All posts by Author Emma Palova

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Christmas, Czech events, Czech food, Czech traditions

Past NaNo Day 7, nice December day

December 7, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

I logged in a total of 4,448 words since Dec.1 taking the new novel to the finish line. With the NaNoWriMo pressure off, I thought the writing would get easier.

On the contrary I got more distracted by different projects that have nothing to do with my book. “Alright, you better watch out or you’re not going to get it done,” I said to myself.

Now, again I am facing the ominous daily word count number of 1,550 to get the novel done by Dec. 20, just in time for Christmas.

Can I do it? I’ve done it before. I am zoning back into the story using the same tools of discipline and visual storytelling tools.

I have to map out the last part of the book using the scene format, and making it fun with lots of visuals, and stickers.

I love stickers and having some kind of a reward system like a box of chocolates, and or a walk outside. Perhaps a phone call to a friend that I’ve been neglecting.

Czech holiday traditions coming soon

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I made the magical Czech eggnog with our @Moravian Sons Distillery apple brandy. For more info go to:

Home

I don’t think I‘ve ever tasted anything as good as this holiday concoction.

On the trail on a sunny December afternoon.

To be continued…,

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Brandy tasting & author talk

December 5, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Mark your calendars for Dec, 16 for the tasting of our @Moravian Sons Distillery spirits from 3 pm to 7 pm at The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague.

Come and enjoy the holiday atmosphere with authors Ingar Rudholm, Emma Palova, H. William Ruback and Maries Lapres.

These authors will talk about various aspects of writing, such as the pros and cons of self publishing, writing historical fiction, memoir and graphic novels.

The distillers will explain the distilling process from fruit ferments into fruit spirits 100 % made in Michigan.

Artists Market, arts, author events, books

Past NaNo Day 3, Advent begins

December 3, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

I have yet to write today after wrapping up a shift at @LowellArts Artists Market located on 223 W. Main St. until 5 pm.

I will be at Artists Market next weekend, Dec. 9 from 10 am to 2 pm, and Dec. 10 from noon to 5 pm. Stop by to check out my books from the Shifting Sands Short Stories collection and Greenwich Meridian Memoir.

It’s a beautiful market with a variety of unique gifts ranging from jewelry, ceramics, paintings, fused glass to knitwear among others.

Of course my favorite are Petoskey stones and jewelry made with them. I love rocks, stones and geology.

Today is also the first Sunday of advent and a very short one since Christmas Eve is on Sunday.

I have learned about the three elements of Advent: penance, longing and hope.

holidays, inspiration, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized, writing

Past NaNoWriMo Day 2, holiday events

December 2, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

https://nanowrimo.org/winners-circle

Not a big writing day today, mainly because I had to catch up on social media posts with all the upcoming holiday events. I made the NaNoWriMo winners’ circle for the second year since it started in 2022. Check out the winners above.

Holiday podcasts

Don’t miss out on these holiday podcasts on your favorite podcasting app or on https://emmapalova123.podbean.com

Dec. 8 Author Cassie Veselovsky

Dec. 13 or 14 Books & Spirits special at The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague

Dec. 22 Author Kenneth Harmon

Tasting events of Moravian Sons Distillery spirits

I will make this Czech eggnog for the upcoming holiday tastings of Moravian Sons Distillery with our apple spirit. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Czech culture at its best. Our next tastings are on Dec. 7 at @Bricks at Campau Corner from 4 to 6 p.m., Dec. 8 at @HomeRun Liquor Beer & Wine, and Dec. 16 at The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague from 3 to 7 p.m. Books & Spirits. Happy Holidays.

#moraviansonsdistillery #authoremmapalova

We will have real Czech eggnog made with our @Moravian Sons Distillery apple spirit. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Czech culture at its best.

Home

Feature photo courtesy of @Tres Bohemmes.

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Past NaNoWriMo Day 1 to finish the first draft of novel

December 1, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Ok, I am back at it pounding the keys on a wintery afternoon embarking on an adventure to finish the first draft of the new novel. I logged in 1,246 words. We got a mixture of rain and snow for a soggy day and a muddy gravel road with potholes. I ended up jumping on the treadmill instead of going on the trail.

I reaped the winner goodies this morning and entered the Winner’s Circle with other writers and authors. Sometimes, I feel like a kid back in school or a college student. I have to get all these rewards to continue on.

Rewards, badges

My badges and more, once I locate it all. The first one on the left is the winning badge for writing 50,000 words on or before Nov. 30, the second one is for writing daily, and the third one is for participating in this year’s challenge.

For the Love of Books Podcast, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 30 comes full circle

November 30, 2023 Author Emma Palova 1 Comment

On the last day of the 50k-word challenge, I logged 1,302 words for a grand total of 53,796 words, two days after I reached the finish line.

The last day of the challenge came full circle as I went out on the trail on a sunny November day. It was 46 F and mild, and a runner was ahead of me. We passed the frozen lake without ducks on the left and crossed the small bridge. I felt good.

My author friends and I went into the challenge after I posted a special episode of For the Love of Books Podcast on Oct. 31. It carried me through and through. I kept repeating the words, “Keep pushing through.” If you hit the wall, skip to the next chapter. It was priceless advice. Thank you, my friends. Out of seven authors tackling the challenge, two of us finished, which is pretty good, because the average rate of finishing the challenge is 10 to 15 percent. YAY!

To listen to it go to https://emmapalova123.podbean.com

I am looking forward to the festive holiday episodes with authors Cassie Veselovsky, Barbara Kompik, and Kenneth Harmon. Currently, I am scheduling January. All recordings are on Zoom on Thursdays at 5 p.m. To sign up go to:

For the Love of Books Podcast

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NaNoWriMo Day 29

November 29, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Still writing past the 50k-word finish line to complete the first draft of my new novel. I logged in 2,022 words today for a total of 52,499 words. Tomorrow Nov. 30 is the last day of the challenge. So keep on writing until midnight.

I drove to the Cannonsburg post office and then to the ski area. The Cedar Lounge is now open for a beautiful view. We have to check that out.

Also made reservations for the Masquerade Ball on New Year’s Eve at Candlestone. Will keep you posted on this one.

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NaNoWriMo Day 29

November 29, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Starting out writing with Miserere Mei, Deus as the supporting character realizes his dire situation. More to come.

youtube.com/watch

books, National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo Day 28 Victory

November 28, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

I logged in 2,000 words on a sunny but freezing November morning for a total of 50, 495 words which put me into the victory lane of the NaNoWriMo 50k-word challenge.

As always I have trouble summarizing how I did it.

1-writing every day

2- breaking daily writing quota of 1,667 words into 2 sessions

3- physical activity between the two

4- pushing through the dead ends

5- I donated $25 as helper extraordinaire to NaNoWriMo during the first weekend.

6- I stayed committed to writing even on challenging days like book selling events, and on Thanksgiving.

7- I blogged about my daily writing progress.

8 – I ate a lot of trail mixes to sustain my energy.

9- During low points I blamed it on the weather and changed directions or settings.

10- The first draft is important because it exists.

11- You can edit the first draft, but you can’t edit a blank page.

12- I stayed in contact with writing buddy Verra West as we cheered each other on.

13- I read one of the pep talks.

14- I found out about a local NaNoWriMo write-in at Bettie’s Pages.

15- It’s never too late to join the challenge.

16- I used the advice from the special episode of For the Love of Books podcast.

17- Keep it up or keep pushing through.

18- I had to pass a birthday party.

I will write more about how to get it done as the whole process sinks in.

inspiration, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 27

November 27, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Heywood Banks comes to Lowell, MI

On a freezing November day, I logged in 2,027 words in the 50k-word challenge for a total of 48, 472 words, after filing a story about comedian Heywood Banks aka Toastmaster General for The Lowell Ledger.

I love Banks’s “About” page on his website. Not only was Banks born on April Fool’s Day in 1950, but he didn’t apply himself (whatever that means), he sang on the street, and never had a “B” plan.

Then he came out with his famous “Toast”. The story of the song goes back to 1986 when he was browsing at a Salvation Army store for props for his act. He bought an old toaster, thinking he would make toast during his act. Later his wife said she was looking forward to having toast the next morning, and Banks started improvising about toast while playing a bongo.

History has a tendency to repeat itself

General Strike, Nov. 27, 1989

On this day, 34 years ago, I marched along with one million people on Wenceslas Square in protest of the socialist regime in former Czechoslovakia. The Velvet Revolution led by students and artists culminated with the General Strike that toppled socialism in the old country, and gave way to the formation Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

I feel privileged that I had written about it in “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” where East meets West. The book is available on my website at

https://wordpress.com/pages/emmapalova.com

Books make great Christmas gifts. Please check out my book page with the PayPal button.