Sandra Cox's Blog, page 180

C.S. Boyack and Speculative Fiction

With us today is C.S. Boyack to talk  about his approach to speculative fiction. Welcome, C.S.
Thanks for the invitation today, Sandra. It's always nice to find new places to promote my work. I'm here with something a little bit different today; it's a book of short fiction.
Last year, I released a collection called The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack. This time I got extra creative and called this book The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack II. If this one goes over like I think it will, I can call the next one III.
There is kind of a theme in the covers too. They are weathered tomes with alchemy wheels on them. One on the first book, two on the second one, and if I produce a third one there will be three wheels.
These stories are speculative in nature. There's a little bit of science fiction, a little bit of paranormal, and one that might pass for fantasy.
I'm a big believer in living documents. I keep several going for story structure, editing, writing lessons, and more. Now I keep one for short story ideas too.
When I write my novels, sometimes I burn out before I finish for the day. This usually involves a plot element, or some continuity issue that I need to spend time with. For a long time I allowed that to kill my quality writing time.
Now, when I still have a few hours left, I use one of the ideas from my living document and work on a short story. I get to remain productive, and keep my word count up.
I stashed them away for a long time, then noticed interest in short fiction on Amazon. Many authors were writing a short story that tied in to a novel they were promoting. This is a great idea, because a 99¢ book could lead to sales of the novel.
I used to read a ton of short fiction before it was used as a gateway drug to novel sales. That's when I decided to release my own collections. I priced them at 99¢ anyway, and maybe they can spark interest in my longer works too. The difference is I'm selling myself, not a specific tie to a novel I'm promoting.
Check out my Experimental Notebooks. There are stories about murder, hauntings, magpies, aliens, and even Chupacabra.
***Links:http://a-fwd.com/asin=B01KENADN6 Blog: http://coldhandboyack.wordpress.comBuy: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ILXBXUYTwitter: https://twitter.com/Virgilante Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9841203.C_S_BoyackFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ColdhandBoyack

Cover Reveal of Timeless

TIMELESS (#3 Maiden of Time) by Crystal Collier #CoverReveal

Book Title: TIMELESS (Maiden of Time #3)Author: Crystal CollierGenre: YA Paranormal HistoricalRelease Date: November 1, 2016


TIME IS THE ENEMY
In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.
In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.
Can Alexia escape her own clock?



a Rafflecopter giveaway
Crystal Collier is an eclectic author who pens clean fantasy/sci-fi, historical, and romance stories with the occasional touch of humor, horror, or inspiration. She practices her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, or follow her on Twitter.
Want the first chapter free? Sign up HERE.

Always Remembered

Why Every Writer Needs A Pet

Guess who’s visiting with us today? Our very own Stephanie Faris!  And she’s going to chat with us about one of our favorite  subjects: pets. 
Why Every Writer Needs a Petby Stephanie FarisWhen you visit Sandra’s blog, chances are you’re going to see an animal somewhere. More than likely it will be a cat. Her Monday and Friday posts are designed to bring a smile to your face and a pet is almost always the best way to do that.I love all animals, but since I was in my early 20s, I’ve always had a dog for a pet. That means since the day I wrote my first book, a dog was nearby. I can’t say that having a dog directly impacted my creativity, but there are several reasons I believe every writer needs a pet, whether it’s a dog, cat, fish, pot-bellied pig, turtle, or rattlesnake.Pets Make You HappierStudies have shown that pet owners are happier and healthier than those without a pet in the house. When you have a pet, you feel like you’re coming home to a friend. Whether you live alone or in a house full of people, the greeting you get from a dog (and some cats) will likely be much more enthusiastic than the greeting you get from your loved ones.Pet at Feet Means Butt in ChairI can’t tell you how many times I need to go get something to drink or take a bathroom break, but I don’t because my dog is snuggled against my feet. Getting up means disrupting cuddle time. So I stay in place and keep writing. That’s always a good thing.Pets Are Good CompanyWriting can be lonely, especially if you write when no one’s home. A pet provides great company without interrupting you constantly to ask questions. You’ll just need to make sure they have food and water and a way to use the bathroom multiple times a day.Pets Provide InspirationWhen you truly bond with a pet, the love you feel is very real. Like all of your other experiences throughout life, this helps you grow as a writer. Plus, you may decide to work a pet into your own story, which will add a little humor or even bring tears to your readers’ eyes.Pets aren’t for everyone, but if you’ve been on the fence about getting one, consider these benefits. You don’t have to be a writer for a furry friend to help make you feel healthier, happier, and less lonely.Now a little bit about Piper Morgan
Blurb: When Piper Morgan has to move to a new town, she is sad to leave behind her friends, but excited for a new adventure. She is determined to have fun, be brave and find new friends.
In Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, Piper learns her mom’s new job will be with the Big Top Circus. She can’t wait to learn all about life under the big top, see all the cool animals, and meet the Little Explorers, the other kids who travel with the show. She’s even more excited to learn that she gets to be a part of the Little Explorers and help them end each show with a routine to get the audience on their feet and dancing along!
In Piper Morgan in Charge, Piper’s mom takes a job in the local elementary school principal’s office. Piper is excited for a new school and new friends—and is thrilled when she is made an “office helper.” But there is one girl who seems determined to prove she is a better helper—and she just so happens to be the principal’s daughter. Can Piper figure out how to handle being the new girl in town once more?

Stephanie


Bio:
Stephanie Faris knew she wanted to be an author from a very young age. In fact, her mother often told her to stop reading so much and go outside and play with the other kids. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism, she somehow found herself working in information technology. But she never stopped writing.
Stephanie is the Simon & Schuster author of 30 Days of No Gossip and 25 Roses. When she isn’t crafting fiction, she writes for a variety of online websites on the topics of business, technology, and her favorite subject of all—fashion. She lives in Nashville with her husband, a sales executive. 
Links:
WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitterInstagramAmazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Cannabis. Yes or No?

I was chatting with a lovely lady in the waiting room at the hospital. While we were talking she mentioned she had a friend in Georgia who had stage four cancer that chemo didn't touch. After that they used cannabis oil and she is now cancer free. I said it's a good thing she was in Georgia and not NC and she said, "Oh, it's legal here isn't it?"
"Uh, no."
And my question is, why not?  If this drug can save lives why aren't we using it? We use addictive drugs for pain but not marijuana.  I don't get it. It's obvious that it doesn't work the same in its pure form or there would be a whole lot less folks with cancer--grin--but why aren't we using cannabis oil for our cancer patients?
On the issue of legalizing marijuana I'm ambivalent, I can go either way. There are pros and cons. The pros are the taxes the states makes off of it are a huge boon.  Maybe North Carolina could afford a pay increase of  its community college staff and instructors of more than 0 to 1.5% :)
The cons: I have heard that it draws a higher populace to the states that have legalized it and brings crime with it; and that there's a problem with children getting into food laced with marijuana, brownies, etc.
But I am a definite supporter of medical marijuana.   If it can save lives, lower the pain threshold  for cancer patients, help those that suffer from epilepsy, let's get it to those that need it.  Though if North Carolina runs true to form we will be the last state in the union to legalize medical marijuana.
What are your thoughts? For or against?

IWSG Wednesday

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Members post about their  doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.  If you aren't a member...please feel free to join us.  We'd love to have you.I'm going to post today on another p word: Proofing and it's importance.Usually at some point during the morning I pull up my day's blog post and give it a quick peruse and read my comments.  Last month, I  sat down with my morning coffee, turned on CNN, pulled up my blog and gasped! On my short post, and y'all know most of mine aren't long:), was two--count them--two errors.  One: I'd used the word to instead of too.  And yes I'm using too many to, too, twos, close together:) And a sentence so awkward it made my brain hurt. I immediately made corrections but most of the blogster buds visit early and had come and gone.  Let me just say here, thank you for your kindness in ignoring my blunders and pretending all was as it should be:) But as writers proofing is extremely important in all our endeavors.  Because it's our craft we should hold ourselves to high standards.  We are judged by what we write. I'll be the first to admit, I get lazy when it comes to emails, texting, and now apparently blogging. Blush. Blush. Hmm, maybe I should put closer proofing on my 2017 resolutions list.   What you don't think I should put off improving my proofing skills that long.....perhaps you're right;) 
~*~
Logan Hunter is a bestselling author with a penchant for the ladies. Kendall Theron, his efficient publicist is prim and colorless—at least on the surface. Beneath the proper facade is a woman who will do anything to protect her family, even if it’s not quite legal. 
On sale @ Amazon for .99 September 5-11. If anyone is interested in a download in exchange for a review, shoot me an email or leave me a comment.  Thanks;)

Lucifer

The second season starts September 19th. Can't wait.........

Gotcha

Better than playing with my flowers.....
I'm afraid if he was a human child he'd be smoking dope, drinking beer and joy riding:)

~*~
Happy Labor Day

Weekend

September 1

lovethispic.comCan you believe it?  Blink once and it's going to be Halloween. Twice, Thanksgiving.  Blink three times and you better start wrapping the Christmas presents.