K.N. Lee's Ultimate Writing Playlist

I was challenged to post my writing playlist by  Author, Jeané Elliott Bennett. 

Well thank you, ma'am! I love to share!

The following is just a fraction of my ULTIMATE WRITING PLAYLIST!

1. Cursum Perficio- Enya

2. Closing In- Imogen Heap

3. Violet Hill- Coldplay

4. Gates of Instanbul- Loreena Mckennit

5. Battlestar Gallactica soundtrack- Bear McCreary

6. Blade runner Sountrack- Vangelis

7. BYOB- System of a Down

8. Pax Deorum- Enya

9. Into the Trees- Zoe Keating (cello!!)

10. Last Days- Max Richter

11. La Sonadora- Enya

12. Nocturne- Secret Garden

13. Let Me Lie- Hayley Westenra

14. Army of Me- Bjork

15. I Am the Day- Libera

16. Into the Night- Julie Cruise

17. Heart's a Mess- Gotye

18. One of Us is the Killer- The Dillinger Escape Plan

19. The Lightning Strike- Snow Patrol

20. Ri Na Cruinne- Clannad

Take a Glimpse Inside an Author's Mind

How True is This Statement? 

Here is what it is like to live inside my head:
*Critique manuscript for an author
*Plan blog tour
*Turn Thicker Than Blood into 3 novellas
*Finish Lyrinian Blade
*Revise Rise of the Flame
*Pack and move
*Promote my business (The Book Nymph)
*Promote my books
*Try to resist the temptation to work on 4 different manuscripts at a time
*Release Sin-Reaper
*Manage 2 blogs
*Translate Koa into Spanish
*Make hardcovers for Koa
*Make audio books for Koa
*Plan my book release party

Oh boy! Believe me...the list goes on and on. Deep breaths. I will tackle this list with a smile.

What is my secret? Hmmm...I don't really have one. I just try to take one day at a time, stay positive, and make a list of what I need to do. Tackling that list and scratching one line off at a time brings such relief and joy!

The Joy and Perils of Writing Book Reviews

After starting my business as a book promoter and reviewer I've had to review tons of books. This week in particular, I feel has been a remarkable source of inspiration. 

I've read and reviewed 8 books this week. It may seem like a lot, but I obviously read very quickly. Not all of the books have been epic fantasies, but a mixture of children's books, self-help, romance, and inspirational books. These are not normally my cup of tea, but this is a business, and every writer deserves an honest review of their work. What's amazing though, is that I'm stunned at how each of them have impacted my life in various ways. I genuinely enjoyed these books. 

 

I guess I'm lucky...because sometimes you're faced with books that you really don't like and have to be honest in your review. It's actually hard to write negative reviews sometimes, but it's the only way a writer can grow. I cherish my critical reviews, and use them as a guide when working on my later projects. 

As an author, I look forward to a review that challenges me. And so, I try to focus on both strengths and weaknesses in my reviews and encourage the author to continue perfecting their craft. No one starts off perfect. But we can always grow.

Inquire about book promotions and reviews on:

www.TheBookNymph.com

or on the contact sheet on the side bar.

Enjoy the Ride!

Vroooommmmm....Are you ready for an adventure?


Every time I sit down in my writing den I am reminded that no matter how much planning I did beforehand, my characters will always surprise me with their own ideas and actions. 

As I work tirelessly to complete Dark Prophet, The Chronicles of Koa Book Two, Koa and "the crew" continue to take over. I suppose it's a good thing. I mean...she a my heroine, and pretty headstrong. I guess I couldn't expect her to just sit idle while I controlled the outcome of her story. 

So, I suppose there is only one thing to do, use that old outline as a guide, but enjoy the ride as my characters lead the way to the finish line! 

Warning: this might cause unexpected deaths to key characters...or romantic interests you didn't quite anticipate.

Good luck out there, writerly folk!

Little Beauty- A Poem

Little Beauty

K.N. Lee

Little beauty

Young

With songs

Unsung

Too tired of giving

Too tired of living

Threatens to say goodbye

Without a thought 

Of those left behind

Think of their pain

What will you gain?

A cowards escape

Is your biggest mistake

While loved ones grieve

Beat your coffin with despair

Why would you leave?

It just isn't fair

Little Beauty

Life is hard

We all know its true

Trust me

We do!

The struggles

The failure

The heartbreak

And pain

Can sometimes be too much

It's a constant battle 

To stay sane

It sounds so easy

To run away

To hide

You just want to 

Find a hole to snuggle into

And cry 

Or die...

I wish I was there 

To hold your sweet face

Wipe those bitter tears

And find a smile to replace

That cry of agony 

That fills your soul like a blade

Look at me

Trust me

This pain will fade!

Each new morning 

When you open your eyes 

To the beauty of the sun

Remember that this is a gift

Your creator made you well

Don't throw away such an honor

Go on

Live!

You have stories to tell!

Given without expectations

Or a fee 

Life is free

Your life is precious 

You are loved

Little beauty

**For a little beauty I know. Stay strong. You are loved**

-K.N. Lee

Top 5 Writing Spots!

1. My bedroom. It's so bad, but I write in bed more often than I should...I mean, my desk is only a few feet away.
2. Coffee shops! They're always full of interesting characters.
3. The park. A nice bench or shady spot is perfect! I like to bring my iPod along and turned up the Celtic tunes whenever my creativity feels stifled. It works everytime.
4. Barnes and Noble. I seriously hope they never go out of business. Nothing beats writing amongst the shelves you can potentially be on! Now, if I can only stop buying boatloads of books each time I go.  
5. Waiting rooms! That's right! Don't forget your notebook!There is no better time than when you're waiting for a car repair, or at the doctor's office.

So, what are some of your favorite writing spots?

Love in a Coffee Shop- Poem

Love in a Coffee Shop

K.N. Lee 

Reaching for that fleeting look

You smiled at me

And I was hooked

I looked back

You looked away

I'm silently begging

Please stay!

Please stay!

Heart thumps

Blood pumps

I peak over a crinkled book

You smiled at me

And I was hooked

You looked back

I looked away

I'm silently begging

Please stay!

Please stay!

Love in a coffee shop

My mind plays games

When we exchange names

Hi, I'm Cara

Hi, I'm James

There!

I saw it!

You saw it too!

You like me...

And I like you

Why pretend

There's nothing there

Give in

No!

BEWARE!

I feel afraid

This can't be real

But then you smile

And I feel...

What I feel...

Courage now

We all take risks

Don't give up on

A love like this 

To feel your lips

Upon my lips

Sigh

Love in a coffee shop

Very Inspiring Blogger Award!!

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

The Rules.

1. Display the logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. State 7 things about yourself.

4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

5. Notify your nominees.

The Link Back

Author, C.G. Ayling is my nominator. I was impressed by his tweets and he further impressed me when he agreed to take my writing challenge! I am very honored that he thought of me for this. I assume he feels inspired because my writing challenge took him out of his comfort zone. I enjoy encouraging others to explore their creativity and make it a point to do so daily!

7 Things About Me!

• I am obsessed with everything Asian, and I am a self professed Anglophile. My journey to South Korea changed my life and inspired the main character of my book, The Chronicles of Koa! Koa and her British best friend, Halston, keep our world safe from naughty supernatural beings!

• I am a lover of languages! I make it my mission to learn every language I can. Right now I can only claim Spanish, French, a little Korean, and of course, English!

• I have been documenting my dreams since high school! Most of my dreams become short stories, or even novels.

• I enjoy cooking. If I wasn't a writer, I'd pursue the culinary arts. Perhaps I can do both...Hmmm...

• What do I enjoy as much as reading and writing? Movies!! I am a fanatic for all movies, especially foreign!

• I listen to Gaelic music whenever I write! The tunes are so ethereal and soothing, that they transport me to another world!

• I can name every bone and muscle in the human body. Random, I know...but I majored in Biology ;)

My Nominations: In Random Order

1. C.G. Ayling
2. Write Now
3. Ksenia Anske
4. Jan Moran
5. The Grumbling Gargoyle
6. Addicted to Dimes
7. CM Albert Writes
8. Lions & Lambs
9. Book Endings
10. The Inside of the Secret World of Allison Bruning
11. Morgan Janes
12. Indie Book Week
13. The Geekery Book Review
14. Michelle Louring
15. Gary Dolman

And now, I'm off to notify my nominees! How exciting! www.twitter.com/knycole_lee