Weekly Quote Wednesday - Toni Morrison and Nancy B. Brewer

Writing quote

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
― Toni Morrison

Historical romance quote

 “With time, grief has a way of slipping down in the crevices of your heart. It never really leaves; it just makes room for more.”
― Nancy B. Brewer, Beyond Sandy Ridge

9 Facts About My Writing

I thought it would be fun to talk about what readers can expect from my writing--should (no, when) my novels find their way onto shelves.

1 - Historical Accuracy - I write fictional historical novels. While I research my novels heavily, and have critique partners that are also historical novelists, I realize that I am writing a fiction piece. The love story is paramount. Also, if it is a question between accuracy and comprehension, I will, more often than not, aim for clarity.

2 - Setting - I tend to love English romances, however, I do have some old west and early American novel ideas under my bed.

3 - Year - I write Georgian and Regency. So much was happening within the span of one lifetime--between the American and French Revolutions, the social changes, and the coming of Napoleon.

4 - Heroines - I tend to write heroines with a mix of modern and traditional ideals. I love flawed heroines. I love at least one major flaw. From Rules For Avoiding The Earl, Maia is not only far from what her era considered a beauty, but she is also very impulsive. From Walking Through Hellfire, Emilia is so loyal she often allows herself to be taken advantage of in her attempt to protect others. I also love them to have at least one strong skill. Maia is a crayon painter and Emilia is extremely fast.

5 - Hero - Sexiness is key--not just in body, but in actions and words. He has to be crazy about the heroine, even if he doesn't like her at first. A tortured past often comes with the territory for my heroes.

6 - Secondary Characters - I love quirky secondary characters, so you'll often find them in my stories. I think they are a great way to get the story moving and say what must be said. They also provide a lot of chances for humor.

7 - Humor - Speaking of humor, the reader should certainly expect that in my novels. I love and use all forms of humor, but physical and situational are favorites of mine.

8 - Heat - I do NOT close the bedroom door. My love scenes are hot. Not quite erotic, but certainly not boring.

9 - Heart - I feel like deep emotion is the best thing to accompany humor. A great story can make the reader laugh until their cheeks ache and cry until they can't cry anymore. I strive for strong emotion, and while the reader may not cry with every story I write, I certainly hope they will feel desperate, from time to time, for the hero/heroine to achieve their HEA.

So there are 9 facts about my romance novels. I hope one day you will be able to share the stories of the characters I love so much.

This Day is Sitting on My Head and Crushing it AKA organization for the writing Mom with preschoolers

I honestly believe organization is the key to being a writer with young children or babies. (And if you're writing with a newborn, lots of sleep deprivation and creativity.) Well, the real key is a chef, a housekeeper, and a babysitter, but that's not an option at my house. lol

If you're like me, a mom and a writer with small children, I'm sure you'll know this story.

Tuesday, I woke late because my alarm didn't go off--and miracle of miracles, my children slept in. I got my 2-year-old and 4-year-old up and dressed them. Once they were fed and playing, I sat down and wrote 1000 words really fast. Then, because I hadn't reset my alarm, I noticed it was past time to leave for the library toddler reading time. We rushed to get them into coats and in the stroller. I nearly ran to the library. When we got there, I didn't have enough time to set the kids up with books, so I couldn't tinker with my editing before story time. I had to sign in, get the things we needed, and generally run like crazy until story time. Then, when it was over, I was tired from rushing the whole time, so I didn't have a lot of pep for the walk home. It took us a little longer than normal, so we arrived at home just in time for lunch. I set the kids at their table so they could draw on their coloring papers, as they always do after story time, and I ran in to start lunch. I made snacks to keep them happy while I made lunch and put away coats, the stroller, and my laptop.

Becky Wetherington BLW Photography on Flickr

That story makes me tired just typing it, but when you think about it, I finished 1k on my WIP, got the kids to story time and got their lunch on time. They didn't notice the difference, but I felt like I'd run a marathon.
Why?? Because I wasn't organized.

I have a system I follow, and when the holidays came around, I let them lapse, but as a mother with little ones, work, home, money, and everything else demanding my time, I can't do anything without a little organization. I thought I'd share a few tricks that will help, even if you don't have any kids.

1 - Family

This is the hardest thing to organize because it's so out of my control, but if I'd been ready with snacks and clothing the day before, I wouldn't have had such trouble. Doing the prep stuff below one day a week helps me keep things easy when I have a deadline or the kids get sick.

Organization tips

• Have snacks individually portioned ahead of time. This will save you if you are running late, and can help with healthy eating.
• Fold and put away clothes in outfits. Then even a toddler or a husband can grab an outfit that matches without trouble. You can even fold the pants into the shirt. You can also ball socks and underwear into one bundle.
• You can set out clothing the night before--for little ones who can dress themselves.
 

2 - Home


Organization is key for me with housework. If I don't keep up the once a week chores below, I just can't stay ahead of my kids' mess.

Organization tips

• Buy a basket and fill it with easy problem solvers for quick fixes - scissors, glue, tape, batteries, rubber bands, paper clips, and all the other little things you'll find yourself needing occasionally. (I keep a small hammer and screwdrivers in there too.) Once a week or so, I peek inside to be sure everything is stocked.
• Store folded sheets inside matching pillow case, so you don't spend time looking for sets.
• Have a closeable ottoman you can toss toys and things into if you have unexpected visitors. I have two--one for the above, and one for bills, important mail, and unread magazines. I take care of the file ottoman once a week.

3 - Misc projects

I set one day aside a week for misc projects, like going through kids clothes to get rid of what they don't wear.

Organization tips

• I only have one tip here. Tell your husband ahead of time that he is taking the kids to the mall/park/wherever while you do this project. That will turn a 4 hour project into 1 hour project and if you work fast enough, you might get some alone time for writing. That's worth the extra speed, IMHO.

4 - Self-care and meals

I tend, like most mothers, to fail with the self care part of this most often. I have to make the time, and I feel guilty that I'm not doing the million other things I need to do for everyone else. I have realized lately, thanks to my wonderful Duke, who said, if I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of anyone else.

Organization tips

• Have a spa day once a week. I tried doing this in little increments over a week, but I find I just skip most of them because I'm too busy. If I do it all at once after the kids are in bed, then I can get it all in. I do this the same way I shower maximum effect in the shortest time. I start with things that stay on, like facial and hair mask, and work my way to the things that only take a moment, like manicure and pedicure. After I've jumped in the shower to rinse it all off, I just have to pain fingernails and toenails. (Oh, and there are lots of ways to make them dry faster, but I've been a believer in clear or slightly tinted polish for a long time.)
• Make and freeze single portions of breakfast muffins and casserole leftovers for quick grab and go breakfasts and lunches.



http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Evolution-tasks-old.png

• Pre-chop all veggies and (if you don't mind the taste/texture) pre-cook all meat for week and store in separate meal-size bags. You can even pre-boil pasta. You can even pre-make casseroles and freeze them, if you have a deep freeze. This will cut off lots of prep time.

5 - Writing 

For me, finding blogging time and social media time used to be very difficult. I was always trying to do everything. I wanted to blog every day, use each social media site once or twice throughout the day, and still have time to critique all my fabulous critique partners' chapters. This was highly unrealistic and I would fail, beat myself up, fail, again, and repeat. At the same time, I felt guilty about taking time from my kids to jump on a social media site. My organizational tips below really helped me to see the truth of what I needed to do. Now I try to get on each social media site at least twice a week, instead of twice a day. I blog 2-3 days a week, and keep at least one simple, (the quotes, of course.) And as for my critique partners, they are awesome and never expect me to critique every chapter our group puts up, so I critique 1-2 chapters for every 1 I put up. I do more when I can, but I find this plan allows me time to spend with my family, do my jobs, and write.

Organization tips

• If you have a smart phone, get the apps for your fav social media sites. You can pop on from anywhere and post something interesting or funny at random times throughout the day.
• Don't blog more than you are able. One day a week is enough. None is okay too. I find myself considering a switch to tumblr. I've been trying out their mini blog format, and I like it.
• Don't try to do all social media at once, but don't be entirely inactive. Once or twice a week is a good amount. If you don't use a social media site, close your account, or don't open one. 

6 - Business

This is the one thing I'm pretty good about, but I do tend to procrastinate from time to time if I'm not organized.

Organization tips

• You remember the ottoman from above. It keeps all my "to be taken care of" paperwork together.
• I put reminders for the most important or time sensitive stuff on my phone, plus a repeated reminder to pay/check on bills once a month.
• I keep all bills on the calendar beside my computer, so I have a big reminder if my phone alarm fails me.

Here are a few more organization lists you might find helpful tips on.

1.  50 New and Old Life Hacks - I love this one, and it even has pics of the brilliant ideas
2.  Life Organization Tips for ADHD Adults
3.  35 MacGyver Tips, Clever Uses, and Other Life Hacks in One Infographic

I hope some of these tips help you stay organized. Once I get back into my organization, I don't think I'll have another day quite as tiring as Tuesday.

Weekly Quote Wednesday - Mark Twain and Tracy Anne Warren

Weekly Quote Wednesday
Writing quote
This  first quote you will have to substitute an appropriate word, because I don't think "damn" will get deleted any longer, but you get the point.

“Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
― Mark Twain

Historical romance quote

“Count this as a mere taste, sweetheart, of all the pleasure I can give you. Marry me and let me show you more. Be mine, and I'll take you on a journey the likes of which you've ever only imagined.”
― Tracy Anne Warren, Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed 

The Rules for Not Marrying the Earl - Changing the Blurb

The Rules for Not Marrying the Earl

Here is my original blurb.  

The Rules For Not Marrying The Earl

90,000 word historical romance set in 1795, in Lincolnshire, England.

After the torments of his childhood, Nathan Landers, the Earl of Tavishton, desires nothing more than to meander through life. But when a ruthless lord with an incendiary letter blackmails him, it disrupts his languid existence. The scoundrel forces him to acquire his close friend’s family treasure—the Mask of Manaha—by any means necessary, and sets him on an inexorable path toward his friend's captivating and impulsive sister.

Maia is desperate to atone for a terrible mistake, which tested her relationship with her twin sister. To repair the fractured bond, she is determined to ensnare a kind and titled husband—not for herself, but for her timid sister. Since Maia hears of her twin’s far greater beauty every day, she can’t imagine what might go wrong with such an idea. Or what better choice there might be than her brother's newest friend.
 

Nathan and Maia have no intentions of falling in love, but with the interference of Maia's tempestuous younger sister, her outspoken grandmother, two gargantuan ruffians, and a crapulous muff chaser, they find it hard to hold fast to their goals. And when they lock eyes, then wills, and finally hearts, they discover they can't avoid the inevitable outcome. One impetuous kiss.

Strange, how a simple meeting of the lips can have the power to destroy even the best-laid plans.

It wasn't very successful. First thing I noticed after all the articles I read was, it's too long. I'm going to cut it by at least 10%. I also want to focus on why the agent/editor/reader might want to read it. I need a better hook. Here goes.

Discover what happens when an earl with a debilitating fear of guns and a miss with a secret battle a crapulous muff chaser.

When a ruthless lord blackmails Nathan Landers, the Earl of Tavishton, into acquiring a treasured relic from his closest friend "by any means necessary," Nathan wants nothing more than to get the object and have done. The guilt of possibly betraying his friend is compounded when he meets his quirky family, who is closer than Nathan could ever hope to be with his own mother and sisters. 

Maia Hawkley got the worse part of the bargain when she was born a twin, but without her sister's beauty. She's prepared to settle into a spinster's life and enjoy treasure hunting with her father, but first she must appease her marriage minded mother and repair her relationship with her estranged twin. What better way to achieve both than to convincing her sister and her brother's friend to wed? The plan is perfect—and with her own impetuous nature and her sister's wicked tongue, more than likely doomed. 

--

Shorter, less blah, blah, blah, and it fits my voice better. Let's see how this one fares.

Show the bomb - writing with tension

I like the idea of combining my weekly blog with my WIP update. It worked out well last week. Also, I found this wonderful social media advice thing that said you should always post after 4pm, and Saturdays are great days to post, so here I am, moving my weekly posts to Saturday evening. Lemming, party of 1, er, 300,000. ;) JK, it was good advice from a solid source, so I'm taking it.

On to story tension


There's a quote out there by the "master of suspense," Alfred Hitchcock. Since it's been said quite often, I'm going to paraphrase. Basically, he says, if you show two people sitting at a table for 10 minutes, then a bomb goes off, you have a moment of surprise. If you show the bomb, then the people talking for 10 minutes, you have 10 minutes of nail-biting suspense.

This is a choice every writer makes, to tell or not to tell. It can change the dynamic of an entire book. It's an important decision that probably changes from story to story with most authors. On the whole, I tend to show the really important stuff, but I carefully consider how much to tell the reader in each book, and when I choose to tell, it's for a very good reason.

I've been thinking about this advice a lot lately as I contemplate the beginning of my newest story, tentatively titled Masquerading Through Hellfire. There is a bit of info about the heroine I can reveal right away or hold on to for a while.

Charles Barilleaux

Here are the two major effects of showing the bomb versus not.

The suspense

If I reveal her secret, it will let the reader in on some funny jokes and make the suspense stronger. It will also prevent the reader from possibly disliking the heroine because they don't understand some of her behaviors. Finally, it shows the full extent of the conflict between the hero and heroine right up front, and while there are still some secrets about why he feels the way he does, the consequences of his discovering her secrets become obvious. 

mate2code

The surprise

If I don't reveal it until her hero discovers it, the reader will have a gasp of surprise, followed by several pleasant chuckles. When they consider the story in retrospect.

I'll probably end up going for suspense, because I gain a lot (and only lose a little) by showing her secret. I'm going to try writing it with the new beginning and see what I think.

So what do you think? Are you a show the bomb kid of writer, a mystery kind of writer, or does it depend on the book? What about readers? Do you prefer to be surprised, or have the suspense of knowing something the characters don't?

Weekly Quote Wednesday - J.D. Salinger and Sarah MacLean

Writing quote

“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.”
― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

Historical romance quote

". . . as another man, he would have her. Without hesitation. As lover. . . as more.”
― Sarah MacLean

Reducing 300 pages to 3 & Walking Through Hellfire blurb revisited

Sorry for missing my weekly Saturday post, but it was my anniversary. The duke and I completely forgot because Little Two was up all night with sniffles and it left us both brainless after my RWA meeting was over. (Okay, I'll be honest. I went to the meeting brainless that morning.) :D
So, since forgetting everything was the order of the day, it seems I forgot the blog too. To make up for it, I'm including both topics in one blog.

Reducing 300 pages to 3.

MoodBar

I had to rewrite my synopsis recently. I've always sucked at writing a synopsis because I have trouble getting an entire 300+ page MS down to 2-5 pages. Kristen Nelsen, a wonderful agent, suggests a blurb should only be about the inciting incident, but that didn't help me with the synopsis. To find some answers, I read a chapter on the synopsis in a romance writing guide (sorry I don't have a link/title. I checked it out from the library.) That chapter had a sample synopsis done so well that I had an epiphany about how to write a synopsis or a blurb. I'm going to share the lightning that struck me and hope it helps all of you.

I had always looked at it like condensing, but that's not it. You have to look at it like telling a story to a friend. 

Say you were on your way to work and got into an accident with a hunky guy who then asked to buy you coffee to make up for it.
There's the novel -- the sleepover version, where you spend hours talking about it as you do your nails and give each other facials.
In this version, you can go into exactly how blue his eyes were and whether or not the coffee thing was a date, or just repentance.

There's the synopsis. -- the campfire version, where you have some time to tell the tale, but it has to be short and pithy, or you'll lose your audience.

David/daviddb

In this version, you can take time to talk about the accident and the things he said afterwards, but you can't discuss his hair color or the fact that he didn't have a ring (or a ring tan line).

There's the blurb. -- the facebook version, where you want to relate a story to your friends on facebook. Most will keep reading for a few paragraphs, but after that you've lost them to farmville.
In this version, you give the most important parts of the accident and the aftermath, making the story sound exciting without going into great detail about anything.


There's the elevator pitch. -- the excuse to the boss version, where you have to explain yourself quickly, but thoroughly.
 In this version, you tell your boss the bare bones. You might even leave out the coffee afterwards. It's one or two lines, pure and simple. Something akin to, "Sorry I'm late boss, but this guy in a Jag ran a red light and plowed into me."
For Terminator, to give another example, it might be, "Sarah Connor's life is changed forever when she's ambushed by a man claiming to be from the future and an evil robot in a human disguise."

Once I started looking at the task of the synopsis, blurb, pitch, etc... as separate stories, the way to tell them became clearer and easier.


On to the blurb --

I thought it would be nice--since we discovered how to write a blurb and then actively rewrote my old blurb--for me to share how things are going. I was surprised to find a great deal of interest based on the new blurb.

• I think including the eye catching headers helped. 

I remember being at a hands-on workshop on querying at my first convention. One of the editors said she'd been pitched once that King George IV wore pink tights, and that was the one thing she remembered from the pitch. The motto for the workshop became "show us the pink tights." My headers were pieces of my pink tights, and including them drew attention to them.

Kormoran

• I think keeping it shorter helped.

 Agents don't have a lot of time. You want to pull them in, not bore them into taking a cat nap. We writers want to catch their attention before they get a chance to reject us, or take that nap. I think a shorter query blurb is a great way to insure only the most eye catching parts of the main plot are included in the query. I've decided to aim for less than 200 words from now on. (For the blurb portion, not the whole query.)

• I think trying to include my voice helped.

That chapter I mentioned above, also helped me in one way other way. Her first paragraph began with a line deep in her voice.

The first line of my synopsis used to be.

The Duke of Addiston informs Emilia she will no longer be a chambermaid. She will pass personal messages within a club.

Now it's.

The late 18^th century witnessed the birth of secret societies like the Illuminati, the Ancient Order of Foresters, and the Lords of Mann. A chilly October evening in 1795, England marked Emilia Marley's descent into this world of debauchery. 

 Personally, I think the second one is not only more interesting, but it showcases my voice better, and also introduces not only the book, but the entire series.

• And I hope it helped you too. 

 Here's another great link that might help.

The Biggest Mistakes Writers Make When Querying Literary Agents

Feel free to share experiences or advice. I'd love either. 

Good luck and good querying.

Weekly quote Wednesday - Ernest Hemingway and Julie Garwood

Writing quote

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
― Ernest Hemingway

Historical romance quote

 “The man irritated her just like a rash.”
― Julie Garwood, Honor's Splendour

Walking Through Hellfire- My hero

Lucas Shaw

Let's discuss my hero, Lucas Shaw.

The Kiss 1859 Francesco Hayez

Like all great alphas, Lucas is cocky, protective, and proud (sometimes to a fault). In truth, I'm not sure I would call him an alpha. I've read far too many alpha-holes in my time to write a straight alpha male. He's a combination of alpha and beta, so along with the aforementioned alpha male traits, he can be charming and witty.
Luke has a giving heart as strong as his playful nature. He enjoys teasing Emilia, yet he fights on behalf of the helpless--at times to his own detriment--because he is compelled to make up for a past mistake.







 
Here is the end of the first meeting between Lucas and Emmie -- Continued from last week's introduction to Emmie.


            She slid off him and tried to move toward the corridor, but couldn't wrench her wrist free.
            Lucas stood. "Oh no, not yet. Not until I have one more thing." Before she could flee, he tugged her to him, spinning her into his embrace. "A small thing."

His fingers lifted her chin. He drew her gaze from where her breasts pressed into his wide chest, over his broad shoulders. Her heart raced faster than a prized stallion. She followed the black stubble over his Adam's apple, square jaw, and strong dimpled chin to the base of the golden mask. When she gazed into his deep green eyes, the effect lent him an air of danger and charged her body with some exciting yet nameless sensation. Her knees quivered.

She licked her lip and let out an unexpectedly shaky breath. "And what do you want?"

"Your name."

Emilia opened her mouth to refuse, but he covered her lips with his thumb. "However, since you guard it, I suppose I'll have to call you Emmie and choose another boon."

She almost jerked at his use of her pet name. His gaze burned her mouth. His thumb slid down, dragging her lower lip as it went. He lowered his head, bit by bit, until at last his mouth met hers. Oh, and what a meeting. Her body went limp, and she leaned into his inviting warmth. His tongue flicked over her lips and she gasped. She tasted the exotic flavor of the spice on his breath. Heady longing tingled over her skin and beneath it, moving deeper within her to some place that seemed to awaken for the first time. Then he released her and stepped back. She faltered, almost losing her feet. Stumbling back, she pressed the back of her hand to her parted lips.

"Mmm." He ran the tip of his tongue over his lower lip. "Sweet."

The sensations inside her combined with the heat in his gaze to speed her blood along its path.

Emilia scurried backwards, watching Luke stand immobile. "I must . . . I must be . . ."

She took the first step into the corridor sideways then whirled about and rushed for the stairs in a daze of desire and confusion.

What is Sexy?

Sexy is a strong arm, a round butt, and bedroom eyes, but it's also so much more. As a writer I'm always thinking about what is sexy and how to show attraction between my hero and heroine that goes farther than a nice set of . . . ahem. 

The sound of sexy can be a honeyed voice--a man with a deep and full tone, not nasal or clipped.
The feel of sexy can be a silk gown or the petal of a rose.
The taste of sexy can be anything from strawberries and honey to spearmint toothpaste.
The view of sexy can be a crooked smile or a strong pair of hands.
The smell of sexy can be anything from spices and flowers to freshly baked cookies and licorice (A scent known for being sexy for both sexes)

Attention to detail is a great way to show interest between a hero and heroine. There's something sexy about a hero who notices things about a heroine that go beyond the obvious or usual. Perhaps he notices how she bites her nail when she'd nervous or frightened, or maybe he sees how her hair flutters against her throat the way he wishes he could run a hand along the same spot.

The appeal of qualities and personality traits
A protective man (Think of the man who stands between his woman and danger, or the one often seen in movies saying something like "If you touch her, I'll kill you.")
A mysterious woman (Think of the woman who "of all the gin joints in the world" chooses his place to walk into, and the one who leaves him wondering what else she has to offer.)
A confident man  (Think of the man who is so relaxed with his power that he doesn't need to act strong or crack his knuckles to inspire fear and respect from his peers. He knows he's powerful and brave, so there's no need to put on a front, and it comes through with his every breath.)
An assertive woman  (Think of the woman who faces danger without batting an eye. The one who never screams and faints unless it's part of her plan.)

The appeal of movements 
I love to watch documentaries, like the Science of Sex Appeal. There's so much fascinating information in the study of attraction and the way men and women show that attraction. I've probably watched dozens of documentaries on sex, attraction, and human relationships. I discovered something very interesting in one documentary. Men and women walk differently when they want to be seen as attractive.
Men - Sexy is widening the shoulders to show the power he can use to hunt. His sway is in his shoulders, and his arms swing as if to show off more of his muscles and strength.
Women - Sexy is rolling the hips, which accentuate the width and show the possible fertility of those hips. Her sway is in her hips, showing off the strength and health of the possible child-bearer.


Some historical romance authors offer their opinions-

Samantha Grace said

I love strong shoulders, which is probably the reason I think archers are so hot. But the attribute I find most sexy are eyes. Looking into a man's eyes can tell you a lot about him. Is he intelligent? Do his eyes radiate kindness? Is there a humorous/mischievous sparkle? Those are qualities I look for in a hero. 

Julie Johnstone said

Deep voices. Strong jaw lines and broad shoulders.

Olivia Kelly said

Yeah, I like all those "superior male breed" markers too, lol! Wide shoulders, muscled forearms, strong hands with long fingers, a chiseled jaw...Although, for me, a man is at his most attractive when relaxed. Some of my favorite actors can slouch like nobody's business- think Robert Downy Jr. Why is he so relaxed? Because he knows he is the smartest, quickest, funniest guy in the room. THAT'S sexy.

Suzie Grant said

Love Robert Downey jr. I think it stems from confidence. Confidence is key.

I hope I've given you all something to think about because sexy is so much more than a body part. Please feel free to share your thoughts and idea with me. What is sexy?

Weekly Quote Wednesday - Douglas Adams and Catherine Anderson

Writing quote

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

Historical romance quote

 “And if you ever - and I do mean ever - try to leave me, I’m goin’ with you.”
― Catherine Anderson, Cherish