Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 40
October 13, 2015
Using Children in Adult Themes: Guest Post by Stephen Tremp
Writing for children is a huge responsibility. However, children often play a part in adult books, as well. Today, Stephen Tremp is here to discuss a pretty important topic: using children in adult-themed books. His guest post demonstrates that we all have limits in our writing--those things we absolutely will never do as a matter of principle. Be sure to stick around after the guest post to learn all about his awesome new scary book, Salem's Daughters--the perfect book for October!
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Using Children in Adult Themes
by Stephen Tremp
Using kids in books. No Problem. Simple, right? Straight forward? Whoa, slow down a bit. It’s not as easy as it looks. Some of the most successful writers such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Patterson and many others have no problems doing all kinds of crazy things to kids. But the material, some of which is so far over the top, I’ve had to ask, why? Was that really necessary? I know, I know, they’re merely writing about the world we live in. Okay, fine. It’s a free country.
There are three things I never put in my books:
• I do not use God’s name in vain.
• I do not use F-bombs.
• I do not kill or exploit children in order to make the bad guy badder or progress the plot.
If other writers want to, go nuts. I’m not here to judge or criticize. There are many books and movies I have no problem with foul language: Good Fellas, Casino, and Training Day. But for me, it’s hard to stomach some of the terrible things that happen to children in books and movies.
That being said, I have a lot of kids as minor characters in Salem’s Daughters. The first family to arrive at the bed and breakfast are Eugene and Beatrice Barnett.
Bob looked at the rust around all four wheels. One of the doors was a different color than the rest of the car. The hood was held down with a bungee cord. Red duct tape covered one of the broken rear parking lights.
Bob watched as three children piled out. Triplets. Red haired, freckled faced, pasty-skinned boys all under the age of ten. Their energy demonstrated they’d been cooped up in the truck for a long time.
They ran past him before Debbie could say ‘hi’ and into Murcat Manor. Within seconds the sound of screaming cats filled the air. Something glass broke.
The cats, terrorized by kids, have met their match. And not just the red-headed triplets of terror. Each new wave of guests bring at least a few kids who can’t resist pulling the cats’ tails and doing other mean things to them.
“I really hate kids now,” Jacqueline said as she walked to the large arch that led to the kitchen and peered in.
“The Barnett triplets were the worse,” Chloe said. “The ones here aren’t so bad. But that freckled faced girl at the end of the table pulled my tail again last night. I almost lost it and levitated her right out her second story bedroom window.”
Annie spoke. “I considered speeding up the synaptic transmissions in her brain receptors to the point she’d take in every piece of information her five senses detected. Give the little brat a case of sensory overload that would drive her and her parents crazy.”
“Too bad Rebecca’s not here,” Scarlett said. “She’d catch that kid’s pony tails on fire.”
“I can short circuit the thoughts of that brother and sister,” Helen said. “Make them think they’re each other. And if we see those Barnett triplets here again, I’ll rewire their brains so every month they’ll think they’re one of the other brothers. Their parents will never be able to tell which one is which ever again.”
In my opinion, there are ways to use kids to further the plot through dark humor rather than torturing and killing them in all kinds of weird and grotesque ways.
What’s your take on using kids in mature books and movies?
Bio:
Stephen Tremp writes Speculative Fiction and embraces science and the supernatural to help explain the universe, our place in it, and write one of a kind thrillers. You can read a full synopsis and download Salem’s Daughters by Clicking Here.
Contact info:
Website | Amazon Buy | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
-----------------------------------------------------------
Using Children in Adult Themes
by Stephen Tremp
Using kids in books. No Problem. Simple, right? Straight forward? Whoa, slow down a bit. It’s not as easy as it looks. Some of the most successful writers such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Patterson and many others have no problems doing all kinds of crazy things to kids. But the material, some of which is so far over the top, I’ve had to ask, why? Was that really necessary? I know, I know, they’re merely writing about the world we live in. Okay, fine. It’s a free country.
There are three things I never put in my books:
• I do not use God’s name in vain.
• I do not use F-bombs.
• I do not kill or exploit children in order to make the bad guy badder or progress the plot.
If other writers want to, go nuts. I’m not here to judge or criticize. There are many books and movies I have no problem with foul language: Good Fellas, Casino, and Training Day. But for me, it’s hard to stomach some of the terrible things that happen to children in books and movies.
That being said, I have a lot of kids as minor characters in Salem’s Daughters. The first family to arrive at the bed and breakfast are Eugene and Beatrice Barnett.
Bob looked at the rust around all four wheels. One of the doors was a different color than the rest of the car. The hood was held down with a bungee cord. Red duct tape covered one of the broken rear parking lights.
Bob watched as three children piled out. Triplets. Red haired, freckled faced, pasty-skinned boys all under the age of ten. Their energy demonstrated they’d been cooped up in the truck for a long time.
They ran past him before Debbie could say ‘hi’ and into Murcat Manor. Within seconds the sound of screaming cats filled the air. Something glass broke.
The cats, terrorized by kids, have met their match. And not just the red-headed triplets of terror. Each new wave of guests bring at least a few kids who can’t resist pulling the cats’ tails and doing other mean things to them.
“I really hate kids now,” Jacqueline said as she walked to the large arch that led to the kitchen and peered in.
“The Barnett triplets were the worse,” Chloe said. “The ones here aren’t so bad. But that freckled faced girl at the end of the table pulled my tail again last night. I almost lost it and levitated her right out her second story bedroom window.”
Annie spoke. “I considered speeding up the synaptic transmissions in her brain receptors to the point she’d take in every piece of information her five senses detected. Give the little brat a case of sensory overload that would drive her and her parents crazy.”
“Too bad Rebecca’s not here,” Scarlett said. “She’d catch that kid’s pony tails on fire.”
“I can short circuit the thoughts of that brother and sister,” Helen said. “Make them think they’re each other. And if we see those Barnett triplets here again, I’ll rewire their brains so every month they’ll think they’re one of the other brothers. Their parents will never be able to tell which one is which ever again.”
In my opinion, there are ways to use kids to further the plot through dark humor rather than torturing and killing them in all kinds of weird and grotesque ways.
What’s your take on using kids in mature books and movies?
Bio:
Stephen Tremp writes Speculative Fiction and embraces science and the supernatural to help explain the universe, our place in it, and write one of a kind thrillers. You can read a full synopsis and download Salem’s Daughters by Clicking Here.
Contact info:
Website | Amazon Buy | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
October 12, 2015
Covers Covers Covers!
Since I just had a cover reveal for Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, I'm not going to wear you guys out with yet another big cover reveal blast. Instead, I'm just rolling it out quietly.
This is Piper Morgan in Charge, which comes out in late summer 2016...
You can preorder both Piper Morgan in Charge and the first book, Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, on Amazon. The first two books come out August 6, 2016. I'm so excited! Or just look at the pretty cover and smile. Either way, I'll be happy!
What good news do you have this week?
This is Piper Morgan in Charge, which comes out in late summer 2016...
You can preorder both Piper Morgan in Charge and the first book, Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, on Amazon. The first two books come out August 6, 2016. I'm so excited! Or just look at the pretty cover and smile. Either way, I'll be happy!
What good news do you have this week?
October 9, 2015
Scary October: The Myrtles Plantation
In celebration of my favorite month, October, I'm featuring a different scary story every Friday. This week I'm telling you about a house that is often called one of the most haunted places in the country, The Myrtles Plantation.
The house is said to be haunted by at least 12 ghosts, with 10 people supposedly having been murdered in the house. As chilling as that is, though, there is only one murder on record--William Winter. This was his room:
William Winter, husband of one of the children in the household, was hired to manage the plantation in the 1860s. In the early 1870s, he was shot on the front porch when he went outside to greet an approaching man on horseback. Legend says after being shot, he stumbled back inside and died in his wife's arms on the 17th step. People have reported hearing the sound of clomping footsteps as an unseen entity enters the foyer and climbs the steps.
While there may have only one murder on record, there have been numerous deaths over the years. One of those deaths is linked to the most famous ghost on the property, who is thought to have been a young slave named Chloe. She is the apparition they say was captured in this famous photo taken on the property:
There are many legends surrounding Chloe, but the most interesting (and therefore, most often repeated) is that Chloe was having an affair with the owner of the property. He broke it off, legend says, and to get back at him, she put poison in his cake--unfortunately, his children ate the cake and died. The other slaves, outraged, supposedly hung her from a tree.
But the real draw is a mirror hanging in the entryway. This mirror is supposedly haunted, with numerous guests having produced pictures of images caught in the mirror.
Of course, the mirror is located in a room where light bounces off of numerous objects. Also, there's a permanent smudge in the center on the right side. That seems to be the cause of the majority of the "I caught a ghost" pictures of that mirror.
If you're ever in St. Francisville, Louisiana, though, it might be worth stopping by The Myrtles Plantation. Or, better yet, spend the night!
Come back next Friday for the next stop on my ghost tour:
The house is said to be haunted by at least 12 ghosts, with 10 people supposedly having been murdered in the house. As chilling as that is, though, there is only one murder on record--William Winter. This was his room:
William Winter, husband of one of the children in the household, was hired to manage the plantation in the 1860s. In the early 1870s, he was shot on the front porch when he went outside to greet an approaching man on horseback. Legend says after being shot, he stumbled back inside and died in his wife's arms on the 17th step. People have reported hearing the sound of clomping footsteps as an unseen entity enters the foyer and climbs the steps.
While there may have only one murder on record, there have been numerous deaths over the years. One of those deaths is linked to the most famous ghost on the property, who is thought to have been a young slave named Chloe. She is the apparition they say was captured in this famous photo taken on the property:
There are many legends surrounding Chloe, but the most interesting (and therefore, most often repeated) is that Chloe was having an affair with the owner of the property. He broke it off, legend says, and to get back at him, she put poison in his cake--unfortunately, his children ate the cake and died. The other slaves, outraged, supposedly hung her from a tree.
But the real draw is a mirror hanging in the entryway. This mirror is supposedly haunted, with numerous guests having produced pictures of images caught in the mirror.
Of course, the mirror is located in a room where light bounces off of numerous objects. Also, there's a permanent smudge in the center on the right side. That seems to be the cause of the majority of the "I caught a ghost" pictures of that mirror.
If you're ever in St. Francisville, Louisiana, though, it might be worth stopping by The Myrtles Plantation. Or, better yet, spend the night!
Come back next Friday for the next stop on my ghost tour:
October 7, 2015
IWSG: When Writers Disappear
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means hundreds of us will be posting about our insecurities. And I'm a co-host this month, so I feel extra special! My fellow co-hosts are TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, and Eva E. Solar, so be sure to check them all out.
I've been reading since the 70s. Over that time, many, many writers have come and gone. Some have endured.
While others have vanished.
Occasionally, I'll search for a new book by an author I once loved. In Kathryn Harvey's case, she has continued to write--under the name Barbara Wood. But what about the many authors who simply vanish one day? They write a few books (maybe more, maybe less), then never publish another thing again.
Where do they go?
Did they simply tire of writing?
Did they give up?
Do they sit down at their computers every day and stare at this?
Or, worse of all, do they keep writing books but their publisher/agent responds to every one with this:
Many writers spend years just trying to get a novel published. But what about those authors who finally achieve that dream, only to STOP?
What are you insecure about this month?
I've been reading since the 70s. Over that time, many, many writers have come and gone. Some have endured.
While others have vanished.
Occasionally, I'll search for a new book by an author I once loved. In Kathryn Harvey's case, she has continued to write--under the name Barbara Wood. But what about the many authors who simply vanish one day? They write a few books (maybe more, maybe less), then never publish another thing again.
Where do they go?
Did they simply tire of writing?
Did they give up?
Do they sit down at their computers every day and stare at this?
Or, worse of all, do they keep writing books but their publisher/agent responds to every one with this:
Many writers spend years just trying to get a novel published. But what about those authors who finally achieve that dream, only to STOP?
What are you insecure about this month?
October 4, 2015
The Sister Solution: A Guest Post by Trudi Trueit
I'm SO excited to have a fellow Aladdin M!x author on my blog today. Trudi was one of my favorite Aladdin M!x authors before I was published by that imprint...and now we're publisher sisters! Speaking of sisters...Trudi is here today to talk to us about the complexities of sisterhood. It goes perfectly with the theme of her new book, The Sister Solution, which is on sale now!
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Sisters
by Trudi Trueit
As a girl, I read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women again and again. Not only because I closely identified with Jo’s fierce determination to be a writer, but also because the book so accurately expressed the true nature of sisterhood, which can be summed up in one word: complicated. Let’s make that two words: very complicated. Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth laughed and played, huffed and squabbled, nurtured and comforted, fought and forgave, just the way my older sister and I did. One moment my sister and I could be quarreling about whose turn it was to use the curling iron and the next we were uncontrollably giggling over a secret joke at the dinner table. We could play competitive games for hours, but one wrong word said at the wrong time could bring either one of us to tears. Sisterhood is a powerful thing—an enigmatic, glorious, agonizing, powerful thing.
So it’s no wonder writing a story about two young sisters, who are complete opposites, trying to navigate their relationship was a bit daunting. The Sister Solution brewed in my head for a long time before I started writing it. I mean, how do you package up the crazy kaleidoscope of sisterhood into one book? When I was ready to write, I decided to tell the story from thirteen-year-old Sammi’s (the older sister) point of view. However, I hadn’t written more than a few chapters when Sammi’s little sister, Jorgianna, 11, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me, but that’s not how it happened.” That’s when I realized I was going to have to do what every parent does, and give each sister equal time (or as equal as I could given the constraints of the job) to tell her side of the story.
As I wrote, I realized there was one other thing I needed to do for the sake of sisters everywhere, and that was not to allow the novel to sink into cliché territory. I didn’t want to portray Sammi and Jorgianna in the way I’ve seen sisters characterized too often in books, movies, and television as mean, vindictive, one dimensional characters. You know the drill, Sister A steal’s Sister B’s—fill in the blank—boyfriend, husband, dream job, life, etc. Why is one sister always pitted against the other anyway? Instead, I wanted to pit the world against them. I wanted Sammi and Jorgianna to learn to become a team, to figure out how to hold onto one another when everything around them was conspiring to pull them apart. Sammi and Jorgianna learn to brave the strong winds of life’s tornado and come out stronger individuals and closer sisters.
I can’t say I understand the mysterious and powerful nature of sisterhood any more fully after writing The Sister Solution, but I can say I have learned not to take it for granted. Like Jo in Little Women, I have discovered, “I could never love anyone as I love my sister.”
Blurb:
The Sister Solution is the story of two sisters, who are complete opposites, and their longing to understand and connect with one another. Thirteen-year-old Sammi is a soft-spoken, practical thinker, while eleven-year-old Jorgianna is a free-spirited, fun-loving artist. When Jorgianna gets bumped up two grades to join her sister in the eighth grade, it’s a tough blow to Sammi’s ego, as well as her social life (especially when Jorgianna gets accepted into the popular crowd that Sammi has been dying to join). Sammi’s “solution” to handling this infringement into her world is to create a contract with Jorgianna, stipulating that they won’t talk, text, or acknowledge each other in any way, while at school. Of course, this move backfires in ways she never predicted and it isn’t long before she’s backpedaling to keep everything from falling apart.
Bio:
Trudi Trueit knew she’d found her life’s passion after writing (and directing) her first play in fourth grade. Since then, she’s been a newspaper journalist, television news reporter and anchor, media specialist, freelance writer, and is now a children’s book author. She has published more than forty fiction and nonfiction titles for young readers and lives near Seattle, Washington.
Contact info:
Website | Facebook | Amazon | Twitter | Goodreads
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sisters
by Trudi Trueit
As a girl, I read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women again and again. Not only because I closely identified with Jo’s fierce determination to be a writer, but also because the book so accurately expressed the true nature of sisterhood, which can be summed up in one word: complicated. Let’s make that two words: very complicated. Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth laughed and played, huffed and squabbled, nurtured and comforted, fought and forgave, just the way my older sister and I did. One moment my sister and I could be quarreling about whose turn it was to use the curling iron and the next we were uncontrollably giggling over a secret joke at the dinner table. We could play competitive games for hours, but one wrong word said at the wrong time could bring either one of us to tears. Sisterhood is a powerful thing—an enigmatic, glorious, agonizing, powerful thing.
So it’s no wonder writing a story about two young sisters, who are complete opposites, trying to navigate their relationship was a bit daunting. The Sister Solution brewed in my head for a long time before I started writing it. I mean, how do you package up the crazy kaleidoscope of sisterhood into one book? When I was ready to write, I decided to tell the story from thirteen-year-old Sammi’s (the older sister) point of view. However, I hadn’t written more than a few chapters when Sammi’s little sister, Jorgianna, 11, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me, but that’s not how it happened.” That’s when I realized I was going to have to do what every parent does, and give each sister equal time (or as equal as I could given the constraints of the job) to tell her side of the story.
As I wrote, I realized there was one other thing I needed to do for the sake of sisters everywhere, and that was not to allow the novel to sink into cliché territory. I didn’t want to portray Sammi and Jorgianna in the way I’ve seen sisters characterized too often in books, movies, and television as mean, vindictive, one dimensional characters. You know the drill, Sister A steal’s Sister B’s—fill in the blank—boyfriend, husband, dream job, life, etc. Why is one sister always pitted against the other anyway? Instead, I wanted to pit the world against them. I wanted Sammi and Jorgianna to learn to become a team, to figure out how to hold onto one another when everything around them was conspiring to pull them apart. Sammi and Jorgianna learn to brave the strong winds of life’s tornado and come out stronger individuals and closer sisters.
I can’t say I understand the mysterious and powerful nature of sisterhood any more fully after writing The Sister Solution, but I can say I have learned not to take it for granted. Like Jo in Little Women, I have discovered, “I could never love anyone as I love my sister.”
Blurb:
The Sister Solution is the story of two sisters, who are complete opposites, and their longing to understand and connect with one another. Thirteen-year-old Sammi is a soft-spoken, practical thinker, while eleven-year-old Jorgianna is a free-spirited, fun-loving artist. When Jorgianna gets bumped up two grades to join her sister in the eighth grade, it’s a tough blow to Sammi’s ego, as well as her social life (especially when Jorgianna gets accepted into the popular crowd that Sammi has been dying to join). Sammi’s “solution” to handling this infringement into her world is to create a contract with Jorgianna, stipulating that they won’t talk, text, or acknowledge each other in any way, while at school. Of course, this move backfires in ways she never predicted and it isn’t long before she’s backpedaling to keep everything from falling apart.
Bio:
Trudi Trueit knew she’d found her life’s passion after writing (and directing) her first play in fourth grade. Since then, she’s been a newspaper journalist, television news reporter and anchor, media specialist, freelance writer, and is now a children’s book author. She has published more than forty fiction and nonfiction titles for young readers and lives near Seattle, Washington.
Contact info:
Website | Facebook | Amazon | Twitter | Goodreads
October 2, 2015
Scary October: The Bell Witch
In celebration of my favorite month, October, I'm featuring a different scary story every Friday. This week I'm telling you about a Tennessee legend...a ghost so scary, they made a movie about her:
Growing up, I always heard stories about the Bell Witch. Legend had it if you went into the bathroom, turned the lights off, and said, "I hate the Bell Witch" 13 times, you'd get a scratch on your face.
Today the Bell Witch is said to be the only ghost to have ever killed a human being. The ghost is thought to be Kate Batts, whose grave is located in this spooky cemetery:
In the early 1800s, the Bell family of Adams, Tennessee dealt with a series of strange events. Most of them centered around their teenage daughter, Betsy Bell, who is depicted in this creepy artist's depiction (from 1894):
The legend begins in 1817, when John Bell supposedly saw an animal in his field that had the head of a rabbit and the body of a dog. Soon after, the family began hearing an obnoxious pounding on the outside walls of their farmhouse each night.
John Bell's Farmhouse
Soon crazy things began happening inside that house. Most of the activity centered around Betsy Bell, who reportedly dealt with being scratched and having her hair pulled regularly. This has led some to conclude that the Bell Witch was actually a poltergeist, since poltergeists are often associated with teenage girls.
Over the years, the story has been questioned by several experts--especially one part of the story that has Andrew Jackson visiting the home. While the former U.S. President's home was in Middle Tennessee, experts have found no evidence of him stopping in Adams, Tennessee during that time. Maybe he never did--this sign indicates he retreated to Nashville after his coach wheels stopped mysteriously.
In 1817, John Bell developed a strange illness that lasted for three years and eventually led to his death. The legend says the Bell Witch poisoned him. Poltergeist theorists say Betsy Bell poisoned him herself. But scientifically-minded people believe he had a neurological disorder that was just unknown to doctors at the time. Still...the legend lives on.
In January 2015, Ghost Adventures became the first paranormal TV show to visit the Bell Witch Cave:
It has to be true if Zak Douche-Bagans says it is, right?
Come back next Friday for the next stop on my ghost tour:
Growing up, I always heard stories about the Bell Witch. Legend had it if you went into the bathroom, turned the lights off, and said, "I hate the Bell Witch" 13 times, you'd get a scratch on your face.
Today the Bell Witch is said to be the only ghost to have ever killed a human being. The ghost is thought to be Kate Batts, whose grave is located in this spooky cemetery:
In the early 1800s, the Bell family of Adams, Tennessee dealt with a series of strange events. Most of them centered around their teenage daughter, Betsy Bell, who is depicted in this creepy artist's depiction (from 1894):
The legend begins in 1817, when John Bell supposedly saw an animal in his field that had the head of a rabbit and the body of a dog. Soon after, the family began hearing an obnoxious pounding on the outside walls of their farmhouse each night.
John Bell's FarmhouseSoon crazy things began happening inside that house. Most of the activity centered around Betsy Bell, who reportedly dealt with being scratched and having her hair pulled regularly. This has led some to conclude that the Bell Witch was actually a poltergeist, since poltergeists are often associated with teenage girls.
Over the years, the story has been questioned by several experts--especially one part of the story that has Andrew Jackson visiting the home. While the former U.S. President's home was in Middle Tennessee, experts have found no evidence of him stopping in Adams, Tennessee during that time. Maybe he never did--this sign indicates he retreated to Nashville after his coach wheels stopped mysteriously.
In 1817, John Bell developed a strange illness that lasted for three years and eventually led to his death. The legend says the Bell Witch poisoned him. Poltergeist theorists say Betsy Bell poisoned him herself. But scientifically-minded people believe he had a neurological disorder that was just unknown to doctors at the time. Still...the legend lives on.
In January 2015, Ghost Adventures became the first paranormal TV show to visit the Bell Witch Cave:
It has to be true if Zak Douche-Bagans says it is, right?
Come back next Friday for the next stop on my ghost tour:
September 30, 2015
Scary October Is Coming!!!
Tomorrow it's here.
The best day of the year!
Tomorrow kicks off my favorite month...a month of beauty...
...fun...
...and spookiness!
Can you spot the ghost in the above GIF?
Each October, I do something special for my favorite month. Every Friday in October I will share a scary story. Last year I told you about the Amityville Horror house, the Stanley Hotel, the Queen Mary, and the Whaley House. What stories will I tell this year?
You'll just have to tune in to find out!
What is your favorite thing about fall?
The best day of the year!
Tomorrow kicks off my favorite month...a month of beauty...
...fun...
...and spookiness!
Can you spot the ghost in the above GIF?Each October, I do something special for my favorite month. Every Friday in October I will share a scary story. Last year I told you about the Amityville Horror house, the Stanley Hotel, the Queen Mary, and the Whaley House. What stories will I tell this year?
You'll just have to tune in to find out!
What is your favorite thing about fall?
September 28, 2015
Introducing the Fright Before Christmas Anthology
As you'll hear me say multiple times in October, I love October...mostly because I love scary stuff. But I love Christmas, too. Fright Before Christmas combines those two worlds. Today, they're revealing the super-fun cover:
Best of all, it includes one of my favorite blogger-authors, Medeia Sharif.
And it's co-edited by my very awesome friend Kelly Hashway! You can pre-order the book for $1.99 for a limited time on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks. They've even put together an awesome book trailer to give you a little preview. Scroll down for the blurb if you want to know a little more about what the book is about. There's also a cool Goodreads giveaway at the bottom of this blog, so don't forget to enter!
Blurb:
It's the most wonderful time of year...or is it?
Christmas Eve is a night of mystery and magic, but not always in ways we expect. Things lurk in the shadows and they're not the least bit jolly or merry. Let's just say some presents are better left unopened.
‘Tis the season to be screaming along with our thirteen tales of holiday horrors. Ghosts. Monsters. Demons. And more!
This Christmas, be careful what you wish for...
Author List:
Richard Ankers
Jackie Horsfall
Boyd Reynolds
Lea Storry
Ally Mathews
Laura Pauling
Ty Drago
Jessica Bayliss
Judith Graves
Andrea Stanet
Patrick Hueller
Dax Varley
Medeia Sharif
Book Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads
Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Fright Before Christmas by Shannon Delany Giveaway ends December 05, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway
Best of all, it includes one of my favorite blogger-authors, Medeia Sharif.
And it's co-edited by my very awesome friend Kelly Hashway! You can pre-order the book for $1.99 for a limited time on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks. They've even put together an awesome book trailer to give you a little preview. Scroll down for the blurb if you want to know a little more about what the book is about. There's also a cool Goodreads giveaway at the bottom of this blog, so don't forget to enter!
Blurb:
It's the most wonderful time of year...or is it?
Christmas Eve is a night of mystery and magic, but not always in ways we expect. Things lurk in the shadows and they're not the least bit jolly or merry. Let's just say some presents are better left unopened.
‘Tis the season to be screaming along with our thirteen tales of holiday horrors. Ghosts. Monsters. Demons. And more!
This Christmas, be careful what you wish for...
Author List:
Richard Ankers
Jackie Horsfall
Boyd Reynolds
Lea Storry
Ally Mathews
Laura Pauling
Ty Drago
Jessica Bayliss
Judith Graves
Andrea Stanet
Patrick Hueller
Dax Varley
Medeia Sharif
Book Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads
Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Fright Before Christmas by Shannon Delany Giveaway ends December 05, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway
September 25, 2015
Best Books of September
It's the last Friday of the month, which means it's time to share all of the great books I read this month.
September brought my 45th birthday, a conference, a group book signing, and my first school visits. (Two in two days!). Before and after all that chaos, I was able to work in some major reading. Here are the great books I read in September.
The first book is one I'm very excited to tell you about. I did all of the above-mentioned book events with Gail Nall earlier this month and I loved that I'd just finished her book when I got to hang out with her! Exit Stage Left is Gail's first young adult release and it's a fun one.
Full disclosure: I was a drama geek in high school. Reading this book was like being thrust back into those days of eagerly awaiting the cast list being posted, only to be (in my case) perpetually disappointed in being cast as an extra. Gail expertly captures the ups and downs of preparing for a big performance, while also covering the anxiety of teen friendships and relationships. There isn't a single dull moment in this well-written book!
My next book was actually three! The Anna Banana books are so short, they were easy to read in a few treadmill walks. This series is from my publisher, so this was my favorite type of work: reading research!
A fourth book in this series, Anna, Banana, and the Puppy Parade comes out in January. (The 4th book in my chapter book series is puppy-focused, as well!) The Anna Banana books center on a third-grade girl named Anna who has an adorable little dog named Banana. Can I just say how much I LOVE the relationship between Anna and her dog? Mostly, however, the book is about friendship and the tricky navigation that comes with having two best friends at that age. I love this series and I can't wait to read book #4!
I also was able to work in some more grown-up reading this month, including this fantabulous book by my very own blogging buddy Ashelyn Drake!
Our Little Secret centers around the love story between Becca and Toby, who have been friends for years. The only problem is Toby's twin sister is Becca's best friend, Tori. Tori has a strict "no dating my friends" policy for her brother, and Becca knows if Tori finds out, she'll lose her as a friend forever. Ashelyn does an amazing job of setting up the conflict here, as well as making us really care about Becca and Toby. Toby is actually one of the best male characters I've read in a YA romance. He's sweet and funny and perfect! I highly recommend this one for your next YA fix.
Another awesome blogger-writer is C.D. Gallant-King. He's currently participating in an Inkshares crowdfunding campaign, but in the meantime, you can read his first book, Ten Thousand Days:
From the first page, I knew I was going to like this book. C.D. has one of those writing voices that pulls you in and carries you along. On the surface, this is a heartbreaking journey of a man who loses everything and must fight to get it back. But underneath, the story is much more than that...it's a little sci-fi and a little adventure--with the message that we shouldn't waste a minute of precious time.
My audiobook this month was a very unique read. I read Nova Ren Suma's book Dani Noir (soon to be released in paperback as Fade Out) back in 2009 or 2010. I loved her writing so much, I emailed her to tell her and she replied to thank me. It stuck with me and when her latest book showed up on Audible, I knew it would be a good choice for my monthly credit.
Imaginary Girls is one of those books you can't quite describe. You have to experience it. However, while you're reading it, you'll want to share the experience with others. I found myself checking reviews--which I never do while reading a book--just to see how others were reacting. It's that powerful. That unique, lyrical writing style that pulled me in with Nova's first book is here in full force, but the mystery is what gets you most. There's a supernatural element to the story, but at its heart the book is about the strong bond between two sisters. Even though this book has both extremely good and extremely bad reviews, one thing is certain: everyone who read the book was strongly affected by it. I think that's the mark of some incredibly powerful writing.
Now it's your turn--what was the best book you read in September?
September brought my 45th birthday, a conference, a group book signing, and my first school visits. (Two in two days!). Before and after all that chaos, I was able to work in some major reading. Here are the great books I read in September.
The first book is one I'm very excited to tell you about. I did all of the above-mentioned book events with Gail Nall earlier this month and I loved that I'd just finished her book when I got to hang out with her! Exit Stage Left is Gail's first young adult release and it's a fun one.
Full disclosure: I was a drama geek in high school. Reading this book was like being thrust back into those days of eagerly awaiting the cast list being posted, only to be (in my case) perpetually disappointed in being cast as an extra. Gail expertly captures the ups and downs of preparing for a big performance, while also covering the anxiety of teen friendships and relationships. There isn't a single dull moment in this well-written book!
My next book was actually three! The Anna Banana books are so short, they were easy to read in a few treadmill walks. This series is from my publisher, so this was my favorite type of work: reading research!
A fourth book in this series, Anna, Banana, and the Puppy Parade comes out in January. (The 4th book in my chapter book series is puppy-focused, as well!) The Anna Banana books center on a third-grade girl named Anna who has an adorable little dog named Banana. Can I just say how much I LOVE the relationship between Anna and her dog? Mostly, however, the book is about friendship and the tricky navigation that comes with having two best friends at that age. I love this series and I can't wait to read book #4!
I also was able to work in some more grown-up reading this month, including this fantabulous book by my very own blogging buddy Ashelyn Drake!
Our Little Secret centers around the love story between Becca and Toby, who have been friends for years. The only problem is Toby's twin sister is Becca's best friend, Tori. Tori has a strict "no dating my friends" policy for her brother, and Becca knows if Tori finds out, she'll lose her as a friend forever. Ashelyn does an amazing job of setting up the conflict here, as well as making us really care about Becca and Toby. Toby is actually one of the best male characters I've read in a YA romance. He's sweet and funny and perfect! I highly recommend this one for your next YA fix.
Another awesome blogger-writer is C.D. Gallant-King. He's currently participating in an Inkshares crowdfunding campaign, but in the meantime, you can read his first book, Ten Thousand Days:
From the first page, I knew I was going to like this book. C.D. has one of those writing voices that pulls you in and carries you along. On the surface, this is a heartbreaking journey of a man who loses everything and must fight to get it back. But underneath, the story is much more than that...it's a little sci-fi and a little adventure--with the message that we shouldn't waste a minute of precious time.
My audiobook this month was a very unique read. I read Nova Ren Suma's book Dani Noir (soon to be released in paperback as Fade Out) back in 2009 or 2010. I loved her writing so much, I emailed her to tell her and she replied to thank me. It stuck with me and when her latest book showed up on Audible, I knew it would be a good choice for my monthly credit.
Imaginary Girls is one of those books you can't quite describe. You have to experience it. However, while you're reading it, you'll want to share the experience with others. I found myself checking reviews--which I never do while reading a book--just to see how others were reacting. It's that powerful. That unique, lyrical writing style that pulled me in with Nova's first book is here in full force, but the mystery is what gets you most. There's a supernatural element to the story, but at its heart the book is about the strong bond between two sisters. Even though this book has both extremely good and extremely bad reviews, one thing is certain: everyone who read the book was strongly affected by it. I think that's the mark of some incredibly powerful writing.
Now it's your turn--what was the best book you read in September?
September 23, 2015
4 Things Hollywood Gets Wrong About Writers
If you've ever watched a movie or TV show about a writer, you've likely noticed Hollywood has a lot to say about writers. Unfortunately, all too often they get it wrong. Which is frustrating for writers, to say the least.
Odd...since movies and TV shows are written by writers. They seem to not quite have a firm grasp on how book publishing really works.
Here are a few myths I'd like to bust wide open.
#1. We publish the first book we ever write.
For this one, I'd like to point to Mike & Molly--a great show. At the beginning of the most recent season, Molly headed off to a writer's retreat and returned, eight weeks later, with a hefty advance from a major publisher.
Okay...let's say an editor at a publishing house agreed to read the work produced at an eight-week retreat. Even if that publisher liked a writer's work, the editor would demand a full manuscript before offering a contract. Half the check would arrive when she signed the contract and the other half would arrive when she delivered the full manuscript. But then Hollywood loves to hand characters big advance checks for books they haven't written yet, which leads me to my next Hollywood myth...
#2. We're handed six-figure advances before we start writing the book.
Stephen King is guilty of this one. We get it. It's so dramatic for a writer to be under the gun to get a book finished. One way to crank up the drama is to give that writer a deadline to get the book published.
In truth, new authors turn in a complete manuscript before we get a dime. Once we're established, we turn in three chapters and a full synopsis before the publisher even agrees to buy it. Often they don't, even after you've published your first book. If they buy it, you get a portion of the advance at contract signing and the rest once the complete manuscript is turned in. Of course, if you're Stephen King, I'm sure they throw money at you to go to a cabin somewhere and look all dark and brooding.
#3. We breeze in and out of our publishing houses.
Whether authors are discussing our next work or we're turning in our manuscript, Hollywood thinks we all do it in person.
Most major publishing houses are in New York City. Few novelists are within a few hours' driving distance of New York City. Need I say more?
#4. We all drink while we write.
Okay, I get it. A writer sitting down at her laptop with a glass of wine and dim lighting sets a tone. Drinking and writing seem to be inextricably linked in movies...and history.
Some writers seem to believe the "write drunk, edit sober" mantra works. Most of us, however, live on bottled water, chocolate, and a lot of this:
What movie stereotypes have you found to be untrue?
Odd...since movies and TV shows are written by writers. They seem to not quite have a firm grasp on how book publishing really works.
Here are a few myths I'd like to bust wide open.
#1. We publish the first book we ever write.
For this one, I'd like to point to Mike & Molly--a great show. At the beginning of the most recent season, Molly headed off to a writer's retreat and returned, eight weeks later, with a hefty advance from a major publisher.
Okay...let's say an editor at a publishing house agreed to read the work produced at an eight-week retreat. Even if that publisher liked a writer's work, the editor would demand a full manuscript before offering a contract. Half the check would arrive when she signed the contract and the other half would arrive when she delivered the full manuscript. But then Hollywood loves to hand characters big advance checks for books they haven't written yet, which leads me to my next Hollywood myth...
#2. We're handed six-figure advances before we start writing the book.
Stephen King is guilty of this one. We get it. It's so dramatic for a writer to be under the gun to get a book finished. One way to crank up the drama is to give that writer a deadline to get the book published.
In truth, new authors turn in a complete manuscript before we get a dime. Once we're established, we turn in three chapters and a full synopsis before the publisher even agrees to buy it. Often they don't, even after you've published your first book. If they buy it, you get a portion of the advance at contract signing and the rest once the complete manuscript is turned in. Of course, if you're Stephen King, I'm sure they throw money at you to go to a cabin somewhere and look all dark and brooding.
#3. We breeze in and out of our publishing houses.
Whether authors are discussing our next work or we're turning in our manuscript, Hollywood thinks we all do it in person.
Most major publishing houses are in New York City. Few novelists are within a few hours' driving distance of New York City. Need I say more?
#4. We all drink while we write.
Okay, I get it. A writer sitting down at her laptop with a glass of wine and dim lighting sets a tone. Drinking and writing seem to be inextricably linked in movies...and history.
Some writers seem to believe the "write drunk, edit sober" mantra works. Most of us, however, live on bottled water, chocolate, and a lot of this:
What movie stereotypes have you found to be untrue?
