Back from Planet Brain Freeze

This is sort of an update/continuation of my last post about musings on writing.

The weirdest thing happened to me last night. I was heading to bed when it hit me. The unfreezing of the brain. Some of my fellow writer friends and I are doing some writing challenges over at Cafe Goodreads (second home, if it were real I'd keep ordering a cafe mocha and never leave) when I posted my mini excerpt. With the intent to post later when the mood hit me, it was like a light went off. Suddenly I could write the next few scenes and, considering it was so late, I think my left brain was asleep so I wasn't getting that critical part that stifled my right brain's creativity.

The brain is a weird thing but I've heard of authors using a playlist to write as they envision scenes in their mind like a movie. Last time you guys left some awesome comments about this. This is one thing that helped because my MS features a violinist and I used a real life violinist as an inspiration so I listened to his music while writing.

Another thing that helped is casting my stories. Going in I usually have an idea of how my characters look and if I can find a real world equivalent, all the better! I personally love to search for inspirations of my heroes and sometimes I have to dig deep to find that perfect pic that represents the yummyness of the hero. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do I guess. (I'm currently prepping a skinwalker romance submission which explains the random Julian Gil pic as my hero ;-)).

If you can pick up the latest edition of The Writer, there are some good points in there to help against brain block. It's an article geared toward freelance burnout but for us fiction writers, it's very much applicable. Good points included are: Making a list of the pros and cons of freelancing (or being an author) to see the balance of the work, Mix Up Your Writing to get excited about writing again (maybe your current project isn't working out just for this moment but hop on another and it may spur some ideas for the previous one), Plant Seeds For the Future bu taking some time off and just forgetting about writing (I came close to quitting many times and that's when it suddenly came back to me later), Make Every Minute Count by planning ahead a time to write while still enjoying days off and lastly Blance Business With Pleasure which basically stresses balancing work with personal time. The article goes into more detail with each and offers up a better summary so I definitely suggest picking up the June 09 edition of The Writer mag.

Although I did like the book a little more, I'll probably pop on Blood and Chocolate tonight. I'm not too jazzed about the vast changes in the story and it seems they sucked out most of the heroine Vivian's personality (while in the book she was a little too in your face, the movie was the complete opposite) I did like the overall mood and the world building they were attempting (and you know me, I'm a complete fan for the intricate building of spec worlds). That potential made it an entertaining movie to me but I do consider it in a different universe than the book (which I did happen to enjoy as well). Plus if you're writing a paranormal, it's an awesome to watch to get in that sexy paranormal romance mood.

The soundtrack is awesome and featured a lot of great music that was in the movie but not on the actual soundtrack. Happy happy joy for youtube because a kind soul made some goodies available.

Here's one that's been on replay as I wrote this post.




Maybe I'll have a paranormal movie night or something. Anyone have any fave paranormal romance/urban fantasy movies you like to watch while writing?

Persistence--Can't Write Without It

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” -- Calvin Coolidge

This week has been unusually hectic for me as a writer, and unusually stressful. Last Thursday, an idea for a short story gripped me, thanks to a seed planted by my CP. I stopped production on my WIP in order to deal with the surge of new words and wrote 20,000 words in three days to complete the short. Writing isn’t the stressful part—unless, of course, the words don’t come and a brick wall looms.

A few…well let’s call them opportunities have arisen this week in regards to my writing. Not really problems, exactly, so that’s why they’re opportunities. If the worst happens, then it’s a great opportunity to try something else. Hopefully, I’ll know soon. Another stumbling block? Got a rejection letter for a book I submitted. Not even a personal one. Just a form letter. Sorry, you’re not what we’re looking for. Did it hurt? Not so much anymore. I’m like, okay, whatever, moving on. It’s more of an annoyance than anything. But you can’t let grass grow under your feet or else nothing will get done.

“The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” -- James Whitcomb Riley

What’s my point on this Hump Day morning? Persistence. It’s a writer’s best friend. Despite writing like a madwoman this week, receiving a rejection, hitting the mud puddle, temporarily stalling on the WIP, preparing a couple of manuscripts for submission, writing out blogs and interview questions, then resuming work on the WIP, I had keep writing. It’s the common denominator that pulls everything in my life together and keeps me grounded. Oh sure, this week I mopped the kitchen floor, vacuumed, emptied the stupid dishwasher too many times and laundry now looms, but I still try to fit time in to write.

But at least I got a decent haircut yesterday. Score one for me!

“I suppose my formula might be: dream, diversify, and never miss an angle.” – Walt Disney

So, it’s time for a deep breath and time to buckle down and Get Stuff Done.

Closing thought? Don’t give up. Ever. No matter what. Wanna know more behind my desire to succeed? Read my guest blog spot on You Gotta Reads (also posted today). http://yougottareadguest.blogspot.com/2009/07/overcoming-inertia.html

Thanks for reading and I dare you to write today!

Holy cow it's Tuesday and I have no blog

Oh I have to blog today…

 

It is 8:24 AM and I am supposed to take my oldest son to camp in a few minutes so he can spend the day getting very, very dirty and loving every moment of it.  I’ll admit, I’ve been a little preoccupied and I forgot to write this last night. So forgive me, if it’s not up to par.

 

Speaking of my oldest son, his newest and absolute favorite activity is asking his father to tell him a story.  Now, as Daddy has informed him, Mommy gets paid to tell stories and yet it’s not me he wants stories from.  I understand this, despite his protests, Daddy tells great stories too.

When I look at my oldest, I see so many traits that I had myself as a child. He spends a lot of time living in is head.  At his violin recital last week, he stared at something unknown in the audience until it was his turn to play and then he played perfectly.  I would have done the same thing as a child.  I used to call it living in my head. 

 

To a certain extent, I still live that way.  Try calling me in the middle of the day to ask me about changing a sink that doesn’t fit in the kitchen renovation while I’m writing and see if you et a coherent answer from that makes any sense.  My poor husband, he attempted that yesterday.

 

 A good friend recently called my writing, my secret life, my other life.  On one hand you have me, stay-at-home Mom, volunteers for school activities, runs errands, meets for coffee, and handles bumped knees.  This is the part of me that my friends and family know. 

 

They know I have this other part of me, this thing I do, that I have started to have small successes with. They’re curious because how in heavens does this relate to the Rebecca who handed out cupcakes at the end of the year nursery school party?  How and when does she spend time thinking about dimensional travel and werewolves? 

 

I’ll answer that.  I am almost always thinking about two things at the same time. I am absolutely focused on you when you talk to me.  I listen, I compute, I remember, and I care.  But while we talk about carpooling, I am also thinking about my hero who when I went to bed last night wasn’t sure if my heroine was going to live through the night.  I can’t help it. 

 

But here’s the thing, as I prepare for the first time, to open up private imaginings, what essentially amounts to my hidden life, for the first time on August 3^rd when Her Wolf: The Westervelt Wolves Book 1 release from Liquid Silver Books (www.liquidsilverbooks.com) I will be showing not only people who do not know me but all the people who I do what it is that I’ve spent my time thinking about.  I would be lying if I said that this doesn’t scare me to death. 

 

How about all of you? Have you ever had to show something to everyone you love and care about and did that scare you or am I just oversensitive?  

Happy Manic Monday. We’ll start the week with a few announcements. I will be interviewing RF Long next week about her new release Soul Fire due out 7/7/09.

The free read poll results are in. Looks like I’ll be writing a steamy, romantic adventure between a werewolf hero and a mermaid heroine. There was a tie between mermaid and vampire but I took the liberty to break it since the vamp/were love thing has been done many times.

A large pot of virtual coffee is brewing due to a long sleepless weekend. Not for any of the good reasons a dirty mind can visualize but for overtime at my day job. I ran across this joke a few weeks ago and it came to mind while burning the midnight oil. I wanted to share with it you so the week can start with a laugh.

Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging, violent river.

Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed:'God, please give me the strength to cross the river.
'Poof! . . . God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed: 'God, please give meStrength and the tools to cross the river
'Poof! . . . God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed:'God, Please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the River
'Poof! . . . He was turned into a woman.She checked the map, hiked one Hundred yards up the stream and walked across the bridge.

This summarizes my weekend. How was yours?

Homage to an Era

Two of the world’s icons passed away Thursday. Both will be remembered by millions of fans everywhere for very different reasons.

Who didn’t know the smiling blonde-maned beauty in the red one piece swimsuit whose picture hung in places deemed special to teenage boys and men all over the world?

And the child star who became the “King of Pop” and moon walked into our lives with a glove on one hand?

Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

Farrah Fawcett portrayed Jill Munroe, a private eye on Charlie’s Angels. She became the most famous of the trio of angels even though she spent only one season on the show. Her career had some ups and downs after she left the show.

Then came her dramatic role in 1984’s The Burning Bed, which earned her an Emmy nomination and the rightful status of a great actress. There was also Extremities in 1986, which was a roll she first starred in on stage. She landed on the cover of Playboy (not for the first time) in December of 1995 at the age of 50 and the magazine sold over 4 million copies worldwide.

The 1976 Life Magazine picture of her in the iconic red swimsuit is what she'll always be best known for.

Michael Jackson, a great singer – a pop icon. In the words of some of his fans: I loved his music, the greatest performer ever, I grew up on his music and I can’t believe he’s gone. There are many, many more, all proclaiming love and sadness.

Thriller, released in 1982, is still the all time top selling album worldwide. In Michael’s own words “I’m bad”. Remember Billie Jean and the infamous moonwalk on Motown’s 25? When I went to You Tube to see I’m Bad and Billie Jean, my favorite videos, it didn’t shock me that most there had views in the millions.

His singing, his voice is silent.

My thoughts are with both families. Farrah and Michael will be missed.
If you want to share your favorite songs, movies – whatever – feel free to leave a comment. Or just read and remember. Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-J. Hali Steele

Rae's Reading Rec: Blood Tears by Raven Dane

Hey folks!

This week I'm going to do a little something different. I love to share some great reads I've come across and my latest paranormal read was a hefty one. If you like big tomes with beautiful lyrical writing amidst historical detail (and great world building I might add), boy have I got a book for you.

Blood Tears by Raven Dane.

I have to say I really enjoyed reading this book. It is very rich in scenery, language, world-building and characters. It kind of reminded me of Vampires of the Scarlet Order in that it deals with a group of vampires throughout the centuries but there in lies the only similarity. Sort of Anne Rice's vampire world-building with the language of Gabaldon's Outlander presenting a new addition to classic gothic literature. I mention this because I love books of this kind that takes vampire lore and creates a whole world around it. A world seen through their eyes as they live parallel to humans. In the world of Blood Tears, vampires are called the Dark Kind.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact storyline. It's not a high concept one where 'a and b meet c and therefore d happens' but it's more along the lines of 'there are these characters living in this particular world and this is their life through the ages'. Azrar is the Dark Prince of a small country called Isolann and he takes in a young mind reader named Khari. The story unfolds as Khari grows into her powers and learns of the world while offering her gift to help Azrar keep one step ahead of his enemies as the threat of 20th century technology and WWII is on the horizon. I really liked the dynamic between Azrar and Khari. Although he offered her a home and somewhat raised her, she falls in love with him and I had to say I was kind of rooting for them to get together. Although the end was contrary to this, it worked as Khari ended up with someone who shared her mutual love (although the Epilogue raises some interesting questions that may deter that possibility). Another Dark Kind, Eshan, also fell in love with Azrar and tries to warn the young girl that Dark Kind don't fall in love as humans do. Once Azrar did and suffered greatly for it.

There's a certain poetry within the characters because they feel like they are living and breathing. Garan, a Dark Kind who defies Azrar and choose to live by his own rules, is ruthless, a bit arrogant and rebellious but he is likeable at the same time. Sandor is the young abused worker with whom the story opens and his kindness and love for Khari and her mother figure Ileni is infectious. There's also a few side characters that have an agenda of their own amidst the Dark Kind and Ms. Dane takes great care to explore their desires, dismay and complexities as well.

I loved that Blood Tears took place in across the centuries throughout the large world wars and big events that really tie into historical reality. Every time I cracked open the book to read just a little bit I would find myself entranced in the story and the characters. I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the series to see what happens after the events of this book.

Although this was published in 2006, this is definitely going on my best reads of 2009.

If you're looking for a little something different in the paranormal vein, definitely check out Blood Tears, the first in a trilogy of tales focusing on the Dark Kind.

Beginnings

The opening paragraph, or even sentence, in any book will set the tone for that book, and lay down certain expectations for the reader. No one likes a weak opening. It’s like a limp handshake—sweaty, boneless, and something you can’t wait to get away from at the first opportunity.

Consider these openers:

"Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun. Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-eight million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea." – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

“Marley was dead to begin with.” -- A Christmas Carol

“Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were.” – Gone with the Wind

Consider a book’s opening very much like a pick-up line. If it doesn’t grab you or is charming and exciting, your interest probably won’t be captured and you’ll walk away to be potentially tempted by a new one.

Here’s the opening paragraph for my work-in-progress:

Blood everywhere.
The abstract patterns from the violent spray dotted the rose-patterned paper of an unfamiliar drawing room, blending a macabre design with the sedate ordinary. A thick pool of ruby collected under the body of a blond-haired man, a dagger buried to the hilt in his chest, the inlaid jewels on the handle winked in the soft candlelight.
Dead.

I know, right? Kinda cool and spooky and intriguing. Well, I might be biased…

Beginnings.

The thesis paper of your whole novel. But nothing beats them. From the moment I type the opening sequence of a story, I feel such a rush, this wonderful can’t-be-beat feeling that I’m hovering on the verge of quite possibly the most wild ride I’ve ever created. I can’t wait to see where my characters go, why they get into trouble, how they’ll get out of it, when will they kiss, is there going to be a happy ending?

Sigh.

Just one of the aspects of writing that I love. So, as I post this blog, know I’m returning to the beginning of my newest book with high hopes and even higher expectations. See you at the end.

What’s the best opening of one of your favorite books you’ve read or written?

The Terminator Legend & Me

So today I am going to talk about something near and dear to my heart and that is the Terminator movies and the legend behind them.  But before I do that, I’d like to first show you all this really incredible book trailer for a book called The Cain Letters and written by an author named Pierre Roustan.  It releases December 4^th, 2009 from Eirelander Publishing. 

Here is the summary:

All legends have beginnings— some are worth remembering -- others are better left to darkness.

When college student, Marcus Brennan, discovers an ancient book revealing the origin of vampirism, all hell breaks loose not just in his life but for the world around him. He is holding the ultimate weapon two master vampires desire more than blood. It is the weapon that will give them the power to rule not only the Vampire Nation but all mankind.

 

It is up to Alexandra Glade, fierce and radiant vampire hunter, and her team, the Berith Lochem, to find and protect Marcus in order to prevent the unthinkable…

 

… The awakening of Cain.

Next week, I may have a book preview video I can post here. 

Personally, I can’t wait to read this book.

 

Now, onto Terminator.  Ralph and I recently went to the movies to see the newest installment of The Terminator movie.  (We got a sitter and planned it weeks in advance; this is how two people with an almost two year old and an almost four year old who are pregnant with their third son go to the movies.)  Several weeks earlier, we’d set up the same scenario to see The Star Trek Movie. 

 

I know Terminator was somewhat panned by the critics but we really enjoyed it and I think, as a good friend of ours said, really the only thing wrong with it was that it came out two weeks after Star Trek which was truly exceptional and probably the movie of the summer.

 

Anyway, as per usual, I digress.  I was quite young when the first Terminator movie came out and, in any case, I think I saw T2 first but that is neither here nor there.  Over the years, I’ve watched the Terminator movies many times and enjoyed each and every one of them. 

 

Although I knew T3 was not the favorite of most fans of the series, I loved it. Why? Because Skynet finally won.  Does that sound nuts? Yup.  Let me explain.  In the first two movies, John and Sarah Connor (okay in T1 she’s not even pregnant with him yet but they talk about him constantly) fight to stop Skynet from doing what we are told Skynet has already done.  Even after they destroy it in the first one, it comes back in 2 to try again. 

 

I guess I kind of like the idea that sometimes the inevitable is inevitable and, for me, it was nice to see that John was finally going to become the man we are told over and over again he will be. 

 

I think this is a running theme in most of my works.  If my books have nothing much in common with each other, except for the fact that they all fall within the Fantasy/Sci Fi/Paranormal Romance genre, they share this common trait.  To be honest, it wasn’t until quite recently I wasn’t even aware of this myself.  But there is a character, maybe not the hero, it could be the heroine, and he or she has a destiny to meet if only they can become the person they were born to be. 

 

Now that I am aware of this, I wonder if I will continue to do it. Hmmm….

 

Perhaps another common thread is that each of my books has a little bit of a fight scene in them.  My critique partner once asked me how my husband felt about the fact that I was a little bit bloodthirsty? What can I say?  We get babysitters to go see the Terminator movies and once upon a time I recorded the Sarah Connor Chronicles. 

 

I’m still a girl who loves romance, multi-faceted as I think so many of us are.  

Fun with a Free Read

Good Manic Monday to all. Did you have a good weekend? Are you well rested and ready to start the work week? Mine was hectic and I'm in need of a little fun.

I enjoyed writing Night at the Office and loved having the opportunity to share it. I want to produce another short story free read with a paranormal theme. Ideas and characters keep popping into my head but I thought it would be nice to get some feedback. What would you like to read?

This will be fun! Make your choices in the polls on the sidebar. We'll see where the votes lead us and what I can come with from those results. I hope to have it up before the end of the summer. I’ve a bag full of interesting conflicts to throw at them depending on what you choose.

Sorry, my original post poll function didn't work. It should be functioning now.

Ellora’s Cave Authors and Their HOT! Covers

HOT! Body Alert. That’s how I billed this week's post and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. You’ll understand what I mean as you look at some of the hottest covers (and bodies!) around. The awesome Syneca and Les Byerley outdid themselves on these Ellora’s Cave Covers.

I ogled and drooled over my cover for a long time, made it my desktop background so everyday I can see Hard Case. The gorgeous male there has taken over my imagination, in my mind he’s become my character. I started to wonder what other authors thought about their covers. Out of that grew the selection below. With each one you get to read a little of how the cover art came about and what the author thinks about it.

Get your fans ready before you go any further, tissue in hand. HOT! Covers dead ahead. Enjoy.

Ari Thatcher says about HONEY:
Being an Ellora's Cave Quickie, HONEY's cover had to be chosen from a ready-made selection. That concerned me at first, but then I stumbled on the man in a suit and the woman in a little black dress. It's scripted for Honey, isn't it? Rick arrives home from work to find his wife in a sexy little black dress, and as the evening progresses, they steal moments out of the boss's sight to lose a garment or two. I couldn't have asked for a better bod for Rick, either!
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7314-50-honey.aspx

J. Hali Steele says about HARD CASE:
I had a vision for my cover, one that involved a man in a suit with the shirt open…
WELL! When I got the cover art, designed by Syneca over at Ellora’s Cave, it knocked my socks off. I mean is there anything more sexy than the underwear he’s wearing? The man is HOT! Hot! And that white dress shirt hanging off – he’s a man I seriously want to do business with. He is HARD CASE Period. You can find out more at: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7335-50-hard-case.aspx or http://www.jhalisteele.com/

Fran Lee says about OUT OF HER DREAMS:
I absolutely love my cover from fabulous cover artist Syneca over at Ellora’s Cave Publishing! I asked for a hot and cocky man with a powerful wrestler’s build, and she totally delivered!
I mentioned in my cover request that the guy has a few scars, and voila! She put a scar on his chin! I mentioned that I wouldn’t mind if all he wore were drops of water from a shower. Holy Showercaps, Batman! He has water dribbling down his shoulder and chest. How great is that? That’s called ‘attention to detail’. My guy is big and powerful-looking with latent strength and he is exactly what this author ordered for this story about a pro wrestler. One of the best cover artists I’ve seen, Syneca rocks! http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7256-138-out-of-her-dreams.aspx

Lise Fuller says about GUARDIAN ANGEL:
I fell in love with my cover the first time I saw it. The man is exactly what I wanted. Hunky, strong--real. The body of a man who works hard. And the expression on the woman's face, well, I can just see my character in that. It's so real. Syneca, with Ellora's Cave, did the artistry. Yes, I asked for certain things, the bed being one, but what Syneca did with what I'd requested, well, it was pure artistry, talent with a dash of inspiration, I'm sure. You can drool over the cover and the excerpt at: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7299-50-guardian-angel.aspx

Robin L. Rotham says about ALIEN OVERNIGHT:
Call me crazy, but I was initially kind of disappointed with this cover. It was nothing like I'd envisioned—thank God! If Les Byerley hadn’t ignored my rather idiotic suggestions, I don't think AO would have sold half as many copies as it did. After I emailed my cover request for ENEMY OVERNIGHT (coming out next Wednesday!), I emailed them again and begged them to ignore my suggestions--again!--and do what they thought was best. The EC cover gods know what they're doing, so I'll take care of the writing and let them take care of the art.
http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-4642-228-alien-overnight.aspx

Paris Brandon says about NO HOLDS BARRED:
This was my first cover experience and I have to say it was wonderful thanks to the fabulous Syneca. I asked for a contemporary Viking warrior with shoulder length blond hair and I still remember the feeling I had when I opened the attachment and saw my hero just as I described him! What I really appreciated though was the intensity of longing that was conveyed with a hint of the playfulness between the hero and heroine. Those were two elements I felt very strongly about. The cover was all that I asked for and more. Syneca has my appreciation and gratitude. http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-6931-524-no-holds-barred.aspx

Lyla Sinclair says about HARD ON MISS HARDIN:
This is my first published fiction of any kind, therefore my first cover. My release date was suddenly moved up from September to June (within 10 days of when they sent the release update). After being thankful I hadn’t procrastinated on my website, I frantically emailed my editor asking, “Does the art department know? Will I get a cover soon for my website? Will I have a cover at all?” Of course, E.C.’s art department wasn’t fazed at all, and I got this sexy tidbit in my email the next day, designed by Syneca. http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7332-hard-on-miss-hardin.aspx

Well, there's not much more I can say. I hope you stop back next Friday. Who knows what I'll cook up for you. Until then: Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele.