Harule Stokes's Blog, page 4

Never ll Late with Carol Lewis - My first panel discussion!

I believe this was taped back in March (don't quote me on that) and I just got a copy of the interview.

This is the sliced version of the panel discussion.

Enjoy!

Waiting for the Other Shoe

As review start to trickle in for my novel, I'm feeling both excited and fearful.  So far, 4 and 5 stars reviews on Amazon continues to bolster my resolve that I'm on the right track (in terms of my writing style), but I keep waiting for those 3 and below reviews to come in and break my heart, shaking my concept of what I should be doing.

Is that normal?

Do you get numb to it after awhile?

Am I just being a pansy (highly likely)?

Reviews make me smile

Great Review from Kristi at Kristi's Book Nook.

Amazon Review

Could you imagine living in a world today that consists of concentration camps? Some have already seen this world and wouldn't want to go through it again. Stokes has created a world readers can sink their teeth into. This new world has camps, or Sectors, that detain a people known as Keynosians; people who live in trees, go barefoot, eat plants for their juice and have a fungal mark that somehow gives them powerful strength. The problem is the Northern Alliance, a military infrastructure, thinks the Keynosians are savages and want to civilize them by putting Peacekeeper collars on them that drug them to keep them under control. Not all Keynosians are keen to this way of life and have put together their own resistance.
Joseph Marshall, as well as others, is a NextGen. He inherited the gene from his parents. This gene makes him massive in size, keen with all five sense, and basically unstoppable for the most part. He has joined the military academy against his mothers better judgment and is ranked an 8 out of 10 but has extraordinary intelligence. He has been trained to patrol the borders in the Sectors. For him this is the best way to provide a better life for himself, his brother and mother. He can make more money than if he were a garbage collector or security guard. At his level he would more likely be sent to a Sector with minimal need.
Unfortunately for Joe that is not what happened. After graduation he is summoned to see Commander Jacob, a Fallen or father of the NextGen, who assigns him to Westwood in Sector 9 the worst sector ever. His job will be to use his strength and intelligence to monitor and uncover whether or not David Santos, another Fallen, has switched sides. Joseph must find out why David committed a murder and if he had any help from renegade Keynosians. This is an unusual assignment for an 8 but Joseph is up to the task.Along with his new stresses, Joseph also has friends from the Academy and a few enemies too. His new girlfriend, Jennifer, is also vying for his attention. His best friend Zek is also wanting his help. A plant called Earthbound is grown from the dead bodies of Keynosians and holds the key to a popular drug which is in high demand and can only be found in Sector 9. Worth $3000 per plant, Zek has a plan to make money. But then, Zek always has an illegal plan and often gets Joseph entangled in his schemes. This could be trouble for Joseph since he will be reporting directly to Commander Jacob.
Joe has his first encounter with an empowered Keynosian who also becomes his first kill. These people have already changed him before he even gets to his assignment. Joseph begins to see why his mother participated in the Freedom For All (FAA) a group that tries to prevent the collaring of Keynosians. As Joseph makes his way through the politics, friendships and his investigation will he be able to make the right decisions? Will he be able to fight if necessary against one of the Fallen and survive? These are questions that will be answered as Josephs' story unfolds.
Stokes keeps readers engaged with a loads of dialogue which helps readers to better understand the characters and vivid scenery that brings life to this world and makes it believable. This interesting concept is a page turner that readers can relate to. The heart pounding fight scenes invite readers to share in the emotion. The storyline is well written although readers may find some adult language throughout the pages.

Sectors - The Great War

As I write my next novel, I find myself once again feeling lost.  Chapter 3 feels like it's just meandering along, with me trying my darnest to steer it back on course, but failing terribly.  That sounds really bad doesn't it?  But, a lot of my first book contained these instances as well, with me feeling lost and eventually finding my way back to the story I outlined so completely.  So, what am I nervous about it?  I can only chalk it up to it  feeling as if it's all out of my control, that's why... and I don't like that feeling.  I like feeling in control.

Sadly, the best moments of my creation are those moments I'm not in conscious in control of it.

So, I'm going to try something other than feeling stressed and angst-y.  I'm going to trust.  I will trust not only myself but also the inspiration I receive.  Trust is scary if you feel the need to control.  So I guess I should just let go.  Free myself from that desire and allow my creativity the freedom it deserves.

Discount Code - $0.99 for the Ebook!

For all of those that are interested in getting a copy of Sectors, I've generated a coupon code for Smashwords!  To get the discount enter code RR42T.

$0.99 folks!  Hit it up and tell me what you think. :)

Your Art is You

As we march ourselves into a new year, I have something to say to my fellow artist.

Don't be a whore.

Please don't misunderstand me.  There's nothing wrong with working on someone's project for money.  That's business.  It puts food on your table.  It's a blessing to take those opportunities.  I wish we all have the strength to bring to bare our fantastic talents we've acquired through both hard work and god-given abilities to do our best.  To make those opportunities shine and show the world what we're capable of.  That does NOT make someone a whore though.  I believe we artist become whores, when we take the art created from that special place within us, that place where we've capture the inspiration of the Creator, the place in all humanity that connects our soul's to the universal knowledge... only to corrupt it's message at the faintest scent of riches.  Please, don't do that.

One of my mentors informed me of a powerful truth:  You are not the only soul the Creator can use to give his/her message to the universe.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but did you truly believe that the message the Creator is urging you to tell the world will live and die only in your heart?  Nope.  Just look at history.  There have been many Messengers of the Creator, giving the same message in many different forms.  The vessel can be replaced.  The message is what's important!  Never forget that.

So please, don't allow your message given by our Creator to be soiled with hand that were never meant to touch it.  Honor the message by giving it to the world with the highest honor you can imbue into it.  There's a reason you were given the responsibility of delivering your message in the first place.  It was meant for you to deliver that message in the way only you can.  So...

Be the vessel the Creator intended you to be.Bless the universe with Art that is You.
We need it.

Reviews smell like Awesomeness!

Sorry for the long delay folks.  Holiday season makes it tough to post consistently.  Hopefully, I'll get better with that.  Anyway, on to the news...


Another review!

http://bookreferees.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-sectors-harule-stokes.html

It's tough to get folks to take the chance with their time and review a completely unknown author's work.  I totally understand.  That's time you'll never get back and I'd hate to fill it up with a crappy novel.

Of course, my novel is totally awesome-sauce. ;)

So to all of those reviewers, THANK YOU!!  Your words really give writers something to hold on to (especially when you guys like the novel.).  Many blessings to you guys!

Freedom is Non Negotiable

Would you accept half freedom?  It's better than no freedom at all, right?  I mean sure, I have all of MY freedom, but I'm only going to offer you half freedom.  No?  Well, how about three quarters freedom?  Come on, it's close enough isn't it?  It's a give and take in a negotiation so you've got to give up something.  No?  Oh my God you're so greedy!!

If the above isn't acceptable, why do we, Americans, ask our gay brothers and sisters to accept it?  We should not.  They deserve all the freedoms we have, not because we approve or disapprove of their lives, but because it is just.

Here's some of what Mr. Marley has to say about this.
That until that day 
The dream of lasting peace, 
World citizenship 
Rule of international morality 
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, 
But never attained - 
Now everywhere is war - war. 

Justice and Freedom for all is the only acceptable path for humanity.

Powerful Moment in Time

Wow. Just... wow.

I Will Not Yield to this Monkey Court!

Is it just me that finds this fascinating the totally hilarious?

It also reminds me of the various rules many writers adhere to, generated from other writers. We place our trust in others to honestly review our work, and at times we find ourselves being judged with rules that don't actually apply to the work. We artists love praise for what we do. It's part of our DNA, I think. The idea that someone understands what we're saying, what messages we are trying to relay, is the mana that keeps us going strong. It's even better when the person that provides that mana, is a peer. Yet, many of us run into peers that either can't see or don't see the work for what it is or what it's saying. They are instead running with a dogma that is, imo not conducive to creativity.

Adhering to any dogma stifles creativity.

So, do what works best for you and enables you to express yourself to the fullest. BE FREE!! That's the only way to sing in the cage that is the written word.

Don't yield your time here, in this life, to people that are rigid and blind. Move your vision forward and give the world your vision. We need you to do it. That's why creation enabled you to be the artist you are.