Liss Thomas's Blog: Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals, page 12
June 4, 2013
Bad Timing - Chapter 10 - Beyond Pacifica
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Kyran dragged Del across the floor, his grip like a vice. He shoved her toward the charred debris of the wreckage. Del’s eyes roved over the remains of deadly hooks and clubs, butcher knives and other horrible things.
“Do you know what our kind do to poachers?” Kyran sneered.
Del snatched her arm away from his grasp. “I’m not a poacher! This is not from my little boat. I had an inflatable with a small outboard. I’m a conservationist, not a poacher. How dare you accuse me of such a thing?” Del’s indignation turned hot as she realized what the equipment before her was meant for. “I just jumped to the wrong place and time, that’s all,” Del said.
“What do you mean, you jumped?” Kyran asked, his eyes small slits of suspicion.
Del’s cheeks flushed red and she looked away. “I’m a time jumper. You know, time traveler. I came here to collect an extinct species of frog from the Galapagos to repopulated it in the future.” Del spotted her backpack, tattered and in a messy heap. She knelt down, rummaged through the broken equipment and winced when she saw her time remoter blackened and warped.
“How far back did you travel?” Kira asked behind her.
“One hundred years,” Del said. “Contrary to what the government’s promise, there are plenty of ships expelling pollution near this area. Tour groups are kept on a strict path, leaving an insignificant footprint. But other so-called scientist, looking to make a name for themselves are careless and their discoveries come at a heavy cost to the ecosystem,” Del explained. She looked back and saw Kira’s wide eyed expression and Kyran’s hard stare of disbelief. She saw something else in his unforgiving green eyes. He turned away from her.
“Time travel’s impossible,” He said.
“It is now but in ninety-eight years, the discovery will startle the world.”
“Well it looks like you’ve managed to destroy the ecosystem earlier than scheduled. But at least you killed off potential poachers in the process. Go home, Delphina,” Kyran said.
“Wait! I can fix this. I can prevent the accident and fix my last jump. Please! Then I’ll leave,” Del said.
“Where would you go? Back to your time?” Kira asked.
“Unfortunately, this is what’s left of my time device,” Del said, holding up the mangled remote for them to see. “I’ll just have to find another way home. I know the logic, and the basic science. I just need to find someone to create the event.”
“If your machine is broken, how will you fix this disaster?” Kyran asked.
Del unhooked her bracelet and shook out a large white capsule.
“With this.”
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Bad Timing - Chapter 10 - Beyond Pacifica
June 3, 2013
A Break from the Addiction
Photo credit: AlicePopkorn / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
After much consideration my Creative Copy addiction is winding down for now. I hope it will spring forth again in the future but going forward, I’m going to separate my online serial writing from the challenges.
The extra challenge of creating a new chapter and incorporating ten random words has been a blast but it’s not necessary to push the story along.
Starting today the serial will continue without the challenge words. And as long as the challenges are posted, I’ll write one off shorts for the CCC.
This will give me the opportunity to publish chapters earlier and still add additional posts for the CCC.
Stay tuned for more fun coming your way.
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A Break from the Addiction
June 2, 2013
Armchair BEA Wrap-up - Missed Genres
Photo credit: Black Country Museums / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA – EXTERMINATE!
It’s a laid back Sunday on the final day of the Armchair BEA. The laundry is washed but sitting like an avalanche waiting to happen in a chair in the living room. Before I tackle the Everest of clothing, I wanted to finish up the conference with my final post.
I’ve had so much fun this week! I’ve met new bloggers, added new books to my virtual book shelf and won a prize! So the last discussion is on missed genres. True Science Fiction wasn’t mentioned on the docket this year and I would have liked to hear what others recommended from the book pile.
Personally I think I read more fantasy than science fiction but they always have seem to have elements of both mingled together in the books I read.
Anne McAfferty’s Talent series has elements of both. (affiliate links below)
To Ride Pegasus
Pegasus in Flight
Pegasus in Space
Maybe I like most of my true science fiction to be in the form of movies: Star Trek, Star Wars, etc!
Ok, my book shelves are already bulging with your wonderful
recommendations. Toss me a few scifi gems that I must read!
Go!
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Armchair BEA Wrap-up - Missed Genres
June 1, 2013
Armchair BEA - Keeping It Real, Fresh, Fun - Funky Fresh!
Reaching my audience or hitting a brick wall?
Photo credit: Salvadhor / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
When blogging becomes a chore, most people will stop cause seriously, as a kid, I hated doing chores. I’m a grown woman now, I don’t want to give myself extra chores. So blogging has to stay fun.
Blogging is easy right now because I write fiction. I enjoy breathing life into characters and popping out small snippets of fantasy on the fly. Oh yeah, I’m a pantser (someone who writes by the seat of their pants). New material for my blog pops into my head constantly. New stories, new novels. I can’t keep up.
I’m currently working on my second online serial where I’m using writer’s prompts from my friends at the CCC to push the story along. I write one chapter per prompt. My brain rushes forward to lay out the scene but when the prompt is posted and I see the ten words I need to incorporate into my story, sometimes I have to start over. It’s challenging and rewarding to complete it using ten random words. Let me tell you it’s not easy using the word thermonuclear in a fantasy story of wolves! Just saying!
The BEA has opened my noggin to a few different kinds of posts. I’m definitely going to ask for guest posts, host Indie Author interviews and I’m thinking of a few more new twist to add to my blog.
One series I found effective on my blog was going character interviews from my first book. I arranged a series of questions and asked them of my characters from my first novel. I interviewed the leads, the villain (fun and frightening at the same time), some secondary characters and it was so much fun I’ll have to do it again with another set of characters.
Growing my audience is tougher. I Tweet and Facebook it and Stumble it, Digg it and let the organic growth begin. I encourage comments and comment on other blogs. I’m not a marketer and finding my audience has been tough. I’ll continue to look for new avenues to hock my wares until one day, my blog is a rockstar!
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I’m always open for suggestions. How do you get your blog noticed and grow your audience. Help a girl out and leave a comment!
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Armchair BEA - Keeping It Real, Fresh, Fun - Funky Fresh!
ArmchairBEA - Genre: From Picture Books to Young Adult
Photo credit: Martin Deutsch / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
YOUNG ADULT!
Finally! We get to the genre I love the most. I read it, I crave it, I write it, I love it!
Not sure why I like it so much but maybe it helps me be a kid again. I write a mashup of Young Adult and Fantasy and it’s the most fun you can have reading!
I love characters with the guts to get through tough times and still come out on top. Beat the odds, prove the masses wrong and win in the end. It’s not always pretty or easy but those are the characters I love to read about.
My favorites range from The Hunger Games to Percy Jackson to Eragon.
I also found a very cool mid grade series called The 39 Clues. I listened to these on audio-books and loved them all!
One thing I have noticed in a lot of the Young Adult books is the absence of a parental figure. Either the parents are oblivious, or dead or out getting coffee but the kids are left to roam alone and conquer the world.
I thought about this theme when I started writing my first YA fantasy novel and I didn’t want the parents to take a back seat, I wanted them involved. My characters interact with and ask for advice from their parents and those older and wiser. They may not always do what they’re told and they reap the consequences. Real life in a fantasy world, who knew,right? You can check out my except here!
Anyway, those are only a few of the books I enjoyed in the Children’s section of the bookstore. Who do you love? Let me know!
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ArmchairBEA - Genre: From Picture Books to Young Adult
May 31, 2013
Armchair BEA - Topics - Ethics - Non Fiction In all Its Forms
Ethics was a topic brought up today and a suggestion of forming groups and regulating quality. Although ethics is an important quality to value, I’m not sure it can be regulated effectively. I could be wrong if group members take pride in their blogs and insist on everyone’s standards to be above reproach. So as an individual blogger, I will clearly state that I pride doing the right thing and ethics is important to me.
I blog fiction and can assure you the stories you see come from my sleep deprived, grape soda laden cranium!
Onward…..
Non Fiction!
At first I could only think of one non-fiction book that I really enjoyed and then a few more popped into my head. Here is my list.
On Writing: Stephen King.
I have never read any of his horror tales because I’m a big baby chicken. However, I did read this book as if it were fiction! I stormed through it sucking up each word! In this he discusses his own journey into fiction writing and gives a few tips and personal antidotes. It is the most un-boring non fiction book you could ever read (out of the few non-fiction books I’ve read).
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The Fire in Fiction: Donald Maass.
Writing the Breakout Novel: Donald Maass.
When I first started writing I wanted to make sure my scenes popped an pulled people into the story so I got these two books and read through them. I use them as references to beef up scenes and create cliffhangers.
Are there more that I should read? Probably. Will I do it? Probably not unless someone gives me a really good recommendation. So let’s hear it!
What’s your recommendation for my next non-fiction book to read?
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Armchair BEA - Topics - Ethics - Non Fiction In all Its Forms
May 30, 2013
Tested - Chapter 9 - Beyond Pacifica
Photo credit: Olivia Averill Collado / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Kyran kept his focus on the soulless eyes of the Great White shark hovering before him. He held his hand out to halt the beast’s progress. It stopped and kept its eyes on Kyran, awaiting instruction, a disappointed look bent his mouth into a frown.
“Are you sure this girl is a mermaid?” the king asked.
“Yes, father. I sensed it immediately. She grew gills when she breathed in the salt water.”
“You didn’t give her gills?” Kyran asked. He waved off the shark and it nodded before drifting from the room. He watched Delphina relax and expel a shuddering breath.
“No,” Kira said.
“Prove it,” the king said. Kira wrenched her arms away from the guards and pulled Delphina away from the guards holding her. Everyone watched intently as Kira moved close ready to press a kiss to Del’s lips.
“Wait!” Kyran said as he walked over to where they stood. “Allow me,” he said coolly. He watched Delphina’s eyes widen in a panic and almost smiled. Instead he pulled her closer wrapping one arm around her waist as one hand slid through her hair and held her head steady. He felt her shiver as he leaned into her. This time he couldn’t help smiling.
“You seem tense. It’s just a little kiss, Delphina,” he said, his lips hovering over hers.
“I don’t think I trust you,” she stammered.
“I don’t think you should,” he agreed before he pressed his lips to hers. He felt her body go rigid before she relax against him. His grip increased on her waist as he parted her lips and let his tongue lick across her teeth. She inhaled sharply giving him the reaction he wanted. Kyran inhaled the air from her lungs and began to flood her mouth with salt water. He watched her eyes flash open, pleading for release but he held her firm in his grip. His thoughts invaded her mind.
“Breathe.”
A tear slid from her eyes as she held fast to the last of her oxygen. Kyran let his hand move from her waist to her hips and flicked his thumb across the inside of her hip bone. Del inhaled sharply, clamping her eyes shut against the initial burn. Gill slits formed on her neck and the salt water rushed through them as resumed her breathing. Water soaked their clothing but he held her trapped in place like a puppet performing a trick on stage.
“Outstanding!” the king said.
At last Kyran reversed the flow and pushed fresh air into Del’s mouth. Their lips broke apart as she gasped at the transformation. He reached for her again but she pushed away from him staggering back until she fell against the steps behind her. Kira rushed to her side and put her arms around the confused young woman.
Several guards entered the room carrying debris from the wreckage. Kyran watched them pull several destroyed pieces of equipment out to examine. He recognized a few of the charred remains. He pulled what looked like a chef’s carving knife from the pile and stormed away from the hub of activity toward Del. Without warning he threw the knife at her feet and hauled her up by the shoulders. He raked her with a murderous glare and held her so tight she winced.
“What were you doing before the explosion? Did you cause it?” he shook her in rage. “Did you!”
“Yes!” Del screamed.
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Tested - Chapter 9 - Beyond Pacifica
May 29, 2013
Path to Becoming a Better Blogger - BEA Discussion
Design credit: Sarah of Puss Reboots
I’ve had several small blogs in my lifetime and eventually, I lost interest in updating them or couldn’t find the time.
After a few failed attempts, I’ve found my passion. I believe the secret is knowing your true passion and letting that lead your blog. My passion is fiction. Not just reading it and certainly not reviewing it… I love to write it!
So my blog is a little different from the average book blog. I write YA Fantasy fiction and post it on my blog.
My approach to blogging is very simple. Make stuff up and post!
I’m slowly but surely branching out the book blogging community and am thinking of ways to help my fellow Indie Authors get their book out to the masses. I’ve only done a few blog tours and after reading information from my fellow BEA Armchair Bloggers, I’m coming to understand the value of putting in that time to get it done. So I will start partnering with as many bloggers as possible to help promote the book community.
I’m not a pro blogger and I am not looking to make money via AdSense or advertisements. At the very least, I would like to sell books for myself and others.
I’ve taken the big blog step and set up my own host blog and URL, I think that shows people how serious you are. I blog twice a week usually (BEA has me posting daily and I really like it). I want to create more posts that will help my readers fine awesome books to read. I want to increase my blogging to 4-5 days a week and engage the community to leave comments and share my posts. I’m still working on additional content and how to engage my audience.
My blog is a growing work in progress. I’m loving the experience and hope my readers enjoy it as well. My blog’s byline is Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals. Let the fun begin!
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Path to Becoming a Better Blogger - BEA Discussion
Genre: Genre Fiction - Armchair BEA
At the BEA today the discussion is around genre fiction. My favorite genre is fantasy. I read it, I write it, I love it!
I think I have two favorite authors and series when it comes to fantasy
David Eddings: My hubbykins introduced me to David Eddings and read the beginning of ‘Belgarath the Sorcerer’ to me when I was sick. Oh yeah, he’s the sweetest hubby in the world. But once I got a taste of Eddings I had to finish the book, the Belgariad series, the Malloean series and finally the Elenium series.
Edding’s characters are real characters! Funny, crazy, strong, serious and deadly when needed.
My second favorite is Tad William’s series Otherland. Again the hubbykins told me I needed to read the books so I did and I hung on every word. For science fiction or fantasy, having a dark skinned female as the main character feels extraordinary to me. Regardless, the twist and turns, the host of characters sent me flying through the books. I hate to leave a character hanging in the balance cause I’ll dream of their rescue or demise all night long! I have to get them out of trouble before I can put the book down and sometimes, it ain’t easy!
I’m sure it’s the unusual settings, characters that send me back to the fantasy section of the book store (or amazon or overdrive).
I want the fantastic journey that can only appear in books and my imagination. I want to dream up new lands and creatures. And when I write, I want my readers to dream themselves into my worlds. That’s why I love it!
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Genre: Genre Fiction - Armchair BEA
Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals
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