Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 62
July 16, 2014
Cover Reveal: Soulless by Crystal Collier
Today I'm part of the exciting cover reveal for Crystal Collier's upcoming release, Soulless. Soulless is the sequel to this thrilling historical novel:
To celebrate her cover reveal, Moonless is available for $1.99 until July 17 and $2.99 July 18-19. Buy Moonless by clicking here.
You can also pre-order a signed copy of Soulless now. Here's the link to pre-order.
And now...for the beautiful cover...
Are you ready...?
And here's the wraparound version:
Crystal is also taking signups for her blog tour, which will be October 13-November 7. Sign up here to be awesome.
❀Unleashing the dream world, one book at a time ❀ Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Website
To celebrate her cover reveal, Moonless is available for $1.99 until July 17 and $2.99 July 18-19. Buy Moonless by clicking here.
You can also pre-order a signed copy of Soulless now. Here's the link to pre-order.
And now...for the beautiful cover...
Are you ready...?
And here's the wraparound version:
Crystal is also taking signups for her blog tour, which will be October 13-November 7. Sign up here to be awesome.
❀Unleashing the dream world, one book at a time ❀ Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Website
July 14, 2014
Bad Habits of the Modern Grocery Shopper
I'm a relatively sane person, but crowds drive me crazy. I don't like people walking or driving closely behind me and I tend to have panic attacks in situations like this one.
I thought when I became a full-time writer, my issues with grocery stores would end. I could shop when nobody was around...no crowds, no problem. Nothing makes me happier than an aisle completely free of people.
Is it just me? It feels like I can breathe. But here's what I've learned: When you shop after work or on weekends, shoppers do stupid things like blocking aisles. When you shop when nobody else is there, the aisles still aren't free. Do you know why?
Yep, shelf stockers. They don't move out of your way, either. So good luck getting to the cheese curls. But lately, something else has been bugging me. It happens at checkout. You know how you put all of your items on the conveyor belt, then put up a divider so that the next person can load his groceries? Some people don't put the divider up.
I get that. That's not me, though. It isn't my pet peeve, either. That's the cashier's problem to work out. What bugs me lately are the people who start unloading their groceries onto the conveyor belt WHILE YOU'RE STILL UNLOADING.
At that point, you have a choice, you can say, "Excuse me, but I still have some things to unload." At which point you end up in an altercation similar to the one the woman details here. (Warning: it has profanity.)
Or you could avoid confrontation and play a grocery store version of Tetris to stack your groceries on top of each other without crushing anything.
I'm sure the person probably doesn't realize she's jumping the gun. (It's always been a "she" so far, sorry to say.) I just don't know how to handle it any more than I know how to handle the person who stands in front of the butter section for a half an hour, trying to pick out the perfect tub of butter.
What are your top grocery shopping pet peeves?
I thought when I became a full-time writer, my issues with grocery stores would end. I could shop when nobody was around...no crowds, no problem. Nothing makes me happier than an aisle completely free of people.
Is it just me? It feels like I can breathe. But here's what I've learned: When you shop after work or on weekends, shoppers do stupid things like blocking aisles. When you shop when nobody else is there, the aisles still aren't free. Do you know why?
Yep, shelf stockers. They don't move out of your way, either. So good luck getting to the cheese curls. But lately, something else has been bugging me. It happens at checkout. You know how you put all of your items on the conveyor belt, then put up a divider so that the next person can load his groceries? Some people don't put the divider up.
I get that. That's not me, though. It isn't my pet peeve, either. That's the cashier's problem to work out. What bugs me lately are the people who start unloading their groceries onto the conveyor belt WHILE YOU'RE STILL UNLOADING.
At that point, you have a choice, you can say, "Excuse me, but I still have some things to unload." At which point you end up in an altercation similar to the one the woman details here. (Warning: it has profanity.)
Or you could avoid confrontation and play a grocery store version of Tetris to stack your groceries on top of each other without crushing anything.
I'm sure the person probably doesn't realize she's jumping the gun. (It's always been a "she" so far, sorry to say.) I just don't know how to handle it any more than I know how to handle the person who stands in front of the butter section for a half an hour, trying to pick out the perfect tub of butter.
What are your top grocery shopping pet peeves?
July 11, 2014
Songs of Summer
When I heard The Armchair Squid was hosting this fun bloghop, I couldn't resist.
Together, we're building a summer soundtrack. The challenge is to list five songs that take you back to different summers over your life. Only I grew up in the 80s. So summer music was listened to on one of these.
Or one of these.
It starts with the summer of 1986 at Myrtle Beach. This song always takes me back. I hate live versions of songs, but this was all that was out there in video form.
This song takes me back to the summer I worked at the movie theater, watching free movies and hanging out with awesome people. Plus, the line "Don't you make me beg for more" always reminds me that my best friend at the time thought the words were, "Don't you make me late for work."
This song reminds me of my early college days. I couldn't turn the radio on during the summer of 1989 without hearing this song. I bought his first two CDs and listened to them nonstop. Now he owns a rock star academy in Texas. How cool is that?
This one was on the radio nonstop the first summer I started thinking about writing a novel. I don't think any of us really knew what he was singing about, but he has an incredible voice. Plus, he wrote We Built This City and These Dreams, two 80s songs everyone loved. Here's his Facebook page.
Since the summer of 2000, one song has signaled "summer" for me. It's the theme song to a certain TV show.
I'm a bit of a fan, if you can't tell. And this summer, the first summer I've worked from home, I signed up for live feeds. So the house is on all day in the background while I work. This song always signals "summer" for Big Brother fans.
What songs take you back to summers past? You can post your answer in comments here or join in on today's blog hop by adding your link below.
Together, we're building a summer soundtrack. The challenge is to list five songs that take you back to different summers over your life. Only I grew up in the 80s. So summer music was listened to on one of these.
Or one of these.
It starts with the summer of 1986 at Myrtle Beach. This song always takes me back. I hate live versions of songs, but this was all that was out there in video form.
This song takes me back to the summer I worked at the movie theater, watching free movies and hanging out with awesome people. Plus, the line "Don't you make me beg for more" always reminds me that my best friend at the time thought the words were, "Don't you make me late for work."
This song reminds me of my early college days. I couldn't turn the radio on during the summer of 1989 without hearing this song. I bought his first two CDs and listened to them nonstop. Now he owns a rock star academy in Texas. How cool is that?
This one was on the radio nonstop the first summer I started thinking about writing a novel. I don't think any of us really knew what he was singing about, but he has an incredible voice. Plus, he wrote We Built This City and These Dreams, two 80s songs everyone loved. Here's his Facebook page.
Since the summer of 2000, one song has signaled "summer" for me. It's the theme song to a certain TV show.
I'm a bit of a fan, if you can't tell. And this summer, the first summer I've worked from home, I signed up for live feeds. So the house is on all day in the background while I work. This song always signals "summer" for Big Brother fans.
What songs take you back to summers past? You can post your answer in comments here or join in on today's blog hop by adding your link below.
July 9, 2014
Why My Hometown is the Best
My husband's always telling me that his hometown is the best.
Okay, his hometown definitely makes for some interesting stories. It was, after all, established as a city to facilitate the secret development of the atomic bomb.
But I think my hometown is pretty awesome, too.
It was the home of this guy.
And it's known as the home of this girl, even though her family only moved there to get her close to Nashville...so she could get a record deal.
Taylor Swift and I both went to the same high school. Twenty years apart. In different buildings. But it counts, right?
And the #1 reason my hometown is the best?
I'm going to be part of family night at the Hendersonville Public Library on July 17!
What's the best thing about your hometown?
Okay, his hometown definitely makes for some interesting stories. It was, after all, established as a city to facilitate the secret development of the atomic bomb.
But I think my hometown is pretty awesome, too.
It was the home of this guy.
And it's known as the home of this girl, even though her family only moved there to get her close to Nashville...so she could get a record deal.
Taylor Swift and I both went to the same high school. Twenty years apart. In different buildings. But it counts, right?
And the #1 reason my hometown is the best?
I'm going to be part of family night at the Hendersonville Public Library on July 17!
What's the best thing about your hometown?
July 7, 2014
Writers Don’t Use Typewriters
There's a strange trend I've noticed for a while now. Whether it's on a T-shirt, bumper sticker, or online graphic, the word "Writer" is often seen with the image of a typewriter.
The image of a writer sitting in front of a typewriter is so common, we accept it without question.
Yet most of us writers can't relate to the image above. Our writing lives look a little more like this:
Or this:
Or this:
For many of us, it likely involves yoga pants or PJs, no makeup, and our living room sofa.
Despite all of this, though, the typewriter continues to be the universal symbol of "writer." So it wasn't surprising when the TV show Mike & Molly chose to throw one into a scene with Susan Sarandon. It was part of the background, stocked with things to demonstrate what a writer would have.
Perhaps Susan Sarandon's character, a successful novelist, prefers using a typewriter. It's possible. But of all of the writers I know, I can't name one who uses a typewriter.
Can you?
The image of a writer sitting in front of a typewriter is so common, we accept it without question.
Yet most of us writers can't relate to the image above. Our writing lives look a little more like this:
Or this:
Or this:
For many of us, it likely involves yoga pants or PJs, no makeup, and our living room sofa.
Despite all of this, though, the typewriter continues to be the universal symbol of "writer." So it wasn't surprising when the TV show Mike & Molly chose to throw one into a scene with Susan Sarandon. It was part of the background, stocked with things to demonstrate what a writer would have.
Perhaps Susan Sarandon's character, a successful novelist, prefers using a typewriter. It's possible. But of all of the writers I know, I can't name one who uses a typewriter.
Can you?
July 2, 2014
Authors, Don’t Blast Your Co-Workers
I once found myself engaged in a slightly heated conversation about book reviews. Someone made a comment that published authors should never trash other authors on social media.
That started a conversation about author responsibility. Once you're published, we decided, you become a community of co-workers of sorts. Just as a business owner shouldn't publicly blast a fellow business owner online, one author shouldn't trash another on Facebook or Twitter.
That was when another published author stepped in. She writes for a small press while also regularly writing honest book reviews. She believes there's nothing wrong with speaking out if you don't like a book. After all, writers appreciate honesty.
It is a tough situation. Writers are avid readers. We also often know why a book isn't quite up to par. Yes, it's opinion but it's an informed opinion. We know the mechanics of crafting a good novel and can warn readers in advance. Yet if I post a negative review of a fellow author's book, she's going to see it. She may even be hurt by it. She may even hold that against me if, say, someday she has an opportunity to recommend my book or sign with me at a writer's conference. The writing world is a small place, after all...that scathing review you wrote of Hunger Games could hurt you five years from now, when you and Suzanne Collins are sharing space at the top of the NYT bestseller list. You never know...
What do you think? Should authors turn in their "reviewer" badges once published?
That started a conversation about author responsibility. Once you're published, we decided, you become a community of co-workers of sorts. Just as a business owner shouldn't publicly blast a fellow business owner online, one author shouldn't trash another on Facebook or Twitter.
That was when another published author stepped in. She writes for a small press while also regularly writing honest book reviews. She believes there's nothing wrong with speaking out if you don't like a book. After all, writers appreciate honesty.
It is a tough situation. Writers are avid readers. We also often know why a book isn't quite up to par. Yes, it's opinion but it's an informed opinion. We know the mechanics of crafting a good novel and can warn readers in advance. Yet if I post a negative review of a fellow author's book, she's going to see it. She may even be hurt by it. She may even hold that against me if, say, someday she has an opportunity to recommend my book or sign with me at a writer's conference. The writing world is a small place, after all...that scathing review you wrote of Hunger Games could hurt you five years from now, when you and Suzanne Collins are sharing space at the top of the NYT bestseller list. You never know...
What do you think? Should authors turn in their "reviewer" badges once published?
June 30, 2014
My Shoes Stay On
There are people who are weird about wearing shoes in the house.
I understand. Shoes track in dirt from outside. They also are harder on flooring, causing scratches. There's a reason many people's foyers look like this.
But when I'm at home, I usually wear house shoes
There's a reason for that. When I was a kid, I was walking around the house when I stepped on a needle. It broke off in my foot and I had to have it surgically removed.
There's a reason to wear shoes inside, people. It's called "stepping on things."
Still...I'll take my shoes off when I visit your house. After all, wouldn't want to get dirt on your carpet.
Do you allow shoes in your house?
I understand. Shoes track in dirt from outside. They also are harder on flooring, causing scratches. There's a reason many people's foyers look like this.
But when I'm at home, I usually wear house shoes
There's a reason for that. When I was a kid, I was walking around the house when I stepped on a needle. It broke off in my foot and I had to have it surgically removed.
There's a reason to wear shoes inside, people. It's called "stepping on things."
Still...I'll take my shoes off when I visit your house. After all, wouldn't want to get dirt on your carpet.
Do you allow shoes in your house?
June 27, 2014
Picturing Your Settings
Someone recently shared a YouTube video on Facebook of the demolition of my junior high school. I watched the video, fascinated, and realizing something I'd never really thought about.
All of my books are set in this school.
I picture both the inside and outside of it. When characters are driving to school or waiting for a ride, this is where they're standing.
(That's after it had fallen into decay, by the way...it looked much better back in the early 80s!)
What's freaky is that I do this without thinking about it. Every now and then I pull elements from my high school, but it was ROUND. Nobody goes to a round high school (now a middle school), and it would take away from the story to explain why characters are roaming the halls of a school that looks like this:
So I stick with what's familiar. A high school with straight hallways.
Where do you set your books?
All of my books are set in this school.
I picture both the inside and outside of it. When characters are driving to school or waiting for a ride, this is where they're standing.
(That's after it had fallen into decay, by the way...it looked much better back in the early 80s!)
What's freaky is that I do this without thinking about it. Every now and then I pull elements from my high school, but it was ROUND. Nobody goes to a round high school (now a middle school), and it would take away from the story to explain why characters are roaming the halls of a school that looks like this:
So I stick with what's familiar. A high school with straight hallways.
Where do you set your books?
June 25, 2014
Writers Don't Retire
When I worked as a government employee, I lived for the day I could retire. That was when I could live off of my pension and write for the rest of my life.
Thanks to my freelancing business, I "retired" last fall. Only I'm still (sort of) young, so it isn't retirement at all. It's just work.
When you're doing what you love for a living, you can't imagine a day when you'll stop...and...what? Sit around doing nothing?
To me, it seems like a day when I'm stop doing this.
And start doing this.
Then I saw this quote from Andy Rooney...and it hit home.
What do you think? Will you ever stop writing?
Want some bookmarks to hand out to the young people in your life? Email me with your address and I'll send some right away.
Thanks to my freelancing business, I "retired" last fall. Only I'm still (sort of) young, so it isn't retirement at all. It's just work.
When you're doing what you love for a living, you can't imagine a day when you'll stop...and...what? Sit around doing nothing?
To me, it seems like a day when I'm stop doing this.
And start doing this.
Then I saw this quote from Andy Rooney...and it hit home.
What do you think? Will you ever stop writing?
Want some bookmarks to hand out to the young people in your life? Email me with your address and I'll send some right away.
June 24, 2014
Express Yourself: Book Before Movie?
Today I'm participating in the Express Yourself Meme, hosted by Dani and Jackie.
The goal of this week's meme is to discuss the last book we read. There's actually an interesting story with that one. The last book I read was this one:
It had been on my to-read list on Goodreads for a ridiculous amount of time. It was "the next book I'm going to read" for weeks. Then, one Thursday, a group of friends came to town and informed me they wanted to see the Fault in Our Stars movie the next day.
Panicked, I opened my Kindle and started reading.
There was only one problem. We had friends in town. So no reading time. There was another problem... I hate seeing a movie after I've read the book (and vice versa), especially if it's recent. If I know what's happening next, I get restless and bored. It only works if months have passed and I've mostly forgotten where it's going.
The bad news is, I only made it through half of the book. The good news is, I only made it through half of the book. So the last half of the movie was a complete surprise.
And, yes, to answer your inevitable question...I later read the last half of the book. Even though I (mostly) knew what would happen. But if you're faced with this choice:
Take the book option. It's a much more intense experience. Maybe wait a while and catch the movie on DVD after the book has slipped your mind a little.
How do you feel about book adaptations? Can you enjoy a book after you've seen the movie?
Was there a great book you read this month? Participate in the meme by adding your name below.
The goal of this week's meme is to discuss the last book we read. There's actually an interesting story with that one. The last book I read was this one:
It had been on my to-read list on Goodreads for a ridiculous amount of time. It was "the next book I'm going to read" for weeks. Then, one Thursday, a group of friends came to town and informed me they wanted to see the Fault in Our Stars movie the next day.
Panicked, I opened my Kindle and started reading.
There was only one problem. We had friends in town. So no reading time. There was another problem... I hate seeing a movie after I've read the book (and vice versa), especially if it's recent. If I know what's happening next, I get restless and bored. It only works if months have passed and I've mostly forgotten where it's going.
The bad news is, I only made it through half of the book. The good news is, I only made it through half of the book. So the last half of the movie was a complete surprise.
And, yes, to answer your inevitable question...I later read the last half of the book. Even though I (mostly) knew what would happen. But if you're faced with this choice:
Take the book option. It's a much more intense experience. Maybe wait a while and catch the movie on DVD after the book has slipped your mind a little.
How do you feel about book adaptations? Can you enjoy a book after you've seen the movie?
Was there a great book you read this month? Participate in the meme by adding your name below.
