Roberto Scarlato's Blog, page 17

The Outsider

Bio
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Jason G. Anderson lives in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia with his wonderful wife, Marina, and their three cats. During the day, he assists scientists researching Antarctica, analyzing satellite imagery and helping the scientists to manage the large quantities of data they acquire. At night, he prefers to write about imaginary worlds far removed from our own. You can find out more about him at http://www.jasonga.com/







What is your earliest memory of writing?
The earliest writing I can remember was in grade 3 (~8 years old). We had to write a story in class, and I had dreams of writing this great epic that would fill an entire book, full of excitement and adventure. I think it ended up being around 3/4 of a page. It had something about myself and my best friend being attacked, and turning into robots to beat up the bad guys. That's high quality writing for you right there - can't beat it! :)
How does it feel being published?
It feels pretty good, to be honest. I like the idea that my stories and ideas are now available for others to read. I hope that they enjoy what they read (and will read more in the future), but I know there will always be some who don't. I just hope I have more people like my writing than hate it ;)
When did you decide to be a writer?
Around September last year (2010) was when I seriously started thinking about it. I had toyed with the idea for years, but never done anything about it. Then the tabletop roleplay gaming group I had been running for many years broke up. I had always got my 'creative' fix by creating stories, settings and adventures for that group. Without the gaming outlet outlet, the ideas basically built up in my mind. Writing was a way to get them out of my mind. I decided the best test to see if I wanted to be a writer was to do NaNoWriMo. I signed up, and managed to complete it. I've been hooked on writing ever since.
Do you get writer's block? How do you combat it?
I find I get writers block when I'm unsure about the details of what I want to write about. Not necessarily what's going to happen in the scene next (or what the next scene will be), but the broader picture. What type of guns do the opposition have? How do people travel? What history does group A have with group B? How will a certain person react to this situation? Those details always seem to make me stop and "dither", considering all the various options (and rarely coming to a quick decision). Sometimes, if I resolve that I'm just going to keep writing no matter what (and fix things in editing) I can work my way through, but not always. Interestingly, I never got blocked while writing NaNoWriMo. I think partly that was because I had about the story for all of October, but also because the whole NaNoWriMo philosophy is write now, edit later. So my two takeaway thoughts on overcoming writers block is a) think about what you're going to write beforehand (it doesn't have to be a solid outline - just know where you want to go), and b) just write, even if you think what you're writing sucks. You can fix it later.
Where do you write? Do you write longhand, typewriter or computer?
I write on my computer at home, and during my breaks on my computer at work. I don't really like writing in longhand, because you then have to transcribe it later. I'm also planning to get an external keyboard for my iPad, to write with when I'm on vacation (I hate the software keyboard).
Tell us about your Latest Book.
My latest release is a short story called "The Outsider". It's intended to be the first story in a series set in the same world - a post-apocalyptic world where decades ago there was a global nuclear war, and only a few people still survive. "The Outsider" focuses on a small community that has managed to get back on their feet. They have a rule that no outsiders are allowed into the settlement (they don't trust them). But a man named Jacob Harkins breaks that rule when a dying man arrives at the settlement gates. This sets off a much larger sequence of events. The story is available on Amazon -http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R1Q9AS
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
You're not going to become a writer by reading or thinking about it. The only way you can become a writer is to sit down and write. It doesn't matter if you think what you're writing is crap, or it doesn't live up to what you were imagining. The most important thing is to get the words out of your head. Only then can you start working them into their final form.



Here is an 1,000 word excerpt of his work:

The first scene of "The Outsider"

Jacob blinked the sweat from his eyes. The harsh afternoon sun burned, even in the relative shade of the watchtower, and he longed for the end of his shift to arrive so he could get down from the tower and under better cover.

Next to him, Hank wiped his brow for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.

"Man, it's hot," said Hank. The phrase had long-since lost any meaning. Like every other time Hank had said it, Jacob didn't bother replying. There wasn't anything to say. After you've talked about how hot it is for several months in a row, the conversation got repetitive.

Jacob suddenly saw something move out in the wilderness in front of them.

"What's that?" Jacob pointed toward the movement. As Hank looked into the distance, Jacob grabbed the binoculars from the small table in the corner.

"Don't see nothin' but desert," said Hank, looking in the wrong direction. Jacob peered through the binoculars. If it was an attack, they needed to know as soon as possible so they could sound the alarm.

"It's a man," said Jacob after a few moments of studying the shape. The man looked to be in bad shape from what Jacob could see. His clothes were rags, and the way he was staggering, he looked near death. For a moment, Jacob thought it was Lewis, his missing brother. Then, the illusion was gone.

As he looked closer, Jacob could make out some wounds on the man's body. "He's injured." There were gashes on his arms and legs and at least one bleeding wound on his torso.

"Sucks to be him," said Hank, losing interest.

"We've got to help him."

"You know the rules. No outsiders in the settlement."

"But, he's injured. Besides, look at him. Look at his injuries. He must be a survivor from a raider attack. He might be able to tell us how many people they had, what sort of weapons they used, maybe even in what direction they came from or left in. If they try to attack, we can be ready for them.

"The rules say, 'No outsiders.'" However, Hank sounded less convinced than before. "Tracy will skin us if we let him in."

"We can't just leave someone out there to die," insisted Jacob. "Come on, help me bring him in. I'll take full responsibility."

Hank looked as if he wanted to argue more, but after looking at the staggering man again for a few moments, he mumbled some sort of agreement.

Jacob went down to the front gate. On his signal, Hank began to turn the wheel to lift the bar across it. Once it had been raised enough, Jacob pushed the gate partially open and slipped through. Looking around for signs of trouble, he approached the man. As Jacob got near, the man's strength gave out, and he collapsed into the dust.

"Don't worry, I've got you, friend," said Jacob. "You're safe now."

"Raiders... Nearby..." rasped the stranger.

"You'll be safe with us," said Jacob. "Come on, just a bit further."

Slinging his rifle over his shoulder, Jacob half-carried the man toward Raventon. The man's blood stained Jacob's shirt, and he mumbled something as they made their way to the settlement gate. From this side, the scrap-metal palisade looked imposing, offering the only safety in the open plains that surrounded it, and Jacob was eager to get back inside its walls.

He had hoped to get the man inside before Tracy was aware of what was happening. But by the time they reached the gate, she and several of the thugs she called her bodyguards were already there, blocking the entrance.

"Stop right there," she said with an icy tone to her voice. It was a tone that would make a twister think twice before moving any further.

"This man is badly injured and needs help," said Jacob. "We can't just leave him outside."

"You know the rules as well as everyone else. No outsiders are allowed inside the settlement."

"He says there are raiders nearby. He can tell us more about them, so we can prepare in case they try to attack. He can be useful."

"And how do we know we can trust him?" asked Tracy. "We don't know who he is, or where he came from."

"Please…" The man gasped for air. "From Mayfield."

Several others had approached the gate, and there was a murmur from them at mention of the town's name.

"Mayfield was wiped out by raiders six months ago," said Tracy. "Bodies littered the streets. The entire town was looted. No one survived."

"Some of us… taken as slaves," rasped the man. "Escaped two days ago. Last one alive."

More murmuring came from the crowd at the news that a large group of raiders was so close.

"Mayfield was heavily defended. How did it fall?"

"Leader sold out… Sold us for money."

Tracy seemed to consider things for a moment. "Can you tell us how many raiders there were at your camp, and their level of equipment?"

The man nodded. Tracy looked at Jacob. "Very well, he may come in. But your family will be responsible for him. If he breaks any rules, you will all bear the punishment."

Jacob swallowed hard but then nodded in agreement.

Tracy and her bodyguards stepped aside, allowing the two men to enter the settlement.

These Hellish Happenings

Today on the blog we have Jennifer Rainey. She is dastardly creative as well as darkly humorous. I'm very glad to have her here on the blog. So, without further ado, take it away Jennifer.


Thanks again for this opportunity!






BIO:
Jennifer Rainey was raised by wolves who later sold her to gypsies. She then joined the circus at the age of ten. There, she was the flower girl in the famed Bearded Bride of Beverly Hills show until the act was discontinued (it was discovered that the bearded lady was actually a man). From there, she wandered around the country selling novelty trucker hats with vaguely amusing sayings printed on front. Somehow, she made enough money to go to The Ohio State University for a major in English.



INTERVIEW:



What is your earliest memory of writing?

My earliest memory of writing is having to write a piece of creative fiction when I was eight years old in second grade. We had about an hour in class to do it, and I constructed this elaborate adventure about a friendly, talking lion taking me into the jungle and asking me to be his friend. I was, for some reason, incredibly proud of that story, and I remember being absolutely heartbroken when my teacher didn't leave me any comments on it. I got an A, but everyone else (who wrote boring stories about, God forbid, things that could happen in the real world!) got comments and stickers on theirs. Such are the trials of being a second grader!



How does it feel being published?

I love it! When I got the first proof for These Hellish Happenings, which is my first novel, I was absolutely beside myself with glee. Giggling like an idiot, dancing around the living room. I must've looked insane, but then, I suppose writers tend to be a little nutty, anyway, don't we?



When did you decide to be a writer?

When I decided that I wanted to be poor for the rest of my life! Haha! Really, though, I've been writing in one way or another for most of my life, from scribbling stories as a child to entering writing competitions in middle school and high school to writing fanfiction as a teenager. However, it was when I won a statewide writing competition my senior year of high school that I first gave serious consideration to writing as more than just a hobby.

　


Do you get writer's block? How do you combat it?

I've never had long-term writer's block, but I've definitely had short-term. Who hasn't? We all get constipation of the brain sometimes. I combat it by speaking through the offending scene out loud. Possible narration, dialogue, everything. I even have specific voices I use for certain characters. Sounds crazy, but it really helps in getting a first draft down.

　

Where do you write? Do you write longhand, typewriter or computer?

I use a computer because my brain moves too quickly for my hands to keep up if I'm just writing. I tend to lose ideas if I can't get them down fast enough.



Tell us about your Latest Book.

These Hellish Happenings is a dark comedy about demons and vampires and Hell that has quite a lot of social commentary in it, as well; it's got a lot of satire. The book follows Jack Bentley, the vampiric main character, as he is taken from Earth in order to work at the Registration Office of Hell after making a deal with The Devil. He's essentially St. Peter but down below. The Hell he lives in is very much like Earth. It's not your typical fire and brimstone. As he lives down there, he gets involved in Hell's society and politics, he faces some issues from his past, he gets involved romantically with a demon, and he really begins to sort of find himself after centuries of not being able to on Earth, all against the backdrop of this very Aldous Huxley-esque Hell.



The first in a trilogy, it's a very darkly humorous book, but it definitely comments on some greater issues, as well. Many of Hell's residents hold Jack's vampirism against him, for example, allowing the book to comment on discrimination, among other topics.



What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

I see this common "hot off the presses" mentality in a lot of young writers today. They want to capture the heat of the moment, we'll say, and not dirty their work with excessive editing. Unfortunately, many then completely ignore the editing process altogether or give the piece one quick surface edit and say it's ready to go. I'll tell you right now, it is not ready to go. Don't be afraid of editing! Embrace it. It's your friend. Take it out to dinner and a movie. Get cozy with the editing, and I promise you will be rewarded.



LINKS:

Amazon (Kindle):

http://www.amazon.com/These-Hellish-Happenings-ebook/dp/B004K1F8KM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1295619680&sr=8-2

Amazon (Paperback):

http://www.amazon.com/These-Hellish-Happenings-Jennifer-Rainey/dp/1456307142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289222824&sr=8-1&tag=533633855-20

B&N (Nook):

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?r=1&isbn=2940012372154&itm=1&usri=these+hellish+happenings&if=N&cm_mmc=VigLink-_-k244266-_-j12871747k244266-_-Primary

Final Justice

Today we have Melanie Comley talking about her new book Final Justice.
Take it away Melanie.

What is your earliest memory of writing?

A. Even as a small child I used to invent characters and write stories. During the school holidays my Mother (who worked full-time) always set me projects to keep me occupied throughout the day.

How does it feel being published?

A. To be honest it hasn't really sunk in yet, I've been too busy editing my other books. I have six books in total I've written over the last ten years that I plan on uploading as ebooks in 2011. After that I might allow it to sink in. ;-)

When did you decide to be a writer?

A. Approximately ten years ago when we moved to France. Up till then I was a workaholic. My career as a Supermarket Manager kept me busy 60-70 hours a week, so I had very little time to do anything else. I've made up for it since.

Do you get writer's block? How do you combat it?

A. I used to all the time. Every morning I would switch on the computer and play a few games of Solitaire before settling down to write, I think it stimulates the brain cells and gives them a much needed wake-up call.

Where do you write? Do you write longhand, typewriter or computer?

A. I do my best writing in my bedroom on my laptop. I only ever use my computer now. I'm a 'greenie' anyway, so don't like to see paper wasted. It's easy to delete work on the computer so I can't see the need to waste either paper or ink!

Tell us about your Latest Book.

Final Justice is the sequel to Impeding Justice, but it's also a standalone thriller. It picks up where the prequel left off. After suffering a breakdown and quitting the force, former Detective Inspector Lorne Simpkins is contacted by a friend at MI6 to help in a covert operation. Against her will, Lorne is convinced to help track down an old enemy, a sadistic and calculating criminal whose ambition is to become the world's richest man.
It's up to Lorne and the agent to prevent him, which results in a chase through France.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

A. The best advice I can offer is have faith in your work, make sure it's the best you can offer. I would also recommend joining a Writers site, such as Authonomy or youwriteon to hone your skills. You need to learn the basics before you release anything on Kindle etc.

And most of all don't give up.

Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog.

My books can be bought at Amazon UK and USA using the following links. For 99cents or 49p/70p.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Impeding-Justice-Simpkins-thriller-ebook/dp/B0045UA6F0

http://www.amazon.com/Impeding-Justice-Simpkins-thriller-ebook/dp/B0045UA6F0

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Final-Justice-Simpkins-thriller-ebook/dp/B004OEKFYO

http://www.amazon.com/Final-Justice-Simpkins-thriller-ebook/dp/B004OEKFYO

And for other ereaders at smashwords.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28137

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/43071

My Bio:

Bedfordshire born Author Releases Crime Thriller Luton born author, Melanie Comley, has published her crime thriller, Impeding Justice, in ebook format.

Impeding Justice features feisty new BritCop, DI Lorne Simpkins in a gritty crime novel set in London. After The Unicorn kills her partner, Lorne knows if she doesn't bring the underworld criminal to justice soon, she will be his next target. It's a race against time, she has a 24 hour deadline to meet before her kidnapped daughter is used as a human bomb by the Unicorn. Can Lorne track the criminal down before it's too late...Mel Comley left her job as a store manager in Worcester and moved to France nine years ago despite never having set foot in the country before. She renovated a French property, decorating 22 rooms in six months.
Renovation completed, she began to follow her dream of becoming a writer. After completing a creative writing course she penned a romance which was a near-miss with Mills & Boon. Then she decided to turn her hand to crime writing and DI Lorne Simpkins was born.
Impeding Justice is the first in a series of novels featuring Lorne Simpkins. The book has gained a Gold Star on the writer's site, Authonomy, with a Harper Collins editor saying, "It keeps the reader focussed on the dramatic interest of the story."
One of Mel's biggest influences in James Patterson and she hopes she has achieved her aim of making Lorne as memorable as his 'Alex Cross'.In her spare time, Mel loves pottering in her garden which has, for the past few years, won a local award. She also enjoys painting and walking her dogs.

My Blog. http://melcomley.blogspot.com/p/recent-press-release-about-author-and.html

Thanks for the opportunity, I think I have everything.
Mel

Buy Impeding Justice by Mel Comley:Amazon.co.ukAmazon.comSmashwords

http://books.convey2me.com/

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #31

So hear we are. We made it, people. It is now the end of March Madness. Granted, some of these posts were written after the fact, but still, I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I have writing them.
I guess the only thing left to do is to recap on the events that took place in the month:
I've given you a 12 day peek into my life, diary style.I've talked about classic and current writers.I've given you tips and advice on what I've learned from writing fiction.In this month alone I've written close to 7,000 words and am that my closer to finishing my second short story collection.I've appeared on several blogs, including a call-in spot on Matthew Wayne Selznick's Light of The Outsider Video Blog.I've probably gained another ten ideas in my writing arsenal.Didn't receive a call from that agent, but that's okay. I'm sure I'll hear something soon. Until then: I have plans to release the second collection, when it's finished and seven other Novellas.
But now is the time for me to stop talking all together. I'm wiped out, tapped out, and all across the board exhausted.
So I figured on giving other authors a spot on this blog. A good group of them, point in fact. In the middle of the month, I stopped over on Kindleboards and sent a post saying that if you are a Kindle Author then I want to interview you. Within eight hours I had the selected 30 authors who wanted to guest post.
There are 46 replies in all but, for now, 30 will do for this month while next month I'll be adding the other interviews.
So, I now give my fingers some much deserved rest and prepare for next month's project:
April Advertising.

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #30

I work for a great company. It's laid back, it's easy and it has taken it easy on my back. I'll never tell you where I work though. No offense but some things you have to keep private.
I will tell you, however, that when I work at this job I'm allowed to listen to my iPod. Lately I've been listening to a Hard-boiled series called Black Jack Justice, which is more of a radio show than an audiobook.
Info on Black Jack Justice:All-new hardboiled mysteries in the pulp detective tradition! Tough-as-nails private eye Jack Justice and his long-suffering partner Trixie Dixon, girl detective do their part for law, order and thirty-five dollars a day. When it comes to detective work, Jack and Trixie agree on the facts. Clients cry, clients lie, clients dicker over the bill. But if they can cut to the happy ending without cutting each other's throats, it'll be a miracle!
I first stumbled across these episodes on Podiobooks.com.
Now I can't find them on the site.
So, I decided to go to the source. Episodes of Black Jack Justice can be found at Decoderringtheatre.com
They have such shows as The Red-Panda Adventure, Black Jack, and Fiction Showcase, just to name a few.
It feels good knowing that old time radio isn't dead...it's just been given a reboot.

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #29

For the entire month of April I decided that I will read nothing but Kindle books. I've been slacking lately and there have been a stockpile of classics that are waiting for my eyes on that nifty little gizmo. Since I think it helps me read at a faster pace, I think I'll also do some well-needed reviews. I've just been away from it too long. Maybe I'll break and read a couple of paperbacks. But I'm only going to allow myself two: A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard.

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #28

Right now I'm reading Jodi Picoult's Handle With Care. She has me hooked. She definitely knows how to write a good yarn. Anybody looking for a good read should give this one a look. I'm about a hundred and fifty pages away from finishing it. After that comes Perfect Match. But I really want to read 19 minutes. We'll see how far I get.

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #27

If you're a friend with me on Facebook, you'll know that my father, after a decade of requests, is re-opening his Pizzeria. It's in a great location, it's the best pizza ever. But some things have delayed the opening. I'm just hoping it's up and running soon.
I would like it to be open by April but we'll see. Also, if you show up there and sit at the counter or the tables, you might notice a little stand with a sign. That sign will show a brief bio and a stack of my books. Yes folks, you heard right. I may not have gotten my books into bookstores yet, but I think I'll be the first one to get them into a pizzeria.
If you're a fellow Chicagoan and in need for a good slice, then stop on by to
Pizza del sole6 North (across the police station)19th aveMelrose Park, IL

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #26

Some people say that writing a book is the hardest part. Others say it's just the beginning. I would say that the ladder is true. Because the hardest part about writing, in my opinion, are the reviews. Yes, there are good reviews but there can also be bad reviews. I've heard of some books getting nothing but one star ratings while others just get demolished by criticism left and write. I have been no stranger to criticism. But now I learn from it. Why? Because as a writer, you have to give the people what they want.
A long time ago, I decided to do an audio book of Mr. Dead Eyes. There were no reviews for months. The first thing that people said was that they had a hard time downloading the episodes. But, after a while, they began showing their opinions.
Eventually, the book made it on to iTunes. I just wanted to share some of the bad reviews it has gotten and a bit of commentary on that, so that you, as an aspiring writer, know what to do in situations such as these: take it in stride.


Reviews for Mr. Dead Eyes -
What? by clw615

I kept hoping this book was goingsomewhere, it had potential but very disjointed plot if there even was one.

(Thanks. I'll try to make the plot more fluid in the future.)

It just kept getting worse . . . by connievc

Suffered through the first 24 episodes - who knows why? And then, Chapter 25 was messed up - like 2 different episodes playing at once. Pass over this one unless you like to be really aggravated.

(Sorry to hear that your experience was interrupted by whether or not the episodes would play. I can't control if the episode will load properly but I do hope this doesn't putt him off to my books in the future.)

Not that good by Jessiepk

I just finished listening to this podcast novel. The characters are not consistent and there are some holes in the plot. It seemed like everyone's agenda and personality just kept changing to give it another "twist." Part way through you will realize that there is some religious propaganda at the root of the story as well. It's just not all the way there, the author needs to revise and do a few more drafts, nothing about this novel seemed complete.

(Well, I can't say that the twists weren't intended. They were. I like stories with lots of twists. It keeps it from being predictable. Oh well.)

Terrible by Lori Fisher

Sound quality is annoying. Jumpy plot line. Couldn't get through 3 episodes.

Great story by Roguz

I hope he comes out with the second book. I am looking forward to hearing more.

(That phrase is one I've been hearing a lot lately. That encourages me to write more.)

But this one I absolutely love:

Tedious is a good place to start-

By Mr. Dead Ears. Oct 2nd, 2010

I honestly gave it a shot. Then suffering through 12 chapters I finally had to pull the plug. Usually I don't bail after investing that much time in a story, waiting for it to get going, but this one showed no signs of life, so I finally called it off: Official time of death for Mr. Dead Eyes...Chapter 12. Should have been chapter 3. Where was Dr. Kavorkian when I needed him?

(Y'see, this is why I write. If you're gonna set a flame to my work, I would rather you did it in style with a certain amount of dry wit. When I first read this comment I started busting up laughing. Yes, I need to work on writing future projects but I just loved his take on it. This guy, whoever he is, I have a lot of respect for him. I'm being serious too. I only wish that he'll comment on more of my work in the future and that one of these days I will be able to write something he likes. Some readers may be tough nuts to crack but so was I when it came to liking the works of George Orwell.)

Here Today, Blog Tomorrow #25

Book Trivia
Things you may not have known about my books:
Mr. Dead Eyes was without a title for six months.Wearing Donnie Torr was inspired by my brother's leather jacket.I currently have seventy ideas for novels stashed in my writing desk.While writing the short story Your Escape Plan Now I was lying on my stomach on the floor. It was written in one sitting.Mr. Dead Eyes was originally published in 2006 but was pulled, by me, off the market. I put it back up exclusively for the Kindle on Jan. 2nd, 2010.Both Derek Schillar, from Mr. Dead Eyes, and I have the same birthday. November 2nd - The day of the dead.The short story 10 Days in the Extra Life was originally a screenplay.One of the short stories in my second collection went from short story, to screenplay then back to short story again.The short story The Subtle Teachings of Mr. Rifa was actually inspired by five separate real-life teachers.Whenever I get writer's block, I often read The Ultimate Book of Top Ten Lists or The Mummy's Curse:101 of the World's Strangest Mysteries by Daniel Cohen.As a boy, I collected all of the Goosebumps and Ghosts of Fear Street books.I wrote a case file to further understand the character of Donnie Torr.After three more stand-alone novels, I plan to write the second installments to both Mr. Dead Eyes and Wearing Donnie Torr.In the current Novella I'm working on (Codename: Jungle), the villain had his first and last name changed four times before I was happy with it.The novel I'm having the hardest time with is my third.