R.A. Gates's Blog, page 5

New short story coming soon

The short story I have been working on for the past 4 months, The Tenth Life of Mr. Whiskers, is almost done. Yay! The plan is to have it available by Christmas. Here’s the blurb:

Mr. Whiskers is dead—muerto—shuffled off his mortal coil.

 All Laney had to do was watch the store and feed the cat.  Too bad she hadn’t known there was a cat.

 She has a plan, though.  An obscure spell contains the power to grant life, only long enough to save her job, and her vacation in Paris.  Just because she botches the simplest of spells doesn’t mean she can’t control complicated magic, right?

 The mysterious new guy at school, Kody, goes along for the ride; providing emotional support and, well, let’s be honest, he’s just hot.

 After struggling through the spell—when nothing seems to be going right—they find that giving Mr. Whiskers a tenth life turns out to be more than they bargained for.

I had a blast writing this story and my critique group enjoyed reading it. They laughed in all the right places, thank goodness. It always makes me nervous when I bring a submission in to my group, worried they won’t laugh when I want them to. Or laugh when I don’t want them to.

Writing is such a personal craft. Even with a work of fiction with a variety of characters and events, a writer still puts so much of themselves into every scene. Having other people read your work and then critique takes a lot of guts. But, that’s how we grow and learn and become the best writers we can. Though it is hard work, I’m loving the journey to the New York Times Bestsellers List. I’ll get there someday.

Finding the time to read

Now that our Little League’s Fall Ball season is over, so is my reading time. I was the mom sitting in the bleachers with her nose in a book, only putting it down to cheer when her son was up to bat. Or I read during the hour long practice every Tuesday evening, as long as I left the youngest at home. I also read while I waited in the car for my daughter to get out of marching band practice.  But that’s over for the year, too.

Now that I don’t have an excuse to get away from my computer and out of the house like before, how will I get any reading done? I’m currently working on a short story I hope to have published by the end of the year, so taking time away from that is difficult. But I them I downloaded the Kindle app to my PC so I can read ebooks on my computer, WHILE I write. Whoo hoo!

Right now I’m reading Poetic Trash by my good friend, Kody Kline. As a woman, I find it extremely fascinating to get inside the mind of a 18-22 year old man. As it turns out, they’re not that much different from us. Who knew? The book is full of poems and thoughts full of angst and romance, anger and enlightenment. All beautifully written. One of my favorite poems is The Tattoo I Will Never Get. Here is an excerpt from that piece:

Red ribbon in her hair/Pale white skin softer than velvet/Ruby red lips never have I kissed/The rockabilly girl I’ll never be with/Slender frame with tattoos she calls her life/At the center of supple breasts is her broken heart/How it is I wish I could be the one to make it heal/She has fled to the night/I sit here and think/She’s the tattoo I will never get.

I think we all have that tattoo that we’ll never get, which makes it all the more beautiful. The only problem with my new set-up of reading on the computer is that I get sucked into whatever book I’m on  that sometimes I forget to go back to my writing. Oops.

So, how do you make time for reading and what are you reading right now?

 

Contest winners announced.

My Goodreads book giveaway ended at midnight with 987 people entered to win an autographed copy of Pucker Up. Is that amazing or what?! But in the end, only three people were chosen. Congratulations to Julie from Tasmania, Australia; Mattie from New Jersey; and Gaby from San Diego. The books have been signed and shipped off to you this morning. For those that didn’t win a copy, don’t despair. You can still buy your own paperback copy on Amazon, or the ebook at Amazon, B&N, Apple, and Smashwords. So rejoice!

I also had another contest going to name a character in the short story I’m currently working on. And the winner is Kody. He didn’t actually suggest a name, but he commented and so I decided to name the character after him. How exciting is that? I would love to have a character named after me *hint, hint*. And you would think with the number of talented writers I surround myself with, *hint, hint* that one of them would name someone after me. I think Ruth would be a very fitting name for a strong, beautiful, badass assassin. *hint, hint* Don’t you? I mean, she looks just like me.

http://gilgam3sh.tumblr.com/

 

 

Last day to enter Pucker Up book giveaway!

Today is the final day of my book giveaway on Goodreads. Three lucky winners will be getting a signed copy of my debut novel, Pucker Up. I already have over 850 entries *SQUEEEE!* Let’s see if we can exceed 900 before the contest closes at midnight. Thank you to everyone who’s entered. I hope you win.

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Pucker Up
by R.A. Gates

Giveaway ends November 30, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

Another Alan Rickman movie crossed off the list

I hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving. We stuffed ourselves with turkey and then played a hilarious game of Uno. I won, of course, but learned that my sister’s boyfriend has a bit of a vindictive streak. I won’t sit next to him next time.

Tonight, my teenage daughter and I decided to watch another Alan Rickman film because…well, because he’s Alan Rickman. The movie of choice was Mesmer. Not one of his better movies. Not because of his performance, mind you, but because the plot was a bit confusing and very little was explained. And I don’t know if it was just my computer, but it was hard to hear a lot of the dialogue. Rickman’s voice is naturally low and smooth but when he whispers, you can’t hear a thing. The main reason I kept watching was because Rickman was at his peak of hotness. I was so jealous of the actress during the kiss scene, you have no idea. Then, they end the film without telling you what was to become of him and Maria. They’re just sitting alone in a room while revolutionaries (I think. It wasn’t explained) mob the streets. Overall, the movie was forgetful, but Rickman was not.

And don’t forget to enter my Pucker Up giveaway on Goodreads. It ends this Friday and I hope to have at least 700 entries by the end, but let’s push for 800. Just think of what a wonderful Christmas gift it would make for your teenage reader.

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Pucker Up
by R.A. Gates

Giveaway ends November 30, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

Breaking Dawn part 2 is AWESOME!

Today, my daughter Monica and I went to see the last movie in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn part 2. We’ve seen all the others so, of course, we had to see the final installment. It did not disappoint. You would think that having read the book nothing would surprise you. NOPE! They threw a twist in there that totally caught us off guard. I was practically hyperventilating. I don’t want to give anything away, so run now to your local theater and watch this movie!! And because it is the last movie, I thought they did a wonderful job wrapping up not just this movie, but the entire series. Stephanie Meyer should be very proud.

I didn’t read the series until after watching the first movie, which was always my favorite. I didn’t really care for New Moon because it felt too forced. With the annoying background music( that should have stayed more in the background), they were trying too hard to make the scenes dramatic. It was too much. Eclipse was okay and Breaking Dawn part 1 was good considering it was the slow part of the book. But I think this last movie blew me away. The first is still my favorite because that’s where we fell in love with Edward, but BD 2 comes a very close second. The second part was also my favorite part of the book.

One of the vampires that come to help the Cullens, Garret, caught my attention right away. I mean, how hot is he?! He looks like he could be Severus Snape’s hot, bloodsucking, younger brother. Yum!

Don’t forget to enter my Pucker Up Giveaway on Goodreads. The last time I checked, 555 people had entered. It ends November 30th, so enter now. Let’s get at least 600 entries before the contest is over.

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Pucker Up
by R.A. Gates

Giveaway ends November 30, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Three cheers for friends and Alan Rickman

I’m very thankful for all the friends I’ve acquired over the years. From my writer friends who support me through the first, second, nineteenth draft of my manuscript, to the friends who not only bought my book when it was released but actually read it too, I’m so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

On the resolution front, I crossed another Alan Rickman movie off my list: Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Man, was that movie gross! But so tragic and hilarious at the same time. I loved Mrs. Lovett; such a savvy business woman. And Judge Turpin—what a disturbing man. Rickman portrayed him well, but I felt he could have been a little creepier. I’ll blame the director and editing. I wasn’t surprised that Rickman had a nice singing voice considering the man could seduce the most hardened woman simply by reading the phone book. He could make a killing reading audio books.  I know I’d buy all of them. I wonder if he’d consider reading my book.

Also, don’t forget to enter my book giveaway on Goodreads. My goal is to reach 500 entries by Thanksgiving. Happy reading!

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Pucker Up
by R.A. Gates

Giveaway ends November 30, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I’m grateful for my family and Alan Rickman

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon of saying thanks for the many blessings in my life. Fist and foremost is my family; my husband Cameron and our children Kennieth, Monica, Paul, and Angela. They make life worth living.

Even after 16 years of marriage, my husband still shows me how much he loves me whenever we see each other.

Unfortunately, that isn’t as often as we’d like because of his job. He’s a truck driver and can only make it home once a month for a few days. But, we make the most of the time we have together. He’s a wonderful and devoted husband and father.

 

My children remind me to see all the wonders floating around us. I love the sound of their laughter and watching them enjoy the simple joys of life.I’ll never tire of hugging them, especially in front of their friends, and telling them how much they are loved. Between the teenagers, nine-year-old, and kindergartner, life is never boring. Although,  at the moment, Angela would beg to differ as she languishes on my bed and watches me type.

An update on my Alan Rickman Resolution: I watched The January Man today. It was interesting, though Mr. Rickman’s part should’ve been bigger. With all his talent, the character, Ed, was sorely underused. He played a painter, an artist who happened to know all about computers. Hmmm, how convenient. I don’t know why they didn’t just make him a computer tech because being an artist did nothing to further the plot or help solve the mystery. But then, the answers just seem to pop into Kevin Kline’s head with such fortuitous ease you can’t help but roll your eyes. Oh well. Every actor needs to have a flop or two in their resumé and this movie was obviously one of Rickman’s.

Don’t forget to enter to win a free, signed copy of Pucker Up on Goodreads. The last time I checked, I had 395 people entered to win. Let’s see how fast I can reach the 400 mark.

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Pucker Up
by R.A. Gates

Giveaway ends November 30, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Book Giveaway and Alan Rickman

For the entire month of November, you can enter to win 1 of 3 signed, paperback copies of Pucker Up. Go to Goodreads to enter. Of course, if you don’t want to wait that long to read it—and really, who could blame you—it’s available at Amazon.

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Pucker Up
by R.A. Gates

Giveaway ends November 30, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

On a more personal note, I’ve checked off another Alan Rickman movie from my list. My wonderful friend, Karen, and I watched Sense and Sensibility this weekend. Lovely movie and I was so glad he didn’t die at the end. Although, I still don’t think Marianne is good enough for Col. Brandon. But, I could be biased. I mean, how could anyone not fall in love at the first sight of him, the first sound of his voice? I’m sure all you Rickman fans agree with me. Other than that, it was a very entertaining film. Now I only have 16 movies to see before the end of the year to reach my goal of seeing all of his films by the end of the year. I think I need to hurry up.

The Next Big Thing

It could be me. It could be A. G. Henley, who tagged me, or any other author participating in The Next Big Thing blog hop. How exciting is it to find a fabulous book by an up-and-coming author before the rest of the world jumps on the bandwagon? What must it have been like to read Twilight before it was TWILIGHT? Well, now’s your chance. All you have to do is follow the links like a treasure map to learn about all sorts of little-known books that could one day be the next New York Times Best Seller, the next blockbuster movie sensation, the next billion dollar franchise. Okay, so maybe I’m stretching it a bit, but Harry Potter didn’t start out as one of the biggest series in the world. It was just a book by an unknown author, sitting on the bookstore shelf.

Here’s how it works: I’ll answer 10 questions about my book. At the end, I’ll tag more authors who could also become The Next Big Thing and next week they’ll answer 10 questions about their book and tag more authors. So here it goes:

1.       What is the working title of your book?

My book is titled Pucker Up.

2.       Where did the idea come from for the book?

I like stories that take a familiar tale and twist it up. I started thinking about Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales and why it is always the Prince who saves the Princess. It always bothered me that the women always needed the man to get her out of her mess. What kind of message does that send our daughters? So, I changed it up and made the woman the rescuer and the man the one to need her help.

3.       What genre does your book fall under?

It is young adult, urban fantasy.

4.       Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

My answers are going to be different from what Ivy and Garren chose for themselves (see Meet Ivy and Garren from Pucker Up post). For Ivy, I always pictured Evangeline Lilly who played Kate in Lost.

 

As for Garren, I think Matt Lanter comes pretty close.

5.       What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A teenage witch must find and awaken the cursed prince with True Love’s Kiss in order save her magically hidden town from witch-hunting Eradicators, but she’s not looking forward to it.

6.       Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Pucker Up is self-published but by no means did I do it all alone. I’m very lucky to have surrounded myself with many talented writers who helped me edit and shape up my book into something I could be proud of.

7.       How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Good question. I think it took me seven months just to get the first draft done and then another year to finish revisions and edits. My goodness, I hope the second book doesn’t take that long.

8.       What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That’s a toughie. Right now young adult fantasy seems to be very serious and dark, so mine doesn’t seem to fit in. But I think Pucker UP could compare to the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson because of the humor and sarcastic dialogue. Also, I think Ivy is similar to Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy series. So if you like those books, give Pucker Up a try.

9.       Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I started out writing Vampire Academy fanfiction. That was a blast. The wonderful feedback I received from my readers gave me the courage to try to create my own world and characters. One of my readers and fellow fanfic author, René Gilley, has been a tremendous support and inspiration through this writing journey. But the biggest inspiration has been my teenage daughter, Monica. I wanted to write a story that she would be proud her momma wrote.

10.   What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The magical town of Salmagundi is loosely based on the Alaskan town of Haines. I lived there when I was eleven, back in the early eighties. My parents owned a pizza restaurant, Annie’s Pizza. Although I never actually came across any witches or vampires while there, one of our customers did remind me of a werewolf.

So, now I will tag three more authors. Check out their blogs next week to learn about their books. You may just come across the next big thing.

Caroline Hanson
Maureen O. Betita
Andrea Stewart