Link Thursday: How To Walk In Heels

Hey guys!

Taking a turn away from the characterization article links today to give something else. It's the end of the year and it's party season, so that for us women equals... High heels!

Thought you'd want to read these tips about how to walk in heels. They're really good! The article is from MSN Lifestyle and can be found online here.

Enjoy!

*****

How to Walk in Heels
Never wobble again! How to look and feel fabulous in your spikes.

Know Your Shoe
Photo: Courtesy Zappos

THE BODY: If a stiff shoe causes blisters, spritz this area with water and use your fingers to mold the softened leather to the shape of your foot or try special inserts to reduce friction.
THE BREAST: The inner arch of the heel, which affects stability. The farther forward the arch, the less you will feel off-balance.
THE SOLE: Slipping on slick floors? Pick up a pair of sole protectors or score the soles of your heels with a key to create extra traction.
THE TOE BOX: If your toes feel pinched, have this area stretched out at your local shoe repair shop.
THE INTERIOR: If you suffer from low arches, slip in supports to relieve pressure on the balls of your feet.

Take It Step-by-Step
Photo: Time Inc Digital Studio

1. POSTURE: Heels pitch weight forward, so for balance, keep your head up and shoulders back. Tightening your core will offset some of the pressure on your feet.
2. STEPS: Striding in a normal heel-to-toe motion can snap a stiletto or twist an ankle. Instead take short steps, going down evenly on the ball of the foot and heel.
3. WEIGHT: As your weight shifts fully onto a foot, spread your toes in the shoe slightly; this will help to distribute the weight onto the ball of the foot.
4. HIPS: When you're feeling off-balance, you tend to stiffen up. For an easy, attractive momentum, let your hips swing in small, sideways, figure-eight motions.

Get the Right Support
Photo: Time Inc Digital Studio

1. WHOLE-SOLE CUSHIONS: A comfort insole that's tapered at the front so your toes won't feel crowded.
2. WEIGHT SHIFTERS: This sized insert sits in the breast of the shoe, shifting weight off the ball of the foot and back onto the heel.
3. TOE GELS: Provides cushioning under the ball of the foot to protect the area where most of your weight is centered.
4. OPEN-TOE STOPPERS: A shorter insole that provides the same shock absorption without being seen through your peep-toes.
5. ARCH SUPPORTS: If your arches are low or need a boost, these supports will help relieve pressure on the balls of your feet.
6. HEEL PADS: Liners that help keep feet from slipping around inside shoes.

Tone and Train Your Legs
Photo: Courtesy Amazon, Courtesy Target, Courtesy

Foot experts warn that the unnatural slope of stilettos puts unnecessary strain on feet and lower leg muscles. Footwear brands like Fit Flop, Reebok and Skechers claim that the specialized midsoles in their toning shoes strengthen leg muscles and improve posture, which could help prevent heel-related injuries.

Women's Snugger boot, Fit Flop, $124.95; at Amazon.com.

Jump Start walking shoe, Skechers, $104.95; at Amazon.com.

Walkstar III, Fit Flop, $59.90; at Zappos.com.

Take Time to Soothe and Repair
Photo: Courtesy Amazon, Courtesy Bliss, Courtesy The Body Shop

Refresh tired feet with a tingly foot treatment. Peppermint purifying foot mask, The Body Shop, $17; at thebodyshop-usa.com.

Knead away sore spots and stimulate blood flow to help your feet recover from a day in uncomfortable shoes. Porcupine massage ball, Body Back Company, $6.95; at Amazon.com

Slip on a pair of moisture-gel padded socks for an instant at-home spa treatment. Softening socks, Bliss, $48; at blissworld.com

Keep calluses and rough spots at bay with a callus stone. Callus stone, Tweezerman, $12; at drugstore.com

*****

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Tidbit Tuesday: A Touch of Indian Fun!

Ao, jhoome, gaae, nach kare!

Lol, not making much sense? I'm asking you to come enjoy yourself, sing a little, and make merry, but all in Hindi!

As most of you know by now, I write culture-based fiction with Mauritian culture as the base. But the thing is, the Mauritian culture I am most conversant with is the Indian culture, since my ancestors came from there. Indian-origin Mauritians are just another facet of the diaspora across the world.

It's no wonder that I'm a rabid fan of Indian movies, Bollywood as it's known. The particularity of these movies? They're almost always (99.9%) musicals. The soundtrack of a movie can make or break it, and sometimes the music is a hit while the movie is a flop.

I heard this song over the weekend and I immediately thought of the heroine in my current WIP. She too is a Desi Girl. That's the way of calling an Indian girl - desi being the adjective derived from the word des or desh, which means the homeland/motherland of India.

Listening to the lyrics and watching this clip was a load of fun! Here it is for you, and lo and behold, I even found translation for the lyrics (Courtesy of http://www.bollyfm.net/).
The clip is from the movie Dostana. The story basically is about the two blokes (Abhishek Bachan, who wears the black waistcoat, and John Abraham, the other hunk who happens to be a former Indian supermodel converted to acting) and this girl (Priyanka Chopra, former Miss India and Miss World). Set in Miami, the two guys are looking for the perfect flat, which they do find. The catch - the landlady has her niece coming over to stay in the flat across the landing (Priyanka) and doesn't want to let the flat to 2 blokes. In order to get the flat, the guys pretend they're a gay couple. Everyone thinks they're an item, including Priyanka, but each is trying everything to make her fall for him! Needless to say, there's laughter galore in this one!

Now check the clip, and jhoome aur nach kare!

Side note - Priyanka is wearing a sari in there, which traditionally is wrapped around the legs and tied around the hips, below the navel. See why Indian girls need hips, a little belly flab, and love handles? Or else their saris won't hold on flat, non-existent hips!
Second side note - John Abraham (the one in the dark grey, opened shirt), is the man I see when I close my eyes and picture the second man in the love triangle I have set up in the WIP! :)




These are the lyrics, with the translation:

Translated Lyrics
Male:

My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl
Girl Girl Girl Girl……
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl
Girl Girl Girl Girl……

Jhoomka Girade
(IF) SHE DROPS HER DANGLING EARRINGS
Jo Mila Le Agar Woh Nazar Se Nazar Mitade
(IF) SHE MEETS YOUR GLANCE, SHE'LL DESTROY YOU

Nachke Dikhade
(IF) SHE DANCES
Sabki Dhadhkan Bhi Kadam Se Kadam Milade
EVERYONES HEARTBEATS WILL MATCH HER FOOTSTEPS

Verse 1:
Lehron Se Chal Ke Jaal Bicha De
SHE'LL WALK ON WAVES AND SET A TRAP
Dil Ko Ye Behaal Banade:
SHE'LL UNREST YOUR HEART
Saare Deewane Maane
ALL THE CRAZED ONES BELIEVE
Na Dekhi Koi Aisi Girl
THEY'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A GIRL
Na Dekhi Koi Aisi Girl
THEY'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A GIRL

Chorus:

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
I'VE SEEN A MILLION FOREIGN GIRLS
Ain’t Nobody Like My Desi Girl
AIN'T NOBODY LIKE MY INDIAN GIRL

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
I'VE SEEN A MILLION FOREIGN GIRLS
Sab Toh Soni Na Saadi Desi Girl
EVERYONE IS PRETTY BUT THE SIMPLEST IS INDIAN GIRL

Who’s The Hottest Girl In The World
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

Thumka Lagaike She’ll Rock Your World
WITH A HIP THRUST (AS IN A DANCE), SHE'LL ROCK YOUR WORLD
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

Verse 2:
Ade Kamar Pe Jo Nazar
IF YOU GLANCE AT HER WAIST
Saare Saapnon Mein Rang Bhar Jaaye
ALL YOUR DREAMS WILL BE FILLED WITH COLOR
Jo Tham Le Woh Haath Toh
IF SHE HOLDS YOUR HAND
Huske Hi Aashiq Mar Jaayein
THE LOVER WILL DIE SMILING

Female:
Dhoondon Jahan Mein Chahe Kahin
NO MATTER WHERE YOU SEARCH IN THE WORLD
Na Tumko Milegi Koi Aisi Girl
YOU FILL NOT FIND SUCH A GIRL

Male:
Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
Ain’t Nobody Like My Desi Girl

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
Sab Toh Soni N Saadi Desi Girl

Who’s The Hottest Girl In The World
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

Thumka Lagaike She’ll Rock Your World
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl
Girl Girl Girl Girl……

Female:
Jahan Jahan Bhi Jau Main
WHEREVER I GO
Saari Nazrein Toh Peche Peche Aiye
ALL EYES FOLLOW ME
Ruku Zara Mein Jo Yahan
IF I STOP FOR A WHILE HERE
Thandi Thandi Saari Saase Tham Jaye
EVERYONE HEAVES A COLD SIGH
Sabki Nigahon Ne Hai Kaha
EVERYONE'S EYES HAVE SAID
Ke Khwaabon Mein Hai Dekhi Meri Jaisi Girl
THAT IN THEIR DREAMS THEY'VE SEEN A GIRL LIKE ME
Meri Jaisi Girl
A GIRL LIKE ME

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
Ain’t Nobody Like A Desi Girl

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
Sab Toh Soni Lagdi Desi Girl

Who’s The Hottest Girl In The World

Male:
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

Female:
Thumka Lagaike She’ll Rock Your World

Male:
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

Jhoomka Girade
Jo Mila Le Agar Woh Nazar Se Nazar Mitade

Nachke Dikhade
Sabki Dhadhkan Bhi Kadam Se Kadam Milade
Lehron Se Chaal Ke Jaal Bicha De
Dil Ko Yu Behaal Banade
Saare Deewane Maane
Na Dekhi Koi Aisi Girl

Na Dekhi Koi Aisi Girl

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
Ain’t Nobody Like My Desi Girl

Dekhi Lakh Lakh Pardesi Girl
Sab Toh Soni N Saadi Desi Girl

Who’s The Hottest Girl In The World
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

Thumka Lagaike She’ll Rock Your World
My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl

My Desi Girl
My Desi Girl
Girl Girl Girl Girl……

******

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Link Thursday: His 9 Reasons for Being Single

Ever wondered why this seemingly perfect guy is unclaimed yet? It could be because he's putting lots of reasons/excuses out there to continue with his commitment-phobe existence.

Here, a bloke, Rich Santos, tells all, and mind you, this is fabulous insight indeed into the mind of that elusive creature called the 'man'! Humorous too - I burst out laughing even when re-reading this piece!

As usual, the article is from my links bible, MSN lifestyle webpage, Love & Relationships section. I grabbed that link around April 21, 2010, if ever you're inclined to go there and find the original article.

Pay heed, authors - this is great material to start/beef up your modern hero's GMC (Mr. Santos' explanations should be taken with a grain of salt though, *grin*).

******

His 9 Reasons for Being Single

Why are you still single? Marie Claire's male dating blogger lists nine possible reasons for his own single status.

By Rich Santos

No matter who you are, dating and meeting interesting people is a challenge. Maybe this is why dating is so intriguing. There are legitimate reasons for not dating (for example, you've been hurt physically or mentally and you need to learn to trust again) or excuses such as "I'm working on my career," even though you're not really working on your career.

I recently pondered why I'm still single and wondered: "Am I clinging to these reasons as excuses to keep me from taking on the challenge of dating, or to avoid my fear of rejection?" Here are some of the reasons I give myself when thinking about why I am still single:

1. I'm "Unique" and Tough to Get Along With
Maybe I have strange interests and I'm not a "mainstream" kind of guy, so the number of women that connect with me is limited. I'm not always eager to compromise. I fear I'm turning into the reclusive artist type, enjoying solitude and reveling in bitterness.

2. I Value My Independence
I enjoy being able to do what I want, whenever I want. I'm bad enough budgeting my own time, so being aware of someone else's time in addition to mine seems daunting.

3. My Last Relationship Scared Me
I'm assuming that every other girl I meet will be like my ex-girlfriend, who got too serious too quickly.

4. My Parents' Split Scared Me
When my parents split up when I was 8, it took a big piece out of me. Every year I wonder if I'm over it, or if I'm still damaged from the trauma.

5. I've Got Issues with Sex
In fact, I was told by a professional to see a sex therapist. I have never enjoyed sex; I'm worried that I'm not satisfying my partner, or that I'll do something wrong.

6. I Haven't Met the Right Girl
I'm like Simon on American Idol: always finding something in someone to annoy me. I am rarely intrigued by a girl these days. But perhaps I'm too picky, and I'm judging too quickly. My one female friend tells me that she thinks I'm staying out of the game because I don't want drama in my life. Trust me, I'm capable of creating enough drama on my own so perhaps she's right that I can't handle more. She says the "drama-free" girl is out there, and that's when I'm going to give things a shot.

7. Kids Scare Me
I've learned about child-rearing after my nieces were born. Right now, I have it great: I'm the cool uncle and I don't have to do any serious parenting stuff. And sometimes I look around the world, and I wonder why I should bring a child into it in light of all of the bad things that happen.

8. I Don't Want to Grow Up
I've always been on the slow track with growing up. I feel like there's so much to learn out there, and I don't want the responsibility of a serious relationship.

9. It Rarely Works Out Anyway
I'm embellishing a bit, but I've gotten addicted to that Discovery ID Channel and its true crime documentaries. The last few weeks, I've seen murder, adultery, and deceit all over these shows. And if I switch to my other favorite channel, ESPN, I see similar stories like Tiger Woods. So what's the point?

Some of these reasons may be legitimate, but even I can admit that they should not prevent me from dating. Dating is about overcoming fears. We are putting ourselves out there: like going on a job interview, or auditioning for a gig. I'm also assuming the worst — not every girl will get too serious, maybe I'll learn to enjoy sex, my close-minded approach might be letting great girls get away, and just because I go on a few dates doesn't mean I'm going to end up with a kid.

My life is littered with challenges I avoided: academics, college soccer, etc. I may have had the talent to take on the those challenges, but there was always some excuse or excuses that I identified for not giving it a shot, along with a fear of rejection. If we can differentiate excuses from legitimate reasons, we might take on more challenges, and we might even be able to get out there and do some healthy dating.

******

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Writing Wednesday: Heroines Across The Ages in Writing

Stories.

They have existed for always it seems. From the myths and lore transmitted through word of mouth across generations, to the tales penned by authors with a quill and ink, and later through the medium of film as the visual strutted side by side with the written word.

Heroes have existed, as have heroines. Women and girls have gone through all these walks of life, recounting to us their struggles, their tales of romance and chivalrous men who wooed them and made them queens. Women have struggled through the confines society imposed on them, to emerge the victor, despite the fact that the struggle is far from won even today.

Yet, has this woman been the same throughout time? Has she changed, evolved, matured, or even, regressed?

What better way to capture this evolution than through stories and their heroines? Every age's tales reflects upon its womenfolk and brings her to light as the persona she encompassed in that era. Even today, when we pen a tale from a time we have not personally witnessed, we depict this heroine as she would have been in that set-up.

Let's take a more in depth look.

Stories rarely go beyond the year 1000. At the time of Crusades, in a world of knights and ladies and commoners, women are portrayed here as needing a man by their side, as nurturers, as wilting flowers. Mind you, there is strength in this woman, but she doesn't flaunt it. Virginity, especially among the higher realms of society, is a virtue, though liaisons and dalliances happened oftentimes after the lady was married and bedded by her husband on her wedding night.
Examples of such heroines (even from times before the first millenium): Queen Gorgo, wife of King Leonidas in 300; Princess Sybilla in Kingdom of Heaven; Evolet in 10,000 B.C.

You then move to the middle ages. The likes of Shakespeare abound here, with the young ingenue as the heroine. It has to be recalled that women were married and mothers here at the age of 12. Political alliances, marriages to merge big families, human lust and desire characterise the personalisation of romace in this age.
Examples of such heroines: Juliet from Romeo and Juliet; Queen Elizabeth 1 from Elizabeth; Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love.

Then comes the 1800s, the age of romanticism and society stories. The Civil War, the Napoleonic reign, the Regency - all fall into this period, though the Regency is more stringent on matters on proper society manners and conventions. The heroine in this time aspires towards a 'good' marriage, otherwise it's a life of drudgery as old maid, governess, or lady in waiting. There seems to be very little to motivate this heroine, but it's a wrong assumption. Rebellion is often characterised here. The heroine aspires for more, though she very rarely manages to break through the confines of the age. Again, virginity is highly valued. Women who have sex outside of marriage are viewed as 'fallen creatures', and the only action between the sheets happens after marriage. Even liaisons are shunned even more in this era.
A little observation to be made here - the period of 'libertinage' on the Old Continent around the turn of the century. Think Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos.
Examples of heroines: Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice; most Jane Austen heroines.

The rest of the century brings us the 'regular' historical heroine. Mostly set in England or America and the war between North and South, we have polarized heroines in this age. These women abide by the society rules, nurturers to a fault, or they throw it all by the window. Think Scarlett O'Hara v/s Melanie Wilkes.

Another contender in this bracket of time is the settlement of the American West stories, or Westerns as we know it. The rugged lands of the New World provide a harsh and often brutal backdrop against which heroines must live in the shadow of the men, the law-abiders or the outlaws. Women in this set-up are depicted as courageous, gritty, and not afraid. Still the nurturer, some break the mold. Think Calamity Jane, Ellen "The Lady" in The Quick and The Dead.

At the turn of the twentieth century, you have a heroine who is breaking the cocoon and trying to emerge as the free butterfly. Social conventions are being pushed aside and she is thinking about herself and her own happiness. A preclude to the women's liberation movement, in a way. Still bound by the corset though, but times are about to change as the Big War is lurking and women get their first shot at handling everything while the men are away fighting.
Examples: 1812 brought us Rose DeWitt Buckater in Titanic.

Despite all the evolution women meet in between 1913 to 1935, there aren't many stories to showcase this. Of course, fashion hasd changed. The corset has been ditched, hem lines are much shorter, undergarments are pretty much a thing of the past. The mindset has also evolved, more liberated. Rarely do we come across a heroine from that age though. It seems as if time just jumped to WWII and that's when you see more of this 'new' woman.
She has a job. She doesn't need to rely on marriage as her only avenue. She can choose her mate relatively without hindrance. She can decide to be an old maid and that's not an issue.
Examples of such heroines: Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson in Pearl Harbor; Kay Lake and Madeleine Linscott from The Black Dahlia.

From this point onwards, the heroine takes new avatars at every decade.

The 1950s brought a time of repression, in a way. Men are back from the war and women are expected to go back to domestic life. It often happens that women cede their places readily, but such is not the case always. There is a battle here between home life and the life of the working woman who takes her own decisions.
Examples: Cathy Whitaker in Far from Heaven; the posse of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood. (I don't get Mad Men here or I'd have used that example!)

For all the 1960s brought the hippie movement forward, there aren't many hippie heroines. It is mostly the secondary characters who get saddled with this trend. The era probably brings to mind the sultry image of Marilyn Monroe. Family is still a driving force in this age, though there is much a shift in focus as to what the woman wants from her man.
Examples: Margaret "Maggie the Cat" Pollit in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.

The 70s returned us to the classic wilting flower and the damsel in distress. The rise of Harlequin romances and Mills & Boon stories accounts for much of that.

The 80s, however, and the 90s too, sketch a curve away from the wilting rose and brings more power-hungry women. A career is not a thing that's scorned any longer, and men are meant to be enjoyed like candy. What a change in the mindset! From books to movies to the soap operas, the women take their destiny in hand and they are not afraid to show who and what they are.
Examples: Kristel Carrington & Alexis Carrington-Colby in Dynasty; Katharine Parker in Working Girl.

Another explosion here happens in the genres where women were not exactly present until then. Think sci-fi and paranormal. You can't have a wallflower there, and that's how strong heroines come to the forefront and take charge.
Examples: Ellen Ripley in Alien; Sarah Connor in the Terminator series.

From this springboard then come the heroines as we know them today. Wide and varied, strong in body or in mind and heart, funny and poignant - they have all evolved from the women who have led us through time and eras.

As always, I would love to have your comments.

From Mauritius with love,

Zee

Writing Wednesday: Trends, how they happen, & what they mean to you, the author

Hello beautiful people

A friend of mine and I were recently talking via email about trends and how you just see them popping up everywhere. At times all you see is vampires, at times it's shifters, at times it's erotica. Haven't you always wondered how this or that seems to be a 'craze' right now? Is it simply a 'craze', a result of demand and supply laws, a result of hype? Or is it just plain no-reason?

It's a little bit of all these. Browsing through some really good articles/blog posts I had saved on my computer, I came upon this blog entry and thought it was spot on for the topic today. (Post appeared on CynthiaSterling's Market News for Week of September 20, 2009 - Focus on St.Martin's Press RWA 2009 Spotlight).

Jennifer Enderlin of St.Martin's Press deciphered the 'Anatomy of a trend spiral' in there, as such:

Anatomy of a trend spiral
1. Someone writes a really great book.
2. Readers snap up anything remotely like that 1st book
3. Publishers and authors sense a trend
4. More people write in that area and publishers buy in that area.
5. A few of those books sell well also.
6. Publishers start to creates lines and imprints in this area.
7. It becomes easier to sell in this area. The temptation is so strong to sell your soul and write in the area that people think is hot at the moment.
8. Publishers have slots to fill and lower their standards.
9. The quality of the books goes down.
10. Readers catch on become cynical and jaded.
11. Contracts aren’t renewed and authors become bitter.
12. Lines fold.
13. No one is happy - publishes, authors or readers.
14. Readers look for anything new and different.
15. Someone writes a really great book.

See anything logical in there? Indeed. It all builds one upon the other.

But here's how it starts - someone writes a really great book. How to know if your book could be this next best thing? Ms. Enderlin adds another line beneath her analysis: [Quote] “Once you see someone creating lines around a certain book, I, personally would head for the hills.” [Unquote]...
...and this one just before she details the trend spiral: [Quote] You shouldn’t pay too much attention to trends. [Unquote]

Your conclusion should be - if you want to break out, don't write the 'trend', or what's already out there, or for a newly debut-ed/hyped line.

How to make your book the potential next best thing? Think out of the box, out of the trend, spin, flip, and twist - but first and foremost, write a darn good story! (I'll have more on these in future WW posts).

Now we know the temptation is big to be the 'thing' all readers are bragging about. As authors, we write for pleasure, for love, for publication, but a huge part of the process is for our readers. We should give them what they want, but do you think folding yourself like flour in the cake batter of a 'trend' is how you'll endear yourself to them? Maybe for one book, you will. Maybe for two books, you still might. Maybe too, by Book 3, the readers will be going, 'this author writes the same thing, I want something new!'
What do you do then, and where does that leave you?

Something I learned in my economics lessons is that Demand and Supply form a cycle. There will be ups (where say, you are selling your 'trend' story and the 'trend' is there, hot commodity) just as there will be downs (where no one will want to even touch the 'trend' with a pole). Result for you - write for a trend and run the risk of tanking out. Or wait for the next demand cycle to hit, and no one has clear ideas when that will be!

Of course, you may tell me that some authors are really that good as to keep producing 'trend-generated' stuff even when the 'trend' is dropped faster than a hot potato. True - but are YOU this author? Maybe, maybe not. You wanna take the risk?

So you are an author and you write stories. Fine. To readers, agents, editors and publishers out there, you are just one drop in a sea of writers. Why will you stand out of the crowd?

Find who you are, what you write, how you write, what you're good at. Then build upon that. This is what will set you out from the swirling mist of hopefuls just like you out there. (More to come on identity and branding in future WW posts).

Another thing to ponder - You see a trend. You start a story. You even finish story. You query and submit story. Time elapsed in between - let's say 6 months.
If someone buys it, great! If not, and let's say a further 6 months have passed, not many will still want your story. Why? Because the trend might no longer be 'hot stuff' by then.

By the time a trend actually hits readers, it has taken close to (even over) a year between when that 'really good book' was submitted, acquired, and put through its publication paces. The trend hits when the 'really good book' releases, and that's when you as the author notice it. Publishers, editors and agents, among themselves, will already be in tune with the trend, because that's insider stuff they are privy to. When the book comes out, over a year could have elapsed then, and the wave is really at its peak. You can crest it right away, but sooner rather than later, the wave will hit the water and die out on the shore.

Take all this into consideration when you spot a trend. If you do decide to follow it, be very quick on your toes (or fingers, to the keyboard!) to get that book out and accepted before you end up with a hot potato on your hands.

Ending note, which leads us to - Stage #14: Readers look for anything new and different. Is this a clue...? Maybe authors should go right out to the readers and ask them what they want to see next...

Any questions, just holler!

With love from Mauritius,

Zee