Hey All!!! Well I've got a review for Jen Minkmans The Space in between.
First off I want to thank Jen for giving me the opportunity to review her book but this book is quite fascinating. Upon opening the book I was easily sucked into the book and lead by these amazing characters. It was very full and well rounded and I am very impressed. For now Trisha Signing off. :)
Monday, 15 December 2014
Thursday, 11 December 2014
The ring of ice
The Ring of Ice around Feyland has been shattered.
The original Dark Fey, known in the mortal world, in the Land Beyond the Crystal River, as a bloodsucker, an undead, a vampire...Queen Neriti has entered, bringing with her the darkness of the human world.
The world of magic will collide with the human world.
Empress of Feyland, Breena Malloy, half-fey and half-human, will once again be forced to fight a war she is against...only this time, it will take place not only in Feyland, but also in the Land Beyond the Crystal River, otherwise known as the human world.
Her love, King Kian of Feyland will fight besides her, along with her loyal Prince of Wolves, Logan.
New allies will be formed, and new enemies revealed. Can the denizens of Feyland and Empress Breena trust the vampires and gifted humans on the trail of Queen Neriti? Jaegar Greystone, an ancient vampire with the beautiful Kalina Calloway, a human girl with vampire powers?
Or are they part of Queen Neriti's evil plan for revenge against all?
Ring of Ice is a new series based on the characters from the Bitter Frost Series and from The PULSE Vampire Series.
For age 16 and up.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Deadgirl interview.
Hey all well I recently got the chance to interview author of Dead girl B.C.Johnson and this is what she had to say.
1. Where did you get the idea for your book?
My older brother Bill and I have always been working on this sort of “supernatural horror” type
universe, something we just started chatting about in the swimming pool as kids and just never stopped
building. At this point the whole universe pretty much just floats around in our brains like gumbo, but
we do plan on doing something with it at some point. Deadgirl is sort of the first major stab at the
universe.
What Lucy becomes in Deadgirl is a new monster idea I had during those talks. What if a person was
supposed to die but just . . . didn’t?
2. How long did it take you to write it?
I’m not the fastest writer on the Earth, and by that I mean I’m super, duper slow. When I’m writing I
pound out the words like a mad man, but I’ll go months in between projects, or I’ll get stuck and have to
come back weeks later. I’m a “fits and starts” kind of writer, in general.
I started Deadgirl during the 2008 NaNo, but I didn’t finish the manuscript until late 2009. Most of my
books take about a year-and-a-half, generally. That’s not counting the abandoned books, of which there
are many. When I fall out of love with an idea, I fall hard and smash my face and never want to see it
again.
3.What is your writing process like? Do you storyboard?
Every book ends up using a different process, so I guess I just use whatever feels right for the book. I
wrote Deadgirl in one linear shot without any storyboarding – I knew the ending, I knew the characters,
and I just ran as fast as I could toward it.
The Deadgirl sequel, which is finished and winging toward the publisher within the next few weeks,
involved a ton of outlining. I even broke it down by acts, chapters, and scenes before I wrote a single
word. The story was more complex, and the world was getting bigger, and it was really important to
keep track of everything.
Other books I’ve done some mixture. I almost always write linearly, though – beginning to end. I’ve
never been good about jumping around through the timeline. Some writers love it, but I kind of want to
hear the story as I write it.
4.Should we all be on the look out for anymore books after this one?
Definitely! Unless the publishers hate the sequel (pleasenopleasenopleaseno) I’m hoping that will be out
within the next year, but there’s nothing official. Just desperate hope, which is where I tend to live. I
have a short story in the second annual Curiosity Quills Anthology, which is out at the end of November I
believe.
After that I have a few manuscripts finished, and we’ll see where those take us. I do think the Deadgirl
series will be four books – I’ve already got the third book written almost entirely in my head, I just have
to pour it onto a keyboard.
5.How long have you been writing?
I’ve been dabbling since I was seven, but I don’t count that. I’ve been seriously writing since I was 19, so
10 years? Geez, 10 years. Well now I feel old.
6.Do you draw inspiration from any others?
Everyone and everything. Movies, TV, books, video games – I find the more I consume, the more I write,
and the better my writing gets. You can’t not help learning by exposure. You’ll absorb lessons about
storytelling by accident if nothing else.
7.Do you have any advice for young writers?
Kinda nicking off what I said earlier, but read. Read everything, in every genre that you love or want to
learn about. Pay attention to the exact moment when you started digging a character and take notes.
Pay attention to when the book gets boring, and write down why. When you’re reading a book that you
don’t want to stop, and it leaves you reading all night, try to figure out why (and more importantly how)
it’s doing that. Is there constant tension? That works for some people. Is there a good ebb and flow of
action, moments where the characters are allowed to relax? Some people prefer that, the “day in the
life” approach. Know what you want to write and do it on purpose, that’s the key.
Learn to read like a writer. Try to predict what’s going to happen next, and see if you’re happy or
disappointed when you’re proved right. If the writer pulls of a spectacular twist that blows your mind,
start looking back at the train tracks the writer laid earlier in the book to make certain he’d hit you with
the train in that exact spot.
And last but not least, write. Write when it’s great, write when it sucks, write when you’re tired, write
when you had a bad day, write when you just recovered from a stab wound (but don’t write while
receiving a stab wound), write on your birthday.
Look back a year ago – wouldn’t it be awesome if you’d started writing a book that day? So do it now,
and next year you’ll be like “Past-Me! You kick a$$!”
1. Where did you get the idea for your book?
My older brother Bill and I have always been working on this sort of “supernatural horror” type
universe, something we just started chatting about in the swimming pool as kids and just never stopped
building. At this point the whole universe pretty much just floats around in our brains like gumbo, but
we do plan on doing something with it at some point. Deadgirl is sort of the first major stab at the
universe.
What Lucy becomes in Deadgirl is a new monster idea I had during those talks. What if a person was
supposed to die but just . . . didn’t?
2. How long did it take you to write it?
I’m not the fastest writer on the Earth, and by that I mean I’m super, duper slow. When I’m writing I
pound out the words like a mad man, but I’ll go months in between projects, or I’ll get stuck and have to
come back weeks later. I’m a “fits and starts” kind of writer, in general.
I started Deadgirl during the 2008 NaNo, but I didn’t finish the manuscript until late 2009. Most of my
books take about a year-and-a-half, generally. That’s not counting the abandoned books, of which there
are many. When I fall out of love with an idea, I fall hard and smash my face and never want to see it
again.
3.What is your writing process like? Do you storyboard?
Every book ends up using a different process, so I guess I just use whatever feels right for the book. I
wrote Deadgirl in one linear shot without any storyboarding – I knew the ending, I knew the characters,
and I just ran as fast as I could toward it.
The Deadgirl sequel, which is finished and winging toward the publisher within the next few weeks,
involved a ton of outlining. I even broke it down by acts, chapters, and scenes before I wrote a single
word. The story was more complex, and the world was getting bigger, and it was really important to
keep track of everything.
Other books I’ve done some mixture. I almost always write linearly, though – beginning to end. I’ve
never been good about jumping around through the timeline. Some writers love it, but I kind of want to
hear the story as I write it.
4.Should we all be on the look out for anymore books after this one?
Definitely! Unless the publishers hate the sequel (pleasenopleasenopleaseno) I’m hoping that will be out
within the next year, but there’s nothing official. Just desperate hope, which is where I tend to live. I
have a short story in the second annual Curiosity Quills Anthology, which is out at the end of November I
believe.
After that I have a few manuscripts finished, and we’ll see where those take us. I do think the Deadgirl
series will be four books – I’ve already got the third book written almost entirely in my head, I just have
to pour it onto a keyboard.
5.How long have you been writing?
I’ve been dabbling since I was seven, but I don’t count that. I’ve been seriously writing since I was 19, so
10 years? Geez, 10 years. Well now I feel old.
6.Do you draw inspiration from any others?
Everyone and everything. Movies, TV, books, video games – I find the more I consume, the more I write,
and the better my writing gets. You can’t not help learning by exposure. You’ll absorb lessons about
storytelling by accident if nothing else.
7.Do you have any advice for young writers?
Kinda nicking off what I said earlier, but read. Read everything, in every genre that you love or want to
learn about. Pay attention to the exact moment when you started digging a character and take notes.
Pay attention to when the book gets boring, and write down why. When you’re reading a book that you
don’t want to stop, and it leaves you reading all night, try to figure out why (and more importantly how)
it’s doing that. Is there constant tension? That works for some people. Is there a good ebb and flow of
action, moments where the characters are allowed to relax? Some people prefer that, the “day in the
life” approach. Know what you want to write and do it on purpose, that’s the key.
Learn to read like a writer. Try to predict what’s going to happen next, and see if you’re happy or
disappointed when you’re proved right. If the writer pulls of a spectacular twist that blows your mind,
start looking back at the train tracks the writer laid earlier in the book to make certain he’d hit you with
the train in that exact spot.
And last but not least, write. Write when it’s great, write when it sucks, write when you’re tired, write
when you had a bad day, write when you just recovered from a stab wound (but don’t write while
receiving a stab wound), write on your birthday.
Look back a year ago – wouldn’t it be awesome if you’d started writing a book that day? So do it now,
and next year you’ll be like “Past-Me! You kick a$$!”
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Hey all well I've been able to be apart of the cover reveal for Arrows of Darkness the second book in the world of Arcas series.
Arrows of Darkness by B.I. Woolet
(World of Arcas #2)
Publication date: Spring 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
(World of Arcas #2)
Publication date: Spring 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Jackson returns to Arcas expecting to find peace—a peace greatly lacking within his own home. But when a violent archer takes over as Lord of the White Palace, the future of the ancient kingdoms is shaken.
While Rigel, Otava, and Merope work together to rescue the six sisters trapped at the White Palace, Sephdar returns from shadowy crusades to find White Wings’ army leaderless. The new self-proclaimed ruler has a plan for the Seven Sisters and a plan for The Bridge to Earth. But when his ambitious arrows pierce the peaceful kingdoms, an unlikely force confronts the dark lord and the future of the crowns is changed forever.
In absence of the seven sisters, Jackson returns to find that dark creatures have overtaken the beautiful Starling Forest, destroying everything in their path. Jackson and Nekkar narrowly escape together, but Nekkar blames the Son of Earth for releasing the present darkness in Arcas. The rocky, new friendship strengthens as they journey through dangerous lands toward the Free Realms. Can their loyalties survive when the beautiful Princess Andromeda interrupts their quest and the darkness of war batters their souls?
Hold to your axe and hold to your lass as you join Jackson to combat the darkness spreading through the world of Arcas. But remember, the most powerful arrows do not pierce the body but the soul.
AUTHOR BIO:
B. I. Woolet (Benji & Ila Woolet) is the author of the World of Arcas book series. They enjoy creating lyrical and literary arts, playing music together, and exploring nature. They are happily married and live in Indiana with their children.
They are currently working on the second installment of the World of Arcas series titled “Arrows of Darkness” due for release in spring of 2015.
They are currently working on the second installment of the World of Arcas series titled “Arrows of Darkness” due for release in spring of 2015.
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Dead Beautiful ByYvonne Woon
Hey All!!
Well I read this beauty awhile back and it was fabulous. The characters were string and the story line was complex..it was definitely one of the best NetGalley reads I've reviewed Highly recommending. sadly I don't have an excerpt for this post but I'll have it up on my facebook as soon as possible.
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Well I read this beauty awhile back and it was fabulous. The characters were string and the story line was complex..it was definitely one of the best NetGalley reads I've reviewed Highly recommending. sadly I don't have an excerpt for this post but I'll have it up on my facebook as soon as possible.
Like my facebook page for more reviews and fun.
https://www.facebook.com/readerslifewithtrisharatliff/settings?tab=public§ion=web_address
Donna of the Dead by Alison Kemper
Hey all well today I have a review for a book that I read a while back ago. Donna of the Dead by Allison Kemper. Below I will have the excerpt.
Donna Pierce might hear voices, but that doesn’t mean she’s crazy. Probably.
The voices do serve their purpose, though—whenever Donna hears them, she knows she’s in danger. So when they start yelling at the top of their proverbial lungs, it’s no surprise she and her best friend, Deke, end up narrowly escaping a zombie horde. Alone without their families, they take refuge at their high school with the super-helpful nerds, the bossy head cheerleader, and—best of all?—Liam, hottie extraordinaire and Donna’s long-time crush. When Liam is around, it’s easy to forget about the moaning zombies, her dad’s plight to reach them, and how weird Deke is suddenly acting toward her.
But as the teens’ numbers dwindle and their escape plans fall apart, Donna has to listen to the secrets those voices in her head have been hiding. It seems not all the zombies are shuffling idiots, and the half-undead aren’t really down with kids like Donna…
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Saturday, 8 November 2014
Here and Now by Ann Brashares
Hey ALL!!! Well this one is a YA Romance that involves time travel. Below is the Excerpt for this book.
Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.
This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.
Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.
But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.
I am not a romance loving person but this had a fairy good storyline. To me this book had only hints of romance so if your like me an don't like romance in your books this is a good book for you.
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Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.
This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.
Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.
But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.
I am not a romance loving person but this had a fairy good storyline. To me this book had only hints of romance so if your like me an don't like romance in your books this is a good book for you.
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Knight Assassin by Rima Jean
Hey all this is a very magical book with supernatural roots its quite interesting and I'll let you read the excerpt yourselves
Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft.
Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft.
When a mysterious stranger tempts Zayn to become the first female member of the heretical Assassins, the chance to seek her revenge lures her in. She trains to harness her supernatural strength and agility, and then enters the King of Jerusalem's court in disguise with the assignment to assassinate Guy de Molay, her mother’s condemner.
But once there, she discovers Earic Goodwin, the childhood friend who still holds her heart, among the knights—and his ocean-blue eyes don’t miss a thing. Will vengeance be worth the life of the one love she has left?
I recommend this for someone that likes books like Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen.
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Runes Book One By Ednah WAlters
Hey All!! I've got another review for you and this one is a neat one this book involves mythology and the paranormal and if you like any of that then keep reading to see the excerpt.
Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.
Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.
Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.
I was really impressed with this book I've always been a big fan of both subjects and to see them really come together just made it perfect I am highly recommending it for those mythological lovers out there.
For now Trisha Signing off.
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Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.
Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.
Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.
I was really impressed with this book I've always been a big fan of both subjects and to see them really come together just made it perfect I am highly recommending it for those mythological lovers out there.
For now Trisha Signing off.
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Second star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Hey All!!! another book I've had for a while and haven't had a chance to review This is like a modern revamped version of Peter pan..which you can probably tell from the title...remembver the disney song with the lyrics.
The Second star to the right
Shines with a light that's rare
And if it's Never Land you need
It's light will lead you there
It's light will lead you there
Yeah that's from peter pan.
Now that we have had our little music time and a throw back..er...Saturday.. Here is the Excerpt.
A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward his nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of J. M. Barrie's classic tale, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up—and the troubled beauty trapped between them.
This was really youthful and at the same time packed a punch this is a Peter Pan for the older kids and its wonderful. I truly adore it and I highly recommend it to anyone that loved Peter Pan as a child.
For now Trisha Signing off.
The Truth About Alice byJennifer Mathieu
Hey All!!! Well this book is heartbreaking and brutal as well as so close to the truth its not even funny.
This book is about a girl who is plagued by rumors that everyone in the school has made up about her. Alice is called a lot of things in this book and of course where rumors are a degree of bullying comes along with it. But she was used to it until one of the boys who was "Connected" to her through a rumor dies in a car crash after his death the rumors spiral out of control and the book is seen through four of the teens that started the rumors in the first place...but no one truly knows what happened...except for Alice.
As I read this book so many emotions came from it..you could feel the anger and jealousy these girls had and you could also feel the sadness that Alice projected...Miss Mathieu has written a book that flawlessly shows the ins and outs of bullying and the consequences that come with it..I had read this book months back but I couldn't fully write a review for it fore it felt as though I was there watching all of this occur. Thank you so much Miss Mathieu for writing this book and I truly hope that many will read it and see the wrongs of bullying.
For now Trisha Signing off.
This book is about a girl who is plagued by rumors that everyone in the school has made up about her. Alice is called a lot of things in this book and of course where rumors are a degree of bullying comes along with it. But she was used to it until one of the boys who was "Connected" to her through a rumor dies in a car crash after his death the rumors spiral out of control and the book is seen through four of the teens that started the rumors in the first place...but no one truly knows what happened...except for Alice.
As I read this book so many emotions came from it..you could feel the anger and jealousy these girls had and you could also feel the sadness that Alice projected...Miss Mathieu has written a book that flawlessly shows the ins and outs of bullying and the consequences that come with it..I had read this book months back but I couldn't fully write a review for it fore it felt as though I was there watching all of this occur. Thank you so much Miss Mathieu for writing this book and I truly hope that many will read it and see the wrongs of bullying.
For now Trisha Signing off.
I am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff
Hey All well today I have a review for a book that I got off Netgalley months ago and I'm just now reading called I am the weapon and below I will have the excerpt and my review.
They needed the perfect assassin.
Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.
But when The Program assigns him to the mayor of New York City, things change. Somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and a girlfriend; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.
This book is a YA thriller and well worth the read. It gets your blood pumping and adrenaline running as well as makes you think...you can really get lost in this book.
For now Trisha Signing off.
Description
Previously published under the title Boy NobodyThey needed the perfect assassin.
Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.
But when The Program assigns him to the mayor of New York City, things change. Somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and a girlfriend; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.
This book is a YA thriller and well worth the read. It gets your blood pumping and adrenaline running as well as makes you think...you can really get lost in this book.
For now Trisha Signing off.
Interview with B.I Woodlet Authors of The Hunter, The Bear and the Seventh sister,
I recently got in touch with B.I Woodlet authors of The Hunter, The Bear and the Seventh sister and got the opportunity to do an interview with them before their new book hits shelves Arrows of Darkness check it out below.
1.How did the idea for The Hunter, The Bear and the Seventh sister come about?
Well, it’s kind of a funny beginning. One cold November, Benji (the “B” in B.I. Woolet) was hiding in my parent’s back room and staring into the blazing fireplace. He was hoping to disappear from the awkwardness of being a guy present at someone else’s baby shower. While alone, Benji started thinking about what it would be like if he traveled to another world. This simple, momentary daydream turned into the 1st book in the World of Arcas.
2.Why did you choose to write a young adult novel?
We like that the YA world is full of first time experiences. It’s a genre where characters awaken to new realities, confront old fears, gain deeper independence, fall in love, and look to a future where they have the opportunity to change themselves and the world around them.
3. When you were writing The Hunter, The Bear and the Seventh Sister what inspired these characters?
The stars! Around the same time we starting writing, we purchased our first telescope. To navigate the night sky properly, we needed to learn and recognize many different constellations. We’d always enjoyed hearing the Greek stories about the constellations, but as we stargazed, these characters danced their way into our story with new life.
4. How long have you all been writing? Apart and together?
As children, Benji created stories about a superhero eraser, and I (Ila) wrote poems for fun. But when we first met, we shared a love of music. I sang in the high school choir while Benji accompanied the choir from the piano. During college, I studied English and he studied Music Composition. Our combined love of literary and lyrical arts first morphed into writing songs together, but about 3 years ago, we started writing The Hunter, the Bear, and the Seventh Sister. It’s been an adventure for us as a married couple with little children running around, but we enjoy the challenge, the fun, and the partnership.
- How many books will be in the Arcas series?
We know that there will be at least 3 books in the World of Arcas series, but there are many unique and interesting characters that are beckoning us to dig deeper into their stories and histories. We aren’t going to make any guarantees, but it could end up being 6-8 books.
6. Do you have any advice for young writers or authors?
Writing is a journey. It can take a long time to reach the destination. You may get tired along the way. You may question whether the work and the editing and the money are worth investing into it. And the hardest thing is, you may not always know exactly where you are going or if you will be well-received when you get there. But if you choose to put one foot in front of the other each day and continue down the path, you are sure to be changed through the process. Dare to take the first step toward your dreams. Dare to share your stories with friends and family who can inspire and encourage you along the way. And dare to let the journey change you into a better, wiser, and more compassionate person.
7. Can you tell us anything about the 2nd book in the Arcas series?
We’d love to! Fans will be happy to know that all of their favorite characters are back as the adventures in Arcas continue with book 2: Arrows of Darkness. Life in Arcas is getting darker and more intense since Jackson left. Here’s a small sneak peak from the back cover!
“Jackson returns to Arcas expecting to find peace—a peace greatly lacking within his own home. But when a violent archer takes over as Lord of the White Palace, the future of the ancient kingdoms is shaken.”
8.Where did you get the names for your novels?
Like our characters, our titles are related to the stars. The Hunter, the Bear, and the Seventh Sister came from the constellations Orion, Ursa Major, and the Pleiades. Arrows of Darkness came from the Saggita constellation, which means “arrow.”
9. Did you write these books knowing that you would be publishing them? or was it just an experiment that worked out fabulously?
At first, we were exploring and experimenting with the wild dream that maybe, someday, we would publish. We didn’t necessarily think it would happen, but after 2 years of writing and editing, we realized that the novel was complete. So, we started researching and began the next adventure of publishing!
10. Do you have any plans to further the Arcas series after book 2 or are we drawing to a close with this series?
Oh, yes! We have a strong gut feeling that the World of Arcas series has many more years and many more books to explore before the journey is complete.
11.And I think everyone wants to know this. Do you have any plans for any other works in the future?
Definitely! Now that we’ve had our first taste of being authors, we don’t want to stop. We have several ideas for stand-alone novels once this series is complete. We love fantasy but also want to explore writing in the realms of mystery, thriller, and futuristic Sci-fi.
There you have it. There is a possibility that B.I Woodlet will come out with stand alone novels as well as new books in the Arcas Series so for now Trisha Signing off.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Interview with R.J. Truman.
Hey all well I just got done interviewing a UK bestseller. I asked her some questions about publishing and writingnand these were her responses.
1. "Where do your ideas come from?"
The ideas for the White Light Chronicles came, when I decided to think of a way to combine elves and vampires in the same story. I liked the idea that elves could be like angels, and vampires are demons. After I thought of that the other ideas flowed from that.
2. "When did you start writing?"
I started writing when I was in my teens, and wrote the original draft for Obsidian White when I was about 17.
3."How do you create your characters? (storyboarding, notes, ect,)"
To be honest I start writing them and develop them along with the plot. I make notes on basic things like their relation to the other characters, and their appearance. But the rest develops along with the story.
4."You are on the UK’s best sellers list. What’s that like?"
and how did you feel when you first found out? It was really crazy, and great to know that people out there are actually reading and enjoying my books.
5."You first published in 2012 how do you feel your writing has changed since then?"
I think my writing style has improved as I’ve gained more confidence in myself. I have also put a lot more time into developing my characters, and their back stories.
6."You are planning 7 books in your series? How are you coming up with enough ideas for all of
these book?"
I’m working on writing a book for each of the main characters. Each one has their own history, and although they cross over in each other’s stories there are lots of details that I leave open for development in their individual books. Also with the more I write the stories the more ideas come to me.
7."Who is your favorite character in your books?"
That’s a difficult one, I do really like Lucifer, and he is a fun character to write. He has lots of different elements to his personality. He is witty and charming, but you can’t trust him.
8."Why did you choose to self publish? and what was that experiance like?"
I decided to self-publish as I wanted to have total control over my stories. I didn’t want to have to make changes to them to please anyone. Or write to any sort of constraints. I wanted it to be all me.
9."Will you self publish again? I think I will self-publish my future work?"
That way I will continue to have control over my work.
10."Do you have any advice for young writers and authors?"
I would say writing the story is the easy part. The real work comes when you have to promote it. You need to be focused and driven, and to have faith in your work. Self-publishing is a great way to get your work out there, and thanks to social media you have access to a whole world of people. So make the most of it.
11. "What do you think is the most important part of being an author?"
Coming up with new and original ideas, that people will want to read and find inspiring. If you can inspire at least one person with your words, then I consider that an achievement.
Please check out her books at vampiercove.com and for now this is Trisha Signing out.
1. "Where do your ideas come from?"
The ideas for the White Light Chronicles came, when I decided to think of a way to combine elves and vampires in the same story. I liked the idea that elves could be like angels, and vampires are demons. After I thought of that the other ideas flowed from that.
2. "When did you start writing?"
I started writing when I was in my teens, and wrote the original draft for Obsidian White when I was about 17.
3."How do you create your characters? (storyboarding, notes, ect,)"
To be honest I start writing them and develop them along with the plot. I make notes on basic things like their relation to the other characters, and their appearance. But the rest develops along with the story.
4."You are on the UK’s best sellers list. What’s that like?"
and how did you feel when you first found out? It was really crazy, and great to know that people out there are actually reading and enjoying my books.
5."You first published in 2012 how do you feel your writing has changed since then?"
I think my writing style has improved as I’ve gained more confidence in myself. I have also put a lot more time into developing my characters, and their back stories.
6."You are planning 7 books in your series? How are you coming up with enough ideas for all of
these book?"
I’m working on writing a book for each of the main characters. Each one has their own history, and although they cross over in each other’s stories there are lots of details that I leave open for development in their individual books. Also with the more I write the stories the more ideas come to me.
7."Who is your favorite character in your books?"
That’s a difficult one, I do really like Lucifer, and he is a fun character to write. He has lots of different elements to his personality. He is witty and charming, but you can’t trust him.
8."Why did you choose to self publish? and what was that experiance like?"
I decided to self-publish as I wanted to have total control over my stories. I didn’t want to have to make changes to them to please anyone. Or write to any sort of constraints. I wanted it to be all me.
9."Will you self publish again? I think I will self-publish my future work?"
That way I will continue to have control over my work.
10."Do you have any advice for young writers and authors?"
I would say writing the story is the easy part. The real work comes when you have to promote it. You need to be focused and driven, and to have faith in your work. Self-publishing is a great way to get your work out there, and thanks to social media you have access to a whole world of people. So make the most of it.
11. "What do you think is the most important part of being an author?"
Coming up with new and original ideas, that people will want to read and find inspiring. If you can inspire at least one person with your words, then I consider that an achievement.
Please check out her books at vampiercove.com and for now this is Trisha Signing out.
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Blog tour.
Hey all second post today. This time I have a blog tour for Zhokov's Dogs.
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Well this book is very uniqe from the name to the cover and storyline..but instead of ruining it for you I'll give you the blurp.
Zhukov’s Dogs, by Amanda Cyr
Genre: new-adult, science-fiction, action-adventure
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Publication: October 27, 2014
Cover Artist: Alexandria Thompson of Gothic Fate
Goodreads
Description:
Lieutenant Colonel Nik Zhukov is just like any other desensitized seventeen-year-old living in
the year 2076. At least he likes to think he is when he isn’t busy eliminating threats to national
security, breaking up terrorist organizations, and trying not to get blown up. It’s all in a normal
day’s work for one of the military’s top dogs, and he’s never disappointed. Never failed. Never
lost sight of his dream of making it to the elite force, even as each new job forces him to see just
how morally corrupt his leaders are.
On the verge of promotion, Nik is dispatched to the underground city beneath the icy Seattle
tundra, his final mission handed down directly from The Council. It should have been a simple
in-and-out, but the underground is full of dark secrets and he soon finds himself swept into
battles, lying to his best friend back east, and growing a bit too close to the rebels he was sent to
spy on.
Nik realizes too late that he’s broken the number one rule within his ranks; he’s allowed himself
to feel normal for the first time in his life. He might be able to turn the job around, become
the soldier he was once was, except for his growing attachment to the rebel leader. A guy.
Yet another first for Nik. It’s a mistake he pays for dearly when he learns The Council’s true
intentions for the city.
It’s never ‘just harmless fun’ when you’re a government dog, not when The Council holds the
leash. Nik knows there are some lines you can never come back from crossing, and he’s forced
to choose whose rules to play by. He races toward the invisible divide, aware he’ll be called
traitor by both his nation and by his friends. Aware that even the right choice can be deadly to
make.
--
About Amanda Cyr:
Amanda Cyr is a tea-loving freelance journalist, viral content curator, and debut novelist. She
studied creative writing at Seattle University, where she developed all sorts of opinions before
becoming a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. She is currently represented
by Kimberley Cameron of the Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency.
Growing up, Amanda moved around a lot. She began writing to make the transitions easier and
make up for her lack of friends in middle school. An awesome professor in Medford, Oregon
tried to convince her to pursue writing professionally, but Amanda was deadest on a law career.
It wasn’t until an unpleasant professor in Seattle, Washington told her she was a terrible writer
that Amanda really committed to the idea of getting published, mostly just to spite her professor.
When Amanda’s not hunched over a laptop she enjoys sleeping, video games, Netflix binges,
and wrestling with her two polar bear dogs. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she
spends her days hissing at the sun and missing Seattle. Her least favorite things include the
mispronunciation of her name, screaming children, and California.
Find Amanda Cyr Online:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
So thats it for this tour..Trisha signing off.
.jpg)
Zhukov’s Dogs, by Amanda Cyr
Genre: new-adult, science-fiction, action-adventure
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Publication: October 27, 2014
Cover Artist: Alexandria Thompson of Gothic Fate
Goodreads
Description:
Lieutenant Colonel Nik Zhukov is just like any other desensitized seventeen-year-old living in
the year 2076. At least he likes to think he is when he isn’t busy eliminating threats to national
security, breaking up terrorist organizations, and trying not to get blown up. It’s all in a normal
day’s work for one of the military’s top dogs, and he’s never disappointed. Never failed. Never
lost sight of his dream of making it to the elite force, even as each new job forces him to see just
how morally corrupt his leaders are.
On the verge of promotion, Nik is dispatched to the underground city beneath the icy Seattle
tundra, his final mission handed down directly from The Council. It should have been a simple
in-and-out, but the underground is full of dark secrets and he soon finds himself swept into
battles, lying to his best friend back east, and growing a bit too close to the rebels he was sent to
spy on.
Nik realizes too late that he’s broken the number one rule within his ranks; he’s allowed himself
to feel normal for the first time in his life. He might be able to turn the job around, become
the soldier he was once was, except for his growing attachment to the rebel leader. A guy.
Yet another first for Nik. It’s a mistake he pays for dearly when he learns The Council’s true
intentions for the city.
It’s never ‘just harmless fun’ when you’re a government dog, not when The Council holds the
leash. Nik knows there are some lines you can never come back from crossing, and he’s forced
to choose whose rules to play by. He races toward the invisible divide, aware he’ll be called
traitor by both his nation and by his friends. Aware that even the right choice can be deadly to
make.
--
About Amanda Cyr:
Amanda Cyr is a tea-loving freelance journalist, viral content curator, and debut novelist. She
studied creative writing at Seattle University, where she developed all sorts of opinions before
becoming a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. She is currently represented
by Kimberley Cameron of the Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency.
Growing up, Amanda moved around a lot. She began writing to make the transitions easier and
make up for her lack of friends in middle school. An awesome professor in Medford, Oregon
tried to convince her to pursue writing professionally, but Amanda was deadest on a law career.
It wasn’t until an unpleasant professor in Seattle, Washington told her she was a terrible writer
that Amanda really committed to the idea of getting published, mostly just to spite her professor.
When Amanda’s not hunched over a laptop she enjoys sleeping, video games, Netflix binges,
and wrestling with her two polar bear dogs. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she
spends her days hissing at the sun and missing Seattle. Her least favorite things include the
mispronunciation of her name, screaming children, and California.
Find Amanda Cyr Online:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
So thats it for this tour..Trisha signing off.
Breathless by Jessica Warman
Hey All Well what I have for you today is a review for Breathless by Jessica Warman.
I honestly don't have much good to say about this book so I'll start with it. My mom always said if you can't say something good don't say it at all and so I did a lot of searching and this is all that's good...The cover, it was awesome and so I feel in a way that they were trying to mask the flaws in the writing by how well the cover looked. The story line was very flawed and characters had no real purpose other than her brother who has some serious physiological issues. This girl is sent from home to a privet school to get away from the "Bad Elements" which are her brother and friends {they live in a very poor area but are very rich.} I have a few choice comments about the parents.
1. You want the best for your child but yet you ignore them?
2.Live in a bad area and flaunt how much money you have and expect them to not be selfish.?
3.You pretty much called your son a freak of nature and sent your daughter away so she wasn't around him?
I wonder why they didn't win the best parents awards. As for the main character who was reluctant at first to leave, she soon came to enjoy her life which is understandable if you have the cutest guy in school crushing on you and you can lie about your past and say your brothers dead...By the way its called "Breathless" Because shes a swimmer...very little swimming happened in this book.
Well thats it for this rant..Trisha signing off.
I honestly don't have much good to say about this book so I'll start with it. My mom always said if you can't say something good don't say it at all and so I did a lot of searching and this is all that's good...The cover, it was awesome and so I feel in a way that they were trying to mask the flaws in the writing by how well the cover looked. The story line was very flawed and characters had no real purpose other than her brother who has some serious physiological issues. This girl is sent from home to a privet school to get away from the "Bad Elements" which are her brother and friends {they live in a very poor area but are very rich.} I have a few choice comments about the parents.
1. You want the best for your child but yet you ignore them?
2.Live in a bad area and flaunt how much money you have and expect them to not be selfish.?
3.You pretty much called your son a freak of nature and sent your daughter away so she wasn't around him?
I wonder why they didn't win the best parents awards. As for the main character who was reluctant at first to leave, she soon came to enjoy her life which is understandable if you have the cutest guy in school crushing on you and you can lie about your past and say your brothers dead...By the way its called "Breathless" Because shes a swimmer...very little swimming happened in this book.
Well thats it for this rant..Trisha signing off.
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Interview with Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
Hey All I got to do an interview with Jenna Elizabeth Johnson about characters and how they resemble you and I got some awesome answers so check them out. :)
How do you feel that your views on the world affect how your character views it?
I feel that my characters, on the whole, reflect many of my opinions. Authors, no matter how
hard we might try to embrace and reflect characters who are different than ourselves, will always
find a piece of our soul or personality residing in those we write about. I like to think that my
characters act as role models for those who will be reading about them, and I hope to portray
real people with flaws and great attributes, but also with great tolerance for those who are
different. This is something I strongly try to live by and something I hope is brought to life in
my characters as well.
Do your characters ever resemble you in your beliefs?
Absolutely. As I said above, I try to write characters who are different and who have learned, or
are learning, to embrace diversity and teach others to do so as well.
Do you have a character that’s the most like you?
So far, the character who is most like me is Jahrra from my Legend of Oescienne series. She’s
a bit of a tomboy and she is stubborn. She’s also much braver than I ever was, or will probably
ever be, but in many ways she is very much like me.
Do your interests ever slide over into your characters?
Yes. My characters enjoy reading and artwork. Some of them like sword fighting and archery
(two hobbies I also enjoy), as well as camping and hiking. Those are activities that I know well,
so my characters are familiar with them also.
Does your personality ever show through in your characters?
I would think it does, whether I mean for it to or not. I’ve also had my friends tell me that
certain characters remind them of my other friends and more often than not, I didn’t even pick
up on it until they pointed it out.
How do you write a character that’s your complete opposite?
I am not going to try to claim that I am any good at writing the perfect character who happens to
be nothing like me at all, because just like anything else, writing improves over time. However,
I can let you know that more often than not, I don’t sit down and decide which traits to give
to a character and which ones to leave out. True, I need to set up the basics: will they be an
antagonist or protagonist; will they help or hinder my hero/heroine? After that, these people
begin to reveal themselves to me as if they had been hiding away in my mind and have just
awakened. Developing characters is like meeting new people and sometimes they have things in
common with me, and sometimes they don’t.
And do you ever have issues doing that?
Sometimes it’s tough trying to relate to someone who, say, enjoys shopping and perhaps going
to parties (I really don’t enjoy those two things :P). One character who really challenged this
comfort zone, however, was Robyn in my Otherworld Trilogy. She sort of just jumped in front
of me and waved her arms as if to say, “Hello! I’m awesome, and spunky. You really should
include me in your story.” Although I could absolutely see myself having a friend like Robyn,
she is so fearless and has no qualms if she makes a scene in public. I’m not like her in those
aspects at all and it has been great fun getting to know her. It was also a great challenge making
sure I stayed as true to her character as I could when I wrote Lorehnin. I had my beta readers
and editor inform me that, on more than one occasion, Robyn wasn’t really being herself. I had
to remember to slow down and really let her speak for me in those instances.
How do you find the traits you want in your characters?
Like I was saying above, most of the time my characters show me a little bit of themselves over
time, just as new friends do. I could be writing a new scene or story with a new set of characters,
and halfway through the book I can discover something new about them. It’s both thrilling and
a little nerve-wracking at the same time, especially when they insist on doing something I know
is going to get them into trouble later.
Do you ever feel a connection with your character because of the similarity betwee
n you and them?
Absolutely. I’m a firm believer in the idea that characters can often exist as different facets of
the writer. I also feel that many of my characters are, in a way, their own people and that as
an author, I am simply the vessel through which they speak. It makes me wonder if the reason
these entities chose me to write their stories is because we share common interests, OR perhaps
I am forcing them to adopt some of my own interests so that I am able to connect with them. It
is a quandary sometimes :).
How often do you write characters with views like yours?
Probably far more often than I should. I think all of my characters have at least one thing in
common with me, or a trait that is similar to one of mine. A few of my characters are like me,
and a few of them only have a few similarities with me. I can be very passionate about my views,
so you most likely won’t find me writing often about characters who have an opposing viewpoint
to my own (unless, of course, they are the antagonist and not the protagonist). Someday I might
want to challenge myself in this aspect, but I wouldn’t say I’m quite up to it yet.
What's a downside to writing a character that's similar to you?
I would think the downside is that I might end up sugarcoating my own flaws, or doing the
opposite and making them appear worse than they are. There are many advantages to writing
characters similar to myself, but it can be terrifying and far too revealing as well. As of right
now, most of my characters (who share some similarities with me) aren’t a complete mirror
image.
Have you found a difference between how your readers react to the characters sim
ilar to you and the ones that differ greatly and if so what was the difference?
In both cases, I’ve noticed readers who might absolutely love, or hate, a character that is similar
to me, and the same goes for characters who are different than me. I suppose this is a great
compliment in that they see my characters as real people. In the real world, there are people we
really enjoy being around, or hate to be near, certain people for one reason or another.
How do you prepare yourself to write for your characters?
For example (writing notes, acting out scenes as the characters etc)
If I think of the world first, I start building the setting and then decide which characters will
inhabit this world. Sometimes, characters come blazing forth into my mind and there isn’t
much I can do to develop them. I will, from time to time, map them out to some degree: make
note of their height, skin tone, hair and eye color, their likes and dislikes, hobbies etc. I try to
flesh them out as real people, but even then, sometimes they behave in ways I never expect.
What do you think is the most important aspect of writing a character?
I think the most important aspect of writing a character is letting them tell their story. I have
sometimes tried to force my characters into behaving a certain way or portraying their book in
a specific point of view, but it doesn’t work. I end up fighting them and in the end, they win.
For example, I started out writing Faelorehn in first person perspective, but someone suggested
I should stick to third person. For a month or so, I struggled against the first person point of
view style, but my main character, Meghan, would have none of it. It just wasn’t meant to be
delivered in third person, and once I accepted that fact, it became much easier to work on the
novel.
How do you feel that your views on the world affect how your character views it?
I feel that my characters, on the whole, reflect many of my opinions. Authors, no matter how
hard we might try to embrace and reflect characters who are different than ourselves, will always
find a piece of our soul or personality residing in those we write about. I like to think that my
characters act as role models for those who will be reading about them, and I hope to portray
real people with flaws and great attributes, but also with great tolerance for those who are
different. This is something I strongly try to live by and something I hope is brought to life in
my characters as well.
Do your characters ever resemble you in your beliefs?
Absolutely. As I said above, I try to write characters who are different and who have learned, or
are learning, to embrace diversity and teach others to do so as well.
Do you have a character that’s the most like you?
So far, the character who is most like me is Jahrra from my Legend of Oescienne series. She’s
a bit of a tomboy and she is stubborn. She’s also much braver than I ever was, or will probably
ever be, but in many ways she is very much like me.
Do your interests ever slide over into your characters?
Yes. My characters enjoy reading and artwork. Some of them like sword fighting and archery
(two hobbies I also enjoy), as well as camping and hiking. Those are activities that I know well,
so my characters are familiar with them also.
Does your personality ever show through in your characters?
I would think it does, whether I mean for it to or not. I’ve also had my friends tell me that
certain characters remind them of my other friends and more often than not, I didn’t even pick
up on it until they pointed it out.
How do you write a character that’s your complete opposite?
I am not going to try to claim that I am any good at writing the perfect character who happens to
be nothing like me at all, because just like anything else, writing improves over time. However,
I can let you know that more often than not, I don’t sit down and decide which traits to give
to a character and which ones to leave out. True, I need to set up the basics: will they be an
antagonist or protagonist; will they help or hinder my hero/heroine? After that, these people
begin to reveal themselves to me as if they had been hiding away in my mind and have just
awakened. Developing characters is like meeting new people and sometimes they have things in
common with me, and sometimes they don’t.
And do you ever have issues doing that?
Sometimes it’s tough trying to relate to someone who, say, enjoys shopping and perhaps going
to parties (I really don’t enjoy those two things :P). One character who really challenged this
comfort zone, however, was Robyn in my Otherworld Trilogy. She sort of just jumped in front
of me and waved her arms as if to say, “Hello! I’m awesome, and spunky. You really should
include me in your story.” Although I could absolutely see myself having a friend like Robyn,
she is so fearless and has no qualms if she makes a scene in public. I’m not like her in those
aspects at all and it has been great fun getting to know her. It was also a great challenge making
sure I stayed as true to her character as I could when I wrote Lorehnin. I had my beta readers
and editor inform me that, on more than one occasion, Robyn wasn’t really being herself. I had
to remember to slow down and really let her speak for me in those instances.
How do you find the traits you want in your characters?
Like I was saying above, most of the time my characters show me a little bit of themselves over
time, just as new friends do. I could be writing a new scene or story with a new set of characters,
and halfway through the book I can discover something new about them. It’s both thrilling and
a little nerve-wracking at the same time, especially when they insist on doing something I know
is going to get them into trouble later.
Do you ever feel a connection with your character because of the similarity betwee
n you and them?
Absolutely. I’m a firm believer in the idea that characters can often exist as different facets of
the writer. I also feel that many of my characters are, in a way, their own people and that as
an author, I am simply the vessel through which they speak. It makes me wonder if the reason
these entities chose me to write their stories is because we share common interests, OR perhaps
I am forcing them to adopt some of my own interests so that I am able to connect with them. It
is a quandary sometimes :).
How often do you write characters with views like yours?
Probably far more often than I should. I think all of my characters have at least one thing in
common with me, or a trait that is similar to one of mine. A few of my characters are like me,
and a few of them only have a few similarities with me. I can be very passionate about my views,
so you most likely won’t find me writing often about characters who have an opposing viewpoint
to my own (unless, of course, they are the antagonist and not the protagonist). Someday I might
want to challenge myself in this aspect, but I wouldn’t say I’m quite up to it yet.
What's a downside to writing a character that's similar to you?
I would think the downside is that I might end up sugarcoating my own flaws, or doing the
opposite and making them appear worse than they are. There are many advantages to writing
characters similar to myself, but it can be terrifying and far too revealing as well. As of right
now, most of my characters (who share some similarities with me) aren’t a complete mirror
image.
Have you found a difference between how your readers react to the characters sim
ilar to you and the ones that differ greatly and if so what was the difference?
In both cases, I’ve noticed readers who might absolutely love, or hate, a character that is similar
to me, and the same goes for characters who are different than me. I suppose this is a great
compliment in that they see my characters as real people. In the real world, there are people we
really enjoy being around, or hate to be near, certain people for one reason or another.
How do you prepare yourself to write for your characters?
For example (writing notes, acting out scenes as the characters etc)
If I think of the world first, I start building the setting and then decide which characters will
inhabit this world. Sometimes, characters come blazing forth into my mind and there isn’t
much I can do to develop them. I will, from time to time, map them out to some degree: make
note of their height, skin tone, hair and eye color, their likes and dislikes, hobbies etc. I try to
flesh them out as real people, but even then, sometimes they behave in ways I never expect.
What do you think is the most important aspect of writing a character?
I think the most important aspect of writing a character is letting them tell their story. I have
sometimes tried to force my characters into behaving a certain way or portraying their book in
a specific point of view, but it doesn’t work. I end up fighting them and in the end, they win.
For example, I started out writing Faelorehn in first person perspective, but someone suggested
I should stick to third person. For a month or so, I struggled against the first person point of
view style, but my main character, Meghan, would have none of it. It just wasn’t meant to be
delivered in third person, and once I accepted that fact, it became much easier to work on the
novel.
Interview with Rex Badger
Hey All I just did an interview with one of the writers I know, Rex Badger. He and I talked about characters and tips on how to create them.
How often do your characters stray from your vision? I try to not let it happen but it does but I make something happen in the story where they do get back on track of what I want to happen.
How do you feel that your views on the world affect how your character views it? I feel as if, if I can get my views out to the world and to the people through a character or through a piece of writing, then I will be spreading a message that needs to spread around so people will know about it and take appropriate action.
Do your characters ever resemble you in your beliefs? Every once in a while, I sneak in a view of mine and a reader may not catch it or they might. It depends on the reader. If they catch it, then great, and if not, oh well. One of my earlier characters, Donna Raven, from my first novel, shows almost all of my beliefs in the world but people don’t know it unless they get to know more about me which, sadly, no one wishes to do.
Do you have a character thats the most like you? In fact, I don’t. A little part of me somehow escapes into everyone of my characters. I don’t set myself into one specific character. I feel as if they are the most important one while I am neglecting the others.
Do your interests ever slide over into your characters? I try to let them not to, but I’m human and we’re not perfect. So, yes, they kind of do which sometimes takes my readers by total surprise but they’re fine with that because it makes the reader feel more connected with me and my character that I am portraying.
Does your personality ever show through in your characters? I usually try to let it because I want the readers to know exactly what I want them to think what I am thinking. I also want them to get to know me in an indirect way so they feel as if I’m a real person and not some random person writing something down on a piece of paper and calling it a book.
How do you write a character thats your complete opposite? I usually think of someone who isn’t me and how they would react to things which is easier said than done but it’s possible. Hard albeit, but possible.
And do you ever have issues doing that? I have a small issue with it because I’m not always the same every single day. I could be happy and sunshine one day, and be a dark brooding monster the next. So, depending on how I feel, depends on how are my characters act.
How do you find the traits you want in your characters? I find them by watching other people and exploring new characteristics and traits in the world by either looking them up or by acting them out myself.
Do you ever feel a connection with your character because of the similarity between you and them? I feel a connection to all of my characters; even the villains. This way, I can control the characters on how I feel they should act.
How often do you write characters with views like yours? Almost all of my characters have a part of my views though, not all. This way, I know I get out into the world without having to venture very far into the world without leaving my comfort zone.
What's a downside to writing a character similar that's similar to you? A downside to it would be on how I would describe myself because sometimes, I don’t know anything about myself. My mood and my thoughts change as swiftly as the four winds which is almost constantly.
Have you found a difference between how your readers react to the characters similar to you and the ones that differ greatly and if so what was the difference? I have seen a difference and sometimes, I don’t. It all depends on the reader and what they are reading. I get different responses from different people so it’s greatly diverse.
How do you prepare yourself to write for your characters? For example (writing notes, acting out scenes as the characters etc) I prepare myself by making lists and charts or writing down notes as others would call them. This way, I can get all my ducks in a row for a certain character or characters. Writing down notes could either be detrimental to writing or very helpful. If you don’t write down notes about a character, you may forget how they act and what they look like. I’ve learned this by experience and by making several mistakes but I learned from my mistakes and I make sure to be prepared.
What do you think is the most important aspect of writing a character? The most important aspect would be how they would act in a situation and around other people. Emotions and how they portray themselves as a person is crucial in writing a character.
What do you feel is an important step to creating your characters? An important is step first getting a general idea of where you want your story to go by making out a plot chart or notes before starting. Then make a list of names you wish to use as characters or anything else you would want.
What are some steps you take with creating your characters? And do you have any tips you can give to writers? Some steps would be make a chart first of all the characters and their traits and characteristics along a with a plot chart. Take notes of how you want your characters to act. Then, set up a time when you get your creative writing funk on and get down to the nitty gritty and work. This may seem a little complicated at first, but as time goes on, it becomes easier and less difficult to make charts and take notes. An important thing to remember is have someone you trust completely, read over what you write and have them give you the absolute honest opinions about it and take them into consideration but you don’t always have to do what they say. Just take what they say and make a note about it off to the side for later when you do revisions on your story. Another step is to eliminate all distractions from your area so you can concentrate better. I’ve found it easier to concentrate while listening to music that appeals to the story you are writing or making characters. Being focused while doing this process can be a huge turning point in your writing because if you’re not totally concentrated on it, it could not be as good as you would want it. So, take the precautions and stay in a place without distractions. An important thing to do while writing is to relax and let the story flow from your imagination, through your fingers and onto the paper or onto the screen whichever you are using.
BEST TIP: STAY RELAXED AND DON’T GET OVERWHELMED. YOU CAN DO IT.
How do you get over writers block? Granted, writer’s block is a very big obstacle to overcome but I usually overcome it by taking a break from the story and going out and doing something proactive with my body to give my mind a break. Sometimes, I just completely forget the story and work on another piece of writing that I am working on to have a change of venue and aspect.
Have you ever had a character you just didn't like? I had some but I have very creative ways of...disposing them. I sometimes either kill them in a tragic event or just have them go away on some sort of exploration where I don’t have to deal with them.
How often do your characters stray from your vision? I try to not let it happen but it does but I make something happen in the story where they do get back on track of what I want to happen.
Monday, 6 October 2014
Wicked Path Release Blitz
Hey All well I have been lucky enough to be in the release blitz for Wicked Path. Just follow below to learn more about this book.
This book has a strong story line and characters that tie together flawlessly in a web of fantasy and a bit of mystery. Here is some info about Wicked Path and at the end is a link to the raffle that Eliza is doing.
<a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Wicked-Path-
Cover.jpg"><img class="wp-image-30767 alignleft" src="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/10/Wicked-Path-Cover.jpg" alt="Wicked Path Cover" width="420"
height="600" /></a>Curiosity Quills is excited to announce the release of <strong>young-
adult, epic-fantasy</strong> <em><strong>Wicked Path</strong></em>, by <strong>Eliza
Tilton</strong>, which is book two in the <strong>Daath Chronicles</strong>. The amazing
cover was designed by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Sky-Design/
1401031006827361?sk=timeline">Michelle Johnson at Blue Sky Design</a>.
![]()
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
For now Trisha Signing out.
This book has a strong story line and characters that tie together flawlessly in a web of fantasy and a bit of mystery. Here is some info about Wicked Path and at the end is a link to the raffle that Eliza is doing.
<a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Wicked-Path-
Cover.jpg"><img class="wp-image-30767 alignleft" src="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/10/Wicked-Path-Cover.jpg" alt="Wicked Path Cover" width="420"
height="600" /></a>Curiosity Quills is excited to announce the release of <strong>young-
adult, epic-fantasy</strong> <em><strong>Wicked Path</strong></em>, by <strong>Eliza
Tilton</strong>, which is book two in the <strong>Daath Chronicles</strong>. The amazing
cover was designed by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Sky-Design/
1401031006827361?sk=timeline">Michelle Johnson at Blue Sky Design</a>.
In Wicked Path: Book Two of the Daath Chronicles brother and sister are forced to
opposite sides of Tarrtainya on a fast-paced adventure where the wildlife isn’t the only thing
trying to kill them.
Three months have passed since Avikar defeated the Reptilian Prince, and he still can’t
remember his battle with Lucino. On the hunt for answers, he returns to the scene of the fight
and discovers a strange connection between his family’s dagger and the mysterious kingdom
of Daath, and it seems only his distant father can reveal the truth behind it all.
Before Avikar can travel back home, Lucy assaults him in the market and forces him to
flee to Nod Mountains—a place few dare to enter, and even less return from. With Raven and
her childhood friend by his side, they must survive the treacherous journey through the pass
with a vengeful Lucy hunting them. If they don’t, they’ll never see home again.
Jeslyn’s new life in Luna Harbor is the perfect remedy for her confused and broken
heart. But when a group of mercenaries kidnap her beloved Grandfather, interrupting her
daily routine as his jewelry apprentice, she's forced to join forces with the one person from
her past she tried to forget.
And his assistance comes with a price.
<strong>Find Wicked Path Online:</strong>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22452354-wicked-path?
from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | Amazon US | amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
--
<strong><a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/
Eliza-Tilton.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-20239 alignleft" src="https://
curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Eliza-Tilton-200x200.jpg" alt="Eliza Tilton -
Author Pic" width="200" height="200" /></a>About The Author:</strong>
Eliza graduated from Dowling College with a BS in Visual Communications. When she’s
not arguing with excel at her day job, or playing Dragon Age 2, again, she’s writing.
Her YA stories hold a bit of the fantastical and there’s always a hot romance. She
resides on Long Island with her husband, two kids and one very snuggly pit bull.
<strong>Find Eliza Tilton Online:</strong>
<a href="http://elizatilton.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://
www.facebook.com/pages/Eliza-Tilton-YA-Author/245765852217133">Facebook</a> | <a
href="https://twitter.com/ElizaTilton">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/
author/show/7047768.Eliza_Tilton">Goodreads</a>.jpg)
<a id="rc-6afc18b131" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6afc18b131/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>.jpg)
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
For now Trisha Signing out.
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