Naylene Rondon's Blog: More Than Scribbles, page 3
February 5, 2016
Five Minute Drafts
I having been posting as much as I would like, so I decided every Friday I’ll do a five minute draft. Using the first line generator I’ll just write something at random for five minutes and post it.
This week’s first line: Spare some change please?
Here I go:
“Spare some change please?” she begged from the corner. The man turned his head and pretended he didn’t hear her. She slumped into the corner of the sidewalk and pulled her jacket closer to her chest.
All she wanted was a quarter, just enough to get a bag of pretzels. Her stomach growled as she pulled her knees closer to her chest. It’s been two weeks since he left. He promised to come back, to protect her, but he hasn’t.
The first thing she thought was that something happened. Maybe the faculty caught him or worse. Her hand drifted towards the small pill in her pocket. It was only for emergencies to guarantee the faculty will never get them again.
She shook the idea from her head. No, she’ll keep waiting. He’ll come back.
Hope you guys like it. Keep tune every Friday for more. If you want, try the exercise yourself. If you do, post it in the comments.
January 26, 2016
Claude’s Hotel Fun Facts
On my Twitter, I have been sharing Claude’s Hotel fun facts!
I decided to share them here as well.
Fun Facts
Variants are still a type of human.
Claude is not what he seems.
Meg is stronger than she lets on.
The hotel is just a building.
Claude was supposed to be an avian class.
Variant Miltias exist.
Claude was created in previous unpublished story.
I scrapped Claude’s old personality and kept only his appearance.
Claude’s Hotel was based off an odd dream.
Meg’s name was Medusa, but was changed when I introduced it as a class.
Jamie’s character was created because of Claude’s distinct character change.
Derek went through five name changes including Roger, David, Robert, Daniel, and Mike.
It was originally going to be a romance written in Meg’s pov.
Early drafts included guests competing on staying inside the hotel.
Originally, the hotel held its guests hostage until they begged to leave.
However, that required focus on the guests. So, the idea was scrapped.
Bonus: Claude is my favorite character.
What is Claude’s Hotel?
Claude’s Hotel is a novel currently in the works.It’s predicted to be released in September. It focuses on the not-to-distant future, where a new species of human exists. Of course, they are feared by regular humans and struggle to fit in society. The story focuses on two variants Meg and Jamie as they struggle to adapt to their new job.
If you’re a fan of science fiction, suspense, and a bit of mystery. Then, mark your calendars.
Synopsis: Not long ago, a new species of humans with a unqiue set of cells called variants were born into this world. Now, they suffer many challenges such as fitting into society and obtaining work.
Meg and Jamie are variants and after recieving a job at an abnormal hotel with a recently deceased manager, their lives get even more difficult. The supervisor is unlike any variant they’ve ever met. Secrets are being kept from them, while criminals are being drawn to them.
Nothing makes sense to them as they are currently trapped within the confines of Claude’s Hotel.
January 21, 2016
Updates
Delays!
Sorry I have been slow since the year began. It’s hard to keep up with everything. I’m trying to finish up some classes, keep up with a blog, finish the final revision of Claude’s Hotel, write the bonus story, keep up with social media, while still having time for family and normal things.
Then again, I’m not here to complain.
I wanted to share an update on my progress.
I tried a new tactic for 2016. I contacted the top amazon reviewers.
So far no luck. I’ll keep trying and if it still fails, I can’t recommend it. However, you’re still welcomed to try.
Also, if you bothered to read the strike through, you’ll know I’ll be releasing a bonus story. A short story about Claude’s origin. I haven’t decided if I’ll release it earlier or at the same time as Claude’s Hotel.
Keep track of my Twitter. Claude’s Hotel fun facts (ambigious fun facts) are being released into the public.
January 11, 2016
Author Interview – Thomas
Thomas Bartlett’s debut novel is Americans Bombing Paris. He is also a published ghost writer. He was born in Belfast and grew up in Galway. He lived a year in the states as a child. In his twenties, he lived in Paris for four years and Spain for Two. Now, he lives in Dublin. He has been a teacher, a resturant manager, a waiter, and a cook. Finally, he became what he always wanted to be, a writer.
Americans Bombing Paris is a classic romantic thriller skewered with humour and geopolitics. An intoxicating mix of food, lust, Paris and mis-guided youth.
For Johnny and Naya trouble was unavoidable and in truth they never tried to avoid it. Humour, war and love entangle as Paris gets bombed and four lives come together and fall apart.
Paris October 2002, the Americans are going into Iraq and the French are acting all ornery. Irish Johnny and his English and American friends indulge in personal score settling with some low hum, non-lethal terrorism. The group creaks and yaws under the pressures of the looming bombing, their dividing loyalties, and the encircling French security services.
QUESTION TIME!
Who are your favorite authors?
My favourite authors are people like Donna Tartt, Michel Houellebecq, Patricia Highsmith I say these names because I can see their books from my desk but I am not fussy and will give anything a go.
What are your favorite genres to write?
I tend to just start writing then try and attach a genre at the end. I would not recommend this approach as it plays havoc with pitching your book and is murder on marketing. Americans Bombing Paris is a case in point. I would have described it as a satire, but I have been informed by almost everyone who read it that it is a love story, or a romantic thriller.
What are your favorite aspects of writing?
I enjoy cadence and rhythm, I love when I explain something that I did not understand before. I generally like all aspects but I work hardest at dialogue.
What time do you do most of your writing?
Early morning. I try to be at my desk by 0630. The Christmas period was a disaster in this regard. However I am determined to get back to the early mornings, it is quieter in my head and all around me.
Do you have any writing habits? If so, what are they?
Nothing unusual. I make cups of tea and coffee normally at the same time. Social media lures me towards it and I have to fight that. I enjoy procrastinating as much as the next writer and I spend a lot of time in search of tea spoons.
Do you usually type or write your first draft?
I type everything. I would be worried I’d be unable to read my own handwriting at this stage. Strangely despite the fact I have written five books (some are ghosted) and I type in my part time job, I am still not a great typist.
How long does it take to write your first draft?
A month maybe. I tend to be ready to go when I sit down to write it. I am full of bs already, the process then is to spill onto the page unhindered.
Are you a self-publisher? If yes, what made you decide to self-publish?If no, how was the process of finding a publisher?
I started out trying to get my book published the old way. After around thirty rejections most of whom did not even read any of it I decided to try a different tack. Like everything there are pros and cons. Pros are you are in charge, you get a considerably larger cut from any sales you make on the book. Cons it really is self publishing, you do everything unless you can afford for others to help you out.
What’s your most recent book?
My most recent and first book is Americans Bombing Paris. A story centred around a young couple getting mixed up in things that are bigger than them and that they cannot control. I tried to write a book that would appeal to anyone who likes to read. So it has elements of romance, satire, humour, thriller in it.
On your recent book, what inspired you to write it?
I used to live in Paris and I was there around the time the book is set, 2002. I used to sit on the balcony looking out on Paris thinking what it would be like if Paris was being bombed, imagining how it would feel and impact my life. This was the first kernel and the idea grew from there.
Interested in learning more? Check out these links.
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January 5, 2016
Methods used so far…
I told you about my 2016 challenge. I am going to test methods of promotion and see where they lead me. The best way to start is list what I’ve already done.
Step 1: Have a blog
Step 2: Join Goodreads Clubs
Step 3: Begin my own goodreads club(Click to Join)
Step 4: Twitter!
Step 5: Facebook!
Step 6: Newsletter
Now what have I done new this year so far?
Joined Online Book Club for free reviews
Join a local author group(Work in process)
Click to Tweets
Wanna Tweet these messages, just click on them:
Looking for Author Interviews: https://naylenerondon.wordpress.com/author-interviews/
Keep tune to my challange for updates on what works and what doesn’t. I let you know if there’s any shift in sales. I will even look into paid promotional help. Also, how much of a difference of the techniques I use with Claude’s Hotel when it comes out during the fall.
Also, don’t forget to subscribe!
December 30, 2015
How to Entice Readers?
You have shed blood and tears for this moment. You have finished your story. You have written a book. It is published and now the waiting game begins.
Soon, you realized something is wrong.At first, friends and family were willing to buy a copy, but once they did, there is nothing. No sales.
This is a reality for many new authors. After the first few weeks many authors throw in the towel. They dedicated so much work and in the end it was for nothing.
Or was it?
The hardest reality about being an author is that you also have to be the greatest marketing agent in the world in the most difficult market.
Finding Readers in everybody?
This is the era of TV, Computers, and Music. The last book most read was the instruction manual for your new PS4 or Xbox one.
The Atlantic says that 25% of Americans haven’t read a book in the last year. That’s almost 104 million Americans probably won’t read your book.
However, don’t get discourage. There are still 313 million people that still read. Also, just because 104 million haven’t read recently, doesn’t mean your book won’t be the thing to start reading.
However, what is an effective method to find readers?
This is going to be my 2016 challenge. I have promoted my book through social media, however I noticed most of audience I’m promoting to is other authors. Let’s be realistic, though authors are the best readers, they are only there to share their books as well.
Starting 2016, I’m getting out of my comfort zone. I’m going to try methods I haven’t tried before and log my results here on the blog. This way I can see the most effective methods on finding readers.
December 28, 2015
Author Interview – Martin
AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN ROY HILL
Martin Roy Hill is the author of the military mystery thriller, The Killing Depths, the mystery thriller, Empty Places, and the award-winning short story collection, DUTY: Suspense and Mystery Stories from the Cold War and Beyond. His book, Eden: A Sci-Fi Novella, was released in November 2014 to outstanding reviews. The Last Refuge, a sequel to Empty Places, will be released in March 2016.
Martin spent more than 20 years as a staff reporter and editor for newspapers and magazines, before becoming a military analyst specializing in battlefield medical operations for the Navy. His short stories have appeared in such publications as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Alt Hist: The Magazine of Historical Fiction and Alternate History, Plan B Mystery Anthology, The Off the KUF Anthology Vol. 2, San Diego Magazine, and San Diego Writer’s Monthly.
A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Reserves, and the California National Guard, Martin has also served on a sheriff’s wilderness search and rescue team, and a federal disaster response team. He lives in San Diego, CA.
QUESTION TIME!
What are your favorite authors?
I think the authors that had the most impact on me when I was younger were the Lost Generation writers like Hemingway, Dos Passos, Remarque, and others. H. G. Wells also had a big impact on my early writing. As for more contemporary writers, I am a great fan of David Morrell. He is a consummate thriller writer.
What are your favorite genres to write?
I like to write suspense and action, so most of my work is in the mystery thriller genre. On the other hand, I also write sci-fi. In fact, my last published book, Eden, was a sci-fi novella about American soldiers in Iraq who discover an ancient secret about the beginnings of humankind.
What are your favorite aspects of writing?
For me, the act of writing is what keeps me going. I love getting an idea for a new plot and researching the subject and all that. But the physical act of writing is what I love most. It’s almost a zen-like experience sitting there and putting together words that create an atmosphere. When I finish, I feel more alive than any other time.
What time do you do most of your writing?
I have no specific schedule. Between my day job and family commitments, I have very little free time. So I carry a Kindle Fire tablet and Bluetooth keyboard in my ruck at all times and whenever I have some time, I pull them out and write.
Do you have any writing habits? If so, what are they?
My favorite place to write is at a cafe like Starbucks or Pete’s. Power up on caffeine and let my fingers fly. I try to write at least 500 word a day. The next day I go over what I wrote the previous day before I continue writing. When I finish a chapter, I go over it again and do a rewrite.
Do you usually type or write your first draft?
Oh, type, definitely. I’m so used to typing that I can barely sign a check without getting writer’s cramp.
How long does it take to write your first draft?
Usually about one year for the first draft. Then I put it aside for a while before I do a full rewrite. Then again, I set it aside for a while before doing another full rewrite. That allows me to come back to it with fresh eyes.
Are you a self-publisher? If yes, what made you decide to self-publish?If no, how was the process of finding a publisher?
I’m an indie. I started out going through the traditional publishing route. I wrote my first novel, found an agent, and nothing happened. Found another agency, and they went out of business. Found a third, and so on. In 2002, I left journalism and became a Navy analyst in combat casualty care. A few months later, the Iraq war started and our op tempo was so high I didn’t have time to write. When things quieted down a few years ago, I returned to writing fiction. That’s when I discover independent publishing. With my experience with literary agents, I decided to cut out the middleman and go indie. I published my first book, Duty — a collection of short stories about military service — as a sort of learning experiment. After that, I never looked back.
What’s your most recent book?
My latest book is The Last Refuge, which is due for release in March. The Last Refuge is about a battle-scarred journalist who is hired to investigate the death by friendly fire of a mysterious American engineer killed during the First Iraq War, Operation Desert Storm. The reporter, Peter Brandt, soon discovers someone is willing to kill to keep the truth about the engineer’s death from coming out. The Last Refuge is a sequel to my noir mystery thriller Empty Places.
On your recent book, what inspired you to write it?
I was a newspaper reporter and, later, an investigative journalist for a magazine in the 1980s and early 1990s. Today, that era has been glorified as some kind of golden period in American history because of the presidency of Ronald Reagan. But I was there. It was actually a period of economic turmoil with double-digit unemployment and great government corruption. More than 110 Reagan appointees were forced out of office by scandals and corruption charges, not to mention the whole Iran-Contra scandal in which the Reagan administration sold advanced weapons to Iran to raise money to fund an illegal war in Nicaragua.
With both Empty Places and its sequel, The Last Refuge, I wanted to hold a mirror up to those years. Empty Places used the desert resort of Palm Springs, California as a microcosm of the country in the 1980s. The Last Refuge focuses on the defense contracting scandals that came out of the excessive military spending of the 1980s.
The Last Refuge is scheduled to be released March 1st. (Add to your to-read boards if interested)
Interested in learning more? Check out these links.
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December 21, 2015
Author Interview – Tammy
Tammy Faith is an independent author who enjoys creating stories that are packed with romance.
In addition to writing, she loves reading whenever she is not studying for college.
She has a big family she adores, and a unrequited love for food.
She hopes you like her stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
Tammy Faith’s novel is Broken Heart.
I met Cris when I was five years old. He was my brother’s best friend. We started out as friends and eventually evolved to first kiss, first crush, first love. First everything.
I was an innocent little girl. Stupid. Naive. Cris and I promised each other forever.
Right then, we didn’t know that promises were so hard to keep. I was corrupted, each piece of me smashed against my foolish and childish wishes. Who would have thought that my boyfriend would become the vivid incarnation of my own personal demon?
Crisanto Tauli and Phoebe Stephen were happy.
Until that day.
The day she can’t seem to remember, and he can’t seem to forget. The day that she, ruled by her fears, left him. The day that she broke both of their hearts.
Now she has to face him, and her secrets, once again.
QUESTION TIME!
What are your favorite authors?
Mia Sheridan and Amy Harmon.
What are your favorite genres to write?
New Adult and Contemporary Romance.
What are your favorite aspects of writing?
The romance and the character development, for sure!
What time do you do most of your writing?
After 9 p.m. I’m a night owl.
Do you have any writing habits? If so, what are they?
I drink a lot of water or Diet Coke while writing.
Do you usually type or write your first draft?
Type
How long does it take to write your first draft?
Depends. Broken Heart, my debut novel, took me three months. I’m currently writing Healing Love, my second novel, and it’s been a struggle.
Are you a self-publisher? If yes, what made you decide to self-publish?If no, how was the process of finding a publisher?
I’m an indie. I couldn’t catch the attention of an agent or publishing house, but my beta-readers said my book was good, so I took a chance and self-published.
What’s your most recent book?
Broken Heart.
On your recent book, what inspired you to write it?
Someone close to me suffered something similar to what Phoebe, my main character, went through in the novel. I wanted to give her a voice and a happily ever after.
Interested in learning more? Check out these links.
TRIGGER WARNING! DUE TO MATURE CONTENT, THIS BOOK IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR READERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
GOODREADS PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23593963-broken-heart
AMAZON LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Heart-Tammy-Faith-ebook/dp/B010WMY3LM
READ THE PROLOGUE AND FIRST CHAPTER ON WATTPAD: https://www.wattpad.com/story/46135437-broken-heart
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December 14, 2015
Author Interview – Aaron
Aaron Hodges was born in 1989 in the small town of Whakatane, New Zealand. He studied for five years at the University of Auckland, completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Geography, and a Masters of Environmental Engineering. After working as an environmental consultant for two years, he now spends his time traveling the world in search of his next adventure.
Aaron Hodges’ debut novel is Stormwielder.
For five hundred years the Gods have united the Three Lands in harmony.
Now that balance has been shattered, and chaos threatens.
A town burns and flames light the night sky. Hunted and alone, seventeen year old Eric flees through the wreckage. The mob grows closer, baying for the blood of their tormentor. Guilt weighs on his soul, but he cannot stop, cannot turn back.
If he stops, they die.
For two years he has carried this curse, bringing death and destruction wherever he goes. But now there is another searching for him – one who offers salvation. His name is Alastair and he knows the true nature of the curse.
Magic.
QUESTION TIME!
What are your favorite authors?
David Gemmell and Ian Irvine are two of my favourite authors. They both have drastically different writing styles (although they both write fantasy), but I like them for different reasons. The detail of the characters in David Gemmell’s books draws me in time and again, while the world building Ian Irvine has put into the background of his novels is insane.David Gemmell and Ian Irvine are two of my favourite authors. They both have drastically different writing styles (although they both write fantasy), but I like them for different reasons. The detail of the characters in David Gemmell’s books draws me in time and again, while the world building Ian Irvine has put into the background of his novels is insane.
What are your favorite genres to write?
Fantasy and science fiction, although I have yet to publish anything in the science fiction genre.
What are your favorite aspects of writing?
Character building is probably my favourite part of writing – particularly finding out how your characters will respond when you put them in tricky situations!
What time do you do most of your writing?
I generally try to take some time out of my day to go to my local coffee shop and pen a few pages.
Do you have any writing habits? If so, what are they?
Probably the above coffee shop part, although I didn’t always require coffee to write. Guess that’s just something that comes with age!
Do you usually type or write your first draft?
Usually I write my first draft, although I think that is changing with my nomadic lifestyle.
How long does it take to write your first draft?
Ahhhh, good question. When I’m going really well I used to be able to write a chapter a day (so a month?). But these days the process is much slower – maybe three months now…
Are you a self-publisher? If yes, what made you decide to self-publish?If no, how was the process of finding a publisher?
Yes I am selfpublished. I tried for a few years to go the publishing route, and in the end it was just too difficult and expensive from a place as remote as New Zealand (just posting manuscripts is a mission if you’re looking for a US publisher). That, and self-publishing seems to be a more and more legitimate route to publishing.
What’s your most recent book?
Stormwielder is my first and most recent book. It is the start of a trilogy about a young man who has been ostracized and banished from society, because he possesses an uncontrollable power which reeks havoc wherever he goes. The story is about his journey to control his powers, and his redemption for all the harm he has done.
On your recent book, what inspired you to write it?
I first had the idea when I was quite young, and I guess it probably came from struggles I was going through at the time. My father passed away of cancer when I was 13, which would have been around the time I wrote the first chapter (it has been rewritten many more times in the 13 years since!). I think that is probably where the darker shine to things comes. I think my mothers strength through that time was probably where the growing hope throughout the novel springs from.
Interested in learning more? Check out these links.
Aaron Hodges’ Website: https://aarondhodgesblog.wordpress.com/
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14713614.Aaron_D_Hodges
Goodreads Stormwielder: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28005596-stormwielder
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Hodges/e/B018KY4ZIA/
Amazon Stormwielder: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0473319705/
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December 12, 2015
Free Copy of All Roads Lead to Terror.
Here’s the buy links for All Roads Lead to Terror.
Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MLXM32
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016MLXM32
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-roads-lead-to-terror-richard-schiver/1123014703?ean=2940152477603
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/all-roads-lead-to-terror/id1061157501?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/all-roads-lead-to-terror
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/593434
CLICK HERE TO WIN A FREE COPY
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