M.B. Mulhall's Blog, page 31

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: H is for Hero

H is for hero or heroine if you prefer.  A hero doesn't have to be someone in tights or a cape. The hero is the character that your readers are going to rally for. The one they want to see win in the end. Your story should have one, but it could have several. Make them loveable, make them badass, make them learn and grow. Just make sure you have one.

Day 8: Week 2 is here! You should be around 13k by now. Can you believe you already passed the 10k mark? That's pretty awesome people! If you're not there yet, I'm going to kick you in the ass. It's too early to be slacking folks. Get your shit together otherwise I might have to come and glare at you!

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: G is for Gallons of…

G is for gallons of coffee/tea/soda/energy drinks. While it may be too early in the month to be pulling all nighters, you may find yourself writing like a fiend because the words are flowing like the Nile. Don't stop! Down those caffeinated beverages and KEEP WRITING! You may find the words drying up in the future or you'll have a day where you can't possibly fit in time to writing. Get ahead while you can even if it means buying stock in 5 Hour Energy drinks.  When you don't sleep for three days from the sugar high, you can thank me for the hallucinations you'll have that you can later write into your stories!

Day 7: OMG. Week one is at an end! You made it through the first seven days and haven't given up yet. I'm so proud of you! Three weeks to go my little typing monkeys. You can do it!

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: F is for Foreshadowing

F is for foreshadowing, which is a neat little writing trick where you use little hints and clues to let your reader know what's going to be coming up in the story. For example, if I show Liberty at home in the kitchen with a pie tin and a bottle of Reddi-Whip, you can be sure someone will be getting a pie in the face sometime in the near future (Poor Darcy…). You don't need to be a plotter to be able to foreshadow either. Us pantsers can work it in just as easily and a lot of readers enjoy that "I KNEW IT!" moment.

Day 6: Have you gotten into a groove?  Even if you're busy, try to schedule in your writing. Maybe take half your lunch break or an hour before you go to bed. Pencil it in and you may be more likely to stick with it!

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: E is for Editing

E is for editing, or the lack thereof during NaNo. One of the rules is that there's no editing because they don't want people re-writing, rather than moving forward with their stories. I don't think it's a problem if you're correcting minor things like typos and commas from the prior day's work when you're reading before starting anew. Some of us can't read and not stop to fix those little things. That's A-OK.

While we're on the topic of editing, please realize that even if you finish your book by Nov. 30th (as in a THE END not just hitting the 50k) that you will need quite a bit of editing before you decide to shop it around or self publish it.  When you're done, put it in a drawer for at least a week. You need to give yourself  break from it before you try to edit and re-work it. Trust me. I've been there, done that. Editing is a bitch, but it makes your story SO much better.

Day 5: Do you follow the #nanowrimo tag on Twitter? If not, you totally should. They will give you lots of encouragement, ideas if you're stuck (write in a mouse with a chainsaw!) and host word sprints to help you keep on track. Competition and deadlines can be very helpful to keep you motivated!

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: D is for Dialog

D is for dialog. What's a story without your characters talking to each other? BORE-ING. The thing with dialog is you have to make it realistic. If your characters are teens, check out some MTV or teen shows to see the kinds of slang they're using today. Do some research. Make sure they act their age.If they're elderly, you'll probably hold back on the cussin' and make them polite..unless they're the nasty crotchety type…

Also be aware of dialog tags. The majority you use should be said or asked. To use whispered, shouted, slurred, etc. are forms of showing, not telling. Try to stay away from that. Dialog doesn't always need to be tagged either. If the conversation is between two people, after tagging the first and second lines, the reader will be smart enough to figure out who is saying what. Lastly keep in mind that dialog can be fragments. Think about your own speech. Do you always talk in complete sentences? Probably not, therefore your characters don't need to either.

Day 4: Did you hit your 1k goal yesterday? (I told you I'd check today!) If so, YAY! Good job! Keep up the good work! If not, imagine me giving you the evil eye for a moment. Scary? Do you want more of that? If not, try harder next time.

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: C is for Conflict

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C is for conflict. Every story needs conflict. You might remember from your school days when your English teachers were talking about conflict and resolution. I'm sure they told you it's important, an essential part of every story. They were right. I know some of you may be rolling your eyes "Oooh stupid teachers are always trying to teach us crap we'll never need" while that may be true for some things (I have yet to use any Trig since junior year of high school…) that's not the case when it comes to writing fiction.  There's got to be something that drives the story. Something the characters  need to do whether it's a journey, kissing a boy they've dreamed about, defeating the evil overlord, you get the idea. With no conflict, there's no resolution and the story is just random events that don't necessary lead anywhere. Booooring.

Day 3: Everyone make me a promise to hit at least 1k words today! I'm checking back tomorrow! Go! Go! Go!

 

ABC 123(4)s of NaNo: B is for Backstory

B is for backstory. It's often necessary to look into the past of your characters. It helps explain to the reader the kind of person your character is. Maybe they had a traumatic childhood that led them to be the devious villain they now portray in your story.  Sometimes you need to delve into the distant past for world building purposes. It helps explain the world politics, how things came to be, etc. Sometimes you need only go back a short ways, explain what happened a few days prior so you know why that character is in the position they are now.  Back story isn't always necessary, but I think it helps your characters and world be a bit more three dimensional and believable. Besides, it makes for good story telling.

Day 2: Did you hit your first word goal? Behind already? DO.NOT.PANIC! You'll find there will be days when you'll easily surpass the suggested 1,667 daily word counts and sometimes you'll fall short. Don't let it get to you. I know someone who wrote 30k words in the last three days to win. You can do it!

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ABC 1,2,3(4)s of NaNo: A is for Action

A is for action. Something every book needs.  You don't need blockbuster summer movie kind of action (although Chuck Norris might disagree), but something to keep the story moving. Something to keep the readers interested. Something to build the excitement and tension. So your character moving a box from a table to the floor is an action (since I'm sure it involves those lovely action words, verbs) but it's not exactly the kind of thing that's going to keep your readers riveted.  Action can be a bank robbery, cheating on a spouse, a bar room brawl, etc. You get the idea. Make sure you have some planned and if you get stuck while writing, know that adding in action, especially a fight scene or blowing something up, will give you several good pages of verbose prose!

Day 1: Go NaNo Go! An opening can be hard, but you can do it. Maybe start with some action!

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One Day More…

*whistles Les Mis music*

OK, so obviously fantastic Broadway musicals is not what I'm going to discuss today. It's Monday, October 31st and YAY Halloween and goodbye life for the next thirty days.

As I'm sure you know, NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow. There's much to be done, no? You have to make sure you have an idea ready to go (hopefully you've got that glimmer or something more). You need a good night's sleep because you might not get much in the next month. You need to spend the remainder of the day with friends and family or running important errands because you won't have much free time for that in November.  You need to make sure your NaNo account is set up and you've visited the forums and maybe made some friends to add as writing buddies. You need to stock up on coffee, tea or the caffeinated beverage of your choice along with writing appropriate snacks (to me this is Pocky and other easily edible snacks that I can quickly shovel in between thoughts).  Maybe you'll want to make some playlists as well. Music works well for some and not at all for others. Play around with it if you have the time.

If this is your first year doing NaNo, you may be wrestling with the decision of whether or not you tell friends and family what you're doing.  The first year I participated, I largely kept it a secret. Considering my life situation at the time, it wasn't all the difficult, but I was almost embarrassed to be doing it. I guess I was concerned about telling people what it was and then having them ask me a million questions I wasn't ready to answer or worse yet, asking to read the thing! Oh the HORROR! I think I was also afraid that if I didn't complete the 50k that it'd be another failure they could add to their lists. Harsh thinking perhaps, but let's just say I wasn't in the best frame of mind at that point in time. When the following year came along, I was excited to tell people and surprised how many supported and encouraged me, so don't be afraid to let people know. They'll  be impressed. Really.

So get in your last minute things folks, because starting tomorrow, it's all writing, all the time. Build your worlds and kill your characters and remember to stop here daily for some writing tips and encouragement.

Best of luck everyone and remember to have fun! Go to a write-in or two. Kill off everyone and introduce someone new. Add some humor to your story and when in doubt, blow shit up. Happy Writing!

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Book Review – Dawn of Darkness

Title: Dawn of Darkness (Daeva)

Author: Daniel A. Kaine

Genr e: Paranormal

Amazon Summary:

 Unburdened by the pain of loss and heartbreak, Mikhail is content with his life of solitude. But everything began to change the day he realised he has a psychic ability — the power to alter the emotions of those around him.

Mikhail is ushered into the Military Academy with others like him — other Daevas — where he does his part to help tip the scales of war against the vampires that destroyed the world and plague what remains of humanity. But after going up against his first vampire, Mikhail starts to question everything he thought to be true.

To discover the truth and expose the lies he once believed, Mikhail will set out on a journey of discovery, and learn some things about himself in the process.

 

Personal Reaction:

I had read a beta version of this and loved it! The final product is even better. It's not a typical vamp/supernatural story so it was nice to feel like I hadn't read it before (as I do with many other vampire books out there these days).

There's action, romance, suspense, and some sexy time scenes that may very well leave you needing a smoke when you're done reading it. The characters are well rounded and likable. You'll come to care what happens to them. 

 

Questions:

This go round, I wanted to do something a little different. I opted to interview not the author of this great book, but two of main characters (and a sexy couple!), Mikhail (Mik) and Ashley (Ash). I asked some hard hitting questions, but the boys did not disappoint in the least!

 

Q) Mik, what did you think the first time you saw Ash?

Mik: Kill me. Kill me, now. We met for the first time when I moved into the dorms. I was already pissed that I had to share a room, but I was at least hoping for someone who kept to themselves. Instead, I got this moron.

Ash: Ah, come on. It wasn't that bad.

Mik: You wouldn't stop pestering me! I couldn't even eat in peace. He was so stubborn and annoying, and he'd flirt with pretty much anything… including me.

Ash: I thought it might help you open up a bit.  *smirks* I guess it worked.

Q) Did it bother you when he had one night conquests?

Mik: It didn't bother me so much. If anything, I was happy to get a few moments of peace while he was out. It was only when he brought people back to the room that it annoyed me.

Ash: Hey, I didn't do that often. And only when you weren't in the room.

Mik: You could have at least left a sign on the door to warn me though. The things I've accidentally walked in on… they can't be unseen!

Ash: And who'd want to unsee them?

Q) Ash, were you always interested in Mik? Or did it grow as you got to know him? (it=interest, not uhh anything else)

Ash: Oh, he definitely grew on me. *sniggers* Well, I can't deny there was a bit of interest to begin with. I mean, he's not a bad looking guy, but his attitude was awful. I wanted to like him, but he made that incredibly difficult. It took a month or so before he started to open up. After that, we just started hanging out more and more.

Q) Speaking of interest, anyone else on the team spark any? Brad (mmm muscles)? Lucas? (I'd worry his speed would not work well in uhh other areas…) Katiya?

Ash: *shrugs* Brad's a little too muscly for my tastes. Lucas was alright, but definitely straight. Kat… well, it's complicated. I made a pact not to get involved with anyone in the squad. *laughs* Well, so much for that…

Q) Ash, did you feel any guilt over your first time with Mik, considering his emotional and drunken state at the time?

Ash: At first, yes. But we were both drunk and feeling a little vulnerable… I think we both needed it as much as the other.

Q) Did either of you worry whether or not your gifts would affect your relationship?

Mik: No.

Ash: It was because of our gifts that I managed to finally get Mik to open up. He was struggling a little with his ability.

Mik: Was not.

Ash: Were too. You couldn't shield yourself to save your life. When he finally stopped being stubborn, I helped him train. That was when he started to open up a little.

Q) Mik, tell the truth now, what did you think of Nate when you first saw him in all his ginger glory?



Mik: I dunno. I mean, with everything that had just happened… I wasn't sure what to think. I guess I was a little relieved that there was someone I could relate to.

Ash: *nudges Mik with his elbow* You know, I think she's asking if you thought he was hot. She has a crush on him. (Hey now! This interview is about you guys! Not me. –MB)

Mik: *blushes* What? I never thought about Nate like that. He was just a friend.

Q) Let's get a little more personal, shall we? Ash, how about sharing your favorite Mik related fantasy with us?

Ash: Tough one. There's a lot I can choose from. I'd love to get him tied up though.

Mik: You are NOT tying me up.

Ash: *grins* You'll come around in the end. (Freudian slip?? –MB)

Q) How about you Mik? Got any fantasies? Maybe involving you and Ash and a certain ginger?

Mik: I already said Nate was just a friend!

Ash: *shrugs* He was alright-looking. You couldn't pay me enough to share Mik with him though. So, any fantasies you wanna share, Mik?

Mik: N-no. I… I don't think about that much.

Ash: You sure? Not even a little bit? You don't lie there at night, thinking about all the things we could do together?

Mik: Well, there is one thing I've always wanted to do.

Ash: What would that be?

Mik: Gag you.

Ash: Kinky *wiggles his eyebrows*

Mik: Not really. I just want you to shut up sometimes.

Ash: *pouts*

Q)  Alright, enough of that, let's get down to the real business. Mik, Ash, tell us what's so great about Dawn of Darkness (Daeva) and why should people buy it?

Ash: Hot sex. (It is indeed smokin' –MB)

Mik: *facepalm* Buy it because we have real non-sparkling vampires.

Ash: And psychics. I mean, why have one when you can both? Plus, we're hotter than your average psychic.

Q) Also, what can we expect from you guys in the future? More sexy time scenes I hope!

Mik: A couple of people have mentioned wanting to see some more exploration into the magic of other Daeva's… there's a bit of that, though I won't say whose magic will be explored and developed. Hmm, what else?

Ash: Well, the clue is in the sequel's title, really. 'Origin of Darkness'. A lot happened in the past that led up to the events that took place in the first book. Things that we missed the first time round, or happened before we were brought into the picture.

Mik: And if you've ever wondered how vampires came into existence in the Daeva world… that's in there too.

Ash: Along with a giant spider.

Mik: Seriously? A giant spider?

Ash: *grins* Yup, you'll have to wait til next year to find out what the Hell I'm on about though.

Q) Thanks for playing along guys! I look forward to more of the Adventurous Romps of Mik & Ash—uhh I mean to the sequel of Dawn of Darkness!

Ash: Oh, don't worry… I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty more romps when I get my way.

Mik: If you get your way.

Ash: Please, have you met our author? He couldn't keep his mind out of the gutter if you duct-taped it to a fricking jet plane!

Mik: You know, it usually not a good idea to make wisecracks at your author, but I have to agree.

Ash: *shrugs* He'll probably take it as a compliment anyway. And what's the worst he could do to us?

Mik: I'd rather not find out.

 

Dawn of Darkness (Daeva) can be purchased at the following locations:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005XLPH3Q

Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/97919 ($0.99 with code "KC75Z" for the rest of the month of October)

You can contact the author at the following locals:

FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-A-Kaine/180865771969754

Twitter: @shiki_boy

G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101263062423877058875/posts

Blog: http://danielakaine.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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