tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074795242870041852024-03-07T05:18:49.985-05:00Saracen HeartDo not be satisfied with the stories that came before you.
Unfold your own myth.
-RumiCarolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-5372564940864599292013-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-20T06:00:07.347-04:00An Homage to The Sounds of Istanbul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Afza_Syrup_(Lal_sharbat).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Afza_Syrup_(Lal_sharbat).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Şerbet: Dried fruit, tea, herbs, and/or spices in any combination imaginable, concentrated into a syrup, and ideally served over shaved ice from the mountains. Find some great examples like violet, pomegranate mint, or tamarind on <i><a href="http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/young.readers.world/the.worlds.first.soft.drink/default.htm">Saudi Aramco World</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Şerbet takes on a certain magic when it's served to you by a traditional street vendor, but to really understand what I mean, you'll have to watch the following kidlit-friendly clip.<br />
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<br />
From the clanking glasses of the Şerbetci,<br />
to the gulls crying,<br />
to the backgammon dice rolling across the boards...<br />
Every sound is something a girl (little or big) can enjoy. <br />
<br />
My favorite: the purring kitty hills.<br />
Istanbul is full of cats.<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17632183?autoplay=1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="504"></iframe><br />
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Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-22733198930760125112013-05-13T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-13T06:00:13.439-04:00Cultured<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Pearl_oyster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Pearl_oyster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In 1917, Cartier acquired his New York City location in a famous trade: $100 and a double string of pearls valued at one million dollars, in exchange for a 5th Avenue address.<br />
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Meanwhile, across the globe, Tokichi Nishikawa patented his first cultured pearls. When Nishikawa married the daughter of Mikimoto, the union changed the pearl industry forever. Cultured pearls, created for a fraction of the price, in a fraction of the time, were destined to control the market ... with nacre just barely skin deep.<br />
<br />
In 1957, that one million dollar Cartier double strand sold at auction for only $151,000. <br />
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<strong><em>So I ask:</em></strong> <br />
<br />
How much authenticity is enough? Is a quick eye test the only valid gauge? (Rhetorical question, I'm afraid.)<br />
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<strong><em>The same concept applied to writing: </em></strong><br />
<br />
Details can be layered as deep as an author pleases, but those details better look pretty enough on the surface. A reader is most interested in the sheen, after that, they want to keep on flipping those pages. The only authenticity an author can't skimp on is character. <br />
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Well ...that last statement is not entirely true for every genre. *ahem*<br />
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<br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-11398255998373006422013-05-02T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-06T20:34:22.594-04:00Where I've been lately...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wish my news was exciting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's a day job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm back to the daily grind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm determined to make this work/writing thing balance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as I get settled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Outside of work, I spent the past couple of weeks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1) Learning and networking in a dialogue writing workshop
with my editor/friends, Carin Siegfried and Betsy Thorpe of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TwoEditorsAndAComma?fref=ts">Two Editors and a Comma</a></i> (Pics are on
their page.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2) Browsing at the
Tweet Up for the Charlotte Friends of the Library book sale (Look what I found!
In German! I didn't buy them, but I did bring home two bags full of other good
books.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCMhwrXqHxN-E2n6aAjn9zwyK_-XUxjTup__i4j_N-8cVglh48bA8esHxR1AOH_FXsIYWNnypQWPeE_bqeiX0jxhg0lUUQ4pQqgi9pqyZUKEkbd1qN8TIRcHenGpcZe1WI87Bx3fQIUc/s1600/Martin+German.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCMhwrXqHxN-E2n6aAjn9zwyK_-XUxjTup__i4j_N-8cVglh48bA8esHxR1AOH_FXsIYWNnypQWPeE_bqeiX0jxhg0lUUQ4pQqgi9pqyZUKEkbd1qN8TIRcHenGpcZe1WI87Bx3fQIUc/s200/Martin+German.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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3) Distributing twenty copies of THE LIGHTNING THIEF for World Book Night <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLauraxoK1bNtBCscB_qiAY4dIVvwQQL9GIbwrGnevIZQZ8V-gOMS7LpQ6cxZrJ_FPh3TFAM9Iun_Fqfg4MykS3nqQGcSfPKB_ljNxiUtpZRqNhzIfW7lhfUSIQg1wfRXUNOufu8mbhU/s1600/PJ+World+Book+Night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLauraxoK1bNtBCscB_qiAY4dIVvwQQL9GIbwrGnevIZQZ8V-gOMS7LpQ6cxZrJ_FPh3TFAM9Iun_Fqfg4MykS3nqQGcSfPKB_ljNxiUtpZRqNhzIfW7lhfUSIQg1wfRXUNOufu8mbhU/s200/PJ+World+Book+Night.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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And <br />
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4) Watching my son play in two, weekend-long basketball tournaments. <br />
(I might need a chiropractor soon. Those bleachers are unforgiving!)<br />
<br />
Regular programming should resume shortly ...<br />
<br />
I'm lining up some posts for the rest of the month.<br />
I'm planning to finish edits for at least eight chapters of BA this month.<br />
<br />
Hold me to it!Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-45930413319048182352013-04-15T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-15T06:00:17.503-04:00Istanbulive5 - gripin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGDbEQQ_Mg98d-X2RPcCGtzw61L-XCAcQVNpQfCN-mzE9pTDocP_AbyMbA6eTnkc8ophH7ee1wXkPzK4Fb3iH0ZbHodIkGEsVlQItOwzat5etMRtQ1lQ8Cv7NcLUePyFU9yy-q3RuzbY/s1600/istanbulive5home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGDbEQQ_Mg98d-X2RPcCGtzw61L-XCAcQVNpQfCN-mzE9pTDocP_AbyMbA6eTnkc8ophH7ee1wXkPzK4Fb3iH0ZbHodIkGEsVlQItOwzat5etMRtQ1lQ8Cv7NcLUePyFU9yy-q3RuzbY/s320/istanbulive5home.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
My latest musical crush is on the Turkish band, gripin.<br />
(gripin is also a med to cure the flu.)
They were recently here in the US with <a href="http://www.istanbulive.org/">Istanbulive</a>, which I missed AGAIN. I need to plan better next year.
<br />
<br />
gripin has some good songs, but my favorite right now is called<em> They</em> <i><i>Found the Cure for Loneliness -
Yalnızlığın Çaresini Bulmuşlar.</i><i></i></i> I planned to share the lyrics, but wow, lots of idioms and I didn't have enough time to straighten the words out. The long and short: One lie missing, one lie extra - either way it doesn't matter - the world keeps turning. <br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v8THpKjLpnk" width="560"></iframe><br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-79243669214538759262013-04-08T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-08T06:00:14.802-04:00ARC Giveaway: DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting<div class="timesHead" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/0/9780062082220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/0/9780062082220.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In continuation of last week's chaos, my life hasn't settled into any routine. I'm also waiting for betas to get back to me, and just - bluh!</span></div>
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<br />
I also forgot to post the winner for the FEARLESS giveaway - and the official result of the drawing is Theresa Brown Milstein.<br />
Congrats! <br />
<br /></div>
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In return for your patience, here's another ARC giveaway, this one for DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting. YA magical realism is the best way to describe it - with some bodies and suspenseful catch-the-bad guy scenes. I haven't even had the time to crack the spine on this one, but I've read others in this series, and they're good, in a creepy way.</div>
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Leave a comment with a valid way for me to reach you, and I'll post the winner next week. Good luck!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">From </span><a href="http://www.harperteen.com/books/Dead-Silence-Kimberly-Derting/?isbn=9780062082220?AA=index_authorIntro_35554"><span style="font-size: small;">HarperTeen:</span></a></div>
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<h1 class="bookTitle" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dead Silence</span></h1>
<div class="timesHead" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A Body Finder
Novel</span></div>
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<h3 class="byLine" id="ctl01_ContentPlaceHolder1_ctrlByline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By </span><a class="byLine" href="http://www.harperteen.com/authors/35554/Kimberly_Derting/index.aspx"><span style="font-size: small;">Kimberly Derting</span></a> </h3>
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<td class="bookBuyInfo" width="70"><b> On Sale:</b> </td>
<td class="bookBuyInfo" width="280">4/16/2013 </td></tr>
<tr id="ctl01_ContentPlaceHolder1_trFormats">
<td class="bookBuyInfo" colspan="2" width="350"><b> Formats:</b> <span class="selected">Hardcover</span> | <a href="http://www.harperteen.com/books/Dead-Silence-Kimberly-Derting/?isbn=9780062082244">eBook</a> </td></tr>
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Description:</div>
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<div id="ctl01_ContentPlaceHolder1_pBookDesc" style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Sometimes the Dead Can't Be Silenced.
<br />
Violet thought she had made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes
of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers . . . until she
acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible
events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal
life. However, the people who run the special investigative team she works for
have no intention of letting her go. <br />
<br />
Violet will do whatever it takes to keep her loved ones safe—even if it means
lying to her boyfriend, Jay. But when an echo calls to her, she stumbles upon a
murder scene unlike anything she's ever witnessed. The murders are frenzied and
twisted, and the killer left a disturbing calling card for all to see—a
brimstone cross sketched in blood on the wall. And Violet finds herself pulled
into a deadly hunt for a vicious madman with an army of devoted followers. <br />
<br />
Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers
that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting
herself. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Thanks to my indie bookseller, </em></strong><a href="http://parkroadbooks.com/"><strong><em>PARK ROAD BOOKS</em></strong></a><strong><em> for providing this copy.</em></strong></div>
Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-37602093620906175082013-04-01T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-01T06:00:11.044-04:00Istanbul's Olympic Bid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX_KH3y8RoSQ5G8xzk0_zAwLr7_9FPRuvwiMJtaNneAWhRTMHig3K1EkmPedyZa9RSd7m58IGRy6MU8AS7SYeSNAift8bkbev1lT6sW746KyEaFVHRXKZQVy877WoVWhCqmGfLBwmptE/s1600/Istanbul+2020+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX_KH3y8RoSQ5G8xzk0_zAwLr7_9FPRuvwiMJtaNneAWhRTMHig3K1EkmPedyZa9RSd7m58IGRy6MU8AS7SYeSNAift8bkbev1lT6sW746KyEaFVHRXKZQVy877WoVWhCqmGfLBwmptE/s320/Istanbul+2020+Logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The International Olympic Committee is in the Turkish news right now:<br />
<br />
Istanbul; 27 March 2013: The IOC Evaluation Commission
concluded its inspection of Istanbul today with a final press conference to
over 200 international and Turkish media and declared that they had an
"excellent impression" of the Istanbul 2020 bid.
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<br />
In a press conference at the Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel,
Chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission, Sir Craig Reedie, said:
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<br />
"The IOC 2020 Evaluation Commission has been very pleased to spend time here in the extraordinary city of Istanbul. We have an excellent impression of the Bid Committee, and we have witnessed the strong support that the bid enjoys from the government, which was highlighted by the presence of President Gül this week. It has been a great pleasure to meet with so many Olympians, Paralympians, athletes and the Bid Committee - we have seen the enthusiasm for the Olympic Games that exists here in Istanbul." <br />
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<em>source: </em><a href="http://www.istanbul2020.com.tr/files/27March_2.pdf"><em>Istanbul 2020</em></a><em> press release</em><br />
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I may be biased, but just clicking around the Istanbul2020 website, I can tell you there's an amazing construction plan for top notch venues and services. All that plus amazing historic sites? <br />
You might want to book your plane tickets now.<br />
<br />
Here's the promotional video for Istanbul.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p-fiMnuE6Xw" width="560"></iframe><br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com3Istanbul, Turkey41.00527 28.97695999999996340.621820500000005 28.331512999999962 41.3887195 29.622406999999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-75420812703804186692013-03-28T11:44:00.001-04:002013-03-28T11:44:52.872-04:00Dreams & Ice Cream<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp29-pUYPu7uWR8Gi1b1RaiYk-_hMr_kwfNfjSIaoxzbQFHxV0FHXohJyUpmroyhHB88Kz2Ev916R_wOTnT4MGM9vpCMBcAQPafwMfZ0wQg4e4bNRTlOPrOd6q1msxAUm6v-zzywSjHM/s1600/teachingthestory_revised2nd_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp29-pUYPu7uWR8Gi1b1RaiYk-_hMr_kwfNfjSIaoxzbQFHxV0FHXohJyUpmroyhHB88Kz2Ev916R_wOTnT4MGM9vpCMBcAQPafwMfZ0wQg4e4bNRTlOPrOd6q1msxAUm6v-zzywSjHM/s1600/teachingthestory_revised2nd_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maupinhouse.com/index.php/teaching-the-story-fiction-writing-in-grades-4-9.html">Maupin House</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last week a member of my SCBWI critique group sent out an email, wondering how to deal with the stress of submissions. I wrote her a (probably-too-long, from-the-heart) response. <br />
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Another member chimed in after me.<br />
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The head of our group, Carol Baldwin, asked for permission to share our group support experience, word for word, with the world. <br />
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<a href="http://www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/chasing-your-dream-with-little-help.html"><span style="color: #114499;">Chasing Your Dream--With a Little Help from Your Writing Buddies and Ice Cream</span></a> </h3>
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Please stop by and drop us a comment over on Carol's site. </div>
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About Carol:</div>
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Dauntless leader of the Charlotte SCBWI critique group, at-large member of the Women's National Book Association Charlotte board, writing teacher, and great friend to all aspiring authors...</div>
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<em>Since I was a child I have loved reading and have maintained a journal off and
on for more than 30 years. My book, Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in
Grades 4-8 (Maupin House, 2007) reflects these twin passions of reading and
writing. "If you want to write, read!"</em>Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-25576883832607102252013-03-25T06:00:00.001-04:002013-03-25T06:00:08.867-04:00ARC Giveaway - FEARLESS by Cornelia Funke<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasNZpn5w8GupB2FKNuBe9sDB-4Bm6OqGIxeaWdeouWIUFRQBY8QYA5TOVqf-ZAweA9ngqXgMkzSdTPnt8kl266P4cfZdkd8UePVkpg2LeCgDogDvzrN5jZvnmrnckRC5IZSyqIjZuE8A/s1600/fearless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasNZpn5w8GupB2FKNuBe9sDB-4Bm6OqGIxeaWdeouWIUFRQBY8QYA5TOVqf-ZAweA9ngqXgMkzSdTPnt8kl266P4cfZdkd8UePVkpg2LeCgDogDvzrN5jZvnmrnckRC5IZSyqIjZuE8A/s320/fearless.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cornelia-funke/fearless/9780316056106/">FEARLESS by Cornelia Funke</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love my local Indie book seller, Sally at <a href="http://parkroadbooks.com/">Park Road Books</a>. <br />
She must think I'm kind of cool too because I'm always scoring gorgeous ARCs when I visit her. (Definitely a perk of being the <a href="http://wnba-charlotte.org/">Women's National Book Association Charlotte</a> Membership Chair. You should join. We give away all sorts of adult books, some ARCs too.) <br />
<br />
One time, Sally gave me two boxes full of beautiful ARCs for children in need. She supports the community that way. She also hosts WNBA-C meetings several times a year.<br />
<br />
This week, Sally provided a copy of FEARLESS by Cornelia Funke. (Book Two of the Mirrorworld series - I also posted about Book One, <a href="http://carolynsnowabiad.blogspot.com/search/label/Reckless">RECKLESS</a> )<br />
<br />
Leave a comment with a way for me to reach you. I'll select one lucky winner and I'll announce the results next week.<br />
<br />
Here are the details from the author website:<br />
<br />
FEARLESS<br />
<br />
Can Love Save Jacob Reckless?<br />
<br />
Jacob Reckless has only a few months left to live. He’s tried everything to shake the fairy curse that traded his life for his brother’s—legends like the All-Healing Apple, the Well of Eternal Youth, the blood of a northern djinn. And yet hope after hope is extinguished. After months of fruitless searching, Jacob journeys to Mirrorland one last time to deliver the bad news to Fox.<br />
<br />
But there they hear of one last possibility. An item so legendary that not even Mirrorworlders believe it exists. A crossbow that could kill thousands, or heal one, when shot through the heart. To find it, Jacob is going to have to beat out a Goyl treasure hunter who is also searching for the prized crossbow— and somehow convince Fox to do whatever it takes to save him.<br />
"Jacob's second adventure is told, and this time I had travelled so far beyond the mirror, that I almost didn't find back. I travelled with mermen, Bluebeards and princes, by train and ship, on horseback and by uncomfortable coaches. I looked into Fox' past and I felt Jacob's mortal fear. I met false witches, a blacksmith with a golden foot, a Goyl with onyx skin... and I miss all that so very much, so that I am now reading Russian fairy tales to continue my journey with book III. Who knows how many books this story will fill in the end. It keeps its secrets safe as the treasures that Jacob is searching for! I can't wait to disclose them all. Jacob is smiling. Needless to say! He knows what I am talking about..." (Cornelia about her book "Fearless")<br />
<br />
<br />
Extract<br />
On the nightstand next to her bed lay a white feather. Jacob had to smile. She’d kept one. Just like Chanute had also taught him: whatever you find for your clients, always make sure you keep some for yourself. Jacob ran his fingers over the soft down that covered the quill. Whatever was touched with that feather would immediately disappear and only reappear where the feather was put down. Chanute had transported a lot of treasure that way. But it didn’t always work. Some was lost along the way. “Don’t even try. That feather’s mine.” Fox’s eyes were still full of sleep and she flinched as she propped herself up on her injured arm. “Since when are you going treasure hunting without me?” I missed you – he wanted to add, but her glance was cool, like it always was when he’d been away too long. “It wasn’t hard,” she said. “And I didn’t know when you might be back.” Yes, she’d grown up, even if he could still see the girl. In his eyes she’d always been beautiful, even when she’d still been the scrawny little thing that didn’t want to pick the burrs from her hair. Beautiful, like anything that was wild and free. But now she wore the vixen’s beauty on her human skin, and she had turned into a woman without him really noticing it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br />
<div class="spec-wrapper">
Price: $19.99 US/$21.99 CAN</div>
<div class="spec-wrapper">
Pages: 432</div>
<div class="spec-wrapper">
Physical Dimensions: 5-1/2" x 8-1/4"</div>
<div class="spec-wrapper">
ISBN-13: 9780316056106</div>
<div class="spec-wrapper">
On Sale Date: 04/02/2013</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.corneliafunke.com/">Cornelia Funke</a> is Germany's bestselling children's author after J. K. Rowling and R. L. Stine. In the fall of 2002, she made her brilliant debut in the English-language market with the release of the <i id="yui_3_8_1_1_1363988511720_1023">New York Times</i> bestseller <i>The Thief Lord</i>. She is also the author of an acclaimed YA fantasy trilogy that includes <i>Inkheart</i>, <i id="yui_3_8_1_1_1363988511720_1022">Inkspell</i>, and <i id="yui_3_8_1_1_1363988511720_1021">Inkdeath</i>. <br />
<br />
Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-22012013400615773952013-03-18T06:00:00.000-04:002013-03-18T06:00:09.615-04:00Istanbul ModernI'm in the middle of a transition right now, so instead of my usual research, how about a clip about
modern Istanbul? The short feature includes hip spots like Kanyon Mall, the Istanbul Modern museum, and gorgeous rootop views.
<br />
<br />
Enjoy!
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tKrrnS0q8LI" width="560"></iframe>Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com2Istanbul, Turkey41.00527 28.97695999999996340.621820500000005 28.331512999999962 41.3887195 29.622406999999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-54361319115655190442013-03-11T06:00:00.000-04:002013-03-11T06:00:10.702-04:00In Search of Comic Relief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Jester-_Joker_Card001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Jester-_Joker_Card001.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
My manuscript, MIST OF KAVALA seems to be harboring a village idiot. <br />
But don't we all need a little levity?
<br />
<br />
The comic relief can tell truths where another character would pay dearly, and when he says something particularly profound, the foreshadow sends shivers through us. We swallow the bitterness and ask for more because every statement is mixed with babble and fun. <br />
<br />
Alas! The more we love the idiot, the more he becomes a valuable tool for the writer to pull out from under us. Comic relief,
aka, expendable.<br />
<br />
I'm going to make a case here, with popular Turkish television. <br />
<br />
You know how I've been watching my soap, <em><a href="http://carolynsnowabiad.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-year-new-favorite.html">Kuzey Guney</a></em>?<br />
<span style="color: red;">(spoiler alert)</span><br />
<br />
Enter: Ali Guntan<br />
<br />
Ali is all fun and jokes, and more dear to Kuzey than a brother.<br />
In the season two finale, Ali takes a bullet, and it's pretty much Kuzey's fault. <br />
I swear I used up a whole box of tissues from all the crying. <br />
<br />
Says me: <em>A curse on both your houses!</em> <br />
<br />
Well, that would be Mercutio's line, really. <br />
And doesn't everybody want to play Mercutio? <br />
<br />
Obviously, Ali was not the equivalent of Mercutio, but he played the same role.<br />
<br />
Without Ali, the writers had to come up with another comic relief - Yunus, a particulary talkative taxi driver. His character doesn't carry the same weight, but he's still useful to the audience for a laugh, and to connect some important dots. <br />
<br />
There are some good writers over there at Ay Yapim, I tell you.<br />
<br />
Another, less useful example of comic relief is part of my other favorite show, <em><span style="color: black;">Muhteşem
Yüzyıl. </span></em>In the murderous harem of Hürrem Sultan, eunuchs Gul Aga, Sumbul Aga, and Kiraz Aga provide respite from the drama - a sort of palate cleanser, if you will. The source of clever phrases and comic actions, these guys aren't killed off, but they're frequently sent away. <br />
<br />
Now I doubt my village idiot will be as masterful as Mercutio, but my gosh, my characters are tiring me out! Anti-heros, village idiots... At this rate, it feels like I'll never finish this story.
<br />
<br />
And so I end with this quote from English poet John Dryden:<br />
<br />
<em>"Shakespeare show'd the best of his skill in his Mercutio, and he said himself, that he was forced to kill him in the third Act, to prevent being killed by him."</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VsRQSazjl4U" width="560"></iframe><br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-76825208666759908732013-03-04T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-07T21:43:46.161-05:00A Tower and Babble<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Kasri_Adalet_Edirne_7363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Kasri_Adalet_Edirne_7363.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasr-ı Adalet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;"><span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr">Call the city Edirne, Odrin, </span><span lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">Edrêne, Edrene<em>,</em> Jedrene, Hadrianopolis, or the original, Uskadama. Whichever you prefer, </span><span lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">I'm calling it torture because it's the setting for c</span>hapter fifteen of my manuscript, BURNT AMBER, and it's killing me. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I have the opportunity to introduce some really interesting information about Edirne, but a dearth of information on one front is preventing me from getting the details right. A plethora of information on another front is just confusing me. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Situated at the border of Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey, the city has been home to many different peoples and suffered sixteen different seiges. I can only highlight one angle in my story.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Or I could keep it thin, and skim over the specifics of the others, but I'm itching to toss in some fantastic, fantabulous stuff - that fits in the djinn world I'm building. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">As far as culture goes, the annual oil wrestling competition at Kırkpınar, known as <span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><em>yağlı güreş,</em> has the makings of a great detail. The Turkish national sport has myth behind it, which I gravitate toward naturally. Still, not EXACTLY what I'm looking for...</span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><span style="color: black;">The Romani festival of Kakava is interesting too. Jumping over hot coals, and match-making seem more along the lines of YA interest. Plus I do have the Romani element in BA already. I'm thinking this is the right festival to use. More research required. Problem: The Romani are secretive. </span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr">The other problem is the date. </span><span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr">Kakava is in May, and my mc visits in August. But then, an agent once told me not to set a story in the summer, because it's harder to sell. Maybe I should go back and rework the dates. </span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><span style="color: black;">On the setting front, I'm researching the Ottoman palace footprint, which is not so easy when only ruins remain. That's the Tower of Justice up there on the right, which is too similar to the one at Topkapi, so I can't really use it. </span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><span style="color: black;">Ah! So many choices, I can't even outline them for you here. Maybe I'll try again in a couple of weeks, when I wrap my head around my sources and the seven syllable Turkish words that I'm attempting to translate.</span></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"> </span>Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-89296320865042225562013-02-25T06:00:00.001-05:002013-02-25T06:00:07.484-05:00Off The Page & Unplugged<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMlow9JpOGqPNw-30X1INIR9goY5j3-pvSQVacCQg-Q6YmavZqBFMgnFKt50FD-SbJS5cE3O68pb-O6-ZKjk-OxzUMxmT3h6dv4cFSsov3CNEVyn02uzqpkJ5mstzhKE_WR6I-JadLh0/s1600/pubpanel1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMlow9JpOGqPNw-30X1INIR9goY5j3-pvSQVacCQg-Q6YmavZqBFMgnFKt50FD-SbJS5cE3O68pb-O6-ZKjk-OxzUMxmT3h6dv4cFSsov3CNEVyn02uzqpkJ5mstzhKE_WR6I-JadLh0/s320/pubpanel1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Adams, Lisa Williams Kline and Betsey Thorpe at<br />
the Women's National Book Association</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some days I'm social media savvy, because every writer should network online. Many days I'm in my writer's cave, at the keyboard, because I live on the printed page. But my best days are spent in the company of my bibliophile friends - in real life.<br />
<br />
So last Tuesday, I attended the <a href="http://wnba-charlotte.org/february-19-dont-miss-our-panel-discussion/">Women's National Book Association</a> joint meeting with Charlotte Writers’ Club, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><em>From Book Idea to the Bookshelf: </em></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><em>The Process and Business of Publishing. </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">The event drew a crowd of over 150 writers. </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Disclaimer. - Though I'm the WNBA Charlotte membership chair, the</span></span> crowd was there to hear from the distinguished panel:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.workman.com/algonquin/">Kelly Bowen, Publicist at Algonquin Books</a><br />
<a href="http://www.adamsliterary.com/">Josh Adams, Agent at Adams Literary</a><br />
<a href="http://betsythorpe.com/">Betsy Thorpe, Editor at Betsy Thorpe Literary Services</a><br />
<a href="http://parkroadbooks.com/">Sally Brewster, Bookseller at Park Road Books</a><br />
Amanda Phillips , MarComm Manager at <a href="http://www.btol.com/">Baker & Taylor</a>, book wholesaler<br />
<a href="http://www.lisawilliamskline.com/">Lisa Williams Kline</a>, author with releases from Zondervan, Delacorte, and Cricket<br />
<br />
So. Lots of great advice. Lots. <br />
<br />
Kelly Bowen shared a publicity story about Algonquin release <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781616200824">WEST OF HERE by Jonathan Evison</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTsQgPfXPjrVWxm8MKzX3Ed543qwrsEy4B4_qzwAC3izUxtlM2lUM5pJDzGg2i-B9oHHhvEmg780ygJWUxD87iKK0m0a2l8dEEsaxMWeTtftOYKgmPOo1huMTV-n1VBwESSpk3qox5Bw/s1600/west+of+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTsQgPfXPjrVWxm8MKzX3Ed543qwrsEy4B4_qzwAC3izUxtlM2lUM5pJDzGg2i-B9oHHhvEmg780ygJWUxD87iKK0m0a2l8dEEsaxMWeTtftOYKgmPOo1huMTV-n1VBwESSpk3qox5Bw/s200/west+of+here.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781616200824">at IndieBound</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since the story is set on the Pacific coast, WEST OF HERE got an interesting introduction to the book buyers' world. A nifty printed map, historic-style photo postcards, and a galley were shipped off in one of those wooden boxes that fishermen use for smoked salmon. You know the kind - wood with a cover that slides out. The clever part of the launch was the salmon company label on the top. <br />
<br />
However...<br />
<br />
Some recipients put the box straight in the fridge. Word got out a few days later and the galleys were rescued from cold storage.<br />
<br />
Reminder: Writers should NOT come up with cute ideas like that to catch an agent's attention.<br />
<br />
Josh Adams recommends that writers:<br />
<br />
1) Write like crazy.<br />
2) Read like crazy.<br />
3) Put stuff out there and query.<br />
4) Put themselves out there and network- preferably in real life.<br />
<br />
He also mentioned that the odds of finding an agent are not in our favor.<br />
<br />
For example, the statistics at Adams Literary are something like this:<br />
1/1,000 if you cold query<br />
1/100 if you meet Josh, Tracey, or Quinlan at an event<br />
1/20 if you are referred through an industry contact<br />
<br />
Don't like your odds? Do something to change them. Attend conferences, workshops, etc. <br />
Just don't stalk. Or send creepy gifts. Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com4Charlotte, NC, USA35.2270869 -80.84312669999997134.8118989 -81.488573699999975 35.642274900000004 -80.197679699999966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-72829018513793060592013-02-21T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-21T06:00:08.738-05:00THE TRUTH ABOUT FAKING Release<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My critique partner is at it again with her new YA contemporary release. Check it out!<br />
<br />
A companion to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Truth-About-Faking-ebook/dp/B00960QOSW/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2_X3CV" target="_blank"><i>The Truth About Faking</i> (link)</a> (not a sequel; the books can be read out of order), <i><b>The Truth About Letting Go</b></i><b> (link)</b> takes readers back to Shadow Falls, or more specifically Shadow Creek, with Ashley Lockett as she learns about friendship, love, and letting go.
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hHUdPK64Tmyu1ZXfa3ErQFUsQvL9Uc3J2U-TBfREwGz0TRSIcHXCtd7S6AVMA_scCQRA1WUAiDqThO8qG55IiUAseNDbfjqg0P0CKNUWf7AR83vVd1rV8KgIGDzJPDiGqngKB3UGjxY/s1600/The+Truth+About+Letting+Go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hHUdPK64Tmyu1ZXfa3ErQFUsQvL9Uc3J2U-TBfREwGz0TRSIcHXCtd7S6AVMA_scCQRA1WUAiDqThO8qG55IiUAseNDbfjqg0P0CKNUWf7AR83vVd1rV8KgIGDzJPDiGqngKB3UGjxY/s320/The+Truth+About+Letting+Go.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>The Truth About Letting Go</i> (link)</b>
by Leigh Talbert Moore
<br />
<br />
Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life.
Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes.
Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side.
Jordan wants to follow his heart--but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make.
Up until now, Ashley Lockett has followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, gone to church. And then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.
Now she's miserable and furious, and she decides to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, rules, faith, and then she meets Jordan.
Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, he's a great kisser... but he's also safe.
Enter Colt. He is <i>not</i> safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley follow her plans.<br />
<br />
Get it today on <b>Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * Kobo</b>
Add it on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17282616-the-truth-about-letting-go" target="_blank"><b>Goodreads</b></a>.
<br />
<br />
<b>Excerpt:</b>
<br />
<br />
<i>I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together.</i>
<i>
</i> <i>“It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.”</i>
<i>
</i> <i>“Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.”</i>
<i>
</i> <i>I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and energy mixes with the alcohol flooding my body. Our tongues slide together, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse. </i>
<i>
</i> <i>Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said. </i>
<i>
</i> <i>He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.”</i>
<br />
<br />
<b>About the Author:</b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnOThgCOafM1RIn-C7PH3aOGuwTvncPOpMZKS7zkwU5I1kLVmhbhl1yu8oUp-y5k9wQ7EwY3aMQCJKbRlJyPJGC5qt1_1YFD01-QnI750GkYyVhCw5OrOMeo5N5V0Ofcf65tawjCT_mQ/s1600/LTM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnOThgCOafM1RIn-C7PH3aOGuwTvncPOpMZKS7zkwU5I1kLVmhbhl1yu8oUp-y5k9wQ7EwY3aMQCJKbRlJyPJGC5qt1_1YFD01-QnI750GkYyVhCw5OrOMeo5N5V0Ofcf65tawjCT_mQ/s200/LTM.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a former journalist and editor, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a lover of YA and new adult romance (really any great love story), a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps.
-<i>The Truth About Faking</i> is her debut young adult romance (on <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Truth-About-Faking-ebook/dp/B00960QOSW/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2_X3CV" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-truth-about-faking-leigh-talbert-moore/1112760001?ean=2940015143959" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-truth-about-faking/id580600538?ls=1" target="_blank">iTunes</a></b>, and <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Truth-About-Faking/book-HQqhF9sY-068j5MTWdPksA/page1.html" target="_blank"><b>Kobo</b></a>)
-<i>Rouge</i> is her first New Adult romantic suspense novel (on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rouge-ebook/dp/B00A5FF1ZO/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1_7XEP" target="_blank"><b>Amazon</b></a>).
Leigh loves hearing from readers; stop by and say hello!
<b><a href="http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LeighTalbertMoore" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://amazon.com/author/leightmoore" target="_blank">Amazon Author page</a> * <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/leightmoore" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/leightmoore" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="http://leightmoore.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a></b>
</div>
Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-5235745703283095792013-02-18T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-18T06:00:01.091-05:00The Karacabey Horse<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Pferdeauge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Pferdeauge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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My story needs a new horse. Doesn't matter what color, but I think black would be nice. I always loved Black Beauty. <br />
<br />
Ottomans loved their horses too. Since the empire stretched into Arabia, Anatolian horses were cross bred with Arabians at will. New breeds were made. The one that eventually became known as Karacabey was the most important - sort of the goldendoodles of their day. Everybody wanted one. Turkey even gifted the the Queen of England with a Karacabey once. <br />
<br />
But then... Then.<br />
<br />
People moved on. People wanted thoroughbreds and European jumpers, and so the Turkish government sold the last of the documented Karacabey breeding stock. Years later, they realized their mistake, too late. The horses had been cross-bred until the Karacabey line was lost. Extinct.<br />
<br />
If I could time travel back to 1980, I'd buy all 3,000 of the horses auctioned off that day.<br />
Couldn't have cost much. The USD-TL exchange rate was crazy low.<br />
Who cared about a stable closing way deep in the Bursa province anyway? <br />
Nobody.<br />
<br />
I'd like to imagine a herd of Karacabey somewhere out in the fields near the Marmara sea. Roan, chestnut, bay, gray, and black. Maybe some farmer has a barn full hidden in plain sight, and some day they'll be discovered, like a priceless Van Gogh. <br />
<br />
The government has since reestablished the Karacabey stables as a thoroughbred stud farm. It's impressive with:<br />
<br />
1,235 acres<br />
790 stalls, <br />
1 hospital, plus other veterinary facilities<br />
250-person staff including<br />
118 grooms, <br />
10 veterinarians & <br />
11 veterinary assistants<br />
<br />
The most famous horse bred at the barn since the reopening is bay stallion, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sanstable"><em>Sabırlı</em></a> - translation: <em>Patient One</em> (April 9, 2001). Sired by Kentucky Derby winner, Strike the Gold<u>,</u> <span style="color: black;">Sabırlı</span> has a pretty nice record of his own. With 51 starts, 26 wins, 10 places, and 8 third place titles, all totaling about $3 million in winnings, he's a top stud at Karacabey. <br />
<br />
Watch <span style="color: black;">Sabırlı </span>win at Dubai in the clip below:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cq0wxMiKaLk" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Karacabey Stables <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=447&GalleryID=1201#PhotoGallery">Photo gallery</a>Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com516700 Karacabey/Bursa Province, Turkey40.2097627 28.36080459999993840.1612597 28.280123599999939 40.258265699999995 28.441485599999936tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-85760187315664012022013-02-11T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-11T06:00:02.886-05:00HYSTERIA Release<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgglPosxrgYNCAuJjnHNhwj85jLLfH78oOdGqeIIV4I959y7g0Hs9PDP_TheFQUJ0_3sviudlCdVAzCwuzyRSipfI-50o82ekISdW_3BbTeLhD3Z_x3oYYsovme5-4y9V0EvLZzFDlQw/s1600/Hysteria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgglPosxrgYNCAuJjnHNhwj85jLLfH78oOdGqeIIV4I959y7g0Hs9PDP_TheFQUJ0_3sviudlCdVAzCwuzyRSipfI-50o82ekISdW_3BbTeLhD3Z_x3oYYsovme5-4y9V0EvLZzFDlQw/s400/Hysteria.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greenhouseliterary.com/">HYSTERIA by Megan Miranda</a></td></tr>
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Last week, I went to the book launch for HYSTERIA by local author, <a href="http://www.meganmiranda.com/">Megan Miranda</a>. <br />
<br />
I waited patiently in line with my critique partner, watching the stack of books dwindle, hoping there would be enough. (Note to self: buy the book as soon as you walk in the store next time.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bethrevis.com/">Beth Revis,</a> author of the ACROSS THE UNIVERSE series, was is line behind me, being her sweet self. (I've noticed the YA authors in North Carolina look out for each other, and it's just one more reason I want to join the ranks.)<br />
<br />
It was so nice to see the many supportive fans, friends and family of author- Megan's dad beaming over her as she signed book after book. Juxtaposition at it's finest, I tell you, because I have no idea where a girl like Megan gets such creepy ideas. No idea.<br />
<br />
So.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>About HYSTERIA:</em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="authorBioPlaceHolder" id="authorBioPlaceHolder" oldblock="block" style="display: none;">
<div class="expandAuthorBio" id="expandAuthorBio">
<span class="swSprite s_expandChevron"></span><a class="showMore" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hysteria-Megan-Miranda/dp/0802723101/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1360338267&sr=8-3&keywords=hysteria#">Show
More </a></div>
</div>
Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that
night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory
still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it
something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a
fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But
the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates
turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember
the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and
others.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Part of the excerpt from the back cover:</strong></em><br />
<br />
<em>"You're sending me to Monroe," I said. I phrased it like an accusation, but it still came out sounding like a question. This wasn't the first time Dad had tried to send me to Monroe.</em><br />
<em> "Over my dead body." Mom had said back then.</em><br />
<em> Apparently, two years ago, my mother had lied. Apparently, any dead body would do.</em><br />
<br />
Read the first chapter <a href="http://issuu.com/bloomsbury/docs/hysteria_megan_miranda">here.</a><br />
<br />
<em><strong>About Megan Miranda:</strong></em><br />
<br />
<div class="outerAuthorBio" id="outerAuthorBio" style="height: auto;">
<div id="authorBio">
Megan graduated with a degree in Biology from MIT and spent her post-college years working in biotech and, later, teaching high school Science. She now lives in North Carolina with her family. FRACTURE is her first novel. </div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Megan also belongs to the Women's National Book Association, Charlotte Chapter, where I'm the membership chair - remember? <br />
<br />
If you missed the HYSTERIA launch, Megan will be at the WNBA-C <span style="font-size: small;">“Meet the Authors” event on</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
Monday, March 11, 7 – 9 PM<br />Park Road Books, Park Road Shopping Center<br />4139 Park Road, Charlotte 28209<em></em><br />
<br />
<br />
Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com6Charlotte, NC, USA35.2270869 -80.84312669999997134.811892900000004 -81.488573699999975 35.6422809 -80.197679699999966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-87657915613208978262013-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-02T13:43:31.041-05:00DUMAN & Anatolian Rock <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcPk-ms0E_NiByyjA2AYZ3jLiG7M1PmItxfAZwKtQc-J3UoSbaf9m1cKr9jPAlT1QWLkC5AGrnLny-Ma-_KHGaKJiT1fufEjkM_sY98C0pKwh6f19acybm1yPTttVyTs0vM13sc9VwSQ/s1600/n_37470_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcPk-ms0E_NiByyjA2AYZ3jLiG7M1PmItxfAZwKtQc-J3UoSbaf9m1cKr9jPAlT1QWLkC5AGrnLny-Ma-_KHGaKJiT1fufEjkM_sY98C0pKwh6f19acybm1yPTttVyTs0vM13sc9VwSQ/s320/n_37470_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/rock-bands-concert-cancelled-after-outcry.aspx?pageID=238&nid=37470">Duman photo via Hurriyet Daily News</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wanted to post about <em><a href="http://www.dumanlive.com/"><strong>DUMAN</strong></a> </em>because they were at <em><a href="http://carolynsnowabiad.blogspot.com/search/label/Istanbulive">IstanbuLive</a></em> in NY, but now I have double the reason:<br />
<br />
My New Adult Turkish soap, <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/kuzeyguneytv">Kuzey Guney</a></em> had a scene with Duman song - <em>Ruyanda Gorsen Inanma.</em> <br />
<br />
I used up half a box of tissues on that scene, partially because of the song. (I used the other half of the box on the next scene, when the girl came to find/save Kuzey.) <br />
<br />
Now I'm compelled to post something<em>. </em><br />
<br />
A little history: <br />
<em><strong>DUMAN</strong></em> - the direct translation of the word is smoke, but the name comes from one of their titles: <em>Halimiz Duman.</em> The phrase is a Turkish idiom meaning “our situation is dire". So DUMAN means dire as well as smoke. <br />
<br />
As a writer, I <3 double meanings. Don't you? <br />
<br />
Music by DUMAN is also double edged. It falls into the weird but satisfying category known as Anatolian rock. The style mixes up rock and grunge with a type of Turkish folk music called the türkü.<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Ruyanda Gorsen Inanma</em> is a good example of DUMAN's distinctive sound. The base is a melancholy türkü, but instead of the saz (lyre), there's an electric guitar. <br />
<br />
Lyrics from DUMAN, and my own translation of <em>Ruyanda Gorsen Inanma. </em><br />
Note: This song is poetic and chock full of idioms. I chose my understanding over direct translation.<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arkadas sen bu degilsin</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
friend you aren't this (ref:sad state)<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gorunus sadece giysin<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Appearance is only a garment<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arkadas
niye gucendin?</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friend why did you let them break you?<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alistim, karistim ben sana</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
got used to you, I got mixed up with you<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ruyanda gorsen inanma</i> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
you see this (ref:sad state) in your dreams don't believe it<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arkadas sen bu degildin</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
friend this wasn’t you<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bilinen sadece ismin</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> T</span>he incident was only what you named it<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arkadas niye degistin?<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
friend why have you changed?<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alistim ay ay ay ay ay<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I got used to you<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">karistim ben sana</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I got mixed up with you<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ruyanda gorsen inanma</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
you see this in your dreams don’t believe it<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arkadas sen bu degilsin ey ey ey</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friend you aren’t this<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yasayan sadece fikrin ey ey ey </i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> What you experience</span> is only your idea<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arkadas niye gucendin?ey ey ey</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My friend why did you let them break you?<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alistim vay</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>I got used to you<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">karistim ben sana</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>I got mixed up
with you<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ruyanda gorsen inanma</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>If you see this in your
dreams don’t believe<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sana boynumuzu egeriz sanma</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Don’t think we’ll surrender to you (ref:enemy)<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hakkimizi gelir aliriz zorla</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> W</span>e will come claim our right
forcefully<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">saklayacak yuzum yok yok</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
won't hide myself away no no<o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ruyanda gorsen inanma </i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>If you see this in your
dreams don’t believe it <br />
<em>ruyanda gorsen inanma </em><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>If you see this in your dreams don’t believe it <br />
<em>ruyanda gorsen inanma </em><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>If you see this in your dreams don’t believe it <br />
<br />
Scene from <em>Kuzey Guney</em> with actor,<em> </em>Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3w_5iavXXr0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Speaking of the saz - Kivanc sings a türkü and plays the saz some other episodes. <br />
I'm saving my thoughts on that for next time. ;)Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com6Turkey38.963745 35.24332200000003526.356862500000005 14.589025000000035 51.5706275 55.897619000000034tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-38804963360278104602013-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-28T11:23:31.883-05:00The Opportunity Cost of a Rusty Nail<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/codefin/41608673/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Rusty Nail by CodeFin, on Flickr"><img alt="Rusty Nail" height="240" src="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/31/41608673_ab195e3faf.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Rusty_Nail_at_Sparta_Restaurant,_Bedford_MA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>That rusty nail may look useless, but it's a helpful reminder of <em>opportunity cost - </em>also known to many writers as the Stephen King method of rejection management. <br />
<br />
Every once in a while, I check on my virtual stack of rejections. It makes me want to hurl. But there's reason to conquer the fear. My stories need readers or they're dead on the page. <br />
<br />
Then I take the next step and submit my work. <br />
It's hard. So hard, I think I'll go through the process in second person. This way anyone can feel the sting, and I'll create some distance for the sake of (less painful) objectivity. <br />
<br />
1. Research. Fall for an uber agent (who shall remain anonymous) because her bio looks sooo perfect online. Her blog? Genius. And she reps stories like yours. <br />
<br />
2. Imagine a couple of top shelf editors who might fight over your story. (Martha Mihalik? Mallory Kass?) The phrases <em>good deal</em> and <em>sold at auction </em>haunt you.<br />
<br />
3. Dream in deckle-edged pages, create a luscious cover. (Who are we kidding? You did that when you came up with the title.) Even go so far as to think up who might star in the screenplay. (Blame the blogger friends for THAT idea.)<br />
<br />
4. Cry. Everything comes crashing down with a trite rejection letter. Heck. Even helpful rejections are painful to read. The rejection on a full? Bad. The rejection on a revision? Prefer not to go there.<br />
<br />
5. Begin to understand Stephen King and his attic collection of rejections. (Too bad you can't tack yours up with a rusty nail. Email is slippery that way.) <br />
<br />
6. Come to the concept of <em>utility</em>. Remember the pain? Ask an author if it ever ends. Learn: when you get numb to the pain, you've stopped growing. (see also - a thousand other cliches about pain.) <br />
<br />
7. Dig deeper. With every rejection, challenge yourself to do better. Find a good workshop, interview a character, tweak some pages. Maybe even start a whole new story.<br />
<br />
8. Return to step number one.<br />
<br />
The process is so painful, I often stop doing it altogether and hide myself away in revisions instead. Yet each time I go through the motions of submission, my writing becomes a little bit stronger. <br />
<br />
I'm finally at the stage where an author (who critiqued a recent first chapter) admired my sentences. I'm ecstatic because- after the plot looks good, and the characters are coming together -the sentences are what makes my writing mine. It's my voice. (Someone likes my VOICE!) <br />
<br />
I just have to get up enough confidence to submit the stuff. And find an agent who likes my voice too. It might take me two more years, or ten, but this year I'm getting out of my own way. Here I go.<br />
<br />
Ouch!<br />
Stubbed my toe. ;)<br />
<br />
The 2013 Plan:<br />
BURNT AMBER: Five submissions out at a time, until I run out of agents/publishers. <br />
MIST OF KAVALA: Two chapter revisions per week. Completion date: May<br />
<br />
Don't know this method? Read Stephen King's memoir, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/On-Writing-Anniversary-Edition-Memoir/dp/1439156816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359390106&sr=8-1&keywords=on+writing">On Writing</a>, </em> for some great perspective on a writer's life, and more on how to manage rejections with a nail in the attic.Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-15936246872477083052013-01-21T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-21T06:00:02.604-05:00When pudding isn't what it seems...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Tavuk_G%C3%B6%C4%9Fs%C3%BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Tavuk_G%C3%B6%C4%9Fs%C3%BC.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a trick a lot of Turks play on visitors: <br />
<br />
<em>What's in that pudding on the right?</em><br />
<br />
Answer: Milk, cinnamon, sugar, rice. Maybe some vanilla.<br />
<br />
<em>And? </em><br />
<em></em><br />
*stymied*<br />
<br />
<em>Bet you'd NEVER guess chicken.</em><br />
<br />
Chicken? Huh.<br />
<br />
Yup. Chicken breast, pounded into filaments, and added to the pudding, appropriately named <span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"><em>tavuk göğsü</em> (chicken breast)</span>. The result is something like the blancmange you might know from medieval historicals. <br />
<br />
While chicken is an odd addition to pudding, I actually like this dessert, as long as they don't add any other oddities. Cooks in the east tend to flavor their puddings a bit differently. Makes sense, since vanilla and chocolate are new world flavors. <br />
<br />
So. Old world flavors:<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Mastica</strong></em> - sap from the <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistacia_lentiscus">pistacia lentiscus</a></em> tree - bleh. I pretty much hate this one. Reminds me of eating the resin for my violin's bowstrings. Or maybe Pine Sol. Some people love it, and my husband is one of them.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Rose water</strong></em>- basically, perfumey water- bleh. Take grandma's eau de toilet, remove the alcohol. Now add it to your pudding. Even my husband stays away from this one. Rose petal jam? That I'll eat.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Orange blossom water</strong></em> - the same thing as rose water, but orange blossom flavored. This is a little bit better than the other two flavors. With enough sugar, I can MAYBE pretend it's orange blossom honey. Sometimes cooks will toss a couple leaves of an orange or lemon tree to flavor a pudding . <br />
<br />
Then there are spices like cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cardamon (one of my faves). Even saffron (flower stamens- is it an herb or a spice?) can be used in pudding and turn out tasty. Coffee is another good one, but usually found in more western style desserts. <br />
<br />
Chocolate? Vanilla? Many Turks make chocolate rice pudding, add vanilla to their <span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr">tavuk göğsü, etc. I can even handle a tiny touch of the mastic, if I add some vanilla too. </span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"></span><br />
<span lang="tr" xml:lang="tr"></span><br />
Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-47681419876435974382013-01-14T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-14T06:00:07.132-05:00Broken<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BKSbB_KCXtaaugIipFzDgj4kjX3pYJH9X78CfF-jviVJY1mvLM5_V96xY9-8JWXXEizCypSVZ1Vr53_zFUKyeaxn9dMCV44XKwOqA_SfaQjY-xMmN4YXtlzA6Dy6fvnCBsWL5EmrNpQ/s1600/Grafting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BKSbB_KCXtaaugIipFzDgj4kjX3pYJH9X78CfF-jviVJY1mvLM5_V96xY9-8JWXXEizCypSVZ1Vr53_zFUKyeaxn9dMCV44XKwOqA_SfaQjY-xMmN4YXtlzA6Dy6fvnCBsWL5EmrNpQ/s320/Grafting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1441&bih=656&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZKmekF3o43dFpM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spring_Farm_Work_--_Grafting.jpg&docid=-E6w2ye_iebnzM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Spring_Farm_Work_--_Grafting.jpg&w=867&h=657&ei=ZqDkUNLUHoa69gSvwIGABg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=862&vpy=281&dur=4711&hovh=195&hovw=258&tx=169&ty=115&sig=101304566678506945527&page=1&tbnh=139&tbnw=196&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0,i:130">Grafting</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em><strong>Trust</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Dream</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Promise</strong></em><br />
<br />
I've found these three important manuscript components, once broken, can never be fully restored. But I'm a gardener, and I always try to fix broken. I know three ways, in fact.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>1) Grafting</strong></em><br />
<br />
If a plant takes a long time to grow from seed, graft a branch onto more established, ordinary rootstock. Lots of fruit growers use this method, and every Japanese maple I own is a graft.<br />
<br />
Applied to writing, a graft might be a chapter which didn't work in one place, repositioned in another. I find this a messy solution. There's usually a big ole knot where the graft is, and it can't be smoothed out. Plus, if my chapter can move, it must not be a strong part of the story arc. Best to cut it and move on, I say. A graft CAN work for a smaller section like a particular bit of exposition. <br />
<br />
<em><strong>2) Pruning</strong></em><br />
<br />
If a plant is withering or blighted, cut the whole thing back to the root. Severe, but sometimes necessary. New growth is always stronger, and the established root means it will fill out quicker. Note: Works best on perennials and some shrubs.<br />
<br />
In my writing, I only have the heart to apply this method to an early draft of a manuscript. I'll go back to the query, adjust, and then draft again.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>3) Cuttings</strong></em><br />
<br />
Horticulturists use this method to make more of something they value, without diluting the genes through pollination. A tag reading "asexual reproduction prohibited" probably means the plant you're buying was grown from a cutting. Things like boxwood and hydrangeas do well with this method. I also use this method when voles get at the roots of something I love.<br />
<br />
An example of cuttings used in writing: companion novels. Take a character from one story, plant her on a blank page, and spin a whole new story. I haven't had the chance to try this yet, but I've got an idea floating around for a secondary character, involving Hittite castles and terror birds. It works in my head anyway. <br />
<br />
The literary equivalent of a vole?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Doubt</em></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-45974302678587664912013-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-06T11:10:43.854-05:00New Year, New Favorite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kuzeyguney.com/ekstralar/kuzey-guney_afis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.kuzeyguney.com/ekstralar/kuzey-guney_afis.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
For the past year, I got my historical fiction fix with <em><a href="http://www.muhtesemyuzyil.tv/">Muhteşem Yüzyıl</a></em> every Wednesday night, as soon as the newest episode hit the internet. I have Otttomania (Ottoman mania), like the people in 26+ countries who get it via satellite. <br />
<br />
But it's a new year, so I went looking for a new distraction. <br />
<br />
Scratch that - Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ (top right) was an ongoing <strike>distraction </strike>obsession - for many, many ladies in the world. I went looking for his latest series, <em><a href="http://www.kuzeyguney.com/">Kuzey Guney</a></em>. Unfortunately, that series was scheduled for Wednesday nights too, so I'd misssed a whole season. :( <br />
<br />
No problem. Every episode was up on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Since most people don't speak Turkish, I'll give you the set up from Episode 1:<br />
<br />
Kıvanç plays Kuzey (translation=north). He is just getting out of prison, but we don't know why. He's impulsive and reckless, so we assume he did something bad, but we immediately start to question that assumption. Kuzey wants to join the military to become an officer. He loves Cemre (translation=ember), a girl from the neighborhood. <br />
<br />
Guney (translation=south) is Kuzey's older brother. Studious and steadfast, he's always cleaning up Kuzey's messes. Guney also loves Cemre. <br />
<br />
It all comes together in the flashback:<br />
Kuzey was devastated when he found Cemre kissing his brother.<br />
Kuzey decided to go out for the night, but his father stopped him. Domestic violence ensued, in which his father struck his mother. Kuzey - a tall, strong young man (190, or 6'2"+)- decked his father, and then ran off to get wasted.<br />
<br />
Guney fetched Kuzey, and responsibly took possession of the the keys to drive them home. BUT on the way, Guney and Kuzey argued. Guney hit and killed a pedestrian. <br />
They fled the scene. <br />
The parents were distraught. They believed Guney - their golden son- was ruined. They blamed Kuzey. <br />
<br />
When the police arrived, Kuzey stepped forward and accepted responsibility for the accident, and went to prison for four years.<br />
<br />
One more layer - <br />
<br />
In prison, Kuzey was stabbed, and subsequently had an operation which disqualified him from military service. <br />
<br />
He lost Cemre. He lost his dream. He lost everything. And he blames Guney.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. The double talk, the harsh family drama, the gorgeous Istanbul sites, and of course, Kıvanç - all come together and make it irrestistable. I do have one note, however insignificant: If Kıvanç kept his shirt on, I might be able to concentrate on the scene a little better. But, well, I guess those scenes are OK the way they are... Sigh.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-58503225159627401812012-12-31T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-31T06:00:00.429-05:00My 2012 Book List<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkA-StAb6baeDccMylTAoZe7j-coEfRJHQIpbtbWmsOn1hEM1mstZjdh18Cm8FCz0Ud5eoVlynDMUOhTNhcjEt6DMBZpTUP3kB8jWeMrjaJvHzfmvEKqFxpqkuCleikzp_cDR5vIS4No/s1600/WV-57.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkA-StAb6baeDccMylTAoZe7j-coEfRJHQIpbtbWmsOn1hEM1mstZjdh18Cm8FCz0Ud5eoVlynDMUOhTNhcjEt6DMBZpTUP3kB8jWeMrjaJvHzfmvEKqFxpqkuCleikzp_cDR5vIS4No/s320/WV-57.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My total reads for 2012 <br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WV-57.svg">image credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looking back on 2012, I can say one thing: <em>Thank goodness for Goodreads!</em> <br />
<br />
I'd never be able to keep track of what I read otherwise. I'd have to dig, dig, dig for some other interesting Monday post when all my friends are posting long lists of accomplished reading. <br />
<br />
If your list is shorter than mine, maybe you should try <a href="http://goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a>. I find a lot of great suggestions on there.<br />
<br />
I'm definitely over the fifteen books average of most readers. (<a href="http://gawker.com/5971571/are-you-an-above+average-book-reader">Pew Research Center</a> statistics) I sneak in about a book a week. <br />
<br />
This is because, as Stephen King recommends, I read whenever I can. Sipping a few sentences at the orthodontist, or inhaling an entire book on a long afternoon, reading in every spare moment is partly possible for me because of my assortment of electronic devices. (Just the other day I downloaded seven books, but I won't get to those until next year.) Hardcover books are still my overwhelming favorite, especially the ones with a shimmery cover. Paperbacks? Not so much. I only have a few of those on this list (not counting ARCs).<br />
<br />
<strong>Classics</strong><br />
<em>A Pair of Blue Eyes </em>Thomas Hardy, ebook<br />
<em>Dune</em> Frank Herbert, paperback<br />
<em>Brave New World</em> Aldous Huxley, paperback<br />
<em>Fallen Angels</em> Walter Dean Myers, paperback<br />
<em>The Witch of Blackbird Pond</em> Elizabeth George Speare, ebook<br />
<br />
<strong>Adult</strong><br />
<em>I Married You for Happiness</em> Lilly Tuck, ebook<br />
<em>It Happened on the Way to War </em>Rye Barcott, hardcover<br />
<em>The Year of the Gadfly</em> Jennifer Miller, hardcover<br />
<em>Butterfly's Child</em> Angela Davis-Gardner, paperback<br />
<em>Water for Elephants</em> Sara Gruen, paperback<br />
<br />
<strong>YA</strong><br />
<em>Black Hole Sun</em> David Macinnis Gill, hardcover<br />
<em>Silver</em> Talia Vance, paperback<br />
<em>Skinny</em> Donna Cooner, hardcover<br />
<em>The Patron Saint of Butterflies</em> Cecelia Galante, ebook<br />
<em>Fracture</em> Megan Miranda, hardcover<br />
<em>Enclave</em> Ann Aguirre, ebook<br />
<em>Under the Never Sky</em> Veronica Rossi, hardcover<br />
<em>So Close toYou</em> Rachel Carter, hardcover<br />
<em>Feed</em> MT Anderson, ebook<br />
<em>Gilt</em> Katharine Longshore, hardcover<br />
<em>Insignia</em> SJ Kincaid, hardcover<br />
<em>Code Name Verity</em> Elizabeth Wein, hardcover<br />
<em>The Girl with Borrowed Wings</em> Rinsai Rossetti, ebook<br />
<em>Throne of Glass</em> Sarah J Maas, hardcover<br />
<em>Bitterblue</em> Kristen Cashore, hardcover<br />
<em>Revolver</em> Marcus Sedgewick, hardcover<br />
<em>Finnikin of the Rock</em> Melina Marchetta, hardcover<br />
<em>For Darkness Shows the Stars</em> Diana Petefreund, ebook<br />
<em>The Raven Boys</em> Maggie Stievfater, hardcover<br />
<em>Shadow and Bone</em> Leigh Bardugo, hardcover<br />
<em>Seraphina</em> Rachel Hartman, hardcover<br />
<em>The Knife of Never Letting Go</em> Patrick Ness, ebook<br />
<em>The Drowned Cities</em> Paolo Bacigalupi, hardcover<br />
<em>The Gathering Storm</em> Robin Bridges, hardcover<br />
<em>Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children</em> Ransom Riggs, ebook<br />
<em>The Scorpio Races</em> Maggie Stiefvater, ebook<br />
<br />
<strong>YA ARCs </strong><br />
<em>City of a Thousand Dolls</em> Miriam Forster<br />
<em>Taken</em> Erin Bowman<br />
<em>Crewel</em> Gennifer Albin<br />
<em>Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You</em> Joyce Carol Oates<br />
<em>Masque of the Red Death</em> Bethany Griffin<br />
<em>After the Snow</em> Sophie D Crockett<br />
<em>Crown of Embers</em> Rae Carson<br />
<br />
My favorite YA this year? <br />
The two books which left me thinking: "I wish I could write like that!"<br />
<br />
<em>Code Name Verity.</em> I'll give you one tip: Make sure you keep a (full) tissue box handy. Otherwise, I refuse to give you any spoilers here. You must read it yourself. <u>MUST</u>.<br />
<br />
I also really liked <em>The Raven Boys</em>, but I don't think it's for everyone. Beaucoup character development and plenty of pages, TRB is the first in a four book series. I think Maggie Stiefvater is having a good time writing these boys. And I'm so jealous. <br />
<br />
<strong>MG</strong><br />
<em>Summer of the Wolves</em> Lisa Kline, hardcover<br />
<em>Saraswati's Way</em> Monika Schroeder, hardcover<br />
<em>The Journal of Curious Letters</em> James Dashner, ebook<br />
<br />
<strong>MG ARCs</strong><br />
<em>The Encyclopedia of Me</em> Karen Rivers<br />
<br />
<strong>Beta Reads</strong> (complete manuscripts)<br />
<em>Mina Takes the Sky</em> <a href="http://katharineowens.blogspot.com/">Katharine Owens</a><br />
<em>The Truth About Letting Go</em> <a href="http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/">Leigh T Moore</a><br />
<em>Fire Carrier</em> <a href="http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html">Martina Boone</a><br />
<em>21 Days</em> Leigh T Moore<br />
<br />
<strong>Nonfiction</strong><br />
<em>How to Write Fantasy and Science Fiction</em> Orson Scott Card, paperback<br />
<em>Plot</em> Ansen Dibell, ebook<br />
<em>The Elements of Fiction Writing Beginnings, Middles, and Ends</em> Nancy Kress, ebook<br />
<em>Dialogue: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue</em> Gloria Kempton, ebook<br />
<em>Characters and Viewpoint</em> Orson Scott Card, paperback<br />
<em>Second Sight</em> Cheryl B. Klein, paperback<br />
<br />
Some year, with some luck and a lot more hard work, maybe my books will be on somebody's list.<br />
<br />
Here's hoping for a great 2013! Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-41670954140051438232012-12-24T06:00:00.001-05:002012-12-24T06:00:13.800-05:00I'm still here...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ3Qb3OF1D8J1ZzKsNTnPCGacCfeyUCiuTG7yisMUXRO7FX7GMxlnrabRSmVD8oeEB18ZrnCc4RyfwZmahIujKZDS5oEBZhnqr6K8LbnCrlJrHkFVCKfbqyP6SI6veux8W0o3CUzQ0NI/s1600/Sirince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ3Qb3OF1D8J1ZzKsNTnPCGacCfeyUCiuTG7yisMUXRO7FX7GMxlnrabRSmVD8oeEB18ZrnCc4RyfwZmahIujKZDS5oEBZhnqr6K8LbnCrlJrHkFVCKfbqyP6SI6veux8W0o3CUzQ0NI/s400/Sirince.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sirince_Overview.jpg">Şirince, Turkey</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...telling <strong><em>the tale of two villages and the apocalypse that never happened.</em></strong><br />
<br />
In <a href="http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/21/16070812-media-circus-performs-at-french-doomsday-village-of-bugarach?lite">Bugarach, France</a>, Dec 21, 2012 hit hard. The mayor begged doomsday UFO seekers to leave his village in peace. Police then barricaded the roads, and camera crews were the only unusual sight at the top of that particular peak of the Pyrenees.<br />
<br />
Further east, the Mayan calender was a publicity bust for the Ottoman village of Şirince, Turkey. Inns of the area booked to capacity, wait-listed people even. The 600 residents prepped all sorts of goodies, to no avail. Everyone banked on the new age claim that a sort of positive energy exists in the rocks there, creating a haven from the apocalpyse. (A <a href="http://carolynsnowabiad.blogspot.com/2010/11/ley-gates.html">ley line</a>, perhaps?) Surely, if Noah escaped the flood, <em>somebody</em> can escape the (insert whatever you thought was coming)! <br />
<br />
Not buying it?<br />
<br />
There is one other possible reason to book a room in Şirince. Nearby, the house of the Virgin Mary might be the most direct route to heaven. <br />
<br />
The Vatican doesn't confirm or deny that the Assumption happened there, but since <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Anne_Catherine_Emmerich">Saint Anne Catherine Emmerich</a> had a vision about it, pilgrims have sought out the small shrine. Many leave a written prayer on the wall outside. <br />
<br />
I wonder what Mary would think about all this Mayan business?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBvqOakVCxgh1rO_fNio88VU6EL_cNzYBv7gJBMQGOLBG6nIMPb5Z4hkakQXWMj8OsUXO7L-lxdxLkP_yY1HZGgV8TjeiO7w3vBtyRESNYMu62f4fL-3WrJS1A0Y9EKV8kbOq8jaGt80/s320/Meryemana_wishing+wall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1301836061"></span><span id="goog_1301836065"></span><span id="goog_1301836072"></span><span id="goog_1301836089"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/">Wishing Wall<span id="goog_1301836062"></span></a><span id="goog_1301836090"></span><span id="goog_1301836073"></span><span id="goog_1301836066"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bad news: Village winemakers will have to drink their "Wine of the Apocalypse" another day.<br />
The good news: Santa still knows where to find me. (You know <a href="http://carolynsnowabiad.blogspot.com/2010/12/st-nicholas-of-myra.html">he's from Turkey</a> too, right?)<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Happy Holidays!</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em> <br />
<a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/sirince-village-readies-for-doomsday-events.aspx?pageID=238&nID=36946&NewsCatID=379">Şirince village readies for ‘Doomsday’ events</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=37418&NewsCatID=341">Şirince misses crowds on Dec 21 ‘doomsday’</a></em></strong><strong><em><span id="goog_1301836045"></span><span id="goog_1301836046"><span id="goog_1301836047"></span><span id="goog_1301836048"><span id="goog_1301836067"></span><span id="goog_1301836068"><span id="goog_1301836074"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1301836075"><span id="goog_1301836076"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1301836077"><span id="goog_1301836078"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1301836079"><span id="goog_1301836091"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1301836092"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em></strong>Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com3Şirince/Izmir Province, Turkey37.9413889 27.43305559999998937.9288669 27.412885599999989 37.9539109 27.453225599999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-36171540605377511602012-12-17T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-22T10:57:11.541-05:00The Basketball Legend of Turkish Airlines<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISalf6PLOJukwlnkY1m3E8VzSTfLbyEBctJwReZ1SUQ5UQjQU_nf4e1e0hcimcCF2JS0obalKokJqCxnOx3MSrXF9pQIpIukq1C5kQeQm24_QwO9rdnuIPJnswAfU9YoCAp8esPjmav0/s1600/FIBA_2010_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISalf6PLOJukwlnkY1m3E8VzSTfLbyEBctJwReZ1SUQ5UQjQU_nf4e1e0hcimcCF2JS0obalKokJqCxnOx3MSrXF9pQIpIukq1C5kQeQm24_QwO9rdnuIPJnswAfU9YoCAp8esPjmav0/s320/FIBA_2010_logo.png" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIBA_World_Championship">FIBA 2010</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More basketball? <br />
<br />
Well... My brain is inundated with it - practices, scrimages, games, NBA2K13, personal training, and even a non-fiction book or two. Here though, everything should have something to do with Turkey. Yes? <br />
<br />
So. Kobe Bryant. Big NBA star. Plays for the LA Lakers.<br />
<br />
What could he possibly get out of an association with Turkey?<br />
(Answer: A very nice deal $$$.)<br />
<br />
The connection probably never crossed Bryant's mind either, but I suspect the 2010 FIBA World Championships had something to do with him taking a closer look at the opportunity. The tournament was held in Turkey, with Turkish Airlines as an official sponsor. <br />
<br />
Afterwards, the top Turkish team, <a href="http://www.besiktasbasket.com/">Beşiktaş</a> wanted Bryant- and reportedly had a <a href="http://www.athline.com/page/12/">50% chance of getting him during an NBA lockout.</a> That didn't work out in the end, but it wasn't THE END of his connections to Turkey either. Bryant inked a two year contract to endorse Turkish Airlines. On TV, in print, digital. <br />
<br />
Here's his first clever commercial: <br />
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(Also starring soccer star Lionel Messi, who is worth a whole 'nother post.)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ruav0KvQOOg" width="560"></iframe><br />
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The FIBA-flagged THY plane:<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Turkish_Airlines_Boeing_737-800_FIBA_Karakas.jpg"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B-LUo3GZ25vxq6WxUc0ah9CEKEraO1_muoaVhwWSJZ1OMbPehlaczNyCiZcBlhVJ8TCipC7SJmzTgvMi9qbwqJNRphJ29rGMw-gE3B8LrRblHmQkAk70-BNFirXBF8BRPHW2_A9-WCY/s320/Turkish_Airlines+FIBA_Karakas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Update: </em></strong><strong><em>TIME Sports picked up the story on 12/21. </em></strong></div>
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<a href="http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/12/21/what-the-kobe-bryant-leo-messi-ad-says-about-the-world/#ixzz2FnQjiuwi"><strong><em>What The Kobe Bryant-Leo Messi Ad Says About The World</em></strong></a></div>
Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-23730718044823024652012-12-10T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-10T06:00:03.617-05:00What Lies Within<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsOgc58meu77ICCvn2o1EP-bwCA0prwHQmP42H-kpib1TNE_iQk5nlgFSMTPzh65whJdd2LrzVSYFKXe17tv02O1KZPSzB3V0RqFKIHnWMX5PRN9f2y6DdlfnB808YAT6GygumZtfRYs/s1600/Upside_down_Wikipedia_W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsOgc58meu77ICCvn2o1EP-bwCA0prwHQmP42H-kpib1TNE_iQk5nlgFSMTPzh65whJdd2LrzVSYFKXe17tv02O1KZPSzB3V0RqFKIHnWMX5PRN9f2y6DdlfnB808YAT6GygumZtfRYs/s320/Upside_down_Wikipedia_W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Upside_down_Wikipedia_W.jpg">An M or an upside down W?</a> </td></tr>
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Once upon a time, I fell in love with my villain...<br />
<br />
I wrote pages and pages from his perspective, and my whole story landed on it's head. Or not.<br />
<br />
Had he become the protagonist? Per an uber agent's suggestion, he became a she. (Just to mix it up a little more!)<br />
<br />
She wasn't the protagonist, and yet something about the way I wrote her made her likeable, even with her flaws. She was the hero of her own story (like every good villain). I wanted my readers to understand how she ticks- to see what lies within her hard shell.<br />
<br />
I realized then that she was no longer a simple villain.<br />
<br />
Something I uncovered when interviewing the bad girl: the authority figure is only a representation of the popular will to deny a particular truth. She was only acting within the accepted framework of her society. <br />
<br />
Was she a sympathetic villain? Was she the anti-hero because she searched for something too?<br />
<br />
Her quest was tied to my protagonist, but for her, the end justified the means. And in the end, she too came away with something (which leans her toward anti-hero, I think). What that is, you'll just have to wait and see.<br />
<br />
Here's an excellent clip on the anti-hero from <a href="http://www.ted.com/">TED</a> ed.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MEjgDeSnBMs" width="560"></iframe>Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207479524287004185.post-2279717955655351862012-12-03T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-03T06:00:18.174-05:00UNESCO Celebrates Itri<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo-5qH3JXZ2JoTeoe9NWx1ON94M_jbNpzbxzjCInCweiLx0PKAaAKzVmqwEJO_ZRxsPDHlcjm_lZNic4_em-jHfGcmM6gIhzJaiIJcDK8CEjgYn_1sOy5a_UcsTMxHmdohUeA4fKffrI/s1600/KizNey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo-5qH3JXZ2JoTeoe9NWx1ON94M_jbNpzbxzjCInCweiLx0PKAaAKzVmqwEJO_ZRxsPDHlcjm_lZNic4_em-jHfGcmM6gIhzJaiIJcDK8CEjgYn_1sOy5a_UcsTMxHmdohUeA4fKffrI/s320/KizNey.jpg" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ney">Ney via Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
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UNESCO's <em><a href="http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/anniversaries-celebrated-by-member-states/2012/">Celebration of Anniversaries</a></em> 2012 highlights special people, events and places in many member countries. <br />
<br />
France marks 150 years of Claude Debussy<br />
Jordan marks 200 years since the rediscovery of Petra<br />
Spain marks 1,000 years since the founding of Granada<br />
Here in the US, we celebrate 150 years of Edith Wharton<br />
<br />
My favorite this year is from Georgia:<br />
<br />
300 years of the epic poem:<em> The Knight in the Panther’s Skin (1712) -</em> the printed edition. (The unprinted version has been around since the twelfth century, in case you're curious.)<br />
<br />
Sometimes multiple celebrations are in order. <br />
<br />
This year Turkey remembers three prominent citizens: Yusuf Nabi, poet and philosopher (1641-1712), Kemal Ahmet Aru, architect and urban planner (1912-2005), and Buhurizade Mustafa Itri, musician (1640-1712).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Buhurizade Itri (c. 1640-1712) musician, composer, calligrapher and poet, whose real name was Mustafa was a major exponent of Turkish classical music. He was a very prolific composer with more than a thousand works. However, only about 40 of these survived to this day. He lived through the times of five Ottoman Sultans. He became well known during the time of Mehmed IV. As with most composers of his day, Buhurizade Itri was also a famous poet and a calligrapher. He used poetic forms based on the classical Ottoman school of poetry (Dīvān), as well as those based on syllabic meters identified with folk music and poetry. Unfortunately most of his poetry has not survived to this day." via </span><a href="http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/anniversaries-celebrated-by-member-states/2012/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">UNESCO</span></a></em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></em><br />
Itri's <i>Neva Kâr</i> is perhaps the most well known. The main instruments are the reed flute, called a <em>ney,</em> and the
<a href="http://carolynsnowabiad.blogspot.com/2010/10/traditional-melodies.html"><em>Saz</em></a> string instument. The piece is about eleven minutes long, and evokes whirling dervishes because Itri was a Sufi and a poet.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/S_3g9kmn5nc" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></strong><br />Carolyn Abiadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.com2