tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56494229551561751442024-02-22T02:31:19.083+10:30Eleni's TavernaBlog of Speculative Fiction author, Eleni KonstantineEleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.comBlogger928125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-81960709676204826512023-01-01T07:00:00.004+10:302023-01-01T07:00:00.204+10:302022 in Review and Happy 2023!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk3lrCuKSwTbHv-bqZTI1JEMW4lUMaq93EEG-0kqFclu7cdJL-2BOC30OJRw5ReFbhROANbvjoDyh4XfkwylRWNhY_u2vpJVIdfzjqLQw26iyWueWXmq2_m_AUrfXt5l21570_M28VO-qPNXcUb48cRnJHYBhhyulvkWiodVP9vpzRDyL-CXjhqQy/s8333/happy_2023_unicorn_year_horizontal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4167" data-original-width="8333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk3lrCuKSwTbHv-bqZTI1JEMW4lUMaq93EEG-0kqFclu7cdJL-2BOC30OJRw5ReFbhROANbvjoDyh4XfkwylRWNhY_u2vpJVIdfzjqLQw26iyWueWXmq2_m_AUrfXt5l21570_M28VO-qPNXcUb48cRnJHYBhhyulvkWiodVP9vpzRDyL-CXjhqQy/w640-h320/happy_2023_unicorn_year_horizontal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a most fantabulous magical year in 2023!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2022 in Review</span></h1><p>As much as I wanted to be more active in writing in 2022, that didn't happen. I started a few stories but did not finish them. All except one - <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Believe in Magic.</span></b> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwN3SMZUfkrlR9V_kKEuqfpleUZontIsZxcwBUxV0cGzwVFFMjWKFK1VznH6vKR_GTsUXmUrS1Dg7mQ05ZfITz0W-HPieCUrBkGASQ83haKZfI4jgWILPVb3FN-BdeoVKRvOeTnr5Y0cFle659_SHOXTt70q5_AWJNkdUAZWMJUA6HdvYd1Z3l-pZ/s1724/OurSpecialGift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwN3SMZUfkrlR9V_kKEuqfpleUZontIsZxcwBUxV0cGzwVFFMjWKFK1VznH6vKR_GTsUXmUrS1Dg7mQ05ZfITz0W-HPieCUrBkGASQ83haKZfI4jgWILPVb3FN-BdeoVKRvOeTnr5Y0cFle659_SHOXTt70q5_AWJNkdUAZWMJUA6HdvYd1Z3l-pZ/w250-h400/OurSpecialGift.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>This story is now part of a limited available anthology, <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A Special Gift. </span></b><br /><p></p><p>A Special Gift anthology has six heart-warming holiday romances that feature a gift of love, and a guaranteed happy ending.</p><p>If you enjoy reading about lovers reunited and relationships helped along by a touch of seasonal magic, this one's for you!</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>It's available in ebook and paperback.</i></p><p><b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mlXz1Y" target="_blank">Get a copy</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p>It's so good to have a short story out there again. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i>What else has been happening? </i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJCf9YaML5m0oT4oaDjWlcRZlLnOj9h8KZYgbF5bc0r54XDO6K1u0pa4YrK6kWsqahMWWJVK98-Zy-_ND1Jq8NbUfAkBOjUrTeEoSiNd441zkNHrnNraFHfvDhp1kIrR6DVRrx7gHCvhrI61d1khKpL1h64QiWE3FQLp7GJQM-NWS2_5ec7HhPr3V/s959/DSDU_logo_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="959" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJCf9YaML5m0oT4oaDjWlcRZlLnOj9h8KZYgbF5bc0r54XDO6K1u0pa4YrK6kWsqahMWWJVK98-Zy-_ND1Jq8NbUfAkBOjUrTeEoSiNd441zkNHrnNraFHfvDhp1kIrR6DVRrx7gHCvhrI61d1khKpL1h64QiWE3FQLp7GJQM-NWS2_5ec7HhPr3V/w200-h156/DSDU_logo_web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Not much since my last post. I continue to do some work on the <b><a href="https://www.darksidedownunder.com/" target="_blank">DarkSide DownUnder</a></b>, enjoying<br /> sharing the stories from our lovely DarkSiders. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>I also share releases for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SAusRomA" target="_blank"><b>SARA</b></a> group on the Facebook page. </p><p><br /></p><p>I'm still doing pre-covers as <a href="https://www.helzkatdesigns.com/" target="_blank"><b>HelzKat Designs</b></a> - around one a week. My <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/helzkatdesignsgroup/" target="_blank">Facebook group</a> gets previews and a discount. I decided to only do custom covers for those I know personally and those on my Facebook group. I do this mostly to keep creativity going as I fight my brain fog. The projects are not as long as writing a story so it gives me a sense of completion. </p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIbOBJ3kXiIQ0NhZcByMdcSjp_usR1VJbneinIcYp5My1kiBnvX58m9Mn8jnlUbyXzeVqL3aYGW9zl4Iun954NesrloZs2Jr7ori1ZhAez7Tzy59Osxr-sMCYIX7yjce_hagQgUB-UGPnZrggF1MGQB2IWI6CpJQfbm3IqNzC2AsXujOLHo--c-cn/s288/SARAbooklogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="288" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIbOBJ3kXiIQ0NhZcByMdcSjp_usR1VJbneinIcYp5My1kiBnvX58m9Mn8jnlUbyXzeVqL3aYGW9zl4Iun954NesrloZs2Jr7ori1ZhAez7Tzy59Osxr-sMCYIX7yjce_hagQgUB-UGPnZrggF1MGQB2IWI6CpJQfbm3IqNzC2AsXujOLHo--c-cn/w200-h122/SARAbooklogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Oh and I finally got covid in October. Having a number of health conditions, I was able to get anti-virals. I was in isolation for about 8 days and thankfully didn't pass it on to the rest of the family. <p></p><p>Health wise, 2022 has been a struggle as my fibromyalgia is worse and so is the brain fog. It's affected my reading. I've achieved 55 books at time of writing this post (29 December - I've been trying to schedule more posts on social media). In 2021 I had read 124 books and 137 in 2020. So it's half my regular reading. Sigh. Though as others have pointed out, that's still a great number of stories read. So silver linings. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeb9FtcuQwlmR4v74qu3ql0d1yEsibcbpQmpHJ_-ggUAGcC7FWFUW_9-6oHz84iYpRWRhIAG3ZobGzhDEWU1RlAq3INAbb5FEmRCuiLyV9q4F1naUV93Pmtvlh15ztZQrp45KYL8IHNMAmf3GT3MB7BGNZhmpcOCABm7uHnbVYtnH8oF5VcaD5dHG/s500/HelzKatspeech_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="500" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeb9FtcuQwlmR4v74qu3ql0d1yEsibcbpQmpHJ_-ggUAGcC7FWFUW_9-6oHz84iYpRWRhIAG3ZobGzhDEWU1RlAq3INAbb5FEmRCuiLyV9q4F1naUV93Pmtvlh15ztZQrp45KYL8IHNMAmf3GT3MB7BGNZhmpcOCABm7uHnbVYtnH8oF5VcaD5dHG/w200-h164/HelzKatspeech_med.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I have been viewing podcasts of independent news. I try not to be political with my author persona but that could change. I am a person who wants the best for others and hate seeing injustices. The biggest I see is that our freedoms are being eroded slowly and our neo-liberal system is not working. Perhaps my response can be in fiction. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We lost our beautiful dog Elektra due to a serious hip problem. The vet has never seen such an eroded hip on a dog so young (4.5 years). The other hip was on it's way of being the same. The kindest thing we could do for her was to let her go. It was so hard to say goodbye and we felt cheated that we didn't get to spend more time with her. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpETH63S60mnj2nxgt92cezEx80Sxg4I0XFAIC9y6c_70dS3drWqO3RrSTCChMigoGN1cjCU3W8zgsBe8htVxOkwvFYiqMQqoSTL3XQSSXH7qnTILaFYRDTabY9CZH7CT7hsIlZYJLI8PzEZAFUO9CMmj53ynrPuiLUvk8vcnp27oU6xhnuE8vEQR/s3264/IMG_2626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpETH63S60mnj2nxgt92cezEx80Sxg4I0XFAIC9y6c_70dS3drWqO3RrSTCChMigoGN1cjCU3W8zgsBe8htVxOkwvFYiqMQqoSTL3XQSSXH7qnTILaFYRDTabY9CZH7CT7hsIlZYJLI8PzEZAFUO9CMmj53ynrPuiLUvk8vcnp27oU6xhnuE8vEQR/s320/IMG_2626.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjipyLM9qC87qZ-bvXTkSfiUBIQtd8PmB-tIsZyyeU30WjwG0W6Ez6Xr1oPGoZj6NROOlZVfz7Nf9evB0fmAleuKgycTPkBgbzfFGbumFOUgmi4h4p2kBlIlATHbtRh4jNdo3BpK1Rm454NhtxcAS0ZTUdEAUAOIxwuRUNFyfHQ2-nzS7vp37pILfv/s3264/IMG_2629.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjipyLM9qC87qZ-bvXTkSfiUBIQtd8PmB-tIsZyyeU30WjwG0W6Ez6Xr1oPGoZj6NROOlZVfz7Nf9evB0fmAleuKgycTPkBgbzfFGbumFOUgmi4h4p2kBlIlATHbtRh4jNdo3BpK1Rm454NhtxcAS0ZTUdEAUAOIxwuRUNFyfHQ2-nzS7vp37pILfv/s320/IMG_2629.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>As fate would have it, a few weeks later we had a new joy in our lives with Kalypso. She's spunky and loveable and just what we needed so we didn't wallow in our grief. She's not one for photos. I have to take about 10 photos to get a decent one of her because she's not fond of having her photo taken. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaum5ovtTToUwuCriJ7Lz9a-WKmUERnVTYqNSn7FdtQpKoK7iWz3PLBiMJedIzvK_EvnVpmCnQUwgps-EY4LSfxVElVOI5brPmgcGly0NWQQLrlWy6GskMHBQmvXV_VsUBlIZLs9HP0J75Lo0TYblE25X4PF1j2WB4g7smCDhBCf5Bd2mf1TDYEHRS/s2103/IMG_2789.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2103" data-original-width="1113" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaum5ovtTToUwuCriJ7Lz9a-WKmUERnVTYqNSn7FdtQpKoK7iWz3PLBiMJedIzvK_EvnVpmCnQUwgps-EY4LSfxVElVOI5brPmgcGly0NWQQLrlWy6GskMHBQmvXV_VsUBlIZLs9HP0J75Lo0TYblE25X4PF1j2WB4g7smCDhBCf5Bd2mf1TDYEHRS/s320/IMG_2789.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmSjEqbUdkVhsqCjS3e8xgS2i06sZoK-hZN9zZKPDaLwoEHuqoZFuJ-_Dgu9vpzwLs-nMJpMVkryXdu-a_j7UF-lZUF9HbygeXfX1oRC2s4Ovuz6OJlJz3nE3LaYDzgd-Ly-gVebUzyBNGcT2FhWj2XAXr1NOqTBdSTZ7u7tm1tvL_Gqjy5f1NZ7q/s4032/IMG_0033.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmSjEqbUdkVhsqCjS3e8xgS2i06sZoK-hZN9zZKPDaLwoEHuqoZFuJ-_Dgu9vpzwLs-nMJpMVkryXdu-a_j7UF-lZUF9HbygeXfX1oRC2s4Ovuz6OJlJz3nE3LaYDzgd-Ly-gVebUzyBNGcT2FhWj2XAXr1NOqTBdSTZ7u7tm1tvL_Gqjy5f1NZ7q/s320/IMG_0033.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Again, may you have a most fantabulous magical year in 2023!</span></b></p><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-75394666990615849092022-09-12T09:30:00.020+09:302022-09-12T09:30:00.218+09:30Hiatus with more signs of a hiatus...<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzdO5yk3F_K0bVkkftia1tHXbiofL0tB98rZ75FPsBmF4XECw3LycRn8KVC3dBRD4S2feXT7Q-4hIjOoc_U00n44v9rKTulxZ0A_QrZz_PCRfekJLCoGKuucDEmERUWLhXv5X4943N4gtE3A7qNw_MalIcamMHo9_i8bWGQQAIFPOKvEXFPdWLK8y/s5000/Depositphotos_145048245_XL.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5000" data-original-width="3572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzdO5yk3F_K0bVkkftia1tHXbiofL0tB98rZ75FPsBmF4XECw3LycRn8KVC3dBRD4S2feXT7Q-4hIjOoc_U00n44v9rKTulxZ0A_QrZz_PCRfekJLCoGKuucDEmERUWLhXv5X4943N4gtE3A7qNw_MalIcamMHo9_i8bWGQQAIFPOKvEXFPdWLK8y/s320/Depositphotos_145048245_XL.jpeg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Artist: Elena Schweitzer </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><a href=" https://depositphotos.com/145048245/stock-photo-little-girl-and-ounting-sheep.html" target="_blank">Depositphotos</a> </i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Yes, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I suppose I haven't much to say as my writing has been as a standstill as the brain fog of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome continues in my life. While I've been able to design some covers as <a href="https://www.helzkatdesigns.com/pre-made-covers.html" target="_blank">HelzKat Designs</a> (at a low output), I haven't been able to focus to work on fiction. <p></p><p>I have managed to work on posts for the <a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">DarkSide DownUnder blog</a> because it's other people's good news and I'm not 'creating' it as such. That lifts me up and I've allowed myself just to enjoy other people's successes without trying to force myself to write when I'm not ready. </p><p>When I do design the pre-made covers, l come up with a little snippet of a story. Perhaps the first step back is noting these snippets down.</p><p>I tend to be on Facebook/Instagram for design and the DarkSiders rather than as my writing self. I'm trying to streamline my time there and am scheduling posts so I don't get drained, as it can be information overload for me on social media. And if anyone who follows my <a href="http://elenis-library.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">reading blog</a> will have noticed, I haven't kept that updated either. One reason is that reading has also been affected.</p><p>So basically I'm taking each day as it comes but am hopeful for the future. Hope is important. </p><p>That's my status. I hope you're all safe and well. </p><p><br /></p><p>Yia!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilap3_JpE7vLZ41Re3o4poMMTlCs5lqKM8CiahW1s8X-yuhgLrSxEvYNSdPU2jojy7JSPqx7ev6b3fVfa2ph6JBhzl9aY6UINshMrlP5ultUktO4X_pNw9DzIG3Ochnsn0-UklTis8cwGjkE4jHADyfJDVRn8TBMUIylUmvtiiIyHk7ehkcjIhOhIS/s1155/ek.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1144" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilap3_JpE7vLZ41Re3o4poMMTlCs5lqKM8CiahW1s8X-yuhgLrSxEvYNSdPU2jojy7JSPqx7ev6b3fVfa2ph6JBhzl9aY6UINshMrlP5ultUktO4X_pNw9DzIG3Ochnsn0-UklTis8cwGjkE4jHADyfJDVRn8TBMUIylUmvtiiIyHk7ehkcjIhOhIS/w54-h55/ek.png" width="54" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-75916036852404036972021-10-18T12:20:00.003+10:302021-10-18T12:20:51.536+10:30DarkSide DownUnder's Spooktacular Halloween Giveaway<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/2021/10/magic-thursday-spooktacular-halloween.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1071" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUPmvEOgd237Q3-lc59EEPwxpm6syfg1H8ECI8wUHvbm8XE1FcoUpjwqpmP7xk9E6aZx1PYAxzdBSExA8VtMJLgHWK6ebpjwVymh8hj_X-Xjy2rSd8t3aa5hJcRSuAPnwvd9d9kEswxw/w473-h338/spooktacular.jpg" width="473" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm part of the<b> Spooktacular Halloween giveaway</b> over at the DarkSide DownUnder blog. For your chance to win, just visit the <a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/2021/10/magic-thursday-spooktacular-halloween.html" target="_blank">blog</a>, follow the link to the form and enter for your chance to win an ebook bundle.</p><p><br /></p><p>The bundle includes:</p><p><b>The Heart of a Shadow</b> (Book 1, Merged Worlds) by Samantha Marshall</p><p><b>Spell Struck</b> (Book 1, Merry Magic) by Shelley Russell Nolan</p><p><b>Phantasia</b> (Book 2, Phi Athanatoi) by Efthalia</p><p><b>Edge of Eon </b>(Book 1, Eon Warriors) by Anna Hackett</p><p><b>Witch Bound</b> (Prequel, Pack Bound) by Leisl Leighton</p><p><b>Enchanted Dreams</b> (speculative fiction short story collection) by Eleni Konstantine</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYc3-8LwZeDd7qnIZVa82rZqEdGKO52ZN00eMWnMsDs_ZaSu3GmeLzqpKdXCz8LnOWvyBKCZz6vTaw0SZHQAEKKwt5715VI36kZWR9E9rVmAITuv46rJUYrB8QyPjiSUjZWXN6SzNkux4/s2048/heartshadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYc3-8LwZeDd7qnIZVa82rZqEdGKO52ZN00eMWnMsDs_ZaSu3GmeLzqpKdXCz8LnOWvyBKCZz6vTaw0SZHQAEKKwt5715VI36kZWR9E9rVmAITuv46rJUYrB8QyPjiSUjZWXN6SzNkux4/w254-h406/heartshadow.jpg" width="254" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rTiBts5Cr_XASJUBIgWNtbhE6-w1HSu6poiunGt19pF2uehrz8OVeRp9PWdpeIp8_58dws0pV5z0iEygFI803U3Xla6Dba8y93SgVI8Gn1vPHdd4yxEakn2Od9nGiquHaWToMNVrthI/s640/spellstruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rTiBts5Cr_XASJUBIgWNtbhE6-w1HSu6poiunGt19pF2uehrz8OVeRp9PWdpeIp8_58dws0pV5z0iEygFI803U3Xla6Dba8y93SgVI8Gn1vPHdd4yxEakn2Od9nGiquHaWToMNVrthI/w270-h402/spellstruck.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMmT8fyWKFKAZbXY0EmgNjY8HyxlQQI2JIUj3yRsrWx2tRrYda_si-ACgJDFYK8nKhlW_0rQWyEJ9Xd_Gs_SD4LgTk8U6LQkM6FdD9xTGcM-MT61Jx35ZJnU5m53pk0RKkotAhdNNDAw/s500/phantasia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMmT8fyWKFKAZbXY0EmgNjY8HyxlQQI2JIUj3yRsrWx2tRrYda_si-ACgJDFYK8nKhlW_0rQWyEJ9Xd_Gs_SD4LgTk8U6LQkM6FdD9xTGcM-MT61Jx35ZJnU5m53pk0RKkotAhdNNDAw/w261-h392/phantasia.jpg" width="261" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cTtGLmgPNIdf0WC1CES2WQi3hvf2FCyZcKGYOBLmHTuDKZt129w8pY7EgTQqXfIij6ffF5PRYMI0E5eOPxNCm_j1HUiNUO3o2Z9t99nydX53IKgrfW8seZeIbElHXpRAlG493Q61DEU/s1152/EdgeofEon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="768" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cTtGLmgPNIdf0WC1CES2WQi3hvf2FCyZcKGYOBLmHTuDKZt129w8pY7EgTQqXfIij6ffF5PRYMI0E5eOPxNCm_j1HUiNUO3o2Z9t99nydX53IKgrfW8seZeIbElHXpRAlG493Q61DEU/w261-h393/EdgeofEon.jpg" width="261" /></a></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju1hnxWsuTi0vFxiMiE2oofbprCo-H5GSYGXQlGsHMggMD23AiTra9LCAUcgyH2LTuRwmhLX5s62lNMcXM1g4I9HfCatA26rbaQnNuh3iH6y4mgRyzmL0F6-kv6GyYIIBqpEbYZ0pgXk/s800/Witch-Bound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju1hnxWsuTi0vFxiMiE2oofbprCo-H5GSYGXQlGsHMggMD23AiTra9LCAUcgyH2LTuRwmhLX5s62lNMcXM1g4I9HfCatA26rbaQnNuh3iH6y4mgRyzmL0F6-kv6GyYIIBqpEbYZ0pgXk/w255-h408/Witch-Bound.jpg" width="255" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYzc-nbbkiEv1zPUyLWONeZPWg8D2DYNZkqp1upwbgjDVH4Ly3cxWNj93IjCTk4V-cNOoITPtZ_Dov0FM3cOFtGSlGFrhwsnJIV2SBk7twSocM8hJ98dVsUUqTB2Ku_aB7kbB3xsbeFQ/s474/enchanteddreams-web_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="316" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYzc-nbbkiEv1zPUyLWONeZPWg8D2DYNZkqp1upwbgjDVH4Ly3cxWNj93IjCTk4V-cNOoITPtZ_Dov0FM3cOFtGSlGFrhwsnJIV2SBk7twSocM8hJ98dVsUUqTB2Ku_aB7kbB3xsbeFQ/w273-h411/enchanteddreams-web_12.jpg" width="273" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br />Good luck!<div><br /></div><div>~Eleni~<br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-37521745931528400172020-11-14T13:21:00.000+10:302020-11-14T13:21:27.873+10:30From the cave<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnAu0N87_Gu04HDyistNeg7Iy2AghV1A0CG6rN_3pPE86g2Qajd2PyOIR0C-KWOSjuTo4g9w9BSOvkTFzd0yH_xFMkxkL7Vx4_Cj-te4OXyiIe7UKlFfJzMMkDA0x-U6VAcyERAcGA4U/s800/Bk1-ChocolateAndOldLace_800h_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnAu0N87_Gu04HDyistNeg7Iy2AghV1A0CG6rN_3pPE86g2Qajd2PyOIR0C-KWOSjuTo4g9w9BSOvkTFzd0yH_xFMkxkL7Vx4_Cj-te4OXyiIe7UKlFfJzMMkDA0x-U6VAcyERAcGA4U/w213-h320/Bk1-ChocolateAndOldLace_800h_web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's been a long time between posts. </span><p></p><p>2020 has been a hell of a year for the world. To be honest I haven't felt like I've had much to say especially since my writing went into a hiatus again. Oh, there's been ruminating on ideas but there's been only a couple of short story first drafts written. </p><p>I pop occasionally on social media but I'm only there for quick visits. </p><p>I even stopped the DarkSide DownUnder for a bit too. Sometimes you just need a break. </p><p>I even took a short break from reading. TV was my entertainment avenue. As was a lot of people's during lockdown. </p><p>I'm going through a flare up of the chronic conditions - you know the drill - energy for home and family first followed by everything else. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But I'm back to reading. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;">Currently reading: <br /><b>Chocolate and Old Lace </b>(Rosie Hart Mystery #1)<b> </b>by <a href="https://kazdelaney.com.au/" target="_blank">Kaz Delaney</a> (Pssttt... <a href="http://helzkatdesigns.com" target="_blank">HelzKat Designs</a> designed the cover this) - cozy mystery</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Last read: </div><div><b>Gunmetal Magic</b> (Kate Daniels #5.5) by <a href="https://ilona-andrews.com/" target="_blank">Ilona Andrews</a> - urban fantasy with romantic elements</div><div><br /></div><div>Next: </div><div><b>Marry in Haste</b> (Marry of Convenience #1) by <a href="https://www.annegracie.com/" target="_blank">Anne Gracie</a> - historical romance</div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeEV24skQCqj-338VsKPzeYuQyf11uNTEcodtHCvp1aDyaF7EhrICoCyP2OOF14Z0mrc7ZrjddN1QNcFYw0EM8_rWxAxH6MQ49uMzNdTX84kQGILVlSSlbCjwF4JGWbUaOb5H_F0Kuqs/s1000/Depositphotos_319145240_s-2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeEV24skQCqj-338VsKPzeYuQyf11uNTEcodtHCvp1aDyaF7EhrICoCyP2OOF14Z0mrc7ZrjddN1QNcFYw0EM8_rWxAxH6MQ49uMzNdTX84kQGILVlSSlbCjwF4JGWbUaOb5H_F0Kuqs/w200-h150/Depositphotos_319145240_s-2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm also back organising the DSDU.</span> <p></p><p>I even wrote a blog post about <a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/2020/11/magic-thursday-writing-flash-fiction.html" target="_blank">writing flash fiction this week</a>. </p><p>I'm enjoying on catching up with all the fantastic news from the DarkSiders. It really is great seeing all the names out there and adding to my TBR pile. </p><p><br /></p><p>~Yia!~</p>Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-80833415991143001732020-02-13T11:02:00.000+10:302020-02-13T11:02:26.453+10:30ARRA20 Ticketpalooza - chance to win a ticket to event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGi41KLuwYGd8NHLSIMNewi7ZpUy5fzIXWpmVNuYI6bJlZURAFXPE-sPDQTKmZJZ101tN5ZqZ4xjw7cNyCKIZyh_OKVCvBU7fBXMHTktoKR5R2NkzfoaQ_KBIwZG70L4LnX7xLJ1qiBk/s1600/ARR2020+author+banner+Eleni+Konstantine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1299" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGi41KLuwYGd8NHLSIMNewi7ZpUy5fzIXWpmVNuYI6bJlZURAFXPE-sPDQTKmZJZ101tN5ZqZ4xjw7cNyCKIZyh_OKVCvBU7fBXMHTktoKR5R2NkzfoaQ_KBIwZG70L4LnX7xLJ1qiBk/s640/ARR2020+author+banner+Eleni+Konstantine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As some of you will know, I am participating in <b>A Romantic Rendezvous</b>, a book-signing event in Adelaide on 17th March, alongside authors like Darynda Jones, Susan Donovan, Trish Morey, Elizabeth Rolls, Lilliana Rose, Suzie Hindmarsh-Knights, Maggie Mundy, Leesa Bow and more.<br />
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And ... drumroll ... I have a ticket to give away to one lucky reader on Valentine's Day. What better Valentine's Day gift could I give you than the opportunity to discover some new book boyfriends?<br />
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If you don't live in Adelaide, don't worry, there will be five events - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide - and you can win a ticket to the event of your choice! All the details on these event, including the authors signing at each one, are available here: <a href="http://australianromancereaders.com.au/events/arr2020/">http://australianromancereaders.com.au/events/arr2020/</a>.<br />
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To be in the draw, please comment on the relevant post on my author Facebook page or on this post and let me know who your favourite, or most recent, book boyfriend is. Feel free to share this post with all your friends - if I receive more than 50 entries I'll be able to give away a second ticket! So spread the word! I'll draw the winner on Valentine's Day and announce them here.<br />
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The more who come along on the day, the more fun we'll have. (If you don't want to wait to see if you're the winner, tickets start from $20 and are available for purchase now at <a href="https://www.trybooking.com/562019" target="_blank">Trybooking</a>.)<br />
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Hope to see meet some of you at the signing.<br />
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~Eleni :)<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-71552349538589489182019-10-25T07:00:00.001+10:302022-09-18T10:25:37.223+09:30Writing Groups - Fiona McIntosh's MasterClass National Conference 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been very lucky in my writing journey in finding groups who have been instrumental in keeping me going in writing.<br />
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One such group is <a href="https://fionamcintoshmasterclasses.com/" target="_blank">Fiona McIntosh's Masterclass</a>. I was in the Autumn 2018 class and this past week, I with over 100 delegates attended the inaugural <b>Fiona McIntosh Masterclass National Conference </b>(NatCon), which was open to alumni only.<br />
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I'm not going to go into detail of the weekend as <a href="https://faransilverton.com/2019/10/21/fiona-mcintosh-writers-masterclass-the-2019-inaugural-national-conference" target="_blank">Faran Silverton</a> has done a great job blogging about it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktbKHxVNNdAzmvsEjZ2kB9XZ6vKuPLX290pJYZ15z3pyb_MJZH-JK8cH1UpOfqeR5u3xdnzenZQHLu5SyYnB6avJRtlcV3Mo4L0wY6p2b4Z2I8Ad4cURKwgxxqOqBkH9bsFAkYL1rx_g/s1600/IMG_1103.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktbKHxVNNdAzmvsEjZ2kB9XZ6vKuPLX290pJYZ15z3pyb_MJZH-JK8cH1UpOfqeR5u3xdnzenZQHLu5SyYnB6avJRtlcV3Mo4L0wY6p2b4Z2I8Ad4cURKwgxxqOqBkH9bsFAkYL1rx_g/s200/IMG_1103.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Robotham gives his keynote.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9YoD5LOhIU-vP93KW3WtAO6hFnqBFUPk0msqMCFSyFu1o8ff46nHlCt45pOCugOwt1O_yVlVgp8aoKAYZa1dGM8kLfAj9y1pAaoHSoU0oOzOey-efwTPrM4NWz8hN-FMYmJLG7aR_1k/s1600/IMG_1100.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9YoD5LOhIU-vP93KW3WtAO6hFnqBFUPk0msqMCFSyFu1o8ff46nHlCt45pOCugOwt1O_yVlVgp8aoKAYZa1dGM8kLfAj9y1pAaoHSoU0oOzOey-efwTPrM4NWz8hN-FMYmJLG7aR_1k/s200/IMG_1100.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiona McIntosh opens the conference.</td></tr>
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What I do want to say is that it was a great mix of catching up with class mates, meeting other alumni, listening to the amazing keynote of <a href="http://www.michaelrobotham.com/" target="_blank"><b>Michael Robotham</b></a>, and getting industry news from publishers, booksellers (great to hear how books get on the shelves) and other authors. We had the opportunity to pitch which I took advantage of (and had a request- yay!).<br />
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The energy of the conference was amazing and a great boost. Even when the fibromyalgia was playing havoc, the enthusiasm of the room kept me going. Not surprising with <b><a href="https://www.fionamcintosh.com/" target="_blank">Fiona McIntosh</a> </b>at the helm and the setting <a href="https://www.olearywalkerwines.com/" target="_blank">O'Leary Walker Wines</a> in the Clare Valley giving inspiration.<br />
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There were smiling faces everywhere. I love smiling faces. Smiling faces rock. And while there was some nerves over pitching, there was also encouragement from fellow delegates keeping others grounded.<br />
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Overall, everyone had wonderful a few days.<br />
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Speaking of nerves, one thing I do have to work on (and you wouldn't know judging by this blog) is approaching publishers and published authors. Part of this is the CFS making me feel slower and part is general nerves. These days authors can't just sit behind the keyboard and not worry about making appearances. So while I'm fine (though nervous) at giving talks, it's the off the cuff stuff that has me stumbling a little.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH97Qx56WBubGip2_5OnZ5zsBnzN2UWEU1DrrF6sg2LaDuw7_7Ous6hmjgSqYdLzh4GnSwEEO0742FLBPzEvjGNaXhR4LWh8LS6KLUQE6IWgVLmeaIJpfGbzt_YXNXJ4qoWlM1QWE5Ww/s1600/IMG_1133.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH97Qx56WBubGip2_5OnZ5zsBnzN2UWEU1DrrF6sg2LaDuw7_7Ous6hmjgSqYdLzh4GnSwEEO0742FLBPzEvjGNaXhR4LWh8LS6KLUQE6IWgVLmeaIJpfGbzt_YXNXJ4qoWlM1QWE5Ww/s320/IMG_1133.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idyllic setting</td></tr>
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp35OXCvcNbwzboTeTgTHCDsfLzEoTWMvpGWAphjWCxLcmm1tjFnWjlb6Z3FBU3QdrCFkoHJnPv3yFqg22oX8p-u6x3TcIJkCqfc8ovObWot6u-tTAXlGSphyP7hmOZhen59erbzqbtg/s1600/IMG_1128.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp35OXCvcNbwzboTeTgTHCDsfLzEoTWMvpGWAphjWCxLcmm1tjFnWjlb6Z3FBU3QdrCFkoHJnPv3yFqg22oX8p-u6x3TcIJkCqfc8ovObWot6u-tTAXlGSphyP7hmOZhen59erbzqbtg/s320/IMG_1128.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiona McIntosh (middle) with successful graduates of her Masterclass,<br />
<a href="http://adamcece.com/" target="_blank">Adam Cece</a> and <a href="https://www.triciastringer.com.au/" target="_blank">Tricia Stringer</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu0g5c0azWuQETXRW8cvERDbI5EDUDOXZBxDhRPgrA47dRcgZ3eWBu5oP-5GZ3BlHff_DAsEu7rR-U-tJZFB197hQfsfH7qpl1tJlGbmTxCfTYSLfzRFLsuM1Yh7ltvyniEgK3CG7OWU/s1600/IMG_1159.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu0g5c0azWuQETXRW8cvERDbI5EDUDOXZBxDhRPgrA47dRcgZ3eWBu5oP-5GZ3BlHff_DAsEu7rR-U-tJZFB197hQfsfH7qpl1tJlGbmTxCfTYSLfzRFLsuM1Yh7ltvyniEgK3CG7OWU/s200/IMG_1159.jpeg" width="150" /></a>I was lucky enough to share a lovely cottage with my writing buddies from Adelaide who have been keeping me going by attending regular meetings since our Masterclass. Thanks Kate and Amanda. It would have been lovely to stay longer but real life beckoned.<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LP42uFprU8BL8IdenOUYkc2OMsiKTuMBS58lF_kV2NGpqiGIxk4rbq-VMo-6a6QThMfeNKogdgFvjROi9OjNadoAOR6_X2cyXd3Vy1Wtc91ncxiPYR-A_z4vNc7vux_OSrBa-9ItklY/s1600/IMG_1154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LP42uFprU8BL8IdenOUYkc2OMsiKTuMBS58lF_kV2NGpqiGIxk4rbq-VMo-6a6QThMfeNKogdgFvjROi9OjNadoAOR6_X2cyXd3Vy1Wtc91ncxiPYR-A_z4vNc7vux_OSrBa-9ItklY/s200/IMG_1154.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooke Cottage, Clare Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Would I go again? The answer is an assuredly "Hell, yeah!"<br />
<br />
I'm looking at making realistic plans for the coming few months to keep the momentum going. While I can't go at the pace of NatCon, I can definitely kick things up a pace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4ULGeWR5AcdtDvVVRHlNSdweV1zDWC8hdKveh9YlIJFRtr0yDOUtoZh9Fiu5NOkCOdctQ_cC5hd9Ssjnma4grYv4rcf0K5Z_KxjHYIQNyF5hfKCU_rxUKcSrlsZuaFBqF0XxWfZXEOw/s1600/IMG_1119.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4ULGeWR5AcdtDvVVRHlNSdweV1zDWC8hdKveh9YlIJFRtr0yDOUtoZh9Fiu5NOkCOdctQ_cC5hd9Ssjnma4grYv4rcf0K5Z_KxjHYIQNyF5hfKCU_rxUKcSrlsZuaFBqF0XxWfZXEOw/s200/IMG_1119.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWJv3C_6jBmOZEVS7DiT4kBKGXWRzVP4YOY3lC1liOa4fYGLvkDJK1BW7rWEupvM8vd8TN9U-aN2XJOEM4-HaWFpkicla4NGGrx4nJvYp67zkH9YGBCelj0eJ1cFdnnVjRWJMMjJYQgw/s1600/IMG_1118.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWJv3C_6jBmOZEVS7DiT4kBKGXWRzVP4YOY3lC1liOa4fYGLvkDJK1BW7rWEupvM8vd8TN9U-aN2XJOEM4-HaWFpkicla4NGGrx4nJvYp67zkH9YGBCelj0eJ1cFdnnVjRWJMMjJYQgw/s200/IMG_1118.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbpEuwJ1jeFDlAVNAiu-hxqISxLs7QyFea_BAQxXiqeyA-tAijHl9v5PY_72Hi08tS95XypHsPZu5Kcwi3o8LWVa7gjvlylqk8ztGPqYquvsssQPwteb7JD_Jvcdh61w5wtZopcivnT0/s1600/IMG_1110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbpEuwJ1jeFDlAVNAiu-hxqISxLs7QyFea_BAQxXiqeyA-tAijHl9v5PY_72Hi08tS95XypHsPZu5Kcwi3o8LWVa7gjvlylqk8ztGPqYquvsssQPwteb7JD_Jvcdh61w5wtZopcivnT0/s320/IMG_1110.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me (L) with the lovely Mandy Mackay from Dymocks, and fellow <br />
MasterClasser and SARA, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mercedes.whibley.writes/" target="_blank">Mercedes Whibley</a> (R).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Thanks Fiona, Nathan, and team for a fabulous conference.<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-8085323627326291002019-09-29T13:49:00.003+09:302019-09-29T13:49:39.159+09:30Writing Update - Pre-order, promo, rebranding, & newsletter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pre-Order and Promo Price</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Enchanted Dreams</span></b> is now available for <a href="https://books2read.com/u/mqDBNe" target="_blank">pre-order at retailers</a> (not Amazon yet. I'm waiting on Amazon who because I've gone through a 3rd Party, will not review until release date of 4th October.)<br />
<br />
<br />
I decided to have <b>promo price of 99c</b> (US) until the end of October (regular price: $1.99)<br />
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<a href="https://books2read.com/u/mqDBNe" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUlXtdTS1s5u6xO21R-ZC6kM6uT9991On4m_-bJ24HirQcIRNAQq0GO4VVKRcXD8LCYApJSw1DP9a-HT1fycIDbizhjvrzdjFD4pHxct8x8mIbHt0CEGCJsAusNCIWbfU35x5K_WfuMA/s640/PreOrder_EnchantedDreams.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Re-branding</span><br />
<br />
For a couple of years, I've wanted to rebrand even undertaking Nikki Logan's Author Branding online course (via Romance Writers of Australia) last year to help me along with that.<br />
<br />
Finally, the rebranding is done and I've launched my new brand - <b><i>Beyond The Looking Glass.</i></b> I fell in love the image by artist <a href="http://elena-schweitzer.com/" target="_blank">Elena Schweitzer</a>. It has an other-word magical feel, which is exactly what I wanted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeScTRN_QwAaWRiq1hZRhjiOimwPGAqCAJVIp1ddiyL7I5xSIhlEOetIu-SQaVP1y-B3uReeApkmecakv7y_PTcVWd4SjcaRRTCJU0A9I1ib4Q2IKqH3gRgJZ0V8ZAwfVZvMo67PPnVw/s1600/BeyondTheLookingGlass_400web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeScTRN_QwAaWRiq1hZRhjiOimwPGAqCAJVIp1ddiyL7I5xSIhlEOetIu-SQaVP1y-B3uReeApkmecakv7y_PTcVWd4SjcaRRTCJU0A9I1ib4Q2IKqH3gRgJZ0V8ZAwfVZvMo67PPnVw/s400/BeyondTheLookingGlass_400web.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
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I even came up with a symbol which I used in to seperate the stories from my Author's note in <i>Enchanted Dreams</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfFpAjhZ0DUVX270SOioOOKG9Hf3jscxewpRdZ4Xb3TTaCVg9uETIxrVws16YPVGymfghmzfXz8bYEu3wcp9NX9n5kq89picuEK5fF8QgNw8BEUIpP1PxvVEPW8QYiN-Q_n4INnwXazs/s1600/ek.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1144" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfFpAjhZ0DUVX270SOioOOKG9Hf3jscxewpRdZ4Xb3TTaCVg9uETIxrVws16YPVGymfghmzfXz8bYEu3wcp9NX9n5kq89picuEK5fF8QgNw8BEUIpP1PxvVEPW8QYiN-Q_n4INnwXazs/s200/ek.png" width="198" /></a></div>
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The fairy served me well for years but alas it's time to move on. So long...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-thGujAAiuJLmPAGHpcheGYy5xIMA_GbfJxxaa3bG1jvN79XtkOE0_zeSr1I0PqamVb1koBLnCjMi87mn7mawLKG2iuCHVwqA27Qh1Q4ffCtzon506O9tlD719avRrSWeRCmk6bO6PhM/s1600/pinkfairy_banner+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="472" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-thGujAAiuJLmPAGHpcheGYy5xIMA_GbfJxxaa3bG1jvN79XtkOE0_zeSr1I0PqamVb1koBLnCjMi87mn7mawLKG2iuCHVwqA27Qh1Q4ffCtzon506O9tlD719avRrSWeRCmk6bO6PhM/s200/pinkfairy_banner+blog.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Newsletter</span><br />
And finally last but not least, I have changed newsletter providers and created a <a href="https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/m2x5s9" target="_blank">new signup</a>.<br />
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<br />
~Eleni </div>
Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-58006487031558567892019-09-14T07:30:00.000+09:302019-09-14T07:30:09.649+09:30Enchanted Realms Cover Reveal and update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During the course of a number of blog posts over on the DarkSide DownUnder blog, I've been going through the process of cover design as my alter ego, HelzKat Designs, using my upcoming release, <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Enchanted Dreams</span></b>.<br />
<a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/2019/09/magic-thursday-nuts-bolts-of-designing.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/2019/09/magic-thursday-nuts-bolts-of-designing.html" target="_blank">The latest blog post reveals the final tweaks and the cover</a>.<br />
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But don't worry, here's the cover here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOWLYykYjz8L49FePwA6_TJ04KTHNIWY66cK1J67-UaLRdDXoWcZwhBGZgd62Eiqtlma3KeQ1X1_WzjJNFBgLu0CX87HhGlGdlKODMkqYkmqD26TtILpNf0Uy2wlq0En6rbUbhd_NGYY/s1600/EnchantedDreams_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOWLYykYjz8L49FePwA6_TJ04KTHNIWY66cK1J67-UaLRdDXoWcZwhBGZgd62Eiqtlma3KeQ1X1_WzjJNFBgLu0CX87HhGlGdlKODMkqYkmqD26TtILpNf0Uy2wlq0En6rbUbhd_NGYY/s640/EnchantedDreams_web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've gotten the edits back from my editor. I'm still recovering from a bad cold. It's drained me and of course stirred up the usual suspects, but I'm hoping to get to the edits in the next couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you updated with a release date once I have that all sorted. <br />
<br />
I'm really excited that this project is almost here.<br />
<br />
~Eleni<br />
<br /></div>
Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-50481644709356437522019-06-12T14:20:00.001+09:302019-06-12T14:20:48.951+09:30Writing Wednesday: Writing tools...trying to kickstart the muse!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been working on gathering my stories for the upcoming short story collection - all the previously published ones - check, all the previously unpublished ones to beta readers - check, writing a new short story.... no check yet.<br />
<br />
But I'm working on it.<br />
<br />
I've been tidying up my office after it was painted earlier in the year. In the clean up I collated all my hand written notes for story ideas - and would guess not one of them appealed to me! Gahhhh!<br />
<br />
I just couldn't seem to start a story and stick with it. After a few false starts, I have started on a short story. I know already know it needs changes but it's started and I now have 8 A5 pages.<br />
<br />
I used the Wacom Bamboo Folio to write these pages. Basically it's an electronic pad and pen that work together so that the text can be then scanned electronically by using the app. The app can then convert it to text or Word, which helps with the retyping.<br />
<br />
Retyping a short story - not so bad, but I plan to work on my current novel long hand so typing up all those pages wasn't something I was looking forward to especially with the arm and shoulder pain I have been having lately.<br />
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Of course, I need to have legible writing so it can then convert it but even if 80% of it is correct and I need to correct the rest, that is better than retyping the whole thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xLej067m_ADaJDPvuT05Eh_d6pBBFluSsrneCCuuwWYUxTp8T0f8hNlH49GE2XTVkxo9VG1kk3sZu_hwJxUpdH9-zKgq1IR5yiNcssqeXbMNG2fyHAt1x-uavcQ3DReqd9NFTactYFM/s1600/wacom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1144" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xLej067m_ADaJDPvuT05Eh_d6pBBFluSsrneCCuuwWYUxTp8T0f8hNlH49GE2XTVkxo9VG1kk3sZu_hwJxUpdH9-zKgq1IR5yiNcssqeXbMNG2fyHAt1x-uavcQ3DReqd9NFTactYFM/s400/wacom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
One of the reasons I love this product is that I can use my own paper and since I'm a stationery nut, I can use the A5 pads and notebooks I have purchased over the years. I just have to place them on the folio pad and use the pen (which is lovely to work with). How cool is that?<br />
<br />
The muse has responded some but not as much as I would like because of low energy. Some pages is better than no pages, so I'm taking this as a good start.<br />
<br />
<br />
~<br />
Yia,<br />
Eleni </div>
Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-41112127842146203622019-04-17T00:30:00.000+09:302019-04-17T00:30:02.489+09:30Enchanted Dreams coming your way...soon...soonish...well sometime this year...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My darling blog readers, it has been way too long since I've updated this blog. There are many reasons for this. Yes, you guessed one is not having the energy to run the blog as I have in the past. However, I've been slowly chipping away at different projects both personal and professional, so my time hasn't been wasted.<br />
<br />
First of all, if you haven't been over at the DarkSide DownUnder blog, I have been having a series of blog posts on <a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/search/label/Designing%20book%20covers" target="_blank">cover design as my alterego, HelzKat Designs</a>. The posts talk about a particular project that is for moi - Eleni - and that is a collection of short stories.<br />
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUOe62omPlBqHLKBjF4mA6Ja53TnYwBv72GrqmRvJ5GyFIEuA1GDvuBhwNOITnuic_epKt5KU90IRItWxMYUNQeUbc7Xxj7AyHo3HfkCYf4aesNjVZvb0SAu7pwx8njoiGFk0CD0qUfM/s1600/once-upon-a-time-719174_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1280" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUOe62omPlBqHLKBjF4mA6Ja53TnYwBv72GrqmRvJ5GyFIEuA1GDvuBhwNOITnuic_epKt5KU90IRItWxMYUNQeUbc7Xxj7AyHo3HfkCYf4aesNjVZvb0SAu7pwx8njoiGFk0CD0qUfM/s640/once-upon-a-time-719174_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Ramdlon-710044/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=719174">Fathromi Ramdlon</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=719174">Pixabay</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The collection is going to be called <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Enchanted Dreams</span></b> (yes there I go with Enchanted again. I so love that word).<br />
<br />
It will feature both previously published and new work. I'm deciding whether to add more but this is the line up as it stands at the moment:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Previously published stories</span><br />
Enchanted<br />
Changes<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- <i>flash</i><br />
The Magician - <i>flash</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Stormy Divide<br />
Strange Brew - <i>flash</i><br />
Angel Eyes<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcJ42U1Ebjus_7CYs6o9hT8-FzP3zJRGFwrmAKmtpEIrjOLKlPtAF2Jb0hyY9rTq3LCNY1tqLXW07mfg9EsR6rFDQJtKt3KsOOTr11z8QWKNSmEl4nllxrjldk_CqI4UL37UYk20ToVs/s1600/landscape-1732651_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcJ42U1Ebjus_7CYs6o9hT8-FzP3zJRGFwrmAKmtpEIrjOLKlPtAF2Jb0hyY9rTq3LCNY1tqLXW07mfg9EsR6rFDQJtKt3KsOOTr11z8QWKNSmEl4nllxrjldk_CqI4UL37UYk20ToVs/s400/landscape-1732651_1920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Mysticsartdesign-322497/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1732651">Mystic Art Design</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1732651">Pixabay</a></td></tr>
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Minion - <i>flash</i><br />
Face to Face<br />
Dragon’s Quest - <i>flash</i><br />
Detour<br />
The Bucket - <i>flash</i><br />
Mirror, Mirror! - <i>flash</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">New Stories</span><br />
Rewind - <i>flash</i><br />
Diamond’s Slipper<br />
Colonial Dreamer - <i>flash</i><br />
Goddess Chatter<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Lexicon - <i>flash</i><br />
Hidden Love<br />
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I'm not yet sure of release date but I'm not rushing with this project. All I can definitely say is that it will be published in 2019.<br />
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Yia!<br />
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~E~<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-24066416335944194572018-07-22T14:59:00.001+09:302018-07-22T14:59:35.230+09:30Super Sunday: Sealed with A Kiss now Free on Smashwords<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95bVUYLSML_lSAg9JjFr9n5drOBnKwfy1I2G3w2NSeAnGkJWWA7Lz3MIllSMK2wOLWZiTrv6YolXz_iWYKv2sk0t6y4rSne-uHFzE2BjJxNI4qimVI2F1LtRZM63NdblqhqrrSDhesA0/s1600/SealedwithAKiss_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95bVUYLSML_lSAg9JjFr9n5drOBnKwfy1I2G3w2NSeAnGkJWWA7Lz3MIllSMK2wOLWZiTrv6YolXz_iWYKv2sk0t6y4rSne-uHFzE2BjJxNI4qimVI2F1LtRZM63NdblqhqrrSDhesA0/s400/SealedwithAKiss_sm.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sealed With a Kiss</span></b> is free over on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/289037" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>!</span></div>
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<i>Can a gift from her grandmother protect Lise?</i><br /><br />Lise doesn't believe in vampires. Or so she tells herself. Though, she constantly wears the garnet necklace her grandmother gave her, which wards off the creatures. Andreas, the man she's attracted to, seems more than a little interested in it. Could there be an ulterior motive?<div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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~Eleni~</div>
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-56117272966091315932018-06-03T17:13:00.001+09:302018-06-03T17:15:19.077+09:30Sunday Musing - 2018 so far<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So far 2018 has been like the last few years - full of ups and downs. </div>
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<br />It's been busy on the home front with renovations on the go and health flare ups. Balance has been difficult but I am slowly chipping away at it all. The fibromyalgia kicks my butt most days than not, but I try to focus on the thing in front of me. Sometimes that distraction doesn't work, so I usually have some afternoon naps to balance me out or take some time out to watch a TV show or two.<br /><br />I started off the year wonderfully with new <a href="http://helzkatdesigns.com/p/pre-made-covers.html" target="_blank">pre-made covers</a> but unfortunately I haven't been able to maintain that work.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>courtesy of Pixabay</i></td></tr>
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On the writing front - </div>
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<li>I submitted The Book That Kept on Going. </li>
<li>Completed 3 OWLs (Online courses) via RWAus, though two of them I really didn't participate much. I'm glad I have the information when I need to refer back.</li>
<li>Writing Mojo online course (with Juliet Madison) - helped start kicking my butt back into thinking about writing consistently. Unfortunately I only did a few of the units at the time because I had a CFS crash that lasted a while. Next step is for me to have a read through the rest of the units.</li>
<li>I undertook Fiona McIntosh's Signature MasterClass - and it was amazing. Since I've been chipping away at this for a while, I had heard a lot of information before - but having all the information in one place in such an easy to understand matter-of-fact manner was indeed a boon. It was perfect for the complete newbies in the class. I met some amazing people and hope to cheer them on to publication success.</li>
<li>Both the Writing Mojo and MasterClass made me realise that because of my lack of energy, I had been putting pressure on myself to write a clean first drafts. I have never done this, never being my process. Of course, this stifled my creativity. No wonder I couldn't get to my ideas. I have given myself permission to not care and just get the story down. I can always edit. </li>
<li>I have about 7,000 words on a new fantasy manuscript. Since this story has been in my head for a long time, I'm giving myself permission to allow it to change. </li>
<li>This is not to say the invisible barrier between me and my stories has disappeared. I've struggled to get to writing the last couple of weeks, but I'm taking it as 'time off' that is part of the plan. I have, however, managed to get some words written by hand in a notebook. </li>
<li>I've gone to most of the writing meetings so far this year, which going by my one attendance last year is a huge improvement.</li>
<li>I'm working in the background on of the <a href="http://darksidedownunder.com/" target="_blank">DarkSide DownUnder'</a>s website and writing up the <a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/search/label/DarkSider%20News" target="_blank">DarkSider News posts</a>. Again, slower than before but one step at a time. </li>
<li>Rebranding and self-publishing is on the back-burner for now. </li>
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Swings and roundabouts. Such is life. Such is writing. </div>
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<br /><br />Yia!<br />~Eleni x</div>
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-37302576815607218752018-04-01T15:36:00.001+09:302018-04-01T15:36:22.553+09:30Happy Easter....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For all those who celebrate Easter either this week or next week (Orthodox):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJHtISbgYamv0uPgX7Mi8gybSFMLV0232VybDgOQFxB_UyQqZFmBwfztsbmlOufzXxdGFhVi08npGMUQvF_30TMEkFIiKDVJlTRjnUDUqob8I0soAW9wYTRjtnZGDs2KqiNMSoWTGKX0/s1600/easter_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1278" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJHtISbgYamv0uPgX7Mi8gybSFMLV0232VybDgOQFxB_UyQqZFmBwfztsbmlOufzXxdGFhVi08npGMUQvF_30TMEkFIiKDVJlTRjnUDUqob8I0soAW9wYTRjtnZGDs2KqiNMSoWTGKX0/s640/easter_web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/easter-easter-bunny-rabbit-ears-map-3270234/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></td></tr>
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Yia!<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-23476702411029640342018-01-28T13:49:00.001+10:302018-01-28T13:49:49.291+10:30Sunday Musings - 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well other than a flash fiction post, this is my first official post of 2018.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>courtesy of Pixabay</i></td></tr>
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2018! I tend to do a double take when I see it. Surely I'm dreaming and I'm still back in another year with 2018 way into the future?<br />
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2018 has gotten off to a productive start for me all round. Part of it is in my design persona, <b>HelzKat Designs, who has started to make some <a href="http://www.helzkatdesigns.com/p/pre-made-covers.html" target="_blank">pre-made covers</a></b>. It's been a joy to work on and I'm flexing my skills and of course trying to learn new ones.<br />
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<b>On the writing front, 2018 is going to be a big year -</b><br />
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<li>I'm in the middle of final read through of 'The Book That Will Finally Be Submitted' (formerly known as 'The book that will not end').</li>
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<li>I'll be doing Fiona McIntosh's MasterClass in April and so I'm prepping my work for that. It's on a story that has been in my head for a long long long time, and it needs to see the light of day. What better way than with this class?</li>
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<li>I'm doing a few OWLs via the Romance Writers of Australia </li>
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<li>currently Author Branding with Nikki Logan. Why would I need that? Well I thought it was time to rethink what my brand is. More on this when I've nutted it out. </li>
<li>Hide & Seek with Frank Ahearn - this one is about surveillance etc, and it's definitely a topic that would be useful for my DreamTamer manuscript. </li>
<li>Getting into Libraries - firstly because 1) libraries! and 2) there's no national system in Australia and so it'll be useful info to have. I almost didn't sign up because I'm so busy but 1) I don't know if this OWL will be offered again, and 2) libraries!</li>
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<li>Writing Mojo with Juliet Madison in February - I'm hoping this will help re-ignite the mojo and have steps to keep it going if I'm having bad moments with health.</li>
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<li>Self Publishing</li>
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<li>I've decided to self publish some previously published short stories into an anthology. </li>
<li>SNOOP and Gateway to Hell will get another lease of life, but before I get to them, I want to write more in each series.</li>
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<li>I've got a one-one-one online session with Michael Hague I want to take advantage of. Hearing him speak at the 2016 RWAus conference in Adelaide was a highlight and I had so many 'aha' moments that I know any time with him will be productive and help me on the path with a project.</li>
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<li>Going to local writing meetings again.</li>
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<li>Updating the <a href="http://darksidedownunder.com/" target="_blank">DarkSide DownUnder</a> website. I'm taking this slow and easy but it's great to see so many wonderful books out there by this talented bunch. </li>
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I'm also trying to clear out the office. Very slow process as it tires me and I'm first concentrating on the writing now and then getting to this. I used to try and do it the other way around - you know a clear desk will help with the mind - but it didn't work. I'm all for reviewing procedures that don't work. </div>
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Yia!</div>
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~Eleni x</div>
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-5127850086623603122018-01-05T12:56:00.000+10:302018-01-05T12:56:33.004+10:30Flash Fiction Friday: The Magician<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's a blast from the past...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The Magician</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> </span></b>was originally published by <b><i>Flashes In the Dark</i></b>, May 28th 2011. </div>
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<br /><br />Vladimir the Magician mesmerised the crowd gathered at his <i>Believe It</i> travelling magic show. They clapped. They gasped. They cheered.<br /><br />The smoke machine choked out its mist as he finished with the grand finale – breathing underwater for twenty minutes while he escaped his straight jacket.<br /><br />Unbelievable, they cried.<br /><br />As the last cheers died down and it was time for the crowd to go, Vladimir had one final performance. One they wouldn’t like. He flicked his wrist. The doors slammed shut and locked.<br /><br />His fangs extended. Now was time for Vladimir the Vampire.<br /><br />He cackled.<br /><br />Time for his audience to scream.<br /><br /> <br /><br />©2011 Eleni Konstantine<style type="text/css">
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-41981055504483134352017-12-23T02:04:00.000+10:302017-12-23T02:04:15.751+10:30'Tis the season - holiday wishes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While I haven't been around much in 2017, I'm planning on changing that in 2018 (if the health behaves). I'm looking forward to getting back to writing, editing, and getting a few stories out there. </div>
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All the best for the holiday season and may 2018 be a marvellous year for everyone.</div>
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Eleni :)</div>
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-64140469292226469312017-11-13T09:30:00.000+10:302017-11-13T18:31:10.947+10:30Opening the Vault: Free Fantasy Short Story - Apprentice Bound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been busy. Lots of stuff going on the health front but I won't bore you all with details. Suffice to say, I have surgery to unblock a stuffed nose at the end of the month and I've been in a sea of paperwork as I've been updating my medical records.<br />
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I needed a break and was looking over some old files with submission information on stories. I realised that I have never made the story <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Apprentice Bound</span></b> available on the website as had been my intention.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5COAJZHs2cbx0-F_GlcWB_rLW2WnKS-UrlysD6DQNoNYdz6IW-6HzCXpWAzA83eYFl_wwjZERILD4TFOQ3min5G7swAVGfUoFbPDQI6aqXSxPf8GAZUokiqjb-o4Hjk7wRYJFcmg3fJg/s1600/apprenticebound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5COAJZHs2cbx0-F_GlcWB_rLW2WnKS-UrlysD6DQNoNYdz6IW-6HzCXpWAzA83eYFl_wwjZERILD4TFOQ3min5G7swAVGfUoFbPDQI6aqXSxPf8GAZUokiqjb-o4Hjk7wRYJFcmg3fJg/s640/apprenticebound.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
This was my first published fantasy story in a magazine called Shortz back in 1999!<br />
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Gulp that's a long time ago now.<br />
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I'm always fascinated in an author's change in style over the years. I've learned a lot since the day this was published but I still love the story and so I haven't changed anything other than a few exclamation marks (- I couldn't let them all stay. *grin*). I guess if I were to start polishing the story, I could be there forever and so it's a tribute to my early days that I've not updated it.<br />
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I'm not going to put it up on distribution sites. This is purely for you readers and is only available from my website.<br />
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So without further ado, you can find <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Apprentice Bound</span></b> <a href="http://www.elenikonstantine.com/uploads/1/0/3/2/10324942/apprentice_bound_website2017_.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> (it opens up a pdf file).<br />
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<i>Now, the big question is - should I turn this story into a novel? Or start a series of short stories based on this story?</i><br />
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<i>What's your preference?</i><br />
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~yia~<br />
Eleni<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-3694689112870548052017-10-08T15:43:00.003+10:302017-10-08T15:43:41.138+10:30Softly softly...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well it's been a little bit of a turn around with my health. I do have more energy than about a month or so ago, so am grateful. So so grateful. Some energy is better than NO energy. It's always in a state of flux, so I'm hoping that it at least doesn't go backwards. Softly, softly.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Writing</span><br />
There isn't much to report on the writing front. I continue to slowly do the final go over The-Novel-That-Will-Not-End. At least it's going forward.<br />
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My short story, <b><i>Enchanted</i></b> is no longer available at the Alfie Dog Fiction site. Unfortunately, the sales weren't there for it to continue and really I didn't push the story enough with life imploding the last few years. Oh, well. I'm thinking of doing a short story anthology with all my short stories but it'll have to go on the list.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cooking</span><br />
I've been mainly doing extra cooking as we've had an abundance of green veggies in our garden.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOnLL8XAzQM84wslAAVawkrLlPGKWQKt0NAlzlN5JQTDvCiFddcZpWRjGvOeinrp98Srar4ADkARH6viYr2S6My31kjLWSrkhBNp_Wv_NBiDE1N2yU0x2DBj8qyKmgB7xyIVtac0EVaw/s1600/IMG_6779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOnLL8XAzQM84wslAAVawkrLlPGKWQKt0NAlzlN5JQTDvCiFddcZpWRjGvOeinrp98Srar4ADkARH6viYr2S6My31kjLWSrkhBNp_Wv_NBiDE1N2yU0x2DBj8qyKmgB7xyIVtac0EVaw/s400/IMG_6779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not being people to let things go to waste, we've cooked some Greek spinach pies and squares, and some quiches. Enough to keep us out of trouble. We can't overdo it because of health but here is some pictures of tsaitia (the squares).<br />
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4lY-zz23m3m4ADUCaNlpu2CI7zth52-B5PUZ_e0Vfp9um47XQOJ_2lHdwg38ihSd4cYQD_nz5X6zqgDrFcvpz_anc1YHW1q_t7jXnL8uBJzpx29Y1X-D6B5ylAnJyfLKztNfTOHVIgc/s1600/IMG_6866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4lY-zz23m3m4ADUCaNlpu2CI7zth52-B5PUZ_e0Vfp9um47XQOJ_2lHdwg38ihSd4cYQD_nz5X6zqgDrFcvpz_anc1YHW1q_t7jXnL8uBJzpx29Y1X-D6B5ylAnJyfLKztNfTOHVIgc/s320/IMG_6866.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cheese/spinach squares and cheese only squares ready to be grilled</td></tr>
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBK2L04RB6R5ef9bCzH6ykp3b9X1E3t-_5yU_lVGvEzpXg7frsybRj75FzOPrxZayriLwDAzWxpkstHK44ZhWc6oJZvQbMglt-6NLaoonXTaMDfeTnbAmDjORqSQyXicXkwL8cmLR7WI/s1600/IMG_6867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="1280" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBK2L04RB6R5ef9bCzH6ykp3b9X1E3t-_5yU_lVGvEzpXg7frsybRj75FzOPrxZayriLwDAzWxpkstHK44ZhWc6oJZvQbMglt-6NLaoonXTaMDfeTnbAmDjORqSQyXicXkwL8cmLR7WI/s320/IMG_6867.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grilling</td></tr>
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<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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfnM2EE2KBDqs2Qu_nmTbKfc6qJThZKd2xXxCsVWZKG4bhggRH3_1XoQul2vYR2TUSyrWgdoX6OKeQwyYpyk9l_7NIq1Ujz8s8a6p4xBwXx8mW5cGBZZGjqmUskRQOZp5Urm9BiSOiJc/s1600/IMG_6870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfnM2EE2KBDqs2Qu_nmTbKfc6qJThZKd2xXxCsVWZKG4bhggRH3_1XoQul2vYR2TUSyrWgdoX6OKeQwyYpyk9l_7NIq1Ujz8s8a6p4xBwXx8mW5cGBZZGjqmUskRQOZp5Urm9BiSOiJc/s320/IMG_6870.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum yum</td></tr>
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<br />Thank goodness for freezers. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7Af9_iHpPyWKg1BYybrEri2-Vz8PgtN97muxjjpR5z_BR42noCplevvTtrRepPC9ftmUcALhh3FSUKabVxdWayeWiMwMN8gFKEUy-Ulk4-LLEqZuju71a7A-lvfBHTuvDty1UVhN8kI/s1600/DSDU_logo_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="959" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7Af9_iHpPyWKg1BYybrEri2-Vz8PgtN97muxjjpR5z_BR42noCplevvTtrRepPC9ftmUcALhh3FSUKabVxdWayeWiMwMN8gFKEUy-Ulk4-LLEqZuju71a7A-lvfBHTuvDty1UVhN8kI/s200/DSDU_logo_web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DarkSide DownUnder</span></div>
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I have had some energy to get back into the DarkSide DownUnder with a few other lovely volunteers. I'm running the monthly DarkSider News column which I love doing as I get to see all that is happening in the DarkSider world, and I'm also updating the Goodreads and website pages - very slowly.</div>
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Come check us out on our <a href="https://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">blog</a>, <a href="http://www.darksidedownunder.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DarkSideDownUnder" target="_blank">Facebook page,</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DarkSideDownUnd" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/DSDU" target="_blank">Goodreads.</a><div>
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That's it from me. Until next time...Yia!</div>
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~Eleni x</div>
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-60659218309933735882017-08-31T12:09:00.002+09:302017-08-31T12:11:17.409+09:30Bleh Bleh Blah - the life of an author with CFS/Fibromyalgia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AbVRbaUlk1xsd2peUMcbeVBiG_GMWjqYycM2zpjOHYcVndFh8LOZVK1nSv3UE0HmbNe4pLcgGGvN1ohyUXmRjp61Y3aVgjVpiHnfqYp1EfWAdcqAKu0nGYfAWcuSvUZYdVAE776agDI/s1600/emoticon-1406972_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AbVRbaUlk1xsd2peUMcbeVBiG_GMWjqYycM2zpjOHYcVndFh8LOZVK1nSv3UE0HmbNe4pLcgGGvN1ohyUXmRjp61Y3aVgjVpiHnfqYp1EfWAdcqAKu0nGYfAWcuSvUZYdVAE776agDI/s200/emoticon-1406972_640.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>courtesy of Pixabay</i></td></tr>
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So it's been months since I last posted on here. You guessed it, health got in the way yet again. I had been trialling a new medication that helps some people with fibromyalgia. I gave it a good go by being on it for almost 3 months. But it didn't agree with me so thus began the slow wean off the dratted thing.<br />
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I'm getting back to my 'normal' low energy self instead of the zero energy self I found myself as. So even though life can be tough where I'm at, I'm grateful at what I do have as it could easily be less.<br />
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Having a long time health condition is a marathon and at times all you want to do is sprint and other times, pitch a tent and not move for a while. That is really the CFS curve. When you find even a little more energy you want to sprint ahead and use it before the norm of less comes back to you. The problem is that the sprint may cause you to go lower than even your normal levels. So it's a juggle and making plans is not easy when the energy levels can change from one moment to the next.<br />
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Frustrating?! You bloody bet.<br />
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While I'm not 'back' per se, I am feeling better. I'm working in baby steps with all things in my life. The one constant has been reading, thanks in large part to audio books. I've read way more than I would have expected with such a low year. Again, I'm grateful.<br />
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One aspect of my life that has suffered is not only writing but my being involved in my writing groups. I haven't been on social media that often as I find it tires me out quickly and that energy can be spent elsewhere. Goodreads is the place I frequent most often ATM.<br />
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Obviously this blog has suffered because as much as I want to, I feel like I don't have much to say other than how I'm feeling and really that can get to be a drag. I occasionally do a post like this to update you all and also in a way to educate people about long term conditions. I know having this condition and having had family with long term conditions has made be more sympathetic to others. Though I have to practice patience at times even with myself.<br />
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Be well!<br />
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~Eleni x<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-34549065880888325532017-04-09T10:59:00.000+09:302017-04-09T10:59:51.821+09:30Life and curve balls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcg6y2bUbYC57k7CAOnxb0eNPj-KFmP0Edpt75IwLMmpsfIKbIJm6xemWW9XokT2Huh9ral3OzKJvZnAZgj7mSBAsXa7wrtWa-Mf4q4ajNqAM3VJYDBm9xIu_YAhl2_1Ovhz8q4FMtE0U/s1600/owl-447374_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcg6y2bUbYC57k7CAOnxb0eNPj-KFmP0Edpt75IwLMmpsfIKbIJm6xemWW9XokT2Huh9ral3OzKJvZnAZgj7mSBAsXa7wrtWa-Mf4q4ajNqAM3VJYDBm9xIu_YAhl2_1Ovhz8q4FMtE0U/s320/owl-447374_640.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>courtesy of Pixabay</i></td></tr>
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I started the year off great on my reading blog and then it all fizzled. I've been feeling like I'm on a merry-go-round - with family commitments and health issues. I did break this up with a bit of design work and decluttering, but on the whole it's been of a struggle from February.<br />
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Thank goodness for audio books, which has kept my reading going and kept me sane.<br />
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This past week I've restarted doing the final polish of the Novel-That-Will-Not-End. Only small steps but I'm grateful for even that.<br />
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I'm baby stepping with everything in my life. It helps me achieve things in a manageable way without overwhelming myself. It's been a long time since I've had CFS and Fibromyalgia and still I struggle with trying to do too much on my good days. I want to forge ahead with all my writing and design projects, with housework, with well everything I can think of - but this will inevitably lead me to be exhausted physically and mentally.<br />
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So, baby steps.<br />
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In that tradition, I've done a blog post over at Eleni's Library, continuing reviewing my 2016 reading - t<a href="http://elenis-library.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/2016-series-reading-greatness.html" target="_blank">his time with series that I enjoyed last year.</a><br />
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I'll continue with my final polish work and submit it before working on other projects. My hope is that my creative brain space will be freed up by doing this.<br />
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Be well, my blog readers, and hopefully the next post won't be so long in the making.<br />
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~Eleni x<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-69589855735850547962017-01-13T10:30:00.000+10:302017-01-14T12:45:45.644+10:30Flash Fiction Friday: Dragon's Quest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been a long time since I've shared a flash fiction story on my blog.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Dragon's Quest</span></b> was published originally by Antipodean SF, Issue 156, June 2011. There is a podcast also available of this in <a href="http://antisf.libsyn.com/anti-sf-radio-show-156-beta" target="_blank">Show 156 Delta</a> (read by yours truly at around 19.02).</div>
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News of the dragon's capture reached the castle. But not of who had caught the elusive beast. The Prince of Renu? The Lord of Rawry? Or any of the other dozen in pursuit?<br />
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The Steward Mikhail waited, hoping this ridiculous show would cease. He kept this to himself. Here on assignment, he would see it through. For the sake of the dragon.<br />
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And her keeper.<br />
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Over the next day, many of the pursuers trotted back to the castle — but not the one he waited for.<br />
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"Mikhail, what ails you?"<br />
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Caught off-guard, he schooled his features. "Nothing of import, Sire."<br />
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King Patrik raised his bushy eyebrows. "I know you and my daughter are firm friends."<br />
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Mikhail inclined his head. "Indeed. With all these men vying for her hand, and a dragon on the loose..." He trailed off, for the first time finding it hard to speak.<br />
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The King gave him a sad smile. "I understand, Mikhail. But the law is the law. Anyone who captures the dragon has her hand in marriage." He hastily looked away.<br />
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Mikhail bit back a growl. Another stupid law in these lands. Women not being able to choose their spouses. Two of his passions were out there, and he could do nothing. As Steward, his place was by the king's side, not part of the horde of pursuers.<br />
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That evening a flurry of excitement came with a request for an audience with the king about the dragon. Almost immediately, the hooded figure was granted access to the Great Hall.<br />
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Mikhail exhaled with relief.<br />
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"My Liege, I present to you Ellia of the Spirint Clan," said a low voice.<br />
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A united gasp filled the room as the figure opened its robe, and a small animal the size of a newborn pup jumped onto an outstretched hand. Dazzling colours fluttered around the room, almost too bright to look at.<br />
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"What is that?" King Patrik's eyes widened with wonder.<br />
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"This, my dear father, is the dragon everyone has been seeking."<br />
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Another audible gasp sounded around the room as Princess Truen revealed herself.<br />
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Mikhail couldn't help but grin.<br />
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"Truen? You are meant to be safe in the summer home."<br />
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Truen flashed a smile. "Oh father, you are sweet, but Ellia was never dangerous."<br />
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The King cleared his throat. "But all those sightings?"<br />
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Mikhail stepped up. "If I could explain, Your Majesty. Dragons have the ability to project a larger image when threatened."<br />
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The King narrowed his eyes. "But..."<br />
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"Father, they need our protection. Mikhail has taught me the ways of old, when dragons were respected in this land."<br />
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The King rose and stepped forward, looking from Truen to Mikhail, his eyes twinkling. "Then, my dear, you have the choice of whom you wish to marry. After all, the law is the law."<br />
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There was scuffling as the crowd vied for her attention.<br />
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Truen smiled and her eyes landed on Mikhail, brightening. "I have made my choice."<br />
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"Good for you, princess," Ellia said, leaving everyone except Mikhail and Truen agape.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_0pMXAzp0W8ALnve15D5meSvyeU8mA4t7p6TGtU-h6walWZ34fx4Xu52COgGohbJimNAcNEauToV23Ts51d0CoJ-V2poIXwI3USx1R_NJgJca4sO08zaHXUDYy2TzO97_d4KF2rEgwg/s1600/dragon-312035_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_0pMXAzp0W8ALnve15D5meSvyeU8mA4t7p6TGtU-h6walWZ34fx4Xu52COgGohbJimNAcNEauToV23Ts51d0CoJ-V2poIXwI3USx1R_NJgJca4sO08zaHXUDYy2TzO97_d4KF2rEgwg/s200/dragon-312035_640.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>courtesy of Pixabay</i></td></tr>
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Hope you enjoyed this!</div>
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If you like short fiction of a speculative nature, why not check out <a href="http://www.antisf.com/" target="_blank">Antipodean SF.</a> </div>
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Yia</div>
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~Eleni</div>
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-62875310980987106192017-01-07T22:18:00.002+10:302017-01-07T22:18:36.806+10:302017 is here - thank F$@* for that!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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2016 seemed to be a year that almost everyone I know and even those I don't know attributed as being a crap year. Just look at all the celebrity deaths 2016 claimed. One after the other, legends from across the entertainment world were taken, a little bit of light in the world taken with them.<br />
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Personally it was a year of struggle, so I'm glad to see the back of 2016. Really glad as my blog post title can attest to.<br />
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Now, one week into 2017 I'm thinking not of resolutions but more what I want to achieve in the next year. Goals which can be broken down into achievable tasks.<br />
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I want to continue my decluttering. It's a slow process for me - it takes so much of my mental energy away - but it is worth it in the long run.<br />
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Reading was the one good thing of 2016 that I would like to continue. Over at <a href="http://elenis-library.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Eleni's Library</a>, I've been putting my wrap ups from my reading challenges.<br />
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Design projects I've wanted to tackle have been calling me, but mostly I want to get back into my writing. Firstly editing a fantasy manuscript, which I hope would do a mental declutter and allow the creativity to free up again to write rather than edit.<br />
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All in all, I'm looking forward to 2017. I know that I need to pace myself and that's always been a challenge for me but I'm looking at the new year with optimism and moving forward.<br />
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Suffice to say, I hope 2017 is a wonderful year for you and yours. We deserve a great year full of joy and delight.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy 2017!!</b> </span><br />
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~Eleni x<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-39697263596212073932016-11-27T00:04:00.002+10:302016-11-27T00:04:31.108+10:30In the Cave: still limping along...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ8qvCwrWk6D5n6G6c10ZVzDz_N9a3vO-8UksHFlWZcxe7UgabZ5ulOwKDSTMwt6u175WQip56L1hU2O0eCLMfuagy1Q1G8vvbqLs3oQEQRrlWl5bikuIwBFTn8bTZHbJVKcK6VN67ig/s1600/into+the+cave.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ8qvCwrWk6D5n6G6c10ZVzDz_N9a3vO-8UksHFlWZcxe7UgabZ5ulOwKDSTMwt6u175WQip56L1hU2O0eCLMfuagy1Q1G8vvbqLs3oQEQRrlWl5bikuIwBFTn8bTZHbJVKcK6VN67ig/s400/into+the+cave.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I've been in my cave the last few weeks - partly getting some editing done, partly dealing with ongoing head/neck aches, partly trying to slowly get rid of clutter (mostly on my computer), partly doing a workshop.<br />
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The editing had been put on hold for a little while as my iPad decided not to shut off or on. The Apple logo glared at me accusingly - of what, I do not know. Finally managed to restore it. So I can continue my editing on the iPad. I found that since the iPad is not where I usually edit, I can pick up errors easier there. So I'll be adding that to my rounds of reviewing in future.<br />
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I mentioned last post I am enrolled in the Self Publishing online workshop this month and while I have been reading the information and checking out the forums, I haven't been able to concentrate long enough to tackle the instructions thanks to the ongoing head/neck issues. To say this is really annoying is an understatement. I have been looking forward to this workshop for months. I may not get the full benefit of the course until after it finishes but I'm looking at it at least instead of completely withdrawing.<br />
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However, I have taken a break from Facebook for a little bit. As much as I like seeing what others are up to, I'm finding I'm there haphazardly. Same with Twitter. I seem to mainly been on Goodreads at the moment because thanks to audio books especially, I'm still getting reading done. Also I think reading uses a different part of the brain than is needed for editing and for following instructions, so I can concentrate on it a little more. I'll be thinking about what is best for me with regards to social media. I may pop up there from time to time, but I'll probably be in my cave for the rest of the year still trying to get some work and rest happening.<br />
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Really that's it from me. I may no longer be fast at getting things done but I'm persistent - some would say freaking stubborn but at least I'm moving forward.<br />
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Be well. Yia!<br />
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~Eleni<br />
x<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-16590799456301466582016-11-05T17:47:00.002+10:302016-11-05T17:47:30.270+10:30Crap week, 100 books read, and self publishing...oh, my!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been one of those weeks. I had so much planned to do but alas my health decided to raise it's hands in the air and say 'nup'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h0mIiIigFM4eOb0uIRAOAQsf_en7wQJtKNFA_95ks77tSPsfNSJzRnMb359M8trvr4MYm_5rq5t894rhqNcDydkIPgTs6SChz8lasqNV_y0fG-sCTbiiUb4TvgU9tSfKqGe0R-acgAk/s1600/book-heart-3-1312403-1920x1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h0mIiIigFM4eOb0uIRAOAQsf_en7wQJtKNFA_95ks77tSPsfNSJzRnMb359M8trvr4MYm_5rq5t894rhqNcDydkIPgTs6SChz8lasqNV_y0fG-sCTbiiUb4TvgU9tSfKqGe0R-acgAk/s400/book-heart-3-1312403-1920x1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love to read! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">courtesy of <a href="http://www.pixabay.com/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></span></td></tr>
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And I listened. I rested and listened to books. And repeated the cycle.<br />
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<b>In so doing, I've reached 100 books read for the year. Yay!</b><br />
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I've tried to fix a bug on the blog with regards to the links. It's not meant to be underlined nor be blue in colour but I just can't seem to work out why it's like that. I'll eventually work it out or the bug will fix itself but it's damn frustrating.<br />
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Okay so what else had I been doing before this week.<br />
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I undertook a newsletter course via the Romance Writers of America. I had started a newsletter earlier in the year but really didn't get far with it. I thought it was time to look at it again. Alas, when i looked at it again, I accidentally deleted my contacts! Yes, completely dumb. I thought I had been shifting names between lists and didn't realise my error until a few days later.<br />
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<b>If you had signed up to my newsletter before October 2016, please sign up again.</b> I really am sorry for the inconvenience. I promise to be extra careful when looking at the contacts.<br />
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I'm currently doing an online course via the Romance Writers of Australia on self-publishing with author, <a href="http://www.cathleenross.com/" target="_blank">Cathleen Ross</a>. I'm hoping for a re-release of one of one of my Musa Publishing titles. <i>Watch this space!</i><br />
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Oh and I'm polishing a manuscript. It's taking a while as I keep stopping and starting, but I made good progress pre this week.<br />
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That's all for me for now!<br />
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~Be well. Be happy. Be kind.~<br />
<br />
Eleni<br />
x<br />
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Eleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5649422955156175144.post-91466256517742197072016-10-31T14:07:00.001+10:302016-10-31T14:07:50.754+10:30Georgia Carter Mathers: NANO and cover reveal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I have fellow Romance Writers of Australia fellow author, Georgia Carter Mathers talking about NaNoWriMo and also </span></i><i><span style="font-size: medium;">revealing the cover for her first book in the The Making of A Goddess series.</span></i></b><br />
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Take it away, Georgia!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>National Novel Writing Month is almost here!</b></span><br />
<i>If you have trouble finding time to write, NANO is for you.</i><br />
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Lots of writers never finish their novel, and that’s a great shame. One lady in my writing group asked yesterday whether NANO was worth it. My reply was an enthusiastic yes, but I added that I’ve never participated in it myself. One other writer in the group said that it was impossible to write 50,000 words in a month. Why would it be impossible? Of course, it’s possible.<br />
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I believe that everyone can and should write, but it is not that easy for some. There is so much bound up in writing. It’s not just a matter of the words on the page. It’s a matter of dealing with the emotions that come with writing. It’s a matter of giving ourselves permission to take time out from our busy families. Yes, put the kids in front of the TV! Ask your partner to watch them for an hour. But whatever you do, schedule time for writing because it IS important. Women have so many responsibilities that it becomes nearly impossible to find a spare moment where we can sit down, think quietly for a moment and string two sentences together.<br />
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The power of NANO is in the ability of writers to come together and support each other in an activity that requires us to isolate ourselves. For people who want to write a novel but find it difficult to find time, I think NANO is fantastic.<br />
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We all need that support and camaraderie. Even the most experienced writers need that. In fact, sometimes published writers need more support because they put themselves in the firing line of criticism. A writer puts their heart and soul into a book and publishes that book for all to see. It can be such a destructive experience when someone mocks it. And there is always one person who wants to make themselves feel good by making someone else feel bad. Perhaps this is what every writer is subconsciously afraid of, and perhaps for some writers, it manifests itself in an inability to write or an inability to find the time to write.<br />
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If that is you, consider your schedule and determine a realistic goal for your writing this month. You might want to write 25,000 words. That is still a fantastic achievement. No-one is going to tell you that you didn’t do well if you didn’t write 50,000 words. <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks" target="_blank">And have a look at these fantastic writers who have completed NANO and published their work!</a><br />
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<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/how-it-works" target="_blank">There are badges for milestones as you go, and a lot of fun to be had.</a> If you want to write your book but never seem to find the time to actually sit down and write, then this is your chance. <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">Sign up for NANO today</a>. Tell your online and offline friends what you’re doing, what kind of book you’re writing and how many words you want to write during November. Before you know it, you’ll have an army of friends keeping you accountable!<br />
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In fact, I am still to write my second book, so I might see you there! Power to the written word, girls! Rock on.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And now for the Cover Reveal!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8JmeD93E_hvxWtv7EtkXdpyugRLzrOgEvJJuA0lLBQQHVj7wS32f01xRF8NuRJBhvTYGUKu54I-ZSxO8Uq8C1x4loNDTO_UsrofH1tqyvRmzgkeiKMSMcGeim76tIQbe9JHcRJY2hxg/s1600/Trelloranebookwebcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8JmeD93E_hvxWtv7EtkXdpyugRLzrOgEvJJuA0lLBQQHVj7wS32f01xRF8NuRJBhvTYGUKu54I-ZSxO8Uq8C1x4loNDTO_UsrofH1tqyvRmzgkeiKMSMcGeim76tIQbe9JHcRJY2hxg/s640/Trelloranebookwebcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Eleni - Pretty cool isn't it).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title:</b> Trelloran Seduction</span><br />
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<b>Series:</b> The Making of a Goddess<br />
<b>Author</b>: Georgia Carter Mathers<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Fantasy Paranormal Romance<br />
<b>Print Release Date: </b>December 16, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Painless Editing and Publishing<br />
<b>Cover Artist:</b> Nada Backovic<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Book description</span></b><br />
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It begins on the 300th day of 2195 on Volen . . .<br />
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There is no such thing as an individual. All the humans think of themselves as units with predetermined roles, and they do not grow old with their lovers. The females are sacrificed when they turn thirty, leaving their male counterparts behind.<br />
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Princess Kaitlau is a nymph who can take any form. She is also a refugee. She came to Volen through the charmed window after escaping her prison on Trellora.<br />
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King Ganim, the vampire who is thought to have created Kaitlau, must be punished. She had thought he loved her as a father, but that could not be. Although he was never present in the chamber, the king had ordered the priests to repeatedly rape her. Merely punishing her father is not enough. She wants him dead. It will be done.<br />
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Kaitlau has been observing a particular rebel killing priests on Volen. He is just the one to help her. But feelings for the rebel start to emerge when he agrees to carry out her assassination plans, and gradually as they work together, love begins to matter more than revenge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz1l1lrM7f0Zl0TE-E3adSEKmDNNP_5TDskAzCcwXNl6MqzbmCe6D1QBMfx2Pc_DFieJPByePF8r0djcJut-6BX00TzqplOWSdkYH5CkPt_ACY1Ded1CJODNRcL6cEHJhuk6EyfXDl5s/s1600/TrelloranSeduction_highresfullcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz1l1lrM7f0Zl0TE-E3adSEKmDNNP_5TDskAzCcwXNl6MqzbmCe6D1QBMfx2Pc_DFieJPByePF8r0djcJut-6BX00TzqplOWSdkYH5CkPt_ACY1Ded1CJODNRcL6cEHJhuk6EyfXDl5s/s320/TrelloranSeduction_highresfullcover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Available in print on December 16, 2016.</b><br />
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The e-book will be launched in March 2017.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44FbMQce7ufk84DqEEo0w7M4QNdutOmDQoX1nqYbSQYl2cJVulZG6uraVA15Npk0pyT8UWIa7lvkiKtWpWAL0Egev9AwGx5DK1DnUcxSAxhbM-eUFlk0qx2-uV4a0Oap6wLcM23APiIU/s1600/GeorgiaCarterMathersOfficialPhoto_Medium_Blackandwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44FbMQce7ufk84DqEEo0w7M4QNdutOmDQoX1nqYbSQYl2cJVulZG6uraVA15Npk0pyT8UWIa7lvkiKtWpWAL0Egev9AwGx5DK1DnUcxSAxhbM-eUFlk0qx2-uV4a0Oap6wLcM23APiIU/s200/GeorgiaCarterMathersOfficialPhoto_Medium_Blackandwhite.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="160" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
About the author</span></b></div>
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Georgia Carter Mathers finds it hard to describe why she writes. She only knows that she must write. She has been writing on and off since her teens. Always self-conscious, Georgia is enthralled by the world of stories. She holds a degree in Psychology, an Associate Degree in Creative Writing and is currently studying publishing. She loves reading, and she loves writing, especially when her characters argue with her. Georgia lives in Sydney with her husband and son, and she enjoys being able to sleep when she's not busy writing down her dreams and/or nightmares.<br />
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Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32702407-trelloran-seduction">Goodreads</a>.<br />
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Follow on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/georgiasparanormalromance/">Facebook</a>.<br />
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Follow on <a href="https://twitter.com/RomanceGeorgiaC">Twitter</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://gumroad.com/georgiacartermathers">Follow to see what else she is creating</a>.<br />
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Thanks for joining us in the Taverna, Georgia!</div>
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~</div>
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Yia!</div>
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