to create more and more. And that is probably my favourite part.

Teaser Tuesday

Here are the rules:

1. Post 2 sentences from the current book you're reading. You can either

a) open the book and share 2 sentences from anywhere on that page or
b) share your favorite 2 senetnces from the book (they have to be in a row)

2. List the page #

*PLEASE DO NOT POST ANYTHING THAT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS A SPOILER!

3. List the name of the book and the author

My teaser of the week:

"Bran had been Marrok for almost two centuries. Why would someone get desperate to change the way things ran just now?"

P. 216

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (yep, still on Moon Called this week)
Share your teasers in the comments or give a link to your blog if you're running a Teaser Tuesday.