Heidi Ruby Miller's Blog, page 57
January 2, 2012
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: TK Toppin
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
TK Toppin
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
It would have to be Loeb, a small secondary character from the Lancaster trilogy. He's more or less on the edges and sort of looking in with mild wonderment at all the comings and goings. While he didn't get highlighted in the first book, in the second and third, he gets some air time. I like him because he's unassuming, observant, and he can kick some a** when he's ready.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee - black. Tea - black or iced. Milk - intolerant.
4. What else can you do besides write?
Besides writing, I'm a freelance graphic artist...something I've been doing for so long that I remember when I did everything by hand. Thankfully, desktop publishing programmes came about and I fell in love with computers. It was love at first sight.
5. Who are you reading right now?
Right now, I'm nearly done reading The Girls from Alcyone by Cary Caffrey. It's a refreshingly exciting SF book! Reminds me of a movie (it would make a good movie). While I'd loved to have sat from start to finish and read it all, I had to take many breaks due to work-related issues. But now I'm nearly done. After that, I'm moving onto Battle Dancer by K.M. Tolan. It's the last book in his Dancer space opera series, and I can't wait to start!
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
From everywhere and anything - from people watching to idle moments during the day. Sleeping (just before sleeping) also helps. I'm a constant and persistent daydreamer, to the point my mind wanders even while having a face to face conversation
with someone. I've learned to hide it well, though.
My current WIP (2nd draft) came to me in a tea shop looking for Christmas gifts last year. I looked around, saw posters and charts about different teas and their origins, and thought about how long tea had actually been around. Then I wondered how much longer the tea tradition would last. Instantly, my mind skipped several hundred generations into the future (let's call it an even 2 thousand years) and out popped this entirely new star system that cultivated teas like their ancestors did on Earth. Of course, when I actually wrote about it, tea was only mentioned briefly. I may add in some more tea-related things here and there.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
Outline, outline, outline! And lists and sub-lists. Unless I write down key notes in chronological order, I'm unable to write properly or concentrate. I once tried to let it just pantser out of me, and what came out was stupid and had no form. I hit delete and went back to my notes. However, when writing dialogue, I sort of let it free-fall out of my head (keeping in mind the general outcome of the scene), kind of like having an actual conversation with someone else.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
TK has been working as a graphic artist for more years than she can remember. Based in Barbados, where she was born, writing has always appealed to her – whether reading someone else's literary masterpieces, or doing her own disjointed ramblings.
Early in 2008, TK finally received the right motivation to just jump right in and start writing seriously. You could say she received a very strategic kick in a very specific part of her anatomy! Figuratively speaking, of course.
In 2010, her debut SF/SFR novel The Lancaster Rule was published and released by Champagne Books (and their SF/F dedicated imprint, Burst Books). In 2011, the sequel, The Master Key was released. The Eternal Knot is the last in the Lancaster Trilogy and has been released this January.
TK usually prefers writing SF/R but may be tempted to dabble in a some Fantasy in the near future.
Find TK online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.thelancasterrule.blogspot.com
- http://thewritersvineyard.com/
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lancaster-Rule/341194164892
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Written-by-TK-Toppin/122201824480206
- http://twitter.com/TKToppin
SYNOPSIS of The Eternal Knot
Unable to resist the lure of finding her niece, Josie picks up the crumbs of clues left behind. With her old friend and saviour, pod-hunter Quin Aguilar at her side, she seeks out Fern Betterncourt who is assumed to be sleeping for over a hundred years.
From an unlikely source, Fern's location is discovered, and together with her husband, Josie seeks out her last link to her past. Will Fern want to be found? And will finding Fern be enough to bury the ghosts that haunt Josie? Can Josie bring herself to destroy her last remaining family in order to save herself?
The Eternal Knot, the final chapter in the Lancaster trilogy: Every question answered, every truth revealed. Will Josie finally rest in peace in the new future she lives in?
TK Toppin
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
It would have to be Loeb, a small secondary character from the Lancaster trilogy. He's more or less on the edges and sort of looking in with mild wonderment at all the comings and goings. While he didn't get highlighted in the first book, in the second and third, he gets some air time. I like him because he's unassuming, observant, and he can kick some a** when he's ready.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee - black. Tea - black or iced. Milk - intolerant.
4. What else can you do besides write?
Besides writing, I'm a freelance graphic artist...something I've been doing for so long that I remember when I did everything by hand. Thankfully, desktop publishing programmes came about and I fell in love with computers. It was love at first sight.
5. Who are you reading right now?
Right now, I'm nearly done reading The Girls from Alcyone by Cary Caffrey. It's a refreshingly exciting SF book! Reminds me of a movie (it would make a good movie). While I'd loved to have sat from start to finish and read it all, I had to take many breaks due to work-related issues. But now I'm nearly done. After that, I'm moving onto Battle Dancer by K.M. Tolan. It's the last book in his Dancer space opera series, and I can't wait to start!
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
From everywhere and anything - from people watching to idle moments during the day. Sleeping (just before sleeping) also helps. I'm a constant and persistent daydreamer, to the point my mind wanders even while having a face to face conversation
with someone. I've learned to hide it well, though.
My current WIP (2nd draft) came to me in a tea shop looking for Christmas gifts last year. I looked around, saw posters and charts about different teas and their origins, and thought about how long tea had actually been around. Then I wondered how much longer the tea tradition would last. Instantly, my mind skipped several hundred generations into the future (let's call it an even 2 thousand years) and out popped this entirely new star system that cultivated teas like their ancestors did on Earth. Of course, when I actually wrote about it, tea was only mentioned briefly. I may add in some more tea-related things here and there.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
Outline, outline, outline! And lists and sub-lists. Unless I write down key notes in chronological order, I'm unable to write properly or concentrate. I once tried to let it just pantser out of me, and what came out was stupid and had no form. I hit delete and went back to my notes. However, when writing dialogue, I sort of let it free-fall out of my head (keeping in mind the general outcome of the scene), kind of like having an actual conversation with someone else.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
TK has been working as a graphic artist for more years than she can remember. Based in Barbados, where she was born, writing has always appealed to her – whether reading someone else's literary masterpieces, or doing her own disjointed ramblings.
Early in 2008, TK finally received the right motivation to just jump right in and start writing seriously. You could say she received a very strategic kick in a very specific part of her anatomy! Figuratively speaking, of course.
In 2010, her debut SF/SFR novel The Lancaster Rule was published and released by Champagne Books (and their SF/F dedicated imprint, Burst Books). In 2011, the sequel, The Master Key was released. The Eternal Knot is the last in the Lancaster Trilogy and has been released this January.
TK usually prefers writing SF/R but may be tempted to dabble in a some Fantasy in the near future.
Find TK online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.thelancasterrule.blogspot.com
- http://thewritersvineyard.com/
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lancaster-Rule/341194164892
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Written-by-TK-Toppin/122201824480206
- http://twitter.com/TKToppin
SYNOPSIS of The Eternal Knot
Unable to resist the lure of finding her niece, Josie picks up the crumbs of clues left behind. With her old friend and saviour, pod-hunter Quin Aguilar at her side, she seeks out Fern Betterncourt who is assumed to be sleeping for over a hundred years.
From an unlikely source, Fern's location is discovered, and together with her husband, Josie seeks out her last link to her past. Will Fern want to be found? And will finding Fern be enough to bury the ghosts that haunt Josie? Can Josie bring herself to destroy her last remaining family in order to save herself?
The Eternal Knot, the final chapter in the Lancaster trilogy: Every question answered, every truth revealed. Will Josie finally rest in peace in the new future she lives in?
December 28, 2011
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge from Goodreads
Challenges
2011 Reading Challenge
Heidi has
completed her goal of reading 25 books in 2011!
hide30 of 25 (120%)
view books
This was a good reading year!! I set the goal of 25 books back in January not knowing if I could make it, and I surprised myself with 30.
Why is less than one book a week such a big deal? Because after grad school, I had a difficult time balancing reading and writing...and being overly critical. Every book I picked up would be like an assignment to me, rather than a pleasure. I used to go into critiquer and editor mode immediately upon starting a book, and quite honestly, it never allowed me to see the story for all of the criticisms I had.
But this year was a break-through for me. I let head-hopping slide--for the most part. I skipped over grammatical errors and forgave copy editors. I smiled at what I considered silly language and kept my focus on the plot and characters. I reminded myself that, even if I would have chosen to have a plot point play out in a certain way, the author had his or her reasons for doing it this way. And, I was very patient.
In the end, I was rewarded with some real gems and a renewed love of reading that I haven't felt since I was in my teens. Some of that has to do with the convenience of my Kindle. But, mostly, it's because I learned to relax and allow myself to be absorbed completely into new worlds and live vicariously through some awesome characters.
My reading interests are diverse with a leaning toward speculative fiction--that's how it's always been for me, from the days of those G. I. Joe Choose Your Own Adventure books. (And, yes, I included my own book in this list because I read it no less than a dozen times during revisions. It counts!!)
What have you read this year? Share it in comments!
2011 Reading Challenge
Heidi has
completed her goal of reading 25 books in 2011!
hide30 of 25 (120%)
view books
This was a good reading year!! I set the goal of 25 books back in January not knowing if I could make it, and I surprised myself with 30.
Why is less than one book a week such a big deal? Because after grad school, I had a difficult time balancing reading and writing...and being overly critical. Every book I picked up would be like an assignment to me, rather than a pleasure. I used to go into critiquer and editor mode immediately upon starting a book, and quite honestly, it never allowed me to see the story for all of the criticisms I had.
But this year was a break-through for me. I let head-hopping slide--for the most part. I skipped over grammatical errors and forgave copy editors. I smiled at what I considered silly language and kept my focus on the plot and characters. I reminded myself that, even if I would have chosen to have a plot point play out in a certain way, the author had his or her reasons for doing it this way. And, I was very patient.
In the end, I was rewarded with some real gems and a renewed love of reading that I haven't felt since I was in my teens. Some of that has to do with the convenience of my Kindle. But, mostly, it's because I learned to relax and allow myself to be absorbed completely into new worlds and live vicariously through some awesome characters.
My reading interests are diverse with a leaning toward speculative fiction--that's how it's always been for me, from the days of those G. I. Joe Choose Your Own Adventure books. (And, yes, I included my own book in this list because I read it no less than a dozen times during revisions. It counts!!)
What have you read this year? Share it in comments!
December 22, 2011
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Cary Caffrey
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Cary Caffrey
1. Which of your characters is your favourite?
Ooh...! You can't ask that! Isn't that like asking which of your children is your favourite? Each of them are so dear to me. But if I have to pick...
Sigrid is the obvious choice. She's the main character in The Girls from Alcyone, but that's not why I picked her. When I first started writing TGfA, Sigrid was a secondary character, but from the moment I put her on the page I started asking all these crazy questions. I realized I wanted to know all about her and how she became the hero that she clearly was. I instantly tossed everything out (I'd already written about 20k), and started writing Sigrid's origin story. It was only supposed to be a short story; something I could use as the prologue to the existing novel. But even that idea got scrapped. The 'short' story was suddenly 25k, and I realized that this was the book.
So, I'll definitely pick Sigrid Novak as my favourite.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I've always played all kinds of instruments (most, very poorly). These days, you can always hear me clattering away in the basement, usually on my drums. Thank goodness they're electronic and don't disturb the neighbours. Drums are very therapeutic; especially when the writing isn't going so well.
5. Who are you reading right now?
You! I'm reading Ambasadora, and loving it. Your book has been a real treat.
I'm actually quite the cynic. I hate almost everything (gah - it's true), so encountering your book is both a treat and a relief. Most books I read end up leaving me really quite angry and frustrated - I'll shout at the books as if author's in the room with me. My wife is the same way. We're a hilarious duo when it comes to critiquing stuff. When we don't like something, we despise it quite passionately. But when we find something we like, we embrace it whole-heartedly, and we'll sound the horn from the ramparts.
So, I'm happy to say, I'm really enjoying your book, and I'm looking forward to passing it along to my wife. I can't wait to see the HBO mini-series. Who's playing Sara?
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
There's a scene in TGfA that involved some pretty serious bullying. (I have to be careful; I don't want to give any spoilers away, here). I had to ask myself many times, "Can I do this to her? Is this too far? Too much? Can I really show this?" I had to talk to my wife about it a lot, along with my sister and a lot of my friends.
It was an odd experience; I felt kind of sick writing it. It was based on something that happened to me when I was young, and played on my own adolescent fears and anxieties. I learned that it's one thing to write a violent action scene, but it's an entirely different matter to show real violence and cruelty on a personal level.
I'm very happy with the results, but I definitely prefer writing the fun stuff. I'm much happier writing scenes where the girls enjoy a good pot of tea.
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I used to do very detailed outlines, but I find that too restrictive now. These days, I'll have a very loose outline with some rough ideas of certain way-points I need to hit. I definitely let the characters take me along for the ride. I love it when they do things on their own that completely surprise me.
I write a lot more this way too. But I also end up throwing out tons. My 'deleted scenes' folders are longer than the finished novel - doh. I tend to be very critical in going back over everything. I'm constantly cutting and rewriting, but I find writing this way really helps me discover the critical plot elements. I've always been a harsh task master when it comes to plot and narrative structure. I'm always asking, "does this scene really need to be here? Yes? Really? Okay, prove it!"
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Totally! The one I'm really into is Claymore. It's a Japanese Anime about a group of women demon hunters that are, themselves, infected with demon blood. It's the demon blood that gives the women their strength to fight evil. But the girls are doomed, for eventually, the demon blood will take over their bodies and their minds, and they in turn will need to be hunted and killed. Gah! It's brilliant.
Cary Caffrey grew up reading vintage science fiction from the 60's and 70's, loving the works of Harry Harrison and Joe Haldeman, Ursula K. Le Guin, Andre Norton and, of course, Douglas Adams. He still thinks The Forever War may very well be the best Science Fiction novel ever written. "If Ridley Scott ever gets off his can and makes this movie, we're sure to be in for a real treat (favourite director, meet favourite writer. Favourite writer meet... Well, you get the idea. Wild)."
His novel The Girls from Alcyone is out now.
Find Cary online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.carycaffrey.com
- http://www.amazon.com/Cary-Caffrey/e/B006GP52DS
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cary-Caffrey/114213192009103
- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5354569.Cary_Caffrey
- http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/carycaffrey
- http://www.twitter.com/CaryCaffrey
Cary Caffrey
1. Which of your characters is your favourite?
Ooh...! You can't ask that! Isn't that like asking which of your children is your favourite? Each of them are so dear to me. But if I have to pick...
Sigrid is the obvious choice. She's the main character in The Girls from Alcyone, but that's not why I picked her. When I first started writing TGfA, Sigrid was a secondary character, but from the moment I put her on the page I started asking all these crazy questions. I realized I wanted to know all about her and how she became the hero that she clearly was. I instantly tossed everything out (I'd already written about 20k), and started writing Sigrid's origin story. It was only supposed to be a short story; something I could use as the prologue to the existing novel. But even that idea got scrapped. The 'short' story was suddenly 25k, and I realized that this was the book.
So, I'll definitely pick Sigrid Novak as my favourite.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I've always played all kinds of instruments (most, very poorly). These days, you can always hear me clattering away in the basement, usually on my drums. Thank goodness they're electronic and don't disturb the neighbours. Drums are very therapeutic; especially when the writing isn't going so well.
5. Who are you reading right now?
You! I'm reading Ambasadora, and loving it. Your book has been a real treat.
I'm actually quite the cynic. I hate almost everything (gah - it's true), so encountering your book is both a treat and a relief. Most books I read end up leaving me really quite angry and frustrated - I'll shout at the books as if author's in the room with me. My wife is the same way. We're a hilarious duo when it comes to critiquing stuff. When we don't like something, we despise it quite passionately. But when we find something we like, we embrace it whole-heartedly, and we'll sound the horn from the ramparts.
So, I'm happy to say, I'm really enjoying your book, and I'm looking forward to passing it along to my wife. I can't wait to see the HBO mini-series. Who's playing Sara?
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
There's a scene in TGfA that involved some pretty serious bullying. (I have to be careful; I don't want to give any spoilers away, here). I had to ask myself many times, "Can I do this to her? Is this too far? Too much? Can I really show this?" I had to talk to my wife about it a lot, along with my sister and a lot of my friends.
It was an odd experience; I felt kind of sick writing it. It was based on something that happened to me when I was young, and played on my own adolescent fears and anxieties. I learned that it's one thing to write a violent action scene, but it's an entirely different matter to show real violence and cruelty on a personal level.
I'm very happy with the results, but I definitely prefer writing the fun stuff. I'm much happier writing scenes where the girls enjoy a good pot of tea.
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I used to do very detailed outlines, but I find that too restrictive now. These days, I'll have a very loose outline with some rough ideas of certain way-points I need to hit. I definitely let the characters take me along for the ride. I love it when they do things on their own that completely surprise me.
I write a lot more this way too. But I also end up throwing out tons. My 'deleted scenes' folders are longer than the finished novel - doh. I tend to be very critical in going back over everything. I'm constantly cutting and rewriting, but I find writing this way really helps me discover the critical plot elements. I've always been a harsh task master when it comes to plot and narrative structure. I'm always asking, "does this scene really need to be here? Yes? Really? Okay, prove it!"
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Totally! The one I'm really into is Claymore. It's a Japanese Anime about a group of women demon hunters that are, themselves, infected with demon blood. It's the demon blood that gives the women their strength to fight evil. But the girls are doomed, for eventually, the demon blood will take over their bodies and their minds, and they in turn will need to be hunted and killed. Gah! It's brilliant.
Cary Caffrey grew up reading vintage science fiction from the 60's and 70's, loving the works of Harry Harrison and Joe Haldeman, Ursula K. Le Guin, Andre Norton and, of course, Douglas Adams. He still thinks The Forever War may very well be the best Science Fiction novel ever written. "If Ridley Scott ever gets off his can and makes this movie, we're sure to be in for a real treat (favourite director, meet favourite writer. Favourite writer meet... Well, you get the idea. Wild)."
His novel The Girls from Alcyone is out now.
Find Cary online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.carycaffrey.com
- http://www.amazon.com/Cary-Caffrey/e/B006GP52DS
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cary-Caffrey/114213192009103
- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5354569.Cary_Caffrey
- http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/carycaffrey
- http://www.twitter.com/CaryCaffrey
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Alecia Stone
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Alecia Stone
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
Hmm ... This is tricky. While I did enjoy writing all of the characters – some more than others – I would have to say that Alex Dench is my favourite. Girl Power, all the way. Not only is she a kick-ass, feisty chick who stands up for what she believes in, she is also very considerate and sensitive. Despite her tomboy demeanour, Alex is deeply emotional. She is unpredictable and exciting. She was a great character to write.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
5. Who are you reading right now?
I've just browsed my shelf and picked up Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, which I'm looking forward to reading. I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately, and I'm looking for something different. I haven't started it yet, as I haven't had a free moment, but I will delve into it soon. Prior to this book I had read Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion – my first zombie book – but it didn't go down too well, so I'm looking for something to boost my spirit and I'm hoping Matson's book is the answer.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
There are a few, some of which are featured in book two of the Talisman Of El trilogy, which I'm currently writing, but I can't speak of those scenes as that would be giving away certain details about book two when book one hasn't even been released yet. In Talisman Of El, book one, one of the toughest scenes I had to write was a dream scene where Charlie has to relive the moment his father died. That was an emotional scene. Although Charlie tries to let go of his past, it always has a way of haunting him. He had a great relationship with his dad and the last thing he wants to remember is the day of his death, but he just can't seem to let go. It felt almost as if he was being tortured. In a way, he's punishing himself for the guilt he feels for being the one that survived while his father died.
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
So far, I haven't outlined my stories. I don't have a routine per se – or, at least, I haven't developed one yet. For Talisman Of El, I just wrote what came to mind, and then I went back through it to make sure everything was logical. I think if I planned first and then wrote I wouldn't ever finish a story. I would procrastinate so much the only thing I would end up with is a single blank page and a few bald patches. For now, my plan is to just write and not doubt myself, that way at least I would have a finished product. Talisman Of El came out of nowhere and took me on a great ride. It was a great experience, and I wouldn't change it for anything.
13. Celebrity crush.
I could be obvious and say Johnny Depp, but he's probably every girl's crush, so I think I'll go for Max Minghella. He's an English actor who starred in Agora (2009) opposite Rachel Weisz. I find his brooding persona rather sexy. Love his acting. I can't wait for the release of his latest film, The Darkest Hour, a sci-fi action thriller. I'm a movie fanatic, by the way.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
Jane Austen was a great influence, as she inspired me to write. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books. My mother was also a big influence. Growing up, she told me many weird tales, a few of which are featured in Talisman Of El. In terms of world building, I would have to say J.M. Barrie and C.S. Lewis were big influences.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Alecia Stone has been in love with anything and everything paranormal for many years. She graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time before branching out into storytelling. When she isn't writing, she enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, and traveling. Talisman Of El is her first novel. She currently lives in England, UK.
Find Alecia online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.aleciastone.com
BOOK WEBSITE - http://www.talismanofel.com
- http://amzn.to/tNbFaD
- http://bit.ly/tMa9E5
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alecia-Stone/270817219633661
- http://www.twitter.com/Alecia_Stone
Alecia Stone
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
Hmm ... This is tricky. While I did enjoy writing all of the characters – some more than others – I would have to say that Alex Dench is my favourite. Girl Power, all the way. Not only is she a kick-ass, feisty chick who stands up for what she believes in, she is also very considerate and sensitive. Despite her tomboy demeanour, Alex is deeply emotional. She is unpredictable and exciting. She was a great character to write.
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
5. Who are you reading right now?
I've just browsed my shelf and picked up Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, which I'm looking forward to reading. I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately, and I'm looking for something different. I haven't started it yet, as I haven't had a free moment, but I will delve into it soon. Prior to this book I had read Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion – my first zombie book – but it didn't go down too well, so I'm looking for something to boost my spirit and I'm hoping Matson's book is the answer.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
There are a few, some of which are featured in book two of the Talisman Of El trilogy, which I'm currently writing, but I can't speak of those scenes as that would be giving away certain details about book two when book one hasn't even been released yet. In Talisman Of El, book one, one of the toughest scenes I had to write was a dream scene where Charlie has to relive the moment his father died. That was an emotional scene. Although Charlie tries to let go of his past, it always has a way of haunting him. He had a great relationship with his dad and the last thing he wants to remember is the day of his death, but he just can't seem to let go. It felt almost as if he was being tortured. In a way, he's punishing himself for the guilt he feels for being the one that survived while his father died.
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
So far, I haven't outlined my stories. I don't have a routine per se – or, at least, I haven't developed one yet. For Talisman Of El, I just wrote what came to mind, and then I went back through it to make sure everything was logical. I think if I planned first and then wrote I wouldn't ever finish a story. I would procrastinate so much the only thing I would end up with is a single blank page and a few bald patches. For now, my plan is to just write and not doubt myself, that way at least I would have a finished product. Talisman Of El came out of nowhere and took me on a great ride. It was a great experience, and I wouldn't change it for anything.
13. Celebrity crush.
I could be obvious and say Johnny Depp, but he's probably every girl's crush, so I think I'll go for Max Minghella. He's an English actor who starred in Agora (2009) opposite Rachel Weisz. I find his brooding persona rather sexy. Love his acting. I can't wait for the release of his latest film, The Darkest Hour, a sci-fi action thriller. I'm a movie fanatic, by the way.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
Jane Austen was a great influence, as she inspired me to write. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books. My mother was also a big influence. Growing up, she told me many weird tales, a few of which are featured in Talisman Of El. In terms of world building, I would have to say J.M. Barrie and C.S. Lewis were big influences.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Alecia Stone has been in love with anything and everything paranormal for many years. She graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time before branching out into storytelling. When she isn't writing, she enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, and traveling. Talisman Of El is her first novel. She currently lives in England, UK.
Find Alecia online at these links:
WEBSITE - http://www.aleciastone.com
BOOK WEBSITE - http://www.talismanofel.com
- http://amzn.to/tNbFaD
- http://bit.ly/tMa9E5
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alecia-Stone/270817219633661
- http://www.twitter.com/Alecia_Stone
December 21, 2011
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Jennifer Allis Provost
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Jennifer Allis Provost
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
In Heir to the Sun, my favorite character is Caol'nir. He's young, impetuous, short-tempered, and lazy. He hates his role as a temple guard; in fact, the only reason he remains in the position is because his father is the Prelate. Then Caol'nir meets a priestess from the east, Alluria, and realizes that if he wants to be near her, he must leave his childish behavior behind. When it is made apparent that priestesses are in danger he takes matters into his own hands, and is instrumental in saving Parthalan.
2. Tell me about your travels.
I've been up and down the East Coast, as well as to California and Las Vegas. (No, I didn't win big) I've also been to Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, The Czech Republic (back when it was Czechoslovakia), Lichtenstein, and the Virgin Islands. The places I'd most like to return to are Prague and Ireland, the former because it's such a rich destination, the latter because we weren't there for very long and there's so much more to see! But then, the good destinations are like that.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Oh, coffee. Most definitely coffee.
4. What else can you do besides write?
I sporadically make and sell jewelry. I own a violin (it's purple!) but when I play it sounds like I'm torturing cats. I dabble in painting and graphic arts, yet I can't manage to repaint my bathroom.
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Everywhere! My current WIP, tentatively titled Copper Girl, was inspired by a twisted pine tree in my former employer's parking lot. I wondered if it could be a door to the Otherworld…
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
My characters have a great deal of free will. I start with a basic plot sketch, then I plunge in and start writing. I always end up with many cut scenes, but I feel that just contributes to backstory.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two cats, a parrot, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.
Her novel Heir to the Sun is available in paperback.
WEBSITE - http://jenniferallisprovost.com/Home_Page.html
- http://www.facebook.com/jennallis
- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_Provost
- http://twitter.com/parthalan
Jennifer Allis Provost
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
In Heir to the Sun, my favorite character is Caol'nir. He's young, impetuous, short-tempered, and lazy. He hates his role as a temple guard; in fact, the only reason he remains in the position is because his father is the Prelate. Then Caol'nir meets a priestess from the east, Alluria, and realizes that if he wants to be near her, he must leave his childish behavior behind. When it is made apparent that priestesses are in danger he takes matters into his own hands, and is instrumental in saving Parthalan.
2. Tell me about your travels.
I've been up and down the East Coast, as well as to California and Las Vegas. (No, I didn't win big) I've also been to Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, The Czech Republic (back when it was Czechoslovakia), Lichtenstein, and the Virgin Islands. The places I'd most like to return to are Prague and Ireland, the former because it's such a rich destination, the latter because we weren't there for very long and there's so much more to see! But then, the good destinations are like that.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Oh, coffee. Most definitely coffee.
4. What else can you do besides write?
I sporadically make and sell jewelry. I own a violin (it's purple!) but when I play it sounds like I'm torturing cats. I dabble in painting and graphic arts, yet I can't manage to repaint my bathroom.
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Everywhere! My current WIP, tentatively titled Copper Girl, was inspired by a twisted pine tree in my former employer's parking lot. I wondered if it could be a door to the Otherworld…
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
My characters have a great deal of free will. I start with a basic plot sketch, then I plunge in and start writing. I always end up with many cut scenes, but I feel that just contributes to backstory.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two cats, a parrot, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.
Her novel Heir to the Sun is available in paperback.
WEBSITE - http://jenniferallisprovost.com/Home_Page.html
- http://www.facebook.com/jennallis
- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_Provost
- http://twitter.com/parthalan
December 20, 2011
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Eric B. Thomasma
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Eric B. Thomasma
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee. Black. Unsweetened. Decaf.
4. What else can you do besides write?
I'm pretty good with computers. I have a half-dozen active computers running in my home, and I set up and maintain the computer network at my church. I do some computer programming, although I haven't been able to keep up with the ever changing (and costly) development software, so it's mostly just applications to help me with my own needs. My most recent project was to help me track and prepare tweets in support of other writers on Twitter. There are now over 1100 writers that I give introduction and promotional tweets for, and more are added every day. I can only do a portion of that list every day, so the software helps me track who's been done and who hasn't, to make sure everyone gets their turn.
5. Who are you reading right now?
Technically no one. But I just finished Carl Ashmore's second in the Time Hunters series, The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity. It's a great book in a great series. I highly recommend them.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
Describing the action in the zero gravity sport, ZeeGee. It's not like anything that could seen on TV or movies, or of course, planet side sports, so fairly detailed descriptions were required. But ZeeGee is a fast-paced exciting sport, so I didn't want to bog down the action with tedious explanations. It took several rewrites to reach what I thought to be a good balance.
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
Oddly enough, no. I'm not a fan of sports of any kind and if I attend any type of sporting event it's usually because someone I know is participating, so I'm there to support them, not the game. My oldest son is a sports aficionado and was truly shocked after reading about ZeeGee in my first book. I believe his reaction was something along the lines of: "How could you, someone who doesn't like sports, create a game that I REALLY want to play?"
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Selectively. I don't care for much of what's shown these days, but there are a few I really enjoy. Jane and the Dragon and Futurama to name a couple. And Christmas specials. I just recently was lamenting the fact that they don't seem to broadcast Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol anymore. Then within days I came across it on DVD, so I bought it. Now I don't care so much that it's not being broadcast.
Eric B. Thomasma was born and raised in West Mitten, USA. He still lives in the area with his wife of 33 years, Therese, and together they raised two sons, Eric Jr. and Nicholas. Eric spent most of his adult life working as an electrician and service technician in the telecommunications industry, with side interests in computers and video production. He has written and self-published three novels, SEAMS16:A New Home , SEAMS16:Arrival , and And So It Begins ..., and two children's stories, Sam and the Dragon and Billy's Family . You can learn more about Eric and his writing at these links:
WEBSITE - http://ericbt.webs.com
BOOK WEBSITE - http://www.seams16.com
- http://www.amazon.com/Eric-B-Thomasma/e/B003OIRHDS
- http://www.twitter.com/seams16
Eric B. Thomasma
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee. Black. Unsweetened. Decaf.
4. What else can you do besides write?
I'm pretty good with computers. I have a half-dozen active computers running in my home, and I set up and maintain the computer network at my church. I do some computer programming, although I haven't been able to keep up with the ever changing (and costly) development software, so it's mostly just applications to help me with my own needs. My most recent project was to help me track and prepare tweets in support of other writers on Twitter. There are now over 1100 writers that I give introduction and promotional tweets for, and more are added every day. I can only do a portion of that list every day, so the software helps me track who's been done and who hasn't, to make sure everyone gets their turn.
5. Who are you reading right now?
Technically no one. But I just finished Carl Ashmore's second in the Time Hunters series, The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity. It's a great book in a great series. I highly recommend them.
6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
Describing the action in the zero gravity sport, ZeeGee. It's not like anything that could seen on TV or movies, or of course, planet side sports, so fairly detailed descriptions were required. But ZeeGee is a fast-paced exciting sport, so I didn't want to bog down the action with tedious explanations. It took several rewrites to reach what I thought to be a good balance.
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
Oddly enough, no. I'm not a fan of sports of any kind and if I attend any type of sporting event it's usually because someone I know is participating, so I'm there to support them, not the game. My oldest son is a sports aficionado and was truly shocked after reading about ZeeGee in my first book. I believe his reaction was something along the lines of: "How could you, someone who doesn't like sports, create a game that I REALLY want to play?"
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Selectively. I don't care for much of what's shown these days, but there are a few I really enjoy. Jane and the Dragon and Futurama to name a couple. And Christmas specials. I just recently was lamenting the fact that they don't seem to broadcast Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol anymore. Then within days I came across it on DVD, so I bought it. Now I don't care so much that it's not being broadcast.
Eric B. Thomasma was born and raised in West Mitten, USA. He still lives in the area with his wife of 33 years, Therese, and together they raised two sons, Eric Jr. and Nicholas. Eric spent most of his adult life working as an electrician and service technician in the telecommunications industry, with side interests in computers and video production. He has written and self-published three novels, SEAMS16:A New Home , SEAMS16:Arrival , and And So It Begins ..., and two children's stories, Sam and the Dragon and Billy's Family . You can learn more about Eric and his writing at these links:
WEBSITE - http://ericbt.webs.com
BOOK WEBSITE - http://www.seams16.com
- http://www.amazon.com/Eric-B-Thomasma/e/B003OIRHDS
- http://www.twitter.com/seams16
December 19, 2011
ASK THE REVIEWER: My Tower of Books
My Tower of Books
This is the seventh in a series I'm hosting where I talk with reviewers who have reviewed my books. Today I welcome Jackie Miller from My Tower of Books ! She was kind enough to take time out of her reading and blogging schedule to answer some fun questions about herself, her blog, and about my novel Ambasadora .
To read My Tower of Book's full review of Ambasadora visit: http://mytowerofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-ambasadora-by-heidi-ruby-miller.html
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
1. What types of books do you review most often?
My reviews vary pretty widely. Mostly I review Paranormal, Sci-Fi and Fantasy within Young Adult and Adult. I like to mix things up :-)
2. Are there any types of books you won't review?
I don't do non-fiction. It has its place . . . but it just doesn't interest me. I prefer to escape to another world when I'm reading.
3. Do you review more books you've come to on your own or those from authors/publishers?
I started out reviewing books I owned or borrowed from the library. I've been really lucky lately to have a steady stream of requests from authors and publishers. It's been really great getting to meet all these hard working people living the dream :-)
4. How long does it usually take you to get to a book once it makes it into your TBR pile?
Arg! It can take anywhere from one week to one month. I try to get a good turnaround, but my reading time is pretty limited at the moment. I have three young kids that are all home with me during the day which means I only read at night (or during naptime if everyone is asleep at the same time by some miraculous turn of fate).
5. What is your favorite book ever?
I have a hard time pinning down just ONE book that I love. It has changed over time. If we're going by how many times I've re-read a book, it would have to be Pride & Prejudice. That is some good stuff right there!
ABOUT AMBASADORA
1. Who was your favorite character?
Definitely Sean! I loved his character, and I wanted to take care of him :-) I am always drawn to the quiet, wounded type of guy in books.
2. Who did you picture as the characters?
Hrrm . . . I kind of pictured Sean as John McAvoy. I'm not sure why exactly, but I don't need a huge reason to picture him. He's pretty yummy!
3. What is your favorite setting within the Ambasadora-verse?
I really liked the Underground. I could feel how gritty and illicit it was while reading.
4. Would you rather have a character or a place named after you?
Probably a character. I love putting myself in the shoes of the female characters that I'm reading about.
5. What would you like to see in future books within the Ambasadora-verse?
More V-side! The glimpses of it in the book were really cool.
6. Would you ever want to travel to the V-side?
As much as I liked it in the book . . . No! I'm too chicken. You have to give up control of your physical body while there, and that would probably make me too nervous :-)
To read My Tower of Book's full review of Ambasadora visit: http://mytowerofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-ambasadora-by-heidi-ruby-miller.html
Want to know more about My Tower of Books ? Leave your question in a comment below and check out these links:
- http://mytowerofbooks.blogspot.com
- http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5632732-jackie-miller
- http://twitter.com/MyTowerofBooks
If you would like My Tower of Books to consider a book for review, e-mail jumackie@yahoo.com.
If you would like to review Ambasadora , email Heidi at heidirubymiller@gmail.com.
December 16, 2011
SFFS: Snippet from GREENSHIFT #2
SFFS Snippet
TALES FROM THE AMBASADORA-VERSE: GREENSHIFT
The following is part of a novella set in the Ambasadora-verse one month before Ambasadora begins. It follows the love story of David Anlow and Boston Maribu, more affectionately known to her friends as Mari. Click on this link for another snippet which runs concurrent with this scene that I posted a few Saturdays back.
--
Killian and David's brother Ben had had a run-in last year at a bar here at the Hub. What was the name of that overpriced dive? The Atlas or Atlatl or something that started with At. Though David had been there when Ben and Killian went at it, and eventually jumped in by his brother's side, the likelihood of the contractor remembering him was remote.
David could stave off this confrontation a bit longer by heading back to the Bard, make them come knocking at the ship's gangway, but why invite trouble into your home? Though he still hadn't settled into the idea that the pleasure cruiser turned science vessel was home. Maybe in another few weeks.
"Anlow, how's your brother? Did he jump ship, too?" Killian's voice was smooth and confident.
--
Find more snippets from other wonderful authors at Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday .
TALES FROM THE AMBASADORA-VERSE: GREENSHIFT
The following is part of a novella set in the Ambasadora-verse one month before Ambasadora begins. It follows the love story of David Anlow and Boston Maribu, more affectionately known to her friends as Mari. Click on this link for another snippet which runs concurrent with this scene that I posted a few Saturdays back.
--
Killian and David's brother Ben had had a run-in last year at a bar here at the Hub. What was the name of that overpriced dive? The Atlas or Atlatl or something that started with At. Though David had been there when Ben and Killian went at it, and eventually jumped in by his brother's side, the likelihood of the contractor remembering him was remote.
David could stave off this confrontation a bit longer by heading back to the Bard, make them come knocking at the ship's gangway, but why invite trouble into your home? Though he still hadn't settled into the idea that the pleasure cruiser turned science vessel was home. Maybe in another few weeks.
"Anlow, how's your brother? Did he jump ship, too?" Killian's voice was smooth and confident.
--
Find more snippets from other wonderful authors at Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday .
December 14, 2011
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: Patti Roberts
PATHS TO PUBLICATION
Paradox - Progeny Of Innocence
Being a self-pubbed Indie Author, writing, marketing, designing covers etc. is a lot of long hours spent sitting on your PC. But in the end - so worth while and rewarding in so many ways. You certainly learn as you go!
-Patti Roberts
December 2011
On any given day you can usually find me sitting at my desk in front of my laptop pounding away at the keys writing another chapter in the Paradox series. That would be a run of the mill kinda day for me!
A packet of Cruskits and a water bottle, that is now at room temperature, is sitting on the desk beside me. There is also a mass of USB cables, notepads, bills to be paid, bills to be filed a bunch of pens and a printer that is forever running out of ink. Sound familiar?
On most days I have to remind myself to eat and drink. I should be thinner!!!
I am sure my housemates are very thankful that I still manage (usually at some ungodly hour) to bathe, brush my hair and clean my teeth.
I don't know about you. But I am usually mortified when visitors just pop around, only to find me sitting at my desk and still in my PJ's. I don't even want to broach the hair situation! Did I remember to put last nights dishes away???
Now, they say to be a good writer, you must read, read, read. Then read some more...
Thankfully, due to the invention of the electronic reader (I have a Kindle and love it) I get to read more these days. Correction. I have my Kindle read to me! The only thing is, I have so many great books on my Kindle that it is so hard to know where to start. So many choices.
PARADOX - PROGENY OF INNOCENCE SYNOPSIS
Two Worlds. One Ancient... still reeling from the ravages of a War. A World where powerful Beings from Ancient Civilizations rule. A Realm Where Gods, Angels, Myths and Magic still exists.
And One New... Grace is not a little girl anymore! And as a teenager, Grace's visions become more frequent, urgent, torturing her life further still. The answers she hopes to find in her visions only leave her asking more questions... Who is Juliette?
When the charismatic Damon Draco begins to take an interest in Grace, it doesn't take long before Grace falls for his alluring charm. A charm she doesn't quite understand.
However, when Riley Rivers turns up in Grace's class one day, she starts to question the feelings she has for Damon.
Then death comes knocking...and when three of Grace's school friends are found burned to death, and their parents die in a fatal car accident that same weekend, some start to wonder if it really was just a coincidence, or a contrived plan to wipe out an entire family?
And if so, why, and by whom? And more importantly, will evil strike again?
You can bet your soul on it!
--
Read chapter 1 of Progeny Of Innocence here:
http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/progeny-of-innocence-first-excerpt-from-book-2/
See the book trailer here:
http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com/book-trailer-book-1/
BUY PARADOX - PROGENY OF INNOCENCE
- http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Progeny...
- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Find Patti online at these links:
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Paradox-Series/150822348341990
- http://twitter.com/PattiRoberts7
- http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com
Paradox - Progeny Of Innocence
Being a self-pubbed Indie Author, writing, marketing, designing covers etc. is a lot of long hours spent sitting on your PC. But in the end - so worth while and rewarding in so many ways. You certainly learn as you go!
-Patti Roberts
December 2011
On any given day you can usually find me sitting at my desk in front of my laptop pounding away at the keys writing another chapter in the Paradox series. That would be a run of the mill kinda day for me!
A packet of Cruskits and a water bottle, that is now at room temperature, is sitting on the desk beside me. There is also a mass of USB cables, notepads, bills to be paid, bills to be filed a bunch of pens and a printer that is forever running out of ink. Sound familiar?
On most days I have to remind myself to eat and drink. I should be thinner!!!
I am sure my housemates are very thankful that I still manage (usually at some ungodly hour) to bathe, brush my hair and clean my teeth.
I don't know about you. But I am usually mortified when visitors just pop around, only to find me sitting at my desk and still in my PJ's. I don't even want to broach the hair situation! Did I remember to put last nights dishes away???
Now, they say to be a good writer, you must read, read, read. Then read some more...
Thankfully, due to the invention of the electronic reader (I have a Kindle and love it) I get to read more these days. Correction. I have my Kindle read to me! The only thing is, I have so many great books on my Kindle that it is so hard to know where to start. So many choices.
PARADOX - PROGENY OF INNOCENCE SYNOPSIS
Two Worlds. One Ancient... still reeling from the ravages of a War. A World where powerful Beings from Ancient Civilizations rule. A Realm Where Gods, Angels, Myths and Magic still exists.
And One New... Grace is not a little girl anymore! And as a teenager, Grace's visions become more frequent, urgent, torturing her life further still. The answers she hopes to find in her visions only leave her asking more questions... Who is Juliette?
When the charismatic Damon Draco begins to take an interest in Grace, it doesn't take long before Grace falls for his alluring charm. A charm she doesn't quite understand.
However, when Riley Rivers turns up in Grace's class one day, she starts to question the feelings she has for Damon.
Then death comes knocking...and when three of Grace's school friends are found burned to death, and their parents die in a fatal car accident that same weekend, some start to wonder if it really was just a coincidence, or a contrived plan to wipe out an entire family?
And if so, why, and by whom? And more importantly, will evil strike again?
You can bet your soul on it!
--
Read chapter 1 of Progeny Of Innocence here:
http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/progeny-of-innocence-first-excerpt-from-book-2/
See the book trailer here:
http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com/book-trailer-book-1/
BUY PARADOX - PROGENY OF INNOCENCE
- http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Progeny...
- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Find Patti online at these links:
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Paradox-Series/150822348341990
- http://twitter.com/PattiRoberts7
- http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com
December 12, 2011
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Scott Nicholson
HEIDI'S PICK SIX
Scott Nicholson
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I am a serious organic gardener and heirloom seed saver. That fits in my with my philosophy of compassionate self-reliance and ability to live outside the mainstream, and it allows a little more time for reflection.
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
I am usually 10 years behind the times, although I do have an addiction to funny memes like Pepper Spray Cop and Disaster Girl. I think they are a great way to bring up serious topics without taking yourself too seriously. My favorite is "Conspiracy Keanu" and I just started making my own memes. Who knows, maybe there's a fun way to promote books that way.
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Usually my own sense of mystery about the world is enough to get me going, and then I see injustice, exploitation, and unhappiness and I want to tackle it. Writers have a bigger mission than just selling books. Not to be self-aggrandizing, but we're the shamans, the people who put the idea out there and let people turn it over. Of course, people in all fields do that, but we're the ones mining the dream realm while others dig for gold or copper.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
I am way uncool because I still like most of the stuff I liked 15 or 20 years ago and find a new band every few years. I like quirky, emotional, lyric-driven stuff like The Cure, Paul Westerberg, Elvis Costello, The Eels, Natalie Merchant, Robyn Hitchcock, and Kate Bush, and I think John Lennon was one of the great shamans of the 20th Century.
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I only outline when somebody makes me, and then I generally ignore it. In the modern era, you don't convince people to buy your book before it's written, unless you're running a Kickstarter campaign. I love the journey of discovery that a writer and a reader makes. Even with the same roadmap, we arrive at different places.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
This could take all day, but I'll start with Dr. Seuss—perhaps the most gifted English writer ever. I used to go through binges so my main progression probably looks like Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, Kurt Vonnegut, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith, Ray Bradbury, Ira Levin, William Goldman, Richard Brautigan, James Lee Burke, and on through today where I rarely read more than one or two books by the same author because there are so many trays at the buffet table.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Thanks, Heidi!
Scott Nicholson is author of Creative Spirit and more than 20 other books, as well as children's books and screenplays and story collections. His thrillers Liquid Fear and Chronic Fear will be released by Amazon on Dec. 20.
Connect with Scott at these links:
WEBSITE: http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/
- www.amazon.com/Scott-Nicholson/e/B001HCX30O
- http://hauntedcomputer.blogspot.com/
- http://www.facebook.com/authorscottnicholson
- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/97045.Scott_Nicholson
- http://www.librarything.com/author/nicholsonscott
- http://twitter.com/eScottNicholson
Scott Nicholson
1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
4. What else can you do besides write?
I am a serious organic gardener and heirloom seed saver. That fits in my with my philosophy of compassionate self-reliance and ability to live outside the mainstream, and it allows a little more time for reflection.
5. Who are you reading right now?
6. Pop culture or academia?
I am usually 10 years behind the times, although I do have an addiction to funny memes like Pepper Spray Cop and Disaster Girl. I think they are a great way to bring up serious topics without taking yourself too seriously. My favorite is "Conspiracy Keanu" and I just started making my own memes. Who knows, maybe there's a fun way to promote books that way.
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
Usually my own sense of mystery about the world is enough to get me going, and then I see injustice, exploitation, and unhappiness and I want to tackle it. Writers have a bigger mission than just selling books. Not to be self-aggrandizing, but we're the shamans, the people who put the idea out there and let people turn it over. Of course, people in all fields do that, but we're the ones mining the dream realm while others dig for gold or copper.
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
I am way uncool because I still like most of the stuff I liked 15 or 20 years ago and find a new band every few years. I like quirky, emotional, lyric-driven stuff like The Cure, Paul Westerberg, Elvis Costello, The Eels, Natalie Merchant, Robyn Hitchcock, and Kate Bush, and I think John Lennon was one of the great shamans of the 20th Century.
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I only outline when somebody makes me, and then I generally ignore it. In the modern era, you don't convince people to buy your book before it's written, unless you're running a Kickstarter campaign. I love the journey of discovery that a writer and a reader makes. Even with the same roadmap, we arrive at different places.
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
This could take all day, but I'll start with Dr. Seuss—perhaps the most gifted English writer ever. I used to go through binges so my main progression probably looks like Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, Kurt Vonnegut, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith, Ray Bradbury, Ira Levin, William Goldman, Richard Brautigan, James Lee Burke, and on through today where I rarely read more than one or two books by the same author because there are so many trays at the buffet table.
15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Thanks, Heidi!
Scott Nicholson is author of Creative Spirit and more than 20 other books, as well as children's books and screenplays and story collections. His thrillers Liquid Fear and Chronic Fear will be released by Amazon on Dec. 20.
Connect with Scott at these links:
WEBSITE: http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/
- www.amazon.com/Scott-Nicholson/e/B001HCX30O
- http://hauntedcomputer.blogspot.com/
- http://www.facebook.com/authorscottnicholson
- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/97045.Scott_Nicholson
- http://www.librarything.com/author/nicholsonscott
- http://twitter.com/eScottNicholson
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