R.E. Mullins's Blog, page 4
August 17, 2013
The Big Chill
When you find yourself sitting at home late on a Friday night, what are you suppose to do? All too often it is getting sucked into an old movie. That is exactly what happened to me. I found myself re-watching The Big Chill and being swept back into the 80's.
Old college friends reunite for the funeral of one of their friends. Alex, the leader of their old group, committed suicide. For the rest of the friends, it is a time to reconnect and reflect.
At first the old music, 80's big hair and clothing styles distracted me. I had to reminisce a little on my own 80's look.
Then I started listening as the friends lamented their choices in life.
When you find you've more years behind you than left ahead, you find yourself asking. Did I make the right decisions? When life threw a fork in my path, did I take the right one? And if I'd chosen differently, what would have been the consequences?
Not for the first time I found myself re-evaluating my own life. It is littered with those forks. Some were tiny and seemed almost inconsequential at the time and some monumental, yet each one molded me. My life is filled with both successes and regrets. Over the years I've come to accept the good and really bad choices I've made.
No, I didn't end up in the place I once envisioned. But I no longer consider this a tragedy. I can say I respect the person I've become. I like her. And isn't that the most we can hope for?
Old college friends reunite for the funeral of one of their friends. Alex, the leader of their old group, committed suicide. For the rest of the friends, it is a time to reconnect and reflect.
At first the old music, 80's big hair and clothing styles distracted me. I had to reminisce a little on my own 80's look.
Then I started listening as the friends lamented their choices in life.
When you find you've more years behind you than left ahead, you find yourself asking. Did I make the right decisions? When life threw a fork in my path, did I take the right one? And if I'd chosen differently, what would have been the consequences?
Not for the first time I found myself re-evaluating my own life. It is littered with those forks. Some were tiny and seemed almost inconsequential at the time and some monumental, yet each one molded me. My life is filled with both successes and regrets. Over the years I've come to accept the good and really bad choices I've made.
No, I didn't end up in the place I once envisioned. But I no longer consider this a tragedy. I can say I respect the person I've become. I like her. And isn't that the most we can hope for?
August 5, 2013
Rest in Peace my loyal PC
It finally happened. After a long, passionate, and sometimes turbulent relationship my PC flat lined and blue screened.
I write this epitaph on my son's computer. Alas for my PC whose mind is now locked away where I cannot follow. I mourn for what we had. I tear my hair as feelings of hopelessness and grief overwhelm me. It's as if my own life ended along with my inanimate love. The memories, photos, files, and addresses of our time together sucked into oblivion. I am so lost.
Every single time I hunt for a favored page - one you kept bookmarked and at my fingertips - oh, how I will miss you.
How long were we together,my dear? I no longer know as you hold my calendar within the now dark recesses of your memory. I believe it to be over fifteen years. Fifteen years where we laughed as technologies came and went. I remembered how we scorned Vista and happily played in Windows XP.
Time marched on and we both began to move more slowly. Yet we plowed on, two anachronisms determined to make it. Together we managed to create two novels. It was a labor of love for both of us but, dear, couldn't you have left me the PDF?
Perhpas it was wrong of me to depend on you so much but I was so enamored. I felt you were the only one I could trust with all my secrets. I spent my days caressing your keys and my nights playing with your programs. I thought you'd always be there for me.
Our relationship almost outlasted the length of my marriage. And, oh, my dear PC, I must admit I grieve your loss the most. After all it's not like I ever trusted my ex with passwords, accounts, or address book. He never paid my bills online. He didn't hold my most treasured recipes or link me into Facebook.
It was all you. You opened up a world I can no longer live without. I can no longer live without Grumpy Cat or funny pet videos. How will I know whose birthday it is or who has updated their Pinterst board? Without Goodreads, who will suggest my next book? How will I research prices or my next novel?
I face your cold and unplugged tower into the corner and cover you with a sheet. I beg your forgiveness but I am forced to look for another.
Yet I shudder at the thought of going back out there. Alone. How can I return to the market? Things have changed and
I'm too vulnerable to try and navigate the new scene. Unable to thoroughly research without you, who will guide me through all the hype of features?
How will I know the one that is really into me. Which can I count on? Which will accept me for me?
I write this epitaph on my son's computer. Alas for my PC whose mind is now locked away where I cannot follow. I mourn for what we had. I tear my hair as feelings of hopelessness and grief overwhelm me. It's as if my own life ended along with my inanimate love. The memories, photos, files, and addresses of our time together sucked into oblivion. I am so lost.
Every single time I hunt for a favored page - one you kept bookmarked and at my fingertips - oh, how I will miss you.
How long were we together,my dear? I no longer know as you hold my calendar within the now dark recesses of your memory. I believe it to be over fifteen years. Fifteen years where we laughed as technologies came and went. I remembered how we scorned Vista and happily played in Windows XP.
Time marched on and we both began to move more slowly. Yet we plowed on, two anachronisms determined to make it. Together we managed to create two novels. It was a labor of love for both of us but, dear, couldn't you have left me the PDF?
Perhpas it was wrong of me to depend on you so much but I was so enamored. I felt you were the only one I could trust with all my secrets. I spent my days caressing your keys and my nights playing with your programs. I thought you'd always be there for me.
Our relationship almost outlasted the length of my marriage. And, oh, my dear PC, I must admit I grieve your loss the most. After all it's not like I ever trusted my ex with passwords, accounts, or address book. He never paid my bills online. He didn't hold my most treasured recipes or link me into Facebook.
It was all you. You opened up a world I can no longer live without. I can no longer live without Grumpy Cat or funny pet videos. How will I know whose birthday it is or who has updated their Pinterst board? Without Goodreads, who will suggest my next book? How will I research prices or my next novel?
I face your cold and unplugged tower into the corner and cover you with a sheet. I beg your forgiveness but I am forced to look for another.
Yet I shudder at the thought of going back out there. Alone. How can I return to the market? Things have changed and
I'm too vulnerable to try and navigate the new scene. Unable to thoroughly research without you, who will guide me through all the hype of features?
How will I know the one that is really into me. Which can I count on? Which will accept me for me?
July 24, 2013
New Contract
Vampire In The Scrying Glass is becoming a reality. The second book in The Blautsaugers of Amber Heights has just been contracted by the Wild Rose Press.
I cannot begin to express my excitement that I will be published again.
Here are the first few paragraphs of Vampire In The Scrying Glass.
Chapter One
He needed to get his head back in the game.
Rafe Blautsauger stared in disbelief at the small opening in the rock face. He’d totally missed it and if not for a timely hand gesture from his partner, he would have simply walked past. John’s neutral expression never changed but Rafe knew it was on him. As lead it was his responsibility to spot every nook and cranny large enough to hold a vampire. Beating back his anger, he nodded and with the ease of long familiarity, the enforcers split up to approach the opening from opposite sides.
This time they lucked out. The small cave was empty and without any trace of having been inhabited. It would have been an embarrassing epitaph if someone got the drop on them because he was stewing over a woman and a mortal one at that.
I cannot begin to express my excitement that I will be published again.
Here are the first few paragraphs of Vampire In The Scrying Glass.
Chapter One
He needed to get his head back in the game.
Rafe Blautsauger stared in disbelief at the small opening in the rock face. He’d totally missed it and if not for a timely hand gesture from his partner, he would have simply walked past. John’s neutral expression never changed but Rafe knew it was on him. As lead it was his responsibility to spot every nook and cranny large enough to hold a vampire. Beating back his anger, he nodded and with the ease of long familiarity, the enforcers split up to approach the opening from opposite sides.
This time they lucked out. The small cave was empty and without any trace of having been inhabited. It would have been an embarrassing epitaph if someone got the drop on them because he was stewing over a woman and a mortal one at that.
July 19, 2013
Ouch. Series writing involves planning.
This is not a piece on how to write a series. This is simply a sharing on things I'm learning about writing.
I just sent in my sample chapters from book two: Vampire in the Scrying Glass. In the process of writing this sequel I discovered the importance of continuity. Repeatedly I had to return to my first book: It's A Wonderful Undead Life to check names, places, and timelines. I tried to pick up any loose ends and tie them into a pretty bow. As I wrote I began to think of a third book and included some foreshadowing. One book ahead at a time, I thought. I can do that.
I was mistaken.
As I embark on the as yet unnamed book three. (From past experience I can already tell you that my editor and I will butt heads. You should have seen the flurry of e-mails and heard the phone conversations over the titles of the first 2 works. Who will prevail? Probably not me.)I have determined there will be 2 more books in this series about the vampire family, the Blautsaugers of Amber Heights, Missouri. Total 4 in all.
And here is where I learned the horrible truth. To connect books and yet have them be able to stand alone takes planning.
Yes, you say? This is not news. That is what a series is suppose to do. Well for someone like me that is harder than it sounds. Book three must keep the threads from one and two, stand on its own, and still logically lead you into book four. Mind boggling. To succeed, I must have a STRATEGY.
Ouch. Planning is not a word frequently found in my repertoire. It was hard enough thinking one book ahead let alone two. But I am trying to learn and for days now have carried around a notebook to jot down THE PLAN.
Okay, the main cast is set and the enemy clearly defined. The goals are laid out though the sequence is still haphazard. Happily ever after? That's a given.
Can I stay the course? Here is the rub. My characters often seem to have a mind of their own and ignore all hints and prodding. After all this is their lives unfolding. I am just the author.
In book two I had formed the barest bones of an outline in my head but my characters quickly skittered off target. They led me through twists and turns I never intended. After I got over my pique, I found they knew best. I liked the story all the better for it.
So will I be able to get my characters to cooperate and stick to the new outline? They're feisty and don't normally like to do as told.
Who shall prevail? Probably not me.
I just sent in my sample chapters from book two: Vampire in the Scrying Glass. In the process of writing this sequel I discovered the importance of continuity. Repeatedly I had to return to my first book: It's A Wonderful Undead Life to check names, places, and timelines. I tried to pick up any loose ends and tie them into a pretty bow. As I wrote I began to think of a third book and included some foreshadowing. One book ahead at a time, I thought. I can do that.
I was mistaken.
As I embark on the as yet unnamed book three. (From past experience I can already tell you that my editor and I will butt heads. You should have seen the flurry of e-mails and heard the phone conversations over the titles of the first 2 works. Who will prevail? Probably not me.)I have determined there will be 2 more books in this series about the vampire family, the Blautsaugers of Amber Heights, Missouri. Total 4 in all.
And here is where I learned the horrible truth. To connect books and yet have them be able to stand alone takes planning.
Yes, you say? This is not news. That is what a series is suppose to do. Well for someone like me that is harder than it sounds. Book three must keep the threads from one and two, stand on its own, and still logically lead you into book four. Mind boggling. To succeed, I must have a STRATEGY.
Ouch. Planning is not a word frequently found in my repertoire. It was hard enough thinking one book ahead let alone two. But I am trying to learn and for days now have carried around a notebook to jot down THE PLAN.
Okay, the main cast is set and the enemy clearly defined. The goals are laid out though the sequence is still haphazard. Happily ever after? That's a given.
Can I stay the course? Here is the rub. My characters often seem to have a mind of their own and ignore all hints and prodding. After all this is their lives unfolding. I am just the author.
In book two I had formed the barest bones of an outline in my head but my characters quickly skittered off target. They led me through twists and turns I never intended. After I got over my pique, I found they knew best. I liked the story all the better for it.
So will I be able to get my characters to cooperate and stick to the new outline? They're feisty and don't normally like to do as told.
Who shall prevail? Probably not me.
July 13, 2013
Happy Birthday Malala
Yesterday Malala Yousafzai celebrated her 16th birthday. It was a day no one was sure she would ever reach.
Last October the young Pakistani girl was shot in the head by cowards. These terrorists were threatened by an outspoken opinion. They couldn't tolerate the idea of females receiving an education. These oppressive regimes only succeed as long as they can subjugate women.
Let it be known they will fail and Malala is only one of the reasons why. Yes, your days are numbered and such craven acts only hurry the demise of such tyranny.
Malala will always be remembered as a hero. The inspiration to keep the fight for equality alive.
In front of the UN young Malala said the most incredible words. "Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution."
The terrorists who wanted to silence her have been defeated. No matter what happens to her - what path she takes in life - those words will always resound. Her courage inspires us.
Your birthday, July 12th, Malala has been put on my calendar and I will celebrate it for the rest of my life. I will remember your words, your courage, and your intelligence beyond your years.
It was hard won and I will never forget.
Last October the young Pakistani girl was shot in the head by cowards. These terrorists were threatened by an outspoken opinion. They couldn't tolerate the idea of females receiving an education. These oppressive regimes only succeed as long as they can subjugate women.
Let it be known they will fail and Malala is only one of the reasons why. Yes, your days are numbered and such craven acts only hurry the demise of such tyranny.
Malala will always be remembered as a hero. The inspiration to keep the fight for equality alive.
In front of the UN young Malala said the most incredible words. "Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution."
The terrorists who wanted to silence her have been defeated. No matter what happens to her - what path she takes in life - those words will always resound. Her courage inspires us.
Your birthday, July 12th, Malala has been put on my calendar and I will celebrate it for the rest of my life. I will remember your words, your courage, and your intelligence beyond your years.
It was hard won and I will never forget.
July 9, 2013
The importance of being available to talk
I recently boarded a plane in Phoenix. Not a long flight to Denver but it was late. I was sun burnt, tired and cranky. And isn't it tedious to sit suspended in the air for an hour or so with equally tired strangers?
Normally I would have retreated into fiction. Kindle ready,I was only waiting for the announcement giving the okay for electronic use. I planned to lose myself in a world of fantasy and make-believe where everything I read has a happy ending.
And then the woman next to me asked what I was reading...
I smiled politely, gave an abbreviated reply, and lowered my eyes back to the print thinking that would be the end of it. I was actually surprised when she spoke again but that was all it took. Her comment caught my interest and we began to talk.
Much the same age, we discovered we had the 70's in common and spent the entire flight laughing over things from that decade. TV shows, movies, and music were easily dealt with but it was the old fashions and fabrics that really got us laughing.
We were landing in Denver before I knew it.
Just think of what I'd missed if she hadn't taken the initiative to speak. What if I hadn't made myself accessible? I would have missed out on reminiscing, a pleasant chat, and a new friend.
So, Tammy, thanks for speaking up and keep in touch.
Normally I would have retreated into fiction. Kindle ready,I was only waiting for the announcement giving the okay for electronic use. I planned to lose myself in a world of fantasy and make-believe where everything I read has a happy ending.
And then the woman next to me asked what I was reading...
I smiled politely, gave an abbreviated reply, and lowered my eyes back to the print thinking that would be the end of it. I was actually surprised when she spoke again but that was all it took. Her comment caught my interest and we began to talk.
Much the same age, we discovered we had the 70's in common and spent the entire flight laughing over things from that decade. TV shows, movies, and music were easily dealt with but it was the old fashions and fabrics that really got us laughing.
We were landing in Denver before I knew it.
Just think of what I'd missed if she hadn't taken the initiative to speak. What if I hadn't made myself accessible? I would have missed out on reminiscing, a pleasant chat, and a new friend.
So, Tammy, thanks for speaking up and keep in touch.
July 2, 2013
On Rachel Brimble's Blog Today
Check out Rachel Brimble's blog. Why? Because I'm her guest.
http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.com/
Otherwise on the home front I'm back from a week in Phoenix visiting my daughter. Thanks to her and her friends for ensuring I had a great time. It was wonderful. Now it's time to get back to work. I'm doing edits on 2nd novel, Vampire in the Scrying Glass and working on 3rd novel which is yet to be named. However, it will continue the saga of the Blautsauger family of Amber Heights, MO.
http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.com/
Otherwise on the home front I'm back from a week in Phoenix visiting my daughter. Thanks to her and her friends for ensuring I had a great time. It was wonderful. Now it's time to get back to work. I'm doing edits on 2nd novel, Vampire in the Scrying Glass and working on 3rd novel which is yet to be named. However, it will continue the saga of the Blautsauger family of Amber Heights, MO.
June 22, 2013
Angela Scavone's review of It's A Wonderful Undead Life
Angela Scavone's review
5 * Review of It’s a Wonderful Undead Life by R.E Mullins
Cailey wanted Christmas to be over and done with. She had lost her mother, her marriage had recently broken up and then on Christmas Eve she receives news from her bank that she was worth more dead than alive.
The story flows seamlessly from scene to scene and all of the characters have a unique and distinct voice. The passion between Cailey and Gabe leap off the page and can be felt as if you were there in the room with them. The secondary characters Michaela, Metta, Rafe (Gabe's siblings) and Morgan (Cailey's best friend) were funny and entertaining ... especially Rafe and Morgan but I will let you read into that storyline on your own.
It's a wonderful undead life is a fantastic read that grabs you from the first line right until the last paragraph. Unfortunately while I was reading this book I was pulled away on family matters and wasn't able to get back to it for quite sometime. While I wasn't able to read it I found myself thinking about it and wondering what was going to happen next. When I was finally able to focus my attention back towards the book I couldn't put it down again.
There were many twists and unexpected turns in this book and I enjoyed it so much, I quite honestly cannot wait to read the next installment in the series.
Read entire review at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
5 * Review of It’s a Wonderful Undead Life by R.E Mullins
Cailey wanted Christmas to be over and done with. She had lost her mother, her marriage had recently broken up and then on Christmas Eve she receives news from her bank that she was worth more dead than alive.
The story flows seamlessly from scene to scene and all of the characters have a unique and distinct voice. The passion between Cailey and Gabe leap off the page and can be felt as if you were there in the room with them. The secondary characters Michaela, Metta, Rafe (Gabe's siblings) and Morgan (Cailey's best friend) were funny and entertaining ... especially Rafe and Morgan but I will let you read into that storyline on your own.
It's a wonderful undead life is a fantastic read that grabs you from the first line right until the last paragraph. Unfortunately while I was reading this book I was pulled away on family matters and wasn't able to get back to it for quite sometime. While I wasn't able to read it I found myself thinking about it and wondering what was going to happen next. When I was finally able to focus my attention back towards the book I couldn't put it down again.
There were many twists and unexpected turns in this book and I enjoyed it so much, I quite honestly cannot wait to read the next installment in the series.
Read entire review at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
June 14, 2013
Fear
I've become quite familiar with this emotion in the last month. I was visiting in Missouri and Oklahoma just as the weather spewed forth tornadoes and flash floods. I spent evenings tucked into basements. One eye was glued to the weather report and the other to the skies.
I was glad to get home to Colorado where tornadoes seldom occur.
Then the Black Forest fire started. I'd already lived through the Waldo Canyon fire last year where the black smoke obliterated the sun and clogged the air. Now we are facing another and it is even worse. The Black Forest/Royal Gorge fire is now considered the worst in the history of Colorado. 360+ homes destroyed, countless structures, and there has been loss of at least two lives.
I try to write while keeping one ear on the news and frequent treks to the deck to watch the sky.
It's a different fear than what I felt for the midwest storms. Fire seems to be more traceable. Yet I'm not deceived. Wind change can blow sparks and it has already jumped water and road.
My home is within 3 miles of the voluntary evacuation line. We talk about what we'll take. I know as long as I've got my dog and the wonderful young men living with me that I'm good to go.
After all, I remind myself, nothing else really matters.
I was glad to get home to Colorado where tornadoes seldom occur.
Then the Black Forest fire started. I'd already lived through the Waldo Canyon fire last year where the black smoke obliterated the sun and clogged the air. Now we are facing another and it is even worse. The Black Forest/Royal Gorge fire is now considered the worst in the history of Colorado. 360+ homes destroyed, countless structures, and there has been loss of at least two lives.
I try to write while keeping one ear on the news and frequent treks to the deck to watch the sky.
It's a different fear than what I felt for the midwest storms. Fire seems to be more traceable. Yet I'm not deceived. Wind change can blow sparks and it has already jumped water and road.
My home is within 3 miles of the voluntary evacuation line. We talk about what we'll take. I know as long as I've got my dog and the wonderful young men living with me that I'm good to go.
After all, I remind myself, nothing else really matters.
June 12, 2013
Zombie Apocalypse
I write made up vampire books. Vampires that are from my own created world where they behave more human than the stereotypical dark menace. Yet to my older sister, this has, somehow, made me something of an expert on everything to do with the supernatural.
During my visit we sat up late discussing various way zombies might take over the world. How would they go about it? Would it be the final awakening of the dead and they would come back to destroy of for ruining the earth? My sister's eyes grew wide at the thought. Would zombie simply be the term used for some flesh eating disease that might annihilate us? She could see that happening too.
I hated to bust the bubble of the gruesome conversation but I believe we'll be hit by another meteorite and everything living will be wiped out in an instant. Except, of course, for roaches and alligators.
Hopefully, life will slowly swirl the primordial ooze until one cell organisms split again and crawl onto dry land.
Hopefully, they will be a little more advanced than we...take a little more care with the environment.
My sister didn't care for that scenario at all...
During my visit we sat up late discussing various way zombies might take over the world. How would they go about it? Would it be the final awakening of the dead and they would come back to destroy of for ruining the earth? My sister's eyes grew wide at the thought. Would zombie simply be the term used for some flesh eating disease that might annihilate us? She could see that happening too.
I hated to bust the bubble of the gruesome conversation but I believe we'll be hit by another meteorite and everything living will be wiped out in an instant. Except, of course, for roaches and alligators.
Hopefully, life will slowly swirl the primordial ooze until one cell organisms split again and crawl onto dry land.
Hopefully, they will be a little more advanced than we...take a little more care with the environment.
My sister didn't care for that scenario at all...
