Guest Posters

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Guest Poster Russell Brooks

January 2, 2012 in Guest Posters, Writing | 10 comments

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I know I said I would finish my movie review today, but I lucked into getting a post from the fabulous Russell Brooks, thriller/mystery writer, essayist, blogger, actor and damn good-looking guy.

His bio says:

Russell Brooks is a former Indiana Hoosier Track Champion and Canadian Track Team member in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, and the 4×100 meter relay. He has written several essays on his blog, The Big Picture, one of which was published in the online Op-Ed section of the National Post in early 2009. His debut novel, Pandora’s Succession, has received rave reviews from book reviewers, espionage and thriller fans. Unsavory Delicacies and the recently released thriller, Chill Run, have also been well received by thriller and mystery fans. Russell currently lives in Montreal, Quebec.

You can learn more about Russell Brooks at www.russellparkway.com.

The book description for Chill Run has one of the Best. First lines. Ever:

You know a publicity stunt has backfired when someone dies.

Starving author Eddie Barrow, Jr, will do anything to get a book deal with a NYC publisher. Even if it means getting caught by the media while engaging in S&M with a female celebrity as a publicity stunt. What Eddie gets instead are details of a billion dollar fraud scheme from a suicidal client who’s fatally shot minutes later. Now on the run from the law and the killers, Eddie seeks help from two unlikely friends—an alcoholic and a dominatrix. With few resources, Eddie races to clear his name, unveil the fraud scheme, and expose the killers before he becomes their next victim.

So here he is, ladies and gentlemen: RUSSELL BROOKS!

The Switch

Is there a rule that says that authors must stick to one kind of story? No. Well, at least none that I was able to find. Those who are familiar with my previous works, know that they fall in the espionage/thriller genre. So many might be wondering why I didn’t write another story dealing with spies, chemical weapons, government conspiracies, betrayal, and revenge? The answer is simple. I wanted to risk change.

“But aren’t you worried about losing your fan base?” No, my true fans will read whatever I write. Besides, this will be a great opportunity to show that I can write a different kind of thriller and attract new fans.

“But you’ve never written a mystery before. What experience do you have with that?” Let’s see, when I wrote Pandora’s Succession and Unsavory Delicacies, I never owned a gun (still don’t), shattered someone’s trachea with my bare hands, poisoned someone, or unleashed biological weapons on a country. Hell, I’ve never even worked for the CIA. So I didn’t have any experience with that genre either before I wrote those books. I had to research the relevant material and then let my imagination help me tell the tale.

Ironically, Chill Run was less difficult to write because I’ve gone through some of the dilemmas that protagonist, Eddie Barrow, Jr., went through. I’m sure many readers will be able to relate to a character who has problems paying the rent, who has a roommate that won’t pay their share of the bills, with a cheating girlfriend, and the list goes on. Everyone loves a Peter Parker-type character (aka Spiderman). Now take Eddie, an ordinary young man in his twenties with big dreams that are littered with roadblocks. He’s so desperate for success that he hopes to cash in on a BDSM scandal with a celebrity. It seemed like a good idea at the time, only he ends up being framed for murder after having learned the details of a billion-dollar investment fraud scheme.

Was I nervous about not releasing another espionage thriller? A bit. Do I regret it? No. Will I write espionage again? Of course. Will I venture away from espionage again? Most definitely. Some risks are worth taking. After all, variety is always good.

Thanks, Russell! I’m so pleased you stopped in to share your new book and your switch-up experience with me. In these days of “branding”, it’s nice to meet somebody else who just wants to write the story and THEN worry about where it’s going to be shelved. Short-sighted? Maybe. Commercially nonviable? I don’t even know what that means. ~sigh~ Anyway, glad to have you here, Russell, my friend.

Buy links to all three of Russell’s books can be found on the Store Page of his website.

WRITING PROMPT: How does your main character feel about variety? Write a scene between someone who likes variety and someone who does not.

MA

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Guest Poster Carol Preflatish on Conferences

December 26, 2011 in Guest Posters, Writing | 25 comments

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One of my besties is with us today: Carol Preflatish, a long-time writer buddy. I first read Carol’s recipe-and-anecdote book, MASTERS & DISASTERS OF COOKING, which I highly recommend. Since then, she’s written and had published two romantic suspense novels, both of which have garnered much praise. The newer one, SAVED BY THE SHERIFF, has such a nifty cover that even I, who do not read romantic suspense, am attracted to it.

But here’s Carol, talking about Writing Conferences in general and one in particular.

Writers Conferences, Pro or Con

   I want to thank Marian for asking me here today. I enjoy reading her blog everyday and am honored to be a part of it.

   Occasionally, I’m asked about writers’ conferences and whether I think they can help a writer get published. For me, I’m definitely pro when it comes to conferences. I’ve attended only three conferences, because where I live there aren’t many close by. That means if I want to attend one, it involves a long drive or an overnight stay and as a part time writer with a full time job, getting time off from work can be difficult.

   My favorite conference of the three has been the Magna cum Murder Crime Writing Festival held each October in Muncie, Indiana. Magna is not a large conference, which for me, was the appeal of it. The smaller panel sessions afford the attendees the opportunity for more interaction with the panel members, other authors, and readers.

   Yes, I said readers. Many of the people attending are not authors, but readers of mystery and potential buyers of your books. However, there’s no segregation, everyone mingles with everyone for a great time. I met some wonderful authors at Magna that I had never heard of before and instantly became a fan.

   Panels are held on a variety of subjects and I found myself struggling to decide which session to attend. One of the things I really enjoyed about Magna were the perpetual author discussions going on in the glass enclosed pavilion. Authors are scheduled to come and go throughout the conference.

   I think attending Magna cum Murder gave a boost to my writing and the encouragement to continue writing mystery and suspense. Finally, I must tip my hat to Kathryn Kennison and her Ball State University staff who successfully put on a spectacular conference each year. I would encourage any writer to attend a conference and especially Magna cum Murder.

*   *   *

Carol is from southern Indiana and author of two romantic suspense books and one cookbook. Her current release, “Saved by the Sheriff” is available at Secret Cravings Publishing.

You can learn more about Carol on her blog.

Thanks for visiting with me, Carol! Hope to see you at Magna in 2012!

WRITING PROMPT: If you could meet your favorite writer, what would you say?

MA

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Guest Post by Floyd Hyatt – Online Critique Group Part 1

November 28, 2011 in Floyd Hyatt, Guest Posters | 14 comments

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F. A. Hyatt, veteran of online critiquing, has sent a wonderful post on how to set one up. Here is Part 1:

Why Me?

The impetus to start your very own online writing circle is usually Manifold. Regardless of the availability of Writing Clubs in your area, having a small group of concerned and participating writers available online is its own blessing. Personal pride, of course, does not enter into it, and the ability to participate with other writers at liberty 24/7 rather than once a month or whatever, is irrelevant–sure enough. Plus, Yahoo groups are free of charge to Yahoo members. The process of creating one is accessible from the Yahoo main page, under “Groups”. It is well documented, and simple, So I won’t deal with most of that here.

However, the fact of group management and the idea of creating one, differ – somewhat.

First off, there are some mechanics. Although Group sites provide a format and some tools, these are general, if not remedial. Your group will need a structure specific to the needs of active writers. Do not assume the members will organically create a framework as they participate, or you will end up with a welter of difficult to manage and incompatible structures and site litter; I.E., a mess. Under the left side “Files” menu item, set up an area to contain folders for your writers. This is done by creating a Members File folder in that area. Have your members each establish their own work folder within the folder you create there. (Yes, you can have folders inside folders, just like on your PC) Ask that they place (upload) their Works-In-Progress into the folder they create.

The member’s file folder directory should look like a list of names at that point, with no documents peppering the folder directory itself. Each writer can then add, delete or change the work they store in these areas, and collect critiques in them, as they see fit, without dropping files at liberty hither and yon.

In fact, it is a good idea to establish a directory area for every aspect your club engages in. A review area to collect member reviews, an area to post announcements of author releases notices, whatever activities your site will specialize in. I find using the list’s general post area for any of this a bad idea. Usually work gets completely un-formatted in attempting such use – extremely bad for critique. Instead, use the post area for member Yak, as was intended. Besides, after going to the effort of uploading a document, who wants to have it available to the club for only a few hours until it scrolls down into oblivion? Be sure members have full rights to manage their own folder areas. This will save your assigned moderators (and you) a lot of maintenance work. All these setups are accessible from the main screen “maintenance” prompts, that appears magically on the owners and moderators menus when visiting the site. If you are currently a member of a Yahoo Group, you likely will not see these items, as you are not the Owner or a Moderator.

Here is Mr. Hyatt’s open group:
Established – for Serious and Casual writers, since 2007
Plotters of Dreams

WRITING PROMPT: Write about a critique group in which one member argues against any suggested revision and another member tries to incorporate every suggested revision, even if they’re contradictory. Your mission is to be neither of those members.

MA

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Bonus Follow Friday – MORE HOLLY!!

November 18, 2011 in FORCE OF HABIT, Guest Posters | 12 comments

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Holly Jahangiri, the real one, has interviewed Holly Jahangiri, the character in my FREE story, “By the Book” (link below)! Read it and weep (from laughter).

I felt some trepidation about doing this interview, and the occasional creaking and banging from the underbelly of the space vessel St Gregory the Wonderworker – more commonly referred to by its young crew as the Uncle Gus – did nothing to calm my nerves. It is very disorienting to travel between alternative universes, and I could not shake the old Terran terror at the idea of causing some paradoxical calamity upon meeting myself in this one. Author Marian Allen assured me that the fiber of the universal matrix would not collapse and bring us some sort of cosmic-level mash-up, but having grown up with such urban legends and pulpy, hyperbolic sci-fi novels, I could not shake the feeling of impending doom and possible implosion.

“They are ready for you, Ven Jahangiri,” said the Gilhoolie woman, Tetra. She reached out to help me off the contraption known as a Floatachair, where I had curled up in a near fetal position without even realizing it.

“Yes, well, this ought to be fun,” I said, mustering a wan smile.

“Yes. It ought to be,” she agreed. Together, we made our way to the Transfer Dock. I balked at my first sight of the Transfer Module, wondering if this would be like the transporter in Star Trek or that horrid invention from The Fly. I didn’t want to end up with eight eyes, able only to eat and digest food I’d chewed and regurgitated first. “Come, stand over here,” said Tetra. “Everyone is a little nervous the first time. It will most likely be fine,” she added reassuringly. I turned to the nearest trash can and practiced the regurgitating part while the technicians pretended to fiddle with the nobs and pointedly did not notice my disgrace.

A few seconds later, I was standing in the parlor of a Llannonninn Living Library furnished, oddly enough, like an English boarding house, circa 1901. Anachronistic knick-knacks were scattered about on shelves, which were curiously devoid of books. A little woman whom I assumed to be the parlormaid held out her hand. Surely she did not expect a tip, having just wordlessly arrived and having done nothing to alleviate the disorientation I felt upon having just slid my particles through a wormhole. The least she could have done was to offer stiff drink.

“Your card?” she prompted.

“Oh! Yes, of course.” I fished about in my pockets and retrieved a slightly crumpled business card. Parlormaid Tambar Miznalia took it with a sniff and disappeared. A moment later, I came quickly down the staircase in front of myself. If I hadn’t felt disoriented a moment ago, I would be thoroughly gobsmacked by now.

“Me?” I gasped.

“No, me!” she exclaimed with an impish grin. “I have been so looking forward to meeting myself!” She motioned me over to a thickly stuffed armchair upholstered in a very flowery floral pattern.

I tugged a copper filigree recording locket from under my shirt and asked, “Do you mind? It’s much easier than taking notes the old fashioned way…”

“Oh, Self-from-a-Distant-Planet,” said Assistant Librarian Holly Jahangiri, “all this is just a setting, as you’d find in any good book! We do have computer technology here. And sometimes, I even wear slacks – I just enjoy dressing to fit my surroundings.”

Now I felt as if I’d stepped back into a Terran RenFaire, or a community theatre, and I had a sudden urge to examine the walls and search for blocking tape. From the chair next to myself, I smiled knowingly and almost blurted, “Stop that!”

Best to begin the interview, I thought, and pressed the button on my recording locket. “So, tell me, Holly, what is a ‘Living Library’?”

Assistant Librarian Holly Jahangiri nodded, expecting the question, and called to the kitchen, “Er, Three Men in a Boat, could you come here a second?”

My jaw dropped as a proper English gent wearing a ruffled pink cook’s apron emerged. “I say!” he exclaimed, upon seeing me there. “Do we have guests for lunch?”

“Only if Montmorency can refrain from adding freshly-killed water rat to the stew,” warned Holly. Her—the Llannonninn one, not me.

“Montmorency?” I asked.

“This, Terran Holly, is ‘Three Men and a Boat, To Say Nothing of the Dog.’ He is what we call a Living Book. Practically reads himself,” she added. “Montmorency is the dog we don’t speak of. Right, then, a guest for lunch – thank you, Three Men in a Boat.” The man returned to the kitchen, where much banging of pots ensued.

“I see,” I said, seeing nothing at all.

“I think she needs cake,” said Assistant Librarian Holly. When Parlormaid Tambar Miznalia reappeared with cake and tea, wearing the ruffled pink apron and blushing madly, I finally did see – quite clearly.

“Thank you,” I said.

“So, Assistant Librarian Holly Jahangiri, I understand that you are originally from the Meadow of Flowers?”

“How on Terra did you guess?”

“I didn’t guess, exactly. I mean, I did read Marian Allen’s excellent accounts of life on Llannonn – “By the Book,” and Force of Habit – but if I’d had to guess, I’d say the spikeflower behind your ear, and the purple feather boa draped over the divan, would be clues.”

I—she—applauded with apparent delight. “You read, too!?”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or sniff haughtily at the implied insult.

“I’m sorry,” said Assistant Librarian Holly. “It’s just…so many writers don’t, these days.” A small crowd of people in various period costumes had gathered at the sound of her applause and now stood nodding solemnly at me. “I think they would like to read themselves to you,” said Assistant Librarian Holly Jahangiri. The people continued to nod until they reminded me of bobble-heads on the dashboard of a ‘57 Chevy.

“I see. We’re never going to get this interview done, are we?”

“Probably not. Best you just recommend to your readers that they check out Marian’s story – ‘By the Book’ – and then, if that’s piqued their curiosity at all, they ought to read her seminal work on Llannonninn culture, Force of Habit. I highly recommend it.”

“Wait, you said ‘Buy the book,’ but isn’t it free?”

“No, silly Self, ‘By the Book’ is free. Force of Habit is THREE – as in three Terran dollars.”

“Actually, it’s only $2.99,” I said, double-checking the holographic stacks on my sat phone.

“A bargain!” I exclaimed. “And now, it’s time for lunch…”

 

Holly Jahangiri is a technical communicator, social media analyticator, children’s book author with 4RV Publishing (Trockle, and A Puppy, Not a Guppy), blogger, happy wife and mom living in Houston, Texas. She would really appreciate it if you would read her post, Good Goals Gone Bad on TheNextGoal.com.

WRITING PROMPT: Interview your main character. Now have your main character interview you. What would you want that character to know about you? What would you like to fudge or hide?

MA

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Interview With Elizabeth Loraine, of the Royal Blood Chronicles

November 14, 2011 in Guest Posters | 4 comments

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I’m getting awfully vampirey around here. Cedric last week, now Royal Blood Chronicler Elizabeth Loraine today. I think it’s the increasing length of the nights that’s getting to me.

Ms. Loraine’s latest book is part of a new series, though: The Collier series.

Abigail Black, an heiress from Memphis is on the run from her abusive boyfriend, Dallas. In the process she finds out that there is a force pulling her towards something, and someone, that she thought only existed in her dreams.

Another page turning adventure from Elizabeth Loraine. Phantom Lives intertwines the modern world with the post Civil War world of Collier, a plantation Abigail had dreamt about her entire life. Now she is about to find out why. Another fantasy world of spirits and immortals is built in a way which fans of Ms Loraine’s will again thoroughly enjoy. Find out who Abigail was in the past and how it changes everything.

I “met” Elizabeth through our mutual acquaintance Bertena Varney. She was kind enough to answer these questions for me.

Can you say how your main character first occurred to you and how he or she evolved from that first spark to a full character?

Abbi is a character that had to have strength that she never knew she had. She has always let others make decisions for her, but finds that she can decide to take her life back. She evolves because she is thrust into a life that she never fathomed.

Did you choose your subject, or did your subject choose you?

I have always wanted to write a novel using past lives. I had the same dream over and over again as a child so it was natural for me to draw upon that to write this fantasy novel.

How do you work?

I am a pantser not a plotter, once I have an idea I do the research needed and then I just start to write.

Are you involved with email lists and/or social media? Why or why not?

No lists. I have my Facebook pages and I love talking to people about everything on it. I have a Twitter account, but I don’t use it that often.

If you could have an evening with one fictional character, your own or someone else’s, who would it be and why?

I would love to be invited to one of the royal parties that Katrina and the other Protectors attend in my vampire series, Royal Blood Chronicles. That would be fun!

Thanks, Elizabeth! Please visit Elizabeth’s web site for an excerpt from KATRINA and for buy links to her Royal Blood books.

PHANTOM LIVES is available for Kindle at the most pleasant price of $2.99.

WRITING PROMPT: What are the drawbacks of being made a vampire or otherwise unchanging as an adolescent?

MA

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Cedric Bares . . . er . . . TELLS All

November 7, 2011 in Guest Posters | 8 comments

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Today, I’m pleased to welcome Cedric MacKinnon, Male Vampire Courtesan and Badass, to the dear old blog. Cedric is the point-of-view character in Denise Verrico’s latest Immortyl Revolution series, MY FEARFUL SYMMETRY. If you missed the excerpt yesterday, here’s a link to it.

Now, as more than one person has said, let’s get to Cedric.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Click to enlarge, click back arrow to return to post.

I was born in Scotland and lost my parents at an early age. I grew up in a children’s home and ran away to London when I was fifteen with dreams of becoming a rock star. Needless to say, that wasn’t a great idea. I made my living on the streets selling the only thing I could. To make a long story short, rent boys in London have a 33% HIV infection rate, and I became a statistic. I turned to playing my guitar in the underground to supplement what I got from the government, and one night I encountered this lovely Indian gentleman–or so I thought. Raj made me the man I am today. That is to say, a vampire courtesan turned assassin. Complete sociopath, Raj.

Aside from those dreary details, I’m a musician and play the guitar as well as Indian instruments. My prized possession is a vintage Stratocaster. I love all kinds of rock music. My favorite artist of all time is David Bowie. Flashy clothes, fast cars and the latest electronic gadgets are my weakness—and beautiful lovers. I believe in spreading the wealth, so to speak.

What do you like best about your work?

I’m an adept of the ancient arts, which is an Immortyl temple artist in service to the Goddess Kali, but we’re used as courtesans in political intrigues by the Chief Elder, Kalidasa. Hmm…the courtesan part was usually a drag, except for the singing and dancing. No one does a blues riff on a sitar like me. Music is my true passion. I’m in a new line of work now. Mia tells all about my exploits in Book Four, which we hope will be out in early summer. I take heads now instead of give…well you get the drift. I’ve had excellent teachers in New York. Mia is quite the swordswoman. Philip and Sheih have taught me martial arts. My dance training comes in handy here. They call me a living weapon. I rather like that.

It might be even more indelicate to ask what you like least about your work but, if there were one thing you could tweak … er … CHANGE, what would it be?

Too many uncongenial lovers, too many beds, too little rest. Lord Liu was the exception. He’s a gentleman and knows how to treat a boy right. My official duty was to serve the Goddess Kali and bestow Shakti’s blessings through an elaborate tantric ritual. During my training in the ashram, I told my guru and love, Sandhya, “I’ve been called many things in my time, but never a conduit of divinity”. She wasn’t amused and hit me on the back of the head with all her rings on. Ouch. Vampires aren’t known for being gentle. Well, maybe those sparkly, wussy ones. The worst experience was when I had an encounter with a bloke who was once with the Spanish Inquisition. No Monty Python fun here. Torture isn’t officially allowed on an adept, but with our new Rani, Giulietta, anything goes. The change I’d like to see is Giulietta’s head at the business end of my knife.

Is there a Special Someone in your life?

Well, there are currently two. With my omnivorous nature it’s rather difficult to settle. Mia is the earthly manifestation of Shakti in the form of Durga, and I’m her “tiger” servant. Grrr…we do get a bit rough sometimes. I love a strong woman. However, I must say that Lord Liu remains a powerful presence in my life. You’ve got to love a Chinese warrior from the former Han Dynasty turned scholar turned Immortyl elder. He’s deep. And dare I say sexy?

Where do you see yourself five years from now? 10? 25?

Still young and beautiful, of course, but hopefully wiser. With my new line of work, it’s hard to say whether I’ll be around in 10 or 25 years. I’m on a secret mission at the moment. So, I can’t say exactly what I’m about—or as you Yanks say—what I’m up to. If I survive this mad quest, I hope to aid Mia and Kurt in their mission to find a cure for this condition that makes us perish in the ultraviolet and addicted to blood.

Bonus question: Do you have any words of advice to young people wanting to go into your line of work?

Just say no. Don’t run away from home and live on the streets as a prostitute, don’t become a vampire and above all, don’t kill people for a living. I’d much rather be the front man for a band.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us today, Cedric. We hope to see more of you … I mean of your character.

A boy becomes a vampire and fights to become a man.

Title: My Fearful Symmetry

Author : Denise Verrico

Genre: Urban fantasy

Format: Print and multi format ebook

Links to buy:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/nu811n

Nook: http://bit.ly/qnnjaZ

B&N Paperback: http://bit.ly/qdm73e

Omnilit: http://bit.ly/p25o2x

Allromance: http://bit.ly/paIPje

Fictionwise: http://bit.ly/Oe

Link to trailer for first two books of the series:

http://youtu.be/OSGZ1yXXkSY

website: www.deniseverricowriter.webs.com

Blog: www.ImmortylRevolution.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/deniseverrico

Facebook fan page: http://on.fb.me/pwZB5L

Follow Cedric on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/ozVCZq

Cedric on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/cedricmackinnon

WRITING PROMPT: Who would your main character most like to kill?

MA

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Guest Post – Floyd Hyatt – Second Coat of Paint

October 17, 2011 in Floyd Hyatt, Guest Posters, Writing | 5 comments

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Unless he sends me more (hint, hint), this is the last of the posts given to me by the fabulous Floyd Hyatt. I wish he had a web site I could recommend, but he says he’s too busy writing and critiquing to maintain a web site. Hmmmm…. Is there a lesson there for me? …Naaaaah!

Overall Visions of the Critique Process.

Second Coat of Paint, Paint, Paint…

F. A. Hyatt

Commonly, novel writers are told to get the story down on paper first, and then revise.  This is, I’ll admit, only partially the way I work.  Perhaps my outline was vague, or I found too many things in the world-build to explore.  Maybe I am just a poor example of a writer. (I like to think every writer  modifies the basics a little, so maybe I remain ‘under the curve’ of what’s average, in this respect.)  In either case, I will submit chapters for critique while still working on the first draft.  

I begin with a story outline or arc, and juggle my way through to the story’s end. I stay concerned mostly with line edits, but pay heed to my criticizer’s commentary on logic, cadence, and characterization.   When the draft is finished, I like to try it out on a few beta readers, who tend to look more at the whole, and provide general comments. In my experience, this can take a while.  

During this process, and as the reviews come back, I look at things like:

*Secondary story arcs.
Secondary arcs provide me an opportunity to deepen character development, adding interest and  breadth to the story.  No story should be without some of these.  When going to the circus, you generally expect to see more than one elephant, clown, or high-wire artist.  The concern is, that my sub-plots advance the story.  I want to deepen the reader’s understanding of the character’s motivation or personality, and provide drama.  When reading a book, you expect some story depth.  I know that piloting my lead character along like a train on a track makes for a boring book.  There need to be cracks in the arc’s roadbed.  Often, this opens opportunities for interesting secondary story arcs.  I layer in these, mindful of the above expectations.

*Shuffling the deck.
The logical Progression of  my masterpiece might, or might not, be improved by moving some scenes around.  This is a good time to try that. It’s also a good time to review the action ramping (I covered this in “The Action Ramp, Bane of New Writers” before)

*Opening hooks, titles, forwards or  prefaces.
No matter what my original intentions were, I often end up rewriting or changing the opening hook, and deciding on what preface material, if any, is needed.  Needed?  Yes.  Looking back on the full story as writ, tells me how to reinforce or highlight my opening, and how much (if any) of my first chapter  should be cut, and what else needs editing to support the theme smoothly.

*Butchering
 Cut?  Yes, cut.  All that glorious prose, that in the end does nothing but slow my plot down, or mislead the reader.  Like a parking lot attendant, the opening points the direction my story will take, or it doesn’t.  There is no better time for me to evaluate this then when the first draft manuscript is on the table.  I remind myself that a lot of movie footage ends up on the cutting room floor.  In writing novels,the process is the same, and part of a writer’s skill set.  Hanging on to that rationale, I cut with the zeal of a butcher; hack, slice, dice and shuffle until the road is smoothed, the tarmac repaired.

*Pushing the reader
Do my chapter endings push the reader forward?  Now is a good opportunity for me to hang a few cliffs, and make sure there is an unanswered question that encourages turning the page.

Another round, anyone?
The result of all this, gets me ready for a second round of line editing and beta reading.  Now that the tale is  reconfigured, it needs to be evaluated again.  With luck, this could end as a light sanding and touch-up, though in my world, that is seldom the case.  Usually, the manuscript comes back just as blue-penciled as the original draft.  Meantime, several other improvements have come to mind, so usually the “final” draft needs at least another round, before a decent product comes of it.

The better you get at this process, I am told, the quicker you can get off this particular carousel.  However long the ride, eventually I shoot the engineer and move on to the next project.

Thanks, Floyd! I always learn so much from you!

WRITING PROMPT: Write a character who doesn’t know when to stop tweaking something–a story, a recipe, a painting, a business presentation, a costume.

MA

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Kerri Nelson’s Two Choices

September 28, 2011 in Food, Guest Posters | 11 comments

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Kerri Nelson is with us today, with word about her intriguing new book, Courting Demons, and a recipe that’s just like I like ‘em–quick and easy!

Book Title:
Courting Demons

Click image to enlarge.

Blurb: 

Paisley Barton was already having a bad day before she turned her husband into a rat.

First, she was fired by her boss and then came home to find hubby in the shower with a naked blonde chick. They say that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned but this break-up may just unleash hell on Earth when Paisley casts a spell of vengeance against her philandering husband.

After her spell casting inadvertently opens a portal between dimensions, Paisley finds her family home transformed into a nightly courtroom for settling disputes between demons of the underworld and she’s the judge! If that’s not enough, she’s got to deal with a charming, ancient demon named Camden who wants to be her personal bodyguard while trying to explain her husband’s sudden, mysterious disappearance to sexy police Detective Dalton Briggs.

But Paisley will show them all that an everyday working mom is better equipped than most to deal with the mystical mayhem…and with a tempting demon hottie and a flirtatious young detective vying for her affection, she soon learns that being single again isn’t so bad after all.

“When a wronged wife turns her cheating husband into a rat, you know you have to keep reading! Kerri Nelson offers up a lot of fun and wild magic in Courting Demons!” –Bestselling author, Linda Wisdom, Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend

Author Bio:
Kerri Nelson discovered her love of writing at an early age and soon became a columnist for her local newspaper winning the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.

After a fifteen year career in the legal field, Kerri fulfilled her lifelong dream of publication and is now an award winning multi-published author of nearly every genre under the sun (and moon) and also writes young adult fiction under the penname K.G. Summers.  

A true southern belle, she comes complete with a dashing southern gentleman and three adorable children for whom she often bakes many homemade treats.  

Kerri is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America as well as numerous chapters including Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal Writers and her Presidency of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

Read more about Kerri’s books at her website:  www.kerrinelson.com
Follow her on Twitter here:  www.twitter.com/kerribookwriter
Visit her industry blog here:  www.thebookboost.blogspot.com

Buy Links (print and e-book versions available 9/15 wherever books are sold but here’s the publisher link—free gift available with purchase of print copy—while supplies last):

Publisher–Jupiter Gardens
or
Amazon.com

Giveaway for the day:
Leave a question or comment to be entered to win today’s prize: A Custom made Momwitch Bread Bag Clip and a choice of e-books from my back list!

Then, enter to win my book tour Grand Prize Kindle by following me on tour and e-mailing me the answers to each question of the day at the end of tour.  The more questions you answer, the more entries you gain.

Question of the Day:  
What does Paisley cook for the kids for dinner before she makes her trip to the Underworld?

Details on how to enter to win the GRAND PRIZE Kindle at the end of my “Dark Days of Demons Tour” located here:
Blog Tour–Win A Kindle

Excerpt link for Courting Demons

But what about the choices? Oh, do you mean between the demon and the detective? No? You have a recipe? And two choices for dinner? Tell us more!

Two Choices for Dinner:  Take It or Leave It!

As a busy mom of three young children and step-mom to one college age son (who still comes by for dinner now and then), finding time to cook when all I want to do is write can be a challenge.

Now, I’ll admit something to you and it may gain me some hate mail—I have a hubby who loves to cook and does a brilliant job of it.  I’ll duck now from all the rotten tomatoes being thrown my way by the crowd.

But there are times when Mom has to cook—like when Dad is out of town with work or most recently when we had a severe illness in the family and Dad had to take off for days at a time to deal with it.

Now, I’m not a fan of cooking really.  Although, I do love to bake goodies.  You know, all those cute little cookies and cupcakes and I’m a huge fan of decorating cakes!  I think I might have been a professional  baker in a previous life time.  It just comes naturally to me.

The thing is…these kids need more than just dessert.  Not that they’d argue with me about eating dessert for dinner but that wouldn’t make me very good Mom.
In my book, Courting Demons, Paisley is a very good Mom.  Even with demons, rats, mayhem and nonsense running rampant in her home on a nightly basis—she always finds time to prepare something good for her kids (even if she can’t stomach eating any of it herself).

I thought it would be fun to share with you a fun (easy) recipe that I cook for my family quite often.  It is a big hit and super easy to prepare cause you basically dump the entire thing into a crock pot and voila!

So, here goes…

Chicken Tortilla Soup

  • 1 lb. shredded, cooked chicken (in a hurry?  Use 2 (8 oz. cans) of the white meat chicken)
  • 1 15 oz. whole, peeled tomatoes mashed
  • 1 10 oz. enchilada sauce (hot or mild, per your family’s preference)
  • 1 med. Onion, chopped
  • 1 4 oz. chopped green chili peppers
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 14.5 oz. can chicken broth
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper (or more, if you like it spicy!)
  • 1 bay leaf (remove after cooking)
  • 1 10 oz. package frozen whole kernel corn (I use 1 14.5 oz. can instead)
  • 1 TBsp. chopped cilantro (I use fresh, if available)

Combine all in crock pot and simmer on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Serve with Tortilla chips from the bag (the easy way) or Cut soft, corn tortillas into ½ inch wide by 2 inch long strips and coat in olive oil, bake for 10 minutes @ 400 degrees (or until crispy) and sprinkle on top of individual bowls of soup.

If you do get a chance to try the recipe, let me know how it turns out for you.  Oh, and if you have a super easy recipe that can rescue me during a “Mom must cook” emergency, please do share.

Thanks for hosting today, Marian.  Enjoy!

©  Kerri Nelson 2011

Thanks for visiting, Kerri, and thanks for the recipe! Just search my tags for recipe, recipes, recipe (sort of) and recipes (sort of) and you’ll find that many of them are “in a hurry” recipes. So are the recipes you can get to by clicking on my Recipes tab on the blog menu. :) Great to have you with us!

WRITING PROMPT: What would you feed your children, if you had to adjudicate between demons in half an hour?

MA

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Guest Post – DAMYANTI!!

September 26, 2011 in April A-to-Z Challenge 2011, Guest Posters | 13 comments

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Click image to enlarge.

SORRY!!! This was supposed to go up at midnight, but I don’t know from military time. Lucky I woke up early!

If you don’t know who Damyanti Biswas is, I’m extremely pleased to introduce you to her. She’s the most amazing writer I know.

We only “met” last April during Arlee Bird‘s A-to-Z Challenge, during which participants were to post to their blogs every day. Damyanti responded to the challenge by writing a piece of flash fiction. Every. Day.

Her work was so wonderful, the entire world (or at least the part of it lucky enough to be reading her blog) encouraged her to turn the posts into a book. She did that, and she’s here today to talk about it.

And she brought me a birthday present! Best. Present. EVER!

~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

First of all, let me thank Marian for having me on her blog. She’s been a kind friend, and has always supported my attempts at flash fiction, and so today I’ll write another one for her. This piece could also be considered an excerpt from my novel WIP which I’m writing with a few of the characters I created in my collection A to Z Stories of Life and Death.

So here goes:

——

Churi

His right arm is a little longer than the other. Not so much that it affects his grip on my waist, but enough that he wears full-sleeved shirts all the time. His latest girlfriend, that curly-haired, over-the-hill slut, finds it cute that he is shy about his gangly arms, but that’s because she hasn’t yet seen him naked, which is good for her. He always takes her in the dark, with me or one my sisters watching by the bedside.

No woman would step near his heart, we make sure of that. After all these years with him I’m not sure he has a heart, the way he opens women up. He tells us we make him do it, that it is our edges that push him over the edge. But I, Churi, am steel, as are all my sisters. I’m cold, heavy, sharp, gleaming–I do not like blood, it stains my body. I’d rather be a paperweight, a bunch of bracelets, a pot or pan, part of a column that holds up a building, anything but a weapon.

But that is what I am, a weapon. Sometimes I feel, especially when that woman is around me, that I have Intention. That his mind has flown into my veins and not retreated entirely, and the coolness of my metal now seeks the warmth of her blood. That his mind would remember itself, and call upon me to draw a choker of rubies on her throat. Maybe as I lie watching them tonight. It is, after all, only a matter of time.

——

If this piece makes you curious about my work, check out A to Z Stories of Life and Death. Churi and her owner do not feature in it, but some of their victims do.

To give you an idea about the book, here’s the blurb:

Twenty-six A to Z stories, based on the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, question our moral compass: How do you judge a teacher toying with the sexuality of her teenaged student? A boy who decides to murder his mother? What thoughts rage inside a pedophile serial killer before he shoots himself? They challenge the concepts of beauty, truth, and morality, by revealing the face of the other side.

The stories focus on a crucial juncture when a character’s life changes, for the better or worse, because of a choice or decision. Some of the characters in the stories confront death, others talk about life with its quirks and whimsies. Each voice, ranging in age from a six-year-old to a centenarian, has its own riveting story to tell. Together, this collection of stories at over 12000 words attempts to prove that when it comes to stories, depth can sometimes replace length and breadth.

Thanks once again to Marian and  to all of you who’re reading this post.  I’m here to answer any comments and questions!

———————————–

  Writer Bio: Damyanti lives more in her head than in this world, adores her husband, and loves her pet fish and plants. She is an established writer for magazines and journals. Her short fiction has been published in the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, Muse India and in print anthologies by Marshall Cavendish, Monsoon Books, and MPH publications. Her book, A to Z Stories of Life and Death, is available for download at  Kindle, Smashwords, Nook and Diesel.

Twitter: damyantig

Website: http://amloki.com

Blog: http://damyantiwrites.wordpress.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

WRITING PROMPT: Write a paragraph from the point of view of an object.

MA

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Guest Post – Enid Wilson

September 24, 2011 in Guest Posters, Uncategorized | 4 comments

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Presidential Election

Thank you, Marian for hosting me. I’m delighted to announce the release of my latest novel, Every Savage Can Reproduce (http://steamydarcy.com/joomla/), Pride and Prejudice-inspired Science Fiction. Since Marian is into fantasy writing, I think her readers and she will be interested in world building.

Thanks, Enid. And thank you very much for the correct grammatical construction, “her readers and she”. So refreshing! I want to read more already!

BTW, Enid comes to us from Sydney, Australia, so be patient in waiting for replies to your comments. :)

In my latest novel, the people on earth in future have to select a temporary president. Here is an excerpt from the novel, with the candidates delivering the speech for the presidential election:

*******************************

“Well, I must admit that I don’t feel happy about the prospect of leaving the rule to Willoughby or Sir Walter, either,” Elizabeth Bennet said. “We have had two horrendous years, suffering from the Queen Immortal Catherine de Bourgh and Prince Wickham. If those in charge decide to skim our citizens for even more money, or institute even stricter regulations, we’ll suffer again.”

Darcy nodded.

She sighed. “I think I’m inclined to accept the position now, for the next year and a half, should I be elected. We can encourage more candidates to come forward for the presidential election then.”

Yea! Logan, Darcy and Elizabeth’s unborn son, cheered. Mother President! President Mrs. Darcy!

“I’ll support whatever decision you make,” Darcy pledged. “As Richard suggested, we can park the palace at Pemberley, and you won’t have to travel far to go to work. Everyone in Pemberley will see to your needs.” He lowered his head and gave her a reassuring kiss.

With this new-forged agreement, the Darcys returned to the grand meeting room.

Sir Walter Elliot was the first to speak. “Citizens of Earth, I would be honoured to work with Prime Minister John Willoughby of Allenham to ensure that happiness and freedom are restored on Earth. After years of your ruler’s  suppression, I propose to allow total freedom for all people. You will be free to have sex, choose your partners and marry whomever you want, once we are elected. Indeed, you can have as many babies as you wish, with whomever you wish – even the aliens. Haha! There will be more pleasure facilities built for you in the next years. Life is short, so play as hard as you can. Now, Willoughby, charm their socks off,” Sir Walter concluded.

“Thank you, Sir Walter, and thank you, Citizens of Earth. I would be honoured to be allowed a chance to work for you. I am the youngest Prime Minister in Allenham, and therefore I understand the pain and suffering of the young people on Earth. The galaxy has been ruled by too many staid and boring old men and women for too long – Sir Walter excepted, as he is high on partnering with young people. You need a voice, and I will speak loudest for you. I’ll cry, scream and yell for your welfare, until your desires are met. I’ll be passionate, fervent and energetic in my work. You won’t find my plans and recommendations boring or traditional. I’ll push Earth to a new era, with new frontiers and experiences. Who do you want to speak for you, work for you and help you reach new heights? The crazy old Queen Immortal? Her rich nephew’s unknown wife? Or a man with passion and vision?”

John Willoughby then bowed deeply and left the floor for Elizabeth to speak.

“Dear fellow citizens, thank you for nominating me to become the temporary caretaker of Earth. I may not be as well known in the Galaxy as Sir Walter or Mr. Willoughby, but I know about your worries and issues, because I am one of you. My plans for the next year and a half would include, firstly, recruiting two advisers who have more experience in government and political decision-making than I, myself, possess, to help me navigate through these complex issues.

“Second, I would review and remove the unfair and autocratic laws imposed by the former Queen and George Wickham. Thirdly, I would identify suitable permanent presidential candidates to participate in the election in 3820. Fourth, I would work with inventors, scientists and agriculturalists to find solutions to the pressure on our food supply.

“Lastly, I recommend abolishing the class system that has been in place for so long. I believe in equality. A lord is born on Earth, of his loving parents. I am also born here, of my dear parents. We should be treated equally in our right to work, live, marry and have children. I promise that I will be fair, diligent and compassionate. And I hope to help our planet become a happier place for our children, from now on. Thank you.”

*******************************

Well how do you find the candidates’ speeches?

Below is detail about Every Savage Can Reproduce (ISBN: 978-0-9806105-9-8):

In the futuristic society on Planet Earth, Elizabeth Bennet is accused of luring Fitzwilliam Darcy to an illegal establishment, which leads to their exile deep in the centre of a rebel planet. The subsequent galactic war exposes dark secrets regarding the autocratic Queen Immortal. Will Elizabeth and Darcy discover their love for one another and find their way back to Earth?

Set in the 39th Century, this novel is a tale of Pride and Prejudice-inspired science fiction, where Jane Austen’s characters take on new lives but still face the barrier of class distinction and seek to overcome their faults, as in the original classic.

For more information, please visit me at www.enidwilson.com

I’m pleased to give out a pdf copy of Every Savage Can Reproduce and a souvenir from Australia. Just comment below and tell me your favourite leader in an apocalyptic novel or movie. Contest ends 31 Sept and is open to worldwide readers. Happy commenting!

WRITING PROMPT: Lost in Space was THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON set in the future. Forbidden Planet was THE TEMPEST set in the future. Treasure Planet was TREASURE ISLAND set in the future. Your assignment today, should you choose to accept it, is to take a classic and brainstorm it into the future.

MA

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