Eli Addis's Blog, page 2

SITW Trailer

Release Date

Something in the Water will be released on September 4, 2014. More details will follow, but I’m am beyond words to describe how amazing it is to make this a reality. The pre-sale price will be reduced for anyone wanting it on sale. 

 

It has been quite a ride, and this is only the beginning.

Drumroll Please…

Or whatever instrument you prefer. We could do a trumpet fanfare, a vocal cheer, a saxophone rift, etc. Now that the entry song has played. I am pleased to announce the cover:

 

 

Here it is. The cover for Something in the Water. I had a lot of help. I would like to thank the Village Council (my name for my amigos that help me with SITW) for all their input. Special shout out to Noah. He did the still shot for me. Anyways, enjoy :) Hopefully within the next few weeks I will have the release date for you fine people.

-EA

Interview

I have been published in an in-depth Q&A interview on Smashwords. If you would like to see additional questions answered, comment them here. 

 

The link to my interview: https://www.smashwords.com/interview/EliAddis

 

Have a great day, 

-EA

Cover

It’s been a while since I’ve written to all of you.

Some updates:

-Manuscript is in its final stages

-We have a cover design (I’ll release it soon :) )

-We are filming a book trailer since it’s the modern era. Kids (and adults) these days love videos.

 

So yeah, things are moving. I’m getting excited to share all the media with you. In the meantime, be safe, make good choices (or at least ones you won’t regret), and remember to stay happy.

I don’t always give advice, but when I do- I make sure it’s cliche.

Young Adults + Dystopians

The question that I have considered is- Why do young adults like dystopians so much?

You see it with Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner, Matched, Shatter Me, The Giver, etc. They analyze the themes, the plot, the characters, everything. They join teams like Gale v. Peeta. My question is-why?

I didn’t write a dystopian because it’s popular. I wrote a dystopian because I love to read them, and writing is my passion. So why not write about something that I love? The classics (1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451) and the newbies (Listed above). They epitomize the best and worst of society. The best are shown in the fighters: courage, standing up for the right thing, and the good of humans. They also display the worst: corruption, oppression, inequality, and the evilness of humans. 

I consider that the answer to my question is found in what society is today, and why the youth of today relates. I feel that there are two major points to consider- characters and society.

1. Character. I think that young adults relate to these characters for many reasons. Most of these characters start out as ordinary people living through the daily grind. Then something happens to cause the character to go against the government or nation. This betrayal is usually heroic or sacrificial (ex. Montag- Fahrenheit 451, Katniss- Hunger Games, Jonas- The Giver, etc.). Montag sacrifices the life he knew for the freedom of knowledge and books. Katniss saves her sister and Peeta thus betraying the government. Jonas runs away with Gabriel to ensure his safety in a new world that doesn’t manipulate the people. These sacrifices and acts of heroism are valued by YAs because I feel that they yearn for such things in their lives.

Other characters are born with an abnormality that makes them relatable. Every person in this world has something they wish they can change about themselves. Take Tris in Divergent. She has multiple capabilities of intelligence, selflessness and bravery. Readers can relate to her because sometimes values get in the way of our interests. For example, you want to do the intelligent action, but you do what is better for everyone else instead- the selfless act. Or take Juliette in Shatter Me. She can’t be touched without hurting someone. While this is extreme, people feel that they broken, or “shattered”, and can’t be with others. I know that young adults feel this way especially. 

Take all the relatable characters that dystopians consist of, and young adults will read them. 

2. Society. Dystopians show the worst of governments and society. Young adults read for the similarities between the books and reality. This generation grew up with economic turmoil, constant wars, and oppression by their own government. They read the books to see that someone is fighting the governments that are so analogous with their own. Why? To provide hope that one day they can do the same thing. 

I’m going to talk about American government for the analogies because that is my country. You have the distraction of technology running everything.. People care more about the lives of celebrities than their own government’s wars and heinous acts. This is a prime point in Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World. You have the manipulation of the media through not reporting what is actually happening. The US kills (or wants to kill) the freedom fighters. People like Edward Snowden or Chelsea Manning. This is similar to 1984. The list could go on and on. 

I feel young adults enjoy this genre because they want to be the fighters for a better society. They live in a world that constantly becomes scarier and less free by the day. They want to be a Katniss, Montag, Winston, Tris, Juliette, Jonas, etc. Who are you? Do you fight to better this crazy world? 

One day at a time, the young adults will be the change in the world. Will that be because they read dystopians? I’d like to think so.

Life

Everyday I have a dream. I want to see my book published. That’s it. I believe in my heart. I feel it through my soul. I know it in my brain that I will do this. There is a little thing called life that gets in the way. If this was a perfect world, I would have it on the market already. But since the world isn’t perfect, and I have life that gets in the way- it isn’t. 

I breath writing. It has been my escape from the real world. The fact that you can create an entirely new reality blows my mind. So that’s what I do. For that brief moment of time, I can forget everything. My problems, my stress, and my life. Don’t get me wrong- I have a great life, but I get stressed and have issues just like everyone else. 

The same goes for reading. I write, and you as the “read”er- read. The escape that I encounter while writing is what I hope to provide to my readers. I want you for the moments you are spending time in my book’s world- to forget you problems, stress and life. My goal is to evoke thought and empathy through the characters and world I create. 

If you didn’t understand my themes, messages or symbols- then it’s my fault. If you didn’t connect with or root for at least one of my characters- then it’s my fault. I want such thoughts as: What would happen if I stood up for my beliefs?, How does this world relate to mine?, I wish [insert plot point here] never would have happened because I liked that character, ARG! Why is [insert specific character here] such an [insert negative word here]?, etc. 

You get the point. Now at the moment I am working to make sure such things above happen, and that there will be nothing that is my fault. I am taking the time (sometimes too much time… *cough… procrastinator…cough*) to make it good for you and me. Please be patient. I will get there and be able to share my world with you. Until that time comes. I will continue with life (school, work, obligations) and writing (my soul) to get this to you, my loyal reader. 

Until I write and you read again, 

E.A.

You See…

I would love to say that the reason I haven’t been on for a while is that I was making great progress on SITW. But, alas, that is not the case. I won’t make excuses because I hate when people do that. The real reason I haven’t been on is because I was didn’t want to blog. It’s as simple as that. I took a while off of writing on here to do other things. I could have done both, but I chose not to. It’s lazy and inconsiderate.

To my readers, I am sorry. You deserve more attention, and I will try harder for you.

For your continuous love and support- thank you.

-E.A.

Inspirational Quote

So this quote is a great epitome of what Something in the Water is all about. The fight between good and evil which is prevalent in all society, cultures and time periods. Humans have been clashing about the two since the beginning. The novel is not only about good versus evil, but also choosing a side. I believe that people have their reasons for being on one ‘team’ or the other. Not all people on the “evil” side are evil, and not all the people on the “good” side are good. For me, it is all about striving to be one way or the other. I want to strive to be good and make a difference. If you are someone who wants to have power and control, go ahead, but I believe that these people will pay a price in the end. Have a great day, and ask yourself- which side do I want to be on?

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they always seem invincible, but in the end they always fall, always.”
-Gandhi

Monday’s Poll on Wednesday

Yes. I have been a slacker this week. I am very sorry. So we will play catch-up. Here’s the poll of the week.

Take Our Poll