Rebecca Cantrell's Blog, page 8

iDrakula: iClassic? (courtesy of Kiss My Lit)

How would you update your favorite classic book?by Bekka Black (aka Rebecca Cantrell)

Using my secret identity of Bekka Black (wait, justblew my cover, delete this later), I wrote amodernization of Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's called iDrakulaand it's supposed to come out in iPhone, iPads, and iPod Touch'severywhere tomorrow (although the day may wiggle about bit).Coming out on the phone first? I can already see Bram Stoker'sfans shuddering. But bear with me. The original Dracula waswritten...

A Tale of Conferences Past

Conferences About Books! by Rebecca CantrellI love reading. I grew up in a family of readers, but onceI entered school I discovered that most of my classmates did notyearn to sneak away and read during recess. They wanted to play socceror Frisbee or jump rope. I was aghast, but muddled through, convincedthat I was the last reader left in the world.Then I grew up, wrote books, and discovered book conferences. I love them all.I loved my first Left Coast Crime in Waikoloa, Hawaii (finally a...

Brainstorming

Brainstorming techniques?I think I may be the only writer I know without a file of cool ideastucked away and I'm starting to feel worried about it. I could throwone together, but I don't think I'd ever look at it again. For me, eachnovel exists only as I'm writing it. I never go back through old ideas.My process isn't that straightforward, sadly.

First place I look for ideas? History. When I read about a historical event or find the perfect quote from a historical character, I know that I...

Rejection? It's about falling in love again

by Rebecca Cantrell

I planned to write a scathing rejection letter for the blog this week. Being a good student, I did research. I googled rejection letters and found some doozies for classic books. Here is an actual rejection of Animal Farm by George Orwell: "It is impossible to sell animal stories in the USA." Here's one for Steven King's Carrie: "We are not interested in science fiction which deals with negative utopias. They do not sell." [image error]

I then wasted far too much time on the Internet...

Advice for a Teen Writer

What would you tell a high school kid who wants to write?

by Rebecca Cantrell

OK, I've decided to name my high schooler. Her name in Mina, because that's the main character in my YA novel and so she's the high schooler I hang out with the most. Thanks, Mina, for wanting to carry on the tradition of the written word. It takes a special high schooler to recognize that and make it a goal.Writers read. Writers have to love to read. And they have to do lots of it. One of the things that I hate the ...

If I Win the Lottery

"If you won the Lottery, would you quit writing? If not, would the guaranteed income change how and what you write?"

by Rebecca CantrellQuit writing when I finally had the money to not worry about how I'm going to subsidize my next book? Are you crazy? As a writer in the current economy, it's hard not to worry about money.

But I don't write because of invisible dollar signs. I write because of invisible voices in my head. I write because I am a crazy obsessed person who can't stop writing. I...

The Joys of Social Networking?

"Do you like doing all the marketing, social networking and other obligations of modern book publishing? Or would you prefer to just sit in your room writing, with no business-side duties?"

by Rebecca Cantrell

Not counting being a mother, what I love most of all writing in a room all by myself without anyone bothering me. Since I am a mother, I only write during school hours and after bedtime. And now that my son is getting older bedtime is getting later. The social networking and promotional ...

Finding Humor in Darkness

What was the most fun scene you ever wrote?

by Rebecca Cantrell

Most scenes—with the exception of those that are frightening or that reflect some horrible historical event—are fun to write. I love putting my characters in a tight spot and watching them get out of it. I relish describing a place that hasn't existed for seventy years until I can feel it and see it and smell it and hear it. I enjoy tearing through complex action scenes and the questions I need to answer (how far off the ground...

Favorite YA book? How about favorite library?

I hate these favorites questions. I don't play favorites. But I know, as someone who now writes YA, I'm going to run across this question again. So, I'm giving it a try. But it's not definitive.

From the time I could read, which is before I remember but my mother says I was about three, until the time I had to get a job, which I sadly do remember and I was thirteen, I read a book a day. Or more. So, that's about a decade or 3,650 books. I still read a lot, but not that much. If I had but...

Technology: Or why I love my iphone too much

Technology:

is it making your writing easier or standing in the way of your creative side?

By Rebecca Cantrell

A few years ago I got an iphone. My friends without smart phones mock me for my addiction. I use the calendar, check my email, find out where I am when I'm on tour, find restaurants that deliver in strange cities, and take pictures. Heck, I even use it to make and receive phone calls!

I love my iphone so much, I wrote a novel on it. Well, I didn't actually thumb it in but…OK, here's...