Amanda Meuwissen's Blog, page 18
February 26, 2015
How Spider-Man Could Fix Marvel’s Civil War (Instead of Ruining It)
I’ve always been so excited for the Marvel Studio controlled films. They’ve been amazing, right? A new age in cinema, connecting so many films across so many years. Well…this is the first time I’ve ever been wary, because I was always so certain Civil War would never, could never happen in the movie-verse since they can’t have any mutants or other important characters that would be needed.
Well, they’re doing it anyway, and now they’ve finally managed to work things out with Sony to use Spider-Man.
A little background from me – Spider-Man is my guy, my favorite superhero since I was a little girl. I’ve enjoyed his films but none of them have quite captured Spidey right, not the way the 90s cartoon did, or other mediums. So I want to be excited at this second (third, fourth, a millionth?) chance to maybe get him right. At the same time…I don’t want his presence to screw this up.
See, I was already worried about Civil War because for those who might not be familiar with the comics, it was about whether or not people with abilities/powers should have to register with the government and give up their secret identities, sort of like the plot for the first X-Men movie. Obviously, mutants were against this. Cap was against it. Tony was for it. That’s what divided them.
We can’t have that be the plot here because…everyone knows everyone in this universe, there ARE no secret identities. So instead we can guess, since Bucky is planned to be such an important character in the next Cap movie, that the division will revolve around him. Everything will be strained after Ultron, with a lot of the blame on Tony and tensions high. After getting over PTSD, and everything else, this will leave Tony pretty broken.
Then boom, back from the dead is Cap’s friend Bucky who also happened to be the murderer of Tony’s parents. The division will come from whether or not Bucky should have to pay for his crimes.
Now, this is just a guess for now, but I’m pretty confident about it. The problem is, you could sort of understand both Cap and Tony’s points of view in the comic version of this story, at least at the start, but this? Bucky literally had no control over himself and shouldn’t be to blame for any of the things he did as Winter Soldier, so I feel the movie will really end up vilifying Tony even more than he was in the comics, and who wants to hate on RDJ? No one.
It also bugs me that we barely had one movie where they were really a team, the Avengers together, and already we’re going to divide them.
But of course, we can also guess, that this will mostly be resolved by the end of Civil War so that when the final Avengers movies come around, the team is unified again to face larger threats. So how will that happen?
In the comics, Cap turned himself in to end the bloodshed that had arisen in the face of this fight, and was assassinated, leaving Tony in one of the most iconic moments in comic book history, saying… “It wasn’t worth it.”
Now they could still do that, kill off Cap, leading in for Bucky to take up the shield, and still allowing for Steve to return some day, as is comic law. But given Spider-Man’s new involvement in this tweaked version of the story, I have a better idea.
The last thing I want is for Spider-Man to steal the spotlight here, and in doing so wreck what has been such a great run of amazing movies. After all, it was never assumed he would be able to join the team. But I think there is a way he can be important and impactful without ruining anything.
So many people are clamoring for Miles Morales to be Spider-Man. Miles is a young man of color who takes up the Spider-Man mantel in the Ultimate Universe (which the movies are more often based on than the normal universe) after Peter Parker dies. Now, I don’t want them to go straight to this, how can they when Peter hasn’t even existed in this version of the Marvel universe yet, but I’m not opposed to adding him eventually. So how about this:
What if Peter Parker as Spider-Man, a young hero who worships Cap and Tony, gets caught up in their Civil War, as is factual of the comic version, but instead of Cap…Peter is the one who ends up dead in the crosshairs. He’s what pushes it too far, what makes it ‘not worth it’ and ultimately brings Tony and Cap back together. This then leaves things open for the next Spider-Man movie, planned for after Civil War, to be about Miles. Everybody wins! We get a heartfelt more interesting way to tell Civil War, since it’s already a bit messed up from not fitting the comic book version anyway, and get the new Spider-Man that so many people want.
What do you guys think? Did my editor and writer side take this far off base, or should Marvel be paying me for setting up a better plot? Personally, I hope this is already where they’re planning to take things and that my (and my husband's) psychic powers are spot on.
Well, they’re doing it anyway, and now they’ve finally managed to work things out with Sony to use Spider-Man.
A little background from me – Spider-Man is my guy, my favorite superhero since I was a little girl. I’ve enjoyed his films but none of them have quite captured Spidey right, not the way the 90s cartoon did, or other mediums. So I want to be excited at this second (third, fourth, a millionth?) chance to maybe get him right. At the same time…I don’t want his presence to screw this up.
See, I was already worried about Civil War because for those who might not be familiar with the comics, it was about whether or not people with abilities/powers should have to register with the government and give up their secret identities, sort of like the plot for the first X-Men movie. Obviously, mutants were against this. Cap was against it. Tony was for it. That’s what divided them.
We can’t have that be the plot here because…everyone knows everyone in this universe, there ARE no secret identities. So instead we can guess, since Bucky is planned to be such an important character in the next Cap movie, that the division will revolve around him. Everything will be strained after Ultron, with a lot of the blame on Tony and tensions high. After getting over PTSD, and everything else, this will leave Tony pretty broken.
Then boom, back from the dead is Cap’s friend Bucky who also happened to be the murderer of Tony’s parents. The division will come from whether or not Bucky should have to pay for his crimes.
Now, this is just a guess for now, but I’m pretty confident about it. The problem is, you could sort of understand both Cap and Tony’s points of view in the comic version of this story, at least at the start, but this? Bucky literally had no control over himself and shouldn’t be to blame for any of the things he did as Winter Soldier, so I feel the movie will really end up vilifying Tony even more than he was in the comics, and who wants to hate on RDJ? No one.
It also bugs me that we barely had one movie where they were really a team, the Avengers together, and already we’re going to divide them.
But of course, we can also guess, that this will mostly be resolved by the end of Civil War so that when the final Avengers movies come around, the team is unified again to face larger threats. So how will that happen?
In the comics, Cap turned himself in to end the bloodshed that had arisen in the face of this fight, and was assassinated, leaving Tony in one of the most iconic moments in comic book history, saying… “It wasn’t worth it.”
Now they could still do that, kill off Cap, leading in for Bucky to take up the shield, and still allowing for Steve to return some day, as is comic law. But given Spider-Man’s new involvement in this tweaked version of the story, I have a better idea.
The last thing I want is for Spider-Man to steal the spotlight here, and in doing so wreck what has been such a great run of amazing movies. After all, it was never assumed he would be able to join the team. But I think there is a way he can be important and impactful without ruining anything.
So many people are clamoring for Miles Morales to be Spider-Man. Miles is a young man of color who takes up the Spider-Man mantel in the Ultimate Universe (which the movies are more often based on than the normal universe) after Peter Parker dies. Now, I don’t want them to go straight to this, how can they when Peter hasn’t even existed in this version of the Marvel universe yet, but I’m not opposed to adding him eventually. So how about this:
What if Peter Parker as Spider-Man, a young hero who worships Cap and Tony, gets caught up in their Civil War, as is factual of the comic version, but instead of Cap…Peter is the one who ends up dead in the crosshairs. He’s what pushes it too far, what makes it ‘not worth it’ and ultimately brings Tony and Cap back together. This then leaves things open for the next Spider-Man movie, planned for after Civil War, to be about Miles. Everybody wins! We get a heartfelt more interesting way to tell Civil War, since it’s already a bit messed up from not fitting the comic book version anyway, and get the new Spider-Man that so many people want.
What do you guys think? Did my editor and writer side take this far off base, or should Marvel be paying me for setting up a better plot? Personally, I hope this is already where they’re planning to take things and that my (and my husband's) psychic powers are spot on.
February 18, 2015
Meet the Author at Coming Conventions!
It's almost that time of year for me again, so I wanted to give everyone a heads up of the conventions I will for sure be at this Spring.
First, MiniCon, which is having it's 50th anniversary. Located once again at the Double Tree in Bloomington, MN, it's a smaller, literary specific con, but always with amazing people, and they have free craft beer. Seriously good stuff. See me in the dealer room.
Second, Wizard World Minneapolis, the second year this Comic Con has graced my fair city. This convention is HUGE, and was an amazing success last year at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Celebrities galore, and tons to look at. I'll be in Artist Alley.
I will have copies of Incubus, Changeling, and my novelette The Collector available for purchasing, and will happily sign copies.
As always, I will also be in costume. This year the hubby and I are going as a pair - Margaery Tyrell and Renly Baratheon from Game of Thrones.
I've created a unique new look rather than copy one of the costumes Margaery has been seen in on the show, but the final pieces came together last night and I am really excited. Plus the hubby looks so good in his gold tunic and crown.
I hope to have a few more conventions for the year, and will keep you posted. I'm dying to get to an anime con - partly because it has been TOO long, and because I know my fellow yaoi fans will enjoy The Incubus Saga.
Let me know if I'll be seeing you at either of these conventions this year, and let me know if there are any I should NOT pass up near Minnesota.
First, MiniCon, which is having it's 50th anniversary. Located once again at the Double Tree in Bloomington, MN, it's a smaller, literary specific con, but always with amazing people, and they have free craft beer. Seriously good stuff. See me in the dealer room.
Second, Wizard World Minneapolis, the second year this Comic Con has graced my fair city. This convention is HUGE, and was an amazing success last year at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Celebrities galore, and tons to look at. I'll be in Artist Alley.
I will have copies of Incubus, Changeling, and my novelette The Collector available for purchasing, and will happily sign copies.
As always, I will also be in costume. This year the hubby and I are going as a pair - Margaery Tyrell and Renly Baratheon from Game of Thrones.
I've created a unique new look rather than copy one of the costumes Margaery has been seen in on the show, but the final pieces came together last night and I am really excited. Plus the hubby looks so good in his gold tunic and crown.
I hope to have a few more conventions for the year, and will keep you posted. I'm dying to get to an anime con - partly because it has been TOO long, and because I know my fellow yaoi fans will enjoy The Incubus Saga.
Let me know if I'll be seeing you at either of these conventions this year, and let me know if there are any I should NOT pass up near Minnesota.
February 11, 2015
The Book Was Better (or sometimes just as bad, so please don’t go see 50 Shades of Grey)
I’ll admit this blog was inspired by recently discovering KrimsonRogue (a guy after my own heart with that name) and his YouTube channel “The Book Was Better.” Seriously fun stuff.
As someone who graduated with a BA in “Creative Writing for Text and Screen,” analyzing adaptations in fiction, I have a deep love for this conversation, as there are times…when the book wasn’t better. Or maybe not good at all, but still got a movie.
Take Fight Club, one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the book as well…but the movie was better, and the author himself will be the first to say it. The ending is better, the flow is better. But this is a rare occurrence, we all know.
Even KrimsonRogue admits this on occasion with his YouTube series.
What about Game of Thrones? Is the written series A Song of Ice and Fire better than the TV series? When both are really good, I think the answer is somewhere in between, because the mediums are so different. The book series can often give us more background, more details, more insight into what characters are thinking, but the visual version lets us see it and engage with the characters in a different way.
Is there a reason Game of Thrones is even more popular now because it has a TV version that reaches a broader audience? Maybe just that: reaching a broader audience. I didn’t even know about Twilight until the first movie came out. Harry Potter was popular enough before, but the movies definitely pushed it over the edge into stardom.
On that note, I’d like to personally ask everyone to AVOID seeing 50 Shades of Grey this weekend…or ever. We all know how awful it is, but beyond the terrible writing, remember that this is also an inaccurate depiction of BDSM lifestyles, and instead shows undue violence and abuse that shouldn’t be tolerated.
Twilight teaching young girls that if their boyfriend leaves them all they have to do is attempt suicide and he’ll come back, and everything will be fine, was bad enough, but this takes it to a whole new level.
Don’t see it just to see how bad it really is, don’t give them the satisfaction of making more money. These poor actors already deeply regret being part of this project and don’t want to do more (see ANY of their interviews for the disastrous press tour). Let’s send a message that this is not the type of story we want.
Some things like Sharknado are fun to watch for the train wreck; 50 Shades of Grey will be nothing but awful and needs to bomb at the box office.
Let’s all do our part and go see Kingsman instead.
As someone who graduated with a BA in “Creative Writing for Text and Screen,” analyzing adaptations in fiction, I have a deep love for this conversation, as there are times…when the book wasn’t better. Or maybe not good at all, but still got a movie.
Take Fight Club, one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the book as well…but the movie was better, and the author himself will be the first to say it. The ending is better, the flow is better. But this is a rare occurrence, we all know.
Even KrimsonRogue admits this on occasion with his YouTube series.
What about Game of Thrones? Is the written series A Song of Ice and Fire better than the TV series? When both are really good, I think the answer is somewhere in between, because the mediums are so different. The book series can often give us more background, more details, more insight into what characters are thinking, but the visual version lets us see it and engage with the characters in a different way.
Is there a reason Game of Thrones is even more popular now because it has a TV version that reaches a broader audience? Maybe just that: reaching a broader audience. I didn’t even know about Twilight until the first movie came out. Harry Potter was popular enough before, but the movies definitely pushed it over the edge into stardom.
On that note, I’d like to personally ask everyone to AVOID seeing 50 Shades of Grey this weekend…or ever. We all know how awful it is, but beyond the terrible writing, remember that this is also an inaccurate depiction of BDSM lifestyles, and instead shows undue violence and abuse that shouldn’t be tolerated.
Twilight teaching young girls that if their boyfriend leaves them all they have to do is attempt suicide and he’ll come back, and everything will be fine, was bad enough, but this takes it to a whole new level.
Don’t see it just to see how bad it really is, don’t give them the satisfaction of making more money. These poor actors already deeply regret being part of this project and don’t want to do more (see ANY of their interviews for the disastrous press tour). Let’s send a message that this is not the type of story we want.
Some things like Sharknado are fun to watch for the train wreck; 50 Shades of Grey will be nothing but awful and needs to bomb at the box office.
Let’s all do our part and go see Kingsman instead.
February 4, 2015
Writing the Forgotten - The Arrival of My One-Armed Character
I know all writers aren’t the same, but at least for me, I don’t…create characters. Characters appear to me, and then little by little as I write their story, they reveal to me things about themselves and who they really are.
This is one of the reasons why I like to ruminate on original story ideas for a long while before I start writing, because often over time, maybe from everyday life and experiences, I’ll discover something completely different about a new character before I even write their first scene.
You want to call it Divine Intervention, feel free. I know I do.
Meet Connor Daniels, one of the main characters in my first book after The Incubus Saga ends, tentatively titled Life as a Teenage Vampire. I knew the basics about Connor right from the start. 18 years old, dark blond hair in a buzz cut with honey colored eyes. Average height, slim but surprisingly muscular underneath his baggy T-shirts. Crazy smart, especially with robotics, but goofy and a huge geek. What I didn’t know right away was that he only has one arm.
Whether I was inspired to change the character, or as I like to think of it, brought to the realization that this is how he was always meant to be, a series of events led me to this conclusion.
I won’t lie, a large part of it first came from my love of the new Captain America movie and The Winter Soldier character. I fell in love with this version of Bucky Barnes more so than in the first film, and became obsessed. Add in how his awesome metal arm reminded me of the cool older gentlemen who gave talks at the library about his hook hands when I was a little girl, the girl born without an arm in my high school, a good friend from college without fully formed fingers who has the motivation and spunk of someone with three hands, and several men I pass in the Minneapolis skyways without right or left arms, and it was no wonder this was on my mind. But the final push that made me connect all of this to Connor was Even Kuester.
If you have not seen this young man’s amazing artwork with prosthetics, go to his site now. His work is beautiful.
I looked at the arms Kuester had created for his good friend and immediately thought…Connor could probably make something like that with his robotics knowledge, and…and suddenly my mind went into a whirlwind, as more history and facts about this character filled my mind. Creating prosthetics for himself with his dad ever since he was little, until his level of skill surpassed his dad and he began making more and more, even making a prosthetic leg for the captain of the football team eventually. And suddenly there was so much more dimension to Connor, his motivations, his reactions, that I fell even more in love with his character than the protagonist of the story.
I’m excited to write about Connor and give some insight into one of the many millions of people we have in this crazy world who isn’t always focused on, who’s often forgotten. Because no matter the reason for being left out of many mainstream stories, everyone deserves to have their story told. I hope that Life as a Teenage Vampire manages to portray that in many ways, with Connor just one example, and that you all love him as much as I do when he makes his entrance.
Here’s to Connor!
This is one of the reasons why I like to ruminate on original story ideas for a long while before I start writing, because often over time, maybe from everyday life and experiences, I’ll discover something completely different about a new character before I even write their first scene.
You want to call it Divine Intervention, feel free. I know I do.
Meet Connor Daniels, one of the main characters in my first book after The Incubus Saga ends, tentatively titled Life as a Teenage Vampire. I knew the basics about Connor right from the start. 18 years old, dark blond hair in a buzz cut with honey colored eyes. Average height, slim but surprisingly muscular underneath his baggy T-shirts. Crazy smart, especially with robotics, but goofy and a huge geek. What I didn’t know right away was that he only has one arm.
Whether I was inspired to change the character, or as I like to think of it, brought to the realization that this is how he was always meant to be, a series of events led me to this conclusion.
I won’t lie, a large part of it first came from my love of the new Captain America movie and The Winter Soldier character. I fell in love with this version of Bucky Barnes more so than in the first film, and became obsessed. Add in how his awesome metal arm reminded me of the cool older gentlemen who gave talks at the library about his hook hands when I was a little girl, the girl born without an arm in my high school, a good friend from college without fully formed fingers who has the motivation and spunk of someone with three hands, and several men I pass in the Minneapolis skyways without right or left arms, and it was no wonder this was on my mind. But the final push that made me connect all of this to Connor was Even Kuester.
If you have not seen this young man’s amazing artwork with prosthetics, go to his site now. His work is beautiful.
I looked at the arms Kuester had created for his good friend and immediately thought…Connor could probably make something like that with his robotics knowledge, and…and suddenly my mind went into a whirlwind, as more history and facts about this character filled my mind. Creating prosthetics for himself with his dad ever since he was little, until his level of skill surpassed his dad and he began making more and more, even making a prosthetic leg for the captain of the football team eventually. And suddenly there was so much more dimension to Connor, his motivations, his reactions, that I fell even more in love with his character than the protagonist of the story.
I’m excited to write about Connor and give some insight into one of the many millions of people we have in this crazy world who isn’t always focused on, who’s often forgotten. Because no matter the reason for being left out of many mainstream stories, everyone deserves to have their story told. I hope that Life as a Teenage Vampire manages to portray that in many ways, with Connor just one example, and that you all love him as much as I do when he makes his entrance.
Here’s to Connor!
January 26, 2015
The Incubus Saga Main Cast
Well now I have to find (or create) pictures of these new actor choices for The Incubus Saga together to see how they look...and so far I am not disappointed.
Sure, Stephen needs his hair dyed black and green contacts, and Robbie needs blue contacts, but poor Chace needs Crayloa red hair, so I'm not...haha, splitting hairs on this. ;-) I feel they all could pull off the right countenances though.
Sure, Stephen needs his hair dyed black and green contacts, and Robbie needs blue contacts, but poor Chace needs Crayloa red hair, so I'm not...haha, splitting hairs on this. ;-) I feel they all could pull off the right countenances though.
January 15, 2015
New Actors for Nathan and Jim Grier
I know, I know, I already chose actors for them long ago, but...I've never actually seen Ian Harding (Jim) in anything (why did I think he was in Grimm or something?), and as much as I want to love Tyler Hoechlin (Nathan), his acting, and it could totally be just that Teen Wolf is written terribly, hasn't been impressing me lately, so...my brain has started to wander.
Now, Chace Crawford will always be Sasha, but admittedly this was first decided upon for looks only, since I didn't watch Gossip Girl and hadn't seen him act. But the more I've seen his work since, the more he's solidified in my mind that he IS Sasha, especially after What to Expect When You're Expecting - I mean, that was Sasha to a T.
So where has my mind gone trying to think of new options for the twins? Why, to the Amell brothers, of course (they're actually cousins, but they've been saddled with the name so sue me).
As in Arrow himself, Stephen Amell for Nathan (just with darker hair than usual) and Robbie Amell as Jim. I love them both, what can I say, and hope to see more of Robbie in Flash. The fact that they're actually related makes it all the better.
Thoughts? Other better options? Think I'm crazy to toss away Tyler and Ian? Let me know! Or if you have thoughts on other actors for my characters.
Now, Chace Crawford will always be Sasha, but admittedly this was first decided upon for looks only, since I didn't watch Gossip Girl and hadn't seen him act. But the more I've seen his work since, the more he's solidified in my mind that he IS Sasha, especially after What to Expect When You're Expecting - I mean, that was Sasha to a T.
So where has my mind gone trying to think of new options for the twins? Why, to the Amell brothers, of course (they're actually cousins, but they've been saddled with the name so sue me).
As in Arrow himself, Stephen Amell for Nathan (just with darker hair than usual) and Robbie Amell as Jim. I love them both, what can I say, and hope to see more of Robbie in Flash. The fact that they're actually related makes it all the better.
Thoughts? Other better options? Think I'm crazy to toss away Tyler and Ian? Let me know! Or if you have thoughts on other actors for my characters.
January 7, 2015
How Nathan Grier Got His Name
I finished the end of Incubus during the holidays.
I finished Incubus.
I’m surprised I didn’t burst into tears, though maybe that’ll happen when book 3 releases.
Of course there will still be edits throughout the running of season 12 on BigWorldNetwork, and then a complete overhaul of seasons 9-12 which comprise book 3 before it starts getting put together…but it is written and waiting for that process, so close, dear readers, from being in your hands.
To all of you who have expressed impatience, and ‘do we really have to wait until August!?’, my apologies and endless gratitude for your support. I am so happy you love this story as much as I do. Book 3 is coming soon!
So today, as a little treat, I wanted to share with you how Nathan got his name. I actually put it out to my readers at the time to help me decide. Grier actually came first, then Jim’s name. I have always loved the name Greer for a girl, after Marvel’s Tigra, and lived right next to Grier Lane at the time. Plus I wanted them to have Gaelic roots.
But Nathan’s name was tough. I wanted an easy, common one-syllable name that could be yelled out and still sound good. They call out ‘Nate’ quite a bit after all, so I was amenable to names that were longer but that had a single syllable nickname. A few fans mentioned ‘Nathan’, which was on my personal list as well.
I’d included ‘Nathan’ with the potentials…after Nathan Explosion from Metalocalypse (which I love) and Nathan Detroit from Guys and Dolls (which I was in senior year of high school). This melds Nathan’s love for rock/metal with his slightly more secret love for musicals and Sinatra.
Nathan was almost ‘Dexter’. THIS close. That was my second choice, first choice for a while, but it just didn’t sound as good screamed. ;-) And I don’t like ‘Dex’ as a nickname.
Sasha’s name is harder for me to pin down origin wise, since his first incarnation came to me in early 2007, but he was partially named after female redhead ‘Sasha’ from Kindred: The Embraced…and wow, am I dating myself now!
Stay tuned for the coming end of Incubus, folks, for it is nigh, but as I’ve been teasing, I have something very fun lined up for you with my vampire story. Time to get writing again…
I finished Incubus.
I’m surprised I didn’t burst into tears, though maybe that’ll happen when book 3 releases.
Of course there will still be edits throughout the running of season 12 on BigWorldNetwork, and then a complete overhaul of seasons 9-12 which comprise book 3 before it starts getting put together…but it is written and waiting for that process, so close, dear readers, from being in your hands.
To all of you who have expressed impatience, and ‘do we really have to wait until August!?’, my apologies and endless gratitude for your support. I am so happy you love this story as much as I do. Book 3 is coming soon!
So today, as a little treat, I wanted to share with you how Nathan got his name. I actually put it out to my readers at the time to help me decide. Grier actually came first, then Jim’s name. I have always loved the name Greer for a girl, after Marvel’s Tigra, and lived right next to Grier Lane at the time. Plus I wanted them to have Gaelic roots.
But Nathan’s name was tough. I wanted an easy, common one-syllable name that could be yelled out and still sound good. They call out ‘Nate’ quite a bit after all, so I was amenable to names that were longer but that had a single syllable nickname. A few fans mentioned ‘Nathan’, which was on my personal list as well.
I’d included ‘Nathan’ with the potentials…after Nathan Explosion from Metalocalypse (which I love) and Nathan Detroit from Guys and Dolls (which I was in senior year of high school). This melds Nathan’s love for rock/metal with his slightly more secret love for musicals and Sinatra.
Nathan was almost ‘Dexter’. THIS close. That was my second choice, first choice for a while, but it just didn’t sound as good screamed. ;-) And I don’t like ‘Dex’ as a nickname.
Sasha’s name is harder for me to pin down origin wise, since his first incarnation came to me in early 2007, but he was partially named after female redhead ‘Sasha’ from Kindred: The Embraced…and wow, am I dating myself now!
Stay tuned for the coming end of Incubus, folks, for it is nigh, but as I’ve been teasing, I have something very fun lined up for you with my vampire story. Time to get writing again…
December 17, 2014
Let the Good Reviews Overtake the Bad
It's funny how often I'll notice a bad review or lower rating...the same day as I get a brand new 5 star. Remember, budding writers, to take the bad with a grain of salt, and bask in the good.
The other day, after noticing a new 3 star rating, I had the following 5 star review from Sean Sterner waiting for me.
Here's an excerpt:
"I have to say that this was the quickest I have read a book and could not take my eyes off it. It kept me at the edge of my seat and wanting more page after page...Incubus, from the moment I started reading it, made me reconsider what my top all time favorite series was."
Thank you so much, Sean! I can't wait to hear what you think of Changeling, and the final installment yet to come!
I'm so excited as I'm working on the ending of the final book, the last season of the serialized version to air on BigWorldNetwork.com starting in February, and then the final compiled book to release in August.
This has been an amazing ride, and to all the wonderful readers out there, especially those who have taken the time to review, thank you. I couldn't keep the motivation to write without you.
The other day, after noticing a new 3 star rating, I had the following 5 star review from Sean Sterner waiting for me.
Here's an excerpt:
"I have to say that this was the quickest I have read a book and could not take my eyes off it. It kept me at the edge of my seat and wanting more page after page...Incubus, from the moment I started reading it, made me reconsider what my top all time favorite series was."
Thank you so much, Sean! I can't wait to hear what you think of Changeling, and the final installment yet to come!
I'm so excited as I'm working on the ending of the final book, the last season of the serialized version to air on BigWorldNetwork.com starting in February, and then the final compiled book to release in August.
This has been an amazing ride, and to all the wonderful readers out there, especially those who have taken the time to review, thank you. I couldn't keep the motivation to write without you.
December 8, 2014
How Fanfiction Made Me a Writer
Not many people know this, but back in high school I had three potential career choices I debated between.
One was vocal music performance, and while I love to sing, I knew I didn’t want to pursue that.
The second was acting. I had done theater since 7th grade, and had been a lead all throughout high school, and honestly…it was my top choice for a long time. For some reason the anxiety I got from singing in front of people never reared its head when acting.
The last choice, of course, was writing. And I probably wouldn’t have published novels today if not for events in high school that pushed me toward that path over acting…all because of fanfiction.
I’m a video game geek, so my first fanfiction was written around that, particularly Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII. In this case, FFVIII was the culprit. I had been enjoying another author’s epically long fanfic centered around the character Zell, but when it finally reached its end, I was disappointed.
I reviewed the story telling the author I honestly felt it could have and should have ended differently. She agreed, and we began conversing back and forth on how I might write an alternate ending, sanctioned by the original author herself. It was an amazing collaborative experience for me.
Not to go into too much detail, the story revolved around topics of teenage depression and suicide. I wrote an ending with more hope than the original, and had a great response from readers. One review in particular caught my attention and has stuck with me to this day.
It was an anonymous review, so there was no way for me to contact this person or know who they were, but in it they confessed that they had felt similarly depressed as the character and had been considering suicide, but felt a renewed sense to continue fighting after reading my alternate ending to the fic.
I don’t know what became of this person afterward, but the thought that my writing could do something so profound for someone made my decision for me then and there.
I never doubted my decision to pursue writing after that, and every time I reach a fan even in the smallest way, it reminds me of the time I reached someone significantly, and that is more than enough motivation to keep on.
You’ll find me touting the importance and good of fanfiction all the time, and this was one of the reasons why. Reading can change people’s perspectives, change their lives, and fanfiction is no different from the most praised novel. Never downplay the importance of any form of writing. Every time we can communicate and reach others with new and important ideas, that’s something truly special.
What about all you other writers out there? What was the final catalyst that made you a writer?
One was vocal music performance, and while I love to sing, I knew I didn’t want to pursue that.
The second was acting. I had done theater since 7th grade, and had been a lead all throughout high school, and honestly…it was my top choice for a long time. For some reason the anxiety I got from singing in front of people never reared its head when acting.
The last choice, of course, was writing. And I probably wouldn’t have published novels today if not for events in high school that pushed me toward that path over acting…all because of fanfiction.
I’m a video game geek, so my first fanfiction was written around that, particularly Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII. In this case, FFVIII was the culprit. I had been enjoying another author’s epically long fanfic centered around the character Zell, but when it finally reached its end, I was disappointed.
I reviewed the story telling the author I honestly felt it could have and should have ended differently. She agreed, and we began conversing back and forth on how I might write an alternate ending, sanctioned by the original author herself. It was an amazing collaborative experience for me.
Not to go into too much detail, the story revolved around topics of teenage depression and suicide. I wrote an ending with more hope than the original, and had a great response from readers. One review in particular caught my attention and has stuck with me to this day.
It was an anonymous review, so there was no way for me to contact this person or know who they were, but in it they confessed that they had felt similarly depressed as the character and had been considering suicide, but felt a renewed sense to continue fighting after reading my alternate ending to the fic.
I don’t know what became of this person afterward, but the thought that my writing could do something so profound for someone made my decision for me then and there.
I never doubted my decision to pursue writing after that, and every time I reach a fan even in the smallest way, it reminds me of the time I reached someone significantly, and that is more than enough motivation to keep on.
You’ll find me touting the importance and good of fanfiction all the time, and this was one of the reasons why. Reading can change people’s perspectives, change their lives, and fanfiction is no different from the most praised novel. Never downplay the importance of any form of writing. Every time we can communicate and reach others with new and important ideas, that’s something truly special.
What about all you other writers out there? What was the final catalyst that made you a writer?
December 3, 2014
Chace Crawford as Sasha Kelly - PHOTO MANIP
After posting the Sasha with tattoos photo manipulation, the lovely exonev offered me a redo of one of my OTHER favorite Chace Crawford as Sasha manips. Enjoy!
Isn't he dreamy...?
Isn't he dreamy...?
