Memorable Movies for Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. A day when we celebrate the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. A day of parades and parties, beer and bratwurst. A day when we can put off the I-don't-want-to-go-back-to-work blues for one more precious day. It is a day when we gather around barbecues and bonfires with family and friends (and the above mentioned beer) or curl up on the couch and watch a good movie. My father is particularly fond of Band of Brothers. For this Memorial Day, I would like to share with you, in no particular order, five of my favorite patriotic movies.

1. The Patriot. Despite the fact that Mel Gibson is crazy, I really like this movie. Of course, Jason Isaacs and Heath Ledger might have had something to do with it.

2. 1776. What can I say, I love a good musical.

3. Captain America: The First Avenger. What’s more American than a man in tights beating up Nazis? Err…

4. My Fellow Americans. A true mark of our freedom is the ability to poke fun at our own government.

5. What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? Have you seen this movie? It’s flipping hilarious!

As you can see, I’m not the huge fan of gritty WWII movies that my dad is. But whatever you decide to do or watch on this Memorial Day, remember to give a thought to the real heroes this day commemorates and to those who are currently serving our country. To those brave men and woman, I say a fond "thank you" for your sacrifice and your service.

 

Emily Siler

The Rules

Apparently when it comes to writing and getting published there’s this idea among writers that there’s a golden set of rules that one must follow.  Not ideas, or suggestions, but The Rules.  Some of which, to be totally honest, are beginning to bum me out. 

I write because I love it.  I write because it’s fun and it’s a way for an otherwise really, really, really shy girl to share her words with the world.  Sure, I understand that in order to get published there are certain things I’ll have to do and ways that I’ll need to tweak.  I’ve been a fanfic writer for the past thirteen years so I’m well aware that transitioning to the published world is going to mean changing up my style a bit. 

Writing fanfic is like writing for a soap opera that goes on and on, while writing for publishing is like condensing that soap opera into a movie.  Those slice of life chapters that really just serve as filler but aren’t really needed for the plot will have to be cut.  That, I can handle.

But when I talk about The Rules, I mean those things that every writer who blogs seems to talk about when giving advice about writing.  Those things that while although true for some simply aren’t true for all and yet somehow continue to be The Rules.

A blog post I read recently basically said that only the well known big name famous writers are “allowed” to write in first person.  Everyone else has to write in third person if they have any true desire to be published.  I call bullshit on that.  I truly don’t understand why some people hate first person so much.  I’ve heard people call it the “easy” and “lazy” way of writing (ridiculously untrue, IMHO).  People say that unless you’re writing for Young Adults you can’t possibly sell a first person book.  I read a lot of books, and I can tell you that not every first person book I read is YA or was written by one of the big names.  I personally enjoy reading and writing in first person.

It’s not that I’m opposed to third person; I just don’t have as much experience with it.  I’m still working on it, and have plans to keep building my skills.  But to say that the way that I happen to write is lazy, easy or flat out forbidden because it’s not the way that you write, isn’t cool.  Not at all. Not everyone likes to read the same things, so why the heck should writers all aim to write the same way just so it’s easier to get published? 

I don’t like when a book starts out too fast; other people insist that there be absolutely no backstory in the beginning of your book at all.  I don’t enjoy overly wordy descriptions of settings; some people love to read about the tranquil way that the waves pounded on the sandy shore causing the heroine to fall into a hypnotic dream-like state as she watched the froth of the waves form miniature bubble baths for the crabs digging their way out of their sandy homes. ;)  We all like what we like!

To tell me that I’m not “allowed” to write how I want to because I’m not a big name basically isn’t going to work for me.  I’m the one writing the book.  I’m not saying that I’m closed to learning or growing.  I’m definitely not going to be like Susan Minot who likes to write in run on sentences,  leave out punctuation, and have extremely unclear narrators.  (I seriously couldn’t get through one chapter of her book Evening because of her writing style and yet she’s supposedly one of the great writers of our time.) But I just want to write what I love and if I get bogged down by too many rules that will suck all of the fun out of it for me.  I find it hard to think that everyone who has been published, whether by a big name publisher or something smaller, has followed The Rules to a T.  In fact, I know they haven’t! 

Go walking through a book store and you’ll see all sorts of different books.  Sure, you’re going to find a slew of them that follow The Rules and many of them will feel like the same book with different characters and settings.  But you’re also going to find books that broke the mold in that bookstore.  You’ll find those writers who said, “Screw The Rules! I don’t want to write like that, I want to write like me.”

Did you know that Kathyn Stockett who wrote the book The Help had her manuscript rejected sixty times before it was published?  SIXTY TIMES!  But you know what?  She believed in her story and kept trying until it became a huge best seller and then an amazing movie that won Oscars.  By the way, it’s in first person and it was the first book she ever got published.  :) 

So what’s my point?  Write what you love and how you love to write it!  If no one wants to publish it because you didn’t follow The Rules, you can always self publish now, right? 

Happy Writing and Happy Long Weekend!

:),

Kellie aka Kelsey

Arianna Skye's Cover Reveal

From Arianna Skye:

Hey all! I am excited to reveal the cover to the next Fey Chronicles novel. I know the book isn't quite finished yet, but when I came across the stock photo of the couple in the cover , I knew I had to design it. I was able to locate the fonts used in book one and tried to replicate the text as much as possible. Even though it isn't quite the same, I am still pleased with the results.

Without further ado, I present to you both the eBook and POD versions of the cover for Winds of Passion.  Let me know what you think. Anyone who comments will be entered to win one of three PDF copies of the first book, Wings of Desire.

Thanks for giving me a little SQUEE time!

Hugs,
Arianna
      

Funk Removed

Last time I blogged here, I was eyeballs-deep in a nasty writing funk. I had no motivation, no desire, very little love for writing. And the whole time I was furious with myself. I mean, I have the best job in the world. I get to sit around and make stuff up. Who wouldn't love that?

But for a while, I didn't.

I was fried and there was a whole lotta "what's the point" feelings.

But then something awesome happened.

I went to the Romantic Times conference. It's only the second one I've attended, but it was fantastic. I had an awesome time and I hung out with people who made me remember why I loved writing in the first place. I met some other people who actually love what I write. Not only that, they want more!

I don't know, this may make me sound needy, but there's something gratifying to have people like what you create. Not just your friends and family, but perfect strangers.

By the second day of the conference, I actually felt like I could finish the book I'd stalled out on for so long. (Spoiler Alert: I totally did)

By day three, I was considering pitching the "book of my heart" to agents and editors at the pitch sessions. But, I'd almost talked myself out of it, because that nasty hag, self-doubt was coming back. But my wonderful friends talked me back into and I thought, "What the hell - I did pay almost 500 bucks to be here. Might as well."

Here's the weird thing, I wasn't nervous at all. I think it was because I really felt like I had nothing to lose at that point. I've never had pitches go so well. I mean, never. Out of four pitches, I had four requests. Granted, one was sorta "meh" about it, so I won't be sending it to her. The other three were very interested, and one of them was downright excited about my project.

I think I really needed to recharge and get out of my own head for a while. And writing conferences are a great way to do that. Sometimes you just need extended periods of being with your own kind.

Thank You

Thank you GRRWG for your kindness, support, and generosity. A family fire is devastating, but the kindness of you and so many others gives me hope and inspiration.
I've found it's often the hardships in life that make you a better writer. This is one of many things that I keep reminding myself.
Thank you again!
Terri

Free Books!!!

I'm still in vacation mode, so I'll spare you a lengthy post.  You'll have to go elsewhere for views on the Dept of Justice vs Apple, or my views on why are you still trying to validate your writing through traditional venues.  (I made 3 x as much in one month via self-publishing as I did in three months through a publisher)
Instead, here's the best link I've ever found.  Add it to your RSS feed.  They post free books morning, noon and night.
Ready?
http://www.pixelofink.com/

That's pixel of ink, not pixel 'o fink.
So many books, so little time....

Finding your Genre

Have you ever though about your favorite genre of fiction? Did you realize there are multiple sub-genres to the bigger categories of Romance, Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Mystery (to name a few)? I'd love to come with a book at some point that fits a SteamPunk/Historical/Romance/Sci-Fi/Mystery/Cozy, but I can't imagine how that would work.

I've been working on my first novel (and series really) for many years now, never knowing quite where it would fit in terms of genres.  Actually, all of my writing, except for one series, is a bit difficult to decide on what genre fits best.  I've explained my first series as a "sorta-cozy-thriller-paranormal-funny-mystery", because I really didn't know where it fit.  How to you explain a book where the main characters is a foul-mouthed, recovering-alcoholic adult orphan who interacts with the dead and who's BFF is closeted Drag Queen?

Thanks to a contest I entered, I now know where it fits: paranormal cozy. Even though the first book delves into an uncomfortable murder mystery, the judges all tagged it as a Paranormal Cozy Mysterm. At last! I have a genre, well for at least one of my series.

Next up is another complete re-write of the book, and based on my recent review/editing process that highlighted the same issues the judges pointed out I have a bit of a guideline to follow. Makes me happy to know at least I'm going in the right direction.

Now to figure out what genre the rest of my series belong in. The one series that I think I know what genre it belongs in, plain old Mystery. It's based on an former UK spy, who spied for the US during World War II. Granted, he's much older than he appears physically, and he infiltrated Hilter's inner circle well enough to know that the man his granddaughter is set to marry is the grandson of one of Hitler's henchmen, whom is determined to permanently remove from the world, once and for all.

The others are a bit more diffcult. Where do you place a Fey hybrid who's a supermodel in the human world, and a Fey ambassador in the Fey world? She's also incredibly tall, beautiful, and an annoying environmentalist. I actually kind of hate her, but I do love her BFF/companion, who's a hardcore vegan and miracle worker when it comes to managing their lives.

Then there's the controversial one, one that will probably never be published, but simply written for my own amusement. Merie is one of God's Chosen, somewhere between an angel and human, God's a woman, and Jesus is her half-brother. In her series no religion is safe, key religious figures are still alive, here on earth, and are all God's Chosen. Is there such a category as "Religious Fantasy"?

If you've got any suggestions on where any of my series may fit, let me know, because I'm still trying to figure this out.

Couldn't think of a topic, then duh...

I spent most of the day agonizing over a topic for this blog. Okay, I was agonizing mostly because I ran the River Bank Run on Saturday, but I couldn't come up with a topic. Then I remembered, hey, I have a new book!  So here it is:

The Warden's Lantern

Dark, creaking trees. Cracking thunder. A ghostly orb.

Barbara Milanowski couldn’t have picked a worse night for her amateur paranormal investigation, but she couldn’t let her longtime crush Elmer Derecho’s skeptism go unchallenged. When Elmer runs her off the road with his motorcycle and scolds her for being out in the inclement weather, her happily ever after drops with the barometric pressure and the loss of her keys and glasses. While spending time alone with Elmer was one of her fantasies, the dream date didn’t entail diving into the mud and untangling herself from a raspberry bush.

While trying to protect Barbara from the storm, Elmer’s eyes are opened to all the things in his life that are missing. Elmer had gotten comfortable with his maps and pictures and chasing tornadoes after the fact. But Barbara reminds him of his forgotten zest for adventures, and ignites his interest in the Warden’s Lantern and for Barbara

While sheltering in a dilapidated guard house, Barbara and Elmer are drawn out of the protection by the Warden’s Lantern, the ghostly light Barbara had been trying to document. Elmer dismisses it as a trick of the electrical storm, but together they attempt to find the true source of the light. Will their shared talents solve the mystery and start a lasting relationship?

Buy Links:

Astraea Press: http://astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=11635129

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wardens-Lantern-ebook/dp/B0081X2TES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336697790&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wardens-lantern-joselyn-vaughn/1110719135?ean=2940014408172

Mirror Mirror

Why are mirrors part of fantasy and fairy tales? From the mirror in Snow White, proclaiming the fairest in the land, to the looking glass in Alice in Wonderland, mirrors draw us in to imagine more behind the glass. When we look in the mirror, we don’t even see ourselves as others do, we see the mirror image, kind of an opposite of how we look to others. 

Who do we see as we gaze at our reflection? Sometimes I see my physical form, my hair as I brush it or pulled back as I get ready to wash my face, or a close-up of my eyelid as I apply eye shadow or mascara. Other days I see myself as a mom, an employee, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I’m laughing, smiling, frowning, talking.

Looking in the mirror gives me the chance to figure out where I want to go. Shedding my different roles, I want to see myself exactly as I am, and that gives me a road map for where I want to go, how I want to be. If I want to see a writer in my reflection, I can figure out what actions I need to take. I can take my mental writer’s cap from the closet and wear it, focusing on what I need to do to be that person. 

Mirrors can be magic if we use them to see our potential. Leave the judgment and distortion behind. The time is now – if you don’t see the reflection of everything you want in your life, gently discard what doesn’t work and embrace what you need. Being the fairest in the land isn’t just about physical beauty, but the beauty of your life. You are the fairest in the land. Indeed.

New Release!

by Suzanne Graham

UPDATE:
I have new cover art. YAY!

I am so excited to announce that Anna and the Three Generals, the first book in a new sci-fi erom trilogy, will be releasing a week early!

Coming May 16 at Resplendence Publishing!

Blurb:

Having spent the last twenty-five years devoted to science, elite bio-researcher Anna is now faced with her mandatory mating on the unbreathable planet of Profortuna. Anna’s research on how to sustain life in the bio-domes is vital, but it also makes her a target of the Open Air Society.

Convinced the Council has found the most appropriately brain-heavy men on the planet for her mates in order to perpetuate their superior intellectual genes, Anna is shocked to find three high-ranking military men waiting for her in the reception room.

Just as Anna’s sexuality is awaken by a kiss from one of her mates, terrorists from the Open Air Society attack her lab, and the three Generals act quickly to protect her. As they shuttle her to the other side of the planet, Anna comes to know her mates intimately as three men of distinction. But can they fulfill her secret wish to find old-fashioned romantic love?