S.B. Knight's Blog, page 6
September 13, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
The time has come. I have been thinking about this for a long time and I've decided to move forward with my plan. In the coming days The New Author will disappear. No I'm not shutting it down completely but I am redesigning it to fit more with my website. The name will change as will the look and fill but the content will mainly stay the same with the addition of other entertaining ideas I have.
The New Author has been great but and I've learned a lot while posting articles on The New Author but it is time for a change.
I hope you will continue to visit my blog after the change.
The New Author has been great but and I've learned a lot while posting articles on The New Author but it is time for a change.
I hope you will continue to visit my blog after the change.
September 11, 2012
9-11 Then and Now
I remember this day eleven years ago. I remember waking up that morning thinking "another day of work on the base." I remember it being a little chilly in the morning but still warm enough to wear shorts. I also remember how loud it was in the auditorium when all those marines filled in for their training. That was the fun part of the day...it lasted for about two hours. Everything beyond that is a flash or motion and emotion. I watched an officer walk down the aisle and take the mic. He ordered everyone back to their stations and make ready. Yea, you know something is going down when you hear that order. My boss and I closed everything down and drove to our base contact's office. Truck and hummers were everywhere, speeding in all directions as we pulled into the parking lot. We walked into the building, it was deserted, not a sound could be heard. A private walked by us, his stare was vacate yet aware. Climbing the stairs to the second floor all we heard was the sounds of our boots on the steps. We entered the hall, 5 Marines were gathered by a single office door. As we neared I looked in and saw more Marines packed in the room. No one looked at us, they simply stared at the television. I looked at the screen just as the second plane struck the second tower. I can't tell you how many seconds passed by as I stared at the screen and watched the smoke billow out. It was then that everything changed. We were under attack and the base was on full alert. We were told we had five minutes to get off the base or we were not getting off the base. Leaving the area was surreal, the once busy streets were empty. I remember thinking a lot of things, so many things at one time. I remember thinking somebody in this world was about to get their ass kicked. Oh yea, they missed with the wrong country.
I remember listening to the radio as they said the towers collapsed. Within seconds cars were pulling off the round and stopping. All you could do was stare and wonder - what was going to happen next? Who would do this to us. I remember being home and watching President Bush at ground zero and yes, I was thankful he was our President and not Al Gore. To think that the United States has only been attacked twice by outside forces is amazing. I remember seeing Congress standing out front, reciting the pledge of allegiance, and vowing to take care of business with those who attacked us. I remember the evening news showing streets with US flags flying from just about every house.
Flash forward eleven years and look at the country. The flags are put away, people argue about the very same pledge that many had no problem reciting eleven years before, we point fingers at each other for the problems we face. Many of those same people in congress are now fighting each other and blaming each other for every known problem this country suffers from. I wonder how they would have responded if 9-11 occurred during an election year. Eleven years ago we stood together as a nation and now we are anything but united. We have two presidential nominees who, for today, said there would be no negative campaigning...no dragging the other through the mud...but just for today because it's 9-11 and they owe that to those who lost and to those who suffer. Give me a break! Stop your campaigning and go to ground zero or the Pentagon or the field in Pennsylvania...show respect. No, lip service is not showing respect.
I wonder how many children in school will even know what happened on 9-11-01 when they are older. My son asks me questions about it every year because either he isn't listening or they are not teaching these things in school. It's part of the history of the United States now...just like Pearl Harbor. But enough of this, I apologize for my rant. I'm not sure if you will agree with me on these things or not and that's cool, like I said, I'm ranting a little and sharing some opinions.
September 5, 2012
Calling Out Cheaters
Everyone looks for an edge, an advantage that will catapult them above their competitors. Athletes do it, corporations dot it, politicians are masters of it, and yes, authors do it as well. You would think an author would stand on his/her ability to craft a compelling story and let that speak for itself but, sadly, this is not the case. We have heard the debate about reviews and rankings. Many would say reviews don't matter and rankings matter even less. The thing is, when authors cheat, I'm not sure I can agree with that idea any longer. In recent weeks I have read a number of articles that are both disturbing and enraging. I'm sure you have head of some of these names and you may know the articles but it is important to draw attention to them again as a cautionary tale to new authors. It all started when I clicked on Vincent Zandri's blog and read his latest post titled "The Cheater."
In his post he describes how self publishing sensation John Locke paid thousands of dollars (approximately $6,000 for 300 reviews) to a group of individuals to write 5 star reviews for his titles. The majority of these reviews appear on Amazon. How serious is this? It is believed that one of the 'reviewers' attempted to blackmail Mr. Locke and to avoid that he came clean. You can read Vincent's post here and also click on the source of his information. http://vincentzandri.blogspot.com/
But the news doesn't stop there, it gets worse, next we have Stephen Leather. Leather is, from many accounts, a very good writer. That alone makes all this very strange and hard to understand. In the end, he did what he did and now must pay his dues. Stephen Leather made sock puppet accounts on Amazon in which he gave his own titles solid reviews and 5 stars while he gave his competitors really bad reviews and 1 star ratings. That may not sound like a big deal but ask yourself this - how many reviews can a person write in a few hours over the course of a few weeks or months? Now you see the bigger problem with this. Just think, a writer makes 20 accounts and gives you 20 one star reviews while you wait for the actual reviewers to post their 4 or 5 star reviews. What do you think a reader will do if they see a book with 20 one star reviews and 4 or 5 five star reviews?
Wait...it gets even worse. This one blew my mind when I read it. Yes, we have another author who used sock puppet practices but also went as far as to bash his competitors in forums and chat groups. Wait until you hear these credentials - he has 10 novels published and has sold over a million copies, he won the award for crime novel of the year in 2010 and his novels are included on must read lists all over London. With all that said RJ Ellroy still felt it necessary to write fake reviews and attempt to destroy his competition with negative and false information. You can check out the article about Ellroy here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9521564/RJ-Ellory-admits-posting-fake-book-reviews-over-past-10-years.html
What are these authors thinking? Don't they know this gives all of us a bad name and makes an already difficult task all the tougher for new authors? There really is no place for tactics like this in the publishing industry but it continues. These three have lost all credibility and I believe it is safe to assume their writing career is in serious jeopardy. The moral of the story, don't cheat, if you get a bad review so be it but don't cheat. Don't write reviews for your own book or trash another author's book because you feel they are your competition. Send your novels out to reviewers and let them review it. I'm not sure what Amazon will do to try and stop this practice but if they go to an extreme it will get very difficult for all of us.
In his post he describes how self publishing sensation John Locke paid thousands of dollars (approximately $6,000 for 300 reviews) to a group of individuals to write 5 star reviews for his titles. The majority of these reviews appear on Amazon. How serious is this? It is believed that one of the 'reviewers' attempted to blackmail Mr. Locke and to avoid that he came clean. You can read Vincent's post here and also click on the source of his information. http://vincentzandri.blogspot.com/
But the news doesn't stop there, it gets worse, next we have Stephen Leather. Leather is, from many accounts, a very good writer. That alone makes all this very strange and hard to understand. In the end, he did what he did and now must pay his dues. Stephen Leather made sock puppet accounts on Amazon in which he gave his own titles solid reviews and 5 stars while he gave his competitors really bad reviews and 1 star ratings. That may not sound like a big deal but ask yourself this - how many reviews can a person write in a few hours over the course of a few weeks or months? Now you see the bigger problem with this. Just think, a writer makes 20 accounts and gives you 20 one star reviews while you wait for the actual reviewers to post their 4 or 5 star reviews. What do you think a reader will do if they see a book with 20 one star reviews and 4 or 5 five star reviews?
Wait...it gets even worse. This one blew my mind when I read it. Yes, we have another author who used sock puppet practices but also went as far as to bash his competitors in forums and chat groups. Wait until you hear these credentials - he has 10 novels published and has sold over a million copies, he won the award for crime novel of the year in 2010 and his novels are included on must read lists all over London. With all that said RJ Ellroy still felt it necessary to write fake reviews and attempt to destroy his competition with negative and false information. You can check out the article about Ellroy here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9521564/RJ-Ellory-admits-posting-fake-book-reviews-over-past-10-years.html
What are these authors thinking? Don't they know this gives all of us a bad name and makes an already difficult task all the tougher for new authors? There really is no place for tactics like this in the publishing industry but it continues. These three have lost all credibility and I believe it is safe to assume their writing career is in serious jeopardy. The moral of the story, don't cheat, if you get a bad review so be it but don't cheat. Don't write reviews for your own book or trash another author's book because you feel they are your competition. Send your novels out to reviewers and let them review it. I'm not sure what Amazon will do to try and stop this practice but if they go to an extreme it will get very difficult for all of us.
Calling Out Cheaters
Everyone looks for an edge, an advantage that will catapult them above their competitors. Athletes do it, corporations dot it, politicians are masters of it, and yes, authors do it as well. You would think an author would stand on his/her ability to craft a compelling story and let that speak for itself but, sadly, this is not the case. We have heard the debate about reviews and rankings. Many would say reviews don't matter and rankings matter even less. The thing is, when authors cheat, I'm not sure I can agree with that idea any longer. In recent weeks I have read a number of articles that are both disturbing and enraging. I'm sure you have head of some of these names and you may know the articles but it is important to draw attention to them again as a cautionary tale to new authors. It all started when I clicked on Vincent Zandri's blog and read his latest post titled "The Cheater."
In his post he describes how self publishing sensation John Locke paid thousands of dollars (approximately $6,000 for 300 reviews) to a group of individuals to write 5 star reviews for his titles. The majority of these reviews appear on Amazon. How serious is this? It is believed that one of the 'reviewers' attempted to blackmail Mr. Locke and to avoid that he came clean. You can read Vincent's post here and also click on the source of his information. http://vincentzandri.blogspot.com/
But the news doesn't stop there, it gets worse, next we have Stephen Leather. Leather is, from many accounts, a very good writer. That alone makes all this very strange and hard to understand. In the end, he did what he did and now must pay his dues. Stephen Leather made sock puppet accounts on Amazon in which he gave his own titles solid reviews and 5 stars while he gave his competitors really bad reviews and 1 star ratings. That may not sound like a big deal but ask yourself this - how many reviews can a person write in a few hours over the course of a few weeks or months? Now you see the bigger problem with this. Just think, a writer makes 20 accounts and gives you 20 one star reviews while you wait for the actual reviewers to post their 4 or 5 star reviews. What do you think a reader will do if they see a book with 20 one star reviews and 4 or 5 five star reviews?
Wait...it gets even worse. This one blew my mind when I read it. Yes, we have another author who used sock puppet practices but also went as far as to bash his competitors in forums and chat groups. Wait until you hear these credentials - he has 10 novels published and has sold over a million copies, he won the award for crime novel of the year in 2010 and his novels are included on must read lists all over London. With all that said RJ Ellroy still felt it necessary to write fake reviews and attempt to destroy his competition with negative and false information. You can check out the article about Ellroy here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9521564/RJ-Ellory-admits-posting-fake-book-reviews-over-past-10-years.html
What are these authors thinking? Don't they know this gives all of us a bad name and makes an already difficult task all the tougher for new authors? There really is no place for tactics like this in the publishing industry but it continues. These three have lost all credibility and I believe it is safe to assume their writing career is in serious jeopardy. The moral of the story, don't cheat, if you get a bad review so be it but don't cheat. Don't write reviews for your own book or trash another author's book because you feel they are your competition. Send your novels out to reviewers and let them review it. I'm not sure what Amazon will do to try and stop this practice but if they go to an extreme it will get very difficult for all of us.
In his post he describes how self publishing sensation John Locke paid thousands of dollars (approximately $6,000 for 300 reviews) to a group of individuals to write 5 star reviews for his titles. The majority of these reviews appear on Amazon. How serious is this? It is believed that one of the 'reviewers' attempted to blackmail Mr. Locke and to avoid that he came clean. You can read Vincent's post here and also click on the source of his information. http://vincentzandri.blogspot.com/
But the news doesn't stop there, it gets worse, next we have Stephen Leather. Leather is, from many accounts, a very good writer. That alone makes all this very strange and hard to understand. In the end, he did what he did and now must pay his dues. Stephen Leather made sock puppet accounts on Amazon in which he gave his own titles solid reviews and 5 stars while he gave his competitors really bad reviews and 1 star ratings. That may not sound like a big deal but ask yourself this - how many reviews can a person write in a few hours over the course of a few weeks or months? Now you see the bigger problem with this. Just think, a writer makes 20 accounts and gives you 20 one star reviews while you wait for the actual reviewers to post their 4 or 5 star reviews. What do you think a reader will do if they see a book with 20 one star reviews and 4 or 5 five star reviews?
Wait...it gets even worse. This one blew my mind when I read it. Yes, we have another author who used sock puppet practices but also went as far as to bash his competitors in forums and chat groups. Wait until you hear these credentials - he has 10 novels published and has sold over a million copies, he won the award for crime novel of the year in 2010 and his novels are included on must read lists all over London. With all that said RJ Ellroy still felt it necessary to write fake reviews and attempt to destroy his competition with negative and false information. You can check out the article about Ellroy here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9521564/RJ-Ellory-admits-posting-fake-book-reviews-over-past-10-years.html
What are these authors thinking? Don't they know this gives all of us a bad name and makes an already difficult task all the tougher for new authors? There really is no place for tactics like this in the publishing industry but it continues. These three have lost all credibility and I believe it is safe to assume their writing career is in serious jeopardy. The moral of the story, don't cheat, if you get a bad review so be it but don't cheat. Don't write reviews for your own book or trash another author's book because you feel they are your competition. Send your novels out to reviewers and let them review it. I'm not sure what Amazon will do to try and stop this practice but if they go to an extreme it will get very difficult for all of us.
August 28, 2012
A Conversation With Author Victoria Ley
Today we have a special guest on The New Author. is an actor from the outskirts of London. Her debut novel, Darkseed Awakening, released in July from MuseItUp Publishing. It has been both interesting and fascinating to get to know Victoria. Today we get the opportunity to read her responses to my questions regarding her writing and her debut novel.
1. Tell us about Victoria Ley, the author.
She writes a lot, constantly makes mental notes, and has finally got herself into a routine of getting it all down on the laptop. She’s also very forgetful and needs reminding of things constantly!
2. What inspires you to write your stories?
I really don’t know. Sometimes it can be a conversation that makes my mind wander, or I will see something that I like the look of and create something around that. When I was little, I would read a story, or see something on the TV, and think “It would be better if…” and then write my own version. Now, I still believe that inspiration can be found within either a really good story, or a really bad one.
3. Tell us about your latest novel.
My (debut) novel is called Darkseed: Awakening. It’s the first in a supernatural teen series that I thought up when I was at school and watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I loved it, I think it really appealled to me because I was Buffy’s age; it was a my-generation show. I wanted then to write a paranormal series with teen characters that would appeal to that age group, like Buffy did me.
You're not gonna find any vampires in Darkseed for the foreseeable though. The first book involves spirits, magic, Ouija boards and clairvoyance/clairaudience.
4. Tell us about your career and whether your acting inspires or has an impact on your writing.
Acting is (in my eyes) pretty close to writing. It’s escapism, it’s being somewhere else; Different time, different place—different world. I like getting to do things physically that people don’t often get to do in ‘real’ life, like shoot bad guys with Kalashnikovs, bursting into song under an elephant, or staking someone dead. Being on set gives your mind a lot of time to wander, and it’s usually at moments like this, when I’m feeling random or inspired, that I come up with stories.
5. Who are some of your favourite authors?
Stephen King is my ultimate. Most of my favourite novels were written by him.
I also really like David Eddings. I love high fantasy, and his books really excite the adventurer-on-horseback that’s lurking around inside me.
6. What are your favourite novels?
Stephen King’s The Dead Zone, Insomnia, Under the Dome. Three very different books, all amazing stories.
David Eddings’ Belgariad and Mallorean books were awesome.
7. When not acting and writing what do you do?
I spend a lot of time with horses. One of my best friends owns a couple, and she's giving me the full horse-owner experience. It’s hard work, but went you're out cantering around gorgeous English countryside, you feel like you own the world.
8. Where would you like to be, with your writing, in 5 years?
I’d love to be able to support myself financially by writing alone, but right now, the plan is just to still be writing in five years. I’ll be happy if I am.
9. Did you receive any advice whilst writing?
My favourite piece of advice I got was from horror writer Shaun Hutson. I told him that, whilst I was at school, a teacher asked what I wanted to do when I was older. I said “Write books.” He laughed and said “Yeah alright, but how are you going to make a living?” Shaun told me never to give up the dream of becoming a writer, because (and I quote) “They call Katie Price a writer, for fuck’s sake!”
Couldn’t argue with that logic.
10. What do you enjoy most/least about writing?
I love writing, I love making up stories and deciding how the characters are going to react to the stuff that happens around them. I love existing in another world. I’m constantly in writer mode; if ever I’m having a conversation and I go quiet or my eyes glaze over, I’m constructing a chapter.
My least favourite thing is the business side of writing, and what happens once the book is finished. I cannot stress how much I hate the editing phase. It actually put me off writing for a long time, I just couldn't face having to go through it again.
11. What 3 words describe Victoria Ley?
Fantasist, creator, sleepy
12. Where can readers purchase your book?
Direct from the publishers website at Museituppublishing.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and many of your favorite online book stores.
13. Any last words to close the interview?
I’m grateful for you having me, thank you!
Darkseed: Awakening available now from http://museituppublishing.com
Thank you for this wonderful interview Victoria. Be sure to connect with Victoria on Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/leytori
Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/DarkseedAwakening
Twitter - @toriley
1. Tell us about Victoria Ley, the author.
She writes a lot, constantly makes mental notes, and has finally got herself into a routine of getting it all down on the laptop. She’s also very forgetful and needs reminding of things constantly!
2. What inspires you to write your stories?
I really don’t know. Sometimes it can be a conversation that makes my mind wander, or I will see something that I like the look of and create something around that. When I was little, I would read a story, or see something on the TV, and think “It would be better if…” and then write my own version. Now, I still believe that inspiration can be found within either a really good story, or a really bad one.
3. Tell us about your latest novel.
My (debut) novel is called Darkseed: Awakening. It’s the first in a supernatural teen series that I thought up when I was at school and watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I loved it, I think it really appealled to me because I was Buffy’s age; it was a my-generation show. I wanted then to write a paranormal series with teen characters that would appeal to that age group, like Buffy did me.
You're not gonna find any vampires in Darkseed for the foreseeable though. The first book involves spirits, magic, Ouija boards and clairvoyance/clairaudience.
4. Tell us about your career and whether your acting inspires or has an impact on your writing.
Acting is (in my eyes) pretty close to writing. It’s escapism, it’s being somewhere else; Different time, different place—different world. I like getting to do things physically that people don’t often get to do in ‘real’ life, like shoot bad guys with Kalashnikovs, bursting into song under an elephant, or staking someone dead. Being on set gives your mind a lot of time to wander, and it’s usually at moments like this, when I’m feeling random or inspired, that I come up with stories.
5. Who are some of your favourite authors?
Stephen King is my ultimate. Most of my favourite novels were written by him.
I also really like David Eddings. I love high fantasy, and his books really excite the adventurer-on-horseback that’s lurking around inside me.
6. What are your favourite novels?
Stephen King’s The Dead Zone, Insomnia, Under the Dome. Three very different books, all amazing stories.
David Eddings’ Belgariad and Mallorean books were awesome.
7. When not acting and writing what do you do?
I spend a lot of time with horses. One of my best friends owns a couple, and she's giving me the full horse-owner experience. It’s hard work, but went you're out cantering around gorgeous English countryside, you feel like you own the world.
8. Where would you like to be, with your writing, in 5 years?
I’d love to be able to support myself financially by writing alone, but right now, the plan is just to still be writing in five years. I’ll be happy if I am.
9. Did you receive any advice whilst writing?
My favourite piece of advice I got was from horror writer Shaun Hutson. I told him that, whilst I was at school, a teacher asked what I wanted to do when I was older. I said “Write books.” He laughed and said “Yeah alright, but how are you going to make a living?” Shaun told me never to give up the dream of becoming a writer, because (and I quote) “They call Katie Price a writer, for fuck’s sake!”
Couldn’t argue with that logic.
10. What do you enjoy most/least about writing?
I love writing, I love making up stories and deciding how the characters are going to react to the stuff that happens around them. I love existing in another world. I’m constantly in writer mode; if ever I’m having a conversation and I go quiet or my eyes glaze over, I’m constructing a chapter.
My least favourite thing is the business side of writing, and what happens once the book is finished. I cannot stress how much I hate the editing phase. It actually put me off writing for a long time, I just couldn't face having to go through it again.
11. What 3 words describe Victoria Ley?
Fantasist, creator, sleepy
12. Where can readers purchase your book?
Direct from the publishers website at Museituppublishing.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and many of your favorite online book stores.
13. Any last words to close the interview?
I’m grateful for you having me, thank you!
Darkseed: Awakening available now from http://museituppublishing.com
Thank you for this wonderful interview Victoria. Be sure to connect with Victoria on Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/leytori
Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/DarkseedAwakening
Twitter - @toriley
August 23, 2012
When Editors and Authors Work Together
The following is a book excerpt from my upcoming release Drago's Revenge. This will be book two of The Blood Chronicles trilogy. I must give a great deal of thanks and appreciation to my editors Ellee and Penny. They both did a wonderful job. Drago's Revenge shines even brighter because of their talents. Enjoy the continuation of this Dark Fantasy saga.
Sam’s eyes absorbed the tiny features of the child. After a short visit, the nurse took the baby, placed him on a table, cleaned him, and checked his vitals. Sam watched briefly before turning back to Reba.
“He is a good-looking kid. You did good, babe.”
Reba’s smile beamed as it spread across her face. Tears spilled over her eyelashes and cascaded down her cheeks.
“Thank you, Sammy.”
“We are sticking with the name we picked, right?”
“Yes, that tiny fellow is our little Christian Dean.”
Sam looked out the window as tears gathered at the edge of his eyelids. He cleared his throat. I can’t believe I’m a dad. I wish Charles was here.
“Charles would be proud, too. I’m sorry he’s not here for you, Reba.”
“Sam, yes, he would be proud, but he is also proud of you. As for me, he knows I can’t stay in the past. I love you, and now, we have a beautiful son.”
Sam looked over his shoulder and smiled. They both fell silent as the nurse rolled Christian out of the room. They gazed at the void left by their child’s departure. Sam walked to the doorway and looked back at Reba. She shook her head.
“Go ahead, I’ll be fine.” I already miss both of my boys.
Sam rushed out the door and followed the baby. He stood at the window to the nursery and stared at the babe. Christian’s little body was wrapped in a warm blanket. His little lips pursed as he slept. Sam’s eyes refused to blink while he followed each of his boy’s slightest movements. A body brushed against his shoulder.
“That’s a good looking kid you got there, friend.”
Sam jerked back and turned. A hospital janitor leaned against his broom handle next to him. Sam smiled. “Thanks, he’s really something special.”
The janitor nodded his head and chuckled.
“I know full well how special that one is. Yep, he’s special, all right.”
Sam squared his shoulders in front of the janitor; his eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Come on, Sam, did you honestly think certain people wouldn’t know about this day? You know that kid belongs to us—to him, that is.”
The janitor grinned. Sam stumbled backward at the sight of the elongated canines protruding from his top lip. Oh shit, not here, not now. A chill ran up his spine. Panic wrapped around his body in a paralyzing grip. “This can’t be. Not again. All of that is over now.”
The janitor shook his head.
“No, Sammy boy. It’s just beginning. There are more of us than you know, and that child is going back where he belongs. Now, be a good boy and stay out of the way. You can’t stop this.”
Sam looked over his shoulder at the sleeping baby and then at the janitor and his sinister sneer.
“Over my dead body.”
The janitor shrugged his shoulders.
“If that’s what it takes.”
The janitor swung his fist at Sam’s head. Sam dodged the punch; his foot flew out and connected with the side of the janitor’s knee. The janitor lost his balance. Sam snatched the broom out of his hands as he fell to the floor. He twirled the broom stick in his hands and crashed the end of it against the janitor’s face. Sam knelt down beside the janitor and grabbed him by the shirt.
“I don’t care who you are, or who you think you are, or even who you work for. No one is going to touch my child as long as I’m breathing. Now, you run off and tell your friends to forget about my family. If you don’t, I’ll kill each and every one of you.”
The janitor laughed.
“Your son is not yours, and you have no idea what I am. We will get him. You can count on that.”
Sam stood.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea… But have it your way.”
He drove the blunt end of the broomstick against the janitor’s mouth. The janitor coughed and gagged as he spit blood and teeth on the floor.
“You prick, you broke my teeth.”
A door slammed; Sam turned.
The janitor pushed off the floor and stumbled down the hall. Sam started after him, but looked at a small white object in the pool of blood at his feet. He bent down and picked up an elongated canine. This is a fake tooth. He looked up in time to see the janitor duck into the stairwell. Who gets vampire teeth implants? What a freak. A tiny cry tugged at his ears, he turned, and his eyes drifted back to Christian. This could all end with you. Tears stung his eyes, and he banged his head against the Plexiglas. That was so wrong of me. No, he is my son, and I will find a way. He pushed off the window and sprinted back toward Reba’s room.
Get ready! Drago's Revenge will be released in October.
Sam’s eyes absorbed the tiny features of the child. After a short visit, the nurse took the baby, placed him on a table, cleaned him, and checked his vitals. Sam watched briefly before turning back to Reba.
“He is a good-looking kid. You did good, babe.”
Reba’s smile beamed as it spread across her face. Tears spilled over her eyelashes and cascaded down her cheeks.
“Thank you, Sammy.”
“We are sticking with the name we picked, right?”
“Yes, that tiny fellow is our little Christian Dean.”
Sam looked out the window as tears gathered at the edge of his eyelids. He cleared his throat. I can’t believe I’m a dad. I wish Charles was here.
“Charles would be proud, too. I’m sorry he’s not here for you, Reba.”
“Sam, yes, he would be proud, but he is also proud of you. As for me, he knows I can’t stay in the past. I love you, and now, we have a beautiful son.”
Sam looked over his shoulder and smiled. They both fell silent as the nurse rolled Christian out of the room. They gazed at the void left by their child’s departure. Sam walked to the doorway and looked back at Reba. She shook her head.
“Go ahead, I’ll be fine.” I already miss both of my boys.
Sam rushed out the door and followed the baby. He stood at the window to the nursery and stared at the babe. Christian’s little body was wrapped in a warm blanket. His little lips pursed as he slept. Sam’s eyes refused to blink while he followed each of his boy’s slightest movements. A body brushed against his shoulder.
“That’s a good looking kid you got there, friend.”
Sam jerked back and turned. A hospital janitor leaned against his broom handle next to him. Sam smiled. “Thanks, he’s really something special.”
The janitor nodded his head and chuckled.
“I know full well how special that one is. Yep, he’s special, all right.”
Sam squared his shoulders in front of the janitor; his eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Come on, Sam, did you honestly think certain people wouldn’t know about this day? You know that kid belongs to us—to him, that is.”
The janitor grinned. Sam stumbled backward at the sight of the elongated canines protruding from his top lip. Oh shit, not here, not now. A chill ran up his spine. Panic wrapped around his body in a paralyzing grip. “This can’t be. Not again. All of that is over now.”
The janitor shook his head.
“No, Sammy boy. It’s just beginning. There are more of us than you know, and that child is going back where he belongs. Now, be a good boy and stay out of the way. You can’t stop this.”
Sam looked over his shoulder at the sleeping baby and then at the janitor and his sinister sneer.
“Over my dead body.”
The janitor shrugged his shoulders.
“If that’s what it takes.”
The janitor swung his fist at Sam’s head. Sam dodged the punch; his foot flew out and connected with the side of the janitor’s knee. The janitor lost his balance. Sam snatched the broom out of his hands as he fell to the floor. He twirled the broom stick in his hands and crashed the end of it against the janitor’s face. Sam knelt down beside the janitor and grabbed him by the shirt.
“I don’t care who you are, or who you think you are, or even who you work for. No one is going to touch my child as long as I’m breathing. Now, you run off and tell your friends to forget about my family. If you don’t, I’ll kill each and every one of you.”
The janitor laughed.
“Your son is not yours, and you have no idea what I am. We will get him. You can count on that.”
Sam stood.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea… But have it your way.”
He drove the blunt end of the broomstick against the janitor’s mouth. The janitor coughed and gagged as he spit blood and teeth on the floor.
“You prick, you broke my teeth.”
A door slammed; Sam turned.
The janitor pushed off the floor and stumbled down the hall. Sam started after him, but looked at a small white object in the pool of blood at his feet. He bent down and picked up an elongated canine. This is a fake tooth. He looked up in time to see the janitor duck into the stairwell. Who gets vampire teeth implants? What a freak. A tiny cry tugged at his ears, he turned, and his eyes drifted back to Christian. This could all end with you. Tears stung his eyes, and he banged his head against the Plexiglas. That was so wrong of me. No, he is my son, and I will find a way. He pushed off the window and sprinted back toward Reba’s room.
Get ready! Drago's Revenge will be released in October.
August 20, 2012
Words....Blessing and Curse
Writing is a joy, a thrill, a journey, and a craft. At the same time writing is a challenge, a puzzle, a maze, and a source of potential frustration. Why? It boils down to one simple word - words. It is the words we use to express emotion, develop characters, build up settings, and continue the pace and plot from chapter to chapter. Words are magical in their ability to transcend, transform, and transport us from reality to the story. The written word is a beautiful thing.
Unfortunately words are like roses. After the beauty and texture of the petals you get to the thorns. No, words don't have thorns, words are thorns. Some words just don't work well, for example I don't like using the word left. Don't ask me way but every time I write left hand, left turn, or take a left it just feels cumbersome to me. I use it but begrudgingly. I'm sure every writer has a few words in that list. Those words are thorns however, we can more readily avoid those thorns. Its those little thorns that really cause the problems. What are the little words that become the thorns of writers? Let's start with the usual suspects - and, the, but...words of that nature. They become thorns when used in repetition. This is a rather obvious example, we really step in the quick sand when trying to use action words but make the mistake of using the same word. An example of this would be run, walk, or stepped. No, there is nothing wrong with using these words but be careful of the curse. What is the curse?
The curse is falling in the repetitive process of using the same over and over again. How will you know if you are under the curse? Carefully go through your manuscript and pay attention to your word selection. How many times did you use a particular word? Does it sound overused or does it hinder the flow of your story? Is it believable in the usage of that word?
Recently I read a book review for a zombie novel and it wasn't kind. The main expression for the emotions of the protagonist was to "sigh." A few sighs can be agreeable however when the reader begins to anticipate when the writer will use a word such as this...that is a problem. Another major problem is the use of the same word in the same sentence. I was editing my manuscript and somehow, don't ask me how, I managed to have the word 'and' five times in one sentence after editing. Needless to say, that sentence was a rewrite.
The mind is a funny, strange, and wonderful thing. If we become accustomed to using a set of words our minds will switch to autopilot. Before you know it you're using those words all the time and not even notice it. How avoid this, challenge yourself to use synonyms for the words your accustomed too. Use a variety of words when possible. I know, we do that anyway but at times this can be easier said than done.
Unfortunately words are like roses. After the beauty and texture of the petals you get to the thorns. No, words don't have thorns, words are thorns. Some words just don't work well, for example I don't like using the word left. Don't ask me way but every time I write left hand, left turn, or take a left it just feels cumbersome to me. I use it but begrudgingly. I'm sure every writer has a few words in that list. Those words are thorns however, we can more readily avoid those thorns. Its those little thorns that really cause the problems. What are the little words that become the thorns of writers? Let's start with the usual suspects - and, the, but...words of that nature. They become thorns when used in repetition. This is a rather obvious example, we really step in the quick sand when trying to use action words but make the mistake of using the same word. An example of this would be run, walk, or stepped. No, there is nothing wrong with using these words but be careful of the curse. What is the curse?
The curse is falling in the repetitive process of using the same over and over again. How will you know if you are under the curse? Carefully go through your manuscript and pay attention to your word selection. How many times did you use a particular word? Does it sound overused or does it hinder the flow of your story? Is it believable in the usage of that word?
Recently I read a book review for a zombie novel and it wasn't kind. The main expression for the emotions of the protagonist was to "sigh." A few sighs can be agreeable however when the reader begins to anticipate when the writer will use a word such as this...that is a problem. Another major problem is the use of the same word in the same sentence. I was editing my manuscript and somehow, don't ask me how, I managed to have the word 'and' five times in one sentence after editing. Needless to say, that sentence was a rewrite.
The mind is a funny, strange, and wonderful thing. If we become accustomed to using a set of words our minds will switch to autopilot. Before you know it you're using those words all the time and not even notice it. How avoid this, challenge yourself to use synonyms for the words your accustomed too. Use a variety of words when possible. I know, we do that anyway but at times this can be easier said than done.
August 9, 2012
In The Eyes of the Beholder
I just finished watching an interview with Stephen King. Yea, I watch a lot of those; you never know what he will say so they are usually interesting. It just so happens that on this particular interview he spoke about how people (readers, fans, shoppers at a grocery store) perceive him. I mean, he writes mostly horror and Dark Fantasy so he must be the dark, melodramatic type that never wants to be around people. He would most likely want to boil you in hot oil rather than shake your hand...right? Of course that first question on everyone's mind is always, "what happened in your childhood that drove you to write stories like that?"
I feel for the man. I can't imagine how many times he has responded to that question and yet the perception continues. I can also relate to King in this aspect of writing. We have covered many areas of writing here at The New Author and here is another one. Have you ever thought about how you would be perceived after your book is released? I didn't. I did not give it a seconds worth of thought until about a month before the release day. I guess you could say I tried to "warn" people about my book. I would tell them it was in the same line as what Stephen King would write. Some listened and some didn't. Is it important to consider how you will be seen after your book is released? No, not really. Is it something you should be aware of? Absolutely. You see, things will change after your book comes out and people find out about it. You may meet new friends and some of your regular friends may gravitate closer to you or they will distance themselves. Some people who you thought to be friends will have nothing to do with you once your book is common knowledge.
We cannot stop this from happening short of not sharing our novels with others nor can we change how people view us. All we can do is realize the truth of the matter and keep moving forward. Whether you write romance, horror, dark fantasy, or erotica - the questions will come. The whispers will happen. It is times like this that a thick skin will come in handy. I guess this is a benefit from all those rejections. I've already been asked what kind of nightmares did I have to write the sort of story I did. The big question, of course, is - how can you be a Christian and write dark Fantasy/horror? I really don't know, these stories flooded my mind like a tidal wave. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I would write or what genre I would write. It just happened. Did it change me? Does it make me a different person? No, not at all. I believe the perception of some toward me has changed. That is unfortunate but also unavoidable.
Why do I mention this to you? Awareness, being prepared for it can help out. It can get tough at times. When a group you once thought to be friends black ball you that can be a hard pill to swallow but you have to. Your book is out, whether their perception is true or false, they have made a decision and it is not one that will be changed. It could possibly drive you to stop writing or, worse, regret being published. That is an extreme case but I believe it has happened. We work hard and we enjoy what we write...which is why we write so to stop or regret because of how we are perceived would be an injustice.
I feel for the man. I can't imagine how many times he has responded to that question and yet the perception continues. I can also relate to King in this aspect of writing. We have covered many areas of writing here at The New Author and here is another one. Have you ever thought about how you would be perceived after your book is released? I didn't. I did not give it a seconds worth of thought until about a month before the release day. I guess you could say I tried to "warn" people about my book. I would tell them it was in the same line as what Stephen King would write. Some listened and some didn't. Is it important to consider how you will be seen after your book is released? No, not really. Is it something you should be aware of? Absolutely. You see, things will change after your book comes out and people find out about it. You may meet new friends and some of your regular friends may gravitate closer to you or they will distance themselves. Some people who you thought to be friends will have nothing to do with you once your book is common knowledge.
We cannot stop this from happening short of not sharing our novels with others nor can we change how people view us. All we can do is realize the truth of the matter and keep moving forward. Whether you write romance, horror, dark fantasy, or erotica - the questions will come. The whispers will happen. It is times like this that a thick skin will come in handy. I guess this is a benefit from all those rejections. I've already been asked what kind of nightmares did I have to write the sort of story I did. The big question, of course, is - how can you be a Christian and write dark Fantasy/horror? I really don't know, these stories flooded my mind like a tidal wave. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I would write or what genre I would write. It just happened. Did it change me? Does it make me a different person? No, not at all. I believe the perception of some toward me has changed. That is unfortunate but also unavoidable.
Why do I mention this to you? Awareness, being prepared for it can help out. It can get tough at times. When a group you once thought to be friends black ball you that can be a hard pill to swallow but you have to. Your book is out, whether their perception is true or false, they have made a decision and it is not one that will be changed. It could possibly drive you to stop writing or, worse, regret being published. That is an extreme case but I believe it has happened. We work hard and we enjoy what we write...which is why we write so to stop or regret because of how we are perceived would be an injustice.
August 1, 2012
Love A Good Mystery? Here's One For You.
Title: Murder by Moonlight
Author: Vincent Zandri
ISBN: 978-16-121-8351-0
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 327
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
Official Premium Promotional Services Rating: 5 STARS
Sometimes the why is more compelling than the who.
Joan Parker, survived a brutal axe attack, but her husband did not. She must live with that lose as well as the horrific damage sustained to her head and face. On the night of the crime Joan, bleeding and confused, identified her own son, Christopher as the assailant. The evidence is stacked against Christopher but Joan changes her mind and believes he is innocent. She hires Dick Moonlight to prove his innocence. Moonlight has reservations but takes the case as he believes the authorities did not conduct the investigation properly. Moonlight is very familiar with the little town of Bethlehem, where the crime was committed, and the Bethlehem police department from previous investigations.
Dick Moonlight is not your everyday private investigator. He is gruff, opinionated, combative, and loves to push the buttons of those he questions… but he solves crimes and gets results. However, Moonlight has signed on for perhaps his toughest case yet; even though the case seems to be open and shut. To Moonlight there is no such thing as a slam dunk and soon he discovers there is much more to this case than first thought. The more he digs the more he understands that not everything is as it seems in the town of Bethlehem. Can Moonlight prove Christopher is innocent? Will he discover the motive behind such a viscous attack?
“Murder by Moonlight” will have you on the edge of your seat as the plot twists and turns from beginning to end. With each passing page, it is virtually impossible not to connect with the characters; Moonlight and his failed suicide attempt; Joan with her physical and emotional scars. All the characters are flawed making them realistic, believable, and personal to the reader. Vincent Zandri did an excellent job developing this host of characters as well as a thrilling story. It is these aspects and more that make “Murder by Moonlight” such an absorbing novel.
I highly recommend “Murder by Moonlight” to fans of fast pace, intense mystery novels. Even better, Zandri is now published through Thomas & Mercer which means "Murder by Moonlight" is getting a no polish on it for re-release. You can pre-order you shiny new copy right HERE. It will be released on December 18, 2012.
July 27, 2012
Dystopian Fiction or Things to Come?
The old world is over…now you must survive the new one.
The world, as we know it, is over. A new world has begun, one where computers, desk jobs, and lawyers are obsolete. In “America in the Fall,” we see the daily struggle to survive as Duncan, not accustomed to labor, is forced to scavenge for a living. Civilization has been restructured, now Hubs are the safe havens where merchants and customers go about business. The art of the trade is king in this new age; money has no meaning and less value. For Duncan, all he wants is to survive and recapture a piece of the old world. His life, difficult at best, becomes even more complicated when the ‘rules of the waste’ compels him to care for a boy discovered while scavenging.
“America in the Fall,” is a perfect example of Dystopian Fiction. The majority of the country has been transformed to a wasteland and only the strong or cunning survive. The feel of desolation, isolation, and depression is prevalent with each character as they wake to a new day of wondering if they will eat and live or starve and possibly die. Food and water is more precious than gold and silver in a land free of grocery stores. However, the danger escalates as Duncan works further away from the HUB. Bands of thieves or those depraved of human sensibilities are always on the hunt for a victim. Will Duncan be a victim? What about the boy? What will Duncan do with him? Will they survive or become prey?
From the first word, Raymond Cantrell delivers a world stripped of service, convenience, and comfort while delivering the strong will to survive that dwells within each human being. “America in the Fall” will leave you appreciating the food in your kitchen and bed in your bedroom from the first page to the last. With each passing page, it is virtually impossible not to think about how you would survive in the conditions the characters find themselves. The political aspects and how they impact the life of an average person is undeniable. It is these aspects and more that make “America in the Fall” a compelling book.
The strength of “America in the Fall” lies in the detail of setting and depth of characters. I recommend “America in the Fall” to fans of Dystopian Fiction.
To learn more about Raymond and his work visit his site at http://www.raymondcartercantrell.com/...
The world, as we know it, is over. A new world has begun, one where computers, desk jobs, and lawyers are obsolete. In “America in the Fall,” we see the daily struggle to survive as Duncan, not accustomed to labor, is forced to scavenge for a living. Civilization has been restructured, now Hubs are the safe havens where merchants and customers go about business. The art of the trade is king in this new age; money has no meaning and less value. For Duncan, all he wants is to survive and recapture a piece of the old world. His life, difficult at best, becomes even more complicated when the ‘rules of the waste’ compels him to care for a boy discovered while scavenging.
“America in the Fall,” is a perfect example of Dystopian Fiction. The majority of the country has been transformed to a wasteland and only the strong or cunning survive. The feel of desolation, isolation, and depression is prevalent with each character as they wake to a new day of wondering if they will eat and live or starve and possibly die. Food and water is more precious than gold and silver in a land free of grocery stores. However, the danger escalates as Duncan works further away from the HUB. Bands of thieves or those depraved of human sensibilities are always on the hunt for a victim. Will Duncan be a victim? What about the boy? What will Duncan do with him? Will they survive or become prey?
From the first word, Raymond Cantrell delivers a world stripped of service, convenience, and comfort while delivering the strong will to survive that dwells within each human being. “America in the Fall” will leave you appreciating the food in your kitchen and bed in your bedroom from the first page to the last. With each passing page, it is virtually impossible not to think about how you would survive in the conditions the characters find themselves. The political aspects and how they impact the life of an average person is undeniable. It is these aspects and more that make “America in the Fall” a compelling book.
The strength of “America in the Fall” lies in the detail of setting and depth of characters. I recommend “America in the Fall” to fans of Dystopian Fiction.
To learn more about Raymond and his work visit his site at http://www.raymondcartercantrell.com/...
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