January 30, 2011

So You Think You Want To Write A Fantasy Series?

Guest Blogger- Bobbye Terry!


So you think you want to write a fantasy series…

You can’t stop thing about it, an idea nagging at the back of your brain that won’t go away, a heroine with kick-assitude who keeps waking you up from your dreams or a hero who woos you awake with his evaporating kisses. But where do you begin and how will your idea spawn not one but many books around some central theme?

Before you sit down and busily start to get the first chapter down, stop. Be smart and consider the following list. Know where you want to go so you don’t have to come back and backtrack, and yes, pantsers, this will work for you (so said the queen of all pantsers, me).

Series Worldbuilding-List of Things to Consider:
  1. Fantasy in current world or other world? Will your world co-exist with our current world or will it be different, play be new rules? If so, what are those rules?
  2. Future, Present Day, Past or Time Travel?


Is this in the future on our planet Earth? If so, how did we get where we are? Background here...is it a dystopian world, ravaged by war and devastation of a flourishing paradise, or a world now controlled by one sect? How will you best illustrate the change in conditions? Is it in the past? If so, have you done your research about dialect, clothing, customs, conditions,  activities and occupations for daily living? Is it a time travel? If so, how will you best contrast the dichotomy?
  1. Fantasy beings—in human form with special powers, category beings (i.e., vampires, witches, angels, zombies, demons, etc?), or totally new category?


If your characters look like humans but have powers, what are those powers? Is there a limit or an Achilles heel? If they fall into a category of beings, do they act like the stereotype of those in other novels, or do your beings look or act differently? If they do, bring that out early. Are they in a new category? If so, how do you describe them and how do you suspend belief?
  1. Items, terrain, locations, special features that remain in all books?


What is the glue that holds this series together, the constants? Think of one or a small number. In my series now in progress, the series centers around the holy book, The Book of the Beginning. If you use the same locations each time, make sure these locations, their places, etc., stay the same in each book.
  1. Do the Hero and Heroine stay the same in every book or do they change?


If the hero and heroine are the same, how will you ensure that they can hold your readers from book to book? What is suspenseful that continues to propel readers forward? If hero and heroine change, what continuity do you bring over from earlier books?
  1. Tone of the books—needs to stay similar.


You can’t have one dark and one light, one funny and one somber, one sweet and one ultra hot. The books need to be smooth like a nice glass of wine or a great piece of jazz music.
  1. Keeping all the characters straight—do you have them written down somewhere, including physical and personality details?


This is very hard after you write 80-1000,000 words times three or four or five. Write down all your characters, their idiosyncrasies, their traits so you can reference to make sure they stay the same. Even if they’re short-term in the book or the series, you need to keep track of the names and using the same letters, etc. Consider doing some backstory, other things about what make them who they are. You may want to do a companion book like Sherrilyn Kenyon did for the Dark Hunter series.
  1. Website—does your world have its own distinct website?


This may be a good idea if the series is long. I have one for my Book of the Beginning series. It’s not complete yet, but will be a s the first book debuts. Always be ready to greet your readers and fans with information to whet their reading appetities.
I hope this has gotten you to start thinking, or maybe a single title sounds real good about now…

Bobbye Terry is the multi-published writer of fantasy, suspense and romantic comedy novels under her own name, her solo pseudonym, Daryn Cross, and her co-authored one,Terry Campbell. Her previous works have garnered finalist awards in the Booksellers’ Best and other RWA-sponsored contests. Her most recent release is It’s Magic by Daryn Cross & LJ DeLeon, Crescent Moon Press. Craigs’ Legacy by Terry Campbell, will debut as one of Black Opal Books’ first releases on February 11th. Additionally, she has a new short story, “Legend of the True Love Angel” by Bobbye Terry, in Turquoise Morning press’ just released Be Mine, Valentine anthology.



January 27, 2011

Where Story Ideas Come From!! From Sexy Scifi Romance Author Annette Shelley

Today we welcome Annette Shelley, author of several sexy sci fi romances from eXtasy books.  Visit Annette online at www.annetteshelley.com


Where Story Ideas Come From
Annette Shelley


As a writer, one of the most commonly asked questions I get is, “Where do you your ideas come from?”  This is an interesting topic of discussion, when you really think about it.  Are all us writers out of our minds, or are we really super geniuses, or is something else at work here?


I believe it’s perhaps a bit of all of these, but especially the latter.  When it comes to my strange science fiction trilogy, Beyond 2012, I know for sure that idea was way beyond the realm of my feeble imagination.  The story began when I had a little movie running in my mind about men hooked up to machines.  “This is interesting…” I thought, believing myself to be officially deranged.  


When the movie failed to leave my mind, I decided to jot it down, and that first set of notes became the opening scene in my three book trilogy.  I kept it in my computer for at least two years before I came back to it and other ‘half baked’ ideas and thought it sounded most interesting of them all.  I have to occasionally recheck the documents folder in my computer to see if there are any hidden treasures there waiting to be born.


I needed a quick story to write and so I picked the one with the evil queen and sperm machines because, let’s just say, I was in one of those kinds of moods.    Little did I know I would be sitting there for months and three books later until I finally had all the questions answered and the story complete.


I think that’s why I love sci-fi so much.  The creators are so…well, creative.  When you see shows like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars, for example, you have to sit back and wonder, “Where is this all coming from?”


I’ve long believed Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was channeling some weird creatures from another space and time.  Who’s to say?  Now all stories have pretty much been told, but in his time, the way he described the creatures and planets so well visually, you have to wonder…Perhaps he’d been probed as a child! LOL!

So what do you think?  Where do creative ideas come from?  And by creative, I mean any kind of creative energy from baking a new recipe to grooming the dog in a new style.  Is it a god thing, or are we really just all that?


I’d love to get into a discussion about all this. It’s fascinating.  Meanwhile, go out and create something today and enjoy!


Annette Shelley is author of several sci-fi, mystery and horror novels.  Visit her online at www.annetteshelley.com


For More Information about Annette’s books, click here:
http://www.extasybooks.com/ebjmsite/index.php

Book one – Beyond 2012: Return to Love - Mankind is genetically modified to consume only fructose corn syrup and thanks to an evil Queen, men and women are segregated and used for reproductive purposes only.  One woman, Myra, fights to bring men and woman back together and end the cycle of darkness.  She falls in love with an alien named Cecil who helps her and teaches her about steak ( an aphrodisiac) and physical intimacy.
 
Book Two – Beyond 2012: Return of the Reptilians The Great Shift occurred but darkness is still looming.  Myra’s brother Thomas always had a dark streak.  Now he must fight those urges if he wants to continue to have a relationship with Cecil’s sister, Cecilia.  Can he tame his nature and find true love?

Book Three – Rise of the Queen - Here we go back to the beginning, to cataclysmic events of 2012 and find out how the future Queen Devlyn wound up like she did.  All the pieces of the puzzle are wrapped up as she falls in love with Nelek, commander of the Reptilian star fleet.
 



January 26, 2011

And The Award Goes To!

I just received a great award for my blog The Embraced: Scribal Love from my very good friend Bobbye Terry. It means a lot to me because it means you guys like and appreciate the hard work I've put into my blogs which I've received a friend award for this too!


Like all good things I too am going to pass it on!  


Here are my ten award recipients for the Versatile blogger:


Bobbye Terry at http://BobbyeTerry.Blogspot.com


Drea Beacraft at http://dreabecraft.wordpress.com


Robin Badillo at http://robinbadillo.blogspot.com


Leanne Dycke at http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com


Cindy Spencer Pape at http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/


Gracen Miller at http://gracenmiller.webs.com/


Jerry Race at http://authorjerryrace.webs.com/


Rochelle Weber at http://rochelleweber.blogspot.com/


Kay Dee Royal at  http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com/




As a 'taggie' I am supposed to do the following:
1) Share 7 things about myself.
2) Pass this award on to 10 other bloggers recently discovered.
3) Notify the recipients.
4) Link the blogger who gave this award.

So here we go:
Seven things about myself:
1) I am use to sing the choir in high school
2) I've been writing stories since I learned how to write.
3) I use to sing soprano in high school but when I went to college the following year I was second alto almost tenor
4) I have studied four foreign languages thus far and can read and write in most of them.
5) I wanted to go to Hollywood and write movies but stayed home and worked in radio.
6) I don't drink or play the lottery or smoke.
7) And I love dogs, cats, birds, pets, you name I am an animal nut!  








January 25, 2011

Blog Guest Host: Gracen Miller 'Loves and Dislikes of Writing'

Photobucket
Loves & Dislikes of Writing!
by Gracen Miller
Thanks for letting me guest blog with you, Clare! It’s a joy and an honor to be here. I hope your readers enjoy the topic I’m posing to them today…

The top three things I love and drive me insane about writing…we’ll start with the three things I dislike the most about writing—I shy away from saying hate because I worked hard to come up with 3 things I disliked—and I'll work my way up to those things I love:
Dislikes of writing...

3. Synopsis – I stink at writing synopsis. Figuring out what parts are the most important aspects of the story to focus on is really difficult for me. Probably because I think everything is important. I mean, let’s face it, if it wasn’t important, I’d have cut it from the storyline, right? LOL Yeah, I get why I need to compress the story. There are some details that strengthen a story, but don't affect the storyline. Those aspects can be left out of the synopsis. I admit this, but that fact doesn't make them less important to me. =)

2. Blurbs – Did I say I “stink” at synopsis? Well, I suck at blurbs! Condensing my book down into something catchy isn't just difficult, but damn difficult. Anyone who reads or writes knows how important a blurb is. Whether a reader buys your book is based almost solely upon a blurb. Gah!

1. Temperamental muses – It’s frustrating when my muse decides to take a leave of absence without any notice whatsoever. *throws a temper tantrum that’d make a two-year-old proud* There should be a freaking rule in place that says under penalty of severe lashings by the writer (that’s me), the muse must—abso-freaking-lutely must—schedule leave of absences to coincide with MY timeframe. It would make life so much easier, right? :D


Looovvveees of writing…

3. Creation – I love everything about creating new characters. I love learning their flaws, discovering their inner demons and slowly coming to realize what it is that makes them tick. I love falling ‘in love’ with my characters. I even love the bad—really bad, as in demonically evil—characters. I can't explain their appeal, but they seem to hold an extra special spot in my heart. I may initially breathe life into my characters, but often times I realize I didn’t know them or understand them until the very end.

2. The hours – I create my own work schedule. This can be a dangerous thing, but when the muse is on fire, all I will want to do is write morning, noon and night. So, sleep becomes a novelty. When I’m deep into the characters, they’ll give me insomnia and plague all my waking hours. When I’m driving, I’ll be stitching together plots. When my children are talking, I’ll be piecing together dialogue, which can get me into sticky situations at times. Read one of my blogs, "Get Out of My Head!", to see what I’m talking about: http://wickedthornandroses.blogspot.com/2010/01/get-out-of-my-head.html

1. No legal recourse – LOL No, I’m not blood thirsty….much. *looks about shiftily* It is freeing though to know that I can do whatever I want in my stories without any legal recourse. Yeah, that sounds bad, but you writers know what I mean. We can kill someone, break and enter, harass, intimidate, steal, yadda, yadda—you get the picture—without actually committing the crime, or facing any consequences unless that’s part of the storyline. I love my antagonists, so I try to keep it real where they're concerned and if that means committing a felony or two—in the storyline only!!—then more the fun for me! ;-)

So, if you’re a writer, tell me what are the things you love and dislike about writing?


Pandora's Box
Pandora's Box is coming soon from Decadent Publishing. To stay updated on Pandora's Box's release, please visit my website: www.gracenmiller.com. To learn about Madison's life before Pandora's Box begins, visit her website, Madison's Life Lessons on the Road to Hell: http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/

BLURB of PANDORA'S BOX:
Where does the road to Hell begin?
What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight, killing the family cat before gutting the family dog? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn't believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a demonic world she didn't know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.
With good intentions?
Madison had it all…or thought she did. A husband she adored and a son that brought joy to her life. Then one morning her husband kissed her goodbye, headed off to work and disappeared. Life turned upside down, Madison grows desperate and despondent to help her bloodthirsty son after numerous attempts have failed. Only one man dares to challenge the supernatural forces manipulating them.
Or by demonic design?
Phoenix Birmingham breaches her life in a whirlwind of sarcasm and sexual appeal. A hero for the masses—and for her jaded heart—but few will ever know the sacrifices he has made or the sacrifices to come. Discovering her entire life has been influenced by multifaceted paranormal beings, Madison is determined to defeat the apocalyptic blueprint fate has decreed. Even with Phoenix's aid, can destiny be denied? Or will demonic design prevail and they pay the crucial price with their souls?
In a small, sleepy Alabama town the battle for mankind's liberty has begun...
Elfin Blood
And now, just a little bit about my current release, Elfin Blood, currently available at Noble Romance Publishing.

BUY LINK: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=67

REVIEWS of ELFIN BLOOD:

4 Sighs from Michelle @ A History of Romance! “I felt this story was a graceful marriage of fantasy, paranormal and erotic romance. I felt constantly engaged, the story did not lag or grew stale. I thought the imagery was vivid and colorful. I give this story four sighs.”

4 Tarot Cards @ The Pagan & The Pen! Elfin Blood is “Well crafted…highly sensual and incredibly erotic.”

5 Delightful Divas @ Dark Diva Reviews! “Elfin Blood is pure Magic! It is a story worth reading over and over again.”
For review links and to read more reviews, visit my website: www.gracenmiller.com

BLURB of ELFIN BLOOD:

She is the only one the elves can trust when a magical book in elf lore is stolen. Relegated to steal the Book from the vampire thief, Landau Jamieson, she's surprised to discover he has the ability to walk in daylight. Refusing to be deterred by developing setbacks, she’s committed to executing the heist for an Ivory King who grows more desperate to possess the Book. Nothing about the vampire is as it appears and Julija begins to doubt her mission. Worse, she begins to worry she won't have the strength to guard her heart from her sworn enemy.

Landau is fascinated by the elf stalking him and baffled by the potent hunger she elicits after ten thousand years of celibacy. Soon he discovers the lovely sprite is a pawn in a dangerous game--orchestrated by none other than a reviled enemy from his past. While blind-sided by her beauty and her magical powers, the least of which is the spell she casts on his heart, the sinister plot unfolds. What started out as folly to catch a thief, blossoms into a love that casts aside bloodlines and forges all boundaries.

EXCERPT of ELFIN BLOOD: (X-rated)

Their eyes held as he tossed her denims over his shoulders. He buried his hand in her hair, kneading her scalp with his fingers.

“This.” His palm flattened over her bare pussy and she flinched at the jolt of heat shooting through her. “Is beautiful.”

He tugged against her hair, holding her steady as he leaned over her and put his mouth to her breasts through the thin fabric. The scrape of his teeth against the cloth caused her to whimper and arch beneath him.

“Can you tone it down a bit,” he asked, grazing his fangs along the underside of her breast.

“Tone what down?”

“The music.” He rose to his knees, his features pinched.

“I’m not making that music.” Julija was too busy trying to catch her breath to worry about the melody. The pads of his fingers rolled her nipples through the fabric while the palm of his other hand rubbed the outer folds of her sex. She squirmed, itching to press her thighs together to alleviate her escalating arousal.

“Of course you are. You’re a Jewel Master. They’re singing your lust.”

Julija touched him for the first time, tracing his wide, sexy lips with her finger—lips she’d fantasized about.

“I’m not a Jewel Master,” she said, baffled by his statement. She traced the point of a protruding fang. “Ow!” she cried, jerking her finger back to peer at the blood beading the pad of her index finger.

Quick as a snake striking, he reached out and placed her finger against the center of his lips. Mired between fascination and horror, she watched as he used her blood to paint his mouth red. Landau licked his lips. The pleasure flaring across his face nearly brought her to orgasm. Again, he painted his lips with her blood, his eyes rolling with delight when he swiped the moisture away.

Landau dragged his tongue over her finger, cleansing the blood from her flesh. He squeezed and blood beaded to the surface. Again, he licked the digit like it was his personal lollipop. She gyrated beneath him, undulated her hips into his thigh. Had she missed the anatomy lesson that said fingers were erogenous zones?

He sucked her finger into his mouth, his gaze holding hers steady as he sipped nourishment from the tiny wound. A moan tore from her. He suckled again, a hard drag that tweaked her clitoris.

“Mmm.” She moaned, arching her back, needing him inside her.

A grin skirted his lips as her vampire suckled. She cried out as an orgasm jerked through her, surprising and embarrassing her.

Landau chuckled. “You’re easy, Jewel Master.”

Easy, yes. Sex-starved too.

“I don’t know what that is.” Her ragged breath hitched as she tried to orient herself and follow the conversation.

“How can you not?” His brows met his hairline, showing his surprise. “Jewel Masters are rare, but still . . . .” He eyed her speculatively. “You’re joking, right?”

Julija didn’t think she could muster a verbal response so she shook her head.

“I’ll show you,” he said, his gaze determined. He looked at the jewels surrounding them on the bed, his fingers skimming through them until he located a diamond at least ten carats in size. He pressed the flat side against a nipple. “Can you feel it vibrating?”

“Yes.” She strangled on the word. The vibration against her nipple was connected to her vagina.

“Only a Jewel Master can make it do that.” Landau trailed the diamond to the other breast and smiled at her moan of pleasure. “I’m not a Jewel Master,” he said. “Wood Elves create Jewel Masters.” He clarified the last sentence with, “I don’t have Wood Elf in me. You do.”

Mischief darkened his gaze as he dragged the vibrating diamond down her belly, circled her navel and then slid it downward to the flesh at the apex of her thighs.

As if entranced, Landau spread her vaginal lips and pressed the gem against her clitoris. The diamond acted like a tiny, wicked vibrator.

Five seconds. She panted. Ten seconds. She panted faster. Fifteen sec— She climaxed a second time. The diamond launched into hyper-vibration drive, the harmony wobbled her eardrums, the melody so loud, Landau flinched.

He slid the rock lower, soaking the crystal with her wetness. He pressed the gemstone against her entrance; the humming diamond grew louder, vibrated rapidly against her swollen flesh.

Grimacing at the decibel level, Landau removed the stone from her body. “Proof,” Landau said, sounding strangled. When she focused on him, his eyes turned blood red and he looked turned-on, like her. “You’re a Jewel Master.”


~~~~~~~

Where you can find me on the web:

Website: www.gracenmiller.com
MLM Blog: http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/ (I blog every Friday here)
WTR Blog: http://wickedthornandroses.blogspot.com/ (I blog every Saturday here)
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GracenMiller
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gracen.miller?ref=profile

~~~~~~~
Again, thanks so much for letting me join you, Clare! And thanks to all of you who read and/or commented on my blog.

Huggles,
Gracen

January 23, 2011

Research Your Book!

Shannon Leigh the Author of 'Chasing Booty' Gives Tips on How to Resesarch Your Book!




I don't know how other writers go about building their settings and characters, but one thing I've learned from my own experience is it takes a lot of research. You not only have to make your characters into people the reader wants to read about, you also have to make their setting fit their story and be believable. It all has to jive. Of course, with some genres, such as science-fiction, there's a little more room for play. If your setting is 5000 years into the future, who can argue with you if your books has cars that fold up into briefcases and robots built for pleasure?


With each book I've written, I've learned more and more about the importance of research, even in my science fiction story Chasing Booty.


When cops can’t catch the most wanted criminals, they hire Gaelyn. She thrives on adventure. Only one other hunter matches her status, Reese, a Trøndite from the small planet of Sør-Trøndalag. The man had a knack for stealing her contracts. While chasing her latest mark, she runs into Reese on Quaoar. He not only has the information she needs to catch the bad guy, he’s got a business proposal that’s too tempting to pass up.  A partnership with Reese just might prove rewarding in a way she never expects.


I didn't know a thing about spaceships or the solar system, but they were pertinent to my storyline so I had to do some pretty extensive research on both. What I ended up with was enough information to make the setting believable and give my characters the world they were made for.


I had a reader ask me, "How do you know so much about the solar system? I was amazed at the detail."


I had to chuckle. I really don't know that much about it, but I made sure that what I wrote was accurate and detailed enough that the reader thought I did.


In my two stories Lycan Lore and Lycan Lore 2: Offspring, I had to do separate research for both. Even though the second continued the series, it was in a completely different setting, Miami Beach, which I knew very little about save it's where I'd much rather be right now instead of freezing my buns off in Indiana!


Cassandra didn't believe in werewolves, not until she finds herself running for her life with a fur-sprouting, fang-wielding, moon-constrained juggernaut from Hell intending to have her for dinner. Much to her chagrin, her savior comes in the same form. Only, unlike his bloodthirsty counterpart, Cray can control his form. Before he can claim her as his one true mate, the wolf that hunts Cassandra has to be stopped, for once a lycan scents its prey, it’ll never relinquish its quest to complete the kill. Runing from a werewolf hunter determined to kill her and her unborn child, Heather flees to the shores of South Beach, right into the arms of a man who could prove more than a one-night stand. Despite his own lycan heritage, Cray has taken a vow to protect humanity from his kind. With a new lead on his target, he plans on hunting her down. Cassandra knows what her best friend has become, but refuses to accept Heather’s fate. If she hopes to save her, she must find a way to protect her from her own mate.


Where can you research? Books are okay, but who has room to keep books on every imaginable subject? For me, the internet is my best friend. Of course--depending upon your research topic--you have to be careful about the information you find as some of it may not exactly be creditable.


In my book Erotikos, I had an Indian (which required some pretty extensive research on my part), a vampire (I could wing that one), and a selkie (research again).


Its girl’s night in, three horny women and an evening of drinking and gossip.  Mina has brought Erotikos, a strange game that promises to fulfill their every sexual desire with their choice of eight gorgeous men.  With a simple roll of the dice, they’ll embark on a series of adventures where reality ceases and fantasy begins.


Let's say you want to write a story about selkies. Okay, you've never written about these mystical creatures before and know very little. If you type "selkie" into your browser search box...


Viola! You're likely going to get several link options, many of which will go to personal websites. One site in particular that I like is Wikipedia. You can find a wealth of information there, as well as links to other topics that relate to your search topic.


Whatever you choose to write about, don't forget that research is a pertinent part of the writing process. Paying attention to tiny details (the food they eat, the clothes they wear, physical places/objects in their surrounding) will make your stories believable and more enjoyable for the reader. A well written, detail oriented book is bound to make you a rememberable author, and is likely to create a list of readers that can't wait for your next story.


***


Shannon Leigh
Amber Quill Assistant Review Coordinator


"Giving readers the O in their erOtica."


Website: http://shannonleigh.org


Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shannon_Leigh_Newsletter/


*Nana's Little Black Book--calling all incubi*
*Chasing Booty--the payoff is too good to pass up.*
*Dark Tales--not your average bedtime story.*





January 21, 2011

Run Devil Run- A Paranormal Romance Fiction Anthology


Decadent Publishing announces the release of a Paranormal-Romance Fiction Anthology rooted in rock ‘n roll and ripped straight off the Sunset Strip.








Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with the publisher. The stories are penned by popular and award-nominated authors Rachel Carrington, Mari Freeman, Susan DiPlacido, Valerie Mann and Becca Dale, and will be released first in ebook format, then later in print.




 “I’ve seen RDR play live several times and they are impressive. When this idea came to me, they were a natural fit. Paranormal romance lends itself easily to the Rock vibe,” says Heather Bennett, Co-owner of Decadent Publishing. “Customers who buy the series off our site will be treated to a free download of the coordinating song so they get the whole multi-media experience.” 




Mari Freeman writes, "Music has always influenced my writing, but creating a story, characters and an entire world based on the lyrics of a song has been one of the most unique experiences. The collaboration between Decadent Publishing and Run Devil Run has found a creative way to take that musical influence and share it with readers. Read the book, get the song that inspired it. That rocks!”






Remarks Jackie Joyride of Run Devil Run, "The fact that our music could inspire authors of this caliber to bring characters to life, I mean, it’s a thrill for us. It’s been great working with Decadent Publishing and to see these stories come together around our music…it’s an ego boost for sure!”


Everyone who buys one of the stories OFF THE DECADENT SITE will be able to get a free download of the corresponding song! 

The Embraced: Scribal Love: British Author Linda Acaster and her Paranormal Hi...

The Embraced: Scribal Love: British Author Linda Acaster and her Paranormal Hi...: "Scribal Love Welcomes Linda Acaster! Linda Acaster is a British author of long and short fiction across an array of genres. Her newest ebo..."

January 17, 2011

New Contract!

I am so excited!  I just got a new contract with Decadent Publishing for my scifi piece "Kybernatia"  and I am really looking forward to a long and happy relationship with them!

January 4, 2011

Hyios- Space Music For A Cool But Dark Future

"Consuetudines" by Hyios


I love listening to dark ambient/space/industrial music when I write and relax.  It's harmonious, melodic dronings I find very peaceful and inspiring.  


Recently while surfing the net, I discovered this British Dark Ambient/Space Music/Industrial artist who goes by the name of Hyios.  


The music was intriguing as it was enveloping.  The songs I listened to were off of the CD's entitled "Carbon/Core" and "Consuetudines".  If you are into this sort of music it makes you feel like you are deep in one of your favorite scifi movies in the vastness of space.  


I can't recommend it enough.

January 1, 2011

What is the MICE Quotient?

According to Orson Scott Card,


Every fictional story has it.  But the question is, what is it?  


MICE is an acronym which stands for Milieu, Idea, Character and Event.


So every story fits into at least one or more of these categories.  

  • Milieu - The Milieu is the world--the planet, the society, the weather, the family--all the elements that went into creating that special world.

  • Idea - Idea stories are about the process of finding information.

  • Character - The Character story is about the transformation of a character's role in the communities that matter most to him or her.

  • Event - Event stories focus on events which rip the fabric of the universe or disrupt the natural order and cause the world to be in a state of flux.


    There are other great things in this article-- check it out at:  

    http://triton.towson.edu/~schmitt/311/pages/tsld004.htm

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

May you and your loved ones 
have a blessed, safe and prosperous
New Year!