Theresa Van Spankeren's Blog, page 6
September 14, 2018
Author Interview with QQ
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of answering Quirky Questions by Dove Winters. I am happy to report the interview is live and can be found here!
https://dovewinters.wordpress.com/201...
p.s. The link to my site isn't working for some reason. You can find my website here: http://tvanspankeren.wixsite.com/auth...
All the other links work fine! Thank you Dove!
https://dovewinters.wordpress.com/201...
p.s. The link to my site isn't working for some reason. You can find my website here: http://tvanspankeren.wixsite.com/auth...
All the other links work fine! Thank you Dove!
July 18, 2018
of Scorpions and Vampires
This is a fun little flash fiction I wrote following an interesting conversation at my writer's group (after possibly consuming too much caffeine and sugar that meeting!) It is stand alone at the moment, but might find itself incorporated into a larger story at some point.
“Aunt Julia, what happens if a scorpion bites you? Does it become like you?”
I looked up from the map that splits New York City into carefully constructed hunting grounds for the five groups of vampires who live here. I had thought the little girl was coloring in her bedroom.
Rebecca leaned over the arm of the couch, brown eyes wide, her head tilted slightly. I stared at the child in confusion, having no idea what brought on such a strange question. “Scorpions? Where did you learn about scorpions?” I asked.
“The book that Uncle Nickolas gave me,” she answered promptly. “It has pictures of lots of animals in it.”
“I think they are arachnids,” I corrected. Rebecca’s brow furrowed, and I continued. “They are like spiders because they have eight legs.”
“Oh,” she said and continued to stare at me expectantly. I studied her, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. The little girl I rescued from a Nazi deportation camp almost a year ago knew almost nothing about vampires except that her new family was vampires. “Since scorpions bite, they get some of your blood and then maybe turn into big scary scorpions,” she added.
A muffled snort of laughter erupted from across the room. I turned my head to glare at Matthew who was trying – unsuccessfully – to keep his mirth contained. Amusement danced in the eyes of other ka-tet members as well, but no one came to my rescue.
Rebecca stood up and scowled at Matthew. “I have a picture!”
“Of a scorpion?” I asked.
“Of a vampire scorpion!” she announced and ran to the door. Samuel stood in the doorway, holding a piece of paper. She took it from him and handed it to me with a whoosh of air before standing in front of me with her arms crossed.
I turned over the paper and exclaimed, “Good God!” The creature drawn was hideous, drawn to three sizes bigger than a real one with red eyes, long jagged pinchers, long pointed fangs, and a huge tail with a stinger. The monstrosity pictured was also beyond Rebecca’s talent with crayons. I looked back up at Samuel and frowned. “You drew this?”
“I followed her specifications exactly,” he replied with a small smile. “Her imagination is incredible.”
“Can I see the scorpion vampire?” Matthew asked. With a sigh, I gave him the picture to look at. Gabriel, Allison, Joel, and Elissa crowded around to see it as well.
Gabriel, our youngest vampire, scrunched up his face. “I hope that’s not true.”
“That would give me nightmares,” Allison stated. The small boy sitting beside her nodded.
“It would make an interesting opponent,” Elissa murmured with a sly grin.
Matthew shook his head. “That would scare any opponent if it were real.”
“Which it isn’t,” I snapped. “Nickolas!”
Samuel moved to stand next to Rebecca as Nickolas appeared in the doorway, looking confused. “What?”
Matthew got up and showed him the picture. “What the hell is that thing?” Nickolas asked.
“A vampire scorpion,” Rebecca replied and repeated her question.
Nickolas looked at me, scratching his head. “You gave her that book. As the only vampire among us who’s lived in the southwest, would you care to explain what happens when a scorpion bites one of us?”
“A scorpion doesn’t bite, it stings. It injects venom; it doesn’t drink blood so nothing would happen to the scorpion. I reckon we’ll feel a sting for a few seconds and that’s about it.”
“It’s a bee that doesn’t fly?” Rebecca asked.
“Kind of.”
Rebecca tapped her chin for a moment. “What about mosquitos? They drink blood, right? They must have drunk vampire blood before.”
“If vampire mosquitos look anything like that vampire scorpion you pictured, no thank you. The little bloodsuckers are bad enough as it is,” Matthew said.
“But are they insects that became vampires?” Gabriel asked.
Samuel shrugged. “We’ve debated that for hundreds of years. There’s even a theory that it’s the same mosquitos returning every year, not hatchlings like scientists think.”
“That is a disturbing idea,” Allison said.
“If that’s true, how are they still spreading disease? We don’t get sick,” Nickolas pondered. “If our blood changed them into vampires they shouldn’t be able to get people sick.”
“This is kind of a creepy topic,” I said. Singing caught my attention before I said anything more and I looked past everyone to see Rebecca dancing next to the radio, oblivious to our conversation. Her question about scorpions started this bizarre conversation, but typical of children her age, she had lost interest and moved on to the next thing.
“I think we should move on too,” Joel said wisely.
“Aunt Julia, what happens if a scorpion bites you? Does it become like you?”
I looked up from the map that splits New York City into carefully constructed hunting grounds for the five groups of vampires who live here. I had thought the little girl was coloring in her bedroom.
Rebecca leaned over the arm of the couch, brown eyes wide, her head tilted slightly. I stared at the child in confusion, having no idea what brought on such a strange question. “Scorpions? Where did you learn about scorpions?” I asked.
“The book that Uncle Nickolas gave me,” she answered promptly. “It has pictures of lots of animals in it.”
“I think they are arachnids,” I corrected. Rebecca’s brow furrowed, and I continued. “They are like spiders because they have eight legs.”
“Oh,” she said and continued to stare at me expectantly. I studied her, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. The little girl I rescued from a Nazi deportation camp almost a year ago knew almost nothing about vampires except that her new family was vampires. “Since scorpions bite, they get some of your blood and then maybe turn into big scary scorpions,” she added.
A muffled snort of laughter erupted from across the room. I turned my head to glare at Matthew who was trying – unsuccessfully – to keep his mirth contained. Amusement danced in the eyes of other ka-tet members as well, but no one came to my rescue.
Rebecca stood up and scowled at Matthew. “I have a picture!”
“Of a scorpion?” I asked.
“Of a vampire scorpion!” she announced and ran to the door. Samuel stood in the doorway, holding a piece of paper. She took it from him and handed it to me with a whoosh of air before standing in front of me with her arms crossed.
I turned over the paper and exclaimed, “Good God!” The creature drawn was hideous, drawn to three sizes bigger than a real one with red eyes, long jagged pinchers, long pointed fangs, and a huge tail with a stinger. The monstrosity pictured was also beyond Rebecca’s talent with crayons. I looked back up at Samuel and frowned. “You drew this?”
“I followed her specifications exactly,” he replied with a small smile. “Her imagination is incredible.”
“Can I see the scorpion vampire?” Matthew asked. With a sigh, I gave him the picture to look at. Gabriel, Allison, Joel, and Elissa crowded around to see it as well.
Gabriel, our youngest vampire, scrunched up his face. “I hope that’s not true.”
“That would give me nightmares,” Allison stated. The small boy sitting beside her nodded.
“It would make an interesting opponent,” Elissa murmured with a sly grin.
Matthew shook his head. “That would scare any opponent if it were real.”
“Which it isn’t,” I snapped. “Nickolas!”
Samuel moved to stand next to Rebecca as Nickolas appeared in the doorway, looking confused. “What?”
Matthew got up and showed him the picture. “What the hell is that thing?” Nickolas asked.
“A vampire scorpion,” Rebecca replied and repeated her question.
Nickolas looked at me, scratching his head. “You gave her that book. As the only vampire among us who’s lived in the southwest, would you care to explain what happens when a scorpion bites one of us?”
“A scorpion doesn’t bite, it stings. It injects venom; it doesn’t drink blood so nothing would happen to the scorpion. I reckon we’ll feel a sting for a few seconds and that’s about it.”
“It’s a bee that doesn’t fly?” Rebecca asked.
“Kind of.”
Rebecca tapped her chin for a moment. “What about mosquitos? They drink blood, right? They must have drunk vampire blood before.”
“If vampire mosquitos look anything like that vampire scorpion you pictured, no thank you. The little bloodsuckers are bad enough as it is,” Matthew said.
“But are they insects that became vampires?” Gabriel asked.
Samuel shrugged. “We’ve debated that for hundreds of years. There’s even a theory that it’s the same mosquitos returning every year, not hatchlings like scientists think.”
“That is a disturbing idea,” Allison said.
“If that’s true, how are they still spreading disease? We don’t get sick,” Nickolas pondered. “If our blood changed them into vampires they shouldn’t be able to get people sick.”
“This is kind of a creepy topic,” I said. Singing caught my attention before I said anything more and I looked past everyone to see Rebecca dancing next to the radio, oblivious to our conversation. Her question about scorpions started this bizarre conversation, but typical of children her age, she had lost interest and moved on to the next thing.
“I think we should move on too,” Joel said wisely.
July 2, 2018
Between Darkness and Light Prologue
I promised I would post the prologue for Between Darkness and Light. Today's the day! I hope you enjoy this first look. Stay tuned for more updates!
My name is Julia Smith. Seventy-five years ago I was married to a man named Gregory. He had been a cruel and violent man. One night all those years ago changed my life forever.
He had murdered our daughter and would have killed me, except I was rescued by a vampire named Samuel, the leader of the Vampire Resistance. They desire to interact with humans more normally than just using them as a food source.
I agreed to join his group to overthrow the King of the Vampires, Valentino. In doing so, I was reunited with my soulmate and childhood love, Adam. We learned that our group was different from others. We were ka-tet, souls bound by destiny for a purpose.
I was happy. The eight of us were like family. Besides Adam and Samuel, there were Samuel’s older fledgling, Matthew, and his soulmate, Christy. There were also Mary Anne and Jeffrey who had become part of the ka-tet a long time before we did. Finally, we had been joined by Samuel’s teacher, Valerie, who wasn’t ka-tet, but was as close as anyone else could be.
A few years ago, everything changed. Valentino came after us, determined to eliminate the threat to his power. Our only warning came to me through a dream from a ten-year-old human girl named Kali. Valentino kidnapped and tortured Matthew. When we fought, it was a disaster. We rescued Matthew, but both he and I lost our soulmates.
And that wasn’t even the worst part. I had been able to see into the future before, but when I needed it the most, my power inexplicably failed. Instead, I had nightmares with voices that insisted I was the one who had bungled everything because I had really wanted my group dead. Eventually I started to believe the voices. And when Gregory appeared to me for the second time since becoming a vampire, he backed up those claims.
It’s hard to explain why I did what I did. I betrayed my ka-tet to Valentino. I nearly destroyed everything I loved. I had killed Jarod, a member of the Resistance’s Council and a friend of my group. I had attacked Samuel and almost killed him. I heard a voice then, a female voice that reminded me that this wasn’t who I wanted to be. Was it my conscience as I believed? I don’t know. I thought I saw my dead bastard of a husband. Does that make me insane? I honestly don’t know the answer to that either.
My name is Julia Smith. Seventy-five years ago I was married to a man named Gregory. He had been a cruel and violent man. One night all those years ago changed my life forever.
He had murdered our daughter and would have killed me, except I was rescued by a vampire named Samuel, the leader of the Vampire Resistance. They desire to interact with humans more normally than just using them as a food source.
I agreed to join his group to overthrow the King of the Vampires, Valentino. In doing so, I was reunited with my soulmate and childhood love, Adam. We learned that our group was different from others. We were ka-tet, souls bound by destiny for a purpose.
I was happy. The eight of us were like family. Besides Adam and Samuel, there were Samuel’s older fledgling, Matthew, and his soulmate, Christy. There were also Mary Anne and Jeffrey who had become part of the ka-tet a long time before we did. Finally, we had been joined by Samuel’s teacher, Valerie, who wasn’t ka-tet, but was as close as anyone else could be.
A few years ago, everything changed. Valentino came after us, determined to eliminate the threat to his power. Our only warning came to me through a dream from a ten-year-old human girl named Kali. Valentino kidnapped and tortured Matthew. When we fought, it was a disaster. We rescued Matthew, but both he and I lost our soulmates.
And that wasn’t even the worst part. I had been able to see into the future before, but when I needed it the most, my power inexplicably failed. Instead, I had nightmares with voices that insisted I was the one who had bungled everything because I had really wanted my group dead. Eventually I started to believe the voices. And when Gregory appeared to me for the second time since becoming a vampire, he backed up those claims.
It’s hard to explain why I did what I did. I betrayed my ka-tet to Valentino. I nearly destroyed everything I loved. I had killed Jarod, a member of the Resistance’s Council and a friend of my group. I had attacked Samuel and almost killed him. I heard a voice then, a female voice that reminded me that this wasn’t who I wanted to be. Was it my conscience as I believed? I don’t know. I thought I saw my dead bastard of a husband. Does that make me insane? I honestly don’t know the answer to that either.
June 15, 2018
Reads of the Year (So Far)
I've gotten a lot of reading done the first six months of this year. Of course not all of the books were great, but I haven't run across any terribly bad ones either. I've read in several different genres and everything from a snarky detective to witches, to a mad scientist and dragons.
A few of my favorites so far has been Full Slab Dead: A Josie Tucker Mystery, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, and Dr. Moratrayas, Mad Scientist among others.
Thanks to a group read, I also got a chance to read a rare gem called The Delicate Dependency: A Novel of the Vampire Life. I would recommend it for vampire fans who like the beauty and intrigue of vampires without the teenage sparkle. It is not an action driven book, but more of a psychological thriller.
I look forward to seeing what other interesting reads I come across. Who knows what other hidden gems might be out there. What fun or interesting books have you read this year?
A few of my favorites so far has been Full Slab Dead: A Josie Tucker Mystery, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, and Dr. Moratrayas, Mad Scientist among others.
Thanks to a group read, I also got a chance to read a rare gem called The Delicate Dependency: A Novel of the Vampire Life. I would recommend it for vampire fans who like the beauty and intrigue of vampires without the teenage sparkle. It is not an action driven book, but more of a psychological thriller.
I look forward to seeing what other interesting reads I come across. Who knows what other hidden gems might be out there. What fun or interesting books have you read this year?
June 3, 2018
Update on Book Release
Hello all. I wanted to give an update on the upcoming release of "Between Darkness and Light." Due to circumstances beyond my control, it looks like the release may have to be pushed back until late August or even Fall.
I realize this is disappointing to many, but unfortunately these things happen. The book is in the hands of my new editor, so things are moving along, just not where at my original timetable. I will keep you all updated.
I am planning on posting the Prologue to the book in the next few weeks so stay tuned!
I realize this is disappointing to many, but unfortunately these things happen. The book is in the hands of my new editor, so things are moving along, just not where at my original timetable. I will keep you all updated.
I am planning on posting the Prologue to the book in the next few weeks so stay tuned!
March 27, 2018
Book 3 News
I am excited to announce Between Darkness and Light is officially finished! Now comes the hard task of getting it ready for publication this Summer.
I am also looking for 2-3 beta readers to read through the manuscript for plot and character consistency. If you're interested, please let me know in the comments or PM me though Goodreads or FB for details.
I am also looking for 2-3 beta readers to read through the manuscript for plot and character consistency. If you're interested, please let me know in the comments or PM me though Goodreads or FB for details.
March 9, 2018
Spring is Coming!
Happy March everyone!
The start of spring is upon us, even though in some places, it looks more like the heart of winter out there. It's been kind of cold around Chicago the last few days. I know I heard talk of another possible Nor'Easter impacting the East Coast next week. Stay safe out there!
I've been doing a lot of reading lately. A few of my reads include Anno Dracula, Unbroken, and Till Death and Beyond to name a few. Some have been awesome reads, while others weren't so much.
I have also been working feverishly on completing Book 3 of the War of Destiny series. I'm excited to say I'm hoping to solicit a few gracious souls to be beta readers in a couple weeks.
As we head into spring breaks, remember to enjoy a good read on a day off!
The start of spring is upon us, even though in some places, it looks more like the heart of winter out there. It's been kind of cold around Chicago the last few days. I know I heard talk of another possible Nor'Easter impacting the East Coast next week. Stay safe out there!
I've been doing a lot of reading lately. A few of my reads include Anno Dracula, Unbroken, and Till Death and Beyond to name a few. Some have been awesome reads, while others weren't so much.
I have also been working feverishly on completing Book 3 of the War of Destiny series. I'm excited to say I'm hoping to solicit a few gracious souls to be beta readers in a couple weeks.
As we head into spring breaks, remember to enjoy a good read on a day off!
January 14, 2018
Book 3 Update
Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!
I just wanted to give an update on Between Darkness and Light. I am working on the last third of the book and have gotten the first ten chapters out to my wonderful editor. There's still a lot of hard work ahead, but things seem to be on track for a summer release.
I am very excited for the things to come. Stay tuned for more updates!
I just wanted to give an update on Between Darkness and Light. I am working on the last third of the book and have gotten the first ten chapters out to my wonderful editor. There's still a lot of hard work ahead, but things seem to be on track for a summer release.
I am very excited for the things to come. Stay tuned for more updates!
December 22, 2017
Happy Holidays!
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and hoped those who celebrated Hanukkah had a wonderful celebration!
As the final days before Christmas is upon us, I've been doing a mad dash to clean, finish decorating and wrapping. It's supposed to be very cold for Christmas here, but doesn't look like a White Christmas is in our forecast.
Its very rare we get one...it happened a few years ago. It was beautiful! All those lights twinkling off the white blanket covering the ground. Wished I had taken more pics of it!
As we're closing the book on 2017, I'm looking forward to the release of book 3 of the War of Destiny series next summer.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year!
As the final days before Christmas is upon us, I've been doing a mad dash to clean, finish decorating and wrapping. It's supposed to be very cold for Christmas here, but doesn't look like a White Christmas is in our forecast.
Its very rare we get one...it happened a few years ago. It was beautiful! All those lights twinkling off the white blanket covering the ground. Wished I had taken more pics of it!
As we're closing the book on 2017, I'm looking forward to the release of book 3 of the War of Destiny series next summer.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year!
November 27, 2017
The Close of November and NaNoWriMo
I wish everyone the best this holiday season! I've participated in a modified NaNoWriMo as I try to finish Between Darkness and Light . Turkey Day weekend has derailed my writing over the weekend. (Oops.)
I am a little over 14,750 words in. As a special treat, here is a snippet of book 3 I wrote last week.
Here's a snippet from my wip: Between Darkness and Light, written a few days ago.
“That leaves us with the topic of Lane Marlow.”
“Word has gotten out that you have forged some kind of an alliance with him to fight Valentino’s followers here in Rome,” Diego stated.
“Alliance?” Samuel repeated in surprise. “That might be overstating a bit.”
“You didn’t kill Tyrell and others of Rome’s group with his help?” Sandro questioned.
“We did, but there’s no formal agreement between us and Lane.”
Our visitors looked perplexed. “Forgive my confusion, Samuel, but even reports from Valentino’s supporters talked about multiple times when members of your group and Lane fought together. That sounds like a formal pact to me,” Chiara said.
My ka-tet looked at me. “Well, if anyone from our group has formed something close to an alliance with Lane, it’s Julia,” Samuel replied.
I felt the eyes shifting back to me, even as I winced. I didn’t want their attention on me any longer than necessary. “Just a few chance encounters,” I muttered.
“I think they stopped being ‘chance’ after the third one,” Mary Anne answered.
“Especially when he offers to kill a Hunter for you,” Matthew added with a grin.
I flushed and put a hand over my face. “Enough! It’s barely worth mentioning!”
I am a little over 14,750 words in. As a special treat, here is a snippet of book 3 I wrote last week.
Here's a snippet from my wip: Between Darkness and Light, written a few days ago.
“That leaves us with the topic of Lane Marlow.”
“Word has gotten out that you have forged some kind of an alliance with him to fight Valentino’s followers here in Rome,” Diego stated.
“Alliance?” Samuel repeated in surprise. “That might be overstating a bit.”
“You didn’t kill Tyrell and others of Rome’s group with his help?” Sandro questioned.
“We did, but there’s no formal agreement between us and Lane.”
Our visitors looked perplexed. “Forgive my confusion, Samuel, but even reports from Valentino’s supporters talked about multiple times when members of your group and Lane fought together. That sounds like a formal pact to me,” Chiara said.
My ka-tet looked at me. “Well, if anyone from our group has formed something close to an alliance with Lane, it’s Julia,” Samuel replied.
I felt the eyes shifting back to me, even as I winced. I didn’t want their attention on me any longer than necessary. “Just a few chance encounters,” I muttered.
“I think they stopped being ‘chance’ after the third one,” Mary Anne answered.
“Especially when he offers to kill a Hunter for you,” Matthew added with a grin.
I flushed and put a hand over my face. “Enough! It’s barely worth mentioning!”
