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Charity Becker's Blog: Bloggy Goodness on GoodReads
November 24, 2013
The Birth of a Book
Besides my kids' laughter, one of my favorite sounds in the whole world is uninterrupted typing. Weird, eh? Maybe not. Look at it how I do for a moment:
I'm a writer and editor, so typing, to me, means stories are being crafted, worlds created, new life being breathed into an idea. The sound of uninterrupted typing means that soon, another book will be born and another story told.
It's magical. It's like the mad typing in my house is the sound of pregnancy, labor, and delivery, all leading up to the birth of a new book. A book that will touch lives, be that through laughter, tears, frights, knowledge, or a combination of all. Just like the three little human beings I gave life to, so do I give life to books.
I'm a writer and editor, so typing, to me, means stories are being crafted, worlds created, new life being breathed into an idea. The sound of uninterrupted typing means that soon, another book will be born and another story told.
It's magical. It's like the mad typing in my house is the sound of pregnancy, labor, and delivery, all leading up to the birth of a new book. A book that will touch lives, be that through laughter, tears, frights, knowledge, or a combination of all. Just like the three little human beings I gave life to, so do I give life to books.
September 25, 2013
Brother Toad artwork!
Want to see a picture?
Brother Toad artwork--click here!
I've posted a sneak peek of the Brother Toad and the Giants cover on my publisher's website <3
Brother Toad artwork--click here!
I've posted a sneak peek of the Brother Toad and the Giants cover on my publisher's website <3
August 13, 2013
Life can be hard!
Pssssh! Silly life. You think you can keep me down? Think again!
With my oldest daughter's 18th b-day party out of the way, and some pressing house-construction issues resolved, I can finally look at more writing time. I'd love to get Brother Toad's story zipped up in the next few months so I can get back to the Presence series.
For now, I'm working on motivation and persistence in the face of adversity. A mouthful, for sure, but an absolute must. I refuse to let life's ups and downs stick me in a rut and keep me there, stagnant!
So, off to play a little Skyrim, and then maybe I'll jump into Brother Toad's world for a little while.
Until next time, keep your nose in a good book, and then come tell me all about it!
With my oldest daughter's 18th b-day party out of the way, and some pressing house-construction issues resolved, I can finally look at more writing time. I'd love to get Brother Toad's story zipped up in the next few months so I can get back to the Presence series.
For now, I'm working on motivation and persistence in the face of adversity. A mouthful, for sure, but an absolute must. I refuse to let life's ups and downs stick me in a rut and keep me there, stagnant!
So, off to play a little Skyrim, and then maybe I'll jump into Brother Toad's world for a little while.
Until next time, keep your nose in a good book, and then come tell me all about it!
June 26, 2013
Brother Toad and the Giants (a new book from Charity Becker)
I've been working on a kids and family book called Brother Toad and the Giants, based on the true story of the little toad I found in my garden. He's come back each year to hang out with me, so it's really kinda cool. I posted some pictures and the rough draft of the first chapter on my Facebook page: Facebook
And here it is, right here, as well!
Brother Toad and the Giants
by Charity Becker (copyright Charity Becker and Blysster Press)
Chapter One
The Warning
~~
When I was just a tadpole, fresh out of my egg, I heard the soothing voice of the Wise One telling tales of the Big Wide World outside the pond. He spoke of the beautiful things out there, like dragonflies with their delicate wings of shimmering lace, and swaying cattails releasing their soft fluff on the winds. He spoke of our cousins, the tree frogs, and their slippery, smooth skin and cheerful songs. He spoke of the fresh air in our lungs, and the sun-warmed stones beneath our bellies, and the tasty things we would find to eat once we emerged from the water on our newly-formed legs.
The world sounded amazing to me, full of adventures and surprises, and things I wanted to see. My time to leave the pond would come very soon. Already my tail was shrinking and I′d sprouted arms and legs that grew stronger every day. I could even take in small sips of air if I poked my head out of the cool water. I could hardly wait to leave this little pond and explore the Big Wide World on my own. However, my excitement started to fade as I listened to the Wise One′s warnings on my last night in the pond.
″Listen, children, and listen well,″ the Wise One croaked. ″There are wonderful things out here in the Big Wide World, more things than I could possibly tell you about. But there is danger, too.″
″What is. . . danger?″ I asked as I swam near the edge of the water and looked up at the huge brown toad.
The Wise One looked down at me, his glistening, golden eyes so large they reflected the moonlight. ″Danger,″ he said, ″is anything that causes you harm. Anything that hurts you. We must always beware the dangers of the Big Wide World.″
A shiver ran over my skin, right down to my brand new toes. Some of my siblings had crowded around now, squirming and murmuring. They seemed less interested in the Wise One′s warnings, but I wanted to know more. I wanted to know everything.
I asked, ″What dangers should we look out for?″
″Birds that swoop down and pluck you from the mud,″ he said with a quick glance to the sky. ″Stay under cover, and move slowly, with purpose. Birds cannot see you in the long grass or between large stones.″
″Yes, Wise One,″ I said. ″What else should we look out for?″
″Slithering snakes, creeping lizards, and four-legged creatures of all kinds would not mind eating a fat toad for dinner. Listen for claws clacking on the rocks or their bodies swishing through the grass as they sneak up on you.″
″Yes, Wise One,″ I said again, completely engrossed in every word he said.
″And finally, the worst danger of all. . .″ the Wise One took a long, ragged breath, then said, ″Giants.″
Pushing past my sibling tadpoles, I pressed myself against the shore, clinging to the soft green algae like a comforting blanket. ″Tell me about the giants, Wise One. Do they fly like the birds, slither like the snakes, or scratch like the four-legged beasts?″
″No, curious one. The giants dig up our lands, destroy our ponds, and cut down our long grasses and trees to make room for their huge, dry structures. They clear strips of land and cover them in hard, flat stone so they never grow grass again. These barren strips, called roads, go on for days, and in the sun they grow too hot for toads. And the giants do much worse things, my dear ones. Much worse.″
″But why do they do those things?″ I asked.
″Giants, with their loud machines and their strange, always-changing skins, do not care for our kind. In fact, it seems that the giants do not care for any kind but their own.″ The Wise One stood on bent legs and moved his large body back a few steps. ″But I have said enough this night. No more tales of frightening beasts and giants that devour the land. This is a special night for toadlings! Tomorrow you will all leave the pond and set out on your own. Heed my warnings and you shall all live long and happy lives here in the wetlands and meadows.″
I watched as the Wise One hopped away and disappeared into the grass. My siblings swam in all directions, giggling and playing and enjoying their last night in the little pond. But my mind would not rest, and my heart beat furiously.
″Giants,″ I whispered, trying the word on my tongue. Could these creatures really exist, or was this just an old toad′s tale made up to scare tadpoles into behaving?
I didn′t know it then, but I would soon meet my first giant, and it would be even more frightening than the Wise One had warned.
And here it is, right here, as well!
Brother Toad and the Giants
by Charity Becker (copyright Charity Becker and Blysster Press)
Chapter One
The Warning
~~
When I was just a tadpole, fresh out of my egg, I heard the soothing voice of the Wise One telling tales of the Big Wide World outside the pond. He spoke of the beautiful things out there, like dragonflies with their delicate wings of shimmering lace, and swaying cattails releasing their soft fluff on the winds. He spoke of our cousins, the tree frogs, and their slippery, smooth skin and cheerful songs. He spoke of the fresh air in our lungs, and the sun-warmed stones beneath our bellies, and the tasty things we would find to eat once we emerged from the water on our newly-formed legs.
The world sounded amazing to me, full of adventures and surprises, and things I wanted to see. My time to leave the pond would come very soon. Already my tail was shrinking and I′d sprouted arms and legs that grew stronger every day. I could even take in small sips of air if I poked my head out of the cool water. I could hardly wait to leave this little pond and explore the Big Wide World on my own. However, my excitement started to fade as I listened to the Wise One′s warnings on my last night in the pond.
″Listen, children, and listen well,″ the Wise One croaked. ″There are wonderful things out here in the Big Wide World, more things than I could possibly tell you about. But there is danger, too.″
″What is. . . danger?″ I asked as I swam near the edge of the water and looked up at the huge brown toad.
The Wise One looked down at me, his glistening, golden eyes so large they reflected the moonlight. ″Danger,″ he said, ″is anything that causes you harm. Anything that hurts you. We must always beware the dangers of the Big Wide World.″
A shiver ran over my skin, right down to my brand new toes. Some of my siblings had crowded around now, squirming and murmuring. They seemed less interested in the Wise One′s warnings, but I wanted to know more. I wanted to know everything.
I asked, ″What dangers should we look out for?″
″Birds that swoop down and pluck you from the mud,″ he said with a quick glance to the sky. ″Stay under cover, and move slowly, with purpose. Birds cannot see you in the long grass or between large stones.″
″Yes, Wise One,″ I said. ″What else should we look out for?″
″Slithering snakes, creeping lizards, and four-legged creatures of all kinds would not mind eating a fat toad for dinner. Listen for claws clacking on the rocks or their bodies swishing through the grass as they sneak up on you.″
″Yes, Wise One,″ I said again, completely engrossed in every word he said.
″And finally, the worst danger of all. . .″ the Wise One took a long, ragged breath, then said, ″Giants.″
Pushing past my sibling tadpoles, I pressed myself against the shore, clinging to the soft green algae like a comforting blanket. ″Tell me about the giants, Wise One. Do they fly like the birds, slither like the snakes, or scratch like the four-legged beasts?″
″No, curious one. The giants dig up our lands, destroy our ponds, and cut down our long grasses and trees to make room for their huge, dry structures. They clear strips of land and cover them in hard, flat stone so they never grow grass again. These barren strips, called roads, go on for days, and in the sun they grow too hot for toads. And the giants do much worse things, my dear ones. Much worse.″
″But why do they do those things?″ I asked.
″Giants, with their loud machines and their strange, always-changing skins, do not care for our kind. In fact, it seems that the giants do not care for any kind but their own.″ The Wise One stood on bent legs and moved his large body back a few steps. ″But I have said enough this night. No more tales of frightening beasts and giants that devour the land. This is a special night for toadlings! Tomorrow you will all leave the pond and set out on your own. Heed my warnings and you shall all live long and happy lives here in the wetlands and meadows.″
I watched as the Wise One hopped away and disappeared into the grass. My siblings swam in all directions, giggling and playing and enjoying their last night in the little pond. But my mind would not rest, and my heart beat furiously.
″Giants,″ I whispered, trying the word on my tongue. Could these creatures really exist, or was this just an old toad′s tale made up to scare tadpoles into behaving?
I didn′t know it then, but I would soon meet my first giant, and it would be even more frightening than the Wise One had warned.
May 30, 2013
Authorgraph! Autographed eBooks!
Oh, technology. What frustration you bring us. Occasionally, however, hidden among the computer-breaking programs and hardware mishaps, you find a little gem that makes you giggle gleefully. A. Maire Dinsmore showed me one such website that just tickled me pink. It's called Authorgraph. http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/ch...
Now readers can request autographs for their copies of my eBooks! How cool is that? It's not just a picture of my signature; you request an autograph and I go to the site, write a message just for you, and then actually sign my name. When you get the file, you can watch me sign my name right there on your screen or eReader! Super duper cool. Best part is that it's FREE!
Go give it a shot <3 I'm happy there is finally a way for me to sign all those eBooks!
Now readers can request autographs for their copies of my eBooks! How cool is that? It's not just a picture of my signature; you request an autograph and I go to the site, write a message just for you, and then actually sign my name. When you get the file, you can watch me sign my name right there on your screen or eReader! Super duper cool. Best part is that it's FREE!
Go give it a shot <3 I'm happy there is finally a way for me to sign all those eBooks!
January 25, 2013
Book Signing 1-27-13 in Ballard Wa.
I'll be at the Ballard Zombie Apocalypse Day with a few other Blysster Press authors on January 27, 2013 from noon to 6 p.m. I'll be signing books, chatting with readers, and taking orders for custom paintings.
Ballard Zombie Apocalypse Day
Come join us for lots of fun and some good information on the serious subject of emergency preparedness. Zombies or natural disasters, it's a good idea to be prepared!
Ballard Zombie Apocalypse Day
Come join us for lots of fun and some good information on the serious subject of emergency preparedness. Zombies or natural disasters, it's a good idea to be prepared!
September 26, 2012
Presence: Into the Dark available for pre-order!
My fourth novel in the Presence series is now available in paperback! Only my publisher is offering this pre-order price, so grab it now--the price will go up as soon as the book hits store shelves!
Presence: Into the Dark pre-order only at Blysster Press
ONE
~~
"Shut up!"
Harsh words crashed through my sleep, yanking me to consciousness. As if to accent my sudden awakening, Thomas screamed, his tiny voice riding on the static crackle of a bad wireless connection.
My eyes snapped open and I sat up, my heart thundering in my chest. It took only a moment for my instincts to sharpen and I focused on the monitor receiver on the nightstand next to me.
"Stop it!" came the voice again.
The monitor lights turned from green to red, indicating a loud noise. . . or someone speaking too close to the transmitter attached inside the crib.
My stomach jerked at the thought of someone in my baby's room, and my sluggish brain struggled to make sense of the situation. Justice was out on assignment and Timothy was hanging out with the other werewolves. That left Thomas and me alone in the house.
At least, we should have been alone.
The blankets gave a soft rustle as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I held my breath, listening to Thomas whimpering, his voice tinny and hollow over the monitor.
It was probably nothing. My little one had nightmares. I'd worried about him having bad dreams at such a young age, but Dr. Bernie Stevens had said it was just normal newborn stuff and he probably wasn't having bad dreams at all.
Even so, I could never quite shake the feeling that Thomas was truly in distress. It was that feeling that made me wake every night thinking I heard someone walking the hall toward his room, whispering to Thomas over the monitor, or laughing with sinister intent.
I rubbed my eyes and whispered, "Don't be ridiculous, Mina."
Surely, I'd imagined the gravely voice, the rough commands, the scraping sounds of something rubbing against the transmitter in the crib. Along with Bernie's assurances that everything was fine, my logical side agreed and insisted that it was all in my head; I'd had this nightmare before and it always ended with me fully waking, realizing that nothing terrible was happening inside the room across the hall where my baby slept.
Well, my logical side could stuff it. It could throw sensible arguments at me all night long, but I'd still need to see for myself that Thomas was safe before I could settle back to sleep. Call it mom's prerogative, call it paranoia; I was checking to be sure he was safe.
"Of course, he's safe," I whispered, feeling a little silly. Why wouldn't he be? He was tucked in his crib right across the hall from me. Everything was fine. I just needed to see him with my own eyes before I could relax.
I'd just slipped into my bathrobe and started reaching for my bedroom door when Thomas' squeal of terror struck me to the core.
Forgetting all my forced calm, I yanked the door open, took two long strides across the hall, and tore the nursery door open. I stepped inside the room in time to hear Thomas' strangled cry cut short. My heart riding in my throat, I jammed my left hand against the wall and threw it upward to hit the light-switch.
Light flooded the small room. In those precious seconds as my eyes adjusted to the change in light, I saw my baby's empty crib, shredded blankets thrown about the room, and Thomas' tiny, pajama-clad legs kicking wildly as they disappeared into the darkness under the crib.
Presence: Into the Dark pre-order only at Blysster Press
ONE
~~
"Shut up!"
Harsh words crashed through my sleep, yanking me to consciousness. As if to accent my sudden awakening, Thomas screamed, his tiny voice riding on the static crackle of a bad wireless connection.
My eyes snapped open and I sat up, my heart thundering in my chest. It took only a moment for my instincts to sharpen and I focused on the monitor receiver on the nightstand next to me.
"Stop it!" came the voice again.
The monitor lights turned from green to red, indicating a loud noise. . . or someone speaking too close to the transmitter attached inside the crib.
My stomach jerked at the thought of someone in my baby's room, and my sluggish brain struggled to make sense of the situation. Justice was out on assignment and Timothy was hanging out with the other werewolves. That left Thomas and me alone in the house.
At least, we should have been alone.
The blankets gave a soft rustle as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I held my breath, listening to Thomas whimpering, his voice tinny and hollow over the monitor.
It was probably nothing. My little one had nightmares. I'd worried about him having bad dreams at such a young age, but Dr. Bernie Stevens had said it was just normal newborn stuff and he probably wasn't having bad dreams at all.
Even so, I could never quite shake the feeling that Thomas was truly in distress. It was that feeling that made me wake every night thinking I heard someone walking the hall toward his room, whispering to Thomas over the monitor, or laughing with sinister intent.
I rubbed my eyes and whispered, "Don't be ridiculous, Mina."
Surely, I'd imagined the gravely voice, the rough commands, the scraping sounds of something rubbing against the transmitter in the crib. Along with Bernie's assurances that everything was fine, my logical side agreed and insisted that it was all in my head; I'd had this nightmare before and it always ended with me fully waking, realizing that nothing terrible was happening inside the room across the hall where my baby slept.
Well, my logical side could stuff it. It could throw sensible arguments at me all night long, but I'd still need to see for myself that Thomas was safe before I could settle back to sleep. Call it mom's prerogative, call it paranoia; I was checking to be sure he was safe.
"Of course, he's safe," I whispered, feeling a little silly. Why wouldn't he be? He was tucked in his crib right across the hall from me. Everything was fine. I just needed to see him with my own eyes before I could relax.
I'd just slipped into my bathrobe and started reaching for my bedroom door when Thomas' squeal of terror struck me to the core.
Forgetting all my forced calm, I yanked the door open, took two long strides across the hall, and tore the nursery door open. I stepped inside the room in time to hear Thomas' strangled cry cut short. My heart riding in my throat, I jammed my left hand against the wall and threw it upward to hit the light-switch.
Light flooded the small room. In those precious seconds as my eyes adjusted to the change in light, I saw my baby's empty crib, shredded blankets thrown about the room, and Thomas' tiny, pajama-clad legs kicking wildly as they disappeared into the darkness under the crib.
September 17, 2012
Presence: Into the Dark released on eBook!
After a year in the making, Presence: Into the Dark, the fourth book in the Presence series, is all ready for your reading pleasure! My publisher, Blysster Press, and I decided to give eBook fans the first crack at the book: here And the print books will be available really soon.
I want to thank everyone for all the support and encouragement while I wrote this book. Life was pretty messy during the writing and editing process. I had some weird eyeball things going on which made it very difficult for me to write for more than a few minutes at a time. But you guys were all so supportive, I made it through and the book is DONE! I'm eager to hear what my readers think.
There are lots more Presence books to come, so dig right in =D
And in other news, I've got a few really cool projects going on right now. I hope to be able to announce them within the coming months!
I want to thank everyone for all the support and encouragement while I wrote this book. Life was pretty messy during the writing and editing process. I had some weird eyeball things going on which made it very difficult for me to write for more than a few minutes at a time. But you guys were all so supportive, I made it through and the book is DONE! I'm eager to hear what my readers think.
There are lots more Presence books to come, so dig right in =D
And in other news, I've got a few really cool projects going on right now. I hope to be able to announce them within the coming months!
July 19, 2012
What kind of wonderful place have I discovered?
How on Earth did I not know about GoodReads all this time? What a wonderful place--books and authors and reading and (most importantly) readers! It's like a candy shop for my brain--anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE candy, so why not give my gray matter some yummy treats, too?
I'm quite excited by the prospect of finding good books to read, meeting other book-lovers, and reviewing what I've read. And, heck, if I happen to introduce a few folks to my own books, well that's cool, too.
Friend me, recommend your favorites, and let's play with books together, shall we?
I'm quite excited by the prospect of finding good books to read, meeting other book-lovers, and reviewing what I've read. And, heck, if I happen to introduce a few folks to my own books, well that's cool, too.
Friend me, recommend your favorites, and let's play with books together, shall we?
Bloggy Goodness on GoodReads
It sounds kind of dirty, but it's usually not =D Come and play with books with me!
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