Ellie Potts's Blog, page 32
November 28, 2015
There it went…
30 Days of writing didn’t go over very well. Between it being a busy month I have been sick for the last 2 months, and it finally wore me down. On a positive note. I have a release date for Stone Guardians, which will be revealed on Monday with the cover reveal!!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Now on for Christmas. I have a hop next month! Yay! I will be gifting books and a gift card. Also I am working on my writing schedule for next year. No Tulare SciFi Con, so I have no excuse not to write and be productive. I am still pushing around attending ModestoCon, but me and the hubby will be back to Zappcon next October.
November 13, 2015
30 Days of Writing Day 13
My Commute to work.
I have a fear of being in a vehicle. It is a real thing!
Fear of Driving Phobia – Vehophobia
Vehophobia or the fear of driving can impact one’s daily life especially since most of us are dependent on this activity to get by. It can affect one to an extent that s/he refuses to go shopping, visit a doctor or even drive to work. Individuals with the extreme fear of driving prefer public transport or request friends or family members to drive them each time. This is fine, so long as these options are available at one’s disposal. However, this might not be the case always affecting the individual’s education, job and other activities negatively.
There are varying degrees of Vehophobia. Some individuals are only anxious about driving on highways or certain dreaded routes. Some are unable to pass their driving tests or acquire a license. A few might be having valid driving licenses but they pose a danger to themselves as well as other drivers. They can have a panic attack while driving and freeze up to an extent that they are unable to apply brakes or change gears etc. In extreme cases, a person may even be terrified of being a passenger in the vehicle.
My husband is probably the best driver I have ever been in a vehicle with. So he makes it tolerable for me.
November 12, 2015
30 Days of Writing Challenge days 12
Okay again…
Snippet from Island of the Zombie King…
It had taken him more than an hour to get to the other safe house and had seen the smoke before the building even came into sight. Ben hoped it was something else, but it wasn’t. He didn’t even turn the engine off before he got out of the car. Looking around in time to see a few of the undead coming for him, he took out his pistol and shot them each in the head. He couldn’t make it to the door. There were too many of them, and the screaming from inside seemed to drive them into a frenzy.
He disappeared to the side of the warehouse. All the small windows were at the top, and thick grey smoke rolled out of them. He made it to the backdoor, having to kill six zombies to get there. He tried the doors, but they wouldn’t budge. He heard screaming from inside. The people were jamming the door. They were pushing against it when the door opened their way.
“Get back!” he shouted. “Step back from the door! You have to get away from the door!” He screamed until he was hoarse. No help came to put out the fire. He couldn’t think clearly. He looked around for something to help. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air along with the screams. He tried to get in, tried to make a makeshift ladder to climb to a window, but it didn’t work. He tried the doors again, but it was too late. The fire had reached them. He could see the smoke coming out from under the door and felt the heat. He stayed there as the fire ate the walls and the screams faded.
He fell to his knees, crying. He was a fireman, yet he could do nothing. A zombie came toward him and for a second, he didn’t care. But in the end, he used his pistol to kill it. He watched the flames eat at the top of the building. Maybe they had gotten out earlier. Maybe they were in one of the cars he had passed. Maybe they were transported to another shelter. Maybe.
He knew he had to get away. The fire was drawing more of the undead. Soon the place would be filled with them. He needed shelter. He needed to find a place to think. Maybe they had gotten away. Maybe . . .
November 11, 2015
30 Days of Writing Day 11
Another dumb question so how about another short?
Wicked Game
Mark stood there, face drawn in shock, his large brown eyes staring straight ahead. The barrel of the gun stared at him like a giant eye. Grey smoke rolled, twisting out of it, moving to the ceiling reminding him of his own cigarette smoke. He felt numb as the smell of gunpowder stung his nostrils. She stared at him, eyes filled with madness. Why had she done this? What had he done to deserve this? Slowly, like a dream, his body became heavy. He leaned against the wall, his legs unable to hold the weight. His hand went to the spreading wetness on his shirt.
He’d met her at the mall. She was coy and bright, with blond hair and lively blue eyes; a creature totally different than what he was used to. She smiled a shy, yet welcoming smile when they were introduced. Cassie was a few years younger but that didn’t stop her from flirting. She laughed at his jokes, and he smiled and listened to her talk about her young life, her plans and expectations, which seemed to be nothing but leisure. And before he knew it, they had a date.
He slid to the floor. Cassie dropped the gun and now sat before him. Her knees drawn to her chest as she hummed a song. He knew that song. What was the name of the song? It sounded so familiar, but everything was fuzzy. He reached a wet red hand out to her. She just watched, humming, and then she started to rock herself. What was that song?
Their first date: cotton candy, rides, popcorn, and a long first kiss. Their second date: fun, burgers, fries, and making out. She had a way about her that drove him crazy. Their third date: she sat on his lap, hidden, shirt off. He loved touching her, kissing her, exploring her soft skin. Her smell seemed to daze him. He wanted more. Her touch lit a fire in him. She was wild, untamed. He needed more, had to have more; he needed all of her.
He felt cold, shivering, his teeth clicking together. That song irritated him. He knew the song, a goofy song she had penned their song. Lame in its own way, yet, it was their song. And it irritated him as she kept repeating it over and over again. He opened his mouth, but only blood out. It felt like a warm drool leaking onto his cold skin. He coughed it, tasted it. The copper taste mingled with the gunpowder still lingering in the air and in the back of his throat. He wanted a blanket. Why wasn’t she helping him?
She would do stupid shit. He loved her, but still. It started with small hits. She would do something silly, and he would lightly smack her. She laughed, thinking it was a joke. And then she started messing up. And the hits got harder. Blows that made her cry out, and of course he felt bad, but she had to learn. Everything would be perfect if she learned the proper way. When he thought she had finally learned her lesson, she slipped again. He broke a rib, a fall the paper at the hospital said. He would see the bruises she hid, and he would feel slightly uneasy. But she had to learn.
He raised his hand to her again. Why would she not come to him? Anger swam through the haze that threatened to take over. He wanted to hurt her. He wanted her to get off her lazy, fat ass and get him some help. He needed help, and all she wanted to do was hum. He tried to move, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. He wanted to speak but couldn’t. He wanted to wrap his hands around her throat and strangle her. He wanted to watch her eyes bulge with panic as she struggled to breathe.
Black eyes, hidden under cover up, were usually the worst marks he made visible. All the rest were in places no one would ever see. She had started to displease him at everything, even sex. He would abuse her: beating along her back, biting her skin until she bled and cried out. And then she was ready to please him. The drinking saved him some sanity, but her stupidity about daily chores drove him beyond anger. If it had not been for the stupid dog, he might have killed her. Might. But then seeing her bloodied and bruised, he loved her.
Heavy and tired. The coldness spread to every limb, finger and toe. He watched the red pool he sat in get larger and larger. Cassie continued to hum that irritating song and rock back and forth. Was that a siren he heard? He couldn’t tell; the room was fading. He felt so tired. He wanted a blanket. A beer. Sirens? The world around him grayed until it finally turned black, but he still could hear the irritating humming and the sirens.
Cassie stopped rocking as the blood soaked into her pants. Her hands reached down, touching the cool dark copper-smelling liquid. Mark lay against the wall in front of her. Quiet. Sleeping? The humming stopped. Her hands played in the liquid like a preschooler finger-painting. She brought her hands up to her face, staring at them. She touched her face. The last time she would be so close to him. Her face now coated with a thin cover of crimson, she sang their song, “The world was on fire and no one could save me but you. It’s strange what desire will make foolish people do. I never dreamed that I’d meet somebody like you. I never dreamed that I’d love somebody like you. I don’t want to fall in love.”
He heard the loud sirens, cars screeching to a halt. Shouting, knocking, more shouting and the sound of the door being kicked in.
Cassie looked over to Mark, really seeing him. What had she done? She saw his chest rise. The cops will save him, and then he would come after her. He wouldn’t stop. She couldn’t let him live, she just couldn’t. But seeing his blood pooled on the ground around them made her chest hurt. The pain, did she really love him? After all the abuse? No. But if he lived, he would kill her; she knew it. Her hand felt the sticky ground, coming into contact with something hard.
“Ma’am, put the gun down,” he heard the cop shout.
Mark heard nothing from Cassie. “Ma’am, I said put the gun down!”
The shots echoed through the room. He tried to count them, but his brain couldn’t. He tried to open his eyes to see what had happen. But instead, the sounds started to fade, and he knew he was dying. His last thought was of that crappy song, “This world is only gonna break your heart.”
November 10, 2015
30 Days of Writing Day 10
Day 10’s question is lame. So how about a poem?
Casper, Town of Needles
Casper, the town of dreams. The town of nightmares. The town of a thousand dreamy nightmares. All who stalk the town with hatchets and sledgehammers, thanks to dingy dope filled needles.
Casper, the town of psycho clowns, and the tiny midgets who beat them. The incorporated town with one streetlight by the post office. One gas station, four bars, and three liquor stores.
Casper, the home of crackheads who don’t give a damn. The town of a million children running around the dirt roads with bare feet, runny noses and head lice. The schools filled with teachers who would like to give a damn, but they don’t live in Casper.
Casper, where no one dares to stop. The cops don’t even wink an eye or turn to look. The town where everything runs illegal, and the oldest sibling of six is trying to buy her baby brother some diapers with twenty food stamps.
Casper, the town of forgotten dreams. The dream, when I grow up, leaves you when you turn ten. The cruel streets are harsh to play on. The drugs are real. The threat is real, but the psycho clowns are only in their heads as the dingy dope filled needles play along their skin.
November 9, 2015
30 Days of Writing Day 9
Day 9 Your feelings on Ageism…
I had to google this. I didn’t know what the heck it was.
Ageism (also spelled “agism”) is stereotyping and discriminating against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. This may be casual or systematic. The term was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler to describe discrimination against seniors, and patterned on sexism and racism.
I dislike all discrimination-age, sex, weight, looks, color, race, ect.
If I dislike you it is because plain and simple you are an asshole.
November 8, 2015
30 Days of Writing day 8
Day 8 a book I love and one I didn’t.
I have a few books that I love more then most. You can find my list on goodreads!
Ellie’s bookshelf: the-best
The Dragon Factory
by Jonathan Maberry
This book had me on the edge from the start. the last 100 pages were the craziest. poor joe went through so much to save the world. All I can say is that I can’t wait for the third one, but I have to read something a little more less str…
tagged:
the-best
Heartless
by Gail Carriger
I have to say best yet. I will be sad to say good bye next year with the last one.
tagged:
the-best
Timeless
by Gail Carriger
I loved it so much it was a great ending to this story that in its own way a wonderful epic love story. I can’t wait to read the next new series by Gail Carriger.
tagged:
the-best
The Stand
by Stephen King
tagged:
the-best
Swan Song
by Robert McCammon
I love the Stand by King and was told to read this one. Which I have to say I love this one just a little better. After nuclear war it is a fight against life and death. A must read for those who like The Stand.
tagged:
the-best
Blood Crazy
by Simon Clark
Great book if you can find it. Awesome epic journey of survival, love and lost.
tagged:
the-best
Magic Slays
by Ilona Andrews
I love Kate and Curran. I love this world! One of my favorite series of all times!
tagged:
the-best
Smokin’ Seventeen
by Janet Evanovich
tagged:
the-best
Changes
by Jim Butcher
tagged:
the-best
Wild Hearts
by Virginia Henley
I read this book over 15 years ago and have been looking for it. recently i found it in ebook format so rereading it was a blast.
tagged:
the-best
The King of Plagues
by Jonathan Maberry
What can I say Joe Ledger is a badass. I loved the mystery behind the American. The series is a crazy exhilarating roller coaster. Looking forward to the next one. I might not wait I might have to read it ASAP.
tagged:
the-best
Blue-Blooded Vamp
by Jaye Wells
This was a great conclusion to the Sabina Kane series!
tagged:
the-best
Ready Player One
by Ernest Cline
As I am having fandom month on my blog a co-worker told me about Ready Player One. If you are a nerd or geek or fan of 80s pop culture you need to read this book. Because I am a nerd I enjoyed this book so much. Just references from cert…
tagged:
the-best
Night Aberrations
by J.D. Nelson
I loved this book! the boys were hot, the plot was fun, and it centered around Norse mythology :)
tagged:
the-best
Quicksand House
by Carlton Mellick III
scary, odd, but strangely beautiful. I loved it, and the ending gave me the feels.
tagged:
the-best
I really don’t want to focus on books I dislike. Some just aren’t my cup of tea.
Share book reviews and ratings with Ellie, and even join a book club on Goodreads.
November 7, 2015
Cover reveal for my newest book Stone Guardians: Obsidian Book 1
I am scheduling a cover release for my newest book November 30th. I do need some help with it. So if you do have some blog space, please help me out. This cover reveal will have the super awesome cover made by the awesome Dakota Trace, I will also have the release date then too. If you want to help just sign up below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1R3-QyyftjPM0pK781RtnYSNoJa6IyluoY9y4R7s_514/viewform
30 Days of Writing day 7
Day 7 What tattoos do you have and their meanings.
I have 3. I have a purple butterfly. This was to celebrate turning 18, purple being my favorite color and I like butterflies. When I turned 30 I got a zombies stick figure tramp stamp, cause I could. And a peacock which was my husband’s first tattoo. He hasn’t had time to really get back into it, but he wants to. I have plans for more.
November 6, 2015
30 Days of Writing day 6
Day 6 Someone who fascinates me and why?
I am fascinated by strong women in history. Women who have raised above what was socially acceptable to change the world. Ones who risked stepping out to be something they are not. We have it to easy sometimes, and it is nice to think of these heroes of art, music, literature and film. Queens, ladies and the working woman. Women who dared to raise their fists and shout we will not sit quite, we will be heard and seen.
