Mari Miniatt's Blog, page 17
November 18, 2010
Character Theme Songs: Swen
Want to catch up the previous posts are as follows:
First Post HERE
Second Post: HERE
Third Post: HERE
Fourth Post: HERE
This week I am sharing the music I use to write, especially the songs that end up to be the ones I associate with certain characters.
Some main characters do not end up with theme songs (poor Ogden I haven't found his yet.) But some minor ones do.
This one is for the berserk bouncer: Swen
Pyre of the Gods by Tarot
Why is this song so fitting for Swen?
Actually, this one overtook a Black Label Society song (Suicide Messiah), when I wrote Killer. The scene where Swen threatens the vampire in the alleyway. This was the song I played constantly while writing and editing.
Look at what he is: he is a former Marine. He is a berserk. He is a biker.
Although this song came out way after his tour of duty. I can see him relating to the lyrics of the song. Especially if you take in his religious beliefs (hinted at, but not fully reveled in the novels).
Besides I can't see Swen listening to mainstream music.
First Post HERE
Second Post: HERE
Third Post: HERE
Fourth Post: HERE
This week I am sharing the music I use to write, especially the songs that end up to be the ones I associate with certain characters.
Some main characters do not end up with theme songs (poor Ogden I haven't found his yet.) But some minor ones do.
This one is for the berserk bouncer: Swen
Pyre of the Gods by Tarot
Why is this song so fitting for Swen?
Actually, this one overtook a Black Label Society song (Suicide Messiah), when I wrote Killer. The scene where Swen threatens the vampire in the alleyway. This was the song I played constantly while writing and editing.
Look at what he is: he is a former Marine. He is a berserk. He is a biker.
Although this song came out way after his tour of duty. I can see him relating to the lyrics of the song. Especially if you take in his religious beliefs (hinted at, but not fully reveled in the novels).
Besides I can't see Swen listening to mainstream music.
November 17, 2010
Character Theme Songs: Vincent
Want to catch up the previous posts are as follows:
First Post HERE
Second Post: HERE
Third Post: HERE
This week, while I am feverishly trying to get ahead in my NaNoWriMo entry, I thought I would share some of the music I listen to while I write. Some authors can't have that distraction. I find it helps me focus. And once in awhile a song will become one that I will associate with a particular character.
What can I say about Vincent? First off, he gets two songs.
A Little Less Conversation the Jxl vs Elvis remix.
Possum Kingdom by The Toadies
Why two songs? Because they each cover a side of his personality.
The first one: That is the public face of Vincent. He is the host of the Rathskeller, the life of the party! If someone is having a bad time, he steps in and makes sure they have a good one. I have a feeling he is an Elvis fan, too.
The second: The perfect stalking song for him. If he ever wanted to take more than a snack from one of his victims, I could see him using the same words to convince them to go with him.
First Post HERE
Second Post: HERE
Third Post: HERE
This week, while I am feverishly trying to get ahead in my NaNoWriMo entry, I thought I would share some of the music I listen to while I write. Some authors can't have that distraction. I find it helps me focus. And once in awhile a song will become one that I will associate with a particular character.
What can I say about Vincent? First off, he gets two songs.
A Little Less Conversation the Jxl vs Elvis remix.
Possum Kingdom by The Toadies
Why two songs? Because they each cover a side of his personality.
The first one: That is the public face of Vincent. He is the host of the Rathskeller, the life of the party! If someone is having a bad time, he steps in and makes sure they have a good one. I have a feeling he is an Elvis fan, too.
The second: The perfect stalking song for him. If he ever wanted to take more than a snack from one of his victims, I could see him using the same words to convince them to go with him.
November 16, 2010
Character Theme Songs: Steopa
Inspired by the question you answer when you sign up for nanowrimo. This week I am sharing the songs that have be come the theme songs for some of my characters.
Previous Posts: HERE and HERE
Steopa is unique in that he gets a classical piece
Montagues and Capulets other wise known as Dance of the Knights by Sergei Prokofiev.
The piece sounds familiar doesn't it. It is often used to set the mood of film pieces that are to take place in the Soviet area.
Why does this fit Steopa?
Knowing his background, he might have met the composer at some point, speculation even for me! LOL!
But I was draw to this piece as his theme music because it fits him. This could be the one that he listens to after he returns to the underground vault. This music fits the way he moves and acts. Hard to explain.
Previous Posts: HERE and HERE
Steopa is unique in that he gets a classical piece
Montagues and Capulets other wise known as Dance of the Knights by Sergei Prokofiev.
The piece sounds familiar doesn't it. It is often used to set the mood of film pieces that are to take place in the Soviet area.
Why does this fit Steopa?
Knowing his background, he might have met the composer at some point, speculation even for me! LOL!
But I was draw to this piece as his theme music because it fits him. This could be the one that he listens to after he returns to the underground vault. This music fits the way he moves and acts. Hard to explain.
November 15, 2010
Character Theme Songs: Steopa and Beka
First post: HERE
This week I am sharing the songs I listen to while writing for certain characters. These songs became the characters theme music.
Here is the song for both Steopa and Beka.
Love You to Death by Type O Negative:
Officialvideo here: Please watch it.
Live video:
This became their song when they were just general ideas. The line "Am I good enough, for you." speaks to both of them.
Beka has issues, based on her past, any intimate relationship would be hard. And then her and Steopa are slammed together. One: she has a classical good looking man (vampire) who finds her attractive. Two: It takes her a while to get over the hang ups that blocked her before.
With Steopa: (spoiler alert some of this comes out in Patriarch) He has only loved one other woman in his life. She was the reason he forced himself home after being attacked by the vampire in the pine thicket. Then centuries later, being a vampire desensitized him to the same feelings.
Both of them had shut down their feelings in the area of love. One because of being a vampire. One did it out of self defense. Yet, they are together. They do feel deeply for each other. Physically it still maybe in impossible for them. But they don't mind.
Side note: yeah, after watching the videos, those of you that read the books. Yes, physical inspiration for Steopa.
This week I am sharing the songs I listen to while writing for certain characters. These songs became the characters theme music.
Here is the song for both Steopa and Beka.
Love You to Death by Type O Negative:
Officialvideo here: Please watch it.
Live video:
This became their song when they were just general ideas. The line "Am I good enough, for you." speaks to both of them.
Beka has issues, based on her past, any intimate relationship would be hard. And then her and Steopa are slammed together. One: she has a classical good looking man (vampire) who finds her attractive. Two: It takes her a while to get over the hang ups that blocked her before.
With Steopa: (spoiler alert some of this comes out in Patriarch) He has only loved one other woman in his life. She was the reason he forced himself home after being attacked by the vampire in the pine thicket. Then centuries later, being a vampire desensitized him to the same feelings.
Both of them had shut down their feelings in the area of love. One because of being a vampire. One did it out of self defense. Yet, they are together. They do feel deeply for each other. Physically it still maybe in impossible for them. But they don't mind.
Side note: yeah, after watching the videos, those of you that read the books. Yes, physical inspiration for Steopa.
November 14, 2010
Photo Prompt > Not a poem, but inspired.
One Stop Poetry has a photo prompt on homelessness. I am not a poet, but I will try to get some words down. Because it happened to me, and it can happen to you.
It's easy to ignore the scruffy one, the one sitting smoking the butt of the cigarette that he found on the ground.
It's easy to ignore the noisy one, the one standing outside the shop, stopping you for change as you leave.
It's easy to ignore the loud one, the one screaming to sky, hoping that God hears him, because no one else is.
It's easy to ignore them, because you see them. Even if you try not too, they are there.
But there are the ones: too proud to beg, too proud to let themselves look like they are homeless, and too ashamed to let their friends know.
Some even have jobs, but instead of heading home every night to watch reality TV. They are cramped with their family in one bedroom of the family shelter or living in their car. Mother and Father and kids.
They bathe at the Y. They make excuses if someone wants to visit them. While others are buying too much junk for the Holidays, they have to tell the kids that Santa might not come.
They are not there because they abused drugs, they are not there because they ran. They are there because what they are paid cannot even get them a small apartment. Or the medical bills have wiped out all their funds. Or they lost their home and there are no jobs.
You can't ignore them, because they do not want to be seen with the scruffy, noisy, and loud ones. They want to just have a stable place to call their own. A place where their kids can have friends over. It doesn't have to be a mansion, just a place to hall home.
It's easy to ignore the scruffy one, the one sitting smoking the butt of the cigarette that he found on the ground.
It's easy to ignore the noisy one, the one standing outside the shop, stopping you for change as you leave.
It's easy to ignore the loud one, the one screaming to sky, hoping that God hears him, because no one else is.
It's easy to ignore them, because you see them. Even if you try not too, they are there.
But there are the ones: too proud to beg, too proud to let themselves look like they are homeless, and too ashamed to let their friends know.
Some even have jobs, but instead of heading home every night to watch reality TV. They are cramped with their family in one bedroom of the family shelter or living in their car. Mother and Father and kids.
They bathe at the Y. They make excuses if someone wants to visit them. While others are buying too much junk for the Holidays, they have to tell the kids that Santa might not come.
They are not there because they abused drugs, they are not there because they ran. They are there because what they are paid cannot even get them a small apartment. Or the medical bills have wiped out all their funds. Or they lost their home and there are no jobs.
You can't ignore them, because they do not want to be seen with the scruffy, noisy, and loud ones. They want to just have a stable place to call their own. A place where their kids can have friends over. It doesn't have to be a mansion, just a place to hall home.
November 13, 2010
Character Theme Songs: Beka
One of the questions you are asked when you sign up for NaNoWriMo is what type of music do you listen to when writing. That is a hard question for me to answer because it depends on the story and what is going on in the story.
One of the things I notice that comes up with my listening is that certain songs begin to become the theme songs of characters. I find I am listening to one song constantly when writing about a certain character.
Over the next few posts I am going to share the songs I listen to and explain why they became the theme songs.
Here is the song for Beka:
The Chair by The 69 Eyes
Poor, poor, poor Beka.
What a messed up woman she was. She wanted to be miserable, she wanted to be hurt, and she wanted the attention.
You could say this was the theme song to her human life. She still carried on through all the emotional baggage she had built up around her. Part of her wanted someone to "kick the chair", but there was part of her that stopped her each time.
One of the things I notice that comes up with my listening is that certain songs begin to become the theme songs of characters. I find I am listening to one song constantly when writing about a certain character.
Over the next few posts I am going to share the songs I listen to and explain why they became the theme songs.
Here is the song for Beka:
The Chair by The 69 Eyes
Poor, poor, poor Beka.
What a messed up woman she was. She wanted to be miserable, she wanted to be hurt, and she wanted the attention.
You could say this was the theme song to her human life. She still carried on through all the emotional baggage she had built up around her. Part of her wanted someone to "kick the chair", but there was part of her that stopped her each time.
November 11, 2010
The price of freedom is dealing with the nastiness.
**Any comments that attack me directly about this post will be deleted. I know its ironic considering want I am ranting about. And I refuse to print the title of the book, because it is free publicity. **
I was going to wait until Monday to post this. I have to rant.
Yesterday, under public pressure Amazon pulled a self published book off it's listing. Because of the subject matter. Unfortunately I have to take everything I hear about that book, on hearsay, because I never saw the listing. And a lot of the people that complained, also did not see the listing. I am sure some people did look further and my rant is not with them.
This rant is for a particular group of people, read on.
When you publish with Createspace, they have you sign a Terms of Service agreement. Which means they will not publish certain items. This book did fall into that violation. I think if Amazon would have pulled it earlier, the furor would not have been so bad.
But there is a bigger picture (actually two points) that is making my stomach turn.
A lot of authors, just helped censor a book. Read that sentence again. Authors helped censor a book. The very people that should defend anyones right to free expression, screamed and hollered and got the book taken down. I don't care what the subject matter was, I don't care how vile it was. Because there are a lot of books out there that are just as bad in someone elses mind.
Let me let you in on a little fact. Any book that has been written will offend someone.
But that was a horrible, gross, disgusting, illegal subject, it's not the same.
Let me give you some titles, and you decide.
Mein Kamf: Hitler's autobiography and political philosophy
Lolita: A man's obsession with a 12 year old girl
The Turner Diaries: A diary about a violent take over of the United States government, Timothy McViegh was reportedly influenced by the book.
The Joy of Gay Sex: The title explains it all
Now it turns out the author wanted all the free publicity he could get. He got it.
Maybe some of you have never dealt with this first hand like I have. I had just started to work in retail. Harry Potter the first movie was coming out on DVD. I was setting up the display.
Suddenly this woman is in front of me. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING PUTTING UP THAT EVIL THING?"
She screamed at me. She did not want our store to sell that book or movie that promoted witchcraft, and devil worship, and child abuse. I tried to back away from her, but she kept on me.
Was she delusional? No, her entire church had started a campaign to stop the sale of the DVD (obviously it failed). In her mind, Harry Potter is just as bad as "the book"
Here is the other: "You see, this is why we should not have self published books, the publishing houses won't allow such filth."
That list of four books, not one of them was self publish. Small press maybe, but not self published.
Do I find that subject matter of that book horrible? Yes.
Do I think Amazon did the right thing? Only if they pulled it because of the Terms of Service, not because of censorship.
Would I ever want a book banned or boycott the place that sell it? No.
All you authors out there that were promoting Banned Book Week and then wanted this book taken down. Look at yourself in the mirror. Do YOU really understand what censorship is?
Everyone has a right to free expression. No matter how uncomfortable, horrible, stupid, gross, disgusting, evil it may be.
I was going to wait until Monday to post this. I have to rant.
Yesterday, under public pressure Amazon pulled a self published book off it's listing. Because of the subject matter. Unfortunately I have to take everything I hear about that book, on hearsay, because I never saw the listing. And a lot of the people that complained, also did not see the listing. I am sure some people did look further and my rant is not with them.
This rant is for a particular group of people, read on.
When you publish with Createspace, they have you sign a Terms of Service agreement. Which means they will not publish certain items. This book did fall into that violation. I think if Amazon would have pulled it earlier, the furor would not have been so bad.
But there is a bigger picture (actually two points) that is making my stomach turn.
A lot of authors, just helped censor a book. Read that sentence again. Authors helped censor a book. The very people that should defend anyones right to free expression, screamed and hollered and got the book taken down. I don't care what the subject matter was, I don't care how vile it was. Because there are a lot of books out there that are just as bad in someone elses mind.
Let me let you in on a little fact. Any book that has been written will offend someone.
But that was a horrible, gross, disgusting, illegal subject, it's not the same.
Let me give you some titles, and you decide.
Mein Kamf: Hitler's autobiography and political philosophy
Lolita: A man's obsession with a 12 year old girl
The Turner Diaries: A diary about a violent take over of the United States government, Timothy McViegh was reportedly influenced by the book.
The Joy of Gay Sex: The title explains it all
Now it turns out the author wanted all the free publicity he could get. He got it.
Maybe some of you have never dealt with this first hand like I have. I had just started to work in retail. Harry Potter the first movie was coming out on DVD. I was setting up the display.
Suddenly this woman is in front of me. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING PUTTING UP THAT EVIL THING?"
She screamed at me. She did not want our store to sell that book or movie that promoted witchcraft, and devil worship, and child abuse. I tried to back away from her, but she kept on me.
Was she delusional? No, her entire church had started a campaign to stop the sale of the DVD (obviously it failed). In her mind, Harry Potter is just as bad as "the book"
Here is the other: "You see, this is why we should not have self published books, the publishing houses won't allow such filth."
That list of four books, not one of them was self publish. Small press maybe, but not self published.
Do I find that subject matter of that book horrible? Yes.
Do I think Amazon did the right thing? Only if they pulled it because of the Terms of Service, not because of censorship.
Would I ever want a book banned or boycott the place that sell it? No.
All you authors out there that were promoting Banned Book Week and then wanted this book taken down. Look at yourself in the mirror. Do YOU really understand what censorship is?
Everyone has a right to free expression. No matter how uncomfortable, horrible, stupid, gross, disgusting, evil it may be.
November 8, 2010
Fans: I has it
Up until yesterday. I could talk to most of my fans. I knew them by name. I have been selling more books than what I have for friends and family. So what happened yesterday, was going to happen.
I was at the Enchanted Bazaar, picking up my leather jacket, and a customer came in. Turns out she bought Fledgling a few weeks ago, and was coming in to buy Killer.
"It's so cool I get to meet you!" she said.
That was a surreal moment.
We talked about the books. She told me what she liked "Beka blossoms!" and "Why can't I find a man like Steopa?"
Like I said it was surreal. It wasn't a book signing. It wasn't someone sending me an email, text, or twitter how much they loved the book (which has already happened). This was a random face to face meeting.
Now granted, she would not have known who I was if it wasn't for the employee pointing me out (actually pulling me away from the leather worker). I don't put my picture on my books, so she would not have recognized me on the street. It made me feel strange. But happy. Very happy.
So now I cannot wait for January, when I will be editing the third book of the series, to get it ready for publication (aiming for May or June). I know there are people chomping at the bit to read more, but to see the excitement in her eyes about something I created. That is a charge that I can't really describe.
For those of you curious. The third book will be called Patriarch. It will be about Steopa and, of course, Beka.
I was at the Enchanted Bazaar, picking up my leather jacket, and a customer came in. Turns out she bought Fledgling a few weeks ago, and was coming in to buy Killer.
"It's so cool I get to meet you!" she said.
That was a surreal moment.
We talked about the books. She told me what she liked "Beka blossoms!" and "Why can't I find a man like Steopa?"
Like I said it was surreal. It wasn't a book signing. It wasn't someone sending me an email, text, or twitter how much they loved the book (which has already happened). This was a random face to face meeting.
Now granted, she would not have known who I was if it wasn't for the employee pointing me out (actually pulling me away from the leather worker). I don't put my picture on my books, so she would not have recognized me on the street. It made me feel strange. But happy. Very happy.
So now I cannot wait for January, when I will be editing the third book of the series, to get it ready for publication (aiming for May or June). I know there are people chomping at the bit to read more, but to see the excitement in her eyes about something I created. That is a charge that I can't really describe.
For those of you curious. The third book will be called Patriarch. It will be about Steopa and, of course, Beka.
November 6, 2010
NaNoWriMo, Pantser, and getting sidetracked by a meteor.
I am doing NaNoWriMo again. I love the contest. It fun to see if you can churn out the story in a short amount of time. I have done so for the last two years. So why do it again?
Because each year is different.
First year, it taught me I could do it.
Second year, taught me I could do it while working on other writing projects.
This year, I hope it teaches me how to stay focus on the five million projects I have going and still get it done.
This years entry is a werewolf vs. werewolf story. When I started to write it, it was simple. Rural vs. Urban werewolves. There was one vampire, and a Renfield type character, as well.
Well, when you are pantser writer, you expect your writing to take a turn. This one did a 270 and went off road.
I did not plan for it to be a brutal as it has become. This story is border line Saw territory. I have keep most of the graphic details out, leaving the reader dealing with the results, but its creeping me out!
The vampire was almost cut, then brought back in as a larger, character.
The meteor! The original concept, is good, for the first half of the story. I have already written things that are changing the plot. More vampires are being added and a larger plot is taking place. So the original plan of keeping it to a few characters is being thrown out the window.
The story is becoming larger, more characters added. My notes are overflowing! Maybe I should include my notes on the story for the word count too.
As for horror. Not scary, but makes you uncomfortable.
Another sidetrack; Another story idea. This one creeped up on me at work. It's been nagging my brain. Those of you that know my writing style will be surprised. No monster, no fantasy, no thriller. Its a "chick lit" type story. But being me, not about suburban housewives. Working title: Midlife Crisis Weekend. I have to shelve it for now. December first I will hit it running.
So far so good this first week. I missed one write in, due to a substitute bus driver taking his time on the route from work. By the time I got home, I had 15 minutes to fix and eat supper before turning around and going to the write in. Sunday is the first major write in. I will go. I love them.
My break from NaNoWriMo writing is over. I have to get back to the fight in the hunting cabin. See ya.
Because each year is different.
First year, it taught me I could do it.
Second year, taught me I could do it while working on other writing projects.
This year, I hope it teaches me how to stay focus on the five million projects I have going and still get it done.
This years entry is a werewolf vs. werewolf story. When I started to write it, it was simple. Rural vs. Urban werewolves. There was one vampire, and a Renfield type character, as well.
Well, when you are pantser writer, you expect your writing to take a turn. This one did a 270 and went off road.
I did not plan for it to be a brutal as it has become. This story is border line Saw territory. I have keep most of the graphic details out, leaving the reader dealing with the results, but its creeping me out!
The vampire was almost cut, then brought back in as a larger, character.
The meteor! The original concept, is good, for the first half of the story. I have already written things that are changing the plot. More vampires are being added and a larger plot is taking place. So the original plan of keeping it to a few characters is being thrown out the window.
The story is becoming larger, more characters added. My notes are overflowing! Maybe I should include my notes on the story for the word count too.
As for horror. Not scary, but makes you uncomfortable.
Another sidetrack; Another story idea. This one creeped up on me at work. It's been nagging my brain. Those of you that know my writing style will be surprised. No monster, no fantasy, no thriller. Its a "chick lit" type story. But being me, not about suburban housewives. Working title: Midlife Crisis Weekend. I have to shelve it for now. December first I will hit it running.
So far so good this first week. I missed one write in, due to a substitute bus driver taking his time on the route from work. By the time I got home, I had 15 minutes to fix and eat supper before turning around and going to the write in. Sunday is the first major write in. I will go. I love them.
My break from NaNoWriMo writing is over. I have to get back to the fight in the hunting cabin. See ya.
November 1, 2010
Another step to Greatness!
I got my first agent rejection on Friday, actually it was Thursday, but I was promoting my indie books and was not near the computer.
So I expect you think I'm upset. Actually not, I said "Okay," when I read the email. Checked my list of agents to contact (I have fifty more) and realized I have a long way to go.
My hubby asked me how I felt. I told him it as if he went out for an audition. All he was told was that they were looking for drama actors. No hint on what to prepare for the audition. So he picks his best work. A soliloquy from Hamlet. He gets on stage, and just after he says "To be or not to be." The director says "Thank you, next!" You find out later they wanted an actor that could do a Chekhov.
I think because I am learning to separate my feelings from the business end of the writing, I can shrug this off. Don't get me wrong, if I get rejected by the last agent on the list. I will be upset. Not life shattering upset, but upset.
Yet, this rejection is a stepping stone. It means I am toughing up. I am really in the trenches.
But the funny thing was, a few minutes after I read the rejection email. I find a new review of Fledgling. A very positive review posted that morning.
What to make of that? The book proposal I sent to the agent didn't fit what they wanted. What I write is making people happy. So I just have to find the agent that can see that.
Wish me luck, and check back in a year.
So I expect you think I'm upset. Actually not, I said "Okay," when I read the email. Checked my list of agents to contact (I have fifty more) and realized I have a long way to go.
My hubby asked me how I felt. I told him it as if he went out for an audition. All he was told was that they were looking for drama actors. No hint on what to prepare for the audition. So he picks his best work. A soliloquy from Hamlet. He gets on stage, and just after he says "To be or not to be." The director says "Thank you, next!" You find out later they wanted an actor that could do a Chekhov.
I think because I am learning to separate my feelings from the business end of the writing, I can shrug this off. Don't get me wrong, if I get rejected by the last agent on the list. I will be upset. Not life shattering upset, but upset.
Yet, this rejection is a stepping stone. It means I am toughing up. I am really in the trenches.
But the funny thing was, a few minutes after I read the rejection email. I find a new review of Fledgling. A very positive review posted that morning.
What to make of that? The book proposal I sent to the agent didn't fit what they wanted. What I write is making people happy. So I just have to find the agent that can see that.
Wish me luck, and check back in a year.
