C.N. Faust's Blog, page 5

Reblog: Anne R. Allen – 10 Obsolete Beliefs that Can Block Self-Publishing Success

Good morning, my darlings! Starting it off with some Starbucks coffee and a link to an excellent and informative article. I hate it when I find awesome blog posts on other hosts (like Blogspot or Blogger as opposed to WordPress) and I have to link to them instead of reblogging. >.> Grr! Anyway, click on the cover below and it will take you there! 

Fell the Angels (an older project) now on Wattpad

Hello my darlings. I have accidentally stumbled across an old project that I remember being very fond of. Once Drams if finished, while I continue to hammer away at the Bitch King, I might tackle this and re-write it, as well. For now, what there is already is up for you to enjoy on Wattpad. Click the cover below to follow the link!

GUEST Q&A – novelist, Cyrus Faust!

Originally posted on Aleksis Faust :

Hey everyone! Me and the mister thought it would be pretty fun if our followers got to see what the each of us is like as a writer. So with that said, let me introduce you to my favorite novelist! 

 

Whose your favorite character you’ve written for outside of the Dragoloth series?

I have a vampire stripper named Lucius Moncreaff hidden away someplace. He likes to perform in outfits made of clear plastic and he has pretty angel soft blonde hair. I’d like to resurrect him one day (no pun intended?) and do something fun with him. His canon is a little slim right now, though. I’d have to find some new plot to spruce it up!

 

What character do you think you are most like? (And you can’t say Pharun)

WELL THEN. If not Pharun, I’d say the second most relatable for me is Shrukian. Everyone treats…

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GUEST Q&A – poet, Aleksis Faust!

Hello my beautiful ones! Today I asked my husband Aleksis Faust to guest post and do a Q&A for my blog. I wrote the questions and he answered them all in private, so I was just as entertained reading them for the first time as you will be. I won’t keep his stage for long, so here he is ! If you enjoy his content here, go read some of his poetry at https://aleksisfaust.wordpress.com/, give him a follow! You won’t regret it. 

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At what age did you start writing poetry?

The first time poem I ever wrote that wasn’t some kind of English assignment, was in my 8th grade Science class. I was 14 years old.




Who were your greatest influences?

Besides other poets, I was heavily influenced by lyricists like Dani Filth and Marilyn Manson, as well as contemporary rap artists.




How much did personal experience affect it then, versus how it does now?

I think when I was younger, most of what I did was confessional poetry, as a kind of cathartic process. Now, I have more fun with, and even though my personal life always influences me – it doesn’t lord over my work.




What inspires you to write?

Literally anything. Usually the works of other artists, particularly films and other visual mediums.




Have you ever tried your hand at prose, and would you ever consider writing a short story or a novel?

I have actually; two unfinished pieces of prose are currently sitting in my hard drive. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to write a full length novel, but I would love to get to that point someday.




What is your ultimate goal for yourself and your writing?

I want to revive poetry for this era, and I want to share my work with as many people as I can, both while I’m here and when I’m gone.




Do you feel like poetry is a respected art form?

I think the “classics” are respected, such as Poe, Keats, Milton etc. but not necessarily contemporary poets. Spoken word and rap are the only subsets of verse that are getting any shine, in my opinion.




Which poets make your top list?

Charles Baudelaire, Charles Bukowski, Arthur Rimbaud, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Saul Williams, my husband, and Charles Simic to name a few. (Why are there so many good poets named Charles?) side note to my readers: this is especially funny because I am his husband and all of the men on my dad’s side are named Charles.




Would you say that you have settled into a style, or are you still experimenting?

I think my most comfortable style is a modern, more musical twist on free-verse, but I don’t think any writer should restrict themselves to only one style. Experimenting in other forms teaches you more about your craft and facilitates creativity.




What would you say is the most interesting thing about you?

I don’t think I can point out a singular, ruling characteristic to describe myself. I think if I was able to do that, I’d be pretty boring :P




What is a day in the life of a poet like?

Well I’m not sipping wine from a goblet, hunched over parchment by candlelight with a quill and ink if that’s what you’re asking. I’m also not living in a coffee shop with a beret and a cigarette tape between my fingers either. xD




Do you think anyone can be a poet?

I think anyone can write poetry.




If you could give a piece of advice to someone who was just starting out, what would it be?

1) Only say what’s necessary. 2) Whatever you say, say it in a way that’s never been said before. 3) Don’t ever force it.




In what direction do you see poetry as an art form heading?

I think spoken word will continue to be hijacked by social activism and rap will continue to develop into weirder and more unique content. As that happens, I think we will see a reemergence of appreciation for written verse.




What are some of your other interests?

I’m really into alternative rap, “artsy-films” , and recently rekindled my love for videogames. Basically, I never go outside during the day.




Are there any countries you would like to visit that you think would inspire you?

Sure, Romania, France, Germany, Russia, and Italy all have aesthetics I would kill to see in person.




Do you ever take inspiration from current events?

Sometimes, but usually it’s something non-political. I like to stay aware of social issues, but I think those issues are best articulated through discourse rather than poetry, where it can sometimes get to abstracted.




If so, how well does a dramatic event or social concept translate into poetry?

I think it’s much easier to write about a dramatic event than a social concept. For example, one could certainly write a moving piece about the humanity (or lack thereof) in Ferguson, but it would be much harder to unpack white privilege and the history of racism within power structures like the police force in a single poem.




Is there a poet in your life (someone you know personally) who you look up to?

Can I say my husband without sounding like a sycophant? Honestly he’s the only person I know personally whose poetry I’ve read and deemed professional.




What do you feel makes a poem ‘fresh’?

Just about anything you can choose as a topic has been written about before, so the key is to take whatever that is, and try to flip it on its head or change the perspective. One of the best ways to do this is to experiment with imagery and metaphor.




If you were to have your poems illustrated and could hire anyone dead or alive, whose art would you use?

It’s cruel to make me just pick one, but H.R. Giger is the first one that came to mind.




If you could capture your philosophy in one word, what would it be?
Satanism.


Do you prefer to have your work honestly critiqued or blindly adored?

Honestly critiqued.




What inspired you to go professional with your writing?

I just didn’t see the point in expressing myself creatively if I wasn’t going to share it with anyone. Why write at all if you’re the only one who is going to read it?




What gives you the drive to continue?

The encouragement of my husband and the opinion of others whose opinion I respect.




What would you consider to be a ‘stereotypical’ poet?

Nowadays, a young, twenty-something who only performs in front of a mic with a perpetual upward inflection and an irritating lack of breath control.




If not drinking and smoking (and other stereotypical poet behaviors) what would you name your vices?

Attention, love, and sex.




Sum up the ‘greats’ of poetry in one word.
Encompassing.


What are the absolute “Don’t’s!” of writing poetry?

DO NOT rhyme something simply because you can.
DON’T say anything that is already implied/obvious.
DO NOT force anything to come out of you that isn’t there. It’s contrived. If you’ve heard something said similarly, by anyone else, don’t say it.
DON’T underestimate subtlety and purposeful restriction.
DON’T become so abstract that no one can discern a meaning.
DON’T try to adopt a style that you aren’t suited for just because you admire it. Play around with it, but if it’s hindering your content – move on.
DON’T doubt your work.
NEVER delete anything without consulting an honest reviewer/friend.




I hear you have an incredibly handsome husband. On a scale of 1 – Adonis, how sexual is he?
Satan.

DRAMS – new crowdfunding campaign!

Hello, my darlings! I have put up a new crowdfunding campaign for “Drams” to help cover the printing and distribution costs! My brain is exhausted from writing the pitch, so I don’t have much clever to say here. Just click the button below if you want to check it out, and then don’t forget to spread the word! Much love. 

DRAMS – Drumming up some hype!

Hello my darlings! Are you excited for “Drams”? It is coming up very, very soon! I’ve been on fire with this project, working on it for hours at a time like it’s my full time job (which, actually, it is right now). As promised I am going to have some lovely merch and freebies for you soon, but until then, you know you want a little taste.

That’s why I’m going to do this – SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter (HERE) and on Monday (September 1st) anyone who is subscribed will receive an exclusive sneak peek in their email inbox. You have until midnight on Sunday to receive this sweet, sweet peek… so don’t hesitate! Click the link before this post gets lost in cyberspace! 

I will not be posting this sample on my blog. This could very well be your only chance to get a look at the action before it hits stores. 

Oh, and did I mention that anyone who is subscribed to my newsletter will also be the first to see the new merchandise, and will receive a 20% off or more coupon as long as other amazing deals? It doesn’t stop there – it only gets more delicious! 

So don’t be shy – SUBSCRIBE now!! The clock is ticking! 

New drawing for $25 Amazon gift card #contest thing

C.N. Faust:

Worth checking out! Go see!

Originally posted on Gwen Bristol:

Enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! by reviewing

the Night Ones.

(See below for details. :)

I’m so excited about this!

While I wait for the final book cover for The Night Ones, I decided to host another $25 Amazon gift card drawing. (Some of you may remember when I did this a few years ago. I’m really happy to be doing it again.)

Here are the rules:’

1. Read The Night Ones, by Gwen Bristol

2. Post a review of The Night Ones on Amazon–here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Night-Ones-Legacy-Book-One-ebook/dp/B00N505O94/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409461305&sr=8-1&keywords=gwen+bristol+the+night+ones

3. Send me an e-mail at gwenbristol@gmail.com letting me know you posted a review. If you win the drawing at the end of the month, I’ll contact you by e-mail to get a physical address so I can send you the gift card.

Here are a few more things to…

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Some Antique Ebay Books (if you’re into that)

Because I am into that. 

DRAMS – Cover art – PART FINAL

Seriously, guys, I think I’ve figured this out. I’m so excited about this cover art. It took me so many hours and a lot of frustrating mistakes but in the end, I am so proud of what I accomplished and I think it is perfect. Opinions, please! What do you think? Let me know in the comments down below!

Update: My Wattpad Experience (…so far…)

Hello my darlings! So, as most as you know, I recently decided to give “Wattpad” a try again. For those of you who are not aware (and I’m sure most of you do, because you’re a well-informed lot) Wattpad is a website where anyone can go and share their writing. Other people can read it, comment, and “vote it up” if they like. It is utilized primarily by teenagers but there are plenty of people in their upper twenties and early thirties who have seemed to catch on to it, as well. I know quite a few authors, also, who frequent the website to post chapters or samples of their work as a way to lure potential readers in. 

I was not a Wattpad fan, at first. It’s far too easy to just stick some samples on there and then abandon them to drown. And that is exactly what an untended sample or work does, it sinks to the bottom of the pile never to be heard from again. Because of the site’s primary audience, I know a few who have deemed their work too “old” for the crowd. But is that necessarily true, or is it simple a case of poor networking? 

I’m not saying that if your story does not have 1,000,000 views on Wattpad you fail at all things marketing. Hell, Her Majesty’s Spider has been up there for almost two weeks and only has 36 views. But so far, the feedback I have received for it has been positive, and the Wattpad community has proven itself to be welcoming and friendly. 

Tonight, however, I think I discovered the key. The key is in the “clubs” of Wattpad (basically forums) that you can find underneath the ‘Community’ tab. I didn’t know they existed, but I was really bored and it was three in the morning when I went to explore. There I found quite a few forums – some dedicated to individual genres, some are for writing advice, others are for media (cover design, mostly). This is where the active community of Wattpad gathers to exchange ideas and real feedback. I have learned more about potential audiences in one night than I ever did researching it on Google. 

The best thing at least about the writing forum (that was where I spent the majority of my exploration) is that people go there for all sorts of things. Advice about character, plot, genre-specific information, structure, cover design, you name it. But then there are the fun threads, people asking about the most annoying trends they see in books, or the ‘talk as your character’ threads, or the ‘can we guess what your character looks like by just their name’ threads. Some people even offer editing services for each other, or TRANSLATION services (that was one that shocked me). 

My point is interaction. Building community and making connections – you could have the best chapter sample or novella in the world sitting on Wattpad – but even with the right keywords people will not know you exist unless they continue to see your username pop up again and again. Besides that, contributing to topics is fun and you get the chance to dole out some advice as well as do a little learning of your own. 

Advertising to the same group of people again and again has the same effect as bringing your newly published book to family Thanksgiving, is also what I’m saying. It will help you maintain an already established community, but it won’t help you broaden your horizons. 

More updates to come on Wattpad fun. I’ve downloaded the app for my phone and will probably never see sunlight again.