Jessica Knauss's Blog, page 60
September 7, 2011
New Place to See Tree/House and Great New Writers
The Electronic Text and Literature Cloud is the place to go to find out about independent authors you might never have otherwise heard of. Each title is showcased on an understated, tasteful page full of links to more information and, of course, where to buy it. I've had the honor of Tree/House being the first featured text in the "Literary" genre. Check it out here!
And check back with eTLC often for buried treasure that deserves more attention!
And check back with eTLC often for buried treasure that deserves more attention!
September 5, 2011
Out Now: A Crazy Weird Anthology for Animal Lovers!
Housefire Press, the press that only solicits from authors they like and never reads slush piles, has just released their anthology Nouns of Assemblage. It's full of animals, although I haven't received my contributor copy yet, so I can't guarantee they're all sweet. More specifically, it's all about the names for animals in their natural groups, such as the famous "murder of crows."There are over 60 stories in here, and one is mine! Guess which group noun I chose. Yep, a "Crash of Rhinoceroses." It's an even more micro version of my microfiction "A Business Venture in Glue," published this year by Stanley the Whale . But don't that deter you, as there are more than 59 other stories by "The Best Authors in Small Press Fiction." Who could resist plunking down a paltry sum for something with so much potential?
See the stop-motion trailer here. Look for me at :42!
More information (including purchasing) is here.
Thanks for taking a look and celebrating with me!
September 2, 2011
The Family Tree for the Seven Noble Knights of Lara
So you see, it's all very simple. These are the relationships between the characters who have been introduced so far.
I admit I've worried that the two most important male characters in the González family, the father and the youngest son, are both named Gonzalo, but for the first draft I'm hoping titles, diminutives, and nicknames will clarify who's doing what. If names persist as a problem, I will reconsider them for the second draft.
I admit I've worried that the two most important male characters in the González family, the father and the youngest son, are both named Gonzalo, but for the first draft I'm hoping titles, diminutives, and nicknames will clarify who's doing what. If names persist as a problem, I will reconsider them for the second draft.
August 31, 2011
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
I received a handsome hardback copy of Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier (translated by Anthea Bell) from the German Book Office in New York City. It's always a very happy occasion to get a book in the mail.
Gwen Shepherd has never felt special compared to her cousin Charlotte, who is being specially groomed and inducted into a secret society that will help her manage her time travel gene. But it turns out that the gene landed on Gwen, who is completely unprepared, never having paid much attention in history class. Now Gwen is caught in the middle of esoteric lore and a feud she had no idea was taking place. She can't figure it all out during the course of this book, so stay tuned for the next installments.
Gwen's naivete is refreshing, but I find it bizarre that she isn't more interested in history (her friend has to Google everything for her), because not only is she a time traveler, but she can also see and speak with ghosts. In this book at least, her attitude seems to open up only when presented with the interesting fashions, so she seems almost as superficial as her travel partner thinks she is.
The most frustrating thing about the plot, which made it seem slow for me, was the lack of communication between Gwen and the adults in her life, inside the secret society and out. She seems to feel she isn't important to them, even when she realizes that they've been wasting their attention on Charlotte all this time. I was shouting at her through the page when she couldn't find a moment to tell her mother that she was in imminent danger of disappearing. Come on, girl! This is more important than any other concern your mother might have! Then, the adults and her similar-aged travel companion (and love interest) who are members of the secret society, continue to be secretive. It's supposed to add to the mystery, but all the hush-hush made me feel that there actually wasn't a lot happening.
There are a few very exciting scenes and I especially enjoyed scenes in which Gwen speaks with ghosts. This books is really well translated, transmitting a childlike relish to the story that's a thrill to read. I think I would like Ruby Red even better if it hadn't stopped where it did, but continued with whatever adventures and mysteries are to come in the next books, Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green. This first book wasn't very long, and will be much more satisfying when the reader can enjoy the entire trilogy all at once.
Gwen Shepherd has never felt special compared to her cousin Charlotte, who is being specially groomed and inducted into a secret society that will help her manage her time travel gene. But it turns out that the gene landed on Gwen, who is completely unprepared, never having paid much attention in history class. Now Gwen is caught in the middle of esoteric lore and a feud she had no idea was taking place. She can't figure it all out during the course of this book, so stay tuned for the next installments.
Gwen's naivete is refreshing, but I find it bizarre that she isn't more interested in history (her friend has to Google everything for her), because not only is she a time traveler, but she can also see and speak with ghosts. In this book at least, her attitude seems to open up only when presented with the interesting fashions, so she seems almost as superficial as her travel partner thinks she is.
The most frustrating thing about the plot, which made it seem slow for me, was the lack of communication between Gwen and the adults in her life, inside the secret society and out. She seems to feel she isn't important to them, even when she realizes that they've been wasting their attention on Charlotte all this time. I was shouting at her through the page when she couldn't find a moment to tell her mother that she was in imminent danger of disappearing. Come on, girl! This is more important than any other concern your mother might have! Then, the adults and her similar-aged travel companion (and love interest) who are members of the secret society, continue to be secretive. It's supposed to add to the mystery, but all the hush-hush made me feel that there actually wasn't a lot happening.
There are a few very exciting scenes and I especially enjoyed scenes in which Gwen speaks with ghosts. This books is really well translated, transmitting a childlike relish to the story that's a thrill to read. I think I would like Ruby Red even better if it hadn't stopped where it did, but continued with whatever adventures and mysteries are to come in the next books, Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green. This first book wasn't very long, and will be much more satisfying when the reader can enjoy the entire trilogy all at once.
August 30, 2011
The Winners Have Been Notified
The winners of the blog hop have been contacted, and some have already received their prizes! Enjoy!
Congratulations to the winners and thanks so much to everyone who dropped by to enter. I appreciate all my readers and followers.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks so much to everyone who dropped by to enter. I appreciate all my readers and followers.
August 29, 2011
Readers!! Last Chance for Great Prizes!!
To be entered to win your choice of an astonishing panoply of e-books, go to this post and enjoy. This is the last day -- winners are drawn tomorrow. Good luck!
Note: I'm really looking for FANS on Goodreads. Friends are nice, too, but it's FANS I lack.
Note: I'm really looking for FANS on Goodreads. Friends are nice, too, but it's FANS I lack.
August 28, 2011
SSS: Will Young Gonzalo See Reason?
A pageant of Los Siete Infantes in Castrillo de la Reina, Spain.
In such a situation as I've been posting these several weeks, nobody's in the right. But Gonzalo isn't quite ready to admit any wrongdoing (following from last week):
* * *
"Gonzalico, you're half dead and there must be a hundred of them!" his oldest brother Diego tried to reason with him.Crouching close to his ear, Fernando González, told his youngest brother, "Don't you think it's unpardonable to have caused such a scene at our uncle's wedding?" But even as he was unable to keep his own feet under him, Gonzalo shook his head and tried to wield a sword. Doña Sancha threw her hands up in despair. The clattering soldiers crushing in upon them, she looked to her husband. With a nod toward her, don Gonzalo Gustioz took his youngest son into his arms and kept him from falling, from grasping at weapons, or even from speaking.
* * *
UPDATE: Yes, father and son have the same name. "-ico" is a diminutive for the younger one. All the brothers have the last name "González" because it's a patronymic. The elder (don) Gonzalo's father was Gustio, hence his patronymic "Gustioz." I'll put together a family chart and post it next week for anyone who's interested to come and see!
Thanks so much for the encouragement last week! This week I'm not sure about (what's new?), so as always, I appreciate comments.
Check out the new excerpt page for this WIP in the upper left!
I'll be taking a break from SSS in September to celebrate my anniversary and to devote more time to writing and my editing job. We'll see how long I can stay away. Please look for me in October!
And the other wonderful sixes are here.
August 27, 2011
It's Getting Closer: World Rhino Day for Sweet Saturday Sample
World Rhino Day is September 22. Show your support by spreading the word: Rhino Horn is Not Medicine.
Here's another sweet excerpt from my story, "Not Extinct Yet." It shows some of the horrors of poaching, but nothing's on-screen, so the whole story merits a PG at worst. It will be published someday! Two important things for this snippet: 1. Winifred and Jenna are both white rhinoceroses, while Suzanne is human. 2. The classification of rhinos actually has nothing to do with color.
All babies love their mamas.
* * *
Winifred cleared her throat again. "Well, I've heard that your sound man is starting to get bored with us. I wondered if it would help your research to know that black rhinos wouldn't be so fierce if you announced your presence verbally before you got too close." Suzanne's jaw dropped. "We've been trying to figure out what to do about them!" Suzanne made a mental note to ask a rhinoceros the next time she needed to figure out something about a rhinoceros. The sound guy poked his head out of the Jeep. "I've got a megaphone right here. We're tracking a black rhino about ten miles away.""I'll help!" exclaimed Jenna. She ran alongside the Jeep as they rumbled across the countryside, slowing and stopping as soon as Suzanne could see the black rhino through binoculars. She hopped out and looked at Jenna. "I'm not sure what to say," she admitted. "Hold that in front of my mouth," said Jenna. She took a deep breath and shouted into the megaphone. "Hey! Black rhino! We're a white rhinoceros and a few humans. We don't want to hurt you! We want to talk to you!"
* * *
And don't forget, my collection Threads Woven is available for Kindle and Nook. Nice stuff, so little money!
Check out the other sweet samples here.
Here's another sweet excerpt from my story, "Not Extinct Yet." It shows some of the horrors of poaching, but nothing's on-screen, so the whole story merits a PG at worst. It will be published someday! Two important things for this snippet: 1. Winifred and Jenna are both white rhinoceroses, while Suzanne is human. 2. The classification of rhinos actually has nothing to do with color.
All babies love their mamas.
* * *
Winifred cleared her throat again. "Well, I've heard that your sound man is starting to get bored with us. I wondered if it would help your research to know that black rhinos wouldn't be so fierce if you announced your presence verbally before you got too close." Suzanne's jaw dropped. "We've been trying to figure out what to do about them!" Suzanne made a mental note to ask a rhinoceros the next time she needed to figure out something about a rhinoceros. The sound guy poked his head out of the Jeep. "I've got a megaphone right here. We're tracking a black rhino about ten miles away.""I'll help!" exclaimed Jenna. She ran alongside the Jeep as they rumbled across the countryside, slowing and stopping as soon as Suzanne could see the black rhino through binoculars. She hopped out and looked at Jenna. "I'm not sure what to say," she admitted. "Hold that in front of my mouth," said Jenna. She took a deep breath and shouted into the megaphone. "Hey! Black rhino! We're a white rhinoceros and a few humans. We don't want to hurt you! We want to talk to you!"
* * *
And don't forget, my collection Threads Woven is available for Kindle and Nook. Nice stuff, so little money!
Check out the other sweet samples here.
August 24, 2011
New Blog "Schedule"
The most requested new subjects for posts when I did my reader survey last month were "things I like," and "history."
Good thing I like history!
So, for this new year of blogging, I plan to keep to the following schedule except in cases of special events:
Mondays will feature something I like or love. When I have new book reviews, they'll appear on Mondays.
Wednesdays will be "history," broadly interpreted. If anyone has suggestions for Wednesday history topics, lob them this way! When I have new author interviews, they'll also go up on Wednesdays.
Fridays will be open. This is meant to be the time for any news about my writing and/or publishing. If I don't post anything on a Friday, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you.
Saturdays will feature the sweet excerpts for Sweet Saturday Samples, unless I can't find anything sweet enough. I really support them! Way to go, gals!
Sunday is the territory of Six Sentence Sunday, which has hooked me like a fish. I'm going to see if I can skip it in September to devote more time to the actual writing process. Wish me luck!
Oh, yes, they have catwalk fashion shows for flamenco style, oh yes.
So, even though it's Wednesday, I'd like to catch up with Monday by saying that I love polka dots. Especially red ones. Hence the new look for the blog.
I first enjoyed the polka dot glamour of the trajes de gitana in Andalusia, and then, when they finally came back in style in American fashion, I bought every piece of clothing I saw that had them. Not always to my own benefit. But the polka dots were the higher cause. The Spanish call them "lunares," or "moon-shapes," so that may explain why I'm loony for them.
Good thing I like history!
So, for this new year of blogging, I plan to keep to the following schedule except in cases of special events:
Mondays will feature something I like or love. When I have new book reviews, they'll appear on Mondays.
Wednesdays will be "history," broadly interpreted. If anyone has suggestions for Wednesday history topics, lob them this way! When I have new author interviews, they'll also go up on Wednesdays.
Fridays will be open. This is meant to be the time for any news about my writing and/or publishing. If I don't post anything on a Friday, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you.
Saturdays will feature the sweet excerpts for Sweet Saturday Samples, unless I can't find anything sweet enough. I really support them! Way to go, gals!
Sunday is the territory of Six Sentence Sunday, which has hooked me like a fish. I'm going to see if I can skip it in September to devote more time to the actual writing process. Wish me luck!
Oh, yes, they have catwalk fashion shows for flamenco style, oh yes.
So, even though it's Wednesday, I'd like to catch up with Monday by saying that I love polka dots. Especially red ones. Hence the new look for the blog.
I first enjoyed the polka dot glamour of the trajes de gitana in Andalusia, and then, when they finally came back in style in American fashion, I bought every piece of clothing I saw that had them. Not always to my own benefit. But the polka dots were the higher cause. The Spanish call them "lunares," or "moon-shapes," so that may explain why I'm loony for them.
August 21, 2011
SSS: The Wedding Really Blows Up
You thought the wedding was in trouble before? Don't look now, but the cavalry's here!
Some of you were dissatisfied with where the snippet cut off last week. I'm keeping very strictly to six sentences. Lambra's been looking around her, and now we see why:
* * *
"Justa, what can I use for a weapon?" she said, but Ruy Blásquez, holding his nose with both hands, mustered the strength to call into the crowd.
"My warriors! Will you abide this affront to your lord? To arms, to arms!"
The onlookers made way as all the knights under Ruy Blásquez's fealty came from their posts on the riverbank, pulling out their shields and unsheathing their swords. Gonzalo, nearly swooning, tipped and landed in the supportive arms of his brothers, but his arms reached around him in search of a weapon.
* * *
Thanks so much for stopping by. I truly appreciate your comments, encouragement, constructive criticism, whatever you'd like to offer.
Enjoy the other sets of six here!
