#mariaslozak

[gogmstuff]

Hélène of Orléans, Duchess of Aosta (from top to bottom) -

1887 Hélène, Duchess of Aosta (nee Princess d'Orléans) by Byrne Photo. From Wikimedia 695X1024.

Woman, possibly Elena d'Aosta. From bnnonline.it/index.php?it/337/il-ritratto-a-napoli-tra-ottocento-e-secolo-breve-il-fondo-piccirilli-e-larchivio-parisio; removed mono-color tint 619X939.

Princess Hèléne d'Aosta by ?. From delagoabayworld.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/helene_dorleans-aosta; fixed spots w Pshop 376X591.

Helene d'Orleans en Amazon. Posted to Foro Dinastias by Minnie on 5 June 2011; removed mono-color tint 295X691.

Presumed to be princesse Hélène d'Orléans by Lionel-Noël Royer (location ?). From tumblr.com/blog/view/mariaslozak/189168210128; enlarged to fit screen 994X1400 @72 266kj.

1890s Helene of Orléans, Duchess of Aosta by ?. From Wikimedia 549X800.

Helene of Orleans Duchess of Aosta. From antique-royals.tumblr.com/tagged/vintage 871X1300.

1890s Helene, Duchess of Aosta by ?. From upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Helene,_Duchess_of_Aosta 716X1015.

Helene of Orléans, Duchess of Aosta From antique-royals.tumblr.com-post-112468981883-helene-of-orleans-duchess-of-aosta left image; fixed spots w Pshop & removed mono-color tint 1643X1131.

[angelacolsin]

mariaslozak replied to your post “Is it horrible that I want to name an emperor in an upcoming...”

If, in their universe, it is the parents that name the child, of course. The possibilities for play are endless!

Actually, the character isn’t born to be an emperor, he just becomes one XD

[mariaslozak]

It’s becoming a tradition to mark my Tumblr anniversaries with a scrapbook layout. Here is a sampling of the romances I’ve read in the past year, plus the one I’m currently enjoying, Wicked and the Wallflower. Thank you so very much to our beautiful community, which is a shining example of the power of inspiration, education, and encouragement <3

[itsmariemccurdy]

mariaslozak replied to your post “Review: The Coppersmith Farmhouse”

That is the doomful vibe I got from your review, which is why, for a moment, I had trouble putting two and two together. I simply keep forgetting how much this abusive type of relationship is being romanced right now!

I, too, kind of forget that people are still writing (and reading and loving) this kind of thing because I make such an effort to read novels that aren’t like this. This is something I expect from just about anything written prior to 2005 and it surprised the hell out of me. Which is unfair because I’ve read plenty of older romances that didn’t even touch this level of abuse and control.

I am not over the “Fucking get over it already” line. I would absolutely lose my shit if a man spoke to me that way, particularly after the way this “hero” treats the heroine in the first part of the novel. I recoiled from my phone when I read that. 

[friedesgreatscythe]

mariaslozak replied to your post: me, after watching the conjuring, researching...

Can’t believe that the romance community is making me consider actually watching this…

It’s a little light on the romance, but both of the couples portrayed in the film are strengthened by their love, and that love is used as a powerful force throughout the film, in contrast to the ugliness and terror that surrounds them. I’d stress it’s more horror with a dash of romance on the side, but it’s a good start to the horromance genre, imo!

[pollyssecretlibrary]

mariaslozak mentioned you on a post “If you could become tumblr best friends with someone in real life,...”

Darling @pollyssecretlibrary​, thank you <3 Any party at which you are present would be an extraordinary memory. So let's make it come true one day ((hugs)).

tea?

[thebooklrandtheduke]

And I adore you @mariaslozak !!! Funny thing...my mom wanted to name me after her, but didn’t want there to be two Marias in the house. So she found the Latin variation and alas, Miriam.

[diehard-fangirl]

mariaslozak replied to your photo “I mean, I don’t wanna brag, BUT MY FACE MAKES THE BEST FACES! ������”

You do :-D Watching the review commentary created by your facial expressions is like opening a sparkly bottle of belly giggles, laugh snorts, and d'awws!

THIS IS TRULY THE SWEETEST DAMN THING ANYONE’S EVER TOLD ME!!!!! Your words are literal gifts to me, Maria. It’s like Christmas in text form!!! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!

[jahaliel]

November Friendship Poetry #12

for the lovely @mariaslozak when i think of you i think of a riotous garden of flowers; a rose arbour covered in pink and white blooms with a comfy chair, a table with tea and a stack of romance novels - I think of your kindness and warm words; of the grace and beauty of your presence - i am left uplifted and smiling through the interactions we share

[theduchessapproach-blog]

mariaslozak mentioned you on a post “One of the things I constantly struggle with when I plan to write...”

@theduchessapproach​, it's all about learning the rules of one's art/craft so one can break them successfully, isn't it :-) So glad for you!

I am so so glad I’ve reached the point in my writing where I feel comfortable breaking rules! So much of writing advice (and I’m assuming this goes for all kinds of art/craft) is about rules and what you should and shouldn’t do, but it can be so FREEING to just throw it all aside and just do whatever you think is good for your project!

[msfehrwight]

mariaslozak replied to your post “I just. I had a breakdown late last night and despite all kinds of...”

The friendship between you seems to have glowed with the true meaning of the day. I'm so sorry you were brought so low, and so glad that someone who appreciates you was there to support you and care for you and remind you that no matter what, you are loved and important.

We fight a lot too, and only weeks ago in a way that felt like it would destroy this friendship, but no. It didn’t. He’s taught me so much about communication though, so we always manage to talk things out. ALWAYS. And he’s always like this – he does his best, and I don’t always appreciate that, but I try, and he tries to see things from my point of view. I can’t tell you what a treasure he is. 

[angelacolsin]

cramzydays replied to your post “cramzydays replied to your post “I think, with how long it’s taking...”

Yesssss - and just a thought, you can queue/schedule your previous excerpts so it'll pop up on the dashboard every once in a while! Cheering you on! ♥

mariaslozak replied to your post “mariaslozak replied to your post “I think, with how long it’s taking...”

I'm so sorry you've had to struggle uphill for such a long while now. I imagine it must be especially hard to maintain focus on productive creativity under such stress and hardship. I admire you for sticking with what you feel is best and right for your story. Sending lots of wishes for the kind of support that helps you most at this time <3

@cramzydays I’ve thought of this!  I’m just so lazy I haven’t gotten around to queuing up any posts D: LoL  Actually, I think it’s a mix of laziness and more recently just dealing with mental illness more than usual D:  (Keep reading to see what I’m talking about :P)

@mariaslozak  Thank you sooo much <3  (I’m also sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to these messages, I’ve just been having a helluva week lol)  I have been experiencing trouble just getting myself motivated to write anything or finding interest in it, and I think a big reason is that my OCD has exploded here lately and I’ve been having issues with anxiety.  I’m also thinking this is, in part, a result of quitting smoking (and pardon me for giving a long winded story lol).

There’s been very little study done on the effects smoking has on people’s mental health, but I have some personal reasons to believe that the chemicals/toxins in cigarette smoke lends a hand to worsening preexisting chemical imbalances that attribute to mental disorders from the start.  So, on the flip side, when a person quits, the body starts a process of recovery, which also applies to mental health issues.  Sadly, my OCD has always been moderate to severe, to the point of hindering my ability to work a normal job, so the way I’ve been feeling lately has definitely put a damper on my writing.  But I’m taking things a day at a time, and I’m definitely adjusting.  Aside from the mental health part of it, it was hard to write simply because that’s a trigger for me to smoke (I was a heavy smoker, let me tell you), so this really caused some issues with adapting during July-September.

But it’s been two months (as of Monday) since I smoked a cigarette, and thankfully, I’ve had several writing sessions where I didn’t even consider picking up a cigarette.  This is another reason I’m not beating myself up for falling behind with Tempting Eternity.  I think that, if I can get over this hurdle and come out of it having kicked a bad habit, it’s definitely worth it to have taken some personal time without getting as much done as I would’ve preferred.

Anyway (and again, I’m sorry I’m being so chatty about this, but I honestly don’t think I’ve really talked to a lot of people about it, and it’s nice to just get it off my chest) thanks so much guys!  I’ll try to find a good, non-confusing excerpt to share soon!  :)

[mariaslozak]

Rules: Describe yourself ONLY using photos you already have saved; no searching or downloading anything new.

@seashells-and-bookshelves kindly tagged me - thank you :-) Her own post is here.

This was tricky but entertaining! The three book photos are my own - the closest to a real-life capture I can bring myself to post.

Anyone reading this is invited to join in :-) Would any of you be interested, @thebooklrandtheduke, @books-on-a-wire, @riley1cannon, @thecrankyagnes, @thederpyphilosopher, @mariacharlet, @fictions-stranger, @pollyssecretlibrary, @helloafflatus ?

[wait-a-minute-lassie]

@mariaslozak replied to your post “Heya guys, Happy Holidays!!”

Merry Christmas :-)

Merry Christmas, too ;)

[friedesgreatscythe]

mariaslozak replied to your post “>tell buddy i’m gonna write them a reader insert fic hitting...”

Who's to say that this isn't the way to happiness and fun? Perhaps this is what the story must pass through, and the characters pass through, to find it? "There are times when his heart hangs heavy in his chest, heavier than the bones of the earth". Your natural voice constantly circles back to certain themes, which you express beautifully and poignantly. Your wishes are a compass needle, but that doesn't mean the path to get where it points can't be dark and thorny.

this is quite honestly one of the kindest, most insightful, and confidence-boosting things anyone has ever said about my writing. thank you. thank you. ♥

[pollyssecretlibrary]

mariaslozak replied to your link: Polly's manga & anime shelf

Good luck with your new side blog :-) I hope it will bring you all kinds of happy loveliness!

Nah it's just a corner to keep things clear, I had the feeling that I was boring people so... let's keep things separate.

I don't expect anything from it really, it's just for me

:)