"I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not.
I write to explore all the things I’m afraid of." - Joss Whedon
July 31, 2013
July 29, 2013
Writing is Like Taking a Photograph
Yesterday, my friend and fellow author Matthew Aaron Browning wrote a blog post discussing how, for him, Writing is Like Building a House. He talks about how his writing process is a lot like seeing the end picture and knowing how a story will end, but not knowing the details that got him there.
"I begin by outlining the major plot points of the book (the blueprints) and then write toward them, moving my characters from scene to scene, sequence to sequence and chapter to chapter in pursuit of that next plot point. With Blades of Grass, I knew where I needed these two people to end up, so I wrote until they got there."
This is also how I write. Kind of. I write the end first, then the beginning, and I finish the middle last. It's easier for me to know where I'm going, figure out where I want to begin, and find the journey connecting both last. Like Matthew, I outline major plot points and understand a lot of the major details of the story, but it's not until I'm finished with a draft when I often realize how much details are missing. I did this for Light of the Moon and the stories within Shades of the Stars.
I'm working on this story. For now, let's just call it code name Bad Ass. Because it's crazy and different and romantic and weird and sensitive and strong. And you have to be a bad ass to be all those things at once. Right? Right. Anyway, Bad Ass is about a girl and a guy. It's about a different world with very different creatures and rules. I started Bad Ass like I do many of my stories, with the end finished before the middle happened. And, of course, I wrote a kissing scene first. Because I have to. That's just how I work. As it is now, I have the first draft of Bad Ass nearly completed, but as I am reading over chapters to send to early readers, I'm realizing how many things still need to get added. Creating a new world is difficult, and it's because of details that they can seem so real. I have to figure out the story behind these two characters kissing, this end scene that is as vivid as a photograph in my mind.
"It isn’t until I reach the end of a novel that I realize I tend to gloss over the details – the internal motivations and emotions that propel my characters through these scenes. While these things are in my head, I neglect to ensure they’re getting onto the page. I build a solid foundation, put up walls, throw in some windows, maybe even slap on a little paint and a shiny new roof... The house isn’t move-in ready because it hasn’t been decorated yet."
So, to me, writing is a lot like a photograph. Like a house that needs to be filled with a story. In Bad Ass, I have taken a picture and I know how it will end and what I want it to look like, but I have to create a detailed story to accompany the end photograph. Writing is like seeing a picture of a place you've never visited before and wondering what it would be like to go there. Writing is like holding a picture of a kissing couple and wondering what happened to get them there. Writing is like seeing a burned war photograph and living the final battle of that soldier, and then imagining their life before and after. The mind creates stories for pictures, for pieces of art without words, and that's what I must do for Bad Ass. I know exactly how it must end. I can see the photograph. I just need to words that make that photograph true.
How do you write?
How do you write?
July 26, 2013
Cover Reveal: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer
You guys. I've read Secret. And I loved it. A lot. Brigid Kemmerer was kind enough (after my constant twittering) to send me an ARC of the book, and I promise it was everything I wanted it to be AND MORE. In Secret, there is more romance and elemental powers on every page.
I loved it.
Secret by Brigid
Kemmerer
Kensington Books
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17149088-secret
ISBN: 0758294379
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Summary:
Nowhere is safe. Not even home…
Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.
Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his
hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be
out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from
his own twin—or he’ll lose his family.
Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s
supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.
Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has
taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he
can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all
sides. And then some.
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?
Brigid Kemmerer is the author of The Elemental Series, about
a family of four brothers who control the elements, and their battle with those
who want them dead. Storm, Spark, and Spirit
are available now wherever books are sold.
To read the novella introducing Nick’s story, be sure to check out Breathless
(http://www.brigidkemmerer.com/books/elemental-novellas/breathless/)
available as an
e-book only from major e-book retailers. You can learn
more about Brigid and the Elemental boys at www.brigidkemmerer.com.
Additional Links:
Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/brigid-kemmerer?store=allproducts&keyword=brigid+kemmerer
July 18, 2013
The Witch's Curse and The Warrior's Code are FREE
"These stunning and lyrical introductions to the Legend of the Dreamer series are perfect novellas for fans of Lauren Oliver's Delirium Stories."
Find The Warrior's Code and The Witch's Curse and exclusive extra stories in Shades of the Stars, the epic anthology from David James available now in paperback.
July 17, 2013
True Connection by Rachel Walter (Blog Tour)
'It's going to take a fight, I know that. But it's more than just a fight for my life. It's a fight for my soul and my soul mate.'
Jazzy Williams is not your average coffee-loving teen. She's struggling with her grief, her famous uncle’s fans, an overprotective big brother, and a depressed mother, all while trying to make friends at her new school. In the first week, she meets a gorgeous green-eyed hottie who turns out to be more than just some high school crush - he's more than human. And she unknowingly enrages a very dangerous breed of immortal who wants her soul or life as payment. With the help of supernatural friends and protectors, Jazzy thinks she's safe until what remains of her family is put in danger. Does Jazzy have what it takes to save her family, life, soul and soul mate, or will all be lost?
*Warning* Mature Content. This contains some profanity, mild sexual situations, innuendoes, and violence. Recommended for ages 17 and up, depending on maturity level.
EXCERPT
“Do you really want to talk or are you just using this as an excuse to get me to go on a date with you?”
“I do have some fairly important things to discuss with you, but if you’d like, we can save it for another day and make this a date,” he answers, while not taking his eyes from the road.
“Fine, talk first. If you’re lucky, I might give you my number.” I laugh.
“I don’t need your number,” he says quietly.
I’m confused. He didn’t say want. He said need.
He glances my way. “Get that frown off your face. Just because I don’t need your number, doesn’t mean I don’t want it.” He reaches over and pats my hand before going back to the gear shifter.
His touch was warm and left a tingling sensation on my skin. For all of two seconds I felt whole again and now I feel like I’m aching. I pinch my thigh through my jeans.
What kind of girly little crush do I have?
“Why wouldn’t you need my number?” I ask, trying to shake off the strange ache.
“I’ll explain that when we get to the lake. I think I’m going to start this conversation where you can’t run away from me.”
“I can’t run anywhere now,” I point out.
He sighs. “This is going to be difficult for me to tell you, like it was difficult for you to tell Skeeter and me yesterday.” He glances my way and then looks back to the road. “It has several consequences and outcomes. In fact, I had to travel to get permission to tell you to begin with.” He turns the radio on, leaving me with my thoughts.
Now I’m starting to worry on top of being nervous as hell.
Why do I need to be on a boat in the middle of a large lake before he sheds any light on this? Who did he need permission from and why did he need it?
God, I hope he’s not a serial killer.
Maybe his mom was abducted by aliens or his dad kidnapped some king’s son. Maybe I should’ve insisted we stay closer to home, closer to Henry. Maybe he…
I’m going to give myself a migraine by the time we get to the damn lake! Then he’ll have to take me back home, and I’ll never find out what’s going on in his head.
I glare over at Seth, and he’s chuckling. I turn down the radio and ask him what’s so funny.
“Just a random thought, that’s all.” He turns the radio back up.
Fine then, no talking.
I watch him as he drives. Seeing the veins in his arm pop out as he turns the wheel and the muscles ripple when he shifts a gear, I wonder what those arms would feel like wrapped around… Stop it!
Every damn time I’m around him, I think like a pervert! I inwardly growl and press my head back onto the headrest. I’ll just look out the window then.
Trees are in no way erotic, or sensual, or perverted.
Focusing on the trees is easy, but I can still smell him. His amazing smelling cologne mixed with his clean, spicy scent assaults my nose and begs me to lean in close. This car ride is taking forever.
The longer it takes, the more nervous I get. I shift in my seat, cross and uncross my legs, and bite my lip as I stare at endless trees.
‘The way she bites her lip makes me want to pull the car over and…’
I gasp, and choke on my breath or saliva.
What was that?!
Who was that?
Download True Connection!
Rachel lives in Central Pennsylvania, is a stay at home mom, has a wonderful husband, total of 4 kids, 3 of which are step kids. She’s a true Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers fan. She’s an insomniac that loves coffee, Johnny Depp movies and bonfires, dislikes driving on the interstate, bugs of any kind, and a too quiet house. When she’s not playing with the people inside her head, making her family think she belongs in the loony bin or writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, finding new music, new books, helping someone or plotting something equally crazy with her Critique Partners.
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