Moira Keith's Blog, page 323

The Name Game

I play this game with every manuscript. There is a lot of thought that goes into the names of not only the characters (which most of my friends who’ve ever helped me brainstorm a story can attest that I spend a lot of time doing this), but also into names that are used in world building.

For example, in my soon to be released story Blood & Moonlight, I wanted it to have a Celtic foundation of sorts. So when it came time to name the key players I scoured baby name books to find Gaelic and Celtic names that would suit my characters. However it went a step further than that for me. In the book there is a wolf pack. That means there has to be a hierarchy. Using names for the positions within the pack proved a little challenging, but once I settled on names, they just clicked.

Let us examine the name Cadeyrn, which I use for the pack leader in my hierarchy. When I was researching, I came across this name, which is an ancient Celtic name with Welsh roots. It means battle king, which I found befitting of a leader of shapeshifters.

I for one, find names to be incredibly important. Then again, I’m fascinated by names. How much thought do you give to a name as a writer? As a reader, once you are into the story, do names that are out of the ordinary throw you are build the world and pull you in?

Friday Five ~ Movies

I love movies. Unfortunately, I don’t get to go to the theater often to see them. However there are some that make my list for what I’m looking forward to seeing.

1. The Raven~ This is definitely at the top my list for many reasons. For one I love Poe, second John Cusak has always been among my favorite actors.

2. Resident Evil 5 Retribution~ Another list topper because Alice is a serious zombie slaying, butt kicking chick! I love strong female leads and the Resident Evil series is one of my favorites. (Yes I own all the previous on DVD and will likely have a marathon before going to see this in the theaters)

3. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter~ Never read the book. Want too and now I want to see the movie. Vampire killing president? All over that one.

4. The Avengers~ Yes, I’m a mom of boys, but that is not the only reason I want to see this movie. I love a movie filled with super heroes. Hell I love a movie filled with explosions. So there you have it.

5. Snow White and the Huntsman ~ Okay, I’m not a fan of Kristen Stewart and perhaps that is the fault of Twilight. However, this movie seriously looks kick ass. And Charlize as the queen? Awesome.

There you have it. That is my Friday Five. What are you looking forward to seeing? Something that is not on my list? Do tell…

If You’ve Got Goals….Flaunt ‘em

And boy do I have goals. Loads of them. They might take an entire day to list out. (I might be over exaggerating here, but run with it). I have long-term dreams that I hope to achieve and short-term ones. Usually I don’t have the patience to see them through, but they are still there, nibbling at my brain like little goal zombies. I decided to share them. So here goes…

Be a bestselling author. (I see this can be short or long-term depending on how well my stories are received, whether I am putting out a quality story, and if I’m being productive enough to keep the stories coming)
Do something silly everyday. (Definitely short-term. Remember when you were a kid and you would laugh about nothing at all? Or you would dance around the house in your underwear like you were Madonna or Tom Cruise in Risky Business sliding across the floor? That kind of silliness, I think keeps the stresses of the world from consuming us whole)
See my Moonlight Trilogy come to fruition. (To be honest, I have to say long-term on this one, but it is definitely an in progress goal. First book is gearing up for release. Second book has been started, and the idea for the third is in the back of my mind)
Be more active in causes. (In progress and can be achieved short-term, but should be long-term as well. One way or another we should show support for the things we believe in. Either through participating in a walk or sleep in, or donating our time. I’m kicking this off with the Komen Race for the Cure, only in my case I’m Sleeping in for the Cure – hey I’m a mom who is typically an early riser and so are the zombie twins)
Try to be a better blogger. (Short and long-term. Ah yes…this one has been an ongoing struggle and you’ve watched me. You’ve endured the pain and suffering. I hope to ease that. But I want to blog to blog, not out of obligation or because I have a ‘theme’ day schedule that must be adhered to. My space…my rules right? Right! Therefore, you never know what I may blog about. I do love interviews though. I surely will do more of those)
Enjoy everyday. (No one is promised a forever and happily ever after is what you make of it..so make it good. I’m going to say this is another that falls into both short and long-term)

Actually, as I review this list which only scratches the surface of what I aim to achieve in life, there are many goals that can easily fall into both short-term and long-term. I say this because some can be achieved on a short-term, but should be ongoing. Goals that might need to be revisited to gauge your progress or to take stock of where you may be falling short. The thing is to have the goals to begin with and make yourself accountable to them. I’m off to start mine…what are some of your goals?

Friday Five ~ Random Gaelic Sayings

Today I was trying to look up something. Came across a saying that was appropriate at the time. How accurate they are, I cannot say. I am not a master of the Gaelic language no matter how infatuated I am with it. So, here are the sayings.

1. Is binn béal ina thost – ‘Silence is golden’ or ‘It’s sweet, a mouth in its silence’ (I found this most fitting when the office roar of the office was suddenly a light murmur. Not quite silence, but as close as I could hope for with the hundreds of people on the floor)

2. Is minic a gheibhean beal oscailt diog dunta! – ‘An open mouth often catches a closed fist’

3. Is é buille an phinn an buille is fealltaí. – ‘The pen’s blow is the most treacherous.’ (The pen is mightier than the sword.)

4. Is minic cuma aingeal ar an Diabhal féin. – ‘There’s often the look of an angel on the devil himself.’

5. An té nach bhfuil láidir, ní foláir dó bheith glic.-  ‘He who is not strong must be clever.’

There you have it. My five random Gaelic sayings. Now if only I could speak the language I would be in heaven. It is a very fascinating language. Enjoy your Friday. Sláinte!

 

 

 

Feeding the Writer

No this isn’t a post about food. Though I could definitely do that. Today though, I decided to talk about the one thing that I’ve slacked on lately. Feeding the writer is a bit of a necessity. Why and how are likely questions you have at this juncture. Well my own opinion on the matter is simple. To breed creative works, you must view the world differently. You must view it through the ‘what if’ glasses to take a simple thing and let it blossom into something great.

The avenues I choose to take when feeding my writing soul are by no means a one size fits all approach. However, there are three distinct things I turn to for creative fuel.

Reading ~ when I delve into a book, be it an awesome NYT Bestseller that I can’t put down or a crappy book no one’s ever heard of, there is inspiration and knowledge to be gleaned from those glorious pages. From the character development to the plot, you can learn a lot about what works (or doesn’t) for a particular story. Even better, a book can light a fire under my arse if I’ve been slacking on getting my words on paper.

Movies & Television ~ Stories acted out for a viewer can be a great source of creative fodder. Everything is visual. So depending on what your eye is attracted to, you can see what works or doesn’t work in a story. Sometimes, the characters might not stand out to you as ‘the evil doer’ because of the way the screen/script writer drafted the character. They make the character blend. On the other hand, you have characters that are so in your face that you can’t forget them even if you tried. Settings are another big thing. When you read a book, everything is left to your imagination. If the author did a good job, then your mind can recreate the scene effortlessly. Television and movies leave little to the imagination in that arena, but from an author’s perspective, you can pick apart the setting and try to describe the pieces that really set the scene.

Life ~ Nothing sparks the ‘what if’ game more to me than life itself. For example, let’s say you were on a road trip. Everyone else in the car is sleeping. You’re tired. So you start playing the game to entertain yourself. Here you are, driving down the road, late at night, a long drive. Darkness surrounding you. Two jails set back from the highway. A sign that states hitchhiking prohibited. Tell me that doesn’t just set the minds wheels into motion. Go on I dare you.

It’s always easy to blame the ‘muse’ when it seems the creative well has run dry. Honestly though, she can only work with what we give her. So if I’m not feeding my creative self, then she’s got zilch to go on. There’s only one way to keep her working for me and not against me. I’ve got to feed her with more than just Guinness (though that definitely doesn’t hurt). So tell me what are your tricks to feeding your creative self, or share what book or movie really stood out to you because the story was well told. Better yet, what are you reading now? Me? I’m reading Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore and so far, enjoying it. Sláinte!

A Celebrational Friday Five ~ Music Style!

Oh for the love of a Friday – a day that kicks off the weekend. Brings cause for celebration, sleeping in, and just plain enjoying life outside of the daily work grind. And this is not just any Friday, but a Friday the 13th no less! I say let’s celebrate. (Mind you, I’m of the opinion that one does not truly need reason to celebrate. Just do it.) I’m kicking off this weekend with a celebration of music! That’s right! Comment for a chance to win a $15 iTunes gift card.

Lets get to my Friday Five shall we?

First on my list… Bad Religion ~ Broken

Second…Social Distortion of course and one of the first songs that introduced me to them and cemented my love of their music.

Third is a newer obsession courtesy of my cousin Bryan F… Streetlight Manifesto ~ Would You be Impressed?

Four is Rancid…well because they are Rancid duh.

And to rap up this Friday Five… NOFX ~ Leave it Alone

There is my Friday Five Folks…name some of your top five and lets get to that iTunes Gift Card!

P.S. The winner of Rebekah Purdy’s Interview Contest for the free copy of Cinderella Complex is Bethanne! Thanks to everyone who commented!

Peeking Behind the Curtain~ with Rebekah Purdy

Today I'm excited to have Rebekah Purdy here to help me celebrate my new site. I had the opportunity to sit down with Rebekah in a virtual cafe, where she showed up wearing fairy wings and clutching a wand. What was that? You haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet? Well here's your chance. Everybody, this is Young Adult Author Rebekah Purdy—the awesomeness behind the books Staking Shadows and My Dad's a Paranormal Investigator: Seeking Shapeshifters. Rebekah, this is…well, everybody! Now let's get to peeling back the curtain and seeing what makes her tick.

 

Moira: Let's break the ice shall we? If you could go on a dream date with three people who most influenced your writing, who would they be?

Rebekah: Okay, as many people know, I have a problem with counting (hehehe). So here are 5 instead of three: Wilson Rawls and Ann M. Martin for capturing my attention in 4th grade and instilling a love for reading. R.L. Stine and L.J. Smith for introducing me to YA Thrillers/Paranormal/Horror when I was in high school and making me want to write books. Lastly, Suzanne Collins for inspiring me to want to be a better writer.

Moira: I said three. Not one for following the rules apparently. Fine. I can work with this…just don't make it a habit. What genre do you write in, and why?

Rebekah: I write YA Fantasy/Paranormal. I think it's because I've always loved the thought of faraway lands and the fantastic. A place where the obscure is the normal.

Moira: I guess your faux pas is forgiven, but only because I'm a huge fan of the obscure, faraway, and fantastical. How long were you writing before you received your first contract for publication?

Rebekah: Hmmm…like 6-7 years (mind totally blanked out—LOL). But yeah, definitely a few years.

Moira: A few perhaps, but they've produced some great stories. Speaking of producing great stories, do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?

Rebekah: Not necessarily, however, I do tend to write better when it's dreary and stormy out, or if I'm at the beach, listening to the waves crashing in.

Moira: Ha! When I'm at the beach I'm thinking about drinks with little umbrellas, surfers, and relaxing. What's the strangest source of inspiration you've found for a story?

Rebekah: LOL—um, actually it was a spam email I got. I'm hoping to actually write that story later this year.

Moira: Proof that spam can be beneficial (and no we aren't talking the canned variety). When you aren't being inspired by spam or dreary weather, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Rebekah: Watch football, soccer, camp, write, sing, hang with my kidlets, watch movies and TV.

Moira: For a fan of the obscure those are very normal spare time occupiers. Let's see if we can shake things up a bit. Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.

Rebekah: I spent a few years in the US Army and graduated with Honors from Advanced Individual Training (for both the course work/physical fitness).

Moira: Nope. Not obscure enough…though it is a great accomplishment. Still, I want something more. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

Rebekah: My ears are pierced, and believe it or not I have a tattoo of a crescent moon/star on my ankle (which I got when I was 17).

Moira: Ears?! I'm trying to get to the deeper darker side of Rebekah Purdy and you give me pierced ears! Sheesh. You don't play fair Ms. Purdy. Sooner or later I'm going to figure you out. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?

Rebekah: What wouldn't I spend it on? LOL. No, but seriously, I'd buy everyone in my family/my hubby's family a house (or help pay off an existing mortgage). I'd set money aside for my kids. I'd also send some to my friends as well as donate money to the local schools and libraries in support of literacy.

Moira: Well I can't knock that. Literacy is definitely an issue I think we can all get behind. Which household chore do you abhor and why?

Rebekah: This is a tough one. But I'd say laundry. I don't mind washing it, but I HATE folding it. It's like the socks take 2 million years to pair up.

Moira: Agreed. I always thought they were joking about the dryer eating socks when I was younger. Okay, one last attempt to get some dirt on you to be used at an undisclosed time and place for my own benefit. Do you have any guilty pleasures you feel comfortable sharing?

Rebekah: Crushing on celebrities (LOL): Ian Somerhalder, Johnny Depp, Taylor Lautner…

Moira: You can have Taylor. :) The other two we might have to discuss. Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner and why?

Rebekah: I'd probably invite Maggie, Seth, and Ima over to dinner. They're all funny/quirky characters and I absolutely LOVE a good laugh.

Moira: I can see that as being one rowdy and hilarious dinner party. One author, dead or alive, and you get to have a one on one with them. Who would it be and why?

Rebekah: Suzanne Collins, because I think she's brilliant.

Moira: Well should you ever get the chance for that one on one, let me know. Might have a few questions of my own to throw into the pot. Every author has a moment of brilliance in their writing world. Something that just strikes a chord with them for one reason or another. Name one scene you go back and re-read often because you like it so much.

Rebekah: This is hard because I have a few. But probably the scene where my main character Maggie is trying to convince the guy she's had a crush on since elementary school that she already has a boyfriend.

Moira: Ooh, that's definitely a good one. If you could have one talent besides writing, what would it be?

Rebekah: Ohhh…making movies. Like using real special effects and stuff.

Moira: The Fairy Godmother Files: Cinderella Complex is the first in a series about Maggie Winters. What gave you the idea for the series?

Rebekah: Actually, I was kinda playing the what-if game one day. What if a teen found out she was to become the new Fairy Godmother? What if her first assignment was someone she completely loathed, and on top of that the guy she's crushing on might be a part of that happy ending?

Moira: The 'what-if' game is one of my favorite brainstorming activities. So, is there anything top secret or special you'd like to share?

Rebekah: Hmmm…not at the moment. But I suppose people might like to know that I have several Star Wars songs on my MP3 player (hehehe). May the Force be with you! Oh and I like to do character voices (Yoda, Stitch (from Lilo and Stitch).

Moira: Not exactly what I had in mind there young Padawan. In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share an excerpt for those who aren't yet familiar with your work)

Rebekah: The Fairy Godmother Files: Cinderella Complex Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Winters can't think of anything more exciting than junior year. There's her first prom to look forward to, she can drive, and most important Connor Prince has finally noticed her. But unfortunately so has the school snob, Katrina Melville, who goes out of her way to make Maggie's life a living hell. If that's not enough, Maggie's grandma has decided to retire, which doesn't seem like such a big deal. That is until she finds out her grandma is a Fairy Godmother, and not just any Fairy Godmother. The Fairy Godmother, as in Cinderella, pumpkins, and mice. And she has informed Maggie that she's next in line to become the new Fairy Godmother.

 

At first Maggie is excited, the whole getting wings, flying (or rather trying not to crash), and a wand that lets her grant wishes. It's like being a superhero, without all the action, explosions, and spandex. Then she gets her first assignment, Katrina Melville, her nemesis. And if that doesn't make her want to poof herself into oblivion, she finds out that part of Katrina's happily-ever-after is Connor Prince. Life is so unfair. Even worse, she can't tell her two best friends about any of it and they're getting sick of her disappearing acts. Then there are the dangerous creatures, called Grimms who will stop at nothing to keep the happy endings from being fulfilled, even if it means destroying the Fairy Godmother responsible. With time running out, Maggie has to make this wish come true or it will ruin the fates of everyone involved, and open the world to darkness beyond imagination. Maggie will soon find out what it truly means to be a Fairy Godmother—and it isn't all about princes, gowns, and wings, but something much more.

 

Excpert:

"Now comes the fun part." Grandma opened the sliding glass doors leading onto the balcony. "You need to learn how to fly." She tugged a lounge chair next to the railing. "Just climb up here and leap off."

Not that I didn't love my grandma, but she'd lost her ever-loving mind. No way in the world did any of my plans include jumping to my death. I took a step back. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"It's like riding a bike."

Maybe now was a good time to remind her how much I'd fallen down while learning to ride my bike. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the ground below. It was a long way down. My pulse buzzed like a warning bell in my ears. Insane didn't begin to describe this idea. More like freakin' idiotic. And yet, I climbed onto the chair, then up onto the railing. I felt like a suicide on the ledge of a skyscraper.

"Think of your wings." Grandma stood next to me, her hand resting on my calf.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I imagined my wings. The back of my shirt ripped and my wings expanded. Ugh, I loved this shirt. "Okay, I'm up here." I kept my focus straight ahead. As long as I didn't see the ground, I'd be all right, or at least I hoped I would be.

Grandma shoved me. I flailed off the balcony. She was trying to flippin' kill me. In two seconds I'd be splatter on the lawn.

"Flap your wings," she called.

The ground came at me at an alarming rate. Then, to my amazement, my wings kicked in, brushing air. Like a butterfly, I shot forward, gliding.

"Make sure you're steering yourself." Grandma's voice sounded far away.

My lips tilted into a smile as I flew higher. Cool night air kissed my cheeks and whipped through my hair. I felt so free. I felt so—smack—a low-hanging tree limb whapped me in the face. Ow, crap! My face stung and my eyes watered. Right. Need to watch where I'm going. A strong gust of wind billowed in, catching my wings and tipping me backward. Like an out-of-control kite, I half fell, half glided toward the ground and into the side of a car.

Beep. Beep. Beep. The car alarm blared. I rubbed my arm and head. Now I knew how road kill felt.

"You okay?" Grandma hollered down.

"Sure, just give me a second to pull the fiberglass out of my face." I stood and wiped myself off.

Grandma laughed. "You'll get the hang of it. Maybe you should fly home tonight. Give yourself a chance to get used to your new wings."

Sure, great idea. Then maybe I'd fly into the grill of a semi-truck or a hunter might shoot me out of the sky, thinking I was a big duck or something. And they'd stuff me like a turduken—only I'd be a turMaggen. Yeah, not a great visual. Because either way I looked at it, something or someone was going to be shoved into some place they didn't want to go.

What had I gotten myself into? Grandma smiled and gestured for me to fly back up to her.

A Fairy Godmother. Me. Maggie Winters. The new Fairy Godmother. And I had no idea what I was doing.

 

Moira: Well that was definitely a treat! Thanks for letting me torture you Rebekah and hanging out with us today. For all you voracious readers out there, you can learn more about Rebekah Purdy and her books over at http://rebekahlpurdy.wordpress.com/ .

Thanks for stopping in. One copy of Cinderella Complex is up for grabs so ask your questions or just comment!

 

Monday Kickoff!

So here we are…Monday. Ugh. Is there anything worse than a Monday? Sunday night perhaps when you are lying in bed, thinking about how you wish it was Saturday night so you had one more day of the weekend.

Well lets see if we can't get this week off to a good start shall we? I am celebrating the re-launch of my website. Isn't it lovely? I think what better way to start a celebration than to give away a prize right? (Not to mention the fact that it would make Monday a cheery happy day too.) So today I will do a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Winners choice! All you have to do to win? Comment here on the blog to be entered into the drawing! I will choose the big winner at 6pm PST. Get busy commenting and have a great Monday!

 

New Direction Take Two

As in life, things are rarely perfect the first go around. Or we tend to change our minds, evolve, and realize that what we need is different than we first imagined. So is the case with my home here on the web. My site just didn't feel like it fit 'me' anymore. Though it was lovely and worked when I first acquired it, what I wanted to project as my web presence changed. Now, thanks to Kim Killion and her very talented staff at Hot Damn Designs, I have this lovely new home that I feel is a better fit for the writer I am. I swear that Kim has a bit of magic fairy dust or possesses a certain fairy godmother gene…because she nailed what I wanted right out of the gate.

Speaking of fairy dust and fairy godmothers, next week I will have some fun things coming your way. One thing I'm willing to divulge is that I will be having the lovely Rebekah Purdy here to help celebrate my new look and her new release The Fairy Godmother Files. Yay! It is a fantastic young adult book that I just can't wait to share with you! I might just try my hand at a little fairy dust and see what I can whip up for a giveaway or two so definitely come back by!

New Year, New Direction

This is the year I make some serious changes for my writing career. First off, you will see that I no longer have a blog per-se, but rather this is now a News page where I will keep you updated on the what's what in the world of Moira. Blogging, while beneficial to many, takes time away from writing. I would rather update you with something pertinent to my career and other bits of news relating to things I think you'd be interested in. Contests, happenings around the web, any shenanigans my critique group has going on. etc. To me, this would be far more interesting than the random ramblings that I often tend to post.

With that, I am so thrilled to announce that Blood & Moonlight is in the hands of an editor. Once I see how much work is needed and the brilliance my editor shines down on my manuscript, then it will be cover time while I work through edits. Oh yes, this baby is going to see the light of day but I'm not skimping on the little things. There will be much more to come as I begin to work on a new series as well. Lots to come in this new year. Be on the lookout!