Cheris Hodges's Blog, page 36
October 25, 2012
Victoria Christopher Murray gets Scandalous
Jasmine Cox Larson Bush is a character you love to hate or hate to love. Either way, author Victoria Christopher Murray created an iconic character that just can't get enough reading about.
We first met Lady Jasmine in Temptation, released in 1997. Then her story continued in A Sin and A Shame, Too Little Too Late, Lady Jasmine, Sins of the Mother, Sinners and Saints (co-written with ReShonda Tate Billingsley) and the soon to be released Friends and Foes (also written with Tate Billingsley).
Victoria Christopher Murray
Now, readers get a look at who Jasmine was before Temptation and salvation --sort of. . .
1. Jasmine is back for the first time.
Why did you decide to tell her back story?
I wrote this story a while ago. It
was just a short story and I was able to increase it to novella size (60,000
words.) I wrote it because I always wondered, 'Who in the heck is Jasmine?
Where did she come from?' And it was so much fun to write this and
find out.
2. What
will readers learn about Jasmine that they don’t already know?
Jasmine's past is far more scandalous
than I ever realized. What readers will really learn is why she's so hard
core, why she doesn't back down. And readers will also learn why Jasmine
focuses on married men! There's an app (I mean, reason) for that!
3. You
and ReShonda Tate Billingsley have a great series on your hands featuring
Jasmine and Rachel. When is the next book coming out?
The next book is coming out at the end
of February. It's called Friends and Foes and it was as much fun to write
as the first. This time, Jasmine and Rachel have to work together to get
out of BIG trouble. Of course, Jasmine does her part, and helps out poor,
little, not-so-bright Rachel. I always have the time of my life writing
with ReShonda!
4. Is
Scandalous only an e-book?
Yes, this is my first only e-book.
This is a test by my agent and publisher. I may do other ebooks
only if this does well. I have quite a few shorter stories in my head and
would love to write them.
5. What
has the response from readers been like to Jasmine’s scandalous past?
I don't think I ever had so many
people say they couldn't put this book down. I think readers really like
this book because they already know Jasmine and it's fun to look into her life
when she was in her early twenties. It's fun to read about her before she
was the First Lady, or had children, or met Hosea. People love reading
about her when she was just Jasmine....and she was, well, SCANDALOUS! :-)
Before
she was First Lady Jasmine Cox Larson Bush, before she had children, before she
met Hosea, Jasmine was....SCANDALOUS. This is the story of Jasmine before
Temptation and how Jasmine became Jasmine. In e-book format - $4.99
October 24, 2012
What YOU don't understand about being a woman sports writer
When you pick up the newspaper and read the sports section or log on to your favorite sports web site, most of y'all don't notice the byline. You're reading the story about your favorite team or player. You want to celebrate the win, bemoan the loss or just get mad because you don't like what was written.
Then you look at the byline. That's when you leave your comments -- as you have the right to do --and if the author is a woman, some how her sex is always in the mix.
Of course, sports is rocket science and how in the world can a woman grasp it?
It's one thing for readers to "diss" a woman who covers sports. Most readers will hate what anyone who doesn't fawn over their favorite team says. On the other hand, having a "professional" athlete call you sweetheart in a press conference because you asked a football question -- that's just sexist, immature and offensive.
Let me tell you something about the "sweetheart" Cam Newton referred to on Sunday after the Panthers lost another game. She's been covering sports since 1997. She's 35 and can read a defense. Yet, when I tell people I cover sports, I get asked questions that no man would be subjected to:
You get to go in the locker room? How else will I interview the players after a game? The NFL, NBA they don't really do a lot of on the field on the court interviews.
Do the players ever ask you out? Why would they? I'm a reporter with a recorder in their face. I'm doing my job --which is to ask them questions about their job.
Has anyone ever called you sweetheart? Err. . .until Sunday, nope.
Before Cam Newton's sarcastic "sweetheart" comment, I couldn't say that I had ever experienced any sexism on the job. I was treated with the same indifference as my male colleagues. That was fine with me. Here's what you don't get about being a woman sports writer: We don't want special treatment. We just want the story.
We don't want to date the athletes, we want the story.
While many in the South don't see a thing wrong with a man calling a woman sweetheart, the Charlotte Fox affiliate made that clear, but calling a woman, who's doing her job sweetheart (and calling a man in that same presser sir) only makes the man look bad.
Then you look at the byline. That's when you leave your comments -- as you have the right to do --and if the author is a woman, some how her sex is always in the mix.
Of course, sports is rocket science and how in the world can a woman grasp it?
It's one thing for readers to "diss" a woman who covers sports. Most readers will hate what anyone who doesn't fawn over their favorite team says. On the other hand, having a "professional" athlete call you sweetheart in a press conference because you asked a football question -- that's just sexist, immature and offensive.
Let me tell you something about the "sweetheart" Cam Newton referred to on Sunday after the Panthers lost another game. She's been covering sports since 1997. She's 35 and can read a defense. Yet, when I tell people I cover sports, I get asked questions that no man would be subjected to:
You get to go in the locker room? How else will I interview the players after a game? The NFL, NBA they don't really do a lot of on the field on the court interviews.
Do the players ever ask you out? Why would they? I'm a reporter with a recorder in their face. I'm doing my job --which is to ask them questions about their job.
Has anyone ever called you sweetheart? Err. . .until Sunday, nope.
Before Cam Newton's sarcastic "sweetheart" comment, I couldn't say that I had ever experienced any sexism on the job. I was treated with the same indifference as my male colleagues. That was fine with me. Here's what you don't get about being a woman sports writer: We don't want special treatment. We just want the story.
We don't want to date the athletes, we want the story.
While many in the South don't see a thing wrong with a man calling a woman sweetheart, the Charlotte Fox affiliate made that clear, but calling a woman, who's doing her job sweetheart (and calling a man in that same presser sir) only makes the man look bad.
October 22, 2012
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop. . .Part Three
Walking out of the bathroom, I put my game face on and
returned to my desk where Richard was waiting.
“Are
you ready?” he asked.
“Sure. Let me grab my purse.” I shot him a look
telling him that he was in my way. He
stepped aside with a smile on his face and I grabbed my purse.
“Where
would you like to go?” he asked as we headed for the exit.
“You
invited me, should you have an idea?” OK, I was being a little extra, but if I
made him not like me, then I could deal with working with him, right? Slipping
my hand into my purse, I retrieved my sunglasses and put them on.
“You’re
a touch chick or at least that what you want people to believe, huh?”
“What?”
“This
attitude you’re giving me, for no reason I might add.”
“I’m
not giving you attitude. But I do have to say, I’m a little perturbed that someone
upstairs feels that I need a partner when I’ve been doing research projects
like this—alone—for years.”
“I’m
the one pushing for the partnership. It’s not an indictment against your work.”
I
fought the urge to snort. As much as I hated to admit that he was right, I did
try to be a tough girl at work. I didn’t like to get help from a coworker or
share the glory. In my last evaluation, Perry did say I wasn’t a team player.
Not that I changed anything. Glancing at Richard, I decided that maybe I needed
to stop acting like the “tough girl.”
“Do you
like Chinese?” I asked.
“I do.
As a matter of fact, I know a great place. Are we taking separate cars or do
you want me to drive?”
I sucked
my teeth and said, “Why don’t I be nice and drive?”
“What?”
He placed his hand on his chest as if he was Fred Sanford threatening to join
Elizabeth. “Not you. Being nice.”
“Don’t
believe the office grapevine, I’m the nicest person you’ve met in the last five
minutes.” Oh snap, I was flirting. This was going to be bad. I knew I should’ve
eaten my turkey sandwich at my desk.
No one seems to know what's wrong with the Carolina Panthers, sweetheart
Update: Charlotte Observer columnist Scott Fowler wrote about Cam calling a "female reporter" a sweetheart in a public forum.
Sunday afternoon, Bank of America Stadium became Cowboys Stadium North as the Cowboys and the Panthers squared off. Carolina fell to 1-5 for the season.
Newton, leader of the bunch as he calls himself, doesn't like to be asked questions that would require more of an "we don't know" answer. So when a certain woman reporter asked what do the Panthers need to do to show the dominance on the field that he kept talking about, he called her -- and by her I mean me -- sweetheart.
Borderline sexist. Insulting. Not a good look, Cam.
And yes, there is video.
Because I want to help a brother out, let me give Cam and all those men out there a list when sweetheart is appropriate and inappropriate:
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Hi, sweetheart, I got this from Tiffany's for you."
Inappropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, this is football."
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, would you like me to run your bath?"
Inappropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, I can only control what I do."
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, did you hear what I said? I love you."
Inappropriate Sweetheart: Calling a woman YOU DON'T KNOW sweetheart. Try ma'am, miss or lady.
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, I love your book."
Inappropriate Sweetheart: Calling a professional sports writer Sweetheart because your offense is, well, offensive.
Newton sounded as frustrated afterward as he ever has following a
loss, and that’s saying a good bit. The final question of his press
conference was posed by a female reporter, asking him what the Panthers
could do to score more points.
“I’m going to leave this room and I’m going to bring in a
suggestion box and I want your suggestions to be in that suggestion box
because I sure don’t know,” Newton said. “I really don’t. I wish I could
tell you. But the only thing I control, sweetheart, is myself.
Offensively, I am the leader of this bunch and we haven’t been getting
the job done.”
Calling a female reporter “sweetheart” isn’t a good idea in a public forum, even in jest.
Read
more here:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012...
Sunday afternoon, Bank of America Stadium became Cowboys Stadium North as the Cowboys and the Panthers squared off. Carolina fell to 1-5 for the season.
“We have to play better overall,” wide
receiver Steve Smith said before the bye week. “That’s the straight up
answer. The only thing that’s acceptable is to play better.”
However, that message didn’t seem to translate of the field in Sunday’s loss.
But the opportunity to have a post
season bid is slipping from the Panthers grip as they are last in the
NFC South and travel to Chicago Sunday to play the Bears, who are 4-1
and trounced Jacksonville last week 41-3. The Bears play the Detroit
Lions on Monday night.
On Sunday, New Orleans beat Tampa Bay, improving to 2-4. The Panthers lone victory this season came against the Saints.
“The tale of this game when we
watch it on tape will be about missed opportunities,” said head coach
Ron Rivera. “Nobody said it was going to be easy. It’s not. We know
that. We’re going to continue to work at it and look to change some
things and we’ll find solutions. We just have to keep pounding away.”
What the changes and solutions are, no one seems to have an answer.
“I’m going to leave this room and
bring in a suggestion box and I want your suggestions to be in that box
because I sure don’t know.” Newton said. “The only thing I can control
is myself. Offensively, I am the leader of this bunch and we haven’t
been getting the job done.”
Defensive end Thomas Keiser sums
it perfectly. “Right now things are really bad. But we’re going to
figure it out and we’re going to get better.”
Newton, leader of the bunch as he calls himself, doesn't like to be asked questions that would require more of an "we don't know" answer. So when a certain woman reporter asked what do the Panthers need to do to show the dominance on the field that he kept talking about, he called her -- and by her I mean me -- sweetheart.
Borderline sexist. Insulting. Not a good look, Cam.
And yes, there is video.
Because I want to help a brother out, let me give Cam and all those men out there a list when sweetheart is appropriate and inappropriate:
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Hi, sweetheart, I got this from Tiffany's for you."
Inappropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, this is football."
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, would you like me to run your bath?"
Inappropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, I can only control what I do."
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, did you hear what I said? I love you."
Inappropriate Sweetheart: Calling a woman YOU DON'T KNOW sweetheart. Try ma'am, miss or lady.
Appropriate Sweetheart: "Sweetheart, I love your book."
Inappropriate Sweetheart: Calling a professional sports writer Sweetheart because your offense is, well, offensive.
October 19, 2012
Meet Synithia Williams, author of You Can't Plan Love
Debut romance author Synithia Williams is building a huge buzz around her novel, You Can't Plan Love. She was featured in USA Today and deservedly so. Williams crafted a sexy and page turning read.
1.
How did you come up with the story of You Can’t
Plan Love?
Nothing specific lead me to this
story. It came from one of the typical “what if” moments we writer’s have. What
if a woman hurt in the past tried to plan her love life. I don’t think love is
something that can be planned, and if more people stopped planning and just
went with things I think happiness will follow.
2.
Have you always wanted to write romance?
Yes! I’ve read romance since I was a teen. I hand wrote my first two
romance novels in high school. After that real life kicked in and writing was a
hobby that I occasionally returned to. In 2010 I saw a friend pack up her
family so that she could go to law school. Seeing her pursue a dream was the
kick in the butt I needed. I finished my book, researched publishing options
and sought feedback to help improve my story.
3.
What’s the best thing about being a published
author?
Seeing my name/book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all those other
places my book is listed. Yeah, it’s kinda vain, but it’s also awesome!
4.
How did you celebrate the release of your book?
With a pre-release party the Saturday before it launched. I invited
family, friends, co-workers, my husband’s co-workers and beta readers. It may
seem silly to some to celebrate with a big party before the book came out, but
to me this was an achievement of a lifelong dream and completely worth a party.
5.
What’s next on the horizon for you?
I’m still writing. My second book is scheduled for release from my
publisher (Crimson Romance) on January 7, 2013. I’m taking a break from
revisions from my third manuscript to write a novella I hope to finish before
Christmas. And since the characters in a fourth novel are bothering, me I’m
writing a few hundred words here and there on their story.
6.
When you saw your book mentioned in USA Today
how did that make you feel?
Okay, so I know you’re not
supposed to check emails while driving, but I was at a red light so it doesn’t
count. When I saw the alert that my book was spotlighted on USA Today I
screamed and immediately called my husband. It’s surreal and so appreciated
that Michelle Monkou shined the spotlight on my novel.
October 18, 2012
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop: Part two
Now, what happened next wasn’t right on my behalf or the
cute little sales clerk behind the counter. Lauren and I were talking about
phones and her possible move to Raleigh, North Carolina. A light bulb went off
in my head. “Sir,” I said to the clerk. “I forgot my voicemail password.”
He
smiled and asked what my number was. I gave him Shun’s and he handed over the
pass code. Lauren and I exchanged looks that read, did this really happen? “Remember,”
he said after handing Lauren her new battery, “it’s the last four digits of
your social security number.”
“I’ll
keep that in mind,” I replied and then we high tailed it out of the store. “Can
you believe that?”
“No,”
Lauren replied as we hopped in her car. “That was too easy. So, why did you do
that?”
Shrugging,
so many thoughts ran through my mind. I didn’t trust him. I wanted to be nosy.
I needed proof that I wasn’t being played. Wait, scratch that. I knew I was
being played, I knew I had the key to Pandora’s Box and I was going to open it.
Could I handle what was going to be inside?
Later
that night while I was working on a project for the city of Durham, an
environmental study, my eyes were drawn to my phone. People talk about having
an angel and a devil on their shoulders. Well, my devil bitch slapped my angel
and talked me into picking up the phone. Dialing Shun’s number, I – for the
first time ever – prayed he wouldn’t answer. He didn’t. Part of me wanted to
hang up, but somehow my finger pressed the star key and when the electronic
voice said, “Please enter your password.” I entered it.
Pandora’s Box was opened. The first message was a song, I
want to say Nelly’s Dilemma, and then a female voice said, “This is how I feel
about you.”
My
mouth hit the floor but I continued to the next message –did I mention that
this was Valentine’s Day? “Hi, Shun, thank you for the roses and the
chocolates. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”
This
was the first time I threw a cell phone against a wall and watched it smash
into pieces. Thank God for insurance. I knew it was over between me and Shun,
but just like the pieces of the phone on the floor, that’s how my heart felt. People write poems, books and romantic
comedies about your first love. I need a serious drama about your first heart
break. Was I bitter? Not yet.
Over
the next eight months, I worked harder than ever. What else did I have to do? But
things were about to change. While sitting at my desk, I noticed a tall,
chocolate colored brother walking my way. Turning away from him, I pretended
that the spreadsheet on my screen was the most important thing in the world.
“Excuse
me?” he said.
Looking
up, damn his sparkling brown eyes were amazing, I said, “Yes?”
“I’m
looking for Mimi Collins.”
“That’s
me.”
“Richard
Roberts, “he said with his hand extended. “Steve Perry said we’re going to be
working together on a research project for Carolina’s Medical Center.”
My boss
was an asshole 364 days a year. Today, he was my best friend. “Really? This is
the first I’ve heard of it.” This man is
so damn fine.
Richard
leaned against the desk. “I know. I begged to be a part of this project. I’m
originally from Charlotte and my dad was a doctor at the hospital. Perry thinks
my connections will work in our favor.”
I knew
he was talking, but I couldn’t take my eyes off his lips. OK. I was horny. I
was in trouble.
In order to down play my attraction to this man, I had to pretend
that I was angry. “You know what, if Perry didn’t trust me with this project,
he should’ve just said so instead of assigning me a chaperone.” I hoped that I
sounded mad as hell and not like some high school girl with a massive crush on
the quarterback. The extremely fine chocolate quarterback with warm brown eyes.
He held
his hands up. “I don’t have anything to do with that.”
I
folded my arms across my chest. “I bet you don’t.”
“Listen,
we don’t have to competitors. We’ll get a lot more accomplished if we work
together as a team.”
Oh, I know where I’d like to put in some
team work, I mischievously thought. “Umm,
OK.”
“I’m
really excited about this project and working with you. Can we start over?”
Tilting
my head to the side, I decided to stop playing angry and just offer him the
nonchalant version of Mimi. “Whatever.”
Richard
had the nerve to smile, revealing those pearly white teeth that could easily be
used in any toothpaste commercial. “I’ll take that as a yes. How about I treat
you to lunch and we can talk about the project and what you’ve done so far?”
“When I
go to lunch, I don’t talk business. I mean, I put in twelve hour days, can I
have one hour to simply eat?”
“Point
taken. Still, I’d like to take you to lunch, unless you have plans.”
If I
was smarter, I would’ve lied and said yes, I have plans. But I heard myself
saying, “Sure, why not?”
He
glanced at his watch. “Do you want to leave now?”
Turning
back to my computer screen, I was surprised that it was as late as it was. “All
right. Let me head to the ladies room real quick.”
Walking
into the bathroom, I stopped at the mirror and gave myself a quick once over.
Today had been a jeans and tee shirt day. Damn! Suddenly I wished that I wasn’t
wearing a purple “Ride the Pony” Mustang shirt and well-worn jeans with a small
hole in the knee. Well, at least my ass looked great, I thought as I turned
around and took a glance at it in the mirror. My hair, though. Some serious
Jimi Hendrix issues.
“This
is just lunch with a coworker, not a date. Remember that,” I muttered.
October 17, 2012
Meet Nila Brown, author of The Cold Darkness of Night
You know someone is a good story teller when you follow them around the Internet hoping today is the day she tells a story about her crazy coworker. That's how I was introduced to new author, Nila N. Brown, many years ago.
Today, she's released her first novel, The Cold Darkness of Night.
Allow me to introduce you to Nila N.Brown.
1.
Congratulation
on your first novel. When did you decided you wanted to be a writer?
I was an avid reader growing up. When other kids
were out playing, I’d rather curl up with a good book. I recall reading the Encyclopedia Britannica
when I was 11 but the writing bug didn’t hit me until high school, when I wrote
a play called “High School Beat” during the rash of break dancing movies. I
chuckle when I think back on it because it wasn’t very good and never went past
the development stage. Then I joined the school newspaper, writing several
articles, and then I wrote a short story for the upcoming Halloween
edition. It was universally panned as
atrocious and I became discouraged.
After my father passed a few years later, real life called and I never
picked up a pen in that capacity again.
I rediscovered writing in 2007 when I discovered
Inuyasha fan fiction. I read a story
that I enjoyed very much, but then I read one that was horrible. The writer sort of had an attitude and told
the readers, “if you don’t like it, write your own story!” I thought that was a great idea so I wrote my
very first fan fiction story called, “The 800 Year Old Virgin.” I was inspired by a writer named
Trouble_In_Shangri-La to write for an alternate pairing in the Inu fandom and I
never looked back. My writings allowed
me explore my fantasy, the paranormal and action adventure and I write in all
of these genres, as well as let me explore my Trek geekiness. “800YOV” was still not grammatically fabulous
but it was better than my earliest writings but I was inspired. The greatest things I learned from it were
character development, editing and storytelling so that I’m able to take my
readers on an adventure as if they're living it right next to me. I wrote what was considered Alternate
Universe stories, which is defined as using the characters of the manga but
creating a new storyline and world different from the manga. Because of this, my stories can be stand
alone from fan fiction and with encouragement from others, I decided to leave
fan fiction and try my luck at non-fiction writing. I feel like I’ve come full circle.
2.
Tell
the readers what your book is about.
My current short story, The Cold Darkness of
Night, centers on Takeru Okada, a self-absorbed demon businessman who is on
his way to Tokyo Airport during a very dangerous blizzard. He decides to take a shortcut, which leads to
a horrific accident. Blinded by the
shattered glass and body broken by the impact of the crash, he finds himself
near death and suffering from hypothermia when a young woman and her half-demon
charge discovers him and brings him to a safe place. She nurses him back to health and along the
way, Takeru finds himself attracted to her but his full blood demon pride
nearly gets in the way of his progress, in part because he’s not used to having
to depend on others to take care of him, and in part because he’s offended by a
human and half-demon taking care of him.
Slowly, he finds himself attracted to his female caretaker and they
become intimate. When the weather
breaks, she contacts his business associate who rescues him, but he discovers
that she’s a priestess who seems to want nothing more to do with him and the
resulting rage and depression sends him on a downward spiral that nearly
destroys him.
I want to make something clear to the readers
about the types of demons that I write about.
These are not the “heaven versus hell” variety demons that you see in
Christian theology. The demons that I
write about are the manifestation of animal spirits in humanoid form. Some of my demons are evil, as you will learn
with some of my future endeavors, but no more than any other man, woman or
child. They have telltale signs of their
demon lineage, such as elfin ears, body/face paintings or markings, long
nails/claws and different colored hair that reflects their heritage, while an
elemental demon can take the form of earth, water, fire and air. You do have former fan fiction writers who
venture into the nonfiction world tend to change the fact that the characters
are demons and make them all human. I’m
not going to do that – my demons are sensuous, enigmatic and filed with needs, desires
and fiery passion. I want you to see my
world through my eyes and with it I hope to create an entirely new writing
style geared towards them.
3.
Why
did you decided to write this genre?
I was a Trekkie before it became popular to be
called a Trekkie. I would rather watch Dr. Who, Dark Shadows, Twilight Zone and Star Trek when I was younger
than Saturday morning cartoons; not that I didn’t watch those as well, but I
was fascinated by the worlds that writers like Jules Verne, Maurice Sendak, and
JRR Tolkien created and was completely caught up in the intricate plot lines and
storytelling. I was initially nervous
about writing in this genre because it takes a great deal of imagination to
create an entire world that’s not only believable but holds the readers’
interest from the first sentence.
4.
Where
do you get your inspiration?
I find inspiration in everything around me. A phrase, a sunflower, or the direction that
the wind is blowing can ignite the spark in me and find their way into my
writing, but my biggest inspiration comes from my daughter, Charlene. My life has had the ups and downs that come
with normal everyday living but it’s all a part of growing and learning. I want
her to look at me and see that no matter where you are in life, it’s never too
late to follow your dream.
5.
How
can reader purchase the book and follow you online?
The Cold Darkness of Night as well as my first
short story, The Mirror’s Edge are currently located at:
Barnes and Noble’s Nook at www.barnesandnoble.com/c/nila-brown
iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-mirrors-edge/id552217410?mt=11
Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6518401.Nila_Brown
Diesel at http://search.diesel-ebooks.com/author/Brown,%20Nila/results/1.html
I can be followed on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NilaNBrown, and on
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NilaNBrown.
My next endeavor, Serpentine Fire and Other
Interludes for the Consummate Demon will be published by year’s end. It’s a collection of stories that range from
the very PG-rated to the sultry NC17.
I’m very excited about it and can’t wait to show you my range of
characters and far away destinations. I
have an upcoming trilogy that’s currently being edited and I hope to have it
published, either with a publishing house or I’ll self publish it. The trilogy is called, “Kurai Utopia” and is
set at the beginning of Japan’s history and by the mid 1800’s humans have
nearly destroyed the demons from the face of the earth. The survivors hide in caves and eventually in
plain sight with the use of magic spell and spend the next two centuries
learning human weakness and plotting their destruction. By the mid 22nd Century, the demons
eventually take over the earth and the colonized space, relegating humanity to
third class citizenship. The story picks
up in the 25th century and Takeru Takumashii is the Demon Lord of
the Western Japanese Protectorate. He
uncovers a plot to usurp his rule by the mainland Chinese demons, who are upset
that he was appointed as their ruler. He
involves a waitress and sometimes go-go dancer at his half-brother’s demon club
named Hikari to act as a spy and help him flush out his enemies. I won’t speak further on the storyline but I
actually had a really great time writing these characters and this fabulous
world that they live in.
My demons will exist across the spectrum of
nonfiction. I even have a supernatural demonic western coming.
6.
What’s
the most rewarding thing about being published?
It’s the satisfaction of knowing that I have a
second chance to do something that eluded me so many years ago. The possibility of a writing career is
something that I would have never thought possible at this stage in my
life. I won’t let the fear of the
unknown hold me back. Being at the edge
of this new precipice is a little scary but sometimes you have to take a deep
breath and dive right in and I’m very humbled and grateful for this new
opportunity, no matter where it takes me.
I invite everyone to take a chance on the new old kid and join me on an
adventure as I show you a fantastical world of action, adventure, romance,
suspense and excitement in the supernatural world of demons.
Today, she's released her first novel, The Cold Darkness of Night.
Allow me to introduce you to Nila N.Brown.
1.
Congratulation
on your first novel. When did you decided you wanted to be a writer?
I was an avid reader growing up. When other kids
were out playing, I’d rather curl up with a good book. I recall reading the Encyclopedia Britannica
when I was 11 but the writing bug didn’t hit me until high school, when I wrote
a play called “High School Beat” during the rash of break dancing movies. I
chuckle when I think back on it because it wasn’t very good and never went past
the development stage. Then I joined the school newspaper, writing several
articles, and then I wrote a short story for the upcoming Halloween
edition. It was universally panned as
atrocious and I became discouraged.
After my father passed a few years later, real life called and I never
picked up a pen in that capacity again.
I rediscovered writing in 2007 when I discovered
Inuyasha fan fiction. I read a story
that I enjoyed very much, but then I read one that was horrible. The writer sort of had an attitude and told
the readers, “if you don’t like it, write your own story!” I thought that was a great idea so I wrote my
very first fan fiction story called, “The 800 Year Old Virgin.” I was inspired by a writer named
Trouble_In_Shangri-La to write for an alternate pairing in the Inu fandom and I
never looked back. My writings allowed
me explore my fantasy, the paranormal and action adventure and I write in all
of these genres, as well as let me explore my Trek geekiness. “800YOV” was still not grammatically fabulous
but it was better than my earliest writings but I was inspired. The greatest things I learned from it were
character development, editing and storytelling so that I’m able to take my
readers on an adventure as if they're living it right next to me. I wrote what was considered Alternate
Universe stories, which is defined as using the characters of the manga but
creating a new storyline and world different from the manga. Because of this, my stories can be stand
alone from fan fiction and with encouragement from others, I decided to leave
fan fiction and try my luck at non-fiction writing. I feel like I’ve come full circle.
2.
Tell
the readers what your book is about.
My current short story, The Cold Darkness of
Night, centers on Takeru Okada, a self-absorbed demon businessman who is on
his way to Tokyo Airport during a very dangerous blizzard. He decides to take a shortcut, which leads to
a horrific accident. Blinded by the
shattered glass and body broken by the impact of the crash, he finds himself
near death and suffering from hypothermia when a young woman and her half-demon
charge discovers him and brings him to a safe place. She nurses him back to health and along the
way, Takeru finds himself attracted to her but his full blood demon pride
nearly gets in the way of his progress, in part because he’s not used to having
to depend on others to take care of him, and in part because he’s offended by a
human and half-demon taking care of him.
Slowly, he finds himself attracted to his female caretaker and they
become intimate. When the weather
breaks, she contacts his business associate who rescues him, but he discovers
that she’s a priestess who seems to want nothing more to do with him and the
resulting rage and depression sends him on a downward spiral that nearly
destroys him.
I want to make something clear to the readers
about the types of demons that I write about.
These are not the “heaven versus hell” variety demons that you see in
Christian theology. The demons that I
write about are the manifestation of animal spirits in humanoid form. Some of my demons are evil, as you will learn
with some of my future endeavors, but no more than any other man, woman or
child. They have telltale signs of their
demon lineage, such as elfin ears, body/face paintings or markings, long
nails/claws and different colored hair that reflects their heritage, while an
elemental demon can take the form of earth, water, fire and air. You do have former fan fiction writers who
venture into the nonfiction world tend to change the fact that the characters
are demons and make them all human. I’m
not going to do that – my demons are sensuous, enigmatic and filed with needs, desires
and fiery passion. I want you to see my
world through my eyes and with it I hope to create an entirely new writing
style geared towards them.
3.
Why
did you decided to write this genre?
I was a Trekkie before it became popular to be
called a Trekkie. I would rather watch Dr. Who, Dark Shadows, Twilight Zone and Star Trek when I was younger
than Saturday morning cartoons; not that I didn’t watch those as well, but I
was fascinated by the worlds that writers like Jules Verne, Maurice Sendak, and
JRR Tolkien created and was completely caught up in the intricate plot lines and
storytelling. I was initially nervous
about writing in this genre because it takes a great deal of imagination to
create an entire world that’s not only believable but holds the readers’
interest from the first sentence.
4.
Where
do you get your inspiration?
I find inspiration in everything around me. A phrase, a sunflower, or the direction that
the wind is blowing can ignite the spark in me and find their way into my
writing, but my biggest inspiration comes from my daughter, Charlene. My life has had the ups and downs that come
with normal everyday living but it’s all a part of growing and learning. I want
her to look at me and see that no matter where you are in life, it’s never too
late to follow your dream.
5.
How
can reader purchase the book and follow you online?
The Cold Darkness of Night as well as my first
short story, The Mirror’s Edge are currently located at:
Barnes and Noble’s Nook at www.barnesandnoble.com/c/nila-brown
iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-mirrors-edge/id552217410?mt=11
Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6518401.Nila_Brown
Diesel at http://search.diesel-ebooks.com/author/Brown,%20Nila/results/1.html
I can be followed on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NilaNBrown, and on
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NilaNBrown.
My next endeavor, Serpentine Fire and Other
Interludes for the Consummate Demon will be published by year’s end. It’s a collection of stories that range from
the very PG-rated to the sultry NC17.
I’m very excited about it and can’t wait to show you my range of
characters and far away destinations. I
have an upcoming trilogy that’s currently being edited and I hope to have it
published, either with a publishing house or I’ll self publish it. The trilogy is called, “Kurai Utopia” and is
set at the beginning of Japan’s history and by the mid 1800’s humans have
nearly destroyed the demons from the face of the earth. The survivors hide in caves and eventually in
plain sight with the use of magic spell and spend the next two centuries
learning human weakness and plotting their destruction. By the mid 22nd Century, the demons
eventually take over the earth and the colonized space, relegating humanity to
third class citizenship. The story picks
up in the 25th century and Takeru Takumashii is the Demon Lord of
the Western Japanese Protectorate. He
uncovers a plot to usurp his rule by the mainland Chinese demons, who are upset
that he was appointed as their ruler. He
involves a waitress and sometimes go-go dancer at his half-brother’s demon club
named Hikari to act as a spy and help him flush out his enemies. I won’t speak further on the storyline but I
actually had a really great time writing these characters and this fabulous
world that they live in.
My demons will exist across the spectrum of
nonfiction. I even have a supernatural demonic western coming.
6.
What’s
the most rewarding thing about being published?
It’s the satisfaction of knowing that I have a
second chance to do something that eluded me so many years ago. The possibility of a writing career is
something that I would have never thought possible at this stage in my
life. I won’t let the fear of the
unknown hold me back. Being at the edge
of this new precipice is a little scary but sometimes you have to take a deep
breath and dive right in and I’m very humbled and grateful for this new
opportunity, no matter where it takes me.
I invite everyone to take a chance on the new old kid and join me on an
adventure as I show you a fantastical world of action, adventure, romance,
suspense and excitement in the supernatural world of demons.
October 16, 2012
Mitt Romney would make a great president, says "Brownie, you're doing a heck of job" George W. Bush
Former President George W. Bush says Mitt Romney will be a great president. We should all be scared.
From USAToday:
Remember the last guy Bush said was doing a great job?
Brownie you're doing a heck of a job
I don't think anyone in the city of New Orleans would agree that former FEMA head Michael Brown did "a heck of a job."
From USAToday:
Former president George W. Bush reaffirmed his support of Mitt Romney
on Tuesday, saying he would be a "great president" if elected.
"President Bush is an enthusiastic supporter of the Romney-Ryan ticket," said Bush spokesman Freddy Ford.
Ford disputed a New York magazine story -- a Jeb Bush profile we reported on Monday -- that said in part that George W. Bush has been critical of Romney's campaign and skeptical of his chances.
Not so, says Ford: Bush is "confident Mitt Romney is going to be a great president for America."
Remember the last guy Bush said was doing a great job?
Brownie you're doing a heck of a job
I don't think anyone in the city of New Orleans would agree that former FEMA head Michael Brown did "a heck of a job."
October 14, 2012
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop
Introduction: Mimi Collins is a character who has been bugging me for minute. Tonight, she started telling me her story. I'm going to share it with you over the next few weeks. Here's the beginning:
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
By Cheris Hodges
This is
what I don’t understand about married men or men in committed relationships –
why isn’t one enough? I’m about to tell an old story, girl meets boy, girl
falls for boy and girl gets cheated on. This has happened to me more than once
and it’s getting tired. Very, very tired.
Before
you tune me out, I have to say, I’m not bitter—anymore. Oh, I had my bitter
periods around 1999 through 2003. But these days, I just want some
clarity. How rude of me, my name is Mimi
Collins. I’m a researcher by trade, but these days I’m an unemployed sister
with a lot of time of her hands. Too much time.
Because
of this time I was able to find out that my current boyfriend, David, was cheating. Was
I shocked? Hell yes. How was it possible that the man I’d loved for the last two
years cheated on me? I thought I did everything right in this relationship, got
to know him before hopping into bed with him, spent time with him getting to
know what he liked and didn’t like. Seeing what we had in common and he
introduced me to his family. This was supposed to last. Well, shit didn’t work
out that way.
I
should’ve known something in the water didn’t compute when his “female friend”
called me a bitch for no reason. I didn’t know this girl, but all of a sudden,
Michelle started showing up. This hefty heffa actually walked in his townhouse
one Sunday afternoon as if she was supposed to be there. His response?
“She’s
crazy.”
“Then
why do you call her your friend?”
“I’ve
known her for like 20 years.”
“Are
you two fucking? Is there something going on with you and Michelle?”
“No,” David
vehemently denied.
If ever
there was a red flag waving, it was right then. But I pushed the flag to the
side, telling myself that he’s never lied to me before. But like grandma used
to say, there is a first time for everything. That day was the first time I
caught him lying to my face. In that moment, I had a Shun flashback.
Shun
would make a great politician because he lies without a conscious and will spin
it like Mitt Romney talking about a tax break for the rich. Shun and I met in
high school, but we weren’t high school sweethearts. Our “love” affair began
when he returned from the Army. He was fine as frog’s hair, tall, pecan tan and
muscular arms that I wanted wrapped around me. Clothing optional.
In hind
sight, Shun and I never dated. We had sex on a regular basis and at some point,
I confused my heart with my clitoris and I thought I was in love. When he was
sent overseas, I wrote him (back before everyone had emails and Facebook pages)
long letters and sent care packages. In returned, I received some of the best
fiction ever. Letters from Shun about all of the time we’d spend together when
he returned to the states. How we’d go to the beach and make love on the sand.
I went out and bought a bathing suit in preparation for the trip that never
happened. When Shun came home, I got trip to the no tell motel and condom stuck
where the sun doesn’t shine. Imagine how embarrassed I was in the OB/GYN office
the next morning. And that jackass didn’t even go with me. But I digress. Off
and on for nine years – yes, nine years—I tried to make Shun love me. I
confessed my love to him so many times that I could’ve been a broken record.
Not once did he say, “I love you too.”
Instead,
I was told, “I got love for you.”
My dumb
ass thought that was enough and at some point, he’d love me as much as I loved
him and we’d be married. Then I woke up. Shun laid it out to me – but I was too
blind and silly to believe him. He said he didn’t want to get married. Said he
wanted to be single. What I heard was he doesn’t want to get married right now
and he just wants to be single for a few more years. After all, whenever Uncle
Sam deployed him, I got a letter. I got promises and pipe dreams. When he
returned home, I got his ass to kiss. My ah-ha moment came after some soul
searching and yoga.
Two
days earlier, I’d received a letter from Shun. He’d been deployed to some
Middle Eastern country. It was a short letter that talked about football, the
weather and some other bullshit. My first response had been to write him back.
But I got a phone call from my best friend, Lauren. She was coming into town
and wanted to stay with me. My penthouse was a complete mess. So, I put the letter aside and started
cleaning. The next day, Lauren showed up and we headed to the phone store
because her battery wouldn’t keep a charge.
To Be Continued. . .
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
By Cheris Hodges
This is
what I don’t understand about married men or men in committed relationships –
why isn’t one enough? I’m about to tell an old story, girl meets boy, girl
falls for boy and girl gets cheated on. This has happened to me more than once
and it’s getting tired. Very, very tired.
Before
you tune me out, I have to say, I’m not bitter—anymore. Oh, I had my bitter
periods around 1999 through 2003. But these days, I just want some
clarity. How rude of me, my name is Mimi
Collins. I’m a researcher by trade, but these days I’m an unemployed sister
with a lot of time of her hands. Too much time.
Because
of this time I was able to find out that my current boyfriend, David, was cheating. Was
I shocked? Hell yes. How was it possible that the man I’d loved for the last two
years cheated on me? I thought I did everything right in this relationship, got
to know him before hopping into bed with him, spent time with him getting to
know what he liked and didn’t like. Seeing what we had in common and he
introduced me to his family. This was supposed to last. Well, shit didn’t work
out that way.
I
should’ve known something in the water didn’t compute when his “female friend”
called me a bitch for no reason. I didn’t know this girl, but all of a sudden,
Michelle started showing up. This hefty heffa actually walked in his townhouse
one Sunday afternoon as if she was supposed to be there. His response?
“She’s
crazy.”
“Then
why do you call her your friend?”
“I’ve
known her for like 20 years.”
“Are
you two fucking? Is there something going on with you and Michelle?”
“No,” David
vehemently denied.
If ever
there was a red flag waving, it was right then. But I pushed the flag to the
side, telling myself that he’s never lied to me before. But like grandma used
to say, there is a first time for everything. That day was the first time I
caught him lying to my face. In that moment, I had a Shun flashback.
Shun
would make a great politician because he lies without a conscious and will spin
it like Mitt Romney talking about a tax break for the rich. Shun and I met in
high school, but we weren’t high school sweethearts. Our “love” affair began
when he returned from the Army. He was fine as frog’s hair, tall, pecan tan and
muscular arms that I wanted wrapped around me. Clothing optional.
In hind
sight, Shun and I never dated. We had sex on a regular basis and at some point,
I confused my heart with my clitoris and I thought I was in love. When he was
sent overseas, I wrote him (back before everyone had emails and Facebook pages)
long letters and sent care packages. In returned, I received some of the best
fiction ever. Letters from Shun about all of the time we’d spend together when
he returned to the states. How we’d go to the beach and make love on the sand.
I went out and bought a bathing suit in preparation for the trip that never
happened. When Shun came home, I got trip to the no tell motel and condom stuck
where the sun doesn’t shine. Imagine how embarrassed I was in the OB/GYN office
the next morning. And that jackass didn’t even go with me. But I digress. Off
and on for nine years – yes, nine years—I tried to make Shun love me. I
confessed my love to him so many times that I could’ve been a broken record.
Not once did he say, “I love you too.”
Instead,
I was told, “I got love for you.”
My dumb
ass thought that was enough and at some point, he’d love me as much as I loved
him and we’d be married. Then I woke up. Shun laid it out to me – but I was too
blind and silly to believe him. He said he didn’t want to get married. Said he
wanted to be single. What I heard was he doesn’t want to get married right now
and he just wants to be single for a few more years. After all, whenever Uncle
Sam deployed him, I got a letter. I got promises and pipe dreams. When he
returned home, I got his ass to kiss. My ah-ha moment came after some soul
searching and yoga.
Two
days earlier, I’d received a letter from Shun. He’d been deployed to some
Middle Eastern country. It was a short letter that talked about football, the
weather and some other bullshit. My first response had been to write him back.
But I got a phone call from my best friend, Lauren. She was coming into town
and wanted to stay with me. My penthouse was a complete mess. So, I put the letter aside and started
cleaning. The next day, Lauren showed up and we headed to the phone store
because her battery wouldn’t keep a charge.
To Be Continued. . .
October 9, 2012
Monica Lewinsky today. . .
London's Daily Mail Online has answered a question that I've been asking quietly.
Where is Monica Lewinsky? See, President Bill Clinton is all over the news again because of the upcoming election, but the intern has been missing from the public eye.
Lewinsky is 39 now, and according to the paper, she lives in New York with her mother.
I think it's horrible what happened to Lewinsky -- and that's not a popular thing to say. But women involved in affairs are always more harshly judged than the man. Now, Clinton was the married one. And as we know, he's quite the charmer. He had people thinking he was the first black president, but I digress. Lewinsky's reputation is stained beyond repair.
But, she -- according to the Daily Mail -- has been offered $12 million to write about her affair with Clinton.
Where is Monica Lewinsky? See, President Bill Clinton is all over the news again because of the upcoming election, but the intern has been missing from the public eye.
Lewinsky is 39 now, and according to the paper, she lives in New York with her mother.
MailOnline has learned that as she
also continues her struggle with her weight, Monica now lives with her
mother. She has moved out of the expensive apartment she rented for
nearly a decade in the exclusive Archive building in Greenwich Village -
where properties can cost up to $7,450-a-month for a one-bedroom
apartment - and divides her time between New York and Los Angeles.
When she stays in New York, she lives with her mother Marcia Straus, who owns a penthouse in the city.
I think it's horrible what happened to Lewinsky -- and that's not a popular thing to say. But women involved in affairs are always more harshly judged than the man. Now, Clinton was the married one. And as we know, he's quite the charmer. He had people thinking he was the first black president, but I digress. Lewinsky's reputation is stained beyond repair.
But, she -- according to the Daily Mail -- has been offered $12 million to write about her affair with Clinton.
She's been offered $12m to write the
book, according to reports and it is said to include her intimate love
letters to the ex-president and how he desired threesomes.
Is
it revenge on her former flame? She certainly must have been aggrieved
to watch as he managed to keep his family and career together in the
fallout that followed the affair. But for Monica, she has never been
able to emerge from its shadow and be known for anything other than that
girl who wore that dress and had that affair.
There
is no husband, as she dreamed of, no boyfriend, and no children,
despite saying that she was 'romantic at heart' and that getting married
and having kids was 'the most important thing to me.'
After numerous failed attempts to reinvent herself professionally, there is no sign of a successful career either.
