J.C. Martin's Blog, page 28
January 8, 2012
Top 7 Reads of 2012
Woot! The final edits for Oracle have been submitted! 
We've also finalised the cover, and possibly the back cover blurb! Everything is coming together beautifully, and I can't wait for the official book cover reveal in a couple weeks' time! I've got something special planned, so watch this space! 
ORACLE will soon have a cover!
Because I've been so busy on all things Oracle, I've not been doing much in terms of working on other writing projects. Plus I'm treating myself to a well-deserved few hours of gameplay. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood was my birthday present for 2010, and I've only just started playing it! And of course, now that I'm well into the game, I don't want to stop until I've completed it!
Does that make me a bad writer?
Since I haven't had the chance to do much reading around the World Wide Web, I decided to start my Weekly Writer's Round-Up only next week. This week, I thought I'd share with you all my most anticipated reads in 2012, in no particular order:
The Blasphemer
by John Ling
John is a fellow Malaysian-born writer living in New Zealand. I came across his website, read the first seven chapters of the book (which can be found here), and was hooked! That was months ago, and I've been eagerly awaiting the release of his book since. Well, The Blasphemer is now available, and John has kindly sent me a copy! I'm honoured and thrilled, and can't wait to dive into this explosive, tight-paced, and controversial thriller!
***Oh, and did I mention John will be giving away some free copies of his book, here, on my blog? Come back here later in the week for his Writer Wednesday feature for your chance to win! ***
The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
Since reading the very first book, The Clan of the Cave Bear, I have been mesmerised by the Paleolithic world of Ice Age Europe, where the predecessors of modern man co-existed (and possibly interbred) with the Neanderthals. The Earth's Children series enthralled me all the way, and Auel's latest (and final) installment has been something I've been waiting on for years. Despite the battery of negative reviews, I'm still looking forward to reading this!
Wildefire
by Karsten Knight
I was actually a couple of chapters into this book before edits and other reading commitments drew me (ever so reluctantly) away. I do not exaggerate when I say that the opening chapter was the most explosive and gripping I have ever read! The unique plot, the distinctive voice, the tension, the fascinating characters, the tight prose, and–gasp!–the shocking turn of events … I am dying to go back to read it!
Also, isn't the cover just to die for?
Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham
I have heard of this book, a must-read for crime buffs everywhere; I have watched the drama series Thorne based on Billingham's Tom Thorne novels; I have even read (and enjoyed) the complete synopsis of the book itself … but I have_never_read it!
Why, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine. Despite it being on my TBR list for yonks, I never got around to purchasing a copy–until now.
Now, nothing is going to stop me from reading what is possibly one of the best crime series of all time, with the most twisted criminals and evil-doings anybody can dream of! Hopefully, this first in the series will result in my finding a new favourite author and new favourite series.
Apartment 16 by Adam L.G. Nevill
It looks like a typical haunted apartment horror story. The blurb sounds like a typical haunted apartment horror story. But I've read some really good reviews about this book, and add to it the fact that the story is set in London, on my doorstep, I just had to find out just how creepy it is!
Forest of Shadows by Hunter Shea
I interviewed Hunter for my Writer Wednesday feature a couple of months back. I'd won a copy of his book from the Guide to Literary Agents blog, but had already purchased my own copy! So we decided to include a giveaway in the interview to pass my prize copy on. Hunter's story about a ghosthunter, a remote Alaskan village, a haunted cabin in some creepy woods, sounds like a great spine-chilling read!
Forest of Shadows has recently been released in print! Congratulations, Hunter!
True Colors and Other Short Stories by Michelle Davidson Argyle
Michelle is a fellow writer and blogger who I really respect: I've followed her since she self-published her fairy tale novella, Cinders; I reviewed the ARC for her debut thriller, Monarch; I hope to help out in spreading the word about her upcoming novel, The Breakaway; I even collaborated with her when we co-edited the Stories for Sendai charity anthology, where her experiences in layouts and formatting were a godsend.
A talented writer, Michelle peppers her works with the written gems of a writer of the literary fiction genre. I enjoyed these gems in Cinders and Monarch, and I enjoyed her contribution to the Sendai anthology, Threads. If this collection of short stories is more of the same, then I am looking forward to reading it. I enjoy short stories that explore the deepest recesses of the human psyche, and I have a feeling True Colors will be one of them.
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Right, so these are my top reads for 2012! Have you read any of these? What do you think? Which should I read first? Do you have any recommendations to add to the list?
I foresee a happy reading year for me!
Six Sentence Sunday: A Compromising Situation
This is a weekly feature whereby participants post six (6) sentences of their work, published or otherwise, to be read (and possibly critiqued) by everyone else. Thank you to all regular commenters for your return visit, and welcome to all new visitors!
For a list of this week's participants, click HERE.
This week's snippet is from the opening chapter of Oracle. Here, a mysterious gunman surprises his victim, Vincent, in the middle of his carnal activity (Warning: Some sexual content):
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"C-can you wait…" Vincent's fingers trembled as he continued to fumble with his trousers. The fact that he still had an erection made zipping up all the more difficult.
God, my nuts hurt. His testicles felt like they were about to burst from all the unreleased semen.
The gunman jammed the pistol into Vincent's crotch.
"I said move," he growled, every word dripping with malice, "now."
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Don't forget to stop by and read the other participants' offerings! There are some definite gems!
January 7, 2012
Writer Wednesday W1nner Announced!
Sorry this announcement's a touch late. Had a mad day at work! Anyway, thanks to everyone who commented on Roh Morgon's Writer Wednesday interview. She is an awesome writer who deserves all the exposure she can get! I am pleased to announce the winner of a print copy of her paranormal novel, Watcher:
MARGO KELLY
Congratulations, Margo! We'll be getting in touch shortly regarding your prize!
January 4, 2012
Writer Wednesday: Roh Morgon + G1veaway!
Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.
My first Writer Wednesday victim of the year 2012 is…
Roh Morgon
Roh's was one of the first blogs I followed when I began my foray into the blogging world. She and her blog have come a long way since then; she has released a novel, Watcher: Book One of the Chosen, with a novella, The Last Trace, to follow really soon! I am so pleased for her!
Having been an escapist her entire life, Roh is a fantasy writer who grew up in a remote Southern Californian canyon, where she explored the wild hills barefoot with her brothers, and rode her horse bareback at top speed. A wicked youth spent hitchhiking across the West and perching on the backs of Harleys eventually gave way to soccer mom duties and full-time college studies–at the same time. In her spare moments, she learned how to herd cattle, sew costumes, swordfight, and plant an arrow or a knife in a target–not necessarily at the same time.
Roh currently lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills with three mustang horses, two crazy herding dogs, and a very patient husband who wonders if she's ever going find the time to sleep again.
Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
***Find out how you could win an e-book copy of Roh's paranormal novel, Watcher, below!***
Thank you for offering yourself up as a willing victim, Roh.
First of all, I'd like to thank you, J.C., for interviewing me on your blog. I remember when we were both starting out–it's amazing how much our sites have grown, and how we've both grown as writers in such a relatively short time.
When did you start writing?
January 2009. I woke up with a very sad vampire woman in my head showing me her life. I had no choice but to write Sunny's story, which resulted in the trilogy of The Chosen: Watcher, Runner, and Seeker.
What genres do you write?
I write fantasy, mostly dark fantasy, for middle-grade, young adult, and adult readers. The characters in my stories tend to be either paranormal or magical.
The middle-grade and young adult series I have in development is paranormal, centering on shapeshifters, although there are also vampires, werewolves, and other 'monsters' in the stories. The series is called Forbidden Doorways and the first novel, Finding the Key, is nearly complete and will be available in early 2013. A middle-grade novelette, Fur Before Feathers, appeared in the 2010 anthology I Dreamed a Crooked Dream.
I also have several magical fantasies in the works. When the Magic Disappeared is a YA novella about a young magical healer during the witchcraft burning era in Europe. Magic will appear this fall as part of an anthology to be published by the Fresno Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers.
My adult works tend to be darker. In The Chosen series, most of the characters are vampires. While some of them resist their natures (namely the main character, Sunny); others embrace theirs. Watcher, Runner, and Seeker are novels in the series. I'm also working on novellas as part of the series, which will feature backstories on secondary characters. I've just finished one called The Last Trace, which is about a mountain man named Trace Tasman being stalked by a 'demon' in 1842 Montana.
I also have several dark fantasy short stories published on Smashwords – both of which are the result of blogfests!
J.C.: You sound like one busy–and productive–lady! Good on ya!
Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.
In Runner, Sunny's choice brings her worst fears to life.
What's your ultimate goal as a writer?
The same as most writers–to write well enough to be able to do it full-time!
Seriously, I am working toward a point where I can hopefully devote more time to writing. I have stories that I haven't even mentioned outlined and waiting for attention. But I do need to sleep once in awhile…
How close are you to achieving this goal?
It's impossible to tell. The status of an author depends on what the readers like and want more of. In my case, if they like my writing, and tell their friends about it, then I might be achieving my goal a bit sooner!
Any quirky writing habits?
Hmm … let me see. My favorite places to write are either on my front porch swing (which overlooks rolling California hills dotted with oak trees and horses), or propped up in bed with the draperies drawn and my headphones on. And I always write to music–my latest piece, The Last Trace, was written and edited to Coldplay (Amsterdam is Trace's theme song).
And I love to write in the middle of the night – between 11:00pm and 5:00am is the best. But I don't get to do that very often. It's really hard to get up for work the next day when you went to bed at 4:00am!
J.C.: Yikes! I'm usually asleep by 11! No wonder you call your blog "Musings of a Moonlight Writer"!
Best writing snack?
It changes according to my mood. I'm trying to wean myself off sugar, and have just traded in Worther's and cinnamon Jolly Ranchers candies for salted pumpkin seeds in the shell. But if you ask me next week, it'll probably be something else.
Kung Fu KAPOW! Question:
Think of a character you wrote. How much do you share his/her personality?
Hah! No psychoanalysis for me! I firmly believe my characters exist in another plane and just use me as a conduit for their stories. No really! Just ask them!
Okay, well, let's see. I'll focus on The Chosen characters, because that's the series I'm currently working on.
It's not Sunny, because she's much more noble than I am. And her choices suck. She definitely doesn't do what I would've done at the end of Watcher.
Nicolas…maybe a little. We certainly have the same taste in cars!
Trace? I don't know–there's whole lot of bad boy brewing in that half-Indian. I won't know what he's really like until I finish his next coupleof novellas.
So to answer your question … I don't know! I suppose a little bit of each one…
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Giveaway!
Roh is excited to give away a print copy of Watcher to one lucky reader, and this contest is open internationally!
Blurb:
Predator. Killer. Monster.
The words echo in Sunny Martin's head each time she looks in the mirror. Since the night she was torn from her car and drained of her blood, Sunny's fear of the hungry beast within her is rivaled only by the fear of exposure.
Her lonely struggle to survive on the edge of the human world leads Sunny to the mountain peaks of Colorado where she meets Nicolas, the enigmatic leader of a hidden society.
Their passion, tainted by betrayal, violence, and murder, reveals a shocking truth behind Sunny's savage nature and drives her toward an agonizing Choice between her heart and the last remnant of her human soul.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Apple
For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the following question:
Who is your favourite vampire characeter in literature, and why?
Leave your answer in the comments below, being sure you fill in the e-mail address field.
The giveaway will run till Friday 6th January. A winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Saturday. Good luck!
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I am on the hunt for more willing Writer Wednesday victims! Are you game to answer six simple questions and one not-so-simple Kung Fu KAPOW! Question? If you have a book release coming up soon, or if you just want a bit of exposure, let me know! Happy to accommodate giveaways as part of your interview as well! E-mail me HERE to express your interest!
January 1, 2012
First Six Sentence Sunday of the Year!
Happy 2012! Once the hangover from all that merrymaking wears off, here's wishing everyone health, joy, love, and every success in the year to come! And now, on to SSS:
This is a weekly feature whereby participants post six (6) sentences of their work, published or otherwise, to be read (and possibly critiqued) by everyone else. Thank you to all regular commenters for your return visit, and welcome to all new visitors!
For a list of this week's participants, click HERE.
This week's snippet is once again from Oracle, which I'm furiously completing my final edits for:
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"This is a bad idea," Holloway muttered, wide eyes flitting about. I'd seen those eyes before, on an antelope on the Discovery Channel, as it drank from a crocodile-infested lake.
We stood in an alleyway reeking of spoiled food and old piss. A flickering fluorescent bulb cast long, dancing shadows, illuminating the neon graffiti adorning the walls, proclaiming endearing messages such as J-Man likes 2 suck cock. A rat the size of a small dog strolled brashly past us, gnarled tail swishing, before disappearing under an overflowing wheelie bin. The greasy odour of chip oil flowed from a rattling vent, a promise of the culinary delights awaiting the discerning connoisseur at the Codfather fish and chips shop.
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Don't forget to stop by and read the other participants' offerings! There are some definite gems!
December 27, 2011
12 Days of Christmas: W1nners Announced!
Hope everyone's had a wonderful Christmas, and are looking forward to an incredible New Year! I for one feel as stuffed as the goose I made! And there are still plenty of leftovers!
I have drawn the winners of the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! Here they are:
The winner of the hardback copy of Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs is:
Jessica Bronder
The winner of the Kindle e-copy of Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn is:
Mama Elk
The winner of the e-book copy of The Doll by me is:
Munnaza
Congratulations, guys! I will be in touch shortly! Please note that winners have to respond to my e-mail within 48 hours, or I'll have to choose someone else!
Thanks to everyone who popped by to participate!
And may I take this chance to wish everybody health, happiness and success in the New Year! See you in 2012! [image error]
December 24, 2011
A Christmas Wish to All
Right, I'm off to my editing cave with some turkey and festive ham! But first, some quick housekeeping announcements:
Don't forget, today's the last day to enter giveaways in the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! Click HERE for my blog hop giveaway — three prizes to be won! The winners will be announced December 27th.
All regular blog features will be suspended till the New Year, and will resume after January 4th (the deadline to submit my edits to my publisher!).
Till then, go ahead and eat too much, drink too freely, and to kiss to your heart's content under the mistletoe, because hey, Christmas only comes once a year! May the holiday season bring you and your loved ones love, joy, peace, and lots of good cheer, and wishing you health, happiness and all success in 2012!
I leave you now with a classic Hallmark greeting:
December 22, 2011
FARSIGHTED Virtual Book Tour: Your Chance at a USD50 Amazon Gift Card
I am super-pleased to be hosting Emlyn Chand on my blog today! For those who don't know her, Emlyn is the author of Farsighted, a YA paranormal about a young man who, although blind, has the ability to see the future. This is by far one of the most intriguing novels coming out recently, and I for one am looking forward to its release!
***Read on to find out how you can enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card!***
Farsighted
Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.
Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival — an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords
Check out a super-awesome book trailer HERE!
Author Bio:
Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!
Contact: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google + | Novel Publicity
Have you seen the adorable little birdie on her website? I'm in lurve with it! Anyway, I'm chatting with Emlyn today about Farsighted, and about writing in general:
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How much does your main character Alex have in common with you? Did you draw the personalities of your characters from people you know?
Alex isn't based on me or anyone I know, but I definitely identify with him. His desire to be accepted but to also remain independent. His battle between the two sides of himself is another thing I understand very well. In high school, I was also that person on the periphery. I was always different, which was both a challenge and a mark of pride. And, yeah, I guess we're both a little stubborn at times.
How hard was it to write in the point of view of someone who is blind? Do you have experience dealing with people with visual disabilities?
You know, it wasn't as hard to write blind as I initially thought it would be. As I got to know Alex better and better, it became easier to tune into his way of seeing things. I read books about coping with blindness in a school setting and spent a great deal of time pondering how I might behave if I couldn't see. In the story, Alex has always been blind; he's always known the world to be a certain way. Not everyone understands that, and they have trouble talking about it with him. I gave Alex a tendency to overcompensate. He knows who he is and what he's capable of, and he wants the world to know it too, so sometimes he overdoes things a bit.
I don't have experience with people with visual disabilities, but I am very intrigued by the different lives people live according to their unchosen circumstances. I'm particularly interested in other cultures. Exploring Alex's blindness was a fun, new learning experience for me.
Which Farsighted character was the most difficult to write? Why?
The hardest character to write was Simmi, because I identified with her the least and didn't like her much as a character, although Alex is head-over-heels for her :-* I'm looking forward to uncovering more about what makes her tick further into the series.
Farsighted is a YA novel. Do you write in any other genres? What genres do you read?
My first novel was literary women's fiction. It didn't capture who I am or what my strengths are— that's why it's taken up permanent residence in my desk drawer. When I was ready to write my second novel, I had 4 ideas that really excited me—a dystopian novel, historical fiction, chick lit, and what became Farsighted. I thought each idea out and wrote sample pages or character sketches as practice (I call this the left-brained approach to brainstorming books as described in the article I wrote HERE). The Farsighted pages were the easiest to write, and they were the ones my trusted beta readers liked best too, so I decided to give it a try.
It all comes down to the enjoyment factor. YA is my favorite genre to read, so it's only natural that I would choose to write it as well. I like the vulnerability and changeability of the characters. I love the ease of language and the connection that is created by writing in first person point-of-view. But mostly, I like the readers of YA. YA readers WANT to enjoy books. Their primary goal is not to dissect the literary merit of a story but rather to find a bit of entertainment. YA readers are also extremely loyal to authors they like and can border on fanatical. It makes you feel good as an author.
What is the one most important piece of advice you'd give all aspiring writers?
My advice is this: Have fun with your writing. Don't put pressure on yourself or your story and don't try to fit either into some type of mold. Not every work HAS to be published, but every work will teach you something, and it will make you a better writer. Find the joy in writing, and you won't go wrong.
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Thank you, Emlyn, for those insightful answers! I've always wondered what it would be like to be blind/deaf/otherwise disabled, so I'm looking forward to reading Farsighted!
Question to everyone: If you had to give up one of your senses, which would you choose to lose, and how would you compensate for it?
Me, I considered giving up my sense of smell at first, but then remembered how intrinsically the sense of smell is linked to the sense of taste. I cannot live without tasting the amazing flavours in food, so I'll settle for losing my sense of touch instead. Sure, I'll never feel a warm hug or a loving caress, or the soft fluffy coat of my dog, but hopefully that also means I'll feel no pain?
What about you?
As part of the book tour, Emlyn is kindly giving away a $50 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter. All you have to do to be in the running is to comment on this post, or on any of the posts on her tour stops. The more comments you leave, the better your chances at winning! So why not follow the tour and visit the other stops HERE?
December 21, 2011
Writer Wednesday: Darlene Jones
Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.
This week, I'll be interviewing…
Darlene Jones
Darlene Jones is the author of Embattled, which is, in her own words, "a story of adventure and romance with a touch of sci-fi magic." A fellow self-defence instructor and ex-teacher, Darlene is a sporty grandma who loves to write, read, and body board. She lives on Vancouver Island, Canada, spends winters in Mexico, and part of her heart will always be in Mali, where her experiences inspired the story behind Embattled.
Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter
Embattled
What if you could walk into a war and stop it? Em did. And that was just the beginning. What if you could have a passionate love affair that transcended time and space? Em did. But how will she choose between the two men obsessed with her? Or…will the choice be hers to make?
Em sits at her desk, her hands soaked in blood. No wounds, no pain, and no idea where the blood came from. The reds and greens swirling across her computer screen scream jungle battle. She's certain she was there. Fighting through the jungle to stop a battle, storming into a courtroom to save the accused, facing a firing squad of armed ruffians… Are her "three wishes" coming true?
And, Yves? He is there to arm her with special powers, to send her into battle, to watch over her. His first assignment as a supreme power is to clean up the mess on Earth without going down there himself. Meeting his superior's expectations is a huge challenge. Falling in love with Em threatens to ruin everything.
Purchase links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords
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When did you start writing?
Many years ago, but more seriously in the last few years. I have completed three novels and am working on the fourth. I also write little snippets for my blog and articles for ezines.
What genres do you write?
Oh, man, this is a question I have such difficulty answering as my novels are cross genre–a bit of sci-fi, some adventure, a little action and of course a love story — that's the romance, right?
Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.
Book 4 — they may get to live happily ever after.
What's your ultimate goal as a writer?
To garner readers! I love the writing process and will always write, but I want readers too.
How close are you to achieving this goal?
Well, I've just published the first book and am trying to do it justice with my marketing.
Any quirky writing habits?
I write notes on yellow stickies when I can't sleep at night and then in the morning I can't read my scribbling and sometimes I see that in the dark, I scribbled one note on top of another.
Best writing snack?
Dark chocolate almond bark!!!
Kung Fu KAPOW! Question:
If you were banished to live on a deserted island forever, and allowed just one book to take with you, which would it be and why?
Ask the easy questions, why don't you? Probably an old book called Mixed Marriage, because it makes me laugh and I think I'd need a few laughs on a desert island. Read a little more about the book here.
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I am on the hunt for more willing Writer Wednesday victims! Are you game to answer six simple questions and one not-so-simple Kung Fu KAPOW! Question? If you have a book release coming up soon, or if you just want a bit of exposure, let me know! Happy to accommodate giveaways as part of your interview as well! E-mail me to express your interest!
December 20, 2011
Just One Cut … Just One Vote
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I submitted a flash fiction piece to the Pixelhose Fiction Writing Contest, and it is now up for the public vote! I would really appreciate if you could pop over to read it — it's only 250 words long! If you like it, click the "Like" button, leave a comment, and/or share it via your favourite social media network. Thank you!
