Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
A letter from Sarah Pluckett, companion to the infamous ghost-hunter Lady Philomena Radcliff, dated August 2, 1861:
http://www.theromancebookclub.com/guest-blogs/author/romancebookclub
Stop by and leave a comment to be entered to win an autographed copy of Enchanting the Beast.
Stop by and leave a comment to be entered to win an autographed copy of Enchanting the Beast.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
FOR WRITERS: My Favorite Link
I’d thought I’d share my favorite link that I use while writing. I pull it up before I even open my manuscript:
http://dictionary.reference.com/
It’s free, although usually when I first pull it up a pop-up ad will appear. But after I close it I don’t get any more of them on my subsequent searches.
The main reason I use it is because of the historical aspect of my books. At the bottom of the definition it gives a word origin date. If I use a word that strikes me as possibly too modern, I look up the definition for the origin date. Now, obviously, I can’t do this with every word I write or I’d never get a book finished, but if something strikes me, I’ll look it up. Usually it’s the longer words. For example, I wanted to use ‘paradox’ but that sounded like it might be a more modern concept. But apparently the word originated in 1530 (although its meaning has changed since the word was first used). Séance is a word I looked up for Enchanting the Beast. It originated in 1795, which is okay for that Victorian series, but it’s not a word I could use with my new Georgian series.
I also like that the site has other options for a thesaurus and reference. I do a quick search here, but if I’m looking for just the right word, I’ll refer to my print thesaurus, which has many more options. The reference, though, comes in handy. For example, I wanted to make sure I was spelling ‘geas’ correctly (and even now my spell check underlines it). But when I looked it up in the dictionary, it came back that no such word exists. Now, I’m aware it’s a fantasy term, and I know it exists, so I hit the reference button. Sure enough, it pulled up ‘geis’, which apparently is another spelling I wasn’t familiar with, but scroll down and sure enough it talks about a ‘geas’.
In my current WIP, I wanted to use ‘black diamonds’ as a comparison to my hero’s eyes. But alas, the term did not originate until 1910 (probably because we didn’t have the technology to create them until then). So, I will have to come up with some other comparison.
I use it as a quick reference for hundreds of other reasons and I hope you’ll find it handy as well.
http://dictionary.reference.com/
It’s free, although usually when I first pull it up a pop-up ad will appear. But after I close it I don’t get any more of them on my subsequent searches.
The main reason I use it is because of the historical aspect of my books. At the bottom of the definition it gives a word origin date. If I use a word that strikes me as possibly too modern, I look up the definition for the origin date. Now, obviously, I can’t do this with every word I write or I’d never get a book finished, but if something strikes me, I’ll look it up. Usually it’s the longer words. For example, I wanted to use ‘paradox’ but that sounded like it might be a more modern concept. But apparently the word originated in 1530 (although its meaning has changed since the word was first used). Séance is a word I looked up for Enchanting the Beast. It originated in 1795, which is okay for that Victorian series, but it’s not a word I could use with my new Georgian series.
I also like that the site has other options for a thesaurus and reference. I do a quick search here, but if I’m looking for just the right word, I’ll refer to my print thesaurus, which has many more options. The reference, though, comes in handy. For example, I wanted to make sure I was spelling ‘geas’ correctly (and even now my spell check underlines it). But when I looked it up in the dictionary, it came back that no such word exists. Now, I’m aware it’s a fantasy term, and I know it exists, so I hit the reference button. Sure enough, it pulled up ‘geis’, which apparently is another spelling I wasn’t familiar with, but scroll down and sure enough it talks about a ‘geas’.
In my current WIP, I wanted to use ‘black diamonds’ as a comparison to my hero’s eyes. But alas, the term did not originate until 1910 (probably because we didn’t have the technology to create them until then). So, I will have to come up with some other comparison.
I use it as a quick reference for hundreds of other reasons and I hope you’ll find it handy as well.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Win an autographed copy of ENCHANTING THE BEAST
Today (5-29-09) I'm blogging at: http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/2009/05/guest-author-kathryne-kennedy.html Stop by and leave a comment, and you'll be entered to win.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
My adventures at Romantic Times Convention 2009
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I attended the Romantic Times Booklovers convention in Orlando, Florida in April. It's a fun way to network and meet readers, and I highly recommend the experience! Here's a few of my adventures in pictures:
Cover model Konstantinos Lelis portrayed my hero from Enchanting the Beast, Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, at the Mr. Romance competition show. This is the screen displayed in the ballroom.
Konstantinos in a tux (to reflect the Victorian era) and stalking his prey. (Lucky girl!) I think he did a fabulous job of portraying Sir Nicodemus, capturing my hero's predatory nature and dazzling charm on stage.
And here he is sweeping the girl off her feet (literally--he picked her up in his arms and carried her away). Big sigh. He had the perfect rugged handsomeness to portray Sir Nico.
My Dorchester editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, in white at the podium, and all of the Mr. Romance models. I'm glad I didn't have to judge the winner, the models were all so handsome (although I have to admit I would have chosen Konstantinos;).
Behind the scenes at the Faery Ball. We're all waiting to be presented on stage. This is a mix of the Seelie (good faeries) and the Unseelie (b-a-d faeries). Our faery queen, Eden Robbins, is center, and Cassie Ryan is helping adjust her wings. Isabella Clayton is walking over to help, and you can see her lovely wings from the back. The modern fae on the cell phone is Joey W. Hill.
Cover model Konstantinos Lelis portrayed my hero from Enchanting the Beast, Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, at the Mr. Romance competition show. This is the screen displayed in the ballroom.
Konstantinos in a tux (to reflect the Victorian era) and stalking his prey. (Lucky girl!) I think he did a fabulous job of portraying Sir Nicodemus, capturing my hero's predatory nature and dazzling charm on stage. And here he is sweeping the girl off her feet (literally--he picked her up in his arms and carried her away). Big sigh. He had the perfect rugged handsomeness to portray Sir Nico.
My Dorchester editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, in white at the podium, and all of the Mr. Romance models. I'm glad I didn't have to judge the winner, the models were all so handsome (although I have to admit I would have chosen Konstantinos;).
Behind the scenes at the Faery Ball. We're all waiting to be presented on stage. This is a mix of the Seelie (good faeries) and the Unseelie (b-a-d faeries). Our faery queen, Eden Robbins, is center, and Cassie Ryan is helping adjust her wings. Isabella Clayton is walking over to help, and you can see her lovely wings from the back. The modern fae on the cell phone is Joey W. Hill. One of my fellow Seelie, Tia Dani, looking beautiful and elegant in her little wings.
Lori Combs-Graves, an Unseelie. Oh, yes, she has a very sweet smile, but I can guarantee she is one b-a-d faery. 
Here I am after the Faery Ball with my agent Christine Witthohn from Bookcents Literary Agency. Not only is she a terrific agent, but a lot of fun to be with, as well.
And out to dinner with my Sourcebooks editor, Deborah Werksman (on the right) and the owner of Sourcebooks, Dominique Raccah (on the left). Wonderful, brilliant women.
This is from the huge book fair, with about 300 authors signing their books. At this point I'm exhausted and in a daze...but having the time of my life! The pretty girl next to me is author Beth Kery, a very sweet lady who I had the pleasure of sitting with.
So here I am in my Victorian faery costume just outside the ballroom, a very *good* faery (is the halo of light around my head strange, or what?). What I like about this pic is that I appear to be floating off the floor...which is no surprise, since I had the biggest wing-span of all the faeries!
Here I am after the Faery Ball with my agent Christine Witthohn from Bookcents Literary Agency. Not only is she a terrific agent, but a lot of fun to be with, as well.And out to dinner with my Sourcebooks editor, Deborah Werksman (on the right) and the owner of Sourcebooks, Dominique Raccah (on the left). Wonderful, brilliant women.
This is from the huge book fair, with about 300 authors signing their books. At this point I'm exhausted and in a daze...but having the time of my life! The pretty girl next to me is author Beth Kery, a very sweet lady who I had the pleasure of sitting with.Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Cross-posted from my group blog: http://muchcheaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/
We have a winner!
One of the perks of doing an interview at my own group blog is that I can add a special post to thank all of you who stopped by and commented, and to say congratulations to Theresa N., who Kim randomly chose as the winner. Theresa, email me at kathryne_kennedy@yahoo.com with your snail mail addy so I can send you an autographed copy of Double Enchantment.
It was such a pleasure to have you all stop by and comment, and such a rewarding experience to know that there are so many people who still believe in magic. I often think that's why I've continued to be an avid reader all my life, and why I became a writer. So I can keep the magic, adventure and passion in my life.
My son feels that too many people lose what he calls their 'whimsy' as they're growing up. He's made it his mission to nourish his, and he's been successful.
So thank you all for keeping your own whimsy a part of your life, and for nourishing it by reading.
With Joy,
Kathryne
One of the perks of doing an interview at my own group blog is that I can add a special post to thank all of you who stopped by and commented, and to say congratulations to Theresa N., who Kim randomly chose as the winner. Theresa, email me at kathryne_kennedy@yahoo.com with your snail mail addy so I can send you an autographed copy of Double Enchantment.
It was such a pleasure to have you all stop by and comment, and such a rewarding experience to know that there are so many people who still believe in magic. I often think that's why I've continued to be an avid reader all my life, and why I became a writer. So I can keep the magic, adventure and passion in my life.
My son feels that too many people lose what he calls their 'whimsy' as they're growing up. He's made it his mission to nourish his, and he's been successful.
So thank you all for keeping your own whimsy a part of your life, and for nourishing it by reading.
With Joy,
Kathryne
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Guest Blogging--Win an autographed copy of my book
I will be guest blogging on the following days and locations, so mark your calendar! At each blog, I will be giving away an autographed copy of one of my books from the Relics of Merlin series. All you need to do to enter is to visit the blog on that day and leave a comment. Good luck!
Friday, May 22nd: http://quinnessentials.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 29th: http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 5th: http://www.theromancebookclub.com/guest-blogs/
Monday, June 8th: http://siamckye.blogspot.com/ (My post here may also be of interest to writers.)
Friday, May 22nd: http://quinnessentials.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 29th: http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 5th: http://www.theromancebookclub.com/guest-blogs/
Monday, June 8th: http://siamckye.blogspot.com/ (My post here may also be of interest to writers.)
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