Samantha Combs's Blog, page 26
August 19, 2011
Writing Opinions: SPELLBOUND by SAMANTHA COMBS~ 5 STARS and a GIVE A...
Check out the awesome guest interview I did on Beth Price's killer blog! And check out her 5-star review she gave me!
Writing Opinions: SPELLBOUND by SAMANTHA COMBS~ 5 STARS and a GIVE A...: I am happy to announce that I am doing a guest post and book review with SAMANTHA COMBS , author of the YA book SPELLBOUND . Samantha is a w...
Writing Opinions: SPELLBOUND by SAMANTHA COMBS~ 5 STARS and a GIVE A...: I am happy to announce that I am doing a guest post and book review with SAMANTHA COMBS , author of the YA book SPELLBOUND . Samantha is a w...
August 18, 2011
Cool Facts About Naps
I don't know about you, but there is a lot of talk in my house lately about sleep. Lack of it, length of it, interrupted, and my all-time favorite, naps. I LOVE naps. I never took naps before I had kids. When you have babies, you are so sleep deprived, you learn that whenever the baby sleeps, so do you. That minute. I mean, you seriously drop everything and crawl into bed that second. I have been in the middle of phone conversations, noticed the baby fell asleep and actually said, "I have to go now. The baby just fell asleep. This is my only time to sleep. I have to go NOW! Goodbye!" And slammed the phone down. So, believe me, I know about naps. At least I thought I did.
This morning, courtesy of an early morning Urgent Care visit with my daughter (she is fine, all is well, thanks), I was unprepared for reading material and had to settle for waiting room material. Happily, I came across a great article on naps. So following is my blog post entitled Cool Facts About Naps because most of these I didn't even know. Stephen King muses that afternoons are for writing letters and naps....I wonder how many of these he knows?
Naps lasting 30-60 minutes trigger slow-wave sleep that helps brains recall information already stored there.
Naps of 60-90 minutes trigger REM sleep - Rapid Eye Movement - good for improving and creating memory. But don't sleep PAST 90 minutes. You will go into another sleep cycle and get no additional benefits.
For a perfect sleep, grab a blanket: your body temperature drops when you sleep.
Try wearing an eye mask. There is evidence that light DOES inhibit sleep.
Watch the time. Don't nap within 3 hours of your bedtime, otherwise you'll rob yourself of your normal nighttime sleep.
There are health benefits to the midday nap as well. Studies show a 90 minute nap clears the brain's short term memory storage which can become cluttered after several hours of being awake, and makes room for new information. According to new research from UC Berkeley, naps of 60-90 minutes increased positive emotions and Harvard found it also reduced the risk of death from heart disease in men. Lunchtime naps were found to be a good idea not only for the sleep-deprived but anyone who wanted to function at optimal mental capacity.
All welcome news for a creative, world-building mind like an author, I say. And I'd love to discuss the issue more with you but, *yawns*, I think it might be time for my nap. I need to make a little room in my warehouse for some new ideas. I've been awake for a while and it's getting crowded up there. Time to free up some space. Pass me that pillow on your way out, will ya?
This morning, courtesy of an early morning Urgent Care visit with my daughter (she is fine, all is well, thanks), I was unprepared for reading material and had to settle for waiting room material. Happily, I came across a great article on naps. So following is my blog post entitled Cool Facts About Naps because most of these I didn't even know. Stephen King muses that afternoons are for writing letters and naps....I wonder how many of these he knows?
Naps lasting 30-60 minutes trigger slow-wave sleep that helps brains recall information already stored there.
Naps of 60-90 minutes trigger REM sleep - Rapid Eye Movement - good for improving and creating memory. But don't sleep PAST 90 minutes. You will go into another sleep cycle and get no additional benefits.
For a perfect sleep, grab a blanket: your body temperature drops when you sleep.
Try wearing an eye mask. There is evidence that light DOES inhibit sleep.
Watch the time. Don't nap within 3 hours of your bedtime, otherwise you'll rob yourself of your normal nighttime sleep.
There are health benefits to the midday nap as well. Studies show a 90 minute nap clears the brain's short term memory storage which can become cluttered after several hours of being awake, and makes room for new information. According to new research from UC Berkeley, naps of 60-90 minutes increased positive emotions and Harvard found it also reduced the risk of death from heart disease in men. Lunchtime naps were found to be a good idea not only for the sleep-deprived but anyone who wanted to function at optimal mental capacity.
All welcome news for a creative, world-building mind like an author, I say. And I'd love to discuss the issue more with you but, *yawns*, I think it might be time for my nap. I need to make a little room in my warehouse for some new ideas. I've been awake for a while and it's getting crowded up there. Time to free up some space. Pass me that pillow on your way out, will ya?
August 17, 2011
How to be a Writer and Not Look Like the Homeless
I crawled into bed last night at 230am. My husband was uncharacteristically awake. I know this, because he rolled over and goes, "Really?" It occurred to me that we really were living on completely different schedules. He gets up at, like, 415am, literally less than an hour sometimes after my muse releases her stranglehold on me and allows me to creep through the house, locking things, turning things off, and trying to find my own bed in the pitch dark without killing myself by tripping over the following: a fan, a baby stroller, a series of increasingly larger and more lethal Lego's, and various shoes that are A) not mine and B) were NOT there when I cruised through earlier when the lights were on. But I digress.
Because I have been unemployed for four months now, I have the luxury of writing late, and now, getting up later in the morning. And also, not getting dressed. At least, not in my normal Corporate America uniform that has been my norm for the past, oh, eighteen years or so. It was weird at first, but now, I have to say, I have acclimated.
But I passed a mirror the other day after my daughter asked me if I had brushed my hair. What? I asked. I have a claw clip in. It's stylish. My five year old rolled her eyes. I went back to the mirror. Was something wrong with my ensemble? Did cutoff shorts, a torn tank top and flip flops not pass the test anymore? Then I realized that I HAD worn these short a few days in a row now. Who cared? They were comfortable and no one ever saw me except the grocer and her soccer coach. And then I realized I hadn't worn closed-toes shoes in more than three months. In fact, husband and I had a date the other night and I wore them to that as well. Was that wrong?
Okay. It was time to face up to it. I was just a wash load away from looking homeless. I needed to reassess. I'd worked from home before, so it wasn't that. OMG. It was because I'd started WRITING as my job. But, the first step is admitting you have a problem. So, I am here, qualified to help YOU before you fall into the same trap. So, here it is. My list for How To Be A Writer and Not Look Like the Homeless!
Shower. Everyday. Even if you hate blow-drying your hair (which I do, intensely), get in the shower, everyday at the same time. Routine begets creativity. I know that sounds lame, but it's true. If you have an appointed time to write, pretty soon, you actually will. Taking a shower gives the impression you are preparing to "go" somewhere. You are. You are going to "Go" sit your ass down and write.
Never wear the same outfit two days in a row. Change it up even if all you're going to do is Skype. Trust me. We can tell if that's the same shirt. And we will message each other about it.
For men, put on a little cologne, for us gals, spritz on the 'fume. Smelling nice makes anyone feel brand new. Who knows? Brand new you might mean a brand new idea. Try it.
If you can, get a pedicure. You're at home. I know I can't pry those flip flops off your feet, but at least spruce up the little piggies. I can't afford one right now (are you buying my books?) so me and my daughter do a home version. Not as nice, but twice as fun and besides, you all don't see them. Don't ask. Won't ever happen.
Resist the urge to tie anything flannel around your waist. I cannot stress this enough. The whole grunge thing is so over and also, even the word sounds like it should be laundered.
Go outside. Often. That feeling where your eyes hurt and you feel like you are being singed? That's the sun. Try it out. If you don't, that's when you look like a tunnel-person, not the homeless. That's when the homeless have it over on you. They at least go outside. Okay, maybe they LIVE out there, whatever. Move on.
So, you can see how easily a writer can be mistaken for the homeless. And how quickly you can fall into the quicksand of being a writer but looking like the homeless. And don't think I am targeting only you. I have been guilty of ALL of the above, so trust me when I tell you, I know whereof I speak. So, to paraphrase from a very famous quote: Friends Don't Let Friends Look Homeless. Do your part and tell a friend. I just did. TTYL.
Because I have been unemployed for four months now, I have the luxury of writing late, and now, getting up later in the morning. And also, not getting dressed. At least, not in my normal Corporate America uniform that has been my norm for the past, oh, eighteen years or so. It was weird at first, but now, I have to say, I have acclimated.
But I passed a mirror the other day after my daughter asked me if I had brushed my hair. What? I asked. I have a claw clip in. It's stylish. My five year old rolled her eyes. I went back to the mirror. Was something wrong with my ensemble? Did cutoff shorts, a torn tank top and flip flops not pass the test anymore? Then I realized that I HAD worn these short a few days in a row now. Who cared? They were comfortable and no one ever saw me except the grocer and her soccer coach. And then I realized I hadn't worn closed-toes shoes in more than three months. In fact, husband and I had a date the other night and I wore them to that as well. Was that wrong?
Okay. It was time to face up to it. I was just a wash load away from looking homeless. I needed to reassess. I'd worked from home before, so it wasn't that. OMG. It was because I'd started WRITING as my job. But, the first step is admitting you have a problem. So, I am here, qualified to help YOU before you fall into the same trap. So, here it is. My list for How To Be A Writer and Not Look Like the Homeless!
Shower. Everyday. Even if you hate blow-drying your hair (which I do, intensely), get in the shower, everyday at the same time. Routine begets creativity. I know that sounds lame, but it's true. If you have an appointed time to write, pretty soon, you actually will. Taking a shower gives the impression you are preparing to "go" somewhere. You are. You are going to "Go" sit your ass down and write.
Never wear the same outfit two days in a row. Change it up even if all you're going to do is Skype. Trust me. We can tell if that's the same shirt. And we will message each other about it.
For men, put on a little cologne, for us gals, spritz on the 'fume. Smelling nice makes anyone feel brand new. Who knows? Brand new you might mean a brand new idea. Try it.
If you can, get a pedicure. You're at home. I know I can't pry those flip flops off your feet, but at least spruce up the little piggies. I can't afford one right now (are you buying my books?) so me and my daughter do a home version. Not as nice, but twice as fun and besides, you all don't see them. Don't ask. Won't ever happen.
Resist the urge to tie anything flannel around your waist. I cannot stress this enough. The whole grunge thing is so over and also, even the word sounds like it should be laundered.
Go outside. Often. That feeling where your eyes hurt and you feel like you are being singed? That's the sun. Try it out. If you don't, that's when you look like a tunnel-person, not the homeless. That's when the homeless have it over on you. They at least go outside. Okay, maybe they LIVE out there, whatever. Move on.
So, you can see how easily a writer can be mistaken for the homeless. And how quickly you can fall into the quicksand of being a writer but looking like the homeless. And don't think I am targeting only you. I have been guilty of ALL of the above, so trust me when I tell you, I know whereof I speak. So, to paraphrase from a very famous quote: Friends Don't Let Friends Look Homeless. Do your part and tell a friend. I just did. TTYL.
August 16, 2011
Talking Like A Writer - A List of Literary Terms For Those Afraid To Ask
I've been writing my whole life, but I only got serious about it last year. That's when I began to write my first book, Spellbound, finished it and began to research the internet in hopes of selling it and publishing it. I very quickly learned there is a whole different language for writers and authors that I had never known about before. I soon found myself swimming around in terms like query letter, submission, WIP, blurb, log line, all kinds of terms that were alien to me. It was like learning a foreign language.
Then I had to figure out facebook. A whole new language there, too. And I REALLY started to feel my age when all the lingo went clear over my head. Good thing I'm not exactly what you would call the shy type. So, I am making it easy here for those of you who might be. I have made you a list of literary terms that I had to learn going into this crazy business that I think you will find handy. Many of you will find it remedial. But, if just one of you doesn't, then the list has served its purpose. Hope it helps!
Top Literary Terms That Stumped Me and Their Definitions:
Query Letter: the letter you write an agent or publisher in hopes of selling your book. Best example I have is that it should be like a one-two punch: First paragraph, no more than six sentences, introduces your book's premise, characters, and sets up the scene. Second paragraph, no more than five sentences, tells the conflict and what the characters will do to overcome it. Last paragraph wraps up the letter, no more than three to four sentences, gives a little bio about you and your writing credits. And ALWAYS end with "Thank you for your time."
WIP: your Work In Progress. What you are currently working on, or what your current writing project is.
Blurb: this is usually the marketing point about your book that you would normally found on the back of the book jacket or on the inside flap. An agent uses this to sell the book to a prospective publisher and an online publisher uses this to post on site about your book.
Log line: This can be either a one liner or a three liner, but the result is the same: it is designed to sell the book's premise to an agent or publisher by giving them a taste of your book so delicious, so enticing, they must know more based solely on the log line.
SASE: believe it or not, I did not know what this meant. Self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Pantser v. Plotter: This one came later but I had to lurk on a few blogs before I understood it. Finally, I did. I'm a pantser. A pantser is a writer who flys by the seat of her pants by NOT plotting out her story arc in advance, and of course, a plotter does. I was doing that all along, still do, and just didn't know they had a name for it. :-)
And here are a few facebook terms that threw me for a loop before I figured them out:IMHO: In my humble opinion
SAHM: Stay at home Mom (lots of those on facebook!)
PPL: just short for people. (Felt like an idiot when this finally registered)
IDK: I don't know
MUAH: took me forever to figure out that was a kiss
So, all I can say is, don't be afraid to ask questions. I wasn't. I learned some very valuable terms I could have used much earlier had I not been chicken to ask. One thing I have discovered is the writing community is, for the most part, so willing to share and help. And so am I!
And I invite you to add your own! Let me know if you want to add one to the list you think is important, I'd love to know about it. I hope to hear from you!
Then I had to figure out facebook. A whole new language there, too. And I REALLY started to feel my age when all the lingo went clear over my head. Good thing I'm not exactly what you would call the shy type. So, I am making it easy here for those of you who might be. I have made you a list of literary terms that I had to learn going into this crazy business that I think you will find handy. Many of you will find it remedial. But, if just one of you doesn't, then the list has served its purpose. Hope it helps!
Top Literary Terms That Stumped Me and Their Definitions:
Query Letter: the letter you write an agent or publisher in hopes of selling your book. Best example I have is that it should be like a one-two punch: First paragraph, no more than six sentences, introduces your book's premise, characters, and sets up the scene. Second paragraph, no more than five sentences, tells the conflict and what the characters will do to overcome it. Last paragraph wraps up the letter, no more than three to four sentences, gives a little bio about you and your writing credits. And ALWAYS end with "Thank you for your time."
WIP: your Work In Progress. What you are currently working on, or what your current writing project is.
Blurb: this is usually the marketing point about your book that you would normally found on the back of the book jacket or on the inside flap. An agent uses this to sell the book to a prospective publisher and an online publisher uses this to post on site about your book.
Log line: This can be either a one liner or a three liner, but the result is the same: it is designed to sell the book's premise to an agent or publisher by giving them a taste of your book so delicious, so enticing, they must know more based solely on the log line.
SASE: believe it or not, I did not know what this meant. Self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Pantser v. Plotter: This one came later but I had to lurk on a few blogs before I understood it. Finally, I did. I'm a pantser. A pantser is a writer who flys by the seat of her pants by NOT plotting out her story arc in advance, and of course, a plotter does. I was doing that all along, still do, and just didn't know they had a name for it. :-)
And here are a few facebook terms that threw me for a loop before I figured them out:IMHO: In my humble opinion
SAHM: Stay at home Mom (lots of those on facebook!)
PPL: just short for people. (Felt like an idiot when this finally registered)
IDK: I don't know
MUAH: took me forever to figure out that was a kiss
So, all I can say is, don't be afraid to ask questions. I wasn't. I learned some very valuable terms I could have used much earlier had I not been chicken to ask. One thing I have discovered is the writing community is, for the most part, so willing to share and help. And so am I!
And I invite you to add your own! Let me know if you want to add one to the list you think is important, I'd love to know about it. I hope to hear from you!
August 14, 2011
New Review for Spellbound is in - 4 STARS
Hey everyone, pleased to post a new review from Mera's YA Book List, an excellent blogger on the web, I'll post her site at the end of the review. Check out what she had to say about SPELLBOUND:
Chamera's Reviews > Spellbound
My rating:
edit my reviewshelf: readSpellbound
by Samantha Combs (Goodreads Author), Elaina Lee (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator)
Chamera's review
Aug 11, 11
Read from July 19 to August 11, 2011
Logan Daniels has had an acceptably ordinary life. In fact, if you were to ask him, he'd say his family and his town were in all regards normal. This all changes when Serena Starr and her two siblings move into the quiet town of Lancaster. Upon sight of Serena, Logan is instantly smitten, and with perfect reason. Serena, with long honey colored hair and shimmering green eyes, as she is described by Logan, is absolutely stunning. Besides her looks, Serena is perfectly sweet and pure of heart.
But there are many things that the dark haired cutie, Logan, doesn't know about Serena. In fact, there are several things he doesn't know about his town, his family, and most importantly himself.
Samantha Combs' telling of this beautiful tale is spectacular. One thing I admire most in an author is the ability to make the events, and especially, the characters, of a novel realistic, and Miss Combs does not fail in that regard. The characters remind me of people I know from high school, and I can see qualities of average teenagers reflected in each person she has spun into creation.
Serena and Logan are perfect for each other, and other relationships in the story will make you smile. The story tests most of these relationships, and the characters struggle to work through the problems that occur. But don't let the love in this story fool you. This is far more than an average teen love story. Things take an ominous and dangerous turn, not just for Logan and Serena, but for their families, their friends, and everyone in the town of Lancaster.
Because the things Logan doesn't know about Serena and her mysterious sisters, and the thing he learns about his entire family is that they are spectacularly... witch-y. As dark forces cast their eyes on the couple and everyone they hold dear, it becomes obvious that it is up to Logan to help save the day. I love a story with both a hero and a heroine and Spellbound is definitely that. Also, with interchanging view points throughout the book, the thoughts of everyone is made known, which only makes this book even more perfect.
I love the language used, the diverse characters, the love connections, the conflicts, and the familial like ties the characters strengthen with one another. The dialogue was perfect and the chapters melded together splendidly. Samantha Combs' Spellbound had me biting my lip, tapping my leg, and anticipating the next act in the chain of events that occur. At times I smiled like a dork and screamed like a lunatic (and trust me, when you scream out loud in a room that's not particularly empty, you get lots of strange looks). This book is at times both fun and somber, and you feel what the characters feel. One thing this book is not is predictable, and I love that. This is one YA novel that will keep you on your feet and the ending will have you wishing for more Samantha Combs. It has an completely stunning cover that captures the eye, and was what first drew me to the book. Both the author and her mystically delicious characters are absolutely... bewitching. Samantha Combs is a force to be reckoned with in the writing world. The last time I delved into a story so easily and completely was when reading P.C. + Kristin Cast's House of Night series and trust me, this is a very magnificent accomplishment. I highly recommend it... and not just because Logan Daniels is entirely drool worthy
http://merasyabooklist.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
Don't miss it, it's awesome!
Chamera's Reviews > Spellbound
My rating:
edit my reviewshelf: readSpellbound
by Samantha Combs (Goodreads Author), Elaina Lee (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator)
Chamera's review
Aug 11, 11
Read from July 19 to August 11, 2011Logan Daniels has had an acceptably ordinary life. In fact, if you were to ask him, he'd say his family and his town were in all regards normal. This all changes when Serena Starr and her two siblings move into the quiet town of Lancaster. Upon sight of Serena, Logan is instantly smitten, and with perfect reason. Serena, with long honey colored hair and shimmering green eyes, as she is described by Logan, is absolutely stunning. Besides her looks, Serena is perfectly sweet and pure of heart.
But there are many things that the dark haired cutie, Logan, doesn't know about Serena. In fact, there are several things he doesn't know about his town, his family, and most importantly himself.
Samantha Combs' telling of this beautiful tale is spectacular. One thing I admire most in an author is the ability to make the events, and especially, the characters, of a novel realistic, and Miss Combs does not fail in that regard. The characters remind me of people I know from high school, and I can see qualities of average teenagers reflected in each person she has spun into creation.
Serena and Logan are perfect for each other, and other relationships in the story will make you smile. The story tests most of these relationships, and the characters struggle to work through the problems that occur. But don't let the love in this story fool you. This is far more than an average teen love story. Things take an ominous and dangerous turn, not just for Logan and Serena, but for their families, their friends, and everyone in the town of Lancaster.
Because the things Logan doesn't know about Serena and her mysterious sisters, and the thing he learns about his entire family is that they are spectacularly... witch-y. As dark forces cast their eyes on the couple and everyone they hold dear, it becomes obvious that it is up to Logan to help save the day. I love a story with both a hero and a heroine and Spellbound is definitely that. Also, with interchanging view points throughout the book, the thoughts of everyone is made known, which only makes this book even more perfect.
I love the language used, the diverse characters, the love connections, the conflicts, and the familial like ties the characters strengthen with one another. The dialogue was perfect and the chapters melded together splendidly. Samantha Combs' Spellbound had me biting my lip, tapping my leg, and anticipating the next act in the chain of events that occur. At times I smiled like a dork and screamed like a lunatic (and trust me, when you scream out loud in a room that's not particularly empty, you get lots of strange looks). This book is at times both fun and somber, and you feel what the characters feel. One thing this book is not is predictable, and I love that. This is one YA novel that will keep you on your feet and the ending will have you wishing for more Samantha Combs. It has an completely stunning cover that captures the eye, and was what first drew me to the book. Both the author and her mystically delicious characters are absolutely... bewitching. Samantha Combs is a force to be reckoned with in the writing world. The last time I delved into a story so easily and completely was when reading P.C. + Kristin Cast's House of Night series and trust me, this is a very magnificent accomplishment. I highly recommend it... and not just because Logan Daniels is entirely drool worthy
http://merasyabooklist.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
Don't miss it, it's awesome!
August 13, 2011
My First Sweet Saturday Sample
Hey everyone!
So this is my first time taking part in the Sweet Saturday Sample blog hop and I hope I am doing it right. I have chosen to post a sample from my upcoming release, Ghostly, which will be available on or about September 27th, 2011 through Astraea Press. I hope you enjoy it and please post a comment to let me know if you do. Here we go:
Unedited excerpt from "Ghostly" by Samantha Combs - all rights reserved
I careened through a sea of kids until I spotted her."Sixx!" I hollered and jumped up, waving my arms. I could see her hearing her name and looking around wildly. Finally, she spotted me and started to head my way, weaving through kids, batting them aside. When she got to me, she sounded pissed."Seriously, Juice. This better be good. You've got me swimming upstream with the haters here." She glowered."I know, Sixx. And it is good. In fact, it's so good you're not gonna believe this." I grabbed her and steered her into the nearest girl's bathroom. We were totally going to be late for class, but I didn't care. This qualified as an emergency. I could tell from the look on her face, she wouldn't be questioning it. She let me drag her by the shirt sleeve into the bathroom and all the way to the back. She waited by the sinks while I checked under all the stalls and confirmed we were alone. We heard the second bell – the late bell – ring, and when the sounds of kids outside dimmed, I dropped my backpack and slumped down the wall into a sitting position. Wordlessly, I handed the notebook to Sixx. She read it and looked down at me."So, who is Shane and why do I care?""The question may not be so much who is Shane as what is Shane." Sixx looked at me with an impatient look on her face. I told her what happened, starting from mine and Shane's conversation in Homeroom and ending with the last contact I just received on my notebook. It pleased me when she stared at me open-mouthed in disbelief."I know, right? You know me as a person who does not make this kind of thing up, Sixx. Horror and the supernatural, that's Creepshow's thing, not mine. I did not ask for this." I reached into my backpack for chapstick and started applying it over and over just for something to do with my trembling hands."Okay, he chose you, Juice. He said so in his note. Do you know why?""No, I don't know why. Maybe because I'm not a screamer. Maybe because I sat where I did. Maybe because he has a sick sense of humor. How in world would I know?""Don't go postal on me, Juice. I'm only asking.""Sorry. This is way out of hand for me.""I get that. But let's get to the important part. Is he cute?""As a matter of fact, he is.""Do you think he's some kind of demon or ghost or something?""I think he's more like a ghost than anything. You should have seen the way he just, like, vaporized in front of my eyes.""Sounds scary.""But it wasn't. That's the funny thing. When we were talking, before he faded away, he wasn't scary at all. He acts funny and cute, and maybe even kind of charming.""Perfect, Juice. I always knew you were the strangest one out of all of us. Now, you prove it by falling for a ghost.""Who said anything about falling for him?" I became indignant that she would jump to such a radical conclusion. "It's nice to talk to someone who isn't brain-dead." I regretted it almost as soon as I said it."Nice choice of words, Juice." "What-ev.""So, what are you going to do?""Not sure yet. I think I'll just let the day play out.""Well, speaking of that, I think we better try and get to class, or else they'll think we cut for sure.""You're probably right."Sixx handed me back the notebook, which I tucked in my backpack. I had one more class before lunch. We agreed not to mention this to the guys. Not being sure what Jett or Creepshow would think, I didn't want to share Shane anymore than I already had. For now, my cute new ghost belonged only to me.
So there you have it! let me know what you think of the sample and if you liked it, you can get the whole thing at the end of September. Thanks for stopping by. Friend me on facebook, join here as a follower, or follow me on Twitter: samanthacombs1. Hope to see you again!
Enjoy other samples at: http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
So this is my first time taking part in the Sweet Saturday Sample blog hop and I hope I am doing it right. I have chosen to post a sample from my upcoming release, Ghostly, which will be available on or about September 27th, 2011 through Astraea Press. I hope you enjoy it and please post a comment to let me know if you do. Here we go:
Unedited excerpt from "Ghostly" by Samantha Combs - all rights reserved
I careened through a sea of kids until I spotted her."Sixx!" I hollered and jumped up, waving my arms. I could see her hearing her name and looking around wildly. Finally, she spotted me and started to head my way, weaving through kids, batting them aside. When she got to me, she sounded pissed."Seriously, Juice. This better be good. You've got me swimming upstream with the haters here." She glowered."I know, Sixx. And it is good. In fact, it's so good you're not gonna believe this." I grabbed her and steered her into the nearest girl's bathroom. We were totally going to be late for class, but I didn't care. This qualified as an emergency. I could tell from the look on her face, she wouldn't be questioning it. She let me drag her by the shirt sleeve into the bathroom and all the way to the back. She waited by the sinks while I checked under all the stalls and confirmed we were alone. We heard the second bell – the late bell – ring, and when the sounds of kids outside dimmed, I dropped my backpack and slumped down the wall into a sitting position. Wordlessly, I handed the notebook to Sixx. She read it and looked down at me."So, who is Shane and why do I care?""The question may not be so much who is Shane as what is Shane." Sixx looked at me with an impatient look on her face. I told her what happened, starting from mine and Shane's conversation in Homeroom and ending with the last contact I just received on my notebook. It pleased me when she stared at me open-mouthed in disbelief."I know, right? You know me as a person who does not make this kind of thing up, Sixx. Horror and the supernatural, that's Creepshow's thing, not mine. I did not ask for this." I reached into my backpack for chapstick and started applying it over and over just for something to do with my trembling hands."Okay, he chose you, Juice. He said so in his note. Do you know why?""No, I don't know why. Maybe because I'm not a screamer. Maybe because I sat where I did. Maybe because he has a sick sense of humor. How in world would I know?""Don't go postal on me, Juice. I'm only asking.""Sorry. This is way out of hand for me.""I get that. But let's get to the important part. Is he cute?""As a matter of fact, he is.""Do you think he's some kind of demon or ghost or something?""I think he's more like a ghost than anything. You should have seen the way he just, like, vaporized in front of my eyes.""Sounds scary.""But it wasn't. That's the funny thing. When we were talking, before he faded away, he wasn't scary at all. He acts funny and cute, and maybe even kind of charming.""Perfect, Juice. I always knew you were the strangest one out of all of us. Now, you prove it by falling for a ghost.""Who said anything about falling for him?" I became indignant that she would jump to such a radical conclusion. "It's nice to talk to someone who isn't brain-dead." I regretted it almost as soon as I said it."Nice choice of words, Juice." "What-ev.""So, what are you going to do?""Not sure yet. I think I'll just let the day play out.""Well, speaking of that, I think we better try and get to class, or else they'll think we cut for sure.""You're probably right."Sixx handed me back the notebook, which I tucked in my backpack. I had one more class before lunch. We agreed not to mention this to the guys. Not being sure what Jett or Creepshow would think, I didn't want to share Shane anymore than I already had. For now, my cute new ghost belonged only to me.
So there you have it! let me know what you think of the sample and if you liked it, you can get the whole thing at the end of September. Thanks for stopping by. Friend me on facebook, join here as a follower, or follow me on Twitter: samanthacombs1. Hope to see you again!
Enjoy other samples at: http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
August 11, 2011
Is Writing a Series the Lazy Way Out? or 6 Reasons to Write a Stand Alone Title
Before you go all Hater on me, know this: I am writing a series. So, I lump myself into this same category I am questioning. But this issue came up, as most of my blog posts do, when I was having a conversation with a facebook friend about this very thing. She was doing a blog post of her own about authors who have books out or coming out and was including me (awesome!) and wanted to know was Spellbound a series or stand-alone. This birthed the discussion. I opined that sometimes I thought writing a series could be a cop out, even a lazy way to end a book. Cue the series writers who will want to SKEWER me for daring to even suggest something so, so, HERETIC! Burn the bitch at the stake, right?
Put down the gasoline cans, Goody Writer. I assure you, I don't REALLY feel that way. Remember, I am about to try and sell Book Two for Spellbound to my publisher. And look at the success of the Rowling's Harry Potter series. Something has to be said for that.
Anyway, that being said, I really wanted this blog post to extol the virtues of the Stand Alone Book. With writers and authors these days ramming their 20 book sagas down our throats, I want to pay homage to the simple virtues of the Stand Alone (capitalized to simulate royal lineage!)
So without further ado, here are my top 6 reasons to buy a Stand Alone title:
You don't have to invest the rest of your life reading about one character.
When the movie comes out, you don't have to go through puberty with the actor/actress
You are given the opportunity to see if the author is more than a one-trick-pony. (I won't name names, you know who you are)
Your cover artist doesn't die from boredom
YOU don't die from boredom.
You don't become the most hated person in America because America is so SICK TO DEATH OF THE HYPE.
So, if you are an author, and please note: this is just MY OPINION: Go ahead, write a series, but for the love of all that is holy....MIX IT UP! Write a Stand Alone. Write a whole goddamn bunch of them. Write some short stories, write some flash fiction, throw in some magazine articles, and even a script if you have the talent for it. But MIX IT THE EFF UP. Prove to not only us, but very likely yourself that you can let go of these other characters and not use them as the crutch you are leaning on to prove your literary chops. Go rogue! And as I have stolen a million times before, Just Do It. We will be very proud of you and a funny thing will happen. You will gain an entirely new fan base. Authors. Just saying.
Put down the gasoline cans, Goody Writer. I assure you, I don't REALLY feel that way. Remember, I am about to try and sell Book Two for Spellbound to my publisher. And look at the success of the Rowling's Harry Potter series. Something has to be said for that.
Anyway, that being said, I really wanted this blog post to extol the virtues of the Stand Alone Book. With writers and authors these days ramming their 20 book sagas down our throats, I want to pay homage to the simple virtues of the Stand Alone (capitalized to simulate royal lineage!)
So without further ado, here are my top 6 reasons to buy a Stand Alone title:
You don't have to invest the rest of your life reading about one character.
When the movie comes out, you don't have to go through puberty with the actor/actress
You are given the opportunity to see if the author is more than a one-trick-pony. (I won't name names, you know who you are)
Your cover artist doesn't die from boredom
YOU don't die from boredom.
You don't become the most hated person in America because America is so SICK TO DEATH OF THE HYPE.
So, if you are an author, and please note: this is just MY OPINION: Go ahead, write a series, but for the love of all that is holy....MIX IT UP! Write a Stand Alone. Write a whole goddamn bunch of them. Write some short stories, write some flash fiction, throw in some magazine articles, and even a script if you have the talent for it. But MIX IT THE EFF UP. Prove to not only us, but very likely yourself that you can let go of these other characters and not use them as the crutch you are leaning on to prove your literary chops. Go rogue! And as I have stolen a million times before, Just Do It. We will be very proud of you and a funny thing will happen. You will gain an entirely new fan base. Authors. Just saying.
August 9, 2011
Social Networking and Job Hunting....Good or Bad?
In the middle of all this writing, editing and marketing I am doing for my books, I am also having to tackle something fairly new for me....unemployment. I have been unemployed for four months for the first time in my life in likely the most challenging times our country has seen since the Great Depression of the 1920's. I have been incredibly enlightened to the financial condition of our great country in a very personal way.
My previous company filed bankruptcy and I became unemployed pretty abruptly. When this happened, I had been accepted for my first book, but I had NO face book page, NO twitter account and had NO idea how to market myself on either. Social networking was a term I had heard on television. Man, did I have to learn fast. It was suggested to me by the marketing guru at my romance publisher that I had to get over my fears or I was dead in the water. So, I took a deep breath and waded in. I think I've done pretty well.
Cut to two months later. I now have one book out and two others being released with two different publishers. One I have the cover for, one is in edit. Additionally, I am editing the sequel for the first release to submit to my romance publisher in a week or two, making my fourth novel. I am about to submit a series of short stories to a new short story e-zine. I am active on facebook with a personal page and a fan page, and I have a Twitter account with followers on all. I am also an admin on a facebook group with an active membership. Not bad, right? What, you may ask, does this have to do with employment? Well, therein lies the rub.
I contend that one of the first things a prospective employer does is data-mine and google you after the interview. And now, with my being uber-present on the web, I am seriously google-able. I wonder if that internet-footprint does anything to hinder my employ-ability? I have a question: On the applications, where they ask you your hobbies, do I put that I am a published author? Does this enhance or detract from my attractiveness as a candidate?
There are two schools of thought here. As an employer, I could go both ways. I could think that the ability to put words together and sell them would increase the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in office presentations and with all levels of staff. I could also think that the extracurricular hobby might intrude on the candidate's daily activities and eventually overshadow the daily priorities. I worry that if I make protestations in the actual interview, it would be a case of "Me thinks he doth protest too much" and if I don't say anything, its a case of "deception by omission."
So, I open to floor to my readers. If anyone of you are employers, and have the occasion to make hiring decisions, I would appreciate your opinion. I have had two excellent interviews in the past few days and I am anticipating at least one call-back where I want to be amazing. Even though you all know I only write at night after the kids are asleep, please weigh in on this topic. I rarely ask for input, but this one is important. Thank you!
My previous company filed bankruptcy and I became unemployed pretty abruptly. When this happened, I had been accepted for my first book, but I had NO face book page, NO twitter account and had NO idea how to market myself on either. Social networking was a term I had heard on television. Man, did I have to learn fast. It was suggested to me by the marketing guru at my romance publisher that I had to get over my fears or I was dead in the water. So, I took a deep breath and waded in. I think I've done pretty well.
Cut to two months later. I now have one book out and two others being released with two different publishers. One I have the cover for, one is in edit. Additionally, I am editing the sequel for the first release to submit to my romance publisher in a week or two, making my fourth novel. I am about to submit a series of short stories to a new short story e-zine. I am active on facebook with a personal page and a fan page, and I have a Twitter account with followers on all. I am also an admin on a facebook group with an active membership. Not bad, right? What, you may ask, does this have to do with employment? Well, therein lies the rub.
I contend that one of the first things a prospective employer does is data-mine and google you after the interview. And now, with my being uber-present on the web, I am seriously google-able. I wonder if that internet-footprint does anything to hinder my employ-ability? I have a question: On the applications, where they ask you your hobbies, do I put that I am a published author? Does this enhance or detract from my attractiveness as a candidate?
There are two schools of thought here. As an employer, I could go both ways. I could think that the ability to put words together and sell them would increase the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in office presentations and with all levels of staff. I could also think that the extracurricular hobby might intrude on the candidate's daily activities and eventually overshadow the daily priorities. I worry that if I make protestations in the actual interview, it would be a case of "Me thinks he doth protest too much" and if I don't say anything, its a case of "deception by omission."
So, I open to floor to my readers. If anyone of you are employers, and have the occasion to make hiring decisions, I would appreciate your opinion. I have had two excellent interviews in the past few days and I am anticipating at least one call-back where I want to be amazing. Even though you all know I only write at night after the kids are asleep, please weigh in on this topic. I rarely ask for input, but this one is important. Thank you!
August 6, 2011
Are All the Ideas Already Taken?
I was having a discussion with a fellow author the other day and the question was posed: Are all the great ideas already taken and all we are seeing now are VERSIONS of those existing ideas? I had several things to say on the subject and it occurred the topic would make a good blog post. So here we are.
My friend made a good case. Then today I had occasion to watch the movie "The Social Network". Since I am going to be posting this blog on my facebook page, I'll make the obvious assumption that all readers of it are aware of the premise of the movie. The deal is the founder of facebook is accused of stealing the idea and, in essence, expounding on the idea and making it better. It made me think of the discussion I had with my author friend. He maintained most novels now, save maybe for memoirs, were ideas that already existed, which had been expounded upon and just made better. I was astounded by the idea. Until he started coming up with examples. I still don't entirely believe him, but I have to admit, the CONCEPT has some merit.
He suggested the Scott Westerfield novel, "The Uglies" as his example. The idea, he contended, could have come from a Twilight Zone episode. I googled it and found it was called "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" and comparisons HAVE been made. But, that was a half hour television drama in the sixties. No one has done a thing with it since and Westerfield developed a three book trilogy out of it. I hardly think that qualified.
My brother is a musician and he thinks all the music in the world has been invented, but it's what you DO with it and how you ARRANGE it that is the genius of the artist. I think writing is exactly the same way. Maybe all the ideas ARE out there, but it is the way the writer, the artist, ARRANGES it, that is the true genius of the writing mind.
So at the end of the conversation with my author friend, I told him I agreed with him fundamentally, but not emotionally. Yes, I said, all the ideas are already out there and what we are seeing is versions of those ideas, but those versions are limitless and the way they branch out exponential, so in a way, we will NEVER be out of ideas, since they practically procreate. And as an author/writer/creator/artist, all I can say is....thank God.
My friend made a good case. Then today I had occasion to watch the movie "The Social Network". Since I am going to be posting this blog on my facebook page, I'll make the obvious assumption that all readers of it are aware of the premise of the movie. The deal is the founder of facebook is accused of stealing the idea and, in essence, expounding on the idea and making it better. It made me think of the discussion I had with my author friend. He maintained most novels now, save maybe for memoirs, were ideas that already existed, which had been expounded upon and just made better. I was astounded by the idea. Until he started coming up with examples. I still don't entirely believe him, but I have to admit, the CONCEPT has some merit.
He suggested the Scott Westerfield novel, "The Uglies" as his example. The idea, he contended, could have come from a Twilight Zone episode. I googled it and found it was called "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" and comparisons HAVE been made. But, that was a half hour television drama in the sixties. No one has done a thing with it since and Westerfield developed a three book trilogy out of it. I hardly think that qualified.
My brother is a musician and he thinks all the music in the world has been invented, but it's what you DO with it and how you ARRANGE it that is the genius of the artist. I think writing is exactly the same way. Maybe all the ideas ARE out there, but it is the way the writer, the artist, ARRANGES it, that is the true genius of the writing mind.
So at the end of the conversation with my author friend, I told him I agreed with him fundamentally, but not emotionally. Yes, I said, all the ideas are already out there and what we are seeing is versions of those ideas, but those versions are limitless and the way they branch out exponential, so in a way, we will NEVER be out of ideas, since they practically procreate. And as an author/writer/creator/artist, all I can say is....thank God.
August 4, 2011
Page Flipperz - Kat With Many Tales ! !: Spellbound by Samantha Coombs
I'm excited to post a new review for Spellbound. Not four stars this time.......four magic wands! Appropriate for the genre, I thought. Please enjoy!
Page Flipperz - Kat With Many Tales ! !: Spellbound by Samantha Coombs
Page Flipperz - Kat With Many Tales ! !: Spellbound by Samantha Coombs
