Constance Burris's Blog, page 10
May 6, 2015
Book Quote: Love is Pain
The above was my favorite quote from The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. The speaker of the line, a somewhat psychotic vampire, is about to watch the one he loves scream in pain. He is not causing the pain, so it's an actually a pretty sweet and poetic line.
There was nothing exceptional about the book, but Holly Black would drop these beautiful lines of beauty that spoke to my spirit and reminded me why I heart all of her books even when I don't.
May 4, 2015
The 2015 OWFI Conference
The last time I went the Oklahoma Writer's Federation, Inc (OWFI) conference I didn't have much fun. See the posts here and here This time, I had a plan for the OWFI conference:
1. I'm not pitching. So I'm neither desperate nor nervous. 2. Interact with my tribe. This year the homies from the YANA sisterhood (Katie Trattner, Vanessa K. Eccles and my OKC Facebook writers' group were there. Social networking is a good thing. 3. I stayed on location despite living around ten minutes away that way I wouldn't go home during the breaks, start watching TV and then get too lazy to return.
In the end, the OWFI conference was awesome. My introverted self talked to people and I learned writerly things. Thanks to the free liquor from 5:30 to 7:30 in the hotel lobby. Special shout out to Justin Herd for giving me Create Space tips.
Y'all know I'm all about diversity. Well the number of POC at the conference can probably be counted on less than two hands, however the GOH Speaker Les Edgerton did discuss race. And he addressed it without seeming racist or like he was apologizing. Sometimes that can be a hard line to balance. If Les is ever in your town for a conference, you must go.
Here is some juicy tidbits from his speeches:
Always end the chapter before the scene will be resolved
There is nothing wrong with writing slow and thinking about every word you put on the page
There is a difference between home and business burglary. Home burglars do more time because they are more likely to hurt someone.
The amount of people who are actual psychos are small. Don't believe what you see on TV.
There is very little rape in prison. The rape that does exist is usually a black guy raping a white guy to show dominance.
There was a guy in jail who had his teeth knocked out so he can give better blowjobs.
In the 1960s, drug addiction was a black crime. White guys were sent to rehab. Blacks were sent to jail.
May 2, 2015
Saturday Scenes: COAL Chapter One, Scene 3
Table of Contents:
Chapter One, Scene 1
Chapter One, Scene 2
---
Coal stood outside of Chalcedony’s thick wooden door and straightened his brown pants and the white shirt he wore underneath his green jerkin. He ran a hand over his braids and noticed one of them had unraveled. He cursed under his breath as he re-braided his kinky textured hair as fast as he could before he knocked on the door.“Who is it?” asked a gruff voice from inside the room. He immediately recognized the voice as Chalcedony’s advisor, Madoc. Coal was convinced that Madoc’s primary goal in life involved making Coal miserable.“It’s me,” Coal said in his most formal voice. “Legacy told me that Chalcedony is looking for me.”The door opened and Princess Chalcedony stood on the other side. “Legacy’s right. I am looking for you.” She wore a black sleeveless shirt and matching pants that were only a few shades darker than her brown skin. Coal bowed, bending low at the waist, while happiness surged in his chest at the sight of his oldest friend. “How can I help you, Princess?” he asked.“Come in.” She stepped back from the door, her muscular arms flexing as she motioned for him to step into the room. “Since when do you bow or call me princess?”Since last week, when Madoc lectured me for ten minutes about properly addressing a future queen, Coal wanted to say, but instead he kept quiet. The least he said, the least Madoc could use against him when Chalcedony left.Once he stepped in the room, he saw there were three other fey sitting around the table in Chalcedony’s office. Madoc sat closest to the door, scribbling on a sheet of paper. He scoffed at Coal before he turned towards the stack of papers. “If I am no longer needed, I’ll be retiring to my room,” said Binti, the female waif who had been sitting at the end of the table. She had a jumbled network of tiny blue veins that showed underneath her pale translucent skin. As she stood up from the table, the loose pink dress she wore buckled around knobby knees before she pulled it down. Binti and her twin brother acted as a tether between the two realms. If a rogue fey used magic in the human realm, her brother felt it. Through the link the siblings shared, her brother would let Binti know. Then Binti would alert Chalcedony in the fey realm.“Go ahead,” Princess Chalcedony said. “Thanks for your help.”Binti nodded briefly at Chalcedony as she walked away from the table and towards the door. Coal shivered as she passed. The waif lowered the temperature of any room by five degrees just by her presence. They were rumored to be children of reapers sent into the physical world to live until they replaced their parents as harvesters of souls. Motion next to Chalcedony caught his attention. He was drawn to the blonde, blue-eyed elf standing next to Chalcedony. Tetrick. Chalcedony had spent the past two years with the high-born elf. He was appointed by his mother, Queen Tasla, to teach Chalcedony how to patrol her part of the human realm for fey who were there illegally. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to escort you, Princess?” Tetrick asked.As usual, the royal elf paid Coal no attention. Coal didn’t know if it was better to be ignored and made to feel like he wasn’t worth a second thought or to be constantly ridiculed and belittled like Madoc treated him.“No, thank you, Tetrick,” Chalcedony answered. “You should let him escort you,” Madoc said with a tone that suggested it was more of an order than a choice.“No,” Chalcedony said with such intensity that her long, sharp incisors were visible. “But thank you anyway,” she said to Tetrick, her temper back under control.“Very well, Princess.” Tetrick bowed and then the elf disappeared as if he’d never been there. “You should have let him take you,” Madoc said.“Take you where?” Coal asked. “I thought we had plans for today.”“We do.” Chalcedony’s red eyes were wide with joy. “It’s a surprise. But first, go get your clothes. Then I’ll meet you upstairs in my room.” “What clothes?” Coal asked, confused. She’d changed from all business to playful so quickly it took Coal a moment to adjust. “The ones you bought back with you from the human realm.”Coal hesitated. He was seven the last time he’d worn those clothes. “Why?”“You should not question a princess’s orders,” Madoc said. Chalcedony huffed and turned to Madoc. “You’re dismissed, Madoc,” Chalcedony ordered.Madoc shot Coal a hateful look, before he bowed towards Princess Chalcedony and left the room.“Don’t worry about him. He’s in a bad mood.” “He’s been in a bad mood for eleven years,” Coal said. “I think it’s safe to say he just really hates me.”“He doesn’t hate you. He treats you just like he treats everybody else.”“Really?” Coal asked with a raised eyebrow.“Okay, he may dislike you a little bit. Go and meet me upstairs.” “But—” he began.“No more questions or you’ll spoil the surprise. Just go get them.” Her voice was full of joy and mischief. He’d missed it. He’d missed her.Coal bit his lip, stifling his next question before he left the room.What could she possibly want with his human clothes? They were all he had that proved where he’d come from, but he hadn’t touched or thought about them in years.
Chapter One, Scene 1Chapter One, Scene 2
---
Coal stood outside of Chalcedony’s thick wooden door and straightened his brown pants and the white shirt he wore underneath his green jerkin. He ran a hand over his braids and noticed one of them had unraveled. He cursed under his breath as he re-braided his kinky textured hair as fast as he could before he knocked on the door.“Who is it?” asked a gruff voice from inside the room. He immediately recognized the voice as Chalcedony’s advisor, Madoc. Coal was convinced that Madoc’s primary goal in life involved making Coal miserable.“It’s me,” Coal said in his most formal voice. “Legacy told me that Chalcedony is looking for me.”The door opened and Princess Chalcedony stood on the other side. “Legacy’s right. I am looking for you.” She wore a black sleeveless shirt and matching pants that were only a few shades darker than her brown skin. Coal bowed, bending low at the waist, while happiness surged in his chest at the sight of his oldest friend. “How can I help you, Princess?” he asked.“Come in.” She stepped back from the door, her muscular arms flexing as she motioned for him to step into the room. “Since when do you bow or call me princess?”Since last week, when Madoc lectured me for ten minutes about properly addressing a future queen, Coal wanted to say, but instead he kept quiet. The least he said, the least Madoc could use against him when Chalcedony left.Once he stepped in the room, he saw there were three other fey sitting around the table in Chalcedony’s office. Madoc sat closest to the door, scribbling on a sheet of paper. He scoffed at Coal before he turned towards the stack of papers. “If I am no longer needed, I’ll be retiring to my room,” said Binti, the female waif who had been sitting at the end of the table. She had a jumbled network of tiny blue veins that showed underneath her pale translucent skin. As she stood up from the table, the loose pink dress she wore buckled around knobby knees before she pulled it down. Binti and her twin brother acted as a tether between the two realms. If a rogue fey used magic in the human realm, her brother felt it. Through the link the siblings shared, her brother would let Binti know. Then Binti would alert Chalcedony in the fey realm.“Go ahead,” Princess Chalcedony said. “Thanks for your help.”Binti nodded briefly at Chalcedony as she walked away from the table and towards the door. Coal shivered as she passed. The waif lowered the temperature of any room by five degrees just by her presence. They were rumored to be children of reapers sent into the physical world to live until they replaced their parents as harvesters of souls. Motion next to Chalcedony caught his attention. He was drawn to the blonde, blue-eyed elf standing next to Chalcedony. Tetrick. Chalcedony had spent the past two years with the high-born elf. He was appointed by his mother, Queen Tasla, to teach Chalcedony how to patrol her part of the human realm for fey who were there illegally. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to escort you, Princess?” Tetrick asked.As usual, the royal elf paid Coal no attention. Coal didn’t know if it was better to be ignored and made to feel like he wasn’t worth a second thought or to be constantly ridiculed and belittled like Madoc treated him.“No, thank you, Tetrick,” Chalcedony answered. “You should let him escort you,” Madoc said with a tone that suggested it was more of an order than a choice.“No,” Chalcedony said with such intensity that her long, sharp incisors were visible. “But thank you anyway,” she said to Tetrick, her temper back under control.“Very well, Princess.” Tetrick bowed and then the elf disappeared as if he’d never been there. “You should have let him take you,” Madoc said.“Take you where?” Coal asked. “I thought we had plans for today.”“We do.” Chalcedony’s red eyes were wide with joy. “It’s a surprise. But first, go get your clothes. Then I’ll meet you upstairs in my room.” “What clothes?” Coal asked, confused. She’d changed from all business to playful so quickly it took Coal a moment to adjust. “The ones you bought back with you from the human realm.”Coal hesitated. He was seven the last time he’d worn those clothes. “Why?”“You should not question a princess’s orders,” Madoc said. Chalcedony huffed and turned to Madoc. “You’re dismissed, Madoc,” Chalcedony ordered.Madoc shot Coal a hateful look, before he bowed towards Princess Chalcedony and left the room.“Don’t worry about him. He’s in a bad mood.” “He’s been in a bad mood for eleven years,” Coal said. “I think it’s safe to say he just really hates me.”“He doesn’t hate you. He treats you just like he treats everybody else.”“Really?” Coal asked with a raised eyebrow.“Okay, he may dislike you a little bit. Go and meet me upstairs.” “But—” he began.“No more questions or you’ll spoil the surprise. Just go get them.” Her voice was full of joy and mischief. He’d missed it. He’d missed her.Coal bit his lip, stifling his next question before he left the room.What could she possibly want with his human clothes? They were all he had that proved where he’d come from, but he hadn’t touched or thought about them in years.
May 1, 2015
Book Review: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Amazon Excerpt:2015 Newbery Medal Winner
2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner
"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I’m delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander (He Said, She Said 2013).
Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.
I bought The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander for my son. He wasn't feeling reading on a Kindle. He believes Kindles are for playing video games not reading. So I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. The Crossover was written in verse from the point of view of Josh aka Filthy. I can't tell you the last time I read a complete book written in verse, but my son has read quite a few. Is this a trend in children's literature?As a novelist who started out with zero talent, I had to learn how to add internal dialogue, descriptions, and characterization in order to make my stories readable, it was very interesting to read a story that simply had the barest of ingredients for a novel. But nothing was lost in the story. I wouldn't have enjoyed The Crossover any less if it had been written in traditionally. Kwame Alexander handles metaphors like Lebron handles a basketball (That was me trying to spit some verse).
I hope my son reads this later. Boys need diverse books and The Crossover fits the bill.
Diversity:5Story: 5Characterization:5
April 30, 2015
My First Book Giveaway: Daughter of Gods and Shadows by Jayde Brooks
Immediately, after reading Daughter of Gods and Shadows
by Jayde Brooks, I was like where is the second book?! And then I was filled with questions. So inspired by Reader Meet Author and +Madhuri Blaylock when she asked Jason Reynolds and Cindy Pon for interviews, I contacted Jayde through Facebook and asked for an interview. Not only did she say yes, but she agreed to give a signed copy of
Daughter of Gods and Shadows
away to a lucky reader of my blog. SQUEE!!! And I'll be giving away two ebook copies (through amazon) to make the pot even sweeter. Enter below for your chance to win. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 28, 2015
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April 27, 2015
Reader Meet Author
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As a writer, I've learned how good praise feels. I know it's vain, but it’s the truth. Therefore, as a reader, if I find a book that I enjoy I tweet and post about it. And it's fun! As a bonus, most of the time the author tweets back. I had a Goodreads discussion with Voss Foster about his amazing book The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1)
. I've also gotten retweets back from Saladin Ahmed the awesome author of Throne of the Crescent Moon and Jason Reynolds the author of The Boy in the Black Suitafter I shared how much I loved their books on Twitter. So readers, if you find a book you adore, post and tweet about it. Give the author love. Writing is crazy hard and a lot of us are scared that no one will like our books. But if just one person likes it, it makes the incredibly hard task of pouring our hearts out on sheets of paper (or e-readers) worth it.
April 25, 2015
Saturday Scenes: COAL, Chapter One, Scene Two
Here is the next section of coal. The previous section can be found here:Chapter One, Scene One----Bees and butterflies as big as his hands buzzed around Coal’s ankles while he walked through a meadow of red, yellow and blue wildflowers that separated the forge from his home. He felt guilty for not accepting Grigory’s offer, but as he approached his home, the guilt faded and a smile grew across his face. He lived in Legacy, the biggest tree in the fey realm, with his best friend Princess Chalcedony, her staff, and a handful of ambassadors from every part of the realm.The melodious and erratic chirping of birds grew louder the closer he got to his home. “Legacy.” Coal touched the coarse bark of the oak tree and instantly felt the life thrumming inside it. “Is Chalcedony back?”There are so many here today. How am I supposed to keep track of any one person?Legacy said, its voice full of annoyance. Legacy was neither male nor female, but its voice sounded female nonetheless. “Come on, Legacy. Is she in her room?”The tree gave an exaggerated sigh as the breeze jostled its leaves. When last I bothered to listen, she was in her office. At 850-feet tall and ten times as wide as Grigory’s modest home, Legacy seemed to be larger than life. Residing inside of a living, sentient thing made him feel like he was a part of something remarkable. The moment he saw it years ago, Coal knew he’d made it home. “Thanks,” Coal said, relieved to hear that Princess Chalcedony had returned. He removed his hand and approached the two female sentries guarding Legacy’s main entrance. “Where are you going?” asked the taller of the two, who had light green eyes. She stepped in his way, blocking the door. Like all of Everleaf’s elven soldiers, she wore a dark green shirt with black sleeves and black pants. “The servant’s entrance is around the back.”“I’m not a servant.” Coal held the sentry’s gaze. He’d never seen these two before, but he’d done this dance countless times over the years. He was a human in a world where humans were mostly banned and thought of as violent, ignorant, and greedy. His stomach churned as he faced the sentry, but he stood his ground. If he showed fear, it only made the taunting worse. “No.” The other sentry stood a head shorter than her partner, but where the other sentry was slender, she was thick and muscular. “He’s not a servant. He’s just human trash.”He swallowed. “Let me through.”“Or what?” The taller sentry placed a hand on her sword. “You’ll tell the princess I was picking on you?”“I don’t need the princess to protect me,” he snapped. “I can take care of myself.” “Calm down, Sophia,” the shorter sentry said. “Let him through. Today will be his last day here anyway.”“What are you talking about?” Coal narrowed his eyes while his pulse quickened. This was not part of the usual bullying.“Don’t worry about it,” the sentry said, pulling the green-eyed sentry away from Coal. “I apologize for my partner. Her great-great something or other died in the human and fey wars some centuries back.” “Well …” Coal deepened his voice, his attitude bolstered by the change in her tone. “Don’t let it happen again.”“Of course not.” The shorter sentry bowed. “Again, I apologize.”Coal walked past the sentries and through the entrance, deciding they had only been trying to scare him. But why would she say it was his last day here?Once he entered the grand hall separating the entranceway from Chalcedony’s offices, he understood why Legacy sounded upset. Staff bringing food from the kitchen and filling mugs with milk, juices, and mead crowded the hall with bustling energy. Almost every race of fey had gathered in the hall—or at least every race of fey that ventured out in the daytime—elves, giants, dwarves, satyrs, nymphs, and even a few trolls. Coal touched the wall and said to Legacy, “The ambassadors aren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow.” It had been quiet for the past three weeks. However, now that Chalcedony had returned from the human realm, fey from every corner of Everleaf came to meet with her. Obviously they decided to come early, Legacy said. Disappointed, Coal broke the connection with the tree. Before she’d left on her last training trip, Chalcedony had said she had something special planned for the two of them. Her duties came first, though. If she had to work, she wouldn’t have time for him. He peered into the crowd, searching for the path of least resistance. Finding it, he lowered his head, stepped out of the safety of the entranceway, and walked into the congested gathering. The smell of goat sausage and fried eggs wafted towards him, making his stomach rumble with hunger. He’d awakened before the kitchen staff and only had time to eat an apple before he’d left for Grigory’s.“Did you really think you were going to walk by me without speaking?” A deep voice spoke from behind him. Coal arched his neck upwards to see the eight-foot tall, tawny-skinned giant named Octavius. “Soon …” Octavius winked one of his gray eyes at Coal, “I hear you’ll be reigning next to Chalcedony.”“Princess Chalcedony and I are only friends.” Coal lost his appetite. Humans were considered weak. If Chalcedony took on a human mate, she would be considered weak also.
The day had started full of promise. He’d looked forward to spending time with Chalcedony, but his plans were quickly unraveling. With the giants and dwarves here, it would be impossible for her to go anywhere. And for the second time today, someone had reminded him he didn’t belong. “Don’t look so insulted.” Octavius grabbed Coal’s shoulder. “My great-great-grandmother was human. I’d consider it an honor to have a human reigning beside the queenling.” “Hmph, that would never happen,” said Ambassador Eli. The dark-haired dwarf seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. “Humans are exiled for a reason. They are violent, greedy and above all, parasitic.” He stared at Coal with light blue eyes and sneered.Octavius shook his head and clicked his tongue. “No, giants are humans, only taller. That’s why giants can’t wield magic. And there is nothing extraordinarily violent or parasitic about us.”“Stop it with the myths. That’s like saying dwarves are human, only shorter,” Ambassador Eli said. “If your brother heard you speak like that, he’d have you whipped.” They were too busy debating the differences between humans and giants to notice Coal slip away. The temptation to stay and listen to Octavius and Ambassador Eli argue nearly overpowered him, but the idea of seeing Chalcedony pulled much stronger.
-----
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The day had started full of promise. He’d looked forward to spending time with Chalcedony, but his plans were quickly unraveling. With the giants and dwarves here, it would be impossible for her to go anywhere. And for the second time today, someone had reminded him he didn’t belong. “Don’t look so insulted.” Octavius grabbed Coal’s shoulder. “My great-great-grandmother was human. I’d consider it an honor to have a human reigning beside the queenling.” “Hmph, that would never happen,” said Ambassador Eli. The dark-haired dwarf seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. “Humans are exiled for a reason. They are violent, greedy and above all, parasitic.” He stared at Coal with light blue eyes and sneered.Octavius shook his head and clicked his tongue. “No, giants are humans, only taller. That’s why giants can’t wield magic. And there is nothing extraordinarily violent or parasitic about us.”“Stop it with the myths. That’s like saying dwarves are human, only shorter,” Ambassador Eli said. “If your brother heard you speak like that, he’d have you whipped.” They were too busy debating the differences between humans and giants to notice Coal slip away. The temptation to stay and listen to Octavius and Ambassador Eli argue nearly overpowered him, but the idea of seeing Chalcedony pulled much stronger.-----
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April 24, 2015
Book Review: SONG OF BLOOD AND STONE by L. Penelope
Amazon Excerpt
Enter an alternate 1920's world of magic and adventure in this gripping fantasy romance...
Orphaned and alone, Jasminda is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her magical abilities are feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive – an injured spy who steals her heart.
Jack’s mission behind enemy lines nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing power of a mysterious young woman. Together they embark on a perilous journey straight into the heart of a centuries-old conflict.
Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation.
The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.
Recommended for readers 17+.
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
First let me say Penelope knows her way around a keyboard. Her writing style is on point. It is jealousy worthy.
Now for the review. I didn't know this when I volunteered to read the book, but this is a romantic fantasy. I had not known there was such a thing. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'm a sucker for action and adventure and in beginning the two main characters, Jasminda and Jack are trying to get from point A to Point B while trying to get away from the bad guys. Again Penelope wrote the stuff out of this book. The settings were clear and beautiful, her magic systems was clear and defined, and her fight scenes were Wonderful. But once they got to their destination, 1/3 of the way through the book, it focused on political intrigue, which I'm not a big fan of so I had a hard time staying interested.
Diversity: 5Story: 3Characterization:4 (Jasminda was cool, but I didn't really connect with any of the other characters)Would I recommend it? Only if you like your action and adventure with a healthy dose of romance and political intrigue. This is a romance so there are a couple of racy romantic sex scenes.
