L.M. Fields's Blog, page 6
April 15, 2013
RESEARCHING THE STORY
I believe in serving up new blends of genre writing knitted from reality; no matter if I’m writing SciFi-Horror or Epic Fantasy seasoned with Steampunk, I feel doing my research for any genre mix is essential if I want to give the reader an experience he or she can believe in and never forget.
My imagination gets each spark from the world around us. The what ifs can come from anything! I don’t need to be told; today’s science fact was yesterday’s science fiction. Dream, yes, but do so with a touch of reality. Think of the plausibilities! I have seen the endless wonders this mentality triggers. It’s truly a magical journey I could never reverse, reconsider, or question. I wouldn’t want to. It begins with a question, then another, but the key is starting with the right one. So I study, do my homework, interview people, read books, watch videos, and experience as much for myself as possible before the writing begins.
Like bread crumbs, I follow the trail, search under moss covered rocks, climb mountains, and dive under the ocean. I even travel back in time and learn what really happened way back when. Suddenly, my world changed, my writing changed too, and that’s when I knew, my readers would be transported into a new reality because I took the time to pour a little truth into what I dared to dream. It’s just my opinion but I believe if I keep my story grounded with one foot left in reality, then when it’s done, it will be full of life.
A little over a year ago I started writing the Dark Seeds, a post apocalyptic SciFi-Horror series seasoned with Steampunk for flavor. Set in our future Newmerica, I wanted my readers to feel the horrific plausibility of this story. I wanted everyone to experience how the events of today could turn into a world where our generations are born without the gift we have now; Freedom. For every book in the series I’ve done my research; from studying the horrors done within the asylums back in the 1800′s to the early 19oo’s, to the secrets brotherhoods found within the political arena. I weave real places, histories, and even historic bloodlines in time into this story for an unforgettable experience unlike anything I have ever written.
A word of caution! I must admit, with this sort of writing I’ve done and am doing, this genre can get scary; investigating the dark side of Voodoo, looking into secret groups that want to remain secret, and delving into shadowy corners when I would rather stay in the comforting light. I went there and did my research regardless because I love what I do, and like anything else in life, it’s not worth doing unless it’s done right. From Crows Hill, the first book in the series, to the fifth book when it’s done, I hope my passion comes through for this series and all the other books I’ll ever author because I love to mix anything I learn into all I write no matter what genre it may be.
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
April 13, 2013
WRITING THE EDGE OF ABADDON
The last of the Andalusian...
WRITING THE EDGE OF ABADDON
The last of the Andalusian and Vanner bloodlines are fighting for their lives, breaking free, doing whatever they must to find their way. These beautiful creatures are guided by something deep within their spirit, drawn to a sacred place that is fiercely guarded by a secret brotherhood hidden within the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. The horses gather strength there. They trust the Keepers and grow in numbers, waiting for the day when they must face the darkness in the last war on earth.
Filed under: TASTY BITES
April 12, 2013
EDUCATION MILLS 101
I used to wish I could go to a university, now, you couldn’t pay me to go. Maybe that’s why the younger generation who haven’t experienced life yet, whose minds are still soft and ripe for molding, are always prime targets? Why do you think they call the university reps headhunters? I have seen too much. I can think for myself and don’t need someone to tell me which way the wind blows.
If I go into a university as a conservative Christian, I won’t come out a liberal atheist, but the chances for a younger person going into and surviving these programming mills are extremely low. I think it’s incredibly sad. And what of all the teachers who so desperately want to teach, who are against what’s taking place, not just in our universities, but in our entire educational system? There are many of us who don’t approve and see how the educational system has been taken hostage, but what can they do?
We might as well burn the truth like Hitler burned books at one time. Teachers aren’t free to teach the truth, they must teach an agenda or risk losing their job. Children aren’t free to express themselves or risk getting expelled, even ridiculed. War was declared upon our youth long ago and continues on today, damaging our future with a programmed agenda set in place by a few that have imprisoned the minds of the many.
Universities and institutions of learning, should never be about an agenda, nor should they ever be political. Any school, from Kindergarten up to the highest levels, should be about one thing, to teach the truth and to exchange ideas, thoughts, and opinion. That also means you should allow for all kinds of spiritual beliefs. People should never be turned away for how they look or how much money they have or don’t have. Teachers and students alike should not have to worry or wonder if they can attend or work at school based on who they voted for.
A university should not accept all or the majority of their funding from only certain sources that pertain to one agenda. Bias should be cut from the picture so a true and pure education can be met so every teacher can be free to teach and every student can be free to be a unique individual, to make up his or her mind… and if that meant he or she truly wanted to be an atheist liberal then at least they walked out of the university, degree in hand, without being programmed to think one way or the other.
Free thinking is something I can respect. Freedom to choose, freedom to think for ourselves, freedom to discuss the issues and use logic and reason to do so. I hope to see this in every school and educational institution someday, until then, we have the public forum until that freedom is taken from us too.
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
April 10, 2013
LEAVE A BEAUTIFUL MARK
“My faith tells me God exists, does your Science tell you He doesn’t?” LM Fields
I love quotes and I’ve been trying to come up with my own for several years now, this latest has got to be one of my favorites. The ironic thing, for those who don’t know me, is that it reflects how I truly am my father’s daughter. I adore science. I love to search for truth but I also believe in leaving plenty of room for the unanswered, the unexplained, those things that can also be owned by God. Why can’t all things be of His design?
You can’t embrace something that is void of God. Have you tried? You will find it is cold, empty, without life or hope. Sounds a little like hell to me. A frozen, dark, and lonely wasteland where there is no purpose or reason to exist. A place void of life. God is the key that links all energy together. He is the glue, the common sense, and logical, stable ground for the truth we find in all he has created, creates, and has yet to create. Imagine the love He must have for us that He would want to share so much, if only we would pay attention and graciously accept his offers and gifts. Imagine all we might learn! What life we could live! I hope to leave equally beautiful marks such as He has done. I will always try to do so. ♥
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
April 7, 2013
BOOK REVIEW: Dragons’ Domain
This is exactly what I was looking for, exactly what I needed. I am a writer and also a digital artist. I have a hunger to learn, or improve what I already know. With a cover project coming due for a dragon themed anthology to be published, I wanted to find a book specializing in dragons for those extra lessons and inspiration I needed. Dragons’ Domain by Bob Eggleton is beautifully illustrated with step-by-step visuals, along with precise, blog-like posts with tips and instructions within, so when studied in its entirety, the entire book has a wealth of treasure any dragon would be proud to protect. This is a must have book! My sincerest thanks to you Bob! I hope I can live up to the inspiration you have given me; the picture in my head is awesome! Now to produce it. Some shades of graphite, colored pencils, and watercolors before taking it into photoshop for a mixed media finish, no doubt creating my cover art is going to be fun. And in case you are wondering, the answer is no, you don’t need to have these supplies/programs to enjoy and use this book; a simple napkin and broken pencil lead will also work. Get creative with this 5-star book! You’re sure to love every page!
LM Fields Author & Artist
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
April 5, 2013
MY MOVIE REVIEW: The Evil Dead
I give the Evil Dead a...
MY MOVIE REVIEW: The Evil Dead
I give the Evil Dead an A+ rating if you like:
Icky blood-n-guts, splatter, gush, mush, mish-mash, body parts-n-such. Was it scary? Not really, in fact, I’d have to say, “No.” But it had disgusting filth with vomitous fx. That’s right, it was all about the many ways to mutilate the flesh and make you squirm; the dark side was the reason why this was being done. From start to finish, this was a hackey-slash movie sporting a secondary paranormal, demonic edge.
Of course, this is just my opinion but I hope this helps you decide if you’ll want to see it. If you like any of those things listed above, especially special effects, then see this in the theatre but warning, you may not want to eat or drink anything before, during, or after. And for the people with kids who refuse to call themselves parents; THIS IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN!
Personally, I could have done without this movie but thank you for those few Army of Darkness moments; close-ups in the shed, the flying woman, and the ever famous chainsaw. The Army of Darkness shall live on forever.
Filed under: PENNY THOUGHTS
April 4, 2013
DREAMS TO READ
Have you ever wondered… where do writers get their ideas from? Where do they go to whip up settings, build their characters, and weave story plots? Are there magical places, secret mathematical formulas, or is it as easy as swallowing a pill? I can’t speak for other writers but I can tell you, for the Dark Seeds series, the entire story came to me as a dream. Not all the characters with their individual, unique backstories, but the story you read from the very first book, Crows Hill, to the very last book, The Last Sparrow, played like a movie from start to finish in my mind while I slept, more than fifteen years ago. The dream returned several times before I sat down and wrote it, so I experienced the Dark Seeds before it ever found its way to paper. If you’d like to get the inside scoop, and see a glimpse to the other side of this story, then please visit Mysti Parker’s web site and read my piece titled Dreams.
Filed under: TASTY BITES
April 1, 2013
A GIFT OF STARS
There are stars enough to fill the heavens but each review is like catching and saving a falling star. I imagine keeping them in a jar, these gifts that inspire me to write more, every word I weave into the next, anticipating more stars might come my way.
This morning after I woke and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I shuffled into my studio where my computer dutifully turned itself on and was waiting patiently for me to read my emails; I didn’t, something compelled me to visit the first book posting in my Dark Seeds series instead. There, sitting like a gift waiting for me to unwrap on Amazon, was a comment left by someone who had just read my book, Crows Hill, just two days prior. She sent me five out of five stars plus a review, the first review she had ever left for anyone on Amazon. I was honored, still am, and I always will be. From the very first review to this latest, I remember each and treasure them all, these gifts from readers like you. So, this is what being a writer feels like– may this feeling never end. As long as there are stars to be given, and readers to care enough to give these gifts of gratitude, writers like me will be compelled to create stories for you to enjoy.
“This book, is just amazing; I started reading it and finished it in one night. It is a novella mind you, but the author leaves you wanting for more. I will definitely be moving on to the next book in the series as soon as I can. This book has everything you could possibly ask for and then more. Mystery, intrigue, I was literally wondering from page to page what was going to happen to Adina the main character next. If your looking for post apocalyptic, then look no further, this book is a total find. I can’t thin my friend enough for turning me onto this book. The Characters are so well thought out, and you just get attached so quickly. Edge of your seat nail biter? Oh yeah, definitely!” Catherine Dawson
Filed under: COOL FANS, PENNY THOUGHTS
March 28, 2013
AUTHOR SHOWCASE! COVER REVEAL
In the world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done…
High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold’s niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard’s most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father’s footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn’t even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls.
As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents’ death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger.
When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany’s hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose.
From that moment on, she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.
A Ranger’s Tale by Mysti Parker
The world of Tallenmere was born January, 2011 with this first exciting story about Caliphany, an elven noblewoman who longs to leave her gilded cage, and Galadin, the half-elf former pirate who trains her to do just that. To better reflect its place in the burgeoning series and Caliphany’s choice between two good men, cover artist, Caroline Andrus and I tore down the original cover to redesign a whole new look!
COME JOIN THIS FACEBOOK PARTY!
Friday, March 29 from 5-10 PM EST
Bring your friends! There be prizes, mateys!
*$25 Amazon.com gift card
*Signed Print copy of A Ranger’s Tale
*And MORE!
Find the new version of A Ranger’s Tale with its shiny new cover at these websites:
Melange Books (PDF, HTML, ePub)
Amazon.com (Kindle)
Lulu (Print)
Filed under: SPOT LIGHTS
March 26, 2013
AUTHOR SHOWCASE! MYSTI PARKER
Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger’s Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books. The second in her fantasy romance series, Serenya’s Song, was published in April 2012. Book three, Hearts in Exile, is expected to be born this summer of 2013. Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specific publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog recently voted #3 for eCollegeFinder’s Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.
Mysti’s other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, and Christmas Lites II. Her flash fiction has appeared in the online magazine EveryDayFiction. She is currently a book reviewer for the online speculative fiction magazine SQ Mag and has served as a class mentor in Writers Village University’s six week free course, F2K.
The Tallenmere Series:
A Ranger’s Tale
Serenya’s Song
Hearts in Exile (Summer 2013)
Contact Information:
Email: mystiparker@yahoo.com
Filed under: SPOT LIGHTS
