Frances Pauli's Blog, page 6
April 25, 2014
The Tsunami of Crap is a Load of Crap
I almost fell for it. It's easy to get caught up in the miasma of information, opinion and other stinky rubbish swirling about on the Internet. I follow a lot of industry blogs, and when you hear something over and over....and over, it has a tendency to sink in.
A lot of people are bemoaning the "tsunami of crap" spawned by the self-publishing revolution. (because of course there was no crap out there before....oh. Right.) It's partially true, I'm sure. Once something becomes cheap (or free) and very easy to do, you get a flood of claim jumpers. I love that term. You get old timers and newbies alike all rushing for the mother lode and they all have a shovel and a sluice and....
Well, that's a different story.
But when self publishing became cheap and easy...and somewhat effective. Everybody became an author. In fact, you didn't really even have to know how to write a book, because you could happily recover a public domain classic, post it everywhere with a mocked up publishing house name and go to town making money.
I'm not arguing that this isn't a bad idea. Bad. Bad bad.
Still, the reaction to this flood of quick-fic was a resounding wailing and pulling of hair. A rending of clothing and moaning about the death of the industry. The tsunami of crap would sweep us all away and literature would die a quick death by drowning in it's own....well you get it.
Except I don't think it works like that. Yes, readers will have to put on hip waders for awhile. Authors will have to shine brighter, but I don't believe for a second that the tsunami of crap can kill Literature because, you see, I have a fine arts background. (hard to believe, I know) Publishing is not the first art form to go through this, and I think it's pretty safe to say we can all relax.
A tsunami of crap will not drown literature. I have two words for anyone who thinks it will.
Bob Ross.
Now, to be fair to our happy squirrel friend, he wasn't the only one involved. My personal favorite was The Magic of Oil Painting. I spent hours in my youth listening to his heavily accented, "Darker, darker, darker." I learned how easy it was to paint, and so did the rest of the universe. In fact, for about two decades, everyone was an oil painter.
They churned out seascapes and mountain scenes in their living rooms by the metric ton! They painted flowers and still lives and....okay, mostly seascapes and mountains, but still. Oh, you'll say, but they didn't have the Internet, they didn't have the public eye....
Enter the family restaurant. I can't remember sitting in a restaurant as a child that wasn't virtually wallpapered in crappy oil paintings. They had pretty (god-awful!) frames and hearty price tags and suddenly everyone could be an artist.
I bet some of them sold too.
And you know what?
Fine Art is doing just fine. :)
Just. Fine.
Because it's not the same thing. And because eventually, the living room painters who realized they weren't making a ton of money quit, the ones who didn't care kept painting, for themselves, their families, whoever. The ones who were dead serious about their art got better...moved up, etc.
And the best part (I'm not cringing, I swear) is that a lot of people LIKED this living room art. They bought it and they enjoyed it and there isn't a damn thing wrong with that.
Art is taste based, people. Literature is taste based. We can set up a scaffold of craft and style and critical analysis, but in the end, people will want different things. People will like and appreciate different things. People will pay money for different things.
And if you don't believe me, cruise through Art History. Cruise through LITERARY history for that matter. What is good CHANGES. I know we hate this idea, but it's true. We may not even like what becomes the Literature of tomorrow. (I have my suspicions, and they look a lot like WHAT GAMERS WANT) We can strive to be our very best, and that is all we can do.
But worrying about the Bob Rossian rubbish flooding our Amazon channels is wasted angst. Save that drama for the page. Literature will survive....but don't be surprised if it looks different afterwards. We can all focus on our own ability to adapt and relax a little about what other people are doing. Float along with the tsunami and just see what happens next before we get our knickers in a twist. Don't panic, just keep swimming. :)
"Darker, darker, darker."
~Frances
A lot of people are bemoaning the "tsunami of crap" spawned by the self-publishing revolution. (because of course there was no crap out there before....oh. Right.) It's partially true, I'm sure. Once something becomes cheap (or free) and very easy to do, you get a flood of claim jumpers. I love that term. You get old timers and newbies alike all rushing for the mother lode and they all have a shovel and a sluice and....
Well, that's a different story.
But when self publishing became cheap and easy...and somewhat effective. Everybody became an author. In fact, you didn't really even have to know how to write a book, because you could happily recover a public domain classic, post it everywhere with a mocked up publishing house name and go to town making money.
I'm not arguing that this isn't a bad idea. Bad. Bad bad.
Still, the reaction to this flood of quick-fic was a resounding wailing and pulling of hair. A rending of clothing and moaning about the death of the industry. The tsunami of crap would sweep us all away and literature would die a quick death by drowning in it's own....well you get it.
Except I don't think it works like that. Yes, readers will have to put on hip waders for awhile. Authors will have to shine brighter, but I don't believe for a second that the tsunami of crap can kill Literature because, you see, I have a fine arts background. (hard to believe, I know) Publishing is not the first art form to go through this, and I think it's pretty safe to say we can all relax.
A tsunami of crap will not drown literature. I have two words for anyone who thinks it will.
Bob Ross.
Now, to be fair to our happy squirrel friend, he wasn't the only one involved. My personal favorite was The Magic of Oil Painting. I spent hours in my youth listening to his heavily accented, "Darker, darker, darker." I learned how easy it was to paint, and so did the rest of the universe. In fact, for about two decades, everyone was an oil painter.
They churned out seascapes and mountain scenes in their living rooms by the metric ton! They painted flowers and still lives and....okay, mostly seascapes and mountains, but still. Oh, you'll say, but they didn't have the Internet, they didn't have the public eye....
Enter the family restaurant. I can't remember sitting in a restaurant as a child that wasn't virtually wallpapered in crappy oil paintings. They had pretty (god-awful!) frames and hearty price tags and suddenly everyone could be an artist.
I bet some of them sold too.
And you know what?
Fine Art is doing just fine. :)
Just. Fine.
Because it's not the same thing. And because eventually, the living room painters who realized they weren't making a ton of money quit, the ones who didn't care kept painting, for themselves, their families, whoever. The ones who were dead serious about their art got better...moved up, etc.
And the best part (I'm not cringing, I swear) is that a lot of people LIKED this living room art. They bought it and they enjoyed it and there isn't a damn thing wrong with that.
Art is taste based, people. Literature is taste based. We can set up a scaffold of craft and style and critical analysis, but in the end, people will want different things. People will like and appreciate different things. People will pay money for different things.
And if you don't believe me, cruise through Art History. Cruise through LITERARY history for that matter. What is good CHANGES. I know we hate this idea, but it's true. We may not even like what becomes the Literature of tomorrow. (I have my suspicions, and they look a lot like WHAT GAMERS WANT) We can strive to be our very best, and that is all we can do.
But worrying about the Bob Rossian rubbish flooding our Amazon channels is wasted angst. Save that drama for the page. Literature will survive....but don't be surprised if it looks different afterwards. We can all focus on our own ability to adapt and relax a little about what other people are doing. Float along with the tsunami and just see what happens next before we get our knickers in a twist. Don't panic, just keep swimming. :)
"Darker, darker, darker."
~Frances
April 15, 2014
Cover Reveal: STORM DRAGON
KUNDALISbook one
STORM DRAGONcoming in June
From The Zharmae Publishing Press
STORM DRAGONcoming in June
From The Zharmae Publishing Press
Karin knows she’s gone completely insane—nuts—absolutely batshit crazy, when she spots an insidious blue dragon twining through the trees at a rest stop in the Cascade Mountains. Despite agreeing to join her roommate at a psychic fair, she’s never believed in anything metaphysical. She’s pretty sure the Reiki treatment she succumbed to has brought on a frighteningly realistic hallucination—until they roll their mini-van in the middle of I-90, and she is rescued from the vehicle by the same monstrous blue figment of her imagination.
She awakens to find that she’s been delivered to a cabin high in the mountains instead of to a proper hospital. The “doctor” looking out for her is more of a new-ager than a physician, and the people who own the house, including the urban highlander version of Fabio, don’t have any intention of letting her leave.
Faced with the unimaginable, and strapped to an all-too-real dragon, Karin must decide how to tame the beast or risk losing herself to it forever.a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 29, 2014
I'll Get Eaten By A Bear!
It's not a secret that bears terrify me. And yet, here I go again, bravely, off to Nano Camp. In case you haven't had the pleasure yet, Campnanowrimo is a lot like regular Nanowrimo, but with bears. I mean cabins.
Okay they're virtual cabins, but the whole thing is just awesome looking. It has a bulls-eye target, a set your own word count goal and a lot of fun goodies that only happen at camp. . . and should probably stay there.
I highly recommend getting into the camp spirit, hiding away somewhere, and writing like a bear is after you!
~ Frances
March 26, 2014
Guest Author JoAnne Myers
It is my great pleasure to have a fabulous author guest today. Please welcome JoAnne Myers. She's here to talk to us about her books and writing the Paranormal. Welcome, JoAnne!
WRITING PARANORMALWhen it comes to fiction writing, almost anything goes. That is why I love writing paranormal and fantasy stories. The author can go completely over the edge and make something unbelievable seem believable. When it comes to ghost stories, I get a lot of my inspiration from real life experiences. Not necessarily my own either. I watch television programs that partake of the supernatural and paranormal flare. Programs from ordinary people who claim they experienced either an afterlife experience, or a haunting.Some of my stories from my upcoming release “Wicked Intentions” is based on actual hauntings. Some stories I read about in the newspaper, and others I watched on true life experience programs. So the next time you get “writer’s block” try switching on the television. You might find something to jolt your inspiration.
Blurbs for Wicked IntentionsBLOOD TIES- word count 15, 902After the mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley, her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.THE HAUNTING OF BARB MARIE- word count 9,845Even as a child, Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her childhood and young adulthood.SUMMER WIND-word count 13,039When twenty-nine year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect on the family.THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LIES-laying the Norfolk ghost to restSolving the brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is closer than anyone realizes.THE LEGEND OF LAKE MANOR-word count 8,297For the young psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor, was more like a mission.THE APARTMENT-word count 5,188When young newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.DARK VISIONS-word count 5,170When Carrie Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.
Author Bio:I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of Coffee Time Romance, International Women’s Writing Guild, Paranormal Romance Guild, the National Writers Association, Savvy Authors, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams.My books along with my original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/Other books by JoAnne:Murder Most Foul-a detective/mysteryThe Crime of the Ctury-a biography true crimePoems About Life, Love, and Everything in BetweenUpcoming Releases:Loves, Myths, and Monsters- a fantasy anthology available in AprilTwisted Love- a biography true crime anthology available in MayFlagitious- a detective/mystery novella anthology
Buy links for “Wicked Intentions” A paranormal/mystery anthology http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/WickedIntentions.html
http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=wicked+intentions&categoryId=100501 http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Intentions-JoAnne-Myers-ebook/dp/B00GNRUF40/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384531716&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+intentions+myers
website:http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
website Blog: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wwwjoannemyerscom
WRITING PARANORMALWhen it comes to fiction writing, almost anything goes. That is why I love writing paranormal and fantasy stories. The author can go completely over the edge and make something unbelievable seem believable. When it comes to ghost stories, I get a lot of my inspiration from real life experiences. Not necessarily my own either. I watch television programs that partake of the supernatural and paranormal flare. Programs from ordinary people who claim they experienced either an afterlife experience, or a haunting.Some of my stories from my upcoming release “Wicked Intentions” is based on actual hauntings. Some stories I read about in the newspaper, and others I watched on true life experience programs. So the next time you get “writer’s block” try switching on the television. You might find something to jolt your inspiration.
Blurbs for Wicked IntentionsBLOOD TIES- word count 15, 902After the mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley, her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.THE HAUNTING OF BARB MARIE- word count 9,845Even as a child, Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her childhood and young adulthood.SUMMER WIND-word count 13,039When twenty-nine year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect on the family.THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LIES-laying the Norfolk ghost to restSolving the brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is closer than anyone realizes.THE LEGEND OF LAKE MANOR-word count 8,297For the young psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor, was more like a mission.THE APARTMENT-word count 5,188When young newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.DARK VISIONS-word count 5,170When Carrie Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.
Author Bio:I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of Coffee Time Romance, International Women’s Writing Guild, Paranormal Romance Guild, the National Writers Association, Savvy Authors, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams.My books along with my original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/Other books by JoAnne:Murder Most Foul-a detective/mysteryThe Crime of the Ctury-a biography true crimePoems About Life, Love, and Everything in BetweenUpcoming Releases:Loves, Myths, and Monsters- a fantasy anthology available in AprilTwisted Love- a biography true crime anthology available in MayFlagitious- a detective/mystery novella anthology
Buy links for “Wicked Intentions” A paranormal/mystery anthology http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/WickedIntentions.html
http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=wicked+intentions&categoryId=100501 http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Intentions-JoAnne-Myers-ebook/dp/B00GNRUF40/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384531716&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+intentions+myers
website:http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
website Blog: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wwwjoannemyerscom
Guest Author JoAnne Tucker
It is my great pleasure to have a fabulous author guest today. Please welcome JoAnne Tucker. She's here to talk to us about her books and writing the Paranormal. Welcome, JoAnne!
WRITING PARANORMALWhen it comes to fiction writing, almost anything goes. That is why I love writing paranormal and fantasy stories. The author can go completely over the edge and make something unbelievable seem believable. When it comes to ghost stories, I get a lot of my inspiration from real life experiences. Not necessarily my own either. I watch television programs that partake of the supernatural and paranormal flare. Programs from ordinary people who claim they experienced either an afterlife experience, or a haunting.Some of my stories from my upcoming release “Wicked Intentions” is based on actual hauntings. Some stories I read about in the newspaper, and others I watched on true life experience programs. So the next time you get “writer’s block” try switching on the television. You might find something to jolt your inspiration.
Blurbs for Wicked IntentionsBLOOD TIES- word count 15, 902After the mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley, her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.THE HAUNTING OF BARB MARIE- word count 9,845Even as a child, Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her childhood and young adulthood.SUMMER WIND-word count 13,039When twenty-nine year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect on the family.THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LIES-laying the Norfolk ghost to restSolving the brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is closer than anyone realizes.THE LEGEND OF LAKE MANOR-word count 8,297 For the young psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor, was more like a mission.THE APARTMENT-word count 5,188When young newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.DARK VISIONS-word count 5,170When Carrie Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.
Author Bio:I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of Coffee Time Romance, International Women’s Writing Guild, Paranormal Romance Guild, the National Writers Association, Savvy Authors, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams.My books along with my original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/ Other books by JoAnne: Murder Most Foul-a detective/mysteryThe Crime of the Ctury-a biography true crimePoems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between Upcoming Releases: Loves, Myths, and Monsters- a fantasy anthology available in AprilTwisted Love- a biography true crime anthology available in MayFlagitious- a detective/mystery novella anthology Buy links for “Wicked Intentions” A paranormal/mystery anthology http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/WickedIntentions.html http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=wicked+intentions&categoryId=100501 http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Intentions-JoAnne-Myers-ebook/dp/B00GNRUF40/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384531716&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+intentions+myers
website:http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
website Blog: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2 https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wwwjoannemyerscom
WRITING PARANORMALWhen it comes to fiction writing, almost anything goes. That is why I love writing paranormal and fantasy stories. The author can go completely over the edge and make something unbelievable seem believable. When it comes to ghost stories, I get a lot of my inspiration from real life experiences. Not necessarily my own either. I watch television programs that partake of the supernatural and paranormal flare. Programs from ordinary people who claim they experienced either an afterlife experience, or a haunting.Some of my stories from my upcoming release “Wicked Intentions” is based on actual hauntings. Some stories I read about in the newspaper, and others I watched on true life experience programs. So the next time you get “writer’s block” try switching on the television. You might find something to jolt your inspiration.
Blurbs for Wicked IntentionsBLOOD TIES- word count 15, 902After the mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley, her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.THE HAUNTING OF BARB MARIE- word count 9,845Even as a child, Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her childhood and young adulthood.SUMMER WIND-word count 13,039When twenty-nine year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect on the family.THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LIES-laying the Norfolk ghost to restSolving the brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is closer than anyone realizes.THE LEGEND OF LAKE MANOR-word count 8,297 For the young psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor, was more like a mission.THE APARTMENT-word count 5,188When young newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.DARK VISIONS-word count 5,170When Carrie Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.
Author Bio:I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of Coffee Time Romance, International Women’s Writing Guild, Paranormal Romance Guild, the National Writers Association, Savvy Authors, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams.My books along with my original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/ Other books by JoAnne: Murder Most Foul-a detective/mysteryThe Crime of the Ctury-a biography true crimePoems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between Upcoming Releases: Loves, Myths, and Monsters- a fantasy anthology available in AprilTwisted Love- a biography true crime anthology available in MayFlagitious- a detective/mystery novella anthology Buy links for “Wicked Intentions” A paranormal/mystery anthology http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/WickedIntentions.html http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=wicked+intentions&categoryId=100501 http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Intentions-JoAnne-Myers-ebook/dp/B00GNRUF40/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384531716&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+intentions+myers
website:http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
website Blog: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2 https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wwwjoannemyerscom
March 18, 2014
Claudia Y Burgoa Blog Tour and Giveaway
Claudia Y Burgoa has two amazing NA releases, Where Life Takes You and Getting By! And I can't wait to tell you more about her and her books!
Release Date: December 1, 2013BECCA TRENT LIVED HER CHILDHOOD NEXT TO A CRUEL WOMAN—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom’s role—making Becca’s life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca’s best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple years later, thing ended up in tragedy.Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, caught between sanity and nightmares. Between therapy, work and her constantly looming past she can’t seem to find room to breathe. The memories of her late step-sister, Lisa, are her closest company.Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now she’s trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread.Amazon | BN | itunes
Release Date: February 18th, 2014When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn’t been selfish they’d still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor. Jake’s perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.Amazon | BN | itunes
Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:3/17: Mary's Cup of Tea - Promo Post3/18: Speculative Friction - Promo Post3/19: alwaysjoart - Promo Post3/20: Musings of the Book-a-holic Fairies, Inc. - Double Review3/21: For Whom The Books Toll - Promo Post3/22: deal sharing aunt - Promo Post3/23: Rose & Beps Blog - Promo Post3/24: Workaday Reads - Review3/25: Dowie's Place - Review3/26: Coffee and Characters - Promo Post3/27: Cheryl's Book Nook - Promo Post3/28: Bajgajka Loves books And Giveaways - Promo Post3/29: Wicca Witch 4 Book Blog - Promo Post3/30: Tigris Eden - Promo Post3/31: Shhh.,.Mommy's In the Bathroom, Reading - Double Review
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 4, 2014
Catalogue Phantasma
I just discovered my short story, Catalogue Phantasma, is available on Amazon and through Max Avalon shorts. This was my sixth place winner in the Zharmae annual short story contest and I am criminally proud of it.
The story is about a catalog addict who owns a storage unit facility. She repossesses a unit from a non-paying customer and finds it full of books, books, books...and one very out of the ordinary catalog. When she works out that the catalog can allow her to dream about anything she likes, the addiction is taken to a whole new level.
I'm so tickled this one is in print and available. It' also a part of the Irony of Survival anthology, a great collection of stories. But if you are interested in the short only, it can be found at Amazon and the Publisher's Website.
:) Frances
The story is about a catalog addict who owns a storage unit facility. She repossesses a unit from a non-paying customer and finds it full of books, books, books...and one very out of the ordinary catalog. When she works out that the catalog can allow her to dream about anything she likes, the addiction is taken to a whole new level.
I'm so tickled this one is in print and available. It' also a part of the Irony of Survival anthology, a great collection of stories. But if you are interested in the short only, it can be found at Amazon and the Publisher's Website.
:) Frances
March 2, 2014
Expectations and Two Movies: Gravity and Legends of the Guardians
I had an abject lesson in expectations this weekend. Not that I didn't understand the concept before, but it really came home hard by accident via a couple of films. I believe our expectations severely affect our experiences. If we expect too much, sometimes, mediocre can become catastrophic by comparison. Likewise, when we expect something to be horrific, and it turns out to be "not so bad," it can seem like it was a lot better than that.
Childbirth for one thing. I was terrified of it for thirty plus years. Built it up to be horrifying beyond reason and when I had a fairly smooth delivery, (not completely easy but not traumatic either) It felt like a trip to Disneyland. It wasn't, let me tell ya, but by comparison to the horror I was prepared for, eureka.
So this weekend I watched two very different movies. The first one, Legends of the Guardians, I had a pretty blah expectation for. I mean, it's owls. Kind of cool in premise, but supposedly for kids, and also, the reaction it received from others left me thinking it might stink.
"I'm not going to be epic."
So when the movie was dark, engaging, bad ass and artistically almost flawless...when the characters were ALL sympathetic and well built and the action had me scooting closer to the TV and telling the kids to "shut it!" I was floored. I was like, THIS IS SO EPIC!
It was. Awesomely epic. It was Secret of Nihm epic, and that's saying a lot. I'm a big fan of Justin the Rat as best animated hero ever. Guardians: A++ for exceeding expectations.
Then I watched Gravity.
"Everyone says I'm epic."
Let's preface this by pointing out that I like space...a lot. I used to watch the freaking NASA channel and think it was engaging and fun. (Damn you direct TV for taking away my space channel) I'm a pretty easy sell when it comes to stories set in space. Everyone, everyone, everyone said Gravity was epic.
IT WAS NOT EPIC
It was the opposite of epic. It bored the shit out of me. There were some pretty shots of Earth, sure. There were two action scenes that had some cool effects. Otherwise, SNOOZE fest. There were two characters, and only one of them was mildly interesting. It was not the main character, unfortunately. The main character was intentionally meh. Then, they clumsily and obviously tacked on some sad history too late for it to make me like her. I felt manipulated into contrived empathy. I felt sleepy.
Not epic. Soooooooooooooooooooo not epic.
But maybe, I just had too high expectations? You never know. My spouse had the same reactions, and in fact, we were kind of afraid to admit it. Like, if we said, you know what this is kind of a crap movie, the other one would go, oh you poor, unenlightened idiot. When we finally looked over at one another, however, the glassy eyed boredom on both our faces concurred. Snooze.
Not invested. I got what they wanted me to feel... I just couldn't join them for the trip.
Expectations not met.
Maybe it's like they teach us in retail. You should definitely under promise and over deliver. Because the other way around can really bite you in the ass.
And I already watched Guardians a second time. :)Wishing the hubby had rented Gravity instead of buying the blue ray.
Maybe it's just me.Chime in if you loved it instead. I'd be happy to hear it was just us.
~Frances
Childbirth for one thing. I was terrified of it for thirty plus years. Built it up to be horrifying beyond reason and when I had a fairly smooth delivery, (not completely easy but not traumatic either) It felt like a trip to Disneyland. It wasn't, let me tell ya, but by comparison to the horror I was prepared for, eureka.
So this weekend I watched two very different movies. The first one, Legends of the Guardians, I had a pretty blah expectation for. I mean, it's owls. Kind of cool in premise, but supposedly for kids, and also, the reaction it received from others left me thinking it might stink.
"I'm not going to be epic."So when the movie was dark, engaging, bad ass and artistically almost flawless...when the characters were ALL sympathetic and well built and the action had me scooting closer to the TV and telling the kids to "shut it!" I was floored. I was like, THIS IS SO EPIC!
It was. Awesomely epic. It was Secret of Nihm epic, and that's saying a lot. I'm a big fan of Justin the Rat as best animated hero ever. Guardians: A++ for exceeding expectations.
Then I watched Gravity.
"Everyone says I'm epic."Let's preface this by pointing out that I like space...a lot. I used to watch the freaking NASA channel and think it was engaging and fun. (Damn you direct TV for taking away my space channel) I'm a pretty easy sell when it comes to stories set in space. Everyone, everyone, everyone said Gravity was epic.
IT WAS NOT EPIC
It was the opposite of epic. It bored the shit out of me. There were some pretty shots of Earth, sure. There were two action scenes that had some cool effects. Otherwise, SNOOZE fest. There were two characters, and only one of them was mildly interesting. It was not the main character, unfortunately. The main character was intentionally meh. Then, they clumsily and obviously tacked on some sad history too late for it to make me like her. I felt manipulated into contrived empathy. I felt sleepy.
Not epic. Soooooooooooooooooooo not epic.
But maybe, I just had too high expectations? You never know. My spouse had the same reactions, and in fact, we were kind of afraid to admit it. Like, if we said, you know what this is kind of a crap movie, the other one would go, oh you poor, unenlightened idiot. When we finally looked over at one another, however, the glassy eyed boredom on both our faces concurred. Snooze.
Not invested. I got what they wanted me to feel... I just couldn't join them for the trip.
Expectations not met.
Maybe it's like they teach us in retail. You should definitely under promise and over deliver. Because the other way around can really bite you in the ass.
And I already watched Guardians a second time. :)Wishing the hubby had rented Gravity instead of buying the blue ray.
Maybe it's just me.Chime in if you loved it instead. I'd be happy to hear it was just us.
~Frances
February 24, 2014
The End of the Slime Trail
I'm feeling very "end of an era" today.
The first story I ever wrote and published independently was my Space Slugs web serial. Book one finished and went to print and e-book several years ago. Book two, Slug Opera, will be posting its last installment this week. I'm fairly certain there won't be a book three, or if there is, it will not begin as a web serial like its predecessors.
It's been a really fun ride. The crew of the Slug One were a hoot to hang out with, and I have no plans to stop anytime soon. The audio book of Space Slugs is in production, and I have a feeling it's going to be pretty awesome. But I have other books to write now, and that's a good thing...right?
I have other webserials to write as well. Much Ado About Bluebottes is still chugging along on its own website, and now, The Earth Tigers, is in process at Jukepop serials. That one will also be airing as audio serial on the home site and my youtube channel. It's going to be a lot of fun as well.
So it's not like I'm in any danger of getting bored. :)
But I'm going to miss the slugs, not just the literal Space Slugs, but the metaphorical ones, the crew of the Slug One: Zora, Murray, Rook and Ignatius. Hell, I'm even going to miss Zander a little....maybe a lot.
For anyone who followed along with the story, thanks for sharing the journey. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, and if you weren't with us from the beginning...there's still time to hop a swift shuttle to Zebezels for an Earth Burger and a lot of laughs.
See you in the stars,
~Frances
The first story I ever wrote and published independently was my Space Slugs web serial. Book one finished and went to print and e-book several years ago. Book two, Slug Opera, will be posting its last installment this week. I'm fairly certain there won't be a book three, or if there is, it will not begin as a web serial like its predecessors.
It's been a really fun ride. The crew of the Slug One were a hoot to hang out with, and I have no plans to stop anytime soon. The audio book of Space Slugs is in production, and I have a feeling it's going to be pretty awesome. But I have other books to write now, and that's a good thing...right?
I have other webserials to write as well. Much Ado About Bluebottes is still chugging along on its own website, and now, The Earth Tigers, is in process at Jukepop serials. That one will also be airing as audio serial on the home site and my youtube channel. It's going to be a lot of fun as well.
So it's not like I'm in any danger of getting bored. :)
But I'm going to miss the slugs, not just the literal Space Slugs, but the metaphorical ones, the crew of the Slug One: Zora, Murray, Rook and Ignatius. Hell, I'm even going to miss Zander a little....maybe a lot.
For anyone who followed along with the story, thanks for sharing the journey. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, and if you weren't with us from the beginning...there's still time to hop a swift shuttle to Zebezels for an Earth Burger and a lot of laughs.
See you in the stars,
~Frances
February 14, 2014
Kindle Giveaway
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