Jami Gray's Blog, page 32
February 7, 2013
#BBF (Blogger’s Book Fair) Guest: Kimberly Gould (@kimmydonn)
Welcome one and all to our first guest from the Bloggers Book Fair! Today we’re going to meet Young Adult, Sci-Fi &Fantasy author, Kimberly Gould! Don’t forget to chime in for your chance at a free copy of her second novel Cargon: Duty & Sacrifice!
As children we tend to have an idea of what we want to be by the time we’re ten. Before you decided to pursue the artistic dream of being a writer, what did you want to be and why?
I had a variety of scientific pursuits as well as the odd desire to be a farmer. My aunt and uncle had a farm, my grandpa raised cattle, and there was something wonderful about working outside. I didn’t go into farming, but I did become an environmental consultant and spend most of summer doing the scientific equivalent of gardening. So, in a way, I got exactly what I was looking for. (We work primarily with plants, so we have sowing studies.)
If your character(s) came with a warning label, what would it say?
Possible autism. I’ve heard a lot of functional autism suffers relate to Spock and his lack of emotion. Eve is a lot like that. I never say she has autism, and her post-apocalyptic society they probably have no idea what that is, but she is rather detached from her emotions. Louis would come with an ADULT warning label. I hate him for worming his way into my YA story and making it borderline. He is that high school stud that just can’t keep it in his pants, y’know? Adam… no, you need no warnings for Adam. He’s just awesome.
Personally, I tend to be a bit on the introverted side so the thought of being in the actual presence of one of my favorite writers makes my heart race, my knees shake and tangles my tongue (yes classic fan girl behavior). Who could reduce you to such a level and how do you imagine your initial meeting?
I think it happened. Tamora Pierce was in town for a book signing and I’ve been a fangirl for her since high school. Which is pretty much exactly what I told her. She made a comment about making her feel old. I felt TERRIBLE! I wanted to take the whole thing back and do it again. So here’s my imagination’s rendition of what should have happened:
“Hello, Ms. Pierce. I’m a huge fan of yours and I’m thinking about becoming a writer because of you and your books.”
“Really?! That sounds fantastic. I hope you do well and go far.”
Yeah, that’s the way it should have gone down… dammit. The other author I would like to meet (and stomp on his foot for dying) is Robert Jordan. I have been wrapped up in Wheel of Time for years and just bought the audio and hardcover copies of the last book via Brandon Sanderson. Maybe I should meet him and not step on his foot but thank him for doing what Jordan couldn’t, lol.
Growing up, what was your favorite book, comic, game or movie and did you create a character/player that might resemble you?
Everytime I watched a TV series or a movie, I tried to input a character in the background or off screen. They weren’t always like me, but I could usually imagine myself as them. In a way I couldn’t imagine myself as Akane in Ranma ½ or one of the Sailor Scouts or Princess Leia. (So that’s two anime and Star Wars, that good?) In fact, it was this phenomenon that lead to me taking up fanfiction which was my stepping stone to being published. I read Breaking Dawn from the POV of Nessie and then wrote subsequent stories using the character I’d given her. I have a Harry Potter character that I think about when I read those books and have finally started writing her story, but the Wandmaker’s Squib is solidly on the back burner.
Many writers have that first novel which will never see the light of day. Out of curiosity, do you have one stashed somewhere? Inquiring minds want to know: what was your first attempt at writing and how old were you?
Oh, yes. I started my novel based on a dream I’d had the night before in Grade 11. The protagonist had my name, but nothing else in common with me (She was blond, blue-eyed, athletic and beautiful. My husband might be able to claim I’m the last, but I’m NONE of the rest.) In fact, her daughter resembled me more than she did. I wrote about ¾ of the story on loose-leaf paper and it’s still in a binder around here somewhere. I don’t even consider looking at it. I know I will appall myself with my writing. LOL
Whether we’re plotters or pantsers (outlines not needed), creating our stories takes us on very memorable journeys. Sometimes we may be part way through before we realize some major aspect of our story is just not working (plot, character, setting). Have you ever hit this sharp, pointy snag and if so, how did you escape? We’re you battered and bruised or a bloody mess?
It’s happened a couple of times. The latest example, under my erotic pen name, was the worst. I’m writing prequels to the first story, following a group of vampires into the past to see each when they joined the group. So it gives me a bit of structure because in the other books I’ve given clues as to what has happened to these people. However, in this case, knowing the basic plot didn’t help one little bit. I must have restarted and reworked the same 10 000 words twelve times, trying to find something that would work. I think I have it now, after eliminating 2-3 characters and cutting about 3000 from the initial 10K. It was enough that I could write the rest of the story, though. That was the important part. I couldn’t get to the next chunk because the set up just was not working. The time before was much easier. What I had worked, I just didn’t know what came next. Jumping ahead for a handful of scenes and then going back worked like a charm that time.
Blades, guns, fists or feet?
Fists and feet. If you manage to take those away, I’m in REALLY big trouble.
Favorite Fairy Tale of all time?
Three billy goats gruff. I was the oldest sister and got left holding the bag WAY too many times. :p
Three titles and their authors sitting on your nightstand/bookcase/table/floor waiting to be read?
Wheel of Time: A Memory of Light – Brandon Sanderson & Robert Jordan
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Broken Escalator – Christopher Munroe
Greatest one liner of all time?
Who, me?
Sarcastic witticism, Southern sweetness or Geeky disdain?
Sarcastic witticism. I have scarred people, I’m sure.
Strangest item currently taking up space in your writing cave?
A book of Where’s Waldo. I see another of my daughter’s books beneath it. sigh
Favorite supernatural creature?
I love unicorns. Have since I was a kid.
Thank you, Kimberly for stopping by and sharing! We so love meeting new people around here! Okay my Swamp visitors, the floor is yours! Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a free copy of Kimberly’s follow-up novel, Cargon: Duty & Sacrifice, out soon.
Don’t want to wait? Then go pick up her debut novel, Cargon: Honour & Privilege now!
Lives are won, lost and traded on the three-tiered Cargon boards.
Eve, a serving-girl, has watched the elite from the outside, seen the dramatic shifts based on the results of the Game. With a growing need to reach beyond her station, she can no longer accept her position on the edges.
Wagering her own life, she wins and emerges in a strange new world. New rules and old acquaintances tangle to make Eve’s life less comfortable than her position would suggest.
One pawn moved, but an entire world shaken – Eve will change the world.
Mother and wife, Kimberly divides her time between family, part-time job as an environmental consultant and pursuit of her imagination.
You can find her at: Kimmydonn.com
February 2, 2013
It’s a Party! Are you ready? #BloggersBookFair and @kimmydonn
It’s coming! Oh yes it is. Next week, starting on Thursday, 2/7-2/10 I get to be part of the Bloggers Book Fair. Don’t know what it is? Well, here’s a little background, the theme this year is: ”The World for a Shilling”.
And that came from where? The Great Exhibition of 1851. The Great Exhibition was held in Hyde Park in London, England from May 1st through October 15th. They built a special building called the Crystal Palace to house the enormous event. Countries from around the world brought their goods to be shown including food, textiles, machines and anything you could imagine. At first, the entry fee was very expensive for those days, but once the organizers (Prince Albert, Henry Cole, and countless others-Even Queen Victoria was highly involved) realized that they had made more than enough to cover the costs, they lowered the price down to one shilling. Once they did this, virtually anyone could get in and see the wonders of the world–hence the saying “The World for a Shilling.”
And this means what to you? The approximate value of a shilling compared to today’s USD is about $5, so all books featured will be $5 or less. Which means you get a chance to discover some really fantastic authors in a wide variety of genres!
So don’t miss out on this really cool opportunity. You can go directly to the Blogger Book Fair site HERE!
I get to host the following great authors, so don’t forget to stop in for your chance to score some free reads!
Nathan Squires
And for those who’d like to get a sneak peek of what’s in store, a new release: Cargon: Duty & Sacrifice is Kimberly Gould’s sequel, to her first book, Cargon: Honour and Privilege is now out and available!
Get your copy now at AMAZON or SMASHWORDS!
See you all next week and don’t forget your schillings!
January 26, 2013
The Plague has arrived…
The Swamp has been hit with the plague, so I’ve been huddling inside a salt circle warded by every known repulsion spell I can possible conceive of. First it raced past the beautiful gardens at Dreamer’s place and left foliage carnage in its wake. Snarky managed to curb its insatiable appetite with a few well-aimed licks of her whip of displeasure. I haven’t heard from Smokey, the haze is pretty deep, but I think that’s what’s keeping the plague in check for him. As for Quirky, nope, he tried, but in the end he too fell. Red managed to put a whole ocean of water between him and the feared virus carrier. Eerie and Mischievous? Well, they headed up Troll Mountain and let the frigid temps discourage the plague’s forward momentum. For a while it looked like Mighty Dwarf was going to escape, but then this week, she finally succumbed, swearing and cursing all the way. We’re experimenting with a few medicinal drams in an effort to weaken the stupid bug, but so far all it does is knock the victim out, leaving them to roll around in bed with a few weak moans.
Even here in our humble shack we haven’t been totally immune. Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor went down a few days ago. Supportive spouse that I am, I vanquished him to another room as far from me as possible, because, let’s face it, I JUST DON’T HAVE TIME TO BE SICK. Oh no, with the Prankster Duo at full steam, demands from that pesky job that pays the bills, edits to finish, queries/synopsis to compose, the Blogger Book Fair to prep for and preparing to start the next WIP in February, there is not a lot of time to be laying around moaning. Unless of course those moans are because my brain is on the verge of imploding under the massive to-do list that haunts my nightmares.
Until this harbringer of aches and fevers removes its shadow from the Swamp, I’m staying put, hunkering down and ignoring the anquished moans of suffering. I’m fairly certain that’s the only way I’m going to make it!
Besides the Blogger Book Fair starts in two weeks and none of my highly anticipated visitors want to dodge the plague!
If the plague has found you, my sympathies, but please don’t be offended if I say that from wayyyy over here!
Until next week….
January 19, 2013
Ripping apart your Story…
It’s been a busy holiday here at the Swamp. I did manage to finish my first draft of Shadow’s Moon, wrangled some interviews with really cool peeps (check out the Guest Post tab), clean out the pits known as the Prankster Duo’s rooms, and took a small breather from the job that pays the bills. Now as I wait to finalize guest post dates and prepare for the Bloggers Book Fair in February, I’m reading back through Shadow’s Moon and utilizing my red ink scalpel to finesse my creation before sending it out into the big, bad publishing world. Currently I’m hiding out in my office of solitude, now graced with a gorgeous shiny 27 inch Apple, while Nerf bullets fly throughout our humble shack. Knight in Slight Muddy Armor is holed up reveling in the adventures of a high school teacher who chooses to engage in a “questionable” job opportunity. Even the Garden Gnomes are hiding in their garden from the heated exchange of foam bullets wielded by five preteen males. Ah, yes, the year is off to a rousing start!
I’ve been asked a few time what my editing process is–the simplest answer: BRUTAL. It never fails, I finish a story, type END and then feel like a limp dishrag. I set it aside for a couple of weeks while I recover my strength and confidence. I’m not sure about every writer out there, but I know that once I finish a story I’m suddenly plagued by insecurities. Will anyone really like this story? Are my characters deep enough, real enough for readers to connect to? Does my plot resemble a colander, leaking story elements into the ether? Did I add extra arms/legs/body parts where they weren’t needed? The worries are endless and tend to get stuck on a mental loop that make that blindly bright white jacket with buckles look oh so inviting.
When I finally come back to the story, I sit down and read it from beginning to end, armed with my red ink scalpel and begin to answer all of those questions. Add here. Slash there. Rewrite there because there’s no way in hell that character would EVER say that. For almost two solid weeks I’ll immerse myself in the story, smoothing the edges, filling the holes until it shines. Then I send it out. Once my editor gets ahold of it, she sends it through at least three more brutal rounds in the editing ring. Bloody and beaten, it will triumph, in the end unbowed but oh so much stronger than when it stepped into the ring. I honestly don’t think a writer ever feels like a story is ever “perfect”. Even if it’s out there, being consumed by readers, I know that if I sat down to read Shadow’s Edge or Shadow’s Soul now, I would change things. Not that they need it, but because writers are constantly honing their skills. That’s why you shouldn’t go back to what’s out there, but put those skills to work in what’s ahead or currently in front of you.
Snarky shared this awesome post this week with me. It’s from one of my favorite writers, Chuck Wendig and his Terrible Minds blog. When you have the time, check it out. It’s worth reading. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a quote from his post: How Chuck Wendig Edits a Novel:
“Writing is when we make words. Editing is when we make the words not shitty.”
Until next week!
–Wicked
January 12, 2013
Bacon and Beer w/NY Times Best Selling Writer Man @KevinHearne
Snarky *boots propped on my porch railing, whip curled in her lap*: So you finally womaned up and got Kevin Hearne to swing by? ‘Bout damn time!
Wicked *hand on doornob*: Look, I know you and the other Evil 7 think I’m all Miss Social but it’s only because I know you deviants. Approaching world famous writers like *hush tone* Kevin Hearne reduces me to a stuttering mess.
Snarky *does that “look” thing she does so well*
Wicked *mutters under breath, opens door and steps inside only to come to a complete stops as a mass of fur barrels by* Was that JoJo and Jasmine, with Hellhound? What’s the deal?
Prankster Duo 1: Hey Mom, Hellhound invited some chicks over. He told them that Irish stud was stopping by.
Snarky *perking up*: Atticus?
Wicked: Snarky! Your drool is showing!
Prankster Duo 1 *rolls his eyes across the floor*: You guys are so weird! Like no, the other one, Oberon.
Wicked: Weird? Looks who’s talking, child of mine. Okay, does Smokey and Eerie know where their girls are?
Prankster Duo 1: Dunno.
Wicked: Go tell them. First, do me a favor and make sure the fur trio doesn’t track dirt into the house. I just cleaned it. I don’t need Kevin thinking that just because we live in the Swamp, we have to decorate with mud. *Stops in shock* What the hell happened to my kitchen!
Prankster Duo 2 *head pops over the counter with towering plate of bacon*: Hey Mom! You’re home! Great! We need more bacon.
Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor *turns with devlish grin*: Check out the beer selection I got! Eerie got the Werewolf Monks to send over some Howling Moon for our get together.
Before the craziness that is my life overtakes us all–Ladies and Germs may I present today’s guest, the always humorous and witty creator of the Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne…
Personally, I tend to be a bit on the introverted side so the thought of being in the actual presence of one of my favorite writers makes my heart race, my knees shake and tangles my tongue. Who could reduce you to such a level and how to you imagine your initial meeting?
It’s actually already happened to me. The first time I met Patrick Rothfuss I fanboyed all over him. It’s out of my system now and I can speak to him like a normal dude. I suppose now it would be Neil Gaiman. I don’t think I’d be able to handle meeting him. I’ll just be thankful I get to walk the world at the same time he does.
–You’re not the only one! One of the few times I’ve seen Red Dwarve all a flutter was when Neil Gaiman responded to one of Red’s tweets!
Many writers have that first novel which will never see the light of day. Out of curiosity, do you have one stashed somewhere? Inquiring minds want to know: what was your first attempt at writing and how old were you?
I do have one stashed away—it’s called THE ROAD TO CIBOLA. By the gods of twenty pantheons, it’s awful, but I’m so glad I wrote it. I learned a lot writing that book—mostly things I should never do again. But those are crucial lessons to learn. And the other thing I got out of it was the confidence that I can finish a novel, period. That’s also crucial. It took me a long time to finish a book—nine years of starting and never finishing several projects, and then six years after that to finish Cibola. I wrote another book that will never be published in the next three years, and then HOUNDED in a year after that. So nineteen years, all told, before I got it right.
What’s some of the sweetest/strangest things you’ve heard from your readers?
The sweetest have been from a couple of people who said they read my books to someone who was recovering from surgery in the hospital and the stories somehow made their convalescence a bit easier and relieved a whole lot of stress. The strangest have been some folks who wanted me to start a religion based on the Druidry I’ve described in my books.
What is the best advice you can share with others?
Focus on character and let your plots flow from them. And if writing is truly your dream, don’t give up! It took me nineteen years, but I got published without any contacts in NY. If you write a good story that hits the market at the right time you’ll be published too.
Blades, guns, fists or feet?
I tend to avoid stabbity, shooty, punchy, smelly things.
Favorite fairy tale?
Anything that hasn’t been touched by Disney. Give me the old Baba Yaga tales.
Three titles and their authors sitting on your nightstand waiting to be read?
LOW TOWN by Daniel Polansky, LOSS by Jackie Kessler, and a book that’s not even out yet by an author no one knows. However, they *will* know him in the summer of 2013 after his first book, THE DARWIN ELEVATOR, comes out. He’s the next big thing—his name is Jason Hough—and I’m about to dive into the second book in his series. I’m getting early peeks from my publisher, muah-ha-ha-haa.
Strangest item currently taking up space in your writing cave?
A statue of Ganesha. I’m not a Hindu but he’s a cool dude and I really like him.
Favorite supernatural creature
Definitely yeti. I don’t know why. Ari Marmell had me read THE GOBLIN CORPS, which is full of all sorts of critters, but I couldn’t stop gushing about his yeti. That just pressed my nerd button I guess.
Much love and thanks to Kevin for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit with us! If you haven’t already, you must go add the adventures of Atticus and Oberon to your reading pile. You can find him at his web site: www.KevinHearne.com
His latest release is TRAPPED, the fifth book in the series. Now run, fast before the mobs hit the bookstores and grab all the available copies!
January 5, 2013
Happy New Year! Announcing Upcoming Guest!
HAPPY NEW YEARS! You survived the holidays! WOO HOO! Another year is staring you down, are you ready for it?
Since I know some of you are still recovering from your jublious (is that a word?) celebrations, we’ll keep this post simple. However, I have to share: Next week the most awesome KEVIN HEARNE is stopping by. Yep, you read that right. Kevin Hearne, the NY Times Best Selling Writer man of The Iron Druid Chronicles, that follows the adventures (or misadventures) of Atticus the Druid and his trusty Irish Wolfhound (and spunky sidekick), Oberon.
So mark you calendars and swing over to join in the fun!
December 29, 2012
It’s Time for the “G” Word!
It’s that time again, when blogs across the blogosphere tout the joys and agony of setting those “G” words. Oh yes-GOALS. The one thing my mom always told me about goal setting was to WRITE IT DOWN. Something about putting it to paper makes it all too real. Then when your faced with the evidence, there is no squeaking out of it.
Wait! Don’t run and hide! I’m way too tired to chase you down! I swear, no preaching from this choir. Look, we’ll even review those pesky things I set for 2012. I’m not sharing the non-writerly ones, oh heck no. That would be way too depressing. So focusing on my creativity goals for 2012, we had:
Finish SHADOW’S MOON by end of year.
Status Check: DONE! Yes, indeed, we finished our first draft just before the holidays! Which means it got shipped off to the other Evil 7 for evisceration. Now I can remind the Prankster Duo and my Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor that, yes, they do have a wife and mom living with them–somewhere!
Blog every week for both Jami Gray and 7 Evil Dwarves
Status Check: We’re going to call this one good. I think I may have missed a total of two weeks, but only because I was recovering from the TKO life had decided to lay on me. DONE!
Concentrate on getting out in the world of the internets
Status Check: Okay, I am now the proud mama of a website, Facebook page, Facebook Author page, Twitter account, Goodreads account and author page, Amazon author page and I remember running around to various blogs through out the year, trying to come up with entertaining answers to questions or picking juicy tidbits from SHADOW’S EDGE and SHADOW’S SOUL to share. Done!
Grow enough that writing career can replace job-that-pays-the bills
Status check: Umm, yeah…still working on that one. Seems to be a bit harder than anticipated. Guess it will graduate to the 2013 list.
I’m thinking 3 out of 4, not so bad.
Want to share how your list looks? Come on, we’d love to celebrate with you!
December 22, 2012
Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!
MERRY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
May your season be filled with laughter and love!
We hope you continue to make Jami Gray and the 7 Evil Dwarves a part of your blog world!
Love,
Snarky
Wicked (aka Jami)
Eerie
Smokey
Dreamer
Red
Quirky
December 20, 2012
What's Your Holiday Style?
Reblogged from Kristen Lamb's Blog:
Posing in front of THIS Christmas tree b/c we don’t own one. I suck.
Christmas is a magical time of year, but all of us handle the season differently. So what is your Holiday Style? Here’s a helpful little quiz:
1) When cleaning before the holidays, you:
a) Might give the mantel a light dusting just so you don’t look like a show-off.
Awesome post for the holidays! Made me laugh and not feel so bad that if the Mayan's were off on their calculations, I still have some shopping to do!
December 18, 2012
It’s Birthday time w/@AmberKallyn!
Welcome to Amber Kallyn’s Birthday Bash. We’ve got some great giveaways for you to win!
I love the holidays, but not necessarily having my birthday fall smack dab in the middle of them, LOL. But this year, I’d like to do something special for my readers. Over 25 authors and bloggers have come together to celebrate my 24th birthday (I won’t mention how many years I’ve turned 24 again 
We have some wonderful prizes, and all you have to do is leave a comment at the participating blogs to win. Easy.
And don’t forget, Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire, Book 1) is currently free right now for an early present : )
Grand Prize
One commenter will win their choice of a NOOK Simple Touch™ with GlowLight or a Kindle Paperwhite (Up to $140 value)
Ebooks from the following Authors
Paloma Beck (Coming Home, Contemporary romance)
Jami Grey (Shadow’s Edge and Shadow’s Soul, Urban fantasy)
Zrinka Jelic (Paranormal romance)
Christine Fairchild (An Eye For Danger, romantic suspense)
Marian Lanouette (If I Fail, Mystery)
Sylvia Hubbard (5 Ebooks)
Kenra Daniels (Safe Heart and Kassern, Paranormal romance)
A $40 Gift card to either Amazon or B&N
Plus, there will be giveaways at some of the other blogs : )
How to win
The contest is open from Dec 19th to Saturday the 22nd. Hop to all the blogs. The winner will be chosen from the commenters on all participating blogs. Leave a comment at each blog for additional entries to win. That simple : ) Winner will be drawn on Sunday the 23rd.
Enjoy meeting new authors and book bloggers, and good luck on winning the Birthday Bash Prizes.
Blogs
