The Musings of a Looneywriter

It's Official! You can now buy "Honor the Pack!"

2011-10-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

First, I'l like to send out a huge thank you to Denise Bartlett and Charlotte Holley for making the process of publishing my first ebook such a fantastic experience! You ladies are fabulous! :-)

And another big thank you to all of my friends (online and off) and family who suffered through my constant updates on the process and endless worrying over if my story was "good enough." I appreciate you all so much.

Now, for the important part. ;-)

Honor the Pack is $3.99, and available for download from the following websites.

Gypsy Shadow – http://www.gypsyshadow.com/KayceeALooney.html#Honor

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Honor-the-Pack-ebook/dp/B005NXDZ42/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317503040&sr=1-3

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honor-the-pack-kaycee-a-looney/1105795249?ean=2940013418516&itm=1&usri=honor%2bthe%2bpack

Smash Words – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/89792

If you decided to buy the novella, I'd love to hear what you think. Please leave a comment here, or on my facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kaycee-A-Looney-author/146253352115254

A Finished Cover Image and Second Round Edits

2011-08-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is really late, but those of you who know me are aware of my big move and that I start law school on the 22^nd of this month. So I hope you forgive me. :-)

Where to begin? Let's go chronologically, shall we?

The Cover Image

Through the patience and skill of Charlotte Holley, I now have an incredible cover image for “Honor the Pack.” Gypsy Shadow Publishing did use the two images I found on the stock image website, and Charlotte found a third to represent my female MC in human form. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, check out my “Author” page at GSP. When the novella is released, the page will also include an excerpt from the piece and a link to buy it. (I’ll figure out how to put up a picture and link in my sidebar when the time arrives so it won’t get buried in the old posts.)

The Second Round Edits

This was the easiest part of the process for me – and the toughest. The edits went quickly, only a couple of hours over the course of a few days. (Again, I like to let things sit for a bit before I make my final decision if I keep it or not.) So, time-wise, it was a cinch.

The emotional side was much tougher. Over the past couple of months, as I’ve gone through the publishing process, I’ve been excited. I still am! But as I sat at my laptop getting ready to send off the “final” version of “Honor the Pack” I was plagued with doubt. Had I really done the best job I could? Will people like it? Oh my God, what will I do if people hate it? :-O

I know that both will likely happen. It’s a fact of life. Not every person has the same view of what makes a good story. But, that didn’t stop my last minute panic and self-doubt.

So, how did I overcome this fear and click the send button on that email? I took a deep breath and reminded myself that this novella is the result of over a year of hard work on my part. I am proud of it. Damn proud. And this is what all that hard work was for, so that people could read it. This is a goal, no a dream, I’ve had for a long, long time. People have told me that I couldn’t do it, that it was a waste of time. They encouraged me to quit and “do something practical” with my time. But you know something? I can’t think of any better way to spend my free time than by creating. Maybe someday it will pay the bills, but even if I never publish another work of fiction again in my life I’ll always know that it wasn’t impossible. I worked hard and reached my goal.

If I, a girl who grew up in a tiny speck of a town in Southeast Alaska, can make one of her dreams come true then there is never any reason to doubt life’s possibilities. :-)

All in the Name of Research.

2011-07-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

I've read some form of this comment dozens of times, from a variety of authors, expert advice givers, etc. "The best way to research a book is to go to the places you're writing about."

That's all well and good, if you are writing about your hometown, or state. But what about someone who lives in New York and is writing about Montana? Or a story set in a foreign country? I don't know many aspiring authors who have an unlimited travel budget. Do you? Exactly. So, this sage advice can feel like a slap in the face, right? Absolutely. But, all you need to do is get a bit creative. It is, after all, your forte.

As an example, I am writing a YA pirate tale set in the Caribbean during the 1730's. The story begins in Cuba and my chances of going there are pretty slim. (Pesky U.S. embargo and all.) And, unless Michio Kaku or Stephen Hawking really can figure out how to break the barrier in the time-space continuum to make time travel possible, I'm in trouble.

Or am I?

True, I can’t afford to visit the Caribbean, though I’d love the chance. And I can’t travel back to the 18th century. Well, that point is debatable. I happen to be lucky enough to live in Washington State, just a couple of hours from the home port of The Lady Washington. (Many of you may know the ship as The Interceptor from The Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl.) The ship is a replica of a tall ship that would have sailed the seas around 1790.

I was able to take a three hour sail aboard The Lady Washington on July 1st. I went with notebook and camera in hand. Watching the crew work together gave me a real taste of what life on a tall ship would have been like. The amount of rigging was mind-boggling, and I couldn’t help but imagine what it might have looked like during a storm. I felt transported back in time. I was inspired.

But, wait – you may be thinking – I don’t have *fill in the blank* near where I live. What am I supposed to do to research my novel? That’s where thinking outside the box will be your best weapon. Sure reading books on the subject/area/technology/whatever is a good place to start. But ask yourself what other resources may be available to you. If you’re setting your story in a place you’re unfamiliar with, do you know someone who has been there? Are you writing about futuristic technology? What about talking to a techie friend who is an authority on gadgets? Try a visit to a local museum/zoo/arboretum with an eye toward observation of flora and fauna. (You don’t have to be writing about tigers, but the movements of the big cats can be borrowed for a creature of your own imagining.)

As you already know, the internet is a great source of information – and videos. Never been to Rome? Don’t know anyone who has either? I went to YouTube and typed in “Rome vacation” and got 4,810 hits. Seeing the sights virtually will give you an idea of the atmosphere, which will lend your descriptions authenticity.

So, if you can’t visit the places you’re writing about in person, find other creative ways of “going” there. Be imaginative and enjoy the research process.

Book Review: Phoenix Rising - Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

2011-06-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel #1

Upon first seeing the cover of this book, I had to smile at the two MC's names - Agents Books and Braun! :-D Ok, I thought, I have to give this a chance.

Eliza D. Braun is a field agent for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, working to preserve order under the reign of "Queen Vic." Wellington Thornhill Books, Esquire, is the head of the Ministry's archives - he is NOT a librarian, but an archivist (as he so often reminds Eliza).

When Agent Braun brings too much attention to the existence of the clandestine Ministry, she is reassigned to the Archives. But, that doesn't keep her confined to the stuffy basement for long. Her former partner, Harrison Thorne, was driven mad after going missing for a week while investigating the newest in a series of gruesome murders. Upon discovering the evidence Thorne collected in the Ministry’s unsolved cases, Braun takes action. She intends to find answers, and assuage her guilt over Harrison’s madness – with or without Agent Books' help.

As they begin to connect the murders to one another, Books and Braun find themselves involved in something much more dangerous than they expected. When the clues lead them to the mysterious Phoenix Society, fighting for “Queen and country” takes on a whole new meaning. Going undercover, Wellington and Eliza discover what the Phoenix Society members are up to in their secluded country estate. But when their cover is blown, how will they escape the dungeons of the nefarious Phoenix Society’s leader and see justice done?

Philippa (Pip) Ballantine and Tee Morris have created a fun, witty and adventure-filled steampunk novel. It is the first steampunk book I've read, but if I can find more with this level of writing and entertainment value – I'm officially a fan! I'll be keeping an eye out for book two in this series.

“Welly,” as Eliza insists on calling Agent Books, is fascinated with technology and creates some of the cool steampunk gadgets in the book. Eliza, on the other hand, prefers dynamite to steam power. They’re a classic “odd couple” somewhat reminiscent of Mulder and Scully in the early seasons of X-files.

A couple of the scenes felt a bit forced just so the authors could include more cool gadgets. But, since I love a good fight scene, I forgive them. A really enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down. :-)

Round One Edits - Mission Accomplished?

2011-06-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well, after spending my spare moments for the majority of the past 10 days on my first round edits, I just emailed the "new and expanded" version to Gypsy Shadow Publishing's editor.

Everything went smoothly, at first. I typed up a rough draft of a new ending in just a few hours. Then - the obsessing began. :-O I read it through and thought, "That's not too bad, but it could be better." So, I wrote a new scene and let it sit for a couple days. I wanted to come back to it fresh.

When I read it the second time I thought, "That is the worst piece of crap ever to pollute my computer hard drive, it must die!" But, I refrained from complete execution and only axed about a third of it. :-)

At least six versions later, I realized the scene I added wasn't working. Yeah, I know, I'm brilliant. ;-) So, I cut that scene and wrote a completely new one, which is now my new "the end." I had been wanting to include an element that I couldn't figure out how to add, but felt it was important to have in order to wrap up all the sub-plots and give the characters a sense of closure.

I hope to hear back soon and have some more news for you all about the next step in my publishing journey.

Round One Edits; Realizing Your Story Isn’t “Perfect.”

2011-06-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

I received my round one edits from Gypsy Shadow Publishing yesterday morning. I opened the email with a mixture of excitement and dread. Excitement for moving one step closer to the publication of “Honor the Pack” and dread of what changes might be asked of me.

Would the editor want to rearrange my story? Or change the names of major characters? Would I see more corrections than original text?

I need not have worried so much. There are corrections to make, but the majority of those are minor technical errors. And yes, some of those are embarrassingly obvious. For example: I changed “in spite of” to “despite” but forgot to delete “of” leaving behind this gem “Despite of …" – oops. :-o

However, that is nothing compared to the glaring error in my time line concerning some of the characters’ ages. I edited this story more times than I can count (but it was at least five). I had beta readers who gave me excellent suggestions and feedback. I wanted the novella to be perfect before I sent it out for publication. I thought it was perfect.

It wasn’t.

Do you know what I’ve learned from that? I had a strong story that the editor liked and the small errors were just that – small. Easy to correct. This is NOT an endorsement to send out a sloppy manuscript with an “it’s good enough” attitude. I worked very hard on making this novella the best it could be before I sent it out. Yes, I made mistakes. I’m human. So are editors. They understand a minor mistake here and there. It is their job to recognize a diamond in the rough and help a writer polish it before the world admires its brilliant gleam.

But don’t waste their time. Edit extensively before you submit. Have beta readers go over your work, they will notice inconsistencies and errors you don’t. It's important to be as professional as possible.

After I read through the edits, I understood what the editor meant with her corrections and I agreed with them. So I replied to her email, letting her know that I would have the edits back to her as soon as possible. I was a bit surprised by her reply. She asked if I could add to the ending because it felt a bit abrupt.

I’ll let you in on a little secret here. I ended the story where I did because I was afraid it would be too long for any publisher to accept from an “unknown” writer if I kept going. And now I not only have the opportunity to expand it – the editor requested it of me! :-) It won’t be a huge addition, maybe just a couple of pages, but I’m excited about the scene I have planned.

Another step closer to my first publication and it feels awesome!! I can’t wait to have a release date to share with everyone. :-)

Next Installment: (To be determined.)

Captured: the elusive acceptance. :-D

2011-05-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Part 1: I am not dreaming – this is real.

As fiction writers, we are subjected to rejection after rejection. Some of them are encouraging, others disheartening. But we keep submitting our work, driven by faith in our talent and the hope that someday that ever-elusive acceptance will happen.

I have, at last, captured my first acceptance for a YA Fantasy novella, “Honor the Pack.” I began this tale last July after a drive home through the mountains from my nephew’s birthday party. The full moon was so large it captured my imagination as I came around a bend in the road and it got me thinking about werewolves. That led me to the idea behind this novella, which I call my “reverse werewolf” story.

I will be writing a series of blog posts chronicling my experiences as I move through the process – from acceptance to the release of my novella as an e-book.

The contract has been signed, and “Honor the Pack” will be available through Gypsy Shadow Publishing (though I don’t have a release date yet). I hope you will check it out.

So, what happens after the acceptance is official and the contract is in your hands (or inbox)?

Part 2: After the Acceptance

After the acceptance, the real work begins.

I am what’s affectionately known in the fiction writing world as a “pantser” or “seat of the pants” writer. While I love this style of writing, and find it works best for me not to plan ahead when I create a story, it did have its drawbacks when that long-anticipated acceptance came through. Suddenly, I found myself in the grip of panic – I didn’t have a “back cover blurb” or a “one line hook” for this story. Why? I hadn’t “planned” the story, so I couldn’t summarize it before it was completed. Then I’d told myself I had plenty of time to work on the summaries while I subbed out my tale. It would take months, possibly years, to get an acceptance. Right?

Never tell yourself you have “tons of time.” Just don’t do it. I had myself convinced I’d be able to go about creating my promotional pieces at my leisure. Funny thing though – life likes to throw stuff at you, eating up the time you thought you had. And so I spent three frantic days working on the paragraph which will be the introduction to my story potential readers will see when they click on the cover image for my novella and the one line hook which will be used in press releases.

Talk about pressure.

Pressure I could have saved myself if I’d just written them before I started subbing out the novella. Learn from my mistake and write up your promotional pieces before you sub. Have people you trust to give you an honest critique (read: not your super-supportive family member/friend who is afraid to hurt your feelings) go over them and tell you if they would want to read your story afterward. These pieces are so important to how your work is perceived – give them your best effort, and give yourself a break by planning ahead (even if it goes against your usual writing vibe).

Another part of the package Gypsy Shadow Publishing (GSP) sent to me was less stressful, but something I hadn’t put a huge amount of thought into. They ask for a detailed description of your main character(s) so they can use it to help them seek out cover images. As part of my writing style, I do not usually give a detailed description of my main characters. I want the reader to create the picture for his or herself. But, I had put a little thought into what the “cover” would look like if it were to have one – yet I hadn’t expected it to because it’s not a full novel. One problem, my ideal cover image would require hiring an artist to create it and because this is a small publisher they use stock images for their cover art. Therefore, my ideal wouldn’t be possible. This time, I didn’t panic. GSP provides its authors with a link to the website they use for finding stock images. I sat down at my laptop and started searching until I found an alternative that I thought would work well. There is no guarantee that what I chose will be used, but I wanted to go the extra mile and give them a concrete image to start from.

What my point is in sharing this is – be flexible. Be ready to provide your insight, but not before it’s requested. I don’t know the policies of other publishers (this is my first publication, after all) but I felt very fortunate to have my input requested for the cover image. But what I had dreamed of wasn’t going to be possible. I had to find another route. In short, have not only one idea in mind have two or three or . . . . ;-)

Next installment: Round One Edits.

Book Review #2 - Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture by Peggy Orenstein

2011-02-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

I am not a mother, so why did I read a book about how to raise confident, healthy young women in America? Because someday I may be the mother of a daughter, and right now I am the auntie of a 10-year-old niece. Making sure the girls in my life (present and future) are strong and confident is important to me.

If you’re thinking this book is a preachy recitation of “tell your daughter to be proud of who she is no matter what anyone else thinks and everything will be fine” – you’re wrong. Peggy Orenstein acknowledges the warring opinions and philosophies on raising a girl who doesn’t put all her self-worth in her appearance. There are pitfalls in life and the author does not ignore them. She even admits her feelings of inadequacy regarding her own looks and her fear that they will somehow seep into her daughter’s self-perception. She tackles media (most markedly the “Disney Princess” deluge), how children of both genders play and what that may or may not mean for their future in relating to one another, the early sexualization of young girls(think Toddlers and Tiaras – yeah she goes to a pageant) and even the internet. But she manages to mix lessons on combating a girl’s desire for “perfection” with humor.

One of my favorite examples is her mention of the “Twilight” craze. Orenstein picks apart Bella without mercy. “But it is Bella, not the supernaturals she falls in with, who is the true horror show here, at least as a female role model. . . . Realizing [in New Moon] that she conjures Edward’s image at times of extreme danger, Bella flings herself off a cliff into a stormy sea and nearly drowns: ‘. . . I saw him, and I had no will to fight . . . . Why would I fight when I was so happy where I was?’

Oh yeah, I want my daughter to be that girl.”

Orenstein goes on to say that Bella’s one redeeming value in teaching girls to like themselves is that the character is a completely lackluster, decidedly not model-perfect girl who still gets the hot guy. (Um, I’m not so sure that should really be what girl’s strive for myself, but I didn’t write the book.)

However, I found this book to be informative, thought-provoking and entertaining. Do I believe it should be used as the new gospel on raising girls? No. Do I believe it has serious merit and will help parents(and cool aunties/uncles/grandparents/etc.) discover their own way to guide girls through the conflicting messages and images they must face every day? Absolutely. Give it a read. At the very least, it will get you thinking.

Februrary's New Fiction Releases

2011-02-06T18:22:00.000-08:00

So, I've updated the new releases page to include releases through 02/22/2011. It looks like the majority of books coming out this month will hit the shelves on the 22nd - including the one I've been waiting for "Darkest Mercy" by Melissa Marr. It's the last in her Wicked Lovely series and I adored the fourth book. So, I'm hoping this one doesn't disappoint. :-)

Sounds like some really good books will be coming out this month, so start saving now (or ask for gift cards for Valentine's Day) so you don't miss out on these titles.

Hardcover

Courtney Allison Moulton - Angelfire (a reincarnated reaper slayer falling in love with her Guardian Angel? I've got to read this!)
James Patterson - Angel (last of the Maximum Ride series - or so he says...)
Paula McClain - The Paris Wife (story of Ernest & Hadley Hemingway)
Kimberly Derting - Desires of the Dead (sequel to The Body Finder)

Paperback

Kimberly Derting - The Body Finder (a girl who can find the bodies of murder victims = Medium meets CSI meets YA romance Um, sign me up.)
Elizabeth Moon - Oath of Fealty (a spin-off series from her Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter trilogy, following other characters from the series)
Jeaniene Frost - This Side of the Grave (part of the Night Huntress series about half-vampire Cat Crawfield)
Catherine Fisher - Incarceron (a vast prison, a boy looking for a way out, a girl who says she can help. . . Another in the growing trend toward post-apocalyptic YA lit. The sequel "Saphique" is available in hardcover.)

New books for February 1st and 3rd

2011-01-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

The Upcoming Fiction Releases page is updated with the new titles coming out on Tuesday and Thursday. There aren't as many new titles this week as in the previous two weeks, but some interesting-sounding reads are coming out. Personally, I'm going to be taking a look at Lauren Oliver's Delirium. It's a(nother) post-apocalyptic YA novel, but sounds like a fun read. :-)

Hardcover

Taylor Anderson - Rising Tides
David Halpern - Journal of a UFO Investigator
Lauren Oliver - Delirium

Paperback

Martha Grimes - Fadeaway Girl
Lucy Monroe - Moon Burning

Gabriella Pierce - 666 Park Avenue

Updated Upcoming Fiction Releases Page

2011-01-19T17:15:00.000-08:00

I've just finished updating my Upcoming Fiction Releases page. It's a big release date next Tuesday with some other great hardcover and paperback books hitting bookstore shelves on the 20th and 24th.

Here's a sample of what's going to be available for your reading pleasure. . .

Hardcover:
While Mortals Sleep - Kurt Vonnegut
Tick Tock - James Patterson
Restless Heart - Wynonna Judd (yeah, that Wynonna)

Paperback:
Doomwyte - Brian Jacques
Dragon Keeper - Robin Hobbs
Fire - Kristin Cashore

And while this one isn't fiction, I'm going to be taking a look at it to see if I want to add it to my reading list - Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-girl Culture. I have been increasingly disturbed by the focus on the princesses, etc. and worried over what it's telling little girls about themselves and how to envision their future. Looks like I'm not the only one.

Just click the Upcoming Fiction Releases link at the top of the page to view the full list.

Book Review #1 - Bloodring by Faith Hunter

2011-01-16T22:20:00.000-08:00

I have decided to post reviews of the books on my reading list which I find to be most entertaining (or informative in the case of non-fiction). You can see a full and updated list by clicking the My Planned Reading List for 2011 link at the top of the page. So, without further ado, here is the first.

Thorn St. Croix is the most hunted of beings in the Post-Ap world – an unlicensed witchy-woman. She must keep herself, as well as the power she feels through and from stone, hidden. No one must know what she is. To be discovered means a torturous death; either at the hands of the Seraphs, or through the slow descent into insanity that return to her Enclave would mean.

And for years she has been able to fool those around her into believing she is nothing more than human. Then Thaddeus Bartholomew arrives in Mineral City.

He has a secret of his own. One even he doesn’t fully realize. A Hand of the Law, he is investigating the disappearance of Thorn’s ex-husband, Lucas.

Finding Lucas isn’t exactly at the top of Thorn’s to-do list, until she learns that his kidnappers plan to do harm to his daughter and daughter-of-her-heart, Ciana. The child puts all her trust in Thorn, telling her that God the Victorious has told her that Thorn will get her father back.

Left with little choice, for finding Lucas now means saving Ciana, Thorn begins to explore the powers she was born with in order to locate him. The hunt will take both Thorn and Thadd closer to their destruction than either ever considered.

*****

This was one of the best dark fantasies I’ve read in a long while. While some of the descriptions were a bit tedious (Do I really need to know the color and cut of every outfit her flamboyant, gay best friend wears?) it pulled me into the author’s Post-Apocalyptic vision of a world where humans, mages, half-breeds, Seraphs and devil spawn co-exist in a tumultuous mixture teetering on the brink of another war.

The main character was likeable and just flawed enough that she wasn’t an overly-righteous stereotype of a heroine. The supporting characters were vibrant especially Rupert (the one with all the fabulous outfits) and his partner Audric, a huge black man who is more than he seems.

I would recommend this to all lovers of the genre. It does draw upon religious themes, but not in a preachy manner (if it had been preachy, I wouldn’t be recommending it). It’s well-written and comes to a satisfying ending with just enough left unanswered to pull you forward to read the next of the series “Seraphs,” which I will be picking up next.

On the Verge

2011-01-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

So, I find myself upon the precipice of a new project. I've caught another cold, which seems to be messing with my ability to think clearly. However, it hasn't stopped me from perusing the sites of publications I'd like to submit my work to in the future.

A few days back I found a new anthology on Pill Hill Press' Open Submissions page which brought an idea I've been keeping on the back burner once again to the front of my thoughts. The anthology is called "How the West Was Wicked."

Months ago the idea occured to me that perhaps one of the most infamous outlaws in history, really wasn't what he seemed. Maybe Billy the Kid wasn't to blame for the path of destruction he cut across the wilds of Arizona and New Mexico in the 19th century. What if - it was something beyond his control which made him kill?

So, I've decided to try and get the story from my brain onto the screen and submit it to the anthology. There is no deadline, only the ominous "open until filled" appears below the editor's name. I am in a race against the time and the punctuality of my fellow writers. Let the battle begin. ;-)

2011 already? Wow! :-o

2011-01-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I've been really preoccupied with applying to law school and have been sadly neglecting this blog. *sigh* However, seeing as it is a new year, fresh start and all that jazz - I'm going to try and be better about posting at least weekly again.

Today's post stems from a reading challenge set forth by one of the moderators of the Sci-fi/Fantasy section of the Writer's Digest forums. She is also probably well known to you all, Miss Lydia Sharp, or as she's known on the WD forums, Lexi. :-)

She has challenged us on the forum to read either 50 or 100 books during the upcoming year. Personally I have pledged to read 50 books. Because I plan to enter law school in September, I doubt I can read more. So, without further ado, here is my planned reading list, in no particular order (as it stands so far).
*I've put and NF after every book that is non-fiction.

~~1. The Keepers' Tattoo - Gill Arbuthnott~~
~~2. The Gift - James Patterson and Ned Rust~~
3. The Storm Witch - Violette Malan
4. Crusade - Robyn Young
5. Templars - Robyn Young
~~6. Bloodring - Faith Hunter~~
7. Host - Faith Hunter
8. Little Princes - Conor Grennan (NF)
9. Heaven's Net is Wide - Lian Hearn
10. Across the Nightengale Floor - Lian Hearn
11. Grass for His Pillow - Lian Hearn
12. Brilliance of the Moon - Lian Hearn
13. The Harsh Cry of the Heron - Lian Hearn
14. First Rider's Call - Kristen Britian
15. The High King's Tomb - Kristen Britain
16. Grave Goods - Ariana Franklin
17. The Children's Blizzard - David Laskin (NF)
18. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova
19. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
20. A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome - Alberto Angela (NF)
21. As the Romans Did - Jo-Ann Shelton (NF)
22. Daily Life in Ancient Rome - Jerome Carcopino (NF)
23. Life and Leisure in Ancient Rome - J.P.V.D Balsdon (NF)
24. Karavans - Jennifer Roberson
25. The Light Bearer - Donna Gillespie
26. How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy - Orson Scott Card (NF)
27. Beyond the Whiteness of Whiteness - Jane Lazzare (NF)
28. Save the Cat! - Blake Snyder (NF)
29. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
30. The Vikings - Robert Ferguson (NF)
31. The Rose Labyrinth - Titania Hardie
~~32. Witch & Wizard - James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet~~
~~33. The Rebel Prince - Celine Kiernan~~
Those are just books I have sitting on my bookshelf which I haven't have time to get to yet. The remaining slots I plan to use for expanding to new authors. Because I work at a bookstore, that shouldn't be too difficult. I'll just cruise down an aisle and grab a book that looks interesting. :-)

So, how many books do you plan to read in 2011? Come on by the WD forums and join our challenge. :-D

The page 69 test? Is that something dirty? :-O

2010-12-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

No. It isn't. :-)

I just read Lydia's blog post over at The Sharp Angle about the page 69 test. Basically, if you read page 69 of a book and like it, you should buy it. She shared page 69 of her YA novel, Summer Hoax. So, it inspired me to share page 69 of my historical fiction novel in progress. I opened the file marked "Full text part 1" only to discover that I don't have a page 69. :-O Due to skipping around during the creation of this rough draft the first section ends on page 65.

I don't have a good tag line yet, but here's the basic premise. It is set in the first century CE in the Roman Empire. At age 15 Calli is sold into slavery by her cousin for refusing to marry him. All sorts of bad stuff happens to her (of course) and some good stuff too (to keep the readers from throwing the book in the trash cursing my name). By this point in the book the ship carrying her to Rome has wrecked on the small island of Malta.
*side note - I had the ship wreck on Malta because I was an exchange student there and couldn't resist putting it into the novel. :-)

So, after reading my "page 69," would you buy the book?

“Why is it that you take so much pleasure in irritating me?” Calli glared at the Nubian, who made a belated attempt to cover the wide grin spreading across his mahogany face.

Going straight-faced, Sefu looked into her eyes. “In my tribe it is our way to find joy in the things that surround us.” He grinned at her again and Calli saw something beyond amusement in his dark eyes. “Here, I choose to find joy in you.”

“That is – it’s,” Calli tore her eyes from his, clenching her fingers into fists. “You do not know what you’re talking about.”

Without allowing him to speak again, she stood and walked away. At least being stranded on this barren lump of limestone had one advantage – no shackles. She found Aspasia sitting alone gazing out at the Mediterranean.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” she said, sitting next to her friend and giving her a nudge.

Aspasia gave her a wane smile. “I was just thinking of my mother.”

Calli lifted a brow. Aspasia had spoken only once of her mother and it had not been a favorable tale. She realized with a twinge, that her own mother might not have been warm and loving, but it had not been she who sold her daughter as a slave.

“I was just wondering what she looks like.” She turned her face back toward the water.

“Oh.” Calli put a tentative hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Do you want to be alone?”

Aspasia shook her head. “No.” She gave a long sigh. “All I remember of her is that she was wearing a blue chiton when they pried my fingers from her waist.” She turned and looked at Calli. “She never said a word as they carried me away. I screamed for her until my throat was raw.”

“I’m sorry.” Calli hugged her tight.

They sat together in silence and watched the sun chariot descend into the sea to begin its journey through the Underworld to rise again at dawn.

Overambitious me.

2010-11-16T00:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I wrote earlier in the month that I would be finishing the rough draft of my historical fiction novel by the end of November. Well, I took on a second CASA case this past Tuesday. So, that means even less free time to work on writing. Do I regret it? Not a chance. My new case involves an infant and I'm really excited about helping this little one have a better and brighter future. He's adorable - I've already fallen in love with him. :-)

So, I'm going to have to push back my finish date for the novel rough draft. I now plan to have it done by the end of the year. I have already begun filling in some of the gaps I left in the first half of the novel. I should be finished with the "catch up" work soon and moving forward with the plot.

The tough part? I'm still debating on where to end it. *sigh* I will just have to trust my instincts when the time arrives.

I will definitely post when it's complete. Although that will be when the work really starts.

So, it's time for NaNo. . .

2010-11-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

It's November and writers all around the world are hunkering down to begin the next "Great Novel." However, I won't be one of them. :-) NaNo is a great concept, but I work retail and this time of year means extra hours - getting home from work after 9:00pm or later, cranky customers and well, an end to the illusion that people can be civil to one another in the name of the holiday season.

Sound cynical? Nope, just realistic.

Anyway, that isn't the point of this post. NaNoWriMo is more than a movement to get writers motivated to finally put that idea that's been bouncing around in their imaginations into actual words, on a computer screen, or into a spiral notebook - whatever works. It also fosters creativity among young writers through the Young Writers Program which brings the fun and challenge of creating a novel into classrooms. In a time when schools in America are suffering from budget cut after budget cut, the free lesson plans that NaNo provides to teachers are a way for kids to nurture their imaginations.

While I won't have the time to begin a new novel this NaNoWriMo, I do have a goal for this month. I will completing the rough draft of my historical fiction novel set in the 1st century C.E. Roman Empire. This rough draft has been long in the making due to the fact that I had to put it aside while I studied for the LSAT. So, now that it's over, I'm going back to my creative endevours.

So, are any of you joining in the fun of NaNo this year? If so, what do you hope to gain from the experience? If not, are you setting an alternative writing goal for yourself?

Happy Writing!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Halloween is almost over, but I'm sneaking in a quick wish for you to have a fun and safe time. I had my Halloween fun yesterday. This year my costume was Abby Sciuto from NCIS. :-) So much fun to put that ensemble together, let me tell you!

I've been watching the Ghost Hunters live Halloween event (between naps) and just heard that the winner of the vote for locations to revisit will be Waverly Hills in Louisville, KY. Keep an eye open for Jason and Grant, Brad! ;-) If you see them, you totally have to get their autographs for me.

Unfortunately, I didn't win the contest where the grand prize was a trip to the Stanley Hotel in Colorado (inspiration and filming site for Stephen King's "The Shining"). Bummer. :-( That would have been awesome. However, I did check out the hotel's website out of curiousity and discovered that they have a ghost hunting package! You even get a K2 meter to use as you stay up all night trying to scare the crap out of yourself. Sweet. Now all I need is the money to travel to and stay there. I'm thinking it might be a few years before that happens.

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys the holiday, it's my favorite. There's just something that I love about a day dedicated to candy, and the fun of pretending to be someone (or something) else for a little while. It's a great escape from the stress of the everyday.

Check out the contest on Ex Libris Draconis .

2010-10-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post quickly and let you all know that Jaleh is having a contest over at Ex Libris Draconis to celebrate her one year anniversary. All you have to do is craft a poem about dragons. She is offering a hand-crocheted bookmark to the winner (in the color of their choice).

I've entered an extremely terrible poem. So, pop over and laugh at my entry then add your own, just to compound my shame. ;-) But HURRY, the deadline for entries is this Friday, October 8th.

Here's a link to the contest post.

Updated Upcoming Fiction Releases

2010-09-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

Well, just a quick note to let you know that I've updated the Upcoming Fiction Releases page with next Tuesday's books.

There are quite a few Sci-Fi/Fantasy releases in paperback for the 28th. Maybe there will be one you've been waiting on. :-)

Have a great week everyone. I hope to catch up on my "site of the week" next week after my CASA report is finished and I have a bit more time to scour the internets for fun and informative resources for my fellow writers.

Upcoming Fiction Releases

2010-09-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

It has been ages since I've posted my site of the week. My apologies.

I have excuses. Bad ones, but unfortunately true ones. The LSAT draws near and I am in full panic mode once again. When I'm not studying, I'm working on my CASA case. Which, as it turns out, is one of the rarities and is coming to a close very quickly. That means that I'm scrambling like a mad woman to get my report finished for the court by next Wednesday. I am still managing to squeeze in a bit of writing because if I didn't, I'd lose what tiny shreds of my sanity I have remaining. :-)

So, in lieu of my site of the week, I've (finally) updated the upcoming fiction releases page. You'll find fiction hitting book stores on September 21st and a few more. So, until I have time to track down some more fun and informative sites for you to peruse, I hope that knowing which books are coming out soon will be a sufficient offering. :-)

Site of the Week - The Science Channel

2010-08-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

So, as I was taking a break from my LSAT practice test (hey, a girl needs to eat), I stumbled upon a show I'd seen advertised - Sci Fi Science. It's on the Science Channel and is hosted by Dr. Michio Kaku one of the most prominent physicists in the world. (He's also the author of Physics of the Impossible, if you want to delve deeper into your science research.)

I decided to take a few moments and share this resource with all of you Sci Fi writers out there. I know, as a reader, I want a story that takes me into another place/time/world, but I also want to believe it could really happen - no matter how slim the reality may be. Sci Fi Science shows you how some of our favorite imaginings can really come to be. Remember, the submarine began as the creation of Jules Verne's mind!

Unfortunately, you can't watch complete episodes of Sci Fi Science online, but you can view short clips and there are links to articles on subjects like - Is creating an invisibility cloak possible? (More so than you might think, actually.)

The Science Channel's main page contains links to dozens more shows, articles, and there are even some games. :-) Personally, I could spend hours there but don't have the time now. However, I encourage you to go in my stead. Go forth and explore my fellow writers. Feed your imaginations and don't forget to feed your stomachs on occasion too. ;-P

Bi-weekly "Site of the Week" -- Which Rules Aren't Made to be Broken.

2010-08-18T23:49:00.000-07:00

So, some of you may have noticed that I've begun using a theme for the Site of the Week, since I haven't always had time to post each week. This week's theme, when not to break the rules.

When you're creating fiction, by all means break the rules of gravity, reality and even common sense if you want to. But when you begin submitting that fantastic work of fiction, that is when the rules aren't made to be broken.

Follow them.

Rule number one. In my opinion this is the most important rule -- do your research. Nothing sends your submission to the e-slush pile/trash can/file 13 faster than submitting it to the wrong market. There are so many sub-genres and blended genres out there these days you can't simply see "science fiction" or "fantasy" under the listing of acceptable submissions and assume your work is a perfect fit.

E-zines often contain free web content so you can get a glimpse of the type of stories they accept, give it a read. If you are submitting to another type of publication which doesn't have free online content, see if you can track a copy down at your local library, Amazon, or borrow one from your next door neighbor's cousin's best friend. You may even be lucky enough to find something on your local Freecycle network. If those options fail, and you really want to get published in that particular venue - buy a copy. I know that finding the extra cash can be tough in this economy, but you have to decide how serious you are. Do you really need that extra vente, double-caff, extra foam, caramel mochachino? ;-)

Rule number two. Read the submission guidelines thoroughly. Every agent, publisher, e-zine, etc. has its own rules of submission. These are published for a reason. Read them. Many of them will also include a link to what the proper formatting they expect looks like, so there is no excuse for submitting anything less than what they are asking you for.

An upcoming speculative fiction e-zine aimed at the YA market, Scape, uses this example which is the most widely used standard manuscript format. However, USE CAUTION, some agents, etc. specifically state what they expect a manuscript to look like and it is not this format.

Rule number three - Proofread before you click send. Spell check is handy. Automatic typo correction is my personal savior. But neither of them are a substitute for reading your submission and making 110% certain that you haven't made a mistake they won't catch - like a misused homonym. (This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Here is a link to a site of homonyms you can use to double check. And yes, I have posted this before, it never hurts to repost a resource like this.)

Rule number four - Proofread twice before you hit send.

Inspiration Needed?

2010-08-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

For this week I'm revisiting a previous Site fo the Week, but in a different capacity. Some of you may remember my mention of Seventh Sanctum's name generators. This site has many other types of generators and so I've used their story generator with both a fantasy theme and a science fiction theme. The results are posted below. If you're going through a spell of writer's block, maybe some of these prompts will get your brain working again. :-)

And if you want to try the generators for yourself, I've added Seventh Sanctum to my list of Websites for Writers on the left side of the page.

FANTASY

1)The story is about a guild of shiftless scribes. It takes place in a war-scarred realm in a magical dimension. The story climaxes with destruction. A lost treasure plays an important role.

2)The story is about a bloodthirsty smuggler and an elementalist who is constantly annoyed by a jailer. It starts in a universe where space travel occurs by magical means. The story begins with someone going to sleep, climaxes with a promotion, and ends with an angry outburst.

3)The story is about a seer from a good family. It starts on our world after a disaster brought about the return of magic in a magical universe. The will of the gods is a major part of the story.

4)This is a comedy-of-manners with a focus on self-sacrifice. The story is about an aloof prince who must work with a pessimistic king. It takes place in a magical alternate universe. The story begins with a dream. The effect of magical races on business is a major part of the story.

5)This is an epic about giving in to destiny. The story is about a watchful wizard who has a mysterious admirier: a fisherman. It takes place in a storehouse in a desert fiefdom. An ancient prophecy plays an important role.

6)The story is about a treasure-hunter, a wizard, a wizard, and a knight. It takes place in a city-state in a forest realm. The return of ancient powers plays an important part in the story.

7)This is a satire. The story is about an actor and an unstable bandit. It starts on our world after a disaster brought about the return of magic. Recovering magical artifacts and knowledge is a major part of the story.

8)The story is about a farmer, an outgoing gigolo, a martial artist, and a dungeon delver who is mysteriously connected to a pompous shaman. It takes place in a legendary domain on our world in a new magical age. An important bloodline plays a prime part.

9)The story is about a shaman, a plain shaman, a vicious fortune-teller, and a rat-catcher. It takes place in a village in a religious land. An important bloodline plays a prime part.

10)This is a rags-to-riches story. The story is about a graceful scribe. It takes place on our world in a magical age. A powerful magical weapon plays an important role.

SCIENCE FICTION

1)This is a comedy-of-errors. The story is about a fearful doctor and a shiftless physicist. It takes place on a war-torn planet. The critical element of the story is the failure at a test. An accident in space plays a major role in the story.

2)The story is about a frustrated nuclear engineer, a video game addict, and a linguistics expert. It takes place in a dimensional warp. The speed of technological advancement is a major part of this story.

3)This is a story about travel and how man can better himself. The story is about a confident gambler who has a mysterious admirier: a sailor. It starts in a galaxy-spanning commonwealth. A spatial anomoly plays a major role in the story.

4)This is a tale about rebellion. The story is about a priestess. It starts in a galaxy-spanning confederation. The story begins with a sport being played.

5)The story is about a whiny plumber. It takes place in a galaxy-spanning technocracy. The differences alien societies may have regarding economics is a major element of this story.

6)The story is about an energetic baseball player, a biologist, and a committed servant. It takes place on an ancient planet. The crux of the story involves the taking of a test.

7)The story is about an acrobat who is in debt to an unpredictable scientist. It starts in an intergalactic syndicate. The difficulty of cross-species communications is a major issue of the story.

8)The story is about a secretary haunted by flashbacks. It takes place in an intergalactic federation. The blurring of the boundaries between man and machine is a major part of this story.

9)The story is about a rabble-rouser who is in debt to a park ranger. It takes place on a toxic planet. The crux of the story involves an accident at home. A rebellion against technology plays a major role in this story.

10)This is a crime drama. The story is about a CFO. It takes place in an intergalactic commonwealth. The story begins with an advice, climaxes with a murder, and ends with the paying of a fine. The effect of alien contact on business is a major part of the story.

Bad Request???? :-O

2010-08-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

I'm having withdrawals. Serious withdrawals. I just tried to sign into the Writer's Digest forums and the links aren't working! I keep getting an errror message that says the page can't be found because of a wrong address.

Oh pleeeeezzzz don't let it be another hacking incident. :-( Damn, stupid hackers screw everything up. Why can't they, along with the scam agents and all other lower forms of life on our planet, find something constructive to do with their time?

I could go on, but I'll spare you the rant. Let's just suffice it to say that I hope the forum links are up and working again very soon. I just posted something new for feedback and I'm like a sugar-high five-year-old wanting to know what people thought of it. :-D

Well, I suppose I'll just have to go and study first. Crap.

Addendum: I went to my final CASA training meeting today and they gave me my first case! Exciting and scary all at once. I won't be officially sworn in until next Wednesday in the Juvenille Court, but I can get started with some of the non-sensitive information gathering in the meantime. Just thought I'd share.