Scott Bryan's Blog, page 27
February 23, 2013
Amazing idea
In-betweens!
The best eBook authors get their names out there by one thing first: lots of stories! Well I used to do lots of short stories for the Parodyverse. The only thing different is that these ones must be edited and given to beta readers and such. Fine tuned. But they can still be short, a blast to write and fill in spots in-between the bigger books.
I can do it! This will be exciting! The fate of characters, never before scenes, characters from late in the series showing up earlier, hidden events, all sorts of cool stuff! And all of it only 99 cents!
Watch this space!
The best eBook authors get their names out there by one thing first: lots of stories! Well I used to do lots of short stories for the Parodyverse. The only thing different is that these ones must be edited and given to beta readers and such. Fine tuned. But they can still be short, a blast to write and fill in spots in-between the bigger books.
I can do it! This will be exciting! The fate of characters, never before scenes, characters from late in the series showing up earlier, hidden events, all sorts of cool stuff! And all of it only 99 cents!
Watch this space!
February 21, 2013
Bite of Story Thursday
Here's another look into what I'm currently working on. This is from the rough draft so it does not reflect the final product. Enjoy!
-------
Myths
Chapter Seven: Ogres
Eli let an arrow fly. The shaft tore into an ogre’s left shoulder, which caused it to bellow out in rage. “Forget the powder and find something useful!” He dodged the beast’s massive club, adorned with five inch spikes for better effect, and fired two more arrows at the ogre’s back.
“But it is useful. If I could just find it...” Mark knelt on the rough ground with his pouch open and both his arms inside up to his elbows. “Maybe it’s in the bookcase behind the Inner-Outer spell book?”
Another ogre almost clobbered Mark with her club but Frunz knocked it aside with his quarterstaff. “Mark, get up and help!” Frunz pleaded. He used the staff as a third leg and leaped upward. He kicked the attacking ogre in the chest with his hooves. “I’m the coward, remember? I’m not supposed to be the one fighting.”
“You’re doing a fine job,” Flitty remarked. She zipped around the third ogre which caused the she-beast to follow the fairy with her head. Dizzy, the ogre stopped to hold her head in place. Flitty fired a pixie-bolt in the beast’s face.
Eli managed to scramble up various broken statues, and then spring onto the top of a broken wall. He fired a net arrow. Strong spikes unfolded from four corners of the expanding net. Each one bore into the wall, trapping the ogre. “One down.”
After a shout of inhuman rage, the ogre ripped the net open and charged the wall that Eli stood on.
Eli somersaulted over the creature as it shattered the free standing wall. “Guess not.” Eli said as he landed on a smaller stone wall.
Lyndi’s mouth formed a thin smile. She pushed against one of the she-ogres, her hands clasped with the beast. Each one tried to push the other to the ground.
“Fall,” the ogre demanded. “Why won’t food fall?”
“I was wondering the same thing,” Lyndi replied through gritted teeth.
Flitty buzzed around them and suggested, “You could beat her in an instant if you simply did you know what.”
“Quiet,” Lyndi hissed. “I’m as strong enough in this form. I won’t do ‘you know what’ because of a stupid ogre.”
“Food calls Untha stupid?” the ogre growled. “Untha not stupid. Food stupid.”
-------
Myths
Chapter Seven: Ogres
Eli let an arrow fly. The shaft tore into an ogre’s left shoulder, which caused it to bellow out in rage. “Forget the powder and find something useful!” He dodged the beast’s massive club, adorned with five inch spikes for better effect, and fired two more arrows at the ogre’s back.
“But it is useful. If I could just find it...” Mark knelt on the rough ground with his pouch open and both his arms inside up to his elbows. “Maybe it’s in the bookcase behind the Inner-Outer spell book?”
Another ogre almost clobbered Mark with her club but Frunz knocked it aside with his quarterstaff. “Mark, get up and help!” Frunz pleaded. He used the staff as a third leg and leaped upward. He kicked the attacking ogre in the chest with his hooves. “I’m the coward, remember? I’m not supposed to be the one fighting.”
“You’re doing a fine job,” Flitty remarked. She zipped around the third ogre which caused the she-beast to follow the fairy with her head. Dizzy, the ogre stopped to hold her head in place. Flitty fired a pixie-bolt in the beast’s face.
Eli managed to scramble up various broken statues, and then spring onto the top of a broken wall. He fired a net arrow. Strong spikes unfolded from four corners of the expanding net. Each one bore into the wall, trapping the ogre. “One down.”
After a shout of inhuman rage, the ogre ripped the net open and charged the wall that Eli stood on.
Eli somersaulted over the creature as it shattered the free standing wall. “Guess not.” Eli said as he landed on a smaller stone wall.
Lyndi’s mouth formed a thin smile. She pushed against one of the she-ogres, her hands clasped with the beast. Each one tried to push the other to the ground.
“Fall,” the ogre demanded. “Why won’t food fall?”
“I was wondering the same thing,” Lyndi replied through gritted teeth.
Flitty buzzed around them and suggested, “You could beat her in an instant if you simply did you know what.”
“Quiet,” Lyndi hissed. “I’m as strong enough in this form. I won’t do ‘you know what’ because of a stupid ogre.”
“Food calls Untha stupid?” the ogre growled. “Untha not stupid. Food stupid.”
February 19, 2013
Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? The Rakes
THE RAKES
No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.
Known History:
After the vampire lord known as Dominic Pratchet courted and turned noble Vanessa Kimball, he left her in charge of his London safe house. After her devilish suggestion for some company, he allowed her to turn some of the more wickedly inclined around her into vampires.
At the time she kept in her company several bored young noblemen. The found sport in tormenting the poor and following their own corrupt pursuits. Vanessa saw the evil potential in these men so she turned them. They became loyal to her and found a whole new dark world of mischief. They'd attend her parties, like the annual Predator Ball, and find great joy in hunting and tormenting those they deemed less than themselves. Originally their where eight Rakes.
Membership:
Reginald Worthing (Exiled. King and founder of Bloody Buccaneers.)Christopher (Exiled. In charge of the shadowy Destitute.)Nigel
Richard
Ian
Ryan (turned Molly O’ Connell and the children of the Palmer Orphanage.) TorranceTerrance
Research quote from my knowledgeable friend Author Ian Watson:
A rake was a young man of nobility or upper middle class who used his status to take advantage of unsuspecting women. He promised to marry a woman only to sleep with her, thus ruining the woman's reputation.
In fact at this time the real rakes were notorious for doing pretty much the same thing! There's a description in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" about one such incident (which was said to have originally caused the haunting Sherlock Holmes investigated a hundred and fifty years later), where the young noblemen of the manor rode down one night on a lonely farm to carry off the farmer's pretty daughter for their sport.
My Thoughts: I see the Rakes as a sort of Lost Boys, running around causing mischief and discord. They answer to Vanessa and make her exclusive gentlemen’s club their home.
No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.
Known History:
After the vampire lord known as Dominic Pratchet courted and turned noble Vanessa Kimball, he left her in charge of his London safe house. After her devilish suggestion for some company, he allowed her to turn some of the more wickedly inclined around her into vampires.
At the time she kept in her company several bored young noblemen. The found sport in tormenting the poor and following their own corrupt pursuits. Vanessa saw the evil potential in these men so she turned them. They became loyal to her and found a whole new dark world of mischief. They'd attend her parties, like the annual Predator Ball, and find great joy in hunting and tormenting those they deemed less than themselves. Originally their where eight Rakes.
Membership:
Reginald Worthing (Exiled. King and founder of Bloody Buccaneers.)Christopher (Exiled. In charge of the shadowy Destitute.)Nigel
Richard
Ian
Ryan (turned Molly O’ Connell and the children of the Palmer Orphanage.) TorranceTerrance
Research quote from my knowledgeable friend Author Ian Watson:
A rake was a young man of nobility or upper middle class who used his status to take advantage of unsuspecting women. He promised to marry a woman only to sleep with her, thus ruining the woman's reputation.
In fact at this time the real rakes were notorious for doing pretty much the same thing! There's a description in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" about one such incident (which was said to have originally caused the haunting Sherlock Holmes investigated a hundred and fifty years later), where the young noblemen of the manor rode down one night on a lonely farm to carry off the farmer's pretty daughter for their sport.
My Thoughts: I see the Rakes as a sort of Lost Boys, running around causing mischief and discord. They answer to Vanessa and make her exclusive gentlemen’s club their home.
February 18, 2013
Book Review: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. It’s now an assignment for high school. When did Sci Fi novels become assigned like those mind numbing books like Lord of the Flies? Seems pretty cool. Wonder when Percy Jackson or Harry Potter will become homework?
At any rate I decided to read this first book so I’m prepared for the movie. I’ve heard others rave about this series and Card as an author. Some even call him “Uncle Orson”. As a member of my church, he pioneered the Mormon Sci Fi or Fantasy author field. His books have been on the shelves for decades and he’s become an icon in the field.
But now that I’ve finished his first book what do I think of him? Card has a pleasing appeal as an author. I can relate with his writing. He tells a story in such a way as I’m not lost in heavy description and I can understand the characters.
Well, some of the characters. Peter is downright scary but that’s the point. I found Valentine sweet and caring, a joy to share time in her head. The main character is Ender Wiggin and I certainly could empathize with him right off the bat. I felt sorry for him and as the book continued I couldn’t help but feel sad for all that he endures.
Again that’s the point. Orson Scott Card paints a world where over population and war are handled differently. Children grow up incredibly fast. I read somewhere that the age of your protagonist determines whom your book is for. A main character who is 10 would have to be junior reader. A main character whom is 12 has to be Middle Grade. A main character whom is 16 has to be Young Adult. No young adult or adult would want to read about an 11 year old. Sure it happens but that’s an exception so tow the line and forget about. Please color within the lines and don’t rock the boat.
Yet in this book Ender is “Junior Reader Age” and yet everything he experiences is meant for adults. He even thinks like an adult right from the beginning before all the horrible things occur to him. Of course this is explained away as he and his two siblings are geniuses so they think older, but still this book stands out for its older thinking kids.
And I feel this doesn’t hurt the book one bit. It’s worthy of the decades of praise set upon it. It is rough and hard and full of shocks but certainly worth a read. If you like the rough future of Hunger Games, you’ll like Ender’s Game too. It’s completely different but still hard and full of tough questions and thoughts.
Personally I won’t be chasing down the other three books in the series too soon, nor will I begin reading the companion series about supporting character Bean called Ender’s Shadow. Apparently the Ender’s Game movie is a blend of this book and Ender’s Shadow. But I won’t visit Ender’s world for a bit. It’s a rough world and I personally need a break. I will return later though because it’s definitely worth it.
February 15, 2013
Busy
It's been crazy at work. See I work as a CAD drafter for a contractor to the government. The work they do is finished so they're working on shutting everything down. Yes, I'll be out of a job but I knew things were temporary from the beginning.
Because things need to wrap up, I've been very busy with changing drawings to reflect the constantly changing conditions of the plant. This means I've been too busy for anything else and pretty tired at home so not a lot of writing time for Scott.
I'll try to do more and work on an improved schedule. Must do B.I.C. (Butt in chair).
Because things need to wrap up, I've been very busy with changing drawings to reflect the constantly changing conditions of the plant. This means I've been too busy for anything else and pretty tired at home so not a lot of writing time for Scott.
I'll try to do more and work on an improved schedule. Must do B.I.C. (Butt in chair).
Interview with the authors of The Beautiful Creatures
I do love a good paranormal adventure. Now I'm not as thrilled for teen girl paranormal romance, but we shouldn't judge books by their covers or what we think they're about. Actually this cover looks pretty cool, but I digress.
My wife and kids all want to see the movie. We'll be late for it cause it's not presently in the budget, but we'll try to see it. As for the book, I want to read it ASAP now that I've read a certain article.
Go here to read an interview with the two authors. It's on io9.com. Meredith Woerner has a great interview where we discover how and why authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl wrote this book.
Now as a struggling author, it is frustrating that they stumbled upon publication and already had an "in" by knowing someone who could pitch it to an agent. Things aren't that easy for the rest of us.
But I can't fault them for their luck or contacts. They didn't even plan on being published. It was just a dare they did with their teenager friends and family.
But the authors mention an interest in video games, Doctor Who and comics. Sheesh! That has to mean their story rocks. At least I hope so.
So it's on my must read list. I'm not sure if I'll get it from the library or just buy it.
February 14, 2013
Bite of Story Thursday
Night Children: Dark Birth
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Three Bite Rule
The jet-black carriage raced down the darkened road. The horses pulled it with ease as two of its occupants watched the quickly moving scenery. Eliza’s red eyes peered into the night and Annabelle mused at how strange the two of them must’ve looked.
Thomas said, “I just want to thank you both, again. Henry can be a pain, but he’s my brother.”
“Think nothing of it. He’s a friend of ours. The children were right. We shouldn’t leave him to those monsters.”
“You’re amazing, Eliza. If I was a vampire and someone said I didn’t have a soul I wouldn’t risk everything to save him... oops.”
Eliza’s head snapped towards Tom’s direction. Annabelle’s mouth fell open as she asked in shock, “What?”
“I’m sorry. I need to keep my mouth shut.” Tom sighed. “Henry thinks when you become a vampire you lose your soul to the devil.”
Annabelle’s blood boiled. “How dare he? My brother and I have always treated him with the utmost respect. What have we ever done to him?”
Eliza spoke up with her usual calm voice. “Now, Ann, don’t be too upset with him. This is the same paranoia we’ve heard throughout the ages. Besides, I cannot say I blame the mortals for fearing us and making up stories.”
“But Eliza, it’s wrong!” She stood up and paced, moving her hands to emphasize her points. The carriage rocked as it rumbled on its way over the gravely road, but Annabelle had no problem keeping her balance. “Of course I have a soul! I’m still the same person I was before I became a vampire. How can you defend him for saying such lies?”
Eliza wasn’t reproachful or angry when she replied, “You have known less than a handful of vampires in your short life. Most are evil, or at least indifferent. True, there are good ones out there, like my troupe of gypsies, but there are many more rotten ones as well. The mortals have gained a deep fear because of the atrocities these bad vampires perform.”
Calm followed by shame washed away the anger. Annabelle promptly regained her seat. “I’m sorry I was upset. It really bothers me when people say things they know nothing about. I can see what you mean about the bad vampires, but why say we have no souls?”
“First of all, it’s ignorance. See, most people do not even know what a soul is.”
“What is a soul?” Thomas asked.
“A soul is the combination of your body and your spirit.”
“Spirit?”
“Yes. Here, let me show you.” Eliza pulled out her white satin gloves from a pocket in her cloak and held one up. “See my hand? This represents my spirit. Your spirit is the ‘you’ inside. Your dreams, likes, dislikes, everything that makes you who you are. See this empty glove? This is my body. This represents the physical part of you. When we were born our spirit went into our body.” She put the glove on and then moved her fingers inside it. “When we die, and I mean really die for good, our spirit comes out of our body.” She removed the glove and placed it down on her lap.
“Our body goes into the grave and our spirit goes to a sort of Spirit Realm. Many religions teach one day our spirit and body will be reunited. The soul is the name for your body and spirit when they are together.”
“So vampires have spirits like everyone else.” Tom reasoned.
“Of course.” Eliza sat back and put away her gloves. “As for the devil, I’ve never met such a thing. I do not believe vampires owe their existence to the devil.”
---------------
For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Three Bite Rule
The jet-black carriage raced down the darkened road. The horses pulled it with ease as two of its occupants watched the quickly moving scenery. Eliza’s red eyes peered into the night and Annabelle mused at how strange the two of them must’ve looked.
Thomas said, “I just want to thank you both, again. Henry can be a pain, but he’s my brother.”
“Think nothing of it. He’s a friend of ours. The children were right. We shouldn’t leave him to those monsters.”
“You’re amazing, Eliza. If I was a vampire and someone said I didn’t have a soul I wouldn’t risk everything to save him... oops.”
Eliza’s head snapped towards Tom’s direction. Annabelle’s mouth fell open as she asked in shock, “What?”
“I’m sorry. I need to keep my mouth shut.” Tom sighed. “Henry thinks when you become a vampire you lose your soul to the devil.”
Annabelle’s blood boiled. “How dare he? My brother and I have always treated him with the utmost respect. What have we ever done to him?”
Eliza spoke up with her usual calm voice. “Now, Ann, don’t be too upset with him. This is the same paranoia we’ve heard throughout the ages. Besides, I cannot say I blame the mortals for fearing us and making up stories.”
“But Eliza, it’s wrong!” She stood up and paced, moving her hands to emphasize her points. The carriage rocked as it rumbled on its way over the gravely road, but Annabelle had no problem keeping her balance. “Of course I have a soul! I’m still the same person I was before I became a vampire. How can you defend him for saying such lies?”
Eliza wasn’t reproachful or angry when she replied, “You have known less than a handful of vampires in your short life. Most are evil, or at least indifferent. True, there are good ones out there, like my troupe of gypsies, but there are many more rotten ones as well. The mortals have gained a deep fear because of the atrocities these bad vampires perform.”
Calm followed by shame washed away the anger. Annabelle promptly regained her seat. “I’m sorry I was upset. It really bothers me when people say things they know nothing about. I can see what you mean about the bad vampires, but why say we have no souls?”
“First of all, it’s ignorance. See, most people do not even know what a soul is.”
“What is a soul?” Thomas asked.
“A soul is the combination of your body and your spirit.”
“Spirit?”
“Yes. Here, let me show you.” Eliza pulled out her white satin gloves from a pocket in her cloak and held one up. “See my hand? This represents my spirit. Your spirit is the ‘you’ inside. Your dreams, likes, dislikes, everything that makes you who you are. See this empty glove? This is my body. This represents the physical part of you. When we were born our spirit went into our body.” She put the glove on and then moved her fingers inside it. “When we die, and I mean really die for good, our spirit comes out of our body.” She removed the glove and placed it down on her lap.
“Our body goes into the grave and our spirit goes to a sort of Spirit Realm. Many religions teach one day our spirit and body will be reunited. The soul is the name for your body and spirit when they are together.”
“So vampires have spirits like everyone else.” Tom reasoned.
“Of course.” Eliza sat back and put away her gloves. “As for the devil, I’ve never met such a thing. I do not believe vampires owe their existence to the devil.”
---------------
For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.
February 12, 2013
Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? The Palmer Orphans
THE PALMER ORPHANS
No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.
Known History:
In London, when the vampire Rake known as Ryan turned teacher Molly O' Connell, she was upset. She rejected him so he captured five of her students and turned them into vampires in thier sleep. Molly gathered them and escaped Ryan's clutches. She found an abandoned building in the heart of London where they could hide. She named their home the Palmer Orphanage after a famous vampire hunter. It was her way of rejecting their new life. Despite her feelings, Molly continued to teach the children what little she knew.
The American vampires Annabelle Foresight and Thomas Dunston were running from vampire hunter Hawke. They stumbled upon the orphanage and Molly gave them shelter. Annabelle and Thomas soon moved in with the orphans and eventually everyone relocated to Germany's Black Forest where they joined up with the Mullo vampire gypsy tribe.
Who they are:
Mary (Age 16)
Eric (Age 14)
Selina and Samuel (Age 10)
Charlotte (Age 7)
SIR THOMAS PALMER A knight who fought in the 2ndcrusades. Roxanna turned him and forced him to serve and defend her. He eventually rebelled and dedicated his life to hunting down the few vampires she turned after the Exodus War. He became one of the finest warriors of the Holy Order of the Vampyr. He fought valiantly but lost faith. He fought for England against Scotland in 1314 AD in the Battle of Bannockburn. He fell in love with a Scottish cleaning woman and retired in the hills of Scotland. His legend impressed many vampires who wanted to be good but nevertheless served the vampire lord Domi out of fear. Molly O Connell used his name for her orphanage.
No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.
Known History:
In London, when the vampire Rake known as Ryan turned teacher Molly O' Connell, she was upset. She rejected him so he captured five of her students and turned them into vampires in thier sleep. Molly gathered them and escaped Ryan's clutches. She found an abandoned building in the heart of London where they could hide. She named their home the Palmer Orphanage after a famous vampire hunter. It was her way of rejecting their new life. Despite her feelings, Molly continued to teach the children what little she knew.
The American vampires Annabelle Foresight and Thomas Dunston were running from vampire hunter Hawke. They stumbled upon the orphanage and Molly gave them shelter. Annabelle and Thomas soon moved in with the orphans and eventually everyone relocated to Germany's Black Forest where they joined up with the Mullo vampire gypsy tribe.
Who they are:
Mary (Age 16)
Eric (Age 14)
Selina and Samuel (Age 10)
Charlotte (Age 7)
SIR THOMAS PALMER A knight who fought in the 2ndcrusades. Roxanna turned him and forced him to serve and defend her. He eventually rebelled and dedicated his life to hunting down the few vampires she turned after the Exodus War. He became one of the finest warriors of the Holy Order of the Vampyr. He fought valiantly but lost faith. He fought for England against Scotland in 1314 AD in the Battle of Bannockburn. He fell in love with a Scottish cleaning woman and retired in the hills of Scotland. His legend impressed many vampires who wanted to be good but nevertheless served the vampire lord Domi out of fear. Molly O Connell used his name for her orphanage.
February 11, 2013
All about those Facebook ‘Like’ scam posts by Daylan Pearce
Here's an interesting post for you Facebook users. It's by Daylan Pearce on his site.
It would be nice not to see these kinds of posts. He mentions how this scam is used such as terrible circumstances or funny posts. It's also used for political and religious ideas too. They know you all too well and their right. Many will still do it even after reading this.
It would be nice not to see these kinds of posts. He mentions how this scam is used such as terrible circumstances or funny posts. It's also used for political and religious ideas too. They know you all too well and their right. Many will still do it even after reading this.
February 8, 2013
Movie Review: Hotel Transylvania
Hotel Transylvania is everything I want in an animated funny satire film of the classic monsters. It's got a full cast of creatures with only the Phantom and Hyde absent. The intro uses the classic Universal horror type music and all the trappings are there.
Of course I'm going to love this film not just because of it's monster tributes but also for the wonderful story.
Dracula is a single dad trying to keep his daughter safe so he creates a resort for all the monsters to hide out at and achieve peace. He tells everyone that the humans are scary and evil and want to cut open their heads and put candy in them.
A human guy happens along, Drac tries to hide him and then disguise him but of course his daughter Mavis falls for the human anyway. Hilarity ensues.As if all of this wasn't good enough for me to enjoy this film, in the beginning we get a wonderful segment with Dracula trying to raise his child.
Now you know my obsession with vampire children brought on by Annabelle. Not only is it sweet and entertaining for anyone, but it has Drac teaching her to fly as a bat. Yes, you heard that right. Just like I did back in 2004 when I began the first draft of Dark Birth. Of course they do things differently and it's very sweet, but it only serve4s to make me love this film all the more.
Mavis trying to sew her own cape in her bat form. So I give this film a huge thumbs up. I didn't get to see it in theatres but I knew about it for awhile and it's so worth the wait. I consider it the modern Mad Monster Party. Check it out!
