Tony Acree's Blog
July 14, 2014
Huge 99 cent sale
Hydra Publications is putting all of their books on sale for 99 cents or less, including my bestselling supernatural thriller, The Hand of God, and the sequel, The Watchers. The sale runs from July 14-18.
http://www.amazon.com/Tony-Acree/e/B0...
http://www.amazon.com/Tony-Acree/e/B0...
July 16, 2013
The Hand of God Free For Amazon Kindle
Today and tomorrow, The Hand of God, IS FREE!!! For Amazon Kindle. Part of the Hydra Summer Bash. There are 29 other books as well. if you know anyone who loves great books at the best price (free) then please share this with one and all. http://tonyacree.com/2013/07/15/the-h...
July 8, 2013
Writing Tips and Tricks
Now that I’ve had my first novel published and am working on the second, I’m not quite a newbie anymore. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of things I have to learn about writing and the publishing business as a hole, but I’m not nearly as green as I used to be.
Now when I meet wannabe authors, they ask me all kinds of questions about the art of writing, as if having a book published gives me a special kind of insight. But I always appreciate the questions as I did the same thing every time I met a writer who made it into the realm of the published book.
To help pay back a bit, I asked the other wonderful authors for their top writing tips and they were happy to share their thoughts. These tips will not guarantee you get published, but if you follow them you will do battle better prepared than trying to figure it out all on your own.
K.A. DaVur, author of Hunter the Horrible – Pick one project and finish it. One hundred half finished manuscripts equal zero manuscripts. Push through even when that first “rush” is gone. It will return, and when it does you will have learned so much.
Jenn Nixon, author of the soon to be released Hydra title Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian - TIP #1 Learn the rules of writing. Show Vs Tell, Passive Voice, Crutch Words, Pacing, Grammar, and Style.
TIP #2 Join a writers group-online or in person. Make sure you write in said genre. TIP #3 Learn how to write a killer Query and Synopsis and Proposal.
Eric Garrison, author of Reality Check - I think the hardest concepts for me when I started were point of view shifts and passive voice. The other thing goes along with what’s already been said here. Lesson learned from 5 years of “winning” at NaNoWriMo: Write something now, turn off the inner editor, and finish it. THEN fix it later. And I can say it works for me, since all of those 5 NaNo novels are under contract with a publisher now.
Aaron J. French, author - Takes constant persistence and the ability to put yourself out there and talk to the people — in person, not just over the internet.
E.S. Brown, author of the soon to be released Starphoenix- Read and write everyday. Reading others’ work will give you a better sense of how ideas are structured and communicated. Writing everyday keeps your own skills in practice, and of course ensures you are advancing on your own projects. When you are writing, do so freely and without initial regard of being perfect. That’s what editing and revising is for!
Patrick Kanouse, author, Put your butt in the chair and write. — Not as easy as it sound.
Brick Marlin, author of Raising Riley - Don’t let that sadistic little verb Discouragement sidled next to you and force-feed you about how teeny-tiny you are in this huge ocean of abysmal literary forces. Discouragement will force you to remember how many books are stuffed in bookstores, telling you that you have no chance of ever becoming a story teller. Don’t listen to the muck! Write and write every day if you can. Keep up the good work! Give us tales that will make the frontal lobe of our brains slip into another world and hold on tight because the literary ride is yet to be over!
John Hartness, author - Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. And don’t measure your success by anyone else’s metric. Only you are the barometer of your success. If you want to sell ten copies of a book to your friends, then do that. If you want to sell a million books and live on a tropical island, then work towards that. But don’t let anyone make you feel like your success is not valid.
Tony Acree, author of The Hand of God - I have to add my two cents. The two which helped me the most is stop trying to make every chapter perfect. Don’t do a single rewrite until the entire novel is finished. Keep a folder where you take down notes, and when you’re finished with the first draft, THEN do your rewrites. The other is to write every day. I try and hit a thousand word a day minimum. If that is too much, then try for five-hundred a day. But write every day.
Best of luck and drop me a line when you get your first, or next, novel published.
Now when I meet wannabe authors, they ask me all kinds of questions about the art of writing, as if having a book published gives me a special kind of insight. But I always appreciate the questions as I did the same thing every time I met a writer who made it into the realm of the published book.
To help pay back a bit, I asked the other wonderful authors for their top writing tips and they were happy to share their thoughts. These tips will not guarantee you get published, but if you follow them you will do battle better prepared than trying to figure it out all on your own.
K.A. DaVur, author of Hunter the Horrible – Pick one project and finish it. One hundred half finished manuscripts equal zero manuscripts. Push through even when that first “rush” is gone. It will return, and when it does you will have learned so much.
Jenn Nixon, author of the soon to be released Hydra title Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian - TIP #1 Learn the rules of writing. Show Vs Tell, Passive Voice, Crutch Words, Pacing, Grammar, and Style.
TIP #2 Join a writers group-online or in person. Make sure you write in said genre. TIP #3 Learn how to write a killer Query and Synopsis and Proposal.
Eric Garrison, author of Reality Check - I think the hardest concepts for me when I started were point of view shifts and passive voice. The other thing goes along with what’s already been said here. Lesson learned from 5 years of “winning” at NaNoWriMo: Write something now, turn off the inner editor, and finish it. THEN fix it later. And I can say it works for me, since all of those 5 NaNo novels are under contract with a publisher now.
Aaron J. French, author - Takes constant persistence and the ability to put yourself out there and talk to the people — in person, not just over the internet.
E.S. Brown, author of the soon to be released Starphoenix- Read and write everyday. Reading others’ work will give you a better sense of how ideas are structured and communicated. Writing everyday keeps your own skills in practice, and of course ensures you are advancing on your own projects. When you are writing, do so freely and without initial regard of being perfect. That’s what editing and revising is for!
Patrick Kanouse, author, Put your butt in the chair and write. — Not as easy as it sound.
Brick Marlin, author of Raising Riley - Don’t let that sadistic little verb Discouragement sidled next to you and force-feed you about how teeny-tiny you are in this huge ocean of abysmal literary forces. Discouragement will force you to remember how many books are stuffed in bookstores, telling you that you have no chance of ever becoming a story teller. Don’t listen to the muck! Write and write every day if you can. Keep up the good work! Give us tales that will make the frontal lobe of our brains slip into another world and hold on tight because the literary ride is yet to be over!
John Hartness, author - Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. And don’t measure your success by anyone else’s metric. Only you are the barometer of your success. If you want to sell ten copies of a book to your friends, then do that. If you want to sell a million books and live on a tropical island, then work towards that. But don’t let anyone make you feel like your success is not valid.
Tony Acree, author of The Hand of God - I have to add my two cents. The two which helped me the most is stop trying to make every chapter perfect. Don’t do a single rewrite until the entire novel is finished. Keep a folder where you take down notes, and when you’re finished with the first draft, THEN do your rewrites. The other is to write every day. I try and hit a thousand word a day minimum. If that is too much, then try for five-hundred a day. But write every day.
Best of luck and drop me a line when you get your first, or next, novel published.
June 10, 2013
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, The Short Story
My all time favorite poem is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. As part of a writing exercise for the Creative Writers Workshop, I turned the poem into a short story. Here are both for your reading pleasure.
******************************
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
****************
Ode to a Snowy Evening
by
Tony Acree
Up ahead the narrow dirt lane disappeared in the rapidly falling snow. I pulled lightly on the reigns, bringing my dappled colored horse and small sleigh to a gradual halt. Tall trees were gathered close around us, leafless silent watchmen wearing new coats of white, on guard as twilight slowly approached.
I get my bearings as best I can, and I think I know whose woods these are. The man lived in the village just passed. Did he spend time here in nature’s sublime embrace or were these woods no more than some blotters ink on a sterile accountant’s page? No matter, for I am sure he will not see me stopping here to watch while the snow–as if on some great journeys end–rushes to cover all in virgin pureness, filling his woods with mounting drifts.
I lift my head skyward and allow several fragile flakes to alight upon my face, darting around the once protective rim of my hat. They land and melt quickly, their coolness like a mother’s soft kiss remembered.
My little horse must think it queer after the distance we have traveled to stop without a farmhouse hear. No guiding light shining a beacon’s promise of warmth or hay to eat. With only the woods and a frozen lake to be seen on the darkest night of the year, he must surely wonder if it would not be more fit for him to sit in the sleigh and for me to take up halter and harness to complete our journey.
But I am mesmerized as I watch the countryside viewed through a curtain of heavenly origin while the coming night reaches out its hand to paint the scene in deepening shadows. The spaces between oaken trunks become magical realms that call to me, tempting me to pass between them like a gate to a world that mortal men only dream about. Something primordial beckons me, capturing my imagination as I drink in the timeless scene. I pull my great coat tighter as a chill winter wind gathers and caresses me, taking my breath away.
With a shake of his harness bells my equine friend breaks my reverie. And as their tinkling dies away, the only sound that can be heard is the sweep of easy wind and downy flake. He seems to be asking if there were some mistake, some miscommunication between master and beast. With a smile of genuine affection and some kind words I let him know there had not been. It seems the same flight of fancy that had overcome me had not had the same effect on him.
With a touch of the reigns I send us yet again down the now unbroken path of winter white. I glance once more between the bows of the ancient trees that still call out to me. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
Share this:
******************************
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
****************
Ode to a Snowy Evening
by
Tony Acree
Up ahead the narrow dirt lane disappeared in the rapidly falling snow. I pulled lightly on the reigns, bringing my dappled colored horse and small sleigh to a gradual halt. Tall trees were gathered close around us, leafless silent watchmen wearing new coats of white, on guard as twilight slowly approached.
I get my bearings as best I can, and I think I know whose woods these are. The man lived in the village just passed. Did he spend time here in nature’s sublime embrace or were these woods no more than some blotters ink on a sterile accountant’s page? No matter, for I am sure he will not see me stopping here to watch while the snow–as if on some great journeys end–rushes to cover all in virgin pureness, filling his woods with mounting drifts.
I lift my head skyward and allow several fragile flakes to alight upon my face, darting around the once protective rim of my hat. They land and melt quickly, their coolness like a mother’s soft kiss remembered.
My little horse must think it queer after the distance we have traveled to stop without a farmhouse hear. No guiding light shining a beacon’s promise of warmth or hay to eat. With only the woods and a frozen lake to be seen on the darkest night of the year, he must surely wonder if it would not be more fit for him to sit in the sleigh and for me to take up halter and harness to complete our journey.
But I am mesmerized as I watch the countryside viewed through a curtain of heavenly origin while the coming night reaches out its hand to paint the scene in deepening shadows. The spaces between oaken trunks become magical realms that call to me, tempting me to pass between them like a gate to a world that mortal men only dream about. Something primordial beckons me, capturing my imagination as I drink in the timeless scene. I pull my great coat tighter as a chill winter wind gathers and caresses me, taking my breath away.
With a shake of his harness bells my equine friend breaks my reverie. And as their tinkling dies away, the only sound that can be heard is the sweep of easy wind and downy flake. He seems to be asking if there were some mistake, some miscommunication between master and beast. With a smile of genuine affection and some kind words I let him know there had not been. It seems the same flight of fancy that had overcome me had not had the same effect on him.
With a touch of the reigns I send us yet again down the now unbroken path of winter white. I glance once more between the bows of the ancient trees that still call out to me. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
Share this:
June 9, 2013
Disney Tricks and Tips
A quick note about the drive home: we made it. We did have another Wendy’s adventure. We found one quick enough this time and we only waited in line for a few minutes. But Katy, trying to be helpful, carried a tray back to the table for me and spilled one of the drinks all over the floor.
And for those of you who remember our adventure in Corbin, Kentucky, we made a stop there on the return trip for dinner. We even broke the “if you can’t see it from the end of the ramp” travel rule, but found the KFC with minimal angst and had a great meal.
Now for the things I learned on our trip to Disney World. The first thing is to plan, plan, plan. Thanks to Connie, we had a wonderful game plan for each park. If you go and just want to wander, you can do that but you will miss a lot. And wait in a ton of lines. So try and have a game plan on what you want to see and in what order. The Disney site lists all the major attractions and which ones issue FastPasses.
Which leads me to the second tip: use the FastPass option. They are free to anyone who buys a ticket to the park. All you do is take your park passes, stop by the FastPass kiosk for the ride you’re interested in, slide your card in the machine and it will give you a one hour time window to come back and get in a separate line just for FastPass riders. The people in the Stand By lines will look at you with parts jealousy and admiration. They’re free. Make use of them.
Third tip is to try and make reservations for the restaurants you want to eat at way in advance. Our Best filled up six months before our trip. It can be a pain to plan your day to make sure you get to a particular restaurant by the allotted time, but it is even worse waiting an hour and a half for a sit down meal.
Fourth tip is to purchase a Disney Dining Plan in advance. It just makes life easier and helps you maintain a travel budget.
The last tip is to HAVE FUN! Disney World is not just for children. It’s for all of us. We had a great time and the Acree family thanks the Monroe family for being such great vacation buddies.
And for those of you who remember our adventure in Corbin, Kentucky, we made a stop there on the return trip for dinner. We even broke the “if you can’t see it from the end of the ramp” travel rule, but found the KFC with minimal angst and had a great meal.
Now for the things I learned on our trip to Disney World. The first thing is to plan, plan, plan. Thanks to Connie, we had a wonderful game plan for each park. If you go and just want to wander, you can do that but you will miss a lot. And wait in a ton of lines. So try and have a game plan on what you want to see and in what order. The Disney site lists all the major attractions and which ones issue FastPasses.
Which leads me to the second tip: use the FastPass option. They are free to anyone who buys a ticket to the park. All you do is take your park passes, stop by the FastPass kiosk for the ride you’re interested in, slide your card in the machine and it will give you a one hour time window to come back and get in a separate line just for FastPass riders. The people in the Stand By lines will look at you with parts jealousy and admiration. They’re free. Make use of them.
Third tip is to try and make reservations for the restaurants you want to eat at way in advance. Our Best filled up six months before our trip. It can be a pain to plan your day to make sure you get to a particular restaurant by the allotted time, but it is even worse waiting an hour and a half for a sit down meal.
Fourth tip is to purchase a Disney Dining Plan in advance. It just makes life easier and helps you maintain a travel budget.
The last tip is to HAVE FUN! Disney World is not just for children. It’s for all of us. We had a great time and the Acree family thanks the Monroe family for being such great vacation buddies.
May 15, 2013
Giveaway Winners
Congratulations to Nicole Hibben and Honour Hilairel, winners in The Hand of God giveaway here on Goodreads. Thank you to all who signed up for a chance to win!
May 13, 2013
Five Books to Have While Stuck on a Deserted Island
I’ve seen this topic often enough and realize there is zero chance of me ever being on a deserted island. Mainly because that would mean you managed to get me on a ship to go anywhere near an island in the first place. And despite what Tom Hank’s movie, Castaway suggests is possible, if your plane goes down in the middle of the ocean – well, lets just say reading won’t be on your mind.
But nevertheless, I will suspend my disbelief and pretend I’m on said island with a bag big enough for five books, and with any luck, a large bottle of scotch. I am excluding three books everyone should or may consider right off the bat: The Bible, The Desert Island Survival Guide for Dummies and 101 Ways to Cook Coconuts.
Here are my five choices, not in any particular order.
1. Ten Little Indians - by Dame Agatha Christie. (Also known as Then There Were None)
This is the first mystery novel I can remember reading where I went “Whoa! That was cool!” Next thing you know I tore through all the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple novels I could get my hands on. For many reasons, not the least of which is it introduced me to my next choice, it may be my favorite novel of all time.
2. The Complete Sherlock Holmes - by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes may be the most popular character in fiction. I’m hard pressed to think of another who has been reincarnated in more different books, movies, television shows and radio programs. I read every single story, not once or twice, but many times. To have Holmes and Watson on the island would make the time pass much quicker.
3. The Hobbit - by J. R. R. Tolkien
I would have chosen the Lord of the Rings instead, but they are three books and I would consider it cheating, even though I’m not really on an island, so I opt for the Hobbit instead. Tolkien’s works are the ones all other modern fantasy novels owe their existence. After reading this on my deserted island (I can call it mine, since it’s deserted, there is no one else to tell me I can’t) I can run around and carve on the trees “Bilbo Lives!” I can’t carve Frodo lives, as I didn’t bring those books, remember?
4. Hamlet - by William Shakespeare
It would be hard for me not to have at least one of the Bard’s works with me on the island, and while I could cheat and pick the Collected Works of William Shakespeare, quite frankly I wouldn’t want to carry all of them around. So I choose Hamlet. It would make me feel better reading about the Danish Prince, as there would be at least one person whose life could be considered worse than ending up on a deserted island.
5. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
By the time I finished the other books on my list, I will have been frightened, puzzled, thrilled, uplifted and depressed all to Hell. It would be time for a laugh and this book always does the trick. I mean, just thinking about individual quotes makes me smile. “This must be Thursday,” said Arthur to himself, sinking low over his beer, “I never could get the hang of Thursdays.”
So there you have it. If I’m ever stranded on a deserted island, I hope I have these five books with me to pass the time. Oh. And a super model. I know that would make it a “mostly deserted island” but as long as I’m filling out a list, might as well have a plus one.
Which books would you chose for your deserted island? And no. I’m not sharing my island. You’ll have to get your own. Post your list in the comments section.
But nevertheless, I will suspend my disbelief and pretend I’m on said island with a bag big enough for five books, and with any luck, a large bottle of scotch. I am excluding three books everyone should or may consider right off the bat: The Bible, The Desert Island Survival Guide for Dummies and 101 Ways to Cook Coconuts.
Here are my five choices, not in any particular order.
1. Ten Little Indians - by Dame Agatha Christie. (Also known as Then There Were None)
This is the first mystery novel I can remember reading where I went “Whoa! That was cool!” Next thing you know I tore through all the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple novels I could get my hands on. For many reasons, not the least of which is it introduced me to my next choice, it may be my favorite novel of all time.
2. The Complete Sherlock Holmes - by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes may be the most popular character in fiction. I’m hard pressed to think of another who has been reincarnated in more different books, movies, television shows and radio programs. I read every single story, not once or twice, but many times. To have Holmes and Watson on the island would make the time pass much quicker.
3. The Hobbit - by J. R. R. Tolkien
I would have chosen the Lord of the Rings instead, but they are three books and I would consider it cheating, even though I’m not really on an island, so I opt for the Hobbit instead. Tolkien’s works are the ones all other modern fantasy novels owe their existence. After reading this on my deserted island (I can call it mine, since it’s deserted, there is no one else to tell me I can’t) I can run around and carve on the trees “Bilbo Lives!” I can’t carve Frodo lives, as I didn’t bring those books, remember?
4. Hamlet - by William Shakespeare
It would be hard for me not to have at least one of the Bard’s works with me on the island, and while I could cheat and pick the Collected Works of William Shakespeare, quite frankly I wouldn’t want to carry all of them around. So I choose Hamlet. It would make me feel better reading about the Danish Prince, as there would be at least one person whose life could be considered worse than ending up on a deserted island.
5. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
By the time I finished the other books on my list, I will have been frightened, puzzled, thrilled, uplifted and depressed all to Hell. It would be time for a laugh and this book always does the trick. I mean, just thinking about individual quotes makes me smile. “This must be Thursday,” said Arthur to himself, sinking low over his beer, “I never could get the hang of Thursdays.”
So there you have it. If I’m ever stranded on a deserted island, I hope I have these five books with me to pass the time. Oh. And a super model. I know that would make it a “mostly deserted island” but as long as I’m filling out a list, might as well have a plus one.
Which books would you chose for your deserted island? And no. I’m not sharing my island. You’ll have to get your own. Post your list in the comments section.
May 4, 2013
Oh No She Didn't (A Kentucky Derby Story)
She turned off the TV. She just walked over and punched the power button. I stood there stunned. The year was 1980 and I was in north eastern Ohio, standing in the family room of my date’s home, getting ready for a junior prom dance.
Sharon and I met several weeks before, when she visited Amy, her best friend whose family moved to our area the year before. She and I hit it off and when Amy made the decision to return to her former stomping grounds to attend the dance with an old flame, Sharon invited me to be her date. I thought for all of a fraction of a second before saying yes.
We arrived the day before and I bunked with Norm, Amy’s boyfriend. We had a great time leading up to the dance: from ambushing the girls with water balloons while washing the car, to watching Norm super glue his thumb to the shower (it broke and he was trying to fix it before his dad found out) the four of us got along better than I could have hoped.
Then it happened. An hour or so before leaving for the dance, we were all dressed and ready to go. I practically glowed in my solid white tux. Seriously. The thing seemed to have a light of it’s own. The four of us assembled in the family room so Sharon’s dad could take our picture, but there was a snag. Back home it was Derby day and the race was just getting ready to start. Her family tuned the TV to the local channel carrying the Derby so I could watch the the “greatest two minutes in sports.”
The four of us were standing together while her father took several pictures, but during one I was leaning sideways, as they were loading the horses into the gate. My horse, Genuine Risk, was trying to become only the second filly to win the race and I actually felt nervous.
Sharon, seeing me paying more attention to the race then the photo op, walked over and turned the TV off. I walked back over and turned it on. She looked at me, hands on hips, and said, “What’s the big deal, it’s only a race.”
Her dad, laughing, said, “Honey, he’s from Kentucky. It’s not a race, it’s the race.”
She asked, “And just how long will this take?”
I said, “Two minutes, tops.”
We all watched as Genuine Risk ran the race of her life and beat down the boys to win the Run for the Roses. I don’t remember if I yelled the whole time, but I’m sure I did. With the race over, I turned the TV off and we went back to the picture taking.
We all had a fantastic time at the dance and I still remember the night fondly. But it just goes to show you that we in the Bluegrass State view the Kentucky Derby much differently than other people around the country. The race which takes place on the first Monday in May at the home of the Twin Spires, Churchill Downs, is a source of state pride.
So please, if you’re hosting a guest from Kentucky tomorrow and it’s around 5:30 p.m., don’t turn off the TV. Give it a couple of minutes. Life will be much easier if you do.
Sharon and I met several weeks before, when she visited Amy, her best friend whose family moved to our area the year before. She and I hit it off and when Amy made the decision to return to her former stomping grounds to attend the dance with an old flame, Sharon invited me to be her date. I thought for all of a fraction of a second before saying yes.
We arrived the day before and I bunked with Norm, Amy’s boyfriend. We had a great time leading up to the dance: from ambushing the girls with water balloons while washing the car, to watching Norm super glue his thumb to the shower (it broke and he was trying to fix it before his dad found out) the four of us got along better than I could have hoped.
Then it happened. An hour or so before leaving for the dance, we were all dressed and ready to go. I practically glowed in my solid white tux. Seriously. The thing seemed to have a light of it’s own. The four of us assembled in the family room so Sharon’s dad could take our picture, but there was a snag. Back home it was Derby day and the race was just getting ready to start. Her family tuned the TV to the local channel carrying the Derby so I could watch the the “greatest two minutes in sports.”
The four of us were standing together while her father took several pictures, but during one I was leaning sideways, as they were loading the horses into the gate. My horse, Genuine Risk, was trying to become only the second filly to win the race and I actually felt nervous.
Sharon, seeing me paying more attention to the race then the photo op, walked over and turned the TV off. I walked back over and turned it on. She looked at me, hands on hips, and said, “What’s the big deal, it’s only a race.”
Her dad, laughing, said, “Honey, he’s from Kentucky. It’s not a race, it’s the race.”
She asked, “And just how long will this take?”
I said, “Two minutes, tops.”
We all watched as Genuine Risk ran the race of her life and beat down the boys to win the Run for the Roses. I don’t remember if I yelled the whole time, but I’m sure I did. With the race over, I turned the TV off and we went back to the picture taking.
We all had a fantastic time at the dance and I still remember the night fondly. But it just goes to show you that we in the Bluegrass State view the Kentucky Derby much differently than other people around the country. The race which takes place on the first Monday in May at the home of the Twin Spires, Churchill Downs, is a source of state pride.
So please, if you’re hosting a guest from Kentucky tomorrow and it’s around 5:30 p.m., don’t turn off the TV. Give it a couple of minutes. Life will be much easier if you do.
January 21, 2013
My interview with authors Raven and Lain Bower, a husband and wife writing power team
My guests today are Raven and Lain Bower, the husband and wife writing duo behind novels of supernatural suspense, fantasy and horror. Welcome to both of you.
Update: Raven is the one answering the questions, while Lain lurks in his mad scientist lab. At least that’s what I’ve heard.
What is your most recent published work?
That would be our adventure fantasy novella, Nymph’s Lair.
What is it about?
Adventure! And the pursuit of raw vengeance. It’s part of the Shrouded Isles series, a prologue of a sort. The story continues in the novel, The Shrouded Isles (release date to be determined).
Sounds very intriguing. What was it like when you found out that Hydra was going to publish your book?
We were ecstatic! I did research on Hydra before sending in our manuscript – loved their covers and the way the publisher, Frank, corresponded. Hydra is very team orientated, almost like a family; it’s a great place to be.
I agree. The Hydra author family is a huge reason why I signed with them as well. What can you tell readers about the main character?
He’s an oddball, a half-orc barbarian with a noble streak who travels with an uppity dwarf. They both enjoy their drink a little too much and I find some of their choices in food and ale…eh…questionable. *Grimace*
Meaning they eat lima beans? I don’t even think half-orc barbarians can get down a lima bean. What was your favorite part of the book for you to write? What are you most proud of?
All of it! I just adore the characters but I’m particularly fond of Tigs, the dwarf. He was the first dwarf character I ever made and wrote about but he just – came to life, a little like a Dwarfenstein zapped by the energy of imagination!
As for proud of, hm. The scene in the nymph’s lair, I won’t spoil it so I can’t say exactly why, but readers got the gist and loved it, which pleases me. Particularly when I wasn’t sure how well the magical aspect of what happens there would come across on paper.
I can’t wait to read it. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Excellent question! Let’s see. For Roch, the half-orc hero, I keep imagining Vin Diesel all green and tusky
For Tigs, the dwarf, Karl Urban because he does that dour, dead-pan humor so well (like in Star Trek!).
For the saucy sea nymph, I’d choose Charlize Theron. Can you imagine her in glistening scales and sharp fangs?
Yes I can. Yes. I. Can. What genres do you write in?
We write in what we call our Tripod of Doom! Which would be horror, fantasy and urban fantasy. We’re fascinated by creatures and things that go bump in the night.
Some writers claim that writing dark stories is easier than writing light ones. True or false for you, and why?
True. In dark stories, conflict is ripe and bursting in every corner! Beautiful discord! Characters are fraught with tough decisions that are difficult to solve and often they have to give up quite a bit to accomplish their goals – sometimes even their lives.
In a lighter story, the conflicts are more subdued and, imo, less fun to write – making them harder to see through.
When you have time to read what do you enjoy? Who’s your favorite author?
Yipes. Everything. Okay that’s a lie, I don’t read literary fiction, mysteries, YA or historical fiction, but all other genres are great fodder for me.
My favorite author often changes with my mood and they range across the board too – Dean Koontz, Rollins, Raymond Feist, RA Salvatore, Margaret Weis, Robert McCammon, Steve Alten and the list goes on forever.
I’m also fond of many small press authors like Gwen Perkins, Sasha Summers, Pete Giglio, Stephen Zimmer and Ren Garcia to name a few.
There is no doubt there are great Hydra authors waiting for people to discover their work. What is the coolest thing a reviewer ever said about your work?
I’m a character writer, my focus is on the characters and their journey, their trials, anguish and problems. So when reviewers say how alive the characters seemed or how much they loved or hated them, it’s a fantastic feeling.
Tell us a little bit about what you are working on now or next?
We’re working on several projects right now. I’m writing the rough draft of Telling Bones or maybe I’ll title it the Secret Wind – not set on the title yet. Anyway, title aside, it’s an adventure fantasy series called the Draekyn Spears that takes place in the shared- world of Andronia. At the same time, we’re also writing the Andronia Region of Turmoil World Guidebook, for gamers who wish to explore Andronia. As well as other supplements for the Andronia world.
Wow. Sounds like you guys are super busy. When will it be available?
All of those will be available in 2013, plus a few other goodies like Smoke (book 2 of the Vengeance series, Primal is book 1) and the Primal Earth World Guidebook (which is a gaming world based off Primal’s world).
When do you write? How many hours a day/week?
All the time – no rest for the wicked you know. Except when I sleep and even that time is used as my subconscious mind works its way through plot, world and issues.
How do you prepare for a project? Do you work off an outline of your book or write by gut-feel?
I do a lot of brainstorming and then write up an outline of scenes on 3×5″ cards that I stab into my plot wall. Truly, it’s not as gruesome as it sounds, they don’t bleed – much.
Using plot cards that highlight the important parts of the scene and important foreshadows allows me to have the best of both worlds – a road map of the novel so I don’t get lost on tangents and the ability to go with the gut because it’s not so hashed out that there isn’t room for new discoveries.
Very interesting way to plot your novel. Do you have any events or book signings coming up? Where? When?
Not until next year – we’ll be attending GenCon in Indianapolis IN with Hydra Games! Exciting!
How can readers connect with you? (Blog, Facebook, email, whatever)
I lurk mostly on my blog, Facebook and Twitter – @ravenbower
Bonus Oddball Question: If you had to describe your main character in terms of a food, what food would it be and why?
Oh goodness, imagining a half-orc as a food brings nooothing good to mind! LOL
Thanks to Raven and Lain for stopping buy. I highly recommend people pick up their novel Primal and look forward to their upcoming work.
Update: Raven is the one answering the questions, while Lain lurks in his mad scientist lab. At least that’s what I’ve heard.
What is your most recent published work?
That would be our adventure fantasy novella, Nymph’s Lair.
What is it about?
Adventure! And the pursuit of raw vengeance. It’s part of the Shrouded Isles series, a prologue of a sort. The story continues in the novel, The Shrouded Isles (release date to be determined).
Sounds very intriguing. What was it like when you found out that Hydra was going to publish your book?
We were ecstatic! I did research on Hydra before sending in our manuscript – loved their covers and the way the publisher, Frank, corresponded. Hydra is very team orientated, almost like a family; it’s a great place to be.
I agree. The Hydra author family is a huge reason why I signed with them as well. What can you tell readers about the main character?
He’s an oddball, a half-orc barbarian with a noble streak who travels with an uppity dwarf. They both enjoy their drink a little too much and I find some of their choices in food and ale…eh…questionable. *Grimace*
Meaning they eat lima beans? I don’t even think half-orc barbarians can get down a lima bean. What was your favorite part of the book for you to write? What are you most proud of?
All of it! I just adore the characters but I’m particularly fond of Tigs, the dwarf. He was the first dwarf character I ever made and wrote about but he just – came to life, a little like a Dwarfenstein zapped by the energy of imagination!
As for proud of, hm. The scene in the nymph’s lair, I won’t spoil it so I can’t say exactly why, but readers got the gist and loved it, which pleases me. Particularly when I wasn’t sure how well the magical aspect of what happens there would come across on paper.
I can’t wait to read it. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Excellent question! Let’s see. For Roch, the half-orc hero, I keep imagining Vin Diesel all green and tusky
For Tigs, the dwarf, Karl Urban because he does that dour, dead-pan humor so well (like in Star Trek!).
For the saucy sea nymph, I’d choose Charlize Theron. Can you imagine her in glistening scales and sharp fangs?
Yes I can. Yes. I. Can. What genres do you write in?
We write in what we call our Tripod of Doom! Which would be horror, fantasy and urban fantasy. We’re fascinated by creatures and things that go bump in the night.
Some writers claim that writing dark stories is easier than writing light ones. True or false for you, and why?
True. In dark stories, conflict is ripe and bursting in every corner! Beautiful discord! Characters are fraught with tough decisions that are difficult to solve and often they have to give up quite a bit to accomplish their goals – sometimes even their lives.
In a lighter story, the conflicts are more subdued and, imo, less fun to write – making them harder to see through.
When you have time to read what do you enjoy? Who’s your favorite author?
Yipes. Everything. Okay that’s a lie, I don’t read literary fiction, mysteries, YA or historical fiction, but all other genres are great fodder for me.
My favorite author often changes with my mood and they range across the board too – Dean Koontz, Rollins, Raymond Feist, RA Salvatore, Margaret Weis, Robert McCammon, Steve Alten and the list goes on forever.
I’m also fond of many small press authors like Gwen Perkins, Sasha Summers, Pete Giglio, Stephen Zimmer and Ren Garcia to name a few.
There is no doubt there are great Hydra authors waiting for people to discover their work. What is the coolest thing a reviewer ever said about your work?
I’m a character writer, my focus is on the characters and their journey, their trials, anguish and problems. So when reviewers say how alive the characters seemed or how much they loved or hated them, it’s a fantastic feeling.
Tell us a little bit about what you are working on now or next?
We’re working on several projects right now. I’m writing the rough draft of Telling Bones or maybe I’ll title it the Secret Wind – not set on the title yet. Anyway, title aside, it’s an adventure fantasy series called the Draekyn Spears that takes place in the shared- world of Andronia. At the same time, we’re also writing the Andronia Region of Turmoil World Guidebook, for gamers who wish to explore Andronia. As well as other supplements for the Andronia world.
Wow. Sounds like you guys are super busy. When will it be available?
All of those will be available in 2013, plus a few other goodies like Smoke (book 2 of the Vengeance series, Primal is book 1) and the Primal Earth World Guidebook (which is a gaming world based off Primal’s world).
When do you write? How many hours a day/week?
All the time – no rest for the wicked you know. Except when I sleep and even that time is used as my subconscious mind works its way through plot, world and issues.
How do you prepare for a project? Do you work off an outline of your book or write by gut-feel?
I do a lot of brainstorming and then write up an outline of scenes on 3×5″ cards that I stab into my plot wall. Truly, it’s not as gruesome as it sounds, they don’t bleed – much.
Using plot cards that highlight the important parts of the scene and important foreshadows allows me to have the best of both worlds – a road map of the novel so I don’t get lost on tangents and the ability to go with the gut because it’s not so hashed out that there isn’t room for new discoveries.
Very interesting way to plot your novel. Do you have any events or book signings coming up? Where? When?
Not until next year – we’ll be attending GenCon in Indianapolis IN with Hydra Games! Exciting!
How can readers connect with you? (Blog, Facebook, email, whatever)
I lurk mostly on my blog, Facebook and Twitter – @ravenbower
Bonus Oddball Question: If you had to describe your main character in terms of a food, what food would it be and why?
Oh goodness, imagining a half-orc as a food brings nooothing good to mind! LOL
Thanks to Raven and Lain for stopping buy. I highly recommend people pick up their novel Primal and look forward to their upcoming work.
