Marilyn Vix's Blog, page 21

Update: Winner of Paranormal Romance Excerpt Blog Hop Giveaway

Congratulations to Aisling O. the winner of the Paranormal Romance Blog Hop Giveaway from July 14.

I’m happy to announce the winner of the Paranormal Romance Excerpt Blog Hop Giveaway on July 14. The Beware of Warlocks set of novellas goes to: Aisling O. Congratulations Aisling!

Thank you to everyone else that entered. If you didn’t win, fret not. I am working hard to put all three novellas into a box set. I am also putting together a Street Team to help with its release. If you would like to help with this, please message me on Facebook or Twitter. I’ll definitely get back to you.

Street Team for Marilyn Vix forming now!

Contact Marilyn Vix at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.vix

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynVix

Paranormal Romance Excerpt Blog Hop TODAY JUly 14

Join Marilyn and other paranormal authors on a blog hop adventure. Find new paranormal stories for your summer reading on July 14!

Welcome to the exciting, fun way to find your new summer read. Today, I’m featuring an excerpt from a flash fiction short I’ll be having appear in the new, upcoming “Stories On The Go 2″. I had another flash fiction short story in the first anthology which was published last Dec. For this story, I’ve taken a little divergence into the undead world of zombies. It’s a different paranormal direction, and I’m happy to be first sharing it with you, my readers.

Before the excerpt, I wanted to let you know about the fabulous giveaway only going on for today. Win all three of my Beware of Warlocks paranormal romance series. If you want to get into the mind of a kicka$$ witch, and see what adventures can happen to you in Vegas, this is the series for you. The giveaway goes on for only two days. It ends July 16. So, enter today and tomorrow only. Good luck!

CLICK HERE TO WIN: Beware of Warlocks ebook set!

Without further adieu, here is an excerpt from the flash fiction story: “The Infested”.

The Infested by Marilyn Vix: Will be appearing in the flash fiction anthology, Stories On The Go:

©2015, Marilyn Vix

It had taken a long time to find this apartment. I was proud of the high warehouse windows that made the loft homey. A picture from my photo shoots decorated the blinds. I wanted to create change by showing people the problems in society. Pictures of the homeless and poor surrounded me on the walls.

That day, I basked in the glory of finally having my own loft studio. Hands on my hips, I stood back to look at the art deco furniture that was my answer to style.

White couches and a glass coffee table outlined my living room area. The kitchenette was to the side of my studio set up as a refreshment area. It would come in handy. I never liked to cook, and didn’t need to. We were even lucky to have an Italian place below me. I was more worried about being fat than be infected back then.

Everyone would be over to celebrate soon. Bobby was coming. He was the bonus for working with top models. Diane and Mark were coming too. She’d be thrilled to know I was having it all delivered from the Italian restaurant. My friends knew my bad cooking gene.

I headed over to the wine rack when the elevator loft started to move. No one had buzzed. Its recognizable whine directed me to look at the elevator cam. A guy with a blue baseball cap holding bags of Styrofoam containers rode up with a dazed look. The whine stopped, and I saw the door move open.

“Hi. That was really fast service. Can you put the food over in the kitchen. Thanks.”

He didn’t say a word, but staggered as he followed my orders. I walked over. “So, how much is it?” I reached for my purse on the counter.

He stared at me holding the containers.

“If you put the bags on the counter, that would be great?”

There was a pause as if he was thinking about it. Slowly, he followed my directions. I repeated, “So, how much?”

Still, no answer. That’s when I noticed the bite mark on his neck. Blood was trickling down his t-shirt. He was looking at me, and not in a good way. The elevator started again. When I looked over at the doors, he rushed me. Grabbing my arms, he tried to bite my shoulder. My self-defense classes came back to me in a blinding flash, and I pulled a move that kicked him back.

The doors of the elevator opened, and my friend Mike yelled, “Robin, get back. He’s infected.”

I moved backwards keeping my eye on the distressed delivery boy. His eyes moved back and forth to me then Mike.

“Robin, move behind me. They can’t move fast once they’ve been bitten.”

I followed Mike’s instructions. He pulled a baseball bat from behind his back. “I’m sorry Robin. But this is going to get messy.”

He rushed the delivery boy and swung at his head. The crack of the boy’s skull ripped through the room as blood spattered all over my new marble counter. There was a growl from the boy as he staggered to rise. But Mike didn’t give him a chance as he swung down, and beat the top of his head in. The kitchenette was a tomb.

“Mike, what the hell is going on?” I was expecting the night in shining armor save. Not full out murder.

“He’s infected Robin. Have you turned on your TV?”

“No, I’ve been working on my latest project all day and getting things sorted for my dinner party tonight. You said you couldn’t make it. What changed your mind?” I was trying to make light of the situation. But I was still grossed out by the spattered brains all around my sink.

“Just turn on your TV.” Mike slumped onto the couch.

****end of excerpt***

The story behind this short is interesting. I was on a ipod radio interview with Jolie De Pre that happens to write zombie stories. I absorbed what she had to say, and then went on vacation on a Viking River cruise. As I was on the cruise, I had a dream about a woman in an apartment, and she gets attacked by a zombie. So, I followed the feelings and what I saw in the dream, and wrote this story. It’s turned into “The Infested” after entering it into a writing contest on Wattpad. So, it’s gone through a few drafts and revisions. I’m still working on it. So, if you have any comments, I’d love to hear about this work in progress.

Kboards Indie authors released a flash fiction anthology. IT’s FREE!

To pick up your copy of the STORIES ON THE GO anthology, LINK HERE! It is FREE! Yup, FREE! There are 100 flash fiction stories from Indie authors. So, it is a great summer read. Can’t beat the price. Look for my story, Payback’s A Witch!

So, that’s my contribution to the blog hop. For more great paranormal excerpts, please see the full list of participating blogs at: http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=AF5837A6-BA87-494D-8C8B-93C7A15725F7.

Enjoy the blog tour! Follow me for more information on future projects and releases!

-Marilyn

Upcoming Paranormal Romance Excerpt Blog hop: JULY 14

Join Marilyn and other paranormal authors on a blog hop adventure. Find new paranormal stories for your summer reading on July 14!

Coming this Tuesday, July 14, 2015, there will be an opportunity to sample some fabulous paranormal romance for free. 38 Paranormal Romance authors will be participating in a blog hop posting an excerpt from their books or works in progress. I’ll be posting a sample of a work in progress that is a bit of flash fiction. It will be appearing in The Stories On The Go 2 anthology. I have a story in the first Stories On The Go, and this second is a departure for me. I will explain more about it on Tuesday. For now, mark your calendar, and check back on Tuesday for some fantastic paranormal romance reads!

***I’ll also do a giveaway for all three Beware of Warlocks novelettes! Check back on Tuesday to sign up for your chance. ;-)

TODAY ONLY: All Romance Ebooks 25% off all of Marilyn Vix’s Ebooks

Don’t say I don’t love you all. :-)

All Beware of Warlocks ebooks 25% off at All Romance Ebooks June 20, 2015 only!

TODAY ONLY! Special discount on the whole Beware of Warlocks series on All Romance Ebooks. 25% off all three novelettes. It’s for June 20, 2015 only. So, grab them while the discounts last. And of course, HAPPY SUMMER READING!

GET YOUR DISCOUNTS NOW!

More Secrets of Wattpad: Contests, Contests, Contests

Forever: A Paranormal Romance A Six-Word Romance contest entry on Wattpad

As mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been trying to utilize the website Wattpad for sharpening my writing tool box. I have to say, after 3 months of avid usage, I’m pretty pleased. I’ve been able to keep up on the writing projects that I’ve started. Plus, I’ve discovered something extra challenging, the Wattpad writing contests. So far, I’ve been finding that Wattpad has been a useful extension to help my writing grow.

One thing I’ve found in the last few months are the writing contests on Wattpad. I’ve found several different ones, mostly focusing on genre specific areas. I’ve tried my hand at writing one shots, short stories in a genre. They are more like flash fiction, short stories that run from 1,000-1,500 words. I’ve tried stories in romance and the fan fiction sections. I haven’t won yet. But like most competitions, you have to enter a lot of different ones before you win. So, I keep trying.

Frenemies: A Glee Fan Fiction Short on Wattpad

I also like the contests for spurring me to try different types of writing. I recently wrote a slash fiction, or gay romance. This was a challenge since I’m a straight girl, but have been hanging out with gay men for decades. Often I feel I’m a gay man trapped in a woman’s body. I have this curse for falling for cute, pretty boys. But I digress. Maybe someday it will turn into a story.

Also, the contests are great to get your creative juices flowing. Often, the contests are writing prompts that are like writing games. One example would be to try to write a story in 6 words. This can really be a challenge. I tried this for the current romance contest. Or trying to write about a zombie invasion creating a need society that could be viewed as a revolution. Yup. Fun stuff.

Some of these stories may have never been written if I hadn’t tried the challenge of going for the contest. Often, they can be fast and simple, or take a day or two to write. They are worth the fun. It’s also good to look forward to who wins, and reading other people’s entries introduces you to more people on Wattpad.

Here are some of the contest sections I’ve tried:

FanFiction Contests

Romance Contests

You can also do a search for contests on Wattpad, and see what might come up. Some are sponsored by websites in association with Wattpad or authors. They come up from time to time, and often are available for a limited time. Here is a link to one that I did in March:

HearHere Emerging Authors Contest

The prizes are another reason to try your luck at contests. Many are sponsored by Wattpad or in association with Wattpad. The prize is often a listing on Wattpad in a featured reading list, and grand prize winners get featured on Wattpad. This is a huge way to get noticed. You can gather readers and followers in the thousands this way. It’s what you’re working towards when writing on Wattpad, and winning a contest can get you there. Other contests with sponsors tend to have a prize connected with them. For example, the HearHere contest got you a feature on their website as well as on Wattpad.

So, hopefully this gives you an idea of one more secret you can try on Wattpad to stretch your writing and increase your chances to be noticed. If this helped, please let me know. I love reading my comments on my blog. Any pointers or contests you’ve found helpful, please leave in the comments and I can add it to the list above for others that come along. I’ve linked my contest entries below if you’d like to see what might be expected. Good luck and thanks for dropping by!-Marilyn

Marilyn’s Wattpad Contest Entries:

Forever: A Paranormal Romance-entry for six-word romance contest

Frenemies: A Glee Fan Fiction Romance-entry in fanfiction contest

Infested Revolution-entry in the HearHere Emerging Authors Contest

Never Say Never: A Forever Knight Fan Fiction Romance-entry for fanfiction contest

Frenemies: A Glee Fan Fiction Short on Wattpad

Frenemies: A Glee Fan Fiction Short on Wattpad

So, I’m having fun again writing Fan Fiction on Wattpad. This time I had a great time writing a “Glee” short in which the characters Elliot, played by Adam Lambert, gets together with Kurt, played by Chris Colfer. I’ve been wanting to write some gay romance, and thought I’d give it a go. It’s cool how Wattpad will come up with challenging prompts for a contest.

Why write a gay romantic short? Well, I’ve known so many friends that go through the same things about love that I did when I was a singleton. Being gay didn’t make the search for love any easier. In fact, it was almost that they had to have a deeper love for each other to survive. So, it’s a tribute to many of them still on that road trying to find the perfect someone. Nothing should get in the way.

I do hope you enjoy it! LINK TO FREMEMIES: A GLEE FAN FICTION SHORT!

Here is my interview with Marilyn Vix

Originally posted on authorsinterviews:

Name : Marilyn Vix

Age: Not telling.

Where are you from: Marilyn: Northern California

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc:

Marilyn: I’m a paranormal romance writer that spends her days writing about something she loves, romance. I love a good story with danger, intrigue, and good-looking men. When I can’t find what I want, I write it myself. I like to include settings that are real like Las Vegas, London, and Paris. I’ve travelled a lot, and like to include where I’ve visited as settings for my stories. I also participate at Renaissance Fairs around Northern California.  When not writing, I spend time with my husband and cat. She, of course, is the center of attention.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

Marilyn: I just released my last ebook in my novelette series, Never Cross A Warlock. It is the final book in…

View original 2,192 more words

Update: Winner for April CampNaNo

Winner of April CampNaNo 2015

Ok, I did it! I made my 10,000 word goal for “Everything For Love”.  This puts me at 26,495 words for the manuscript. I’m trying to write my first full length novel, which would need to be around 50K. So, this puts me over 1/2 way through the novel. I’m also considering entering it in Kindle Scout. The word count for that needs to be at least 50K. So, I still have a fair way to go.

So, now I have to head to plan B. CampNaNo has gotten me a good way through the novel. But the middle to end I think is the hardest to write. I have an idea where to go, but I’m used to writing novellas. I need to make sure I flesh everything out. Keeping this in mind, I’ve signed up for a romance writing on-line course through my local junior college. CampNaNo is a great way to write or start a novel. But I need some hand holding and craft study to finish it.

So, I’m pretty happy to keep the momentum of my novel going. I’ll keep updating its progress over the next few months. If I end up posting it on Kindle Scout, I’ll need your support to vote it to be published. So, keep checking back. I’ll be counting on my pose. After all, you’re the reason I’m doing all this. A writer is nothing without their readers. Thank you for being there! You keep me going. -Marilyn

Camp NaNo Is In The House: Everything For Love Nearing Completion

During the month of April, write your chosen word count with the support of other writers.

I’ve been working on it for over a year. Now, it’s time to finish it. I’ve been telling all my fans and readers about the time travel romance that I’ve been working on. Well, it’s nearing completion. How? I’ve been working on it as my project for Camp NaNo.

If you’re a writer, you may know what this is. If you don’t, here is the details. National Writing Month is an event that happens in November. It’s a non-profit website that motivates writers to create a novel in a month, or basically write 50K. I participated last November and finished Never Cross A Warlock. 

Camp NaNo is a little different than the Big NaNo event in November. You can set your word count instead of the 50K. I’ve decided to set a reasonable word count that should finish my novel: 10,000 words. Plus, you are assigned to a cabin. It’s like an on-line writing group to share your ups and downs during the month. It’s so fabulous being able to share the process with writers in a similar genre.

So, I’ve got my next project up to finally finish, Everything For Love. I’ve been revealing info about this project slowly as I progress through it’s completion. Here is a sneak peek of the novel so far: Deirdre is a time researcher. Her job is to study people of the past in person. One benefit of her job, her time travel device runs off the one thing that can power it through out time, human intimacy.

We join her in her research in Paris in the late 1890s. Her current assignment, Henri Lautrec and the artists around him. Having wrapped up with that research, she jumps to London 1914. Problems arise and another agent has to help her. I won’t give too much more away yet. I’m still in the first draft process, so it could change over time.

Want to see the progress? Even check out Camp NaNo for yourself? Here is my camper profile and direct link to the information for the novel: Everything For Love. There is an excerpt and the cover. I would love any feedback. Feel free to leave comments on the blog. If you’re participating in Camp NaNo this year, send me a message. I love making friends. And if you are participating, best wishes in making that word count. If you want to find out more, go to Camp NaNo and check it out. It’s a great way to motivate. You still have half the month. So, there is still time to join in now. And most of all, keep writing!

Never Cross A Warlock Blog Tour: Take 2

Second week of the Never Cross A Warlock Blog Tour runs April 17-May 1

This is the second week of the Never Cross A Warlock Blog Tour. Join me in the last celebration of the release of Never Cross A Warlock. I’d like to thank the fantastic blogs that are joining me in this tour. Thanks for all of your participation. Looking forward to meeting, chatting and commenting with all my readers over the next several days.

Below is the schedule:

Read Between The Lines  April 17

Author Ellie Potts April 18

Fallen Over Book Reviews April 19

Fabulous and Fun April 20

My World April 20

Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace  April 22

Dante Eternal’s Virtual Bookshelf  April 24

Reading Within the Lines April 25

The Book Quarry April 27

The Many Muses of MaryLynn  April 28

Never Cross A Warlock is available for purchase on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords.

*** Never Cross A Warlock is available at:

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

KOBO

SMASHWORDS