K.N. Lee's Blog, page 57
September 24, 2013
Journey to Aviad!! Book Blast!!
Journey to Aviad

Journey to Aviad Description:Threatening clouds and fierce storms besiege the city of Tyroc. More frequent and powerful than ordinary storms, young Elowyn, a weaver’s daughter living in the outskirts of the city, senses something disturbing and unnatural about them. She soon realizes that the storms are but a warning sign of much more frightening things yet to come.
Terrifying wolf-like creatures emerge from the depths of the wilderness at the bidding of a dark master. His name found only among the crumbling pages of ancient texts, the re-appearance of Alazoth and his Hounds is a dark omen for the people of Tyroc and beyond. Only legends remain of the heroes and prophets whose blood was shed ages ago to banish him into the abyss, which should have remained his prison for all time. How he has been released is a mystery, but all the old stories agree that death and destruction are sure to follow.
With the Hounds inching closer each day, the city of Tyroc caught up in religious and political turmoil, and her home life no less turbulent, Elowyn has nothing left to rely on but her meager courage and a budding faith in Aviad, the Creator. She and her sister, Morganne, set out on a remarkable journey that challenges everything they have ever known about themselves, the world, and the path that Aviad has laid out for them.
Reviews readers have posted on Amazon—you can choose whichever you like.Wonderful Book! This book was almost impossible to put down after the first page. The characters are so in-depth that you feel you know them as few books have been able to capture. The second book can not come too fast for me. Greenwatch "Kaysie S." (California)
Great Christian FantasyFrom the very first pages I could tell Reid is a very talented writer. I was intrigued and right from the start felt a sense of foreboding and concern for the main Character Elowyn thanks to Reid's remarkable writing skills. This is apparently first in a series and even though I'm not a huge fantasy fan - this was a wonderful tale of intrigue, danger and predatory evil. I'm looking forward to the next in the series as Reid certainly hooked me into wanting to know what becomes of her travelers who felt compelled, almost forced, to go on their journey. I really liked it, and withheld a five star rating only because I use that for my all-time favorite classics or other such books such as "Pride and Prejudice", "Gone With the Wind", some books by Francine Rivers and early Ted Dekker books etc. But even though the four stars indicate "I like it' I actually REALLY liked it. Carol V. "cjv" (Michigan)
A Superb ReadAllison Reid's Journey to Aviad is a superb read. I have never been much of a fan of medieval-framed fantasy, but Reid's lush and poetic use of language hooked me right out of the gate. Reid's strong female characters and quickening plot pulled me into the story, and I felt like I was next to Elowyn and Morganne on their journey to enlightenment and freedom. The strong spiritual overtones thickened the story line, and engaged me further. Steven Spielberg, get yourself a good screenwriter. This baby's a winner! I can't wait for the sequel. kathy ansberry d'aquila
Published on September 24, 2013 21:00
Can You See It? -a poem
The way to paradiseIs through this doorClose your eyesSay a prayerOpen themAnd we shall exploreA world of greenRedPinkAnd blueLush landscapesSeasAll to woo you
Are you ready?
Can you see it?
Inside your mind Is a realm untaintedFull of the visions And dreamsYour imagination has painted
You shouldn't fearWhat adventures awaitThe mysteriesDiscoveriesThis place is freedomYour sanctuary Your escape
Are you ready?
Can you see it?
Inside your mind Is a realm untaintedFull of the visions And dreamsYour imagination has painted
You shouldn't fearWhat adventures awaitThe mysteriesDiscoveriesThis place is freedomYour sanctuary Your escape

Published on September 24, 2013 18:49
September 23, 2013
Enchanted Winter (Chapter 1)
Enchanted Winter:
The Tale of the Morai K.N. Lee
Chapter 1
Winter smiled, but her heart pounded inside her chest. Be brave, Winter thought as fear threatened to cripple her. "Thanks, Finn.” The sun warmed her cold cheeks as she smoothed her hand over soft, white, fur. Winter straddled the young tetra. She leaned over and kissed the back of the his head. "I always knew Dancer would like me."Finn returned the smile and gave Dancer a pat. Dancer purred and lowered its head into Finn’s hand for a treat. Finn gave it an orange morsel.
"Name one person that doesn't like you, Winter."
Winter tilted her head and looked over Finn's shoulder. No one was around, except for the other slaves. While some tended the gardens and hung freshly washed clothes from lines, others entered the underground farm to milk the cows and gather eggs from subterranean hens. “Give her a ride, but take it easy. Master Blakeney will have my head if he finds out you rode one of Lady Cecily’s tetras.”Winter’s smile turned into a sneaky grin. “Well, we must make sure he doesn’t find out then.”Finn held his hand up to keep the bright sun out of his eyes. He glanced at her with his brows furrowed. The silver of his eyes sparkled even as he narrowed them at her.
“What’s gotten into you?” Winter pulled a strand of white hair from her eyelashes and tucked it behind her ear. Her hands were shaking. She had to hide her anxiety from her closest friend. She forced a smile and shrugged.
“What do you mean?”Finn looked around and back at her. “You’re all adventurous today. What happened to the shy, paranoid, girl I thought I knew? You're out here petting tetra's when normally you'd be too afraid to come outside without an escort. Something is up.”
Finn peered at her. He tilted her chin with his index finger. His touch was cold, just like her.Winter shook her head. She wasn’t prepared to answer his question. She knew he was in love with her. Such a notion was obvious. Finn had her name etched onto his skin. No other girl would have him. Perhaps she could have accepted his offer for marriage in the Old World, but not in this one.
Winter felt guilty for using him. He would get a lashing once the master found out that he had let one of his favorite house slaves run off with one of the only tetras on the manor grounds. Winter felt a wash of fear overcome her. Like tiny knives, alarm filled her entire body. She held her breath. Her smile faded into a look of worry.It wasn’t the tetra that Master Blakeney would miss. Winter looked down at Finn. His silver eyes stared at her with suspicion. His eyes were the same shade as her own. They could have been siblings, but he was much taller. His white hair blew with the warm summer breeze.Winter knew she couldn't hide the truth from him. He knew her too well. They'd spent months together during the Exodus, and he knew her every secret. Well, at least he thought he did.Winter shook her head, tears burning her eyes.Finn began to realize what was really happening. He saw the apology in her face. He held the reigns and gasped.“Winter,” he breathed her name with panic. “Don’t do it!”Winter didn’t have a choice. The tears flowed freely now. “Step back, Finn.”She kicked the tetra in the side. It opened its wings, kicked off the solid brown ground and ran in mighty leaps that took them into the sky."I'm sorry!" Finn fell backwards at the sudden burst of wind the tetra stirred up. Dancer sped from the farm, hopped over the steel fence, and took flight. Winter glanced over her shoulder and down at Finn. He was still on his bottom as he looked up at the flying tetra and the girl he thought he knew.
Winter winced.
No one really knows me at all.
No one knew the secrets she kept or the plan she had been devising for as long as she'd been forced into slavery. The adrenaline filled her belly making her hold onto the reigns so tightly that her palms began to bleed. Winter sucked in a breath. Her own white wings were pulled back, useless. One day...she would fly again. She was determined.The tears streamed down her face now. Tears so cold that they made her cheeks sting. Winter hoped Finn wouldn't be too severely punished. She hoped that when the sun went down, and the humans woke up that they wouldn’t notice the missing tetra until Finn had escaped as well.Winter shuddered. She knew that Finn was too afraid to leave. He would be there, waiting for his lashings. The poor, obedient, fool, Winter thought. She sobbed and leaned into the tetra's sparkling silver white. She could hear its heart beating, loud, but steady. Her stomach twisted into knots. She was free. She was alone. Winter looked up at the red sun and wept silver tears. They trailed down her bronze skin, leaving white marks on her smooth cheeks. No slave had ever escaped before. She would be hunted down, and probably killed, but she didn’t have a choice. The red rays beamed down on her face and she directed the tetra higher into the clouds. Her white hair whipped around her body like long ribbons. She felt safer in the clouds. They gave her a place to hide while she tried to figure out where to go next. Mama had told her about the Old World. The Old World was said to be a lush land full of magic...and danger. Winter didn't care. It was her home.Separated from New Genesis by the Wild Lands and the sea, Winter knew that was where she needed to go.She looked down at her sun dial. The gold sparkled and revealed a glow that warmed her face. There were at least nine more hours until the humans woke up. The sun was too bright for their weak bodies. She figured that was enough time to gain a lead on Master Blakeney’s guards. The manor would be in chaos once they found a slave had escaped. Winter couldn't help but grin then, even though she feared for her life and that of Finn's. She imagined the look on Master Blakeney’s face. His favorite toy had finally outsmarted him. Winter hadn’t drank the potion the night before. He expected her to still be in bed with him, but no, Winter had one of the kitchen slaves to replace her potion with seltzer.Winter thanked Yeltza for helping her. Mama had always said that slaves must help each other, but she knew that most of them would hate her for escaping. They were too afraid to escape. Most of them had never been outside of the manor’s walls. But Winter knew there was another world out there. A better world. Mama hadn’t been born a slave. Until the age of four, Winter and her mama lived freely, in the forest. The night they were captured changed everything.
Winter’s people were no longer free. The humans found her ancient race after their world had split. The spirit realm mixed with the living, and the enchanted folk of Morai were discovered.
The secret world of the Morai had been exposed, and the humans, with their technology, guns, and potions took control of the weaker race.Winter thought of how her people had lost most of their powers when they were exposed to the humans and their diseases. She vaguely remembered a time of peace.Winter patted Dancer on the head. She could smell a hint of the sea. Her eyes brightened. She was so close.
“Good boy," Winter purred. "Just keep up above the clouds and we’ll be all right.”The tetra hummed. She smiled. That humming sound meant that the tetra understood. It was nice to have someone agree with her for a change.The air was cold at that altitude, but Winter didn’t mind. She welcomed something other than the blazing hot sun. Her bronze skin glistened under its light.Winter closed her eyes and outstretched her arms as the tetra soared through the sky. Her smile widened until her white teeth gleamed. She threw her head back and let her hair fly.“Freedom,” she squealed with delight. “How divine it is to be free!” Winter grinned. She touched her neck. The color drained from her face. Somehow, someone had shot a dart into her neck. "Fly faster,” she said to Dancer. The moment she said those words a shock was sent into her neck and she barely had a chance to cry out from the intense pain. She closed her eyes as her body slipped from Dancer’s back, and began the long descent to the harsh rocky terrain of the Wild Lands.
To be continued next Monday...

A thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, and a fantasy world you've never seen.
Winter is a Morai, an ancient race with fairies and nymphs as ancestors. After the humans entered their world and enslaved them, the Morai faced the endangerment of their species. Winter is the only one that can save her people...but will the son of her former master be her ally, or her enemy?
Published on September 23, 2013 11:04
An interview with our guest, David Revilla!
Meet our guest, David Revilla! He completed the Falsely Imprisoned writing challenge, now he gives us an informative interview!
Where are you from?~ I was born and raised in Queens, New York, though I’ve traveled quite a bit. I have been to Europe, China, and Mexico and am planning to visit Japan and Ireland in the future.
Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life? ~ I wish I wrote full-time. Right now I'm working a contract job to help pay off my college loans and help support my real passion: writing. Though I'm ashamed to admit, I don't write as often as I used to. After getting home, I'm just so exhausted I can't even look at a computer screen anymore. But there are always the weekends, and I plan to do more writing once my muse comes back from vacation.
What jobs have you held that influence your stories?~ Honestly? I keep my personal and professional life separate. I write because it's all I was meant to do in this life. My jobs have nothing to do with it.
Do you have a specific writing style?~ Good question. I tend to focus on three specific things while writing: characters, setting, and dialogue, which is what I look for in a book. My stories focus on character interaction, inner monologues, and introspection. I want my characters to ask themselves just what they’re getting into and why they don’t just turn around and go home, or just abandon the mission altogether. Though I tend to live vicariously through my characters, I also input a bit of myself into each of them, good and evil. Each is a small extension of my fears, hopes, strengths, weaknesses, failures and successes. This allows me to empathize with the character better, and by giving them that more human feel I know that the reader might be able to find something to sympathize with as well. Oh, I also enjoy action scenes.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?~ The three most influential writers in my life have been R.L. Stine, R.A. Salvatore, and Stephen King.I can't say enough about R.L. Stine. Without him, I would never have gotten into reading, let alone writing. The first time I picked up Goosebumpsand started reading, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and that was back in 3rd grade. In fact, I handwrote my very first book around that time, followed by a sequel and a bit of a third.I'm a relative newcomer to fantasy books, despite my passion for the genre. R.A. Salvatore is one of my favorite fantasy writers. Anything to do with Drizzt Do’Urden or the drow is all thanks to this talented author, but what I love the most about Salvatore are his vivid battle sequences, memorable characters, and strong introspection. It’s because of him that I tend to challenge the characters in my stories.Stephen King taught me the value of short stories. They’re a great way to keep you writing and your mind exercising. Also, I am flabbergasted by the diversity of King’s bibliography. The man has written for almost every conceivable genre. I am trying to follow that roadmap and diversify my storytelling, with goals to have works published in fantasy, horror, science-fiction, adventure, and disaster books.
What book are you reading now?~ You’re going to love this. The Ocean at the End of the Street. I’ve only started reading Neil Gaiman books a few years ago and find his stories to be reminiscent of my worst fears as a child. Needless to say, the guy’s just great. I’ve only started reading it but rest assured I will leave a review on Goodreads when I get a chance.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?~ Funny you should ask that. I’ve done some Fanfiction in the past and while I’ve been moving away from it, I’ve met some extremely talented writers that I feel would make great published authors. As for published authors, I’m still looking around, seeing who could be the next JK Rowling or GRR Martin.
What are your current projects?~ Wow! Do you have forty minutes? I have a plethora of ideas at the moment that are fighting for the right to be written. I plan to write a trilogy of dark fantasy books which were, in a way, influenced by my debut novel The River Styx. I also have plans for a YA series, a high-fantasy series, a disaster/adventure story, and a science-fiction series. In the meantime, I'm also jotting down ideas for several short stories. I swear there aren't enough lifetimes.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.~ Had to be my best friend growing up. He always supported my career goals growing up and I am thankful for it.
Do you see writing as a career?~ A career? Serious? It’s my life. But to answer your question....abso-freakin'-lutely!
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?~ Forever! It all happened when I picked up a copy of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps back when I was in 3rd Grade. Since then, I knew what I wanted to do with my life and handwrote my first story shortly afterward. My writing style and tastes have developed since then and now I want to write about so many things at once.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?~ I’m working on a new project under a working title. It’s a stand-alone book aimed at a young audience that deals with alternate realities and wish-fulfillment. It’s a fantasy story and that’s about all I can say at the moment. With luck, I’ll have it finished by the end of this year.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?~ Without a doubt, staying interested in the story long enough to see it completed. I actually started writing The River Styx more than two years ago and finished the first act. Then I strayed, did other things, finally came back to it and forced myself to finish the book. My mind tends to stray so often that it's very difficult for me to remain with a project once I've started it. Also, I have this nasty habit of rewriting the story over and over. It’s my foolish attempt at creating that perfect first draft.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?~ That’s a very tough question. I guess it all depends on what I’m into now. When I first started, I was all about R.L. Stine, his unique concepts and the twists at the end of his stories. Eventually I “graduated” into Stephen King’s more adult-oriented horror tales. Later, I stared reading military-oriented sci-fi books like those by Alan Dean Forrester and Orson Scott Card. I was also heavy into manga during my teenage years. In my twenties, I started reading Salvatore, Greenwood, Gaiman, and Brooks, heavy into fantasy and dark fantasy stuff. In short, my favorite authors go with what my interests are at the time.
Do you have any advice for other writers?~ I know the “experts” will say to focus on what’s popular and write about that. But my advice is to write about what you enjoy most. Your readers will feel that passion from you and so long as you stay true to what you love, that affection will turn those readers into loyal fans. My advice is to write because you love it, not because it’s popular.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?~ I’d mentioned the perfect first draft. I want to tell other writers that it simply DOES NOT EXIST. Do NOT expect to finish your work in one sitting before sending it out to literary agencies. It does not work that way. Writing, like anything else, takes practice to perfect. More so, it is an art and should be treated as such. Besides, I find the process of writing the story far more rewarding than its conclusion, so it’s best to enjoy the time you spend with your characters instead of just hurrying them through the pages just so you can reach “the end.”
What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?~ Oh man….I get headaches just thinking about it. Over three months of writing and I still can’t believe I finished it that quickly. Honestly, I thought I’d be writing for a whole year.To start off, I needed a concept. When I began writing The River Styx, I was working on a completely different project. I always enjoyed mythology and tales of adventure, so I combined the two into my first book. After developing the concept, I had to go about doing research on my characters, their backstories, Greek Mythology, and historical facts. That wasn’t so bad and neither was the writing part once I got started. The real challenge came with continuity. Given that this was my largest work at around 166,000 words, I constantly had to go back and forth between chapters to ensure that everything followed a set course of actions and events. Naturally, I had to rely on an outline to keep track of everything, and that involved a lot of writing on anything that was around my desk at the time, and taking breaks between writing sessions since both my eyes and my fingers got very sore after a while. I almost had carpel tunnel syndrome.The psychological obstacles were the worst. I had to force myself sometimes to write. I would get bored, distraught, or just plain frustrated. Who knew being a writer would be so hard? I thought it was supposed to be fun, but more than once I actually considered quitting. The only cure was to create schedule and stick to it, whether I was feeling up to it or not. I would write at least 2000 words a days, working in shifts of morning, afternoon, and night, before calling it quits. In that way, I was able to finish the book, which at the time as more than 185,000 words, before going back and editing the hell out of it.
What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing?~ By technical publishing, I take it you mean traditional publishing? Anyway, I tend to lean towards traditional publishing. There’s nothing like holding your first published book in your hands, having the feel and smell of it, and putting it on your bookshelf like a trophy. That said, e-publishing is everywhere. I’m not against e-publishing. In fact, I may even look into it if I don’t hear from a literary agent in the near future, though just for single works or short stories, mind you. When I do write my series, I want them to be in print format. I just don’t see it any other way.
Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one?~ I've sent several queries but those that have responded have said "thanks, but no thanks." I’ve been following the traditional pattern of soliciting literary agents and waiting for a response. A couple responded pretty quickly, but most took weeks or even months to get back to me. I try to keep my query as simple as possible: one page, a brief introduction of characters, plots, challenges, and conclusion before ending the query with a short personal biography. Also, I try to find literary agents in my genre, those who specialize in young adult fantasy, which is what The River Styx is.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?~ Seattle. Love the rain. LOVE IT. Or anywhere out West. Maybe even British Columbia or Europe. Somewhere where there's a lot of space, privacy, and fresh air. That's for me.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?~ Flight. No question. No cars. I hate driving and public transportation gets on my nerves. This way I can get up as late as I want and not be late for work or just travel wherever and whenever I please.

For More on David Revilla: TwitterWebsite
Published on September 23, 2013 06:36
September 17, 2013
**Darkling** Dark Fantasy! Book Blast!

Review: By, D. Beckmann Cupid and Psyche (or better, Till We Have Faces), a bit of Wuthering Heights, a good dose of Jane Eyre, and a lot of The Sixth Sense, all mixed together in an imaginary world where the lines between life and death, the physical and the spiritual, barely exist.
A young woman believes she must give up her life to save her family - even her whole village - from a mysterious evil darkness that is leading to their ruin. But in her act of self-sacrificial giving - an important theme in the story - she initiates a train of circumstances that leads to dramatic insights concerning the people around her and about herself.
Miss Rice has done a good job composing a complex plot that gives scope for reflection upon human nature. The story is scary and a bit steamy in one place - though not in a degrading or defrauding way, thankfully - and therefore is for mature readers. There is a surprise revelation - I will not say where! - that is almost too much at once, but it is not a long novel; progress in the plot needs to be made. However, the revelation does work in the world she depicts and it sets the stage for an unexpected, and I would say solid and pleasing, resolution to the story.
Stayed up til 3:00 a.m. reading it. It's better than The Woman in Black. If you like something a bit on the Gothic side with a vein of redemption, then get the book.
Published on September 17, 2013 21:00
Rescue Me- a poem
Rescue Me
K.N. Lee
Rescue meIf there's someone out thereThat can hear this pleaI need a knightOr soldierTo set me free
Shining armorAnd heart of goldOne who'llForsake the prophetsAnd prophecies foretold
Give me love once lostGive me lovePleaseWhatever the cost
Rescue meFrom this tower This prison of woeUse your swordOr your wordsTo defeat love's greatest foe
Against the waves of timeThe moon and the starsRescue me From the inky depths of loneliness And the world can be ours
Rescue meIf there's someone out thereThat can hear this pleaI need a knightOr soldierTo set me free
Shining armorAnd heart of goldOne who'llForsake the prophetsAnd prophecies foretold
Give me love once lostGive me lovePleaseWhatever the cost
Rescue meFrom this tower This prison of woeUse your swordOr your wordsTo defeat love's greatest foe
Against the waves of timeThe moon and the starsRescue me From the inky depths of loneliness And the world can be ours

Published on September 17, 2013 10:19
September 16, 2013
A Runaway- writing prompt
The girl ran away from home, found an abandoned house, and made one of the rooms nice and pretty with some of her things. But...why did she run away from home? The girl ran away from home, found an abandoned house, and made one of the rooms nice and pretty with some of her things. But...why did she run away from home?

Published on September 16, 2013 19:26
An Interview with Author, K.M. Rice!!
Meet guest author, K.M. Rice! First she completed the challenge and gave us Rainbow Worm, now she talks about her journey to becoming an author!

Where are you from?Felton, California – a small town in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.What inspired you to write your first book?Given that I was in Kindergarten, I’m not sure other than I loved books and wanted to make one, so I wrote and illustrated a story called “The Haunted House.” Fast forward two decades and I had a dream about wandering into a haunted house and helping the spirits there… that became my inspiration for my first published novel, Darkling.Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life? I am blessed to have the support of my family and as such, am able to write full-time and earn a modest income. Balancing writing with a social life can be tricky because I tend to hole up with my characters until their story is told. Thankfully, I have wonderful friends who know to knock on my door anyway!What jobs have you held that influence your stories?Being a nanny for years and a care-taker of the elderly has given me a lot of insight into the beginning and end of life – two extremes that often have similarities. I hate self-aware children in books, because that’s just not realistic. I’ve noticed that I often write stories wherein an elderly woman is a sort of helper/guide. Children and old people often know the most about living. Children are full of wonder at the sun and clouds and acorns, while the elderly can sift through all of their experience and focus on the important things in life, like good food, births, and happy memories.
Do you have a specific writing style?I often write in a different style to give myself the challenge of learning. That said, I do have patterns. All of my stories contain a touch of whimsy and brave young women. I will not say “strong female characters,” because I feel the inference there is that females are inherently weak, so the ones that stand out must be quantified with “strong,” which is entirely not true.
How did you come up with the title?Keats! In his poem “Ode to A Nightingale” there is a line that reads “Darkling, I listen…” as he describes listening to a nightingale in the coming dusk. The word is used to describe events that occur in the night or under the cover of darkness, which made it perfect for my story.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?I don’t believe in writing for the sake of delivering a specific message or theme. If one emerges as you go, then that’s great. Otherwise, the writing often comes off as preachy. I definitely see strong themes of sibling love in Darkling, along with grief, for every character in the book has lost a loved one and is dealing with it in a unique way. Mostly, however, it is about maintaining hope and the ability to love even in the face of pending loss.
How much of the book is realistic?Given that it’s a paranormal fantasy, “realistic” is a relative term! However, I do try to keep my characters as grounded in the elements of their worlds as possible. The emotions of Darkling are probably the most compelling and realistic aspects of the story.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?Friends and family are always trying to trace my characters back to people I know, but thus far, that isn’t possible. Everyone important to me, however, is certainly present in my books, for they have all taught me different aspects of what it is to be human.
What books have most influenced your life most?The works of Tolkien have been a large influence on my life, for Middle-earth is a place I love to escape. I certainly share the Professor’s love for environmentalism and that comes through in my work. The books that have most influenced me as a writer, however, are probably Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, His Dark Materials, The Hunger Games, and Little Women.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?Louisa May Alcott reached me across over nearly 150 years of time with Jo March. Little Women has had a huge impact on my heroines and identity as a writer, for reading about Jo taught me a great deal about myself. In terms of the present day, my screenwriting Professor Barnaby Dallas and screenwriting mentor Joe Mallozzi, both wonderful writers in their own right, were stalwart educators and supporters as I studied my craft. What I learned of story and structure from them and screenwriting has helped me a great deal with my fiction. Nick Taylor, my thesis advisor and fiction professor, was also a great help in graduate school, for he always encouraged my unconventional stories.
What book are you reading now?Tom Barry’s Guerilla Days in Ireland and War Horse because of reasons ;)Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games and Christopher Paolini’s works certainly draw me in, even if they are polar opposites!
What are your current projects?Right now I’m working on an adult trilogy tentatively titled Afterworld. The books have a strong Irish influence and the first novel blends a contemporary setting with a Victorian mystery.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.Santa Clause.
Do you see writing as a career?Yes, I certainly hope so, though at the moment, my focus is on building a readership by telling the best stories that I can.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?No, but if I had to… as an e-book, I could, and you would never know. Mwuahaha!
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?I wrote and illustrated my first book for fun in kindergarten. When the teacher asked me to show it to the principal, I thought I'd done something horribly wrong until the principal smiled with her red-painted lips and pressed a sticker to the cover, telling me how much she enjoyed my story about a haunted house. Though it took me some time to realize that writing was my preferred form of expression, I have had a drive to tell stories my whole life.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?Writing about the mundane and the here and now has always been a challenge for me. It is so much more fun to create your own worlds and rules! However, I adore basking in the beauty of our flaws and the little, mundane oddities that make us individuals and human beings, as well as our grander aspirations.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?Louisa May Alcott has, as I already mentioned, played a large role in the shaping of my voice. I feel like she and Jo March are kindred of mine, and the truth and honesty with which she wrote in the 1860s is gripping. The sad part, of course, is that even nearly 150 years later, some women are still just as trapped and “unconventional” as Jo.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?I haven’t yet, but I certainly would love to travel and meet readers!
Who designed the covers?My sister is a very talented photographer. I showed her covers with a similar idea to what I wanted mine to look like, then we went out and shot it! We worked on the photo editing together and are still very pleased with the end product. If you want to see more of her work, please check out: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraRic...
What was the hardest part of writing your book?Exploring Willow’s grief over her sister’s death. My sister is my other half, and having to imagine what it would be like to lose her was gutting and visceral.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?I didn’t realized I’d written so much about grief until it was finished, but even then, it is not a dark message. You get to a point in your life where you have said so very many goodbyes and wonder if it’s all worth it. Like Willow, we all must go through the journey of questioning our pain and suffering, emerging stronger and brighter with the courage to love as much as we can, no matter how many goodbyes lie in our futures.
Do you have any advice for other writers?Write! Spend less time talking about writing (unless it’s discussing a plot) and more time doing it. I can’t tell you how many people I have met who say they’re a writer then when I ask them more about their work, they reveal, “well, I haven’t written it yet, but I have this great idea in my head.” Writers write. It doesn’t matter if you never show it to anyone or throw it out, or publish it, just write so that you will learn. Hand in hand with that is reading. The more you expose yourself to styles and ideas and structures, the more you will absorb them and incorporate them into your own work.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?I want to thank each and every one of my readers. You gave my book your time, which is the most precious thing you have. What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?I worked on Darkling over a period of 20 days, but only wrote on 15 of those days. Needless to say, I was writing like a madwoman!What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing?While there are certainly pros and cons to both, I do enjoy the simplicity of e-publishing. I am my own boss and can deliver my book almost instantaneously to my readers. The downside, of course, is that all the publicity also falls to me, and there is only so much I can do on my own. As such, I am always open to new opportunities. The world of print has been going through some massive changes in the past ten years, and I am excited to see what new opportunities arise because of it.Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one?At this time, I am not represented by anyone.If you could live anywhere, where would it be?In the mountains where I am now! Though I would love to visit New Zealand.If you could have any super power, what would it be?Like most people, I would love to fly. Though mostly, I would want an Alfred. Life would be pretty cool with an Alfred (preferably Michael Caine) to watch over you.
For More on K.M. Rice:
Website
Darkling
Published on September 16, 2013 10:02
September 15, 2013
Old Book- writing prompt
You find an old book. There is no title and no author, but is too beautiful to pass up. However, when you open it, you discover that some of the characters want to escape. Some are good...and some are evil. What do you do?

Published on September 15, 2013 10:00
September 12, 2013
An Interview With Author, Andrew Saxsma!!
Meet our guest author, Andrew Saxsma!
Where are you from?
Originally, I’m from a teeny, tiny town called Clifton in Illinois. When I say teeny, tiny, that’s no stretch of the truth. My graduating class only had about sixty-something people. Main street is a string of 2 bars, an antique store, and a deli. Our elementary school was closed down and a pizza chain bought the space in the cafeteria. Seriously. But, about a week ago, I moved to Los Angeles, even after I’d heard all the horror stories about living here. I will say, the traffic lives up to its reputation, but really, it’s no worse than Chicago (which was only about 40 min away from where I used to live). I’m in love with this city. So much to do, so much to see. It’s incredible.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book, Redial, actually hit me, the idea anyway, while I was watching PS I LOVE YOU, with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler who passes away very early into the film. There’s this scene where she’s lying in bed and she’s calling his cell phone over and over to listen to his voicemail. It’s very sweet, very sad, very emotional. It’s a great scene, but as I was watching it, a thought hit me like lightning. What if he answered?? Or better yet, what if something else answered? Suddenly, this very sappy scene became something of horror, and I loved it hah! From there, my brain just sort of catapulted with ideas, eventually turning into my first novel.
Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life?
I am a part-time writer, sadly. In economic times like these, even us authors have to get day jobs to get by. The thing that kills me is all day at work that’s what I think about, writing. I wouldn’t say it’s distracting, because it’s worse than that! Somehow, though, I manage. I try to write between 25-30 hours a week, but honestly, that’s not always attainable. So, it’s a struggle, and I know I’m not the only writer who battles with that. Why can’t we all just do what we love, all the time!?
What jobs have you held that influence your stories?
When I was 15, I worked at a small grocery store in my hometown. I was a stockboy, at first, and a chicken cook (basically, I fried chicken). I worked side-by-side with a butcher who was batty as shit! Seriously, he was so strange, but he was a really nice guy. Anyway, on my blog, I run a series called Hell Breaks Loose, which is post-apocalyptic zombie stuff. The beginning of the series takes place in my hometown, and in one scene the main character, Mitch, goes to the store and encounters a Mad Butcher, which is based off the guy I used to work with.
Do you have a specific writing style?
If you’d asked me this a year ago, I would have said that I hadn’t found it yet. I’ve done quite a bit since then, and I’m actually proud to say that I think I’ve finally nailed down my writer’s voice to coincide with my style. I prefer a bit of action with my horror, and I love to toss in some gore, but not for gore’s sake.
How did you come up with the title?
The title for my latest book, Old McDonald, came to me after a few days of trying to squeeze a title out of my head. I don’t think I’ve ever had as hard a time coming up with a title as I did for this book. Usually, after it’s done, or sometimes in the middle of writing it, a title will just sort of step out from the shadows, revealing itself based upon the material on paper or in the CPU. That didn’t happen for this one. But, I’ll say the title is pretty much self-explanatory, and I quite like it.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The main character, Gene, is a simple guy. He likes simple things and he loves simple living. When he strays from that, shit starts happening. I grew up on a farm, so I can empathize with that small, simple living. Science catches up to Gene, and that’s the downfall. It’s not an opinion that I have, that Science is inherently evil, but I think there are things that just shouldn’t be messed with, and I definitely exemplify that in this tale.
How much of the book is realistic?
If you discount crazed farm animals rampaging across the countryside as realistic, then not much, hah!
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Like I said, I grew up on a farm, and some of the experiences I had in my own childhood played a part in the story. The farm in the book, as I describe it, is identical to the one we lived on. Everything else is completely fictional.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Oh, there are soooo many! The one that I saw in my head first, after reading this question, is the book IT, by Stephen King. It’s one of my favorites, because it has a little bit of everything, and those everythings are done so well. I can only dream of crafting a book as great as that one.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Honestly, my writer friend, Greg, would fall into that role. He’s the one that got me started in actually taking my writing seriously, about 6-7 years ago. Since then, we always bounce ideas off each other, giving each other feedback and critiques. We look over each other’s work for grammar and such. He’s a huge part of my writing, even to this day, and he’s brutally honest, which I take with a gran of salt.
What book are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading The Skinner by Neal Asher. I’ve started getting into hardcore Science Fiction lately, and am really enjoying it so far. Neal Asher is a spectacular writer.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
In my spare time, I work as an Associate Editor for Trembles Horror Magazine, and every once in a while we’ll get some wonderful stories from unknowns, which is a joy.
What are your current projects?
I have a lot of projects on my plate right now, one of which is absolutely TOP SECRET. But, I’m working on a novella called When Angels Scream, and am still trying to finish my fourth novel A Velvet Kiss Goodnight.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My friends of course, who continually yell at me to finish what I’m doing so they can read it, hah!
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. It’s something I take very seriously, and it’s something I treat like a job. I can’t call in sick, I can’t take a vacation. It’s there, it’s real, and it has to be taken seriously as such, otherwise what is then? A hobby?
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not at all. It came out just the way that it should have, I feel. I mean, there were times when I wanted to go back and change things, but I got myself to believe that it was complete, in and unto itself.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
It started back in high school, with a creative writing assignment in an Advanced English class. I wrote a crappy story about a band of pirates plagued by this vicious sea creature. I mean, the story was atrocious, and not at all cohesive, but that’s where it started.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Okay, but this is the first time anyone else is reading this. This’ll be an excerpt from When Angels Scream..
-“Nothing yet,” she said. “The ship is still broadcasting in D-Waves. The encryption ain’t my usual laggers and skiffs. Only an Alliance ship could make a real go at what it’s actually saying,” she said, looking at the Captain. “But, I have a guess.”
Higgs slid his holographic screen out of the way, so he could see her.
“And that would be?” Higgs asked.
She looked at the screen, watched the waves ping out.
“I think it’s a distress signal,” she said.
“For God’s sake, Ganz,” Higgs said, plopping into his chair, shaking his head, not buying what she’s selling.
“No, Captain,” she said, adamant, sliding the image off screen. She jogged to the Captain’s desk and swiped the image onto his screen. “The intervals of the pings, every thirty seconds, like clockwork. That’s got Alliance emergency written all over it. I’d know it anywhere.”
She stood, planting her hands on her hips, letting the Captain examine what was right in front of his face.
Higgs leaned in close to the image, squinting his eyes.
“Then why broadcast using D-Waves? Why on classified frequencies?” Higgs asked. He slumped back against the backrest of the chair, interlocking his fingers, resting them on his gut. “I don’t get it.”
“Maybe they only wanted Alliance to find them?” Ganz said, point-blank. “Maybe they didn’t want scrappers, like us, sniffin’ around their ship.”
“That makes no sense, Ganz,” Higgs said. “Why would…” he stopped, coming to his own conclusion. He looked over his shoulder at Ganz who smiled and nodded her head.
“Yeah,” she said, coming to the same silent conclusion.
Grier crossed the bridge and leaned against the opposite side of the Captain’s console, waiting to be clued in, a dumb look on his narrow, scruff covered face.
“Get Rivers and Plano up here, Grier,” Higgs ordered, bringing up the ship’s latest scans. “I’m assuming, Ganz, you-”
“Ran a bio-run on the ship?” she interrupted. “Yeah,” she said, rounding the Captain’s console, stopping beside Grier, getting Higgs’ attention. She sucked on her bottom lip for a moment, worried and nervous. “It came back a few minutes ago,” she said, hesitant. “Ship’s empty. There’s no one on it.” She crossed her arms. “Where the hell’d they go?”-
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Dialogue is always a point of contention for me. It just doesn’t come as naturally to me as the rest of the writing does. For me, it’s a question of believability and finding the right words for that character. Everything else, I can see in my head clear as day.
Who designed the covers?
I was actually approached earlier this year by an artist from the UK, named Stephen Cooney. After sampling his work, I was sold. His artwork appears on the cover of Old McDonald, and will appear on the cover of A Velvet Kiss Goodnight. My first two book covers were created by a friend named Luke Imbery.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write. Write often. Write genuinely. If your head is screaming at you to put it on paper or on the keyboard, you must obey. Also, read! Get your hands on as many books as you can. Devour them. Eat them whole!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I just want to say thank you for supporting me, for reading my work and thanks for all your kind words and harsh criticisms. We cannot improve without knowing what we’re doing wrong.
What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing?
I think it’s wonderful. It gives so many people access to their piece of the publishing pie, and it empowers them, with the right tools and the drive, to their own successes.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I just moved to the city I’ve always wanted to live in!!!
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I would wanna’ fly like superman or have the ability to teleport like Nightcrawler!
For More on Andrew Saxsma: TwitterBlog Facebook Author Page (please "like")
Where are you from?
Originally, I’m from a teeny, tiny town called Clifton in Illinois. When I say teeny, tiny, that’s no stretch of the truth. My graduating class only had about sixty-something people. Main street is a string of 2 bars, an antique store, and a deli. Our elementary school was closed down and a pizza chain bought the space in the cafeteria. Seriously. But, about a week ago, I moved to Los Angeles, even after I’d heard all the horror stories about living here. I will say, the traffic lives up to its reputation, but really, it’s no worse than Chicago (which was only about 40 min away from where I used to live). I’m in love with this city. So much to do, so much to see. It’s incredible.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book, Redial, actually hit me, the idea anyway, while I was watching PS I LOVE YOU, with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler who passes away very early into the film. There’s this scene where she’s lying in bed and she’s calling his cell phone over and over to listen to his voicemail. It’s very sweet, very sad, very emotional. It’s a great scene, but as I was watching it, a thought hit me like lightning. What if he answered?? Or better yet, what if something else answered? Suddenly, this very sappy scene became something of horror, and I loved it hah! From there, my brain just sort of catapulted with ideas, eventually turning into my first novel.
Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life?
I am a part-time writer, sadly. In economic times like these, even us authors have to get day jobs to get by. The thing that kills me is all day at work that’s what I think about, writing. I wouldn’t say it’s distracting, because it’s worse than that! Somehow, though, I manage. I try to write between 25-30 hours a week, but honestly, that’s not always attainable. So, it’s a struggle, and I know I’m not the only writer who battles with that. Why can’t we all just do what we love, all the time!?
What jobs have you held that influence your stories?
When I was 15, I worked at a small grocery store in my hometown. I was a stockboy, at first, and a chicken cook (basically, I fried chicken). I worked side-by-side with a butcher who was batty as shit! Seriously, he was so strange, but he was a really nice guy. Anyway, on my blog, I run a series called Hell Breaks Loose, which is post-apocalyptic zombie stuff. The beginning of the series takes place in my hometown, and in one scene the main character, Mitch, goes to the store and encounters a Mad Butcher, which is based off the guy I used to work with.
Do you have a specific writing style?
If you’d asked me this a year ago, I would have said that I hadn’t found it yet. I’ve done quite a bit since then, and I’m actually proud to say that I think I’ve finally nailed down my writer’s voice to coincide with my style. I prefer a bit of action with my horror, and I love to toss in some gore, but not for gore’s sake.
How did you come up with the title?
The title for my latest book, Old McDonald, came to me after a few days of trying to squeeze a title out of my head. I don’t think I’ve ever had as hard a time coming up with a title as I did for this book. Usually, after it’s done, or sometimes in the middle of writing it, a title will just sort of step out from the shadows, revealing itself based upon the material on paper or in the CPU. That didn’t happen for this one. But, I’ll say the title is pretty much self-explanatory, and I quite like it.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The main character, Gene, is a simple guy. He likes simple things and he loves simple living. When he strays from that, shit starts happening. I grew up on a farm, so I can empathize with that small, simple living. Science catches up to Gene, and that’s the downfall. It’s not an opinion that I have, that Science is inherently evil, but I think there are things that just shouldn’t be messed with, and I definitely exemplify that in this tale.
How much of the book is realistic?
If you discount crazed farm animals rampaging across the countryside as realistic, then not much, hah!
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Like I said, I grew up on a farm, and some of the experiences I had in my own childhood played a part in the story. The farm in the book, as I describe it, is identical to the one we lived on. Everything else is completely fictional.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Oh, there are soooo many! The one that I saw in my head first, after reading this question, is the book IT, by Stephen King. It’s one of my favorites, because it has a little bit of everything, and those everythings are done so well. I can only dream of crafting a book as great as that one.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Honestly, my writer friend, Greg, would fall into that role. He’s the one that got me started in actually taking my writing seriously, about 6-7 years ago. Since then, we always bounce ideas off each other, giving each other feedback and critiques. We look over each other’s work for grammar and such. He’s a huge part of my writing, even to this day, and he’s brutally honest, which I take with a gran of salt.
What book are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading The Skinner by Neal Asher. I’ve started getting into hardcore Science Fiction lately, and am really enjoying it so far. Neal Asher is a spectacular writer.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
In my spare time, I work as an Associate Editor for Trembles Horror Magazine, and every once in a while we’ll get some wonderful stories from unknowns, which is a joy.
What are your current projects?
I have a lot of projects on my plate right now, one of which is absolutely TOP SECRET. But, I’m working on a novella called When Angels Scream, and am still trying to finish my fourth novel A Velvet Kiss Goodnight.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My friends of course, who continually yell at me to finish what I’m doing so they can read it, hah!
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. It’s something I take very seriously, and it’s something I treat like a job. I can’t call in sick, I can’t take a vacation. It’s there, it’s real, and it has to be taken seriously as such, otherwise what is then? A hobby?
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not at all. It came out just the way that it should have, I feel. I mean, there were times when I wanted to go back and change things, but I got myself to believe that it was complete, in and unto itself.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
It started back in high school, with a creative writing assignment in an Advanced English class. I wrote a crappy story about a band of pirates plagued by this vicious sea creature. I mean, the story was atrocious, and not at all cohesive, but that’s where it started.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Okay, but this is the first time anyone else is reading this. This’ll be an excerpt from When Angels Scream..
-“Nothing yet,” she said. “The ship is still broadcasting in D-Waves. The encryption ain’t my usual laggers and skiffs. Only an Alliance ship could make a real go at what it’s actually saying,” she said, looking at the Captain. “But, I have a guess.”
Higgs slid his holographic screen out of the way, so he could see her.
“And that would be?” Higgs asked.
She looked at the screen, watched the waves ping out.
“I think it’s a distress signal,” she said.
“For God’s sake, Ganz,” Higgs said, plopping into his chair, shaking his head, not buying what she’s selling.
“No, Captain,” she said, adamant, sliding the image off screen. She jogged to the Captain’s desk and swiped the image onto his screen. “The intervals of the pings, every thirty seconds, like clockwork. That’s got Alliance emergency written all over it. I’d know it anywhere.”
She stood, planting her hands on her hips, letting the Captain examine what was right in front of his face.
Higgs leaned in close to the image, squinting his eyes.
“Then why broadcast using D-Waves? Why on classified frequencies?” Higgs asked. He slumped back against the backrest of the chair, interlocking his fingers, resting them on his gut. “I don’t get it.”
“Maybe they only wanted Alliance to find them?” Ganz said, point-blank. “Maybe they didn’t want scrappers, like us, sniffin’ around their ship.”
“That makes no sense, Ganz,” Higgs said. “Why would…” he stopped, coming to his own conclusion. He looked over his shoulder at Ganz who smiled and nodded her head.
“Yeah,” she said, coming to the same silent conclusion.
Grier crossed the bridge and leaned against the opposite side of the Captain’s console, waiting to be clued in, a dumb look on his narrow, scruff covered face.
“Get Rivers and Plano up here, Grier,” Higgs ordered, bringing up the ship’s latest scans. “I’m assuming, Ganz, you-”
“Ran a bio-run on the ship?” she interrupted. “Yeah,” she said, rounding the Captain’s console, stopping beside Grier, getting Higgs’ attention. She sucked on her bottom lip for a moment, worried and nervous. “It came back a few minutes ago,” she said, hesitant. “Ship’s empty. There’s no one on it.” She crossed her arms. “Where the hell’d they go?”-
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Dialogue is always a point of contention for me. It just doesn’t come as naturally to me as the rest of the writing does. For me, it’s a question of believability and finding the right words for that character. Everything else, I can see in my head clear as day.
Who designed the covers?
I was actually approached earlier this year by an artist from the UK, named Stephen Cooney. After sampling his work, I was sold. His artwork appears on the cover of Old McDonald, and will appear on the cover of A Velvet Kiss Goodnight. My first two book covers were created by a friend named Luke Imbery.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write. Write often. Write genuinely. If your head is screaming at you to put it on paper or on the keyboard, you must obey. Also, read! Get your hands on as many books as you can. Devour them. Eat them whole!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I just want to say thank you for supporting me, for reading my work and thanks for all your kind words and harsh criticisms. We cannot improve without knowing what we’re doing wrong.
What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing?
I think it’s wonderful. It gives so many people access to their piece of the publishing pie, and it empowers them, with the right tools and the drive, to their own successes.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I just moved to the city I’ve always wanted to live in!!!
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I would wanna’ fly like superman or have the ability to teleport like Nightcrawler!

For More on Andrew Saxsma: TwitterBlog Facebook Author Page (please "like")
Published on September 12, 2013 21:00