|
Back in 2024, scammers took over my website. My website pages were a horror show of frightening images. I could barely look at my pages. My domain name was deactivated. I literally lost all my posts, and art, and published online stories. I couldn't pull myself back into the world of blogging, having a website, and feeling good about it. That was until, 2025, when my book was published. That was enough to push me into signing into my Weebly account. To my surprise, my website was activated. My domain name was activated. But I did lose some posts, and organizational layout. But the structure of my site fell into place. By chance, asking for Weebly support, the tech support person told me about the Wayback Machine. An archive in cyberspace where you can find your past versions of websites; a treasure archive box. Searching for the Wayback Machine, I found my lost website. It was all there, like a box of chocolates waiting to devour. I am still working on organizing my site, taking it byte by byte. Anyway, I shall post this note to my blog posts to remind myself to save all content on my website, because, after all, scammers love to find you in cyberspace.
0 Comments
It wasn't easy for me to let go of my retelling of the Orpheus myth; what with endless versions, endless edits, endless choosing the right illustrations. But the last version proved to be the one that found its way into Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the iTunes Apple Store. Here is a description of what my book is all about. The legend of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of the most famous and tragic of all Greek myths. After researching the myriad versions of this myth, retold and explored in various forms by filmmakers, musicians, and artists, the author decided to craft her own rendition. Her primary source was “Metamorphoses, Book X.” As the story goes, when Orpheus’s bride, Eurydice, with her fragile beauty, disappears on the day of their wedding, Orpheus strums his six-stringed lyre, and sings melancholy songs, sensing the magic of his music will lead him to her. And off he goes, journeying over green fields, over sheer mountains, into fiery chasms. The magic of his music leads him over the River Styx, into the land of the dead. There he meets mythical creatures along the way. But it isn’t until he encounters the broad-shouldered King of Hades, that another journey begins. He is told his bride is under the care of Queen Persephone. He begs for his wife’s freedom, and using his skills as the most famous musician in the world, he strives to set his bride free. Unlike the original ending where Orpheus and Eurydice’s souls reunite in the afterlife, Nanette wrote her own surprise ending. The timeless tale is complemented by her painterly illustrations.  ANDREA PURCIGLIOTTI WINS HER SECOND EMMYAndrea earned her second Emmy for her outstanding production design for a variety series. And so it goes for future Emmy's. 
  April 26, 2025. A day to be remembered. Today, Marymount Manhattan College hosted an Alumni Authors Fair as part of its Reunion Weekend. I am grateful I was invited to attend this memorable event. I met Neil Gouveia, Director of Alumni and Family Planning, who, by the way, got me into this event.
I had an opportunity to connect with fellow authors, and find out what books they have published. On top of everything, it was amazing to walk again through MMC's great halls. My books are published at the Apple iTunes Store. THE MYTH OF CYBER CITY A BLUEPRINT IN THE WIND How did It happen in, say, 2023? My Weebly web site was spammed. My domain name was deactivated. I couldn't get back into my Weebly site. I tried several times—but my password did not work. I was lost. I submitted to other sites but couldn't get the hang of it. Now, after all this time, something made me give Weebly another try. I entered my original password to the Weebly site. And I got in. Not only did I get into the Weebly site, but I got into my original web site. My art work, my blog posts, my articles, were all there. How did this all came about? I don't know. I was welcomed back with my original web site and my original domain name.
I have been updating my site, here and there, and hope soon to put all the finishing touches where needed. Hey, yeah!!! Happened to come upon this old post, but thought I'd send it off anyway. Why? I'd like to add "Clock Dance" by Anne Tyler, a book that kept me turning the page. I love to read "By The Book," in the Times every Sunday, where authors are interviewed to talk about their books and open ideas about literature in general. On October 16, 2016, the author, Marina Abramovic--the performance artist and author of "Walk Through Walls," got top billing. She raised a question that got me thinking about books, which is not unusual, but this time, I thought about the question she'd raised. Her question: What moves you most in a work of literature? Her answer reads below: "I know I am reading a powerful book when everything around me disappears and I am unable to put it down until I finish it. A good book can bring you to another state of consciousness and transport you into different times and spaces. I am always searching for the experience of having the reality of the book overpower the reality of my own life." I remember when I'd read "The Godfather" ages ago, I missed my bus stop. Of course I can name more books that triggered magic, that sent me into a different rime zone, but this is only one blog post. Whether it's an ebook, an iBook, or a paper bound book, its content is what it's all about. Isn't that so. After having read, in the 7.10.16 issue of the Times Magazine, the feature article “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” by Brodesser-Almer, which is based on Marie Kondo’s best seller “Marie Kondo and the ruthless war on clutter,” on the New York Times best-seller list for 86 weeks and counting, I’d found a way to edit my novel, “with that spark of joy.” I intend to buy Kondo’s book, but enough insight into her method of tidying up clutter in closets, clutter around the house, clutter in your life, is stated in the article. Wanting a “clutter free life,” got me to focus on a clutter free novel; my novel, with no filters that clog the sentence, clog the flow, clog the essence of the story. Kondo’s method is simple: “Hold each item of clothing or whatever, to see if it sparks joy in your body. The ones that spark joy get to stay. The ones that don’t, get a heartfelt and generous goodbye, via verbal communication.” I’ve tried this method with my clothing and possessions that no longer give my joy. It works. So I’d figured, why not apply that method to my novel. I did apply her method to my novel. It works. It’s now easy to say goodbye to my little darlings. I no longer add words to what had already been edited, thinking I could make it better; no it doesn’t get better. If what I’ve written sparks joy, it stays. If not, it goes. I’m cleaning up my novel and feeling free. Find your write muse and you've found the right tools to set your words on the right track. It's all in the tools you use to get your article, short story or novel on the road. There's no doubt what you place in your hand to write sets the stage for your story to grow into whatever it is you've got planned. Pen and paper are the tools of a particular group of writers. I couldn't write my novel with pen and paper because there's no way I could read back what I've written. The movie in my head goes fast. But my hands go messy. But I do like the feel of that closeness to the page. After reading Mark London Williams's article in the SCBWI BULLETIN, "The Tools in Your Hand," I'll just quote her reference to Michael Ventura on creative writing: Michael Ventura--"The Tools of an Animal"--"Writing by pen creates one sort of pace, a certain kinesthetic relationship to the work, whereas, he notes, using a typewriter causes a different relationship between teller and tale. And finally, composing on computer keys creates yet a different music to the words." I'll go a step further here. I do believe that if you choose to write by way of computer, the program you use changes your voice. I've used a number of different packages. I'm still in a cloud. Microsoft Word drove me crazy. There was this little man who popped out whenever and changed a word. Plus too many PINGS AND PONGS. I tossed MSW IN THE TRASH. Then there are packages that have so many correcting tools in the tool bar IT'S A DISTRACTION to your writing. So here I'm thinking how great it is to just write with pen and paper. But since I can't go that route I've decided to find the package that has nothing more than a blank screen. Let the Muse speak to you. And Me. HARDCOVER OR DIGITAL...NOTEBOOKS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE FICTION WRITER.
I love notebooks. I’ve got the black and white schoolbook notebook; even the tiny sized to slip into my pocket. A NOVEL. A NOTEBOOK. I believe carrying my notebook with me everywhere I travel keeps me connected to my story. If you’re a writer you know how you suddenly get that AHHH moment when you’re in the midst of something totally unrelated to writing like walking. Then again, we walk and we write in our heads. I do. Not so practical all the time. Sometimes I jump off my chair while eating and write something down. My husband Bob knows the scene. Back to Notebooks: I’ve got Notebooks in my I-Pad. Maxjournal. I even have a cover photo on the Journal. My Titles are: AFRAID TO FINISH NANETTE’S DAILY JOURNAL STARSTRUCK GIRL CRYSTAL YANKS (MY NANO NOVEL) STARDUST—The Legend of Orpheus and Eurydice NOVEL MOVES (Interesting thoughts I jot down when reading novels) I’ve got more but you so have you.... |
|
RSS Feed