tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88962946344019961672024-03-13T14:08:02.113-05:00The Real Life of Fiction S.B Niccum's BlogS.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-34938773900379417952017-03-13T11:11:00.001-05:002017-03-13T11:12:02.750-05:00Indigo Is Now an Award Winning Book!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8tEH8b-Ux0/WMbCsQL9vcI/AAAAAAAAAls/chrzNGvUjpwuc9WTCiBUlEG-o92jg6qWACLcB/s1600/Untitled%2Bdesign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8tEH8b-Ux0/WMbCsQL9vcI/AAAAAAAAAls/chrzNGvUjpwuc9WTCiBUlEG-o92jg6qWACLcB/s400/Untitled%2Bdesign.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just got an email from The Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards, letting me know that Indigo is now an award winning novel! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a great honor, and I'm very proud about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is however, an honor that has to be shared with lots of people because the book was judged on several fronts. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The cover kudos go to Adam Pippin for his cover art. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The internal formatting kudos go to Lindzee Armstrong for her detailed and speedy job.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And the editing glory goes to several people, Naomi De La Torre, Susan Keiley, Catherine, Jessica Kern, and Lyne. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And a special thanks has to be given to CJ for his tactical expertise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, thank you all for all your help!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2e6ziUQx3uk/WMbErOHT63I/AAAAAAAAAl0/hvhWm22ri6sxz7_9j7hGOSUTDcnEz0omwCLcB/s1600/For%2BPublishers%2BBFDA-Seal-Silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2e6ziUQx3uk/WMbErOHT63I/AAAAAAAAAl0/hvhWm22ri6sxz7_9j7hGOSUTDcnEz0omwCLcB/s1600/For%2BPublishers%2BBFDA-Seal-Silver.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-21013434915032060322016-12-26T08:55:00.001-06:002016-12-26T08:55:23.049-06:00 Lip Balm<span style="font-size: large;">So, yeah, writing isn't what I do all the time. In fact, I only write for a few hours a day. The rest of the day I cook, homeschool, clean (a little), and experiment. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tyHUUJisOo/WGEqCfV51OI/AAAAAAAAAlA/-09xVi3MuY4mLS55lpz16aJt26z5qRKUQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tyHUUJisOo/WGEqCfV51OI/AAAAAAAAAlA/-09xVi3MuY4mLS55lpz16aJt26z5qRKUQCLcB/s320/IMG_1055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband has bees, and recently pulled a panel out of the hive for honey sampling. It was delicious! But I couldn't let the waxy comb go to waste, so I melted it with cocoa butter (I cut a stick of it. It looks like banana slices here), and coconut oil, and a couple of Vitamin E capsules for lip balm. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Inevitably, the comb had some honey in it, so the lip balm tastes like cocoa and honey. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I put all those ingredients in my home made double boiler. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPokZZPM6i4/WGEqGq-eyyI/AAAAAAAAAlE/px83O_xCHZAiNrSR4paCfhHKFC5e8ZViACLcB/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPokZZPM6i4/WGEqGq-eyyI/AAAAAAAAAlE/px83O_xCHZAiNrSR4paCfhHKFC5e8ZViACLcB/s320/IMG_1054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> As you can see, its very high-tech. But it did the job of melting all those ingredients together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lip balm ended up being presents for my nieces, along with some home made soap to which I also added honeycomb. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do all these things have to do with my book? Absolutely nothing! Other than one of my nieces is reading Indigo, and she commented: "How does Silvina come up with all this stuff?" Her question sent my mind into a whirl of philosophizing. (I like to philosophize--its another hobby!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What I came up with is this: Creativity is the spice of life. Not the salt, but the spice. The salt would be a moral code (religion). A spice added to a dish gives it direction. For example, if you add cumin, cardamon, cloves, pepper, turmeric, and ginger; you get a curry spice. If you add cumin, garlic, paprika, and smoked jalapeno peppers; you get chilli seasoning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--Did I rant long enough? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--Yes, I think I have. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--What do you get from all this convoluted information? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">--<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7KPN69/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482762207&sr=8-1&keywords=indigo+by+s.b.+niccum" target="_blank">Go leave me reviews for Indigo! Yup. That's the message you need to be taking away from all this!!!</a></span><br />
<br />S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-91720919950683936682016-12-23T10:22:00.001-06:002016-12-23T10:25:57.437-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7KPN69/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482509593&sr=8-1&keywords=indigo+by+s.b.+niccum" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7KPN69/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482509593&sr=8-1&keywords=indigo+by+s.b.+niccum" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIcN2bjXOYA/WF1NgVp6s-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/EsBaipD7fccCPK3vG8iGnvJ5byAfX_Z6QCLcB/s320/Merry.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas everyone! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I really appreciate the support I've gotten while trying to get Indigo nominated on Kindle Scout. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, it didn't get picked up by them, but the e-book is now available for purchase anyway! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How? Some of you have been asking me? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, self-publishing baby! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is my first time flying solo, all the way. Before, with Veiled, Living Soul and Endless, I was under the umbrella of TreasureLine publishing's ISBN's. But this time around I got my own. To do this I had to create my own publishing house, BiblioPhilia Press. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7KPN69/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482509593&sr=8-1&keywords=indigo+by+s.b.+niccum" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7KPN69/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482509593&sr=8-1&keywords=indigo+by+s.b.+niccum" border="0" height="163" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvYVljdMFeA/WF1O9P2kAYI/AAAAAAAAAkg/m47D9cGBfqcz0YciG49jcFVRRKxSakMNQCLcB/s320/Bibliophilia%2BPress.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For now, this publishing house will be for just me, myself, and I. But one day, who knows? I might grow and add other authors. </span>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-75992003429223691392016-12-10T17:27:00.000-06:002016-12-10T17:46:00.632-06:00Kindle Scout Nomination: 1 Day Left!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UucCcPKpHFU/WEyIHArPqbI/AAAAAAAAAjg/_e6jarcRVGsvo10oKvKUvI3AvUowN_LyQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UucCcPKpHFU/WEyIHArPqbI/AAAAAAAAAjg/_e6jarcRVGsvo10oKvKUvI3AvUowN_LyQCLcB/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank">It's been an exhausting month!!!</a> I've never been this dialed in to promoting--EVER! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It isn't over yet, so please head over to <a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank">Kindle Scout</a> and nominate my book, or ask your friends on social media to do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All I can say as this crazy time (and time of year) comes to a close is that I'm glad I did it. Weather I get picked by the Kindle Press people to get published or not, I'm happy I did it. At the very least I've promoted the heck out of this book--and series might I add--because once you start reading Indigo, you'll want to read the other two books. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Eager teenagers are mad that Indigo isn't under their tree right now. The silver lining is: if I don't get picked for publication, I'll make sure it makes it at least to the New Years party or, El Dia De Los Reyes (Three Wise Men Celebration) sometime in January. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Either way, I continue to do what I love to do, which is write! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a sneak peak at my next book's cover. It isn't done yet, obviously, but hopefully it might give you a taste of what it's about. I had another cover for it, but I think this one will be better. This is my unfinished version. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-soQiLkQtlsY/WEyKPyg-AII/AAAAAAAAAjs/F_Jrn5dEGOgrQr7FnDj63bvrAka_JOdjgCLcB/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-soQiLkQtlsY/WEyKPyg-AII/AAAAAAAAAjs/F_Jrn5dEGOgrQr7FnDj63bvrAka_JOdjgCLcB/s320/1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Meet Laurel Granger, a ballerina turned zombie huntress.</span><br />
...yes, you read right. Zombie huntress. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the other cover that I was going to use, but I like where I'm going with this one better. What think ye?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNy1g_QbqU4/WCSI4VFD2zI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Qm7j-yfFRMAyOTwBfzOr8GgiPMTe3GEkQCPcB/s1600/Linda%2BBoulanger%2BAbaddon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNy1g_QbqU4/WCSI4VFD2zI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Qm7j-yfFRMAyOTwBfzOr8GgiPMTe3GEkQCPcB/s320/Linda%2BBoulanger%2BAbaddon.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<br />S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-31046412209855576522016-12-06T21:47:00.001-06:002016-12-06T21:47:01.137-06:00Kindle Scout Nomination: 5 Days Left<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! This is almost over! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been hard, I won't lie to you. Being ever vigilant about posting, commenting, sharing, coming up with something meaningful to say every day! So for today I decided that I'm not going to reinvent the wheel. I will go as meaningful as it gets! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the spirit of the Christmas season, I've decided to take on the 25 day challenge of #LightTheWorld </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mJmAV0gTp_Q" width="480"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The countdown for today marks day 6 of the the 25 day challenge. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So today, the call for action was to share a scripture. </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJ-ITAntcRU" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I shared one of my all-time favorite scriptures from the Bible,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> John 14:18</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know this is true. I have felt His love in my heart. I have felt His consolation. I have felt His forgiveness. I have felt His PEACE. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-58532690283812299972016-12-03T17:45:00.001-06:002016-12-03T18:02:10.182-06:00The Final Countdown: 8 days left!<span style="font-size: large;">It's the last 8 days of <a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank">Indigo's nomination</a> period! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The famous rock song by Europe <i>The Final Countdown</i> keeps playing in my head! I think I was about thirteen when I first heard it back in Argentina. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I thought I would give you a taste of what's to come in this series of abolitionists. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Azure</b>, Indigo's father will be featured in the next book. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUIeg7QHetk/WENYRvGeGoI/AAAAAAAAAjE/mMU91XDS7D4BkWGZFL8-wXWQx0uWg9s9QCLcB/s1600/Azure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUIeg7QHetk/WENYRvGeGoI/AAAAAAAAAjE/mMU91XDS7D4BkWGZFL8-wXWQx0uWg9s9QCLcB/s320/Azure.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The third and final book of the series will feature <b>Beryl</b>, Indigo's brother who takes up the torch and joins the fight against the human slave trade. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMdE4AZzC1o/WENYXZQ-zsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/HYE_8d1TwIk1IDc8EonAubLwzjvInj_vACLcB/s1600/Beryl1-Recovered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMdE4AZzC1o/WENYXZQ-zsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/HYE_8d1TwIk1IDc8EonAubLwzjvInj_vACLcB/s320/Beryl1-Recovered.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-21718089212867193292016-12-01T08:05:00.000-06:002016-12-01T08:05:53.585-06:00Indigo's Kindle Scout Nomination: 10 days left<a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="medium" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51650726956828585/"></a>
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
Using Pintrest has been another great way to put Indigo in front of people. Everyone has their own favorite social media site, I for one love Pintrest. I'm always in a giving or "pinning" mood when I go there. I don't know what it is, maybe the fact that I'm very visual and pretty pictures are relaxing to me. I feel no pressure when I go to pintrest, so I'm more likely to save something, or follow a link.
As far as the nomination stats go, Indigo has been doing great! I've managed to remain "Hot" and trending ever since the Thanksgiving slump. I hope that translates into an actual publishing offer from the Kindle Scout team, but alas, I have nothing to compare it to. I'll try to reach out to Kindle Scout published authors to see if they'll spill the success beans!
...and if you haven't yet, go nominate me!
S.B.S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-11421619534743426002016-11-28T08:20:00.003-06:002016-11-28T08:20:57.597-06:00Indigo's "HOT" and Trending<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank">Thirteen days left in the campaign</a> and after three rough days, my book bounced back up and now it's in the front page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to say, I have been bugging people left and right. I'm mostly a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/silvina.niccum/" target="_blank">FB</a> socialite, so I've been shamelessly tagging everyone. I hope I'm not annoying people too much, but I have to look at this with perspective. It's only for 30 days! So let's make them count. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If I don't get chosen to be published through Kindle Scout, it won't be because I didn't give it my all. It might be for other reasons; like my story isn't what they're looking for now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what happens if I don't get chosen by Kindle Scout to be published? </span><br />
<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-dkDNS2wvw/WCSKaJOe8qI/AAAAAAAAAf0/Rbk2et6Q6MIn9xRM3ohWx5iQ61UQIiCeACPcB/s400/Indigo.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing. I'll still self publish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why not try the traditional publishing way? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because writing, though important for me, is only something I do early in the mornings while my whole family is still asleep. Right now, writing for fun, at my own pace, is the right thing for me to do. That's why I'd like to go the Kindle Scout rout--because it won't change any of that. All it will do is increase my exposure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Full steam ahead then!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you'd like to read the first chapter of Indigo, <a href="http://spiritualsupernaturalparanormal.blogspot.com/2016/11/get-taste-indigo-prologue-and-first.html" target="_blank">read here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-84162701425191523022016-11-26T13:33:00.002-06:002016-11-26T13:33:32.655-06:00#Hashtags# To Get Attention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngw1hXc-vrQ/WDXIky0IAmI/AAAAAAAAAiI/sP683aMeDTMcAbYnOOBTo-hvH5SsTVSjQCPcB/s320/Nominate%2BMy%2BBook.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Half way mark! Woohoo! It's been an interesting ride. The book fell of the "HOT" list for a few days, but now I'm back again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What happened? Well, we have to take into consideration that we just celebrated Thanksgiving. But I fear I can't use that as an excuse because other books remained hot and trending. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One tactic that I will attribute the turn around are hashtags. I don't know why I hadn't thought about that before, but hashtags are very useful as a way to get your post on several different places. These are the Hashtags I used. Let me know if you know of any others that have worked for you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#bibliophile</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#yareads</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#yabooks</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#YA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#bookaddict</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#amereading</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#readmore</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#MGLit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#FlashFic</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#ACFW</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#FridayReads</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#MustRead</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#Litchat</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#StoryFriday</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#TeaserTue</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#Kindle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As always, your nomination will be appreciated! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-34087444990038236752016-11-25T10:52:00.000-06:002016-11-26T10:10:12.268-06:00The Cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdKQL8Yzki4/WDXJ9zM1BsI/AAAAAAAAAh0/J8uwbYWqo5IkX4wizd9tmpo_A5AYWOPLQCLcB/s1600/Second%2BIndigo%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdKQL8Yzki4/WDXJ9zM1BsI/AAAAAAAAAh0/J8uwbYWqo5IkX4wizd9tmpo_A5AYWOPLQCLcB/s320/Second%2BIndigo%2B.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part of the creative process is creating a book cover that conveys what the book is about. This is the cover that I did to put my vision before <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adam.pippin.3" target="_blank">the cover artist.</a> He in turn grabbed my vision and created a more polished version of my cover. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZeH6c5Gpg/WCSIhqFTm2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/Fq9q_FR1MkoE6TZWn7cUuv5mAjGWDqvqQCPcB/s1600/Indigo_V1.3Digital.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZeH6c5Gpg/WCSIhqFTm2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/Fq9q_FR1MkoE6TZWn7cUuv5mAjGWDqvqQCPcB/s320/Indigo_V1.3Digital.png" width="204" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The end result was this beautiful cover.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">As you can see, I wanted the book cover to look like a teen fashion magazine because my main character is a teen movie star who would no doubt be in magazine covers. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-67607051228893117602016-11-23T11:15:00.000-06:002016-11-23T16:39:43.414-06:00Get A Taste: Indigo Prologue and First Chapter <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZeH6c5Gpg/WCSIhqFTm2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/Fq9q_FR1MkoE6TZWn7cUuv5mAjGWDqvqQCPcB/s320/Indigo_V1.3Digital.png" width="204" /></a></div>
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--><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">Want to get a head start on Indigo? Go ahead! Read below. But remember, this is a copyrighted work. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">Indigo</span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Prologue</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The cages opened. The crowds cheered.
The newly resurrected, state of the art, Circus Maximus coliseum exploded in
deafening cheers. The crowd was hungry for innocent young blood. They didn’t
know if either one would make it out alive. They just hoped that the training
they received had been enough to help them see another day—and maybe, just
maybe, escape.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Since they had been kidnapped, the twins
Marius and Marina had been training and learning the skills of a warrior. They
saw each other the moment the cages opened. They didn’t have to talk or even
make the faintest of facial expressions—they knew. They were bruised, sore, and
though they hid it well, terrified. While they had been waiting to be called
up, the disturbing realization that the gamers were pairing friends, couples, and
now siblings against each other, dawned on them. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All through training, the gamers had
been watching them through those little cameras; now they knew how to inflict
the most pain on them. In a few seconds the announcer would say their names,
and they would have to fight each other to the death. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Aw…” the commentator said as if he
were truly disappointed. “I guess this love story ended in a tragedy,” he added
with mock sympathy, as he finished his comments about the last couple. The
crowd went wild; some hissed, and some cackled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And now! Twins! Marius and Marina!
They have both proven to be among the toughest trainees. Marius has quickly
become an expert in sword fighting, while Marina has embraced the bow. What
weapons will they choose? Who will live to fight another day?” The crowd
roared. It sounded like the angry sea to the twins’ ears, as they stepped
forward into the center of the Circus Maximus arena. Weapons were strewn
everywhere, theirs for the taking. Blood pooled on the ground in places, where
former gladiators had been injured or killed. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I will not kill you,” Marina yelled to
her brother, who stood about a hundred feet away, still standing on his
platform. “I’d rather die. So, just kill me.” Acoustics were incredible in this
place, so their voices carried well in spite of the distance and the noise from
the stands.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Marius shook his head, “Are you crazy?
And risk Mother’s wrath?” he jested. This was so typical of Marius, laughing at
inopportune times. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 418.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What now?” Mariana asked as she looked
around the half chanting, half booing arena. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let me remind you that if you refuse
to fight, we will unleash The Beast!” the commentator said over the speakers. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As if on cue, the crowd started
chanting, “Beast! Beast! Beast!” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The twins stood still, unmoving, refusing
to take up weapons against each other.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I warned you,” the commentator said in
a singsong tone. Suddenly, at the far end of the arena, one of the cages rose
from the ground. Neither Marius nor Marina had seen the Beast before. They had heard
rumors about it while in training, and they were right. It was grotesque. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As the creature emerged from the pit,
the twins stared in frozen amazement. It was as big as an elephant, but that’s
where the similarities ended. It had a bull’s head with long horns, teeth as
long as a saber tooth tiger, claws like an eagle, and a spiked tail like a
dinosaur. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Run!” Marius shouted.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“No!” called Marina. “Get some weapons!
Then run!” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Good idea, sis! You were always the
smart one!” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Each of them went for their weapon of
choice and started running toward each other. The Beast charged. It was faster.
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Split!” Marina ordered. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Did I forget to mention that Marina
here is a strategic genius?” the commentator declared. “She was one of the top
strategic leaders during training, winning four simulations out of the five
they had to complete. Marius here won four as well, but more through sheer luck
than sound strategy,” the commentator added. The crowd laughed and cheered as the
twins ran for their lives. “If they survive, we will air the details of their
training next week. So stay tuned!”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Marina had an idea. She had stolen some
of the poison she saw on display yesterday during the tour of the facilities.
Most of the gladiators had been walking through the gory museum mindlessly,
only thinking of what was to come in just a few hours. Not Marina; she had been
paying attention. When no one was looking, she snatched one of the vials of
poison and hid it in her bra. At the time, she didn’t know if she was going to
use it to kill or if she was going to take it herself. Now she knew. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Marius!” she yelled, across the arena.
It took a few tries for her brother to hear her over the crowd’s clamor.
“Come!” she gestured. As he started to run across the six hundred feet long arena,
the Beast headed straight for him. Meanwhile, Marina was hunched over, dipping
the tips of her arrows into the vial, careful not to spill any of the precious
poison. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Marina! This thing is hungry!” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Without wasting any more time, she
corked the vial, stuffed it back into her bra, and let an arrow fly, hitting
The Beast square between the eyes, buying her brother a few seconds. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What took you so long? I was about to
become lunch!” Marius shouted.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hurry,” Marina said, taking the vial
back out and removing the cork again. “Hold out your sword.” Marius obeyed
without question, and Marina poured the rest of the poison over the blade.
“Let’s hope this is as powerful as they said it was.” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Marius kissed his sister on the cheek
and ran out to meet the Beast head on. Marius struck the Beast with blow after
powerful blow, barely missing its snapping jaws, grasping claws, or swinging
tail. Marina let all the arrows fly, careful to avoid her brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Slowly, the snarling Beast started to
slump. First, the front legs gave out, then the back. With a running start,
Marius flipped himself acrobatically onto the Beast’s back, intending to finish
it off. But, with a burst of energy the Beast stood up! Marius held on by the
skin of its neck. Like a bull rider, Marius rode the beast, which looked more
like a giant porcupine thanks to Marina’s poisoned arrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The commentator described each scene
with enthusiasm. The crowd’s noise had risen to a new height. “No one has
ridden the Beast before!” the commentator exclaimed, excitedly. “We are
watching Circus history here, people!” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Suddenly, the angry Beast collapsed
again, flinging Marius forward. But, as he flew in mid-air, Marius swung his
sword around and slashed the Beast’s neck. The grotesque head detached from the
body, and rolled, while Marius’ body slammed onto the ground—hard. Marina
screamed and ran to her brother’s side. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Marius? Marius! Are you okay?” she
yelled. No answer. “Marius, please! Please don’t die! You’re all I have now!
You’re all I have.” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What about Mom?” he said, opening one
eye. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Marina punched him in the arm and
hugged him tightly. “Besides Mom, you’re all I have.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And… cut!” called the director. “We really need to fix that
last line. I don’t like it. It’s anticlimactic. What do you think, Bob?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll work on it,” said Bob morosely, pinching the bridge of
his nose between his thumb and index fingers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Their mother is being threatened somehow, right?” the
director asked no one in particular. Several heads in the studio bobbed up and
down tiredly. “Okay then, maybe Marina should be saying something like, like…
‘Unless mother still lives, you’re all I have’ or something like that,” he suggested
with an exhausted shake of his head, flinging his arms upward as if he didn’t
much care. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“If we change that line, we’ll have to film the whole scene
again,” Bob said quietly, jaws clenched.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“No-no, not the whole scene.” Tiredly, the director rubbed
his face with his hand. “Let’s take a break. We’ll resume in two hours. Good
work, Indigo. Good work, Beryl. You two are golden!” He nodded toward the two
protagonists, who were slumped on the green screen set, waiting for their next
set of instructions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once dismissed, Beryl jumped nimbly to his feet and offered
Indigo a hand. “Well, sis? How do you like working with your big brother?” he
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Indigo snorted derisively and accepted a towel and water
from a set girl. “It’s a dream come true!” she said sarcastically, as she
shoved him aside. However, inwardly, she was thrilled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chapter 1 </span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Enter</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Tea leaf divining Shrink. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exeunt</i> Secrets and Half Truths</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Indigo</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Carefully held by a delicate white metal mount, and printed
in impeccable calligraphy so as to add to its importance, is the quote by Eleanor
Roosevelt, “A woman is like a teabag—you don’t know how strong she is until she
gets in hot water.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The framed quotation rests amid several dainty tea
sets, and once a week, when I come for my session with my shrink, Dr.
Pemberton, I have the privilege of choosing the tea set from which we will
drink our tea. Dr. Pemberton seems to think that all problems can be solved
over a good cup of tea, and I don’t necessarily disagree. I’ve been coming to
see her since I was seven years old—ten years now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton switches quotes every once in a while. I’ve
always found them interesting and entertaining. However, there’s something
about this last quote that will not leave me. I realize that it’s a simple
quote, nothing extraordinarily hard to understand about it, but I feel like
there is something hidden in it for me. Maybe hidden isn’t the right word, but
rather, a challenge. More than anything I’d like to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">strong tea</i>, proven, tested, and ultimately—triumphant. Over what
great adversary? I don’t yet know. Myself maybe. Regardless, I have a feeling
that this quote will change my life somehow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Which one will it be?” Dr. Pemberton asks, in her crisp
British accent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Um…” I ponder, as I pull my attention away from the quote
and back to my original task. I let my French manicured hand trace the
teacup-laden shelf. Delicate willow patterned cups are displayed along with an
assortment of intricately painted flowers and friendly garden bug designs. All
of the patterns assail my senses at once, making me feel slightly overwhelmed
by the amount of choices. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton’s whole office is, in fact, a bit overwhelming
for me. It is centered in the heart of my hometown, Beverly Hills, on the fifth
story of a modern, minimalist, almost sterile building. However, once you step
inside her office, all the clean, sharp angles and straight lines disappear.
Instead, you find yourself inside a room that looks like something out of a
Jane Austen movie set. It is a proper British parlor with an overabundance of
French Rococo style tapestries, furniture, and figurines. Fresh pastel peony
blooms overflow in porcelain and golden inlaid vases. Dappled light from a lace
curtain filters through the east facing windows, giving the office a warm,
inviting glow. The whole setup, complete with the soft classical music, seems to
say: come sit, drink some tea and chat with Aunt Blanche. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But Dr. Blanche Pemberton is no one’s aunt, and she is
rather cutting and acerbic. I guess that’s why she relies on her old lady decor
to make people feel more comfortable. Or maybe there’s some research out there
that says that an overabundance of pink helps people open up and start talking.
I happen to know all these design details; over the years she’s told me all
about them. I guess that was her way of breaking the ice with me, as I sat
stiff and tight-lipped on one of her settees for almost a whole year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">To me, Dr. Pemberton looks a bit like a bored Basset Hound.
Her big, round, brown eyes look thoughtfully at me, while her carefully curled
under bob makes her look like she’s got long, floppy ears. Her bangs are also
curled under, somewhat reducing her long, thin face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ruby, my manager, chose Dr. Pemberton because she came
highly recommended as someone who disdained Hollywood stars like myself—or
rather she held no regard for us. She is, after all, one of those stuffy
English women who find acting to be rubbish. One time, when I asked her why she
left dear old England for the sunny shores of L.A., she responded in the most
obscure way possible, saying, “California weather suits me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Because of these firm convictions about Hollywood stars, Dr.
Pemberton has become rather popular among us, and half the people I know come
to her. Her clientele has grown exponentially thanks to her tart disposition,
snarky remarks, and the sad reality that there is no shortage of issues among
us Hollywood stars.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I choose… this one!” I say and turn on my precariously thin
heels, displaying the plainest teacup of all. It’s the teal colored set, with
no frilly flowers on it. It’s rimmed with gold and has teal vertical lines. Simple,
yet elegant; like me—sort of. I guess there’s nothing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">simple</i> about my elegance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton studies my choice as if there’s meaning in it.
I wonder if she’ll later look at the tea leaves at the bottom of the cup, and
try to divine something from them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You often choose this one,” Dr. Pemberton muses as she
places the tray by her kitchenette, pinches some tealeaves, and places them
into a strainer. “Do you like it?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes,” I respond, with an inflection of question in my
voice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why? I always thought it so plain.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I shrug. “I feel like going back to the basics, I guess.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hmm… why is that?” She asks, turning shrink mode on full
blast. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not sure,” I say evasively, resisting this session already.
I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m on the verge of something. Like something
major is about to go down and I’m already dreading it. It’s hard to explain
because I hardly understand it myself. It could have something to do with the
Roosevelt quote. Or maybe it has something to do with Beryl. Ever since we
finished filming the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Circus Maximus MMCXI</i>
movie, things have been different between us. He’s been dating a girl from the
cast—a newbie who no doubt wants to make a name for herself at my brother’s
expense. It was so nice to finally get to hang out with him for longer than a
few weeks, but now Nina has taken over his life. Blah!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How are you sleeping?” Dr. Pemberton asks, changing the
direction of the conversation since she can tell I’m not going to elaborate on
this particular line of questioning. She pours hot water into the pot and
switches off her electric kettle that purposely looks old-fashioned. “Any
nightmares?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Insomnia is one of my biggest issues, along with RAD.
Reactive Attachment Disorder can manifest itself in different ways, but with me,
it is trust issues. Big time trust issues that stem from not forming a proper
bond with my mother, who, when I was three months old, forsook me for a movie
role. She played the part of a young mother who was haunted by the ghosts of
the house she moved into. It was an epic Josephine Frost movie, another feather
in her cap. My reality, though, was abandonment. She didn’t even take me to the
set with her—she hired some nanny and left me home so she could focus on her
movie—then I didn’t see her again for a year. By then she was a total stranger
to me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I’m over it, but Pemberton doesn’t agree. She says that I
have a hard time forming bonds with people, and that’s dangerous. Menace to
society dangerous, I suppose. I don’t know what harm I could possibly cause
society since all I do is read the scripts that are placed before me, and then
perform in the movies. Acting is all I know, and all I’ve been trained to do;
I’m simply a puppet. Still, sometimes I do feel like there’s a ticking time
bomb inside of me that might go off at any time. When that day comes, no doubt
the media will be there to record it all for posterity. Awesome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">While RAD started in infancy, my insomnia started when I was
six years old. Apparently, I suffer form some form of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, like what soldiers suffer from. Only I’ve never been to war, just
been in movies about wars, with killer special effects. My insomnia is caused
by bad dreams. The fear of having a bad dream, gives me anxiety, and this
anxiety gives me insomnia! Dr. Pemberton established that the nightmares
started one year after I starred in my first movie with my dad. It was an alien
invasion movie, and we had to run from ten-foot-tall, bug-like, robotic aliens
who chased us amid bomb explosions and laser shots. It was filmed in an outdoor
replica of New York, and though the buildings were nothing but a two-foot
facade, to my then five-year-old brain, it was all too real. The movie was
hailed as a blockbuster. I won my first round of praises from the Academy, and
my father won the actual award. It was the first of many proud Belfrois moments
that have stolen pieces of my sanity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">From then on, everyone wanted me to succeed as an actress. I
was crowned Hollywood’s Princess, thanks to my illustrious pedigree. Four
generations of Hollywood stars from my father’s side and three generations from
my mother’s gave me the unique title never before given to anyone else. Not
even Beryl got crowned as a Prince, because his mother, Ana, made her first
movie at nineteen, co-starring with my dad. They eloped right after filming it.
Three months later, my father rekindled his relationship with Josephine Frost,
my mother, and Ana’s marriage to my dad ended. That’s why they call us the
Belfrois’ twins—even though we are only half siblings—we are just three months
apart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So it is, that I have the wealthiest and most beautiful
family tree. We even have a family crest, specially made by my illustrious
great-grandfather Aero Belfrois. He was a pompous man, who I believe thought
too much of himself and his legacy—the stupid crest being proof enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ve had a few bad dreams,” I finally admit, evasively.
“Different ones, I guess.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton brings the tray over to the settee in front of
me and pours us the tea. She then picks up her cup and sits across from me,
carefully crossing her legs and leaning back against her upholstered chair. As
she cradles her cup, she lets out a slight, involuntary sigh. “Care to expand?”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not being chased by aliens anymore, but I am being
followed. It’s weird, but it’s worse somehow,” I say, as I slump into the
velvet settee.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Elaborate,” Dr. Pemberton says as she sips her tea and eyes
my posture with contempt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well… it’s like I’m going about my day, and someone is
watching me. Like a camera is on me all day long, even while I sleep. It’s
exhausting! Then, last night in my dream, the same thing happens. I’m going out
for a jog, and I get that feeling that someone is running behind me, but when I
turn, there’s no one there. Finally, I start running so fast that I feel like
my lungs are on fire, and when I look behind me, a zombie paparazzo is chasing
after me!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Zombie? That’s a new one. Weren’t you in a zombie movie?”
Pemberton asks, her large droopy eyes looking more alert than normal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I nod. “When I was eight,” I say, looking down at my cup. A
few tea leaves are settling toward the bottom of my cup. I take a big gulp and
swallow the whole thing, leaves and all. In response, Dr. Pemberton raises one
eyebrow. I’m not sure if she considers my actions indicative of something, or
if she’s simply appalled by me gulping the tea. Maybe she’s sad there’ll be no tea
leaves left for her to look at.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What do you think your dream zombies might do to you if
they catch you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Eat my brains, take my picture, I don’t know!” I say with
irritation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you know the zombie who chases you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At this, I have to pause. I bend over and pour myself more
tea. “I’m not sure. It feels as if I know him, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or her</i>, but I can’t remember the face,” I lie. I know very well who
my dream zombie is. Wait, that sounds weird. Is there such a thing as dreamy
zombies? Well… this one might be. He’s the cute new photographer that started
following me around last week. Most of the paparazzi that trail me are soft,
pasty, middle-aged men—so this one sticks out. He’s tall, about six-foot-two
with dark, wavy hair that loosely hangs past his ears. He’s fit, has large
brown eyes, and olive skin—not at all fitting the traditional paparazzi mold.
Instead, he looks like the ultimate frat guy—flip flops, khakis, t-shirt, and a
perpetual five-o-clock shadow. He looks young, older than me, but in his early
twenties. Very early twenties I hope, since I just turned seventeen a few
months ago. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I saw him again just this morning as I was getting out of my
blue convertible. As always, I braced myself for the onslaught of flashes when
I open the door, and step out with my six-inch stilettos and skinny jeans. I
always have to focus on coming out gracefully, and to also have that fake smile
plastered on, like I haven’t a single care in the whole world. Even with all
this in mind, I still felt his presence right away. It was like a black hole,
sucking all the energy from around him and pulling me in as well. Maybe it was
the nightmare still fresh in my mind, or maybe it was the fact that he always
looks so put out. His blasé stance, the look of forbearance on his face, the
way his eyes roll every time I pose for the cameras, all of these things seem
to tell me one thing: “I can’t stand you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Whatever his reasons for looking at me like I’m the root of
all his troubles, this morning he looked particularly tired as he held a cup of
coffee with one hand and his camera in the other. I noticed that his left wrist
had a colorful paper band, like the kind they hand out at concerts or other
private events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s at times like these that I truly wish I were just a
regular girl, one that he didn’t look at with disdain, one that he’d run into
at whatever place he was at last night. I know nothing about him or his life,
but somehow, I know that he’s happier than me. For a second, as I was making my
way up to Dr. Pemberton’s office, I tried to imagine what his life was like.
School, work, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, no one chasing him
around trying to snap pictures of him or hoping to catch him doing something
embarrassing. Even as I tried to think of what this life would be like; I have
no real clue of how it would feel to live that way. I’ve never gone to school,
never had real friends, nor have I ever attended a concert. I’ve been to plenty
of movie premiers, red carpet events, galas, and after parties, but no
teen-filled loud concert halls or dance clubs where people wear flip-flops and
t-shirts. Inwardly, I made a mental note that maybe this needs to change.
Perhaps this is the shift that I feel deep inside—the realization that I could
make different choices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, it might simply be that you’re playing out your fear
of what the media represents,” Dr. Pemberton says as she takes a dainty sip of
her tea, effectively distracting me from my thoughts. “To you, the paparazzi
are the ever looming enemy,” she adds while swallowing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I nod and sit up straighter. She might have a point. The
media <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> always following me. They
have always been the bane of my existence. I can’t go anywhere without having
some photographer with a high-tech camera capturing every moment of my life.
That’s why, when I was young, I started to act the part of a traditional vain,
egotistic, spoiled starlet whenever I was in public. I would simply slap on a
smile and pretend to be the happy, frivolous, and completely untroubled girl
who does nothing but spend money and party all the time (which is partly true,
but not wholly—I attend parties under duress. And though I love to shop… who
doesn’t?). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This Indigo Starlet persona saves what little privacy I do
have. Besides, everyone expects it of me. If they knew the real Indigo, they
wouldn’t know what to do with themselves. There would be nothing to report—nothing
exciting anyway. I can just see a headline, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Indigo
Belfrois finishes Homer’s complete works—again. Boy does she love Homer, and
let’s not forget Dante Alighieri! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s
next on her list, you ask? Why, it’s Principia Mathematica by Isaac Newton!”</i>
…Yeah, not exactly scandalous tabloid material. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They don’t want to know that I’m a total nerd in real life.
Sure, I wear nice clothes, but that’s only because I have a great stylist who has
taught me well, and literally brings the latest fashions for me to choose from
when I have no time to shop for myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">To top it all, I’m now in super good shape. That’s because
four years ago, in one of those rare occasions when my mother was sober, she
noticed that I was gaining weight (an offensive crime in my house) and quickly
put me on a strict diet. Soon after that, she added running to my already
strenuous martial arts and gymnastics workout routines. So yeah, I look awesome,
but it’s a concerted effort. Admittedly, I do like to look good. Who doesn’t?
But hours and hours are spent on my appearance every week, just so I can look
like this. If I get a zit, a team of dermatologists is called in to discuss
treatment and removal. My looks alone employ close to thirty people. I have to
look this good because they won’t tolerate me looking bad—or rather, normal. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All excuses aside, I have to admit that I enjoy acting like
a bimbo in public. It amuses me. A few years ago, Beryl and I decided that we’d
do it together. We’re a riot in public—acting like snobs, pretending to be
socialites who don’t know what’s going on in the world. Serves the media right.
If they’re going to stalk me and twist my words, they might as well stalk,
twist, and pester the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pretend</i> me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Then again, I suppose, this dream might mean something else
entirely. It could mean my fear of being judged for real. It might also be my
fear of letting others in—trusting. I don’t know. I’m frustrated and tired. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How many zombies are
chasing you? Are they all paparazzi? Could some of them be other people you
know? You are surrounded by people in your home that, in essence, watch your
every move. You have Marcus, your bodyguard, your stylist Mei, Ruby, and all
the maids,” Dr. Pemberton muses, making me feel like a lab rat being studied. “I
wonder?” She taps her teeth with the tip of her nail, making a weird hollow
sound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I frown. I’m slightly surprised by how well she remembers
the names of my household staff. “I don’t know for sure,” I say cagily. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Next time you have this nightmare, I want you to write it
down the moment you wake up. I’d like to analyze this further.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I hate writing nightmares down for her! I feel like it gives
them credibility.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now, let’s talk about your family. How’s this summer going
with Beryl?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Fine,” I say tersely. She stares at me with a look of forbearance,
a look that says, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“go on…” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I sigh. “He has a girlfriend. Someone he met on the set of
our last movie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Circus Maximus MMCXI</i>.
I don’t want to talk about Beryl if you don’t mind.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“He’s hurt you, hasn’t he?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hurt? I wouldn’t say hurt.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What would you say?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Disappointed.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Okay, how has he disappointed you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Every summer, when he came to stay with us, we would talk
about how we didn’t want to end up like our parents. And now look at him! He’s
doing exactly that! Since he started dating Nina, he’s been out all night partying!”
I blurt out, reproachfully. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Has he confided in you, since you finished filming the
movie?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“No. He’s with Nina all the time.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you jealous?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“A little,” I admit sullenly. “I’m done talking about him,”
I say flatly. The issue was a gaping wound that threatened to hemorrhage. Beryl
is the only one. THE ONLY ONE, in my life I can confide in, relate with, and be
normal around. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How’s your relationship with Azure?” Dr. Pemberton asks,
moving on with the session.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The same,” I say a little irritated. “But I don’t want to
talk about my dad either.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Because! It’s always the same! Nothing changes. The world
revolves around him, end of story.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How does that make you feel?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I roll my eyes and set the cup down. “The same way I always
feel—inconsequential.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton gazes steadily at me, waiting for me to
elaborate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t hate my father. I don’t hate my mother either,
but—” I say, letting out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t want to end up like them!
I want my life to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mean</i> something. I
don’t want to be this empty vessel waiting to be filled by a script. I do enjoy
acting, don’t get me wrong, but… I don’t know,” I frown with frustration. I
don’t know what I want, I really don’t. I just know I don’t want my parents’
life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You should try to talk
with Beryl, and Azure too. Maybe even your mom, next time she comes around.
Tell them how you feel. You might be surprised at what they say—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I snort a laugh. “Yeah, right!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“There might just be someone in your family who
understands,” she says, distantly, almost as if talking to herself. Then she
clears her throat and looks at me straight in the eyes. “You have to build
bonds with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someone</i>, Indigo. Living as
you’re living, not having any real attachments, friendships, or relationships
is unhealthy. You need to learn to trust people. You need to put <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> trust in people. No doubt some will
disappoint you, but there will be others who won’t. That’s life.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After a long pause, I look down. A single tear escapes my
eye, and I wipe it away angrily. I don’t want to cry about this anymore, I
think vehemently. I’ve already mourned my family life. When I was little, I
would wake up screaming from a bad dream, and then wander the house like a
ghost, whimpering in fear, and eating whatever was left in the refrigerator
because there was no one around to soothe me. My parents were either passed out
drunk, high, or gone altogether. Ruby and the rest of the household staff were
in their homes with their families, and whatever nanny I had at the time provided
me no comfort. All but one nanny, Flavia, had been like transient strangers to
me. Flavia, I liked, but she passed away rather suddenly after three years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What is it about me that makes people not want to be my
friends?” I ask Pemberton curtly. I’m trying hard to hold at bay the swelling
emotions I feel inside, turning them into anger instead of dissolving into
tears. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">While growing up, I tried to make friends with the other
kids on set. We spent so much time together playing the part of best friends
that after a while, I guess, I would convince myself that the friendships were
real. But as soon as filming was done, so were those pretend friendships. Some
of them would even turn around, and out of jealousy, trash me in front of the
media. It felt like a knife in the back every time. Eventually, I learned.
They’re not my friends, and they never will be. This realization helped build
my snobby diva front. Unfortunately, this is Beryl’s first movie, and he hasn’t
learned this hard lesson yet. I fear he’s bound to learn it soon—and the hard
way too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There are two or three kids out there, who, like me, were
born to Hollywood families and, to some degree, understand what it’s like. I
can almost call them friends—almost. They are the kids that I hang out with at
social events. They are the ones that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pretend
</i>Indigo has a lot of things in common with. They are the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> socialites, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> self-centered, empty-headed fools.
But, how would I know for sure if that were the case? Maybe they are just like
me. Maybe they too pretend to be idiots, though I highly doubt it. Regardless,
it’s too late. I’ve formed a crust, a durable shell that can not be cracked.
Beryl is the only one who knows me, truly knows me, and that’s enough for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Indigo, I think you know the answer to that,” Dr. Pemberton
says earnestly. “And I think you know that it has nothing to do with you,” she
adds, matter-of-factly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t know anything of the sort!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton’s back straightens as she moves to the edge of
her seat. Her eyes are open wide like two round malt balls, and there’s a
strange twinkle in them. It’s a little freaky and unsettling like some major truth
is about to be revealed. “Who are you, Indigo?” she asks, after building up
sufficient suspense.<span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Her question catches me off guard. Lately, I’ve been
wondering that myself. I guess part of me wants to unify the two Indigos—the
outside, frivolous one and the serious, reclusive, studious one. It’s as if she
read my mind. Did I leave some tea leaves in the bottom of my cup? I wonder, as
I look to the empty cup for proof. Does she have a crystal ball hidden
somewhere? I pour myself the third cup of tea and start sipping silently again.
I’ll be wired later, but who cares. Tea helps me think.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Indigo! Who are you?” she repeats her question impatiently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I—I don’t know. I was just—” I start to say. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you the dimwitted, silly girl you become the moment you
step out of this office? Or are you the girl who cleans up her mother after
she’s been binging on drugs for days, and puts her in rehab? Perhaps, you are
the girl who helps her father save face after he does or says something stupid?
Maybe you’re the girl who devours books, because she has an insatiable thirst
for knowledge? Possibly, you are the girl who loves to act, because she hopes
she’ll find herself in one of her characters? Who are you, Indigo?” she
presses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I stare at her openmouthed and speechless. “I don’t know,” I
finally squeeze out in a strange murmur. It seems that I am all those things,
yet none of them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who do you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i>
to be? That’s the real question here.” Pemberton continues more subdued now. “You
can’t become anything all on your own. Part of this process, called life,
involves you appropriately interacting with others. You have to form
relationships of trust. You have to let someone in.” Dr. Pemberton continues
her speech, but I tune her out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">My cup is almost gone again, and I watch as some fine
sediment of tea settles toward the bottom of the cup. Oddly, it forms a shape
on the bottom, a perfect cursive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton is still talking, but nothing she says is
registering. All I know is that something has to change in my life. Me. I have
to change. I feel like the time is now, and a decision needs to be made. I
either merge all the parts of me into one and let others see me for who I am.
Or I don’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“…Maybe start with one person. Let them in your life. Give
them a chance, even if it’s scary at first. I am certain that there are people
in your life, unlikely people, who you can trust. Why don’t you try this for a
change,” Dr. Pemberton says eagerly, “when you leave the office, and as you go
home, look around you. Notice the people that you come in contact with. And as
you do, I’d like for you to ask yourself: Why not open up myself to him or… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i>?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Okay,” I say, feeling strangely on a ledge, as if I’m about
to jump into some unknown water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Pemberton smiles at my response. She can see that I’m
open to it. Frankly, I’ve never seen her this lively. Does she think I’m close
to a breakthrough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 81.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Reveal yourself to someone—other than me.” Dr. Pemberton
suggests energetically. “Maybe even… let that zombie catch you!” </span></div>
S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-85759082471110994532016-11-23T10:52:00.002-06:002016-11-23T11:04:39.121-06:00Kindle Scout Publishing Countdown -- 18 Days Left<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngw1hXc-vrQ/WDXIky0IAmI/AAAAAAAAAhw/r-AQm9pJOyoYdnkQzzYGgUtF_F_qN54QQCLcB/s400/Nominate%2BMy%2BBook.png" width="400" /></a></div>
S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-47430690513542414092016-11-22T15:16:00.003-06:002016-11-22T15:17:38.508-06:00Help Nominate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrT_jMGm23g/WDS1uCTjBuI/AAAAAAAAAhY/r4sBcCyo5FIW9eqCdaYeXGKnovqV3RszgCLcB/s400/Help%2BNominateIndigoon.png" width="400" /></a></div>
S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-86934704186147057002016-11-22T10:10:00.004-06:002016-11-22T10:15:57.975-06:00Kindle Scout Nomination Campaign--19 Days Left<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nineteen days until my nomination period is over, and I have to tell you, it's been really challenging to keep my book trending "HOT" all day like the first ten days of my nomination. Once the fervor on your social media sites wares off and your closest friends have already nominated you, the whole system seems to slow down. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbKK6eCOYN0/WDRqn-JfFcI/AAAAAAAAAgw/6JN9h1GJQO8p--kve8aXYolGNu-dgTynwCLcB/s1600/KindleScout%25231.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbKK6eCOYN0/WDRqn-JfFcI/AAAAAAAAAgw/6JN9h1GJQO8p--kve8aXYolGNu-dgTynwCLcB/s640/KindleScout%25231.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see, I had four days where my book stayed "Hot" for the 24 hours. The other six days, I had to literally post and tag people like crazy, calling them out by name to go nominate me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think that the trick to staying on the front page and trending "Hot" against the new books that pour in every day, is to use every single shred of online presence at your disposal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You should have a website, and advertise it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You should have an established blog, and blog daily. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You should have a strong social media presence and maximize it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see below, I'm a Facebook girl. I've been building my Facebook page and personal account for years. I should focus on other social media, but alas, it is what it is! </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMQnUAr7VtY/WDRtBEBZtVI/AAAAAAAAAg4/BY-JvRCmmUkV-pdbhCf3XPfzL0HbfogpACLcB/s1600/KindleScout%25232.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMQnUAr7VtY/WDRtBEBZtVI/AAAAAAAAAg4/BY-JvRCmmUkV-pdbhCf3XPfzL0HbfogpACLcB/s640/KindleScout%25232.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still, after all my facebooking, most of my traffic comes from Kindle Scout traffic. That is, fellow authors or maybe people who go nominate their friend, sees my book cover and they find it interesting, so out of the kindness of their hearts they nominate me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That leads me to tomorrows post. The cover!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As always, if you're reading this post, and you are a kindhearted, magnanimous person, please <a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank">NOMINATE INDIGO!!!</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZeH6c5Gpg/WCSIhqFTm2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/Fq9q_FR1MkoE6TZWn7cUuv5mAjGWDqvqQCPcB/s320/Indigo_V1.3Digital.png" width="204" /></a></div>
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S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-64967181641685016902016-11-21T18:14:00.000-06:002016-11-22T10:15:02.515-06:00Twenty Days Left on Kindle Scout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" target="_blank"><img alt="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/P0QNDEAASGYG" border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1n9tzSr87PU/WDOMmzv9I4I/AAAAAAAAAgU/YVqQv-iSJxI850KF3DAwP7GO4LWfrtW0ACLcB/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay dear friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm starting down the countdown! I'm ten days into the campaign and so far my book has steadily been HOT; at least for a number of hours per day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This experience has been very educational. I'm very glad I chose to upload to Kindle Scout, no matter what the final outcome. Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because it has forced me to do a huge book campaign, and I feel like people know more about this book than any of my other releases.</span><br />
<br />S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-68504373555913558712016-11-10T09:02:00.000-06:002016-11-10T09:21:26.972-06:00Indigo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZeH6c5Gpg/WCSIhqFTm2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/GxlxE3o7HgIWw5kbc4kpkbTFCmxH-bvRgCEw/s1600/Indigo_V1.3Digital.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TzZeH6c5Gpg/WCSIhqFTm2I/AAAAAAAAAfc/GxlxE3o7HgIWw5kbc4kpkbTFCmxH-bvRgCEw/s400/Indigo_V1.3Digital.png" width="255" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Indigo<span style="font-size: small;"> is my latest book. I've been working on this one for a while. It involved a lot of research, and I wanted to make sure I understood her. I know it's weird to say that about a fictional character, but she was tugging at me, and I had to let her out of my head. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">She is troubled due to her upbringing. She is also very smart because of her upbringing. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">In just two days, the book will go up on Kindle Scout for nomination. I would really appreciate your support. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sincerely, </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">S.B. </span></span></span></b><br />
S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-48904797932548736302014-12-11T14:35:00.000-06:002014-12-12T08:25:17.834-06:00Pippi Longstocking <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142402494/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142402494&linkCode=as2&tag=sbniccum-20&linkId=KESJPHFTINBT72IQ" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0142402494&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sbniccum-20" /></a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sbniccum-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142402494" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pippi is one of those books that kids will always love. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I didn't know about Pippi until I moved to the U.S.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">But I wanted to see what the story <span style="font-family: inherit;">was all a<span style="font-family: inherit;">bout, so I added it to m<span style="font-family: inherit;">y kids reading list. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And boy, t</span>hey love<span style="font-family: inherit;">d it! <span style="font-family: inherit;">They wer<span style="font-family: inherit;">e</span> begging to keep read<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">--somet<span style="font-family: inherit;">hing I found funny, since I <span style="font-family: inherit;">thought the story was a bit <span style="font-family: inherit;">annoying. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But as far as the kids <span style="font-family: inherit;">were concerned, the <span style="font-family: inherit;">st<span style="font-family: inherit;">ory was <span style="font-family: inherit;">fabulous</span>! They eve<span style="font-family: inherit;">n <span style="font-family: inherit;">pulled it out on a <span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday night<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to finish it, so they could watch the movie. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So..<span style="font-family: inherit;">. to each it's o<span style="font-family: inherit;">wn. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps the things I grew up with they might <span style="font-family: inherit;">fin<span style="font-family: inherit;">d annoying. All and all, <span style="font-family: inherit;">it was a good story and I'm glad we read it. </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next on the list: The Railway Children</span>
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<br />S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-78766565169174120992014-11-11T11:23:00.000-06:002014-11-11T11:23:50.506-06:00Hunger Games: The MusicalI just saw these hilarious skits last night.<br />
I thought they did a very good job summarizing the first two books of the trilogy. They accentuated the angst and anticipation of the question on everyone's mind (at least those who didn't read the books) as to who will Katniss choose? Why is Peeta such a great catch and why is Gale such a broodish hunk? Thor's brother none-the-less.<br />
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And I also think you should follow up and see what Gale thinks about all this.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/am1tzttZ8Pc" width="560"></iframe>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-77965279633731435552014-11-05T13:06:00.002-06:002014-11-06T11:20:11.086-06:00The Witch of Black Bird Pond<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Blackbird-Elizabeth-George-Speare-ebook/dp/B003K16PTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415212995&sr=1-1&keywords=the+witch+of+blackbird+pond">The Witch of Black Bird Pond</a> while looking for historic fiction books for our homeschool History Through Literature class. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The book came up at the bottom of the page as a "title you might also like". The most attractive thing about it was the price. It was free for those who have enrolled in Kidle Unlimited. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The other attraction was the fact that it was a Newbery award winner. Always a good sign when looking for approved books.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Well, this award was not lost in this book. It was fabulous! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was enlightening glimpse into a Puritan colony of the late 1600's in Connecticut. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The main character was so normal, so easy for anyone to relate with. Conversely, the Puritans were so stiff and so hard to relate to! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The author did really did a great job of putting you (the reader) in that time and space. It's not hard to imagine how you would react if you were in the main character's situation.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The main character, Kit, is 16 yrs. old, but I think that any young girl could easily relate to her. I would read this to my seven year old, and I know she would be all about it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In fact, I will venture to say that any woman, of any age would enjoy this book thoroughly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also, if you're looking for more freebies, and you are a Kindle Unlimited member, be sure to download my books! </span><br />
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</iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=sbniccum-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00NJ5CASI&asins=B00NJ5CASI&linkId=KZ6RC5CCCZCUHBSA&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=sbniccum-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00I5WX5UC&asins=B00I5WX5UC&linkId=UKD3ANX25KHGRUTS&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-8317913640322224982014-03-17T07:41:00.001-05:002014-03-17T07:42:08.079-05:00Life: Our Grace Period
<span style="font-size: large;">I was privileged to participate in the youth lesson at church yesterday. The topic was Grace. Something, I have to admit, I seldom think about.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The teacher asked the class what Grace was. One of the girls said that when she thought of Grace, she thought of the term "grace period". She continued to explain that a grace period was extra time to study for a test, or more time allowed to finish something unfinished.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought this comparison was brilliant!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't this life a grace period, where we are allowed to come to earth and be tested?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God was gracious enough to give us this opportunity to experience mortality and test the waters of our conscience. Thanks to His grace we are redeemed when we fall out of grace. Through His graceful sacrifice we can hope to live again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Spanish word gracias and gratis comes from the Latin root word <i>gratus</i>. These words mean <i>thank you</i> and <i>free</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">His grace most certainly <i>frees</i> us and I for one, am most <i>grateful</i>.
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Cool Pin!S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-55980607465599709012014-03-13T18:21:00.000-05:002014-03-13T18:22:08.715-05:00Endless TrailerCheck out the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Veiled-S-B-Niccum-ebook/dp/B00I5WX5UC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394752832&sr=1-1&keywords=endless+by+s.b.+niccum">ENDLESS</a> trailer.
I've been kind of slow getting it out there, but at last, here it is!
I wanted this trailer to symbolize the last moments of death. As you see the light at the end of the tunnel and then...<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2p7_sbmynjQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-68414176544800882532014-03-11T17:14:00.000-05:002014-03-11T17:14:13.790-05:00Moving OnENDLESS is out and doing well. It's so nice to hear that it's being well received! I really should send some copies out to reviewers, but I'm finding myself lazy. Oh well... I'll get to it, I'm sure like I'll get to my Homeschool room closet, or my own closet for that matter. I guess I'd rather Pin ideas about getting organized than actually doing the organizing.<br />
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I did do one productive thing last night! And that was giving my Blog a new look! There was nothing wrong with my old one, but I guess that part of the reason why I find it hard to write is because my life is three dimensional. Writing is just one aspect of my life, one that actually just takes bout two hours of my day! The rest of my time is filled with cooking, cleaning, homeschooling, working out, homesteading and (as of late) crocheting! So I thought that this new look would be more fitting to the many different aspects of my life.<br />
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So, I hope you enjoy my blog's new look, as I enjoy my current view from my computer: The turkeys, the new lambs and the sunlight that filters through the rafters of my back porch! What a beautiful sight!<br />
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<br />S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-74524963173160919322014-02-17T08:43:00.001-06:002014-02-17T08:44:00.445-06:00Endless Release! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today I'm celebrating the release of my latest book ENDLESS on my Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/silvina.niccum">SBNiccum</a> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Veiled-S-B-Niccum-ebook/dp/B00I5WX5UC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392648163&sr=8-1&keywords=endless+by+s.b.+Niccum"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhZB_twqHcA/UlCkibWZTbI/AAAAAAAAAXc/w56GGUzubho/s1600/WEB-Niccum-Endless-FINAL.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Make a point to stop by and participate in all the giveaways! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">$25 Amazon giftcards will be given to those who change their profile picture to their favorite literary character and...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Are the Most LIKED c</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ostume<br /><br />Funniest character costume (Most LOL's) on their page<br /><br />Most Obscure costume (Can people guess who you are?)<br /><br />If you invite your friends to the release party (and they tell me you sent them) YOU could win!<br /><br />Share my book links and/or trailers on your wall (collect comments and/or likes to win)</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So get dressed and go get those gift cards!</span></span></div>
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S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-23687664484462729012014-01-21T08:04:00.002-06:002014-01-21T08:08:12.717-06:00Endless Release CountdownAre you ready to read Endless?<br />
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You know you are if you've read VEILED and LIVING SOUL.<br />
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If you haven't, it's not too late to read them now. If you have already, re-read them, so that you can refresh your mind.<br />
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Let me introduce you to the first two books:<br />
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VEILED<br />
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LIVING SOUL<br />
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ENDLESS<br />
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“Dying is easy—effortless—rather. Shedding your body is like coming into a room and hanging up your coat. You’re still you, nothing has changed, other than your coat is off and… well… it’s no longer on you.
I know this because I’m dead. Yet I’ve found that death is not what we should fear. Who we are when we die, is perhaps what should concern us most about crossing over. For in death, all we have is what we really are.” –Tess
Obsessed about finding Alex, her soul mate, and her father, Leo, Tess does the unthinkable and unwittingly traps herself in the dark side of the afterlife. And what she finds there is not what she came looking for. The longer she stays in the darkness the harder it will be to get out.
Hoping that her love for Alex will keep her from slipping further into the darkness, she searches, and searches through this infernal place. But her nature is beginning to change—she’s becoming cynical, hardened, and apathetic—and she just got here. How has this darkness changed Alex?
Can love exist in Hell?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhZB_twqHcA/UlCkibWZTbI/AAAAAAAAAXc/w56GGUzubho/s1600/WEB-Niccum-Endless-FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhZB_twqHcA/UlCkibWZTbI/AAAAAAAAAXc/w56GGUzubho/s320/WEB-Niccum-Endless-FINAL.jpg" /></a></div>
S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8896294634401996167.post-39742173019612443032013-10-05T18:57:00.003-05:002013-10-05T18:57:54.770-05:00MusePeople ask me all the time, where I get inspiration for my books. The short answer is, "everywhere!"<br />
The long answer is : <br />
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/85/0d/cf/850dcfd2799e235c0c48929d31163c71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/85/0d/cf/850dcfd2799e235c0c48929d31163c71.jpg" border="0" class="decoded overflowing" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/85/0d/cf/850dcfd2799e235c0c48929d31163c71.jpg" width="262" /></a>I read a lot, and I do have to say that there have been a lot of books that have inspired me over the years. Starting with Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy". I grew up with that trilogy gracing the shelves of my home's library. And Gustave Dore's beautiful and intricate illustrations made me want to read it all the more. But I didn't dare read it until I was grown up. I think I was intimidated. I'm glad I waited. I maturity helped me appreciate that incredible work all the more.<br />
The idea of a lost soul wading his way through an infernal Hell, and an angel--the love of his life--saving his soul all they way from Paradise. I loved the idea and I loved the books!<br />
C.S. Lewis has also been a huge inspiration. As as child "The Chronicles of Narnia" transported me to...well... Narnia! As an adult, "The Screwtape Letters", with humor and sarcasm, made me think about what the enemy of our souls hopes to achieve.<br />
There have also been other authors who in different ways have inspired me. Victor Hugo, Tomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, and many, many more.<br />
But I do have to say, that the scirptures have inspired me the me the most. Nothing sends my mind into a speculative spin like a good verse from Revelations! When I die, I would love to sit with him and chat. Isaiah too! <br />
As you read my books you'll notice that I've spent quite a lot of time speculating about Cherubim, Seraphim, Legion, and the infamous "whore that sitteth upon many waters" Rev. 17:1<br />
Ha, Ha! I laugh, but I don't mean any disrespect. I just read this and I think,"what did John The Revelator see? Who was she? What was she?" <br />
For this reason I request an audience when I cross over. Hope the line isn't long. <br />
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And if you are wondering what I did with this verse, and how I incorporated it into my last book <span style="font-size: large;">"Endless"</span>, you'll just have to wait until this coming<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>December 2013!</b></span> </div>
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S.B.Niccumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15937300870516627878noreply@blogger.com1