Kait Nolan

Three Awesome Things

Kait Nolan — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 13:25:00 +0000

You all know I ADORE The Piano Guys. Or maybe you don’t, so…yeah I do. They’re awesome. Innovative and creative, doing these fantastic mashups. They’ve just released one of Let It Go from Frozen mashedup with Vivaldi’s Winter. AWESOME.

This was an absolutely fantastic article about why Neville Longbottom is the most important character in Harry Potter. After reading this, I totally want to go back and reread the entire series.

And MOAR from 2CELLOS. They just keep getting better!

Filed under: Awesome Things Tagged: Awesome Things, Kait Nolan

Midweek #ROW80 Check-In

Kait Nolan — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 15:38:45 +0000

The sounds of construction outside my office window have been giving me an eye twitch this week. It looks like they’re building a big ass concrete bunker. In fact it’s a building that will be housing some kind of fancy pants servers. I don’t care what it is…the sound of heavy construction equipment BEATING THINGS like a hammer is making is SO flipping hard to concentrate.
I’ve made the executive decision to NOT try starting this next book until I’m back from my trip. There’s enough problem getting rolling without getting started and then getting immediately out of whatever groove I start with. So I’m going to refine some plotting and READ this week.
I’m doing a lot of menu planning at the moment because when we get back from our trip, we’ve decided we’re doing an allergen elimination diet. Which means cutting out gluten (did that), dairy, soy, corn, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs. So two weeks cutting ALL that out (which, dude, is HARD–at least one of those things is in EVERY MEAL WE EAT) and then gradually adding stuff back in to see how we feel. I’ve spent all this time learning about food intolerances and nutritional endocrinology and such for hubby, and I’m thinking it’s time I applied what I’ve learned to myself. I just…haven’t felt right in several months, and I’m starting to have a lot of the symptoms he had in the early days before we figured out the gluten intolerance for him. So we’ll see how it goes. :prays I don’t have to cut out eggs or dairy for life: I’m planning out EVERYTHING we’re eating for those 2 weeks because it’s too much of a challenge to figure out off the cuff.
The weather has turned cold again, which I usually like, but it’s got my nose doing its best impression of a faucet. I swear, Mother Nature has been BIPOLAR this winter! I don’t think hubby has been able to breathe in months.
At the Evil Day Job, Monster Grant is SUBMITTED. It’s been out of my hands for a few days, but it’s officially out of the University’s hands entirely now. Thank God. I’m now staring at an inch thick pile of articles to read for a lit review for the next one…No rest for the weary.
I feel like there’s more news that I’m forgetting but, I can’t think of any so…tune in tomorrow for the latest edition of Three Awesome Things.

Filed under: Personal Tagged: Kait Nolan, Personal, Progress Reports, ROW80, Thoughts

You Asked For It: Ebook Formatting From A to Z

Kait Nolan — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 22:23:33 +0000

So I’ve been railing for YEARS that ebook formatting is not hard. I’ve been doing it myself since I started self publishing in 2010 and I FINALLY got around to putting together a class to teach the rest of you. It is available through WANA International.

Ebook Formatting from A to Z is an intensive 4 session class designed to teach you how to take your book from Word doc to all industry standard formats. You’ll be ready to self publish on any and all major platforms. Class is designed to take place over a period of weeks to give you a chance to implement the skills I’m teaching you in your own manuscript, with an opportunity for me to check your work and do hands-on troubleshooting. Each lesson is a streaming video that you can watch on your own time (as many times as you want). Then you’ll have access to interactive classrooms and discussion boards for more in-depth problem solving, as the need arises. This class will be most effective if you have a manuscript ready to format, as it is a hands-on skill.

It’s $160 a head and is available starting March 31st. So…spread the word and stuff.

Filed under: Me on Indie Publishing Tagged: class, ebook formatting, Kait Nolan, Self-publishing, teaching

Sunday Summary and #ROW80 Check-In

Kait Nolan — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 16:05:33 +0000

I just flat didn’t get much done on the writing front this week. A couple of flat scenes on the latest Meet Cute. An opening scene on this Wishful novel that is going to get cut. I’ve had the attention span of a gnat. I think this is probably the fallout from last week’s uber push on both the Wishful novel outline and the Monster Grant. But I did happen to figure out an important detail for the novel so that I can hammer out the ramifications of that .
I did start reading From Girl To Goddess, which is absolutely fascinating. And I’m dipping into Against All Grain. I’m not actually capable of going fully paleo (I love my white potatoes and beans too much) but I figured since all those recipes are by nature gluten free, I might pick up some new things to try. Waiting in the wings is the fabulous Steampunk Bible and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, both birthday presents.
I had a fantabulous birthday. I spent the morning at my coffee shop, watched a movie for research, then gave a presentation at WANACon about Self Publishing to a fantastic group of people. After that went out for Mexican with the family, where I made an absolute pig of my self (note to family for future–if there is going to be dessert, tell me BEFORE the chip basket is delivered…). I got to wear the birthday sombrero (I am the sole member of my family who is TOTALLY cool with the spectacle), which was fun until the waiter creamed me–literally–with a glob of whipped cream to the face. I got a significant quantity up my nose. Ah well. Price of the hat. Hubby finally revealed where he’s taking me on my birthday trip next weekend–the mountains of north Georgia! Whee! Which is totally awesome in and of itself, but it’s the return leg of the trip that’s the best part–he picked that location so we could swing back through Atlanta and go to IKEA and get the bookcases I’ve been lusting after for A YEAR for our living room! Which means my desk can finally go into the library and truly be my office. And that we can finally run the surround sound in this house since there will be somewhere to actually SIT the rear speakers. Win win all around. This also means we can return to our annual viewing of the LOTR and original Star Wars trilogies (they can’t be watched without proper surround sound–that’s just not right).
I made it through the second week of C25K. It’s just starting to feel like an effort. Looking forward to getting back to the point where this is–well not EASY but more comfortable.
It’s time to start thinking about spring and growing things here in the south. We need to do some epic pruning of stuff around the yard. And it’s about time for me to start some seeds inside for my summer garden. And the patch where I want to said garden needs tilling and prepping. The last of the mint needs digging up. And we need to mulch…well, EVERYTHING. All stuff I’d like to get done while it’s not hot. March is going to end up being a gardening/yard work kind of month.
Might go see The Lego Movie later as a final birthday weekend bit of fun. It looks hilarious.

Filed under: Sunday Summary Tagged: Kait Nolan, Personal, Progress Reports, ROW80

Three Awesome Things

Kait Nolan — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:49:58 +0000

Coolest reinterpretation of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” EVAR.

Somebody has designed an electric car especially for people in wheelchairs! How cool is that?

And Olympian Gus Kenworthy is bringing home 4 stray puppies from Russia to keep them from being euthanized. Good man, Gus. Good man

puppy love is real to puppies. http://t.co/krauCUPjOg—
Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 11, 2014

Filed under: Awesome Things Tagged: Awesome Things, Kait Nolan

Midweek #ROW80 Check-In

Kait Nolan — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:39:25 +0000

After last week’s epic plotting, it’s been a slow writing week. I’m having a little trouble getting into my latest Meet Cute–the hero and shero haven’t spoken up to really clue me in to their personalities yet. I did start the next Wishful novel last night–literally a page. I was off on a tangent reading instead.
From Girl To Goddess by Valerie Estelle Frankel has been on my To Buy list for quite some time. I’m pretty sure I first became aware of it through Justine Musk, whose insightful posts constantly make me think. But I just got around to buying my copy as a birthday present to myself. Geektastic? Hell yeah. But probably not as bad as that year I bought myself Practical Homicide Investigation. What? I was writing romantic suspense with serial killers at the time. Anyway, it’s an absolutely fascinating read. Frankel is doing what Joseph Campbell (the dude who informed us all about the well known Hero’s Journey) did decades ago–except she’s focusing on the Heroine’s Journey–just as old, just as valid, but mostly ignored because, hey, we’ve had a patriarchal society for the last few millennia. It’s kinda long, really rich and detailed and marvelous.
I’m on a mission to figure out what the hell it is I’m allergic to. As it turns out, NOT the detergent, as I’ve changed it all and washed All The Things. I’m pretty sure it’s a food allergy rather than stress (as I didn’t get this during the month of December, which was as stressed as I’ve been possibly in my life), and I’m working on narrowing it down to a handful of foods I KNOW I ate within 24 hours of the first outbreak and the second. I highly suspect the blueberries. Or possibly the yogurt. There are a few other possibilities, but those seem the most likely. Waiting on this latest round to clear up before I start trying each of those one at a time. Joy. Meanwhile, I send the makers of Aveeno Eczema lotion rainbows and kittens because their product is awesome.
Hubby and I are newly obsessed with 2 Broke Girls . We’ve been binge watching and have nearly blown through season 2. So funny. Wrong on many levels, but so funny.
We have been bed shopping. This is always a confusing and somewhat stressful process. But I’ve narrowed it down to two and just have to make up my mind. And then comes all the OTHER stuff that goes along with buying a king sized bed–sheets and new bigger pillows and bed frames and such. But OMG it’s going to be awesome to have an extra foot of space. Before we got married, hubby and I were both accustomed to sleeping alone, in the MIDDLE of queen sized beds. We’re both only children and don’t share well. LOL. Now somebody explain to me why king size comforters aren’t any bigger? Because I’ve been buying king size comforters for my queen sized bed for years and they’re about the right length. They won’t be big enough for a king size bed!
Been working my way through C25K again. I’m halfway through Week 2. It’s amazing how much easier it is on the treadmill on NO INCLINE than it is on actual pavement with HILLS. I really need to get around to trying out some of the programs on the machine to test whether it’s the incline mechanism that’s busted or (more likely) part of the connections for the buttons on that side (which can be replaced eventually). Not ideal, but HELLO. FREE (well via trade). Which reminds me–we really need to rearrange the garage and go pick up the upright freezer we’re buying from a friend of mine…

Filed under: Work In Progress Tagged: G.I.T., Kait Nolan, Progress Reports, ROW80, Work In Progress

Busy Busy!

Kait Nolan — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:44:05 +0000

Sorry so quiet. We’re still getting this grant out the door and I’ve just found out I may have to pinch hit and take over a class for a colleague who’s having to go out on medical leave for the rest of the semester. Busy busy!

Meanwhile, this video makes me want to high 5 the experts and simultaneously shake my head in horror at the fact that there are so many people out there who believe this clearly uninformed, reductivist Fox newscasters…

Filed under: Musings Tagged: Just Stuff, Kait Nolan, Random

Sunday Summary and #ROW80 Check-In

Kait Nolan — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 20:20:01 +0000

I SURVIVED THE HELL WEEK! The grant isn’t out the door yet, but the worst part for me is over. Thank your favorite deity.
Been doing some reading. Lots of novella length stuff. Fearless by Tawny Weber, Cake by Lauren Dane, and Wrecked by Meljean Brook (the last of the Iron Season novellas and the last thing I had to tide me over until The Kraken King serial starts in mid April). Just started The Archived by Victoria Schwab, which is still 99 cents.
I have been a plotting MACHINE. In the last week, I’ve plotted out more than 13k words of plot. MOST of that is on the first full length Wishful novel (now fully plotted and ready to go, barring some minor details). Some is on a fun, for the hell of it project. And a bit is on a project that’s been relegated to the backburner until I have more awesome to spare.
Yesterday, I started the next Meet Cute Romance, Once Upon A Rescue. This one is loosely based on something I actually observed at my vet’s office last year. I want to get it finished up and off my plate before I dive in to Cam and Norah’s book, probably at the start of March.
I made hubby a gluten free, red velvet cheesecake for a belated Valentine’s yesterday. I was totally going to have another piece this afternoon, but then I made the egregious mistake of calculating the nutritional information. So the rest of it is in the freezer for some other time.
I’ve been working on getting back to tracking my calories and such. Not the greatest week to do that with Valentine’s YUMMIES. This is always a challenge because it is the FIRST thing to slide when I get busy or stressed. I’ve successfully gotten back into the routine of exercise 5 days a week. I made it to the Master level of New U Yoga for Wii–why hello Crane Pose, my old nemesis. This week I also went through the first week of the C25K program again on my treadmill. I can tell I’m getting more stable and making up for the several weeks I was off during December and early January. But the food thing…yeah. As usual, I mostly do fine at home, but when there are social engagements out…not so much. Because even the “healthier options” are usually out of calorie budget. :glares at 6’4″, 300 pound linebacker appetite in 5’4″ female body:
I’ve got a birthday coming up. 34. Been trying to decide what books I’m going to gift myself. THERE ARE SO MANY ON MY WISHLIST. And hubby is whisking me away for a long weekend to places unknown. So that’ll be fun.

Filed under: Sunday Summary Tagged: Just Stuff, Kait Nolan, Progress Reports, ROW80, Writing

Three Awesome Things

Kait Nolan — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 13:28:07 +0000

This was a fantastic article about the impacts of our “inner story”, the narrative filter through which we view the world. Really interesting stuff and further support to being very on guard about how much negativity we expose ourselves to.

My current music love this week is the new score to Winter’s Tale by Hans Zimmer. I love this guy’s music so so much.

And, in case you missed it, this week I have a NEW Meet Cute Romance out. Once Upon An Heirloom. Nab it from Amazon or add it on Goodreads.

Filed under: Awesome Things Tagged: Awesome Things, Just Stuff, Kait Nolan

A New Meet Cute Romance: Once Upon An Heirloom

Kait Nolan — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 14:50:10 +0000

Y’all, I just can’t tell you how much I loved writing this Meet Cute. It started half as a joke. A few months ago, when I first came up with the idea for Meet Cute Romances, I took advantage of a week long trial at a stock photo site and nabbed a whole bunch of potential cover images. I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to this one past the Aw, isn’t that sweet and romantic looking. When I got into looking later, I saw that crazy sweater and the ring box on the table. It became a challenge to figure out how to make something that looks on the surface like a proposal into a first meeting. And I have to say I’m delighted with the results. I hope you will be too!

Sylvie goes to the jewelry store with a sad story, a looming debt, and a beloved heirloom.

Everett is a hard-core do-gooder with a bank account to back him up.

When he impulsively buys Sylvie’s hocked ring, he intends to return it to her. But Sylvie disappears. How will he find her again? And if his friends find his grand gestures…eccentric, how will a complete stranger react?

A novelette of approximately 10.5k words.

Available at Amazon. This book is completely DRM free and can be purchased at Amazon and converted to any other ebook format.

You can add the book on Goodreads.

Filed under: Books Tagged: Books, Kait Nolan, Meet Cute Romance