Da'Kharta Rising's Blog: Thoughts of a Slightly Social Anti-Socialite, page 13

The Face of Swagger? #NethanyelsLadyLune

What’s popping? The S.A.S.S. here, and I just not too long got finished popping some popcorn. Let me find something to wipe off my greasy fingers.

Okay that’s better.

So I was reading a certain story and there was this talk about this man who had incomparable “swagger”. Really? Oh really?

Because this swagger business was nettling me, I wanted to know what this author meant by said swagger. She decided to engage my randomness. Ladies, gentlemen and those in between, here’s Rosie.

Hi Da’Kharta! 

This #Cover #RightHere

She brought you …

A controversial collection of poetry which endeavors to articulate subject matter that most won’t discuss.

And now Queen of Spades brings you the continuation to this fire-eating collection, aimed to voice the angst, pain and introspection of the human condition.

Coming Soon

Blurb:

Truth has no expiration date.

A second helping of Spaded Truths has arrived in the form of Life-O-Suction. Seasoned with a rich blend of prose with poetry, this follow up explores the human condition with a simmering of stimuli that lingers long after one has reached the end.

Disclaimer: Some of the content may not be suitable for those under eighteen.

Without further ado, allow us to present to you the cover of “Spaded Truths 2: Life-O-Suction“.

Filed under: life-o-suction, queen of spades, spaded truths 2 Tagged: all authors graphic design, all authors publishing house

A Certain PH Snuck One On Me #CoverReveal #UpcomingStuff

What’s creeping? Apparently, some of my fellow All Authors Publishing House members. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you!

See I told them I didn’t want a big deal made about this. But do they listen? Nope! Apparently I need to get them all some hearing aids. I plan to do so, as soon as I find some discounted on eBay.

While I’m on the hunt, take a look at this cover reveal and teaser trailer they did on the “Amplified” Release of Simi’s Komma.

 

Simi’s Komma: Amplified Reminiscence
By:
Da’Kharta Rising

 

Author: Da’Kharta Rising

Genre: Dark Teen Drama

Publisher: All Authors Publishing House

Release Date: Friday, November 13th, 2015

Blurb:

Papyrus is a small town that’s not a fan of anything different. Here we meet four long time friends. Hiphen is the observant one. Rod is the laid back one. Point is a girl that acts like one of the guys yet is a proponent of action. Simi is the leader of the squad.

When transfer Komma Plush arrives, Simi takes it upon himself to show her the ropes of a new town yet at first she is not open to it. What follows takes Simi on this journey that threatens the balance of his long term friendships.

Cover Created By All Authors Graphic Design

To Amazon!

Filed under: aaph family, All Authors Publishing House, Coming Soon, simi's komma Tagged: amplified reminiscence

Waves to Light Official Release #GrabThisNow

M.J. Holman and Queen of Spades return in this highly anticipated follow up to The Sea of Conscience called …

 

When tackling a complex issue such as depression, it is important to see a light that will guide you to a place of functionality, contentment, and hope. However, each journey can transpire in different ways.

Travel with M.J. Holman as her discoveries are painted in “All Shades of Black”. Continue the ride with Queen of Spades while roving along her “Nuances of Color”.

Two unconventional trips, heading toward the Waves to Light .

All Authors Asked the Authors this:
“If there was 1 (one) important message you could deliver through the prose and poetry of Waves To Light, what would that be and why?”

Here are the Authors’ answers …

Queen of Spades:

The most important message is that one is not alone. Since there are so many images that paint mental illness negatively, it is important for others to know that a sufferer could have the look or what society considers a “normal” person. With my particular classification (clinical depression or major depressive disorder), one also has different levels of functionality. Some individuals are low functioning, meaning that at the lowest of their depression, it can impact one’s day-to-day activities. It can impact job performance, even the ability to keep a job, along with being fully present in the lives of friends and others. However, there are also people who are medium to high functioning, even to the point where the closest of friends may not realize when they are in the midst of a depressive episode.

Speaking for myself, I am more towards the high functioning spectrum. When I am in a depressive state, I tend to internalize and isolate yet because I’m hypersensitive to external perception, I can give the illusion that I’m “just fine” or “okay”. The danger with being on this end is when I finally remove the mask (aka playing the role for the public), the feelings associated with my depression are intense. It is not uncommon for my intensity to manifest via physical ailments, like migraines, loss of appetite, and muscle aches and spasms, particularly around my shoulder area and the small of my back, where my stress tends to reside.

MJ Holman:

I will echo Queen of Spades and say the message is one does not suffer alone. The condition may be relative and we may all experience different aspects of it, have different symptoms and causes, but at the nub, all things are equal.

It is important that the language of depression and hypomania can be shared. This is our way of communicating to each other the extent of the illness, the depth of feeling, and giving a voice to all those who cannot express themselves when faced with these conditions.

So, don’t delay!
On Kindle and Paperback
Filed under: aaph family Tagged: depression, mental illness, mj holman, new release, poetry, queen of spades, waves to light

Where Punctuation is Disguised as a Transformer

Yo! I know I’ve been more of a Totally Anti-Social Socialite lately but some of the stuff I wanted to speak on had nothing to do with me as an author. So, I did something I normally don’t do—I shut what they called the “F” up. As you can see, it didn’t keep me from giving my support here and there, or doing a Roundtable.

How many of you go back and read what people have said about your writings, even if no one has reviewed it in a minute? I confess to doing it quite frequently. The observations that readers have made about my work have evoked emotions ranging from “hmm”, to “I didn’t see that”, and in some cases “are you sure you are talking about my stuff”.

One particular review I was highly impressed with because he was the only one that clearly pointed out that in Simi’s Komma (before it was temporarily retired for an upcoming re-launch… cough … hint … cough) each of my characters was named after punctuation marks. Yet, those of you already know that I tend to do things with a purpose.

What was the purpose?

Watch out! It’s time to open the gates of Heaven because enlightenment is coming through!

Or some such …

I was doing some reading and sighing in agitation. Yes, at the same time. Why? Because not only did the work bore the saliva out of my mouth, but it also looked the same as what is “trending” (*ugh*) in the literary world:

(1) The over usage of commas

(2) The under usage of periods

(3) Clamoring for exclamation points to be extinct (using dialog tags and extensive backdrop to substitute)

(4) The improper usage of semicolons and hyphens

Then, I got into Mad Scientist mode: If I could give my agitations personifications, how would they behave? Below were my hypotheses:

(1) The comma would be very popular and almost everyone would gravitate towards it, yet would be seen so much that some outsiders would grow to dislike it.

(2) The period would stay low key, all the while wanting the popularity of the comma.

(3) The exclamation point would jump in at the right time, not waiting around to ask any questions or second guess any conviction.

(4) The semicolon would be held in high regard—barely used but used with a purpose, while the hyphen would idle in the background, wondering when is the best time to strike.

From that foundation, I developed my characters, but did a bit of adjusting to the names so it wouldn’t stick out like Captain Obvious.

With the rest, I just let the characters do their thing and ta’da “Simi’s Komma” was born.

It’s all right. If I hadn’t written it, I wouldn’t have picked up on the punctuation thing either. Yet the fact that somebody out there picked up on it might mean that “someone gets me”.

Oh, never mind! That’s just wishful thinking.

DR
Filed under: simi's komma Tagged: behind the scenes, crazy antics, punctuation

#HotCoverReveal (Alan, Fay & Demona)

Blurb:

What happens when passion blinds reason? The ardent fire of desire meets the shocking and harsh blows of reality in this Prelude of Prism. The convoluted relationships of three individuals morph into a rainbow of disarray.

“Alan, Fay & Demona: Preludes of Prism 1” is the first of several Preludes which connect to the “Convoluted Prism Collection”.

Now without further delay, I present you with the cover of “Alan, Fay and Demona: Preludes of Prism 1”!

Cover Art Created by All Authors Graphic Design

Please enjoy this Teaser of “ Alan, Fay & Demona: Preludes of Prism 1 “!

“Alan, Fay & Demona: Preludes of Prism 1”
by Synful Desire
Coming Soon!

Filed under: All Authors Publishing House Tagged: alan fay and demona, preludes of prism 1, synful desire

#FREEStuff For Love & Enchantment by C. Desert Rose

By:

Blurb:

The Amazon Rainforest holds more secrets than meets the eye.

When folklore meets reality the only outcome can be devastating and confusion.

Or can it?

Edeli is a curious and independent young woman. One who wants nothing more than to be set free in order to discover all that life has to offer.

Zavier, an Encantado demon, prince to his kind and transcendentally beguiling. He is a beautiful and enchanting creature, yet at his core, a hellion.

Discover if love can identify the essence of the heart apart from the chassis in which it is embodied in this short story spin off of the Fate’s Endeavor Series by C. Desert Rose.

Take an enigmatic and mesmerizing trip For Love and Enchantment.

The Fate’s Endeavor Series, surpassing the emotional fabric of angels and demons and delving into the delicate threads which infuse Fate’s tapestry.

Available For Free On:

Smashwords

But wait! That’s not it! Take a look at this Teaser Trailer of “Demoness Enchanted: Fate’s Endeavor Series Part 2“.

Filed under: aaph family, All Authors Publishing House, short stories Tagged: c desert rose, demoness enchanted, for love and enchantment, teaser trailer

Waves to Light Blog Tour: Author Interview with MJ Holman and Queen of Spades

DR here, with two special guests visiting my blog. Today I have Author MJ Holman and Author Queen of Spades who have collaborated on a book entitled Waves to Light. Along with finding more about the project, I wanted to interview both collectively and individually about their writing lives.

Hi there! Here are a few questions I have for both of you.

(1) How did the two of you first get in contact with each other?

MJ: It was via a website called Koobug – an excellent place for writers to hang out and showcase their work. I posted several pieces of poetry and prose on the site and noticed the works of other poets including Queen of Spades. Her work stood out for me.

After finishing The Guinea Ghost and preparing for my next project, The Sea of Conscience, I decided I would like a collaboration and I invited Queen to take part. I sent her the draft for The Sea of Conscience and she submitted three fine contributions.

Queen: I first became acquainted with MJ Holman via this wonderful site called Koobug. The atmosphere there is quite nice and I just enjoyed being able to interact with others without being lost in the shuffle. I read a few poetry pieces by her and the tone of the more haunting works really caught my attention. In addition, I read The Guinea Ghost and appreciated her overall writing style.

The Sea of Conscience: Poetry, Prose and The Pursuit of Self by MJ Holman

(featuring poetry by Queen of Spades)

Amazon

(2) Tell me about your previous project The Sea of Conscience and how Waves to Light compares to its predecessors.

MJ: The Sea of Conscience differs in that it is split into several sections while there are just the two, “All Shades of Black” and “Nuances of Color” in Waves to Light. The Sea of Conscience may also appear eclectic on first reading, it has several strands, seemingly different and not all directly about mental illness.

Waves to Light (coming soon)

Goodreads

Waves to Light is more uniform and explores coping mechanisms. In “All Shades of Black”, moving from black to light, I look at the illness and then at the treatment. I see “Waves to Light” as more of a steady progression through the darkness, than unravelling the different skeins of The Sea of Conscience.

Queen: The premise of The Sea of Conscience is one I was highly interested in and excited about. MJ Holman was writing a mixture of poetry and prose documenting the discovery of mental illness and it got me to thinking about my own path and how our trek was similar. Private Pain: Amidst These Ashes had only be out for a few months. When she approached me about including three pieces (one prose and two poems), I accepted.

I also thought how wonderful it would be to do a bit of a follow up to mirror one’s path while dealing with mental illness itself, since each person’s treatment can differ. This way of thinking set the foundation for Waves to Light.

For me, Waves to Light is a bit more personal and really takes the reader closer in terms of introspection and progress. It also has a more inspirational feel: a reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even when things seem bleak.

(3) What are the biggest misconception others have about poetry?

MJ: This is a difficult one for me because I write poetry and prose and can see the limitations of both. Poetry can seem inaccessible to some people, even to other writers. There is a very modern trend for a nebulous style, where a stream of unconnected words are put together just to show off the writer’s lexicon, without actually making any sense. The writers I admire are more coherent, more deliberate in their word choice and therefore make poetry accessible to all.

Queen: There are plenty but for brevity I will mention one: that a person who writes poetry cannot transcend and write in other areas. Like in other arenas of writing, just because one can write doesn’t mean one should, nor does it mean that person can write well. Yet, there are plenty who have done it successfully without sacrificing excellence.

Now let’s get some to some one-on-one. *sly grin*

Website

Twitter @mishjholman

Facebook

Note: Special thanks to All Authors Graphic Design for authorizing use of the authors’ logos.

(1) How long have you been writing poetry?

I think I started in my early teens, but cannot say for sure. None of it was decent enough for me to publish. All I can say is I was finding my style and learning as all young poets and writers do. Looking at my early work published in The Sea of Conscience, and comparing it to what I produce now, I can see I have changed for the better.

(2) Do you see poetry as cathartic and does it take the place of other methods of treating depression?

It is truly a cathartic experience and it allows me to use words to describe what is essentially an illness, that cannot be described in the same sense as say diabetes. Trying to communicate the very nature of depression or in my case bipolar disorder can be onerous for any sufferer, but somehow through poetry we find a way. When I have used terms such as ‘all shades of black’ and ‘whispering in my veins’ in therapy sessions, it has been easier for the therapist to understand my symptoms.

I see poetry as part of my treatment, not in place of cognitive behavioural therapy and drugs. I think it’s important that all treatments, where available, are used or at least tried to see if they work for the sufferer.

(3) What is your preferred drink when inspired to write?

Usually a coffee, hot or iced depending on the weather.

(4) What is next after Waves to Light? Tell the reading audience more about your future work.

There will be a further poetry book, when I am not so sure, I haven’t written the poems yet! I’m in the middle of my first novel. Yes, it’s a vampire book, I make no excuses for that. I am hoping it will seem slightly different to readers of the genre. It’s set in 18th century London and concerns singing vampires and the abduction of children.

(5) I heard that you actually paint your own covers for your books. How long does it take and what is the biggest challenge with the technique?

I’ve painted the covers for The Sea of Conscience and Waves to Light. The Sea of Conscience took quite awhile, I cannot remember how long exactly, but it was several months. Waves to Light was about a month.

The challenges are creating covers that will attract the reader, sometimes I have to make several attempts before I get it right; then there is the method of using a laptop, drawing tablet and pen. This is not easy for someone used to painting with pastels, but I have adapted.

Blog: A Queen’s Ramblings

Amazon Author Page

Twitter @authorqspades

Koobug

(1) Does it feel strange for you to publish poetry again after you’ve spent over a year mainly doing short stories?

I’m not sure that “strange” is the correct word, simply because writing poetry has always felt quite natural to me. It is like a good friend you haven’t seen or talked to in a while but when you two finally connect, it is like old times.

There are some writers that do not go back to doing poetry once they’ve done other forms of writing, yet I have never closed that door or declared that my poetry writing will cease.

(2) Out of all of your collections of poetry, which one is your personal favorite, and is it in sync with the one a lot of people like?

Wow! I like each collection for different reasons, but if I had to pick a personal favorite, it would be Eclectic. There are so many different styles and the highs and lows of each different section were metered nicely. Yet, Reflections of Soul tends to get the most fan fare and responses.

(3) Name an environment where you always get inspired.

Being in nature is always inspirational to me. A few weeks back (when it wasn’t so hot and humid), I did venture out to one of my favorite parks, not just for some peace of mind but also to write. I do still tend to write with pen/pencil and paper prior to actually typing the work.

(4a) Do you believe your style of poetry and MJ Holman’s style of poetry mesh in your collaborations?

I believe we definitely mesh well in the realm of interpretative impact. Both of us have the ability to paint a scene that leaves the reader to come up with his/her conclusion.

(4b) Are there any other poets whose books you’d like to be a part of or who you would like to collaborate with?

There is this one lady who writes poetry but she has not published yet. Her name is Teianna. We first got acquainted with each other thorough a poetry site over a decade ago and we did a few freestyles together. Both of us like to wordplay and are very intense, so when she finally decides to do it, I would love to be a part.

I also enjoy the “tell it like it is” style of Angela “Lykebudda” White.

(5) What are your future endeavors in the realm of writing?

Click to view slideshow.

I was invited to be a part of two continuing short story anthologies. One is Concordant Vibrancy 2: Vitality and the other is Pleasure Prints: Divergent Ink 2.

Along with that, I am putting the finishing touches on Life-O-Suction: Spaded Truths II. This will be the first sole book of poetry I’ve put out since Private Pain: Amidst These Ashes.

There is also this WIP called Lacross Lane. It started in my brain as a short story but it has been blossoming into something bigger, quite possibly being a novel. We will just have to see what happens.

Appreciate the visit you two! Be on the lookout for Waves to Light, coming in mid September.

DR
Filed under: Coming Soon Tagged: author interview, bipolar disorder, clinical depression, mental illness, mj holman, poetry collection, queen of spades, waves to light

August Roundtable: Writing to Fit In

It’s time!

It’s time!

It’s Round Table Time!

Do I really need to introduce myself? #JustSaying

Anyway, I overheard this conversation which led to this month’s question:

Must a style of writing morph in conjunction with genre?

This time around, I will be doing alphabetical order going by the author’s first name. Therefore, a gentleman will be going before the ladies. Take it away Adonis!

Hello and good day all!

I am a true believer that writing style is the autonomous signature of the author, apart from genre. It is the fingerprint, the DNA of the author, if you will. Writing style tells us everything about the author as a person, independently from genre. If the author is down to earth, an intellectual, a sloppy artist; all of these things can be deciphered from writing style alone.

Genre speaks of literary preference. The genre in which an author opts to write in only tells us what types of things he/she likes to read and/or view on film. It discloses to the reader a solidarity or kinship in preferential subject matter. Nothing more.

This idea that some have today which tells us (the author) that our writing style must change contingent on genre is blatant tomfoolery. That’s like telling someone to change their fingerprint when moving from one part of the world to the next.

Some authors feel obliged, or rather forced, to comply with this dogma as they want nothing more than for their work to be looked at.

My honest opinion is that they are metaphorically selling their souls to a market that wholeheartedly desires to mold every writer into what they consider marketable. It is an unfortunate situation because in the end we find that independence of style and/or self-expression (whichever you like) has been corrupted and seduced by what’s trending.

I say all of that to say this; I do not believe that a writer should morph their writing style in conjunction with genre. Unless, and only if, it is the author’s choice to do so. Not, however, if he/she is forced into it.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak my mind on this matter.

 

Next to speak her mind (and never at a loss for words), the Thorny one herself, C. Desert Rose.

This is a great question.

For me it’s a little hard to answer the question thoroughly because I only write in one genre. I haven’t had to face this battle as yet.

However, in really thinking about it, I’d have to say that authors should never have to sacrifice their style just to “fit into” a genre.

You see, I base this theory on the origins of creative writing. Creative writing was “created” as a form of artistic and personal expression.Yes, there are grammatical, and syntax rules that everyone must follow. Yet, what separates a good writer from a great writer is his/her independent style.

For example, I wouldn’t like to read a book that seemed exactly the same as the last book I read. I wouldn’t enjoy it. I read books for the same reason I go to museums. Because I want to see the author’s soul via their prose. This can’t be done if limitations are being put on independent style.

I say all of that to say this; I do not think that an author should mold his/he style to coincide with genre. The genre is the tale that is being told from the author’s heart, yet the writing style is the author’s soul.

Thanks.

I will now chime in while my thoughts are fresh.

There are so many trends in writing that are irksome to me. A sentence that makes up a whole paragraph by itself. All of this use of conjunctions at the beginning of sentences. It being frowned upon to use exclamation points in writing. Having to describe what type of bra and panties my female character is wearing, even though it has nothing to do with moving the story along or causing chaos to my already morbid setting.

It could be just me.

The only time that the shiny nail of switching style scraped against my fabric was with Boundless Limits. Originally, it was supposed to be much shorter but everything started getting bigger and more dramatic. By the end, the core was still the same but I had created other components that served to enhance the end game. Then I realized the end game would take quite a few settings. The additional settings made me think if I could still be me while tackling doing a collection. Second later, I threw that nail in the trash can and deemed those thoughts a temporary bout of normalcy of which I want no part.

I say all this to say “no”. I’m going to do me. Either a reader gets me or he doesn’t. Real talk.

Hello everyone! As always, thanks for having me.

I have to address this wonderful question from two angles. (1) From a poet perspective and (2) From a transitional perspective (entering the realm of short story writing)

Poet’s Perspective

As most of you know, at my core, I write poetry. In the poetry world, there has been a shift from classic to more contemporary, elevated to what is trending or what his highly eccentric—to the point where it doesn’t matter whether the poems makes sense to the reading audience, as long as it made sense to the poet at the time he/she composed the pieces.

I still call myself contemporary because I don’t always follow the rules of rhyme and rhythm, yet in many ways I’m still classic, for I still want someone who reads a poem of mine to be able to relate to the experience or try to understand someone who has.

I am not trying to take away from those who want to test their might in vocabulary or stretch interpretation and use of language into an exclusive tango to where it’s only understood by other poets. I have an appreciation for that group. Yet, I know for me, it would be difficult for me to stay immersed in that style, since beyond my pseudonym, I’m easily just “Moni” from the block.

So from a poetry perspective, I would not want to change my style to adapt to the current trend in poetry.

Transitional Perspective (short stories)

When I started publishing short stories, the main focus was getting them seen. I wasn’t obsessed with the classification, although contemporary fiction seems the main characterization. Just recently I did get asked if I was multi-genre in story writing, but that’s a topic for another day.

However, I did have a primary worry—that the reading audience would be able to cipher that short story writing wasn’t my primary forte. In that regard, it was very important for my style to morph so that the readers would not doubt that I could transition smoothly. Therefore, in this area, the answer to your question is yes.

 

*looking impressed*  

That was a lot more detail than I was expecting but that is why I like having you around here. All right, all right! Desire, I guess you can go.

Yippee! Well it’s about frigging time!

Oooh Da’Kharta, this is a toughy but for this one, I would have to say yes, simply because I have found myself having to strike the balance between looking mainstream while still trying to be me. This particularly hits home in the realm of anything contemporary or romantic, for it is the fight to the death at times to get anyone to take a look.

Removing the cover aspect (because I tend to go more abstract) in many ways, the reading of some of my works could blend with what is currently out there.

How is Kona starkly different from a story about a person having a steamy daydream? One could easily swap beverage and setting but have the same impact. Other stories I have composed embody that same level of interchangeability, due to target market.

Do I battle with this morphing? For the shorter works, sometimes.

It’s all part of the literary world, I suppose. (shrugs)

To round out the round table (play on words intentional), Y. Correa.

Hello Da’Kharta! Thanks for the invite as well as the question. Why, because this question hits home something incredible.

As most of the AAPH authors, I am also a multi-genre writer. Yet, the genre I’m most known for the most is Sci-Fi. My battle, I fear, is a bit tough. Why? Because I am a woman who writes in a predominantly male ruled genre.

Also, my style of writing is so “out of the box” that many times people simply don’t get it.

I find that time and time again I get approached by readers and other writers whom want to point a finger at my style and tell me that “I’m doing it wrong“, when what I’ve done has been intentional all along.

I have an approach to writing. My approach is simple: keep the action moving, and reveal the things that are needed. No excess allowed! If I ever describe what a person looks like or what he/she is wearing it is because it’s relevant to the story.

Like you Da’Kharta, I’m highly put off by all of these trends that go around in the writing industry that people deem acceptable, but the moment one writer dares to endeavor outside of those perimeters, “We’re doing it wrong.”

Also, I have a specific style. I call it “Romancing the Words.” It’s absolutely a lost art and unfortunately no longer appreciated.

Now a days people think that making one’s prose sound pretty is “too much” and they frown upon any prospect of it. I find that highly upsetting.

Yet, in my own works I’ve learned how to strike the balance between “Romancing the Words” and getting on with the story. My stories don’t ever veer on tangents of unneeded information. My stories are told in a unique way, while providing all the action and pertinent information that the reader needs, and still allowing said reader to use his/her imagination to fill in the blanks.

BUT, I’m told that I’m doing it wrong. LOL.

I honestly have to laugh.

Mostly because it goes to show the level of today’s market. Nevertheless, even with all of that, I would not change my style just to match the genre. Why because my style can suit any genre, as long as the reader has an imagination. My style is my signature, and I intend on keeping it.

Thanks for joining me on another round table but before you go, a poll to check out:

 

Take Our Poll

DR

Filed under: aaph family Tagged: august roundtable, fitting in, genre, morphing

To Lude or Not to Lude (featuring Synful Desire)

Yo! The Slightly Anti-Social Socialite here, coming off a swig of a strong substance (re: alcohol) to get back in the thick of delivering news from the Asylum.

In my experiences, I’ve seen authors put out a prelude after the core story or stories in a series have been written. With some, I understood and it helped me put together some of the pieces missing in the tales. Yet, for others, the presence of a prelude mostly aligned with my observations below.

(1) The author did not want to let the character(s) go.

(2) There were enough fans clamoring for details or a different spin on how the author originally had it written.

(3) The author has become so well known for a certain series that there’s trepidation if a work isn’t from said series that it won’t get looked at.

I could go on and on but I think you guys get the picture.

Anyway, one of my fellow writers Synful Desire just recently decided she wanted to do a prelude to her novel in progress Convoluted Prism. No, not just one prelude but multiple preludes. Since the previous experience was still fresh, I decided to kidnap her for a few moments to give me the skinny, with this following question:

I’ve seen authors put out a prelude after the core story or stories in a series have been written. Why have you opted to do things differently and does doing a prelude before your full novel is out prove to be easier or more difficult?

Da’Kharta you sure do know how to pick them! You sure you weren’t an investigative reporter in a past life?

Not too long ago, I read a blog post by another author in regards to prelude writing. She had already released two books in her series but decided to do a prelude to provide additional background that led to the launch of the series. It proved to be a bit of a challenge.

The best way to describe the presentation of Convoluted Prism:

It is one part journal, since journaling is a part of the main character’s way of dealing with what is happening to her
It is a blend of fiction and non-fiction. Some of the instances actually did happen in my life while others were either embellished or made up. There are characters that are based on people I knew and those which are made up just to move the story along or to build up extra conflict.
There is a back and forth between the main character talking and the psychologist who is treating that character.

It was just recently that I decided that doing a prelude would be a good idea. As I was reading through what I had for Convoluted Prism, I recognized there were certain things which would need further explanation. Yet, because of the style in which Convoluted Prism is written (see above), a conclusion was reached: that the additional information would disrupt the flow of the book, and that more than one prelude would be needed, not just for the 1stConvoluted Prism but for the rest of the collection.

There is one prelude that has been finished (“Heat of This”) which gives more detail on a later part of the book. However, the one that I’m working on and have nearly finished is a reflection of how the main character arrived. It is called “Alan, Fay & Demona”.

Doing the preludes (at least with the 1st Convoluted Prism book) has been beneficial. Writing “Heat of This” gave me balance and actually assisted in what was needed for a portion ofConvoluted Prism. The composition of “Alan, Fay & Demona” gives a bit of how and why. Whether I will still feel that way as the rest of the books come into fruition is uncertain—I’m just chugging along with whatever works.

Chic, I know you have to get back to writing. Fist pound for stopping by.

DR
Filed under: aaph family, All Authors Publishing House, Coming Soon Tagged: alan fay and demona, preludes of prism