S.K. Nicholls's Blog, page 45
June 25, 2014
Somewhere Under the Rainbow
I have been working on giving my main character more character. It is a crime novel, but he’s not a bad ass. His biker friends all have ink art. This is a sneak peek into the workings of my warped mind.
While we were out at Playa Linda, the nude beach, this past weekend, I got this shot of a tattoo. (With permission, of course.) It gave me an idea. My inspiration of the day:
It’s a little fuzzy, but look closely at its head. Baby beluga or dolphin?
There is a scene in my book that needs a bit a comic relief. Something to mellow the character out after a harrowing experience. I was thinking of giving him this ink art in a place where it might be a bit amusing. Here’s some pics for comparison.
Dolphin left. Beluga right.
What do you think? Endearing joke, or too sweet for a crime fighter?
Filed under: Uncategorized, Writing Process/WIPs Tagged: beluga head, comic relief, dolphin head, endearing, inspiration, joke, tattoo
June 24, 2014
Bound Now Available in E-book
A blogger who has fascinated me with her short stories has her debut book ready. Kate Sparks, author, with “Bound”, now available!
Originally posted on disregard the prologue:
No, it’s not officially launch day. We’re not bumping the party up. The celebration still starts on Thursday and continues on to Monday with blog interviews, the Facebook party, and other fun stuff. If you still want to participate, there’s time! E-mail me. We’ll do lunch. Or blog stuff.
But just in case anyone feels like getting started a little early…
We have links. I’m only telling you guys because I like you.
I’ll update here with the iBooks link ASAP. Amazon isn’t showing the paperback for me yet, but my aunt managed to buy it through Amazon.com… so let me know what you see, will you? I don’t know if she has a magic computer, amazing Amazon Fu, or what.
Current e-book price is $2.99. This is an introductory price that will hold until the end of August– regular will be $4.99…
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Twas the night before Chri…..the Book Review Challenge!
More books! Looking for something to read. These are free for a limited time. Grab one now!
Originally posted on Rosie Amber:
“Twas the night before Chri…” opps!(The Wrong Book and exactly six months adrift)…The Book Review Challenge!
If you’re not familiar with the plain honesty of this blog, then COME ON IN, everyone’s welcome, there’s plenty of room, find yourself a cosy couch (Yes we spell things the English way and the typo way here.) I’m sure over the next few days I bubble over with so much enthusiasm to bend your ear and generally encourage you to take up a book and write a review, that I’ll offend a few readers with my typos and my opinions. I’d like to hope they’ll make you smile rather than cringe and that you’ll indulge me as I rabbit on.
So what have we got lined up for you?
Coming up on Wednesday 25th June – Book reviewing by Rosie Amber + easy to follow tips for writing your own review+ genres; moving out of your…
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June 23, 2014
Happy to Have You!
At some point, I passed 1000 followers! I don’t check stats, so I am not entirely sure when that happened. I am thrilled that so many of you have chosen to be here, and I am eternally grateful that so many have opted to stay around.
I try to be honest and post some things that may help others find their way in this writer’s world. I never claim to be an expert, so much of what you read is based on trial and error. My trials and triumphs. I also enjoy promoting other authors. It shows what can be accomplished. I am so proud of you :)
Not everything I post is about my writing efforts, though, this being an “everything” blog.
You will find stories about my adventures in GA and FL, some happy, some sad, some old, and some new.
This blog is where I write out my thoughts, as weird and way out as they can be, sharing both my confidence and insecurities. I am complicated that way.
Whether you are across the continent or around the world…maybe even right next door, I enjoy be engaged with you in comments. Being retired for the past couple of years, I feel you are my comrades, colleagues, and coworkers. I enjoy your posts and love it when you stop in to chat. You cry with me and cheer me on!
I know some simply ring the doorbell and run, but the comments and returned images tell me many of you do find reasons to hang around and I appreciate you, sincerely, I do. Your smiling faces warm my heart.
Sometimes I just want to share a silky, soft, fuzzy blanket on a cold day. Other times a treasured family recipe for red velvet cake. Maybe a book I have had the pleasure of reading. At times, just a flower from the garden, like this one:
Mexican petunia when it wakes up in the morning.
The opposite of four o’clocks, it loses all of its blossoms by mid-afternoon, and brings forth fresh ones every morning. Reminds me of the old Calgon bath oil commercials.
Then there are those times when I ramble on for paragraphs and pages. Your patience with me is applaudable.
Every morning I sit on my back porch and have breakfast and coffee. I think of the things I am grateful for, and you are always on my mind. You keep filling my cup throughout the day.
Thank you for sticking with me, and for being kind enough to brighten my day with your presence and your words.
Your support and encouragement mean the world to me.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: 1000, encouragement, followers, gratitude, Mexican petunia, support, thanks
Monday Update on Books For The Book Review Challenge
Free Books for Reviews.
Originally posted on Rosie Amber:
Coming up this week on the blog is the fantastic chance to get involved with my Book Review Challenge. You can request a book any time from now until the end of June, when they’re gone they’re gone.
From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be sent out FREE for you to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help and advise you.
We’re beginning the book review challenge on Wednesday 25th June with posts from guest book reviewers and authors. There will be book reviewing tips and advice each day in the build up to reading and writing a review.
Coming up on Wednesday 25th June – Book reviewing by Rosie Amber + easy to…
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June 21, 2014
Doubt Dancing Back to Idaho with JSM
Yesterday I left Doubt, the raven, at home and went out for a stellar day on the Space Coast you can read about here. I left Doubt at home on purpose for three reason: 1) He flirts with gulls. 2) He and the rocket scientist were double teaming me. And, 3) He’s learning to dance.
They are probably both right. The manuscript needs some work. It may need a massive rewrite.
I have too many characters as it is, IMHO, and the RS thinks I should add more. Doubt shakes his head, and then nods. I think he’s trying to tell me, no, I don’t need more characters…what I need is to rewrite and separate these two crimes into two books so both can be developed better.
Anyway, that is where I am today.
I have a plane ticket for Doubt. I couldn’t see putting him in a package in this heat, so he should be back in Idaho in a few hours. We are ten minutes from the airport. I am keeping a few feathers he lost when we went over the MS together…just as reminders.
Look out C.S. Boyack…here he comes! He’s learned some dance moves, too.
If you haven’t seen JustSomeMotion (JSM) dance, you are missing a real treat. Put this on the full screen and turn up the volume. I love this guy and have watched a hundred times. He reminds me of my son…ten years ago. I don’t know if my son, Bryan, could move like this today, but he used to. After they have been gone about ten years, you really miss them!
Filed under: Writing Process/WIPs Tagged: crime fiction, dancing, Doubt, first draft, JSM, rewrite, WIP
June 20, 2014
A Day on the Space(y) Coast
Just got back from a trip we made into Brevard county. It is a short drive to the Space Coast from where we live in Central Florida. Home of the Kennedy Space Center. But away from the tourist attractions, you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Beautiful, because it is unspoiled, which also means you have eco-friendly toilets and nowhere to shower off the sand. Playa Linda Beach and the Black Point Wildlife Refuge are isolated scenic places.
Some of the best kept secrets in Florida that the locals enjoy but many tourists overlook are the federal lands.
Before you get to the national seashore you have to cross the intercoastal waterways That separate the barrier islands from the mainland. Early morning sunrise over the intercoastal waterway.
Find a boardwalk across the dunes and before long…
…you are on the beach! Sunlight quickly burns off the clouds. Don’t worry, they’ll be back!
No condos, no hotels, no commercial enterprises…just you and the beach.
A few people meander down the beach in early morning.
Some fish.
Shelling is popular because the shore is not so picked over as the crowded beaches.
Families enjoy fun in the sun.
A trip across the boardwalk and you’ll find an explanation on why the dunes are so important and why we need to keep off.
You’ll also find words of caution. This is Federal land.
On a side note:
The Legal Scene
Is Public Nudity Legal in Florida?
by Marvin Frandsen
“Here’s what the Florida courts have to say about that. The following is from Florida Statute 800.03:
It shall be unlawful for any person to expose or exhibit his sexual organs in any public place or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner, or so to expose or exhibit his person in such place, or to go or to be naked in such place. Provided, however, this section shall not be construed to prohibit the exposure of such or the person in any place provided or set apart for that purpose.
The Florida Supreme Court and lower courts have repeatedly ruled that mere nudity (as in sunbathing and skinny-dipping) is not in violation of this law. Nudity is not lewd, lascivious, or indecent exposure. Clothing-optional recreation does not harm the public’s health, safety, welfare, or morals. There are no harmful “secondary contrary effects” of skinny-dipping or the sight of a person in the natural state of being unclothed on a public beach. The public has nothing to fear from a live nude body. (Emphasis added.)”
“Itʼs definitely cultural. It think we ought to be more like the French in most
everything, and the Germans as well. Weʼre way too uptight here; its a beautiful thing
over there.” (Rush Limbaugh, on nude beaches, from an Internet site).”
So, you might encounter scenes like this.
Or this. We nudists call these “cottontails”.
Or this. Actually, mostly this.
The beach and waters here create tidal pools. Fish and sea life get trapped in them. They are fun to explore.
Ibis hanging out on the beach with the nudies.
One reason you don’t see a lot of folk out far in the water swimming. Most only wade out into the shallows. There are sharks in the water (and no life guards).
Other fish also.
But lots of sharks.
Back across the boardwalk and you’ll see that the locals ordinances are always at odds with the Feds. There are ongoing court cases, where locals and traveling Europeans are fined anywhere from $25.00 to $500.00 for violating local nudity ordinances.
As this guy proves with his willingness to pose, many nudists ignore the warnings.
Storms move in quickly and move along and out just as fast. You never know how the weather will hold through the day. Often they threaten, with clouds, high winds, and lightening, but not a drop of rain falls.
Leaving the beach area you will find many little park and wildlife refuge areas like this one at Black Point on Merritt Island. There are boardwalks that let you get really close to the wildlife. The birds are spectacular.
The marshy brackish waters of the intercoastals and all around places like Blackpoint Wildlife Drive Park where you can do bird watching.
White pelicans, American egrets, Hooded Merganzers, rosette spoonbills and more flock here. The sound can be deafening.
Ducks cover the ponds.
A nice way to end a day at the beach. The sky is constantly changing from bright to cloudy to bright again.
A trip into Titusville is never complete without a stop at Dixie Crossroads, a local dining establishment that has been around for decades. There are several indoor and outdoor dining areas connected by boardwalks and corridors.
Their specialty is shrimp. Any kind of shrimp, any kind of way. Not these guys though.
Get there early enough and you might be treated to a crawfish boil
You can dine outside under the live oaks.
On buckets of roasted oysters from Apalachicola. I won’t eat them from May to August. Only months with an ‘R’ in them.
Scallops, rock shrimp, and pink shrimp. The rock shrimp taste like lobster, only juicer.
Seafood not your thing. They gotcha covered.
Carving station.
You will almost always find a row of these outside.
They draw a huge crowd come nightfall.
Last look over the waterway.
Here’s a map of where we have been today on the Atlantic coast.
Filed under: Fascinating Florida Tagged: Best seafood restaurants in Florida, birds, Black Point National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral national Seashore, Dixie Crossroads, Federal land, Florida, Florida Beaches, Florida Birding, Florida statute on nudity, isolated beaches, Merritt Island, nude beaches, play day, Playa Linda, private beach, public nudity, seafood, Space Coast, Water fowl
Mirror Interviews: Authors Wanted
Great opportunity to expose your innermost secrets! You know, the ones nobody knows to ask you about.
Originally posted on readful things blog:
So, I’ve been thinking about doing a Wednesday feature here on Readful again as I haven’t done one in a while. Usually the Wednesday feature is a guest blog, and I’d like to keep that tradition running…sort of.
See, there’s two things. First thing: I was talking to an author the other day who pointed out that all author interviews seem to ask the same questions over and over. Not a lot of people pay attention to them, and it gets rather monotonous answering the same boring things all the time.
second thing: I’m lazy.
So, here is my solution:
I am looking for a handful of authors who want to do a blog interview. The catch is, I’m looking for a handful of authors who want to interview–themselves. Yep. I won’t send you any boring, already answered questions. I won’t ask you boxers or briefs or who would play…
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June 19, 2014
First Read
The alpha reader has finished my MS. He loved the story. He particularly enjoyed the last two chapters and the way that it ended. He really likes the sidekick, Brandi.
Initially, I decided I would not share anything remotely negative about the series. We already know that I am unconventional, and do not always follow rules. I am told we must praise our work as if it’s the best thing since sliced bread. But a first draft is exactly that, a time to examine what might not be working.
Maybe you don’t have any problem areas in your writing and kudos to you if you don’t. But more often than not, with a first draft it is time to take a realistic look at your product and decide where it needs tweaking. There may be parts that need revising, rewriting, or developing further. Better now, than after it has hit the market.
When I first published Red Clay and Roses, I did not know about alpha readers and beta readers. That resulted in putting a product on the market that needed a revision. I learned from first reviews that there was disconnection that wasn’t working all that well in the very first chapter. I revised it, but still didn’t spend the time I should have smoothing it out. I would like to think I have learned from that experience.
I do not want to rush Naked Alliances, or the series. I have some work to do.
I spent a lot of time and energy on developing the character of Brandi. I did not give my main character, Richard, the detective, as much attention and it shows. He needs a life beyond these crime adventures.
The rocket scientist says that he is likable, but flat. Where I was trying to show action and dialog, I neglected narrative and character development. Richard also needs familiars.
The story moves really fast. Though it is 27 chapters (maybe more when I am done), the time spanned is about a week. That’s not a long time to get to know someone. I did not want to write a lot of back story, so I opted to let Richard develop as the story moved along. It really did not work out as effectively as I had hoped and I understand why.
He’s so busy. A lot is going on. Everything around him is new to him. People, settings, and the type of work assignment he has, all new. Nothing is familiar, comfortable. He’s out of his element, but you, the reader, don’t know what his element is yet. He starts out as a bit of a loner, but it is told in third person, and he is hard to get to know in this way. It is difficult to sidle up to him, identify and feel he’s your friend.
So that is what I am doing now. I am working on Richard’s character development, giving him a bit of a life outside of his work. Narrating in a few things to introduce him, and adding a few experiences that let you know who he is before everything in his life suddenly changes.
This may take a couple of weeks, maybe more. I am going to need a couple of pairs of virgin eyes when I am done. I would like to have two people read. Edit and then have two more people read. I do have two beta readers lined up.
It is an off the wall crime caper. I am working hard at doing this right. I don’t want you more confused than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles, so have patience with me.
Central Florida has never been hotter! The first in The Naked Eye Series Novels has Richard Noggin, P.I. scouting the swinger’s venues and a nudist resort to solve a vicious murder case and bring down a crime boss. A young Asian girl’s unexpected appearance on the doorstep of a gay club sets off events that have him struggling to protect her and a fighting to survive.
Filed under: My Novels, Writing Process/WIPs Tagged: alpha, beta, caper, crime caper, crime fiction, first draft, First read, Naked Alliances, readers, The Naked Eye Series
Books for the Book Review Challenge
Pick one!
Originally posted on Rosie Amber:
REQUEST A BOOK TODAY AND GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST – BOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE START OF JULY FROM AUTHORS
ANYONE CAN REQUEST A BOOK, ALL WE ASK IS A REVIEW IN RETURN BY THE END OF JULY 2014
Books are rolling in for this book review challenge. It’s open to anyone and everyone, not just readers. Are you an author? What can you give back to others who read your books? Ever heard of “What you give out you get back ten-fold?” Take action today.
From July 1st 3 e-copies of the following books will be available FREE for you to choose to read. All we ask is for you to read just 1 and write a review which will then be posted here and other sites where possible. Starting next week on Wednesday 25th June we’ll be posting a series on book reviews to help…
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