Caroline Hanson's Blog, page 8
October 6, 2011
The Vampire Diaries Diary
My husband and I used to love The Lost Diary, a website where a few people would watch Lost and say whatever they thought. It worked well for Lost because everything was a mystery and inferences could be made about anything. Not so with Vampire Diaries, but I thought I would give it a shot. This is season 3, episode 4Stefan and Klaus are drinking in the opening scene-- promising start.When was the last time someone with an American accent turned up on this show?"I can always tell when you're lying, Stefan" oh shit! She knows him and well. We've been warned.Rick doesn't want to go to a Founder's Day Party. If he doesn't go to the founder day parties he'll never leave the house! They don't do anything else in that town.The necklace is a reminder of Elena's unbreakable bond with Stefan—how hot would it have been if Damon had ripped it off her.Katherine to Stefan --"I forgot, you're bad now, don't get too cocky." Please, pretty please and by all that is holy…GET COCKYStefan is so much cuter when he gets to emote. Kind of like Boreanaz when he was Angelus.Whoot, it's Anna, cause just about the hottest scene of this show was when she shoved him up against the refrigerator and snacked on him. I think I watched that scene so many times it scarred my dvr.Oh drat, there is bonnie. Whoa. Jeremy is torn b/tw anna and bonnie? Hey, this might actually be a good storyline involving bonnie. But only because she's the third wheel. Take the hint kevin and Julie, take it."So Mayor Lockwood called your gay ex-husband to torture your vampire daughter." And that, in one sentence sums up this show…even if it wasn't at a founder's day party.Damon just bit another man on the neck—and it wasn't hot."tell me if anyone is coming" bonnie says, doing witchcraft at a public party. Good plan, Bonnie.Lots of people warning Damon and Elena apart. And Rick, you ain't young enough to be saying, 'take a beat'"I know you can't feel anything" Jeremy says to Anna. Really? I missed that! why not?Stefan is staked out on a table. Promising. Everyone loves a little torture…in a bar. Hope she put out the closed sign. The clamps holding his wounds open are Nasty. (Note the capitol)Damon says of Caroline's gay father, "He threatened to out me, imagine the irony of that" chuckle.Damon killed Rick rather than have a conversation. That's the manpire we all know and love!Tyler with his shirt off- WOW"Your technique is a little lazy." Caroline's father to Damon about his compulsion skills. That's an insult to Damon's fanghood. Duel!Commercial- real steal is the real deal. Real-ly?"I am not stefan" Damon got his cajones back. It felt a little forced but I like it.Jeremy! You jerk! Be weak! Cheat!Oh Stefan, if you unstake Elijah I will wet myself. And not with pee. Ah crap, there's Rebecca. I flew too high on the wings of pastrami.Caroline to Elena 'What's it say about you if you admit you're attracted to Damon?' That you're not blind.Dammit. I thought we were getting a Rebecca plotline. Lots of lusting and angst, some hot vampire sex, instead Stefan is back in Mystic Falls and he might drink Elena next week. Yeah, right. Damon is leaving town and if things go back to the way they were…I might go back on the penicillin (cause VD, get it?).
Love is Fear- Review
Hey,
If you are here because you liked Love is Darkness (I guess the only other reason you'd be here is by mistake, to heckle me or b/c you're a blood relative) and want Love is Fear free --it will be 2.99 but might start out at .99-- leave me a review on amazon, goodreads, twitter to your peeps, or if you're really awesome, a combo. Then email me, I'll send it to you as soon as it's ready to go!
If you are here because you liked Love is Darkness (I guess the only other reason you'd be here is by mistake, to heckle me or b/c you're a blood relative) and want Love is Fear free --it will be 2.99 but might start out at .99-- leave me a review on amazon, goodreads, twitter to your peeps, or if you're really awesome, a combo. Then email me, I'll send it to you as soon as it's ready to go!
October 5, 2011
Bewitching the Werewolf
This short story is free on Smashwords and I have not been promoting it because I'm waiting for it to be free on Amazon. I've gotten very good feedback on it and I think it's funny-- but, as mentioned, the darned thing is SHORT! So, while you can go and pay 99c for it on amazon, I'd much rather you read it for free as I intended.
The intent was to have it be free and use it to promote Love is Darkness, not to be charging 99c for it.
Amazon will not allow me to put the price to zero. Sometimes they price match. I sent them an email and they basically refused to drop the price. So I don't know if I'm going to yank the story or what. Apparently it can take a few weeks for them to change things.
Anyway, it's quite frustrating. I'll be sure to post it here, too.
The intent was to have it be free and use it to promote Love is Darkness, not to be charging 99c for it.
Amazon will not allow me to put the price to zero. Sometimes they price match. I sent them an email and they basically refused to drop the price. So I don't know if I'm going to yank the story or what. Apparently it can take a few weeks for them to change things.
Anyway, it's quite frustrating. I'll be sure to post it here, too.
Love is Fear
Love is Fear will be out by December. What the heck is gonna happen? I don't know! If you come up with any good ideas email me! It's comin down to the wire so put your thinking caps on! Just kidding.
Love is Fear picks up where we left off -- Jack and Val are about to have a monster of a showdown over Lucas. And Lucas has now backed off, he's willing to wait. Bless his egotistical little heart-- he thinks Val will come back to him.
To a certain extent this book is about both boys and their egos as well as the trouble that gets them into.
As for the women of this book, there are two. Obviously, this is Val's book and her coming to grips with what she wants and the realization that while she's been kept in the dark a lot of the time, that's her own damned fault.
Rachel gets a lot of time in this book too. Sure she betrayed Lucas for her sweetie, but he kept her alive for a reason. And let's face it, 80 years with Marion? Issues!
Finally, this book is also about the Fey. What happened to them, if they're alive, what's next.
This second book also has a lot of sex. A lot. From people we know, people we don't know, even people we probably don't want to know.
The second half of the book is the 'cabin episode'. That is tv slang for put people together in a room, or an elevator, or a space shuttle and see what happens. Nothing good! Being trapped together with their own issues is conflict enough.
What do you think? I tried to be informative but not give everything away. And if you're wondering, this is a trilogy. At least I'm pretty darned sure. Once I start writing book 3 I'll have to see how it goes, but in my mind, it's three books.
Love is Fear picks up where we left off -- Jack and Val are about to have a monster of a showdown over Lucas. And Lucas has now backed off, he's willing to wait. Bless his egotistical little heart-- he thinks Val will come back to him.
To a certain extent this book is about both boys and their egos as well as the trouble that gets them into.
As for the women of this book, there are two. Obviously, this is Val's book and her coming to grips with what she wants and the realization that while she's been kept in the dark a lot of the time, that's her own damned fault.
Rachel gets a lot of time in this book too. Sure she betrayed Lucas for her sweetie, but he kept her alive for a reason. And let's face it, 80 years with Marion? Issues!
Finally, this book is also about the Fey. What happened to them, if they're alive, what's next.
This second book also has a lot of sex. A lot. From people we know, people we don't know, even people we probably don't want to know.
The second half of the book is the 'cabin episode'. That is tv slang for put people together in a room, or an elevator, or a space shuttle and see what happens. Nothing good! Being trapped together with their own issues is conflict enough.
What do you think? I tried to be informative but not give everything away. And if you're wondering, this is a trilogy. At least I'm pretty darned sure. Once I start writing book 3 I'll have to see how it goes, but in my mind, it's three books.
October 2, 2011
Vampire Diaries
I went through a phase where my love of VD waned. I almost stopped watching it, let episodes build up on my tivo for quite awhile and saw lots of things that I was bored with and couldn't foresee changing. For example-- Jeremy and Bonnie. Oh God, someone please kill Bonnie. That girl has no chemistry with any actor she gets paired with. It's almost bizarre how flat she is. Versus someone like James Marsters from Buffy who had so much charisma that even though he was supposed to be staked at the end of his solitary episode, he became a recurring character, then a character, then the love interest and (truthfully) stole the show by the end of season 7. Bonnie ain't gonna do that.
My other issue that made me yawn-- Stefan and Elena. Oi, so boring. Yes, they were in luuvv and it bored the shit out of me. Poor Damon was murdering up a storm, being a consumate bad-boy, never wearing any clothes and brooding and yet we were stuck with two characters who the writers didn't even have kiss for several episodes because they were so boring.
Well, that's all changed now! Watching VD is no longer like having VD, it's awesome! It's like it got a massive shot of penicillin and is ready to start whoring around.
1. Klaus-- he was a bit weird, I didn't know how attractive he was, the accent was peculiar and now, I like him. Not only is he super evil but he has feelings. He's brought Stefan with him and wants companionship. It's not a lot and it's probably like having Stalin as a friend (fine until your dead) but it gives him a depth that I appreciate.
2. Rebecca-- Oh, Rebecca where do I start. Thank God! She is a game changing character, that I already like and because she has prior dibs on Stefan it's somehow not as bad that she's back. I can't wait to see where this plays out because Paul Wesley is HOT and getting down with another vampire will give him the chance to be rough, passionate, uncontrolled and villainous instead of mopey and depressed. Like Angel when he's Angelus. Angelus was a crack-up.
3. Tyler and Caroline-- The sex was hot, but truthfully, I suspect they'll be the next oh-so-boring-couple we're stuck with for a season or two. Can she drink his blood? If he bites her she'll die. speaking of, how come she can kiss him? His saliva is ok so long as it's not in her dermal layers? Hmmm.
4. Damon and Elena, these two are so made for each other, they've shacked up in real life. Stefan is moving on to paler pastures and now that he's moved on we won't look at Elena and think 'what a slut! Stefan needs you!' we can now think, 'Get Damon back in those bubbles!' I'm excited b/c obviously Damon isn't the white picket fence guy. He's the guy you stab with the white picket fence. I saw an interview with Ian where he said playing vulnerable Damon was uncomfortable. Fantastic! I can't wait!
5a. The guy from Supernatural is here! Speaking of charismatic actors. Every once in a while an actor comes along that is so good I think 'how come this fool doesn't have his own show?' and I confess with some smugness that usually I think this and then they get their own show. My unrelated example-- Garrett Dillahunt who was so good on Deadwood he was brought back as another character when he was killed off. (that was kind of hilarious) he then went on to Terminator Sarah Connor where I swooned over his mechanical ass and now he's on Raising Hope.
5b. Okay, that was a slight straying off topic-- the guy from Supernatural is here! Oh, Sebastian Roche. He's so good, such a funny actor that I kind of have a crush on him. And he's turned up as a baddie bad enough to make Klaus and Rebecca scared. AWESOME!
And the 1930's. With the exception of Boardwalk Empire, everytime a show goes to the thirties I fall asleep. Didn't Picard go to the 30's all the time? Anyway, this one was good. One of the best things about vampires is what they have lived through. I like seeing their history and knowing what they've survived. (Eric's past, Angel's past as a loser-- those, for me, are usually the best episodes). Not only because I like history but b/c it gives us a massive insight into our characters.
A vampire's past needs to reveal some aspect of their personality that makes the reader go 'whaaa?' I tried to do this in Love is Darkness, showing that Lucas is not only the lonely guy who's been bored for awhile but that somewhere in the last 800 years he was motivated by love. Marion's daughter Margaret was a young girl that reminded him of his own dead family. I even have a scene for it, but i'm not sure if it's going to make it into the second book. Mainly because it requires more jumping around in time and the feedback on that makes me think it hasn't been quite as successful as I had hoped.
Anyway, I'm now beyond excited for VD, I want VD, and if they could just bring back Elijah (who is another charisma character--I thought he was super hot) I'll be all set.
Thoughts on the twisty turnings of VD? Cause I'd love to hear them! If I can youtube up some clips of these fine male specimens I will. Sigh
Here is a 30 second clip of Castiel and Sebastian on Supernatural http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPqP87rNuMA&feature=related
If you've got some time here is a 4 minute Sebastian clip from Supernatural, which if you have not seen and don't know why anyone watches it-- this will inform you. It's freaking funny and the boys are hot. plus lots of monsters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbAMe-2Wbts
Couldn't find anything good for Garrett, plus looking at Terminator Sarah Connor clips makes me want to down a bottle of prozac. That show being cancelled really left a scorch mark on my soul.
My other issue that made me yawn-- Stefan and Elena. Oi, so boring. Yes, they were in luuvv and it bored the shit out of me. Poor Damon was murdering up a storm, being a consumate bad-boy, never wearing any clothes and brooding and yet we were stuck with two characters who the writers didn't even have kiss for several episodes because they were so boring.
Well, that's all changed now! Watching VD is no longer like having VD, it's awesome! It's like it got a massive shot of penicillin and is ready to start whoring around.
1. Klaus-- he was a bit weird, I didn't know how attractive he was, the accent was peculiar and now, I like him. Not only is he super evil but he has feelings. He's brought Stefan with him and wants companionship. It's not a lot and it's probably like having Stalin as a friend (fine until your dead) but it gives him a depth that I appreciate.
2. Rebecca-- Oh, Rebecca where do I start. Thank God! She is a game changing character, that I already like and because she has prior dibs on Stefan it's somehow not as bad that she's back. I can't wait to see where this plays out because Paul Wesley is HOT and getting down with another vampire will give him the chance to be rough, passionate, uncontrolled and villainous instead of mopey and depressed. Like Angel when he's Angelus. Angelus was a crack-up.
3. Tyler and Caroline-- The sex was hot, but truthfully, I suspect they'll be the next oh-so-boring-couple we're stuck with for a season or two. Can she drink his blood? If he bites her she'll die. speaking of, how come she can kiss him? His saliva is ok so long as it's not in her dermal layers? Hmmm.
4. Damon and Elena, these two are so made for each other, they've shacked up in real life. Stefan is moving on to paler pastures and now that he's moved on we won't look at Elena and think 'what a slut! Stefan needs you!' we can now think, 'Get Damon back in those bubbles!' I'm excited b/c obviously Damon isn't the white picket fence guy. He's the guy you stab with the white picket fence. I saw an interview with Ian where he said playing vulnerable Damon was uncomfortable. Fantastic! I can't wait!
5a. The guy from Supernatural is here! Speaking of charismatic actors. Every once in a while an actor comes along that is so good I think 'how come this fool doesn't have his own show?' and I confess with some smugness that usually I think this and then they get their own show. My unrelated example-- Garrett Dillahunt who was so good on Deadwood he was brought back as another character when he was killed off. (that was kind of hilarious) he then went on to Terminator Sarah Connor where I swooned over his mechanical ass and now he's on Raising Hope.
5b. Okay, that was a slight straying off topic-- the guy from Supernatural is here! Oh, Sebastian Roche. He's so good, such a funny actor that I kind of have a crush on him. And he's turned up as a baddie bad enough to make Klaus and Rebecca scared. AWESOME!
And the 1930's. With the exception of Boardwalk Empire, everytime a show goes to the thirties I fall asleep. Didn't Picard go to the 30's all the time? Anyway, this one was good. One of the best things about vampires is what they have lived through. I like seeing their history and knowing what they've survived. (Eric's past, Angel's past as a loser-- those, for me, are usually the best episodes). Not only because I like history but b/c it gives us a massive insight into our characters.
A vampire's past needs to reveal some aspect of their personality that makes the reader go 'whaaa?' I tried to do this in Love is Darkness, showing that Lucas is not only the lonely guy who's been bored for awhile but that somewhere in the last 800 years he was motivated by love. Marion's daughter Margaret was a young girl that reminded him of his own dead family. I even have a scene for it, but i'm not sure if it's going to make it into the second book. Mainly because it requires more jumping around in time and the feedback on that makes me think it hasn't been quite as successful as I had hoped.
Anyway, I'm now beyond excited for VD, I want VD, and if they could just bring back Elijah (who is another charisma character--I thought he was super hot) I'll be all set.
Thoughts on the twisty turnings of VD? Cause I'd love to hear them! If I can youtube up some clips of these fine male specimens I will. Sigh
Here is a 30 second clip of Castiel and Sebastian on Supernatural http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPqP87rNuMA&feature=related
If you've got some time here is a 4 minute Sebastian clip from Supernatural, which if you have not seen and don't know why anyone watches it-- this will inform you. It's freaking funny and the boys are hot. plus lots of monsters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbAMe-2Wbts
Couldn't find anything good for Garrett, plus looking at Terminator Sarah Connor clips makes me want to down a bottle of prozac. That show being cancelled really left a scorch mark on my soul.
September 30, 2011
Letting the Fun in
It's now been a month since LID came out and it's been kind of amazing. Bizarre highs and lows. Before LID was up I felt a vague sense of urgency but no real pressure. When it came out and I sold one-- to a stranger-- I stared at the computer screen for several seconds in disbelief.
The first review was the same way. My heart pounded, I read the words and was so busy looking for the slam of what she hated that I didn't register the things she liked. I had to read it several times before I understood that someone I didn't know liked what I wrote.
Three weeks ago I was desperate to sell two copies a day and then it went up to five and now, if I don't sell 10 a day, I think I'll panic. But it only came out a month ago. What's aggravating is how quickly I've altered my expectations. There is no more basking in the glow of the anonymous stranger it's wanting world domination.
That means I spend all my time checking numbers, tweeting, emailing, thinking about marketing, etc. and it sucks. I've actually done very little writing in the last week because of it. And there needs to be a balance. So I'm going to put a pause on checking the sales and marketing and see if I manage to continue selling books without my eyes glued to the screen and focus on writing.
Hallellujah!
The first review was the same way. My heart pounded, I read the words and was so busy looking for the slam of what she hated that I didn't register the things she liked. I had to read it several times before I understood that someone I didn't know liked what I wrote.
Three weeks ago I was desperate to sell two copies a day and then it went up to five and now, if I don't sell 10 a day, I think I'll panic. But it only came out a month ago. What's aggravating is how quickly I've altered my expectations. There is no more basking in the glow of the anonymous stranger it's wanting world domination.
That means I spend all my time checking numbers, tweeting, emailing, thinking about marketing, etc. and it sucks. I've actually done very little writing in the last week because of it. And there needs to be a balance. So I'm going to put a pause on checking the sales and marketing and see if I manage to continue selling books without my eyes glued to the screen and focus on writing.
Hallellujah!
September 23, 2011
How Things Change
Rode my bike to the tennis courts this morning and got whistled at. Yes, that's right! And it occurred to me that at sixteen being whistled at would have made me irritated. At twenty two I would have yelled 'fuck off'' but now that I'm in my 30's and have two kids with the stomach to prove it, all I could say was 'thank you!'
Bummer.
Current song addiction-- Pressure Nadia Ali (give it 40 sec)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y31umxjp1mQ&ob=av2n
Had the realization that Lucas needs to get his POV in this book some more. Wish I knew what the hell he was thinking.
Bummer.
Current song addiction-- Pressure Nadia Ali (give it 40 sec)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y31umxjp1mQ&ob=av2n
Had the realization that Lucas needs to get his POV in this book some more. Wish I knew what the hell he was thinking.
September 22, 2011
Bewitching the Werewolf
Here is the cover for my free story that's going to be coming out soon. It's called Bewitching the Werewolf and I'm hoping it'll turn up on mia marlowe's Red Letter Thursday...unless she rips the bastard apart, in which case I hope the whole thing just gets lost in cyberspace.
The first line is "I don't get paid enough to deal with a werewolf that can't get laid." It's a love it or hate it. Although it will be free which should move it to the 'love it' category. Plus it's so halloweeny. I'm gonna leave the weeny joke alone.
[image error]
The first line is "I don't get paid enough to deal with a werewolf that can't get laid." It's a love it or hate it. Although it will be free which should move it to the 'love it' category. Plus it's so halloweeny. I'm gonna leave the weeny joke alone.
[image error]
September 21, 2011
Hell hath frozen over
Alright, the time has come. There is supposed to be this thing called 'twitter' and i have found it. I've even signed up to it! And there is another thing called 'facebook' which I have heard of (and that reminds me of the hilarious facebook joke from the office. If I can find it, I'll post) as well as 'goodreads' -- all things that an author is supposed to do to let people know they exist.
So check me out, all existing with my blog and no followers. Sigh.
On the plus side the book is doing incredibly well by my modest standards.
Found it-- Bookface. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQeXEYsPOZI
So check me out, all existing with my blog and no followers. Sigh.
On the plus side the book is doing incredibly well by my modest standards.
Found it-- Bookface. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQeXEYsPOZI
September 19, 2011
Character Songs-- Jack
This is a big book for Jack and he's been giving me some trouble because of it. Every time I hear an early Matchbox Twenty song I think of him.
More specifically I would say Four to the Floor by Starsailor reminds me a lot of Jack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0votplOm8E&ob=av2n
More specifically I would say Four to the Floor by Starsailor reminds me a lot of Jack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0votplOm8E&ob=av2n
