M.L. LeGette's Blog, page 41
July 7, 2013
Simply Wonderful Features Food Photography
The feature where I share my obsessions, my interests, and the little things that make me giggle — welcome to Simply Wonderful! I pin all my Simply Wonderful entries on Pinterest. Feel free to browse my collections.
Simply Wonderful Presents: Eat the Carrot, A Celebration of Stunning Food Photography
Photographer Unknown
(I’ve spent hours trying to track down who took this amazing photo and have failed. If anyone discovers the source, please let me know.)
I am passionate about photography and I am passionate about food. Therefore, it only makes logical sense that I go over the moon when they are combined. This photo in particular resonates deeply with me. I love rustic and anything old world. The pine nuts, the wooden cheese board, the cheese itself, the dark jam, the little touch of thyme … heaven. This is the sort of food that I would eat in a heartbeat and, if I might add, the sort of food that Leah from The Unicorn Girl devours on a regular basis during her long travels.
Want more Simply Wonderful? Here you go:
Anne Taintor // Male Refrigerator Blindness
Sherlock // (Reichenbach Remix) Moriarty + Sherlock – ♪ ‘SAIL’
Harry Potter // Quote // Book 1
July 3, 2013
Guest Author Joseph Lallo
I would like to give a big welcome to fellow author Joseph Lallo. He is a fantasy and science fiction writer with a staggering SIX books in print! His featured book (The Book of Deacon) is currently free, so don’t forget to zip on over to Amazon! You’ll go straight to the Amazon page by clicking on the cover. Thank you, Joseph for taking the time to be my guest!
What’s your name? Where can we find you? Blog? Twitter? Facebook?
My name is Joseph Lallo, you can find my blog at www.bookofdeacon.com. On twitter I’m @jrlallo, and the facebook home for my books is https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Book-of-Deacon/239647549418500
Where do you live?
I’m a New Jersey native. I was born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, but I’m now in the process of buying a home in Colonia, NJ.
How long have you been writing? How many books have you written? They can be published or not published.
I’ve been writing as a hobby through most of my life. The first of my books to eventually see the light of day had its first words written when I was about twelve years old. I didn’t start taking it seriously until about 2010 though, when I self-published The Book of Deacon, my first book. I’ve now got six books available, all self-published, with another one on the way at the end of July.
What genre do you like writing the most? What challenges do you face in this genre?
My favorite genre to write is probably fantasy. The greatest strength of the genre is that you get to make up so much of it from scratch. The greatest challenge is that you need to make up so much of it from scratch. Crafting an entire world and making sure that it is consistent, well-defined, and doesn’t overtax the reader’s suspension of disbelief is a tricky thing to do well. I’ve faltered a few times.
The other big challenge comes from those elements you don’t invent on your own. I’ve got dragons, wizards, elves, and other staples of the genre in my stories. When you use them, you need to find a way to make them yours, or at least make them unique enough to keep your story from becoming a boring slog from cliche to cliche without adding anything to the standard tropes.
Tell me a little about your current WIP.
I just finished a book called The Rise of the Red Shadow, a prequel to my Book of Deacon Trilogy. The book results from me asking the fans of the trilogy which character they’d most like to see get his or her own story. The winner was Lain, a strange creature who treads the fine line between hero and scoundrel during the trilogy.
The book tells the story of his early life. It begins with his discovery as a toddler and follows him as he is raised on a slave plantation. As a malthrope, a creature that is not quite beast and not quite man, he is universally distrusted by the human races. A lot of the story focuses on the fact that if you assume someone is a scoundrel, sometimes they are left with no options but to become one.
How do you typically begin your project? Do you create outlines and character profiles or jump in head first with the initial idea?
I’ve begun my projects in a number of different ways. I’ve written some science fiction, and for those stories I usually do a chapter by chapter outline. The fantasy stories tend to have a loose outline too, but more of the format “how it starts, how it ends, and a few things in between.” The one thing that I always try to focus on and sketch out in detail before I get started is the cast. I rely on my characters to drive the story forward with their decisions, and to make the time between major events interesting with their dialog, so it is important I have a well-formed cast. That’s not to say that new characters or vast changes in characters don’t happen. They happen all the time, I just like to have a sturdy scaffold upon which to build that stuff.
What aspect of your writing do you consider your strength? Your weakness?
I’m not the best person to ask about my strengths, because I’m of the opinion that I don’t have any. However, when I talk to fans they often say that I’m a good storyteller, and I create characters that they become deeply invested in. As for weaknesses, where do I start? I guess the most glaring is my grammar. I’ve got a real knack for creating insidious little typos that slip by a dozen proofreaders, beta readers, and even editors. I just pushed three more corrections to a book that’s been out for over three years. Who knows how many thousands of eyes managed to miss those over the years, and worse, how many didn’t miss them.
Do you focus on one project or do you work on multiple manuscripts at once?
It depends on the project. The Rise of the Red Shadow is a terribly depressing story sometimes, so I tried to keep a side project on simmer the whole time so that I could jump over and write something a little happier for a while. I’ve also taken a break from a long project to do a speed run through a smaller one, like when NaNoWriMo rolls around. Mostly, though, I try to focus on a single manuscript, lest I never finish.
Probably the editing process is our most challenging. How do you go about editing your work? Do you have any tips you’d like to share?
How do I go about the editing process? With a low degree of success, but there are a few things I find helpful. First, I try not to proofread or edit anything that I’ve written very recently. The more recently I wrote it, the more likely I am to see what I thought I wrote, rather than what I really wrote. As suggested earlier, I also run it by a group of trusted readers to get opinions on the story and to filter out glaring errors. When my books started to sell, I started putting money aside for a professional copyeditor, too. Developmental editing is trickier. I’ve yet to really nail down a method that I can afford/that works for me.
After publishing, the next trouble facing writers is marketing. What do you typically do when marketing your novel? Do you have tips you’d like to share?
I’m still getting the hang of marketing. As a book is nearing release, I start reaching out to any fans or blogs with whom I’ve been in contact to let them know what is on the way. I also get a bit more active on the blog, twitter, and facebook as the release date approaches. I like doing digital giveaways to get the word out, too. I guess the best bit of marketing advice I can give, though, is to get a top notch cover. A picture is worth a thousand words, and having an evocative piece of artwork to show off when talking about a book goes a long way to building interest.
What advice would you give a writer who is starting out?
Keep writing! I wrote three whole books before I had the confidence to put the first one out. Every word you write or revise gives you just that much more experience, and with experience comes skill.
Now choose just one of your books and add a link to it.
Since The Rise of the Red Shadow isn’t out yet, I’ll pick The Book of Deacon (http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-of-Deacon-ebook/dp/B0036FTF4S) which is free. That’s another bit of marketing advice I guess. If you have a series, consider discounting the first book or giving it away.
If you are an author and would like to be my guest, click here to find out how.
July 2, 2013
Calling Authors ~ Be My Guest
If you are a writer (whether published or not), I’d like to help spread the word. I’ve got a feature that (I hope) will be useful: Be My Guest.
Be My Guest: straight forward author interview. Tell us about yourself, your current work, and your process of writing. Simple as that.
Here are a few writers who have participated in Be My Guest:
I post here on the blog, on my Twitter account, and Pinterest. If you’re interested, find out more and send me an email.
June 30, 2013
Simply Wonderful Features Anne Taintor
The feature where I share my obsessions, my interests, and the little things that make me giggle — welcome to Simply Wonderful! I pin all my Simply Wonderful entries on Pinterest. Feel free to browse my collections.
Simply Wonderful Presents: Anne Taintor // Male Refrigerator Blindness
I love Anne Taintor. This caption in particular strikes a deep cord with my mom. The number of times that my dad has opened the refrigerator in search of something only to give up after 15 seconds in a huff, leading my mom to pull it out with ease. I suppose we all have our territory: My mom can find anything in our crammed refrigerator and my dad can find anything in his packed garage. It’s the rest of us that are in trouble.
Want more Simple Wonderful? Check these posts out.
June 27, 2013
Books on Parade ~ Doll Bones by Holly Black
Featuring books that have caught my eye — welcome to Books On Parade! If you are an author and would like your novel featured in Books On Parade, click here to find out how.
Doll Bones by Holly Black
Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing . . . and stop being friends with Poppy and Alice. But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity . .
Why I’m Interested
The cover, for starters. I’ve always been a sucker for quirky, dark, cartoon-ish artwork and Doll Bones delivers. The storyline itself sounds intriguing. Murdered girl … cursed, creepy doll … and from the looks of the cover, the children must travel. It seems that this book has all the elements that I enjoy, so it has been added to my ‘to be read before I die’ list. I’ve recently been having trouble with the middle grade fiction department. My picks of late have disappointed me, but I’m hopeful that Doll Bones with shine bright.
June 25, 2013
How to Spy (Servant Edition) by Lita Stump
Or Queen, Captain of the Knights, etc.
~~~
A How To Guide for Rebel Forces — Servant Edition,
by Lita Stump, Servant of Bosc Castle
Note: This guide is directed toward servants who are part of the rebel forces who live and work in the castle. This guide is not intended for townspeople or aristocrats, though this pamphlet may prove a useful reference. To see the How To Spy Guide for Rebel Forces — Townspeople Edition, see Galen Dunker. For the How To Spy Guide for Rebel Forces — Aristocrat Edition, see Ivan Finley.
A Note On Beginning
Though you are a servant who lives in the castle and are (typically) ignored by the terrorizing forces that are plaguing your kingdom, your friends on the outside live in squalor, their children petrified to leave their beds, merchants’ shops ransacked, all by order of the King, Queen, or Captain of the Knights. By being a servant for these individuals in power, you are in a unique position. Confidential conversations are held in front of you. All rooms are given access to you. You are ignored and seen as ignorant. You are the perfect spy.
When organizing your rebellion, it is imperative that you find fellow servants who are tight-lipped, stealthy, and possess nerves of steel. Spying is not for the faint. Once you have gained your fellow spies, keep the remaining servants in the dark. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Your targets must never know that you are gathering information under their noses.
The Steps
Congratulations! You have a rebellion under way! Here are Step-by-Step instructions on how to go about spying with little chance of being caught, (though it still might happen).
Step 1. Gain spies. Choose your fellow servants with care. Approach them when they are alone and preferably after hours when all knights have retired for bed.
Step 2. Question older servants who have lived in the castle the longest. They may know things that could be useful. It is also helpful to have allies on the outside. For reference, read the How To Spy Guide for Rebel Forces — Townspeople Edition by Galen Dunker and the How To Spy Guide for Rebel Forces — Aristocrat Edition by Ivan Finley.
Step 3. Choose your targets. Know their habits and use them to your advantage. If Knight A and Knight B enjoy late night whiskey, become the servant who supplies the drink and linger as long as possible in case secrets are spilled.
Step 4. Act as normal. Go about your daily chores as usual, but keep your ears open. It is key to your survival that no one, not even your fellow servants who are not in the loop, know of your true intentions.
Step 5. As a servant, all passages, floors and rooms are open to you. If one is NOT there is reason. Try to learn why and if possible, gain access.
Step 6. When seeking contact with your outside allies, be careful. Use messengers who frequent the city. If you write letters, write in code.
Step 7. Recommended only at a time of urgent need: Drugging your target’s wine or food may be necessary, especially if keys to certain locked passages (see step 5) are only on the King’s, Queen’s, Captain’s, etc. person. Sleeping herbs typically give you a few hours, but be sure to return the keys to avoid suspicion.
I hope my Step-by-Step tutorial on Servant Spying proves useful to your rebellion. This pamphlet is by no means fool-proof. If your rebellion fails, you cannot blame us. All the best of luck and may your days be brighter!
~This is a guest post I did for The Tale of Mally Biddle Blog Tour~
June 20, 2013
Word Clouds ~ The Tale of Mally Biddle ~ Chapter 2
For the fun of it, I’ve begun putting excerpts from my books into word cloud generators. I love how they turn out. You can buy The Tale of Mally Biddle on Amazon, Smashwords or Barnes and Noble. The first 6 chapters have also been posted on Wattpad!
The Tale of Mally Biddle ~ Chapter 2: Meetings and Musings
the cloud:
The Excerpt“Never mind it, never mind it!” huffed Cayla quickly as Kiora bent to retrieve the broken pottery. “I’ll take care of it—don’t know my own strength sometimes—Go on, I’ll take care of everything.” And with an arm tightly around Kiora’s shoulders, she half-pushed half-led her out the door before she could protest and closed the door with a snap.
Cayla stood staring at the wood of the door, her hand pressed flat against its grainy surface. Surely she was overreacting … panicky about the slightest thing that seemed strange … Cayla shook her head as if trying to rid herself of an aggravating fly. No, this was real—what she had heard was real—she had to act now!
She spun around, a plan—a horribly, foolish plan—had taken form in a matter of seconds. Her face set with fierce determination, she crossed the room and picked up the sleeping baby.
June 18, 2013
Banjo & Fiddle Feature Brandi Carlile
The feature where I share my own favorite musical finds — welcome to Banjo & Fiddle! Banjo and Fiddle is the side blog/guilty pleasure of my own music loving collection. Feel free to browse the selection I have there and please share your own favorite bands with me. I am always on the hunt for new artists.
Banjo & Fiddle Presents: Brandi Carlile // Looking Out
June 16, 2013
Books on Parade ~ Jazmine (The Latanica Saga) by Ty Zeiter
The feature where I showcase books that have caught my eye — welcome to Books On Parade! If you are an author and would like your novel featured in Books On Parade, click here to find out how.
Jazmine: The Latanica Saga by Ty Zeiter
“MY DESTINY FOR YOU SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME…”
In a land ravaged by war and terror, the people desperately hold on to their only thread of hope … the prophesized young warrior who would set them free from the warlord Malcus. Is the Maiden indeed real … and is she coming?
The young girl Min is a slave to Malcus’ daughter, Dravia. She longs for the day when The Maiden will come and free them from their chains of slavery. Then one night Min’s wish is granted, but her wish comes with a price…
Praise
This is one of the most amazing books ever written! The story is filled with suspense and intriguing characters that pull you into the story along with them. ~ C-man (amazon)
Ty Zeiter’s “Jazmine: The Latanica Saga” is a brilliant work of art that transports the reader into a detailed and magical world. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story of inspiration with meaningful spiritual undertones. ~ Emerick House (amazon)
Ty Zeiter is amazing!!! Definitely read this book, you’ll love it! ~ Chandler M. (authorhouse)
YouTube ~ Blog ~ Goodreads ~ FanFiction
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ AuthorHouse
June 15, 2013
Wattpad // For Readers // For Writers
The Tale of Mally Biddle is now on Wattpad!
Don’t know what Wattpad is? Understandable, I didn’t know until yesterday. Wattpad is a social network of readers and writers. Stories (some published, some not) are posted in increments. Members can read, comment, and vote for your work. The more votes you accumulate, the more ‘in the spotlight’ you become, showing up on recommendations and the home page. As a published writer I am drawn to the staggering number of readers Wattpad has. (And it’s free to join.) There is a fantastic article that talks about Wattpad in more detail. If you are a writer you may want to check it out: Wattpad.
My plan is to post a chapter a day. I have every intention of posting book 3 the same way when it is closer to being published. Check out my profile. Share the book with friends and family through the easy twitter, facebook, and pinterest links. Click follow and vote for it if you like what you read and want updates.
And fellow indie authors: give Wattpad a serious look. Here’s the article to read more about it. It’s always been my opinion that every little bit helps and Wattpad just might be one of them.
