T.L. Gray's Blog, page 70

Breaking of Dawn

Rememberthe statement, "It's always darkest before the dawn"?    Iremember as a kid, getting up two hours before sunrise to prove or disprovethat theory, and was amazed to find that it was actually true.  Not only was the night the blackest before thesun rose, but it was also the coldest two hours of the morning.  I watched as the stars faded from view andthe moon dipped into the distance.  Thenight creatures even took a brief respite in their song to greet the new day,as if taking a deep breath to start their chorus all over.  It was amazing watching the first hue of orange,pink and yellow touch the edge of the horizon.  Though I sat in stillness, theair seemed to buzz to life with the touch of the first golden rays. I hadn'trealized that I held my breath, until I exhaled in relief and awe, allowing thetension of expectation to release its strangled hold on my shoulders.  In that brief, silent moment, I held an enormousbarrel of hope for the day.  The possibilitieswere endless.  Then of course, I wentabout my duties as usual, doing what was planned and expected, forgetting aboutthe hope I had imagined at the breaking of dawn.
What doesthat have to do with my writing career; my passion?  In those moments when it appears nothing ishappening, nothing is moving, and darkness covers all my hopes and dreams, Iremember that behind the darkest hour sits the beauty of dawn.  There's a new day, a new sunrise, a new hopewaiting for me, if I just hold on a bit longer. I can't give up when I'm so close, neither can you.
Till nexttime,~T.L. Gray

Newsflash!

The Union RecorderApril 4, 2012
Author of Milledgeville ghost tale visitsFrom staff reports
The Union-Recorder
 
MILLEDGEVILLE — The Mary Vinson Memorial Library will host a book signing event featuring author T.L. Gray who is promoting her newly published novel "Milledgeville Misfit."

"Milledgeville Misfit" is about 14-year-old Juniper "Junebug" Summerville who looses her parents and her ability to talk in a car accident. Against her silent protests, she is sent to live in a remote swampland infamous for its ghosts, federal prison and insane asylum. As Junebug struggles with her emotional scars, she begins to heal with help from six other orphans at Dearborn, a once famous Milledgeville Plantation. Just as she begins to enjoy the peace she's long desired, she finds herself in a fight for her sanity when she stumbles upon a tear in the fabric that separates the possible from the impossible, and she must choose which to believe. The young adult novel deals with grief and healing, and has an ending that leaves the reader with the choice of what to believe.

"Milledgeville Misfit" is Gray's third published book under Vabella Publishing. Her first published work was in 2009 called "The Blood of Cain," in which the second edition to the book and sequel, "The Arcainian Series," will both be released this May. The first book of a young adult series called 'The Necromancers' is scheduled to be released in early 2013. "Milledgeville Misfit" will also be featured in the May edition of the "Ghost Voices Magazine," an international print publication based out of London, England.

The book signing event is slated from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the downstairs theater area of the public library.

"Milledgeville Misfit" is currently available at Mary Vinson Memorial Library, Barnes & Noble, and on Amazon, Kindle and Nook.

For more information about Gray and reviews of her work, visit www.tlgray.net or join her Facebook page at authortlgray.

Dig In, and Dig Deep!

Today's advice?  Pushon!  Don't give up!  Don't stop!  Dig in, and dig deep.

Remember:  Thingsdon't happen spontaneously or immediately.  You can't grow something youhaven't planted. If things are happening, it's because you're doing something,even if it's just taking one little step at a time.  If NOTHING ishappening, it's because you're doing NOTHING.  

Things sometimes don'tgrow as you'd like them too.  We only sow the seed, but where, how, andwhen it grows is up to something bigger than us.  BUT, what is in ourcontrol is often how we sow.  If we scatter enough seed, something willeventually take root.  So, don't just plant one seed - you might getdisappointed, because not all seeds produce a harvest.  There are manyfactors that can come into our lives that can destroy the seed we've plantedbeyond our control; not enough sunlight, predators, pestilence, too much water,disease, wrong alkalinity of the soil, no fertilizer, etc. But, if you scattermany seeds, you WILL receive some form of a harvest. 

Look around youtoday?  What does your field look like?  What are youproducing?  Do you start something and never finish it?  Do you havea lot of great ideas but never act on them?  Do you share what you havewith others?  Do you sow into someone else' field and build a supportsystem for cross-genesis? If not, how do you expect to receive?  Why doyou believe you'll get something for nothing?  Who will stand beside youwhen you refuse to stand beside others?  Keep thinking you don't needanyone else, and no one else will ever need you.

Till next time,
~T.L. Gray

Booked Up - Review!

Booked Up – Jessica JillingsReviewof Milledgeville Misfit
I love opening my mailbox and finding a new review.  This morning was no exception.  Here is the latest 4-star review I received from blogger/reviewer Jessica Jillings of Booked Up.  Enjoy!


    "Never in myentire life have I read a book that has been even similar to this, and I feellike I have experienced something amazing by reading Milledgeville Misfit. Youneed to have an open mind to read this, and at first you may be skeptical, butstick with it and you will be incredibly impressed.       The beginning was quite slow andhard to get in to at first, but soon it starts to pick up the pace and onlygets better and better. You just have to give this some time and read on.Junebug was a brilliant main character, and what she went through was awful. Igot to watch her go from a child to a young woman, all in 168magical pages. I feel like I went through it all by her side, feeling whatshe felt, thinking what she thought and choosing what she chose. But if I hadactually been Junebug, I don't know how I could of handled her situation.
     I felt for every single orphan, especially little Abbywith her golden locks and poorly stitched teddy bear. I also loved Daniel, thehandsome older boy, Susan, the motherly young woman, Eddie, forever watchingTV, Alex, the pink haired animal lover and finally Michael, the boy in a redbaseball cap. I physically cared for each and every child. Every orphanhad a background story and whilst reading them, I found that my mouth washanging open in shock!
     Something that Iwasn't so keen on was the front cover, which just came across as sortof dreary and boring-looking, but apart from that, I can hardly findfaults. Oh, and one quick warning: Do not read this book at night, it getsquite eerie!      Throughout this entire novel, I was forever asking myself whether all of thiswas real or fantasy, and because of this T.L. Gray is a very clever author. Ilove also how the author has even managed to include a little loveinterest in this book too! It's that extra touch that makes this novel sogreat.  
     At times I wondered whether this was simply a horrorstory, and I couldn't have been more fooled. This is a tale of grieving,family, love, and what you believe in.
    I'm just surprised that I hadn't heard of T.L. Graysooner, she is already one of the best authors I know, after reading just oneof her books. I highly recommend this to everyone I know, and already have aqueue of friends that are begging to borrow this from me! So thank you so muchT.L. Gray and her publisher for giving me the chance to read and review thismasterpiece.
      I give Milledgeville Misfit a 4/5, with just onestar lost because of the dreary front cover and slow beginning. Other thanthat, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and my mind has pretty much be blown! Go to http://www.tlgray.net/or http://www.tlgray.blogspot.com/for more info about the author!"

Well, that was probably one of the best reviews I've received so far, including the lack of enthusiasm for my cover.  Make sure you guys drop by Booked Up and let Jessica know you appreciate her review. 
Till next time,~T.L. Gray

A Story Structure

I cannot begin to express the value of information Ilearned this past fall when I participated in the Introduction to Screenwritingworkshop with producer/writer Elisa Dimitria Bowman of CINIGI LighthouseEntertainment.  It was during thisworkshop that Ms. Bowman presented me with a diagram for the structure of ascreenplay.  I've made a few adjustmentsto apply the same principles to the structure of a novel.  I not only use this diagram when writing myown stories, but when I read novels written by others.  It's genius in its simplicity, and so Ithought I'd share it this morning.
We are taught from an early point in our educationthat story has three essential parts – Introduction, climax and ending.  However, while that is still a foundationaltruth, I'd like to fill in some of the other important parts in between thosethree.
Introduction –The beginning of your novel should set up a few things within the first few chapterslike: setting, introduction of the characters, laying of the foundation for theplot, and setting the story into forward motion. 
Inciting Scene –This is one of those nuggets of dynamic information I learned from thescreenwriting class and has now been ingrained into my understanding.  An inciting scene is the scene where thefirst important change happens in a story – it's the point of no return – the pointwhere certain decisions or actions by the characters lead down a certain roadand to certain consequence. In a screenplay, this usually happens within thefirst 20 minutes of the movie, or 20 pages of the screenplay.  I've applied this concept toward a manuscriptin terms of the first 20% of the novel. If your novel is around 80,000 words, then your inciting scene should appeararound 16,000 words.  Or if you go by achapter scale and your book is 20 chapters, this scene should happen aroundChapter 4. 
Story Parts/Acts –If you take your novel and divide it into thirds, you'll have Part 1/Act 1,Part 2/Act 2, and Part 3/Act 3.  Certainthings should occur in your story within each act, each containing their ownmini-stories within itself.  On thelarger scale, the Introduction and Inciting Scene are parts of Act 1.  The Climax and Turning Point are parts of Act2.  The Twist, Resolution and/orConclusion are parts of Act 3. Again, if your novel is 80,000 words – Act 1should end around 26-27,000 words.  Act 2should end around 52-54,000 words.  Act 3should end at 80,000 words.  In terms ofchapters for a 20 chapter novel – Act 1 around Chapter 6 or 7, Act 2 aroundChapter 13 or 14, and Act 3 at Chapter 20. Structuring your story to this model will help you greatly with pacing.
Climax – Turning Point –This should happen somewhere in the middle of your story.  It could be placed anywhere after the quarter-pointof the 2nd Part/2nd Act to the three-quarter point of the2nd Part/2nd Act. This crucial point of the story is the central point of the entireplot.  It contains the 'point' of the story.  (I love this illustration, because a point isalso a tip.) For a novel of 80,000 words, the climax should be between 32,000and 47,000 words, or Chapter 8 to Chapter 12 for a 20 Chapter book.
Resolution, Twist and Conclusion –This would be where you tie the ends to all the story threads you have sown upto this point.  It occurs in the last 1/3of your novel.  This is where theconsequences of the previous actions are played out.  You can insert a plot twist, which is somethingvaguely implied or planted in their earlier chapters that changes theresolution of the conclusion, before bringing the story to a close.  These happen after 53-54,000 words in an80,000 word novel, or the last five chapters of a 20 Chapter novel.  I try to place my twists and conclusionsusually within the last 20% (last 2-4 chapters or after 64,000 words),balancing out the inciting scene, and letting my resolution of plot points cometo a graceful and naturally paced end (unless it's a cliffhanger). 
Please keep in mind that this is not an official storystructure, but I find that it works really well for me.  Movies are simply moving stories, but theconcepts are quite the same as literary works. I see my books as written stories, but in my imagination I can see themas movies when I write them.  If a storywouldn't be an interesting movie for me, then it I can't imagine it being an interestingbook.  Hopefully, you too will beinspired by this diagram.  See how yourstory compares to it – and perhaps you might just discover a better balance.Till next time,~T.L. Gray

Murderous Crossing - Review

If youlove going out with a good friend, or a loved one, to a nice Italianrestaurant, enjoying good food, having a good laugh, and engaging new friendsin good conversation, all with a side of murder, then you'll love MurderousCrossings. 
My wonderful,thoughtful and caring son, Johnathan, took me out Saturday night to the OliveTree in Villa Rica to participate in Cast Production's dinner-theatre program,Murderous Crossings.  To his surprise, hewas pulled into the production and asked to play the best man at thewedding.  He did a great job deliveringhis toast, red cheeks and all.  
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Show Premise: The year is 1923and audience members are passengers on board the HMS Victoria as it crosses theEnglish Channel. The famous Inspector Clurrot has tracked down a homicidalmastermind hiding out on board. Meanwhile, the ship is the vessel of matrimonyfor the Contessa Follette and John D. Rothchild - a marriage encouraged throughfinancial need and murderous greed. But not everything is as it seems, and itturns out that the English Channel isn't the only thing being crossed. Audience members get to stand in for thebest man, bridesmaid, mother of the groom, and father of the bride in thisAgatha Christie style comic mystery. And everyone tries to figure outwho-dunnit. (Participation encouraged but not required.)Written by: David Landau
Directed by: Kevin Kincheloe and Andenia Mehler
I wouldn'tsay that Murderous Crossings was the best dinner-theatre performance I've everattended, but it was so much fun it was a 5-star event for me.  I had tired of formal affairs, religious gatherings,holiday events and professional meets, that a night laughing, enjoying alight-hearted atmosphere, while using the mind to discover the "Murdra" (whichI guessed incorrectly – and me being a mystery writer) was like a breath offresh air. 

So, ifyou're looking for a great piece of entertainment, something different than thesame-old, same-old, then plan to visit The Olive Tree and catch the latest dramaof Cast Productions.  At $36 dollars perperson, you can't find a much better way to spend a Saturday evening.  Please check their website for futureproductions.

Till next time,~T.L. Gray

Something New

Beingcreatures of habit, we humans really don't like doing something new, while atthe same time our hearts yearn for it!  Yet,doing something new isn't just a good idea, it's essential for our lives tomove forward; else we become complacent and stagnant in our creativity andvitality. 
As awriter, I'm always on the lookout for new story ideas, new trends,  and newmovements in the publishing and writing industry.  I cannot allow a small measure of success inone area, keep me in that particular area, because the whole platform willshift, and I'll fall to the wayside when that area haspassed.  I have to be adaptable, moveableand amenable to change; else I'll become complacent and stagnant in mycreativity and vitality as a writer.
What washot yesterday (genre, writing style or trend), will be cold tomorrow, BUT willeventually be hot once again, at least if it was a good idea.  Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, grandlove stories, epic fantasies, outlandish sci-fi's, memoirs, historical fictions,superheroes, period pieces and fairy tales have all come, gone and will comeagain.  They're what we call "cyclictrends".  If you write in one of theprevious trends, and the trend has currently passed, put in on the shelf for a while,but don't get rid of it; the trend will return – eventually.  Outdated writing styles will come back with aflare, and what you thought as something of the past, will become retro and chiconce again.  However, be careful that youdon't spend all your time chasing trends, but being ahead of them.  Know your market, know what's out there, anddon't stick your head in the mud thinking you're an island onto yourself.  If you don't flow with the changes, you'llbecome complacent and stagnant in your creativity and vitality.
Till nexttime,~T.L. Gray

What's New?

What have you written today?

    Hmmm?
What have you read today?

   Hmmm?

What words of encouragement, critique or knowledge have you given today?

   Hmmm?

What new ideas are swirling around in your head?

   Hmmm?

And you call yourself a writer!

Lucky Seven Meme

My fellow author friend Ardyth DeBruyn tagged me with this and when I looked at it, it looked like fun, so I thought I'd do it.  
Go to p. 77 of current WIP
go to line 7
copy down next 7 or so lines/sentences & post them as they're written
Tag 7 other authors
Let them know
My 7 author friends are:
Frank Allan RogersMary C. CunninghamMarti NortonMarty ShawDiana BlackMatthew PetersonBeverly Bruemmer 


WIP: Hunter & Chase (Working Title)
"Deadis dead, and they're no longer anything at all."  Hunter shrugged.  "Once you're dead, you no longer matter.  The world goes on without you."Witha huff, Chase turned away from Hunter and stacked all the weapons andarmor they accumulated at the tournament in a neat pile. "Not if you lovedsomeone.  Then that person lives foreverin your heart, even after they're gone.""ThenI don't see why you're all bothered about an aunt that died a long time agothat we neither knew nor loved."  Hunterknelt down and rubbed to two pieces of wood together to build a fire.  "Sometimes you really concern me with yourphilosophies. I don't think you're always in touch with reality."
.

Brain Blitz

Have youever had those nights where your brain just wouldn't shut off?  No matter how tired you find your body, yourthoughts toss, tumble and twist through your subconscious, along with yourconscious body, contorting your dreams, until the sun comes up the next morning? Then, exhaustion grabs hold of youthroughout the day, you find yourself sluggish, irritable andunproductive?  Well, I HATE thosedays.  Even the most mundane of tasks aredifficult to complete.
I love anactive brain.  I get extremely excitedwhen thoughts, ideas and new concepts flutter through my intellect.  It makes me feel like Indiana Jones on a newadventure; my soul thirsts for fresh knowledge and hungers for innovativetreasures.    Most of all, I love being productive, even ifit's just finishing a small task.  Atleast it's been completed and I'm one step closer to another goal.  BUT, being unproductive is the thing I hatemost in this world. 
I haven'tfound a 'cure' yet for when I have a brain blitz.  I've tried praying, exercising, drinking warmmilk, take a sleeping aid, having white noise in the background, reading (whichis the worse, especially if the story is interesting), taking a hot bath, andeven taking cold medicine (which is not advisable). I'd love to hear yoursuggestions.  What has worked for you?
Till nexttime,~DesperatelySeeking Sound Sleep