Liz DeJesus's Blog, page 17
September 1, 2013
Zombie Ever After
Sleeping Beauty of the Zombies by ~alienarcher19 on deviantART
This is what I see when I think about Neve's seven droids. :)
Research droid by ~organicfreak on deviantART
14032 / 50000 words. 28% done!
August 31, 2013
Slowly but surely....
Snow White by ~penguina-mica on deviantART
Spider by ~raulsouza on deviantART
22611 / 50000 words. 45% done!
August 30, 2013
Fairy Tale Friday
Wooohooo! Another edition of Fairy Tale Friday. :D *happy dance* This week I'm going to talk a little bit about The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen. I remember reading this story as a little girl and it just made me incredibly sad for the tin soldier. He loved the ballerina so much and the poor guy just couldn't catch a break, you know what I mean?
Not much to analyze here since the story is pretty straightforward, but sometimes it makes me wonder what state of mind Mr. Andersen was in to write a story like this. According to the wikipedia page this was the first time he wrote something completely original (that wasn't a literary model or a folktale source).
Anyway without further ado here's a snippet of The Steadfast Tin Soldier:
On his birthday, a boy receives a set of 25 toy soldiers and arrays them on a table top. One soldier stands on a single leg, having been the last one cast from an old tin spoon. Nearby, he spies a paper ballerina with a spangle on her sash. She too is standing on one leg and the soldier falls in love. That night, a goblin among the toys angrily warns the soldier to take his eyes off the ballerina, but the soldier ignores him. The next day, the soldier falls from a windowsill (presumably the work of the goblin) and lands in the street. Two boys find the soldier, place him in a paper boat, and set him sailing in the gutter. The boat and its passenger wash into a storm drain, where a rat demands the soldier pay a toll. Sailing on, the boat is washed into a canal, where the tin soldier is swallowed by a fish. When the fish is caught and cut open, the tin soldier finds himself once again on the table top before the ballerina. Inexplicably, the boy throws the tin soldier into the fire. A wind blows the ballerina into the fire with him; she is consumed at once but her spangle remains. The tin soldier melts into the shape of a heart.
The Steadfast Tin Soldier by ~vacation-challenge on deviantART
The Steadfast Tin Soldier by ~CattleyaRus on deviantART
Not much to analyze here since the story is pretty straightforward, but sometimes it makes me wonder what state of mind Mr. Andersen was in to write a story like this. According to the wikipedia page this was the first time he wrote something completely original (that wasn't a literary model or a folktale source).
Anyway without further ado here's a snippet of The Steadfast Tin Soldier:
On his birthday, a boy receives a set of 25 toy soldiers and arrays them on a table top. One soldier stands on a single leg, having been the last one cast from an old tin spoon. Nearby, he spies a paper ballerina with a spangle on her sash. She too is standing on one leg and the soldier falls in love. That night, a goblin among the toys angrily warns the soldier to take his eyes off the ballerina, but the soldier ignores him. The next day, the soldier falls from a windowsill (presumably the work of the goblin) and lands in the street. Two boys find the soldier, place him in a paper boat, and set him sailing in the gutter. The boat and its passenger wash into a storm drain, where a rat demands the soldier pay a toll. Sailing on, the boat is washed into a canal, where the tin soldier is swallowed by a fish. When the fish is caught and cut open, the tin soldier finds himself once again on the table top before the ballerina. Inexplicably, the boy throws the tin soldier into the fire. A wind blows the ballerina into the fire with him; she is consumed at once but her spangle remains. The tin soldier melts into the shape of a heart.
The Steadfast Tin Soldier by ~vacation-challenge on deviantART
The Steadfast Tin Soldier by ~CattleyaRus on deviantART
August 29, 2013
The Blue Pill
Note: I haven't written a poem in about...five years so I'm a little rusty. This poem is a little something I wrote last night as I tried (and failed) to fall asleep as my youngest son Peter woke me up several times in the middle of the night and after I was finally able to get him to settle down I still couldn't fall asleep. Enjoy.
The Blue Pill
Toss and turn.
Turn and toss.
Sleep eludes me.
I wish I could close my eyes
and say farewell
to the world...
if only for a little while.
The pills on my kitchen counter
glow and hum with the promise of sleep.
Rest.
Dream.
They whisper.
Promises...
oh, the things
they promise me.
See-through blue pills.
Blue like the ocean with the silver moon
hanging high in the sky.
Glowing,
whispering my name.
Some days I just want to swallow them all
and sleep
forever and ever.
Tumble down that strange,
hazy tunnel
and never come back.
So tired.
Sleep....
good God why can't I sleep?!
It takes every little bit
of strength I have
to take just one pill.
Just one.
Toss and turn.
Turn and toss.
The sun is rising
and I haven't slept a wink.
Tomorrow.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will
finally get some sleep.
© Liz DeJesus 2013
the Blue pill by ~radu-jm on deviantART
The Blue Pill
Toss and turn.
Turn and toss.
Sleep eludes me.
I wish I could close my eyes
and say farewell
to the world...
if only for a little while.
The pills on my kitchen counter
glow and hum with the promise of sleep.
Rest.
Dream.
They whisper.
Promises...
oh, the things
they promise me.
See-through blue pills.
Blue like the ocean with the silver moon
hanging high in the sky.
Glowing,
whispering my name.
Some days I just want to swallow them all
and sleep
forever and ever.
Tumble down that strange,
hazy tunnel
and never come back.
So tired.
Sleep....
good God why can't I sleep?!
It takes every little bit
of strength I have
to take just one pill.
Just one.
Toss and turn.
Turn and toss.
The sun is rising
and I haven't slept a wink.
Tomorrow.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will
finally get some sleep.
© Liz DeJesus 2013
the Blue pill by ~radu-jm on deviantART
August 28, 2013
Interview
What would you have done differently if you were the main character of your book?
Since Bianca is based on me when I was 17 years old everything she does in the book is basically what I would’ve done had I been in her shoes. :)
What was your inspiration behind this book?
First Frost was initially inspired by a commercial I saw on TV for a local children’s museum. I started thinking about how children often go through phases. One moment they’re into trains, the next it’s all about cars, pirates, etc. And I thought they should have themed museums, like a pirate themed museum or a fairy tale themed museum. I swear to God, it felt as though I had been struck by lightning when that idea came to me. I was like, ‘I have to write this down somewhere!’ LOL After that the book sort of wrote itself.
Why did you become a writer ?
I’m pretty sure if I didn’t write my brain would explode. LOL I became a writer because it’s the best way for me to express myself. It’s how I discover who I am and who I want to be. It’s the only way I know how to communicate with everyone around me.
As a reader and writer I think it is important to get to know your fans and make a connection with them as an author who takes the extra step to hear what their fans think and want in their continued writing is continued success and key to selling more books. Do you agree with that?
Absolutely! I still get giddy inside when one of my favorite authors replies to one of my tweets or comments on my facebook status. So I think it’s incredibly important for authors to connect with their readers. I love it when I get a message or an email from a reader saying how much they enjoyed my book. That just adds more fuel to my fire and makes me want to write some more.
Do you have a favorite author or authors?
Yes! I’m a huge fan of Terry Moore writer/artist/creator of Strangers in Paradise. Marisa de los Santos, Marissa Meyer, Emma Donoghue, Jim Butcher and Gregory Maguire.
Do you like to write your books in a continuing series ?
The Frost Series is my first attempt at writing a series, before that everything was either a standalone novel or a collection of short stories. But so far I’m enjoying the process of writing a series it allows me to get to know my characters a little more. It’s been a lot of fun for me!
If you could date any character from any book, who would it be and why?
This is going to sound crazy but probably Harry Dresden from The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. He just makes me laugh and it would never ever be boring.
What kinds of books do you like to read in your spare time ?
I read anything I can get my hands on as long as it’s interesting. But my favorite genre? Fairy tale retellings (obviously).
Do you cry when writing sad scenes?
All the time. I get emotionally attached to my characters and when they suffer I’m right there with them. But as a writer I have to do it in order for them to grow and learn.
Did you have a Cover Designer ?
For the Frost Series? No, I’m very lucky that Musa Publishing has an incredible cover designer. They do listen to some of my suggestions and they make sure that the author is 100% happy with the end result. I have nothing but great things to say about Musa Publishing.
Who is your fictional boyfriend or girlfriend crush ?
LOL Ned from Pushing Daisies. He’s played by the actor Lee Pace. What can I say? I love a man that can make pies (and bring people back from the dead).
If you were able to dine and have a one on one with your favorite writer/author who would it be ?
Terry Moore. I love his ability to weave art and storytelling seamlessly. I actually got a chance to meet him a few years ago during the Baltimore Comic Con. It’s one of the few times I can actually say that kept my cool and didn’t go all ‘fan-girl’ on him. I even got to take a picture with him. :D Best day ever!
Do just re-read your favorite books ?
All the time.
Do you ever get in a reading slump like your readers do ?
It happens from time to time but after a few days of searching through my books I’ll re-read my favorite books or take it as a sign that I have to sit down and actually write.
What is the funniest book you ever read ?
The Works of John Leguizamo by John Leguizamo. I’m in tears every time I read this book. He’s one of my favorite comedians.
Since Bianca is based on me when I was 17 years old everything she does in the book is basically what I would’ve done had I been in her shoes. :)
What was your inspiration behind this book?
First Frost was initially inspired by a commercial I saw on TV for a local children’s museum. I started thinking about how children often go through phases. One moment they’re into trains, the next it’s all about cars, pirates, etc. And I thought they should have themed museums, like a pirate themed museum or a fairy tale themed museum. I swear to God, it felt as though I had been struck by lightning when that idea came to me. I was like, ‘I have to write this down somewhere!’ LOL After that the book sort of wrote itself.
Why did you become a writer ?
I’m pretty sure if I didn’t write my brain would explode. LOL I became a writer because it’s the best way for me to express myself. It’s how I discover who I am and who I want to be. It’s the only way I know how to communicate with everyone around me.
As a reader and writer I think it is important to get to know your fans and make a connection with them as an author who takes the extra step to hear what their fans think and want in their continued writing is continued success and key to selling more books. Do you agree with that?
Absolutely! I still get giddy inside when one of my favorite authors replies to one of my tweets or comments on my facebook status. So I think it’s incredibly important for authors to connect with their readers. I love it when I get a message or an email from a reader saying how much they enjoyed my book. That just adds more fuel to my fire and makes me want to write some more.
Do you have a favorite author or authors?
Yes! I’m a huge fan of Terry Moore writer/artist/creator of Strangers in Paradise. Marisa de los Santos, Marissa Meyer, Emma Donoghue, Jim Butcher and Gregory Maguire.
Do you like to write your books in a continuing series ?
The Frost Series is my first attempt at writing a series, before that everything was either a standalone novel or a collection of short stories. But so far I’m enjoying the process of writing a series it allows me to get to know my characters a little more. It’s been a lot of fun for me!
If you could date any character from any book, who would it be and why?
This is going to sound crazy but probably Harry Dresden from The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. He just makes me laugh and it would never ever be boring.
What kinds of books do you like to read in your spare time ?
I read anything I can get my hands on as long as it’s interesting. But my favorite genre? Fairy tale retellings (obviously).
Do you cry when writing sad scenes?
All the time. I get emotionally attached to my characters and when they suffer I’m right there with them. But as a writer I have to do it in order for them to grow and learn.
Did you have a Cover Designer ?
For the Frost Series? No, I’m very lucky that Musa Publishing has an incredible cover designer. They do listen to some of my suggestions and they make sure that the author is 100% happy with the end result. I have nothing but great things to say about Musa Publishing.
Who is your fictional boyfriend or girlfriend crush ?
LOL Ned from Pushing Daisies. He’s played by the actor Lee Pace. What can I say? I love a man that can make pies (and bring people back from the dead).
If you were able to dine and have a one on one with your favorite writer/author who would it be ?
Terry Moore. I love his ability to weave art and storytelling seamlessly. I actually got a chance to meet him a few years ago during the Baltimore Comic Con. It’s one of the few times I can actually say that kept my cool and didn’t go all ‘fan-girl’ on him. I even got to take a picture with him. :D Best day ever!
Do just re-read your favorite books ?
All the time.
Do you ever get in a reading slump like your readers do ?
It happens from time to time but after a few days of searching through my books I’ll re-read my favorite books or take it as a sign that I have to sit down and actually write.
What is the funniest book you ever read ?
The Works of John Leguizamo by John Leguizamo. I’m in tears every time I read this book. He’s one of my favorite comedians.
August 26, 2013
Zombie Ever After
Finally got a chance to work on my story today. So far things are getting interesting. I'm at the point where I have to work on everyone's backstory and plot line. Since there are so many active characters every one will have a different story line. I just have to figure out how everything is going to work out in the end. Know what I mean? Neve (aka Snow White) is definitely the main character, especially since she interacts with every single character in the book. And I definitely have a soft spot for Zee. I just worked on how Neve and Zee met and it definitely tugs on my heartstrings. So I have to make sure that Zee has a happy ending, she totally deserves it.
Twisted Snow White by ~silentplace on deviantART
12745 / 50000 words. 25% done!
Twisted Snow White by ~silentplace on deviantART
12745 / 50000 words. 25% done!
August 23, 2013
Fairy Tale Friday
Today's edition of Fairy Tale Friday I'm going to talk a little bit about the story The Princess and the Pea. As usual like a lot of the fairy tales I talk about my first encounter with this particular story was through Faerie Tale Theater. When I bought the DVD collection and watched them all over again I was struck with the image of the little pea inside the glass display case. This was the visual inspiration that helped me write First Frost. So this book was inspired by a lot of little things that helped me create the world Bianca lives in at the moment. I loved the idea of having fairy tale items that you could visit.
I actually found the first 6 minutes of that episode if you guys wanna check it out real quick. You can definitely close your eyes and imagine Bianca and Rose working in a place similar to that. http://youtu.be/PjnEB1ot3SQ (youtube.com doesn't have the embedded code so you'll have to go to that link to watch that particular clip).
The Princess and the Pea is the story of a young princess that is caught in a terrible thunderstorm and goes to a nearby castle seeking shelter. (FYI This story was written by Hans Christian Andersen.) The Queen doesn't believe the young girl when she tells her that she's a real princess. So the Queen decides to 'test' her by putting a tiny little pea at the bottom of many mattresses. I always thought that was a little crazy but that's just me. Anyway it turned out that the princess did feel the pea and she passed the Queen's test. And because she's a real princess she's allowed to marry the Queen's son the prince.
This is the cliffnotes version I found on Wikipedia:
The story tells of a prince who wants to marry a princess, but is having difficulty finding a suitable wife. Something is always wrong with those he meets, and he cannot be certain they are real princesses. One stormy night (always a harbinger of either a life-threatening situation or the opportunity for a romantic alliance in Andersen's stories),[1] a young woman drenched with rain seeks shelter in the prince's castle. She claims to be a princess, so the prince's mother decides to test their unexpected guest by placing a pea in the bed she is offered for the night, covered by 20 mattresses and 20 featherbeds. In the morning the guest tells her hosts—in a speech colored with double entendres[1]—that she endured a sleepless night, kept awake by something hard in the bed; which she is certain has bruised her. The prince rejoices. Only a real princess would have the sensitivity to feel a pea through such a quantity of bedding. The two are married, and the pea is placed in the Royal Museum.
The Princess and the Pea by *Alicechan on deviantART
Princess and the Pea by ~Marina-B on deviantART
The Princess and the Pea by ~jasminetoad on deviantART
I actually found the first 6 minutes of that episode if you guys wanna check it out real quick. You can definitely close your eyes and imagine Bianca and Rose working in a place similar to that. http://youtu.be/PjnEB1ot3SQ (youtube.com doesn't have the embedded code so you'll have to go to that link to watch that particular clip).
The Princess and the Pea is the story of a young princess that is caught in a terrible thunderstorm and goes to a nearby castle seeking shelter. (FYI This story was written by Hans Christian Andersen.) The Queen doesn't believe the young girl when she tells her that she's a real princess. So the Queen decides to 'test' her by putting a tiny little pea at the bottom of many mattresses. I always thought that was a little crazy but that's just me. Anyway it turned out that the princess did feel the pea and she passed the Queen's test. And because she's a real princess she's allowed to marry the Queen's son the prince.
This is the cliffnotes version I found on Wikipedia:
The story tells of a prince who wants to marry a princess, but is having difficulty finding a suitable wife. Something is always wrong with those he meets, and he cannot be certain they are real princesses. One stormy night (always a harbinger of either a life-threatening situation or the opportunity for a romantic alliance in Andersen's stories),[1] a young woman drenched with rain seeks shelter in the prince's castle. She claims to be a princess, so the prince's mother decides to test their unexpected guest by placing a pea in the bed she is offered for the night, covered by 20 mattresses and 20 featherbeds. In the morning the guest tells her hosts—in a speech colored with double entendres[1]—that she endured a sleepless night, kept awake by something hard in the bed; which she is certain has bruised her. The prince rejoices. Only a real princess would have the sensitivity to feel a pea through such a quantity of bedding. The two are married, and the pea is placed in the Royal Museum.
The Princess and the Pea by *Alicechan on deviantART
Princess and the Pea by ~Marina-B on deviantART
The Princess and the Pea by ~jasminetoad on deviantART
August 22, 2013
August 20, 2013
Check list for Comic Con
Oh yeah! I'm going to the Baltimore Comic Con on September 7th and 8th. Got everything ready. I'm so excited, I can't wait!!!!!!! I'm even on the official list on their site!! Go take a look. :D
I'm also going to be there with another local author, Esther Wheelmaker. So check her out too!
1. Super cute dress? CHECK!
2. Super cute headband? CHECK! (because I'm not going in costume but still wanna dress up a little bit)
& 
tokidoki.it
3. Books? CHECK! & CHECK! I have about 75 copies of First Frost and 100 copies of Glass Frost.
4. Got my banner.
5. Got 2 boxes of bookmarks.
6. Lip balms! Muahahahaha! Oh yeah, I got limited edition, lip balms with the cover of Glass Frost on them for Comic Con only! I went a little crazy and ordered 100 of them. I might end up only taking about 80 to Comic Con because I keep giving them to people. Friends and family mostly. Still pretty freakin' cool if you ask me. I got them at ebeehoney.com. :D
7. Business cards.
8. Mini cards.
9. Stickers.
10. A plan to find Stan Lee and Terry Moore and take a picture with either one of them. Although I'll probably be more likely to find Terry Moore than Stan Lee. But he's going to be at Comic Con. I'M GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BUILDING AS STAN LEE!!!!!!!!!!! Still can't believe this is actually happening! :D
And to anyone that's going to go to Comic Con Esther and I will be at table A 233. So be sure to look for us. :D
So excited! Can't wait. I'm gonna go and happy dance some more.
I'm also going to be there with another local author, Esther Wheelmaker. So check her out too!
1. Super cute dress? CHECK!
2. Super cute headband? CHECK! (because I'm not going in costume but still wanna dress up a little bit)
& tokidoki.it
3. Books? CHECK! & CHECK! I have about 75 copies of First Frost and 100 copies of Glass Frost.
4. Got my banner.
5. Got 2 boxes of bookmarks.
6. Lip balms! Muahahahaha! Oh yeah, I got limited edition, lip balms with the cover of Glass Frost on them for Comic Con only! I went a little crazy and ordered 100 of them. I might end up only taking about 80 to Comic Con because I keep giving them to people. Friends and family mostly. Still pretty freakin' cool if you ask me. I got them at ebeehoney.com. :D
7. Business cards.
8. Mini cards.
9. Stickers.
10. A plan to find Stan Lee and Terry Moore and take a picture with either one of them. Although I'll probably be more likely to find Terry Moore than Stan Lee. But he's going to be at Comic Con. I'M GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BUILDING AS STAN LEE!!!!!!!!!!! Still can't believe this is actually happening! :D
And to anyone that's going to go to Comic Con Esther and I will be at table A 233. So be sure to look for us. :D
So excited! Can't wait. I'm gonna go and happy dance some more.
August 19, 2013
Zombie Ever After
Belle by ~lemur-fox on deviantART
So to my absolute horror, I forgot to save my last bit of progress and LOST 1,000 words of my new novel Zombie Ever After.
I was all like....
and then...
But then I remembered that I'm awesomely old school and write everything down on my notebooks. So I've spent the past hour and a half or so just typing everything I could as fast as possible. Sigh and I did it! Although I'm sure I lost some other awesome things that I improvised while writing. Sucks. But it'll come back to me eventually. Hopefully during the second draft. Sigh. Wish me luck!
12290 / 50000 words. 25% done!
