Frances Pauli's Blog, page 20
March 9, 2012
A Collected Effort
While I have a great many projects in the works at the moment, a few novels floating about the ether, another sequel done and waiting in the wings, and a current novel well underway, one of my favorite up-and-coming things will be a collection of short stories.
I could credit a dozen or more friends, authors, and bloggers for the idea, but honestly, in today's publishing universe, putting out a short story collection becomes something of a no-brainer. You must do it. If you have any sense, you will probably do it.
I love the idea, to be honest, obvious or not, because I've always felt a sort of parental concern for my short fiction. I've mentioned before that placing one's short fiction is rather like trying to home a littler of ungainly puppies. I like puppies. I like my shorts. I want all of both to have wonderful homes. :)
So the hundredth or so time I heard someone say, Duh, idiot, you should do a short story collection, I listened. I'm a little stubborn, but I do learn in the end. The result product of my eventual enlightenment will be available soon in both e-book and trade paperback. It contains six, short science fiction stories (other collections in other genres are likely to follow) that are less infused with romance than my usual fare. (read that: these aren't the kissing stories) Good stories, most of which have appeared in print or e markets before, and one of which is a completely brand new story.
I hope you all like them. They are some of my favorites, and the title should give you an idea just how "seriously" I take them.
Coming soon.
~ Frances
I could credit a dozen or more friends, authors, and bloggers for the idea, but honestly, in today's publishing universe, putting out a short story collection becomes something of a no-brainer. You must do it. If you have any sense, you will probably do it.
I love the idea, to be honest, obvious or not, because I've always felt a sort of parental concern for my short fiction. I've mentioned before that placing one's short fiction is rather like trying to home a littler of ungainly puppies. I like puppies. I like my shorts. I want all of both to have wonderful homes. :)
So the hundredth or so time I heard someone say, Duh, idiot, you should do a short story collection, I listened. I'm a little stubborn, but I do learn in the end. The result product of my eventual enlightenment will be available soon in both e-book and trade paperback. It contains six, short science fiction stories (other collections in other genres are likely to follow) that are less infused with romance than my usual fare. (read that: these aren't the kissing stories) Good stories, most of which have appeared in print or e markets before, and one of which is a completely brand new story.
I hope you all like them. They are some of my favorites, and the title should give you an idea just how "seriously" I take them.
Coming soon.
~ Frances
March 8, 2012
Guest Author MK McClintock
Today I have the distinct pleasure of hosting author MK McClintock. She's here to tell us a little about herself and her new book, Gallagher's Pride. Please give her a warm welcome.
10 Things You Didn't Know About MK McClintock
It's a pleasure to be visiting Speculative Friction today – what a great blog! Okay, in truth there are a lot of things you don't know about me and likely never will. I'm a private person and enjoy a quiet life in my small mountain town tucked away in northwest Montana, but I also know the readers like a little something extra, so here are 10 things you didn't know about me before this moment.
1. #1 I'm quirky about my surroundings when I bake or write. I want no one around and like Celtic or classical music playing in the background.
2. #2 I took general courses and studied business at BYU-Idaho where I left before graduating to attend culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu schools in New Hampshire and Arizona.
3. #3 I had originally planned to be an elementary school teacher when I began college, then had a good heart to heart with myself and opted for business and food.
4. #4 Likely one of the few modern authors who does not or will not keep a Facebook page.
5. #5 My favorite authors are Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and Edward Rutherford
6. #6 My favorite movie is The Scarlet Pimpernel. The 1982 version with Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour.7. #7 I prefer rural areas to cities. The last city I visited (as in visit I mean flew into and then drove out of) for pleasure was Edinburgh, more than six years ago.
8. #8 I don't go a single day without eating some form of chocolate. (Frances: I HIGHLY approve of this)
9. #9 It has been pointed out that I unknowingly slip into an English accent from time to time and no, I'm not English.
#10 I didn't want to use a made-up pen name for my writing, so the MK are my first two initials and McClintock is a family surname.
ABOUT GALLAGHER'S PRIDE:
Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family.
As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
McClintock was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business college and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.
"I've always loved books and spent more hours reading through school than any other activity. I wrote stories when I was younger and even tried my hand at a novel. It wasn't very good and I shelved the idea for years." She pulled the ideas off the shelf and began working on her first novel, Gallagher's Pride, the first in an historical series about a ranching family in Montana.
Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock still calls Montana home.
LINKS:
MK McClintockEmail: mk@mcclintockmt.comURL: http://www.mkmcclintock.comBlog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com
10 Things You Didn't Know About MK McClintock
It's a pleasure to be visiting Speculative Friction today – what a great blog! Okay, in truth there are a lot of things you don't know about me and likely never will. I'm a private person and enjoy a quiet life in my small mountain town tucked away in northwest Montana, but I also know the readers like a little something extra, so here are 10 things you didn't know about me before this moment.
1. #1 I'm quirky about my surroundings when I bake or write. I want no one around and like Celtic or classical music playing in the background.
2. #2 I took general courses and studied business at BYU-Idaho where I left before graduating to attend culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu schools in New Hampshire and Arizona.
3. #3 I had originally planned to be an elementary school teacher when I began college, then had a good heart to heart with myself and opted for business and food.
4. #4 Likely one of the few modern authors who does not or will not keep a Facebook page.
5. #5 My favorite authors are Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and Edward Rutherford
6. #6 My favorite movie is The Scarlet Pimpernel. The 1982 version with Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour.7. #7 I prefer rural areas to cities. The last city I visited (as in visit I mean flew into and then drove out of) for pleasure was Edinburgh, more than six years ago.
8. #8 I don't go a single day without eating some form of chocolate. (Frances: I HIGHLY approve of this)
9. #9 It has been pointed out that I unknowingly slip into an English accent from time to time and no, I'm not English.
#10 I didn't want to use a made-up pen name for my writing, so the MK are my first two initials and McClintock is a family surname.
ABOUT GALLAGHER'S PRIDE:
Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family.
As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
McClintock was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business college and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.
"I've always loved books and spent more hours reading through school than any other activity. I wrote stories when I was younger and even tried my hand at a novel. It wasn't very good and I shelved the idea for years." She pulled the ideas off the shelf and began working on her first novel, Gallagher's Pride, the first in an historical series about a ranching family in Montana.
Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock still calls Montana home.
LINKS:
MK McClintockEmail: mk@mcclintockmt.comURL: http://www.mkmcclintock.comBlog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com
March 3, 2012
Read an Ebook Week
March 4-10 isRead an Ebook Week.
And I could go into the event's history, purpose and such, but they've done a brilliant job of it already here:http://writersandauthors.blogspot.com/2012/03/read-e-book-week.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritersAndAuthors+%28Writers+and+Authors%29
and also, here: http://www.ebookweek.com/index.html
So spread the word, save a tree (and possibly an author ;)
Also, Smashwords is having a big promotional sale in honor of the event.I have put Space Slugs up for free for the week there. You can snag a copy here:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/68871
I hope you enjoy it, and read E this week and beyond.
~Frances
And I could go into the event's history, purpose and such, but they've done a brilliant job of it already here:http://writersandauthors.blogspot.com/2012/03/read-e-book-week.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritersAndAuthors+%28Writers+and+Authors%29 and also, here: http://www.ebookweek.com/index.html
So spread the word, save a tree (and possibly an author ;)
Also, Smashwords is having a big promotional sale in honor of the event.I have put Space Slugs up for free for the week there. You can snag a copy here:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/68871
I hope you enjoy it, and read E this week and beyond.
~Frances
March 2, 2012
Would Not, Could Not, In a Blog
..or with a dog or on a log.
But would you, would you shall we say?
For a Dr. Seuss Birthday?
I would, I could if as you say
it were a special Seuss-y day
I'd do it then, I will today!
Ring your toogles
Bang the fashes
for a string of blog, Seuss bashes...
If I dared you then you could...
If two tall teechels did, you would!
Put on your cat hat
Eat your ham
Go fill your blog
with Seuss-y spam.
I would. You know I would, it's true!
And now, my bloggy friends....
I dare you. :D
~ Frances
But would you, would you shall we say?
For a Dr. Seuss Birthday?
I would, I could if as you say
it were a special Seuss-y day
I'd do it then, I will today!
Ring your toogles
Bang the fashes
for a string of blog, Seuss bashes...
If I dared you then you could...
If two tall teechels did, you would!
Put on your cat hat
Eat your ham
Go fill your blog
with Seuss-y spam.
I would. You know I would, it's true!
And now, my bloggy friends....
I dare you. :D
~ Frances
February 29, 2012
An Anniversary Party at The Romance Reviews
Who doesn't love to win stuff?
If you haven't played in one of the many parties at The Romance Reviews, let me tell you, it's hard not to win. I have participated in a lot of them, and I have yet to NOT win at least one book. It's that cool folks. So many great authors will be offering prizes, so stop by, play, hang out, and support the event!
Just click on the big poster and come on over. I'll be giving away a prize first thing, then stick around for the month and up your chances of taking home some great new reads. Plus these folks deserve our support. They do great things for both readers and authors. http://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php See ya there! ~ Frances
If you haven't played in one of the many parties at The Romance Reviews, let me tell you, it's hard not to win. I have participated in a lot of them, and I have yet to NOT win at least one book. It's that cool folks. So many great authors will be offering prizes, so stop by, play, hang out, and support the event!
Just click on the big poster and come on over. I'll be giving away a prize first thing, then stick around for the month and up your chances of taking home some great new reads. Plus these folks deserve our support. They do great things for both readers and authors. http://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php See ya there! ~ Frances
February 28, 2012
Catching Fire with Author Alex J. Cavanaugh
Help me join author Alex Cavanaugh in celebrating the release of CassaFire, sequel to CassaStar. This is some great looking science fiction folks. Stop on in and take a look. http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
~ Frances
~ Frances
February 27, 2012
The Tribe Has Spoken
Okay, I am a huge, closet Survivor fan...at least I used to be. Admittedly, I've missed a few seasons, and also, I secretly wish they'd stop giving them all that rice and make them actually survive, but still. There's something about the words, Tribal Council, that gives me goosebumps.
So when I received and invite to join Triberr from a fellow fiction author, I'll confess, I was already pretty susceptible to loving it. I was predisposed to hop on board, so to speak, but I am so very glad that I was.
Before the groaning over yet another social media starts (oops, too late) let me say that I, too, am overwhelmed by the flood of new sites to learn, new profiles to build, new platforms to master and no time to do any of the above. Trust me, I didn't have time for Triberr. I didn't. I do NOW, but that's because I figured out rather quickly what the thing can do, and why I needed to be there. It may not be for you, but I think it's brilliant. Once I figured Triberr out, I realized I didn't have time NOT to do it.
But let's start with a few points that might save you time:
If you don't blog, there's not much in it for you...yet. The folks running the show seem to have a lot in mind for the future, but basically as it sits, Triberr is a blog amplifier. No blogging, no point.
If you don't Tweet, same as above. Though there are buttons on each share/approve to work with facebook, google + and an assortment of others, Triberr is primarily focused around auto-tweeting, so at the very least, you're going to want a Twitter account to broadcast to.
So let's say you do blog and you have a twitter account, then what? Why add to that list?
Here's what I love about it:
1. you don't promote yourself, you broadcast posts from your tribe members.
Okay, I write fiction, I hang out with fiction authors, I have seen way too much in the way of promote promote promote. I LOVE, absolutely love, that Triberr focuses the other direction. Support your friends and co-bloggers and they support you and maybe together we can stem the tide of "look at me, look at me!!"
2.They owners/founders of Triberr are up to their necks in it.
If you have a question or issue or ? there will be someone on the spot to help you out. There may be bugs, but there is also tons of help, and it's easy to find and navigate.
3.Easy. Triberr will have a learning curve, yes. It took me about half an hour to sort out. But it's clean, easy to navigate, and makes logical sense, unlike some places where I sat for an hour scratching my head and then gave up.
4.How cool is it to have a link that says Tribal Council?
5. Okay, seriously, the whole thing revolves around building little "strategic alliances" and helping each other out, so to be dead honest, how well it works for you will depend on who is in your alliance. Ally with people who you are proud to tweet about, post regular, quality content yourself, and give as much or more than you receive, and Triberr will SAVE you time. It will also get a lot more content into your Twitter stream, and as long as you are approving good, quality posts, that is a big plus.
It gets results fast too. So if you blog, try it out, and if you blog about any type of Speculative Fiction, scifi, fantasy, horror, or even a leeetle romance, let me know and I'll send you an invite to the Speculative Friction tribe. We can sit around that tribal fire together...and the best part? Nobody get's voted out.
~ Frances
So when I received and invite to join Triberr from a fellow fiction author, I'll confess, I was already pretty susceptible to loving it. I was predisposed to hop on board, so to speak, but I am so very glad that I was.
Before the groaning over yet another social media starts (oops, too late) let me say that I, too, am overwhelmed by the flood of new sites to learn, new profiles to build, new platforms to master and no time to do any of the above. Trust me, I didn't have time for Triberr. I didn't. I do NOW, but that's because I figured out rather quickly what the thing can do, and why I needed to be there. It may not be for you, but I think it's brilliant. Once I figured Triberr out, I realized I didn't have time NOT to do it.
But let's start with a few points that might save you time:
If you don't blog, there's not much in it for you...yet. The folks running the show seem to have a lot in mind for the future, but basically as it sits, Triberr is a blog amplifier. No blogging, no point.
If you don't Tweet, same as above. Though there are buttons on each share/approve to work with facebook, google + and an assortment of others, Triberr is primarily focused around auto-tweeting, so at the very least, you're going to want a Twitter account to broadcast to.
So let's say you do blog and you have a twitter account, then what? Why add to that list?
Here's what I love about it:
1. you don't promote yourself, you broadcast posts from your tribe members.
Okay, I write fiction, I hang out with fiction authors, I have seen way too much in the way of promote promote promote. I LOVE, absolutely love, that Triberr focuses the other direction. Support your friends and co-bloggers and they support you and maybe together we can stem the tide of "look at me, look at me!!"
2.They owners/founders of Triberr are up to their necks in it.
If you have a question or issue or ? there will be someone on the spot to help you out. There may be bugs, but there is also tons of help, and it's easy to find and navigate.
3.Easy. Triberr will have a learning curve, yes. It took me about half an hour to sort out. But it's clean, easy to navigate, and makes logical sense, unlike some places where I sat for an hour scratching my head and then gave up.
4.How cool is it to have a link that says Tribal Council?
5. Okay, seriously, the whole thing revolves around building little "strategic alliances" and helping each other out, so to be dead honest, how well it works for you will depend on who is in your alliance. Ally with people who you are proud to tweet about, post regular, quality content yourself, and give as much or more than you receive, and Triberr will SAVE you time. It will also get a lot more content into your Twitter stream, and as long as you are approving good, quality posts, that is a big plus.
It gets results fast too. So if you blog, try it out, and if you blog about any type of Speculative Fiction, scifi, fantasy, horror, or even a leeetle romance, let me know and I'll send you an invite to the Speculative Friction tribe. We can sit around that tribal fire together...and the best part? Nobody get's voted out.
~ Frances
February 25, 2012
Flirting on the Sidelines
This post was originally meant as part of the Fairies in February tour...
I may very well be a hopeless romantic. It's not like I do it on purpose, but still, in my very core, I have this addiction to falling in love. It's delicious that falling and I've found, at least in my stories, that it's also a bit contagious.This isn't a terrible surprise, I mean, I write romantic books. I've tried to write them without the "mushy stuff," but inevitably my characters begin to flirt in secret. Being a kind hearted author, I can't exactly rob them of their fun, and so the romance ensues regardless of my intentions. In my series, however, I've noted that the mushy stuff is catching. Granted, you expect the hero and heroine to fall head over heels in love. Their happily-ever-after is, after all, the whole point. But my side characters are starting to grumble, and at least a few of them have taken matters into their own hands. "She writes romance," they assert, "we just want our fair share." I have to admit, I tried to bat them back into line. "Cut it out. You're not supposed to be hooking up willy-nilly." But a few of them managed to win me over. They can be very convincing when they put their heads together. Maybe it's because I've always liked the quirky, sideline characters the best, or maybe because I pick favorites, (I'm not ashamed) but in the trilogy I let a few of those sideline flirtations find their own brand of happily-ever-after and I'm pretty pleased with the result. As a reader, I tend to enjoy it when a secondary romance blossoms. In particular if it happens for a character that I have a strong affinity for. While I think it could get a bit ridiculous if everyone who steps on stage finds a match, I like to think there's enough love to spread around a little. Is anyone out there bothered by secondary romance subplots? Does it take some of the spotlight off the primary couple, or like me, do you enjoy seeing the little guy in the shadows find some happiness along the way as well?Do you appreciate the extra happily ever after, or does too much a good thing cross that believability line?
Curious,~ Frances
I may very well be a hopeless romantic. It's not like I do it on purpose, but still, in my very core, I have this addiction to falling in love. It's delicious that falling and I've found, at least in my stories, that it's also a bit contagious.This isn't a terrible surprise, I mean, I write romantic books. I've tried to write them without the "mushy stuff," but inevitably my characters begin to flirt in secret. Being a kind hearted author, I can't exactly rob them of their fun, and so the romance ensues regardless of my intentions. In my series, however, I've noted that the mushy stuff is catching. Granted, you expect the hero and heroine to fall head over heels in love. Their happily-ever-after is, after all, the whole point. But my side characters are starting to grumble, and at least a few of them have taken matters into their own hands. "She writes romance," they assert, "we just want our fair share." I have to admit, I tried to bat them back into line. "Cut it out. You're not supposed to be hooking up willy-nilly." But a few of them managed to win me over. They can be very convincing when they put their heads together. Maybe it's because I've always liked the quirky, sideline characters the best, or maybe because I pick favorites, (I'm not ashamed) but in the trilogy I let a few of those sideline flirtations find their own brand of happily-ever-after and I'm pretty pleased with the result. As a reader, I tend to enjoy it when a secondary romance blossoms. In particular if it happens for a character that I have a strong affinity for. While I think it could get a bit ridiculous if everyone who steps on stage finds a match, I like to think there's enough love to spread around a little. Is anyone out there bothered by secondary romance subplots? Does it take some of the spotlight off the primary couple, or like me, do you enjoy seeing the little guy in the shadows find some happiness along the way as well?Do you appreciate the extra happily ever after, or does too much a good thing cross that believability line?
Curious,~ Frances
February 23, 2012
Guest Author, Greta van der Rol
Please give a warm welcome to guest author, Greta van der Rol. I had the great fortune of winning a copy of one of Greta's Iron Admiral e-books, and let me tell you, the lady can write. I am thrilled to death to have her on the blog!
A slightly shady freighter captain
Thanks so much for having me here today. You've asked me to explain a little about the evolution of my latest novel, 'Starheart'. My books tend to be character driven. I know it's going well when my characters tell me what to do and 'Starheart' is no exception. The Iron Admiral series-my first two science fiction romance novels, were out there, 'Morgan's Choice was soon to follow and I was looking around for a new project.
I'm not sure where the idea for Jess Sondijk came from. I don't believe in 'muses', but I suppose the back-burner in my brain was working hard on ideas. So one day, I got this notion for somebody very different from Allysha Marten from the Iron Admiral and from Morgan Selwood of 'Morgan's Choice'. Both of those ladies were very in tune with computer systems, Allysha by accident and Morgan because she was turned into a cyborg. Jess, I decided, wasn't going to be like that. She'd be a normal, fallible... hmmm... what about slightly shady human being? Smart, feisty, self-reliant but with some history. Maybe a smuggler. A good-looking lady not averse to using her charms to make her way in the world.I already knew there'd be an admiral. I have a penchant for uniforms. But unlike Saahren, who was almost a misogynist, and Ravindra, for whom women were a diversion, Hudson is a womaniser. I can see him collecting heads on a wall. Or maybe panties. And then I thought I'd have Jess's best friend as a gay male. Gay men (I've found) are very often great blokes who can be a girl's best friend without any baggage. He'd be Jess's 2IC.That was enough for me to write the opening scene for 'Starheart'. The rest of the novel evolved from there. So here's that opening scene.
"We're gonna get boarded, Jess." Santh glanced up from his console, where Confederacy Battle Cruiser Defender, sleek, dark and weapons hot, dominated the display. Jess read the 'oh shit' in her first officer's eyes."Santh, we're chugging along on our way to the space station, minding our own business. It's got to be routine. Let me do the talking."But even so, her heart hammered. She'd been boarded before, by teams from Nordheim Militia's patrol frigates, but this was the first time she'd ever seen a battle cruiser in this part of the Confederacy. "Saintly Maid this is Confederacy Battle Cruiser Defender. You will shut down all drives and prepare to be boarded. If you fail to comply you will be attacked." A crisp military voice barked instructions, sharp and to the point, no visuals."Saintly Maid to Confederacy Battle Cruiser Defender. Message received and understood. Welcome aboard." If they brought InfoDroids with them and they searched thoroughly… She pushed the thought away. "Shut us down, Santh. I'll pop off and fix my makeup. Might as well look the part."Jess headed out of the bridge, through the freighter's common room and into her own quarters. Let's see now, what did she have suitable for a military boarding party? She rummaged through her wardrobe and selected the dark green uniform. The pants accentuated her long legs and if she left the jacket unbuttoned over a white shirt, she'd give them something else to think about other than the cargo. She pulled out the clasp holding her hair back and let the blonde mane hang around her shoulders. A little bit of makeup but not too much and she was ready."Just in time," Santh said as she slid back into the captain's chair. "Their cutter has attached to our airlock."
I'll be at http://www.cerebralwriter.com/ tomorrow for a little bit more about that initial meeting.
To celebrate the release of 'Starheart' I'll be giving a $25 Amazon gift voucher to one person who leaves a comment on this, or any other of the blogs I visit until 10th March. So leave a comment her and you'll be in the draw.
BioGreta van der Rol loves writing science fiction with a large dollop of good old, healthy romance. She lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.
Links:
> - http://gretavanderrol.net/
> - http://twitter.com/GretavdR
> - http://www.facebook.com/Author.Greta.vanderRol > - Starheart
A slightly shady freighter captain
Thanks so much for having me here today. You've asked me to explain a little about the evolution of my latest novel, 'Starheart'. My books tend to be character driven. I know it's going well when my characters tell me what to do and 'Starheart' is no exception. The Iron Admiral series-my first two science fiction romance novels, were out there, 'Morgan's Choice was soon to follow and I was looking around for a new project.
I'm not sure where the idea for Jess Sondijk came from. I don't believe in 'muses', but I suppose the back-burner in my brain was working hard on ideas. So one day, I got this notion for somebody very different from Allysha Marten from the Iron Admiral and from Morgan Selwood of 'Morgan's Choice'. Both of those ladies were very in tune with computer systems, Allysha by accident and Morgan because she was turned into a cyborg. Jess, I decided, wasn't going to be like that. She'd be a normal, fallible... hmmm... what about slightly shady human being? Smart, feisty, self-reliant but with some history. Maybe a smuggler. A good-looking lady not averse to using her charms to make her way in the world.I already knew there'd be an admiral. I have a penchant for uniforms. But unlike Saahren, who was almost a misogynist, and Ravindra, for whom women were a diversion, Hudson is a womaniser. I can see him collecting heads on a wall. Or maybe panties. And then I thought I'd have Jess's best friend as a gay male. Gay men (I've found) are very often great blokes who can be a girl's best friend without any baggage. He'd be Jess's 2IC.That was enough for me to write the opening scene for 'Starheart'. The rest of the novel evolved from there. So here's that opening scene."We're gonna get boarded, Jess." Santh glanced up from his console, where Confederacy Battle Cruiser Defender, sleek, dark and weapons hot, dominated the display. Jess read the 'oh shit' in her first officer's eyes."Santh, we're chugging along on our way to the space station, minding our own business. It's got to be routine. Let me do the talking."But even so, her heart hammered. She'd been boarded before, by teams from Nordheim Militia's patrol frigates, but this was the first time she'd ever seen a battle cruiser in this part of the Confederacy. "Saintly Maid this is Confederacy Battle Cruiser Defender. You will shut down all drives and prepare to be boarded. If you fail to comply you will be attacked." A crisp military voice barked instructions, sharp and to the point, no visuals."Saintly Maid to Confederacy Battle Cruiser Defender. Message received and understood. Welcome aboard." If they brought InfoDroids with them and they searched thoroughly… She pushed the thought away. "Shut us down, Santh. I'll pop off and fix my makeup. Might as well look the part."Jess headed out of the bridge, through the freighter's common room and into her own quarters. Let's see now, what did she have suitable for a military boarding party? She rummaged through her wardrobe and selected the dark green uniform. The pants accentuated her long legs and if she left the jacket unbuttoned over a white shirt, she'd give them something else to think about other than the cargo. She pulled out the clasp holding her hair back and let the blonde mane hang around her shoulders. A little bit of makeup but not too much and she was ready."Just in time," Santh said as she slid back into the captain's chair. "Their cutter has attached to our airlock."
I'll be at http://www.cerebralwriter.com/ tomorrow for a little bit more about that initial meeting.
To celebrate the release of 'Starheart' I'll be giving a $25 Amazon gift voucher to one person who leaves a comment on this, or any other of the blogs I visit until 10th March. So leave a comment her and you'll be in the draw.
BioGreta van der Rol loves writing science fiction with a large dollop of good old, healthy romance. She lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.Links:
> - http://gretavanderrol.net/
> - http://twitter.com/GretavdR
> - http://www.facebook.com/Author.Greta.vanderRol > - Starheart
February 21, 2012
Interview with author, Skyla Dawn Cameron
Please join me in giving a loud and squealing welcome to today's guest, amazingly talented author and editor in chief at Mundania Press, Skyla Dawn Cameron. She has graciously agreed to answer my burning questions for our enjoyment and enlightenment. Listen up, kids. :)
You started your career at a young age (compared to us old fogies). What do you think were the advantages and/or disadvantages to starting early?
I think the biggest benefit was the sheer fearlessness I had at twenty-one, but I don't know if that was my age or inexperience. Rejection honestly never occurred to me and I had far fewer insecurities. River, my fourth written book and the first book I'd actually submitted anywhere, was accepted by Mundania Press four months after submission—and that was the first (and only) place I'd sent it, as I'd specifically written it after their call for werewolf and/or vampire novels. I didn't stress, I didn't worry. I didn't, in fact, realize how little I knew about writing, and it didn't occur to me that I wouldn't place the book somewhere (now I think it sucks and I hate it, of course).
I do hope another advantage will be a lot of novels under my belt by the time I'm much, much older. My idol as a teen was the late Louise Cooper; her first novel (Lord of No Time, which would later become The Time Master Trilogy) was published when she was just twenty, and by the time of her unfortunate death two years ago, she had eighty some odd books published. As it is, I'm twenty-nine years old and I've completed at least a first draft of twenty novels (started dozens and dozens of others *cough*), so I hope I'm well on my way to being as prolific as she was.
The downside? Well, I got a lot of, "You're good for your age," when I was younger. Competing against other writers my age? Piece of cake. Then a switch flips when you're eighteen; suddenly, you're in the adult category. You're not submitting to an anthology with other twelve-year-olds or a high school literary magazine: you're in the slush pile with people who have been writing thirty years. That took a big adjustment for me.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes and no. I'd like to say yes, but at the same time, the path I chose led me to where I am right now, and it's a pretty good place to be. Usually. Except when I want to run away from home, which is pretty much all of the time.
The thing is, if I'd chosen a different path, and not ended up where I am now, I might not know all the people I know now. My life is much richer knowing the authors I work with at Mundania, and the people I've met the last few years.
I like to think that I'm a busy person, but I know what lurks on your to-do list. Do you have a super-scooby secret to time management, or a posse of evil minions to do your bidding?
It's called, "I have to eat this month."
Honestly, that's really what it comes down to. If I don't get work done—if I don't make time to do all the things that need to be completed—then I either get fired or the company closes and I end up jobless. And I've been homeless before—it is not something I'm eager to return to.
It also helps that I am an insomniac with no social life, and am completely and utterly insane.
How did you get into editing, and/or get the job as EIC at Mundania?
I was signed as an author with Mundania back in 2004. Late 2007 I...found myself in a very bad situation (the aforementioned homelessness was part of it). Dan Reitz, of Mundania, is one of the best people you'll ever meet, and when he found out I needed work—and I pitched some ideas to him that were of benefit to Mundania—he hired me on to help with promotions.
From there, it was just working my way up, absorbing other jobs and taking over 'cause it turns out I'm, like, really really good at being bossy. The one thing I repeatedly said no to, though, was editing. Insisted I wasn't an editor—wouldn't know the first thing about it. I have no formal training as a writer, let alone in editing.
I started in acquisitions several months later when someone was needed there and it wasn't until I was deep in slush, finding books I absolutely loved, that I realized I could edit. I got really excited about a few titles and wanted to work on them—I couldn't even contemplate handing them off to another editor. So little by little, I got into that side of things too, and I'm glad of it. Finding a book in slush, polishing it with the writer, sharing in the ups and downs of the process, is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. And editing has helped me become a better writer, as well.
What's the absolute craziest thing you've seen in a query?
Honestly, I think insulting me in the query letter has to be the single most batshit crazy thing I've seen, and it happens ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME. I mean, there are bizarre queries written stream of consciousness style or with seven-hundred-thousand word historical romances written in first person or including photos of the author's kids. But a snarky cover letter insulting me personally...I just don't even get the point.
Worst response to a rejection yet?
Asking all of one's friends to email me and tell me to reconsider. Stalking me for months afterward.
I think my favourite, however, is the I-sold-my-book-to-PublishAmerica-so-neener-neener response. Yeah. Sure, buddy. See how that works out for you.
Top tip for aspiring authors on how NOT to be a douche-bag?
Top tip? 'Cause I could go on and on. ;-) I suppose it would be to sleep on whatever you're about to do if you're angry/upset/hurt. Type up a rant in Word but do. not. send. it. yet. Sleep on it. Distance and objectivity are two things that save many of us from acting like idiots.
If I can have a second tip, it's to remember that everyone in the industry is an actual real live person. A person with outside interests, a family—someone who takes holidays. Someone like you. Treating other authors, editors, and agents like tools to help you get what you want is not going to yield good results. We can tell you're a shark. Be genuine.
Along with being a top-notch editor, it has recently come to my attention that your writing is also stellar. Do you have any author tips for better writing? (okay, I know you do, but pick one or two here. ;)
This took me a lot of fumbling around to understand, but: Know what you're trying to do with everything that you write. Know what your story is about. Know what the purpose of each scene is, each sentence is. Know what you're trying to show with your characters. These things are critical when revising your work. Learn to be analytical if you aren't already.
If you learn to do this, you can start looking at successful books to pick them apart and see how things are done—to see how to effectively use language and make words do what you want them to. Why does a well-written fight scene have your heart thumping? Why do certain emotional scenes make you tear up? The author knew what she was doing, so how did she do it?
Second, knowing your intentions makes navigating crit groups and edits that much easier. It'll teach you what edits to accept and it'll teach you where your writing is weak. It's really hard to fix a problem if you don't know what the end result is meant to be.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Oh, I have many, LOL. "Blinding" by Florence + The Machine. "Control" by Poe. "Onion Girl" by Holly Cole. "Girl with the Lion's Tail" by S.J. Tucker (well, and her song "The Truth About Ninjas" because I want to run away and become a ninja). Those are but a few.
Anything in particular you'd like to see come across the desk at Mundania? Do you have a manuscript wishlist?
I just love anything that's fun. Even in the darkest books, I like there to be a sense of humour. Also? Diversity. Non-white main characters—non-heterosexual main characters. Non-European fantasy settings. Non-European-based magic systems. There are many, many good books I love that use all of those things, but I'd love to see something different. I'm also really freakin' tired of seeing African Diasporic faiths and practices being the default "evil" magic used in books. "Look! Evil voodoo!" is just lazy writing.
Tell us about your books, and why everyone should be buying and reading them...
I don't know if anyone should be reading my books. I mean, I write some frightful things. Women who kick ass and swear and are unapologetic about it. Strong men who aren't alpha douchebags. Demon hunting nuns. Organizations called Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of animals. Explosions and guns and car chases and snark...
Bloodlines—originally released 2008, now rewritten and digitally remastered! All the guns replaced with walkie-talkies!—is about a snarky, cocky vampire who kills people for a living. And then the tables turn when she becomes the hunted and she has to work with others. Plus people keep damaging her expensive clothes. See? Frightful.
Hunter is the second book in the series, about the aforementioned demon hunting nun. It was quite difficult to write because that main character doesn't swear and generally doesn't see violence as the answer to things. And she prays a lot (this was awkward for me, an atheist).
Lineage is the third book, and my newest release, where I rebound after writing the nun chick, and instead write a somewhat sociopathic main character out for revenge. Here's the blurb:
What's a woman to do when her dad's the antichrist, her grandma's the devil, the end of the world is at her doorstep, and she's out to avenge the murders of her husband and kids?
Kill everything in her way.
Quarter-demon Peri Takata exists with but one goal in mind: annihilate everyone responsible for the death of her family. Then—her need for vengeance quelled—she plans to take her own life.
Her mission brings her to vampire Zara Lain, the only known survivor of the event that destroyed Peri's family five years ago. Hunting down a secret society of those who don't want to be found has its challenges, however, especially when forces are working to keep the antichrist's daughter very much alive. The apocalypse is closing in and Peri may be playing a role in it whether she wants to or not.
But when a heart long-thought dead begins to beat again with love for another, she's not so sure about anything anymore.
Everyone should be buying them because I have five cats, a dog, and a rabbit to feed. And if I don't feed them, eventually THEY WILL EAT ME.
Series landing page is located at www.ZaraLain.com with free fiction, the stories in chronological order, character lists, fan art, and excerpts.
Thank you so much for coming on the blog!
Thank you so much for having me! And if no one gets the "guns replaced with walkie-talkies" thing, I'm going to feel totally lame.
Skyla's webpage: http://www.skyladawncameron.com/her blog: http://www.skyladawncameron.com/blogbuy her books: http://www.mundania.com/author.php?author=Skyla+Dawn+CameronZara Lain: http://www.skyladawncameron.com/zaralain.html
You started your career at a young age (compared to us old fogies). What do you think were the advantages and/or disadvantages to starting early?I think the biggest benefit was the sheer fearlessness I had at twenty-one, but I don't know if that was my age or inexperience. Rejection honestly never occurred to me and I had far fewer insecurities. River, my fourth written book and the first book I'd actually submitted anywhere, was accepted by Mundania Press four months after submission—and that was the first (and only) place I'd sent it, as I'd specifically written it after their call for werewolf and/or vampire novels. I didn't stress, I didn't worry. I didn't, in fact, realize how little I knew about writing, and it didn't occur to me that I wouldn't place the book somewhere (now I think it sucks and I hate it, of course).
I do hope another advantage will be a lot of novels under my belt by the time I'm much, much older. My idol as a teen was the late Louise Cooper; her first novel (Lord of No Time, which would later become The Time Master Trilogy) was published when she was just twenty, and by the time of her unfortunate death two years ago, she had eighty some odd books published. As it is, I'm twenty-nine years old and I've completed at least a first draft of twenty novels (started dozens and dozens of others *cough*), so I hope I'm well on my way to being as prolific as she was.
The downside? Well, I got a lot of, "You're good for your age," when I was younger. Competing against other writers my age? Piece of cake. Then a switch flips when you're eighteen; suddenly, you're in the adult category. You're not submitting to an anthology with other twelve-year-olds or a high school literary magazine: you're in the slush pile with people who have been writing thirty years. That took a big adjustment for me.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes and no. I'd like to say yes, but at the same time, the path I chose led me to where I am right now, and it's a pretty good place to be. Usually. Except when I want to run away from home, which is pretty much all of the time.
The thing is, if I'd chosen a different path, and not ended up where I am now, I might not know all the people I know now. My life is much richer knowing the authors I work with at Mundania, and the people I've met the last few years.
I like to think that I'm a busy person, but I know what lurks on your to-do list. Do you have a super-scooby secret to time management, or a posse of evil minions to do your bidding?
It's called, "I have to eat this month."
Honestly, that's really what it comes down to. If I don't get work done—if I don't make time to do all the things that need to be completed—then I either get fired or the company closes and I end up jobless. And I've been homeless before—it is not something I'm eager to return to.
It also helps that I am an insomniac with no social life, and am completely and utterly insane.
How did you get into editing, and/or get the job as EIC at Mundania?
I was signed as an author with Mundania back in 2004. Late 2007 I...found myself in a very bad situation (the aforementioned homelessness was part of it). Dan Reitz, of Mundania, is one of the best people you'll ever meet, and when he found out I needed work—and I pitched some ideas to him that were of benefit to Mundania—he hired me on to help with promotions.
From there, it was just working my way up, absorbing other jobs and taking over 'cause it turns out I'm, like, really really good at being bossy. The one thing I repeatedly said no to, though, was editing. Insisted I wasn't an editor—wouldn't know the first thing about it. I have no formal training as a writer, let alone in editing.
I started in acquisitions several months later when someone was needed there and it wasn't until I was deep in slush, finding books I absolutely loved, that I realized I could edit. I got really excited about a few titles and wanted to work on them—I couldn't even contemplate handing them off to another editor. So little by little, I got into that side of things too, and I'm glad of it. Finding a book in slush, polishing it with the writer, sharing in the ups and downs of the process, is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. And editing has helped me become a better writer, as well.
What's the absolute craziest thing you've seen in a query?
Honestly, I think insulting me in the query letter has to be the single most batshit crazy thing I've seen, and it happens ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME. I mean, there are bizarre queries written stream of consciousness style or with seven-hundred-thousand word historical romances written in first person or including photos of the author's kids. But a snarky cover letter insulting me personally...I just don't even get the point.
Worst response to a rejection yet?
Asking all of one's friends to email me and tell me to reconsider. Stalking me for months afterward.
I think my favourite, however, is the I-sold-my-book-to-PublishAmerica-so-neener-neener response. Yeah. Sure, buddy. See how that works out for you.
Top tip for aspiring authors on how NOT to be a douche-bag?Top tip? 'Cause I could go on and on. ;-) I suppose it would be to sleep on whatever you're about to do if you're angry/upset/hurt. Type up a rant in Word but do. not. send. it. yet. Sleep on it. Distance and objectivity are two things that save many of us from acting like idiots.
If I can have a second tip, it's to remember that everyone in the industry is an actual real live person. A person with outside interests, a family—someone who takes holidays. Someone like you. Treating other authors, editors, and agents like tools to help you get what you want is not going to yield good results. We can tell you're a shark. Be genuine.
Along with being a top-notch editor, it has recently come to my attention that your writing is also stellar. Do you have any author tips for better writing? (okay, I know you do, but pick one or two here. ;)
This took me a lot of fumbling around to understand, but: Know what you're trying to do with everything that you write. Know what your story is about. Know what the purpose of each scene is, each sentence is. Know what you're trying to show with your characters. These things are critical when revising your work. Learn to be analytical if you aren't already.
If you learn to do this, you can start looking at successful books to pick them apart and see how things are done—to see how to effectively use language and make words do what you want them to. Why does a well-written fight scene have your heart thumping? Why do certain emotional scenes make you tear up? The author knew what she was doing, so how did she do it?
Second, knowing your intentions makes navigating crit groups and edits that much easier. It'll teach you what edits to accept and it'll teach you where your writing is weak. It's really hard to fix a problem if you don't know what the end result is meant to be.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Oh, I have many, LOL. "Blinding" by Florence + The Machine. "Control" by Poe. "Onion Girl" by Holly Cole. "Girl with the Lion's Tail" by S.J. Tucker (well, and her song "The Truth About Ninjas" because I want to run away and become a ninja). Those are but a few.
Anything in particular you'd like to see come across the desk at Mundania? Do you have a manuscript wishlist?
I just love anything that's fun. Even in the darkest books, I like there to be a sense of humour. Also? Diversity. Non-white main characters—non-heterosexual main characters. Non-European fantasy settings. Non-European-based magic systems. There are many, many good books I love that use all of those things, but I'd love to see something different. I'm also really freakin' tired of seeing African Diasporic faiths and practices being the default "evil" magic used in books. "Look! Evil voodoo!" is just lazy writing.
Tell us about your books, and why everyone should be buying and reading them...
I don't know if anyone should be reading my books. I mean, I write some frightful things. Women who kick ass and swear and are unapologetic about it. Strong men who aren't alpha douchebags. Demon hunting nuns. Organizations called Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of animals. Explosions and guns and car chases and snark...
Bloodlines—originally released 2008, now rewritten and digitally remastered! All the guns replaced with walkie-talkies!—is about a snarky, cocky vampire who kills people for a living. And then the tables turn when she becomes the hunted and she has to work with others. Plus people keep damaging her expensive clothes. See? Frightful.
Hunter is the second book in the series, about the aforementioned demon hunting nun. It was quite difficult to write because that main character doesn't swear and generally doesn't see violence as the answer to things. And she prays a lot (this was awkward for me, an atheist).
Lineage is the third book, and my newest release, where I rebound after writing the nun chick, and instead write a somewhat sociopathic main character out for revenge. Here's the blurb:
What's a woman to do when her dad's the antichrist, her grandma's the devil, the end of the world is at her doorstep, and she's out to avenge the murders of her husband and kids?
Kill everything in her way.
Quarter-demon Peri Takata exists with but one goal in mind: annihilate everyone responsible for the death of her family. Then—her need for vengeance quelled—she plans to take her own life.
Her mission brings her to vampire Zara Lain, the only known survivor of the event that destroyed Peri's family five years ago. Hunting down a secret society of those who don't want to be found has its challenges, however, especially when forces are working to keep the antichrist's daughter very much alive. The apocalypse is closing in and Peri may be playing a role in it whether she wants to or not.
But when a heart long-thought dead begins to beat again with love for another, she's not so sure about anything anymore.
Everyone should be buying them because I have five cats, a dog, and a rabbit to feed. And if I don't feed them, eventually THEY WILL EAT ME.
Series landing page is located at www.ZaraLain.com with free fiction, the stories in chronological order, character lists, fan art, and excerpts.
Thank you so much for coming on the blog!
Thank you so much for having me! And if no one gets the "guns replaced with walkie-talkies" thing, I'm going to feel totally lame.
Skyla's webpage: http://www.skyladawncameron.com/her blog: http://www.skyladawncameron.com/blogbuy her books: http://www.mundania.com/author.php?author=Skyla+Dawn+CameronZara Lain: http://www.skyladawncameron.com/zaralain.html
