R.A. Gates's Blog, page 6
October 18, 2012
Meet Ivy and Garren from Pucker Up
Back in April, I attended the RT Convention in Chicago with my good friend and fellow writer, René Gilley. It was a blast! We also enrolled in the 2-day advanced writing workshop lead by author Bobbi Smith. One of our assignments was to write a description of our hero and heroine. So, I decided to be creative and impress Bobbi with my wit and humor. Yeah, what I handed in wasn’t what she was looking for, but she did say it made her laugh. There’s no better compliment than that, my friend.
So, I thought it would be fun to post my character descriptions here. I had the bright idea of having the characters from my book, Pucker Up, describe themselves. It’s written entirely in dialogue form. To help you follow along, Ivy’s lines are in plain font and Garren’s lines are in italics.
“Hey, Garren.”
“Ivy.”
“The author of our story has to write a description of us and needs some help. You up for it?”
“What does she need our help for? She created us.”
“Just answer the questions. Number one, what is your best physical feature? Hmm, I’d have to say my legs.”
“Your legs? No one’s ever seen them under the baggy jeans you always wear. I thought you were going to say your hazel eyes.”
“That’s so cliché. My roundhouse kicks can incapacitate a man twice my size. Want a demonstration?”
“No thanks. I think my best feature is my smile. Don’t roll your eyes. My smile’s been known to stop traffic.”
“That’s what happens when you stand in the middle of the street grinning like an idiot. Question two. What is your least favorite physical feature? I’d have to say—“
“Your hair.”
“Hey! What’s wrong with my hair? It’s just a little frizzy.”
“A little frizzy? That’s like saying Hurricane Katrina was a light breeze. It’s a big, bushy, brown menace.”
“Don’t touch my hair. It’s humid in here, okay? It’s usually nice and curly. What’s your least favorite feature?”
“That’s a toughie. I don’t think I have any. Maybe… No that’s pretty amazing. How about… I got it! My eyelashes. They’re so thick and long they always bump against my sunglasses when I blink. It’s very annoying. What?”
“Nothing. Okay, question three asks what color best represents you.”
“What color best… What kind of question is that? Next she’ll want to know what tree I see myself as.”
“That’s number eighteen.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not. Now give that back. Pick a color.”
“These questions are so—“
“Watch it. You do realize that the author can do anything she wants to you, right? Like kill you off.”
“You didn’t let me finish. I was going to say that these questions are so freakin’ fabulous! Is she a genius or what?”
“Mmm hmmm.”
“All right. I guess I’m a red ‘cause I’m passionate and a lover of the ladies. Oh, yeah.”
“It also symbolizes anger and hot tempers. I can see that.”
“Real funny. What color are you? No wait, I know. You’re brown; dull and boring.”
“Brown is also an earthy color; calm and vital. So, thank you. Next question. Who would you want to play you in the movie version of the book? Wow. She’s only just published the book and she’s already casting the movie. I see where you get your arrogance.”
“Too bad Johnny Depp is so old or he’d be perfect to play me.”
“Ah-hahahahahahaha!”
“Wait, who played that buff vampire in those Twilight movies? He’d do. Why are you laughing?”
“I’m s-sorry. I thought you were joking. J-Johnny Depp. Ah-hahahaha!”
“I’ll have you know that he and I have very similar bone structure. Will you stop laughing and get off the floor?”
“Oh, man. I haven’t laughed like that in so long. Good thing I don’t wear make-up or I’d be a mess. Okay, who would play me? How about Gina Carano?”
“Who? I was thinking Megan Fox. She’s hot.”
“So. Gina’s hot, too. Plus, she’s a world-ranked mixed martial arts champion. She can kick butt just as well as I can.”
“Whatever. Let’s find another question. Here’s one: Who is your favorite fictional character? That’s easy- me.”
“I don’t think that’s what she meant.”
“Why not? I’m a fictional character, aren’t I? Don’t you think our author created absolutely wonderful and meaningful characters?”
“Fine. What would be your theme song?”
“I’m sexy and I know it. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.”
“Do you have to do the dance, too? Oh gawd, I think I threw up in my mouth a little.”
“All right, all right. What’s your song?”
“Fighter, by Christina Aguilara.”
“I’m noticing a pattern here. You’re rather violent, aren’t you?”
“Only when I need to be. Let’s answer one more question. What would you change about the other person?”
“That’s a no-brainer. Nothing.”
“Awwww.”
“Well, maybe just one thing. If Ivy could stop attracting trouble wherever she goes, that’d be great.”
“Make Garren a mute.”
Leave a comment answering one the above questions. For me, right now I think the tree— or in this case, plant— that best represents me is the zinfandel grape. I dyed my hair the other day and now it’s purple. Yeah, it looks like I dunked my head in a barrel of wine. Oh well, my 5-year-old thinks it’s cool.
September 24, 2012
What’s in a name? *CONTEST TIME*
Okay, so I’m writing a novella based in the same world as Pucker Up to be released in December. It’s about a teenage witch who needs to bring her boss’s cat back to life before she gets fired. Of course, theirs a guy/love interest who tags along to offer commentary and help her out. There’s lots of (hopefully) humor and spells gone wrong and all around fun.
I have a name for my heroine, Laney. But naming my hero has been more difficult. He started out with the temporary name of Rick Mann. *Cookies for anyone who knows the significance of that.* But I wanted something more meaningful. He’s a mystery to our Laney— tall and slender, dark shoulder length hair, dark eyes, and walks with a cane. There are lots of rumors as to how he hurt his leg from bull fight to land mine. She thinks of him as a modern day greaser. So I thought a name like Ponyboy or Sodapop would be great. Yeah, couldn’t think of anything that didn’t make him sound like a dork.
I want him to have a cool name. All I’ve come up with so far is Apollo. What can I say, I have a think for hot speed skaters. But it still isn’t right. Maybe a cool last name for a first name. So, if YOU have any ideas of what I should name my limping hero, let me know in a comment and If I pick your suggestion, I’ll send you the novella for free when it’s released. There’s no limit to the number suggestions. So tell your friends and send in those names. I’ll end the contest by Halloween.
Have a great week and happy reading!
September 17, 2012
Resolution Update
I’ve already watched all the Harry Potter films and practically melted in my chair when Professor Snape swept past, his swishy, black robes billowing behind him. My love for Severus Snape runs deeper than the awesome actor that plays him, but that a story for a different post.
I signed up for Netflix only to find they only carried a few of his movies. How could that be? Don’t they know who he is? Thankfully, I have friends that graciously allowed me to camp out on their couch to raid their DVD and video collections to get my Rickman fix. Thank you Karen and Kody. I’m still not done with my list, not even close. The man is a machine with the amount of movies he’s been in.
Life has been busy lately, with getting my three kids back in school, releasing my first ebook, and writing a short story I hope to release in December. I haven’t had time to watch any movies. But that’s gonna change. Here is my list:
1. Die Hard
2. The January Man
3. Quigley Down Under
4. Truly Madly Deeply
5. Closet Land
6. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – seen years ago
7. Close My Eyes
8. Bob Roberts
9. Mesmer
10. An Awfully Big Adventure
11. Sense and Sensibility
12. Rasputin
13. Michael Collins
14. Judas Kiss
15. Dark Harbor
16. Dogma – seen years ago
17. A Fish Tale
18. Blow Dry
19. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
20. The Search for John Gissing
21. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
22. Love Actually
23. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
24. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
25. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
26. Snow Cake
27. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer – seen years ago
28. Nobel Son
29. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
30. Sweeny Todd
31. Bottle Shock
32.Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
33. Alice in Wonderland
34. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
35. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
It’s quite a list. So, if you live in the Sacramento area and have access to any of the above movies, don’t be selfish. I’ll bring the popcorn.
Resolution Update
Every January 1st the masses vow to improve their lives during the new year. I was no exception. My resolution was to watch every Alan Rickman movie I possibly could. I have been in love with him since Hans Gruber strolled on screen and took over the movie. If you don’t know which movie I’m talking about, shame on you.
I’ve already watched all the Harry Potter films and practically melted in my chair when Professor Snape swept past, his swishy, black robes billowing behind him. My love for Severus Snape runs deeper than the awesome actor that plays him, but that a story for a different post.
I signed up for Netflix only to find they only carried a few of his movies. How could that be? Don’t they know who he is? Thankfully, I have friends that graciously allowed me to camp out on their couch to raid their DVD and video collections to get my Rickman fix. Thank you Karen and Kody. I’m still not done with my list, not even close. The man is a machine with the amount of movies he’s been in.
Life has been busy lately, with getting my three kids back in school, releasing my first ebook, and writing a short story I hope to release in December. I haven’t had time to watch any movies. But that’s gonna change. Here is my list:
1. Die Hard
2. The January Man
3. Quigley Down Under
4. Truly Madly Deeply
5. Closet Land
6. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – seen years ago
7. Close My Eyes
8. Bob Roberts
9. Mesmer
10. An Awfully Big Adventure
11. Sense and Sensibility
12. Rasputin
13. Michael Collins
14. Judas Kiss
15. Dark Harbor
16. Dogma – seen years ago
17. A Fish Tale
18. Blow Dry
19. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
20. The Search for John Gissing
21. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
22. Love Actually
23. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
24. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
25. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
26. Snow Cake
27. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer – seen years ago
28. Nobel Son
29. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
30. Sweeny Todd
31. Bottle Shock
32.Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
33. Alice in Wonderland
34. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
35. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
It’s quite a list. So, if you live in the Sacramento area and have access to any of the above movies, don’t be selfish. I’ll bring the popcorn.
July 18, 2012
Hello world!
Hello World. My first book, Pucker Up is now out for the world to find and enjoy. My stomach has been in knots since it first became live on Amazon. Will readers fall in love with my characters like I did? Will everyone get my humor? It’s such a terrifying, yet thrilling concept. I put my heart and soul into the book and published it for the world to devour. It’s a nerve-wracking experience, but I’m taking the ride anyway. On this site, I plan to add tidbits about the book: deleted scenes, character bios, short stories. I hope it will be a fun place for fans to visit. Thanks for stopping by.
