Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 36
December 7, 2014
"Besides, you need someone of intelligence for this sort of mission. Quest...thing."
I finished The Hobbit.
Just had to announce that for no particular reason.
I usually try and take December off from writing. I still write some, but not as much as is normal for me. One reason it is the month right after NaNo, and I do a lot of writing during then. It is nice to have a break afterward. But my main reason is Christmas is in December, and I love that holiday. I love the lights and snow and cookies and songs and all of that. (Yes, I celebrate Christmas as a reminder of the day of Jesus' birth. Of Him leaving His home in Heaven to be born on earth to live and die that I and others might have salvation.) But I also just love the feel of the Christmas season. When I concentrate on my writing I feel like I miss out on a lot of this, so this is usually my huge break month where I just relax and enjoy good books and time with my family.
I am doing a bit of work, as I said, I still write a little from time to time. I have opened up the final Loyalty book and spent a few pages there the other day. I am pleased it now has a plot and should move along to a quick first draft finish line in January. (Plots are lovely things.) My biggest thing though is editing Finding the Magic.
A fitting story for this time of year because it is set around Christmas.
It is more enjoyable to work on editing during the Christmas season when the story is a Christmas story.
Normally I wouldn't be bothering with editing, but since I was sick all of November I didn't get the little story edited then as I had intended. Now it needs to be sent in the end of this month. Therefore, it must be worked on.
I've had a lot of fear and doubt over the idea of sending it in for the contest. If I hadn't already sent my fee in to enter I would be sure to back out now and not send the story in at all.
I've entered contests before, but this one feels bigger. This is through a publisher, with the chance of winning and getting my tale in a book. Daunting things, even if I have already published and have people reading my stories. (I try not to think about that too much. The idea of people reading my books makes me want to crawl into a cave and never show my face to the light of day again.)
It isn't that I hate Finding the Magic. I love the story, and the characters. It was fun adding my own twist on the classic tale and weaving in characters from the movie. (For those who don't recall, my retelling is of a young girl, Belle, who was living in England during the London Blitz in 1940. She is sent to live with an older man, Mr. Adam Prince, in the country until it is safe for her to return home. Mr. Prince hides in his room most of the time and won't talk to anyone. He is short tempered and angry about something, and Belle is filled with the desire to show him the magic in the world, the magic which is hard to find because of the war and the grief it has brought.)
It is daunting to think that in a week or so my story will be in the hands of professional editors and writers and they will be picking it apart to see if it is worthy to be printed in a book. It makes me want to hide my story and the characters in my closet for safe keeping.
Not that I have a choice in the matter anymore. I have a friend who won't let me chicken out in sending it in. So in it must be sent.
Until then....since I lost track of where this post was heading if it even had a direction...I will go back to my Lord of the Rings marathon and making Christmas presents while I watch. (Do you realize how fast you can knit while begging Aragorn to run faster and save Boromir? One of these days...he didn't make it this time...but one of these days my begging and pleading will get him there on time and Boromir will live. I believe in Aragorn and I don't think he will let me now. He's not the type.)
Still not telling you where the quote is from.
And I'm not sorry about it.
ALLONS-Y!
Just had to announce that for no particular reason.
I usually try and take December off from writing. I still write some, but not as much as is normal for me. One reason it is the month right after NaNo, and I do a lot of writing during then. It is nice to have a break afterward. But my main reason is Christmas is in December, and I love that holiday. I love the lights and snow and cookies and songs and all of that. (Yes, I celebrate Christmas as a reminder of the day of Jesus' birth. Of Him leaving His home in Heaven to be born on earth to live and die that I and others might have salvation.) But I also just love the feel of the Christmas season. When I concentrate on my writing I feel like I miss out on a lot of this, so this is usually my huge break month where I just relax and enjoy good books and time with my family.
I am doing a bit of work, as I said, I still write a little from time to time. I have opened up the final Loyalty book and spent a few pages there the other day. I am pleased it now has a plot and should move along to a quick first draft finish line in January. (Plots are lovely things.) My biggest thing though is editing Finding the Magic.
A fitting story for this time of year because it is set around Christmas.
It is more enjoyable to work on editing during the Christmas season when the story is a Christmas story.
Normally I wouldn't be bothering with editing, but since I was sick all of November I didn't get the little story edited then as I had intended. Now it needs to be sent in the end of this month. Therefore, it must be worked on.
I've had a lot of fear and doubt over the idea of sending it in for the contest. If I hadn't already sent my fee in to enter I would be sure to back out now and not send the story in at all.
I've entered contests before, but this one feels bigger. This is through a publisher, with the chance of winning and getting my tale in a book. Daunting things, even if I have already published and have people reading my stories. (I try not to think about that too much. The idea of people reading my books makes me want to crawl into a cave and never show my face to the light of day again.)
It isn't that I hate Finding the Magic. I love the story, and the characters. It was fun adding my own twist on the classic tale and weaving in characters from the movie. (For those who don't recall, my retelling is of a young girl, Belle, who was living in England during the London Blitz in 1940. She is sent to live with an older man, Mr. Adam Prince, in the country until it is safe for her to return home. Mr. Prince hides in his room most of the time and won't talk to anyone. He is short tempered and angry about something, and Belle is filled with the desire to show him the magic in the world, the magic which is hard to find because of the war and the grief it has brought.)
It is daunting to think that in a week or so my story will be in the hands of professional editors and writers and they will be picking it apart to see if it is worthy to be printed in a book. It makes me want to hide my story and the characters in my closet for safe keeping.
Not that I have a choice in the matter anymore. I have a friend who won't let me chicken out in sending it in. So in it must be sent.
Until then....since I lost track of where this post was heading if it even had a direction...I will go back to my Lord of the Rings marathon and making Christmas presents while I watch. (Do you realize how fast you can knit while begging Aragorn to run faster and save Boromir? One of these days...he didn't make it this time...but one of these days my begging and pleading will get him there on time and Boromir will live. I believe in Aragorn and I don't think he will let me now. He's not the type.)
Still not telling you where the quote is from.
And I'm not sorry about it.
ALLONS-Y!
December 5, 2014
"They have a cave troll."
It's Friday.
I should be writing a post.
I am writing a post.
I should have had a post written.
I didn't have one written.
I read a lot today.
And wrote.
And watched Big Hero 6.
And cried.
And watched Lilo and Stitch.
And cried some more.
That movie is painful the more I watch it and connect things.
That is how story telling should be.
Always able to find new things.
The book I am reading kind of hurts too.
But I can't put it down.
I love reading books I can't put down.
I went to the book store today and saw Four's Sonic Screw Driver.
FOUR'S!
Four's isn't easy to find.
At least not from my attempts thus far.
I am going back tomorrow to buy it.
I can't help it.
I love Four.
I already own Nine's.
I plan to drive my family insane with both of them.
My feet are little ice cubes.
Except my feet aren't little.
So they are big ice cubes.
Which brings me to my confirmed realization.
I am a Hobbit.
Short.
Love food.
And parties.
And snug homes.
And I have big feet.
I'm more of the Baggins type Hobbit though.
Adventure calls.
I have a chapter to read in the read along I am doing.
For some reason I am having trouble focusing on reading though.
I keep sulking because they didn't use MY plot in Big Hero 6.
And sulking takes up a lot of reading type.
Also Kitty is being extremely annoying and trying my patience.
By that I mean she is one step from being thrown out the door.
I originally had a great post planned for today.
But Big Hero 6.
Because it is hard to think after that.
Seriously, everyone should watch that movie.
I should be answering emails too.
I should be doing a lot of things.
I would rather just climb in bed and read.
My exciting Friday nights.
Those aids on Youtube, their second count downs are not real seconds.
They are equal to two of our seconds.
This shall forever be my belief on the subject.
Bilbo is about to enter the mine and meet Smaug.
I feel bad leaving him there but it doesn't look like I will be making it through that chapter tonight.
I want to start slamming doors, leaning against them, and saying, "They have a cave troll."
Unfortunately, slamming doors is considered bad manners in society.
I slammed one yesterday though, in spite of that.
It is how I deal with book pain.
Went to the book store today and bemoaned the fact I don't have a book account
An account money would just fall into.
An account for just buying books.
I think everyone needs one of those.
Another reason I need to take over the world.
There will be a girl Elf in the third Loyalty book.
A bit of an upcoming hint there to spark your interest.
I only have one Christmas CD.
This is sad.
But I keep playing it on repeat because this is THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!
I am leaving now.
I won't tell you where the quote is from.
You're on your own.
ALLONS-Y!
I should be writing a post.
I am writing a post.
I should have had a post written.
I didn't have one written.
I read a lot today.
And wrote.
And watched Big Hero 6.
And cried.
And watched Lilo and Stitch.
And cried some more.
That movie is painful the more I watch it and connect things.
That is how story telling should be.
Always able to find new things.
The book I am reading kind of hurts too.
But I can't put it down.
I love reading books I can't put down.
I went to the book store today and saw Four's Sonic Screw Driver.
FOUR'S!
Four's isn't easy to find.
At least not from my attempts thus far.
I am going back tomorrow to buy it.
I can't help it.
I love Four.
I already own Nine's.
I plan to drive my family insane with both of them.
My feet are little ice cubes.
Except my feet aren't little.
So they are big ice cubes.
Which brings me to my confirmed realization.
I am a Hobbit.
Short.
Love food.
And parties.
And snug homes.
And I have big feet.
I'm more of the Baggins type Hobbit though.
Adventure calls.
I have a chapter to read in the read along I am doing.
For some reason I am having trouble focusing on reading though.
I keep sulking because they didn't use MY plot in Big Hero 6.
And sulking takes up a lot of reading type.
Also Kitty is being extremely annoying and trying my patience.
By that I mean she is one step from being thrown out the door.
I originally had a great post planned for today.
But Big Hero 6.
Because it is hard to think after that.
Seriously, everyone should watch that movie.
I should be answering emails too.
I should be doing a lot of things.
I would rather just climb in bed and read.
My exciting Friday nights.
Those aids on Youtube, their second count downs are not real seconds.
They are equal to two of our seconds.
This shall forever be my belief on the subject.
Bilbo is about to enter the mine and meet Smaug.
I feel bad leaving him there but it doesn't look like I will be making it through that chapter tonight.
I want to start slamming doors, leaning against them, and saying, "They have a cave troll."
Unfortunately, slamming doors is considered bad manners in society.
I slammed one yesterday though, in spite of that.
It is how I deal with book pain.
Went to the book store today and bemoaned the fact I don't have a book account
An account money would just fall into.
An account for just buying books.
I think everyone needs one of those.
Another reason I need to take over the world.
There will be a girl Elf in the third Loyalty book.
A bit of an upcoming hint there to spark your interest.
I only have one Christmas CD.
This is sad.
But I keep playing it on repeat because this is THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!
I am leaving now.
I won't tell you where the quote is from.
You're on your own.
ALLONS-Y!
December 2, 2014
"That is, I heard a good deal about a Ring, and a Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world."
Wherein Jack is spending the month in Middle Earth.
I am once again working on the daunting plot hole that has taken over the third Haphazard book. It stares up at me with its one black eye and taunts me every time I open the document. Have you ever been called a failure by your own book? I'm not sure if it wishes to give me a slap of humility or just sit and laugh at me because it is my creation and takes too much after its creator. We might go to Author and Book consoling to get past this...rift in our relationship.
Meanwhile, highest on my list at this moment is editing Finding the Magic. Remember that? My entry for the Five Enchanted Roses Contest? It has slipped into the back files and spent November forgotten. I actually had a moment of pure panic when I saw it, fearing I had missed the deadline. My dear books suffer so much during NaNo.
All of my writing has felt jumbled lately. I know what I need to do and work on - The Haphazard series and The Loyalty Trilogy - but something seems to be blocking me. A lot of it has to do with Brothers-in-Arms and the fact I now have four books published. When I published A Test of Loyalty it hit me that my marketing skills have little skill at all behind them. I really have no idea what I'm doing and I want to get a better grasp on that before my next book is ready for print. But that brings me back to Brothers-in-Arms. I have sent it out to beta readers and some have already replied back with positive reviews. I have high hopes for this book, in spite of the pain it took to write it. (Which also means there is part of me that wishes to hide it in a document and never look at it again so I don't have to go back through that pain with editing. Aw, the joys of being an Author.) There is a lot I'm trying to work out right now and sometimes all of it is overwhelming. Probably one reason I've been drinking so much tea lately.
While I do that I am, as I mentioned a little in my last post, trying to get more reading done. Not only does reading help with my own writing, but I like to keep up on the newest Independent published books coming out. One reason is there are some really fabulous ones, and another...I like to help out fellow self published Authors by reading and reviewing their books.
But in the midst of that is my Middle Earth mention at the beginning of this post.
As I said, I am re-reading The Hobbit before the movie comes out. (Last Middle Earth movie, last chance to read the book before it. One of those sobering thoughts.) But last night I was hit with the inspiration that if I'm going to read the book I might as well go all out and watch the movies before hand as well. Sadly, I don't have much time for movies so I'm splitting them up, all five, and watching an hour a night, starting with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Desolation of Smaug. (Extended editions of course.) I feel like I have been thrown head first back into Middle Earth and I'm enjoying every second of it. There is one problem with this plan though, Tolkien's books always make me so hungry, and the movies aren't much better. I usually want a nice grilled fish with some potatoes, or hot bread right from the oven while I'm reading and watching. Dried fruit just doesn't cut it.
The of course there is Christmas coming up, so with all that December is turning out to be a busy month. (I have this small, high hope of completing the third Blade book during this time, but that small sense of sanity I have locked in a jar in the back corner of my mind laughs at me and tells me to take time to enjoy the season.)
I always enjoy the Christmas season though, so sanity can go and play with the dust bunnies.
I could enjoy the season more if the weather would just stay cold. It goes up and down which means we can't always keep a fire going. There is nothing better than visiting Middle Earth in front of a roaring fire with Christmas music playing the background.
I'm having a lot of trouble accepting the fact this is the last year I can prepare for a new Lord of the Rings movie. Now I wish to go and start a fire and make some tea - warmish weather or not - just so I can make the most of the next fifteen days.
I had something else I meant to mention and now I have remembered it. My Kindred Spirit is having a Read Along for her first book, King's Warrior. It is fitting to go along with my Middle Earth month with its dragons and adventures and mysterious brooding character...She has only just started, so for any who wish to join in there is still time. Not only is she talking about background information on writing the book but you would get the chance to read her wonderful book along with other readers. Very worth it. This book is one of my favourites and I highly recommend it. All that said, you should take a peek in on all of it HERE!!
As for me. I need to leave you all. Editing is tugging at my jacket and books are luring me in with food and adventure - and swords. Lots and lots of swords. (One reason Tolkien was such an amazing Author, he gets the importance of swords in a story. He even does back-stories for them. What more could you ask for?)
But seriously, that is all. I have things to do and a fire to see if I can sneak in and start without someone scolding me that it is 40 degrees outside. (Sometimes, it is hard to make others in your household understand the connection between fires and Middle Earth, and your sudden desire to bake. And the munchie attacks.)
Quote is from The Fellowship of the Ring. You should know scene and character, if not, go and watch the movie. Now. Also expect a lot of these types of quotes this month.
ALLONS-Y!
I am once again working on the daunting plot hole that has taken over the third Haphazard book. It stares up at me with its one black eye and taunts me every time I open the document. Have you ever been called a failure by your own book? I'm not sure if it wishes to give me a slap of humility or just sit and laugh at me because it is my creation and takes too much after its creator. We might go to Author and Book consoling to get past this...rift in our relationship.
Meanwhile, highest on my list at this moment is editing Finding the Magic. Remember that? My entry for the Five Enchanted Roses Contest? It has slipped into the back files and spent November forgotten. I actually had a moment of pure panic when I saw it, fearing I had missed the deadline. My dear books suffer so much during NaNo.
All of my writing has felt jumbled lately. I know what I need to do and work on - The Haphazard series and The Loyalty Trilogy - but something seems to be blocking me. A lot of it has to do with Brothers-in-Arms and the fact I now have four books published. When I published A Test of Loyalty it hit me that my marketing skills have little skill at all behind them. I really have no idea what I'm doing and I want to get a better grasp on that before my next book is ready for print. But that brings me back to Brothers-in-Arms. I have sent it out to beta readers and some have already replied back with positive reviews. I have high hopes for this book, in spite of the pain it took to write it. (Which also means there is part of me that wishes to hide it in a document and never look at it again so I don't have to go back through that pain with editing. Aw, the joys of being an Author.) There is a lot I'm trying to work out right now and sometimes all of it is overwhelming. Probably one reason I've been drinking so much tea lately.
While I do that I am, as I mentioned a little in my last post, trying to get more reading done. Not only does reading help with my own writing, but I like to keep up on the newest Independent published books coming out. One reason is there are some really fabulous ones, and another...I like to help out fellow self published Authors by reading and reviewing their books.
But in the midst of that is my Middle Earth mention at the beginning of this post.
As I said, I am re-reading The Hobbit before the movie comes out. (Last Middle Earth movie, last chance to read the book before it. One of those sobering thoughts.) But last night I was hit with the inspiration that if I'm going to read the book I might as well go all out and watch the movies before hand as well. Sadly, I don't have much time for movies so I'm splitting them up, all five, and watching an hour a night, starting with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Desolation of Smaug. (Extended editions of course.) I feel like I have been thrown head first back into Middle Earth and I'm enjoying every second of it. There is one problem with this plan though, Tolkien's books always make me so hungry, and the movies aren't much better. I usually want a nice grilled fish with some potatoes, or hot bread right from the oven while I'm reading and watching. Dried fruit just doesn't cut it.
The of course there is Christmas coming up, so with all that December is turning out to be a busy month. (I have this small, high hope of completing the third Blade book during this time, but that small sense of sanity I have locked in a jar in the back corner of my mind laughs at me and tells me to take time to enjoy the season.)
I always enjoy the Christmas season though, so sanity can go and play with the dust bunnies.
I could enjoy the season more if the weather would just stay cold. It goes up and down which means we can't always keep a fire going. There is nothing better than visiting Middle Earth in front of a roaring fire with Christmas music playing the background.
I'm having a lot of trouble accepting the fact this is the last year I can prepare for a new Lord of the Rings movie. Now I wish to go and start a fire and make some tea - warmish weather or not - just so I can make the most of the next fifteen days.
I had something else I meant to mention and now I have remembered it. My Kindred Spirit is having a Read Along for her first book, King's Warrior. It is fitting to go along with my Middle Earth month with its dragons and adventures and mysterious brooding character...She has only just started, so for any who wish to join in there is still time. Not only is she talking about background information on writing the book but you would get the chance to read her wonderful book along with other readers. Very worth it. This book is one of my favourites and I highly recommend it. All that said, you should take a peek in on all of it HERE!!
As for me. I need to leave you all. Editing is tugging at my jacket and books are luring me in with food and adventure - and swords. Lots and lots of swords. (One reason Tolkien was such an amazing Author, he gets the importance of swords in a story. He even does back-stories for them. What more could you ask for?)
But seriously, that is all. I have things to do and a fire to see if I can sneak in and start without someone scolding me that it is 40 degrees outside. (Sometimes, it is hard to make others in your household understand the connection between fires and Middle Earth, and your sudden desire to bake. And the munchie attacks.)
Quote is from The Fellowship of the Ring. You should know scene and character, if not, go and watch the movie. Now. Also expect a lot of these types of quotes this month.
ALLONS-Y!
November 30, 2014
"Nate! Can we keep the cave?" "We are not keeping the cave."
Jack's Fall Reading List
I'm still working on reviews. Some of these should have had reviews a long time before now, but it was hard to write them while sick. I feel really bad about getting so far behind on them. I also should have had a lot more on the list, as well as a couple beta reads. Sadly, those didn't happen either. I found it impossible to read much all of November because of the weird flu and pneumonia I caught. Reviews will come in December though.
Until then, here is my Fall reading list, in order of what I read. I passed up my summer reading list by about five books. I was hoping to get more read in fall than I did in summer. I still didn't read as many as I had hoped for, but anything passing up summers is good.
The Maze Runner
I read it because of the movie. I wanted to read it before I saw the movie. While the writing style and genre wasn't my favourite I loved the characters
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
THE PENDERWICKS! Really, what's not to love about this family?
Evil Star
I have mixed feelings about this series, but I adore Matt and Richard. Also, I learned about the desert lines, and that was cool
Only a Novel
Though this wasn't really my type of book I did enjoy the story. It had a Pride and Prejudice feel to it, with a heroine who grew on me as the story went on.
The Battle for WondLa
Conclusion to one of my all time favourite series. Oh yes, and Rovee was in it.
Charmed Life
Another Dinna Wynne Jones, she never lets me down.
Kidnapped
ALAN! DAVID! I loved this book!
Nightrise
Third book in the Gatekeepers. It introduced a new cast of characters, who won me over just as fast as Matt and Richard did
After the Twelfth Night
If the Tintin series was written in book form this would be it. Non stop, impossible adventures. There are few words I can use to describe how much I love this book.
Men of Iron
I have one complaint about this book. It was too short. I wished to spend as much time with Myles as I have with Ivanhoe
100 Cupboards
There aren't many books where you love the adult characters as much as the kid characters. Everyone in this book was amazing.
A Different Kind of Courage
I can't sum up my feelings on this book in just a few words so I will save most of it for the review. In short...WARREN!
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
I didn't think I would ever have a favourite Penderwick book. Even now, this one is only my favourite by an inch or two. But I loved this one. I laughed nearly non stop, and then nearly cried in the end.
Our Intrepid Heroine
Another I can't sum up in just a few words. My last book of the month, finished last minute. Found and bought last minute. I don't know what I was expecting from this little story, but I got much more than I had hoped for. Review coming soon.
Most of these books have been reviewed and reviews can be found on my other blog, HERE! I go into more detail on what I thought of all of them. Overall the books were fun and I enjoyed them and the adventures. I am hoping to finish up the Gatekeeper series I started and The Maze Runner series over the winter. I'm also determined to finish Ivanhoe - I was so close but it is hard to read a lot of, "Hark, fair maiden, faint not but tell me what thou seest," when you're sick. I needed something easier since my brain was stuffed with cotton. I'm also determined to read To Kill a Mockingbird and read more self published books. And, as I hoped with my summer list, I hope to surpass this one and get a few more read over the winter.
How about all of you? What was on your fall reading lists? Anything memorable? Have you read any of the books on my list? What are your thoughts on them?
Quote is from Leverage when Elliot, Hardison, and Parker are being fun and childish and Sophie and Nate are having to be adult and parent-y.
ALLONS-Y!
I'm still working on reviews. Some of these should have had reviews a long time before now, but it was hard to write them while sick. I feel really bad about getting so far behind on them. I also should have had a lot more on the list, as well as a couple beta reads. Sadly, those didn't happen either. I found it impossible to read much all of November because of the weird flu and pneumonia I caught. Reviews will come in December though.
Until then, here is my Fall reading list, in order of what I read. I passed up my summer reading list by about five books. I was hoping to get more read in fall than I did in summer. I still didn't read as many as I had hoped for, but anything passing up summers is good.
The Maze Runner
I read it because of the movie. I wanted to read it before I saw the movie. While the writing style and genre wasn't my favourite I loved the characters
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
THE PENDERWICKS! Really, what's not to love about this family?Evil Star
I have mixed feelings about this series, but I adore Matt and Richard. Also, I learned about the desert lines, and that was coolOnly a Novel
Though this wasn't really my type of book I did enjoy the story. It had a Pride and Prejudice feel to it, with a heroine who grew on me as the story went on.The Battle for WondLa
Conclusion to one of my all time favourite series. Oh yes, and Rovee was in it.Charmed Life
Another Dinna Wynne Jones, she never lets me down.Kidnapped
ALAN! DAVID! I loved this book!Nightrise
Third book in the Gatekeepers. It introduced a new cast of characters, who won me over just as fast as Matt and Richard didAfter the Twelfth Night
If the Tintin series was written in book form this would be it. Non stop, impossible adventures. There are few words I can use to describe how much I love this book.Men of Iron
I have one complaint about this book. It was too short. I wished to spend as much time with Myles as I have with Ivanhoe100 Cupboards
There aren't many books where you love the adult characters as much as the kid characters. Everyone in this book was amazing.A Different Kind of Courage
I can't sum up my feelings on this book in just a few words so I will save most of it for the review. In short...WARREN!The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
I didn't think I would ever have a favourite Penderwick book. Even now, this one is only my favourite by an inch or two. But I loved this one. I laughed nearly non stop, and then nearly cried in the end.Our Intrepid Heroine
Another I can't sum up in just a few words. My last book of the month, finished last minute. Found and bought last minute. I don't know what I was expecting from this little story, but I got much more than I had hoped for. Review coming soon.Most of these books have been reviewed and reviews can be found on my other blog, HERE! I go into more detail on what I thought of all of them. Overall the books were fun and I enjoyed them and the adventures. I am hoping to finish up the Gatekeeper series I started and The Maze Runner series over the winter. I'm also determined to finish Ivanhoe - I was so close but it is hard to read a lot of, "Hark, fair maiden, faint not but tell me what thou seest," when you're sick. I needed something easier since my brain was stuffed with cotton. I'm also determined to read To Kill a Mockingbird and read more self published books. And, as I hoped with my summer list, I hope to surpass this one and get a few more read over the winter.
How about all of you? What was on your fall reading lists? Anything memorable? Have you read any of the books on my list? What are your thoughts on them?
Quote is from Leverage when Elliot, Hardison, and Parker are being fun and childish and Sophie and Nate are having to be adult and parent-y.
ALLONS-Y!
November 28, 2014
"That's May." "Is she okay?" "Yes. She's laughing."
Wherein Jack is suffering cabin fever and other mishaps
Thanksgiving has come and passed and I didn't do a grand Thanksgiving post. Instead, I had to work in the morning, then I came home and ate and crashed. Myself and my whole family wasn't feeling too great yesterday - we all have colds now. It was a nice relaxing day though. I even got my 50,000 words in.
However, because I've been stuck inside for most of November with the pneumonia I am today suffering cabin fever. I am mostly over it, but I can't go outside for long because of the cold weather. If I have to spend too much more time in the confines of this house - even with tea to help keep me sane - there is a strong chance someone is going to get stabbed with a pen.
I am actually drinking tea right now.
And I would be watching Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers except I thought I should write a post.
And read a bit more in The Hobbit. I want to read the book before the movie comes out, because this is going to be the last time I can do that with Middle Earth.
Let that sad thought sink in.
I am also still grinning over the new Star Wars teaser trailer. I am going, I am going to find someone to go with me to that one.
I might have to go into town later today. On Black Friday. Even though all the sales should be gone by now, it still could be dangerous out there. I will have to have a friend come and save me if I'm not back in an hour.
I have been having more fun with my new book than I thought I would.
Now that Thanksgiving is over the Christmas music has begun to play and lights go up. (Not here yet. I am trying to talk my family into buying dangling lights instead of just the string of them. We've all been too busy coughing to think of going out in the wind to fight lights into place)
I meant to tell you some of my new book but I got distracted trying to pick my first Christmas song to play. There, I went with Sleigh Ride.
With only a few days left in November I am making plans to try and finish the third Haphazard book. I wish I knew why it was fighting me so hard. I have this sneaking suspicion it has something to do with the ending in book two...
While I convinced the characters I didn't mean to leave them with such a horrible ending I will be writing the last book in the Loyalty trilogy, and editing Brothers-in-Arms. Lots of fun things happening. Hopefully publishing the third Haphazard book will be high up on that fun list.
That is all I have. Except for this. My two new characters took over the blog I share with my friend Bella. You can get your first introduction to them HERE!!!!!!!!!!
Now I am leaving for real. The Hobbit awaits, and Riddles in the Dark.
Quote is from Agents of SHIELD, the teams concern over May being sociable.
ALLONS-Y
Thanksgiving has come and passed and I didn't do a grand Thanksgiving post. Instead, I had to work in the morning, then I came home and ate and crashed. Myself and my whole family wasn't feeling too great yesterday - we all have colds now. It was a nice relaxing day though. I even got my 50,000 words in.
However, because I've been stuck inside for most of November with the pneumonia I am today suffering cabin fever. I am mostly over it, but I can't go outside for long because of the cold weather. If I have to spend too much more time in the confines of this house - even with tea to help keep me sane - there is a strong chance someone is going to get stabbed with a pen.
I am actually drinking tea right now.
And I would be watching Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers except I thought I should write a post.
And read a bit more in The Hobbit. I want to read the book before the movie comes out, because this is going to be the last time I can do that with Middle Earth.
Let that sad thought sink in.
I am also still grinning over the new Star Wars teaser trailer. I am going, I am going to find someone to go with me to that one.
I might have to go into town later today. On Black Friday. Even though all the sales should be gone by now, it still could be dangerous out there. I will have to have a friend come and save me if I'm not back in an hour.
I have been having more fun with my new book than I thought I would.
Now that Thanksgiving is over the Christmas music has begun to play and lights go up. (Not here yet. I am trying to talk my family into buying dangling lights instead of just the string of them. We've all been too busy coughing to think of going out in the wind to fight lights into place)
I meant to tell you some of my new book but I got distracted trying to pick my first Christmas song to play. There, I went with Sleigh Ride.
With only a few days left in November I am making plans to try and finish the third Haphazard book. I wish I knew why it was fighting me so hard. I have this sneaking suspicion it has something to do with the ending in book two...
While I convinced the characters I didn't mean to leave them with such a horrible ending I will be writing the last book in the Loyalty trilogy, and editing Brothers-in-Arms. Lots of fun things happening. Hopefully publishing the third Haphazard book will be high up on that fun list.
That is all I have. Except for this. My two new characters took over the blog I share with my friend Bella. You can get your first introduction to them HERE!!!!!!!!!!
Now I am leaving for real. The Hobbit awaits, and Riddles in the Dark.
Quote is from Agents of SHIELD, the teams concern over May being sociable.
ALLONS-Y
November 24, 2014
"This is fun. This is fun, right? Look! Cuff links."
Wherein Jack is a rebel.
I've always been a rebel. Or something like it. At least when it comes to NaNo. I have switched books one day before NaNo starts - though I don't know if that is rebel qualities. I forget what one has to do to be termed a rebel. I did give up on a new book one year and go back to writing a book I'd already been working on.
But all that said, I think I might have reached rebel level this year, though I hadn't planned on it.
I started my book to try something new, to see if I could write an apocalyptic story. After all, that is kind of the fun of being an Author. Testing your limits and seeing what you can do. Well, I did that, and I have come to realized, I'm not the kind of apocalyptic Author, even though the book wasn't depressing to write. I just wasn't enjoying it. And yes, I know, sometimes writing is hard. Sometimes you have to sit down and write when you don't feel like it. Sometimes it is like pulling your own teeth out, or having HYDRA pull your wisdom teeth. I've written even in those times. I've written when I've struggled through scenes, and I'm one of the first to say an Author shouldn't give up because writing is hard.
But I also believe Authors shouldn't force books they weren't meant to write. Not everyone is is cut out to write in every single genre. Writing in ones they dislike can be painful and ruin every ounce of enjoyment, and there should be enjoyment in writing or there is no point behind it. Authors should love what they write, and I wasn't loving my book.
I liked the characters, and I liked the basic idea, but I didn't like the book.
Therefore, even though NaNo is almost over with, I am switching books - though I'm keeping my word count. One, I wrote those words and they are my words. Two, I'm not insane...THAT insane...and I know I can't write 50,000 in just a few days.
I'm still toying around with my new idea, but already I feel better about it. And for those who were interested in Hunter and Dean, they will not be stuffed in my closet with Peter's sister. They will just be moved to a new book, in a genre I feel comfortable writing in.
And that is all. Because I have to write. And continue to recover from Walking Pneumonia, which was discovered I have. Not fun to have, but it makes people more understanding to your slowness at work. Suddenly you're not lazy, you're brave for working when you should be in bed drinking tea. (That was in case you wanted some tips about getting sick. If you sound like you're dying, make sure you have some medical condition with a long, stupidly spelt name to go with it.)
Quote is from Coulson, trying to convince May she putting on a fancy dress and heels and talking to people is fun and that she should do it more often.
ALLONS-Y!
I've always been a rebel. Or something like it. At least when it comes to NaNo. I have switched books one day before NaNo starts - though I don't know if that is rebel qualities. I forget what one has to do to be termed a rebel. I did give up on a new book one year and go back to writing a book I'd already been working on.
But all that said, I think I might have reached rebel level this year, though I hadn't planned on it.
I started my book to try something new, to see if I could write an apocalyptic story. After all, that is kind of the fun of being an Author. Testing your limits and seeing what you can do. Well, I did that, and I have come to realized, I'm not the kind of apocalyptic Author, even though the book wasn't depressing to write. I just wasn't enjoying it. And yes, I know, sometimes writing is hard. Sometimes you have to sit down and write when you don't feel like it. Sometimes it is like pulling your own teeth out, or having HYDRA pull your wisdom teeth. I've written even in those times. I've written when I've struggled through scenes, and I'm one of the first to say an Author shouldn't give up because writing is hard.
But I also believe Authors shouldn't force books they weren't meant to write. Not everyone is is cut out to write in every single genre. Writing in ones they dislike can be painful and ruin every ounce of enjoyment, and there should be enjoyment in writing or there is no point behind it. Authors should love what they write, and I wasn't loving my book.
I liked the characters, and I liked the basic idea, but I didn't like the book.
Therefore, even though NaNo is almost over with, I am switching books - though I'm keeping my word count. One, I wrote those words and they are my words. Two, I'm not insane...THAT insane...and I know I can't write 50,000 in just a few days.
I'm still toying around with my new idea, but already I feel better about it. And for those who were interested in Hunter and Dean, they will not be stuffed in my closet with Peter's sister. They will just be moved to a new book, in a genre I feel comfortable writing in.
And that is all. Because I have to write. And continue to recover from Walking Pneumonia, which was discovered I have. Not fun to have, but it makes people more understanding to your slowness at work. Suddenly you're not lazy, you're brave for working when you should be in bed drinking tea. (That was in case you wanted some tips about getting sick. If you sound like you're dying, make sure you have some medical condition with a long, stupidly spelt name to go with it.)
Quote is from Coulson, trying to convince May she putting on a fancy dress and heels and talking to people is fun and that she should do it more often.
ALLONS-Y!
November 21, 2014
"I lied. Working with you, whoever you are, not that fun."
Wherein Jack went AWOL yet again
I really need to stop doing that. Peter sits and glares at me the whole time. But I did it, though since it was only for Wednesday, I'm hoping I didn't commit too much of a crime.
I spent Wednesday working all day. My first full day back to work since getting sick. It went okay considering I had no voice. I then spent Wednesday night writing, because I was still behind on my NaNo word count.
Getting sick during NaNo has proved to be a bad idea. (Not that I had this planned out. I wanted my last month of fall to be spent writing in front of the fire and crunching leaves not in front of the fire. Instead, I spent four and a half days stuck in bed with a fever and another - however long since then to now - with a weird cough.) I'm no doctor, so I don't pretend to know what brought on this cough or anything like that, but it felt like it went straight to my lungs. I spent most of the time since still stuck in bed because I couldn't breathe when I walked very far. (Sounds like I was dying. I wasn't.)
The only nice thing about getting this sick is my new job. At Old Job if I so much as twitched my nose I had people running out the doors screaming, "BLACK PLAGUE!" Only, now they'd probably be screaming, "EBOLA!" New Job I can cough and gasp and bend over double and sound like I'm taking my last wheezing breath and there is no one around to glare daggers at me and condemn me for passing on to them some deadly illness.
Another reason to like New Job.
And that has been my life since the second week of NaNo. I feel kind of left out. Who spends NaNo barely getting in their word count and sleeping every chance they get?
That is one reason I am getting this post short. I didn't get a chance to write yesterday. We had company over and I had to carry on conversations while sounding like a frog before I lost my voice. (They were fun conversations at least.) But now I need to go and write, so I can get caught up.
That is all.
How is all of your NaNo's going?
Agents of SHIELD line, Coulson talking to a Not Real May
ALLONS-Y!
I really need to stop doing that. Peter sits and glares at me the whole time. But I did it, though since it was only for Wednesday, I'm hoping I didn't commit too much of a crime.
I spent Wednesday working all day. My first full day back to work since getting sick. It went okay considering I had no voice. I then spent Wednesday night writing, because I was still behind on my NaNo word count.
Getting sick during NaNo has proved to be a bad idea. (Not that I had this planned out. I wanted my last month of fall to be spent writing in front of the fire and crunching leaves not in front of the fire. Instead, I spent four and a half days stuck in bed with a fever and another - however long since then to now - with a weird cough.) I'm no doctor, so I don't pretend to know what brought on this cough or anything like that, but it felt like it went straight to my lungs. I spent most of the time since still stuck in bed because I couldn't breathe when I walked very far. (Sounds like I was dying. I wasn't.)
The only nice thing about getting this sick is my new job. At Old Job if I so much as twitched my nose I had people running out the doors screaming, "BLACK PLAGUE!" Only, now they'd probably be screaming, "EBOLA!" New Job I can cough and gasp and bend over double and sound like I'm taking my last wheezing breath and there is no one around to glare daggers at me and condemn me for passing on to them some deadly illness.
Another reason to like New Job.
And that has been my life since the second week of NaNo. I feel kind of left out. Who spends NaNo barely getting in their word count and sleeping every chance they get?
That is one reason I am getting this post short. I didn't get a chance to write yesterday. We had company over and I had to carry on conversations while sounding like a frog before I lost my voice. (They were fun conversations at least.) But now I need to go and write, so I can get caught up.
That is all.
How is all of your NaNo's going?
Agents of SHIELD line, Coulson talking to a Not Real May
ALLONS-Y!
November 15, 2014
"Guys, drop everything." "No, this is worth a fortune. I'm not going to just drop it."
Today is the third and final day of Bella's NaNo Blog Party. Since it is it the final day we are forced to pick between posting a scene or snippets or any other random thing we fancy. (Forced is joking of course. I don't think Bella owns a sword in which to hold us at sword point.)
I will be doing snippets, because they are more random and funny and I don't have to give away major spoilers.
So here they are, snippets from my NaNo novel, The Steam War
“I dropped my juice,” Dean whimpered. He kicked his feet back and forth, thumping them against the seat. Before giant feet had tried to squish them, their dad used to tell Dean not to kick the seat.“I'll fill it for you when we stop,” Hunter promised.Dean blinked through his tears.“Will?” he asked. “Promise?”“Yes.” Hunter smiled. He didn't look out the window anymore. He didn't want to see anymore feet. “Any kind of juice you want.”“I wants milk.” Dean smiled.“Chocolate?”“Strawberry.”
“You're staring, which means you don't have to. Are you planning more school for me to do? Can't you end my torture and just kill me and get it over with?”
“What's with the pistol? Monster under your bed?” Dean grinned.
“Dean.” Hunter shook his shoulder. “Dean, wake up.”Dean didn't want to wake up. He didn't want Hunter shaking his shoulder, again. He thought about kicking his brother, but the last time he'd done that Hunter had thrown ice water on his head. He had no choice but to give in and open his eyes.
“Hey, you have to know more than me. I was only three.” Dean grinned at him.“And crying because you dropped your sippy cup.”“So? I was three, like you said. I could cry over a sippy cup if I wanted.” Hunter slapped him on the back. “Just keep telling yourself that, baby brother,” he teased.
“You think?” Dean's voice kept squeaking. “Do you think any food survived?”“It's been ten years,” Hunter groaned.
“Look.” Dean bent over and picked something out of the glass. He held up a pair of pearl, dangling earrings. “They go with your eyes.”“I don't think we'll find food here,” Hunter muttered. “And your eyes are prettier than mine, why don't you wear them?”
“Maybe they have things that stick above ground and they can see out of them,” Dean retorted. “Maybe they have guards. Or watch dogs. Maybe they have rats trained to run down and deliver messages in Morse Code.”“Shut up,” Hunter groaned. “I'm sure we can deal with Morse Code rats.”
“Doesn't matter,” he said, “you won't be leaving here alive.”“That's morbid,” Dean muttered. “Are you going to let that woman kill me?”
“Here we are. And don't think about tryin' to escape by goin' down the hole. Pretty sure it's bottomless.” Atlas shoved a door opened and Dean stepped into a narrow, square room with a bucket in the middle. As soon as the door closed he walked over the bucket and pulled the lid off. Under it was a black hole.“Cool,” he said, “indoor plumbing.”
“Hi,” he said, waving. “Did you take my rifle?”
“You're pretty demanding for a captive,” Leech said. He crouched down in front of Dean. “I have some questions for you, then I'm going to kill you.”“Oh goody. I love interrogations.”
“Prime function. Destroy,” the machine said right over his head.“Wonderful,” Hunter groaned, “I have a pet.”
“Prime function. Destroy,” it said with a note of satisfaction.“That's going to get annoying real fast.”
“I like stalking people. Why is your skin blue?”
“Where did you come from?” Leech muttered.“From my mom. Same as most babies. Where did you come from?”
“Leech! Atlas! Bullet! Any other living human being out there! I'm losing my mind! And I'm hungry!”
“Here,” she said. She put it at the foot of his bed. “Will ya stop yellin' now?”“Maybe. If you want to guarantee it, you could not kill me tomorrow.”
“Someone go sit on the washer before it walks across the room again!”There was a long silence, then Ember shouting, “Fine! I guess I'll do it again! Kind of funny ya always get the skinniest one to sit on it!”“I wouldn't be so sure of that, sis!” Atlas laughed. “You're getting' a little wide in the rear end.” This was followed by a thump and then Atlas' yelp of pain.
It lasted for only a couple seconds, then everything returned to normal and Dean saw Leech standing over Hunter, holding a hand clasped firmly over his mouth. Hunter kept kicking him but Leech didn't seem to notice.“Oh look,” Dean said, “we're all friends.”
TADA!
Now I have to go and write or I will get behind.
Quote is from Agents of SHIELD, when Fitz was being too literal and his adorable Scottish genus self.
ALLONS-Y!
I will be doing snippets, because they are more random and funny and I don't have to give away major spoilers.
So here they are, snippets from my NaNo novel, The Steam War
“I dropped my juice,” Dean whimpered. He kicked his feet back and forth, thumping them against the seat. Before giant feet had tried to squish them, their dad used to tell Dean not to kick the seat.“I'll fill it for you when we stop,” Hunter promised.Dean blinked through his tears.“Will?” he asked. “Promise?”“Yes.” Hunter smiled. He didn't look out the window anymore. He didn't want to see anymore feet. “Any kind of juice you want.”“I wants milk.” Dean smiled.“Chocolate?”“Strawberry.”
“You're staring, which means you don't have to. Are you planning more school for me to do? Can't you end my torture and just kill me and get it over with?”
“What's with the pistol? Monster under your bed?” Dean grinned.
“Dean.” Hunter shook his shoulder. “Dean, wake up.”Dean didn't want to wake up. He didn't want Hunter shaking his shoulder, again. He thought about kicking his brother, but the last time he'd done that Hunter had thrown ice water on his head. He had no choice but to give in and open his eyes.
“Hey, you have to know more than me. I was only three.” Dean grinned at him.“And crying because you dropped your sippy cup.”“So? I was three, like you said. I could cry over a sippy cup if I wanted.” Hunter slapped him on the back. “Just keep telling yourself that, baby brother,” he teased.
“You think?” Dean's voice kept squeaking. “Do you think any food survived?”“It's been ten years,” Hunter groaned.
“Look.” Dean bent over and picked something out of the glass. He held up a pair of pearl, dangling earrings. “They go with your eyes.”“I don't think we'll find food here,” Hunter muttered. “And your eyes are prettier than mine, why don't you wear them?”
“Maybe they have things that stick above ground and they can see out of them,” Dean retorted. “Maybe they have guards. Or watch dogs. Maybe they have rats trained to run down and deliver messages in Morse Code.”“Shut up,” Hunter groaned. “I'm sure we can deal with Morse Code rats.”
“Doesn't matter,” he said, “you won't be leaving here alive.”“That's morbid,” Dean muttered. “Are you going to let that woman kill me?”
“Here we are. And don't think about tryin' to escape by goin' down the hole. Pretty sure it's bottomless.” Atlas shoved a door opened and Dean stepped into a narrow, square room with a bucket in the middle. As soon as the door closed he walked over the bucket and pulled the lid off. Under it was a black hole.“Cool,” he said, “indoor plumbing.”
“Hi,” he said, waving. “Did you take my rifle?”
“You're pretty demanding for a captive,” Leech said. He crouched down in front of Dean. “I have some questions for you, then I'm going to kill you.”“Oh goody. I love interrogations.”
“Prime function. Destroy,” the machine said right over his head.“Wonderful,” Hunter groaned, “I have a pet.”
“Prime function. Destroy,” it said with a note of satisfaction.“That's going to get annoying real fast.”
“I like stalking people. Why is your skin blue?”
“Where did you come from?” Leech muttered.“From my mom. Same as most babies. Where did you come from?”
“Leech! Atlas! Bullet! Any other living human being out there! I'm losing my mind! And I'm hungry!”
“Here,” she said. She put it at the foot of his bed. “Will ya stop yellin' now?”“Maybe. If you want to guarantee it, you could not kill me tomorrow.”
“Someone go sit on the washer before it walks across the room again!”There was a long silence, then Ember shouting, “Fine! I guess I'll do it again! Kind of funny ya always get the skinniest one to sit on it!”“I wouldn't be so sure of that, sis!” Atlas laughed. “You're getting' a little wide in the rear end.” This was followed by a thump and then Atlas' yelp of pain.
It lasted for only a couple seconds, then everything returned to normal and Dean saw Leech standing over Hunter, holding a hand clasped firmly over his mouth. Hunter kept kicking him but Leech didn't seem to notice.“Oh look,” Dean said, “we're all friends.”
TADA!
Now I have to go and write or I will get behind.
Quote is from Agents of SHIELD, when Fitz was being too literal and his adorable Scottish genus self.
ALLONS-Y!
November 14, 2014
"He's your dad - your space dad!"
I have three things happening today. I won't list them in order of importance because they don't have any such order. I will just do them as they randomly bounce around in my head.
The wonderfully talented Jaye L. Knight is revealing the cover for her second book today, The King's Scrolls.
About the Book
Amazing cover, right?!
Following the harrowing events that brought them to Landale Forest, Jace and Kyrin have settled comfortably into their new lives and the mission of protecting those under the emperor’s persecution. The fast approach of winter brings with it the anticipation of a quiet few months ahead. That is until the arrival of four mysterious, dragon-riding cretes who seek aid in a mission of great importance—not only to their own people, but to all followers of Elôm.
Hidden in the vast mining valley north of Valcré, a faithful crete has spent years sharing his knowledge with the destitute miners and their families and is known to possess what may be Arcacia’s last surviving copies of the King’s Scrolls—the Word of Elôm. Joining the cretes, those in Landale must find the crete teacher and bring him to safety, but it is a race against time. Should Daican’s men find him first, execution and the destruction of the Scrolls is certain.
When disaster strikes, all seems lost. Could Elôm have a plan even in the enemy’s triumph?
About the Author
Jaye L. Knight is a homeschool graduated indie author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean new adult fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.
Giveaway To celebrate her revealing of the cover, Jaye is giving away one of her handcrafted quill pen necklaces and a $5 Amazon gift card! Enter for a chance to win using the form below! U.S. entries only please. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1f7330c113/)
Excerpt (Including the excerpt in your post is entirely optional.)
The other younger crete took a swig of his coffee and set his eyes past her. Kyrin peeked over her shoulder at Kaden who, of course, was staring at the dragon. The female creature stared back in mutual interest.“Go ahead,” the crete said suddenly. “You can touch her. She loves attention, and she’ll only attack if I tell her to.” A sly glint sparkled in his spring-green eyes.Besides Jace, Kyrin had never seen anyone with such bright and colorful eyes as these cretes.Kaden looked at him, his brows rising. “You can do that?”The crete nodded. “Dragons are highly intelligent. You can teach them almost any command. Storm here is young, but she learns fast.”Kyrin smiled at the delight in her brother’s eyes as he stepped closer to the dragon and ran his hand over her bluish-gray neck scales. A grin split his face.“She’s so smooth. Kyrin, come and feel it.”Kyrin stepped to his side and laid her hand on the dragon. The scales were indeed very smooth, reminding her of the polished marble stair-railings in Auréa Palace, but they weren’t cold. Warmth radiated through them. The dragon, still watching them, let out a little rumble, almost like a giant cat’s purr.“I told you she liked attention,” the crete said, grinning.Kyrin chuckled and glanced at Jace to see if he wanted to touch the dragon, but he made no move to come closer. This certainly had more to do with the crete than the dragon. He was very fond of any type of animal. She faced the crete again.“So they can breathe fire?” “For short bursts, but that’s usually all it takes to deter any threat.”“That’s incredible,” Kaden breathed.While he continued admiring Storm, Kyrin observed the dragon’s rider. He appeared to be in his early to mid-twenties—about ten years younger than Captain Darq—though his exact age was impossible to guess. Cretes were said to mature faster than humans, so he could be anywhere from seventeen to twenty-five. He too wore a sleeveless jerkin. Brown tattoos, a little darker than his skin, marked both shoulders. Darq and the other cretes had them as well, but Kyrin hadn’t taken a good look at them until now. This man’s were a complicated pattern of spirals and dots, but the shape of a fox stood out in the center of his right shoulder. Though she tried to be discreet, he must have caught her studying him and suddenly extended his hand to her. “I’m Talas, by the way. Talas Folkan of the Fox Clan.”
Second, Christmas at the Tittleton's, my new favorite Christmas story, is on sale now through Christmas. BUY HERE. I highly recommend it.
Lastly, this is day too of Bella's NaNo Blog Party.
Today we introduce characters, and there is even a tag to go with it.
1. Who is your main character? I have two. Brothers Hunter and Dean Kemp.
2. What is your character's age and what is his point in the story? Hunter is sixteen and Dean is thirteen. Hunter's point would be to keep Dean safe and sprout out random facts about history. Dean's point is to make Hunter's point difficult and demand food every other page.
3. What does your character look like? Both brothers have brown hair and eyes. Hunter is tall and kind of lanky, and he looks like a history nerd every time he uses his reading glasses. He is unassuming. Appears laid back and sweet. He usually is, unless Dean is in trouble. Dean looks like a miniature Rambo whenever he carries his rifle. He is usually always smiling or laughing, especially when he's annoying people - which he is really good at because he is a little brother.
4. What are some of your character's best qualities? Hunter's best quality is how he is always looking out for Dean. He would do anything to keep his little brother safe. Dean's is always being cheerful, even when things get bad. He can lighten up any situation.
5. What are some of your character's worse qualities? Hunter's stems from his best. If anyone hurts his brother it takes him a long time to forgive them. He can hold a grudge for years if Dean is involved. Dean's would be his fear, which he keeps hidden. He'd be better off if he'd admit when he is scared and letting someone help, but he keeps it all to himself and it makes everything worse.
6. What is one thing you don't like about your character? Hm...I have no answer for this yet. Well, maybe their stubbornness. Both are insanely stubborn. It hasn't come out yet, but it will soon and I think it will drive me crazy when it does.
7. What is one thing about your character you admire? Both listed above in best qualities.
8. Who is/ are your side characters? Leech. He is a grumpy outsider who "finds" the brothers and ends up traveling with them. He has anger issues, among other things, but he's growing on me.
9. What is your side character's age and what is his point in the story? Leech is nineteen. And I suppose his point is to bring out this message I hadn't originally planned on. But he has other points too. Such as annoying Hunter, getting annoyed by Dean, and zapping giant machines.
10. What does your character look like? Because he was exposed to all the deadly gasses during the bombings, Leech's skin has a blueish tint to it, and his hair and eyes are white.
11. What are some of your character's best qualities? He ends up doing the right thing before it's too late. (Which, you know, always comes in handy.)
12. His worst qualities? Spoiler alert, but he has a pretty bad bad quality. And his temper.
13. What is one thing you don't like about your character? The spoiler thing.
14. What is one thing about him your admire? That he does what is right in the end, even though it isn't easy for him and loses him the only family he has at the time.
15. What are your characters relationships to each other? Brotherly. And all that entails. So all the jokes, bickering, pranks, and looking out for each other.
And, TADA! There are the fellas. Now I am going to try and get some writing done.
Quote is from Doctor Who.
ALLONS-Y!
The wonderfully talented Jaye L. Knight is revealing the cover for her second book today, The King's Scrolls.
About the Book
Amazing cover, right?!
Following the harrowing events that brought them to Landale Forest, Jace and Kyrin have settled comfortably into their new lives and the mission of protecting those under the emperor’s persecution. The fast approach of winter brings with it the anticipation of a quiet few months ahead. That is until the arrival of four mysterious, dragon-riding cretes who seek aid in a mission of great importance—not only to their own people, but to all followers of Elôm.
Hidden in the vast mining valley north of Valcré, a faithful crete has spent years sharing his knowledge with the destitute miners and their families and is known to possess what may be Arcacia’s last surviving copies of the King’s Scrolls—the Word of Elôm. Joining the cretes, those in Landale must find the crete teacher and bring him to safety, but it is a race against time. Should Daican’s men find him first, execution and the destruction of the Scrolls is certain.
When disaster strikes, all seems lost. Could Elôm have a plan even in the enemy’s triumph?
About the Author
Jaye L. Knight is a homeschool graduated indie author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean new adult fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.
Giveaway To celebrate her revealing of the cover, Jaye is giving away one of her handcrafted quill pen necklaces and a $5 Amazon gift card! Enter for a chance to win using the form below! U.S. entries only please. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1f7330c113/)
Excerpt (Including the excerpt in your post is entirely optional.)
The other younger crete took a swig of his coffee and set his eyes past her. Kyrin peeked over her shoulder at Kaden who, of course, was staring at the dragon. The female creature stared back in mutual interest.“Go ahead,” the crete said suddenly. “You can touch her. She loves attention, and she’ll only attack if I tell her to.” A sly glint sparkled in his spring-green eyes.Besides Jace, Kyrin had never seen anyone with such bright and colorful eyes as these cretes.Kaden looked at him, his brows rising. “You can do that?”The crete nodded. “Dragons are highly intelligent. You can teach them almost any command. Storm here is young, but she learns fast.”Kyrin smiled at the delight in her brother’s eyes as he stepped closer to the dragon and ran his hand over her bluish-gray neck scales. A grin split his face.“She’s so smooth. Kyrin, come and feel it.”Kyrin stepped to his side and laid her hand on the dragon. The scales were indeed very smooth, reminding her of the polished marble stair-railings in Auréa Palace, but they weren’t cold. Warmth radiated through them. The dragon, still watching them, let out a little rumble, almost like a giant cat’s purr.“I told you she liked attention,” the crete said, grinning.Kyrin chuckled and glanced at Jace to see if he wanted to touch the dragon, but he made no move to come closer. This certainly had more to do with the crete than the dragon. He was very fond of any type of animal. She faced the crete again.“So they can breathe fire?” “For short bursts, but that’s usually all it takes to deter any threat.”“That’s incredible,” Kaden breathed.While he continued admiring Storm, Kyrin observed the dragon’s rider. He appeared to be in his early to mid-twenties—about ten years younger than Captain Darq—though his exact age was impossible to guess. Cretes were said to mature faster than humans, so he could be anywhere from seventeen to twenty-five. He too wore a sleeveless jerkin. Brown tattoos, a little darker than his skin, marked both shoulders. Darq and the other cretes had them as well, but Kyrin hadn’t taken a good look at them until now. This man’s were a complicated pattern of spirals and dots, but the shape of a fox stood out in the center of his right shoulder. Though she tried to be discreet, he must have caught her studying him and suddenly extended his hand to her. “I’m Talas, by the way. Talas Folkan of the Fox Clan.”
Second, Christmas at the Tittleton's, my new favorite Christmas story, is on sale now through Christmas. BUY HERE. I highly recommend it.
Lastly, this is day too of Bella's NaNo Blog Party.
Today we introduce characters, and there is even a tag to go with it.
1. Who is your main character? I have two. Brothers Hunter and Dean Kemp.
2. What is your character's age and what is his point in the story? Hunter is sixteen and Dean is thirteen. Hunter's point would be to keep Dean safe and sprout out random facts about history. Dean's point is to make Hunter's point difficult and demand food every other page.
3. What does your character look like? Both brothers have brown hair and eyes. Hunter is tall and kind of lanky, and he looks like a history nerd every time he uses his reading glasses. He is unassuming. Appears laid back and sweet. He usually is, unless Dean is in trouble. Dean looks like a miniature Rambo whenever he carries his rifle. He is usually always smiling or laughing, especially when he's annoying people - which he is really good at because he is a little brother.
4. What are some of your character's best qualities? Hunter's best quality is how he is always looking out for Dean. He would do anything to keep his little brother safe. Dean's is always being cheerful, even when things get bad. He can lighten up any situation.
5. What are some of your character's worse qualities? Hunter's stems from his best. If anyone hurts his brother it takes him a long time to forgive them. He can hold a grudge for years if Dean is involved. Dean's would be his fear, which he keeps hidden. He'd be better off if he'd admit when he is scared and letting someone help, but he keeps it all to himself and it makes everything worse.
6. What is one thing you don't like about your character? Hm...I have no answer for this yet. Well, maybe their stubbornness. Both are insanely stubborn. It hasn't come out yet, but it will soon and I think it will drive me crazy when it does.
7. What is one thing about your character you admire? Both listed above in best qualities.
8. Who is/ are your side characters? Leech. He is a grumpy outsider who "finds" the brothers and ends up traveling with them. He has anger issues, among other things, but he's growing on me.
9. What is your side character's age and what is his point in the story? Leech is nineteen. And I suppose his point is to bring out this message I hadn't originally planned on. But he has other points too. Such as annoying Hunter, getting annoyed by Dean, and zapping giant machines.
10. What does your character look like? Because he was exposed to all the deadly gasses during the bombings, Leech's skin has a blueish tint to it, and his hair and eyes are white.
11. What are some of your character's best qualities? He ends up doing the right thing before it's too late. (Which, you know, always comes in handy.)
12. His worst qualities? Spoiler alert, but he has a pretty bad bad quality. And his temper.
13. What is one thing you don't like about your character? The spoiler thing.
14. What is one thing about him your admire? That he does what is right in the end, even though it isn't easy for him and loses him the only family he has at the time.
15. What are your characters relationships to each other? Brotherly. And all that entails. So all the jokes, bickering, pranks, and looking out for each other.
And, TADA! There are the fellas. Now I am going to try and get some writing done.
Quote is from Doctor Who.
ALLONS-Y!
November 13, 2014
"Don't be lasagna."
Today I am taking part in BELLA'S Three Day NaNo Blog Party!
The rules for today is to talk about the world in which (whoever is joining in) NaNo's book takes place in.
So here is mine.
Mine is set about 50 years into the future. Most of it takes place in Canada, which is where the two brothers are from. It's a world that has been stomped on my giant steam machines and blown up by bombs. Kind of like this
Because it looks cooler when it is all covered with moss
Or this
As I mentioned before...several times...giant machines are running rampant over everything. They think they are in control of everything and get to crush whatever they want. (All because they are bigger than the humans.) The bombs were supposed to destroy them but that didn't work as well as everyone hoped and most of the machines are still working.
Other things are running too. Cars. Jeeps. Well, let's go with jeeps, since that is the only thing the characters drive. Electricity works in places, but you can never be sure if it will work in every building you enter. (In other words, lanterns come in handy.)
Not only did machines survive the bombings, but some humans and animals did as well. The animals are now slightly rapid...and not the kind you'd want for pets. The humans aren't rabid - nor zombie like if anyone is wondering - just grumpy.
In the valleys and low spots, deadly gasses have gathered, so it isn't safe to go there. The people who survived live in the mountains and at higher ground.
And that is the extent I have right now. Also I am really sleepy, so trying to think of more is taking more brain power than I have. So I will leave you with a quote from Doctor Who and slam a door in your face.
ALLONS-Y!
The rules for today is to talk about the world in which (whoever is joining in) NaNo's book takes place in.
So here is mine.
Mine is set about 50 years into the future. Most of it takes place in Canada, which is where the two brothers are from. It's a world that has been stomped on my giant steam machines and blown up by bombs. Kind of like this
Because it looks cooler when it is all covered with mossOr this
As I mentioned before...several times...giant machines are running rampant over everything. They think they are in control of everything and get to crush whatever they want. (All because they are bigger than the humans.) The bombs were supposed to destroy them but that didn't work as well as everyone hoped and most of the machines are still working.
Other things are running too. Cars. Jeeps. Well, let's go with jeeps, since that is the only thing the characters drive. Electricity works in places, but you can never be sure if it will work in every building you enter. (In other words, lanterns come in handy.)
Not only did machines survive the bombings, but some humans and animals did as well. The animals are now slightly rapid...and not the kind you'd want for pets. The humans aren't rabid - nor zombie like if anyone is wondering - just grumpy.
In the valleys and low spots, deadly gasses have gathered, so it isn't safe to go there. The people who survived live in the mountains and at higher ground.
And that is the extent I have right now. Also I am really sleepy, so trying to think of more is taking more brain power than I have. So I will leave you with a quote from Doctor Who and slam a door in your face.
ALLONS-Y!
