Heather Crews's Blog, page 5
March 1, 2014
Read an E-book Week
I'm not sure why this image is so grainy ...I'm participating in E-book Week at Smashwords. A Dark-Adapted Eye and Unchanged will be half off March 2-8. Just enter the code REW50 at checkout and enjoy!
February 12, 2014
My next book . . .
After the death of her brother, teenage Marlo flees an abusive home and comes to work for an enigmatic mortician.
And that's where the fun begins. Well, not fun, exactly. It's kind of bleak. But sometimes I like bleak.
This is turning out to be a really hard book to write. Maybe because it hasn't been with me for years and years like some of my other stories, so I haven't had as much time to work through problems. I never realized how hard world-building is without info-dumping. That's the most challenging thing, actually—the world-building.
The book is set in the indeterminate future blighted by drought. Recycling is a necessity. Various environmental problems interfere with people having enough food and water, of which there's already a scarcity. But Marlo isn't out to solve these problems. She's got enough to deal with without taking on the government.
Anyway, now that I've thrown that out there . . . back to writing!
And that's where the fun begins. Well, not fun, exactly. It's kind of bleak. But sometimes I like bleak.
This is turning out to be a really hard book to write. Maybe because it hasn't been with me for years and years like some of my other stories, so I haven't had as much time to work through problems. I never realized how hard world-building is without info-dumping. That's the most challenging thing, actually—the world-building.
The book is set in the indeterminate future blighted by drought. Recycling is a necessity. Various environmental problems interfere with people having enough food and water, of which there's already a scarcity. But Marlo isn't out to solve these problems. She's got enough to deal with without taking on the government.
Anyway, now that I've thrown that out there . . . back to writing!
January 13, 2014
January 9, 2014
Hello!
I've had a good day. I read some new short but nice reviews for A Dark-Adapted Eye (yes, I know you're not supposed to do that) that really uplifted my spirits. I also crossed over to the dark side and joined Twitter. I've added a widget in the sidebar if you want to follow me (although I haven't tweeted anything yet).
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
December 19, 2013
I feel special.
My Q&A is up now at Twinja Book Reviews! It's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. I'm really happy to have been included in their month of author interviews. Please take the time to read it (it's not long)!
December 17, 2013
Q&A
On Thursday, December 19th, I'll have a Q&A featured at Twinja Book Reviews. Check it out! Thank you, Guinevere and Libertad!
November 13, 2013
Crazy
I've long had an issue with the word "crazy," particularly as it's sometimes applied to women. Beyond my own experiences, however, I was never quite sure why it bothered me. This article says so many things about calling women crazy that I agree with and didn't even know how to articulate.
From "On Labeling Women 'Crazy'":
From "On Labeling Women 'Crazy'":
The trend of labeling women "crazy" is part of the culture that socializes women to go along to get along. When women are told over and over again that they're not allowed to feel the way they feel and that they're being "unreasonable" or "oversensitive," they're conditioned to not trust their own emotions. Their behavior -- being assertive, even demanding or standing up for how they feel -- becomes an "inconvenience" to men and they're taught not to give offense and to consider the feelings of others before their own.Read it here.
October 26, 2013
September 25, 2013
FREE: A Dark-Adapted Eye and Unchanged
Hey, guess what? I've made
A Dark-Adapted Eye
and
Unchanged
free on Smashwords! For how long, you ask? Well, as long as I feel like it. Both books are available in a variety of electronic formats, so whatever your preference, you'll be covered.
September 16, 2013
Body Image
Like many women (and men, I'm sure), I often find myself dealing with body image issues. I'm not sure how much progress I've made over the years toward completely accepting myself, but I tend to feel more confident these days than I ever did. Whether that's to do with age or experience or just not giving a crap, I don't know. However, my issues are not completely under control, and therefore I worry how I'll manage to raise my daughters with healthy body images.
I found these "10 Better Body Affirmations" by chance, and I felt really positive after reading them. I do think they're good advice, and I'll do well to remember them as my daughters get older, and for myself.
1. Your body is in flux for the rest of your life. Think of your body as fluid instead of static — it’s always going to change. So get comfortable with those changes.2. No one will love you or not love you because of your body. You are lovable because you’re you, not because your body looks a certain way.3. The most intensely personal relationship you’ll ever have is with your body. It’s a lifelong relationship that’s well worth investing in and nurturing the same way you would with loved ones.4. You don’t owe your body to anyone. Not sexually, not aesthetically. Your body is yours. Period.5. What someone else says about your body says more about them than it does about you. Look past the actual snark to the person who’s saying it, because it’s only a reflection of what they think of themselves. That’s when you’ll see how little power their words have.6. Your body is not a reflection of your character. It’s a physical home for the complex and wondrous and unique being that is you.7. Take up as much space as you want. You don’t have to be small, or quiet, or docile, regardless of your physical size.8. Everything you need to accept your body is already inside you. There’s no book, or diet, or workout routine or external affirmation that you need to feel good about your body right now.9. Your body is a priority. It’s always trying to tell you things. Taking the time to listen to is of the utmost importance.10. Wear whatever you want. Your body shape does not dictate your personal style, and fashion rules that say otherwise are wrong. Dress yourself in a way that makes you feel happy and confident and beautiful, because guess what? You are.
I found these "10 Better Body Affirmations" by chance, and I felt really positive after reading them. I do think they're good advice, and I'll do well to remember them as my daughters get older, and for myself.
1. Your body is in flux for the rest of your life. Think of your body as fluid instead of static — it’s always going to change. So get comfortable with those changes.2. No one will love you or not love you because of your body. You are lovable because you’re you, not because your body looks a certain way.3. The most intensely personal relationship you’ll ever have is with your body. It’s a lifelong relationship that’s well worth investing in and nurturing the same way you would with loved ones.4. You don’t owe your body to anyone. Not sexually, not aesthetically. Your body is yours. Period.5. What someone else says about your body says more about them than it does about you. Look past the actual snark to the person who’s saying it, because it’s only a reflection of what they think of themselves. That’s when you’ll see how little power their words have.6. Your body is not a reflection of your character. It’s a physical home for the complex and wondrous and unique being that is you.7. Take up as much space as you want. You don’t have to be small, or quiet, or docile, regardless of your physical size.8. Everything you need to accept your body is already inside you. There’s no book, or diet, or workout routine or external affirmation that you need to feel good about your body right now.9. Your body is a priority. It’s always trying to tell you things. Taking the time to listen to is of the utmost importance.10. Wear whatever you want. Your body shape does not dictate your personal style, and fashion rules that say otherwise are wrong. Dress yourself in a way that makes you feel happy and confident and beautiful, because guess what? You are.
