Have a Sparkling New Year!

I wish you a fantastic 2013 I hope you will... Write the story you want to read. Be the person you want to meet. Count the flowers in your garden, more than the leaves that fall. I hope you'll always find something to be thankful for. Thank you for everything you've done with me and for me in 2012. - Ra...

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Special Post: 2 years with MRL

Two years ago, at the beginning of the Xmas break, a friend on Twitter gave me a good advice. I used to share my TwiFic recs on Twitter, and she suggested me to put them on a web page, telling the reason why I'd liked those stories.  A few hours later, the first post of MyReadingLounge was on the web. Now you can find MRL also on Facebook and Tumblr. Thank you for all the love you've given to this little blog so far!  Over the past 24 months, so many people have made this website special.  “My Best Friend is a person...

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On the Edge of a Knife - Carnelian and Ice 10 (last chapter)

The last chapter of Carnelian and Ice is waiting for you. It's my way to wish you Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. Thanks for reading! Reviewers get a poem. "...savoring every moment of the most beautiful night of her life." "Their future stretches before them, full of possibilities. [...] All that...

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Writing Lab: A Christmas Stocking of Writing Tips from Chuck Palahniuk

I've found the perfect article for this last post of the Writing Lab before Xmas. You might remember that a well-known article by Chuck Palahniuk on Showing vs. Telling was featured on the Writing Lab a few months ago. Chuck Palahniuk This time, you can get not just one, but 13 writing tips from such a renowned author. Go read: A Christmas Stocking of Writing Tips from Chuck Palahniuk My favorite is this one. "Surprise yourself. If you can bring the story - or let it bring you - to a place that amazes you, then you can surprise your...

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Writing Lab: Deep or Shallow? POV Rules in Fiction

Thanks to Lissa Bryan's and Camilla's suggestions, I'm pleased to recommend an article by Donya Linne and a book by Jill Elizabeth Nelson.  In her book Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View, Nelson -- award-winning author and writing teacher -- helps fellow writers to anchor their readers inside the point of view character(s) of their novels, and she teaches the transformation from ordinary narrative to deep narrative.  In her article   Go Deep! Deeper! YES! Deep POV Rules in Fiction Donya Linne comments...

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Melt - Carnelian and Ice 9

Bella and Edward have made up their mind. Will he stay? Will she move with him? The new chapter of Carnelian and Ice will provide the answers. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. Thanks for reading! Reviewers get a poem. The next chapter is due to be posted in two weeks; it will be the last one. News! -<-<-<->->->- Carnelian...

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"A Political Affair" by Mary Whitney BlogTour. Let's meet Helen!

We've recently talked about Mary Whitney's novel, A Political Affair. Today we're meeting one of the main characters...drum roll please...Senator Helen Sanders! The book is now available: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/71 Good morning, Senator Sanders. Would you please introduce yourself to our readers who may not be familiar with your story? You’re not familiar with my story? But I’m sure you’ve heard my name before. I’m Senator Helen Sanders from Idaho. My family has dominated Republican politics in Idaho for a few...

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Let's meet a #NaNoWriMo winner! @LissaBryan

I'm glad to announce that many of my writing buddies are now NaNoWriMo winners (congrats!). Among them, today we're meeting Lissa Bryan, who during this NaNoWriMo has been working on her third novel. Isn't it a great news?   Lissa Bryan is the fabulous author of Ghostwriter (have you read the interview with its main character?) and of The End of All Things.  Today she's talking with us about her NaNoWriMo experience, with some exciting news about her upcoming new novel. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x NaNoWriMo was good for me...

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- @LissaBryan's Novels: Guest Post: #NaNoWriMo Was an Unexpected Success fo...

The NaNoWriMo is over, and I've written a post for Lissa Bryan's blog, discussing my experience. Go read: NaNoWriMo Was an Unexpected Success for Me ...

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Pilgrim at Sea - Carnelian and Ice 8

Has Edward figured out the truth about the mysterious I.S. Carnelian? The 8th chapter of Carnelian and Ice contains the answer. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. This chapter's kiss Pilgrim at Sea, by Par Lagerkvist - the book plays a role in the chapter Worthington Glacier, near Valdez -- Bella goes there often Worthington Glacier The...

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Carnelian - Carnelian and Ice 7

While she's in Edward's loving arms, vampBella reveals more about her story. The 7th chapter of Carnelian and Ice is ready for you. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. Valdez, Alaska Thompson Pass, Valdez, Alaska The story is due to be updated every Monday. Thanks for reading! Reviewers get a poem. MyReadingLounge has a page on Facebook!...

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Let's talk about "A Political Affair" by Mary Whitney @WordyMary

In A Political Affair, Mary Whitney tells us the story of a young and brilliant senator, scion of a political dynasty, and of a young intern working in his office. "Yeah," one could think, "same old, same old..." Well, not exactly. Suspend your judgment, please (and forget about the Oval Room). Are you ready to meet Stephen and Anne? Senator Stephen McEvoy has inherited his seat from his father, but now he has to earn it, against an ultra conservative Republican opponent. And polls are not that good. Fortunately the McEvoy family is strong and...

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Ghost - Carnelian and Ice 6

Do you trust Bella? Do you believe she cares for Edward? Or will the monster be stronger? The 6th chapter of Carnelian and Ice will provide the answers to the questions above. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. The story is due to be updated every Monday. Thanks for reading! Reviewers get a poem. MyReadingLounge has a page on Facebook! Come say...

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Chains - Carnelian and Ice 5

What happens when a chain is broken, and Edward is set free? What does the chain mean in Bella's sculpture? The 5th chapter of Carnelian and Ice is ready for you. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. The story is due to be updated every Monday. A part of Bella's sculpture Ice Flames "Writing on ice...can you believe it? The sculptor must be so...

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Stand up for Katalina - @SU4Katalina the compilation is ready!

The Stand Up for Katalina fundraising has been a success! With so much interest in the compilation, the donation period has been extended. If you send your donation receipt by Nov 8th, you'll get the compilation on Nov 10. http://katalina.fandomcause.info/ I've made three banners for this noble initiative. The compilation is really awesome, so don't miss the opportunity to donate...and please spread the news! It Shouldn't Happen to a Cow, by JMolly (author of Cats and Dogs) Tempt Not a Desperate Woman, by Nachos4Children Did You...

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Darlingtonia - Carnelian and Ice 4

Like a carnivorous flower, vampires are physically attractive to their prey. The 4th chapter of Carnelian and Ice is now available. Summary: "A man struggling to escape from the darkness, and a woman who thinks she doesn't deserve the light. How will an ice sculpture affect their lives?" AU with vampires. Each chapter has its own image. The story is due to be updated every Monday. A blooming Darlingtonia Thanks for reading! Reviewers get a poem. News! MyReadingLounge has a page on Facebook! Come say "Howdy!"...

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Are you ready for the #FandomNaNoWC?

Have you ever heard of the NaNoWriMo? It's an annual novel writing project that brings together writers from all over the world. Look! It begins on November 1st! How does it work? Basically, on November 1, you begin writing a novel. It can be a new fanfiction, or an original project; it doesn't matter. But what matters is that your goal is to write at least 50,000-word by midnight, local time, on November 30th. Scary? Do you need some encouragement? The fandom and Project Team Beta want to help you! Various authors...

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"Damaged Goods" by Alexandra Allred BlogTour. Let's meet the main character!

We've recently talked about Alexandra Allred's novel, Damaged Goods. MyReadingLounge is very happy to say "Welcome!" to this great author for today's stop of the Blog Tour.  The book is now available: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/77 Today we're meeting a special person: Damaged Goods' main character, Joanna Lucas. She has an amazing story to tell, and I bet she'll reveal something about her author... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hi Joanna! Would you please introduce yourself to our readers who may not be familiar...

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Writing Lab: "5 Ways to Become a Stronger Writer" by @KristenLambTX

I'd like to share with you my impressions about an article by Kristen Lamb: 5 Ways to Get Out of the Comfort Zone and Become a Stronger Writer The author stresses a lot the importance to write every day. On this, I absolutely agree. A new National Novel Writing Month is beginning in a few days (there will be more about this on MyReadingLounge), and it can provide a great incentive to keep writing. Among the many tips Kristen Lamb offers to improve your writing, I particularly liked this one: "Understand We Are Capable of More than...

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