Sunday, October 31, 2010


NaNo Starts at Midnight

In order to get off to a great start with NaNo, I decided to take the first week of November as vacation and come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in order to work on my novel. This has been a great idea. This place is AWESOME and my novel will take place here in Carmel. I knew it would be a small, seaside, romantic sort of place...and here it is...I am sooo happy. Went for a walk around the town today, ate a great Italian Bistro, and am planning a night of relaxing and getting ready to write...starting at MIDNIGHT!!
Happy Halloween....to all you writers out there...may you get some great material for your characters tonight!!



Sunday, October 24, 2010

NaNoWriMo Starts in a Week

I am so geared up and hyped. I love it...I have been pampering my muse big time. We start NaNo in one week. I have taken a one week vacation and books a place in Carmel...since my novel, Just Once, takes place in that beach town...to get started. I will be writing for a week and I have already cleared my calendar for most of November to be able to meet my word count.

My NaNo buddies are such a scream...I love them already...so many peeps are soo excited to be able to have an excuse to just write, write, and write some more.

I know this is the first of many NaNo's for me...soooo looking forward to it.

ADELANTE!!
Zulmara

Saturday, October 9, 2010

NaNoWriMo 2010


Well, it has officially started...NaNoWriMo2010...well, not the writing, but the getting ready to write. We now have our badges and we will have word counts posted soon. I can't wait, I must admit, I have met the most wonderful group of writers online and from my region. I am looking forward to our write-ins and other activities as the month progresses and we start writing our novels.

I am working on my synoposis and will be posting it soon. Working title, "Just Once" and having a great time building character sketches and outlining subplots...

La vida es dulce,
Con un pan y cafecito...seguimos adelante
Zulmara

Saturday, September 25, 2010



In Dis Life by IZ… the songs from Hawaii have a very mellow and non-distracting…sound. Played mostly on a ukele and sung in a melodic tone, IZ sets a mood that is both reflective and contemplative.


I like him for when I am writing passages that are romantic, heartfelt, a little bit heavy, and transitional. He makes any writing experience great and values, loves, perspectives, and desires match my own. Of course Hawaii is always calling to me and so are these tunes from Mr. Hawaii himself.


I now own 3 of his CD's, one for each trip to Hawaii…yes, he is a gem…just take a listen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I


Who is on your playlist? Do you prefer to write with no music? Do you prefer the instrumentals? What gets your muse inspired?

Con un pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante!!!

Zulmara





Saturday, September 18, 2010

Music for my Writing


Hawaii

Chris Baty in No Plot-No Problem discussed the role of music in writing and how music can help many writers get in the zone. I can so relate. I love having my music match my mood and with my writing moods, I love music to match my story…slow, upbeat, exciting, calming…seem to have an effect on my writing.

 
Music is also one of the ways I pamper my inner muse. It is so inspiring to me to listen to some of my favorite artists to set the mood, the tone, the pace of my writing. When I am writing slow, moving parts, I like melodic music that quiets the mind. When I am in the zone of my inner diva, I love Brazilian Samba….to set a beat, a tone, a pace that is fast, fun, eventful , and filled with happiness.

When I am editing, I need something soothing and melodic, preferably sounds…with no words. I have a series of nature CD's that move and inspire me during the revision process.

Some of my favs for just getting in the zone and staying in the zone include:

○ In Dis Life by IZ…mellow and non-distracting...
○ Reyli for those soft, sadder love songs that bring back memories and put you in the mood of writing that sadder, deeper feeling.
○ Samba…especially by the Samba schools for those upbeat writing moments
○ Celine Dion…anything by Celine sets a tone and a mood that gets me in the zone.

What's on your playlist? How do you use to get in the zone? What music feeds your soul and unleashes your inner diva?

Con un pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante!!!

Zulmara





Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A sea turtle

Chris (No Plot-No Problem) also suggests making of list of the type of novel you do not like to read. Why write a book if you would not enjoy reading it? Right? So write your joy.

Novels I avoid:

• I am not a fan of characters who are mean and angry and have no redeeming qualities. Maybe one or two antagonists, but everyone…no, not for me.
• I like characters I can care about
• I like stories that make sense to me--the ebb and flow must seem natural
• No horror, no scary, no vampires, no werewolves, just can’t get into it.
• Not a fantasy/sci fi fan either
• Not a big fan of violence--especially toward children in crime novels, keeps me up at night worried about my children
• I like to read some adventure, but don’t read it often
• I like to read mysteries, but the genre gets predictable after a while. I find I have to keep switching authors.

Bueno, ya,

What do you avoid when choosing your reading buddies? Do write what you like to read?

Con un pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante…

Zulmara



Monday, September 13, 2010

Write Your Joy

A Room w/ a View!!!




Write your joy, or at least what you like to read. Chris is not only a great writer, he is a visionary as well. He loves the energy and synergy around NaNoWriMo that has grown beyond his wildest expectations, he is also very funny.

His number one take away fro me was…do not write what you would not want to read. Seems like simple advice, but when I read it, it was like an ah-ha moment to me.
So , here is my list of what I like in a novel:

• I love happy endings. Not sappy, but happy.

• I love things that get tied up neatly. I am not interested in loose ends that the writer could not pull together.
• I love moralistic dilemmas that are difficult to resolve. The kind that make you think and rethink your own life path and journey. When a writer causes me to contemplate and reflect on my own biases and my own life path, that writer has me for life.
• I love romances…I love the build up, the falling in love, the breaking the rules, the shattering and pulling it all together.
• I am a fan of books that touch my heart and soul.
• I like to laugh out loud and cry silent tears.• I love characters that become my best friends and live with me day in and day out. I like nice people.• I like the inclusion of music and poems and quotes and sketches.
My favorite genres are Chic Lit, Chica Lit, Romance, Literary Romance, and enduring Love stories.

 
What makes a novel work for you?


Con pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante…


Zulmara

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Black Sand Beach

Yesterday, I was reading Chris Baty's book on NaNoWriMo--No Plot? No Problem where he provides insights on writing a novel in a month and I was intrigued, to say the least that to write 50,000 words in a month you only need to write about 2000 words a day for 30 days. And, he says you can start without a plot and just go for it. So being the writing geek that I am, I came home and tried it. I wrote 2000 words on Diary of a Wild Brazilian (my daughter's title for my novel) and it was great. I had fun with it, it took me about an hour and I actually liked what I wrote. Yeah, it is a rough draft, but I believe Chris, you can only learn to write if you write…so writing I am. It felt good to see the word count go up, and up, and up while I was having fun being wild with my imagination…yes, great fun to be had this coming NaNoWriMo…

Why a month? Quote, "When you have nothing to do, getting out of bed and washing yourself before 2:00 p.m. feels like too much work to even contemplate. (p. 17)"


Ain't life great!!! I am feeling so inspired…you bet my muse is being well pampered these days…I am being very indulgent.

 
Write your joy…

Con un pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante!!!

Zulmara



Saturday, September 11, 2010

Artist Date-Ports of Call



Artist's Date--September 11, 2010



Went on a great artist's date today to Ports of Call in San Pedro. I have not been there since I was a very young woman, 18 to be exact. I went there with an ex-boyfriend. I was leaving the next day for the university and we were only friends and he wanted to be my boyfriend and I kept saying, "I don't want a long distance relationship." And, I remember him trying to buy me a necklace, any necklace, and I kept saying, "no, I am not ready for this, I am leaving tomorrow."…but I digress.


My artist's date was awesomeness itself. I had a great time. I walked all around went into all the shops looking for beachy scenes to enliven my writing space, and then I went to a delightful outdoor restaurant and ate fish, shrimp, and calamari…one of those mixed plates and started reading Chris Baty's book No Plot, No Problem. What a delightful read and what a wonderful book. Full of quotes, ideas, exercises, and just plan old fun to get you started on writing your novel in a month. What an inspiration and what an delicacy…to indulge in. Felt so good to tell the waitress I was a writer reading a book on writing. She was a reader and we had a great time. A college student…who earned herself an extra big tip, just for being a reader and a student, want to make sure she has enough to buy her next guilty pleasure.


What Artist Date have you been on lately? Who did you meet? What did you do? Was it inspiring?


Con un pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante…


Zulmara

Friday, September 10, 2010

True creativity...



A truly creative person



○ Enjoys the scenery on a detour


○ Finds treasure in the mundane


○ Loves the smell of a box of crayons


○ Colors outside the lines


○ Runs with wild abandon


○ Finds wonder in everyday happenings


○ Loves a challenge


○ Has perseverance


○ Loves with passion


○ Breaks the rules


○ Makes the rule


○ At times, even follows the rules


○ Has a need to leave a creative legacy

○ Never met a piece of chocolate that was not loved!!!

What is a truly creative person to you??

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Hawaii!!!


My muse loves chocolate and good wine…preferably together. I have to be careful so I don’t look like a beached whale, but I do indulge in good chocolate at least once a day. I have learned to limit myself and not to eat too much (just kidding) …my chocolate of choice are chocolate covered caramel macadamia clusters from Costco…they are to die for. I have 2 with a glass of wine each evening when I sit down to read blogs, go on facbook, and just chilax with my online buddies. It makes for a wonderfully creative and productive evening…and keeps me centered and what really matters and helps me put first things first.



What does your inner diva desire for a chilaxin creative mood?

con un pan y cafecito, seguimos adelante!!!
Zulmara

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Pampering Your Muse--Staying Inspired


Pampering our inner muse allows us to live in the creative moment. When we do not indulge our inner diva, the creativity is hard to come by, we are stressed, out of sorts and having a hard time with a blank page, an empty canvas, a block of clay or a box of crafty materials.

 
Many artists will discuss how to unblock the creative "block" if you will, and one of the sure fire ways, is to indulge your muse. What makes you tic, what helps you to chilax, what allows you to be in the moment? Often times, it is just a matter of deciding what you need to do for yourself that you have not done for a while to release your inner diva.


It could be a walk alone in the woods, at the mall, at the beach, or around the block. It could be a quiet romantic dinner to reconnect with your loved one, it could be making time for your creative friends…and just going for a cup of culture at your fav pub, coffee house, bar, or mom and pop tortilla shop.


For some of us, it is making time to get lost in a good book, cry with a chic flic, or take out the coloring book and just color to our hearts content…inside and outside the lines.



Pampering our muse is the way we take care of ourselves so that we may bask in those creative moments that make life worth living.



How do you pamper your muse? When was the last time you pampered your muse? What does your muse need from you today…to release that inner energy tomorrow?

Con un pan y cafecito--seguimos adelante!!!

Zulmara




Monday, September 6, 2010

The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Organized for NaNoWrMo

The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Organized for NaNoWrMo

 

In order to get inspired to write and be ready for NaNoWriMo, I realized I had to get very organized and get my act together, otherwise, with my job and with my schedule, I would always be wishing I was ready for November, but I would never be ready.

So I have started "Laying the Foundation" with the following baby steps:

Joined the NaNoWriMo web pages so that I could become familiar with how it works and the get used to posting on the forums and spend time creating my page.

I started a Facebook page in order to connect with my writerly friends there and to join the group "Walking in this World" and do the 12 week program among like minded friends.

I have updated my Goodreads page so that it reflects the Chica Lit genre that I am writing in gives me a place to organize the books that have inspired me to write

I have updated my Art By Latina Artists page to reflect my NaNoWriMo Journey. And, I am starting an ABLA group to encourage all of us to honor and love our creative muses.

I started a Blogspot page so I would have a chance to blog about my adventures and organize everything in one place. At my blogspot page, you can find links to all my other pages.

I have begun to learn how to use One Note to organize my ideas, thoughts, and materials.
It has truly been an exciting beginning of the month…and I am feeling very energized!!!

The Chai Lattes and vino con chocolate treats…really make a difference. Have to keep the Muse --MUSING!!!


What do you do to prep for NaNoWriMo??


ADELANTE!!!


Zulmara


NaNoWriMO Rocks

Yesterday, I officially donated to the NaNoWriMo site and uploaded one of my possible covers...I am getting ready to write my novel synoposis and post that as well.

As I am gearing up for the greatest writing month of my life, I came across this poem and wrote my own tribute to NaNoWriMO...
Enjoy!!!

From the Georgia Heard website--

This amazing poem from the Glenridge Poetry Club was sent to me by Nancy Rapp --a wonderful teacher who read Falling Down the Page: A Book of List Poems and invited her students to write list poems:


Things To Do If You're a Dog


by Mia


Jump off the doggy bed
Bolt down the stairs
Stick your nose in the food bowl
Lap up water
Go out and play
Lay on the rug
Chew on a bone
Go to sleep
Love your family when they come home
Flap your pink tongue
Look adorable
Go for a walk
Be petted
Be a good dog
Be a bad dog
Be silly, playful, tired dog
Be a loved dog.
Pasted from




My List Poem for NaNoWriMo


Have fun
Read, Read, and Read some more
Drinks lots of coffee
Find a supportive writing group
Get inspired/Stay inspired
Go to sleep
Get a journal
Plug in your computer
Buy a nice pen
Get a Moleskin Notebook
Enjoy green tea
Take a walk on the beach
Hike in the mountains
Chilax
Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy
Remember it's the journey
Stay awake
Indulge your muse
Write, write, and write some more
and don't forget the chocolate...

Zulmara

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Broken Voices by Winona Rasheed

Broken Voices

By Winona Rasheed

 
http://winonarasheed.com/

  
Reviewed by:
Zulmara Cline

 
In Broken Voices by Winona Rasheed, the author recounts the story of Ella, a deaf girl, going to high school for the first time. The story covers the first day of school and how Ella has chosen to handle her deafness. For the beginning part of the day, Ella has decided to not tell anyone she is deaf and see what happens. When that does not work very well, she makes a decision to just let her classmates know she is deaf.

Throughout the story, the reader is very aware of Ella’s internal struggle as she tries to decide the best course of action. She is torn between wanting to appear normal in her new school and knowing that she is different. However, she is also keenly aware of not wanting to be seen as “deficient” or “lesser than” because she is deaf. She finds that keeping deafness a secret is almost impossible in high school, where she is called on to answer questions and interact in small groups. When her secret gets out, the reactions from the other students are, at times, predictable, and at other times, it is not.

 
Rasheed handles the issues of being deaf or different and in a new school with grace and sensitivity. The issues and concerns faced by students are many and students have to make decisions that are not always easy. The internal conflict that arises is real and oftentimes not discussed. The story offers a nice entre for teachers to have a discussion about how to handle those who are different, have a handicap, and what that means. Rasheed offers a number of ways for the teachers and adults to help students with these types of transitions. Overall, this is a great read handling a universal issue.

Questions:
  1. In the story, the main character is deaf and feels she has to keep her “handicap” a secret. Should those who are deaf keep their deafness a “secret?”
  2. How would you handle the first day of school if you were “different” in some way? Would you tell everyone right away? Or let the other students discover it?
  3. In the story, Ella has some good teachers and some not so good teachers, what are the characteristics of a good teacher for the deaf?
  4. One of the characters in the book knows sign language because her brother is deaf, but she keeps it a secret. Do you think she is ashamed of her brother?
  5. Do you know someone with a handicap? How does it impact their ability to get along with others?
Quote

 
Ella read his lips and mouthed the words, “thank-you” in silence. He was the only familiar face in English class and seeing Marcus, the Good Samaritan, made her feel a little more at ease as she turned to face the teacher.

 
Opening Line

 
Ella looked at herself in the full-length mirror hanging on the back of her closet door.

 

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Pampering Continues!!!

Transformation Soup: Healing for the Splendidly Imperfect

“I am indelibly connected to everyone else.” Sark…what a perfect statement for the healing heart, soul, spirit, and body. We are all connected and we are all in this “transformation soup” together, as imperfect as it may be.


This book is a wonderful book no matter where you are in your life. Healing from a broken relationship, stuck in your art, drifting to no where, having a mid-life crisis, dealing with someone else’s mid-life crisis or enjoying a wonderful love filled relationship, thriving in your art, and getting along with mom. It is filled with truisms, ideas, and ways to pamper your muse, take care of yourself and love yourself, while helping others to love themselves and focus on all that is good/bad in your life. It helps us to hold onto the ambiguities and embrace our paradoxes as being our unique way of living and loving in this world.

We all need to heal and that healing is imperfect, will always be and needs to be. However, in the healing process comes the realization that we are all we need to be, we are all we ever have to be, we are enough as we are…and there is no guilt, no remorse, no unlived experience…there just is who we are. The ideas in the book for healing help to pamper your muse and take care of yourself as well. Be it a night out with the girls, a good book, a box of chocolate and some good wine, a massage, a Pilates class, or a wonderful yoga teacher, we need to care for ourselves, love ourselves, and be ourselves first and foremost…so we can be there for the other loves in our life.



As SARK so aptly puts it, "we are all swirling in the soup together" and that "whatever healing work we each do contributes to the healing of all of us."

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Sark Recommendation #1

Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper
Starting with a Writer’s Manifesto that welcomes us to write our truth, from the heart, with no expectations or comparisons…just pure, unequivocal joy, Sark’s book, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper invites the writer to come in and partake of a writerly journey that is joyous, reflective, abundant, and nourishing. As you enter this world of writing to honor the essence of your soul and spirit, you give voice to the inner you in a way the world has never experienced you before.

With eight delightful chapters, you can start anywhere and follow it to anywhere. As with all Sark’s books, there is no right or wrong, left or right, here or now. There is just joy in discovering something about yourself, your muse, your creative energy, and your way of knowing the world.

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way said, “SARK is a sparkler who jump-starts the creative process. Her ideas are user-friendly, innovative, and pragmatic.” What a beautiful description of a friend that you can take with you anywhere and who will always be there. The wonderfully colorful pictures, drawings, designs, and layout welcome you to just open the book and let your mind go with whatever is on the page.

If you believe the universe will conspire to get you what you need when you need it, then Sark is for you, because you will find within the pages of all her books, just what you need to nurture your muse, get reinspired as a an artist, break through a block, and honor the artist within…with love, care, and kindness.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Inspiring Books and Book Contest

Books: for Pampering your Muse!!!


Books can be very inspirational and the writers who we love can be very inspiring to allow our muse the time, place, and luxury to be in the moment and to discover who we are as artists.

Starting in the month of April, I will go over books that inspire me by author and I will be sending one of these books to a randomly selected group member who posts during the month. I will start with Sark. Her whimsical musings, advice, inspirations, and style are truly inspiring. She reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously…not to limit ourselves with the past, and not to forget to truly pamper our muse and take care of our creative spirit…be it through sleep, writing, playing, reading, or having FUN!!!!

SARK's website, Planet SARK is a wonderful cacophony of love, laughter, and being in the moment. Her books are AWESOMALLY inspiring and each and every one of her e-programs are a winner for young artists just starting off and seasoned professionals who just need to feed .

Keep tuning in for specifics on each of Sark's books and her online courses. One lucky poster will win one of Sark's treasures by the end of the month. And if you have never read a SARK book, go to a used bookstore and pick one up…you will be hooked on first read.

Y otra vez, gracias for joining me on this journey…

Friday, March 26, 2010

Sharing your journey!!

Pampering your Muse-Artist Groups


One of my ways of pampering my muse this past couple of weeks has been to join the online group Walking Through This World. In it, Julia Cameron suggests Morning Pages, Artists Dates and Artist's Walks. It is so refreshing to be a part of a group that is discussing how the morning pages and artists' dates can impact one's creative journey and how each of us approaches things so differently.


I am drawn to my fellow artists and find that I get motivated, inspired, and ?? When I am interacting with them. I have found that my creative juices get flowing even more strongly as I interact with these fellow artists and what they are doing.


This group of 20 very different artists came together as a way to share our creative journeys as we moved through the book together. We continue as a group that truly has enjoyed being together and learning from each other. We are posting our writings, our insights, our inspirations, and our photos. We are sharing our creative journey together as we inspire and support each other. This is fun group and it is like; "You've got mail." every time I log on, I have a sweet anticipation of who may have posted what and what treats and treasures await me.


Do you have an artists group you connect with regularly? How does the group sustain you? Inspire your muse? Get your creative juices going?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

NaNoWriMo Inspiration

Hola mis amigos,

Earlier I blogged about the Nuts and Bolts of getting started and getting organized for NaNoWriMo and today I am talking about the creative steps I have taken. The steps to feed and nurture my muse and my inner diva, so they come out to play, enjoy, have fun, and stay energized and inspired.
I joined a Facebook group that is going through Julia Cameron's book, "Walking in this World." The book is an old favorite of mine, as well as The Artist's way. I think I have read all of Cameron's books and she has such a way of inspiring one to honor the creative spirit.

I have also spent time on the Sark site. She is a very inspiring, whimsical, and lovely soul who inspires all of us to give into the Wild Side with Wild Abandon…I love her whimsical ways and her way with words, colors, sights, and sounds. I have subscribed to her newsletter and visit the site for inspiration.
I am organizing a group for Art by Latina Artists, Nurturing your Muse, to share with other artists what they do to renew and rejuvenate their inner spirit, their creative soul, and their imaginative minds.
I have also been writing…outlines, character sketches, plots, sub plots, and summaries…I have a lot of ideas in my head and the morning pages are truly making a difference in helping to keep it all sorted out.
Con un cafecito y un pedacito de pan, sigo ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Organized for NaNoWrMo

In order to be ready for NaNoWriMo, I realized I had to get very organized and get my act together, otherwise, with my job and with my schedule, I would always be wishing I was ready for November, but I would never be ready.

So I have started "Laying the Foundation" with the following baby steps:

Joined the NaNoWriMo web pages so that I could become familiar with how it works and the get used to posting on the forums and spend time creating my page.

I started a Facebook page in order to connect with my writerly friends there and to join the group "Walking in this World" and do the 12 week program among like minded friends.

I updated my MySpace page to reflect my writing journey and will be posting my blogs there as well.

I have updated my Goodreads page so that it reflects the Chica Lit genre that I am writing in gives me a place to organize the books that have inspired me to write

I have updated my Art By Latina Artists page to reflect my NaNoWriMo Journey. And, I am starting an ABLA group to encourage all of us to honor and love our creative muses.

I started a Blogspot page so I would have a chance to blog about my adventures and organize everything in one place. At my blogspot page, you can find links to all my other pages.

I have begun to learn how to use One Note to organize my ideas, thoughts, and materials.

It has truly been an exciting beginning of the month…and I am feeling very energized!!!
The Chai Lattes and vino con chocolate treats…really make a difference.
ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

Friday, March 5, 2010

NaNoWriMo Laying the Foundation

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Are you one of those novel writers who has a good idea, know you will write your novel one day, but just don’t have the time or the wherewithal to get it all started? Or maybe you have been playing around with writing your memoirs, or your dad’s story that should be told, or the greatest love story ever—between your grandma and grandpa? Or maybe, you just have a great mystery idea that needs some fleshing out? Have you wandered onto the NaNoWriMo site and said…some day, I will do this. Or are you like me and decided that 2010 is the year for you to JUST DO IT!!!

Well, if 2010 is your NaNoWriMo year and you would like to make sure it happens, then join me on my journey to write a book in a month in November. Share your ups, downs, set backs, ideas, and inspirations as we journey together in the land of Wrimos—then we can party like it is 1999!!!

I know there are some Wrimos that just come to September with an idea, sign up and write away. But some of us need more time to plan, get inspired, do some research, and be on track. If you are a planner, if you need feedback, inspiration from other writers, or just plane like to connect with others over un cafecito, then think about joining us here or just lurking. I will be sharing my journey to inspire myself and maybe others in the process. I will be sharing my favorite writing books and the songs and quotes that inspire me throughout the month of March and I hope you will do the same.

So grab a cup of coffee and let the writing journey begin…

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara