J.R. Pearse Nelson's Blog, page 19

Vessel FREE on Amazon!

Vessel, the second novella in my Children of the Sidhe series, is FREE on Amazon this weekend! Run out and grab your copy! Actually, you don't have to run anywhere, just click on through and hit "buy"! For FREE! And you can get the first novella, Tribute, for $0.99 if you want to know how the series started. The third book, Flight, will be out this summer. Squee!!

Here's an excerpt from the first chapter of  Vessel :
The Middleworld forest whipped by as Eddie Drake hit his stride. He could feel tension from the past days flowing out of his burning muscles. Plants blurred along the trail at his feet as he concentrated on making the miles fly by.Most Sidhe didn’t exercise for exercise sake – so maybe it was that small human part of him that enjoyed it. He felt his best after a long run, his mind as clear as his body was fatigued.His head down, he hit a cloud of pixie dust and heard the offended pixie shout, “Hey! Watch yourself!”“Yeah, yeah. I’m sure there’s more where that came from,” he shouted back without even looking. Pixies were a dime a dozen. You could hardly shake a leg without, well, running straight into a cloud of pixie dust. He sneezed.Too soon, he saw home ahead. A little escape, that’s what he’d needed. For a few minutes, the burning of his muscles had distracted him from the oddities his life had taken on of late.Eddie Drake was no nursemaid. He’d never been the patient, caring type.He was a playboy, and it used to be pure and simple. He liked the ladies, and they liked him. Maybe he overindulged, that he could cop to. Maybe he’d been with too many ladies, too many times. That sort of behavior certainly couldn’t be seen as a precursor to this. No, his current predicament was more likely a punishment for prior bad behavior. Of course, it was a punishment he was choosing, which made it all the more odd.To satisfy whatever part of him was so worried, he ducked through the back door and sauntered into the third bedroom, the one that had recently been Alise’s room.Her condition unchanged, Alise rested, still as stone, under a white and cream quilt that had been his mother’s.Drake frowned. He’d stopped counting the days; there had been many. Maybe two weeks had passed as Alise lay unmoving. Okay, she wasn’t still all the time. A few nights she’d thrashed and moaned.He’d been so concerned the first time that happened that he’d stayed with her, holding her on the narrow bed until she calmed and seemed to rest. Relieved, he’d drifted off holding her, and been embarrassed to be found in that compromising position when Aunt Nectar came in to check on Alise.Cuddling.Cuddling with the unconscious.Not a good sign.If only he hadn’t gotten her into this mess. That’s what had him all tied up in doubt and fear. She wouldn’t be in that bed, unaware of her surroundings but drowning in the music and magic of Tir Nan Og, if it weren’t for him. He’d made the choice to ask for her help when her best friend had been in trouble. She’d gladly given her help, not realizing it would cost her.So he owed her. At the very least, he owed her a trip back beyond the veil to where she came from, where her family and her world waited. He’d tried to give her that, but she thrashed as they approached the portal and wouldn’t calm until he retreated. He couldn’t figure that out. In her condition, how did she know when he threatened to take her home? Regardless, his attempts hadn’t worked, and neither had anything the local healer tried. Alise didn’t get worse, but she hadn’t come back to herself either. That’s what kept his stomach tied in knots, he told himself as he stood in the doorway, watching the raven-haired beauty sleep.Footsteps on the path outside brought Drake out of his thoughts. Maybe Aunt Nectar was home early. That would be good, because he had to go to the human world for at least a while tonight. His job waited for him, and some things he couldn’t let go for an undetermined period while Alise lay in that bed.It wasn’t Aunt Nectar darkening the path.Bertran stood, apparently evaluating his next step, outside the cottage, surrounded by the bright sights and sounds of a Middleworld day. The weather was perfect, but that didn’t help the storm clouds covering the countenance of this particular thorn in Drake’s side.“May I come in?” his old enemy asked.“Not in this lifetime.”
###
Happy reading! And have a great weekend!

Mid-Week Update: Finally Checking In!

I know. I pretty much disappeared for the last three weeks. I've made occasional posts, but given no updates on writing progress. That's because there hasn't been much progress. I haven't done a thorough review of the last two years, but this should go down as one of the longer stretches without writing progress since I started this blog two years ago. I'm cool with it. Sometimes you need a break. 
Things have been fairly nutzo at work, so I've taken on a few extra hours in recent weeks as well, and that's never good for the writing. For the first time in quite a while I have a real brain teaser to puzzle through at work, and as I've been writing a surprise report on the puzzling topic, I've had less left over at the end of the day for MY writing. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I'm thinking about that report, not a book I'm writing. Actually sort of refreshing and motivating. Not a situation I want to continue forever….but as it coincided with needing a writing break anyway, at least I'm making a little extra money. Right?
I'm at an awkward spot with both stories I'm currently writing (the sequel to my fantasy novel Queen Witch, and a fairytale), and I've been working through lots of plot holes and new ideas during April. I've added about 1,200 words to the fairytale this week. I also had a bright new brainstorm -- which always seems to happen at the wrong time -- for a completely new series. Like I need another one! Well, hopefully I will by next year!
I am making progress revising Flight, the third Children of the Sidhe paranormal romance. I'm about a third of the way through the manuscript. I'm hoping to finish this revision by early May. But jeez….that's right around the corner!

Dirt Poor Troubadour: A Multimedia Concept Album

I want to introduce a band I've known for…ever. :)

Seriously, I met most of these guys in Corvallis about ten years ago, where hubby was very much into the local music scene.

The Flailing Inhalers has always been a fun band, full of incredibly talented and creative musicians. They're also smart, and playful, and all around enjoyable to listen to and be around. But let me tell you, world, they're going to knock your socks off with what they've put together here. That's why I'm sharing. I'm proud. This is the new wave of multi-media creativity, and they're on the cutting edge. None of these guys is one-dimensional, they're all multi-media artists. Put them together and they're kicking ass on a new level. The project includes a variety of  visual art work, and even an art-based web series called "Let's Art," where you see how some of the art is created, step-by-step. Two episodes are out so far. Check it out! If it appeals, give to their Kickstarter campaign.



I asked a couple of the guys (on very short notice, I'll admit) about their project Dirt Poor Troubadour: A Multimedia Concept Album. Here's what Nick Harper had to say:

I guess we were just tired of being an average Oregon rock band. I went back to school to get a degree in multimedia, and we have the perfect content machine sitting at our feet. I think everybody in the band really enjoyed working on go heart yourself, and when it was over, we really started to miss the whole visual element of our band. The idea isn't really market-driven, since we'd put it together even if no one ever looked at it. We're just a group of guys that enjoy making cool stuff. 

There is quite a bit of solidarity to our band. We've been making music and art for a long time. I'm not sure it would work with a different line-up. That's not to say that it's not a struggle sometimes. Everyone has a life outside of this project, and the amount of time that something like this demands can be stressful. As long as we keep motivated and can laugh and have fun every step of the way, we'll be alright. Honestly, there's nothing more fun that I could think of than making silly cartoons and pictures, and then singing songs about them. We will continue to be great friends no matter how it all works out. The only thing that could possibly change is that we receive enough attention and success from this project to continue with more.

Thanks for telling us a little more, Nick! You'll have to keep us in the loop as the project develops!

Visit the band's website and blog.
Like their Facebook page here.

Indie Life: Outline AND Go With the Flow

It's time again (okay, I actually almost missed it) for Indie Life. This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints….an all around enjoyable time getting to know what it means to be an independent author. We're posting the second Wednesday of every month. To join us, go here. I'm having fun with these posts, and I hope you are, too! I'm learning new things each month, and meeting new people.
We've all heard the "pantser versus plotter" thing played out many times. I'm not going there. I'm over worrying about it. The truth is, everyone's process is unique. Personally, I can't write without an outline, because before I set out an outline and play with it for a while, my story is too much of a jumble to take shape well. I just don't know where to start. But I don't begrudge pantsers. I actually admire them. I've been shocked a couple of times when I heard an author was a pantser, because I couldn't believe they were able to juggle that much in their heads and put down quality work. I don't get how that works, but I do know that it's possible, because I've seen it happen.

What I've really learned is that each writer needs to follow their gut, their heart, and their plan -- balancing and rebalancing those considerations constantly as a story develops.

As I said a minute ago, an outline is required in my writer world. A MUST. Yet I always end up deviating from my original outline. Many times, I reach places that surprise me and fill me with wonder. That's the magical moment, the place where you lose yourself in the character and world you've created and it just blooms, it becomes in ways you don't quite understand, but that feel right.

What do you do at these moments? For me, my course of action has been different each time this has occurred. And I don't think that it's just because I'm learning; it's because each story is different and your approach can't be rigid. At least, mine can't.

I'll give you a recent example. I'm currently stalled on my primary WIP -- the second book in my Foulweather Twins fantasy series. (Giving me great fodder for this Indie Life post, so thanks for that, Muse.) It's about 40 percent written at this point. About six weeks ago I had a major writing spurt…and in the course of it, I deviated from my outline because it was happening. I could feel the story taking over and it just wanted to spill out of me. About a week after that I reached a point where the direction my character and plot have taken is 1) a complete surprise, and 2) very hard to mesh with my original outline. Now comes the tough part. I have to decide how much of my writing spurt deviation to accept, and how to bring the developments I do keep in line with my outline -- er, if that makes any sense. I can go on, can't I? Hehe.

Now here are some other indie authors you should check out. :)

Healthy Banana Pancakes!

I just made a batch for my girls and my nieces. My nieces are allergic to dairy, so I always have a plan for what I'm cooking when they're coming over on Thursday afternoons. Also, I'm trying to stick to whole grains and use almond milk in place of dairy in more recipes for my own health. I find that when cooking with whole wheat flour I need to loosen the mix up a little with an extra splash of milk. In this case, applesauce felt right. :)

So…healthy and delicious banana pancakes!

J.R.'s Banana Pancakes

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup almond milk
2 eggs
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 banana, chopped

Mix all ingredients except the banana. Add chopped banana to batter. Cook on your favorite skillet/cast iron. I greased it up with butter, which isn't the healthiest choice, but what the hell? That's the only unhealthy thing I did here! :)

I served these with lite cool whip, and I was surprised how tasty it was when it all came together. Needless to say, we ate the whole batch.

You could change this recipe up any number of ways, depending on what you want to serve them with. Leave out the fruit and add a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Or change out the banana for pear or apple. Give it a try!

Round of Words Goals Post: Spring 2013

I can't believe the time has come to write another goals post for A Round of Words in 80 Days, the writing challenge that knows you have a life. I'm even a day late. :)

Keeping it simple, here are my writing goals for this spring:


1) Revise and publish Flight, the third Children of the Sidhe novella -- I've been through my draft on paper. Now I need to sit my butt in the chair and revise this baby so I can publish it, hopefully in June. This is the stage of writing where I need serious concentration…so the challenge will be fitting in decent blocks of time. I want to finish the second draft by the end of April to get it to Brooke, my editor/alpha reader. Then I should have a bit of a break before I can revise again and get it to beta readers. Fun! FUN!
2) Write an average of 500 words per day on the second Foulweather Twins novel -- I'm about 25,000 words into my first draft, and I'd estimate the draft will be close to 60,000 words. That means if I make this goal, I'll finish my first draft of this sequel in June. And note I said an average of 500 words per day. I often only write first draft material three to five days a week, but I still want to accumulate 3,500 words each week. Yeah, baby!
Good luck this Spring, ROWers, and other writer friends! Your energy, positive words, and extreme productivity are a constant inspiration! :)

Uncovered Books: Another Opportunity for Authors (and Readers)

I ran into a post on Ryan Casey's blog a few days ago about a new publishing platform called Uncovered Books. His post will give you the ins and outs, and if you're interested, as a reader or a writer, check out the site. This service has yet to launch, it is supposed to be coming in spring 2013.

So, what is Uncovered Books? Well….no one knows yet! Trade secrets and all that jazz. They will be launching on iPad and iPhone at first. They hope to be on Android and the web later on. From the FAQ on their website, this is the venture's aim:

Uncovered Books is a combination of two things; a book discovery experience for readers and an ebook self-publishing platform for writers. You post your book with us and we bring readers to it through our book discovery app. This discovery system leads readers to books they'll love that they would otherwise never find.

I'll admit I'm intrigued. I signed up and submitted Queen Witch to be "uncovered." And, in keeping with that name, there was no place to upload a cover in their submission process. In fact, they might send my ebook back to me, because my epub version has the cover included in the file….but I hope they let readers see the cover at some point. Also, you can submit up to three 800 character excerpts from your book that will help readers get a taste of your style. They also set a rather high floor for book prices -- books must cost a minimum of $2.99. Very interesting approach. It'll be fun as a reader to see if they match me up with new authors and books that I wouldn't have found otherwise.

If you have a book you'd like to submit in anticipation of Uncovered Books' spring launch, go here.

My 120-Calorie 5-Ingredient Salad

I've been trying to get over personal hurdles to losing weight, and one biggy for me is bad snacking. But here's a salad you can't go wrong with!

J.R.'s Spring Salad
spring greens salad mix (2 cups- 20 cal.)
mandarine oranges (1/4 cup, about 6 slices, and a bit of the juice for "dressing"- 50 cal.)
sliced almonds (1 tablespoon- 50 cal.)
rice vinegar and pepper (to taste- ZERO cal.)

I've been adding this salad to the side of a half-sandwich, or a cup of soup, or a greek yogurt. It's easy to prepare before work, I just add the oranges and vinegar to the bottom of a to-go container, layer on the salad greens, and top it with the almonds. Come lunchtime, I shake the container a bit to mix, and presto! A good choice, right there in front of me.

Now I shall go munch on my lunch. Like a bunny (as I would say to my little girls). Have a great day!

Sunday Update: Baby Steps

That seems an appropriate summation of what I've accomplished writing-wise this week. I only wrote on two days, getting in 700 words on the fairytale I'm writing on Tuesday, and then 600 on the second Foulweather Twins novel on Thursday. So that's not much writing. But it comes after two weeks of exceeding my goals. I'm in pretty good shape with progress during March.

I spent a fair amount of my writing time this week working on formatting Queen Witch for print. Check out Tuesday's post for some resources on formatting for CreateSpace. Last weekend my mother requested that I do a large print edition -- and she asked at the perfect time. I researched it, and have a plan to pursue it. As far as I can see, I submit it as another edition of the book, which means changing the font size all the way through (luckily, this does not affect page numbers, because those are the pain in the ass part of formatting for print). And I need my cover artist to give me a second print cover with a larger spine. So that's easy enough, and my grandmothers both want to read the book -- large print will make it much easier on them. Have any of you provided this option for your books?

In other news, hubby has introduced me (again!) to Evernote, a free program that allows you to put all that cool stuff you hope to remember right in one place for reference. You can snap a photo and make it a note, snip content from a website, or copy or type in text. It's easy and super flexible. I always notice him making cool use of this program, and I've had him save notes relating to family stuff. And yes, I knew it would be a great tool for keeping track of all sorts of things writing related…but I'd never actually implemented it. Well, taking a giant leap forward to 2013, now I have my own Evernote account, and I spent a bunch of time organizing it yesterday. Hubby is very excited. :)

We're reaching the end of this round of ROW80. I hope everyone's taking stock and making new goals with the plan to be back next time. You know I'll be here. Have a great week!

Indie Life: Resources to Help You Format for CreateSpace

Hi there! It's time again for Indie Life, a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints….an all around enjoyable time getting to know what it means to be an independent author. We're posting the second Wednesday of every month. To join us, go here.

I mentioned in a recent blog post that I'm stalling on formatting my novel for print, because it scares me. Several people mentioned they were hesitating on this process as well. I think it has to do with how beloved our paper books are. I've been ballsy enough to publish ebooks, but this will be my first paperback -- the first of my works that I'll be able to hold in my hands and show a friend, or my grandmother. And it's just me, trying to get it right. So, in keeping with my general principle of NOT stewing on my own as though the rest of the world has never encountered a problem I'm facing, I've been hitting the good old Google for some resources on this.

Here's what I found:

The instructions from CreateSpace on creating your interior PDF.

Great article on formatting manuscript from Jenyfer Matthews.

A video with one take on formatting a manuscript specifically for CreateSpace. I found the visual helpful, though I have no idea why he's using such a clunky word processing program.



Very helpful tips from Indie Designz on creating a copyright page.

Free PDF from 12on14.com called Build Your Book that gives examples of fonts and the verbiage used to talk about book formatting, which I find confusing as heck, thank you very much.

I hope these resources are helpful to some of you. If you've seen another great resource on formatting for CreateSpace, feel free to mention it in the comments so we can all check it out!