~Cate
What I'm Reading
6/25/2011
What's on the iPod : Hurricane by 30 Seconds to Mars
What I'm reading right now....
2-06-2011 : Since I'm working on a rough draft right now, I haven't been reading too much. I did just finish a wonderful YA Historical Paranormal called REVOLUTION by Jennifer O'Donnelly. I love the French Revolution and this was a fantastic meld of history and paranormal - I won't give away the paranormal part since it happens at hte very end of the book. I've got a little fluff book I read when I need something to take a break from the writing. I've been reading Heat Wave by Rick Castle - okay yes Rick Castle is technically a television character but the book is so fun. It is supposed to be the book the character Rick Castles writes as he is working with the NYPD to solve murders. His character Nikki Heat is based on the character Kate Beckett. I love the little fluff book because it's like getting an extra long episode of Castle.
Help Write Now
5/08/2011
This time last year, Nashville was reeling from a major rainstorm that caused the Harpeth and Cumberland Rivers to flood 2/3 of Nashville. In response, the writing community rose to the challenge (sorry not a pun) and authors, agents, editors and all donated wonderful items for bidding to raise money for the victims. It seems so astounding that a year later another violent wave of Mother Nature's arm has wreak horror on the Southeast, this time in the form of even more devastating tornados. From the pictures, it appears that Tuscaloosa, Alabama was leveled to matchsticks and broken concrete.
Rallying to the cause, the writing community is once again offering fabulous donations and bidding to help the victims of the latest storms. You can donate out right or bid on some great prizes. This year I am participating - for sure with my fellow Music City Romance Writers in a group donation that promises a 50 page critique and a synopsis critique. Our group donation should be up for bidding later this week.
You can go here to Help Write Now and see all the great things for bidding.
Help the victims!Perseverence
5/08/2011
Dictionary.com lists the definition of perseverence as :
per·se·ver·ance
[pur-suh-veer-uh
ns]
–noun
1.
steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2.
A perfect definition for the the first leg of the writing journey, in my opinion. I think it's what you must have to be able to make it up each rung of the publication ladder. It's more than not giving up. It's more than having the will to continue in the face of 'no, not for me' rejections.
Perseverence is about having faith in your work, having the ability to let go and change your story to make it better, make it saleable, make it stand out among the slush and thousand others out there. It's about believing in yourself, your talent, your characters.
Rejection is hard and even when you find your guide - your agent - you still have more rejections to come, more changes to make, more stories to write.
I thought long and hard about the word perseverence in the first months of 2011. In 2008, I spent 4 months writing my first young adult novel and a year and half editing and revising it. Former crit partners who saw the original draft can't believe the difference to the story I made - there were big changes, the first being the age of the characters. During that time, my paranormal trove of angels and demons became the next vampires and faeries, and I feared that learning my craft and perfecting my novel was taking too much time and I'd miss my window of opportunity. But I just couldn't give up the characters. I even found hope in reading that Cassandra Clare took 2 years to sell City of Bones. I'm not sure all the schamatics behind that twitter message I saw about how long it took her, but I figured if it took that long for her best-selling series, then if I kept making mine better, I had a chance.
I remained level headed and knew that finished novel alone would not make an author. So I started work on a different manuscript and sent one last round of query letters out to agents. It was what I saw as the last version of the angel story and after that I had to move on quickly or get left behind again.
But that last revision, based on a revelation during Deb Dixon's GMC class - that the conflcit can't be based on the love/romance alone - actually had the elements I needed to get a request for a full read from my now awesome agent Mandy Hubbard. And I was ready to say good-bye to Caleb and Sarah. I'm sooooo glad I didn't. And that to me is perseverance.
So my advice, don't query all the agents at once. Query a handful, see what the response is from that first batch and then start revising. When you feel like you've reached that point once more, query another handful. And then revise some more. Play with your manuscript, see what happens if you play "what if?" See what new directions your character takes you and then revise some more. Never give up. And certainly keep writing new stories, you'll need them once you sign with an agent and have to show new works.
Talking about Salem, Mass
4/7/2011
What's on the iPod : Hang On by Plumb
I was over at Bluestockings & Knickerbockers on Monday. If you have ever been fascinated by a city rich with history and paranormal activity, then check out my first in a series devoted to Salem Massachusetts. My first post is about hte Old Bury Point - the United States second oldest cemetery.
CHECK IT OUT HERE.....Old Burying Point
Nesting
3/27/2011
What's on my iPod : Alibi by 30 Seconds to Mars
Nesting is what I like to call that process where I start to dig into a new manuscript. Like a mother preparing for her baby to come into the world, creating a nursery, cleaning house, and all those rituals that come with preparing for the arrival. It's not unlike the process of delving into a new story.
There are characters to develop beyond the first few scenes written. It means committing to falling in love, becoming the characters, and feeling all their triumphs and heartaches. It means getting inside those charcters heads to realize what makes them tick, what scares them most, and what makes them cry.
And then I sit down and let the story flow. I use the music to propel the emotions of certain scenes. I use the pictures to give me an idea for body language or for facial expressions.
Right now, I'm settling into writing the Knight story, CONJURED. I found some great songs, like "We Owe This to Ourselves" by Anberlin; "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant; "Never Let You Go" by Alex Band; "An End Has a Start" by The Editors.
Last Year's Reading
2/6/2011
What's on the iPod - Back for a Taste of Your Love by Jonny Lang
Time to clean up my reading list. Last year, I read some fantabulous books. Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and Infernal Devices series tops my list. Though, I read more YA than anything, I did check out Kate Pierce's Kiss of the Rose, and her second in the series is out and I'll be on my way to pick it up soon.
Here's the list :
What I'm reading right now....
8-30-10 : I just finished reading the AWESOME Kate Pearce's KISS OF THE ROSE (A Tudor Vampire Series) and I LOVED it. Now, I'm working my way through the tons of books I recieved from RWA Nationals. First on my list is Meg Cabot's INSATIABLE. I just love her voice. It's like a crossover. It has the feel of YA but with older characters. I am really enjoying the book so far.
3-6-10 : Well I splurged today. I bought 4 eBooks. I got the next two House of Night, Betrayed and Chosen. I was surprised that I whipped through the first one so fast. It wasnt brilliant writing, but hey, I read it in about three days. I aslo downloaded Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I am very excited to read this one. His first one about Jane Austen and zombies didn't look appealing, but this one does.
2-28-10 : I finished Hush, Hush and enjoyed it. Now, I'm reading Marked by PC and Kristen Cast. It's definitely different for a vampire novel. I also finished Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Now I'm reading Sea of Monsters.
1-11-10 : I bought two more ebooks! Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and a PC Cast vampire book. Details later. But I am liking Hush, Hush.
While I've Been Away
11/04/2010
What's on my iPod : Fallen by 30 Seconds to Mars
About two months ago, a fellow writer named Felicia Lind wanted to start an Historical Webpage. A place where writers, readers and general lovers of all things history could gather. We launched on Novemeber 1st!!
Check out the gorgeous site - Bluestockings & Knickerbockers
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I
Mystery Meat
10/06/2010
What's on iTunes : When You Say Nothing At All by Allison Krause
No, I don't mean that mysterious, lumpy substance the lunch ladies scooped onto your tray with evil conviction in the 5th grade.
What I'm talking about is the substance of your story that keeps the reader turning the page and (literally) dying for more. Some writers/authors, agents, and editors might call it the hook. Sure that is what it is on the surface, but I think it's deeper than that. It is the question that keeps the reader pondering all night, reading well past their bedtime to find the answer.
It's possibly more than the theme or the plot even. It's just one question that will kill us if we don't get the answer. And as a writer if we can create that question then we've found the secret ingredient.
It was while reading The Mortal Instruments : City of Ashes, that I realized there was one question I had to know the answer to, that everything in the book said one thing but I just knew the answer had to be different. Twilight has that burning question, too. And if you think about older classic novels, like Gone with the Wind, yep, that burning question is present. Sometimes the first question is answered and leads to a bigger burning question, as in the case of Twilight. And these questions propell the reader willingly through three of four more novels in the series.
So what are some examples of those burning questions? Well as I read the Mortal Instruments, for me the question that made me read that entire series in less than a week (3 books) was the desire to find out if Clary and Jace really were brother and sister. I won't spoil, but that question kept me up at night and discussing the book with my friends. For Twilight, the first question is how and when is Bella going to realize what Edward is, and the answer to that questions propells the reader right into the next one : will Edward agree to change Bella into a vampire. If you look at Gone With the Wind, the burning question is whether Scarlett will ever have Ashley, but when she finds the answer within herself, it leads to the next question that ultimately travels through the sequel Scarlett, will she get Rhett back.
So ask yourself, does your story have that burning question? And maybe that's conflict or something else, but it makes sense to me to call it the burning question that I or the reader just have to find the answer to.
Catch and Release
8/30/2010
Wow, after much conflageration, I finally am able to get into my website and post this.
What's on my iPod : Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Catch and Release
It’s one of my favorite movies. Not a stellar, academy award winning story, but still a great film. I’m a huge Jennifer Garner fan – ever since Alias. But I chose that title for my blog today and it has nothing to do with the movie – which I highly recommend.Yesterday (well by now it's been 3 days), I finished turning a one page synopsis into a ten page one. Not Fun! But I did it, and with that, I am putting away BROKEN and focusing on CONJURED, my next YA paranormal/urban fantasy WIP. I featured CONJURED on the Summer Reading Trail. I’m celebrating by watching HOT TUB TIME MACHINE – I am a huge John Cusack fan, too, and by posting a blog. Whoohoo.
I thought I’d talk about catch and release – the process of letting go of one manuscript and moving on to the next one. I heard other authors talk about writers who got stuck on one manuscript, unable to let go, unable to see the flaws as a stepping stone to a better manuscript, and I never thought that would be me. *huge cough* For the past few months I’ve been telling myself just one more pass, just one more fix. Every time I received a rejection, I went write back into the manuscript and started tweaking. Yesterday, I told myself – No More. I have it where I want it. If an agent or editor doesn’t think this story is for them as it is now, then I’m done. I have to move on to the next story.
It’s hard to catch such a wonderful idea and see it through to fruition. You hold onto this idea, to the characters, to the love story – falling in love with it. But there is a point where you must divorce yourself from this story and move to the next. It’s hard because just like finding a new boyfriend, you must discover the way to fall in love with a new set of characters, a new plot, a new setting. You must wine and dine those characters to get inside their heads so that they will open up to you and reveal their secrets so that you can, well, torture them in your story to make it compelling, add conflict and ultimately hook the reader.
The release is two-fold, both painful and ecstatic. You must painfully “break-up” with your other characters – harder still if you see that first book as a series because you’re going to have to fall in love with them all over again if you succeed in selling the first book and are asked to write the sequel(s). But the release can be ecstatic when you finally close that file and open a clean, fresh one for the new WIP.
Excerpt Monday August
8/16/2010
Welcome once again to Excerpt Monday.
It's the third Monday of the month and that means......
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don't
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you'd like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.
This month I'm sharing another small snipit from my first WIP the Rose and the Lion. Enjoy.
***
Most appearances could be deceptive, but not in the case of the crumbling stone façade that clung to a thicket of trees. A faded wooden sign, half-hanging from the eaves, swayed precariously in the wind. Nothing more than a decrepit taproom with space above for travelers to rest, the Old Lighttoller Inn happened to be the only stop south of Hamburg’s well-guarded city walls. According to Iain’s informant, the innkeeper was a pathetic drunk who let his wife run the establishment.
Iain preferred to find more comfortable lodgings within the city. But the need for a safe and central base of operations negated his immediate desires. This mission required the utmost discretion and far less distractions than Hamburg amply provided. Scanning the inn-yard with a raised eyebrow, he hoped to spend not more than a night or two within its walls.
As they guided their horses toward stable, Duncan pulled short the reigns. An animated scene unfolded before the front door, some domestic squabble between innkeeper, wife and a second male and female. The other man’s stature, square yet leaning, bespoke his occupation as a seaman even without the naval uniform. His tone was sharp yet pleading. The young woman at the center of the heated debate was, in one word, bedraggled. The girl captured and held Iain’s gaze long after he would have turned with disinterest. Her red hair whipped across her face in the gathering wind. She looked worse for wear, Iain thought, and was instantly reminded of the poorer womenfolk of Scotland. Her gown clung in tatters to a shapely frame, and even in the distance, Iain could see dirt smudges and purplish bruises on her exposed neck streaking down her exposed cleavage. Imagines of exactly how they came to be there stirred a well kept dragon of rage.
Her gaze focused over the heads of the arguing innkeeper and his wife. She remained aloof through the entire episode. She was either struck dumb, or more likely, Iain surmised, foreign nobility.
Duncan dropped the horses’ reigns and allowed the beasts to find their natural course. As they came closer, the discussion as to the validity of the girl’s lineage and whether she could pay for several days’ lodging became louder. The sailor was emphatic with his sister about allowing the girl to stay until arrangements could be made to send her back to England. Iain pressed his lips together, hiding his victory smile. He’d wagered with himself she was English, and won.
****
"Links to other Excerpt Monday writersNote: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
Excerpt Monday July
7/10/2010
What's on my iPod - Alibi by 30 Seconds to Mars
It's the third Monday of the month and that means......
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don't
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you'd like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.
Okay there seems to be a slight confusion as to where the July post is on the EM page so I found it in archives and thought I would post the link here - http://excerptmonday.wordpress.com/2010/07/
This month I decided to change things up. No Young Adult Paranormal. Instead this is an excerpt from my Historical Romance titled The Rose and the Lion. It's a back shelf story, and the first one I ever seriously wrote. Enjoy.
“There is more at play than you can even fathom, MacGregor. Your scope is too narrow.” Lendl laughed.Elisabeth’s gaze froze as if she found the sound familiar.
Shouts of alarm echoed off the corridor walls as racing footsteps pounded and retreated against the flagstone. MacGregor and Lendl stood poised for attack but remained motionless, listening for movement outside the dead Emissary’s suites.
Blood slammed through Iain’s veins. Elisabeth was caught between them and was within a mere hand’s grasp of Lendl. Iain quickly analyzed all possible strategies, quelling the panic to the back of his mind.
As the voices faded, Lendl grabbed Elisabeth and jerked her in front of him. Her head thudded against his shoulder. A silver dagger glinted in the moonlight. The spy pushed the blade against the soft underside of her chin. Lendl backed toward the window, dragging her with him. MacGregor followed inch by careful inch.
Lendl twisted the blade, and she let out a small yelp, causing the deadly point to break the skin. Fear tried to sweep back through Iain’s senses. A warm trickle slid down her throat. Rage boiled in the Scotsman’s stomach. MacGregor changed his stance and lowered, ready to spring and pounce.
“Stay back,” Lendl spat.
He butted against the window, and with his free hand, he unlatched the sash, pushing wide the casement.
“Let her go. This is between you and I. You will not leave the castle alive with her”
“Of that I had no intentions.” Lendl smiled wickedly.
He lowered his hand, and Elisabeth darted for freedom. He lifted a boot and shoved her hard into Iain.
The Scotsman dropped his rapier as she stumbled into his arms. They tumbled into a chair. Lendl pummeled over the casement ledge with one hand and dropped out of sight. MacGregor pulled her up and planted her to the side as he darted to the window. He slammed his fist on the ledge.
“Bloody bastard is gone.”
Elisabeth gently fingered the scrape under her neck. Iain offered a handkerchief but she slapped away his hand. “You lied to me.”
The corridor hummed with activity as voices carried louder, and the cries of alarm became more distinct.
“I wish I had time to fully explain,” Iain said.
“You are a spy and a murderer. I need no further explanation.” Heat crept up her neck and spread across her face in a crimson stain, hiding her freckles.
“Aye, perhaps, but I did not kill the Frenchman.” Iain scooped up his rapier and slid the blade into the sheath with a singing hiss.
At the moment, he didn’t care what the English lass thought he had or had not done. A pain squirmed in his stomach. He did care that he might not see her again.
“I was foolish to ever trust you,” Elisabeth said, her fingers wrapped around her throat.
Before he could answer, the sound of a large squad of guards halted on the other side of the door. It wouldn’t take them long to break it down. Iain swung one leg over the ledge.
“Where are you going?” She demanded.
“I’ve outstayed my welcome, lassie.”
With one hand braced against the window casement, he coiled the other around Elisabeth’s arm and dragged her to him. She protested with pounding fists against his chest. He just held her more firmly, silencing her with his feverish kiss. His lips pressed roughly against hers, forcing her to sigh. He thrust his tongue deep within her mouth. The sensation weakened his spine and melted the back of his knees. She pushed away and tried to slap him. He leaned outward and held the frame to prevent falling. A laugh burst, sweet and coarse, from the deep hollow of his chest.
“I offer you safe passage back to England, Elisabeth, but we must leave now.” Iain reached out his hand.
“I would rather see you swing from the gibbet.” She stepped away as if she expected him to force her.
The thought not only tickled the back of his mind, but settled some place quite a bit lower. Unfortunately, he was not in the habit of kidnapping.
***
****
"Links to other Excerpt Monday writersNote: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
WELCOME to those coming back and those who are new! We hope you find some fun and fabulous free reads.
Don’t forget to come back for the first Monday of August for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.
As always, your hostesses Bria Quinlan (PG13) , Alexia Reed (R), Rachel Jameson (PG13) and Kendal Ashby (R) thank you for stopping by!
Joining us this week:
Jaleta Clegg, Science Fiction (PG 13)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Contemporary YA Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical (PG 13)
Jeanette Murray, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Dara Young, Steampunk (PG 13)
Ryan, Mystery (PG 13)
Kendal Ashby, Contemporary Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (R)
Lauren Fraser, (R)
Cate Hart, Historical Romance (R)
KJ Reed, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Contemporary M/M (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)
Sara Brookes, Urban Fantasy Romance (NC 17)
Carly Carson, Futuristic (NC 17)
Lisa Fox, Paranormal/erotic romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M/M (NC 17)
Conjuring the Character
6/07/2010
What's playing : Pandora Radio station En Vogue - Never Gonna Get It
So today I started really buckling down into my new WIP CONJURED. I'm a visual learner, and a visual writer. That being said I MUST have pictures to write to, just like a soundtrack. So I started thinking about the process of creating a truly memorable character.
Recently, I came to the conclusion that with a degree in Theater I focus on the characters first when sitting down to create a new story. I imagine a certain type character, perhaps pulling a unique name from thin air and dreaming up that character's world.
Today's post is all about that process.
My writing process is about as scatter-brained as I am, but nine times out of ten, I have the new characters sketched loosely in my mind before I ever set down a clean piece of paper. For BROKEN, I had a sticky note for over a year on my laptop that read "Angels - a new story." I had the germination of the type of paranormal character I wanted to write, I just didn't have the vehicle (Heehee) yet to get them there.
I actually started writing CONJURED before BROKEN. I had intended for CONJURED to be an adult para romance. I was sitting outside late one fall night, staring at the stars and my very favorite constellation - Orion. A million connotations floated through my mind about the origins of that cluster of stars - especially the Greek myth surrounding Diana and Orion. And then poof, I began to wonder more about that story and who the fabled Orion was. From there I decided that I wanted to create a knight with his name. He had to be larger than life just like the constellation he was named for, so his parents were legends too - Tristan and Isolde. And in a matter of five minutes I had created the back story and conflict for my new main character and hero.
So first part of the process, come up with a unique name or stereo type and begin the thought process. This when reading classic fairy tales or ancient myths comes in handy. Some authors use a baby name website or book. To be honest I don't unless I need a secondary character's name. I put much more thought behind my main character's names. My heroines, even with a plain name like Sarah, has that plain name for a reason.
I usually will write a good 5000 words into the beginning of the new WIP before I began to get a taste of my characters. By this I mean, what they look like, how they speak, some of their idiosyncrasies. These are some of the things that help develop their inner turmoil/conflict and help determine the choices they will make through the story. For BROKEN, I wanted to focus on Caleb's eyes. One of the first scenes I wrote I had him with a halo - only glowing in the dark at night. But I thought it was kooky, and deleted that instantly. But I wanted something else that glowed, shifted, and embodied his ethereal presence on earth - so I chose his eyes. Beside, I'm a sucker for a man's eyes. The second thing I knew about Caleb was that he had a tattoo because the second scene I wrote for BROKEN was him revealing to Sarah his angel wings. I wanted them to be hidden to human eyes. No spoilers :) but with that revelation about his body - tattoos - I knew that he had to be a little hard edged. The next thing I knew about Caleb, pulling from some angel lore, is that he was an inspiration to humans - or that was his job. So why not inspire musicians. Angels are supposed to have the most beautiful voices. Ah, and so my little rockin' angel was formed.
So after you've found a unique place to get an idea, write and write until your characters begin to show their attributes. Those quirky behaviors can lead to...
(sorry I will get back to this post..my computer and Wordpress crashed in the middle of writing it - but don't worry, I have some great stuff planned. Sorry for the inconvience)
Setlist for an Angel
6/01/2010
What's on my iPod : Opposite Direction by Union of Knives
I always intended to post a playlist for my novel BROKEN, eventually even breaking it down into characters' personal songs. When my book is published, the actual chapter titles will be bits of songs, most of which were on my very first playlist.
Author Gwen Hayes turned me on to iLike. It's a great little site where you can create playlists and share. (HERE'S Gwen's website and playlist for her new YA Paranormal.) So I created the first list of songs that motivated this story.
This is a love story between an angel (of musical inspiration) and a teenage girl - music has been very important to the development of these characters and this story.....
So a brief explanation of some of my choices. Right off the bat, I knew that I would be listening to the Foo Fighters - a.) they're my favorite band, b.) I always imagined Caleb sounding and playing a little like Dave Grohl. The second group that was on the repeat loop was Evanescence. I LOVE Amy Lee's voice, and thier haunting lyrics and melodies felt right for the story and for Sarah's voice.
I needed songs that either captured the bottled-up feelings of my characters, or an explosive action sequence, or lighter comic scenes.
I chose to listen to the Lost Boys soundtrack for the final battle sequence, layered with 3 Doors Downs "Not My Time." I also listened to early 80's bands like the Cult, the Smiths, and the Church when writing the developing romance scenes between Sarah and Caleb. I also needed some classical music and Beethoven and Mozart felt most natural.
So here's my playlist for your listening pleasure. And please support the artists on the list; they're awesome.
Cold, Dead, and Brooding
05/20/2010
What's on my iPod : Everybody by Autovaughn
My post is up today on Victoria Janssen's blog. This week she is talking about vampires : why we love them and why we write them. In a word I love them, and right now, my favorite fictional vampire is Damon Salvatore.
Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore
Check out Victoria's blog HERE.
Do The Write Thing For Nashville
5/10/2010
If you haven't heard, Nashville - my beloved home - was hit by record flooding last week, May 1st and 2nd. It was so unexpected and so many people barely escaped the rising waters of the Harpeth and Cumberland Rivers. This past week has been both amazing and heartwrenching. The response to the clean up effort was fast. In fact in the neighborhoods in Bellevue that I've driven by just about all the debris has been hauled out of these homes. Cleaning up and cleaning out kept everyone's minds focused, but now comes the hard part - rebuilding. It will be slower going I'm sure. And this is where the donations and relief effort are needed. So many people, friends, neighbors, customers of mine didn't have flood insurance. And if they had Home owners insurance to cover thier possessions, well that doesn't cover loss by flooding. All these wonderful people litereally have nothing but the clothes on their backs. So I'm posting this to let everyone know about this amazing auction going on. A group of writers - Victoria Schwab, Myra McEntire, and Amanda Morgan, organized a website to auction writerly things to raise money for relief aid to Nashville Flood Victims. And the publishing community across this great nation jumped in whole heartedly. Check it out, there's even a signed sheet from Twilight with Rob Pattinson's signature - you may have to out bid me for that one.
Here's the address, please help Nashville and bid or donate directly to the Red Cross.
Do the Write Thing For Nashville : HERE
Red Cross Nashville relief site : HERE
Here are some pictures I took on my phone from the Beech Bend Neighborhood just the other night. They aren't great, but it shows you what it looks like all over Bellevue and pretty much all of Middle Tennessee. It looks like a war zone.
Mounds of debris on the curb in the Beech Bend neighborhood.
Record Flooding in Nashville
05/03/2010
Please help Nashville by donating to the Red Cross. You can go HERE.
Here are pictures of Opryland Hotel
This is a view of downtown Second Avenue seen from the pedestrian bridge that goes over to the Titan's Stadium. 
Titan's Stadium across the Cumberland River looks okay, but all of First and Second Avenue Downtown Nashville is underwater.
The past two days have been crazy. I am very fortunate that I live on a hill, but people I know and care about have been deeply affected by the recent flooding Nashville and Bellevue in particular. We haven't seen this kind of rain in over half a century. The sad thing is that just about all these families didn't have flood insurance. It wasn't needed, the Harpeth is a small tributary of the Cumberland River, heck many summers we have complained at how low the river was and how it was impossible to go canoeing down it. Now, people have lost their homes and it is going to be a long struggle to get things right. On top of all this, Opryland Hotel was flooded. I was going to RWA Nationals in just a two months at the Opry. It will be moved now, but where?
Okay so the reason I am posting is to put up the Red Cross's website so that you can donate. Right now the Red Cross is asking for monetary donations as opposed to other things because they just don't have a place to put it. They don't even have enough shelters for all the people that are homeless right now. And that doesn't included people traveling and were stranded on the three major interstates in and out of Nashville - I40, I65 south, and I24 south. Or the 1500 visitors staying at the Opryland Hotel. Please help if you can. Nashville needs this. For the first time the Volunteer State is asking for your help.
Here is the Red Cross website : http://www.nashvilleredcross.org/general_calltoaction.asp?CTA=1&SN=8522&OP=8919&IDCapitulo=78T3Z2WSK0
World Building
4/14/2010
Having Fun With Building Your Characters' Paranormal World.
What's on my iPad (that's right I got one!) : Everlong by the Foo FightersI've been so busy the past month with revisions on my requested manuscript that I haven't been able to post. So today, I thought I would throw up my experience with world building since I've done quite a bit for BROKEN and REDD and because there's a boon in paranormal both romance and young adult.
When I decided that my first YA novel would involve a hero that was an angel, my mind went to work recollecting all the mythos, movies, and books I'd read. And the majority of what I pulled from came from movies, perhaps because the characteristics were more secular and that's what I wanted.
So when you first set out to create your own characters' world, pull from what you already know. I think it's easier to start there for two reasons : you're already familiar with it, and more than likely it's ingrained in your chosen markets' heads (the readers of paranormal)
When I started writing BROKEN, there were very few novels with angels as protagonists (now it's a growing trend). And as writer, I wanted to steer clear of those novels as not to be influenced in my own world building. With say vampires, the lore is pretty much well established - it's hard to escape it. But that's not to say that as a writer you can't get creative. In fact, agents and editors are looking for the more ingenious worlds because, sad to say, they are seeing TONS of vampire stories.
As you sit down to put to your world on paper, write down those preconceived myths. For instance, with BROKEN, I knew a little about The Fallen (angels that fell when Lucifer did, ect) and the general assumption is that Fallen angels have been stripped of their wings. But my hero, Caleb, had his wings. The second scene I ever wrote was the hero revealing those wings to the heroine. And I also knew how he kept those wings hidden (no spoilers :>) So with that idea I had the first part of my world created, and had to come up with a reason that an angel would be in hiding on earth if he wasn't one of the Fallen. So I created a new distinction among the angels called Renegades. They are hunted, and most likely if they are caught by Heaven they'll be stripped of their wings, and if caught by Hell, they'll burn in eternal damnation. <--- more world building there.
So, the next step is write down a list of what is all ready out there. Then take those ingrained concepts and twist them to your benefit. The first prime example, from two VERY popular vampire series TWILIGHT and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, is the sunlight myth. Both Smith and Myer had to creatively get around the traditional myth of sunlight burning a vampire/ staying out of the sunlight/ only coming out at night but still get their high school age vampires in to high school. I actually prefer LJ Smith's version. She uses rings with a special gemstone that Damon and Stefan wear. And on the TV show I love looking for new characters to see if they are wearing some piece of jewelry to give them away. Of course, Myer went out in left field, creating an anomaly where vampires sparkled in the sunlight. Still what a creative way to twist around a well conceived vampire myth and make it her own. It sold - gazillions! Another myth that both authors twisted to fit their worlds was the blood drinking. This is one of those myths that just can't be fooled with too much. The whole point of a vampire is that is what he does - drinks human blood. The idea of vegetarian vampires, hillarious, actually worked - first for Smith because Stefan feeds only on animals while his brother Damon is more the monster and feeds on humans. And Myer took this concept and expanded it, making the Cullen family outcasts among all vampires for their odd eating practice. Even Charlaine Harris took a spin, her vampires drink synthetic blood that just like the real thing.
Enough about vampires. But once you have plucked the myths and concepts to create your world, twisted them, used them, abused them for your benefit. Now it's time to test those new theories.
What I discovered while revising BROKEN is that my world kept shifting slightly. As I learned more about my characters, I found that they revealed things to me that had to be fit together a little bit differently. And then I had to create the other half of the spectrum, the world of demons. In essence, I was still adding to my world up until the day I sent my revised manuscript off.
Finally, several thoughts. Always remember no matter what, this is your world that you created. If your vampires live off syrup, so be it. Just remember that part of creating your world is providing the back up evidence to support the why and how. Second, take notes, lots of notes. And research. You'd be amazed if I told you that a large chunk of my world, some of the terms and how the heirarchy works, came from a Role Playing Game. I was lucky I found it, but I learned a lesson. Always bookmark, jot down, copy and paste the info to a Word doc, because you may not find the site again. But you can find some very interesting ideas in the most random places. Never rule out anything.
So to summarize :
1) start a list of what you already know about your world, the myths, legends you already know
2) research those myths, legends, ect and take notes. Be sure to keep a hard copy or favorite the sites you visit for later reference.
3) take those theories and twist them for your benefit to create a new and exciting world
4) write and listen to what your characters tell you, as they will reveal things you had no idea about :)
Excerpt Monday March
3/15/2010
What's on my iPod : Crash and Burn by Lifehouse
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
It's hard to believe it, but I began participating in EM a year ago. I've only missed once - last month. So here is this month's post. It's something I've been toying with, so it is in rough draft. But this is the opening sequence to FLIRTING WITH HEAVEN. It's more of an adult paranormal romance. Enjoy.
Lightning flashed, followed by the distant rumble of thunder. Two male voices erupted, embroiled in battle.
“You should have stayed hidden, Ezekiel,” a male voice hissed.
Lightning sparked a second time, glinting off the cruel edge of the blade held in mid-air.
“I’ll protect Sam with my dying breath, Uriel. I’m not afraid of meeting my creator. Not sure you can say the same, daemon.”
Thunder shook the ground, and the first male voice laughed. “If you kill me, Zeke, you’ll never find Samantha.”
“What have you done with…damn it, the boom mic is in my shot!”
Instantly, floodlights flickered on the sound stage. Keely Jamison rubbed her eyes as they readjusted from the darkness. The shoot had been going so well. Of course, it was only a matter of time before a tantrum erupted. She checked her watch - four hours this stretch. There wasn’t much she could do as head script writer for the pilot production of Flirting with Heaven. But she kept trying to appease everyone because this was her baby, a television program based on her best-selling novel.
Beside her, Jess McCain, director extraordinaire, scanned back through the footage to double check the shot. Sure enough, the boom mic surreptitiously lowered into the top right corner of the screen. Keely cursed under her breath. The scene had been perfect this time – the fourteenth take. But now it was ruined. She almost sympathized with the “terrible tyrant” Trayson.
After he dropped the sword and nearly impaled guest actor, Michael Jenners, Trayson spun into a spoiled actor’s tirade and verbally attacked he fifty year old veteran sound man responsible for the slip. She hardly blamed either one of them; they’d been on set shooting since six am.
Jess got up and pushed his way into the circle forming around Trayson. The thirty-something director maintained a cool, levelheaded approach to his actors and the crew. And they respected him for it. But Trayson’s temper-tantrums had managed to see five seasoned film crew members walk off set already. With a sigh, she rose out of the canvas backed chair to stretch her legs. Keely slipped toward the catering table to get a cup of coffee for Jess and bottled water for the hot head.
“Mocha latte?”
Keely jumped at the sound of Zach’s voice and almost spilled Jess’s coffee all over the table and herself. She glared up at the dark haired assistant director. It wasn’t the first time he’d snuck up on her out of the blue. But his sweet smile melted her brewing distemper.
“It looks like another long night,” he added, tilting head toward the crowd tightening around Trayson, Jess and the techie.
She nodded and turned her attention back to the coffee and the water bottle.
“Maybe, I should just f**king break my contract and quit this damn production,” Trayson’s gravelly voice boomed, “if you people can’t give me any respect to perform my craft and keep god-damn boom mics out of my face...”
Trayson pushed through the men like parting the Dead Sea.
“Not very angel-like,” Zach said.
“I whole-heartedly agree with you.” Michael stepped over to the table and grabbed a water bottle.
Keely sighed and gave them both a weak smile. “Damage control,” she said and walked for the stage door.
She slipped through the partial opening in the rolling bay door and flitted past half a dozen actors on the back lot. It was close to seven now, and everyone was exhausted, especially Keely. But it was only the fifth day of shooting the pilot episode, and they were green-lighted to shoot six more episodes. That is if they could get this fast approaching train wreck back on schedule.
The silver Star-line trailer rocked on its foundation wheels, and she heard a few loud curses. She hesitated before knocking, steeling her nerves and her pounding heart. Keely wasn’t afraid of the tantrum throwing actor. It was the exact opposite, she was crushing on him. Unfortunately, he was aware of it.
“Trayson, can I come in?”
~~~
Don’t forget to come back on the first Monday of April for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.
So, to kick it off, your hosts:
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
and
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Joining us this week:
Leslie Dicken, Historical (PG 13)
Victoria Dixon, Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary romantic elements (PG 13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, SFF (PG 13)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with romantic elements (R)
Cate Hart, Paranormal YA (R)
Jeanne St. James, Interracial Menage (R)
Ali Katz, Historical (R)
Danielle Yockman, Steampunk (R)
Sara Brookes, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)
Christa Paige, ContemporaryRomance (NC 17)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)
What I'm Reading Right Now
3/06/2010
Well my side bar is getting full. I'm moving old mini-posts here.
1-11-10 : I bought two more ebooks! Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and a PC Cast vampire book. Details later. But I am liking Hush, Hush.
1-2-10 : Almost finished with The Lightning Thief, and then tearing into The Sea Monsters. I bought Fallen by Lauren Kate, and while it's intriguing, I find it much darker than I like my YA. I plan to finish it after my Olympian romp!
12-20-09 : I got a Sony eReader!!! I love it!! Right now I have two things on there. I have Inez Kelley's Jinxed ebook, and Steve Berry's latest about Napoleon's treasure. I plan to keep adding titles!
Today, I bought Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. I got it as Christmas present for my 9 year old nephew, but I'm having book envy. I want to read it before the movie comes out.
I became addicted to the CW's new show Vampire Diaries. So, I had to pick up LJ Smith's series. I'm in the middle of the third book now. But I also have the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer to read.
The Journey part 1
3/06/2010
What's on my iPod : Red Morning Light by The Kings of Leon
Well, I thought this might a good time to blog about my own personal journey to publication. The basics are the same : write a manuscript from start to finish, edit, revise, and repeat. Then write a hook and query/pitch and begin to query agents. Along the way thicken your skin, either with some tough (But great) critique partners, and getready for hte rejections. You're going get them. Don't take it personal, becuase it's not. It's business. An agent may not like your story, that doesn't mean it's bad. What it means is its just not in their particular taste.
So where I'm at right now. I'm in the querying process and the revising and tightening process. It means I'm querying, and not everyone all at once, but a few agents at a time. As I query I'm tightening my manuscript. This is also the time when I read everything I can get my hands on, and not just in my genre (YA paranormal) but everything, including craft books.
This really is a slow process, so I'm also working on my next manuscript, not as diligently as I did my first. And I'm networking - connecting with fellow writers and agents and editors. The internet has really brought the publishing community out of an elite status and into a more homegrown, grassroots movement. Well at least I like to think so.
Origins of Writing
2/18/2010
Hey I'm up over on Victoria Janssen's blog. She devoted this month to asking a few fellow writers about where their love and passion of writing originated. I'm up today. Wow, it's so much easier to write ficiton than a personal story.
Check out my response on Victoria's site HERE.
Excerpt Monday January
1/18/2010
What's on my iPod : Blue Monday by New Order
It's the third Monday in January, and you know what that means....Excerpt Monday!!
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
I thought I would continue with last months excerpt...so here's more of Caleb and Sarah from the second book in the BROKEN series, RENEGADE.
I just nodded open-mouthed as his shoulders twitched and the two snowy, white wings trembled in the silent forest. He scooped me up with a devilish smile.
“You’re not saying anything?” he questioned as his blue eyes danced in the light.
I grimaced. “What do you want me to say? You know I don’t like it when you use your powers? Is that what you’re looking for?”
His laughter reverberated off the trees, and a patch of snow slipped from the closest pine branch and plopped at his feet. Before I could raise a stronger protest, we lifted off the ground and sailed through the trees. Seconds later, a pond the size of Madison Square Gardens shimmered through the tree branches, and we landed at the edge.
Az and Rade sat on a fallen log, along the shore, and put on skates. They both looked up at our approach.
Gaelin perched on the edge, and his sneaker clad foot tapped the ice. “The water’s not completely frozen.”
Caleb lowered me on the log beside Rade, who elbowed me a little too hard. Then Caleb leaned down, his jet-black hair dangling over his eyes, and placed the duffel bag at my feet.
“Well do your thing,” he said to Gaelin.
I focused on Gaelin as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. My mouth naturally dropped as he blew over the water. All across the pond, the water sizzled and cracked, freezing all the way through to the bottom.
Caleb’s head snapped up. “Can you skate?”
My eyes floated back to his. “Yes, but I’ve never played hockey before.”
He chuckled, pulling out a smaller pair of skates. “If you can stand up in ice skates, then you can play hockey.”
“Doesn’t it require pushing a little black thing across the ice?”
At the age of ten, my mother enrolled me in ice skating lessons. I took them for two years before dropping that for art classes. I could do a mean pirouette on the ice, but as for shooting a puck into a goal, that was a different story.
“Since when do angels play hockey?” I narrowed my eyes at Caleb.
As Rade skated across the ice, he called out over his shoulder, “Since Wayne Gretzky!”
I laughed. “Hmm, I see. I think you guys have too much time on your hands.”
“We have to do something to keep out of trouble,” Az said pulling on the long laces.
“Trouble?” I slipped my foot into the skate, twisting the laces around my fist and yanking hard.
“We’re fallen, Sarah,” Gaelin replied as he stood and wobbled for the ice. “We have the tendency to make mischief. Caleb keeps our souls out of trouble.”
I glanced at Caleb. “Your idea?”
He bobbed his head with a half cocked grin. “Somebody’s got to keep their noses clean.”
“And angel hockey’s how you do it? That and the band, I take it?”
“Yep.” He finished tying his skates and jumped for the ice.
I shook my head, hiding a smile. I pulled on the other skate and began the tightening ritual over again. When I stood, I immediately stumbled because of the soft ground. Caleb skated back to the edge of the pond and extended his hand. I took it and stepped onto the ice. Gliding across the frozen pond happened to be the most wonderful sensation - like flying with frigid air blowing across your face and between your fingers, legs and arms. It’d been a long time since I skated, but after a few unsteady bobbles, I got my confidence and swirled around and whipped backwards a few times.
***
This month’s links:
Don’t forget to come back on the first Monday of February for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.
So, to kick it off, your hosts:
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
and
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Joining us this week:
Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Danie Ford, Contemporary YA (PG 13)
Babette James, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Cynthia Justlin, Thriller with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary Romantic Elements (PG 13)
R. F. Long, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Shawntelle Madsion, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Science Fiction/ Fantasy (PG13)
Kendal Corbitt, Erotica Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Jeanne St. James, Interracial Menage Erotic Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal/Fantasy (R)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)
Sara Brookes, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Contemporary, Interracial, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Elise Logan, Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Excerpt Monday December
12/14/2009
What's on my iPod - Curse of the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
Today is my favorite day of the month! It's Excerpt Monday again. I can't believe that is number 8 for me. For this month's excerpt, I thought I might put up part of a scene from the second book in the BROKEN series called RENEGADE. This is still a work in progress.
“Where are we going?” I asked as bubbles of giddiness popped in my stomach.
He paused on the other line, but I could hear the smile. “Surprise, but dress warm.”
“Okay.” I didn’t press him further because I knew he wouldn’t give in anyway.
I rummaged through my closet, having even less warm clothes than I did summer outfits. What I did have was layers, and that’s the best I could do to dress warmly.
The SLK whipped into Pembry’s fire lane promptly at nine am Saturday morning. The dorm and surrounding campus still slumbered in alcohol induced hangovers, study crazed lethargy and just plain too friggin’ early laziness. I pushed on the double doors when the Mercedes glided to a stop. He stepped out dressed in a black Under Armor long sleeve shirt and a thick Northface jacket. Unzipped and hanging open despite the freezing temperature, it wasn’t like he needed any of it anyway. The sun crested on the horizon, and though it would be bright, it would provide little warmth. When he noticed my multi-layers of long sleeve shirts under the pea-coat, he laughed at my bundled state of immobility as he opened the door for me.
“So, where are we going?” I asked again.
The ignition purred to life, emitting a wave of white smoke behind, and he put the car in drive.
He looked over with a sparkle to his sapphire blue eyes. “One of my favorite places to go when it gets cold.”
“That doesn’t help,” I said. He was definitely tight lipped about this surprise.
We drove through Wenham and hit the highway north toward the forest and state park. Snowfall still covered the park’s one lane road, and Caleb was forced to slow his speed to a crawl. He twisted his hands on the steering wheel, agitated. Despite his excellent driving, the German performance sports car slid every now and then. He turned off the main drive, and we continued a few more yards until Az’s Range Rover appeared through the snow laced pines. He pulled the Mercedes into the shadow of the bulky SUV and killed the motor. He raced around to open my door before my hand even brushed the handle. Sometimes, I loved that he did that, and sometimes, I felt more independent and wanted to open my own door. He just smirked, and I covered my face with my hands. Did he always have to know what I was feeling?
From the trunk, Caleb yanked out a large black canvas duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder. His hand reached in and pulled out two sticks - hockey stick – then handed them to me.
“You carry these. We walk from here.”
I shrugged and followed him to the tree line and inch thick snow covered trail. Footprints already stamped out a path, and I attempted to stay in the packed snow so my feet didn’t get wet and freeze.
Disappearing into the cover of pines and maples, we walked a good mile before the tracks in the snow stopped. He dropped the bag and proceeded to remove his jacket and shirt. My breath caught in my throat at the sudden exposure of that lean taught chest. I’d seen it before, but glistening in the filtered sunlight, the sight sent ripples of electricity through me. With a wicked grin, he draped the coat over my shoulders and placed the shirt in my hand.
“We fly from here.”
~~~
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
and
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
Joining us this week:
Danie Ford, Womens Fiction (PG13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary (PG13)
RF Long, Fantasy Sword and Sorcery (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Christa McHugh, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Fantasy (PG13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Kendal Ashby, Erotic Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (R)
Inez Kelley, Contemporary Romance (R)
Jeannete Murray, RomCom (R)
Christa Page, Regency Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal (R)
Jeanne St James, Erotic Rom M/M (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)
Sara Brookes, Fantasy (NC17)
Emily Ryan Davis, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Ella Drake, Erotic SciFi Romance (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Jamal W Hankins, Dark Fiction/Fantasy (NC17)
Bryl R Tyne, Transgender M/M (NC17)
Thirteen All-Time Best Holiday Movies
12/10/2009
What's on my iPod : Breakin' Me by Jonny Lang
Well, it's officially two weeks till Christmas! I thought I would run down my list of must-watch-on-some-random-cable-channel holiday films. The first three are my UTMOST favorite Christmas movies because I can quote atleast half the film from memory. So, leave a comment if you agree with them or if you have a different order of faves, or if I left one off worth mentioning.
1.) All time fave, hands down and never miss it....National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I mean what holiday would be complete without watching the affable Clark Griswold a.) staple himself to the roof, b.) get stuck in the attic only to find presents of Christmas past, c.) have his brother-in-law show up in a Winnebego with toxic dump leakage...CLASSIC. I laugh just thinking about it.
2.) ELF - This is my new all time favorite, and really, it's a tie with Christmas Vacation because Will Ferrell is the NEW Chevy Chase. Favorite line : "Hello, Buddy the Elf. What's your favorite color?" Oh, and of course : "Santa's coming! Santa's coming! I know him."
3.) A Christmas Story. This is one that I always catch in bits and peices throughout the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year was the best, though, because TNT (I think) had a marathon that ran all day Christmas Eve. After I put the kids to bed, I sat my mom down on the couch and told her she had to watch this movie because she grew up in the 50's. We laughed so hard.
4.) Miracle on 34th Street. I prefer the remake because the little girl, from Matilda, is just so precious. I cry just thinking about it.
5.) It's A Wonderful Life. I will only watch this one in black and white - remember about a decade ago they decided it would be cool to colorize old b&w films. I didn't think it was cool, and there's just something about watching this one in black and white. Favorite line : "Teacher says, everytime a bell rings an angel gets its wings." <grin>
6.) The Preacher's Wife. Sorry to say but I love the remake. I mean hello, Whitney Houston singing and Denzil.
7.) Bad Santa. Snicker- enough said.
8.) While You Were Sleeping. It's probably not really considered a holiday film. I threw it in because it does take place at Christmas, and I love a great Sandra Bullock romantic comedy.
9.) The Santa Clause. I love Tim Allen. What can I say?
10.) Home Alone. Classic. It's toward the bottom becasue it was more of a great 90's movie that I loved when I was in high school. The kids love it now, especially my 7 year old son.
11.) The Polar Express. My kids love, I love it, the grandparents love it. And Tom Hanks, gotta love it!
12.) The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The Jim Carrey version is ah-ight. I love watching the cartoon because it carries the cadence and rhythm of the original Dr. Seuss book.
13.) I decided to lump together all those wonderful claymation and cartoon classics like the Rudolph stories (my favorite of those is the one where Rudolph goes to the island of misfit toys to save baby New Year - that's my birthday!), and the ones about how Santa became Santa, and I love the old cartoon (I can't remember the name) about the mice that live in the clock tower that chimes to bring Santa but the one little mouse doesn't believe and breaks the clock.
So, I know there are others out there. What's you favorite holiday film, classic or new?
Thirteen Writerly Things I'm Thankful For
11/26/2009
What's on my iPod : Final Moment by Veer Union.
Happy Turkey Day everyone in the US. I thought I just might participate in Thursday Thirteen with thirteen things I'm thankful for related to writing and my MS BROKEN. And so in no particular order, just how they pop in my head :
1.) Awesome beta readers and critique partners. Without you, I would have never gotten my rough draft in shape. 2.) The Foo Fighters and Evanescence. Without their music, writing BROKEN would have been a lot different. And because the Muse insists that "The Pretender" is his theme song.
3.) Romance Divas Forum. Because you Divas rock with support, knowledge, and humor.
4.) My kids and parents for understanding (some of the time) how crazy this undertaking is.
5.) My friends for reading the MS and liking it. I know you guys were just saying that, but hey, thanks anyway.
6.) #askagent and #yalitchat for connecting unpublished writers with agents, publishers and published authors and getting invaluable information to us.
7.) Twilight (I know) because if I hadn't read the book at a time in my life that made the book have more meaning to me, I would have never realized there was a market for young adult and written BROKEN.
8.) My laptop. Where would I be without you. I can't function without you.
9.) Diana Gabaldon for writing Outlander. If I had never read that book and the others that followed, I would never had decided I wanted to be a published writer in the first place.
10.) Coffee. OMG. I need you, I want you, I dedicate an entire Madonna song to you - Justify My Love. And Starbucks because of the special little place I hold for you in my heart. I am thankful for White Chocolate Mocha Latte, Peppermint Mocha Latte, and Pumpkin Spice Latte. And for the quiet moments I sat and worked on BROKEN in your store.
11.) The Muse incarnate. With your physical pictures I try to develop a more well-rounded characters. And you're just too sexy to look at or ignore.
12.) Sticky notes. You are a godsend. So many used on my plotboard. In fact, I had the widget on my old laptop and for over 6 months it said on there "Angels a new story." Yep, that was the seed that got water and grew and flowered into BROKEN.
13.) For the patience and the ability to write stories that people enjoy.
That's All......
Fan Fiction
11/15/2009
What's on my iPod - Glycerine by Bush
I caught a thread on Romance Divas that was talking about fan fiction. After I noticed my seven year old had take a piece of paper and written his own story using Anakin and the Jedis, it got me thinking.
I've written my fair share of fan fiction. I just realized that the first thing I wrote as fan fiction used the characters from The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. But when the intial wave of renewed interest in the original Star Wars film hit, I found myself writing an entire new story that revolved around the beloved characters. I'd devoured Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy and wanted to create my own characters in his post-Palpatine universe. Actually, I just wanted Luke to have a romantic leading lady. I never considered what I wrote in my free time between classes as anything more than strictly for my enjoyment. Community boards and forums were just taking off back in those days. But those online communities, that's where the fan fiction was brewing.
I am willing to admit that it was writing fan fiction for myself that sparked my desire to join this crazy writer's life. In college, I read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, and of course, fell in love with her hero, Jamie Fraser. I have entire notebooks filled with fan fiction devoted to that red-headed Scotsman. In waiting for the next book in the series and failing to find anything that came close to the love story, I decided to write my own historical romance - which is still sitting in about four notebooks and few computer files to be rewritten and finished. But it was the start. The little light switched flipped on, and I've been writing and working toward publication ever since. Basically, I went from writing just for me to wanting to write something to share with everyone.
Today, there are hundreds of sites devoted to fan fiction - Twilight probably having the largest. And I will again admit I have a few pages of my own Edward fantasy. Someone on Romance Divas said that fan fic was a great way to get the juices flowing because you don't have to worry about developing a character or a setting. I agree with her. And I think it is a great way to work on the fundamentals of story crafting - plot, theme, conflict, arcs, ect.
So, what do you think about the huge mass of fan fiction out there today? Did you start writing fan fiction? What did you cut your writing teeth on?
You can check out Star Wars fan fic here - http://www.theforce.net/fanfiction/
Here is a great place for Outsiders fan fiction - http://www.fanfiction.net/book/Outsiders/
And of course, one of a gazillion Twilight devoted fan fiction sites - http://www.twilighted.net/
Or you can just got to http://www.fanfiction.net/ and type in what you're looking for.
I personally haven't reviewed all the posts on the sites, and some may contain more mature content.
It's Excerpt Monday Again.....
9/14/2009
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
It's that time again. This month to celebrate overcoming my first hurdle of submitting my full MS to an agent, I decided to post an excerpt from that manuscript. This scene is from my YA paranormal romance called BROKEN. Enjoy.
~UPDATE 11/07/09 : I've made some revisions to the origianl post.
~~~
The steering wheel was slick in my hands. I tried to grip it, attempting to ease the pounding of my heart. Licking my lips and trying to swallow, my throat constricted with fear. I focused on the dust floating in the headlamps. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the other car back up and stop across from me on the opposite shoulder. The driver’s side window lowered, and a dark head leaned out. So much for easing the tight squeeze on my heart, it somersaulted in my stomach. I recognized the jet-black hair, deep-set blue eyes and twisted scowl. It was Caleb.
“Are you ok?” His eyes reflected the electronic blue of the dashboard and held an eerie glow.
When I didn’t answer, he leapt out of the black sports car and dashed across the highway. His jaw tightened, and I tried to get my breathing under control.
“Are you hurt?” Those damnable eyes raked over me as I sat immobile.
“No, I’m fine.” The words tumbled out.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. My mind screamed while I stared at the steering wheel. But I couldn’t escape, and he didn’t leave. Instead, his hand gripped the window frame.
“I feel terrible.” Yeah right. “Are you sure you’re okay?” His voice sounded kinder, almost sincere. And smooth. God, it was smooth as velvet.
“Someone was standing in the middle of the road. Did I hit them?” I finally turned my head in his direction.
Concern deepened the lines of his face, softening his cold demeanor. I’d been holding my breath and didn’t hide the sudden, noisy outrush.
“There’s no one here. I’d feel better if you allowed me to drive you back to campus.” He stood back, placing his hand on the door handle. “I assume that’s where you were going?”
Tendrils of shock shimmied from my spine, tightening across my chest. I still shook from the fright, even though my eyes must have played tricks on me. But the sexiest guy in school pulling on my door wasn’t a mirage. And now, he insisted I get into his car. My mind protested the idea but couldn’t fight the insatiable curiosity.
“I insist.” He opened the door wide.
There was no refusing him. The way he stood, one hand on the door and the other outstretched toward his car, denied all thoughts of resistance. I reluctantly climbed out and stumbled, my knees turning to Jell-o. His arm slipped around my waist, and he pulled me tight against his chest. My knees weren’t the only thing weakening.
“You’re certainly in no condition to be driving a car.” His mouth twitched with a hint of humor.
He steered me across the street and dumped me in the passenger seat of his slick, black Mercedes SLK. I watched as he grabbed my stuff and locked the car. My mind whirred into motion. He’d been racing away from Wenham, and my reckless driving prevented him from whatever he was on his way to do. Guilt gnawed at my uneasy stomach. Pissing off Caleb Smith placed first on my list of things not to do while in college.
“You were on your way somewhere. I don’t want to keep you,” I said as he climbed in and slammed the door.
He whipped the car around and headed back toward Wenham and campus. “You’re not.”
“I’m sorry. I swear there was someone standing in the middle of the road.” My heart pounded at the ridiculous words coming out.
“You must have been seeing things.” The line of his jaw, stone-cold blue from the dash lights, clenched and relaxed. The mask dropped back over his face, and distinct animosity slipped into his tone. I should have stayed in the Passat.
“You really don’t have to do this. I’ll be fine in a second.” I wrapped my arms across my chest to stop the shaking. His eyes drifted over me, and an eyebrow lifted. When he didn’t answer, I asked,
“What about my car?”
“I’ll take care of it.” His eyes flickered back to the road.
When we curved another bend, a second set of headlights blazed toward us. The semi barreled down the middle of the road. Caleb laid on the horn and rolled the SLK onto the grassy shoulder just as the massive truck careened back into its lane. Caleb never slowed but maneuvered the sports car back onto the highway with a nonstop smoothness.
“Jerk truck driver! We could have been killed,” I said, gripping my sides tighter.
Caleb gripped the wheel with knuckles as white as his pressed lips. He stared intense, almost agitated, out the window. My heart quickened its thrumming because I was fearful of his frozen attitude.
“You don’t trust me,” he hissed. It was a statement rather than a question.
“No.” At the moment, I didn’t feel like being polite or lying.
The lines of his face softened, and the corner of his mouth curved. “Good,” he whispered.
Staring at my lap, I inhaled slow, deep breaths to calm my heart rate. The pattern of light, a prismatic splotch of LCD blue, changed to a brighter orange glow. I glanced up as we raced through Rockport.
“Why did you transfer to Wenham?” His tone held an accusation, and I jerked my head to stare at him.
He twisted his hands around the steering wheel when I hesitated, but his gaze never left the road. I found it unnerving the way he avoided looking at me when he spoke.
The in rush of my breath slid through my clenched teeth with a sizzle. “My mom took a promotion. She insisted I transfer.”
“There’s dozens of colleges in Boston. Why did you choose Wenham?”
The accusation was still present. My mouth hung slightly open as I wondered how he knew my mother planned to move us to Boston.
“My aunt lives in Rockport. It was my mother’s choice, not mine.”
“Then you would have rather stayed--” He paused to glance over at me, blue eyes searing. “In Tennessee?”
“No, not necessarily.” The words caught in my throat, and I licked my dry lips. “Do you have a dislike for people in general, or just me in particular?”
The corner of his mouth quivered. “Why on earth would you think I dislike you?”
My mouth made a pop as I shut it. I could mention the sneers and the obvious intimidation, but my courage faltered when I gazed into those blue eyes. Instead, I glanced out the window, avoiding how seductive he looked with taut muscles under a tight black sweater. I couldn’t help recalling Cybil’s silly palm reading. One true love, my ass.
The first row of shops along Wenham’s main street appeared, and I was glad he was speeding. The sooner this ride was over the better. Before I could catch my breath, we pulled into the fire lane in front of Pembry. The German precision sports car glided to a stop dead center of the plate-glass lobby windows. Determined to escape the car with lightening speed, it didn’t occur to me that he knew which dorm I lived in.
“Thank you,” I muttered as I climbed out. My mind still swirled, and my knees still wobbled.
He leaned across the seat. “You want your car, right?”
I whirled around to find him smiling. Stunned, it was the first time I’d ever seen him do it, and it left me breathless. I just stood there in foolish amazement. He cocked his head, waiting.
“Oh, right,” I stammered, fishing for the keys.
When I gave him my keychain, my fingers barely brushed the inside of his palm. He whipped his hand away, and for a second, I swore that I didn’t feel anything but warm air. I had to be hallucinating. Or there must have been something weird in Cybil’s organic spaghetti sauce.
I sighed. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” He said as the window slid up.
I stood with my feet glued to the sidewalk and watched as he raced up the fire lane. His final statement recoiled with a sting like a popped rubber band. Recalling my original assumption of him, pretentious and callous, I didn’t plan on mentioning it to anyone ever.
~~~
“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
Icarus WIngs
9/6/2009
ON MY iPOD : Rehab by Amy Winehouse
Well, I thought that my first official post on my new website would be a reflection. I just sent in my full MS to an agent, and it got me thinking about the uneasy feeling, as a writer, one gets when they first send that well-polished manuscript out. We give it wings and hope to God that the thing can fly on its own. We pray it will sing. But as we patiently wait weeks, even months, we begin to feel that perhaps our precious little creation maybe has Icarus Wings and might fall to its death just the same. That's my thought, and sums up how I feel currently.
