I don't tend to follow the bestseller lists and keep up with all of the new "must read" books by Oprah. I'm a mother of a two year old and wife to my Dear Husband. I read what appeals to me in the moment and if I don't get to the latest books of 2012 until 2013 well, that's just the way it goes!
I debated making a list of books I think I should have read or a list of books I actually might have liked from the past year but decided against either of those. Instead my list of books is one of books or series that I am currently reading (or rereading in some cases.)
Currently Reading:
The Chronicles of Elantra By Michelle Sagara
A great series of 8 books so far that I love. This is a re-read for me. It features a strong female main character (FMC for text speak) as well as magic, dragons and speaking lions. I highly recommend this to anyone!
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series by Laurel K. Hamilton
Weres, Vampires, and Fae. Oh my! A very strong FMC and plenty of action and a quick moving plot for most books makes this series an easy and addictive read. Re-reading the whole thing because I want to read the latest three or four new ones that I've missed out on!
Newly Read in the Past Year:
Mercy Thompson Series : Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
This is another series with a strong female lead. I guess I've been on a supernatural kick lately between this and Laurel K Hamilton. This series is far more PG than Ms. Hamilton's though. Some nudity but not nearly so much gratuitous sex. The nudity can't really be avoided I think when it comes to the shape shifters.
The Best Intentions; Mrs. Lacey's Last Fling; A Garden Folly; A Proper Companion; An Affair of Honor; A Change of Heart by Candace Hern
I am a sucker for regency romances. Quality ones, in the vein of Jane Austen, are heard to find. many of them are "bodice rippers" and while those can be a good, quick beach read they are not what I usually go for.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Post - NaNo Life
The month of November saw absolutely nothing of me as far as my blogs are concerned. I'm sorry for it though I did manage to get my 50k pounded out for NaNo for which I am grateful. Nano was hectic as usual and this year a bit disappointing.
As some of you may have read in the previous posts this was my first year as a "Municipal Liasion" for NaNoWriMo. I was pumped up and ready to go! I got my stuff late though and had a hard time getting to the libraries around my region due to their limited hours. It seemed like every time I wanted to go talk to someone or put up a flyer, they were closed. I found out quickly that many of them close early around here. I planned a kick off party for Nov. 1st as well as a meet and greet before November began. I had a whopping five people including myself at the kick off party and that was the last I saw of anyone in my region. I had write in's planned once a week and an online write in for those that couldn't make it, also once a week. I became discouraged quickly. On top of all of this I had to find a winter job as my main job is only seasonal and stopped putting me on the regular schedule at the beginning of November. It's been so crazy and now it's nearly Christmas.
I'm going to be rejoining my writing group in the metrowest area. It's a ways away but I miss the camaraderie and general happiness of being in a good writer's group.
As some of you may have read in the previous posts this was my first year as a "Municipal Liasion" for NaNoWriMo. I was pumped up and ready to go! I got my stuff late though and had a hard time getting to the libraries around my region due to their limited hours. It seemed like every time I wanted to go talk to someone or put up a flyer, they were closed. I found out quickly that many of them close early around here. I planned a kick off party for Nov. 1st as well as a meet and greet before November began. I had a whopping five people including myself at the kick off party and that was the last I saw of anyone in my region. I had write in's planned once a week and an online write in for those that couldn't make it, also once a week. I became discouraged quickly. On top of all of this I had to find a winter job as my main job is only seasonal and stopped putting me on the regular schedule at the beginning of November. It's been so crazy and now it's nearly Christmas.
I'm going to be rejoining my writing group in the metrowest area. It's a ways away but I miss the camaraderie and general happiness of being in a good writer's group.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Vampire Fad
I've been re-reading the Laurel K. Hamilton series and I've also been noticing how many vampire books have come out recently. Well, at least in the last decade or so. It's not the first time I've noticed it but everyone has to admit that there has been a surge in the world's fascination with vampires. And it's not just the fanged ones either. Lycanthropes, demons, witches and warlocks are all becoming popular reading and a lot of it in romance. I've tried reasoning out our fascination with the dark and mysterious otherworldly creatures and not to sound cliché but the one thing I keep coming back to is the fact that it's taboo.
There's certain kind of danger involved with being involved with one of the otherworldly types. I think that each person likes a little danger; subconsciously at least. Romances with werewolves and demons...I suppose it's like playing with fire without ever having to strike a match. We're still human after all. If a real vampire (à la Anne Rice) were to present itself we as a population would probably piss our pants. Much less a were-anything. I'm starting to understand the attraction of vamps though. They bite and suck blood.
First of all: biting? Kids (and some adults) get hickies often, nothing too surprising there. It turns some people on. Okay. The preferred place to bite? The neck. If you were an animal offering your neck is a mark of subservience. The neck is a very vulnerable part of the body. So that takes care of that but what about blood. *EW* Right? Blood is something highly personal and only comes in limited supply...until you make more. That's the real thrill, the real danger.
Then of course there's the beauty. Almost all the vampire writings have great looking vamps or weres or whatever the flavor of the month happens to be. I haven't read about an ugly vamp. Have you?
Anyways. I'm kind of glad that I have a handle on the what and the why. In the end I think that this will help me if I ever chose to write something like that. I like having new perspective.
There's certain kind of danger involved with being involved with one of the otherworldly types. I think that each person likes a little danger; subconsciously at least. Romances with werewolves and demons...I suppose it's like playing with fire without ever having to strike a match. We're still human after all. If a real vampire (à la Anne Rice) were to present itself we as a population would probably piss our pants. Much less a were-anything. I'm starting to understand the attraction of vamps though. They bite and suck blood.
First of all: biting? Kids (and some adults) get hickies often, nothing too surprising there. It turns some people on. Okay. The preferred place to bite? The neck. If you were an animal offering your neck is a mark of subservience. The neck is a very vulnerable part of the body. So that takes care of that but what about blood. *EW* Right? Blood is something highly personal and only comes in limited supply...until you make more. That's the real thrill, the real danger.
Then of course there's the beauty. Almost all the vampire writings have great looking vamps or weres or whatever the flavor of the month happens to be. I haven't read about an ugly vamp. Have you?
Anyways. I'm kind of glad that I have a handle on the what and the why. In the end I think that this will help me if I ever chose to write something like that. I like having new perspective.
A Fickle Heart
I've added a new plot twist to it and so I'm hoping that I won't get bored or something during NaNo. I guess we'll just wait and see! NaNo starts tomorrow and I can't wait!
Stock Image by: MD-Arts
Cover and Banner Design by: Me!
Monday, October 29, 2012
The Consummate Professional
I suppose when most people think of professional writers they think of people like Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and J.K. Rowling. Successful writers with more than one title on a bestseller list. My own idea of a professional writer is far more...elastic.
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| Artwork by DevianArtist rui-ricardo |
A professional writer in my mind is some one who takes writing seriously. They may or may not end up getting paid for what they are writing and they may not even end up being published. I know it may sound contradictory but this is truly how I feel. A professional writer sets aside time to write and writes several times a week. They take what they are writing very seriously and even feel bad if they neglect their work for more than a few days. They are dedicated to their projects and will think about them constantly. They gather in coffee shops, book stores, libraries, and in their in-home writing nooks. Whether they are writing on notebooks, laptops, ipads or napkins makes no difference.
Maybe my definition of a professional writer is so distorted because I want to be included in my own definition.Selfish and ambitious but hey, it's my definition and my opinion after all.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Oh Fickle Heart...
Remember how just yesterday I was boasting that I was all set on my story choice? I did jinx myself. No sooner than I think that I'm all set than I start having doubts and another story idea pops into my head....*sigh* What to do? I just want to kick myself in the rear. What a pain! I'm going to have to decide soon. Anyone else having second thoughts?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Covers and Banners
There are so many talented artists on the Artisan boards on the NaNoWriMo website but I decided that I was going to make my own cover and banner this year. I've done it before but this year I definitely think that this year's is a huge improvement. You can see the change on the Past Projects page. I used some stock photos and a handy browser photo editor called PicMonkey. I'm very pleased with how they came out. What do you think?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Strengths and Weaknesses
Over time and with great effort every writer strives to have more strengths than weaknesses. Naturally the first step is to acknowledge your weaknesses and define your strengths. That being said, you are usually your own worst critic. Keeping this in mind I will list what I think are my most prevalent weaknesses. Naturally I think there are many so I will save you the boredom and only list three.
1. Continuity.
I write in spurts and fits. Short furious bouts of insane productivity unfortunately this can lead to confusion. One moment a character has red hair two pages later it's brown. That's the simplest example but it's been far worse. Thankfully I have helped solve my problem with some software and by keeping lists. My continuity issues have been greatly decreased.
2. Details Details.
Once upon a time I was told that I needed to add more detail to my stories. Unfortunately I took that advice a little too much to heart and started adding far too much detail.It has been my constant struggle to pare down on the details. Sadly I still add more than will ever be necessary but I believe that I have gotten it down to a more manageable quantity than before. At least I can edit without slogging though pages upon pages of unnecessary details.
3. Imagery and Senses
For a long time I would read and wonder why I was so easily transported to different places and worlds when I couldn't seem to do that with my own writing. Finally someone mentioned that I was missing my senses. How could I expect to suck my readers into my worlds by only using one or two of the senses? It made total sense and it wasn't something that I had been aware of or really thought of. Once I started adding in those missing elements it definitely breathed life into my stories.It's still something that I struggle with and I constantly have to remind myself to add them into the story.
Now I have listed my three greatest weaknesses. This month's post is supposed to be about our strengths and at this point you must be asking yourself "Why is she talking about weaknesses?"
Well the answer is simply that I believe these to be my strengths as well. By identifying and working on my weaknesses I think that they have become some of my best strengths as well. Further more, by straightening out these aspects of my writing I have been able to identify new weaknesses and have started working on them.
I'm going to end this post here and hope that my attempt at a brief thought may have helped you think on your own strengths and weaknesses.
Please go visit the writings of my fellow writers at Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour and see why they became writers themselves. The first of the month will bring the writings of Alex F. Fayle. Until next month, happy reading!
1. Continuity.
I write in spurts and fits. Short furious bouts of insane productivity unfortunately this can lead to confusion. One moment a character has red hair two pages later it's brown. That's the simplest example but it's been far worse. Thankfully I have helped solve my problem with some software and by keeping lists. My continuity issues have been greatly decreased.
2. Details Details.
Once upon a time I was told that I needed to add more detail to my stories. Unfortunately I took that advice a little too much to heart and started adding far too much detail.It has been my constant struggle to pare down on the details. Sadly I still add more than will ever be necessary but I believe that I have gotten it down to a more manageable quantity than before. At least I can edit without slogging though pages upon pages of unnecessary details.
3. Imagery and Senses
For a long time I would read and wonder why I was so easily transported to different places and worlds when I couldn't seem to do that with my own writing. Finally someone mentioned that I was missing my senses. How could I expect to suck my readers into my worlds by only using one or two of the senses? It made total sense and it wasn't something that I had been aware of or really thought of. Once I started adding in those missing elements it definitely breathed life into my stories.It's still something that I struggle with and I constantly have to remind myself to add them into the story.
Now I have listed my three greatest weaknesses. This month's post is supposed to be about our strengths and at this point you must be asking yourself "Why is she talking about weaknesses?"
Well the answer is simply that I believe these to be my strengths as well. By identifying and working on my weaknesses I think that they have become some of my best strengths as well. Further more, by straightening out these aspects of my writing I have been able to identify new weaknesses and have started working on them.
I'm going to end this post here and hope that my attempt at a brief thought may have helped you think on your own strengths and weaknesses.
Please go visit the writings of my fellow writers at Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour and see why they became writers themselves. The first of the month will bring the writings of Alex F. Fayle. Until next month, happy reading!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
My To-Read List
My to read list for this year has been constantly changing. I try to balance my research-type reading with my "fun" reads. To that end I have complied a list and placed it below with a bit of reasoning behind each.
I love medieval history and this is a new one that I keep starting but don't get around to finishing.
A little historical romance for some fun.
A little research from a study at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
A slightly different perspective on textiles in the medieval ages.
I'm sure I'll find more but my list is short. I have a two year old and many times I'm too tired to read for long before bed, my previous prime reading time. I used to read several books a week but as I've grown older I see more informational type of reading sliding into my list which takes longer and sometimes warrants note taking. If I'm looking for something to read I usually just keep a few of my all time faves around to pick up and that I don't have to think too much about because, yes, I've read them that many times! These include: David Eddings' Polgara, To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis and almost anything by Mercedes Lackney.
Please go visit the writings of my fellow writers at Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour and see why they became writers themselves. The first of the month will bring the writings of Alex F. Fayle. Until next month, happy reading!
Please go visit the writings of my fellow writers at Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour and see why they became writers themselves. The first of the month will bring the writings of Alex F. Fayle. Until next month, happy reading!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Keeping Up With the Jones'
Well it's day six of the August session of Camp NaNo and I have to say that I'm very proud of myself. I've managed to keep up with the daily word goals and even surpass them on a couple of days. This is great news since previous camp sessions have not gone so well for me for one reason or another.
I am also quite pleased with my story. My female MC is coming along nicely, though a bit of a scared-y cat, and the male MC is still mysterious and elusive. So all together good...I think. I'm totally letting the characters drive the plot here so I have no idea where I'm going with it which is part of the fun. It's also the same way I won my first NaNo two years ago. Some people need to plot and plan and I'm more a "pantser," that is to say I write by the seat of my pants. It does pose a few problems but not having to refer to notes and conflicting ideas that might come up makes writing for NaNo a lot easier for me.
Today's goals: I'm hoping that I can get today's writing and tomorrow's done as well since I have to go in for surgery tomorrow to have my gallbladder removed. I don't know what kind of state I will be in after surgery so the less writing I have to do tomorrow the better. I also would prefer not to have to play catch-up on the subsequent days. The conclusion? I will be doing a lot of word sprints today!
I am also quite pleased with my story. My female MC is coming along nicely, though a bit of a scared-y cat, and the male MC is still mysterious and elusive. So all together good...I think. I'm totally letting the characters drive the plot here so I have no idea where I'm going with it which is part of the fun. It's also the same way I won my first NaNo two years ago. Some people need to plot and plan and I'm more a "pantser," that is to say I write by the seat of my pants. It does pose a few problems but not having to refer to notes and conflicting ideas that might come up makes writing for NaNo a lot easier for me.
Today's goals: I'm hoping that I can get today's writing and tomorrow's done as well since I have to go in for surgery tomorrow to have my gallbladder removed. I don't know what kind of state I will be in after surgery so the less writing I have to do tomorrow the better. I also would prefer not to have to play catch-up on the subsequent days. The conclusion? I will be doing a lot of word sprints today!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Distraction Thy Name is Family
Every writer has distractions. It's just the cold hard truth. The phone rings, the dryer buzzes, your stomach growls. It's all a part of life. To add to some of our lots we have families. Children, pets, and spouses. How we ever get any writing done is a mystery. Tell me if any of this sounds familiar.
1. Typing happily, my son playing with his cars and Duplos until he decides that it would be fun to play instead with mommy's laptop power cord. Distraction.
2. The cat is chilly and so decides to take up residence on your laptop keyboard. Distraction.
3. The dog tied up outside takes exception to a rabbit on the opposite side of the yard. Distraction.
4. The dear spouse who can't find something or suddenly decides that now is a great time to do such and such project and needs your help.
Anything ring a bell? Families, as I am slowly learning, are a huge word count eater. Don't get me wrong. I'm not mad or upset but it certainly can be frustrating. Especially when you're in a groove. You know what I mean. You've finally hit your stride and typing or writing at an awesome pace with the story just flowing from your fingertips when *BAM!* a distraction occurs. You go and take care of whatever it is that needs to be done but how to get back into that awesome groove? What do you do?
I know for myself it's never an easy thing to get back into the groove. I usually have to step away and write something else for a bit...a blog post or something (yep, it's why I'm writing this one now!) and come back to it again. For me I haven't found an easier way but I wonder if other ways exist. What do you do to get your writing groove back? Will you share it with me?
1. Typing happily, my son playing with his cars and Duplos until he decides that it would be fun to play instead with mommy's laptop power cord. Distraction.
2. The cat is chilly and so decides to take up residence on your laptop keyboard. Distraction.
3. The dog tied up outside takes exception to a rabbit on the opposite side of the yard. Distraction.
4. The dear spouse who can't find something or suddenly decides that now is a great time to do such and such project and needs your help.
Anything ring a bell? Families, as I am slowly learning, are a huge word count eater. Don't get me wrong. I'm not mad or upset but it certainly can be frustrating. Especially when you're in a groove. You know what I mean. You've finally hit your stride and typing or writing at an awesome pace with the story just flowing from your fingertips when *BAM!* a distraction occurs. You go and take care of whatever it is that needs to be done but how to get back into that awesome groove? What do you do?
I know for myself it's never an easy thing to get back into the groove. I usually have to step away and write something else for a bit...a blog post or something (yep, it's why I'm writing this one now!) and come back to it again. For me I haven't found an easier way but I wonder if other ways exist. What do you do to get your writing groove back? Will you share it with me?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Camp NaNo - Part Deux
Camp NaNoWriMo for August is right around the corner. I tried and fizzled out in July so I'm hoping that August will be better. I'm currently undergoing some health issues that have me grounded at home for now with no work for at least this week and next week. I'm hoping that it will give me the time and motivation that I need to crank out some words.
On the up side I have applied to be the ML of my local region as the last one has moved away. I'd love to do it and I think that I would be a great ML. We'll see. On top of which I need to get back on writing for my articled for the Merry-Go-Round blog tour. So today as I sit on the couch nursing my head cold and aching torso from gallbladder issues, I'm hoping to figure out my NaNo objective and pound out a couple of blog posts. We'll see.
On the up side I have applied to be the ML of my local region as the last one has moved away. I'd love to do it and I think that I would be a great ML. We'll see. On top of which I need to get back on writing for my articled for the Merry-Go-Round blog tour. So today as I sit on the couch nursing my head cold and aching torso from gallbladder issues, I'm hoping to figure out my NaNo objective and pound out a couple of blog posts. We'll see.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
My Earliest Writing Dreams
It's weird. I don't think that I've ever dreamed of writing. Its always been something I've done. I suppose that as I've grown older and my writing has become more...voluminous...and book worthy I have started to dream a bit more.
It started as a common tease between my husband (also a writer) and I. My husband seeing an older Jaguar car and my little response: "When I'm anonymously famous," or "When I write a best selling novel." The whole idea of being anonymously famous is something has been appealing more and more to me and it is becoming a prevalent dream. The best part? I think that it is an attainable dream. By far the best kind. I've never examined the dream to closely though. I suppose, just like the possibility with any dream, I'm afraid that if I look too closely at it it will start to fade or disappear. I'm not sure if that's a common fear among writers or not. The one thing that most people ask me when they hear my husband making these little smart remarks to each other is why be anonymous?
That's a particular sticking point for my dream. I need to be anonymous for it to be true. While I can be an outgoing and rowdy person with my closest friends I am by nature shy and exceedingly introverted. If I was to write a great book that people loved and my picture was in the book or anything like that it would be the worst for me. It would be the complete undoing of my dream. I suppose I am kind of old fashioned but to me the best part of being an author is a certain level of anonymity. Unlike with movie stars it's still the one realm of being famous or being know where you still kind of have the option to be almost just a name and not a face. That's important to the introvert in me!t's weird. I don't think that I've ever dreamed of writing. Its always been something I've done. I suppose that as I've grown older and my writing has become more...voluminous...and book worthy I have started to dream a bit more.
Please go visit the writings of my fellow writers at Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour and see why they became writers themselves. The first of the month will bring the writings of Alex F. Fayle. Until next month, happy reading!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Camp NaNoWriMo
I'm getting revved up for the June Camp session of NaNo. I've been brushing off a half written plot with the plans to write the remainder during the month of June. The question is if the 50K that is the ultimate goal will complete my plot bunny.
The good news is that I have been doing some work on my characters and I think I have a better idea of them now. That should help right? Not to mention I've been working on the plot some and I think I have a better idea of where I want it to go as well as a couple of interesting new plot twists.
Unfortunately for me I will be away for about 4 days in Philly in June so that's going to take a bite out of my writing time unless I bring my laptop. It's a beast though so that would be a little difficult. Not to mention life and work and my toddler. Crazy how anyone can get any writing done, right?
The good news is that I have been doing some work on my characters and I think I have a better idea of them now. That should help right? Not to mention I've been working on the plot some and I think I have a better idea of where I want it to go as well as a couple of interesting new plot twists.
Unfortunately for me I will be away for about 4 days in Philly in June so that's going to take a bite out of my writing time unless I bring my laptop. It's a beast though so that would be a little difficult. Not to mention life and work and my toddler. Crazy how anyone can get any writing done, right?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
It's Been a While
Life has a fun way of messing up the best laid plans. My blog writing has been squashed and my own business has been put on a back burner as I've started a new seasonal job. The up side is that I am using the month of June to partake of Camp NaNoWriMo to work on a novel that was a previous NaNo project. I am hoping to add 50k to the word count and get the thing finished. unfortunately it seems that I will be incommunicado for about 4 days to go to a bridal shower.
I certainly hope that others aren't slacking as much as I seem to be. More to come soon I hope.
I certainly hope that others aren't slacking as much as I seem to be. More to come soon I hope.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Writing Workstation
***So before anything and because I live in New England (specifically Massachusetts): GO PATS!***
Alright now that that is out of the way I can officially start this post. We've finally moved which is why I haven't been writing much...okay, at all. The good news is that I'm hoping that will change soon. I've got my desktop up and running, which is easier to type on for me (read: bad eye sight and arthritis), and I have a nice clean and quiet nook to write in. Now we'll see how long it stays that way. I'll take a picture tomorrow in the day light and add it to the site. It's quite nice.
Now for an actual writing update:
Most of my writing since NaNo has been for any of my novel ideas or works in progress...rather I have been trying to stay on top of the rather over zealous goal of writing for each of my three blogs twice a week. I realize that I can't do that and maintain my website, care for my son and a new house. So I'm paring down my posting to once a week in the hopes then that I will be able to work on actual writing projects. That being said, I failed miserably at NaNo this year.
My NaNo this year was miserable. Between the family holiday obligations and dealing with purchasing this house, the month of November was a nightmare for me. Also, mid-November I started to fall out of love with my idea and was wishing that I had chosen to complete a previous NaNo project. I think I'm going to make it one of my goals this year to put my old NaNo project into the new writing software (yWriter) and try to complete that during the year and see where I get. Beyond that I'm still working on getting myself settled in the new house and catching up to all the new housework I have to do!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
My Ideal Reader
My ideal reader...what a difficult thing to tackle. I suppose that there are a number of writers that have a specific person in mind when they write a story but that's not me. When a story hits me I usually am to busy scrambling to to get it all onto paper (or computer) to think too much about who I'm writing for. I suppose that in that sense I'm a selfish writer.
I suppose that I really write for myself. Am I my ideal reader? Most definitely not. I am my most critical reader. Any writer will tell you that they are hardest on themselves. I suppose that my ideal reader would be a version of myself. A dreamer, able to suspend reality and belief, and a person with an appreciation for detail. I think that would be the base for my ideal reader. Beyond that I don't know what my ideal reader would be like. I suppose that I like it that way. I don't want to be a writer who only certain types of people or people with certain personality traits read. How dull would that be? To be able to predict which people will buy your book or want to read your book? I guess I'll continue to be a selfish writer and leave it up to fate.
I suppose that I really write for myself. Am I my ideal reader? Most definitely not. I am my most critical reader. Any writer will tell you that they are hardest on themselves. I suppose that my ideal reader would be a version of myself. A dreamer, able to suspend reality and belief, and a person with an appreciation for detail. I think that would be the base for my ideal reader. Beyond that I don't know what my ideal reader would be like. I suppose that I like it that way. I don't want to be a writer who only certain types of people or people with certain personality traits read. How dull would that be? To be able to predict which people will buy your book or want to read your book? I guess I'll continue to be a selfish writer and leave it up to fate.
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